Asia Finance

Business

Nevada Court Halts Polymarket Operations, Spotlighting Legal Peril for U.S. Prediction Markets

A Nevada court has issued a temporary restraining order against prediction market platform Polymarket, barring it from offering event-based betting to state residents. The ruling intensifies the regulatory clash between state gambling laws and federal financial frameworks, casting uncertainty over the future of crypto-powered prediction markets in the U.S.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

AI Model Projects Modest Dip for JPMorgan Shares Over Next Two Months Amid Cost, Regulatory Pressures

An AI-driven analysis suggests JPMorgan Chase stock could see a slight decline to around $295 by mid-April, as the banking giant contends with rising operational costs and regulatory uncertainty, despite strong fundamentals and shareholder returns.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Vanguard Slashes Fees on Dozens of Funds, Intensifying Price War in Asset Management

The investment giant Vanguard has cut management fees on 53 of its mutual funds and ETFs, a move projected to save investors nearly $250 million in 2026 and marking the latest salvo in an industry-wide race to lower costs for everyday savers.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Polish E-Commerce Battle Escalates: Erli Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Allegro Over Pricing Practices

Polish online marketplace Erli has filed a lawsuit against dominant rival Allegro, alleging the platform abuses its market power to pressure sellers into maintaining higher prices on competing sites. Allegro denies the accusations, stating its seller benefit programs are voluntary.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Blockstream CEO Adam Back Denies Epstein Ties as New Documents Fuel Crypto Community Backlash

Newly unsealed court records from the Jeffrey Epstein case have ensnared Bitcoin pioneer Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream, revealing past connections that sparked fierce criticism despite his firm denial of any ongoing relationship with the disgraced financier.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Locking In Returns: A Guide to Navigating Today's Fixed-Rate Bond Landscape

With interest rates poised to fall, fixed-rate bonds offer savers a chance to secure guaranteed returns. We examine the latest best buys, key considerations, and the tax implications for your nest egg.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Ripple Secures Key EU License in Luxembourg, Bolstering European Expansion

Ripple Labs has obtained a full Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Luxembourg's financial regulator, marking a significant step in its European regulatory strategy and enabling the expansion of its payment services across the EU single market.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

CrossCurve Thwarts Multi-Million Dollar Bridge Exploit, Demands Hacker's Surrender

The CrossCurve DeFi protocol has contained a bridge attack exploiting a smart contract flaw, preventing the circulation of stolen tokens. As January's crypto thefts surge to an 11-month high, the team issues a 72-hour ultimatum for the return of funds.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Market Rout Sees Select Tokens Defy Downturn; Traders Eye Key U.S. Economic Data

As Bitcoin and Ethereum lead a broad crypto sell-off, three altcoins buck the trend with notable gains. Analysts point to upcoming U.S. economic events as the next major catalyst for market direction.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

MicroStrategy Doubles Down: $75 Million Bitcoin Purchase Amid Market Turmoil Signals Unwavering Conviction

MicroStrategy, led by Michael Saylor, has added another 855 Bitcoin to its corporate treasury, a $75.3 million acquisition that solidifies its position as the world's largest public holder of the cryptocurrency despite recent market volatility.

Feb 2, 2026

World

From the Ring to the Stage: Joshua and Styles Join UK's Top Taxpayer Elite

Boxing champion Anthony Joshua and pop icon Harry Styles are among the prominent new entrants on the UK's annual Tax List, revealing the substantial contributions of the nation's highest earners to the public purse.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Crypto Markets Recover After $290 Billion Weekend Plunge

Digital asset markets stabilized Monday following a sharp, liquidity-starved selloff that erased nearly $290 billion in total value over the weekend, with Bitcoin and Ethereum finding firmer footing after testing key support levels.

Feb 2, 2026

World

German Authorities Crack Down on Alleged Sanctions-Busting Ring Supplying Russian Defense Firms

German federal prosecutors have arrested five individuals accused of orchestrating a vast procurement network that allegedly funneled millions of euros worth of goods to Russian defense companies, in direct violation of EU sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Qatar Launches Historic Offshore Decommissioning, Taps McDermott for Landmark Project

QatarEnergy awards McDermott a pivotal contract to plan the removal of 27 aging offshore platforms, marking the nation's first major step in responsibly retiring legacy oil and gas infrastructure.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Cotton Inc. Bets on Unified Marketing Strategy, Appoints First CMO to Counter Synthetics

Facing stiff competition from synthetic fibers, the cotton industry's leading research and promotion body has created a chief marketing officer role and merged its marketing teams to drive demand across the entire supply chain.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Carlsberg Exits Tibetan Brewery Venture, Ceding Full Control to Local Partner

Danish brewing giant Carlsberg has agreed to sell its 50% stake in the Lhasa Brewery joint venture to its local partner, Tibet Development, for 292 million yuan ($42 million), ending a partnership marked by operational disputes and significant financial impairments.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

FW Thorpe Shareholders Face 25% Loss Over Three Years as Stock Lags Market

Investors in lighting specialist FW Thorpe have seen a negative total shareholder return of 25% since 2021, starkly underperforming the broader market's gains. Despite steady revenue growth, the share price decline highlights a disconnect with company fundamentals.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Brent Crude Eyes $95 as Technical Pattern Signals Potential Reversal

After a prolonged correction, Brent crude oil is showing signs of a potential trend reversal, with a forming double bottom pattern pointing toward a technical target near $95 per barrel. The shift comes amid a tightening physical market and simmering geopolitical risks.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Chemical Giants Dow and LyondellBasell: High-Yield Turnaround Bets for 2026

After a punishing multi-year slump, materials stocks are showing signs of life in 2026. Dow and LyondellBasell, offering yields of 5% and 10.9% respectively, present a high-risk, high-reward proposition for income investors betting on a sector recovery.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Disney Parks Power Record Q1 Revenue Amid CEO Search, While Rising Costs Pressure Profits

Disney's theme parks and cruise lines delivered a historic $10 billion quarter, driving overall revenue past expectations. However, surging costs across its media and sports divisions squeezed profits as the entertainment giant nears a decision on its next chief executive.

Feb 2, 2026