Hong Kong's initial public offering (IPO) market is on track to maintain its status as the world's top fundraising venue next year, underpinned by a pipeline of mega deals and the return of US capital, according to UBS. The Swiss investment bank expects more than HK$300 billion (US$38.5 billion) to be raised from 150 to 200 IPOs in 2026, surpassing the roughly HK$270 billion raised this year, which vaulted the city back to No 1 globally. UBS also forecast that the city's benchmark Hang Seng Index could ...

Ant International, HSBC and Swift have successfully tested cross-border transfers of tokenised deposits using an international financial messaging standard, in a move that could streamline global blockchain-based payments and corporate treasury management. The milestone, announced on Thursday, marked the first case leveraging the Swift network and ISO 20022 as a messaging standard in cross-border payments using tokenised deposits. The standard is a universal language for exchanging electronic data in fi ...

Group 1 - The article discusses the final bond terms for Danish Ship Finance A/S, indicating a structured financial offering aimed at investors [1] - The base prospectus dated July 4, 2025, outlines the key features and conditions of the bond issuance [1] - The final terms are expected to provide clarity on the investment opportunity and associated financial metrics for potential investors [1]

Policymakers in Europe may face growing pressure to also lower their key interest rates if the pace of easing significantly weakens the dollar. ...

Core Insights - Bhutan is advancing its national blockchain initiative with the launch of TER, a gold-backed digital token, supported by the Kingdom's sovereign framework [1][2] - The initiative positions Bhutan among a select group of nations exploring state-backed tokenized assets, merging traditional value stores with modern financial systems [2][5] Token Details - TER will operate on the Solana blockchain and will be distributed and custodied by DK Bank, Bhutan's first licensed digital bank [2][6] - In the initial phase, investors can purchase the token directly through DK Bank, linking traditional gold purchasing methods with transparent on-chain ownership [3][8] Economic Strategy - TER is a flagship project for Gelephu Mindfulness City, aimed at attracting international capital and fostering Bhutan's digital economy [4] - The city is part of Bhutan's broader strategy to diversify its economy through technology-driven initiatives that align with cultural and sustainability goals [4][5] Market Context - Bhutan's initiative follows Kyrgyzstan's introduction of USDKG, a state-supervised gold-backed stablecoin, indicating a trend among smaller nations to modernize safe-haven asset management through blockchain [5] - TER aims to establish a sovereign-aligned digital finance ecosystem, emphasizing audited reserves and institutional safeguards [5][6] Infrastructure and Compliance - DK Bank's regulated infrastructure is designed to instill confidence in custody and compliance standards for both domestic and international investors [6] - The choice of Solana's high-speed, low-cost network is based on its performance and environmental efficiency [6][7] Broader Digital Experimentation - The launch of TER is part of Bhutan's wider digital experimentation program, which includes integrating digital assets into strategic reserves and utilizing blockchain for identity systems and crypto payments [7] - This development positions Bhutan uniquely in the expanding market for state-backed tokenized assets [7][8]

The CNBC app, global market news in one place. Customizable sections and personalized alerts, stocks tracking, interactive charts and market insights, all in your hands. Stay connected, stay informed, download the CNBC app today. >> Oh, I'm very excited to be back in the studio. More excited the fact that I've got Juliana Talib leading the show. How are you. >> I'm doing well. Good to have you back. >> It's great to be back, I have to say. Right. Welcome to the scorebox Europe with Juliana Tattlebound. Uh a ...

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee (FOMC) cut the key overnight borrowing rate to 3.5%-3.75%, aligning with market expectations, but future rate cuts may be limited due to inflation concerns [1][2][3] Group 1: Federal Reserve Actions - The FOMC's decision to cut rates was a 9-3 vote, indicating a division among members regarding the need for further cuts to support the labor market versus concerns about inflation [2] - The Fed's preferred inflation gauge is currently at 2.8%, above the 2% target, with expectations to decrease to approximately 2.4% by the end of 2026 [2] - The FOMC's dot plot suggests only one rate cut is anticipated in 2026, indicating a higher threshold for future cuts [3] Group 2: Market Reactions - Rate-sensitive investments saw a rally, with the small-cap Russell 2000 index increasing by 1.3% and the State Street SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF rising by 3% [5] - Historical data indicates that stocks perform well during non-recession periods when the Fed cuts rates, averaging a 15% annualized return since 1970 [5] - Some analysts caution that optimism regarding the pace of future rate cuts may be overstated, suggesting that the anticipated timeline for lower interest rates could be longer than expected [5]

Group 1 - Sony is planning to launch a U.S. dollar stablecoin in 2026 to enhance its digital ecosystem, allowing users to pay for games, anime, and subscriptions [1][2] - The stablecoin aims to bypass credit card fees, with expectations that most U.S. users will adopt the service [2] - Sony Bank has applied for a national banking charter in the U.S. to enable its Connectia Trust unit to engage in cryptocurrency activities, including issuing dollar-pegged stablecoins [3] Group 2 - The stablecoin infrastructure will be provided by Bastion, which raised $14.6 million in a seed round led by Coinbase Ventures, with participation from Sony's venture arm [2] - The GENIUS Act, signed into law in April, has encouraged a surge in stablecoin interest from traditional financial institutions and tech companies [3] - Stablecoin issuers typically hold reserves in short-term treasury bonds, generating significant profits without sharing with users, as evidenced by Tether's reported net profits of over $13 billion for 2024 [4]

Core Insights - Ant International, HSBC, and Swift have successfully completed a Proof of Concept (POC) for cross-border transfer of tokenised deposits using ISO 20022 standards [1] - The initiative utilizes Swift's global messaging network, HSBC's Tokenised Deposit Service, and Ant International's blockchain technology [1] - This POC represents a significant milestone in the collaboration between these companies to enhance the benefits of tokenisation for businesses [1] Company Summaries - Ant International is leveraging its blockchain technology in collaboration with HSBC and Swift to facilitate cross-border transactions [1] - HSBC has launched a Tokenised Deposit Service that plays a crucial role in this POC, indicating its commitment to innovation in financial services [1] - Swift's global messaging network is integral to the success of this initiative, showcasing its importance in the evolving landscape of financial transactions [1]

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates by 25 basis points reflects a complex economic situation in the U.S., characterized by high inflation and a weakening job market, leading to a total reduction of 75 basis points for the year [1][5]. Economic Context - The current federal funds rate is set between 3.50% and 3.75%, marking the sixth rate cut since September of the previous year [1]. - Core PCE inflation remains high at 2.8%, exceeding the Fed's target of 2%, while the unemployment rate has risen to 4.4%, the highest since November 2021 [1][4]. Political Influence - Former President Trump criticized the Fed for the modest rate cut, suggesting it should have been doubled, reflecting his preference for aggressive monetary easing to stimulate economic growth [3][4]. - The internal dissent within the Fed was notable, with three members voting against the decision, indicating differing views on the economic outlook [3]. Fed's Stance - Fed Chair Powell emphasized that the decision to cut rates was challenging and aimed at assessing future economic performance, indicating a cautious approach to further easing [3][5]. - Powell directly attributed rising inflation to Trump's tariff policies, highlighting the Fed's effort to maintain its independence from political pressures [4]. Global Economic Impact - The rate cut is expected to weaken the dollar, benefiting commodities priced in dollars, and potentially stimulate investment and consumption globally [5]. - However, there are risks associated with rapid rate cuts, including increased inflationary pressures and the potential for asset bubbles [5]. Future Considerations - The ongoing tension between Trump's growth-focused approach and Powell's dual mandate of employment and price stability will continue to influence Fed policy [4][5]. - The selection of the next Fed Chair, as Trump seeks a candidate more aligned with his views on aggressive rate cuts, could have significant implications for U.S. and global monetary policy [4][5].