Payments & Settlements

Non-Banks Can Apply for ESAS Access at Year-End: RBNZ

07/03/2024

The RBNZ said its final ESAS access policy will balance its initial risk-based approach against the innovation and competition benefits the access will bring.

CBDCs

HKMA Commences wCBDC Project to Drive Tokenisation

07/03/2024

Project Ensemble could help to forge new financial market infrastructure that can bridge tokenised assets and money in transactions, the HKMA said.

PEPs & Sanctions

EU to Sanction 35 Individuals Over Death of Alexei Navalny

07/03/2024

The EU’s sanctions will target the most number of individuals over Navalny’s death compared to those of its allies Australia, Canada, the UK and US.

Cryptocurrency

US SEC Secures $275,000 Settlement from Crypto Firm ShapeShift

07/03/2024

SEC Commissioners Hester Peirce and Mark Uyeda issued a joint statement expressing disagreement with the enforcement action.

PEPs & Sanctions

OFAC Sanctions Two More Vessels for Supporting Houthis

07/03/2024

The sanctions also target Hong Kong-based and Marshall Islands-based companies, which own the two vessels.

Credit Risk

HK Banks Stop Offering Mortgage Loans for Speculation

07/03/2024

Many banks have stopped providing mortgages for confirmor transactions, due to signs that speculative interest is reemerging in the property market.

Anti-Money Laundering

FCA Gives Firms 6 Months to Address Financial Crime Concerns

07/03/2024

The regulator found controls that haven’t kept pace with business growth, firms that aren’t properly resourced, and failures to properly assess risks.

Trading & Investment

Japan to Permanently Cease Euroyen TIBOR on 30 December

07/03/2024

ISDA confirmed that the announcement from JBA TIBOR Administration “constitutes an index cessation event”.

Anti-Money Laundering

BSP to Enhance Reporting Rules for Money Services Businesses

06/03/2024

MSBs would also need to notify the BSP within five days of any event which may have a significant negative impact on their business or reputation.