CRYPTO / DIGITAL ASSETS

Crypto / Digital Assets

Korean Authorities Investigate Bithumb Over Embezzlement

By Thisanka Siripala | 21/03/2025

The investigation centres on claims that Bithumb financed a USD 2 million apartment deposit for its former CEO.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Bank of Korea Will Conduct CBDC Pilot from April to June

By Thisanka Siripala | 20/03/2025

The pilot will be conducted in collaboration with seven banks, allowing them to issue deposit tokens that can be used for transactions at designated merchants.

AML / KYC

New Zealand’s Latest Risk Assessment Will Trigger AML/CFT Programme Reviews

By Nathan Lynch | 20/03/2025

New Zealand’s latest National Risk Assessment should act as a trigger for organisations to review their risk assessments, internal systems and controls, writes Nathan Lynch.

Crypto / Digital Assets

MAS Grants In-Principle Approval to Crypto Major Cumberland

By Nithya Subramanian | 19/03/2025

Cumberland’s regulatory progress in Singapore comes after the US SEC agreed to drop its lawsuit against the firm earlier this month.

Crypto / Digital Assets

What’s Next for OSL? Gary Tiu Discusses Project Ensemble and the Future of Finance

By Nithya Subramanian | 19/03/2025

Gary Tiu, Head of Regulatory Affairs at OSL, discusses the firm’s role in Project Ensemble, its challenges, and the future of tokenised real-world assets.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Nomura Issues Japan’s First Digital Bonds Using DVP Settlement

By Thisanka Siripala | 19/03/2025

Nomura also revealed that DCJPY was used in place of fiat currency in a PoC to test digital currency settlement for digital bonds.

Big Picture

Asia a Key Destination as Crypto Startups Exit Europe

By Thisanka Siripala | 18/03/2025

The report says 75% of Europe’s virtual asset service providers could lose registration under MiCA by mid-2025.

AML / KYC

Crypto and Fintech Are Reshaping Terrorist Financing – Report

By Nithya Subramanian | 18/03/2025

The Global Terrorism Index 2025 reveals that cryptocurrencies, AI deepfakes, and illicit gold mining are providing new revenue streams for terrorist organisations.

AML / KYC

Thailand Tightens Industry Controls Against Mule Accounts

By Nithya Subramanian | 18/03/2025

Previous regulatory measures targeting money mules have pushed fraudsters to try to exploit corporate accounts.