Stablecoin regulation: The Bank of England published a policy statement and draft Code of Practice for systemic stablecoin issuers, aiming to give UK coin makers clearer rules while keeping redemptions and resilience front and center. Public finance data push: The UAE’s Ministry of Finance, with an IMF technical mission, ran a Dubai workshop to upgrade government finance and public sector debt statistics to international standards. AML/CFT progress: FATF said Monaco has substantially completed its 2024 action plan, moving it toward an on-site review of anti-money laundering reforms. SME lending momentum: Ireland’s Linked Finance said it has passed €400m in cumulative SME lending since 2013, backing 5,000+ businesses and citing a rebound in borrower confidence. Digital payments expansion: Kenya’s Airtel Money and KCB Bank signed an interoperability deal letting customers deposit and withdraw via 22,000+ KCB agents. Energy affordability pressure: UK households face a fresh squeeze as energy bills rise, with arrears and total energy debt climbing sharply. Trade and geopolitics: China banned state procurement from 46 US firms, adding another layer of friction to US-China trade and supply chains. Capital markets watch: Vietnam’s IPO cycle is heating up, while a surge in planned share issuances raises dilution concerns.