United States

Securities / Derivatives

SET Launches Interbank Payment System for Securities Transactions

By Editors | 13/11/2019

The new system will provide greater convenience for investors, alleviate intermediaries’ cash management burden, and mitigate payment risks in the banking system.

Market Infrastructure

Thailand Eases Capital Controls to Stem Currency’s Rise

By Editors | 08/11/2019

Investors are allowed to invest up to $200,000 in foreign securities without going through a Thai intermediary, and restrictions on outward fund transfers have been eased.

Fintech / Regtech

SFC Issues Guidance on Outsourcing of Data Storage

By Editors | 01/11/2019

Licensed corporations must ensure cyber and operational risks are properly mitigated and that the SFC’s access to regulatory records is not restricted or otherwise undermined.

AML / KYC

US Agrees to $700mn Settlement with 1MDB Financier Jho Low

By Manesh Samtani | 31/10/2019

The proposed settlement would resolve civil forfeiture cases tied to Low, but does not release him from other criminal charges. Low gets to keep $15mn to pay his lawyers.

Capital / Liquidity

Philippines Mulls Imposing Limits on Lending Rates, Fees

By Editors | 30/10/2019

The BSP is considering placing limits on the interest rates and other fees lenders and finance companies can charge borrowers in response to a request from the SEC.

Market Infrastructure

A Liquid Global Swaps Market Relies on Deference: CFTC’s Quintenz

By Manesh Samtani | 29/10/2019

Market fragmentation poses serious risks to the liquidity and health of the derivatives markets, said CFTC commissioner Brian Quintenz at the ISDA Annual Japan Conference.

Enforcement

SEBI, US SEC Probe IT Major Infosys for “Unethical Practices”

By Editors | 28/10/2019

SEBI and the US SEC are probing Infosys after whistleblowers alleged costs were under-reported to inflate profits and “critical information” was hidden from auditors and the board.

Market Infrastructure

Regulatory Data: Arrows for the Quiver?

By Hannah Cassidy | 25/10/2019

Banks need to be cognisant of how the data they provide to regulators is being used, says Herbert Smith Freehills in its 2019 Global Bank Review.

Fintech / Regtech

Thailand SEC Approves First ICO Portal

By Editors | 23/10/2019

Under Thailand’s regulatory framework, ‘ICO portals’ help screen ICOs, conduct due diligence, prove smart contract source codes and verify KYC processes before they are released to the market.