Cryptocurrency

South Korea Finalises Stricter VASP Registration Rules

14/08/2026

New rules effective 20 August introduce tougher checks on shareholders, financial soundness, and IT systems for crypto firms.

Trading & Investment

HKEX to Float Discussion Paper on Extending Trading Hours

13/08/2026

HKEX is moving ahead with discussions on longer trading sessions despite broker concerns, amid growing competition from global peers.

Anti-Money Laundering

Korea to Abolish Crypto Travel Rule Threshold, Tighten VASP Oversight

13/08/2026

Regulators will expand the travel rule to all crypto transfers and impose stricter financial and operational requirements on virtual asset service providers.

Anti-Money Laundering

New Zealand DIA Adopts ‘Stewardship’ Approach to AML Supervision

13/08/2026

Senior DIA official John Sneyd says the agency’s intelligence-led strategy is based on stewardship, partnerships, and a shared objective: defeating organised crime.

Stablecoins

StanChart-backed Venture Launches Regulated HKD Stablecoin

13/08/2026

Anchorpoint has begun a phased rollout of its licensed stablecoin, with licensed exchanges HashKey and OSL joining as initial distributors.

Operational Risk

RBNZ Proposes Prudential Levy to Fund Financial Regulation

13/08/2026

The RBNZ has detailed plans for an industry-funded levy to recover NZD 70 million annually for its supervisory costs.

Anti-Money Laundering

AUSTRAC Orders Crypto ATM Operator Offline Over AML Failures

13/08/2026

AUSTRAC has suspended Cryptolink’s virtual asset service provider registration for three months, citing reporting failures and unmanaged risks.

Structural Regulation

Philippines Adopts Tiered Public Ownership Rules for Listings

12/08/2026

The PSE has implemented new rules that link minimum public ownership requirements for new listings to market capitalisation.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Brunei Fortifies Defences Against Online Scams with New Watchdog Portal

12/08/2026

The government announces a multi-pronged strategy, including the Scamwatch portal, to fast-track reporting, enhance enforcement, and protect the public from rising financial cybercrime.