Addressing the SBI Banking and Economics Conclave 2025 in Mumbai, Governor Malhotra said that the transformation of India's banking sector was made possible by a strong regulatory framework and key policy measures introduced by the RBI and the government."The SBI Chairperson was just now mentioning, as we entered, that in 2018, they were in a loss. And today they are a USD 100 billion company," he noted.He emphasized that the introduction of the These measures, he said, encouraged greater discipline among ...

China-based companies are responsible for 20% of drugs in development globally, reflecting the powerhouse role the country has embraced in the pharmaceutical industry. In a recent report by GlobalData, analysis demonstrates how regulatory and policy reforms in China have rapidly advanced its drug development landscape. The country accounts for nearly double the percentage of drugs being developed in the 5EU (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK), responsible for 11%. The US still leads the way, howev ...

Core Insights - The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing rapid growth in cryptocurrency activity, with monthly on-chain transaction values tripling from approximately $81 billion in July 2022 to $244 billion in December 2024 [1] - India remains the largest market in the region by transaction volume, with about $338 billion in monthly on-chain transactions as of mid-2025 [3] - Japan recorded the fastest year-on-year growth at 120% to June 2025, driven by regulatory reforms and increased investor participation [2][8] India’s Market Dynamics - Grassroots adoption is a significant driver of growth in India, with remittances, retail trading, and fintech integration playing key roles [4] - The Indian diaspora increasingly routes remittance flows through cryptocurrency channels, offering lower costs and faster settlement times compared to traditional banking [5] - Fintech platforms have integrated crypto trading with existing payment systems, enhancing transaction ease for retail users [6] Regulatory Environment - Regulatory developments in India, including clearer taxation guidelines and licensing frameworks, have bolstered market confidence [6] - Despite the high level of adoption, volatility remains a concern, prompting regulators to monitor trading activity to mitigate systemic risks [7] Japan’s Growth Factors - Japan's rapid growth in cryptocurrency transactions is attributed to regulatory reforms that clarify the legal and tax status of cryptocurrencies and enhance investor protection [2][8] - The increased usage of major cryptocurrencies in Japan reflects a broader trend of diverse adoption models within the APAC crypto landscape [2]

Core Viewpoint - Australia's challenges in closing major M&A deals are increasing, highlighted by the recent failure of ADNOC's $18.7 billion bid for Santos, attributed to valuation disputes, regulatory hurdles, and unexpected issues [1] Group 1: M&A Deal Failures - ADNOC's investment arm XRG cited capital gains tax questions, regulatory uncertainty, and reputational damage from a methane leak as factors affecting their offer for Santos [2] - The methane leak at the Darwin LNG plant, which had been seeping since 2006 at rates up to 184 kilograms an hour, raised concerns about transparency and governance for Santos [3][4] - Other notable failed deals include BHP's $49 billion bid for Anglo American, Brookfield's $10.6 billion offer for Origin Energy, and Albemarle's A$6.6 billion bid for Liontown Resources, all facing similar issues of valuation and regulatory complexities [5] Group 2: Regulatory Environment - Misaligned valuations, regulatory bottlenecks, and shareholder resistance are common challenges in the Australian M&A landscape, with extensive reviews from various regulatory bodies causing delays [6] - The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is perceived to be overreaching, while the corporate regulator ASIC is working on reforms to enhance market appeal [7] - Without clearer regulatory pathways, Australia risks deterring global capital, which is crucial for leveraging the ongoing commodity cycle [8]

Core Insights - Private equity is becoming more accessible to everyday investors, moving away from being exclusive to high-net-worth individuals and industry giants [4][7] - Recent SEC regulatory changes have broadened investor eligibility for private markets, allowing more investors to tap into previously restricted opportunities [7] - Innovative investment structures and vehicles are emerging, providing various forms of liquidity for investors looking to access private markets [8] Investment Landscape - Traditional private equity involves privately held assets that are less liquid, requiring longer expected hold periods [5][6] - The lack of liquidity in private equity assets leads to higher expected returns, as investors demand compensation for giving up liquidity [6] - New regulatory reforms and investment structures are facilitating access to private equity for a broader range of investors [6][7]

Regulatory Reforms - Vietnam is implementing regulatory reforms to attract more foreign investment into its stock market [1] Market Performance - Vietnam's stock market has outperformed its regional peers this year [1]

Market Performance - South Korean stocks are this year's best performers among major global markets [1] - South Korean stocks are attracting foreign investors [1] Regulatory Reform - Regulatory reforms are aimed at lifting valuations [1] - Regulatory reforms are aimed at empowering minority shareholders [1]