Central Bank

The European Central Bank's digital euro has entered wholesale financial markets for the first time, marking a step beyond retail pilots into interbank use. The move signals that the eurozone's central bank digital currency is moving from experimentation toward practical infrastructure for settling transactions between financial institutions, a development drawing attention from banking and finance watchers.

The European Central Bank has raised its key interest rates by 25 basis points, in line with expectations. The move is part of the bank's ongoing effort to bring eurozone inflation back toward its target. Analysts had widely anticipated the decision, so attention now turns to the bank's guidance on further policy steps.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says he will remain on the central bank's board of governors after his current term expires next month. The announcement comes amid sustained pressure from President Trump, who has repeatedly called for Powell's removal and pushed for lower interest rates, making the question of Powell's future a focal point of debate over the Fed's independence.

The US Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, marking a shift in monetary policy after an extended pause. The move affects borrowing costs for mortgages, credit cards and business loans across the American economy, and investors are watching closely for signals about the central bank's next steps on inflation.

A question is being raised over whether markets are pricing in too many interest rate increases from the European Central Bank. With inflation pressures still elevated, investors have been betting on a series of further hikes, but some analysts argue those expectations may overshoot what the ECB will actually deliver.

Attention is focused on the fallout from a Central Bank decision, with analysts and commentators weighing what it will mean for the price of gold and the value of the dollar. The move has sparked widespread discussion among savers and investors concerned about currency stability and where to protect their money next.

A Bloomberg report outlines four scenarios for how the European Central Bank could manage the transition when Christine Lagarde's term as president ends in 2027. The scenarios weigh internal candidates and outside contenders for the top job. The reported options are drawing attention because they signal how Europe's most powerful monetary institution might be reshaped after Lagarde.

Egypt's Central Bank (CBE) has lowered its inflation forecasts while keeping its key interest rates unchanged. The decision suggests policymakers see price pressures easing enough to avoid further tightening, even as they hold borrowing costs steady. Observers will be watching whether the more optimistic inflation outlook opens the door to rate cuts later this year.

Swiss National Bank chairman Martin Schlegel said in remarks to Swiss broadcaster SRF that the central bank is in a comfortable situation regarding inflation, signalling price pressures in Switzerland are under control. The comments suggest the SNB sees little urgency for immediate policy moves, offering reassurance to markets and observers watching how quickly Swiss inflation is returning to the bank's target range.

A central bank has announced a comprehensive overhaul of its foreign exchange regulations, with the stated aim of easing barriers to international trade. The reform, reported by the Financial Tribune, is expected to affect how businesses access foreign currency for imports and exports. Details on the specific measures and their timeline were not provided in the initial report.

Commentary published by the Egyptian Gazette argues that central banks around the world remain unable to move away from the US dollar, despite ongoing talk of de-dollarisation. The piece points to the dollar's deep role in global trade, reserves and financial markets as the reason alternatives still fall short. It adds to a wider international debate over whether currencies like the yuan or euro could realistically replace the dollar's dominance.

Iran's central bank says inflation eased slightly in September, according to a report from Iran International. The figures suggest a modest cooling of price growth in an economy long strained by sanctions, currency depreciation and high living costs. The bank's data is being watched for signs of whether pressure on household budgets is finally beginning to ease.

The Swiss National Bank is tracking how summer heat is affecting food prices, with hot weather potentially reducing crop yields and pushing up grocery inflation. The development matters because food costs feed directly into Switzerland's inflation outlook, which the central bank weighs when setting interest rate policy. No further details on the bank's assessment were given.

The European Central Bank has rejected proposals to relax reserve requirements for euro-denominated stablecoins, according to news reports. The decision means issuers of euro stablecoins must continue holding conservative, high-quality reserves, despite pressure from parts of the crypto industry for lighter rules. The move underscores the ECB's cautious stance on digital assets and its concern that loosely backed stablecoins could pose risks to financial stability in the eurozone.

The European Central Bank has launched Pontes, a new platform for settling transactions in digital securities. The move is part of the eurozone's efforts to modernise financial market infrastructure and support tokenised assets. The announcement, reported by Cyprus Mail, is drawing attention from banking and fintech watchers tracking how central banks adapt settlement systems to digital finance.

The Central Bank has announced six key measures aimed at facilitating foreign trade. The steps are intended to simplify procedures for importers and exporters, according to the announcement reported by Tehran Times. Details of the individual measures have not been widely discussed yet, so their practical impact on businesses and trade flows remains to be seen.

Former Fed governor Kevin Warsh criticized the Federal Reserve's 2020 monetary policy framework, arguing its average inflation targeting approach invited persistent price pressure. He said the Fed was not the first central bank to seek 'a little more inflation and end up with a lot more', a warning aimed at the framework's role in the post-2020 inflation surge.

The central banks of Hong Kong and Indonesia are deepening cooperation on cross-border QR code payments, aiming to make retail payments between the two economies faster and more interconnected. The move fits a broader regional push, led by Southeast Asian regulators, to link national payment systems and reduce reliance on traditional correspondent banking channels for everyday transactions.

The Saudi Central Bank has increased its shareholding in Meta Platforms, according to a regulatory filing report. The move means the institution, which oversees Saudi Arabia's financial system, now holds a larger position in the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Market watchers flagged the disclosure as notable given Meta's recent stock performance and growing interest from sovereign-linked investors in major US technology firms.

The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has warned that a proposed tax on banks could ultimately raise the cost of credit for businesses and households. The central bank's warning adds to a debate over whether the levy would hit lending conditions in the wider economy. Critics of such taxes argue banks typically pass the extra cost on to borrowers.

ICICI Bank forecasts gold could climb to USD 5,000 per ounce in the first half of 2027, driven by a weakening dollar and easing US real yields. The projection, circulated via market commentary, points to a supportive macro environment for bullion as monetary conditions soften. Traders and investors are weighing the call against record-high gold prices and ongoing central bank buying.

Banks operating in Egypt recorded net profits of EGP 373.133 billion in the first half of 2026, according to the Central Bank of Egypt. The figures highlight the sector's continued strong earnings, and business outlets are reporting the numbers as a sign of robust banking performance amid Egypt's ongoing economic adjustments.

The European Central Bank and Brazilian authorities have launched a study to explore linking the ECB's TARGET Instant Payment Settlement (TIPS) system with Brazil's Pix instant payments network. The initiative would allow faster cross-border payments between the euro area and Brazil, an emerging area of cooperation as central banks worldwide look to make international transfers quicker and cheaper.