International

ESG / Sustainability

COP30 Climate Summit Concludes With New Adaptation Finance Goal

By Manesh Samtani | 25/11/2025

The agreement calls for tripling adaptation funds by 2035, but fails to strengthen fossil fuel phase-out language in the main text.

Sanctions

US Panel Urges Sanctions Scrutiny for Hong Kong

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 24/11/2025

A congressional advisory body has recommended secondary sanctions on Hong Kong financial institutions, alleging the city is a hub for sanctions evasion.

AML / KYC

Japan FSA to Step Up AML Dialogue with FIs Ahead of 2028 FATF On-Site Review

By Manesh Samtani | 24/11/2025

The regulator is shifting focus from technical compliance to proven outcomes, requiring firms to establish robust verification and improvement cycles.

Fintech / Regtech

Policymakers Face 'Trilemma' in Big Tech Credit and Payments: BIS Paper

By Manesh Samtani | 24/11/2025

New paper highlights unavoidable trade-offs between expanding credit access, limiting bigtech profits, and protecting user privacy.

Securities / Derivatives

World Bank, ICMA Detail Work on New AI Tool to Streamline Bond Issuance

By Manesh Samtani | 24/11/2025

Project SHASTRA uses generative AI and ICMA's Bond Data Taxonomy to tackle post-trade inefficiencies and create a 'single source of truth'.

ESG / Sustainability

Thailand Amends Rules to Boost Sustainability-Linked Bond Market

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 24/11/2025

The new regulations provide issuers with greater flexibility on financial returns and instrument structures, aiming to align with international standards.

Fintech / Regtech

BIS Paper Says Payment Pre-validation is Key to Reducing Fraud

By Nithya Subramanian | 24/11/2025

A BIS paper warns that global adoption of payment pre-validation remains slow despite its strong potential to cut errors and curb fraud in international transactions.

AML / KYC

HKMA Issues Guidance to Curb 'Overly Cautious' AML Checks on PEPs

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 24/11/2025

The HKMA’s new 'Smart Tips' guidance clarifies rules for domestic and former PEPs, urging banks to adopt a more proportionate, risk-based approach.

AML / KYC

AML/CFT Officials Discuss FATF Work to Promote Financial Inclusion

By Manesh Samtani | 24/11/2025

The FATF is encouraging simplified measures for low-risk customers and clarifying that over-compliance is counterproductive.