Financial Crime

Cryptocurrency

ASIC Bans Crypto Fund Director for Maximum Five-Year Period

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 04/04/2026

ASIC has disqualified the director of three failed cryptocurrency firms for serious misconduct, including operating without a financial services licence.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Japan to Launch System for Sharing Fraud Data in April 2027

By Manesh Samtani | 03/04/2026

The initiative aims to accelerate the freezing of accounts used for financial crimes amid record losses from scams.

Anti-Money Laundering

AUSTRAC Orders AML/CTF Audit of Payments Firm mHITs

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 03/04/2026

AUSTRAC has ordered an external audit of mHITs Limited amid concerns its transaction monitoring is failing to manage serious risks, including child exploitation financing.

Anti-Money Laundering

Japan Finalises Stricter AML/CFT Guidelines for Financial Firms

By Manesh Samtani | 03/04/2026

Revised rules clarify requirements for risk assessments, technology adoption, and the management of outsourced functions, and will apply immediately.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Korean Police Bust KRW 13 Billion Phishing Ring Impersonating Regulators

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 03/04/2026

The China-based syndicate impersonated financial regulators and prosecutors to defraud 81 victims over a one-year period, prompting police warnings.

Structural Regulation

Taiwan Amends Evaluation Framework for Trusts to Align With Policy Objectives

By Editors | 03/04/2026

FSC updates incentive scheme to encourage integrated teams, public outreach on fraud prevention, and broader adoption of elderly care trusts.

Supervision & Enforcement

China Targets Offshore Trusts in Widening Tax Crackdown - Reports

By Mark Johnston | 03/04/2026

Authorities are demanding detailed financial data from wealthy individuals, creating uncertainty for Hong Kong IPOs and long-standing wealth planning structures.

Market Abuse

KRX Flags 76 Breaches in First Year of Digital Short-Selling Oversight

By Editors | 03/04/2026

The Naked Short-selling Detection System, covering over 90 percent of trades, has enabled a shift to daily monitoring.

Market Abuse

US Charges Ten in Crypto 'Wash Trading' Scheme After Singapore Extraditions

By Manesh Samtani | 03/04/2026

Indictments follow an FBI undercover sting where agents created crypto tokens to expose market manipulation; two CEOs were among those extradited from Singapore.