Securities and Futures Commission

Market Infrastructure

HKEX Reports on Business Progress in Quarterly Results

By Manesh Samtani | 10/05/2019

Among the updates are plans to extend trading hours for derivatives products and introduce new interest rate derivatives. HKEX also reportedly plans to shorten IPO settlement to T+1.

Crypto / Digital Assets

ESG: The Un-Hyped Acronym

By Philippe Dirckx | 06/05/2019

Compliance to ESG standards and principles will permanently transform the way we conduct business, says international banking veteran Philippe Dirckx.

Fintech / Regtech

Eight Firms Pass Initial Screening for GFIN Cross-Border Testing Pilot

By Manesh Samtani | 30/04/2019

Eight out of 44 applicant firms have passed an initial screening by GFIN members, and will now develop testing plans for regulators to consider and approve.

Securities / Derivatives

Hong Kong Proposes Enhancements to OTC Derivatives Regime

By Manesh Samtani | 29/04/2019

In a joint consultation, the HKMA and SFC propose to mandate the use of UTIs in OTC derivatives trade reporting, and to discontinue masking relief for all jurisdictions but China.

Market Infrastructure

Culture & Conduct: the Global Regulatory Agenda

By Jeffrey Kupfer | 29/04/2019

The UK FCA has been a definitive leader in driving the global supervisory agenda in relation to culture and conduct risk, say Jeff Kupfer and Stephen Scott at Starling Trust Sciences.

AML / KYC

SFC Imposes 10-Month Ban on Former Guosen Exec

By Editors | 24/04/2019

The 10-month ban on Su Xiqiang, former head of Guosen’s retail brokerage, was a result of improper handling of third-party fund deposits, and a lack of AML controls.

Enforcement

SFC Fines Hedge Fund Manager for Naked Short Selling

By Editors | 19/04/2019

Nine Masts Capital sold shares in Yuzhou Properties in May 2015 before a share placement was complete, based on verbal confirmation of its allotment.

ESG / Sustainability

Hong Kong’s SFC Releases Guidance on Green Funds Disclosure

By Editors | 15/04/2019

The SFC has set out its disclosure expectations for fund managers claiming a green or ESG focus in their investment products, in a bid to facilitate informed decision making by investors.

Capital / Liquidity

SFC Finalises Guidelines on Securities Margin Lending

By Editors | 05/04/2019

The guidelines will take effect in October, requiring brokers to limit margin lending to five times their capital, among other controls to reduce excessive leverage.