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Financial institutions in Japan operate within a highly developed regulatory structure designed to prevent illicit funds from entering and destabilizing the national economy. A central component of this framework is the early identification of transactions that do not match a customer’s established financial behavior or legitimate commercial activity. By maintaining strict monitoring standards, these institutions serve as a primary safeguard against organized crime and cross-

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has launched an urgent, high-level monitoring initiative aimed at shielding Sri Lanka from the heavy financial sanctions and economic limitations that accompany international grey listing. Authorities are currently working to close serious gaps in both legislative structures and institutional staffing in order to satisfy the strict standards set by the Financial Action Task Force. By accelerating these reforms, the government hopes to safegu

The governor of the Philippines’ central bank has warned that the country faces a real possibility of being placed back on the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list as it approaches its next international evaluation. Speaking on Monday in comments reported by the Philippine News Agency, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr. stressed the importance of sustained compliance, telling reporters, “we have to do what we need to do to show FATF that we’re doing ever

Bank Negara Malaysia has imposed administrative monetary penalties and compounds amounting to USD 273,614 on four separate entities for breaching statutory requirements related to the reporting of suspicious financial transactions. The enforcement actions involve MBSB Bank Berhad, Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad (SME Bank), Boardroom Corporate Services Sdn Bhd, and Ilham Secretarial Services, all of which were found to have fallen short in identifying

South Korea has approved a broad package of regulatory changes aimed at reinforcing the credibility of its capital markets and tightening its anti-money laundering framework, with the Financial Services Commission finalizing the revised rules on January 28, 2026. A central feature of the reforms is a significant expansion of mandatory English-language disclosures for listed companies, a move intended to dismantle long-standing linguistic barriers that have limited internation

Chinese prosecutors have seized close to $17 million in Bitcoin from a man accused of stealing funds from an overseas online sports betting platform, in a case that has drawn attention to the legal treatment of cryptocurrency and data-related crimes in China. According to Chinese media outlet The Paper , the suspect is a Shenzhen-based IT network security engineer. For legal reasons, media reports have identified him under the alias Li Dong. Li was first detained in 2024 by p

The Korea Customs Service has successfully dismantled a major criminal network that laundered 148.9 billion won through unauthorized digital asset transfers, authorities confirmed. Investigations revealed that three Chinese nationals orchestrated the elaborate scheme by exploiting domestic bank accounts and international cryptocurrency platforms between September 2021 and June of the previous year. The suspects have been referred to the prosecution for serious violations of t

Beginning January 16, Chinese passport holders traveling to the Philippines for tourism or business purposes may enter the country without a visa for stays of up to 14 days. The initiative, which will remain in force for one year, is limited to arrivals through two major gateways: the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in Cebu. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced the new arrangement on Thurs

Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK) has directed the country’s banks to block and shut down 31,382 accounts suspected of being connected to illegal online gambling activities, an increase from the 30,392 accounts previously flagged by regulators.   Authorities have repeatedly warned that online gambling poses serious risks to financial stability, disrupts household finances and undermines the wider economy. Although many gambling platforms are operated from outside

Sri Lanka is approaching a decisive moment in 2026 as it prepares for a crucial anti–money laundering evaluation that could shape the country’s economic future and its standing in the global financial system. Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has recently warned that failure to satisfy international benchmarks could push the country onto the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, a move that would sharply increase the cost of doing business with the outsid

Chen Zhi, founder and chairman of Prince Group, has been arrested in Cambodia and repatriated to China for investigation, according to The Cambodia China Times, a Chinese media outlet operating in Cambodia. The detention represents a major development in a case that has attracted international attention over allegations of large-scale cross-border fraud and money laundering. Cambodian media reports indicated that Chen was taken into custody in Cambodia and transferred to Chin

Indian authorities have successfully brought 49 virtual digital asset service providers into the country’s formal financial reporting system during the ongoing fiscal year, marking a decisive step in tightening oversight of the cryptocurrency sector. This development follows an intensive compliance drive led by the Financial Intelligence Unit, aimed at ensuring that all crypto-related platforms function within the framework of existing transparency and anti–money laundering l

Prosecutors in Taipei have concluded one of the most sweeping financial crime indictments in recent regional history, charging thirty-five people for their roles in an elaborate underground banking and gambling operation that funneled more than 30.6 billion New Taiwan dollars, roughly equivalent to $970 million USD, through sophisticated digital channels. At the center of the case is a man who publicly appeared to be running a well-known Hong Kong–style restaurant while cover

Sri Lanka has moved swiftly to tighten its regulatory and fiscal approach to casino gaming, introducing higher costs for both players and operators effective from the start of 2026. From January 1, the government doubled the entry fee for Sri Lankan citizens at casinos from US$50 to US$100. In addition, the betting and gaming gross collection levy was raised from 15% to 18%, according to a notice issued by the Inland Revenue Department. These changes apply to all licensed bet

Japan’s governing coalition has once again confirmed its intention to exempt overseas casino patrons from paying taxes on gambling winnings, reinforcing a long-standing policy designed to boost inbound tourism and attract international investment.   The commitment was reiterated in December during fiscal policy discussions between the Liberal Democratic Party and the Innovation Party, reviving measures that were first put forward several years ago.   The exemption for non-res

Hong Kong’s Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, together with the Securities and Futures Commission, have concluded consultations on the introduction of new licensing regimes for virtual asset dealers and custodians, confirming that operating such businesses without a licence will constitute a criminal offence. Under the proposed framework, unlicensed activity will be punishable by a fine of HK$5 million and up to seven years’ imprisonment, marking a major expansion o

Vietnamese authorities have stepped up supervision of the country’s financial system after suspicious transaction reports filed with the State Bank of Vietnam recorded a sharp year-on-year increase of around 30 per cent. The tougher approach includes the enforcement of Decree No. 329/2025/ND-CP, which is designed to closely monitor capital movements within the newly created international financial centre and curb illicit financial activity. Particular attention is being paid

South Korea has established a high-level task force aimed at overhauling the nation’s financial transaction regulations and reinforcing the domestic framework against illicit capital flows. Authorities confirmed that entities failing to comply with reporting obligations under current legal statutes may face administrative fines of up to 100 million won for non-compliance. Officials stated that the initiative directly responds to the growing complexity of transborder financial

Police in eastern China’s Zhejiang province have taken Yu Faxiang, the chairman of Hong Kong-listed Haichang Ocean Park, into custody as authorities investigate alleged mismanagement following defaults on multibillion-yuan wealth management products issued by a firm under his control. The move represents the latest crackdown on mainland China’s shadow banking sector, continuing years of government efforts to regulate and clean up the industry. Haichang, mainland China’s large

India’s online gaming industry remains mired in legal limbo after the Supreme Court deferred hearing challenges to the country’s sweeping real-money gaming (RMG) ban until January 2026, prolonging a crisis that has already brought much of the sector to a halt. Gaming companies had pressed the judiciary for urgent relief against legislation that has effectively frozen their operations nationwide. However, their petitions will not be taken up in the near term. On December 11, a