The first half of 2025 brought significant developments in the regulation of digital and cryptoassets in the UK and EU. In this half-year update, we review these and look ahead to likely developments in the UK and EU in the...more
The EU and UK sanctions regimes on Russia continue to expand as both jurisdictions seek to increase pressure on President Putin. As with previous recent packages, Russia’s military, energy and financial sectors have again...more
In this horizon scan for private investment funds, which is aimed at managers based in Europe, we have set out the some of the principal legal and regulatory-focused developments to look out for in the coming months....more
I. U.S. Sanctions - President Trump Threatens Sanctions on Russia Following Drone Attack on Ukraine: On May 28, Bloomberg reported that President Trump said he was “‘absolutely’ considering new sanctions against Russia as...more
The Treasury (HMT) launched a consultation and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a call for input in April 2025 kick-starting a review of the UK’s regulatory regime for Alternative Investment Fund Managers...more
UK Financial Insights from Katten is a monthly newsletter highlighting key noteworthy developments potentially affecting financial markets and funds in the UK and Europe....more
In this weekly update, we summarise the most notable updates in the UK sanctions world...more
The UK’s sanctions regimes remain dynamic as they continue to respond to geopolitical changes. In recent weeks, the UK has enhanced its Russia sanctions, despite the uncertain direction of the international sanctions on...more
In our recent alert “Properly Valuing Private Equity, Venture, Real Estate, and Other Private Market Assets: Some Pointers for UK and EU Managers”, we discussed the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA’s) focus on fund...more
The proposals aim to make the UK regime more proportionate and suggest different rules applying to hedge funds, venture capital firms, and private equity houses. On 7 April 2025, the FCA published a Call for Input, and HM...more
HM Treasury (HMT) has published a response to UK's Accelerated Settlement Taskforce (AST) report recommending a plan for the UK to move to a T+1 settlement cycle for securities trades. HMT accepts the recommendation of 12...more
HM Treasury has published its letter inviting Adam Plainer to lead an independent review of the Payment and Electronic Money Institution Insolvency Regulations 2021 (PESAR)...more
The Markets in Financial Instruments (Equivalence) (Singapore) Regulations 2024 have been published, together with an explanatory memorandum and de minimis assessment. The Regulations set out HM Treasury's determination that...more
The Financial Conduct Authority has published finalized guidance for payment service providers that enables a risk-based approach to processing suspected fraudulent payments. Following the publication of the Payment Services...more
The Collective Investment Schemes (Temporary Recognition) and Central Counterparties (Transitional Provision) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 have been published, alongside an explanatory memorandum. The Regulations amend the...more
In November, we got a tantalizing glimpse into what the future looks like for sustainable finance in the UK in the annual Mansion House speech. We highlight some of the key ESG regulatory announcements below. November also...more
HM Treasury has updated its money laundering advisory notice on high-risk third countries. Under the U.K. Money Laundering Regulations, the U.K. regulated sector must apply enhanced customer due diligence in relation to...more
HM Treasury has published the Prudential Regulation of Credit Institutions (Meaning of CRR Rules and Recognised Exchange) (Amendment) Regulations 2024, together with an explanatory memorandum....more
HM Treasury has launched a call for evidence on a proposed Financial Services Growth & Competitiveness Strategy, a key part of the latest Mansion House reforms. Once developed, the Strategy will serve as the central guiding...more
The draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Addition of Relevant Enactments) Regulations 2024 have been published, together with an explanatory memorandum. The Regulations add to the list of "relevant enactments" for...more
Undertakings in difficulty, in the context of Solvency II, refers to insurers that are either failing or likely to fail to meet their solvency capital requirement (SCR) or their minimum capital requirement (MCR) (together,...more
The House of Commons has published a written statement by Tulip Siddiq, Economic Secretary to HM Treasury, on the status of reforms to the bank ring-fencing regime. Ms Siddiq states that the U.K. Government will implement a...more
HM Treasury has published a final draft version of the Payment Services (Amendment) Regulations 2024, enhancing efforts to address authorized push payment fraud. The draft Regulations amend regulation 86 of the Payment...more
The U.K. Prudential Regulation Authority has published its second near-final Policy Statement on the implementation of the Basel 3.1 standards. The PRA has decided to move the implementation date by a further six months to...more
Welcome to your weekly update from the A&O Shearman Pensions team, covering all the latest legal and regulatory developments in the world of workplace pensions. ...more