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Payments & Settlements

India to Introduce Merchant Charges on High-Value UPI Transactions

By Nithya Subramanian | 17/09/2026

The government has clarified that peer-to-peer and small merchant payments will remain free under the new framework.

Stablecoins

Thailand's SEC Proposes Daily Cap on Stablecoin Transfers

By Mark Johnston | 17/09/2026

The SEC has launched a public consultation on new rules aimed at curbing money laundering and cybercrime risks via digital assets.

Climate Risk

Singapore Banks Under Fire for Financing Industrial Coal Projects

By Nithya Subramanian | 17/09/2026

New analysis finds that Singapore's top banks are financing nickel and aluminium producers that build and operate their own captive coal plants.

Emerging Prudential Risks

Indonesia Abruptly Gets New Finance Minister in Cabinet Reshuffle

By Nithya Subramanian | 16/09/2026

Suahasil Nazara has been appointed to lead Indonesia's Finance Ministry, tasked with safeguarding the state budget and ensuring policy continuity.

Anti-Money Laundering

South Asian Nations to Target Financial Crime in Wildlife Trafficking Pact

By Nithya Subramanian | 16/09/2026

Eight nations have adopted the Kathmandu Declaration, pledging to use financial investigations, AML measures and asset recovery to combat illicit wildlife trade.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Singapore Tests Cross-Bank AI for Real-Time Scam Detection

By Nithya Subramanian | 15/09/2026

MAS is collaborating with banks and law enforcement to test AI models on shared data for faster fraud intervention and has issued new risk management guidelines.

PEPs & Sanctions

US Sanctions Russias VTB Bank for Facilitating Iran Sanctions Evasion

By Manesh Samtani | 15/09/2026

The designation of Russia's VTB Bank puts its Asian operations in the spotlight and serves as a warning to other financial institutions.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Singapore Enacts Anti-Scam Law, Adds Account Freeze Powers

By Nithya Subramanian | 15/09/2026

New legislation grants police powers to order information disclosure and account disabling from banks and telcos, while hiking fines for non-compliant online platforms to SGD 10 million.

Hong Kong’s Hedge Fund Sector Regains Ground

By Blake Evans-Pritchard | 15/09/2026

Tax reforms, stronger equity-market activity and renewed interest in China strategies are boosting Hong Kong’s appeal while Singapore remains a strong alternative for managers seeking stability and diversification.