Opinion
Global equity markets are entering 2026 after an impressive three-year run, and BlackRock’s latest outlook suggests momentum hasn’t disappeared. While investors continue to navigate shifting interest rates, trade tensions, and geopolitical uncertainty, the world’s largest asset manager remains broadly constructive on stocks. Two themes stand out: the
AI
Walmart is teaming up with Alphabet, Google’s parent company, to bring artificial intelligence–powered shopping to customers through Gemini, Google’s latest AI platform. The collaboration marks another step in Walmart’s ongoing push to use cutting-edge technology across its business. Walmart partners with Google to offer AI-enhanced shopping,
Markets
The portion of US economic output going to workers hit a new low in the third quarter of last year, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The report, released Thursday, shows that the labor share—measuring the percentage of economic output paid out as
DeFi
Stablecoin transactions soared to a new record in 2025, reaching $33 trillion worldwide, data from Artemis Analytics shows. This 72% jump from the previous year marks a milestone for digital dollar-based cryptocurrencies, driven largely by supportive policies in the United States. Much of the growth came after the Trump administration
Markets
OnePay, the fintech startup supported by Walmart Inc., has reached a valuation topping $4 billion following a recent share buyback from employees. This development marks a significant jump from the company’s previous $2.5 billion valuation, set after a $300 million investment round in 2024 led by Walmart and
Politics
President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in bringing Greenland under US control is generating buzz in online prediction markets, though most traders are betting against a rapid deal. While Trump’s idea isn’t new, the odds of the US taking formal ownership of the vast Arctic island by the
Markets
For the first time in four years, global fintech startups saw a jump in venture funding, with 2025 marking a clear turnaround for the sector. According to PitchBook data, fintech companies attracted $55.94 billion from investors this year—a 25% increase over 2024’s $44.75 billion. The biggest
AI
China is reportedly opting out of purchasing Nvidia’s H200 artificial intelligence chips, signaling a deeper commitment to advancing its domestic semiconductor industry amid ongoing U.S.-China tech tensions. White House AI adviser David Sacks recently stated that China has “figured out” the U.S. strategy of allowing limited
Finance
Interactive Brokers Group Inc., a major player in global online brokerage services, is taking a step closer to the digital finance frontier. The company has begun rolling out a new feature allowing eligible U.S. retail clients to fund their brokerage accounts using stablecoins—cryptocurrencies pegged to stable assets like
In a bold step toward digital finance innovation, Capital A—the parent company of AirAsia—and Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia have entered into a strategic partnership to explore the development of a ringgit-backed stablecoin. The move highlights Malaysia’s growing role in Southeast Asia’s evolving digital asset space. The
DeFi
Coinbase, the leading cryptocurrency exchange in the U.S., is gearing up to unveil two major additions to its platform: tokenized stocks and prediction markets. The official announcement is expected at a showcase event scheduled for December 17, according to sources familiar with the company's plans. Coinbase plans
Markets
Do Kwon, the co-founder of Terraform Labs, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison following one of the largest cryptocurrency fraud cases in recent history. A U.S. federal judge handed down the sentence in New York, marking a major milestone in legal accountability for the digital asset industry.