Custody & Infrastructure

Cryptocurrency

Japanese Asset Managers Consider Crypto Funds Amid Regulatory Thaw - Report

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 20/11/2025

Six major firms including Nomura and SBI are exploring crypto investment trusts, contingent on key tax and legal reforms.

CBDCs

Indonesia Tax Authority to Expand Data Access to e-Wallets and CBDCs

By Mark Johnston | 20/11/2025

Indonesia’s Directorate General of Taxes will access electronic money and digital currency data from 2026 to align with international reporting standards.

Payments & Settlements

UBS, Ant International to Explore Blockchain for Real-Time Payments

By Nithya Subramanian | 20/11/2025

The agreement aims to develop real-time, blockchain-based cross-border payment and liquidity solutions, integrating UBS’s digital cash platform with Ant’s internal treasury systems.

Cryptocurrency

South Korea Risks Fourth Delay to Implement Crypto Tax Regime - Reports

By Mark Johnston | 20/11/2025

South Korea still lacks necessary guidelines and systems for the January 2027 rollout, leaving policymakers lagging behind regional peers, experts warn.

Payments & Settlements

China Details Hainan's Financial Opening with 'Electronic Fence' Account System

By Mark Johnston | 20/11/2025

Hainan's free trade port will launch special customs operations, underpinned by a new system for freer cross-border capital flows.

Payments & Settlements

Cambodia and China Seal Corporate Pact for Cross-Border Payments

By Mark Johnston | 19/11/2025

The deal between China's TenPay Seal Pact to Link Bakong, Weixin Pay aims to strengthen payment connectivity and financial inclusion, boosting economic exchange across Asia.

Custody & Infrastructure

Citi, Swift Demonstrate Hybrid Fiat-Digital Settlement Model to Mitigate FX Risk

By Mark Johnston | 19/11/2025

The pilot demonstrates how existing infrastructure can support synchronised payment-versus-payment settlement across traditional and distributed ledger networks.

Stablecoins

Alibaba Explores Bank-Backed Deposit Token to Streamline Cross-border Payments

By Mark Johnston | 18/11/2025

The tech giant seeks a compliant path for cross-border payments as Chinese regulators increase pressure on private digital money.

Tokenisation

ICMA Releases DLT Settlement and Custody Guidance under Project Guardian

By Nithya Subramanian | 18/11/2025

The two reports published as an addendum to the Guardian Fixed Income Framework outline DvP settlement approaches and custody insights for tokenised debt markets.