Digital Assets

Cryptocurrency

South Korea to Ease Cryptocurrency Policy

By JP Reimann | 17/05/2018

South Korea to soften cryptocurrency policy, apply FATF standards; central bank to release recommendations by end of June.

Cryptocurrency

Taiwan’s Fubon Bank Launches Blockchain Payment System

By JP Reimann | 16/05/2018

Fubon becomes first Taiwanese bank to launch blockchain-based retail payment system, cutting transaction times to less than one second.

Structural Regulation

IOSCO Meets to Discuss Investor Protection, Emerging Risks

By JP Reimann | 15/05/2018

Board to develop support framework to help members address impact of ICOs on investor protection; agree to launch ‘Fintech Network’ to facilitate collaboration on fintech.

Anti-Money Laundering

UPDATED – S.Korea Expands Probe into Crypto Exchanges

By JP Reimann | 14/05/2018

South Korean prosecutors have raided the country’s largest cryptocurrency exchange UPbit, seizing hard drives and accounting books; second largest exchange Bithumb also on FSC radar.

Resolution & Recovery

FSB Asia Members Consider Financial System Vulnerabilities

By JP Reimann | 13/05/2018

Members discussed bank resolution regimes, the use of tech to mitigate AML/CTF risk, governance frameworks to reduce misconduct.

Anti-Money Laundering

Hong Kong-based Regulatory Alliance Eyes Better Fintech Supervision

By Garima Chitkara | 10/05/2018

Asian regulators, former central bankers and government officials establish information exchange alliance to better regulate fintech, digital payments and cryptocurrency developments in the region.

Cryptocurrency

Japan FSA Toughens Rules on Crypto Exchanges

By JP Reimann | 09/05/2018

New requirements include standards on system management, customer vetting, segregation of assets, removal of privacy coins, separation of duties.

Anti-Money Laundering

Hong Kong Money Laundering – The River Runs Through It

By Peter Guy | 07/05/2018

While Hong Kong struggles to reduce and contain money laundering activities at existing financial institutions, the role of cryptocurrencies in undermining compliance and enforcement capabilities is overlooked.

Anti-Money Laundering

‘Privacy Coins’ Pose Money Laundering Risk – Japan FSA

By JP Reimann | 03/05/2018

Regulator is taking steps to discourage exchanges from trading privacy-focused cryptocurrencies favoured by criminals such as Monero, Dash, Zcash.