United States

Australia, UK, US Target Iran with Sanctions Over Protester Crackdown

By Manesh Samtani | 03/02/2026

The coordinated measures impose asset freezes and travel bans on officials and entities for human rights abuses and sanctions evasion.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Philippines Bans Banks From Dealing with Unregistered Crypto Firms

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 03/02/2026

New rules prohibit dealings with unlicensed virtual asset service providers and restrict retail customer access to offshore platforms.

Securities / Derivatives

Vietnam Outlines Strategy for Ho Chi Minh Financial Hub

By Manesh Samtani | 02/02/2026

The plan for Ho Chi Minh City focuses on four pillars: capital markets, trade finance, fintech, and niche financial services.

Fintech / Regtech

US, China Lead New Benchmark on Artificial Intelligence in Finance

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 02/02/2026

A new global index finds leaders excel in deployment readiness and market connectivity, with Hong Kong ranked as a top hub.

Crypto / Digital Assets

StanChart Warns Stablecoins Could Siphon $500b from Lenders

By Mark Johnston | 02/02/2026

Report predicts massive deposit flight by 2028 as pending US legislation paves the way for yield-bearing digital assets to compete with traditional banking models.

Market Infrastructure

KRX Facing Backlash in Push for Extended Trading Hours

By Mark Johnston | 30/01/2026

The KRX plan to boost competitiveness is met with fierce opposition from its securities union, which warns of risks from inadequate market surveillance.

Capital / Liquidity

Philippine Plans Tech Board for PSE to Attract High-Growth Firms

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 29/01/2026

Regulators are developing a new listing board with more flexible rules, inspired by Nasdaq, to help technology startups access public capital.

Sanctions

Nasdaq-Listed Firm Laundered Billions for Asian Scam Groups - Report

By Manesh Samtani | 29/01/2026

A CapitalWatch report alleges that US ad-tech firm AppLovin served as a "laundromat" for illicit funds from criminal networks in China and Cambodia.

ESG / Sustainability

Philippines SEC Mandates Strict 9-Year Term for Independent Directors

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 29/01/2026

The SEC removes extensions and sets a firm nine-year cumulative term for independent directors of listed firms to bolster board independence.