The speed and volume of change in the crypto asset markets has accelerated across the globe, with established financial institutions increasingly entering the sector whilst regulators look to keep pace. Recent high-profile developments and market volatility have led to growing calls for scrutiny and regulatory controls. Navigating this fast paced environment, within a sometimes disjointed regulatory framework, can be challenging.
This virtual seminar series will provide insights on how the regulatory landscape is changing and discuss the future of crypto within the financial services sector. Set out below are details of our 2022 series.

This edition of Bite-size Briefings explores the regulation of crypto (or digital) assets across a number of jurisdictions: Australia, Brazil, Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, the UK and the US.

This paper seeks to promote a better understanding of the key considerations for establishing cross-border linkages between two or more national fast payment systems, thereby paving the way for national authorities to pursue more of these linkages in the future.

The Financial Services Regulatory (FSR) Momentum Monitor is a horizon-scanning tool enabling financial service providers to plan and prepare for coming developments across the jurisdictions in which they operate. Grouping upcoming changes into key business-relevant themes, the FSR Momentum Monitor highlights the extent and expected impact of upcoming regulatory intervention in multiple jurisdictions across the globe.

Singapore authorities have introduced measures to combat SMS-phishing scams. These measures include the anti-SMS spoofing registry.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore requires all providers of cryptocurrency, known under the Payment Services Act as Digital Payment Tokens, to understand that DPT trading is unsuitable for the general public. MAS has issued PS-G02: Guidelines On Provision Of Digital Payment Token Services To The Public on 17 January 2022 to all DPT service providers to ensure that their marketing campaigns, advertisements and promotions for buying or selling of DPTs or facilitating the exchange of DPTs are consistent with the risk disclosures under the PSA, which requires that all actual and potential customers be provided with a risk warning statement highlighting the risks associated with trading in DPTs.

Singapore authorities are looking to address the recent spate of SMS-phishing scams targeting digital bank users through a variety of measures. The multi-stake holder approach involves government entities with responsibilities for the financial, telecommunications and home affairs sectors, as well as industry groups such as the Association of Banks in Singapore.

The recent increase in value of cryptoassets as an investment class along with media coverage associated with high profile large investors has resulted in regulators warning investors to be cautious of the associated volatility risk. Against the background of these recent developments, we’re seeing increasing demand for legal advice in this area.

Episode 21: COP26 Key Takeaways for Sovereign Wealth Funds
In this episode of FInsight, Andrew Hedges and Kay She from Baker McKenzie’s EMI group in London discuss their experience and observations while on the ground in Glasgow. They cover business imperatives and challenges affecting the global economy and how sovereign wealth funds are well-positioned to influence and make an impact on broader sustainability goals and action plans. As discussions on climate-related issues evolve from commitments to execution in the recent COP26 UN Climate Change Conference, we unpack some of the key takeaways relevant for sovereign wealth funds.

The risks arising from unsustainable indebtedness to which both traditional and alternative financing sectors have exposure are higher in emerging economies, where the debt burden is much more elevated generally and whose borrowers are more susceptible to default if (as is expected), US dollar interest rates rise. Emerging economies with less policy intervention, monitoring and regulation are more vulnerable than advanced economies. This eighth installment focuses on the phenomena of rising global indebtedness and alternative financing.