Core Viewpoint - Hong Kong has launched a five-year fintech strategy, Fintech 2030, aimed at enhancing its position as a leading fintech hub through responsible advancements in artificial intelligence and tokenisation initiatives [1][4]. Group 1: Fintech Strategy Overview - The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) plans to implement over 40 initiatives to integrate AI in finance, develop a financial tokenisation ecosystem, and improve data and payment infrastructure [1]. - Fintech 2030 represents the third phase of Hong Kong's fintech strategy, following the introduction of digital banks in 2017 and a focus on practical applications in 2021 [3][4]. Group 2: Key Initiatives and Goals - The primary goal of Fintech 2030 is to prepare Hong Kong for future developments in the fintech sector, emphasizing resilience and in-depth development [4]. - The first project under this strategy is expected to be the settlement of tokenised money market funds, likely to be launched by the end of the year [4][5]. Group 3: Tokenisation and Cross-Border Trade - The HKMA aims to establish a comprehensive settlement system for tokenised money market funds, allowing banks to use tokenised deposits and central bank digital currency for settlements [5]. - Discussions are ongoing with the central banks of Brazil and Thailand to utilize blockchain and tokenisation for more efficient and cost-effective cross-border trade transactions, particularly benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises [6].

What are banks like? What function at their core for society do banks perform? Wow, I love that that question. I have to put a plug in before I even answer it for the book that I wrote about a decade ago with Steve Haber called Fragile by Design, which is um about the modern era from the perspective of banks. that is understanding the history of the world from the perspective of something that started about 400 years ago which is the chartering of banks. So the first thing in answering your question that so ...

Investment Rating - The report does not provide a specific investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The OECD adopted the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) in February 2014 to enhance tax compliance and international tax cooperation through automatic exchange of financial account information [18] - Amendments to the CRS were adopted in August 2022, expanding its scope to include electronic money products and central bank digital currencies, and strengthening due diligence and reporting requirements [19] Summary by Sections Section I: General Reporting Requirements - Reporting Financial Institutions must report information regarding each Reportable Account, including account holder details and account balances [24] - The report must identify the currency of each amount reported [28] Section II: General Due Diligence Requirements - Reporting Financial Institutions are required to use reasonable efforts to obtain Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) and dates of birth for Preexisting Accounts [28] - The information reported must include the account balance or value as of the end of the relevant calendar year [28] Section III: Due Diligence for Preexisting Individual Accounts - Specific procedures are outlined for identifying Reportable Accounts among Preexisting Individual Accounts [29] Section IV: Due Diligence for New Individual Accounts - Upon account opening, a self-certification must be obtained to determine the account holder's tax residence [37] Section V: Due Diligence for Preexisting Entity Accounts - Preexisting Entity Accounts with an aggregate balance exceeding USD 250,000 must be reviewed [41] Section VI: Due Diligence for New Entity Accounts - New Entity Accounts must also follow specific review procedures to determine if they are held by Reportable Persons [40] Section VII: Special Due Diligence Rules - Additional rules apply for determining whether an account holder is a Passive Non-Financial Entity (NFE) [43] Section VIII: Defined Terms - Key definitions related to financial institutions and account types are provided to clarify the reporting framework [46][47]