Global

January 13, 2026 @ 10:01 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In the increasingly fast-paced world of online retail, refund policies are becoming somewhat of a double-edged sword in some rather concerning cases—essential for building customer trust but vulnerable to exploitation by fraudsters. A recent study by Riskified, a key player in digital commerce risk management,… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 4:07 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Risk analytics firm CyberCube has released its forward-looking insights for 2026. Titled “CyberCube Forecasts AI Reality Check Amid Rapid Change in Cyber Insurance,” the report highlights a pivotal year where artificial intelligence promises transformation but faces significant hurdles. As cyber threats grow in sophistication, the… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 11:07 am By JD Alois  |  

Private securities secondaries topped $110 billion in 2025, easily beating 2024, which reportedly totalled $89 billion. This is according to HarbourVest Partners, as outlined in the FT. According to the report, private markets continue to grow, with secondary transactions boosting that growth. Liquidity, or the… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 10:49 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Lloyds Banking Group has announced a £195 million finance package with Orbit Group, one of the UK’s housing providers. This collaboration aims to upgrade thousands of social homes across the Midlands, East, and South East of England, focusing on energy efficiency and sustainability.  The deal,… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 10:09 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In yet another move to enhance financial access in 2026 for underserved small businesses in the UK, the British Business Bank has announced Midlands-based ART Business Loans as the fourth accredited delivery partner under its Community ENABLE Funding program. This latest development, revealed recently on… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 9:37 am By Omar Faridi  |  

BNP Paribas (EPA: BNP) has officially launched a unified asset management platform, positioning itself as a key European player with extensive global influence. The merger, completed recently this past month, integrates AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM), BNP Paribas Real Estate Investment Management (BNPP REIM), and… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 8:04 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In a move set to further bolster growth in the United Kingdom’s financial advisory landscape, digital bank OakNorth has recently extended a £4 million revolving credit facility (RCF) to Verso Wealth Management. This funding aims to fuel Verso’s ambitious strategy of acquiring independent financial adviser… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 8:03 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Illicit cryptocurrency transactions reached an all-time high of $158 billion in 2025, according to TRM Labs‘ newly released 2026 Crypto Crime Report. This figure marks a 145% increase from the $64.5 billion recorded in 2024, shattering the multi-year decline observed from 2021 ($85.9 billion) through… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 8:00 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Intesa Sanpaolo continues to solidify its position as a key player in debt capital markets and sustainable initiatives. The Italian banking institution has recently announced significant bond market transactions conducted in late 2025 and a substantial green loan aimed at advancing eco-friendly maritime transport. These… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 7:58 am By Omar Faridi  |  

As 2025 drew to a close, the UK employment landscape reflected persistent caution among businesses, driven by economic uncertainty and escalating costs. According to the latest KPMG and Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) UK Report on Jobs, compiled by S&P Global, permanent staff appointments declined… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 7:57 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In the ecosystem of commercial finance, recent media headlines have reportedly proclaimed the so-called death of factoring, which is said to be a staple in business funding. However, a blog post from UK Finance now challenges this narrative, arguing that such reports are not only… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 3:40 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Banco Santander (NYSE: SAN) has finalized the sale of a 49% stake in its Polish subsidiary, Santander Bank Polska S.A., to Austria’s Erste Group Bank AG. The transaction, announced last year and completed on January 9, 2026, also includes a 50% stake in Santander Towarzystwo… Read More

January 13, 2026 @ 2:36 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Global investment bank Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) is reportedly preparing to introduce its own digital wallet later this year. This development comes as the firm intensifies its efforts in the digital asset space, aiming to provide clients with enhanced tools for managing tokenized investments. The wallet,… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 11:30 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

X, the social media platform led by Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, is gearing up to roll out a significant upgrade to how users discuss financial markets. Announced by Nikita Bier, X’s Head of Product, the new Smart Cashtags feature promises to bring greater… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 9:34 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tether has immobilized over $182 million worth of its USDT stablecoin in five separate addresses on the Tron network. This action took place on January 11, as revealed by blockchain transaction records and alerts from monitoring service Whale Alert. The affected wallets held amounts varying… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 3:50 pm By JD Alois  |  

Digital asset firm Ripple has been approved in the UK as an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The firm was approved on January 9, 2026, under RIPPLE MARKETS UK LTD. Via a post on X, Ripple said that it had… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 1:40 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In the landscape of venture capital, relatively few firms appear to have navigated the turbulence of recent years as well as Index Ventures. Originating from Geneva as an investment focused initiative, the firm has transformed into a key player among European VCs, delivering consistent results… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 11:43 am By JD Alois  |  

“Without a meaningful digital Euro, our dependence will deepen as US-backed private digital currencies are gaining ground.” Sustainable Finance Lab has posted an open letter signed by 70 European Academicians supporting a central bank digital currency (CBDC) or digital Euro. The supporters included economists and… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 11:17 am By Omar Faridi  |  

OpenAI and SoftBank have joined forces to invest $1 billion in SB Energy, a key player in infrastructure development. This funding is earmarked for scaling up SB Energy’s data center capabilities, addressing the surging demands of AI technologies. As part of the agreement, SB Energy… Read More

January 12, 2026 @ 10:11 am By JD Alois  |  

The United Kingdom is a leading jurisdiction in the world for private firms and funding.  According to a new report published by Tracxn, the UK is the second most funded ecosystem in the world behind the US, but surpassing India and China. The report states… Read More