Payments & Settlements

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.

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.

Tokenisation

HKMA Details Strategy to Scale Digital Bond Market

By Manesh Samtani | 16/02/2026

The HKMA has outlined a four-pronged strategy for tokenised bonds, highlighting a legal review and policy incentives to drive adoption.

Sustainable Finance

Nepal Unveils Employment-linked Financing Strategy Ahead of 2026

By Mark Johnston | 16/02/2026

The integrated framework proposes replacing sectoral lending quotas with employment-linked incentives and modernising insolvency laws to mobilise private capital for sustainable growth.

Structural Regulation

RBI Proposes Revamp of Lead Bank Scheme to Improve Financial Inclusion

By Nithya Subramanian | 16/02/2026

The draft guidelines to modernise LBS, setting credit-deposit ratio targets, easing borrower procedures, and strengthening district-level credit planning to boost rural lending.

Stablecoins

Japan FSA Gives Backing to Blockchain Securities PoC

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 16/02/2026

Nomura, Daiwa, and three megabanks will test settling stock and bond trades using blockchain and a jointly-issued stablecoin.

Trading & Investment

Singapore Pursuing Market Enhancements in Partnership with Industry

By Manesh Samtani | 13/02/2026

ASIFMA’s Lyndon Chao highlights constructive collaboration with SGX on fee rationalisation and a new dual-listing framework to enhance market competitiveness and liquidity.

Structural Regulation

SSE Unveils 2026 Action Plan, Pledges CNY 1.1 Billion in Fee Cuts

By Mark Johnston | 13/02/2026

The ten-point plan focuses on improving disclosure, ESG standards, and market services while delivering significant cost reductions for participants.

Structural Regulation

SEBI to Launch Impact Assessments to Cut Regulatory Costs

By Editors | 13/02/2026

Regulator will form a new committee and research centre to analyse the economic burden of compliance and lower the cost of capital.