Custody & Infrastructure

Capital Adequacy

WFE Urges Basel Committee to Rethink Crypto Capital Rules

By Manesh Samtani | 20/03/2026

WFE warns that current standards risk stifling tokenisation and do not reflect the principle of 'same risk, same regulation'.

CBDCs

BOK Expands CBDC Pilot to Test Subsidies, P2P Transfers

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 19/03/2026

The central bank is adding two more lenders to its 'Project Hangang' pilot and will test programmable payments for government subsidies.

Cryptocurrency

Vietnam to Ban Offshore Crypto Trading Under New Licensing Regime

By Nithya Subramanian | 19/03/2026

Five entities have passed an initial licence qualification stage. A limited number of exchanges will be allowed to operate during the trial period.

Custody & Infrastructure

Australia Senate Panel Endorses Bill on Digital Assets Regulation

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 17/03/2026

A parliamentary committee has recommended passing a landmark crypto bill, but the opposition wants a two-year review and action on 'debanking'.

Custody & Infrastructure

ASIC Outlines 'Substance Over Form' Approach to Digital Asset Regulation

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 12/03/2026

A senior Australian regulator argues for integrating digital assets into existing financial laws, rejecting the need for entirely bespoke frameworks.

Cryptocurrency

Pakistan Establishes Permanent Legal Basis for Crypto Regulator

By Mark Johnston | 10/03/2026

The new law formalises PVARA's powers, sets strict licensing mandates, and introduces severe penalties for non-compliance, fulfilling a key IMF condition.

AI Risk & Governance

HKMA Directs Banks to Develop Strategic Plans for DLT, AI Adoption

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 10/03/2026

HKMA has given lenders six months to devise board-approved strategic plans for adapting to new technologies.

Tokenisation

Visa, ANZ and Fidelity Pilot Tokenised Cross-Border Settlement

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 09/03/2026

Consortium of financial institutions tests atomic settlement for tokenised funds using e-HKD under the HKMA programme.

Payments & Settlements

Swift Launches Retail Payment Framework with Major Banks

By Manesh Samtani | 09/03/2026

New rules under the framework aim to bring speed, transparency and cost certainty to cross-border payments, with key APAC corridors among the first to benefit.