Markets & Infrastructure

Structural Regulation

Hong Kong AFRC Pushes for Audit Transparency to Bolster Market Confidence

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 18/02/2026

The AFRC calls on public interest entity auditors to proactively publish transparency reports, while highlighting inconsistencies and gaps in the reports already being published.

Structural Regulation

Korean Lamakers Clash Over Mandatory Treasury Share Cancellation Bill

By Mark Johnston | 17/02/2026

The Democratic Party is fast-tracking a bill to boost shareholder value, but the government and opposition warn it could leave firms defenceless against hostile takeovers.

Clearing & Post-Trade

RBI Drafts Reporting Rules for Offshore INR FX Derivatives

By Nithya Subramanian | 17/02/2026

The RBI has proposed mandatory reporting by AD Cat-I banks of OTC rupee derivatives undertaken by their offshore related parties, aiming to boost market transparency and oversight.

Trading & Investment

China Curbs High-Leverage Gold Trading After Platform Collapses

By Mark Johnston | 17/02/2026

Shenzhen has banned quasi-futures gold schemes after the failure of a platform involving CNY 13.3 billion left investors facing steep losses.

Conduct, Culture & Accountability

Korea FSS Pushes Banks on Consumer Protection, Inclusive Finance

By Manesh Samtani | 17/02/2026

FSS Governor calls for a shift from 'easy interest income' to funding for SMEs, outlining new consumer protection and governance reforms.

Cryptocurrency

Korea to Impose Bank-Grade Controls on Crypto Exchanges After Bithumb Error

By Mark Johnston | 17/02/2026

A USD 40 billion Bitcoin misallocation at Bithumb has triggered a regulatory overhaul, with authorities now demanding compliance on par with traditional banks.

Trading & Investment

Bursa Malaysia Forms New Partnership to Boost IPOs of Indigenous Firms

By Nithya Subramanian | 17/02/2026

Bursa Malaysia will collaborate with TERAJU to prepare high-potential indigenous (Bumiputera) companies for stock market listings, offering advisory support, access to funding and capacity-building programmes.

Credit Risk

RBI Overhauls Capital Market Rules, Tightens Broker Lending

By Nithya Subramanian | 17/02/2026

New framework allows banks to fund M&A deals while imposing stricter collateral and exposure norms on lending to capital market intermediaries.

Trading & Investment

Korea Grants Preliminary Approvals to Fractional Investment Exchanges

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 17/02/2026

The FSC approved applications to operate OTC platforms for beneficiary certificates from the KDX consortium and the NXT Consortium.