ESMA to prioritize EU-wide AI and tokenization supervision in 2027
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UK regulators to develop tokenization roadmap after industry feedback
The FCA received 123 responses to its wholesale tokenization consultation, with most respondents identifying post-trade processes as the main opportunity for adoption.
South Korean regulators have repeatedly taken steps to cool down the stock market, warning against a nationwide stock market frenzy that could create an asset bubble.
According to Mars Finance, on June 28th, as the South Korean stock market continued to rise and market trading activity intensified, South Korean financial regulators recently issued a series of risk warnings to "apply the brakes" to the overheated market. The report stated that South Korean regulators have issued risk warnings regarding leveraged and inverse products linked to stocks such as SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics, expressed concern about the continued rise in margin trading balances, and are exploring measures such as taxing "unrealized gains" on stocks to curb market speculation. The current South Korean stock market is characterized by widespread stock speculation, highly congested trading, rapid growth in leveraged funds, a large influx of new investors, and large IPOs attracting substantial funds—phenomena highly similar to those seen during historical asset bubble formations. History shows that the bursting of asset bubbles is often accompanied by wealth depletion, a decline in consumer and investment confidence, increased risks in financial institutions, and prolonged economic adjustments. The regulators' early release of risk signals amidst the speculative frenzy aims to prevent the market from repeating the systemic shocks of historical bubble bursts.
South Korean regulators introduce tokenized securities roadmap
South Korea’s financial regulator introduced a three-phase roadmap for the issuance of tokenized assets, as the country prepares to adopt its first tokenized securities framework in February 2027.
Asset management giant Vanguard is hiring its first head of digital assets to evaluate strategies including tokenization and stablecoins.
PANews reported on July 8th that, according to Bitcoin Magazine, Vanguard, the world's second-largest asset manager (with approximately $12 trillion in assets under management), has created its first-ever Head of Digital Assets position, responsible for developing the company's long-term crypto and blockchain strategy. This role will evaluate areas such as tokenization, stablecoins, digital wallets, custody, and blockchain settlement, and determine whether Vanguard should build its own capabilities, partner with external entities, or postpone entry into certain markets. The position will involve developing multi-year roadmaps and designing governance and risk frameworks. Vanguard stated that this hiring does not indicate an upcoming launch of crypto products and that it currently has no plans to issue its own crypto investment vehicles.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company's distribution arm plans to acquire 100% of Shell's South African downstream business for $1 billion.
Mars Finance reported on July 7th that ADNOC Distribution, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, announced its plan to acquire 100% of Shell's South African downstream business for approximately US$1 billion. Following the transaction, a 28% stake will be sold to local empowerment partners and an employee stock ownership plan. The company expects the transaction to drive EBITDA growth of approximately 13% and earnings per share growth of approximately 6% in the first year after completion. The transaction is expected to close in 2027. (Wide Angle Observation)
The National Development and Reform Commission disclosed five key work plans for the artificial intelligence industry during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, emphasizing the strengthening of key technologies such as models, computing power, and data.
According to Mars Finance, at a press conference held by the Shanghai Municipal Government on July 7, Wang Ruomeng, Deputy Director of the Innovation and High-Tech Development Department of the National Development and Reform Commission, disclosed the working plan for my country's artificial intelligence industry during the 15th Five-Year Plan period: First, accelerate independent innovation. Strengthen research on key technologies such as models, computing power, and data; increase basic research; generate more original achievements; and contribute Chinese wisdom to the global development of artificial intelligence. Second, strengthen application-driven development. Focus on areas with significant economic contributions, high strategic value, and good social benefits; open up a number of high-value scenarios; and create a number of benchmark applications. At the same time, pay attention to the impact of artificial intelligence on employment, promote the creation of new jobs and empowerment of traditional jobs through artificial intelligence, and prioritize its application in "dangerous, dirty, tiring, and heavy" scenarios. Third, deepen ecological collaboration. Continuously promote deep adaptation of software and hardware, common prosperity of open and closed sources, integration of industry, academia, research, and application, and differentiated regional development to significantly improve the efficiency of ecological collaboration. Fourth, adhere to openness and win-win cooperation. Extensively carry out international cooperation in artificial intelligence, promote open-source and inclusive technology, support the Global South in strengthening artificial intelligence capacity building, and actively participate in international governance in the field of artificial intelligence. Fifth, ensure safety and controllability. We must coordinate development and security, accelerate legislation in the field of artificial intelligence, improve the system of rules and regulations, prevent risks such as data misuse, deepfakes, and privacy breaches, and ensure that the development of artificial intelligence is for human use and under human control. (Cailian Press)