Hong Kong

Securities / Derivatives

HK, Singapore on Alert for Social Media Fuelled Manipulation

By Manesh Samtani | 19/02/2021

The SFC has issued restriction notices against 54 more trading accounts. Singapore regulators are guarding against “pump and dump” and “short and distort” scenarios.

Big Picture

Singapore Rated Asia’s Top Regulatory System, Followed by Hong Kong

By Editors | 18/02/2021

Duff & Phelps survey respondents rated the UK as the world’s top regulatory regime, followed by Singapore and the US, which tied for second place.

AML / KYC

Hong Kong: GDF Warns Against Restricting Retail Investment in Crypto

By Manesh Samtani | 16/02/2021

The November FSTB proposal to only allow VASPs to offer services to professional investors could prompt retail investors to move to unlicensed platforms, GDF says.

Market Infrastructure

HKMA Raises Expectations for Bank Codes of Conduct

By Manesh Samtani | 14/02/2021

Codes of Conduct should include provisions to address conflicts of interest, promote a culture of accountability and encourage staff to report unethical practices.

Fintech / Regtech

HSBC, HKTVmall Join Forces to Enhance Access to Trade Finance

By Manesh Samtani | 11/02/2021

HSBC will leverage commercial data from HKTVmall to analyse and forecast business performance during credit assessment, making loan approval faster and simpler.

Enforcement

SFC Freezes Brokerage Accounts Linked to Social Media Scam

By Editors | 11/02/2021

One of the SFC’s top priorities for the year is to crack down on ramp and dump scams and other types of market manipulation conducted through social media.

Securities / Derivatives

HKEX Appoints JP Morgan’s Nicolas Aguzin as New CEO

By Manesh Samtani | 09/02/2021

Aguzin is expected to help HKEX continue to build its competitiveness and support the ongoing growth and development of Hong Kong’s financial markets.

AML / KYC

HK Banks Told to Stop Accepting BNO Passports as Valid ID

By Editors | 09/02/2021

The HKAB updated its guidance for banks after the government said it would no longer recognise BN(O) passports as valid travel documents or forms of identity.

Securities / Derivatives

SFC Sets Out Conduct Standards Expected in Capital Raisings

By Editors | 08/02/2021

The proposals establish the standards of conduct expected of intermediaries participating in bookbuilding, pricing, allocation and placing activities.