Bulgaria has joined the eurozone since January 1, 2026 – 18 years after joining the European Union. In January, Bulgaria used the national currency leva and the euro in parallel. According to the media, retail chains are obliged to display prices on goods in both euros and leva for another six months “in order to…
Hong Kong is preparing to deepen its position in the international precious metals market by advancing cooperation with mainland China’s largest gold trading platform, the Shanghai Gold Exchange. Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan (Chen Maobo) announced that the city will soon sign a memorandum of understanding with the Shanghai Gold Exchange aimed at establishing…
With a GDP of $30.6 trillion, the United States remains the undisputed global economic leader and is expected to maintain this leadership for years to come. However, while US GDP is growing at an average annual rate of 2.1%, the closest competitor, China, is growing at an average annual rate of 8%. Overall, no major…
Saxo Bank’s annual “Outrageous Predictions” report for 2026 offers a captivating look into low-probability, high-impact scenarios designed to ignite discussion about radical shifts. These thought experiments push the boundaries of imagination, suggesting a future far removed from current expectations. One of the most dramatic predictions involves an unexpected “Q-Day” where quantum computers effortlessly breach current…
The Marshall Islands government has launched an unconditional basic income payment program, The Guardian reports. Under the program, each citizen of the Marshall Islands will receive about $200 per quarter. The first payments were made at the end of November, and recipients could choose how they would receive them: in cash, by check, or through…
Copper prices hit a record high in trading on Wednesday, driven by a weaker US dollar, concerns about supply shortages and a drawdown in London Metal Exchange (LME) warehouses. Three-month copper futures on the LME closed at $11,348 a tonne, up 1.8% from the previous session’s close. Earlier in the session, prices had risen to…
The European Central Bank (ECB) is making significant strides towards the introduction of a digital euro, aiming to modernize payment systems across the Eurozone. Far from replacing physical cash, this new digital currency is designed to complement it, offering a secure and convenient electronic option for the increasing number of online transactions. Preliminary guidelines for…
The Czech central bank has purchased $1 million worth of bitcoins and other blockchain-based digital assets to study the specifics of the digital market. The bank will publish the first results of the project in the next 2-3 years. The portfolio, which is mainly made up of bitcoins, also includes a US dollar-based stablecoin and…
Bulgaria is poised for a significant economic shift as it considers adopting the euro, a move that European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde acknowledges could trigger short-term inflation but ultimately yield substantial long-term benefits. Lagarde, speaking on the potential transition slated for early 2026, highlighted the strategic advantages of joining the eurozone despite initial economic…
The Hinrich Foundation has revealed the world’s most sustainable economies by 2025. The Sustainable Trade Index (STI) is an annual ranking of 30 selected global economies, developed in conjunction with the IMD World Competitiveness Center. The United Kingdom took first place in the 2025 ranking, after holding second place in 2023 and 2024. It is…
