Digital Assets

Stablecoins

Japan Proposes Rules for Handling Foreign-Issued Stablecoins

By Manesh Samtani | 04/02/2026

The proposals would bring certain foreign trust-based stablecoins into Japan's regulatory framework, imposing strict equivalence and due diligence rules on local handlers.

Stablecoins

Hong Kong to Issue First Stablecoin Licences in March

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 03/02/2026

Eddie Yue said the HKMA plans to grant a "very small number" of stablecoin issuer licences under its new regulatory regime.

PEPs & Sanctions

Australia, UK, US Target Iran with Sanctions Over Protester Crackdown

By Manesh Samtani | 03/02/2026

The coordinated measures impose asset freezes and travel bans on officials and entities for human rights abuses and sanctions evasion.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

India Dismantles Cybercrime Rings Laundering Millions via Crypto, Real Estate

By Editors | 03/02/2026

Indian agencies, with FBI and Interpol support, have raided networks using call centres and crypto to defraud international victims.

Cryptocurrency

Philippines Bans Banks From Dealing with Unregistered Crypto Firms

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 03/02/2026

New rules prohibit dealings with unlicensed virtual asset service providers and restrict retail customer access to offshore platforms.

Tokenisation

KOFIA Restructures to Support Capital Market, Digital Assets

By Mark Johnston | 03/02/2026

KOFIA is establishing a new “K-Capital Market Division” and a new Digital Strategy Team, while moving to strengthen its influence on policy and regulation.

Market Abuse

South Korea Deploys AI to Combat Stock and Crypto Market Manipulation

By Manesh Samtani | 02/02/2026

Regulators are launching parallel AI systems to detect pump-and-dump schemes in both capital and virtual asset markets.

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.