EU Targets Google And Apple In Landmark Antitrust Crackdown

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 21, 2025

The European Commission has escalated its regulatory battle against Big Tech, charging Google with violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and ordering Apple to open its ecosystem to competitors. The move signals the EU’s aggressive push to curb the dominance of U.S. tech giants, despite potential trade tensions with Washington.

Google Under Fire

Brussels has hit Google with two charges, alleging the company:

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Restricts app developers from steering users to better offers outside Google Play.
Favors its services—including Google Flights and Shopping—over rivals in search results.

If found guilty, Google faces fines of up to 10% of its annual global revenue, adding to the €8 billion in antitrust penalties it has already incurred in Europe.

Google responded, arguing the EU’s stance will “reduce traffic to European businesses” and hinder its ability to fund an open platform.

Apple Ordered To Open Up

Apple, while not yet fined, must allow competitors seamless access to its iPhone and iPad ecosystem. Two key directives demand that Apple:

Enable interoperability for rival smartphones, headphones, and VR headsets.
Set a clear process for app developers requesting access to its systems.

Apple slammed the decision, warning that it “wraps us in red tape” and forces it to give away innovations for free. The company could face further investigations and potential penalties if it fails to comply.

The Bigger Picture

The crackdown underscores the EU’s determination to enforce the Digital Markets Act, which aims to level the playing field for competitors. As Silicon Valley giants push back, the battle over Big Tech’s future in Europe is far from over.

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Central Bank Of Cyprus Balance Sheet Reflects Strong Eurosystem Position

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 17, 2026

Overview Of Financial Stability

The Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) has released its latest balance sheet, reaffirming its steadfast role within the Eurosystem. The balance sheet, featuring total assets and liabilities of €29.545 billion, underscores the institution’s stable financial posture at the close of January 2026.

Asset Allocation And Strategic Holdings

Governor Christodoulos Patsalides issued the balance sheet, which details the CBC’s asset composition under the Eurosystem framework. Notably, the bank’s gold and gold receivables amounted to €1.635 billion, providing a significant hedge and stability to its balance sheet. Additional asset categories include claims on non-euro area residents denominated in foreign currency at €1.099 billion, while claims on euro area residents in both foreign and domestic currency add further depth to its portfolio.

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The most substantial asset category, intra-Eurosystem claims, reached €19.438 billion, an indication of the CBC’s deep integration with its European counterparts. Furthermore, euro-denominated securities held by euro area residents contributed €6.587 billion. Despite a marked emphasis on these areas, lending to euro area credit institutions in monetary policy operations recorded no activity during the period.

Liability Structure And Monetary Policy Implications

On the liabilities side, banknotes in circulation contributed €3.218 billion. Liabilities to euro area credit institutions associated with monetary policy operations were notably the largest single category, totaling €17.636 billion. Supplementary liabilities included those to other euro area residents, which aggregated to €4.989 billion, with government liabilities playing a predominant role at €4.754 billion.

Other liability items, such as claims related to special drawing rights allocated by the International Monetary Fund at €494.193 million, and provisions of €596.571 million, further articulate the CBC’s exposure. Revaluation accounts stood at €1.643 billion, and overall capital and reserves were confirmed at €333.822 million, completing the picture of a well-capitalized institution.

Conclusive Insights And Strategic Alignment

The detailed breakdown illustrates the CBC’s sizeable intra-Eurosystem exposures, reinforcing its central role within Europe’s monetary landscape. With an asset-liability balance maintained at €29.545 billion, the CBC’s financial position remains robust, indicating a commitment to structural stability and strategic risk management.

This fiscal disclosure not only provides transparency into the CBC’s operations but also serves as a benchmark for comparative analysis among other central banks within the Eurosystem, highlighting the intricate balance between asset liquidity, regulatory oversight, and monetary policy imperatives.

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