2026-01-12 05:18:00

The UK's competition authority took a notably permissive stance throughout 2025, approving every single merger that came under review. According to recent reporting, this sweeping approval rate didn't happen in a vacuum—government pressure played a significant role in shaping the watchdog's decisions.

The shift signals a major change in how merger scrutiny operates under regulatory oversight. When political pressure influences competition reviews this heavily, it raises questions about the independence of market regulation and how mergers get evaluated. For traders and market participants, this trend means fewer obstacles to deal-making and consolidation across industries, which could reshape competitive dynamics.

This pattern matters beyond traditional finance—it sets a precedent for how regulatory bodies balance economic policy with competition enforcement, something to watch closely as markets continue evolving.

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AirdropHunter

· 11h ago

I'm just a bystander watching the show, used to regulatory authorities being played around. It's outrageous that this wave in the UK passes 100% directly. Under political pressure, there's no independence at all. If this continues, monopolies will only become more rampant. How can retail investors survive?

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ForkTrooper

· 01-12 05:47

Oh my, is the UK just giving up completely? All approved, not a single rejection. --- Now it's settled, political pressure is directly crushing independence, regulatory agencies are virtually useless. --- I knew it, this is the real bullish signal, the big fish are about to start eating the small fish. --- Wait, does this mean I have more room to operate? Or does it indicate greater risks that I haven't seen? --- The UK's approach is truly brilliant; merger reviews are just a formality. --- Here it comes, a classic case of rent-seeking power, competition protection? Nonexistent. --- Now the capitalists are laughing all the way to the bank, they've been given the green light. How can the market not fluctuate? --- If this trend continues, is monopoly far off? Feels like something's going to go wrong.

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VirtualRichDream

· 01-12 05:46

I completely agree, regulation under political pressure is a joke... UK’s recent moves really seem ridiculous. --- So, as soon as policies change, the entire landscape shifts. I’m really fed up with this "free" market. --- NGL, this is just power playing with fire. Losing independence means there’s no talk of competitive regulation. --- Haha, UK has directly entered "all pass" mode, so what’s the point of having review departments... --- Got it, the government just opens the green light when it needs money, after all, the taxpayers pay the bill. --- Now, the era of big fish eating small fish is coming, monopoly is taking off. --- The problem is, if this continues, industry concentration will skyrocket, which isn’t good for consumers. --- Oh no, another classic case of "looks very free but is actually manipulated."

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AlwaysQuestioning

· 01-12 05:39

Wow, what is the UK doing? Has it all passed? With such obvious political pressure, still pretending? --- So is the independence of regulation just gone? No wonder consolidation is so crazy. --- By the way, is this good or bad for retail investors... Will prices go up if competition decreases? --- Good grief, another "economic policy first" excuse, rules are just there to be ignored. --- Wait, does this mean small businesses are even more squeezed? The big fish eating the small fish officially begins. --- All approved? That's too outrageous... How can regulatory agencies be so obedient? --- Is it true? Not a single one was rejected? That must be some serious pressure... --- Feels like the whole world is playing this way, it's boring.

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Degen4Breakfast

· 01-12 05:36

Nah, the UK regulatory agency has been messed up by the government, and they pass everything. This is magical realism. With increased political pressure, independence is gone. No wonder big capital is laughing happily. Mergers and acquisitions approval all green light? It feels like the era of monopoly is coming 🤔. UK's recent actions are truly outrageous; regulation has become a conveyor belt. It's really become a puppet. But then again, brokerage firms should be celebrating with champagne. Tsk tsk, so-called competition review is just "selective enforcement." Now, big money will dominate, and small investors will have an even harder time. Regulation has been bought out. How can the market compete fairly? Laughing to death. There's no independence at all; it's just a pawn in political games.

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StillBuyingTheDip

· 01-12 05:32

NGL, the regulators have approved everything, and now the political pressure is directly crushing independence. Truly absurd. --- So, it's the same in every country. As soon as the government applies pressure, they compromise. What’s the point of competitive review then? --- The UK’s move is a bit harsh... It’s been ongoing all year. I just want to know if there will be backlash later. --- That’s why I never believe in policy neutrality. It’s all just a game of interests behind the scenes. --- Traders are probably going to be thrilled. The merger barriers are gone, and consolidation is about to take off. --- Wait, did everything pass? Then what’s the point of this regulatory department? --- A typical "I want rapid growth" policy—looks good in the short term, but the long-term consequences are endless. --- Alright, once again proving that capital can buy everything, including "independent" regulatory agencies.

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quietly_staking

· 01-12 05:30

The UK regulatory authorities are fully on board now, this is going to be interesting Once political pressure is applied, independence is gone. What happened to market competition? This wave of mergers is coming... retail investors need to be cautious 100% approval rate? I just lol, there must be some behind-the-scenes deals But for short-selling mechanisms, it might actually be an opportunity, depends on how to use it The trend of mergers and centralization will eventually backfire on the economy, but who cares Regulation being sidelined is really like this, it's the same worldwide UK's move sets a bad example for other countries

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RooftopVIP

· 01-12 05:28

A government call, and the regulation is approved? This is what they call market-oriented reform... LOL --- Damn, is the UK turning anti-monopoly into formalism? A 100% approval rate, I’ve already taken off my pants --- The wave of mergers is coming, everyone. Retail investors are about to be harvested again --- Still talking about independent regulation? Ultimately, it’s still power that decides... --- Now it’s all good, big capital is laughing happily, small businesses should just close down --- Oh my God, political interference in the market is so blatant. Is this finance or a power game? --- I saw through it long ago, all rules are ultimately designed to serve the big guys --- Only now realizing this? Wake up, everyone. This is the true face of capitalism

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