Regulation, Reform, and Registry Access in the Spotlight
This week’s global registry headlines highlight the complex balancing act between transparency, data protection, and technological reform. Governments are revisiting how much access the public should have to ownership information, while also strengthening regulatory tools to improve accountability. Meanwhile, registry digitization and anti-money laundering initiatives remain at the forefront.
Here’s a look at the most notable updates:
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United Kingdom: Companies House Granted New Powers to Annotate the Register
Companies House can now flag questionable or misleading information directly on the public register, strengthening corporate oversight and improving registry accuracy. Read more -
Saudi Arabia: Banks Upgrade Systems to Comply with New Commercial Registry Laws
Saudi banks are implementing major system updates to align with new commercial registry regulations aimed at modernizing business services. Read more -
Ireland: GDPR Limits Access to Ownership Data
A recent ruling means the true identities behind many Irish companies are now shielded, prompting concerns over accountability in business ownership. Read more -
Japan: Business Leader Criticizes Family Registration System
A prominent business figure in Japan has criticized the country’s family registry system as outdated and prone to abuse, sparking calls for reform. Read more -
Malaysia: SSM Defends Limited Access to Beneficial Ownership Data
The Companies Commission of Malaysia has stated that restricting public access to ownership data aligns with international practices and privacy laws. Read more -
Kazakhstan: Registered Companies with Russian Capital Revealed
New data reveals the scale of Russian investment in Kazakhstan through local company registrations. Read more -
New Zealand: Complex Fraud Scheme Involving Fake Companies
A man has been charged in New Zealand after using a network of fake companies to exploit Covid-19 wage subsidies. Read more -
Canada: B.C. Expands Real Estate Transparency Measures
British Columbia is taking steps to fight money laundering by improving ownership transparency in real estate transactions. Read more -
Antigua: Companies Act Amended to Strengthen Record Retention
New legislation in Antigua increases the duration that companies must retain records, bolstering compliance. Read more -
Australia: Evaluation a Key Element in Digital Assurance
New commentary highlights why ongoing evaluation—not just compliance—is critical in maintaining digital trust in registries. Read more -
New Zealand: Incorporated Societies Must Re-register by April 2026
A key deadline is approaching for incorporated societies in New Zealand, with re-registration required under new legislation. Read more -
Namibia: Oshana Region Leads in Business Registrations
New statistics show the Oshana region is leading the country in new business registrations. Read more -
Australia: Consultation Ongoing for Updated AML/CTF Rules
Australia is reviewing a second draft of its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules to strengthen national compliance. Read more
Stay updated by visiting often our "Registry News Weekly" summary and the Foster Moore blog for more insights on these stories and other key registry news.
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