Asia Newsletter | February 2025

3 March 2025 | Asia | Publications

NEWSLETTER: Although things have been relatively quiet on the regulatory front, there are rumblings of things to come. Regulators in Hong Kong are looking to expand options for investors to trade virtual assets, with a clear move to solidify its place as a digital asset hub in the region. With the SFC looking to establish new regimes for over-the-counter trading and custody services, it’s safe to say we’ll be watching this space!

Meanwhile, many of our clients operating in Singapore are gearing up to complete their independent audits of cross-border arrangements. We’ve listed out the main reasons why you should start planning your process and reviewing existing arrangements. If you need some support to get over the line, let us know.

If you’re a licensed corporation in Hong Kong, it’s also a good idea to use this moment to blow the dust off your compliance monitoring programme and get it ready for the months ahead. Our guide on building a successful compliance monitoring programme offers some tips on where to start.

Lastly, the MAS don’t seem to be taking its foot off the accelerator when it comes to AML / CFT compliance anytime soon. Since the guidance paper it released in October of last year, the regulator has maintained its aim to continue cracking down on any compliance breaches it identifies. It’s worth looking back at the lessons we’ve learned so far from recent enforcement actions to help meet expectations and avoid any unwelcome surprises.

If you haven’t heard the news yet, we’re thrilled to be sponsoring the AIMA Singapore Annual Forum 2025, taking place at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. This year’s agenda promises interesting insights from regulatory horizons to tokenisation and ESG trends. Get in touch if you’d like to arrange a meeting with our team or would like to find out more about the forum.

Rebecca Thorpe, Global Head of Regulatory Consulting