Anti-money laundering
BIS unveils 2022 programmes for innovation hubs
Focus is on CBDC, payments, DeFi, green finance, and first projects in London and Stockholm
Ukrainian central bank hikes rate and warns of invasion fears
Supreme court backs NBU over PrivatBank dispute as central bank says it may raise rates again
Pakistan’s central bank asks government to rethink Afghan scheme
Channelling donations to Afghanistan might violate international regulations, central bank warns
Lebanese PM denies shielding governor
Mikati denies claims he threatened to resign over investigation into Salameh
How to solve the payments privacy paradox
Anonymous CBDC has major drawbacks, but privacy in payments can still work, says Dave Birch
Maltese regulator calls for ‘effort’ to leave AML grey list
Joe Gavin was brought in to lead MFSA after predecessor resigned over corruption allegations
Former Latvian governor must face prosecution, court rules
ECJ says Rimšēvičs does not have official immunity over alleged bribe-taking and money laundering
Lebanese president orders central bank to comply with audit
Aoun says repercussions from failure to hand over documents would be negative on all levels
Lebanese governor claims personal audit exonerates him
Judge says court has ordered him to suspend Salameh probe as foreign investigations continue
Luxembourg authorities open investigation into Lebanese governor
Third European country probes finances of Riad Salameh
US regulators call for new stablecoin regulations
Working group wants issuers to be insured and regulated like banks
IMF knew Lebanese central bank had $4.7 billion shortfall in 2015 – Reuters
Officials said central bank had net negative assets due to claims by commercial lenders, report says
HKMA says firms must report on national security law suspects
Financial regulators say firms must report on those arrested under anti-dissident law
MAS consults on ‘Cosmic’ risk info-sharing platform
Digital platform for AML/CFT information sharing could be launched as soon as 2023
MAS says it is ‘examining’ allegations against local firm
Pandora Papers report alleges MAS was concerned by firm’s handling of Russian clients
Financial Stability Benchmarks 2021 report – keeping the sector secure
Benchmark exercise presents responses on AML/CFT, cyber, macro-prudential and other risks
Many benchmark respondents concerned over AML/CFT risks
Participants based in Americas especially concerned over rise in money-laundering risks
Lebanese central bank audit has not yet started, says outgoing finance minister
Media reports prosecutor probing new prime minister over central bank-backed loans
Bitcoin becomes legal tender in El Salvador
Observers warn move could further destabilise the fragile Salvadoran economy
Paraguay raises rates as start of ‘gradual normalisation’
Country is latest in Latin America to tighten policy, alongside Brazil, Uruguay and Peru
Philippines central bank calls for urgent reform of secrecy law
Financial industry says current law attracts money launderers as governor demands change
Digital yuan project should rethink anonymity, paper urges
Scholars argue CBDC “wallets” ought to be under full control of retail users
Lebanese politicians condemn governor for ending fuel subsidy
Salameh says he will not resume subsidy unless parliament allows use of mandatory reserves
HKMA to hold AML/CFT ‘lab sessions’ for firms
Hong Kong’s central bank wants firms to upgrade AML/CFT technology