
Manesh Samtani is the Editor at Regulation Asia, where he leads the regional news desk from Hong Kong, directing coverage of critical regulatory developments impacting financial services across APAC. Manesh specialises in analysing how new rules and technologies are reshaping banking, capital markets, and the fight against financial crime, providing finance professionals, compliance leaders, and policymakers with the intelligence they need to navigate risk and understand the impact of regulatory change in the region. [email protected]

Market Infrastructure
Japan Publishes Conclusions from Asset Management Task Force
14/12/2023
The FSA published a report outlining proposals to develop Japan’s asset management industry and encourage households to invest their savings.

MAS Unveils Key Decisions on Mandatory Reference Check Regime
13/12/2023
The new requirements will come into effect one year after publication of the relevant Notices, which will first be subject to consultation.

Fintech / Regtech
MAS Issues New Rules on Managing Outsourced Services
12/12/2023
Banks will have to provide details to MAS about the services they outsource and ensure it can audit the service providers and obtain records and documents from them.

Crypto / Digital Assets
FSC Korea Proposes Rules to Protect Virtual Asset Users
12/12/2023
VASPs must store at least 80% of customers’ virtual assets in cold wallets, purchase liability insurance, hold reserves, and monitor for abnormal transactions.

ESG / Sustainability
HKMA to Launch Physical Risk Assessment Platform for Banks
12/12/2023
HKMA’s Arthur Yuen also said the first version of Hong Kong’s green classification framework will be released “very soon”.

Big Picture
IMF to Expand AML/CFT Data Analytics Capabilities
11/12/2023
The IMF plans to increase focus on assessing and mitigating the macro-economic impacts of illicit flows in the global financial system.

Market Infrastructure
Korea Enhances Executive Accountability for Internal Control Failures
11/12/2023
Similar to the UK regime, financial firms will have to document the responsibilities of their executives, who would face disciplinary action if they fail to fulfill their duties.

Fintech / Regtech
Australia Proposes Licensing Framework for Payment Services
09/12/2023
Payment service providers would need to be licensed by ASIC, and in some cases, APRA. The ePayments Code will also be updated and made mandatory.

Securities / Derivatives
MAS Updates CMSL Guidance on CEO and Director Appointments
09/12/2023
Capital markets firms must ensure proposed CEOs and directors are fit and proper and have 10 years of experience that is “relevant” to the role.

Capital / Liquidity
BCBS Says it Will Launch Three New Consultations
08/12/2023
The consultations will deal with the standards for crypto assets, interest rate risk in the banking book, and window-dressing by G-SIBs.
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