Digital Assets

Structural Regulation

Vietnam Outlines Strategy for Ho Chi Minh Financial Hub

By Manesh Samtani | 02/02/2026

The plan for Ho Chi Minh City focuses on four pillars: capital markets, trade finance, fintech, and niche financial services.

Stablecoins

StanChart Warns Stablecoins Could Siphon $500b from Lenders

By Mark Johnston | 02/02/2026

Report predicts massive deposit flight by 2028 as pending US legislation paves the way for yield-bearing digital assets to compete with traditional banking models.

DeFi & Web3

HKAB Identifies Demand for Digital Banks to Expand to Web3, Digital Assets

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 30/01/2026

A HKAB survey reveals strong public and SME demand for digital banks to expand their wealth management toolkits into regulated digital assets.

Anti-Money Laundering

Korea to Screen Crypto Firm Shareholders Under Tougher AML Rules

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 30/01/2026

New rules expand criminal background checks to major shareholders and broaden the scope of review for VASP applicants, targeting market integrity.

Stablecoins

AMRO Chief Urges Policy Action to Address AI, Tokenization Risks

By Manesh Samtani | 30/01/2026

The head of the ASEAN+3 research office calls for sustained policy attention to manage risks from faster, AI-driven finance.

Anti-Money Laundering

Thailand Suspends Multiple Officials in Crypto Mining Corruption Probe

By Nithya Subramanian | 30/01/2026

An anti-corruption investigation has been launched after officials at Thailand's state utility were implicated in a foreign-funded illegal Bitcoin mining syndicate.

Stablecoins

Korean Lawmakers to Submit Digital Asset Bill by 17 February

By Manesh Samtani | 29/01/2026

The bill would set a KRW 5 billion capital floor for stablecoin issuers and proposes a stricter licensing regime for exchanges.

Custody & Infrastructure

Hong Kong FSDC Outlines Strategy for Deeper Integration with Africa

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 29/01/2026

A new report says Hong Kong's digital asset and green finance regulations can act as a "super-connector" for channelling Asian capital into African markets.

Anti-Money Laundering

Illicit Crypto Flows Reached Record $158b in 2025 - Report

By Manesh Samtani | 29/01/2026

Chinese-language escrow services processed over $100 bn, becoming a core settlement layer for cross-border illicit finance.