The Securities and Exchange Commission has granted temporary approval to Paxos Securities Settlement to provide securities settlement services and register as a clearing agency, marking a significant step for blockchain-based financial infrastructure. The 18-month approval allows Paxos to implement a ramp-up period to complete necessary work before full operations, during which Paxos will limit participants to 10 for at least a year and collaborate with the Depository Trust Company for central securities depository services.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has updated its self-certification process to allow exchanges to submit one filing for multiple contracts. This change comes as the CFTC has seen a surge in self-certifications over the past two years due to a shift in regulatory policy.

Prediction market platform Kalshi has shifted focus to institutional investors after processing a record $17 billion in trading contracts in May. The company has partnered with firms such as Tradeweb Markets and Fidelity National Information Service to enhance its infrastructure and data accessibility, with the goal of attracting Wall Street investors who use the platform for hedging against events such as elections and economic reports.

During the first weekend of 24/7 trading, CME's crypto futures and options saw over 7,200 contracts exchanged, equal to roughly $50 million in notional value. This modest start highlights the gradual adoption of weekend trading and suggests that while interest exists, it will take time for weekend volumes to match weekday activity.

The index industry has seen a surge in customized and self-indexed products, with global index industry revenues increasing 13.4% to $7.2 billion in 2025, according to Burton-Taylor International Consulting. Advances in artificial intelligence have facilitated rapid index creation, allowing for highly targeted thematic baskets. Despite this growth, liquidity remains concentrated around major benchmarks such as the S&P 500 and Euro Stoxx 50.

Hong Kong is poised to become a key player in digital asset derivatives, says VDX Chief Operating Officer Donald Day. However, Day notes that the Securities and Futures Commission's cautious approach to investor protection, margining and risk management is necessary. Day expects further guidance from the SFC within a year, which will enhance market liquidity and risk management.

Coinbase has urged the European Commission to consider the creation of a competitive euro-backed stablecoin as part of the upcoming review of the Markets in Crypto Assets regulation. Coinbase says the review presents an opportunity to address challenges in stablecoin adoption and to align with global best practices.

Miami International Holdings has launched the first in a suite of equity index futures based on Bloomberg indices, with the Tini Bloomberg 100 Index Futures trading 25,000 contracts on its second day. The second contract is set for June 1, followed by another on June 8.

India's National Stock Exchange will implement a Closing Auction Session framework on August 3, 2026, extending the equity derivatives closing time to 3:40 pm from 3:30 pm. This operational shift moves the market from a continuous trading close to an auction-discovered close for derivatives-eligible stocks to better align cash and derivatives pricing.

The White House is currently assessing a preliminary initiative from the SEC and CFTC aimed at revisiting and potentially harmonizing reporting requirements for swaps and security-based swaps. According to a recent post from the Office of Management and Budget, the measure is in a prerule stage, meaning it is open for public input before any formal rule proposal is issued. This review marks a step forward in interagency coordination, with both agencies signaling a commitment to a more unified regulatory approach.

The sweeping US prudential regulatory package unveiled in March 2026 introduced critical updates to the capital surcharges of the nation's eight global systemically important banks. Capital risk strategists anticipate that the new framework, which incorporates structural changes to indexing and averaging, will significantly alter how big banks manage their balance sheets.