Europe

Market Infrastructure

China, EU Leaders Agree Bilateral Investment Treaty

By Editors | 03/01/2021

China will open multiple industries to EU businesses, removing joint-venture requirements, equity caps and forced technology transfers.

Securities / Derivatives

Euroclear Bank, Japan Launch New Asset Class: ‘Origami Bonds’

By Editors | 17/12/2020

Japanese cities Kobe and Yokohama as well as Shizuoka Prefecture were the first three issuers to utilise the new Origami bond structure.

Capital / Liquidity

ECB Eases Restrictions on Bank Dividends, Share Buybacks

By Editors | 17/12/2020

A continued prudent approach remains necessary until 30 September 2021, given the persisting economic uncertainty, the ECB says.

Market Infrastructure

Euroclear Bank, Shanghai Clearing House Launch ‘Yulan Bonds’

By Editors | 09/12/2020

Yulan bonds issued by SHCH will use real time multi-currency DVP settlement with any counterparty within Euroclear Bank’s network.

Crypto / Digital Assets

BIS Innovation Hub Completes Wholesale CBDC Experiment

By Editors | 03/12/2020

BIS Innovation Hub, the Swiss National Bank, and SIX compared the feasibility of issuing a wholesale CBDC versus linking the existing payment system to a distributed ledger.

Market Infrastructure

Lloyds UK Launches First Live Link of ‘SWIFT gpi Instant’

By Editors | 03/12/2020

Remittance payments from anywhere in the world destined for the UK routed through Lloyds can arrive in seconds with fee and foreign exchange transparency.

Market Infrastructure

Some USD LIBOR Settings May Continue Past End-2021

By Manesh Samtani | 01/12/2020

ICE Benchmark Administration intends to continue publishing some tenors of USD LIBOR until end-June 2023, which could allow time for most legacy contracts to mature.

AML / KYC

UK Crime Agency Reveals Progress of SARs Reform Programme

By Editors | 29/11/2020

Law enforcement will get a new single interface providing access to search, analysis and visualisation tools. SARs reporters will see the SAR Online portal upgraded.

AML / KYC

EU Set to Formalise Magnitsky-style Sanctions Regime

By Editors | 29/11/2020

New legislation provisionally agreed by member states will allow the EU to target individuals who commit gross human rights violations irrespective of nationality.