A Chinese study highlights cryptocurrency's dual nature, facilitating illicit activities like money laundering while offering regulatory tools to combat financial crime. This comes as Chinese prosecutors indicted 3,259 people in 2025 for crypto-related money laundering.
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) announced Project Agorá successfully completed real-value testing of tokenized wholesale cross-border payments. The trials involved 28 financial institutions and central banks, settling 800,000 Swiss francs across 17 scenarios with an average settlement time of 80 seconds.
Beijing accused Washington of "politicizing" global undersea cable networks after reports of a US plan to spend $175.8 million to replace ageing lines in the Caribbean and Central America, aiming to block Chinese involvement. China warned this move threatens the broader digital economy and global data connectivity.
The FCA's Stablecoin Sprint concludes stablecoins are best suited for cross-border payments, especially in emerging markets, but face slower adoption in UK retail due to existing efficient payment systems.
Al-Shabab claims responsibility for killing five Kenyan security personnel in Mandera county near the Somalia border, in one of the deadliest recent attacks in the region.
KB Kookmin Bank to introduce blockchain-based cross-border payment service via JPMorgan's Kinexys network in August, initially supporting USD transfers across 10 countries.
Canada has opened the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, in a low-key ceremony without US officials due to strained relations over trade negotiations and tariff threats from the US, despite the bridge symbolizing cooperation between the two nations.
The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) plans to pilot a stablecoin-based settlement system for cross-border payments to freelancers and overseas workers, developed with Meridian. This initiative aims to reduce costs and processing times for inbound funds, converting stablecoins to pesos before crediting BPI accounts.
Hong Kong's cross-border high-speed rail link, operated by MTR Corp, carried over 16 million passengers in H1 2024, a record since 2018, prompting new facilities. Daily trips exceeded 92,000, driven by Hongkongers traveling to Shenzhen for leisure.
Analysts view a proposed Indonesia-Philippines power link as crucial for addressing Philippine domestic energy issues, despite geographical and supply-chain challenges. The Philippines, as ASEAN chair, is advancing regional energy cooperation, while also addressing US-Iran tensions at ministerial meetings.
Hong Kong and mainland Chinese judicial bodies co-organized a three-day training course in Guangdong for over 100 judges on cross-border commercial law, specifically guarantees and securities for loans, to foster mutual understanding amid growing economic ties.
Bank of China's Shenzhen and Fujian branches processed two cross-border transactions, each over US$1.7 billion, via the mBridge multilateral CBDC platform. This marks a significant step for the emerging payment network and China's ambition to internationalize the yuan, bypassing Western-centric financial systems.
Augustus, a startup building a federally chartered clearing bank for stablecoins and programmable money, raised $180 million in a Series B round, valuing the company at $1 billion. The funding, led by Tiger Global, follows its conditional approval for a U.S. national bank charter.
A new cross-border insurance policy has overcome a regulatory hurdle, enabling Shenzhen-based Yivtol's S-Zero piloted aircraft to operate in Hong Kong. This policy addresses Hong Kong's aviation insurance requirements, paving the way for mainland developers to enter the city's market.
Ukraine launched over 400 drones at Moscow, hitting industrial sites and an oil depot, while Russia continued ballistic missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, causing multiple casualties. Cross-border strikes also led to deaths in Belgorod and on a cargo vessel near Odesa, as Ukraine's military commander Syrskyi faces potential dismissal.
Countries bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are intensifying border screenings, training health workers, and activating emergency plans to prevent the spread of Ebola. This comes as the DRC battles a growing outbreak with over 930 deaths and 2,344 cases, complicated by conflict and insecurity in eastern DRC.
The European Commission has fined e-commerce firm AliExpress for failing to diligently assess and mitigate systemic risks related to illegal, unsafe, and counterfeit products on its platform, violating the Digital Services Act. AliExpress, a subsidiary of Alibaba, has expressed surprise and disagreement with the "disproportionate" fine, vowing to appeal the decision.
Russia's State Duma is holding final readings on a bill to regulate cryptocurrency, introducing annual purchase limits for non-qualified investors (300,000 rubles) and cross-border transfer limits, aiming to establish a legal framework by Sept. 1.
Countries bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, including Zambia, Uganda, and Rwanda, have intensified Ebola screening and emergency plans as the DRC battles a growing outbreak with over 930 deaths. Regional cooperation through the EAC is strengthening preparedness, while conflict in eastern DRC complicates containment.
A 12-year Samuel Beckett Biennale will feature experimental "performed readings" across Ireland and Britain, exploring the playwright's complex relationship with his Irish identity. Events will trace his footsteps, challenging the notion of him being an "Irishman but not an Irish writer."
The White House defended its handling of visa restrictions for Iran's national football team during the World Cup, stating the team's choice to base in Tijuana, Mexico, was mutually beneficial. Despite Iranian complaints, officials cited logistical parity and security concerns, including preventing IRGC members from entering.
SWIFT's blockchain-based ledger is ready for initial use, with 17 major banks piloting cross-border payments using tokenized bank deposits. The new ledger aims to enable 24/7 payments while maintaining compliance and risk standards.
The White House defended its handling of visa restrictions for Iran's national football team during the World Cup, stating the team's choice to base in Tijuana, Mexico, rather than Arizona, was mutually beneficial. Officials cited logistical ease and security concerns, including preventing IRGC members from entering.
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree to regulate the digital asset market, introducing rules for stablecoin payments in cross-border trade, tax incentives for regulated crypto activity, and new energy options for digital mining, aiming to establish the country as a global crypto hub.
