Digital Assets Shift: A “long bitcoin, short the bankers” era is ending as TradFi giants move into crypto custody, tokenization and regulated trading, citing clearer rules and client demand. Wall Street AI Payoff: Strategists say hyperscalers’ AI spending is starting to translate into earnings, with JPMorgan lifting its S&P 500 target and pointing to accelerating cloud monetization at Microsoft, Amazon and Alphabet. Open Banking Fight: A proposed U.S. federal open-banking rule could let banks charge new fees for consumer data access, drawing criticism that it would hurt consumers and clash with the Trump agenda. Crypto Market Volatility: XRP is back under $1 again, while Binance extended its RLUSD rewards campaign with one million XRP in incentives. Regulatory Pressure on Iran/North Korea: The SEC ordered capital market firms to cut correspondent banking ties and restrict business involving DPRK and Iran. Central Bank Watch: Inflation is easing in the U.S., but energy risks keep central banks cautious, shaping expectations for interest-rate paths. Banking in Focus (India): RBI-related changes and bank holiday calendars are in the spotlight, including tighter FCNR(B) timelines and August closures. Corporate Banking Moves: Payward (Kraken parent) reported $508M Q2 revenue but a sharp drop in adjusted EBITDA, highlighting margin pressure.