Core Insights - The traditional payment system, exemplified by wire transfers, is being challenged by blockchain solutions like stablecoins, prompting payment processors to modernize their transaction handling [1][5] - Swift, a global payments leader, is proactively developing a blockchain to facilitate instant transactions worldwide, moving away from the current one to five business days processing time [2][4] - Swift is collaborating with over 30 financial institutions, including major banks like Bank of America and Citigroup, to create a digital ledger using a prototype from blockchain company Consensys [3] Industry Developments - Swift processes transactions for over 11,500 institutions across more than 200 countries, highlighting its significant influence in the global economy [4] - The rise of stablecoins is prompting traditional financial institutions to reconsider their transaction timelines, with McKinsey labeling stablecoins as a direct challenge to conventional payment systems [5] - Citi projects that by 2030, annual trading of stablecoins could reach $100 trillion, indicating a substantial shift in the financial landscape [5] Institutional Movements - A consortium of U.S. banks, including JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, is exploring the launch of a stablecoin, while EU banks like ING and UniCredit are working on a euro-backed stablecoin [7] - JPMorgan Chase has developed blockchain-adjacent solutions, including a private digital ledger and a deposit token that functions similarly to a stablecoin but is exclusive to its clients [7]

European Banking Authority stablecoin. Photo by BeInCrypto Europe’s largest exchange operator is moving to put stablecoins inside its market infrastructure. The step is designed to push the euro closer to relevance in digital finance. Deutsche Börse Group said it will work with Circle Internet Financial to deploy the issuer’s euro- and dollar-backed tokens under the EU’s new crypto rulebook. The initiative also follows recent pilots where Circle’s USDC and EURC were used by Visa to test faster cross-borde ...

Core Insights - Asian companies, especially in China, are shifting their supply chains towards Europe as part of a structural transformation, moving away from reliance on the US [1][2] - The US tariff situation is significantly impacting manufacturing costs, prompting companies to diversify their supply chains [2] Investment Trends - Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in the EU and UK surged by 47% to €10 billion (US$11.7 billion) in 2024, marking the first major rebound since 2016 [3] - The share of total Chinese FDI in the EU and UK increased to 19.1% in 2024 from 15.4% in 2023, while the US attracted less than €2 billion, accounting for only 4% of global Chinese outbound FDI [3] Sector-Specific Developments - Electric vehicle (EV) projects dominated Chinese greenfield FDI in Europe, attracting €4.9 billion, which is 83% of the total [4] - Notable Chinese investments in Europe include Contemporary Amperex Technology's €7.3 billion factory in Hungary, expected to start production by the end of 2025, and BYD's first EU factory in Hungary, set to begin production next year [5] - Chinese home appliance and consumer electronics companies are also expanding in Europe, exemplified by Haier's acquisition of Carrier's Dutch refrigeration division for €716 million and Midea's increasing sales in the region [6]

Core Viewpoint - Dutch bank ING is experiencing a delay in the completion of the sale of its Russian division to Global Development JSC [1] Company Summary - ING announced a previously planned sale of its Russian division to Global Development JSC [1] - The completion of this sale is now facing delays [1] Industry Summary - The news highlights ongoing challenges in the banking sector related to divestitures and geopolitical factors affecting operations in Russia [1]

European banks are beginning to wake up to the potential of a euro-backed stablecoin, a move that could mark a turning point for the region’s financial system, according to Mark Aruliah, Head of EMEA Policy and Regulatory Affairs at blockchain analytics firm Elliptic. But while the intent is promising, questions remain over whether Europe can act swiftly enough to compete with the U.S. and Asia, where regulatory clarity and market adoption are already accelerating, Aruliah said. Growing Appetite for Digi ...

Core Insights - The copper market is experiencing significant disruptions due to incidents at Indonesia's Grasberg mine, leading to revised supply forecasts and price expectations [1][5]. Supply Disruptions - The Grasberg mine, which typically contributes around 3% of global copper production, has declared force majeure following a heavy mudflow incident that resulted in fatalities and missing workers [3][4]. - Freeport-McMoRan expects minimal production in Q4 2025, with only 30%-40% of capacity likely to restart by mid-quarter, and full production may not resume until 2026, resulting in a potential 35% reduction from earlier forecasts [4][6]. Price Forecasts - Goldman Sachs has revised its copper supply outlook, estimating a total loss of 525,000 tons across 2025 and 2026, flipping its 2025 copper balance from a surplus of 105,000 tons to a deficit of 55,000 tons [5][6]. - The bank now anticipates copper prices could rise to $10,200-$10,500 per ton by December 2025, with an average of $10,750 per ton expected by 2027 [6]. Market Reactions - Following the incident, Freeport's shares dropped nearly 17%, marking the steepest one-day decline since March 2020, and the stock is down over 20% for the week [6]. - Analysts from different institutions have varying forecasts, with ING predicting an average of $9,837 per ton in 2026, while J.P. Morgan is more conservative, projecting $9,400 per ton in Q1 2026 [7]. Broader Market Trends - The copper market is facing tightening supply due to unplanned disruptions, which affected 5.7% of global copper output in 2024 and are expected to exceed 6% in the current year [8]. - The fragility of supply chains has been highlighted by the Grasberg incident, emphasizing copper's critical role in electrification and the significant impact of even small supply deficits [9].

12月合约较三个月合约的价差为正价差每吨21.50美元，高于周三的每吨14.70美元和周二每吨1.30美 元。 Marex公司高级金属策略师Alastair Munro说，铜价下跌的部分原因是商品交易顾问(CTA)的买盘放缓和 美元走强。 CTA投资基金主要由基于技术信号的计算机程序驱动。美元走强使金属对其他货币的持有者来说更加昂 贵。 LME远期曲线反映出供应趋紧态势。近月铜与三个月合约价差周三转为每吨4美元的逆价差，而前一日 为19美元的正价差。 9月25日（周四），伦敦金属交易所(LME)铜价周四从15个月高点回落，由于自由港旗下印尼格拉斯伯 格(Grasberg)铜矿遭遇不可抗力造成的恐慌情绪开始消退。 伦敦时间9月25日17:00(北京时间9月26日00:00)，三个月期铜收盘下跌77.00美元，或0.74%，报每吨 10,259.50美元，该合约盘中稍早一度触及10,485美元，为2024年5月以来最高，因自由港称预计其印尼 部门2026年的产量将比之前预计的低35%，交易商匆忙回补空头头寸。 | | 9月25日LIE基本金属收盘报价(美元/吨) | | | | --- | --- | --- | ...

🔥 LATEST: Nine major European banks, including UniCredit and ING, are developing a euro-based stablecoin set to launch in 2026 as an alternative to dollar-backed tokens. https://t.co/riQCB8cUX1 ...

Core Insights - A consortium of nine major European banks has been formed to issue a euro-denominated stablecoin, aiming to create a European alternative to US dollar stablecoins, which currently dominate over 99% of the global market [1][4]. Group 1: Consortium Formation and Regulatory Context - The consortium includes banks such as ING, UniCredit, and CaixaBank, and will operate under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) [1]. - A Dutch-based company will be established to apply for an e-money license supervised by the Dutch Central Bank, with the stablecoin expected to be issued in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approval [2]. Group 2: Features and Market Position - The stablecoin is designed for instant, low-cost transactions, 24/7 cross-border payments, programmable settlement, and applications in digital assets and supply chain management, with potential wallet and custody services offered by banks [3]. - The euro stablecoin market is currently fragmented, with EURC controlling 47%, STASIS EURO 26%, and CoinVertible 9%, and the combined capitalization is below €350 million, indicating its small scale compared to dollar-based tokens [5]. Group 3: Strategic Implications and Expert Opinions - The European Central Bank has expressed concerns that MiCA may be too lenient, and EU officials warn that unchecked US tokens could undermine euro stability [4][6]. - Experts highlight the need for stricter oversight of non-EU issuers and emphasize that digital payments are crucial for euro-denominated financial infrastructure, calling for industry-wide standards [6][7].

Core Insights - Nine major European banks are forming a consortium to issue a MiCA-compliant euro stablecoin by 2026, aiming to establish a regulated standard for digital payments as the ECB's digital euro project stalls [2][5][8] Group 1: Consortium Formation - The consortium includes banks such as ING, Banca Sella, KBC, Danske Bank, DekaBank, UniCredit, SEB, CaixaBank, and Raiffeisen Bank International, representing eight countries and various types of lenders [3] - A new entity has been incorporated in the Netherlands, and the group is applying for an electronic money institution (EMI) license from De Nederlandsche Bank [3] Group 2: Stablecoin Structure and Compliance - The stablecoin will be backed 1:1 with euro reserves held in segregated accounts and invested in low-risk, liquid assets [4] - The consortium plans to leverage blockchain technology for transparency, programmability, and instant settlement while ensuring compliance with MiCA's stringent requirements [4] Group 3: Market Positioning - The euro stablecoin is expected to challenge the dominance of dollar-backed stablecoins, which currently hold a significant share of the global stablecoin market [5] - The initiative reflects European banks' desire to defend the euro's role in the global economy amid frustrations with the ECB's slow progress on its digital euro [5][6] Group 4: Future Implications - The project aims to provide European businesses and consumers with earlier access to programmable money within a regulated framework, potentially closing the gap with faster-moving markets like the U.S. and Asia [9] - If successful, this euro stablecoin could represent a significant step towards integrating traditional finance with blockchain technology, accelerating Europe's transition to a hybrid system of public and private digital money [9]