Financial Crime

Structural Regulation

Sri Lanka Cabinet Approves New Microfinance Regulatory Bill for Parliament

By Mark Johnston | 26/09/2025

The proposed legislation aims to establish a new regulatory regime to tackle predatory lending after a previous bill was withdrawn.

Payments & Settlements

RBA Dismisses Concerns That Card Fee Reforms WIll Impact Fraud Protections

By Mark Johnston | 26/09/2025

RBA governor has rejected industry warnings that the plan to ban card surcharges will result in reduced fraud prevention for consumers.

PEPs & Sanctions

US Sanctions Indian Nationals and Online Pharmacy Over Fentanyl Trafficking

By Nithya Subramanian | 26/09/2025

The sanctions highlight the growing role of illegal online pharmacies in fueling the US fentanyl crisis, with Indian suppliers accused of working with traffickers to distribute counterfeit drugs.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Bangladesh Bank Launches Probe into StanChart Credit Card Fraud

By Mark Johnston | 26/09/2025

The central bank has ordered an immediate investigation following reports of unauthorised transfers from 54 customer credit cards.

Conduct, Culture & Accountability

Korea FSS Warns New Fund Managers on Compliance

By Manesh Samtani | 26/09/2025

The FSS told CEOs of new private asset managers to prioritise investor protection and fix internal controls or face expulsion.

Conduct, Culture & Accountability

MAS Issues Guidelines for Digital Advertising in Financial Sector

By Nithya Subramanian | 26/09/2025

The new guidelines, effective 25 March 2026, aim to raise conduct standards in digital financial advertising and curb misleading or deceptive marketing on social media.

Supervision & Enforcement

INTERPOL Operation Recovers $439 Million, Highlights Need for Regulatory Unity

By Mark Johnston | 26/09/2025

An INTERPOL operation has recovered USD 439 million in illicit funds, highlighting the need for enhanced cross-border regulatory cooperation in APAC.

Cryptocurrency

Singapore: Tokenize Xchange Collapse Leaves Investors with S$266m in Claims

By Nithya Subramanian | 26/09/2025

More than 2,200 users have lodged claims following the crypto platform’s shutdown, after MAS rejected its PSA licence application, says DPM Gan.

PEPs & Sanctions

BNM Fines Alipay for AML/CFT and Sanctions Screening Failures

By Nithya Subramanian | 25/09/2025

BNM fined Alipay MYR 340,000 for failing to promptly update its sanctions database, which allowed a blacklisted customer to transact before the account was frozen.