Core Insights - The Risk Asia Awards 2025 recognize excellence in various categories related to risk management and financial services across Asia [1][2][3] Group 1: Derivatives Awards - Derivatives house of the year for Asia is awarded to UBS [1] - Other notable winners include Daiwa Securities for Japan, Crédit Agricole CIB for Hong Kong and South Korea, and OCBC Bank for Singapore [1] - The award for derivatives house of the year in China goes to Shenwan Hongyuan Securities, while CTBC Bank wins for Taiwan [1] Group 2: Specialized Awards - Standard Chartered is recognized as the interest rate derivatives house of the year [1] - BofA Securities wins the currency derivatives house of the year award [1] - UBS is awarded both equity and credit derivatives house of the year [1] Group 3: Technology and Risk Solutions - Murex is named technology vendor of the year and also wins for system support and implementation [2] - S&P Dow Jones Indices is recognized for quantitative investment solutions [2] - FactSet is awarded for risk solutions [2] Group 4: Compliance and Risk Management - The best AI solution for risk management is awarded to SAS Institute [2] - Wolters Kluwer receives multiple awards for various risk management solutions including IFRS 9 and credit risk management [2] - NICE Actimize is recognized for its AML solution of the year [2]

Core Insights - Bullish Europe has become the first crypto exchange to offer Societe Generale – FORGE's stablecoin, USD CoinVertible (USDCV), expanding access to regulated crypto assets [1][2] - The USDCV token is a fully compliant USD-pegged stablecoin backed 1:1 with cash or high-quality collateral, targeting institutional, corporate, and retail investors [3][5] - The partnership with Societe Generale positions Bullish as a leading venue for institutional-grade liquidity and compliant digital asset trading services [5][6] Company Developments - Bullish Europe has formed a strategic partnership with Societe Generale – FORGE, making it the first exchange to offer USDCV [2][5] - Marco Bodewein, CEO of Bullish Europe, emphasized the company's commitment to increasing the availability of regulated stablecoins for institutional investors [4][5] - BNY, a UK-based financial services firm, has been selected as the custodian for the stablecoins [6] Industry Context - The USDCV stablecoin was launched in June 2025, leveraging the growth of the stablecoin market and utilizing blockchain platforms Ethereum and Solana [5] - The positive sentiment in the stablecoin market is influenced by improved regulatory frameworks, such as GENIUS and Clarity Acts in the US [6] - Other market players are also exploring the use of fiat-pegged digital assets to reduce costs [6]

Core Insights - Societe Generale-FORGE has launched the USD CoinVertible (USDCV), the first U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin under the European Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) [1][3] - The partnership with Bullish Europe aims to enhance the availability of regulated stablecoins for various types of investors in Europe [2][5] Group 1 - USDCV is fully pegged to the U.S. dollar and designed to comply with MiCA, ensuring price stability and regulatory assurance for institutional investors [3][4] - The introduction of USDCV follows the earlier launch of the EUR CoinVertible (EURCV) by SG-FORGE and Bullish, expanding the range of compliant stablecoins [2][4] - The collaboration positions SG-FORGE and Bullish at the forefront of regulated stablecoin adoption, bridging traditional finance and blockchain markets [4][6] Group 2 - The launch reflects a growing institutional demand for regulated and transparent stablecoin products as Europe implements MiCA [7] - The partnership aims to combine Bullish's regulated trading infrastructure with SG-FORGE's financial innovation to provide institutional-grade liquidity and trust [8]

Core Viewpoint - A significant strategy known as "hedging against the US" is emerging in global capital markets, characterized by a massive influx of international funds into the US while simultaneously a potential trillion-dollar wave of shorting the dollar is brewing [1][2]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Major Wall Street banks, including State Street, Deutsche Bank, and BNP Paribas, predict that the ongoing hedging activities will significantly pressure the dollar's performance in the coming year [2][8]. - Deutsche Bank noted that since mid-year, inflows into "dollar-hedged" US asset ETFs have surpassed those into "non-dollar-hedged" funds for the first time in a decade, indicating an unprecedented speed of this shift [2][8]. Group 2: Scale of Hedging - The potential scale of this hedging wave is estimated at approximately $1 trillion, which would restore the hedging ratio of global investors holding over $30 trillion in US stocks and bonds to the average level of the past decade [5][6]. Group 3: Investor Behavior - Foreign investors currently hold about $20 trillion in US stocks and approximately $14 trillion in US bonds, with a noted decrease in their hedging ratios for fixed income and equities by about five and two percentage points, respectively, in recent years [11]. - A survey by Bank of America revealed that 38% of global fund managers are seeking to increase currency hedging to counter a weakening dollar, marking the highest level since June [13]. Group 4: Operational Strategies - One common hedging method employed by overseas investors is selling dollar forward contracts to lock in exchange rates, which typically translates into selling pressure on the dollar in the spot market [9]. - The current hedging ratio for foreign investors has stabilized around 56%, down from approximately 70% mid-year, indicating a strategic shift rather than a mass liquidation of US assets [11].

Group 1 - A significant strategy in global capital markets is emerging, termed "hedging the dollar," with international funds flowing into the US while a potential $1 trillion shorting wave against the dollar is developing [1][4] - Major banks like State Street, Deutsche Bank, and BNP Paribas predict that this hedging trend will significantly pressure the dollar's performance in the coming year [1][4] - Deutsche Bank noted that since mid-2023, inflows into "dollar-hedged" US asset ETFs have surpassed "non-dollar-hedged" funds for the first time in a decade, indicating an unprecedented speed of this shift [1] Group 2 - The estimated scale of the hedging wave is around $1 trillion, which would restore the hedging ratio of global investors holding over $30 trillion in US stocks and bonds to the average level of the past decade [4] - The dollar's strength has been challenged, particularly after the Trump administration's tariff policies in April, which led to a sell-off in US stocks and bonds, contributing to the dollar's decline [6] - Analysts suggest that if the market speculates that the Federal Reserve is pressured by the White House to lower rates, the logical approach would be to favor US stocks and bonds while disfavoring the dollar [7] Group 3 - The most common hedging method among overseas investors is selling dollar forward contracts to lock in exchange rates, which translates into selling pressure on the dollar in the spot market [5] - As of April, the hedging ratio for foreign investors holding US assets stabilized around 56%, down from approximately 70% in mid-2023, indicating a significant shift in hedging behavior [8] - A recent survey by Bank of America revealed that 38% of global fund managers are seeking to increase currency hedging to address dollar weakness, marking the highest level since June [8]

Core Insights - Following Fitch's downgrade of France's credit rating, market attention is shifting towards Italy's rating decision, which is expected on Friday [1] - There is a possibility of an upgrade for Italy's rating, supported by improvements in the country's budget balance [1] - Currently, Fitch rates Italy at BBB with a positive outlook, indicating potential for an upgrade to BBB+ [1] - Economists from Citigroup also acknowledge the likelihood of an upgrade for Italy's rating [1]

Core Viewpoint - The recent interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve, while in line with market expectations, may exert downward pressure on gold prices in the short term, although long-term factors remain supportive for gold [1][2]. Group 1: Federal Reserve Actions - The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points, which was anticipated by the market, but the overall tone was cautious, with a notable dissenting vote advocating for a 50 basis point cut [1]. - The Fed acknowledged a weakening labor market and indicated that inflationary pressures are still present, suggesting a mixed signal of hawkish and dovish sentiments [2]. Group 2: Market Reactions - Following the Fed's announcement, gold and silver prices experienced a pullback as investors took profits, reflecting a market adjustment to the new interest rate environment [2]. - The dollar index initially fell but later rebounded, indicating volatility in response to the Fed's decision [1]. Group 3: Future Projections - Société Générale forecasts an average gold price of approximately $4,128 per ounce for next year, driven by ongoing inflation and a declining interest rate environment [3]. - Bank of America maintains that despite short-term overbought conditions for gold, the market will continue to receive strong support due to persistent concerns over global fiscal challenges and rising debt burdens [3]. Group 4: Long-term Outlook for Precious Metals - The transition into a looser monetary policy environment is expected to favor precious metals in the long run, despite short-term fluctuations [2]. - Continuous central bank purchases and a shift from dollar-denominated assets to diversified holdings are anticipated to sustain demand for gold [3].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that the British pound is facing multiple adverse factors, leading to expectations of further depreciation [1] - The UK is experiencing a combination of unfavorable fiscal and monetary policies, with a tightening budget expected in November followed by interest rate cuts [1] - High inflation is causing the Bank of England to slow its rate-cutting pace, with only 50%-60% of its rate cycle completed compared to 80%-90% by the European Central Bank [1] Group 2 - Market expectations for a rate cut by the Bank of England in November are close to 50% [1] - The euro is projected to rise to 1.25 against the dollar next year, while the pound is viewed as the weakest European currency [1] - The EUR/GBP exchange rate is expected to gradually rise to 0.90, aligning with short-term interest rate differentials [1] Group 3 - On the trading strategy front, Société Générale suggests utilizing structural opportunities in the options market due to high bullish skew in EUR/GBP [4] - Specific strategies include buying a 3-month EUR/GBP call spread (strike prices 0.8720/0.8860, zero cost) and a 2-month call option (strike price 0.88, knock-out price 0.9050) [4] - The 3-month digital call option (strike price 0.90) has an indicative quote of 12.5% [4] Group 4 - Positions in the first two strategies are recommended to be held until expiration, while the digital call option may be closed early to recover time value [8] - Investors using the call spread strategy face unlimited risk if EUR/GBP exceeds 0.90, as the nominal amount of the short strike exceeds that of the long strike [8] - The knock-out call option will become void if EUR/GBP reaches 0.9050, while the risk of the digital call option is limited to the initial premium [8]

Core Viewpoint - Société Générale reported a 10% increase in its financial performance, indicating a positive trend in its operations and market position [1][2]. Financial Performance - The company achieved a 10% growth in its financial metrics, reflecting strong operational efficiency and market demand [1][2].

Core Viewpoint - Societe Generale strategists recommend increasing investments in the stock market, highlighting a positive outlook for various asset classes amid a non-recessionary environment with Federal Reserve rate cuts [2][3]. Asset Allocation Recommendations - The recommended global asset allocation shifts to 50% stocks from 44%, while cash is reduced to 5% from 10%, indicating a preference for riskier assets [3]. - A slight downward adjustment in bonds allocation to 35% is also noted [3]. Market Dynamics - The strategists emphasize that a dovish Federal Reserve historically boosts global equities, with corporate earnings remaining resilient due to the AI ecosystem and a strengthening profit cycle outside the tech sector [3]. - They predict that higher nominal earnings per share (EPS) and potential Fed rate cuts could lead to shallow sell-offs in the S&P 500, driving the index to new highs [3]. Stock Recommendations - The S&P 500 equal weight index and a basket of small-cap "ex junk" companies are recommended to capitalize on broadening gains [4]. - The S&P 500 is projected to reach 7,300 by the first half of 2026 [4]. International Market Focus - Increased investment in Japanese stocks is recommended, alongside solid positions in Europe and a slight increase in emerging market stocks [5]. - The strategists highlight new fiscal dynamics in Germany, a new price regime in Japan, and a continued bull market phase for China, as well as a renaissance for Europe driven by spending in Germany and the performance of peripheral nations like Italy and Spain [5].