International

Market Infrastructure

BIS Paper Calls for Public Sector Push to Fix Cross-Border Payments

By Manesh Samtani | 12/03/2026

New paper highlights slow speeds and high costs, pointing to APAC initiatives as models for improving global payment systems.

Enforcement

Thailand Freezes 10,000 Crypto Accounts in AML Crackdown

By Editors | 12/03/2026

The action follows the rollout of a new ‘Speed Bump’ protocol and stricter KYC checks designed to disrupt illicit fund flows.

Crypto / Digital Assets

New Zealand FMA Calls for Digital Asset Law, Expands Fintech Sandbox

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 12/03/2026

The FMA has flagged the need for primary legislation for virtual assets, citing industry concerns over regulatory fragmentation.

Fintech / Regtech

Japan FSA Prioritises Real-World Use Cases to Guide Digital Asset Rule-Making

By Manesh Samtani | 12/03/2026

A senior official outlined Japan's focus on fostering real-world applications for stablecoins and tokenised assets while seeking global consensus on DeFi.

Fintech / Regtech

Meta, Global Police Disrupt Asian Scam Networks; New AI Tools Rolled Out

By Manesh Samtani | 12/03/2026

As new AI-powered anti-scam features are deployed, a joint operation has led to 21 arrests in Thailand and the removal of over 150,000 accounts from Meta's platforms.

Sanctions

New FATF Report Calls for Crackdown on Offshore Crypto Providers

By Manesh Samtani | 12/03/2026

New report outlines risks from offshore crypto firms and calls for coordinated global action from regulators and financial institutions.

Capital / Liquidity

RBI Revises Counterparty Credit Risk Rules to Align with Basel Norms

By Nithya Subramanian | 11/03/2026

New rules clarify capital charges for clearing members and revise add-on factors for derivatives, lowering them for some contracts while raising them for others.

Fintech / Regtech

Blockchain Economics Drive Inevitable Monetary Fragmentation: BIS Paper

By Manesh Samtani | 11/03/2026

New BIS paper argues that the core design of public blockchains structurally undermines money's network effects.

AML / KYC

UK Unveils Global Fraud Crackdown With Focus on Asian Scam Hubs

By Manesh Samtani | 11/03/2026

New strategy includes a GBP 250 million investment, partnerships with Vietnam and India, and new crypto and payment regulations.