Trading & Investment

Custody & Infrastructure

SFC Seeks Budget Increase to Boost Headcount for Digital Assets, IPOs

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 04/02/2026

Six of 18 new positions are designated for digital assets licensing and supervision work as well as the SFC's "ASPIRe" virtual asset roadmap.

Structural Regulation

India’s IFSCA Tightens Fund Management Rules, Eases Norms for KMPs

By Nithya Subramanian | 04/02/2026

The GIFT City regulator has rolled out amendments aimed at easing compliance for fund managers, while strengthening requirements around capital thresholds, scheme validity and governance.

Structural Regulation

China Proposes 5pc Minimum Stake for Strategic ‘Patient Capital’ Investors

By Mark Johnston | 03/02/2026

New draft rules expand the definition of strategic investors and set a 5% minimum stake to encourage long-term institutional investment.

Trading & Investment

India’s Budget 2026 Raises Derivatives Trading Taxes to Curb Speculation

By Nithya Subramanian | 03/02/2026

The government has increased transaction taxes on equity derivatives to rein in speculative trading, a move that has raised questions over liquidity, hedging costs and investor participation.

Trading & Investment

US Pressures China on 'Undervalued' Yuan, Adds Thailand to FX Watchlist

By Manesh Samtani | 03/02/2026

Semiannual report stops short of 'manipulator' label but toughens language on China and expands criteria for currency practice scrutiny.

Trading & Investment

BOT Tightens Online Gold Trading Rules to Curb Baht Volatility

By Nithya Subramanian | 03/02/2026

BOT will cap gold trading from 1 March 2026, and introduce stricter rules on payments and delivery to boost transparency and reduce currency volatility.

Trading & Investment

SEBI’s Corporate Bond Liquidity Window Struggles to Gain Traction

By Nithya Subramanian | 03/02/2026

Despite SEBI’s bid to enhance secondary market liquidity, issuers have largely shunned the corporate bond liquidity window amid strict norms and limited incentives.

Structural Regulation

Korea Moves to Formalise Bond Council to Manage Issuance Concentration

By Mark Johnston | 03/02/2026

New regulation aims to coordinate supply and prevent market volatility through a permanent body involving regulators and issuing agencies.

Trading & Investment

ISDA Spotlights Constraints on Using Derivatives in Pension Funds

By Manesh Samtani | 03/02/2026

New paper details restrictive rules in China and India, while noting widespread use of swaps and forwards in Australia and South Korea.