June 22, 2026 @ 2:32 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Global asset manager Franklin Templeton has filed registration statements with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for two novel exchange-traded funds that would automatically convert dividends from U.S. stocks into Bitcoin exposure. The proposed products — the Franklin U.S. Equity Bitcoin DRIP Index ETF… Read More

June 22, 2026 @ 12:06 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The nascent digital credit market endured one of its most volatile sessions on Thursday as two prominent preferred equity instruments tied to Bitcoin treasury companies saw sharp intraday price swings. Strategy’s (NASDAQ:MSTR) STRC and Strive’s (NASDAQ:ASST) SATA both traded well below their typical levels near… Read More

June 22, 2026 @ 11:33 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Lloyds Banking Group has unveiled plans to add over 1,000 new positions focused on artificial intelligence during 2026. The move is designed to strengthen the bank’s capabilities in advanced, autonomous AI systems known as agentic AI. Recruitment is already underway for nearly 300 specialist roles… Read More

June 22, 2026 @ 10:50 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Cardano blockchain ecosystem is reportedly on the cusp of a significant technical milestone as crypto developers prepare to roll out a public testnet for Ouroboros Leios, its new consensus protocol upgrade. This initiative, branded under the evocative name “Musashi Dojo,” signals a determined push… Read More

June 22, 2026 @ 9:55 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Recent reporting has highlighted alleged political pressure from European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde that contributed to Greece blocking Binance’s application for authorization under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. According to sources familiar with the matter, this intervention shifted Greece’s stance on… Read More

June 22, 2026 @ 7:53 am By Omar Faridi  |  

China has reportedly taken a significant step toward further expanding the international reach of its central bank digital currency by signing direct participation agreements with 26 financial institutions for cross-border digital yuan transactions. The latest agreements, finalized in Shanghai, grant the institutions access to the… Read More

June 22, 2026 @ 6:54 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW) is teaming up with Cboe Global Markets to introduce a new suite of options contracts tied to the performance of the S&P 500 index. These products will let clients place straightforward yes-or-no wagers on whether the benchmark closes above or below predetermined… Read More

June 22, 2026 @ 1:55 am By Omar Faridi  |  

PwC’s Deals practice has entered a strategic relationship with ToltIQ, a specialized artificial intelligence platform focused on private markets due diligence. Announced recently this month, this partnership positions PwC as ToltIQ’s exclusive professional services advisor worldwide, with exclusivity among major accounting and consulting firms. The… Read More

June 22, 2026 @ 12:06 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) have jointly announced the launch of a pilot project on 18 June 2026. This initiative explores an innovative digital payment option designed to support margin requirements during the after-hours trading (AHT)… Read More

June 21, 2026 @ 11:39 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Despite Brazil’s already high level of digital payments maturity, a new assessment from Bain & Company indicates meaningful room for further expansion through the end of the decade. As of the end of 2025, digital payment methods had reached an 85% penetration rate across the… Read More

June 21, 2026 @ 10:57 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Fintech firm Stripe has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to introduce new tools that allow content creators and publishers to earn revenue from interactions with autonomous AI systems. Announced on June 15, 2026, this collaboration integrates Stripe’s payment infrastructure into AWS’s Web Application Firewall… Read More

June 21, 2026 @ 10:31 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

UK’s Starling Bank is reducing the size of its board of directors following multiple recent exits. The changes, which include no plans to fill every resulting vacancy, are expected to strengthen the influence of the bank’s largest shareholder, Harald McPike. According to company filings and… Read More

June 21, 2026 @ 10:28 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Italian fintech company Conio has obtained a license to act as a crypto-asset service provider in accordance with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, known as MiCAR. This authorization was issued in Italy after a thorough review process conducted by the securities markets regulator… Read More

June 21, 2026 @ 6:39 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) has taken another significant step toward offering investors direct exposure to major cryptocurrencies through exchange-traded funds. The firm recently submitted amended registration statements to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its proposed spot Ethereum and Solana ETFs. These updates provide… Read More

June 21, 2026 @ 6:38 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Prediction market platform Kalshi has entered informal discussions with investment banks about a potential initial public offering, according to a new report. The conversations remain preliminary, with any listing likely still more than a year away. The development comes alongside strong evidence of accelerating business… Read More

June 21, 2026 @ 4:38 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Mexico’s central bank, Banco de México (Banxico), released new regulations on June 18, 2026, aimed at making electronic transactions smoother and expanding access for small businesses. The measures introduce a new type of simplified deposit account and raise transaction limits, with the goal of reducing… Read More

June 21, 2026 @ 2:09 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

As part of a recent, notable shift for the Sonic blockchain project, three founding board members—including DeFi developer Andre Cronje—have resigned from Sonic Labs. The move coincides with the project’s native S token trading roughly 97% below its all-time high, highlighting ongoing challenges in a… Read More

June 21, 2026 @ 1:26 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Istanbul-based fintech company Midas has submitted an application to Turkey’s central bank for an electronic money institution license. The filing marks the start of its push into consumer payment services, with plans to introduce a digital wallet and prepaid card features. Founder Egem Eraslan outlined… Read More

June 21, 2026 @ 11:09 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Uzbekistan’s digital ecosystem company, Uzum, is preparing to raise new capital through a private investment round before the end of 2026. The move is intended to accelerate the company’s growth trajectory as it lays groundwork for a possible stock market debut in the medium term…. Read More

June 21, 2026 @ 8:46 am By Omar Faridi  |  

As part of a recent notable shift toward financial services, Airbnb (NASDAQ: ABNB) has quietly introduced an optional paid feature that gives travelers greater control over their bookings. Dubbed the extended cancellation option, the tool allows eligible guests to purchase / pay for the right… Read More