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Financial regulation

Financial regulation
Key developments in regulation of financial markets with a focus on those in Hong Kong and mainland China.
Bank and commercial buildings dot the skyline in Hong Kong’s Central business district in 2020. Photo: Sun Yeung
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Hong Kong’s stablecoin roll-out puts banks at the centre of digital money

Hong Kong is building a bank-led digital money system, not a cryptocurrency free-for-all.

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Banking & finance

America First Fed? Trump pick Warsh signals ‘monetary sovereignty’: analysts

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Banking & finance

HKEX proposes halving settlement cycle to boost Hong Kong’s financial profile

Yuan

China boosts overseas-loan quotas as ‘panda bond’ issuance hits record high

Beijing’s move to lift offshore-loan quotas seen helping stabilise yuan against weaker US dollar while accommodating a surge in net financing via ‘panda bonds’.

A person walks past the building of China’s central bank in Beijing. Chinese regulators have raised the overseas-loan leverage ratio for foreign banks in China and their joint ventures with Chinese lenders. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong balancing security and innovation as nation’s ‘firewall’: Paul Chan

Finance chief says security is key to China’s high-quality growth as geopolitical tensions create risks to energy supplies and financial markets.

Banking & finance

Calls grow for HKMA to go further on stablecoins after conservative first batch

Analysts and investors say the HKMA’s cautious approach prioritises risk control, but limits Hong Kong’s digital asset ambitions.

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Hong Kong stock market

Can Hong Kong’s listing reform 2.0 win over innovative firms?

The reforms enhance the city’s appeal for AI, biotech and other firms by slashing the market cap threshold and enabling confidential filings.

Illustration by Henry Wong
China stock market

China tightens trading scrutiny on major shareholders and executives

New CSRC rules curb short-term trading by major shareholders to boost investor confidence and encourage long-term market participation.

Banking & finance

Editorial | Stablecoin launch delay shows Hong Kong would rather be safe than sorry

Given the complexity involved, it’s wise not to rush to meet any self-imposed deadline but to make sure a good framework is in place first.

Banking & finance

Opinion | From the US to Hong Kong, there’s no excuse for insider trading

Far from a victimless crime, insider trading steals from the rest of us by unfairly using knowledge that is available only to the privileged.

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania at the Kennedy Centre for the opening night of the musical Chicago on March 31. Oil trades spiked by half a billion dollars minutes before Trump posted a pause on the US attack on Iranian energy sites. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Banking & finance

Hong Kong’s anticipated stablecoin licence by end-March does not materialise

Analysts say the delay is most likely administrative and that the overall plan is still on track.

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Hong Kong’s stablecoin initiative is part of efforts to become a global digital-asset hub. Photo: Getty Images
US-China relations

Open Questions | Euro, Chinese yuan to end US dollar dominance, top economist says

Kenneth Rogoff sees yuan as a reserve currency within five years, Europe asserting financial independence and greater regulation of stablecoins.

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Banking & finance

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

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Corruption in China

Chinese financial regulator and ex-corruption fighter Zhou Liang under probe

Authorities have zeroed in on the once-elite and opaque financial sector since the 2022 party congress.

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Zhou Liang, vice-chairman of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, is under investigation for “serious violations of discipline and law”. Photo: Reuters
Cryptocurrency

Has Hong Kong laid the groundwork to become a world-leading crypto hub?

With its regulatory clarity and superconnector edge, the city is drawing global crypto firms as it emerges as a premier Web3 hub.

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Illustration by Lau Ka-kuen
China economy

How China plans to use new law to further its financial superpower ambitions

The draft finance law, released by the Ministry of Justice, central bank and three other regulators, will solicit feedback until April 19.

Hong Kong stock market

SFC prepares to inspect Hong Kong IPO listing sponsors amid quality concerns

Market regulator will soon begin inspection of investment banks amid concerns about deficiencies in listing documents and misconduct.

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Banking & finance

How China opened the door to creating a direct rival to US payment systems

Beijing has removed several key restrictions on its payment system, allowing it to expand beyond yuan settlements, economist says.

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China has been promoting its own cross-border payment system as it seeks to hedge against potential weaponisation of the US financial system. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong stock market

SFC urges Hong Kong stock exchange to tighten listing, compliance rules

The Securities and Futures Commission made several recommendations to improve the stock exchange’s regulations.

IPO

China’s tightened IPO rules for some ‘red chips’ in Hong Kong raise concerns

The CSRC asks some Hong Kong listing candidates to change their red-chip structure and issue H shares.

China property

Shanghai joins major cities in loosening commercial property loan rules

Beijing remains the lone top-tier holdout as other cities ease their down payment requirements.

Shanghai’s move marks its first adjustment to commercial property lending rules in more than a decade. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Zero tolerance for insider trading central to Hong Kong’s financial future

Crackdown on wrongdoers a welcome sign of regulatory vigilance that is vital to the city’s role as an international finance hub.

Hong Kong regained its title as the No 1 market for IPOs last year. Photo: Sun Yeung
HKEX

HKEX unveils biggest listing reforms since 2018 to lure diverse innovative firms

Bourse operator lowers bar for companies with weighted voting rights and expands the confidential filing option for all listing candidates.

Two Sessions 2026

What 2 new laws at ‘two sessions’ mean for China’s financial superpower push

Two new laws may prove wide-ranging, spanning yuan’s global status to green finance and turning ambition into codified rules, analyst says.

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Banking & finance

Macroscope | How global debt is sowing the seeds of financial collapse

Markets have so far shrugged off wars and trade conflicts, but the rapid rise of already massive debt should alarm investors.

People with smartphones walk through the business district of Jakarta, Indonesia, in June 2022. Debt stocks have reached new highs across both advanced and emerging economies. Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images
China stock market

China’s market regulator vows more oversight to shore up confidence

Crackdown on fraud, stronger governance, higher dividends and more buy-backs will enhance appeal of Chinese assets, CSRC chief Wu Qing says.

Wu Qing, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, speaks at a press conference during the Fourth Session of the National People’s Congress in Beijing on March 6, 2026. Photo: EPA
Banking & finance

HSBC signals intent to join Hong Kong’s stablecoin regime amid digital hub push

Georges Elhedery declined to confirm whether HSBC applied for stablecoin licence but indicated that discussions with regulator were ongoing.

Yuan

China’s yuan strengthens to near 3-year high as US dollar uncertainty grows

The offshore currency continues to appreciate, with official fixing also hitting its strongest level since May 2023.

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