OTHER ASIA PACIFIC

Crypto / Digital Assets

Vietnam to Launch Pilot Crypto Trading Platform with Bybit

By Mark Johnston | 22/04/2025

Vietnam’s finance ministry is partnering with Bybit to test a regulated crypto trading platform in a controlled sandbox environment.

VC Associations Publish Guide to Strengthen Governance in ASEAN Startups

By Nithya Subramanian | 22/04/2025

The guide was jointly developed by venture capital associations in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.

AML / KYC

Pakistan to Introduce Centralised Beneficial Ownership Registry

By Mark Johnston | 18/04/2025

The UBO registry, accessible to financial institutions, is part of Pakistan’s broader efforts to align with FATF and OECD standards.

ESG / Sustainability

ASEAN Ministers Endorse Sustainability and Payments Initiatives

By Thisanka Siripala | 17/04/2025

ASEAN ministers endorsed new financing mechanisms and welcomed new cross-border payment initiatives including Nexus.

Capital / Liquidity

Vietnamese Banks Pledge to Offer Preferential Loan Rates

By Nithya Subramanian | 17/04/2025

Banks have committed to participating in a preferential interest rate credit package for the infrastructure and digital technology sectors.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Pakistan Moves to Regulate Virtual Assets for the First Time

By Mark Johnston | 17/04/2025

A national working group has developed a regulatory framework establishing rules for cryptocurrencies and related platforms.

Bangladesh Eases Restrictions on NRB Foreign Currency Accounts

By Nithya Subramanian | 15/04/2025

Banks can set rates based on customer relationships and accept a broader range of currencies to boost foreign currency inflows.

ESG / Sustainability

ACMF Launches Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide for SMEs

By Nithya Subramanian | 14/04/2025

The new ESG disclosure guide is aimed at helping SMEs in supply chains meet sustainability reporting requirements.

AML / KYC

Shedding Light on HSBC’s Use of Machine Learning in Transaction Monitoring

By Manesh Samtani | 14/04/2025

Olivier Franses talks to Regulation Asia about HSBC’s use of machine learning in transaction monitoring, the challenges of implementation, and the resulting benefits.