China financial regulator Li Yunze has been demoted over a suspected disciplinary violation, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter, in the latest sign of Beijing’s widening crackdown on the financial sector. Li, 55, headed the National Financial Regulatory Administration, which oversees banks, insurers and trust firms across China’s USD79tr financial industry. Reuters said his name and photo were removed from the regulator’s leadership page. Li was appointe

Taiwan equity funds are set to gain greater flexibility as regulators raise the single-stock holding limit to 25% from 10% for domestic funds. The Financial Supervisory Commission said the change applies to equity funds and active ETFs, although holdings cannot exceed a company’s weighting in the benchmark index. The adjustment reflects the growing dominance of technology stocks in Taiwan’s market and rising concentration among large-cap firms. Regulators said the reform will

Vietnam forex rules are set for overhaul as the central bank proposes easing procedures for foreign investors while strengthening oversight of capital flows. The draft circular would allow eligible investors to open investment capital accounts before receiving registration approval, although usage would initially be limited. Investors may also open multiple foreign-currency accounts for different currencies. The revised Vietnam forex rules aim to align with recent legal chang

China offshore financing conditions are tightening as regulators lengthen approval timelines for bonds and loan quotas with maturities of one year or more. Reviews now take four to six months, with some extending up to nine months, as authorities increase scrutiny on repayment plans and use of proceeds. The shift comes as companies face around USD100bn in offshore bond maturities this year. To avoid delays, some firms are turning to shorter-term issuance below 12 months, whic

China bond futures access is expanding as regulators allow qualified foreign investors to trade government bond futures, widening participation in the country’s capital markets. The China Securities Regulatory Commission said approved QFII investors may trade the contracts strictly for hedging purposes, providing additional tools to manage interest-rate risk. The move comes as global investors seek refuge in yuan-denominated assets amid geopolitical tensions, with the currenc

Japan shareholder rules are set to tighten as policymakers respond to growing pressure from activist investors. Lawmakers from the ruling party plan to propose higher thresholds and limits on shareholder proposals involving business execution, with recommendations expected to be submitted next month. Currently, investors can submit proposals after holding either 1% of voting rights or 300 voting units for six months, a requirement critics say has become easier to meet due to

Singapore brokerage expansion is advancing as Robinhood receives in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore to offer a range of investment services. The approval allows the US fintech firm to potentially provide trading in securities, exchange-traded derivatives, custody, product financing and collective investment schemes once conditions are met. Robinhood said Singapore brokerage expansion will position the city as its Asia-Pacific headquarters, supporte

Northern Metropolis financing is advancing as the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Hong Kong Association of Banks establish a joint taskforce to support one of the city’s largest development projects. The Northern Metropolis Financial Advisory Taskforce includes representatives from the HKMA, HKAB and 15 banks with expertise in large-scale infrastructure finance, while the Chinese Banking Association of Hong Kong will participate as an observer. Following a site visit to

Active ETFs China expansion is gaining momentum as JPMorgan seeks regulatory approval to launch fully active exchange-traded funds in mainland China. The move would mark the firm’s first entry into the segment, which remains restricted to enhanced index strategies with limited benchmark deviation. JPMorgan Asset Management currently manages about USD257bn in active ETF assets globally and sees strong growth potential in the region. The active ETFs China initiative aligns with

Malaysia family office ambitions are gaining traction as authorities position Forest City Special Financial Zone as a lower-cost complement to Singapore. Launched in September 2024 within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, the initiative offers tax incentives including 0% on qualifying investment income for 10 years, extendable to 20 years. Malaysian authorities said six single-family offices managing RM400m (USD85m) had been approved by early 2026, with a target of R

Vietnam tax reform proposals aim to introduce more flexible thresholds for household businesses and small firms as the government seeks to support growth amid economic pressures. The finance ministry proposed removing the fixed annual revenue threshold of 500m dong (USD19,600) for household businesses and allowing it to be adjusted based on economic conditions. It also suggested introducing, for the first time, a tax-free revenue threshold for small companies. Officials said

Global family offices are expanding multi-jurisdiction structures as geopolitical uncertainty reshapes wealth strategies. Deloitte data shows 28% of firms operated multiple branches in 2024, with a further 12% planning expansion. The rise in global family offices reflects growing demand for operational resilience as wars, sanctions and tax changes disrupt markets. JPMorgan noted geopolitics ranks among the top five risks for 74% of family offices outside the US. Advisers said

Hong Kong family office incentives are becoming a central pillar of the city’s wealth strategy as it seeks to attract global capital and strengthen its asset management industry. Financial Services and the Treasury Secretary Christopher Hui said enhanced tax regimes for funds, single-family offices and carried interest will be expanded to include funds-of-one and a broader range of investments from the 2025/26 assessment year. The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, launch

Coinone fine proceedings highlight South Korea’s tightening stance on cryptocurrency regulation, as authorities move to enforce stricter compliance standards. The Financial Intelligence Unit said it plans to fine the exchange KRW5.2bn (USD3.49m) and impose a three-month partial business suspension for verification failures and transactions with unregistered overseas platforms. Coinone failed to verify approximately 70,000 user accounts and facilitated around 10,000 transactio

China ChiNext reforms will allow pre-profit technology companies to list on Shenzhen’s startup board, as regulators move to support innovation and strengthen domestic capital markets. The China Securities Regulatory Commission said firms in emerging industries with a market value of at least RMB3bn (USD439m) and revenue of no less than RMB200m in the latest financial year can apply for initial public offerings. Authorities will also introduce market makers to improve liquidit

Philippines disclosure rules are under pressure to tighten after a corruption scandal linked to flood-control projects unsettled global bond investors, according to market sources. Asset managers including BNP Paribas Asset Management and Robeco have called for stricter reporting requirements for state-backed infrastructure projects. A group of 11 investors sent a letter to regulators in late March urging greater transparency on the use of proceeds from sustainable debt. Nati

Zhongzhi liquidation marks a major step in China’s efforts to address systemic financial risks, after a Beijing court ordered the winding up of Zhongzhi Enterprise Group and more than 300 affiliated entities. The Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court accepted the case on April 10 and set a June 10 deadline for creditors to submit claims. Zhongzhi filed for bankruptcy in 2024 after defaulting on multiple investment products and later revealing severe insolvency. The case h

Hong Kong stablecoin licences have been issued for the first time to HSBC and Anchorpoint Financial, marking a key milestone in the city’s regulated digital asset strategy. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority said it received 36 applications last year, though Deputy Chief Executive Daryl Ho noted that further approvals would remain “very limited.” Anchorpoint, a joint venture led by Standard Chartered with Animoca Brands and HKT, plans to expand access through selected distribut

China short-term trading rules have been tightened by the China Securities Regulatory Commission to sustain momentum in the country’s USD13.5tr equity market. The rules cover stocks, depositary receipts and convertible bonds across major exchanges and the over-the-counter market. Authorities said violators may face lighter penalties if they self-report and return gains. The China short-term trading rules update follows intensified enforcement, with regulators handling 701 mis

ASEAN financial cooperation 2026 discussions are advancing as finance ministers and central bank governors explore ways to strengthen regional resilience at the 13th ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting. Talks cover infrastructure finance, taxation, customs integration and climate finance, alongside progress on the ASEAN Single Window and Customs Transit System. Philippine Deputy Finance Minister Joven Balbosa said ASEAN financial cooperation 2026 must