Cloud & Infrastructure

Structural Regulation

China NFRA Overhauls Licensing Rules With New Digital-first Framework

By Mark Johnston | 26/01/2026

New regulations taking effect 1 March mandate electronic filings, clarify review hierarchies and set strict penalty timelines for market entry and personnel approvals.

AI Risk & Governance

Bank of Korea Unveils 'World First ‘Sovereign’ AI Platform

By Mark Johnston | 25/01/2026

BOK's in-house LLM is a test case for data security, sovereignty, and reforming Korea's strict network separation rules.

Cloud & Infrastructure

HKMA Study Links CDI Use to Better SME Loan Terms

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 22/01/2026

Banks actively using the CDI offered lower rates and required less collateral for SMEs, researchers find.

Cybersecurity

Europol, Global Banks Issue Framework for Post-Quantum Cryptography Migration

By Manesh Samtani | 22/01/2026

New guidance urges financial institutions to inventory crypto-dependent systems and prioritise transitions based on risk, complexity, and data sensitivity.

Structural Regulation

Vietnam Reviews Draft Operating Rules for New International Financial Centre

By Nithya Subramanian | 21/01/2026

Authorities are reviewing feedback on the third draft of IFC regulations, including provisions for multiple trading floors, dispute resolution and a regulatory sandbox.

Clearing & Post-Trade

Hong Kong Set to Sign Gold Market Deal with Shanghai

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 21/01/2026

The agreement aims to establish a central clearing system, bolstering the city's ambition to become an international gold hub.

Payments & Settlements

Hong Kong Outlines Roadmap to Modernise Trade Finance with 20-Point Plan

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 20/01/2026

The HKMA has published a 20-point plan to digitise trade finance, aiming to boost SME lending and connectivity.

Cloud & Infrastructure

Korea to Ease Network Separation Rules to Permit Cloud SaaS in Finance

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 20/01/2026

The move allows firms to use approved SaaS on internal networks, but introduces strict security controls and excludes generative AI tools.

Anti-Money Laundering

Japan's FSA Proposes Stricter Rules on AML Tech and Vendor Oversight

By Manesh Samtani | 20/01/2026

Draft guidelines elevate previous expectations to firm requirements for financial firms, targeting technology adoption, trade finance, and outsourcing.