KYC & CDD

Stablecoins

Asia Needs More, Not Less, Regulation for Digital Finance, Policymakers Say

By Manesh Samtani | 26/01/2026

International policymakers at the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong debate the meaning of 'regulatory modernisation' for finance.

Anti-Money Laundering

Philippines to Launch Digital Registry for Beneficial Ownership Reporting

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 26/01/2026

The new HARBOR portal will centralise corporate ownership data, a move aimed at bolstering AML efforts and FATF compliance.

KYC & CDD

Hong Kong MPFA Tightens eMPF Security, Halts eKYC Onboarding

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 26/01/2026

The move follows a fraud incident and introduces mandatory iAM Smart verification for new registrations and some fund withdrawals.

KYC & CDD

Malaysia Expands MyDigital ID Testing to 18 Banks in Phase 2 Sandbox

By Nithya Subramanian | 23/01/2026

The testing phase, set to conclude in March 2026, aims to enable secure digital identity verification for financial services.

Anti-Money Laundering

AUSTRAC Orders External AML Audit into Fintech Giant Airwallex

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 23/01/2026

AUSTRAC cited concerns over transaction monitoring and potential criminal exploitation, including for online child sexual abuse payments.

Supervision & Enforcement

PBOC Fines Yinsheng Payment in Signal of Continued Sector Scrutiny

By Mark Johnston | 22/01/2026

Yinsheng Payment has been fined over CNY 15 million, its third major penalty, signalling continued strict supervision of China's payments sector.

Anti-Money Laundering

Australia Confirms Deferral of Major AML/CTF Reforms

By Nathan Lynch | 22/01/2026

Home Affairs is consulting on transitional rules to delay IVTS reporting, stagger independent evaluations, and ease compliance burdens for Tranche 1 and 2 entities.

Cryptocurrency

Binance Restores AUD Bank Transfers After Two-Year Regulatory Freeze

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 20/01/2026

The exchange has re-established direct banking channels in Australia after a suspension prompted by a payments partner and regulatory scrutiny from ASIC.

Anti-Money Laundering

Hong Kong Named as High-Risk Crypto Hub in Russian Sabotage Report

By Manesh Samtani | 20/01/2026

RUSI urges policymakers to monitor over-the-counter crypto services in Hong Kong and other cities to disrupt sabotage financing.