HONG KONG

Crypto / Digital Assets

Hong Kong Examining Potential for Yuan-Backed Stablecoin

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 24/06/2025

Christopher Hui said risks must be studied, taking into consideration the Mainland’s monetary policy direction and yuan internationalisation roadmap.

AML / KYC

New Academic Programmes Emerge to Address Financial Crime Skills Gap

By Manesh Samtani | 24/06/2025

A ‘generational crisis’ in financial crime has prompted the introduction of new academic programmes that blend theory with real-world investigative skills.

Market Infrastructure

HK Fund Manager Publishes Research on Enhancing ETF Market

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 23/06/2025

Hang Seng Investment Management outlines strategies and recommendations to help enhance Hong Kong’s ETF market, focusing on three key areas.

Big Picture

Report Urges Swift Action to Cement Hong Kong’s Status as Web3 Hub

By Manesh Samtani | 23/06/2025

New report by Web3 Harbour and PwC outlines several key enablers for Hong Kong to become a global financial centre for Web3 and digital assets.

Fintech / Regtech

Mainland China and Hong Kong Launch Fast Payments Link

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 23/06/2025

HKMA and PBOC launched “Payment Connect”, streamlining cross-boundary payments and remittances between Hong Kong and Mainland China.

Sanctions

New US Sanctions Target Iran Defence Procurement, Houthi Oil Smuggling

By Manesh Samtani | 22/06/2025

The sanctions target entities in Iran, China, Singapore, Hong Kong and Turkiye for supporting the procurement of sensitive machinery for Iran’s defence industry.

Enforcement

SFC Suspends CEO of Freeman Commodities for Supervisory Failures

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 20/06/2025

The SFC said the former RO and MiC failed to ensure his firm maintained appropriate standards of conduct and adhered to proper procedures.

Enforcement

SFC Imposes 3-Year Ban on Former Licensee Over Wash Trades

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 20/06/2025

The former licensed representative of Cinda International Securities executed a total of 109 matched or wash trades in nine stocks, the SFC said.

Market Infrastructure

Hong Kong ‘Actively Pursuing’ Closer Integration With Mainland

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 20/06/2025

Hong Kong will continue to explore further enhancements to the WMC scheme and ways to broaden Hong Kong professionals’ entry into the Mainland market.