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Regulatory News


Canada Revokes 23 Crypto MSBs in Major FINTRAC Anti-Money Laundering Crackdown
Canada has launched a significant escalation in its fight against money laundering through cryptocurrency services. On March 17, 2026, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) revoked the registrations of 23 money services businesses (MSBs) linked to crypto operations. This action underscores the government’s determination to safeguard the financial system from illicit activities. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne affirmed the move
Mar 21


FSTB publishes consultation conclusions and plans to implement first-phase measures as early as August to enhance regulation of licensed money lenders
The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) published today (March 13) the consultation conclusions and specific measures on enhancing the regulation of licensed money lenders (money lenders) to address the issue of excessive borrowing and better protect the public. The FSTB will implement relevant measures in two phases. The measures under the first phase mainly include introducing "debt servicing ratio" caps for unsecured personal loans of low-income earners,
Mar 21


Hearing fixed for first criminal prosecution in District Court against securities fraud involving illegal short selling under SFO
The Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today granted an application by the Department of Justice to transfer a securities fraud case brought by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) to the District Court for criminal proceedings. This marks the first time in which a criminal prosecution for securities fraud involving illegal short selling under section 300 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO) will be held in the District Court. The first hearing in the District Court
Mar 21


SFC bans Kuo Che-jung for four and a half years and fines him $1 million
The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has prohibited Mr Kuo Che-jung, a former responsible officer of Yuanta Securities (Hong Kong) Company Limited (Yuanta), from re-entering the industry for four and a half years from 19 March 2026 to 18 September 2030 and fined him $1 million for conducting matched trades in Hang Seng Index options and operating secret accounts (Notes 1 and 2). The disciplinary action follows an SFC investigation which found that, between 2 July 2020
Mar 21


SFC publishes review on SEHK’s performance in regulating listing matters
The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) today released a report on its review of the performance of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (SEHK) in regulating listing matters during 2024 (Note 1). During the review, the SFC conducted an in-depth assessment of SEHK’s performance in vetting listed issuers’ internal control reviews and their handling of late auditor resignations (Note 2). The SFC also reviewed the general operations, processes and procedures of SEHK’s Lis
Mar 21


SFC and ICAC joint operation in alleged insider dealings and corruption involving senior executives of licensed corporations
The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) conducted a joint operation codenamed “Fuse” on 10 and 11 March 2026 targeting insider dealing and involving corruption. Senior executives of three licensed corporations, including two securities firms and a hedge fund management firm, were persons of interest in the case (Note 1). During the joint operation, officers of the SFC and the ICAC searched a total of 14 locations, i
Mar 15


Licensed Fund Management Company And Its Officers Investigated For Suspected Money Laundering And Suspected Failure To Comply With Obligations As A Licensed Capital Markets Services Licence Holder
On 5 March 2026, the Police and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”) jointly conducted enforcement operations against Capital Asia Investments Pte Ltd (“Capital Asia Investments”) and its directors for suspected money laundering offences under Section 54 of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992, and suspected failure to comply with various obligations as a licensed capital markets services licence holder under th
Mar 14


FCA bans Kasim Garipoglu from working in UK financial services
Kasim Garipoglu has been banned from working in UK financial services. The FCA found he is not fit and proper because of his lack of honesty and integrity. Mr Garipoglu is the owner of a firm that provided online trading of foreign exchange and contracts. Between April 2012 and December 2022, including when Mr Garipoglu was the chief executive and director at the firm and an approved person, he repeatedly demonstrated a disregard for regulatory requirements, undermined comp
Mar 14


FCA imposes restrictions on Sendsii Ltd
On 23 January 2026, the FCA imposed requirements on Sendsii Ltd which prevent them from carrying out any regulated activity. The FCA has issued a First Supervisory Notice to Sendsii Ltd after HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) suspended the firm’s registration on 9 October 2025. The suspension means that Sendsii Ltd no longer met the conditions required for its FCA authorisation under the Payment Services Regulations 2017. These requirements prevent Sendsii Ltd from carrying out
Mar 14
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