Crypto / Digital Assets

ABA Calls for Swift Passage of Payment System Reforms

05/02/2025

ABA CEO Anna Bligh said the reforms “first flagged over 1,200 days ago” are “urgently needed” and can be passed “this sitting fortnight”.

Securities / Derivatives

SFC to Resume Collecting Annual Licensing Fees in April

05/02/2025

The SFC has fully waived the annual licensing fees for 11 of the last 15 years. The waiver will be allowed to end in March 2025.

Australia to Continue Allowing Virtual Meetings, Digital Documents

04/02/2025

Stephen Jones called on ASIC, ASX and industry bodies to issue guidance on appropriate conduct and use of technology at meetings

HK Banks to Collaborate to Help SMEs Resolve Difficulties: HKAB

04/02/2025

HKAB said StanChart, BOCHK, HSBC, BEA, DBS, and Hang Seng are piloting a collaborative approach to negotiating SME financing arrangements

Enforcement

Hong Kong Court Jails Ex-Lawmaker for Defrauding Stock Exchange

04/02/2025

A father and son were jailed for concealing a backdoor listing from the stock exchange. A third individual was jailed for laundering HKD 42 million.

Securities / Derivatives

SET Launches New Depositary Receipts based on HK-Listed ETFs

04/02/2025

The SET has more than 50 DR products listed on its market, including six new DRs based on ETFs listed in Hong Kong.

Enforcement

Australia Identifies 5,000 Potential Victims of Romance Scams

01/02/2025

The potential victims were identified from devices found by Philippine authorities at a Manila-based scam compound

Enforcement

HK PCPD Orders Oxfam to Remediate Privacy Law Breaches

28/01/2025

The PCPD says Oxfam didn’t have adequate measures in place to guard against the ransomware attack it experienced last year.

ESG / Sustainability

AFRC Assesses Readiness for Sustainability Reporting and Assurance

28/01/2025

An increasing number of HK-listed entities are obtaining sustainability assurance, and more auditors are offering these services.