Economic

Apple expands app distribution options in Brazil

Apple will introduce changes to iOS in Brazil following an agreement with the country’s competition regulator, Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica.

The changes, beginning with iOS 26.5, will give developers new options to distribute apps through alternative app marketplaces, operate those marketplaces and process payments for digital goods and services outside Apple’s In-App Purchase system.

Apple said the changes reflect a recent agreement with CADE and are intended to create new options for developers in Brazil. The agreement follows competition scrutiny of Apple’s App Store rules in the country.

The company warned that alternative app distribution and payment options may create new risks, including malware, fraud, scams and privacy and security concerns. It said it has worked with CADE on measures designed to reduce those risks, including app notarisation, marketplace authorisation and protections for children.

Apple also said all current members of the Apple Developer Program must agree to updated licence terms by 6 July 2026 to access the new options in Brazil. The company has made online appointments available for developers seeking more information.

Why does it matter?

The changes show how competition enforcement is reshaping closed app ecosystems beyond the EU. Brazil’s intervention adds pressure on Apple to allow alternative distribution and payment models while preserving security and privacy safeguards. The case also highlights a recurring policy tension: regulators want more competition and developer choice, while Apple argues that opening iOS can increase risks for users.

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Japanese retirement fund explores crypto diversification strategy

A Japanese corporate pension fund is reportedly planning to allocate around 1% of its assets to cryptocurrencies from fiscal 2026, in a small but notable step towards digital asset exposure in traditional investment portfolios.

The National Business Corporate Pension Fund, based in Okayama, manages about ¥21.3 billion in assets for roughly 1,200 small and medium-sized enterprises, according to local media reports cited by crypto industry outlets.

The planned allocation would reportedly be made through a passive crypto fund managed by a hedge fund. It forms part of a broader portfolio adjustment aimed at diversifying currency exposure and reducing reliance on yen-denominated assets.

Reported changes for fiscal 2026 include reducing yen holdings while increasing exposure to other currencies, gold and crypto assets.

The move comes as Japan’s financial sector explores a wider role for digital assets. Recent policy developments include legislative efforts to bring crypto assets under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, while major Japanese banks are preparing live commercial transactions using a jointly issued stablecoin during fiscal 2026.

The pension fund’s proposed allocation remains small, but it suggests that digital assets are beginning to enter some long-term investment discussions in Japan’s institutional finance sector.

Why does it matter?

The reported allocation is small, but it points to a gradual normalisation of crypto as a diversification tool among some institutional investors. For pension funds, even limited exposure raises questions about risk management, fiduciary duties, volatility, custody and regulatory clarity. In Japan, the story also fits a broader shift towards treating digital assets as part of the regulated financial system, rather than only as speculative retail products.

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Ireland strengthens AML framework with focus on crypto-asset risks

Ireland has launched a new National Risk Assessment and a 30-point action plan aimed at strengthening its response to money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing risks. The framework identifies crypto-assets as a significant emerging vulnerability, reflecting their increasing use in complex and cross-border financial crime schemes.

The action plan introduces enhanced safeguards for digital finance, including stricter due diligence requirements when crypto-assets are used as a source of funds. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland has been tasked with developing standards to ensure firms verify the legitimacy and origin of crypto-related funds, with implementation expected by 2027.

Authorities also plan to strengthen supervisory powers, improve transparency around beneficial ownership and enhance coordination between financial crime and tax enforcement bodies. The approach targets evolving criminal methods combining cash-based laundering with digital tools, including crypto-assets and cross-border layering techniques.

The initiative also forms part of Ireland’s preparation for its 2028 international anti-money laundering evaluation.

Why does it matter?

The new framework reflects a broader regulatory shift toward treating crypto-assets as embedded components of financial crime risk rather than isolated instruments. By integrating digital asset controls into its AML framework, Ireland is improving detection of hybrid laundering schemes combining cash flows with blockchain transfers and aligning with international assessments.

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Sweden warns of growing criminal exploitation of digital payment systems

Sweden’s financial regulator, Finansinspektionen, has warned that organised criminal networks are increasingly exploiting weaknesses in payment systems and digital banking infrastructure. The assessment points to a more challenging risk environment driven by faster transactions, cross-border financial flows and increasing technological complexity.

Financial institutions across the Nordic region are expected to adopt more proactive and intelligence-led compliance approaches.

Retail banks remain primary targets because of their high transaction volumes and role in the initial placement of illicit funds. Criminals rely on shell companies and layered ownership structures to conceal beneficial ownership and bypass standard due diligence.

Regulators now expect stronger analytical capabilities and more robust identity verification processes, particularly within automated onboarding systems that may be vulnerable to fraud and mule-account creation.

Payment service providers and crypto-asset platforms are facing increased scrutiny because they enable the rapid movement of funds across jurisdictions. Authorities stress that real-time screening is now essential, as post-transaction analysis is no longer sufficient.

Crypto-related risks are amplified by mixing tools and decentralised systems, requiring strict origin-of-wealth checks and full compliance with travel rule standards.

Supervisory findings also highlight risks from professional enablers and compromised SMEs used to bypass controls. Insider involvement and distressed businesses can mask illicit activity through seemingly legitimate operations.

Finansinspektionen said stronger sanctions screening, continuous monitoring, and executive-level compliance oversight are essential to address evolving money laundering and illicit financing risks.

Why does it matter? 

The warning reflects a broader shift in financial crime, where criminal organisations increasingly exploit the speed, scale and interconnected nature of modern financial systems. As digital payments, instant transfers and crypto-assets become more widely used, traditional compliance approaches based on retrospective reviews may struggle to keep pace with rapidly moving illicit funds.

The assessment also highlights the growing convergence of financial regulation, cybersecurity and digital governance. Financial institutions are increasingly expected to deploy advanced analytics, real-time monitoring and stronger identity verification controls to detect criminal activity before transactions are completed. Similar regulatory trends are emerging across Europe and other jurisdictions as authorities seek to strengthen resilience against money laundering, fraud and sanctions evasion.

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Stablecoin issuers face new customer verification requirements under the US GENIUS Act

US financial regulators have proposed new rules requiring certain payment stablecoin issuers to implement bank-style customer identification programmes under the GENIUS Act framework. The proposal would classify permitted stablecoin issuers as financial institutions under the Bank Secrecy Act, expanding compliance obligations to include customer identity verification and anti-money laundering (AML) controls.

Under the joint proposal issued by the Federal Reserve and other federal financial regulators, issuers would be required to collect and verify key customer information, including names, addresses, dates of birth and identification numbers before opening accounts.

Issuers would also be required to adopt risk-based procedures that enable them to reasonably verify customer identities based on their business model, operational scale and onboarding processes.

Regulators clarified that customer identification requirements would apply only to direct relationships between users and issuers, including issuance, redemption, custody and reserve-management services. Secondary market transactions, including user transfers and intermediary activity, would generally fall outside these obligations due to enforcement limitations.

The proposal is now open for public consultation and forms part of wider discussions on the interaction between federal and state regulatory frameworks under the GENIUS Act.

Why does it matter?

The proposal marks another step in integrating stablecoins into the mainstream financial regulatory framework. By applying customer identification and anti-money laundering requirements at the issuer level, regulators are seeking to reduce financial crime risks while allowing stablecoins to operate as regulated payment instruments.

The distinction between direct issuer relationships and secondary-market transactions is also significant. It reflects an attempt to balance compliance requirements with the decentralised nature of blockchain networks, where peer-to-peer transfers and intermediary activity can be difficult to monitor directly. The outcome of the consultation could help shape the future regulatory architecture for digital dollars and influence stablecoin oversight in other jurisdictions.

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Oman launches mandatory national Bitcoin mining pool

Oman has introduced a mandatory state-backed Bitcoin mining pool under its digital asset strategy, requiring all licensed miners to operate through a single national platform. The initiative reflects a broader effort to formalise and centralise crypto mining within a regulated framework while expanding Oman’s industrial-scale digital economy.

The national pool, Omanhash.com, was launched by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology in partnership with Frontier Technologies LLC and supported by infrastructure provider Enegix Global.

The platform is expected to aggregate substantial computing power, giving authorities greater visibility into mining output, energy consumption and Bitcoin production within the country.

The framework consolidates existing mining investments that have reached hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years, including large-scale data centre developments in the Salalah Free Zone.

Rather than restricting mining activity, the model integrates it into a controlled national framework designed to support regulatory oversight, reporting and compliance.

Industry participants describe the model as a sovereign mining framework already tested in other jurisdictions, where similar pool structures have been used to integrate taxation and compliance monitoring into mining operations.

Why does it matter? 

Oman’s approach represents a notable evolution in how governments engage with cryptocurrency mining. Instead of treating Bitcoin mining as a largely private activity regulated from the outside, the country is integrating mining operations into a state-supervised framework that provides greater visibility over production, energy use and economic activity.

The initiative also raises broader questions about the future relationship between decentralised technologies and state governance. If similar models are adopted elsewhere, governments could gain a more active role in monitoring and shaping participation in blockchain networks while preserving the economic benefits associated with digital asset industries. The outcome may influence future debates on digital sovereignty, crypto regulation and the balance between decentralisation and regulatory oversight.

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China expands AI adoption across consumer economy

China’s Ministry of Commerce and seven other government departments have issued guidelines to accelerate the integration of AI into consumer markets.

The implementation document sets out 17 measures in five areas under an ‘AI plus consumption’ strategy. It aims to expand smart product consumption, support AI-enabled services and create new consumer scenarios.

For goods consumption, the guidelines call for a wider supply of AI products, upgrades to consumer electronics, household appliances and home products, and the development of smart wearable devices. They also promote AI-powered robots for elderly care, companionship and daily assistance.

For services, the measures encourage the use of AI in home services, elderly care, tourism, accommodation, catering and education. Examples include smart elderly-care facilities, AI-enabled tourism services and smart canteens in offices, schools and hospitals.

The guidelines also call for faster development of smart retail, deeper integration of AI with e-commerce and improved smart logistics networks at county, township and village levels. Authorities also want to expand delivery coverage in remote areas.

China will support ‘AI plus consumption’ clusters and AI experience centres, while encouraging rental, sharing and trial use of AI products in public venues. Local authorities are also encouraged to introduce subsidies for next-generation smart terminals and other AI-related consumer products under existing consumer goods trade-in policies.

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Greece and the European Commission strengthen AI cooperation for public services

Greece and the European Commission have reinforced cooperation on AI through a conference held during the BEYOND 2026 exhibition, bringing together policymakers, academics, technology experts and citizens to discuss the future of AI in Europe.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence Dimitris Papastergiou emphasised the importance of responsible and innovative AI adoption to improve public services, drive digital transformation and strengthen Greece’s competitiveness.

European Commission Director-General for Translation Christos Ellinides outlined the EU’s approach to AI, highlighting initiatives that support innovation, multilingualism and digital transformation across member states.

Commission experts presented AI-powered multilingual services and digital tools designed to improve communication, accessibility and collaboration across the European Union. Discussions also explored the opportunities and challenges associated with AI deployment, while emphasising the importance of maintaining a human-centric approach to technological development.

The conference concluded with calls for closer cooperation between European institutions and national authorities to develop reliable, secure and human-centric AI systems. Organisers said the initiative reflects Greece’s commitment to advancing digital transformation and strengthening its role within the emerging European AI ecosystem.

Why does it matter?

The conference highlights how AI policy in Europe is increasingly being shaped through cooperation between EU institutions and national governments. As countries seek to deploy AI across public services, education and digital infrastructure, coordination will be important for ensuring interoperability, trust and compliance with European regulatory frameworks.

The event also reflects Europe’s broader approach to AI governance, which aims to balance innovation with safeguards related to transparency, security and fundamental rights. By promoting multilingual AI tools, citizen-centred services and cross-border collaboration, initiatives such as this support the EU’s wider objectives of digital sovereignty, competitiveness and inclusive digital transformation.

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Malta launches consultation on regulating decentralised finance under MiCA

Malta’s Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has launched a consultation on how decentralised finance (DeFi) could be incorporated into the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), focusing on governance, accountability, and the practical definition of decentralisation.

The consultation reflects growing uncertainty over how existing crypto rules should apply to DeFi protocols that combine automated processes with varying degrees of human oversight and control.

Regulators note that while MiCA excludes services operating in a fully decentralised manner without intermediaries, many DeFi protocols retain centralised features such as administrator privileges, upgrade controls and concentrated governance structures.

The MFSA suggests that decentralisation should be assessed along a spectrum rather than treated as a binary concept, raising the possibility of a standardised assessment framework to determine whether a protocol falls within regulatory scope.

The paper also explores whether regulated crypto firms should be required to assess smart contracts, governance structures and risk-management frameworks before integrating DeFi protocols into regulated services.

Additional considerations include legal structures for decentralised organisations and oversight mechanisms such as automated ‘guardian agents’ designed to monitor compliance with predefined governance and predefined risk parameters.

Why does it matter? 

The consultation targets one of the most unresolved areas in European crypto regulation: where decentralisation ends, and regulated financial activity begins. Without a clear and consistent definition, DeFi projects can fall into regulatory grey zones that create uneven enforcement across member states and complicate risk supervision for cross-border services.

Establishing whether decentralisation is treated as a spectrum could significantly reshape compliance obligations, determining which protocols must meet MiCA standards and which remain outside its scope, ultimately affecting innovation, investor protection, and regulatory certainty across the EU crypto ecosystem.

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OECD publishes AI literacy framework for schools

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published a new report, ‘Empowering Learners for the Age of AI‘, outlining an AI literacy framework for primary and secondary education.

According to the OECD, AI is becoming increasingly embedded in everyday digital life and is influencing civic, professional and social outcomes. The organisation argues that education systems must equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to understand, evaluate and use AI responsibly.

The report defines AI literacy as a combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes that enable learners to understand how AI systems function, critically evaluate their outputs and use them ethically, responsibly and creatively.

The OECD said the framework outlines learning outcomes for primary and secondary students and is intended to support policymakers, educators, schools and families in fostering AI literacy both inside and outside the classroom. The report was published on 18 June 2026.

Why does it matter?

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into education, work, public services and everyday life, AI literacy is emerging as a foundational skill alongside traditional digital literacy. Understanding how AI systems operate, where their limitations lie and how their outputs should be evaluated will be important for informed participation in society and the economy.

The OECD framework also reflects a broader policy shift from focusing solely on access to technology toward developing the skills needed to use AI responsibly and critically. By providing a common reference point for educators and policymakers, the framework could help shape future curricula, teacher training programmes and national education strategies aimed at preparing students for an AI-enabled world.

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