AML / KYC

    Enforcement

    Singapore Court Jails Chinese National over $6.9m Crypto Theft

    By Nithya Subramanian | 13/03/2026

    Chinese national Zhang Xinghua jailed two years for role in multi-million-dollar SafeX cryptocurrency theft involving insider access and laundering attempts.

    Fintech / Regtech

    BSP Expands Open Finance Pilot for Retirement Accounts

    By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 13/03/2026

    The move allows customers of four major financial institutions to open PERA accounts digitally by sharing data with a designated administrator.

    Fintech / Regtech

    BNM Sets New Technology Risk Rules for Payment Firms

    By Nithya Subramanian | 13/03/2026

    BNM has introduced stricter technology, cybersecurity, and operational resilience rules for payment providers amid rapid digital payments growth.

    Fintech / Regtech

    New Zealand Regulators to Partner with Banks on Basic Account Access

    By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 13/03/2026

    A new industry-regulator pact aims to tackle financial exclusion after a consultation found near-universal support for action to improve access.

    Sanctions

    US Sanctions North Korea IT Worker Network in Vietnam and Laos

    By Manesh Samtani | 13/03/2026

    The action targets facilitators using cryptocurrency to launder funds, heightening secondary sanctions and due diligence risks for financial institutions in Southeast Asia.

    Fintech / Regtech

    FSB and Industry Launch New Push on Cross-border Payments

    By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 13/03/2026

    Andrew Bailey says progress on the G20 roadmap is stalling, outlining new action plans for regulators and calling for industry leadership.

    Market Infrastructure

    BIS Paper Calls for Public Sector Push to Fix Cross-Border Payments

    By Manesh Samtani | 12/03/2026

    New paper highlights slow speeds and high costs, pointing to APAC initiatives as models for improving global payment systems.

    AML / KYC

    US Treasury Recognises Legitimate Use of Crypto Mixers, Seeks New Powers

    By Manesh Samtani | 12/03/2026

    A key report signals a nuanced US stance on privacy tools while proposing a "hold law" to freeze suspicious digital assets.

    Enforcement

    Thailand Freezes 10,000 Crypto Accounts in AML Crackdown

    By Editors | 12/03/2026

    The action follows the rollout of a new ‘Speed Bump’ protocol and stricter KYC checks designed to disrupt illicit fund flows.

    Fintech / Regtech

    Australia's ‘Confirmation of Payee’ Service Hits 100m-Uses Milestone

    By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 12/03/2026

    The anti-scam system, part of a broader industry accord, is showing early success in preventing fraudulent and mistaken payments.

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