Hong Kong

HKEX Discontinues Issuance of Exchange Participant Certificates

By Editors | 04/01/2021

HKEX will also stop making available hard copies of any rule book or rule update as part of efforts to continue developing a sustainable and green environment.

Capital / Liquidity

HKMA Intends to Bring ‘Stay Rules’ into Operation in 2021

By Editors | 03/01/2021

Implementation will occur in two phases, the first for contracts where the only counterparties are HKMA-authorised institutions and/or FIs that are part of G-SIBs.

AML / KYC

Hong Kong Launches New Digital Identity Platform ‘iAM Smart’

By Manesh Samtani | 02/01/2021

The SFC, HKMA, IA and MPFA are encouraging FIs to adopt iAM Smart in their businesses for customer authentication, document signing, and remote onboarding.

Securities / Derivatives

HKFE Announces Launch Date for Hang Seng TECH Index Options

By Editors | 31/12/2020

The Hang Seng TECH Index Futures, introduced in November, have now been certified by the CFTC to be offered and sold to persons in the US.

Market Infrastructure

HKEX to Introduce New Market Access Platform in Q3 2021

By Editors | 30/12/2020

Phase 1 will involve the technical migration from the Orion Central Gateway to the new Cash Market Gateway in Q3 2021.

Securities / Derivatives

HKEX Clears First Cross Currency Swaps for Japanese FIs

By Editors | 29/12/2020

Japan’s FSA granted HKEX’s OTC Clear a licence allowing it to offer clearing services to Japanese financial institutions in January 2020.

AML / KYC

SFC, HKMA Offer Clarity on Product Disclosure, Suitability Obligations

By Manesh Samtani | 29/12/2020

The SFC and HKMA say firms may adopt a risk-based approach to streamline the provision of product disclosures for sophisticated or experienced investors.

AML / KYC

SFC to Require OFCs to Appoint Responsible Person for AML

By Editors | 23/12/2020

The requirement replaces an earlier proposal for OFCs to maintain a significant controllers register, which was deemed too operationally burdensome.

Enforcement

SFC Fines Fulbright Securities Over Short Selling Controls

By Editors | 23/12/2020

Fulbright Securities failed to detect and prevent illegal short selling failures in at least 93 instances over a period of at least six months.