ECB in Full-On Emergency Mode as ‘Unprecedented Decline’ Hits Eurozone

The euro area is facing an “unprecedented” economic decline, the worst since records began. European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde paints a picture of a central bank in full-on emergency mode after the bank kept its interest rates unchanged. Unprecedented Economic Contraction in Eurozone New data released on Thursday reveals that the 19-member region’s … Read more

ECB Expects Worse Recession in Europe Than Global Economy

The European Central Bank (ECB) expects the European economy to suffer a more severe recession than the global economy. Countries across the euro area will experience “a deep recession,” which entails unprecedented funding needs of more than €1 trillion ($1.1 trillion), explained ECB Vice President Luis de Guindos. Also read: IMF Declares Global Recession, 80 … Read more

Lagarde Sees Demand for Stablecoins, Plans to Put ECB ‘Ahead of the Curve’

At her first press conference as head of the European Central Bank (ECB), Christine Lagarde outlined her plans to lead the ECB “ahead of the curve” in the field of digital currency. “There is clearly a demand out there that we have to respond to,” she said, referring to stablecoins. Also read: Regulatory Roundup – … Read more

Mario Draghi Leaves European Central Bank Without Ever Raising Interest Rates

Preparing for a change at the top, the European Central Bank has decided to keep interest rates on hold and at their all-time lows. Mario Draghi, who had his last monetary policy meeting as president of the ECB, is leaving after an eight-year term during which key rates were never raised. At the subsequent press … Read more

How Cryptocurrencies Can Mitigate Some of Brexit’s Negative Effects

Brexit, the European divorce saga that has been going on for years, has created a lot of headaches for politicians and ordinary people on both sides of the Channel. The process of Britain leaving the European Union is now heading towards another one of its deadlines while London and Brussels are trying to separate with … Read more

European Countries Step Up Response to Facebook’s Libra

The European Central Bank (ECB) and a number of countries in the region have stepped up their efforts in response to Facebook’s Libra, which has revived a competing ECB project for instant payments. As Facebook engages Switzerland’s financial regulator, the ECB clarifies how Libra can be regulated under EU laws. Also read: India’s Popular ‘Who … Read more

Why the Birth of Bitcoin Can Be Traced Back to 1971

The world economy is a complex system that has undergone many different phases in the past century. As strange as it may sound today, there have been times when banking crises were rare, pay was rising alongside productivity, and the U.S. dollar would buy a certain amount of pure gold. Despite its obvious successes in … Read more

Initiative to Curtail Negative Interest Rates Gains Traction in Germany

Negative interest rates, a common occurrence in Europe these days, are unpleasant for both banks and clients. And financial institutions have been increasingly transferring the bulk of the burden on to their customers. Some political factions in Germany, however, aren’t happy with the trend and are pushing for adequate protection for the ordinary small saver, … Read more

Major Swedish Bank Orders Negative Interest Rate on Euro Deposits

Sub-zero interest rates have become the norm in some countries, especially in Europe. Nordic nations such as Sweden and Denmark have been in negative territory for a while and a growing number of banks in the region are now charging depositors for keeping their money. Saving in fiat right now, unlike cryptocurrencies lately, leads to … Read more