The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said following its recent multi-firm review of how its climate disclosure rules have been operating that it will look to “streamline and enhance” its sustainability reporting framework and has pledged to “simplify disclosure requirements”. This is welcome news for the industry and seems to be driven by feedback from the asset management sector that Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) reporting rules are overly granular. There also seems to be a move towards consolidation across UK sustainability reporting frameworks as the FCA will consider the Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR), International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and transition planning going forward.
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has rolled out amendments to its Data Protection Law that came into effect in July 2025 following a consultation earlier in the year. The updates bring the law into greater alignment with the GDPR’s approach to enforcement, providing additional protections for data subjects.
The Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2024 amended, from 16 June 2025, the Companies Act 1967 (CA) and the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2005 along with related regulations, to address the risk of misuse of nominee arrangements — an area identified as vulnerable to abuse and potentially the cause of illicit activities.
These amendments enhance Singapore’s anti-money laundering regime to Enhance statutory register disclosures to meet FATF standards, prevent accidental omissions, and improve transparency and accuracy of nominee arrangements through timely and ongoing updates.
On 8 July 2025, the Dubai Court of Cassation questioned the enforceability of late payment compensation in Islamic finance. Unlike default interest, such compensation is not retained by financiers but donated to charity. The ruling may affect market practices, though its broader impact remains uncertain under UAE law.
On July 18, 2025, President Trump signed into law the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins Act (GENIUS Act), marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of digital asset regulation. As the first comprehensive federal framework governing payment stablecoins, the GENIUS Act introduces a robust regulatory regime designed to enhance market integrity and consumer protection. The GENIUS Act will take effect on the earlier of (i) January 18, 2027 (i.e., 18 months following enactment) or (ii) 120 days following the issuance of final implementing regulations. This relatively short compliance runway underscores the urgency for stakeholders to begin preparing now.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a policy statement (PS25/9: New rules for the public offers and admissions to trading regime) under which it sets out the rules for the new regime that will apply in respect of prospectuses. This follows the consultation process the FCA undertook via the previous publication of consultation papers CP 25/2 and CP 24/12. The Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 (POATRs) will replace the UK Prospectus Regulation (UKPR). The POATRs are generally in line with the proposals consulted on, with some modifications to reflect feedback from market participants. The new rules will come into effect on 19 January 2026.
On July 4, 2025, the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law, making important changes to the Internal Revenue Code. The Act has implications for US and non-US companies and their domestic and international transactions, capital investment, and research and development activities, amongst other areas, which carry significant weight for the cryptocurrency/digital asset industry. From cryptocurrency exchanges, payment processors, asset managers and cryptocurrency funds to mining companies, token issuers, custodians, and centralized or decentralized lending platforms, the Act’s provisions reshape the tax landscape in ways that demand close attention.
In recent years, the European Union has intensified its efforts to combat the abusive use of corporate structures lacking real substance, particularly in the tax domain. In this context, the ATAD III Directive proposal emerged, aimed at limiting the tax benefits of so-called “shell companies”. Although its implementation would have significantly impacted holding entities such as Spanish ETVEs, the project was ultimately abandoned in June 2025. This document analyzes the scope of the proposal, its implications, and current recommendations for groups with international structures.
The Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, in partnership with the U.S. Postal Service, has launched a Whistleblower Rewards Program to combat antitrust crimes. Following the DOJ Criminal Division’s launch of a whistleblower pilot program last year,1 the Antitrust Division is now offering a reward to whistleblowers. Under the new program, individuals who report credible and timely evidence of antitrust collusion—such as price-fixing or bid-rigging and certain monopolization cases—may receive up to 30% of recovered criminal fines. This marks a significant step in expanding detection tools for antitrust violations, with reports to be submitted through a dedicated DOJ webpage.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently published a concept release seeking public comment on redefining the term “foreign private issuer” (FPI). The current framework provides FPIs with less regulation than domestic issuers, based on the understanding that FPIs face different circumstances, such as compliance with home country laws. However, a recent study revealed significant changes in the FPI population, including an increase in China-based issuers incorporated in lightly regulated tax havens. The SEC is concerned that the current FPI definition may no longer be suitable and is considering potential amendments.