James O'Brien 
The U.K. fintech firm Wise had its request for a U.S. charter rejected by the OCC over AML/CFT concerns, despite recent approvals for other digital‑asset firms. Wise intends to file a new application through the OCC’s GENIUS initiative.
The SEC announced September discussions on extending trading sessions to a full 24‑hour cycle, prompting Nasdaq, Cboe and the London Stock Exchange to explore longer trading hours, signalling a potential shift in global market structures.
Revolut has started a secondary share sale for employees, pricing the company at a $115 billion valuation.
SecondFi, a UK‑based crypto platform, announced it will cease operations after a security breach that resulted in the theft of approximately $2.6 million worth of Cardano (ADA) due to a flaw in its wallet software.
The UK Parliament has set up a parliamentary inquiry to investigate how banks’ restrictions on cryptocurrency companies and their customers affect investment opportunities and market competition.
In an interview, Barclays CEO Venkatakrishnan warned that market optimism is misplaced, citing more concerns than a year ago. He remains upbeat about Germany’s reform agenda and anticipates a surge of private‑equity activity in the country.
To help manage grid stability, the UK electricity system operator is increasingly using demand‑response schemes that compensate consumers for cutting electricity use during peak periods, aiming to improve the balance between supply and demand.
S&P issued a warning about the growing exposure of UK pension insurers Legal & General, Standard Life and Just Group to opaque private credit, which now accounts for over 10% of their investment portfolios, raising valuation and liquidity concerns.
The Aughinish Alumina plant in Ireland, tied to Oleg Deripaska, is under increased regulatory scrutiny due to EU sanctions against the Russian oligarch, prompting fears among locals about the future of jobs at the facility.
HSBC’s Orion unit received approval from the Bank of England to join the Digital Securities Sandbox, paving the way for a pilot digital gilt transaction slated for early 2027.