Asia-Pacific

Securities Commission has liberalised its framework for retail investment in bond and sukuk products, effective from 11 October.

The link will give international investors access to Thai funds and in due course provide Thai investors access to international funds markets.

MiFID II and GDPR have been the biggest European regulations to impact asset management firms in Asia, according to FundForum panellists last week.

Asia presents a unique mix of technological advancements and interconnected economic and regulatory systems, which makes it the perfect environment for rapid business growth for fintech/regtech companies with ambitious goals.

With regulation continuing to play a prominent role in Asia over the next five years, China’s Belt and Road initiative is likely to drive increased coordination between the region’s regulators, says a new report from Broadridge and Kapronasia.

New research from State Street has identified access to distribution data as a major challenge for asset managers; understanding the impact of local regulation on strategy the biggest challenge for product launches.

BSP appointed as payments regulator in the Philippines to ensure safe and efficient functioning of the country's payments system, promote interoperability among payment networks and incorporate digital payments.

Inaugural financial stability report focuses on impact of higher interest rates and weakening EM currencies on outstanding debt. It also looks at potential financial stability implications from fintech and ASEAN integration.

The country's third largest microfinance institution has obtained approval from the central bank, and is now seeking final approval from the securities regulator and exchange.

SWIFT is set to trial its gpi payments service using Australia’s New Payments Platform, together with banks from China, Singapore and Thailand.