Global investment managers are navigating a new wave of regulatory changes, including stricter disclosure standards in Europe and Asia, impacting fund strategies and market access amidst evolving legal frameworks.
Investment managers active across several markets are contending with a fresh round of rule changes, as regulators move to tighten disclosure, marketing and registration standards in a number of jurisdictions.
One of the most consequential shifts in Europe is the expiry of the transposition deadline for AIFMD II on 16 April 2026, meaning firms are now expected to comply fully with the directive’s provisions. The overhaul affects delegation and substance requirements, depositary arrangements, loan origination, liquidity management tools, reporting and disclosure rules, national private placement regimes and the range of services alternative investment fund managers may offer.
The updated framework also raises the bar for non-EU funds seeking access to the bloc. Vehicles domiciled in jurisdictions on the EU tax blacklist are barred from marketing into the EU, while managers must also ensure that OECD-compliant tax information exchange agreements are in place.
In Asia, Taiwan has added another layer of disclosure for foreign ESG funds registered locally. According to the new requirements introduced by the Financial Services Commission and the Securities Investment Trust and Consulting Association, local agents must publish annual reports within two months of the end of each year. Those disclosures must cover ESG portfolio compliance, any differences in benchmark screening and stewardship activity, including engagement and voting.
Taiwan has also sharply increased the fee for relying on a master legal opinion in Ireland and Luxembourg fund registration applications, raising the charge from NTD 31,000 to NTD 60,000. At the same time, the offshore ETF distribution regime has been narrowed, with privately placed offshore exchange-traded funds no longer permitted under safe harbour exemptions. On the other hand, the market has become more flexible for certain other products, as non-securities funds, including private funds and those investing in gold, property and commodities, may now be privately placed with Taiwanese investors through designated onshore agents.
Elsewhere in Europe, Bulgaria has introduced notification fees for EU UCITS funds marketing into the country, set at EUR 250 per fund, or per sub-fund in umbrella structures.
Germany has taken a different tack, using its Standortfördergesetz, which came into force on 10 February 2026, to try to cut bureaucracy and strengthen the country’s appeal as a financial centre. For asset managers, the law offers more room in fund structuring, including the ability to preserve tax qualification when investing through commercial partnerships.
Ireland has also updated its consumer protection regime. The Central Bank of Ireland’s Consumer Protection Code 2025 took effect on 24 March 2026 after a year-long transition period. It applies to a wide range of regulated firms serving Irish consumers, including UCITS management companies, self-managed funds, distributors and fund service providers, although most MiFID service providers fall outside its scope. The central bank says the revised code reflects digital change and is intended to make firms’ obligations clearer while keeping consumer protections aligned with how people now access financial services.
- https://fintech.global/2026/06/02/global-fund-rules-tighten-what-managers-must-know-now/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=global-fund-rules-tighten-what-managers-must-know-now – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.centralbank.ie/regulation/consumer-protection/consumer-protection-code – The Central Bank of Ireland’s Consumer Protection Code 2025, effective from 24 March 2026, modernises financial services regulations to reflect digital advancements. It aims to ensure firms prioritise customer interests, offering updated protections that align with current consumer access to financial services. The Code provides clarity for firms on consumer protection obligations and supports both consumers and firms in navigating these regulations. It encompasses Standards for Business Regulations and Consumer Protection Regulations, with tools and guidance available to assist users in understanding the revised Code.
- https://www.centralbank.ie/regulation/consumer-protection/consumer-protection-codes-regulations – The Central Bank of Ireland’s Consumer Protection Code 2025, effective from 24 March 2026, modernises financial services regulations to reflect digital advancements. It aims to ensure firms prioritise customer interests, offering updated protections that align with current consumer access to financial services. The Code provides clarity for firms on consumer protection obligations and supports both consumers and firms in navigating these regulations. It encompasses Standards for Business Regulations and Consumer Protection Regulations, with tools and guidance available to assist users in understanding the revised Code.
- https://www.centralbank.ie/regulation/consumer-protection/consumer-protection-code-review – The Central Bank of Ireland has completed a comprehensive review of the Consumer Protection Code 2012. The review aimed to modernise the Code to ensure it is fit-for-purpose and continues to protect consumers of financial products today and in the future, and that it enhances clarity and predictability for firms on their consumer protection obligations. Following the review, the Consumer Protection Code 2025 was published on 24 March 2025. The revised Code includes a targeted package of protections that reflect how consumers are accessing financial services today.
- https://www.compliance.ie/Public/News/Consumer-Protection-Code-2025.aspx – The Central Bank of Ireland has published the revised Consumer Protection Code. The Consumer Protection Code 2025 – encompassing Standards for Business Regulations and Consumer Protection Regulations will take effect on 24 March 2026 following a 12-month implementation period. Until then, the existing Consumer Protection Code 2012 continues to apply to regulated firms, and the protections that are currently in place remain effective. The Consumer Protection Code 2025 is here Consumer Protection Code 2025 and the Feedback Statement, which outlines the rationale for the approach to the updates in the Code is available here Feedback Statement (PDF 1.27MB) Compliance Institute were delighted to be invited to the launch and provide input into the final code. Compliance Institute Chief Executive, Michael Kavanagh was featured in the Sunday Independent both online and in print coverage. 6th April 2025 – Sunday Independent – How to spot the red flags of financial abuse Online Coverage: These days, when it comes to financial deception, it’s the romance scams, the banking and shopping scams, the smishing and investment fraud which tend to grab the headlines.
- https://www.pwc.ie/services/audit-and-assurance/regulation/consumer-protection-code.html – The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) has published the final revised Consumer Protection Code (Code) on 24 March 2025. The revised Code has been eagerly anticipated and these regulations mark a significant milestone in the CBI’s ongoing efforts to enhance industry standards and to consolidate, streamline, and modernise the regulatory requirements for firms. There is a 12-month implementation period, which means in scope firms will need to be compliant by 24 March 2026. Until then, the existing Consumer Protection Code 2012 continues to apply to regulated firms, and the protections that are currently in place remain effective.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abV9bflZT7g – The Central Bank of Ireland has published the final revised Consumer Protection Code (Code) on 24 March 2025. The revised Code has been eagerly anticipated and these regulations mark a significant milestone in the CBI’s ongoing efforts to enhance industry standards and to consolidate, streamline, and modernise the regulatory requirements for firms. There is a 12-month implementation period, which means in scope firms will need to be compliant by 24 March 2026. Until then, the existing Consumer Protection Code 2012 continues to apply to regulated firms, and the protections that are currently in place remain effective.
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Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on 2 June 2026, which is recent. However, the content references regulatory changes with deadlines on 16 April 2026 and 24 March 2026, indicating that the information may have been compiled before these dates. ([fintech.global](https://fintech.global/2026/06/02/global-fund-rules-tighten-what-managers-must-know-now/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article does not contain direct quotes. It references regulatory changes and deadlines, but without direct citations or links to the original sources, the accuracy of these claims cannot be independently verified.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The article is from fintech.global, a niche publication. While it provides detailed information, the lack of direct citations to primary sources raises concerns about the reliability of the information presented.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article discusses recent regulatory changes in Europe and Asia, which align with known developments. However, without direct citations or links to the original sources, the accuracy of these claims cannot be independently verified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article provides information on recent regulatory changes affecting investment managers, referencing specific deadlines and requirements. However, it lacks direct citations or links to primary sources, making it difficult to independently verify the claims. The reliance on a niche publication without independent verification sources raises concerns about the reliability of the information presented. ([fintech.global](https://fintech.global/2026/06/02/global-fund-rules-tighten-what-managers-must-know-now/?utm_source=openai))