Hong Kong

Securities / Derivatives

Mainland Investors Gain Access to HK Stock Research

By Manesh Samtani | 04/07/2018

New rules enable better access to research reports and advice on HK-listed stocks, and opportunities for HK securities firms to distribute their research through mainland firms.

Securities / Derivatives

HK Exchange Tightens Rules on Backdoor Listings, Shell Activities

By Manesh Samtani | 04/07/2018

Hong Kong stock exchange proposes tightening reverse takeover rules and continuing listing criteria to address concerns about backdoor listings through shell companies by firms that may not otherwise qualify.

Market Infrastructure

Hong Kong SFC Releases 2017-18 Annual Report

By Manesh Samtani | 02/07/2018

Highlights for the year include progress on MIC regime, guidance on online trading platforms, and regulatory collaboration with other agencies.

Securities / Derivatives

Hong Kong Finalises OTC Derivatives Framework

By Garima Chitkara | 28/06/2018

HKMA and SFC published conclusions from their March 2018 consultation on LEI requirements, reporting norms and platform trading.

AML / KYC

Non-EU Markets Regulators Seek Formal GDPR Exemptions – Report

By Manesh Samtani | 28/06/2018

New EU data privacy law could put cross-border investigations in jeopardy, leading non-EU regulators including Japan’s FSA and Hong Kong’s SFC to press for formal clarification on application of cross-border information sharing exemptions.

Fintech / Regtech

Virtualisation in Banking Sector: A Major Step Forward for Hong Kong

By Philip Keller | 27/06/2018

Hong Kong may have been slow to the game in finalising its framework for virtual banks, but digitisation in the city is now on the move. This is good news and critics should recognise this as a major step forward for Hong Kong.

AML / KYC

Maximum Pressure: US, HK Act to Firm Up North Korea Sanctions

By Nick Turner | 25/06/2018

Despite the glad-handing between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un in Singapore earlier this month, the legal landscape surrounding North Korea sanctions remains unchanged since March 2018. AML (anti-money laundering) risks will remain a focus of attention in Hong Kong and elsewhere.

AML / KYC

Hong Kong FSDC Releases Digital ID and KYC Utility Report

By Garima Chitkara | 25/06/2018

The FSDC has laid out four key recommendations for creating a digital identity and e-KYC based infrastructure for Hong Kong.

Fintech / Regtech

HK Virtual Bank Licence Offers Nothing New for Local Market

By Peter Guy | 20/06/2018

The HKMA and its new regulations fail to recognise that virtual banking has long existed. Redundant and irrelevant rules only hold back fintech development in Hong Kong.