Banking & Deals: Bank of America signed a JV deal to buy up to 49.9% of Jio Credit Limited via Jio Financial Services, combining Jio’s digital reach with BofA’s risk and global finance know-how. Credit & Ratings: Newtap Finance upgraded to a Crisil A- for its borrowing programs as its managed loan portfolio hit ₹4,582 crore, signaling improving funding access for the NBFC. AI in Markets: Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange opened live market data to major AI platforms via a governed interface, letting investors query exchange info in plain language. Fintech Infrastructure: MUFG and partners launched a proof-of-concept to bring on-chain Japanese government bond repo transactions using Canton Network, aiming for more efficient settlement. Crypto & Macro: Bitcoin stayed near $63,900 after softer US PPI, but analysts flagged resistance in the $64,000–$65,000 zone and highlighted how high Treasury yields weigh on non-yielding assets. Regulation & Risk: GB Group cut Americas Identity revenue guidance to 1–3% growth after customer attrition, while California advanced an antitrust bill aimed at making it easier to challenge tech monopolization. Digital Finance & Inclusion: Hong Kong pushed debate on expanding its global finance role with more products, deeper commodities markets, and stronger tech talent pipelines. Mobility Tech: Pony.ai and Uber plan to deploy 2,000+ robotaxis across Europe, scaling driverless services beyond Zagreb. Local Growth: Penang’s Pulau Jerejak is being pitched as a financial hub to complement the semiconductor push, with a planned integrated development and investor pull.