Markets & Infrastructure

Clearing & Post-Trade

Euroclear Plans to Accept Onshore Chinese Bonds as Collateral

By Mark Johnston | 18/05/2026

The proposal would allow bonds traded via Hong Kong’s Bond Connect to be used in settlements, boosting Beijing’s renminbi internationalisation drive.

Payments & Settlements

Nepal and Sri Lanka Launch Cross-Border QR Payment System

By Editors | 18/05/2026

The linkage connects the two countries' national payment infrastructures, allowing Nepali travellers to pay at LankaQR merchants using domestic apps.

Structural Regulation

MAS Eases Complex Product Rules, Scraps Investor’s Knowledge Test

By Nithya Subramanian | 18/05/2026

The regulator will not proceed with a new product knowledge test and will remove mandatory advice for most investors, introducing new disclosure and alert requirements instead.

Alternative Markets

Bangladesh Banks Jointly Launch BDT 4.25bn Fund for Startups

By Editors | 18/05/2026

A consortium of 39 banks has launched a venture capital firm under a central bank directive to boost local startups.

Trading & Investment

Taiwan Relaxes Rules on Related-Party OTC Trades for Asset Managers

By Editors | 18/05/2026

The change permits discretionary managers to trade with related parties for professional and high-net-worth clients, aiming to boost the asset management sector.

Structural Regulation

Citi Tipped to Win China Approval for Wholly Owned Securities Unit

By Mark Johnston | 18/05/2026

The CSRC has granted Citigroup a licence for a wholly owned securities business, ending a multi-year application process for the US bank.

Structural Regulation

Pakistan Passes Bills on Financial Netting, EXIM Bank, Fiscal Reform

By Editors | 18/05/2026

New legislation provides legal certainty for financial netting, overhauls governance at the state-owned EXIM bank, and strengthens public debt management.

Stablecoins

Japan Blockchain Foundation to Issue Trust-Type JPY Stablecoin

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 18/05/2026

The ‘EJPY’ stablecoin is designed to be compliant with Japan's legal framework for electronic payment instruments.

Structural Regulation

SEBI Proposes Major Overhaul of Derivatives Framework

By Nithya Subramanian | 18/05/2026

The proposed changes aim to simplify commodity derivatives rules, ease compliance for exchanges, and create separate frameworks for exchanges and clearing corporations.