Asia-Pacific
PBoC launches first phase of blockchain trade financing platform
Platform could help increase access to finance for SMEs while improving trade networks between Macao and Hong Kong
Focus shifts to plumbing as crypto markets mature
Panellists at the 14th annual FX Week Asia conference say the institutionalisation of crypto markets is gaining momentum
Bank Indonesia steps in to stem rupiah fall
Rupiah falls to lows not seen since the Asian financial crisis, as Indonesia becomes the latest victim of the strong dollar
Thailand’s macroeconomic policy at a ‘turning point’ – Santiprabhob
Policy will have to evolve to support the economy rather than stimulate it, governor says
Singapore aims to become e-FX hub for Asia, says MAS’s Loh
Jacqueline Loh says Singapore wants more price discovery to take place in the country
Central Bank of the Philippines gets mandate to regulate payment systems
Payment systems could be placed on blacklist if they pose a risk to the financial system
Philippines central bank makes biggest hike of 2018
Central bank raises interest rates by 50bp on the back of mounting inflation pressures
A real-time payments revolution in Asia
Asian central banks have encouraged the development of instant payment systems to defend monetary policy transmission and counter cryptocurrency usage
BIS paper compares current Asian vulnerabilities with 1997 crisis
Global banking statistics could have given warning signals ahead of Asian crisis, authors say
Book notes: China’s Great Wall of Debt, by Dinny McMahon
McMahon is too pessimistic about the chances of China managing to get its great wall of debt under control, writes Michael Taylor, but he is undoubtedly right about the scale of the challenge
Hong Kong mandates use of legal entity identifiers for OTC derivatives
LEIs will be mandatory for some firms from April 1, 2019
Bank of Thailand to test use of digital currency for interbank settlement
Governor says bank is close to finishing proof-of-concept for digital bond issues
HKMA has no plans to launch digital currency - Treasury official
Hong Kong’s efficient payment infrastructure lessens incentive to go digital, official says
The IFF China Report 2018: The Bay Area Development
The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Great Bay Area represents an effort to co-ordinate development to create globally competitive city clusters at the start of the Maritime Silk Road in southern China. These efforts are focussed in particular on innovation,…
The IFF China Report 2018: Chinese financial system reform
China is focusing greater effort in tackling the build-up of risks in its banking and financial system, while also seeking to ensure credit is more effectively distributed in the real economy. At the same time it is has embraced fintech but policymakers…
Fintech in the ‘new era’ – Sustainable and sound development
Li Dongrong, president of the National Internet Finance Association of China and former deputy governor of the People’s Bank of China, discusses the growing importance of fintech and how innovation must be married to self-discipline for China to make a…
China’s macroeconomy in the ‘new era’ of politics and power
Lou Jiwei, president of the National Council for Social Security Fund and former minister of finance of China, explores the three key aspects of China’s macroeconomic situation in the ‘new era’ of Chinese politics and power
The IFF China Report 2018
Insight and opinion from China’s top leaders, policymakers and financiers
The IFF China Report 2018: The Belt and Road Initiative
China’s signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) now includes 71 countries, with trillions of dollars of investment allocated. Leading Chinese and international policymakers explain how BRI efforts are progressing. This section includes an inaugural…
The IFF China Report 2018: China’s opening-up and reform policy
The experiences of China’s opening-up and reform during the past 40 years, which includes a transition from an agricultural economy to one seeking to offer high-end manufacturing and services, offer valuable lessons to other nations seeking to pursue…
A route to economic growth – The Belt and Road Initiative 2018 survey
To mark the fifth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the IFF – in collaboration with Central Banking – conducted its inaugural Belt and Road Survey of central banks from more than 25 countries and regions. The survey examines BRI…
The IFF China Report 2018: Post-financial crisis – A decade on
The Global Financial Crisis sparked Group of 20 countries to introduce tough new regulations on financial institutions and instruments. Yet the architecture of the global monetary, economic and financial system has many flaws. What lessons can China…
Major central banks call for concerted action on climate change
“Transition risks” are the most challenging for financial institutions, Carney says
Bank Negara Malaysia ‘foils’ cyber heist
Central bank assures public no funds were lost during incident involving falsified Swift messages