Financial Crime

PEPs & Sanctions

US Sanctions North Korea IT Worker Network in Vietnam and Laos

By Manesh Samtani | 13/03/2026

The action targets facilitators using cryptocurrency to launder funds, heightening secondary sanctions and due diligence risks for financial institutions in Southeast Asia.

Anti-Bribery & Corruption

Malaysia Cabinet Refers MACC Chief to Chief Secretary for Probe

By Nithya Subramanian | 13/03/2026

The Chief Secretary to the Government will determine follow-up action, which will involve a review by the Public Service Department's disciplinary board.

Payments & Settlements

Philippine Senate Approves Act on OFW Remittance Protection

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 12/03/2026

The measure tasks regulators with setting a range for remittance fees and mandates financial literacy training for overseas workers.

Market Abuse

Korean Regulators Refer 11 to Prosecutors in Major Stock Manipulation Case

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 12/03/2026

The group, including financial professionals, allegedly used over KRW 100 billion and a company’s own treasury shares to manipulate prices.

Anti-Money Laundering

US Treasury Recognises Legitimate Use of Crypto Mixers, Seeks New Powers

By Manesh Samtani | 12/03/2026

A key report signals a nuanced US stance on privacy tools while proposing a "hold law" to freeze suspicious digital assets.

Anti-Money Laundering

Thailand Freezes 10,000 Crypto Accounts in AML Crackdown

By Editors | 12/03/2026

The action follows the rollout of a new ‘Speed Bump’ protocol and stricter KYC checks designed to disrupt illicit fund flows.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Australia's ‘Confirmation of Payee’ Service Hits 100m-Uses Milestone

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 12/03/2026

The anti-scam system, part of a broader industry accord, is showing early success in preventing fraudulent and mistaken payments.

Market Abuse

Insider Trading Dominated Korean Market Abuse Cases in 2025: KRX

By Editors | 12/03/2026

KRX referred 98 cases of suspected unfair trading to financial authorities, with the KOSDAQ market remaining a hotspot.

Cryptocurrency

Korean Regulator Concludes Probe into Bithumb 'Ghost Coin' Incident

By Manesh Samtani | 12/03/2026

The FSS has concluded its probe into the exchange's internal control failures, which allowed a payout far exceeding its holdings.