ChainWatcher

Introduction
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The crypto business in Japan is entering a new phase of growth in 2026, driven by regulatory clarity, institutional adoption, and evolving tax reforms. For startups, fintech firms, and global

On January 27, 2026, the European Central Bank (ECB) marked a pivotal milestone in the modernization of European financial markets by
announcing the eligibility of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) assets as collateral.
From March 30, 2026, the Eurosystem will accept marketable assets

IG Group is set to join the FTSE 100, with plans to expand its presence in the US market, potentially enhancing investor access and acquisition capabilities. The firm is also reviewing strategic partnerships, following its recent acquisition of Freetrade.

The app transforms Huawei smartwatches into payment terminals, allowing merchants to accept SEPA payments via a dynamic QR code, reducing fees and enhancing transaction mobility, according to Yowpay CEO Christian Caumont.

Nik Storonsky, co-founder and chief executive of
Revolut, said in a statement: _“Launching our UK bank has been a long-term strategic priority for Revolut and marks a significant moment in our journey.”_
On March 11, 2026, Revolut officially secured its full UK banking licence. After five

MAS has developed the MindForge AI Risk Management Toolkit to help financial firms manage AI risks. This initiative includes a handbook and case studies, aiming to ensure responsible AI adoption in finance while engaging industry stakeholders.

The essay discusses the regulatory frameworks, use cases, and implementation strategies for stablecoin integration in financial institutions, focusing on risk management and adoption roadmaps for 2026, based on insights from a Finextra webinar.

The
global financial system is facing a structural crisis. In 2025, illicit financial activity surged to an estimated $4.4 trillion, a figure that represents a $1.3 trillion increase over just two years. This 19.2% compound annual growth rate indicates that financial
crime is not merely incr

Modern lease-accounting rules such as ASC 842 and IFRS 16 have transformed what used to be a back-office chore into a headline compliance priority. Finance leaders now juggle thousands of contracts, multi-GAAP disclosures, and auditor scrutiny that arrives
sooner—and digs deeper—than ever

The Financial Conduct Authority has lifted the £100 cap on contactless payments, effective March 19. Despite this, major banks like Barclays and HSBC are unlikely to remove the limit due to low customer demand, while benefits like improved fraud prevention are anticipated.

Kris Marszalek, CEO of Crypto.com, emphasizes the necessity of immediate integration of AI in business, highlighting a 12% workforce reduction and a $70 million purchase of ai.com. Concurrently, other firms like Block are also making significant layoffs, indicating a broader trend in the industry.

_A capital markets perspective on three weeks that changed the investment landscape — not financial advice._
I've been watching financial crises for long enough to know what a real inflection point feels like. February 28 was one.
In the three weeks since US and Israeli forces launched

The essay examines the evolution of wealth management, highlighting the role of AI, changing regulations, and the rise of alternative assets. It addresses investor sentiment towards ESG and tokenised assets while proposing strategies for wealth managers to adapt.

Financial institutions must modernize to meet shifting consumer demands for seamless digital and physical experiences while maintaining efficiency and regulatory compliance. This study explores the challenges and strategies for achieving omnichannel banking.

This essay explores how financial institutions are leveraging AI for data-led innovation to enhance operations and customer experiences, focusing on real-time insights, the rise of agentic AI, and strategies for successful implementation.

Organizations, particularly banks, must modernize outdated systems to meet evolving customer expectations. This report, based on insights from EBAday 2025, examines advancements and challenges in enhancing customer experiences in the financial sector.

This report analyzes how financial institutions are using AI to combat increasing fraud and financial crime risks, based on a survey of 154 industry leaders. It highlights trends in AI adoption, data privacy concerns, and the need for regulatory compliance while addressing challenges like talent shortages.

Financial institutions face escalating payment fraud threats due to AI's misuse by fraudsters. To combat this, they must adopt AI, adhere to regulations, and collaborate across the industry, emphasizing KYC for effective customer data management.

The Finextra survey report highlights the current state of AI in financial services, emphasizing its role as a transformative driver. It addresses barriers to AI adoption and offers insights from 155 industry leaders on successful implementation strategies, infrastructure decisions, and vendor partnerships.

Goldman Sachs plans staff cuts of 1-3%, separate from its usual assessment. A spokesperson noted headcount management is typical for public firms. The company recently partnered with AI firm Anthropic, while Morgan Stanley cut 2,500 jobs.