Securities and Futures Commission

Securities / Derivatives

SFC Expands Professional Investor Rules

By JP Reimann | 21/05/2018

SFC’s new professional investor rules will expand categories, amend qualification threshold starting from 13 July 2018.

Securities / Derivatives

Growing Liquidity Requirements, a Regulatory Hazard for Asset Managers

By Peter Guy | 21/05/2018

Asset managers resist bank-like capital and liquidity regulations being contemplated by regulators. But new requirements appear unavoidable given recent regulatory trends.

Enforcement

SFC Fines Citigroup $7.3mn For IPO Sponsor Failures

By Manesh Samtani | 21/05/2018

The regulator fined Citigroup for due diligence and staff supervision failures relating to IPO work in 2009; no constraints placed on its business activities.

Securities / Derivatives

Hong Kong Allows Corporate Setup for Investment Funds

By JP Reimann | 18/05/2018

SFC’s new open-ended fund company (OFC) regime will allow investment funds to set up under corporate structures starting from 30 July 2018.

Market Infrastructure

Hong Kong SFC Releases Further Details on Licensing Regime

By Garima Chitkara | 17/05/2018

SFC bulletin highlights areas of concern the regulator considers in granting and rejecting licenses as well as updates to MIC regime; SFC also announced a forthcoming thematic review of MIC regime compliance.

Fintech / Regtech

IOSCO Meets to Discuss Investor Protection, Emerging Risks

By JP Reimann | 15/05/2018

Board to develop support framework to help members address impact of ICOs on investor protection; agree to launch ‘Fintech Network’ to facilitate collaboration on fintech.

Enforcement

SFC Signs Enhanced MoU on Cross Border Enforcement Cooperation

By JP Reimann | 13/05/2018

Enhanced IOSCO framework enables securities regulators to obtain and share audit working papers, telephone, internet records; compel attendance at interviews; provide guidance on freezing of assets.

AML / KYC

Hong Kong-based Regulatory Alliance Eyes Better Fintech Supervision

By Garima Chitkara | 10/05/2018

Asian regulators, former central bankers and government officials establish information exchange alliance to better regulate fintech, digital payments and cryptocurrency developments in the region.

Securities / Derivatives

SFC Issues New Rules on Instant Message Trade Orders

By JP Reimann | 07/05/2018

Regulator requires two years of full records, client authentication and validation, a written contingency plan and compliance reviews for instant messaging use.