Crypto Markets: Bitcoin fell below $82,000 after U.S. inflation came in hotter than expected, wiping more than $42 billion from the crypto market and reviving fears of higher rates. Banking and Digital Assets: Standard Chartered has opened direct bitcoin and ether trading to professional investors in the UAE, with trades, custody and settlement handled through the bank. European Expansion: Kraken parent Payward agreed to buy Lithuania-licensed Saldo Bank, a deal that could give the crypto firm access to deposits, loans and euro payments across several EU markets, pending approval. Cybersecurity: South Korean regulators say breaches have hit 16 financial firms, including banks, a payments provider and crypto exchanges, with about 100,000 pieces of personal data reportedly exposed. Stablecoin Demand: A Visa survey found U.S. willingness to use stablecoins rises from 36% to 56% when hypothetical bank-level fraud protection and deposit insurance are included—safeguards stablecoins do not currently offer. UAE Fintech: Ant International secured UAE licenses for retail payments, card schemes and stored-value services, clearing a path to launch payment services for merchants. Capital Markets: London recorded just one IPO in the third quarter, raising £29.8 million, as the listing drought persisted.