Sky Blog
The Paris Agreement’s commitment to aligning finance with efforts toward net-zero emissions has catalyzed an unprecedented shift in financial markets. Sustainable finance has evolved from niche to mainstream, with financial institutions increasingly incorporating environmental considerations into their decisions. By withdrawing …
On 10 February 2026, the FCA publicised that it has commenced proceedings against an offshore crypto platform for breach of the UK financial promotions regime for cryptoassets. This is the first enforcement action the FCA has taken following expansion of …
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into mergers and acquisitions (M&A), supporting negotiations, determining the value of the target, drafting relevant contracts – and, most important, helping perform due diligence. Yet, its role in this context raises questions about …
In a new article, we show that jurisdictions treat crypto-derivatives inconsistently, resulting in a regulatory landscape that raises prudential and investor-protection concerns. This divergence is particularly striking given that crypto-derivatives overwhelmingly replicate traditional derivatives in their contractual structure, payoff …
The capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces in the early morning hours of January 3, 2026 produced dramatic headlines, but a key question is whether his removal significantly affects the dynamics that have underpinned Venezuela’s long‑running crises. The reality …
In advanced economies, the regulation of corporate governance during initial public offerings (IPOs) is used increasingly as a capital markets policy instrument. As public listings declined, private-equity financing grew, and regulatory competition intensified, lawmakers reconsidered the role of mandatory …
In the world of corporate governance, large institutional investors wield power. But for many, that power comes from using their “voice” to call for changes within the firm because voting with their feet by selling their stake is not realistic. …
The European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act is now law. Some provisions are already in effect, but others are still being finalized, so boards are being asked to take digital governance seriously while the legal floor under their feet is still …
As UK companies prepare for the publication of their year-end annual reports and to hold their annual shareholder meetings, here are some updates.
On 21 October 2025, the Department for Business …
A recent OECD report explores key issues and trends in sustainable bond markets, including green bonds and sustainability-linked bonds. It aims to inform policy discussions on investors’ goals when acquiring sustainable bonds, how these instruments may influence corporate and official …
On December 18, 2025, President Trump signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (the “2026 NDAA”),which includes the Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act. The Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act amends Section 16(a) of the …
Debates on whether to simplify financial regulations are often framed as if complexity were a technical inconvenience –an unfortunate by-product of legislative over-exuberance that could be corrected by pruning rulebooks and consolidating texts. Yet the reality is not so simple. …
Climate-related reporting continues to be a controversial topic. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has withdrawn its defense of enhanced climate-related disclosures, the European Commission is debating how to scale back mandatory sustainability reporting requirements under its Omnibus revisions, …
Insiders such as executives, directors, and large shareholders often use company stock as collateral for personal loans. This practice is widespread but lightly regulated, and to many it has long seemed a harmless perk of wealth and a private decision …
The US is the world’s largest private credit market, tripling in size since 2010 (estimated to be around US$1.5 trillion today) and currently more than twice the size of Europe’s market (approximately US$500 billion-US$1 trillion), according to Barings’ report, Direct …
In recent years, institutional investors have been at the center of the global effort to advance an economic transition toward sustainability. Asset managers are increasingly expected to use their financial influence to promote environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives. However,
The rapid rise of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain is placing significant pressure on the established framework of corporate law. This pressure raises fundamental questions about whether these innovations require minor regulatory updates or warrant a re-examination …
For decades, European policymakers have aspired to create a single capital market capable of financing innovation on a scale comparable to that of the United States. Yet, as reiterated by the recent Letta and Draghi Reports, that ambition remains …
There is a robust debate among policymakers on whether to impose restrictions on the incentive pay of bankers. Proponents of such restrictions point to the great financial crisis and argue that enormous compensation packages give top executives and traders at …
Global capital markets are undergoing profound transformation. Over the past decade, there has been a marked decline in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in most advanced economies, including those with highly developed capital markets such as the United Kingdom and the …