
Manesh Samtani is the Editor at Regulation Asia, where he leads the regional news desk from Hong Kong, directing coverage of critical regulatory developments impacting financial services across APAC. Manesh specialises in analysing how new rules and technologies are reshaping banking, capital markets, and the fight against financial crime, providing finance professionals, compliance leaders, and policymakers with the intelligence they need to navigate risk and understand the impact of regulatory change in the region. manesh@regulationasia.com

Fintech / Regtech
Hong Kong to Phase In Stablecoin Audit Rules Over 1-3 Years
16/09/2025
AFRC chief warns that rushing detailed standards for the nascent industry could "kill" it, signalling a cautious approach.

Securities / Derivatives
Hong Kong Surpasses Family Office Target Ahead of Schedule
16/09/2025
Hong Kong has attracted over 200 family offices since 2022, spurred by new tax concessions and investment schemes.

Market Infrastructure
China Eases Cross-Border Financing Rules, Expands MNC Cash Pooling
16/09/2025
Regulators have raised the foreign debt ceiling for firms and FIs while simplifying rules to attract capital and facilitate investment.

AML / KYC
Thai Authorities Pledge Urgent Action to Unblock Frozen Accounts
16/09/2025
The BOT and government agencies are creating a 'war room' to expedite the unblocking of innocent accounts caught in a nationwide mule account sweep.

Sanctions
Japan, New Zealand, UK Announce New Wave of Russia Sanctions
15/09/2025
The targets include companies in Mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Thailand and India. Japan and New Zealand now aligned with the G7 oil price cap.

AML / KYC
Global Anti-Financial Crime System 'Broken', Needs Radical Reform: RUSI
13/09/2025
RUSI argues the global framework is failing despite huge spending, calling for an overhaul of suspicious activity reporting.

Crypto / Digital Assets
Korean Crypto Exchanges and KCMI Launch Policy Research Group
12/09/2025
The new body, formed by exchange alliance DAXA and the Korea Capital Market Institute, aims to provide analysis to support digital asset regulation.

Fintech / Regtech
HKMA Flags Digital Fraud as Higher Priority Than Crypto, CRE Risks
12/09/2025
Arthur Yuen said at the FT Live Asia Banking Summit on Thursday that the impact of digital fraud on the broader economy and social fabric is systemic.

Sanctions
US Sanctions China, UAE Firms in Largest-Ever Action Against Houthi Networks
12/09/2025
OFAC sanctioned dozens of entities and vessels involved in Houthi fundraising and weapons procurement, while warning of secondary sanctions risks for FIs.

Market Infrastructure
China Launches Market Reform Pilots in 10 Key Economic Hubs
12/09/2025
The two-year programme targets the market-based allocation of capital, data, and other key production factors to boost the economy and unify domestic markets.
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