Hart

Standard Chartered has signed an agreement to acquire Zodia Custody, the crypto custody firm it helped launch. The move would bring the digital asset custodian fully under the British bank's ownership, deepening its presence in institutional crypto services. The reported deal is drawing attention as one of the more significant commitments by a major global bank to digital asset infrastructure.

Sudan's government in Khartoum has put forward a peace offer tied to conditions, amid renewed scrutiny of how Egypt's close ties to Khartoum shape relations between Sudan and Ethiopia. Commentators are weighing whether Cairo's influence strengthens Sudan's negotiating hand or complicates regional efforts to end the conflict and stabilise ties across the Nile basin.

OpenSecrets has published its Chart of the Week showing that outside spending in the general election has been concentrated in a small number of key Senate races. The data highlights how outside groups are directing their money toward contests most likely to determine control of the chamber, rather than spreading it across down-ballot and less competitive races nationwide.