Breaking news

SEC Chair Atkins Calls For Crypto Industry Revitalization Amid Regulatory Shifts

by News Editor

April 26, 2025

SEC Chair Atkins at Roundtable

April 25, 2025, Washington D.C. — In a landmark discussion at the SEC headquarters, Chairman Paul Atkins highlighted the need for a profound overhaul in crypto regulations, asserting that innovation has been stifled in recent years. The half-day roundtable featured executives from major crypto companies, outlining the urgent need for clear guidelines, particularly in crypto custody. For example, Anchorage Digital Bank and Kraken, among others, shared insights on overcoming federal securities law challenges.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Atkins, accompanied by Commissioners Caroline Crenshaw, Mark Uyeda, and Hester Peirce, emphasized a shift from adversarial to collaborative regulatory approaches. This comes in the wake of a historic decision where the SEC dropped its long-standing lawsuit against Ripple, spotlighting the evolving legal landscape of crypto.

Regulatory Innovations and Challenges

Atkins expressed the SEC’s willingness to revisit crypto-related rules, noting, “We have a large gambit of ability to operate.” In January, the SEC’s rescinding of Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 signified an opening for institutional crypto adoption. Hester Peirce celebrated the change, highlighting the need for regulations that recognize diverse crypto asset custodians.

The tensions still linger between ensuring investor protection and managing decentralized assets’ practical realities. Peirce noted, “The Commission must grapple with these issues.” Companies like BitGo and Copper Technologies pinpointed challenges, such as a lack of clarity, causing roadblocks in creating regulatory-compliant solutions.

The ongoing discourse around custody reflects a broader industry call to action, encouraging regulated entities to better serve their clientele within the crypto domain. With President Trump’s administration exerting significant influence through favorable policies, such as the creation of a strategic bitcoin reserve, the landscape appears ripe for adjustment.

For further insight into the crypto sector’s financial dynamics, see DOGE’s Financial Dynamics: Savings vs. Taxpayer Costs.

Looking Ahead

The SEC’s roundtable indicates renewed interest and a pivotal moment for the crypto industry. With proactive steps yet to be finalized, stakeholders keenly await how U.S. regulatory approaches might adapt to accommodate digital innovation while protecting investments.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Bank of Cyprus Upgrade Signals Fresh Optimism For Greek And Cypriot Banks

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 26, 2026

Regional Banks Enter A More Favorable Cycle

Bank of Cyprus and Eurobank are well positioned to benefit from a renewed re-rating of Greek and Cypriot bank stocks, according to Cyprus-based investment firm Roemer Capital, which upgraded Bank of Cyprus to a buy rating and reaffirmed its positive view on Eurobank.

The firm cited easing geopolitical tensions, resilient economic growth in Greece and Cyprus, lower funding costs and Greece’s expected transition to developed-market status as the main factors supporting the sector.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Roemer Capital also lowered its cost of equity assumptions, updated its forecasts following first-quarter 2026 results and extended its valuation horizon to the end of 2027, raising target prices across its banking coverage.

Bank Of Cyprus Gets The Largest Upgrade

Bank of Cyprus received the biggest revision, with Roemer Capital upgrading the stock from hold to buy and setting a target price of €11.10, implying potential total upside of 27%.

The firm highlighted the bank’s strong capital generation, profitability and projected 100% dividend payout, describing it as the strongest capital-return story among the banks under coverage. Roemer Capital maintained its buy rating on Eurobank, assigning a target price of €4.90 and forecasting potential upside of 28%. The report said the bank is well placed to benefit from loan growth, improving operating performance and merger-and-acquisition synergies.

National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank also retained buy ratings, with expected returns ranging from 25% to 36%. Optima Bank was upgraded to buy, while Alpha Bank remained at hold on valuation grounds.

Why Growth Still Sets The Region Apart

According to Roemer Capital, Greek and Cypriot banks continue to benefit from stronger economic fundamentals than many western European peers. The report pointed to faster economic growth, healthier balance sheets, low levels of non-performing exposures, capital ratios approaching 20% and strong customer deposit bases.

Analysts expect performing loans across the sector to grow at a compound annual rate of 6% to 8% through 2028, supported by private investment, digitalisation, green manufacturing, supply-chain expansion and a gradual recovery in household lending.

The report also said the conclusion of lending under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility is unlikely to materially affect credit growth, as banks have already shifted back towards traditional commercial lending. Roemer Capital expects Euribor to remain between 2.2% and 2.5%, a level it believes should support both lending activity and net interest margins.

Geopolitics, Valuation And Market Structure Support The Case

The report said improving geopolitical conditions have strengthened the investment outlook, noting that Brent crude prices have largely returned to pre-war levels while Greek government bond yields have stabilised at around 3.5%. Although geopolitical risks remain, Roemer Capital believes the likelihood of a major inflationary shock or significant pressure on bank profitability has eased.

Another important catalyst identified by the firm is Greece’s expected promotion to developed-market status by FTSE Russell, STOXX and MSCI over the coming months.

According to the report, the reclassification should improve liquidity and attract a broader base of international investors. Roemer Capital also said Euronext’s acquisition of the Athens Exchange is expected to strengthen market infrastructure and increase international visibility, particularly for Bank of Cyprus and Optima Bank.

The firm noted that Bank of Cyprus has already benefited from its Athens listing, with average daily trading value increasing from less than €400,000 before its September 2024 move to nearly €6 million afterwards.

Economic Momentum Remains A Core Tailwind

Roemer Capital said both Greece and Cyprus have moved beyond post-crisis recovery and are now supported by private-sector-led growth. For Cyprus, the report highlighted recent tax reform and efforts to simplify the legal and regulatory framework, while also noting that limited foreign banking competition continues to support domestic lenders.

Overall, Roemer Capital expects Greek and Cypriot banks to remain well-positioned for profitable loan growth over the coming years.