International

ESG / Sustainability

ICMA Report Highlights Need for APAC Convergence of ESG Ratings Rules

By Mark Johnston | 13/03/2026

New report highlights the rise of voluntary codes and binding rules for ESG ratings providers across Asia-Pacific jurisdictions.

Capital / Liquidity

BIS Report Warns on Foreign Currency Funding Risks, Data Gaps

By Manesh Samtani | 13/03/2026

A new CGFS report highlights banks' reliance on internal capital markets and derivatives, urging enhanced monitoring and currency-specific liquidity rules.

Fintech / Regtech

FSB and Industry Launch New Push on Cross-border Payments

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 13/03/2026

Andrew Bailey says progress on the G20 roadmap is stalling, outlining new action plans for regulators and calling for industry leadership.

ESG / Sustainability

New Zealand Finalises Sustainability Assurance and Ethics Standards

By Manesh Samtani | 13/03/2026

New Zealand's XRB is aligning with global standards, setting a permanent framework for sustainability assurance effective from December 2026.

Market Infrastructure

BIS Paper Calls for Public Sector Push to Fix Cross-Border Payments

By Manesh Samtani | 12/03/2026

New paper highlights slow speeds and high costs, pointing to APAC initiatives as models for improving global payment systems.

Enforcement

Thailand Freezes 10,000 Crypto Accounts in AML Crackdown

By Editors | 12/03/2026

The action follows the rollout of a new ‘Speed Bump’ protocol and stricter KYC checks designed to disrupt illicit fund flows.

Crypto / Digital Assets

New Zealand FMA Calls for Digital Asset Law, Expands Fintech Sandbox

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 12/03/2026

The FMA has flagged the need for primary legislation for virtual assets, citing industry concerns over regulatory fragmentation.

Fintech / Regtech

Japan FSA Prioritises Real-World Use Cases to Guide Digital Asset Rule-Making

By Manesh Samtani | 12/03/2026

A senior official outlined Japan's focus on fostering real-world applications for stablecoins and tokenised assets while seeking global consensus on DeFi.

Fintech / Regtech

Meta, Global Police Disrupt Asian Scam Networks; New AI Tools Rolled Out

By Manesh Samtani | 12/03/2026

As new AI-powered anti-scam features are deployed, a joint operation has led to 21 arrests in Thailand and the removal of over 150,000 accounts from Meta's platforms.