regulation

China is strengthening oversight of outbound investment through new regulations from July 1 that are designed to safeguard national interests, following an earlier ban on Meta’s acquisition of AI firm Manus.

Despite changes to regulations, Hong Kong IPOs are still set to remain robust this year with six firms already listing this week, according to Frank Bi, Asia head of corporate transactions at law firm Ashurst.

Global regulators are seeing a convergence of digital-asset standards, even as differences in pace and risk culture persist. Speakers at the Singapore Fintech Festival said responsible innovation, is becoming the organising principle for harmonisation.

As tokenised assets surge, institutions, innovators and regulators, are converging to rewrite how global capital moves, including in Apac, according to a high-level panel discussion at Token2049 in Singapore.

The HKMA and SFC want to encourage primary issuances, enhance secondary liquidity, improve infrastructure, and play a prominent role in the internationalisation of the Renminbi.

Despite the promising pass of an Ordinance, use cases of stablecoins in Hong Kong remain vague. Adopting retail stablecoins depends on multiple factors, including the regulator’s stance and technical concerns, such as monitoring unhosted wallets.

Hong Kong’s Stablecoin Law is cementing the financial hub’s digital ambitions, however pending US crypto laws are keeping regulatory competition tight as both chase the growing opportunity.

Banks are looking to overhaul risk frameworks as US tariff actions collide with Asia’s export dependence. Experts shared their views on how regulators are embedding geopolitical shocks into stress scenarios, while banks turn to tech and client engagement to prepare for strains likely to surface in 2026.

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange has eased IPO public float requirements and has made reforms in the IPO price discovery process; it is also carrying out a further consultation; meanwhile, listings continue apace.