Core Insights - Three in five multinational companies anticipate rising costs due to geopolitical uncertainties, leading to increased adoption of artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing to mitigate financial pressures [1][2] - Approximately 62% of top executives expect cost increases of 5 to 14% over the next three to five years, with significant concerns among ASEAN companies due to supply chain realignment, tariffs, and geopolitical uncertainties [2] - Strong demand is noted for evolving global trade and supply chain ecosystems, with a focus on smart manufacturing and AI to enhance efficiencies and counteract rising costs [3] Industry Trends - The rise of AI and digital assets is now considered as crucial as economic growth patterns and trade tariffs in shaping global supply chain strategies, with 53% of respondents identifying these as top strategic drivers [5] - Nearly 40% of companies are currently utilizing digital supply chain finance platforms, with an additional 55% planning to adopt them within the next two years [6] - Six key markets identified for global sourcing, manufacturing, and exports include India, Malaysia, mainland China, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and the US, with around 40% of respondents from the US and UK intending to maintain trading activities in mainland China [7] Regional Insights - Companies in India and mainland China prioritize global economic growth in their trade outlook more than those in other surveyed markets, with expectations of increased trade ties between Asia and the Middle East [8] - Industries in mainland China are advancing up the global value chain, shifting from labor-intensive manufacturing to higher value-added products, supported by technologies such as AI, robotics, and renewable energy, alongside efforts to enhance domestic consumption [9]

Core Insights - Morgan Stanley is entering the digital asset space by launching crypto trading on its E*Trade platform, expected to go live in the first half of 2026, providing retail investors access to cryptocurrencies [1][7] - The initiative is facilitated through a partnership with Zerohash, allowing trading of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, with Solana's inclusion reflecting strong institutional interest [2][5] - The move indicates a broader acceptance of digital assets among traditional financial institutions, positioning Morgan Stanley in competition with other brokerages already active in the crypto market [3][5] Industry Trends - The digital asset market has expanded to a valuation of nearly $3.9 trillion, driven by growing retail interest and the entry of established brokerages [5][7] - Regulatory conditions in the U.S. are becoming more favorable for the crypto industry, encouraging financial institutions to develop digital asset services without previous uncertainties [6][7] - The entry of well-known platforms like E*Trade into the crypto market is expected to enhance competition among brokerages, leading to innovative products and improved services for investors [7]

Core Insights - Morgan Stanley is set to launch cryptocurrency trading for E-Trade clients in the first half of 2026, potentially accessing $1.3 trillion in trading volume [1] - The initial offering will focus on Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana, with plans for future expansion [2] - The initiative aims to integrate traditional finance with digital assets, enhancing the bank's competitive position [4] Group 1: Launch Details - The cryptocurrency trading service will begin with spot trading for Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana, marking the first phase of a broader digital asset platform [2][3] - Morgan Stanley is developing a wallet for clients to manage digital assets alongside traditional portfolios, emphasizing the integration of both asset types [3] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - The launch comes as competitors like Charles Schwab explore digital asset offerings, while Robinhood has generated $626 million from crypto trading last year [5] - JPMorgan has partnered with Coinbase to enhance crypto purchases, indicating a growing trend among major banks to enter the digital asset space [5] Group 3: Infrastructure and Partnerships - Morgan Stanley is partnering with Zerohash for liquidity, custody, and settlement, which is crucial for managing large-scale trading and regulatory compliance [1][7] - Zerohash recently raised $104 million in funding, highlighting its significance in the collaboration and its valuation of $1 billion [6]

Core Insights - Bakkt Holdings Inc. appointed fintech entrepreneur Mike Alfred to its board of directors to enhance governance and position for growth in digital assets and financial technology [1][2] - CEO Akshay Naheta emphasized that Alfred's experience in fintech and digital assets will be crucial for advancing Bakkt's strategy and building next-generation financial infrastructure [2] Company Developments - Alfred co-founded BrightScope and Digital Assets Data, both of which were acquired, and currently leads Alpine Fox LP, focusing on Bitcoin and AI-related equities [2] - Alfred's role at IREN, a data center developer for Bitcoin and AI operations, aligns with Bakkt's strategy to serve institutions in digital asset trading, stablecoin payments, AI-powered finance, and Bitcoin adoption [3][4] Market Reaction - Following the announcement of Alfred's appointment, Bakkt's shares increased by 24.65%, reaching $13.00 [5]

Group 1 - China's securities regulator has instructed some brokerages to pause their real-world asset (RWA) tokenization businesses in Hong Kong to enhance risk management [1][2] - At least two brokerages have been advised against conducting any RWA business offshore, indicating regulatory scrutiny [1] - The guidance reflects concerns from Beijing regarding Hong Kong's development of a digital asset market, especially after China's ban on cryptocurrency activities in 2021 [2] Group 2 - Several Chinese companies, including brokerages, have recently launched RWAs in Hong Kong, highlighting the region's growing digital asset landscape [2] - Hong Kong operates under a distinct financial system separate from mainland China, as part of the "One Country, Two Systems" framework [3]

Core Viewpoint - China's securities regulator has advised local brokerages to pause their real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation business in Hong Kong, indicating concerns over the rapid growth of the digital assets market offshore [1][2]. Group 1: Regulatory Guidance - The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has provided informal guidance to at least two leading brokerages to refrain from conducting RWA business offshore [2][6]. - The regulatory guidance aims to enhance risk management in the new business and ensure that companies' claims are supported by legitimate businesses [3][4]. Group 2: Market Context - The RWA tokenisation process involves converting traditional assets like stocks, bonds, and real estate into digital tokens on a blockchain [2]. - The global RWA market is valued at approximately $29 billion, with projections suggesting it could exceed $2 trillion by 2030 [5]. Group 3: Hong Kong's Position - Hong Kong has been working to establish itself as a digital assets hub, with various firms, including Chinese brokerages, preparing for virtual asset trading and management [3][5]. - The Hong Kong Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) are reviewing the legal framework for RWA tokenisation, drawing on international experiences [5].

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK) is included among the 15 Best Performing Dividend Stocks So Far in 2025. BNY Mellon’s (BK) Dividend Growth Strategy and its Status as a Best Performing Stock in 2025 Photo by Viacheslav Bublyk on Unsplash The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK) is an American bank holding company. It has a history of more than 240 years and has built a reputation for delivering innovative financial solutions that serve businesses, communities, and individuals w ...

City View Signs Definitive Securities Purchase Agreement with ArkenyieldArkenyield's cutting-edge digital asset yield platform is focused on generating robust stablecoin-based returns.September 18, 2025 6:30 AM EDT | Source: City View Green Holdings Inc.Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 18, 2025) - City View Green Holdings Inc. (CSE: CVGR) (OTC Pink: CVGRF) (FSE: CVY0) (the "Company" or "City View"), is pleased to announce that, further to its press release of July 15, 2025, it has ...

Core Viewpoint - Mawson Infrastructure Group Inc. provides an update on its operations, focusing on its digital infrastructure for high-performance computing and digital assets, while emphasizing its commitment to carbon-free energy sources [1][3]. Company Operations - Mawson continues to operate normally across its U.S. footprint, with its facility in Midland, Pennsylvania being a cornerstone site supported by long-term tenure [6]. - The company has engaged advisors and presented a plan to Nasdaq to regain compliance with its continued listing standards, receiving an extension to maintain its listing [6]. Financial Strategy - Mawson has filed a new shelf registration statement on Form S-3 to maintain financial flexibility, allowing the company to offer and sell securities as needed without indicating immediate issuance of new shares [6]. - The leadership is focused on executing the growth strategy while improving the balance sheet and maintaining operational flexibility [6]. Legal Matters - The company is advancing efforts to resolve certain legacy legal matters as part of a broader program aimed at strengthening its balance sheet [6].

Core Insights - North America has emerged as a significant hub for cryptocurrency activity, with substantial transaction volumes recorded over the past year, indicating growing institutional and retail interest in digital assets, particularly in the United States [1] Group 1: Transaction Volumes - North America received $2.3 trillion in cryptocurrency value from July 2024 to June 2025, accounting for 26% of all global transaction activity during this period [2] - A peak monthly transaction value of approximately $244 billion was recorded in December 2024 [3] Group 2: Market Drivers - The rise of spot Bitcoin ETFs has significantly contributed to market expansion, with U.S.-listed Bitcoin ETFs holding over $120 billion in assets under management (AUM), representing a large portion of the global total of roughly $180 billion [4] - The market for tokenized real-world assets has also seen notable growth, with funds holding tokenized U.S. treasuries increasing their AUM from about $2 billion to over $7 billion [4] Group 3: Institutional and Retail Activity - The strong demand for ETFs is evident in the recent resumption of inflows, despite some criticism from figures like Robert Kiyosaki [4] - Retail activity remains robust, with centralized exchanges processing trillions in trades for everyday users, although North American markets exhibit more volatility due to a higher concentration of institutional trading [6]