AUSTRALIA

Market Infrastructure

Australia Unveils Plans to Strengthen Rules for Mergers

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 12/04/2024

The reforms are expected to come into force on 1 January 2026, introducing a mandatory notification requirement for deals above certain thresholds.

Crypto / Digital Assets

ASIC Appeals Court Ruling in ‘Finder Earn’ Crypto Case

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 11/04/2024

ASIC filed an appeal due to concerns that the Finder Earn product was offered without the appropriate licence or authorisation.

Enforcement

Australian Court Rules on Sanctions Law Breach by Coal Miner

By Editors | 10/04/2024

A Federal Court Justice has ruled that ASX-listed coal miner Tigers Realm Coal breached Australia’s sanctions law.

Market Infrastructure

NZ FMA to Require Operational Resilience as Licence Condition

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 09/04/2024

The FMA also launched a new “light-touch” online notification form for licence holders to notify the regulator of material incidents.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Australian Firm Seeks to List Spot Bitcoin ETF on Cboe

By Editors | 06/04/2024

The “Monochrome Bitcoin ETF”, if approved, will become Australia’s first spot bitcoin ETF with direct bitcoin holdings.

ESG / Sustainability

New Zealand to Relax Rules for Green Bond Issuance

By Editors | 04/04/2024

The proposed class exemption would make it easier for listed companies to bring green, social, sustainable, and sustainability-linked bonds to market.

AFCA Alarmed by Rising Complaints Regarding Hardship Assistance

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 04/04/2024

In 2023, AFCA recorded a 25% increase in complaints involving financial difficulty, which includes disputes over hardship assistance.

ESG / Sustainability

APRA to Conduct Second Climate Risk Management Survey

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 03/04/2024

APRA will make the survey available to all banking, insurance, and superannuation entities that it supervises, though participation is voluntary.

Enforcement

ACCC Fines HSBC for Disclosing Inaccurate CDR Data

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 03/04/2024

HSBC failed to disclose complete mortgage interest rate details and accurate credit card balances in response to separate requests for this data made via the CDR.