... This creates discord within the EU—Budapest has already signaled that if a ban on Russian gas is set at the EU level, Hungary will seek direct solutions with Moscow. Such signals indicate a lack of full unity in the bloc's position on energy security issues. Overall, global energy trade is undergoing a phase of transformation under the influence of sanctions, trade disputes, and strategic decisions by states. While oil, gas, and coal price dynamics continue to be largely driven by fundamental factors ...

... The decline in this indicator was influenced by a slew of fundamental factors: a general decrease in cryptocurrency prices in April, a sharp reduction in transaction fees, and record-high network difficulty prior to the recent decline. Together, these issues drastically compressed miners’ margins, especially for operators with average performance metrics. In this context, the recent easing of difficulty is perceived as a much-needed reprieve. Now, thanks to the decrease in difficulty and a recent ...

... new capital into the market. Thirdly, tax policies: some jurisdictions are introducing preferential regimes for long-term cryptocurrency holders, while others are tightening tax controls—such steps also impact investor behavior. Finally, the broader issue of stablecoin regulation and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) is also relevant: if in May 2025 news emerges regarding strict controls over stablecoins (e.g., USDT/USDC) or technical failures of CBDCs, this will indirectly impact Ethereum ...

... amid weak economic indicators for the region and ongoing high price pressures on businesses and consumers. Asia: Stimulus in China and Resilience of Indian Growth Asian markets are experiencing mixed sentiments, reflecting a balance between domestic issues and an improving external backdrop. In China, authorities are attempting to support the economy against clear signs of slowdown. The official manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell again in July below the threshold of 50 points (around ...

... than 15% over the year, particularly due to mortgage and consumer lending, while asset quality remained high (the proportion of defaults is around historical lows). Notably, HDFC Bank announced a rare initiative for the Indian market—a bonus share issue for current shareholders, indicating management’s confidence in the bank’s financial strength. Strong results from HDFC and several other Indian financial institutions underscore the attractiveness of the Indian banking sector, which benefits ...