ADVERTISEMENT
News on regulatory requirements, innovations, and challenges in customer identification, risk assessments, and due diligence processes for financial institutions.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
BSP Directs Banks to Shift to Biometrics, Phases Out SMS OTPs
By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 09/03/2026
New draft rules require banks to adopt server-side biometrics for high-risk transactions to combat fraud, linking compliance to liability.

Anti-Money Laundering
Hong Kong Insurance Authority Fines Three Brokers for AML Breaches
By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 09/03/2026
The action follows an investigation that found deficiencies in customer due diligence and record-keeping, amid heightened regulatory scrutiny of the sector.

Tokenisation
New Zealand Firm Launches Digital Tokens Backed by Physical Gold, Silver
By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 09/03/2026
Auckland-based Techemynt is issuing gold and silver-backed tokens, applying national AML laws to direct purchasers of the assets.

Anti-Money Laundering
Hong Kong AFRC Fines Audit Firms in First-Ever AML Disciplinary Actions
By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 06/03/2026
The AFRC sanctioned a PIE auditor and two smaller firms for failures in customer due diligence, risk assessments, and sanctions screening.

KYC & CDD
India's NPCI Pushes Digital KYC to Simplify UPI Payments for Foreign Visitors
By Nithya Subramanian | 05/03/2026
NPCI is seeking RBI approval to allow international travellers to complete KYC digitally, making it easier to use UPI and boosting India’s push for a global digital payments ecosystem.

Anti-Money Laundering
Philippines Doubles EDD Threshold for Cash Withdrawals to PHP 1 Million
By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 04/03/2026
The move aims to ease the burden on legitimate business transactions while allowing FIs to focus AML resources on higher-risk activities.

Anti-Money Laundering
AUSTRAC Chief Details New AML Rules for Legal Profession
By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 04/03/2026
Brendan Thomas outlines mandatory enrolment, CDD, and reporting obligations as AUSTRAC moves to close a 'significant hole' in the country's AML defences.

Anti-Money Laundering
FATF Issues Targeted Report on Stablecoin and Unhosted Wallet Risks
By Manesh Samtani | 04/03/2026
New report details rising misuse and recommends new controls for issuers, VASPs, and national regulators.

KYC & CDD
Malaysia to Table New Bill This Year Tighten Oversight of Trust Companies
By Nithya Subramanian | 04/03/2026
Proposed bill will expand oversight of trust firms, strengthen governance, mandate reporting, enhance enforcement powers, and address regulatory gaps in investments.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
Japan FSA Implements Revised Supervisory Guidelines to Tackle Fraud Risks
By Nithya Subramanian | 04/03/2026
The regulator rejected consultative feedback seeking broad opt-outs from MFA requirements and reiterated restrictions on login links in emails and SMS.
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
An exclusive weekly selection of top stories from the Regulation Asia editorial team.