Breaking news

Google And Wiz: Will The Biggest Deal In Tech History Finally Happen?

Google is back at the negotiation table with Wiz, reigniting talks to acquire the cloud security startup at a staggering $30 billion—$7 billion more than the deal that collapsed last summer. If successful, this would mark the largest acquisition in Google’s history, eclipsing its $12.5 billion purchase of Motorola Mobility in 2012.

A Strategic Move For Google Cloud

The driving force behind this renewed push is Google Cloud chief Thomas Kurian, who sees Wiz’s cybersecurity solutions as a perfect complement to Google’s cloud services. With annual revenue of $500 million as of July 2023 and projections to hit $1 billion by 2025, Wiz is an appealing target. For Google, securing this deal means strengthening its position in the cloud market, where it still lags behind Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.

A $30 Billion Bet—Too High?

However, the price tag is raising eyebrows. Wiz’s last funding round in May 2023 valued the company at $12 billion, and recent estimates place it at $16 billion—far below Google’s proposed $30 billion acquisition cost. While Wiz has seen rapid growth under co-founder Asaf Rapaport, the valuation jump could trigger concerns among investors about overpaying.

Regulatory Hurdles Still Loom

The deal’s failure last summer was partially due to concerns about antitrust scrutiny, particularly under the Biden administration’s aggressive regulatory stance on Big Tech mergers. While the regulatory climate remains uncertain, a successful acquisition would send a strong signal about how the new Trump administration approaches antitrust policy in 2025.

IPO Or Acquisition?

Despite these talks, Wiz has publicly stated it has no plans for an IPO in 2025. However, the company recently hired Fazal Merchant—a former DreamWorks and Tanium executive—as CFO, a move that often precedes a public offering. This raises the question: is Wiz leveraging Google’s offer to drive up its market value ahead of a potential IPO?

What’s Next?

If the deal goes through, it will reshape the cloud security landscape and solidify Google’s aggressive expansion in enterprise cybersecurity. But with a hefty price tag and regulatory uncertainties, Alphabet must weigh whether this blockbuster acquisition is worth the risk.

Central Bank Of Cyprus Balance Sheet Reflects Strong Eurosystem Position

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.

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.

Uol
eCredo
Aretilaw firm
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter