Markets & Infrastructure

Custody & Infrastructure

Market Infrastructure Majors Call for Global Standards to Unlock Digital Assets

By Manesh Samtani | 05/03/2026

Report by DTCC, Euroclear, Clearstream and BCG warns fragmentation risks stalling digital asset adoption and urges regulatory harmonisation to ensure interoperability.

Alternative Markets

SEBI Revises Reporting Framework for Alternative Investment Funds

By Nithya Subramanian | 05/03/2026

The regulator has introduced annual activity report and streamlined quarterly filings to improve transparency and regulatory oversight of AIFs.

Emerging Prudential Risks

Korea Readies KRW 100tn Backstop as Mideast Crisis Hits Markets

By Manesh Samtani | 05/03/2026

Regulators activate 24-hour monitoring and prepare liquidity for firms amid market volatility, vowing to curb unfair trading practices.

Trading & Investment

HSBC Asia Chief Proposes 'IPO Connect' for Greater Bay Area

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 05/03/2026

The proposal, modelled on the Stock Connect, aims to deepen financial integration by giving investors cross-border access to new listings.

Structural Regulation

Indonesia OJK Accelerates Structural Reforms to Meet MSCI's Demands

By Nithya Subramanian | 05/03/2026

Regulators are fast-tracking reforms, including a 15% free-float rule and stricter ownership disclosure, to address global investor transparency concerns.

Structural Regulation

Korea Eases OTC Trading Rules for Foreign Investors

By Mark Johnston | 05/03/2026

South Korea's FSC has proposed amending investment rules to allow foreign investors to trade restricted shares over-the-counter without prior approval.

Structural Regulation

Nepal to Overhaul Capital Market with New Investor Safeguards

By Nithya Subramanian | 05/03/2026

Nepal plans new investor safeguards and NEPSE reforms to strengthen market governance and restore confidence.

Conduct, Culture & Accountability

Hong Kong AFRC Fines Mazars, Grant Thornton for Audit Archiving Failures

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 05/03/2026

The firms were sanctioned for widespread and systemic breaches of the 60-day audit file archive requirement and related quality control deficiencies.

Stablecoins

Sony Bank and JPYC Explore Direct Stablecoin Integration

By Mark Johnston | 05/03/2026

Japan’s Sony Bank and stablecoin issuer JPYC will explore integrating bank deposits with blockchain infrastructure for seamless digital asset transactions.