Singapore

The SGX and PSE are working on developing new equity index derivatives for listing in the Philippines to offer a more diverse product line to international investors.

The Grant for Equity Market Singapore, or GEMS, will launch in February, offering funding to facilitate SGX listings and develop the local equity research ecosystem.

The newly renamed Banking and Financial Services Union aims to help professionals stay relevant and competitive amid technological advancement and industry changes.

In the year ahead, banks will have to focus on seamless data integration and regtech adoption to cope with increasingly complex regulatory reporting requirements, says Wolters Kluwer’s Wouter Delbaere.

The new settlement and depository system enables SGX and market participants to align to global market practices, messaging standardisation and T+2 settlement.

The March 2017 prohibition order barring former banker Tim Leissner for 10 years was based on limited information; US DOJ charges provided evidence of his involvement in 1MDB fund flows.

The US SEC has filed charges against an outsourced IT contractor for trading on inside information while working at the Singapore branch of an investment bank.

The MAS proposes that Singapore regulated entities no longer be required to seek approval before commencing business arrangements with foreign related companies.

The MAS will support financial institutions that establish global or regional cybersecurity centres in Singapore, or run key cybersecurity functions from the city to develop local capabilities.

The outcome of B2C2 v. Quoine could inform regulators’ considerations on the next set of rules for crypto exchanges, which in time may provide greater clarity for investors.