Blockchain could transform securities transfer systems Change is coming to the way stock transfers are recorded as blockchain technology allows stockholder lists to be managed electronically
STS: securitisations made simple? The EU’s new framework to encourage high quality securitisations contains a revised set of rules together with criteria for simple, transparent and standardised securitisations
Bankruptcy securities safe harbours explained Recent case law involving financial institutions confirms the ongoing viability of the Bankruptcy Code’s provisions
Non-preferred senior debt analysed The EU has created a new rank of bank creditors to help banks comply with the resolution requirements at a more favourable cost while improving the protection of depositors
GDPR decision triggers and Asia The landmark EU regulation is expected to impact businesses in the region. But they also need to comply with myriad of local rules
IFLR interview: eagle-eyed Barclays will launch a law-tech incubator in London, in partnership with the Law Society and with the backing of a dozen law firms. Stephanie Pagni, general counsel for Barclays UK, tells IFLR how the project has developed
POLL: the risky business of cov-lite Cov-lite makes lending more streamlined and efficient for borrowers, but at what cost?
Taming Volcker Bankers’ counsel have spoken exclusively to IFLR about the Rule’s future and how it may need to be toned down
IFLR & Morrison Foerster poll: key takeaways IFLR speaks with Morrison & Foerster partner Susan Gault-Brown and of counsel James Schwartz on the poll results and what to expect next for the Volcker Rule
Mifid II redefines financial advisor status The EU’s landmark directive changes the regime applicable to French financial investment advisors
Win-win Rishabh Shroff and Varsha Reddy of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas examine Indian rules surrounding investment in Japan
Leading role: how France is tackling crypto France is one of a number of countries facing the challenge of regulating blockchain, fintech and cryptocurrencies
Getting to know Urs Feller and Marcel Frey of Prager Dreifuss provide an overview of the rights of heirs when identifying Swiss assets
Infrastructure PPPs in the most challenging developing countries: Closing the gap Drawing from her experience as IFC’s chief counsel, global legal team leader, Patricia Sulser explores how to successfully select and structure public-private partnerships in some of the most challenging socio-economic environments
Reform bill may be catalyst for US banking consolidation Last week’s redefinition of the Sifi thresholds will allow small and mid-size banks an additional $200 billion of room to grow via mergers
New ePrivacy Regulations will force Google and Facebook to change tact The proposed regulation’s vague rules and extra-territorial effect are likely to prove just as challenging to companies as GDPR
Bitcoin virtually absent from HK AML report The lack of attention paid to certain sectors that had been expected to be high risk has perplexed some market participants
GDPR to hit alternative assets the most This segment of the financial services sector conducts transactions on paper. Companies have to make significant progress to comply
India boosts enforcement powers to tackle corporate fraud New powers to target black money include the prevention of dissipation of proceeds from corporate fraud
Wait for STS clarification could have chilling effect With a January 2019 kick off date, the results of the EBA’s consultation can’t come soon enough
Community and regional banks welcome de minimis clarity The threshold remains at $8 billion, as expected, but the agency has added a number of additional exemptions to the de minimis exception that will please banks
Mifid II & packages: firms still diverging on transparency This week's news from Practice Insight features part two of the Libor poll, Isda's Mifid package solutions and Brexit relocation loopholes
Japan’s separate rules for crypto could be the answer Coinbase is finally entering the Japanese cryptocurrency market, but history suggests the move will be anything but easy
Euromoney LMG Americas Women in Business Law Awards 2018: winners announced O’Melveny & Myers retained its position as the best international firm for women in business law for the third year in a row, while Dentons took home the most innovative international firm award
CME’s Sofr futures are alternative to Libor rates The derivatives marketplace released one and three-month futures to help with the transition away from Libor term periods
Debt status of Italian mini-BOTs in doubt The answer to whether these instrument count as debt is crucial for Italy’s economic future and future in the EU
Asian businesses face export control, sanction compliance headaches Panellists at Asialaw conference in Hong Kong discussed implications of recent US sanctions on ZTE and enforcement trends
PRIMER: Hong Kong’s new listing rules The HK stock exchange has room to manoeuvre when establishing the suitability of a company
Defence bill likely to house beefed up Cfius provisions Certain aspects including joint ventures and minority stakes are unlikely to make the cut in the final version
Unintended impact of Priips, Mifid to be reviewed for asset managers The KID’s adverse performance warning is proving a particular challenge that market participants are struggling to cope with
ARCC chair to market: Sofr is first real benchmark As the legacy Libor rate is is being phased out, viable alternatives have to be proposed
LMG Europe Women in Business Law Awards: 2018 winners Baker McKenzie was named the best international firm for women in business law at LMG's June 14 event in London
UK fintech future post-Brexit depends on FCA’s approach The FCA has been successful in promoting the fintech sector, but more needs to be done after the UK’s exit
China’s new NPL rules will reduce risk of regulatory arbitrage The crackdown on bad loans aims to prevent financial institutions from being too connected
Is the ECB right to end asset buying? The six-year programme is to come to an end in 2019 – but should it really be halted?
INET: how to close CFTC's extraterritorial Dodd-Frank loophole State regulators and officials need to take advantage of the Commodity Exchange Act and bring certain swaps dealer’s violations of Dodd-Frank to the federal district courts to protect their constituents
PRIMER: US and EU sanctions against Russia The two powers are diverging on their approaches to Russia for the first time
Windfall for community banks not all it seems The head of Horizon Community Bank in Arizona says recent regulatory developments have been kind to community banks, but more could be done
Shell companies in Indian government's line of sight Genuine investments by non-resident Indians will suffer, say observers
Banks must automate NMRF capitalisation under FRTB Sources at ICE and DTCC suggest it is imperative to prepare for the non-modellable risk factor aspects of the pending rule before it is implemented in 2022
Africa can bridge funding gap with blockchain Blockchain is currently the best hope to reduce the number of unbanked across the continent
PRIMER: the Volcker Rule – covered funds A closer look at covered funds as part of the Rule, and why its definition needs to be redefined
Lessons learned for ECB after Greek bailout ends Greece’s bailout ends in August but the eight-year long programme has been anything but flawless
Antitrust effort may have dampened M&A New performance data suggests current M&A performance is worse than at any point since 2008
Chinese businesses feel the bite of new bribery law Pfizer's assistant general counsel said the mindset of compliance is to create incentives for employees
New UK IPO rules could disincentivise listings The regime in place this week means higher costs for smaller companies wanting to list
In-house lawyers could be considered senior managers under SMR The FCA’s recent decision could increase whistleblowing and cause in-house counsel to leave their roles
SEC cybersecurity disclosure: a how-to guide IFLR speaks to leading practitioners about how to avoid cybersecurity disclosure offences
RMB internationalisation, reliable ratings key to open up PRC bond market Speakers at Fixed Income Leaders Summit in Hong Kong share views on the challenges surrounding the recent Bond Connect
Chinese counsel: meeting CDR requirements won’t be easy There are doubts over the pricing mechanism and the viability of the legal framework for this new category of depositary receipt
Nafta not a priority for Mexico's AMLO Tariffs must be addressed first and stability will be paramount for the incoming Mexican president
US tax reform, consolidation a boost for M&A mega deals The current trend at the top of the market is expected to remain for the long-term
GDPR: companies at risk over unstructured data Companies are facing potentially huge fines over their lack of retention policies
Amundi: green finance needs more diverse issuer base Panellists at this year's ICMA Green and Social Bond Principles conference in Hong Kong noted more corporate issuances could help
PRIMER: Hong Kong’s Virtual Banking Guideline Similar rules now apply to both online and bricks-and-mortar lenders
