Markets & Infrastructure

Trading & Investment

Hong Kong Investment Visa Scheme Draws HK$95 Billion in Applications

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 04/03/2026

The residency programme has attracted nearly 3,200 applicants in two years, prompting officials to ease rules to provide investors with greater flexibility.

Data Privacy

China Proposes Tighter Oversight for Corporate Credit Reporting

By Mark Johnston | 04/03/2026

The PBOC has issued draft rules to strengthen the regulation and market exit mechanisms for corporate credit reporting agencies.

Structural Regulation

HKMA Tightens Compliance Rules for Non-banks Using 'Bank' Names

By Manesh Samtani | 04/03/2026

Updated guidelines introduce stricter information requirements and mandatory advance notifications for any branding changes by non-bank entities.

Emerging Prudential Risks

China Unveils New Guidelines for Sci-Tech Insurance Development

By Mark Johnston | 04/03/2026

New guidelines detail 20 measures to align insurance with innovation needs, guiding products, services, and insurance fund investments toward strategic tech sectors.

Trading & Investment

IDX Revises Liquidity Provider Rules to Boost Market Depth

By Nithya Subramanian | 04/03/2026

IDX has expanded the list of eligible stocks and adjusted incentives for liquidity providers to support an upcoming 15% free-float requirement.

Liquidity Risk

HKEX’s OTC Clear Hikes Margin Add-ons for Large OTC Derivatives

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 04/03/2026

The revisions, effective 9 March, introduce significantly higher liquidity risk multipliers for specific interest rate and currency products to cover liquidation risk.

Clearing & Post-Trade

Ontario Grants TAIFEX Clearing Exemption, Opening Market Access

By Manesh Samtani | 03/03/2026

The move allows Canadian institutions to clear certain Taiwanese exchange-traded and OTC derivatives, with the regulator citing a comparable home oversight regime.

Custody & Infrastructure

Hong Kong and Shanghai to Build Blockchain Trade Finance Platform

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 03/03/2026

The initiative aims to digitise the US$1.5 trillion cargo finance market by linking mainland trade data with global financial systems.

Trading & Investment

Sri Lanka Targets Funds and Unit Trusts in Tax Overhaul

By Nithya Subramanian | 03/03/2026

Tax reforms targeting financial services include a 30 percent capital gains tax on unit trusts, mutual funds and trusts, alongside broader withholding tax rules and strengthened compliance measures.