Fintech
Italian police arrest two over Draghi hacking allegations
Investigating official suspects wide-ranging conspiracy; attempts made to hack over 18,000 email accounts, local authorities say
French central bank reveals details of blockchain experiment
Banque de France teams up with a fintech start-up to run distributed ledger tech through Sepa; the results of project expected to be presented at a conference in 2017
HKMA launches fintech accelerator
In partnership with Astri, initiative will “nurture” talent to meet the growing need for fintech innovation in the region
Central banks ‘critical’ in the development of blockchain
Large South African commercial bank examines what a central bank digital currency would look like, coining the phrase “sovereign blockchain”
Fed ‘well positioned’ to regulate fintech firms – Brainard
Tech mantra of “run fast and break things” is not well suited to financial services, Fed governor says, although the central bank does not want to stifle innovation either
Central Bank of West African States to regulate national digital currency
BCEAO to distribute digital currency first in Senegal before rolling it out across the west African bloc; 'eCFA' developed by regional bank and Irish fintech start-up eCurrency Mint
BoJ's Nakaso: central banks must keep up with technology
Deputy governor says central banks must adopt new payment technologies to meet demand, though the BoJ is not planning to issue digital currencies at present
Riksbank considering e-krona issuance – Skingsley
Cash use is declining, but people still need access to central bank money, raising the need for a central bank digital currency; design challenges remain, says deputy governor
MAS launches blockchain experiment
Central bank to build a proof-of-concept model to conduct interbank payments; second phase could include foreign currency transactions
MAS awards prizes for fintech innovation
Three fintech companies receive S$50,000 for ideas presented at inaugural fintech festival
Bank of England’s COO gives update on ‘fintech accelerator’
Charlotte Hogg outlines the firms and projects the bank has been working with in order to better understand fintech; BoE is now accepting applications for the next round of projects
Regulators still searching for best approach to fintech
OCC chief says experience of other regulators is shaping US approach, but questions use of “sandboxes”; FSB’s Andresen warns of need to act early in rapidly evolving sector
Swift users attacked again by new malware – research
Cyber security firm finds Swift users are being attacked by a second hacking group, using malware that manipulates logs and messages, removing them from client systems
G7 sets out cyber security ‘building blocks’
Eight “elements” published to guide the financial sector when implementing cyber security provisions; information sharing and contingency planning are important
HKMA to launch cyber security training framework in December
New technology has made cyber security more important than ever, says Chan; HKMA to widen pool of talent as part of new initiative to be rolled out at the end of the year
Central banks set up task force to fortify cyber security
Central banks to review current cyber security practices; Cœuré stresses need for “adequate checks” at each stage of the payment process
Central banks are not fintech accelerators – Bundesbank official
German payments authority says fintech should receive equal regulatory treatment to banks
BoE’s Cleland discusses extending digital central bank money to the public
Costs and benefits need to be better understood, says Cleland, but the Bank of England is investigating all avenues
Swift threatens to report users who fail to update software
Cyber security threat is "persistent, adaptive and sophisticated – and it is here to stay”, Swift says; customers have until November 19 to install updates
UBS teams up with other major banks in blockchain venture
‘Utility settlement coin’ to be backed by cash held at central banks; team of experts will keep an “open dialogue” with the banks and regulators throughout the testing process
MAS unveils ‘Looking Glass’ fintech lab
New facility in MAS building was built as a space for fintech firms to test ideas with each other and the central bank; facility will also serve as venue for training and networking
Sarb governor stresses need for cooperative approach against cyber risk
New legislation will give central bank power over financial stability; now is the time for financial industry to become “proactive” in fostering “healthier” cyber culture, says Kganyago
Swift's Gottfried Leibbrandt on restoring trust in global payments after $81m Bangladesh fraud
Swift CEO Gottfried Leibbrandt speaks to Christopher Jeffery about how to restore trust in the international payments architecture following the $81 million cyber theft from Bangladesh Bank