Historically, there has been little international demand for Russia’s ruble. But a stablecoin pegged to the country's currency is having a moment – and becoming a prominent fixture at conferences outside the Western sphere of influence. Although Russia is one of the world’s largest energy exporters, accounting for over 10% of the global oil supply, most of that trade is settled in dollars, euros, or, increasingly, China’s renminbi. The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) does not list any ruble curre ...

Recaps 2025 Activities and Outlines Roadmap for 2026 HOUSTON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / December 16, 2025 / AVVAA World Health Care Products, Inc. (OTCID:AVVH) / GoldQuest Capital, Inc (the "Company") is pleased to provide shareholders with an update of recent activity and its near-term plans going forward. The Company has started funding loans secured by real estate and is working with private investors and multiple banks to expand our available capital to grow our portfolio. ...

Core Insights - A concerning case of predatory lending was highlighted, where an elderly individual faced severe financial distress due to a 10-year auto loan with a 32% interest rate, leading to car repossession [1][2] - The total amount paid by the grandfather over eight years was over $62,000, with projections indicating that if the loan were completed, the total repayment would reach $77,400, raising alarms about the sustainability of such lending practices [4] Loan Terms and Concerns - The loan's terms were criticized as excessively high, with community members questioning the legitimacy of a 32% interest rate on a collateralized loan, likening it to loan shark practices [2][4] - There were significant concerns regarding the grandfather's cognitive health, with suggestions that his inability to manage payments could indicate potential dementia or cognitive decline, prompting discussions about financial guardianship [2] Community Reactions and Recommendations - The community was divided on how to proceed, with some suggesting to let the repossession stand and walk away from the loan, indicating a broader discussion on the implications of such financial burdens [5] - The situation has sparked a conversation about the need for better financial oversight for vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly, to prevent exploitation by predatory lenders [2][4]

Credit for images: Supplied photosWeFi’s co-founder and group CEO Maksym Sakharov has positioned himself at the centre of a financial shift that is starting to reshape how money moves, how value is stored, and who gets real control over their wealth. Leading the world’s first deobank, he sits at the intersection of traditional finance, blockchain, and global regulation, arguing that the next big leap in banking won’t come from sleeker apps or faster KYC, but from rebuilding the system on-chain. In this con ...

Bankers’ once privileged position as the financial aristocracy of the Republican Party looks shakier than ever before. Sharing that role with crypto-industry upstarts poses a long-term threat https://t.co/jJuFAOKHod ...

The Indian rupee has fallen for the fourth consecutive session today, hitting an all-time low of the 91 per dollar mark in the afternoon session. Falling to this lowest mark can be due to several factors including tariff pressures from Washington. The Indian rupee has fallen for the fourth consecutive session today, hitting an all-time low of the 91 per dollar mark in the afternoon session. Falling to this lowest mark can be due to several factors including tariff pressures from Washington, which still impa ...

And clearly, my friend isn’t alone. This holiday season, hundreds of thousands of Americans are relishing the same good news, even if $1 million is hardly the vast sum it was when the term “millionaire” first gained currency in the early 20th century.There’s an emotional layer to this moment. Hitting $1 million is a financial benchmark, but it’s also proof that years of steadiness, patience, and compounding returns have finally tipped in your favor. For people like my friend, who have lived through two rece ...

Core Insights - Payment fraud in the European Economic Area (EEA) reached €4.2 billion ($4.9 billion) in 2024, an increase from €3.5 billion in 2023, highlighting the growing threat of fraud in the region [1][2] - The introduction of Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) in 2020 has contributed to a reduction in overall fraud levels, but new types of fraud are emerging that require continuous adaptation of security measures [2][5] - The report provides a detailed analysis of payment fraud, including breakdowns by payment method and country-specific data, emphasizing the need for ongoing vigilance [3][5] Payment Fraud Trends - The report indicates that credit transfers accounted for €2.2 billion in losses in 2024, marking a 16% year-on-year increase, while card payments with EU/EEA issued cards reached €1.329 billion, a 29% increase [6] - Transactions authenticated with SCA were found to be less susceptible to fraud, particularly in card payments, although the effect was less pronounced for credit transfers [4][5] - The distribution of fraud losses varied significantly by payment instrument and across different countries in the EEA [5] Future Monitoring and Policy Implications - The EBA and ECB will continue to monitor and publish payment fraud data to inform policy decisions and supervisory actions aimed at combating payment fraud [7]

Gold prices slipped in early trading as investors booked profits ahead of key U.S. data that could provide cues on the Federal Reserve's policy path next year.Futures in New York fell 0.7% to $4,305 a troy ounce, though prices remain near October's record highs supported by expectations of further easing and sustained investor demand.New York Fed President John Williams this week struck a balanced tone in his remarks following the Federal Open Market Committee decision, saying monetary policy is well placed ...

The Financial Stability Oversight Council has removed crypto from its list of systemic financial threats in its 2025 annual report. This is a dramatic regulatory shift attributable to the transformation happening under the Trump administration. The 86-page document, approved December 11, eliminates the dire warnings about digital assets that dominated previous years, instead emphasizing responsible growth and regulatory clarity for the sector. The FSOC’s latest assessment contrasts sharply with its 2024 ...