Regulation Asia | Financial Regulatory Intelligence and Analysis

OPINIONS & ANALYSIS

Hong Kong Can Leapfrog Europe in Fixed Income Market Design

by Manesh Samtani

As Hong Kong develops its FIC roadmap, it has a unique opportunity to learn from Europe’s past struggles and build a bond market framework that is fit for the future.

Private Credit Boom in APAC Prompts Fears of ‘Circular Risk’

by Blake Evans-Pritchard

The boom is increasing banks’ indirect exposure to the same corporate borrowers they once financed directly.

Good is No Longer Enough: FATF’s Core Message to Singapore

by Manesh Samtani

The strength of Singapore’s AML framework was affirmed, but the SGD 3 billion case has moved the goalposts from compliance to effectiveness.

APAC Silent on US Basel Reforms as Global Divergence Debate Builds

by Blake Evans-Pritchard

APAC regulators are treading carefully as the latest US Basel III proposals are still under consultation, while expressing concerns over divergence.

FEATURES

Hong Kong Regulators Mandate Stricter Controls on Client Onboarding

The SFC and HKMA have ordered firms to review client accounts and tighten controls following a probe into onboarding deficiencies.

Sanday Chongo Kabange

25 May 2026•4 min read

Singapore Refreshes National AI Strategy, Expands Partnerships

Singapore has refreshed its NAIS with sector-focused “AI Missions”, new workforce initiatives, and expanded partnerships with OpenAI, Nvidia, and Google.

Nithya Subramanian

25 May 2026•3 min read

Australia Outlines Roadmap for Wholesale Tokenised Markets

The RBA and DFCRC have released findings from Project Acacia, proposing a new multi-agency programme to address regulatory uncertainty and foster innovation in tokenised finance.

Sanday Chongo Kabange

20 May 2026•4 min read

Singapore’s IMDA Warns Against Use of OpenClaw AI Agent

IMDA has issued guidance advising against deploying the popular open-source AI agent in mission-critical environments due to significant security risks.

Nithya Subramanian

20 May 2026•3 min read

Hong Kong Set to Launch Cross-Sector Misconduct Reference Checks

A new mandatory reference checking scheme between the banking and insurance sectors will launch in July to prevent individuals with misconduct histories from moving between firms.

Sanday Chongo Kabange

20 May 2026•3 min read

APRA Proposes New Bank Licensing Framework, Scraps RADI Pathway

The regulator is consulting on a new, more transparent licensing regime for local banks, introducing legally binding criteria and fixed timelines.

Sanday Chongo Kabange

20 May 2026•3 min read

AUSTRAC Flags AI, Crypto Threats in Updated Risk Assessments

AUSTRAC has released updated risk assessments, highlighting the growing role of AI and crypto in illicit finance and detailing major AML reforms.

Sanday Chongo Kabange

20 May 2026•3 min read

FATF Finds Singapore AML Regime is Robust, Despite Some Gaps

Singapore has improved its AML framework, FATF said, while calling for tougher penalties and better oversight of foreign entities following a major scandal.

Nithya Subramanian

20 May 2026•4 min read

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