Politics, Legal & Regulation

July 12, 2025 @ 5:54 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Hong Kong’s four financial regulators have teamed up with technology and telecommunications firms to launch the Anti-Scam Consumer Protection Charter 3.0, expanding a year-old initiative that targets a surge in digital fraud against the city’s seven million residents. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Securities and… Read More

July 12, 2025 @ 9:11 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) welcomes the publication of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) Peer Review on Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) Authorisation and Supervision, which confirms that overall, the MFSA is largely meeting expectations “with respect to the practical implementation of the… Read More

July 11, 2025 @ 1:42 pm By JD Alois  |  

Both the Clarity Act and the GENIUS Act are expected to be up for a floor vote, after which the legislation will move to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The Republican controlled Congress has delivered on its promise to create rules for… Read More

July 11, 2025 @ 12:31 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) on Friday issued a warning to crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) across the European Union, cautioning them against misleading customers about which of their products fall under the bloc’s newly implemented crypto regulations. ESMA said some crypto firms have… Read More

July 11, 2025 @ 2:46 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), France’s financial markets regulator, has released a series of reports and analyses that shed light on the evolving landscape of retail investment and asset management in 2025. These publications highlight shifting investor behaviors, particularly across gender and age groups,… Read More

July 10, 2025 @ 5:58 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) has recently highlighted both the transformative potential of financial technology and the risks posed by unregulated financial activities. Through a keynote speech at BaFinTech 2025 and consumer warnings about unauthorized entities, BaFin underscores its dual role as a… Read More

July 10, 2025 @ 3:26 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Germany’s pension system, a cornerstone of its social security framework since 1889, is undergoing significant changes to address the challenges posed by an aging population, declining birth rates, and economic pressures. These developments have been examined in a position paper by Upvest. The recently introduced… Read More

July 9, 2025 @ 9:57 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Ziglu, a digital banking and crypto platform founded by former Starling Bank co-founder Mark Hipperson, has entered special administration, signaling severe financial distress. Ziglu was a high-profile Fintech startup that raised growth capital in several investment crowdfunding rounds. At one point, US based Robinhood was… Read More

July 9, 2025 @ 11:35 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The evolving ecosystem of digital assets presents various challenges for businesses striving to maintain compliance and transparency in their financial reporting. This, according to an update from TaxBit. As cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based assets become integral to global finance, the need for robust, audit-ready accounting solutions… Read More

July 9, 2025 @ 5:53 am By Omar Faridi  |  

We recently caught up with decentralized finance and blockchain professional, Tory Green, co-founder of io.net, who shared key insights about the GENIUS Act. While the Senate’s passage of the bill was historic, momentum is now at risk. House lawmakers are considering whether to merge the… Read More

July 8, 2025 @ 8:53 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Pakistan’s cabinet has cleared the creation of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), setting the stage for a formal licensing and supervisory regime for digital-asset businesses in a country that already ranks among the world’s busiest crypto markets. A cabinet communiqué said PVARA will… Read More

July 8, 2025 @ 8:02 am By Michael Wong  |  

The European Union has authorized 53 crypto-related firms to operate under its landmark Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, six months after the framework came into full effect. The approvals mark a major milestone in the bloc’s effort to establish a single, harmonized rulebook for digital… Read More

July 8, 2025 @ 6:23 am By JD Alois  |  

Monzo, a top UK-based digital bank, has been hit with a penalty of £21,091,300 for “inadequate anti-financial crime systems and controls.” In a public statement the UK Financial Conduct Authority said the infratctions took place between October 2018 and August 2020. The FCA stated that… Read More

July 7, 2025 @ 9:08 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Sweden’s central bank, Sveriges Riksbank, has introduced significant initiatives to strengthen its financial systems and enhance monetary policy communication. These updates reflect the Riksbank’s commitment to resilience, transparency, and adaptability in a rapidly evolving global economic ecosystem. This month, the Riksbank proposed new regulations requiring… Read More

July 6, 2025 @ 1:40 am By Michael Wong  |  

Sweden has ordered six government agencies, including the national police, tax authority (Skatteverket), and enforcement agency (Kronofogden), to ramp up efforts to seize illicit assets such as cryptocurrency, luxury items, and real estate held in corporate structures, as part of a broad crackdown on unexplained… Read More

July 5, 2025 @ 10:44 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore’s central bank has imposed S$27.45 million ($20.3 million) in fines on nine financial institutions after concluding a sweeping investigation into anti-money laundering (AML) lapses tied to a major money laundering case uncovered in August 2023. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said it had… Read More

July 5, 2025 @ 9:33 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The United Kingdom is taking steps to bolster its fintech sector by reducing bureaucratic hurdles, aiming to cement its position as a global leader in financial innovation. The newly established Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) is collaborating with the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) to simplify… Read More

July 5, 2025 @ 8:18 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial center of the UAE’s capital, continues to solidify its position as a hub for innovation, transparency, and accessibility in financial and legal services. Two recent developments underscore ADGM’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and progressive ecosystem: the… Read More

July 5, 2025 @ 11:30 am By Michael Wong  |  

The U.S. House of Representatives will designate the week of July 14 as “Crypto Week” to advance a trio of landmark digital asset bills aimed at cementing the country’s position as a global leader in cryptocurrency innovation, Republican leaders announced. The House is set to… Read More

July 4, 2025 @ 7:14 am By Michael Wong  |  

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed a proposed law that would have created a state-managed reserve fund for digital assets seized through criminal forfeiture, citing concerns it could undermine cooperation with local law enforcement. House Bill 2324, which narrowly passed the state legislature with a… Read More