AS LHV Group announces that the Nomination Committee has made a proposal to the Supervisory Board of AS LHV Group to nominate Christian Schröder as a candidate of the new member of the Supervisory Board of LHV Group. The election is planned to take place at the next Annual General Meeting of LHV Group. The appointment would take effect based on the respective shareholder decision. Election to the Supervisory Board will be subject to the approval of the European Central Bank for compliance with the eligibili ...

In Going Private, our twice-weekly newsletter on private markets, we explore the increasing regulatory oversight of booming private markets firms https://t.co/tzaDtiiKr7 ...

Core Insights - The growth of private credit and nonbank finance is raising concerns among global regulators regarding financial stability and the need for increased transparency and reporting requirements [1][8][9] Group 1: Private Credit Growth - Private credit has doubled in size over the past five years, now rivaling traditional bank lending [2] - Many midsize businesses are increasingly relying on private credit funds for financing, viewing credit as growth capital rather than a last resort [4][5] Group 2: Regulatory Concerns - The Financial Stability Board (FSB) is focusing on the rapid rise of nonbank financial intermediaries, including private credit markets, and is calling for modernized regulatory frameworks [7][8] - The FSB is likely to push for standardized data collection, reporting, and potential limits on leverage or interconnected exposures in the private credit sector [8][11] Group 3: Risks and Interconnections - The expansion of private credit has created complexities and interconnections between traditional banks, private credit funds, and borrowers, raising systemic risk concerns [6][13] - Banks are increasingly providing liquidity to private credit funds, which could pose risks to financial stability in the event of defaults [10][14] Group 4: Market Reactions and Future Implications - The market's reaction to events such as the termination of a merger involving Blue Owl Capital highlights the fragility of valuations and liquidity in private credit [12] - Firms in the payments and banking sectors that rely on private credit may face a shifting regulatory environment, requiring greater transparency and higher capital buffers [11]

Core Insights - A global investigation has revealed that illicit funds continue to flow through Binance, despite the company's commitment to enhance compliance controls following a U.S. guilty plea [1][2]. Group 1: Illicit Fund Flows - The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) found that wallet addresses associated with scams and organized crime funneled substantial amounts into Binance accounts during 2024 and 2025 [3]. - Wallets linked to Huione Group, a Cambodian financial institution flagged by U.S. authorities, transferred over $408 million into Binance customer accounts over a 12-month period [3]. - An additional $900 million in cryptocurrency was reported to have arrived at Binance this year from a swapping service used by North Korean hackers after a significant theft [4][5]. Group 2: Regulatory Environment - The investigation has raised questions about how major trading platforms manage illicit deposits, particularly in light of Donald Trump's regulatory policies and their potential impact on exchange oversight [2][7]. - The CEO of ChainArgos indicated that the timing of the inflows suggested a connection to hacked funds, which should have triggered alerts within Binance [6]. - Binance's spokeswoman stated that while the platform cannot block incoming blockchain transfers, it takes appropriate actions once suspicious activities are identified [6].

Core Viewpoint - David Webb, a prominent activist investor in Hong Kong, is shutting down his website Webb-site.com, which has been instrumental in advocating for transparency in the city's financial markets since 1998 [1][2]. Group 1: Website Closure - The dedicated server for Webb-site.com will cease operations on October 31, marking the end of public access to its extensive database [2]. - Webb cited his declining health, specifically his battle with prostate cancer, as a significant reason for not renewing the website's hosting contract [2]. Group 2: Activism and Impact - Throughout his time in Hong Kong, Webb has been a vocal critic of the local business environment, advocating for freer markets and transparency [3]. - He has reported an annualized gain of 20% in the stock market from 1995 to 2019, attributing this success to the city's weak corporate governance and lax regulatory oversight [3]. - Webb's database has tracked various aspects of Hong Kong's corporate landscape, including corporate filings and regulatory bodies [3]. Group 3: Future Plans - Despite the website's closure, Webb plans to continue sharing data through Google Drive and hopes that others will utilize and publish their own versions of the database [4]. - He intends to start a Substack site to share his views on important issues as long as his health permits [5]. - Webb expressed that managing Webb-site.com and advocating for public interest in corporate governance has been a significant joy in his life [5].

Regulatory Landscape - The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) denied reports of considering regulatory oversight of family offices [1]

Regulatory Environment - Nigeria's SEC welcomes stablecoin firms under regulatory oversight, indicating openness to stablecoin business [1] - Several stablecoin firms are already onboarded through the regulatory sandbox [1]

AI Safety & Regulation - Industry suggests regulatory oversight for AI, similar to cars, planes, and food, to mitigate public danger [1] - Industry warns against profit-driven negligence in AI development, emphasizing the need for caution [1] - Industry believes companies will cut corners without regulatory referees [2] AI Development & Timeline - Industry views AI's rapid progress seriously [2] - Industry notes Ray Kurzweil's prediction of superintelligence by 2029, suggesting it's a plausible timeline [2]

Federal Reserve & Monetary Policy - The independence of the Federal Reserve is crucial for the stability of the U.S financial system [2][3][6] - Political interference with the Fed, such as attempts to fire the chair, could destabilize markets and damage U.S credibility [2][4][6] - The appointment of a Fed chair should prioritize independence and economic expertise over loyalty to the president [5][9][10] - The market reacted negatively when there were indications of political interference with the Fed [2][3] Cryptocurrency Regulation - Strong crypto regulation is needed, but the proposed Stablecoin bill and Clarity Act are considered weak and industry-written [12] - Concerns exist that current crypto legislation lacks sufficient safeguards for consumer protection and could be exploited by illicit actors [13] - The Clarity Act contains a provision that could allow companies to opt out of SEC regulation by digitizing themselves on the blockchain, potentially harming the New York Stock Exchange [13][14][15] Government Spending & Appropriations - Republicans are attempting to retract previously agreed-upon budget allocations, specifically targeting U.S aid programs [16][17] - Proposed cuts to U.S aid include reductions in food aid and assistance for countries dealing with AIDS epidemics [17] - These cuts are viewed as detrimental to global health and potentially harmful to U.S interests [18]