CertiK's H1 2026 report reveals a 20-fold surge in crypto-related physical coercion crimes, or "wrench attacks," since H1 2025, with financial exposure increasing 11.8 times to $124.1 million. The report emphasizes the need for advanced custody solutions like multisignature wallets and distributed signers to protect against forced access.
MMK Group reported a net loss of 19.1 bln rubles ($244.3 mln) in H1 2026, down from a profit a year prior, as revenue fell 10% due to lower selling prices. Q2 2026 saw revenue increase by 18.8% quarter-on-quarter due to seasonal demand recovery.
MMK Group reported stable steel production at 5.19 million metric tons in H1 2026, matching H1 2025 levels. Pig iron production rose by 2% to 4.6 million tons, and steel product sales increased by 2.1% to 5.02 million tons, driven by semi-finished, long steel, and premium products.
Crypto wrench attacks, particularly home invasions, surged in the first half of 2026, with 52 verified incidents globally and a financial exposure of $124.1 million, according to CertiK. France accounted for nearly two-thirds of these physical coercion attacks, prompting authorities to launch prevention measures.
Global trade surged 12.5% to $13.7 trillion in H1 2026, with services up 10.5%, UNCTAD reported. This growth largely reflects higher prices due to shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and fuel supply chain concerns, rather than increased trade volumes.
The number of listed South Korean firms involved in M&A deals decreased by 2.6% to 75 in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year, with a significant 82.9% plunge in appraisal rights payments, according to data from the Korea Securities Depository.
India's residential property market achieved one of its strongest first halves in over a decade in H1 2026, with sales near record highs. However, the market is increasingly driven by premium housing, making affordable homes less accessible. Mumbai led sales, Bengaluru showed fastest growth, while NCR weakened.
India's office leasing activity fell 2% to 48 million sq ft in H1 2026, ending a record streak due to global economic uncertainty. Global Capability Centres (GCCs) remained a key driver, leasing 43% of the total space.
Russia's federal budget deficit hit 5.73 trillion rubles ($75 billion) in the first half of 2026, a 2.35 trillion ruble increase from the previous year. The Finance Ministry attributes the rise to advance financing of expenditures, despite a 5.8% increase in revenues.
Tajikistan's oil production increased by 9.3% to over 10,000 metric tons in the first half of 2026. Oil refining also saw a year-on-year rise, while imports of petroleum products and LPG increased by 11%. Natural gas production and imports also grew.
Russia's budget saw a 22.7% year-on-year decrease in oil and gas revenues for January-June 2026, totaling 3.66 trillion rubles ($48 billion). The Finance Ministry cited declining oil prices as the primary reason, while non-oil and gas revenues rose by 16.3%.
Mercedes-Benz and BMW Group reported record sales in India during the first half of 2026, fueled by strong demand for electric vehicles (EVs), premium SUVs, and high-end models. BMW saw a 17% sales increase, with EVs comprising 26% of its total sales.
Russia saw a 3.3% rise in new business and individual entrepreneur registrations in the first half of 2026, reaching 614,000. The Kemerovo Region led growth with a 20% increase, while several southern regions experienced declines.
South Korea detected 41 counterfeit banknotes in the first half of 2026, a 33.9% decrease from the previous year, due to increased cashless transactions. The Bank of Korea reported a significant drop compared to other major economies.
Russia's pipeline gas supplies to the EU rose by 5% (0.4 bcm) in the first half of 2026, according to the IEA. However, supplies are expected to decrease in H2 due to import restrictions.
Russia's liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports rose 8% in the first half of 2026, adding 2 billion cubic meters. The increase was primarily fueled by a 18% surge in deliveries to European markets, where Russia is the second-largest LNG supplier, with Belgium, France, and Spain being key destinations.
Crypto losses decreased by 46.8% to $1.32 billion in H1 2026, but security firms CertiK and TRM Labs warn this drop is misleading. Attackers are becoming more sophisticated, with North Korean state-sponsored hackers responsible for over 70% of Q2 losses, prompting international discussions.
TRM Labs reported a record 207 crypto hacks in H1 2026, yet total losses fell to $972 million. This shift highlights that while more protocols are targeted, significant losses stem from operational system compromises like key management and custody, not just smart contract exploits.
India's film industry experienced stability in H1 2026, with consistent audience numbers and successful mid-budget films. Box office collections reached approximately Rs 6,300-6,350 crore gross, a significant increase from H1 2025. Experts predict a strong second half with major releases.
Hong Kong's stock exchange secured second place globally in H1 2026 for capital raised, with $26.4 billion from IPOs and secondary listings, an 84.3% YoY increase. Mainland Chinese firms dominated, focusing on tech and consumer staples.
Global tech stocks, particularly in emerging markets and Europe, significantly outperformed U.S. Big Tech in H1 2026, despite overall market volatility. BlackRock and Columbia Threadneedle provide H2 outlooks, highlighting AI's impact and monetary policy as key drivers.
Average European gas prices rose 11% to $515/1000 cubic meters in H1 2026, driven by the Middle East conflict and early storage filling for winter. Prices also exceeded H2 2025 levels by 35%.
Despite a prolonged crypto bear market and significant job cuts, mergers and acquisitions in the digital asset sector reached $9.37 billion in H1 2026. This consolidation is fueled by traditional financial institutions seeking established infrastructure and regulatory clarity, alongside blockchain networks acquiring consumer-facing applications, while the workforce shifts towards AI and compliance expertise.
The Bank of Russia anticipates a GDP increase of 0.5% by the end of the first six months of 2026, according to Central Bank chief Elvira Nabiullina. The economy has already entered positive territory in April, with an estimated growth of 0.3% from January to April.
