Standard Chartered and OKX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange and global onchain technology company, today announced the launch of a ground-breaking, world-leading collateral mirroring programme, enabling institutional clients to utilise cryptocurrencies and tokenised money market funds as off-exchange collateral for trading. This initiative significantly enhances security and capital efficiency for institutional clients by using a Globally Systemically Important Bank (G-SIB) as the custodian for their collateral.

Money laundering remains one of the biggest threats to the global economy, fueling organized crime, terrorism, corruption, and tax evasion. Despite ongoing efforts, financial institutions have long struggled with a fragmented and inconsistent approach to combating illicit financial activities. 

New research from global marketing group dentsu shows that Gen Z is emerging as the UK’s most financially savvy generation. According to the latest Consumer Navigator Report, almost half (45%) plan to open a regular savings account within the next three months—significantly outpacing Millennials (29%), Gen X (16%), and Boomers (14%). 

Regulatory compliance in the financial sector is often viewed as an expensive and time-consuming burden. Many banks push mandatory regulations to the back burner until deadlines loom, treating them as obligations rather than opportunities. However, compliance frameworks such as BCBS 239 not only mitigate risk but can also drive operational efficiency and innovation, particularly in data management.

The UK economy grew by 0.5% in February, according to ONS, surpassing expectations ahead of the incoming impact of tariffs and trade wars.

City of London economists had predicted a rise of just 0.1%, but ONS has reported a surprise rise driven by a boost in manufacturing and production, helping to overturn a modest dip in January.

A new income tax survey from ACI Worldwide , an original innovator in global payments technology, developed in partnership with YouGov, shows that nearly 40% of taxpayers would use their tax refund to pay debt (e.g., credit cards, loans, etc.), suggesting that the inflationary economy is eroding disposable income as Americans turn to tax refunds for debt relief. The survey also reveals that 44% of respondents chose to save their tax refunds, signaling a growing sense of financial caution and declining economic optimism.

Bitso Business —the B2B arm of Bitso that provides the infrastructure  for efficient and transparent cross-border payments— announces the launch of Euro Ramps: a transfers  solution that allows businesses to make and receive payments across 39 countries through SEPA (Single  Euro Payments Area). The new European corridor adds to the five markets where Bitso Business already  offers regulated connection to local payments systems: US, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and Colombia. 

BlueSnap, the Payment Orchestration Platform that helps businesses accept and optimise payments around the world, has appointed Jacky Mayne as an Independent Non-Executive Director to its EU Board of Directors. In this position, Jacky will support Bluesnap's continued expansion across Europe and further develop its highly specialised EU-based team. She joins the current EU Board Members Anthony Carey (Chair), Brian Gaynor, Brian Greenfield, Henry Helgeson, James McGivern, and Eoin Weigel.

Triodos Bank has been awarded ‘Best Buy’ status by Ethical Consumer magazine for its personal current account and savings accounts, with both scoring 96 out of a possible 100 points.