Tagged: research

January 10, 2026 @ 7:22 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

As Australia navigates a post-pandemic recovery marked by easing inflation and monetary policy shifts, recent reports from the Commonwealth Bank highlight persistent challenges and signs of stability. Young Australians grapple with housing affordability, local shares show restraint amid global uncertainties, and the world economy demonstrates… Read More

January 9, 2026 @ 8:59 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In a bid to enable UK consumers with smarter money management, Starling Bank has revealed a surprisingly simple habit distinguishing the nation’s top savers: checking their bank balance daily. According to recent research, those who monitor their accounts every day save more frequently and maintain… Read More

January 9, 2026 @ 8:57 am By Omar Faridi  |  

PwC Hong Kong released an update titled “Our Point of View on Stablecoins Distribution,” underscoring the pivotal role stablecoins now play in the digital asset landscape. As cryptocurrencies mature, stablecoins—digital tokens pegged to stable assets like the US dollar—have become indispensable for facilitating seamless, efficient… Read More

January 9, 2026 @ 8:56 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Illicit cryptocurrency activities surged to unprecedented levels in 2025, with criminal addresses receiving at least $154 billion—a staggering 162% increase from the previous year. This record-breaking figure, driven largely by a 694% spike in funds flowing to sanctioned entities, underscores the growing intersection of digital… Read More

January 9, 2026 @ 8:55 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In a year of uneven recovery for US private equity, the construction sector emerged as the standout performer in 2025, defying broader market stagnation in several key industries. According to PitchBook‘s inaugural 2025 US Private Equity Momentum Report, construction recorded an estimated 453 deals and… Read More

January 9, 2026 @ 8:54 am By Omar Faridi  |  

CB Insights noted in a new report that the venture capital landscape in 2025 marked a significant resurgence, with global funding soaring to $469 billion—the highest level since the peak of 2022. This represented a robust 47% year-over-year increase, signaling a recovery from the downturns… Read More

January 9, 2026 @ 2:03 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The UK financial services industry is preparing for a significant shift in 2026, with leaders anticipating greater investment in national defense amid converging priorities of financial stability and national security. According to KPMG‘s latest UK Financial Services Sentiment survey, nearly two-thirds (65%) of sector leaders… Read More

January 8, 2026 @ 8:07 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The United Kingdom solidified its position as one of Europe’s leading fintech hubs in 2025, even as emerging markets intensified their pursuit of investment capital. Despite challenging conditions, British fintech firms secured $3.6 billion in funding throughout the year, surpassing the combined totals of the… Read More

January 7, 2026 @ 3:12 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Grayscale Investments‘ latest market update paints a picture of subdued cryptocurrency activity in December, contrasted by early signs of revival in 2026. While prices and fund flows remained largely range-bound amid holiday-season lethargy, underlying fundamentals accelerated, offering optimism for the year ahead. Grayscale also mentioned… Read More

January 7, 2026 @ 2:12 am By Omar Faridi  |  

As 2o26 begins, global markets exhibited a blend of equity gains, stabilizing debt conditions, as well as uneven real estate performance, according to PitchBook‘s December 2025 Global Markets Snapshot report. Released on January 5, 2026, with data through December 31, 2025, the report underscores a… Read More

January 6, 2026 @ 4:42 pm By JD Alois  |  

Global securities lending rocketed to $15.3 billion in 2025, up 26% year over year. This is according to a report from EquiLend, a Fintech offering trading, data & analytics, as well as Regtech. The big number is 13% higher than the previous high set in… Read More

January 6, 2026 @ 2:50 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Blockchain security and cryptocurrency focused firm CertiK has released pivotal updates that shed light on regulatory shifts and technical advancements. These reports not only recap the transformative year of 2025 but also chart a course for 2026, while delving into the practical applications of zero-knowledge… Read More

January 6, 2026 @ 10:05 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In the final quarter of 2025, Regtech and cybersecurity focused firm SlowMist released its MistTrack analysis on stolen funds, shedding light on persistent threats in the blockchain ecosystem. Drawing from 300 user-submitted reports—210 from domestic sources and 90 from international ones—the report underscores the evolving… Read More

January 5, 2026 @ 8:44 am By Omar Faridi  |  

As we step into 2026, the US real estate market remains in flux, shaped by lingering effects of past low-interest policies and emerging economic pressures. Mortgage rates have stabilized but stay elevated compared to pandemic-era lows, while expectations for Federal Reserve actions vary widely. Meanwhile,… Read More

January 5, 2026 @ 8:42 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In recent years, a notable shift has emerged in the US economy: for many workers, earnings are rising at a pace that outstrips the climb in living costs. Since 2019, average paychecks have climbed by about 30%, edging ahead of the 26% uptick in consumer… Read More

January 4, 2026 @ 7:25 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

As the global economy stabilizes, venture capital in Latin America’s startup ecosystem is on the cusp of a significant resurgence in 2026. After enduring a multi-year slowdown triggered by economic headwinds since 2022, experts forecast a renewed influx of funding, particularly targeting financial technology companies…. Read More

January 4, 2026 @ 5:19 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

As the commercial real estate (CRE) industry steps into 2026, executives are adopting a tone of guarded hope, tempered by ongoing economic uncertainties. According to a recent Deloitte survey polling over 850 senior leaders and their teams from major property owners and investors across 13… Read More

January 4, 2026 @ 5:14 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Carta has noted that the so-called “top-tier” funds from 2017 and 2018 are on track to provide LPs with the sort of return they likely “expected, outpacing the gains they might have achieved in the public markets.” However, most recent funds currently “sit well below… Read More

January 4, 2026 @ 2:28 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

As the world steps into 2026, the landscape of digital payments continues to evolve, driven by technological advancements, regulatory shifts, and changes in consumer behavior. From central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) gaining new features to concerns over cybersecurity and cash accessibility, several trends are poised… Read More

January 3, 2026 @ 1:32 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Many UK households faced a challenging festive season in 2025, with financial pressures forcing significant cutbacks. According to Vanquis Bank‘s Financial Wellbeing Index, one in five families earning less than £40,000 annually reduced their holiday spending, highlighting the ongoing struggle with escalating living expenses. Overall,… Read More