Daily · Trade Friction & Digital Asset Licensing · July 27, 2026

Digital assets and stablecoins

The US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is moving toward operationalizing the GENIUS Act by proposing new information collection requirements for entities seeking to issue payment stablecoins. For founders and financial managers, this is a critical signal that the licensing framework for US-regulated stablecoins is taking shape, providing a clearer path for market entry and regulatory compliance for digital asset issuers.

Trade restrictions and sanctions

The EU is intensifying its trade defenses, imposing definitive anti-dumping duties on ferro-silicon from Russia and China, and provisional duties on benzyl alcohol and sodium benzoate from China. Additionally, definitive duties are now in place for Chinese polyamide yarns. These measures will directly increase import costs for manufacturers and supply chain managers relying on these materials. In the US, OFAC has streamlined the process for paying legal services from funds originating outside the US, replacing a strict reporting requirement with a simpler recordkeeping mandate, which reduces administrative friction for legal departments. Meanwhile, the EU has updated restrictive measures concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Banking and financial supervision

In the UK, the FCA is shifting its focus from data collection to "outcomes monitoring" under the Consumer Duty. Firms must now demonstrate that they are actively using customer experience data to prevent harm; those relying on high-level metrics without taking corrective action may face regulatory scrutiny. Simultaneously, the FCA and Bank of England have launched a taskforce to harmonize transaction and post-trade reporting, aiming to reduce the burden on large financial institutions. In the EU, new technical standards now require ESG rating providers to strictly separate their rating activities from other business lines to prevent conflicts of interest. In the US, the SEC has released recommendations to improve capital-raising policies for small businesses.

Tech and data regulation

The EU has introduced a temporary derogation from privacy rules to allow providers of interpersonal communications services—such as messaging apps—to process personal data to combat online child sexual abuse. This creates a significant shift in data processing obligations for tech platforms. Additionally, the EU has updated mandatory reporting requirements for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (drones) and U-space occurrences, impacting operators in the aviation and logistics sectors.

Switzerland and Hong Kong reported routine statistical and monetary data today.

This overview is informational, not legal or compliance advice. Consult your lawyer or compliance specialist on specific decisions.

Sources

This overview is based on official regulator publications for the period: