Debt, Tax Evasion and Competing Economic Doctrines Dominate IMF and World Bank Discussions

The rate of debt acquisition has slowed but its reduction will not begin until 2019 at the earliest. Posturing and political points scoring continue to lie at the heart of Europe's bureaucracy rather than economic sense.

Russian Central Bank Conducts Ruble Intervention and Widens Trading Band

A political crisis in the Ukraine leads to economic calamities in Russia and forces the central bank to defend the Ruble in multiple bouts of intervention already this week. When it comes to fighting the tide, resistance is futile.

Russia Scrambles to Defend Rouble Amid Capital Security Concerns

The CBR is rumoured to be on the verge of implementing capital controls for the first time since 1998, as the country maintains its overwhelming dependence on lofty oil prices and artificial market controls in Rouble flows.

UK Treasury Plans to Criminalise All Benchmark Fixing LIBOR-Led by Example

After the horse has already bolted, the UK Treasury begins a consultation into closing the barn door.

Global FX Market Regulation — A Big Dream That Requires Even Bigger Ambition

With the majority of financial services under regulatory oversight across the globe, could now be the time when the FX market finally comes in from the cold?

EU Commission Presents ‘Team Juncker’ in Chase for Jobs and Growth

The EU Commission is restructured and reshuffled although a federalist flavor remains. With 'TeamJuncker' holding the reins, Europe could be on a fast-track to becoming the United States of Europe.

Goldman Sachs Licks its Wounds After Being Ensnared in its Own Murky Web

As more banks engage in off-market transactions using SPV's and subsidiaries to shake off scrutiny, Goldman Sachs is accused of questionable practices, non-disclosure of conflicts of interest and bad business ethics. Again.

Spain Issues Long-Dated 50-Year Bond Symbolising a Prolonged European Debt Problem

Forex Magnates reports on Spain’s latest bond issue as the country takes advantage of ultra-low interest rates in a bid to meet its funding requirements and secure a burgeoning recovery.

Top Banks Scramble to Restore Forex Revenues as Regulatory Impacts Bite Bottom Line

As falling volumes cut into banking revenues, FX activity at banks is falling at its fastest rate since 2008. Low volatility combined with internal restructuring is further complicated by regulatory challenges.

Fed Policy ‘Normalization’ Could Spark Market Volatility as Other Banks Maintain Stimulus

Quantitative Easing hardens as central bankers struggle to reverse stimulus. With debt-propelled markets bracing for 'normalisation', the impact will be anything but normal.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Who's the Fairest of Them All?

Nationalists beware; every Government has a Public Relations Department.

Ship Ahoy

A recent report published by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) suggests the debt overhang in most developed countries continues to grow and will require consistently stronger fiscal responses from already dwindling public purses.

The Disfigured Past and an Ominous Future

With monetary and fiscal policy being completely exhausted in the majority of the developed world, a 'Grand Solution' to the debt debacle is on the horizon. What's coming will ignore the many and empower the few.

Realise That Everything Connects to Everything Else

Financial markets are much like natural phenomena - all is one, and one is all.

Open Letter to Charles Tannock MEP

Morality is doing the right thing regardless of what you are told. Obedience is doing what you are told, regardless of whether it's right.

Seasons, Cycles & Spirals

Free-market Capitalism is morphing into a Corporatocracy that knows no bounds.

Jim'll'fix it

Almost every asset class is being fixed, manipulated and artificially 'gamed' within markets no longer representative of true value or fundamentals. It's being done by design and controlled by the Ivory Towers of Authority that cannot be questioned or disputed.