HSBC and Standard Chartered Get Their Hong Kong Stablecoin Licenses
Hong Kong has granted its first licenses for fiat-backed stablecoins to HSBC and a Standard Chartered-led joint venture, marking a significant step in the city’s effort to build a regulated market for virtual currencies used in finance and trade.
White House Expected to Extend Russia Oil Sanctions Waiver
The Trump administration is expected to extend its waiver of sanctions on Russian oil this week, according to former Treasury and State Department officials cited by Semafor, a step that could tee up a similar extension for Iranian oil later this month as the White House weighs fuel prices and broader market stability.
FTC Tells Payment Processors that ‘Debanking’ Could Lead to Penalties
The Federal Trade Commission has warned four of the largest payment processors against denying customers access to financial services because of their political or religious views.
Russia’s Shadow-Fleet Broker is Banking on Sanctions Lift and Oil Demand
A trader identified by The Wall Street Journal as a central figure in Russia’s shadow fleet has revived his oil business after the Iran war disrupted supplies from the Persian Gulf and boosted demand for Russian crude that had been stranded at sea.
Singapore Warns on Money-Laundering Risks of Variable Capital Companies
Singapore’s financial regulator has warned fund managers that a popular low-tax investment structure introduced to attract offshore capital could be exploited for money laundering.
Tether’s Ascension in Crypto-Sphere Follows New Political Alliances
Tether is accelerating its push into the United States, betting that political support in Washington, deep Treasury holdings, and a growing investment portfolio will cement its place in mainstream finance.
UK Fraud Reports Reach Record High, with AI Poised to Worsen the Problem
Fraud in the UK reached a record level in 2025, with 444,993 cases filed to the National Fraud Database, according to Cifas’s latest Fraudscape 2026 report.
HSBC and Standard Chartered to Receive Hong Kong Stablecoin Licenses
HSBC and a joint venture led by Standard Chartered are expected to be among the first companies to receive Hong Kong stablecoin licenses within two weeks, marking a milestone in the city’s effort to regulate the sector and strengthen its position as a global digital asset hub.
FATF Flags Dirty-Money Risks of Offshore VASPs
Gaps in the international oversight of offshore virtual-asset firms have made it possible for criminals to commit large-scale fraud, money laundering, and terrorism financing beyond the reach of most supervisory bodies, according to FATF.
To Russia, With Postage: How to Ship Banned Goods from Berlin to Moscow
A German logistics company has exploited gaps in European postal and customs rules to move sanctioned goods from Germany to Russia, undermining the EU’s effort to choke off supplies to Moscow.