Bank Negara Malaysia

Payments & Settlements

Fast Payment Pricing a Balancing Act for APAC Regulators: BIS Paper

By Manesh Samtani | 07/10/2025

A new BIS paper highlights the trade-offs between driving adoption and ensuring long-term viability, with varied pricing approaches seen across Asia.

Conduct, Culture & Accountability

BNM Unveils 5-Year National Strategy to Strengthen Financial Literacy

By Nithya Subramanian | 06/10/2025

NS2.0 focuses on inclusivity, digitalisation, empowerment, collaboration, and accountability to enhance financial inclusion, digital readiness and transparency across society.

Credit Risk

BNM Releases New Personal Financing and BNPL Guidelines

By Nithya Subramanian | 02/10/2025

The policy document announced measures including a 10-year loan tenure cap, mandatory financial education for high-value loans, and affordability checks on BNPL services.

Cryptocurrency

Malaysia Positions Digital Assets as a Key Pillar of Future Financial System

By Nithya Subramanian | 29/09/2025

SC Malaysia plans to liberalise crypto listings while tightening governance standards, as it works alongside policymakers to grow the digital asset market.

PEPs & Sanctions

BNM Fines Alipay for AML/CFT and Sanctions Screening Failures

By Nithya Subramanian | 25/09/2025

BNM fined Alipay MYR 340,000 for failing to promptly update its sanctions database, which allowed a blacklisted customer to transact before the account was frozen.

Anti-Money Laundering

1MDB: Malaysia Recovers $8.57m Linked to Jho Low

By Nithya Subramanian | 11/09/2025

This is part of global 1MDB recovery efforts that have so far brought back more than MYR 31 billion in misappropriated assets.

Anti-Money Laundering

Malaysia: UBB Investment Bank Case Set for Mention on 26 September

By Nithya Subramanian | 02/09/2025

A Malaysian court will hear further mention in the case against UBB Investment Bank, which faces 53 charges of failing to file STRs and an additional charge of inadequate due diligence.

Tokenisation

BNM to Release Tokenisation Discussion Paper in 2025

By Nithya Subramanian | 01/09/2025

Malaysia’s MOF said BNM is working with industry experts and regulators to test tokenised deposits, ringgit-backed stablecoins and wholesale CBDCs.

Anti-Money Laundering

Malaysia to Push for ASEAN Money Laundering Working Group

By Nithya Subramanian | 01/09/2025

The initiative, led by Malaysia’s Home Ministry and central bank, aims to strengthen cooperation against financial crimes that affect all 10 member states.