TradFi embraces DeFi in landmark blockchain initiative An initiative between a group of financial institutions and the world’s most publicly used blockchain promises to accelerate the migration of real-world assets onto the distributed ledger. R3, a UK-based software group which has developed blockchains used by financial institutions including HSBC, Bank of America, Euroclear, and

How tariffs influence markets: A practical perspective This piece is a transcription of a recent conversation exploring how policy decisions and executive actions from the Trump administration continue to shape the global financial landscape. It examines the relationship between political leadership and the Federal Reserve, and how trade policies and debates around central

Is AI the missing link in modern investing? Active investing is evolving. As AI-powered tools gain traction and institutional flows become more visible, portfolio managers are rethinking how they build and adjust positions. At the same time, tighter research budgets and shifting regulations have made it harder to maintain a traditional fundamental approach. This

European anti-money-laundering reform An in-depth conversation with Stephen Rae Europe has just centralized its fight against financial crime with the launch of the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), giving Brussels direct oversight of major banks and crypto-asset providers. At the same time, the U.S. is easing some reporting requirements even as crypto-based laundering grows, raising

Testing times for AI highlight commercial and ethical conflicts Reports that safety testing processes on AI models have been cut have led to concerns being expressed around ethics and governance and prompted calls for stricter regulation in this uniquely challenging area. Commercial considerations have increased pressure for faster rollout of new versions of

‘Tape bombs’ prompt market gyrations The first 100 days or so of Donald Trump’s administration have been characterized by market volatility. A major factor has been the publication of highly consequential, policy-related postings on social media platforms such as X and the President's own Truth Social channel. These so-called “tape bombs” (trader slang

What are DORA’s five pillars? Digital Operational Resilience Act The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) aims to strengthen ICT risk management in the EU financial sector to help ensure that financial entities can continue operating if they face severe operational disruptions or cyberattacks. DORA focuses on five key areas: ICT risk management

Decarbonization: What role do banks play? Banks play a central role in the global economy, channeling trillions of dollars in capital to businesses and industries. Historically, this has included substantial financing for carbon-intensive sectors like energy, mining, and heavy industry, which are key drivers of greenhouse gas emissions. Today, banks face the dual