Big Picture

Big Picture

Wholesale CBDCs More Likely to Gain Traction Than Retail CBDCs – Report

By Thisanka Siripala | 31/01/2025

Wholesale CBDCs are more likely to launch ahead of retail CBDCs on account of clearer efficiency gains and lower barriers to adoption.

ESG / Sustainability

AFRC Assesses Readiness for Sustainability Reporting and Assurance

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 28/01/2025

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

AML / KYC

UK FCA Calls on Brokers to Enhance AML Systems and Controls

By Mark Johnston | 27/01/2025

The FCA offers recommendations to improve risk assessments, KYC/CDD, governance, and transaction monitoring, among other areas.

Market Infrastructure

JSCC’s Transition to VaR Margin Models Has Improved Efficiency: JPX

By Manesh Samtani | 24/01/2025

The transition from SPAN to JSCC-VaR has improved risk management and margin efficiency for listed derivatives, but further refinements are needed.

Big Picture

Chinese Regulators Should Introduce a Stewardship Code: Report

By Manesh Samtani | 24/01/2025

Fidelity International’s Flora Wang says the implementation of such a stewardship code in China would be a “decisively positive step”.

Big Picture

Climate-Linked Bonds Can Help Drive Net Zero Transition: ECB Paper

By Thisanka Siripala | 23/01/2025

Climate-linked bonds can encourage governments to proactively address climate change and help investors hedge against long-term climate risks

Big Picture

G20 Reforms Have Strengthened Securitisation Markets: FSB Report

By Nithya Subramanian | 23/01/2025

The FSB says the complex structures that contributed to the GFC have “largely diminished”, resulting in a more transparent market.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Illicit Activity in Crypto is Decreasing, TRM Labs Finds

By Thisanka Siripala | 20/01/2025

Illicit activity in crypto decreased in 2024 as a proportion of total transactions, but ransomware, fraud, and sanctions related threats continue to persist

Market Infrastructure

OECD Offers Recommendations to Strengthen Digital Public Infrastructure

By Thisanka Siripala | 17/01/2025

OECD report offers recommendations for governments to maximise the value of digital public infrastructure and drive sustainable digital transformation.