The Bank of Japan has increased its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 0.75 percent, marking its highest level since September 1995. This unanimous decision, following a two-day monetary policy meeting, signals a continued shift away from ultra-loose monetary policy amid persistent inflation and expectations of sustained wage growth.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the operating licenses of Aso Savings and Loans Plc and Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc, effective December 15, 2025, due to regulatory breaches and financial distress. The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has commenced liquidation, assuring depositors of insured payouts up to N2 million.
Danske Bank has officially completed its three-year corporate probation with the U.S. Justice Department, marking the end of formal regulatory oversight stemming from a major money laundering scandal at its former Estonian branch. The probation followed a 2022 settlement where the bank pleaded guilty to bank fraud conspiracy and agreed to forfeit over $2 billion.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Dias Toffoli has authorized the resumption of investigations into an alleged R$12 billion financial fraud scheme involving Banco Master. The probe, which led to the bank's shutdown, includes examining fictitious credit issuance and suspicious transactions with state-run BRB.
Turkish financial authorities are weighing a significant increase in the minimum wealth requirement for retail investors seeking access to hedge funds, from 1 million to 10 million liras. The proposal aims to protect smaller investors from volatile strategies following recent market turbulence and a liquidity crisis.
China's top securities regulator, the CSRC, has launched a new round of special actions aimed at strengthening the governance of listed companies and deepening capital market reforms. The initiative seeks to cultivate high-quality firms, promote increased dividend payouts, and enhance investor protection through a series of updated regulations and oversight measures.
Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) has proposed a significant reclassification of digital asset regulation, moving it from the Payment Services Act to the stricter Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. This shift aims to enhance investor protection, introduce comprehensive disclosure requirements, and align cryptocurrency oversight with traditional securities, reflecting crypto's evolving role as an investment vehicle rather than solely a payment method. The changes are anticipated to take effect in fiscal year 2026.
Iceland's Central Bank has voiced concerns over proposed changes to equity loan rules, warning that broadening eligibility could inflate house prices and undermine economic stability. The Bank urged lawmakers to revise the bill to maintain the scheme's original purpose for first-time and lower-income buyers.
Independent Senator Karim Bianchi has introduced a bill in the Chilean Congress to penalize advertising for unlicensed offshore betting sites. The move comes just days before the country's presidential runoff election, aiming to address the proliferation of unregulated online gambling and enhance consumer protection amidst ongoing legislative efforts.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined Nationwide Building Society £44 million for inadequate anti-financial crime systems and controls between October 2016 and July 2021. The failings included poor customer due diligence and transaction monitoring, which led to missed red flags, notably in a case involving £27.3 million in fraudulent Covid furlough payments. Nationwide received a 30% discount for resolving the matter.
Germany has formally rejected proposals for a new multilateral defense bank, including the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) and the European Rearmament Bank (ERB). Berlin stated it can secure better refinancing terms on its own markets and will instead focus on existing EU mechanisms like the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) scheme, which provides up to 150 billion euros for joint defense procurement.
Latvijas Banka has issued the first Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license in Latvia to BlockBen SIA, enabling the company to offer a range of regulated crypto-asset services across Latvia and other EU member states. This marks a significant step for Latvia in becoming a regional fintech hub.
Barbados has reiterated its unwavering commitment to the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes, addressing recommendations from a recent OECD report. The nation aims to strengthen its legal and regulatory framework, focusing on beneficial ownership information and effective exchange of tax data to maintain its standing as a global financial center.
Nigeria's Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has announced a nationwide clampdown on unregistered Point-of-Sale (PoS) operations, effective January 1, 2026. The move aims to curb widespread non-compliance with registration requirements and address risks to the financial system, including fraud and security breaches. Unregistered terminals will be seized, and enabling fintechs watchlisted.
The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority has granted final approval for the merger of Sydbank A/S, Arbejdernes Landsbank, and Vestjysk Bank. This consolidation, first announced in October, will create AL Sydbank, aiming to be among Denmark's top five banks. The new entity is set for registration on December 8, 2025, marking a significant shift in the Danish banking landscape.
Starting December 8, 2025, Russia's Central Bank will lift restrictions on foreign currency transfers abroad for Russian citizens and non-residents from 'friendly' countries. This decision, announced today, comes due to a stable foreign exchange market and marks an early end to measures imposed in March 2022 following Western sanctions.
Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) is advancing plans to require cryptocurrency exchanges to maintain liability reserves. This move, aimed at bolstering customer protection against hacks and operational failures, is expected to be legislated in 2026 and will align crypto regulations with traditional securities standards.
Germany's financial regulator, BaFin, in conjunction with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), has released new guidance for supervised firms. The guidance aims to improve the quality, promptness, and completeness of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to bolster anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing efforts. It clarifies reporting timelines and data submission formats.
China's central bank, the People's Bank of China (PBOC), has reiterated its firm stance against digital assets, declaring all related operations illegal. The PBOC specifically highlighted stablecoins as a significant threat to financial stability, citing concerns over money laundering and illicit cross-border transfers.
Prominent economist Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya has issued a stark warning that Bangladesh is on the brink of a 'political and social earthquake.' Speaking in Dhaka, he attributed this impending crisis to severe financial mismanagement and deep-seated vulnerabilities within the banking sector, exacerbated by a lack of transparency and accountability. His remarks underscore growing concerns about the nation's economic stability.
