UK Rates Shock: UK 30-year gilt yields jumped to 6% (highest since 1998) as a global bond sell-off, Middle East-driven oil worries and persistent inflation fears rattled markets, adding pressure on Chancellor John Healey ahead of the Budget. Crypto Regulation: EU regulators escalated scrutiny of Binance’s use of MiCA exemptions, while ESMA urged tougher safeguards and stronger oversight for crypto-assets and decentralised finance. Payments & Fintech: The Payments Association bought its EU sister group (TPA EU) to build a single pan-European payments network, and Yaspa climbed to 7th on Sifted’s 250 for intelligent Pay by Bank and identity-led payments. Banking & Consumer Trust: Research found Europeans increasingly prefer slower, more thorough onboarding to reduce fraud risk, and a UK study showed people trust AI more for health/legal questions than for managing payments. Wealth & Private Markets: Amundi reported higher confidence among advised investors for retirement funding, while Barclays Private Bank flagged rising demand for private markets among wealthy clients. Infrastructure & Energy Finance: EIB and BNP Paribas launched a €700m grid-equipment guarantee scheme to mobilise up to €2.8bn of investment, and Morocco secured AfDB-backed airport financing to boost capacity and connectivity. Housing Pressure: Spain’s eviction rules and tenant protections are under renewed spotlight as protests highlight how Europe’s housing crisis is hitting vulnerable renters. Geopolitics: NATO chief Mark Rutte warned Iran’s nuclear capabilities pose a direct threat to Europe, urging EU countries to build more independent capabilities.