Competition regulation

EU considers blanket crypto ban targeting Russia

European Union officials are weighing a sweeping prohibition on cryptocurrency transactions involving Russia, signalling a more rigid sanctions posture against alternative financial networks.

Policymakers argue that the rapid emergence of replacement crypto service providers has undermined existing restrictions.

Internal European Commission discussions indicate concern that digital assets are facilitating trade flows supporting Russia’s war economy. Authorities say platform-specific sanctions are ineffective, as new entities quickly replicate restricted services.

Proposals under review extend beyond private crypto platforms. Measures could include sanctions on additional Russian banks, restrictions linked to the digital ruble, and scrutiny of payments infrastructure tied to sanctioned trade channels.

The consensus remains uncertain, with some states warning that a blanket ban could shift activity to non-European markets. Parallel trade controls targeting dual-use exports to Kyrgyzstan are also being considered as part of broader anti-circumvention efforts.

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Google acquisition of Wiz cleared under EU merger rules

The European Commission has unconditionally approved Google’s proposed acquisition of Wiz under the EU Merger Regulation, concluding that the deal raises no competition concerns in the European Economic Area.

The assessment focused on the fast-growing cloud security market, where both companies are active. Google provides cloud infrastructure and security services via Google Cloud Platform, while Wiz offers a cloud-native application protection platform for multi-cloud environments.

Regulators examined whether Google could restrict competition by bundling Wiz’s tools or limiting interoperability with rival cloud providers. The market investigation found customers would retain access to credible alternatives and could switch suppliers if needed.

The Commission also considered whether the acquisition would give Google access to commercially sensitive data relating to competing cloud infrastructure providers. Feedback from customers and rivals indicated that the data involved is not sensitive and is generally accessible to other cloud security firms.

Based on these findings, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in any relevant market. The deal was therefore cleared unconditionally following a Phase I review.

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BlockFills freezes withdrawals as Bitcoin drops below $65,000

BlockFills, an institutional digital asset trading and lending firm, has suspended client deposits and withdrawals, citing market volatility as Bitcoin experiences significant declines.

A notice sent to clients last week stated the suspension was intended ‘to further the protection of our clients and the firm.’ The Chicago-based company serves approximately 2,000 institutional clients and provides crypto-backed lending to miners and hedge funds.

Clients were informed they could continue trading under certain restrictions, though positions requiring additional margin could be closed.

The suspension comes as Bitcoin fell below $65,000 last week, down roughly 25% in 2026 and approximately 45% from its October peak near $120,000. In the digital asset industry, withdrawal halts are often interpreted as warning signs of potential liquidity constraints.

Several crypto firms, including FTX, BlockFi, and Celsius, imposed similar restrictions during prior downturns before entering bankruptcy proceedings.

BlockFills has not specified how long the suspension will last. A company spokesperson said the firm is ‘working hand in hand with investors and clients to bring this issue to a swift resolution and to restore liquidity to the platform.’

Founded in 2018 with backing from Susquehanna and CME Group, there is currently no public evidence of insolvency.

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Russia tightens controls as Telegram faces fresh restrictions

Authorities in Russia have tightened their grip on Telegram after the state regulator Roskomnadzor introduced new measures accusing the platform of failing to curb fraud and safeguard personal data.

Users across the country have increasingly reported slow downloads and disrupted media content since January, with complaints rising sharply early in the week. Although officials initially rejected claims of throttling, industry sources insist that download speeds have been deliberately reduced.

Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, argues that Roskomnadzor is trying to steer people toward Max rather than allowing open competition. Max is a government-backed messenger widely viewed by critics as a tool for surveillance and political control.

While text messages continue to load normally for most, media content such as videos, images and voice notes has become unreliable, particularly on mobile devices. Some users report that only the desktop version performs without difficulty.

The slowdown is already affecting daily routines, as many Russians rely on Telegram for work communication and document sharing, much as workplaces elsewhere rely on Slack rather than email.

Officials also use Telegram to issue emergency alerts, and regional leaders warn that delays could undermine public safety during periods of heightened military activity.

Pressure on foreign platforms has grown steadily. Restrictions on voice and video calls were introduced last summer, accompanied by claims that criminals and hostile actors were using Telegram and WhatsApp.

Meanwhile, Max continues to gain users, reaching 70 million monthly accounts by December. Despite its rise, it remains behind Telegram and WhatsApp, which still dominate Russia’s messaging landscape.

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AML breach triggers major fine for a Netherlands crypto firm

Dutch regulators have fined a cryptocurrency service provider for operating in the Netherlands without the legally required registration, underscoring intensifying enforcement across Europe’s digital asset sector.

De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) originally imposed an administrative penalty of €2,850,000 on 2 October 2023. Authorities found the firm breached the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act by offering unregistered crypto services.

Registration rules, introduced on 21 May 2020, require providers to notify supervisors due to elevated risks linked to transaction anonymity and potential misuse for money laundering or terrorist financing.

Non-compliance prevented the provider from reporting unusual transactions to the Financial Intelligence Unit-Netherlands. Regulators weighed the severity, duration, and culpability of the breach when determining the penalty amount.

Legal proceedings later altered the outcome. The Court of Rotterdam ruled on 19 December 2025 to reduce the fine to €2,277,500 and annulled the earlier decision on objection.

DNB has since filed a further appeal with the Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal, leaving the case ongoing as oversight shifts toward MiCAR licensing requirements introduced in December 2024.

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Anthropic drives strategic trademark dispute in India

US AI company Anthropic’s expansion into India has triggered a legal dispute with a Bengaluru-based software firm that claims it has used the name ‘Anthropic’ since 2017. The Indian company argues that the US AI firm’s market entry has caused customer confusion. It is seeking recognition of prior use and damages of ₹10 million.

A commercial court in Karnataka has issued notice and suit summons to Anthropic but declined to grant an interim injunction. Further hearings are scheduled. The local firm says it prefers coexistence but turned to litigation due to growing marketplace confusion.

The dispute comes as India becomes a key growth market for global AI companies. Anthropic recently announced local leadership and expanded operations in the country. India’s large digital economy and upcoming AI industry events reinforce its strategic importance.

The case also highlights broader challenges linked to the rapid global expansion of AI firms. Trademark protection, brand due diligence, and regulatory clarity are increasingly central to cross-border digital market entry.

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EU Court opens path for WhatsApp to contest privacy rulings

The Court of Justice of the EU has ruled that WhatsApp can challenge an EDPB decision directly in European courts. Judges confirmed that firms may seek annulment when a decision affects them directly instead of relying solely on national procedures.

A ruling that reshapes how companies defend their interests under the GDPR framework.

The judgment centres on a 2021 instruction from the EDPB to Ireland’s Data Protection Commission regarding the enforcement of data protection rules against WhatsApp.

European regulators argued that only national authorities were formal recipients of these decisions. The court found that companies should be granted standing when their commercial rights are at stake.

By confirming this route, the court has created an important precedent for businesses facing cross-border investigations. Companies will be able to contest EDPB decisions at EU level rather than moving first through national courts, a shift that may influence future GDPR enforcement cases across the Union.

Legal observers expect more direct challenges as organisations adjust their compliance strategies. The outcome strengthens judicial oversight of the EDPB and could reshape the balance between national regulators and EU-level bodies in data protection governance.

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SpaceX plans raise fears over AI monopoly

Elon Musk’s move to integrate SpaceX with his AI company xAI is strengthening plans to develop data centres in orbit. Experts warn that such infrastructure could give one company or country significant control over global AI and cloud computing.

Fully competitive orbital data centres remain at least 20 years away due to launch costs, cooling limits, and radiation damage to hardware. Their viability depends heavily on Starship achieving fully reusable, low-cost launches, which remain unproven.

Interest in space computing is growing because constant solar energy could dramatically reduce AI operating costs and improve efficiency. China has already deployed satellites capable of supporting computing tasks, highlighting rising global competition.

European specialists warn that the region risks becoming dependent on US cloud providers that operate under laws such as the US Cloud Act. Without coordinated investment, control over future digital infrastructure and cybersecurity may be decided by early leaders.

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Conversational advertising takes the stage as ChatGPT tests in-chat promotions

Advertising inside ChatGPT marks a shift in where commercial messages appear, not a break from how advertising works. AI systems have shaped search, social media, and recommendations for years, but conversational interfaces make those decisions more visible during moments of exploration.

Unlike search or social formats, conversational advertising operates inside dialogue. Ads appear because users are already asking questions or seeking clarity. Relevance is built through context rather than keywords, changing when information is encountered rather than how decisions are made.

In healthcare and clinical research, this distinction matters. Conversational ads cannot enroll patients directly, but they may raise awareness earlier in patient journeys and shape later discussions with clinicians and care providers.

Early rollout will be limited to free or low-cost ChatGPT tiers, likely skewing exposure towards patients and caregivers. As with earlier platforms, sensitive categories may remain restricted until governance and safeguards mature.

The main risks are organisational rather than technical. New channels will not fix unclear value propositions or operational bottlenecks. Conversational advertising changes visibility, not fundamentals, and success will depend on responsible integration.

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EU challenges Meta over WhatsApp AI restrictions

The European Commission has warned Meta that it may have breached EU antitrust rules by restricting third-party AI assistants from operating on WhatsApp. A Statement of Objections outlines regulators’ preliminary view that the policy could distort competition in the AI assistant market.

The probe centres on updated WhatsApp Business terms announced in October 2025 and enforced from January 2026. Under the changes, rival general-purpose AI assistants were effectively barred from accessing the platform, leaving Meta AI as the only integrated assistant available to users.

Regulators argue that WhatsApp serves as a critical gateway for consumers AI access AI services. Excluding competitors could reinforce Meta’s dominance in communication applications while limiting market entry and expansion opportunities for smaller AI developers.

Interim measures are now under consideration to prevent what authorities describe as potentially serious and irreversible competitive harm. Meta can respond before any interim measures are imposed, while the broader antitrust probe continues.

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