Finance

Trump Advocates for Cutting EU Finance Red Tape, Yet Refuses to Call It Deregulation

In a city where even the shape of a banana can spark new regulations, the very mention of "deregulation" has often been a controversial topic. However, shifting political winds across the Atlantic may now force Brussels to face this long-standing taboo.

Thanks in part to Donald Trump's election, those advocating for changes to — or the elimination of — financial rules now have a fresh opportunity to reshape the conversation.

But the term "deregulation" is off-limits. Instead, the preferred European term is "competitiveness." With Trump reportedly considering reducing or merging U.S. banking regulators and ally Elon Musk calling for the abolition of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) amid broader government cuts, there’s a push for deregulation on Wall Street — and potentially beyond.

In November, many were surprised when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled an agenda aimed at slashing red tape during her second five-year term. This shift has made European institutions more attentive to developments across the Atlantic.

François Villeroy de Galhau, head of the French central bank, warned in November that "a wind of deregulation" from the U.S. could reshape global regulations. Wim Mijs, head of the European Banking Federation, noted that EU banks were closely watching Trump’s "aggressive deregulation agenda" and his potential move to distance the U.S. from global finance agreements.

In Europe, however, it’s "competitiveness" — not deregulation — that has become the buzzword, largely due to influential reports from former Italian prime ministers Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi earlier this year.

TECH

Tech Enters Washington: Brace for a Clash of Cultures

Already, things are turning hostile. Donald Trump has yet to step into the White House, and his rowdy circle of advisers is already at odds. Recently, Elon Musk and other tech moguls have exchanged harsh words with the MAGA faction over issues of skilled migration. While it may seem like a trivial dispute over visas, it actually signals a far deeper divide. For the first time, tech is making its way to Washington, and its worldview stands in stark contrast to that of the MAGA movement. How these tensions are resolved and who comes out on top will have a significant impact on the American economy and financial markets over the next four years.

CRYPTO

Elon Musk’s X CEO Hints at 2025 Bitcoin and Crypto Price Explosion

In the aftermath of Donald Trump's election victory, both Bitcoin and the broader crypto market have seen impressive gains, with forecasts predicting a "major" price shift for Bitcoin in the near future.

Bitcoin's value has more than doubled over the past year, fueled by increased Wall Street adoption, growing excitement over Trump’s win, and concerns raised by Tesla billionaire and X owner Elon Musk about the U.S. potentially facing a financial crisis.

Now, following Musk’s unexpected impact on a smaller Bitcoin competitor—sending its price soaring by 2,000%—X CEO Linda Yaccarino has subtly confirmed that payment features will be introduced on the platform in 2025.