Financial Crime

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

SFC Secures Compensation from 'Shadow Director', Two Former Execs

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 23/01/2026

The trio were banned from being directors and ordered to pay compensation worth HKD 595 million for defrauding a now-delisted company.

Payments & Settlements

Singapore Court Charges Metals Exchange, Director Over Unlicensed Payment Services

By Nithya Subramanian | 23/01/2026

The court has charged the Singapore Precious Metals Exchange and its director over alleged unlicensed handling of overseas fund transfers.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Global Leaders Ramp Up Efforts to Combat Organised Crime-Driven Scams

By Manesh Samtani | 23/01/2026

Experts from banking, tech and law enforcement call for a shift to prevention, warning that AI can be exploited by bad actors as a "force multiplier" for fraud.

Tokenisation

Taiwan FSC Adopts Proposals on RWA Tokenisation, AI Risk

By Editors | 23/01/2026

Regulator greenlights 18 industry proposals, including plans for a real-world asset tokenisation platform and reduced capital charges for infrastructure investment.

Anti-Money Laundering

AUSTRAC Orders External AML Audit into Fintech Giant Airwallex

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 23/01/2026

AUSTRAC cited concerns over transaction monitoring and potential criminal exploitation, including for online child sexual abuse payments.

Supervision & Enforcement

Korean Regulators Engaged in Public Feud Over Investigative Powers

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 23/01/2026

Discussions on granting the FSS broader investigative rights are ongoing, but face internal disagreement over their scope.

Supervision & Enforcement

PBOC Fines Yinsheng Payment in Signal of Continued Sector Scrutiny

By Mark Johnston | 22/01/2026

Yinsheng Payment has been fined over CNY 15 million, its third major penalty, signalling continued strict supervision of China's payments sector.

Cryptocurrency

Vietnam Begins Licensing of Crypto Exchanges Under Pilot Scheme

By Nithya Subramanian | 22/01/2026

The MOF has announced procedures for crypto exchanges, introducing strict capital, ownership and compliance requirements to bring the sector under formal regulation.

Anti-Money Laundering

Japan Regulator Files Criminal Complaint Against Iwaki Credit Union

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 22/01/2026

The complaint, a first for a credit union, alleges executives lied about destroying a PC with evidence and concealed ties to organised crime.