The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is set to overhaul capital markets regulations to better accommodate cryptocurrencies and blockchain trading. SEC Chair Paul Atkins announced plans for new guidelines to clarify when a crypto token qualifies as a security. The proposals will also include various disclosures and exemptions aimed at supporting the digital asset…

Georges Elhedery, CEO of HSBC, has joined a raft of banking leaders to warn against increasing taxes on banks in the upcoming autumn budget. He said that UK banks already face the highest tax rates compared to other sectors, which could hinder investment and economic growth. Elhedery remarked: “Additional taxation on banks does run the…

US President Donald Trump has condemned the UK’s high taxes on North Sea oil, labelling it a “treasure chest” for the nation. In a post on Truth Social, he urged the UK to incentivise drillers to unlock wealth and reduce energy costs. The UK currently imposes a 38% energy profits levy, contributing to a total…

Ministers have called for an end to tariffs on steel exported from the UK to the US, with a 25% charge still in place despite a deal to cut it to 0% being agreed in May. Gareth Stace, director general at UK Steel, said: “There has been nearly three months of uncertainty for business, of…

Experts have warned that higher inheritance tax bills could see thousands of family businesses struggle or even collapse. As of 2027, unspent pensions will be dragged into the inheritance tax net and accountants have warned that this will hit businesses that run their own individual pension schemes. The move will also mean many families will…

The global entertainment and media industry is projected to reach $3.5trn by 2029, driven by the increasing use of AI in advertising, according to PwC’s Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2025-29. The industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.7% until 2029, with non-digital categories like live events also contributing…