Policy & Government Affairs

Eurosystem Appia Roadmap for Tokenised Finance Ecosystem

The Eurosystem has published the Appia roadmap, a strategic initiative to shape Europe's tokenised financial ecosystem. The roadmap outlines objectives and approaches for developing integrated, innovative, and resilient tokenised wholesale financial markets, with a blueprint expected in 2028. This initiative aims to ensure central bank money remains the anchor of the financial system amid digital transformation.

ECB: Nature Risks Impact Economy, International Cooperation Vital

The European Central Bank (ECB) highlights the significant impact of nature-related risks on the economy and financial system. It emphasizes the critical need for international cooperation among supervisors to manage these risks, citing that a substantial portion of corporate lending is to firms highly dependent on ecosystem services.

Lagarde discusses women's empowerment, digital euro, leadership

ECB President Christine Lagarde discussed women's economic empowerment, financial education initiatives, and the digital euro in an interview with ELLE Magazine. The interview highlighted the ECB's new app promoting financial literacy through a step count challenge.

ECB Speech: Dual Mandate and Supply Shocks

ECB Executive Board member Isabel Schnabel delivered a speech discussing the challenges of inflation and employment in an era of supply shocks and AI. She argued that a dual mandate for central banks often leads to similar policy prescriptions as a single mandate, especially when facing supply-side challenges.

European Commission Merger Decision M.12248 SBG ABB ROBOTICS

The European Commission has approved the proposed concentration of SoftBank Group Corp. acquiring sole control of ABB Robotics Holdco 1 Ltd. The decision was made under Article 6(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation and Article 57 of the EEA Agreement.

Brookfield / Oaktree Merger Approval

The European Commission has approved the proposed concentration by which Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. will acquire sole control over Oaktree Capital Group Holdings, L.P. The decision was made under the EU Merger Regulation, with no opposition to the transaction.

DigitalBridge/Truespeed Merger Approved

The European Commission has approved the merger between DigitalBridge and Truespeed Communications Group Limited (TCGL). The decision, made under Article 6(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation, signifies non-opposition to the concentration, allowing the transaction to proceed.

EV Charge Point Operators Street Works Permits

The UK Secretary of State for Transport has enacted regulations bringing Section 49 of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 into force. This change grants Electric Vehicle Charge Point Operators the legal right to carry out street works using a permit-based system, replacing the previous section 50 licensing regime.

Income Tax Construction Industry Scheme Amendment Regulations 2026

HM Revenue and Customs has issued the Income Tax (Construction Industry Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, effective April 6, 2026. These regulations amend the 2005 scheme, introducing new requirements for contractors regarding monthly returns and clarifying payment exemptions for public bodies.

Representation of the People Act 1983 (Security Expenses Exclusion) (Amendment) (Wales) Order 2026

The Welsh Ministers have issued the Representation of the People Act 1983 (Security Expenses Exclusion) (Amendment) (Wales) Order 2026, effective March 13, 2026. This order amends the Representation of the People Act 1983 to extend the exclusion for reasonable security expenses to local government elections in Wales.