Financial Crime

PEPs & Sanctions

Korea to Block Transactions of Firms Controlled by Terrorist Financiers

By Mark Johnston | 15/01/2026

Financial institutions must identify and restrict services for entities owned or influenced by designated persons, effective 22 January.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Thailand Dismantles Scam Ring Using Hong Kong ATMs for Laundering

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 15/01/2026

Authorities arrested 10 individuals who used couriers and Thai bank cards to withdraw millions in scam proceeds from Hong Kong ATMs.

Anti-Bribery & Corruption

Korean Prosecutors Indict 10 in KRW 74.4 Billion IBK Loan Fraud Probe

By Mark Johnston | 15/01/2026

Former executives at the state-run lender face trial for bribery and breach of trust following a referral by financial regulators.

Supervision & Enforcement

Exclusive: Australia Set to Defer Core ‘Tranche 1’ AML/CTF Reforms

By Nathan Lynch | 15/01/2026

Australia is set to defer some key AML/CTF reforms until 2029, prioritising the Tranche 2 rollout and counter-terrorism ahead of the upcoming FATF mutual evaluation.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Cambodia Halts Property Sales at Sanctioned Prince Group

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 14/01/2026

The move follows the founder's extradition to China and a recent central bank order to liquidate the group's banking subsidiary.

Capital Adequacy

RBI Considers Ending 22-Year Freeze on New Co-operative Bank Licences

By Nithya Subramanian | 14/01/2026

Regulators have proposed an INR 3 billion capital floor and stringent governance rules to resume licensing after a two-decade hiatus.

KYC & CDD

China Overhauls Business Registration Rules to Boost Transparency, Efficiency

By Manesh Samtani | 14/01/2026

New standards aim to tighten shareholder information requirements, streamline corporate relocations, and increase oversight of intermediary agents.

Anti-Money Laundering

India Tightens Crypto AML/KYC Rules for Crypto Firms

By Nithya Subramanian | 13/01/2026

FIU-IND has introduced new identity verification and monitoring requirements for crypto users and exchanges, as part of its efforts to contain risks linked to digital assets.

Cryptocurrency

Korea Considers Special Police Unit for Crypto Market Manipulation

By Manesh Samtani | 13/01/2026

The proposed organisation would be dedicated to investigating price manipulation to bolster investor protection in the country's growing digital asset market.