
Manesh Samtani is the Editor at Regulation Asia, where he leads the regional news desk from Hong Kong, directing coverage of critical regulatory developments impacting financial services across APAC. Manesh specialises in analysing how new rules and technologies are reshaping banking, capital markets, and the fight against financial crime, providing finance professionals, compliance leaders, and policymakers with the intelligence they need to navigate risk and understand the impact of regulatory change in the region. manesh@regulationasia.com

Big Picture
FSB Flags Vulnerabilities in Non-Bank Commercial Real Estate Investors
20/06/2025
FSB identifies liquidity mismatches, leverage, and valuation opacity as key vulnerabilities in non-bank commercial real estate investors.

Fintech / Regtech
Thailand Awards Three Virtual Banks Licences
20/06/2025
Thailand has awarded virtual bank licences to three consortia, including one led by SCB X in partnership with China’s WeBank and Korea’s KakaoBank.

Capital / Liquidity
RBI Finalises Project Finance Rules for Banks, NBFCs
20/06/2025
Provisioning norms for under-construction projects are set at 1%, compared to 5% in the draft proposed last year.

Big Picture
Reforms Urged to Boost Hong Kong as Alternative Investments Hub
19/06/2025
FSDC report urges Hong Kong to adopt regulatory reforms to boost alternative investment funds and the startup ecosystem.

Market Infrastructure
Lujiazui Forum: China Unveils Financial Opening Measures, e-CNY Push
19/06/2025
Shanghai to host “international operations centre” for the digital yuan. New measures announced to boost foreign investment.

Securities / Derivatives
China Broadens Derivatives Market Access for Foreign Investors
19/06/2025
The DCE and SHFE have opened more commodity contracts to QFIs. China’s ETF options market will also be open to QFIs in October.

Securities / Derivatives
Shanghai STAR Market to Reopen to Loss-Making Tech Firms
19/06/2025
The STAR Market will once again allow unprofitable technology companies to list, as part of a series of reforms aimed at bolstering support for strategic industries.

Market Infrastructure
AIA, Aegon Secure Approval for Shanghai Insurance Asset Management Units
19/06/2025
AIA and Aegon have gained approval to establish wholly foreign-owned insurance asset management subsidiaries in Shanghai. AIA Group and Aegon […]
AML / KYC
FATF Publishes Updated R.16 Standard on Payment Transparency
18/06/2025
The FATF said the will help combat fraud and illicit finance, balancing security with innovation and financial inclusion.
Crypto / Digital Assets
South Korean Lawmakers Propose Stricter Stablecoin Rules
18/06/2025
New “Digital Asset Innovation Act” proposes higher capital requirements for stablecoin issuers and the establishment of a new committee under the FSC.
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