
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

Emerging Prudential Risks
APAC Regulators Activate Crisis Measures as Mideast Conflict Roils Markets
03/03/2026
South Korea has readied a massive stabilisation fund while central banks in Japan and Singapore monitor inflation and market impacts.

Tokenisation
Bank of Japan to Test Tokenised Deposits for 24/7 Settlement
03/03/2026
The central bank will partner with major financial institutions to explore a wholesale, blockchain-based system for large-value corporate payments.

Anti-Money Laundering
Cambodia Launches New National Risk Assessment Report
03/03/2026
The country's second AML assessment flags crypto as 'Medium High' risk and details plans for a formal licensing regime.

Anti-Money Laundering
FATF Urges Shift in Focus from Procedural Compliance to Tangible Outcomes
03/03/2026
FATF urges a pivot from rules-based compliance to focusing resources on the highest financial crime risks.

Market Abuse
Jane Street Sued Over Terra Collapse, Faces Wider Regulatory Scrutiny
03/03/2026
Terraform Labs' estate alleges insider trading in a new lawsuit, as the trading giant also contests market manipulation claims in India.

Anti-Money Laundering
Tonga Boosts AML Powers to Combat Crime, Secure Banking Ties
03/03/2026
New legislation enhances supervision and asset recovery to combat organised crime and secure crucial international correspondent banking relationships, officials say.

Sustainable Finance
Philippines SEC Pushes ASEAN for Sustainable Finance Implementation
02/03/2026
As 2026 ASEAN Capital Markets Forum chair, the regulator is spearheading a shift from framework development to creating tangible market impact.

Market Abuse
US SEC Finalises Insider Trade Reporting Rules for Foreign Issuers
02/03/2026
Foreign private issuers with securities listed in the US face new disclosure rules for directors and officers from 18 March 2026.

Emerging Prudential Risks
China Cuts FX Risk Reserve Ratio to Zero to Cool Yuan's Rapid Rise
02/03/2026
The move eliminates costs for forward FX purchases and signals policymakers' discomfort with the renminbi's recent pace of appreciation.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
China Drafts Tough New Audit Law to Tackle Fraud & Misconduct
02/03/2026
Draft law doubles fines for misconduct, introduces lifetime bans, and tightens entry rules for firms auditing listed companies.
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