News related to
Mid Term

Bahrain has lowered the minimum real estate investment needed to secure its 10-year Golden Residency visa from BD 200,000 to BD 130,000. The adjustment by the Ministry of Interior’s Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs is expected to boost interest in premium properties and make the residency scheme more accessible to a wider group of investors.

Under the revised threshold, people purchasing property worth at least BD 130,000 now qualify for long-term residence. Previously this benefit was available only to those investing BD 200,000 or more. The Golden Residency programme — launched in 2022 — offers a 10-year renewable permit that allows holders to work, sponsor family members, and enter and exit the kingdom freely. Those migrating under the scheme need not tie their status to an employer or lock in property ownership permanently.

The change may prove timely given growing competition in Gulf real-estate markets. Experts point out that the lower entry cost could reshape demand patterns, especially among mid-to-high net-worth expatriates seeking a base in the Gulf without committing the higher investment required by rival regional programmes. Real estate brokers report a noticeable uptick in enquiries from foreign nationals since the announcement — many exploring apartments and villas that now meet the updated investment threshold.

The authorities emphasised that despite the relaxed investment criteria, the high standards of the Golden Residency system remain intact. Investors must meet all documentation and qualification processes managed by the Ministry of Interior. Other pathways to qualify — including employment of a certain tenure and salary, retirement income or official recognition of exceptional talents — remain unaffected.

For property developers and brokers, the revised threshold may translate into renewed velocity in Bahrain’s high-end property segment. Several luxury residential projects are now being re-marketed, stressing that units previously deemed beyond reach now fall within qualification range. This could lead to increased sales volume, stronger investor inflows, and potentially an uptick in real-estate pricing.

Gulf-region expatriates assessing residency options have long compared the Kingdom’s Golden Residency with similar visas in neighbouring states. The reduced investment bar adds appeal to Bahrain’s model — with its combination of long-term residency, flexibility of employment, opportunity for family sponsorship and comparatively modest financial commitment.

Market attention turned sharply towards World Liberty Financial as its WLFI token climbed more than 7% on the daily chart, supported by renewed momentum in a buyback programme that has drawn heightened interest from traders. The jump in value, which pushed volumes higher across multiple exchanges, underscored a shift in sentiment around the project after a period of steady consolidation in its price trajectory.

Traders noted that the upswing aligned with the recommencement of the token buyback scheme, which had been announced earlier in the year as part of the platform’s strategy to stabilise circulating supply and incentivise long-term holding. The renewed activity around the programme appeared to signal confidence within the project’s core team, with market participants interpreting the move as an effort to strengthen liquidity and reinforce the token’s market position during a phase of broader volatility in digital assets.

The project, positioned as a decentralised finance ecosystem offering yield products and cross-border payment tools, has been attempting to carve out a more distinct space in the congested DeFi landscape. Its token performance has shown periods of sharp movement in line with broader market swings, but the latest rise stood out due to the targeted intervention through the buyback initiative. Analysts tracking on-chain data confirmed a noticeable reduction in WLFI circulating supply over the past 48 hours, indicating execution of the buyback in measurable volumes.

A senior market analyst at a Dubai-based digital asset fund said the token’s rebound reflected “a coordinated liquidity strategy combined with renewed user engagement,” adding that sustained price support would depend on whether the buybacks continue at a stable pace. The analyst also pointed to the rising interest in tokens backed by structured DeFi models, noting that these projects have gained traction as traders search for instruments offering more predictable mechanics compared with purely speculative assets.

WLFI’s latest surge coincided with a broad improvement in sentiment across mid-cap digital tokens, though its gain exceeded the general market trend. Data aggregators showed that while major assets such as Bitcoin and Ether recorded modest upward moves, WLFI’s performance outpaced most alternative tokens in its category. The increase was accompanied by a measurable uptick in wallet activity, with new holders entering the market as trading forums circulated speculation about further buyback rounds.

Company representatives had earlier disclosed that the buyback programme was designed to respond dynamically to market conditions, enabling the project to reinforce token value during periods of instability. Blockchain analysts have noted that such mechanisms, if implemented with transparency and predictable parameters, can help sustain community confidence and mitigate sharp sell-offs. The WLFI team’s renewed engagement, including technical updates and communication around upcoming ecosystem features, also contributed to the current sentiment shift.

Industry observers said market participants were also watching regulatory signals closely, as global jurisdictions continue to refine frameworks for digital assets. A clearer regulatory environment, particularly in markets influential to token liquidity, has historically contributed to greater investor participation. WLFI’s activity in markets such as the UAE and Southeast Asia has expanded over the past year, aided by partnerships with payment service providers and liquidity networks aiming to widen adoption.

Developments in DeFi have shown that buyback-driven appreciation, while effective in the short term, typically requires sustained platform growth to maintain momentum. This has put attention on WLFI’s roadmap, which outlines the rollout of additional financial tools and integrations aimed at strengthening ecosystem utility. Market analysts said user adoption metrics over the next quarter would be critical in determining whether the token can retain the gains recorded following the buyback revival.

The broader digital asset market has been characterised by alternating periods of risk appetite and caution, shaped by shifting macroeconomic indicators and geopolitical developments. WLFI’s rise occurred during a phase where traders were displaying a stronger preference for tokens linked to structured platforms with defined use cases. This positioned WLFI favourably as its developers highlighted enhancements to yield mechanisms and expansion into multi-chain support, which could increase platform accessibility.

Trading desks reported that the token’s order books reflected thicker buy-side interest as the session progressed, suggesting that momentum-driven traders were reinforcing the upward movement. Price analysts, however, cautioned that tokens experiencing sudden appreciation following buybacks may face corrections if broader market sentiment turns or if programme intensity decreases. Despite this, WLFI’s advocates argue that the project’s tokenomics structure is engineered to provide periodic support without distorting long-term market behaviour.

Moscow has moved to ease restrictions on investments tied to digital assets by announcing that major fund managers will be permitted to purchase derivatives linked to cryptocurrencies from early next year. Under this policy shift, the Bank of Russia plans to amend regulations in the first quarter of the upcoming year to allow capital-management firms, previously barred, to engage in futures and options referencing digital currencies.

The initiative marks a departure from earlier policy built around tightly defined access for “specially qualified” investors under a three-year pilot programme unveiled in March, which required individuals to hold over 100 million rubles in securities or earn above 50 million rubles annually. Deputy Finance Minister Ivan Chebeskov confirmed the government is also considering scrapping the “superqual” status entirely, a label proposed for crypto-investors under previous drafts.

The timing aligns with a broader regulatory realignment in which Moscow is both cautioning on crypto risks and expanding permissible use-cases. Earlier this year the central bank issued guidance emphasising that direct cryptocurrency holdings carry significant risk even as it proposed a stepped investment regime for qualified entities. Meanwhile legislators had sanctioned the use of crypto-assets for certain cross-border payments and legalised mining operations in July of last year.

Significant players in the Russian financial sector are already positioning themselves for the shift. Sberbank, the country’s largest lender by assets, reported it had raised 1.3 billion rubles through crypto derivative offerings in recent months and signalled plans to expand the business line further.

Market watchers interpret the regulatory loosening as part of a dual strategy: fostering new sources of capital amid constraints from sanctions, while maintaining supervisory controls on the evolving digital-asset ecosystem. “Allowing derivatives tied to cryptocurrencies is a big step—Russian funds were previously excluded,” said one analyst at a Moscow-based brokerage. At the same time, the analyst warned that “the oversight framework remains immature and the risks of liquidity, valuation and sanctions remain.”

Critics caution that letting traditional investment firms access crypto-linked instruments could raise systemic vulnerabilities. The European Union has recently targeted stablecoin-linked Russian entities under sanctions, and anti-money-laundering regulators flagged the region as high-risk, particularly in flows tied to offshore crypto trading.

Regulators in Moscow underline that the institutional gateway is intended to provide a controlled environment. The Bank of Russia’s earlier proposal for an experimental legal regime limited participation to investors meeting strict asset or income thresholds and required intermediaries to ensure transparency of transactions. It did not allow cryptocurrencies to be used as payment for goods and services.

As the investment window broadens, industry participants expect asset management firms to bring structured products to market, linking outcomes to benchmark crypto indices rather than direct holdings of tokens. “Derivatives give firms a means to hedge and gain exposure without custody of coins,” noted a fund-manager in Moscow. However, he added that regulatory clarity on taxation, disclosure, and cross-border transfers is still lacking.

The government’s removal of the “superqual” status could widen the investor base further, allowing mid-sized firms and high-net-worth individuals access to asset classes previously off-limits. This move may increase competition, as offshore platforms draw new Russian clients frustrated by domestic restrictions.

At the same time, the expanded framework raises questions about how Russia’s risk-management infrastructure will evolve. The central bank has repeatedly warned that cryptocurrencies remain speculative and not backed by the state; ongoing amendments to legislation will need to address issues of market integrity, investor protection and sanctions compliance.

By Dr. Nilanjan Banik With the long-awaited trade deal with the US delayed, India is deepening engagement with other developed partners such as the European Union (EU) and New Zealand to secure free trade agreements (FTAs). This shift reflects New Delhi’s intent to diversify its trade relationships and reduce dependency on any single major economy. […]

The article India’s Strategic Shift Toward Diversified Trade And Green Commitments appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Nantoo Banerjee The government may disagree but India’s persistent trade deficit is ruining the country’s economy despite its impressive growth. Last month, import-happy India’s trade deficit reached a record high level of US$41 billion as exports witnessed the sharpest monthly decline over a year. Unfortunately, a big surge in gold imports during October by […]

The article Behind India’s Rising Foreign Debt Is Growing Trade Deficit appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

The world’s largest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, fell swiftly this week as a sustained sell-off put the token on track for its steepest monthly decline since 2022. It slipped as much as 7.6 per cent to around $80,553 before trimming losses, while the broader crypto market cap fell below $3 trillion for the first time since April.

Forced liquidations, institutional outflows and thin liquidity emerged as key drivers of the slide. Analysts at Ergonia pointed to a convergence of derivative blow-outs and structural selling via exchange-traded products as factors creating a “particularly vulnerable state” where even stabilisation efforts face immediate supply pressure. Futures liquidations exceeded $1 billion, and data highlight more than 30 per cent in market cap erasure since early October.

While Bitcoin climbed to an all-time high near $126,000 in early October, the recent downturn amounts to roughly a 25 per cent retreat within the month. Bloomberg data confirm this represents the largest monthly fall since June 2022. The correction has triggered a reevaluation of year-end positioning, with derivatives markets assigning around a 50 per cent chance that Bitcoin finishes the year under $90,000 — marking a significant sentiment shift in a matter of weeks.

One root cause of the near-term pressure lies in the unwind of leveraged positions. Many traders who piled into futures and perpetual contracts saw funding rates turn against them, triggering cascaded liquidations. Binance chief executive Richard Teng described the move as a “healthy consolidation” for the industry, albeit one that comes amid rising risk aversion and tighter macro conditions. The wave of deleveraging has spilled into alt-coins and broader risk assets, emphasising how crypto still mirrors the wider market’s orientation toward volatility and liquidity stress.

Institutional-product flows add another level of challenge. The launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs earlier this year raised expectations of large capital inflows, but the current environment has seen outflows, particularly from funds that repositioned, hedged or redeemed positions. This structural selling has combined with retail and leveraged exits to deepen the draw-down.

Despite the short-term strain, some analysts suggest the correction may clear the way for a healthier structure going forward. Liquidity indicators normally near major crypto rallies are showing signs of restocking, and some models view the current phase as a reset rather than the end of the cycle. However, sceptics caution that macro risks — including higher rates, regulatory headwinds and geopolitical stress — continue to hang over the sector and may dampen the timing or pace of any recovery.

Among market participants, sentiment has shifted markedly. Portfolio manager Nigel Green of deVere Group noted that heavy borrowing in speculative positions meant “any reversal triggers liquidations that accelerate the move”. Others highlight that although corrections of 20–30 per cent have occurred in past Bitcoin bull markets, the current confluence of leverage, product flows and liquidity outflows is unique, suggesting this phase may represent more than a standard dip.

With December positioning now in focus, the coming days will be closely watched. The monthly close looms large — if Bitcoin avoids a full 25 per cent drop it could blunt the signal of stress; if it does not the message to markets could be more definitive. The broader crypto ecosystem will also look for signs of capitulation or stabilisation — levels of derivative stress, fund flows and institutional signals will inform whether this is a tactical pull-back or the early stages of a deeper consolidation.

As one of the first major asset-classes to undergo structural institutional adoption, Bitcoin’s current draw-down serves as a test of how the market absorbs large-scale flows and macro shocks. The unfolding developments will have implications well beyond the crypto world, casting light on how digital assets behave within the larger financial system.

Leaders of India and South Africa affirmed a joint commitment to amplify the resonance of the Global South during a bilateral meeting on the margins of the G20 summit in Johannesburg. India’s Prime Minister met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to review an expanding partnership that now encompasses trade, digital infrastructure and critical-minerals cooperation.

The leaders emphasised the historical foundation of bilateral ties, tracing back to shared anti-colonial struggles and longstanding people-to-people links. They identified emerging sectors of collaboration, including artificial intelligence and digital public platforms, as well as enhanced investment flows across innovation, infrastructure and mining sectors.

India expressed gratitude to South Africa for its role in relocating cheetahs to India and extended an invitation for South Africa to join the International Big Cat Alliance. At the G20 held in Johannesburg, which is the first summit of its kind hosted on African soil, South Africa has sought to spotlight issues of development, sustainability and Global South equity.

The two countries signalled their readiness to facilitate mutual investments, noting the growing footprint of Indian firms in South Africa and a shared interest in deepening bilateral ties in mining, start-ups, technology and infrastructure. They agreed to enhance support frameworks for these sectors.

In the domain of digital transformation, the meeting explored ways in which India’s Digital Public Infrastructure experience could be shared with South Africa, with the leaders discussing a roadmap for cooperation in those digital arenas that support transparency, inclusion and scalability.

On critical minerals—the backbone of technologies from electric vehicles to renewable energy systems—the dialogue underscored the strategic convergence of India’s growth ambitions and South Africa’s resource endowment. Both governments emphasised sustainable extraction, value-chain development and mutual investment as priorities.

The meeting also took place against the backdrop of global institutional reform debates, where developing countries increasingly seek to adjust frameworks such as the IMF and development banks. South Africa, as serving G20 chair, has framed its presidency around the themes of solidarity, equality and sustainability, particularly as representative of countries in the Global South.

While the two leaders concentrated on bilateral priorities, they also discussed multilateral coordination and collective platforms. They welcomed South Africa’s initiative to convene the IBSA leaders meeting and affirmed cooperation ahead of India’s upcoming chairship of BRICS in 2026.

Observers note that India–South Africa ties have evolved from traditional trade and diplomacy to a more strategic convergence around technology, investment, and global governance. According to experts, this shift reflects the changing priorities of middle powers in a multipolar world, where alignment on development and technological sovereignty is rising.

However, there remain practical challenges. For South Africa, translating resource-rich endowments into sustainable, inclusive growth has long been a domestic policy hurdle. For India, ensuring that digital partnerships respect both sovereignty and local capacity presents implementation risks. Critics argue that while high-level pledges are valuable, they must be matched by concrete mechanisms, regulatory clarity and project-level follow-through.

In trade terms, the two countries’ discussions come at a time when global supply-chain realignments and technology competition are raising the stakes for investment in emerging markets. Indian companies entering South Africa will need to navigate regulatory complexity, local participation requirements and the country’s infrastructure bottlenecks. South Africa, for its part, will have to ensure that its mining and start-up ecosystem attract and retain investment while meeting environmental and community benchmarks.

The diplomatic messaging also signals a broader orientation for both nations. India’s engagement with Africa has increasingly focused on capacity-building and infrastructure, while South Africa has positioned itself as a voice for Africa in global forums. Their joint push to amplify the Global South suggests an intention to influence agendas around debt relief, climate finance, digital equity and reform of global institutions.

By Nitya Chakraborty The meeting on Friday November 21 between the U.S. President Donald Trump and the New York Mayoral-elect Zohran Mamdani produced a win-win situation for both leaders. The maverick Republican President who earlier called Mamdani a lunatic communist and the 34 year old firebrand democratic socialist who calls even now Trump a fascist, […]

The article Trump-Mamdani Meet: It Was A Win-Win Situation For Both Leaders appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

US-based artificial intelligence firm Luma AI has secured a $900 million Series C funding round led by Saudi-backed HUMAIN, the AI venture owned by the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund. Participation also came from AMD Ventures and existing investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Amplify Partners and Matrix Partners. The funding is part of a broader strategy to advance multimodal artificial general intelligence capable of generating, interpreting and interacting with the physical world.

Luma AI’s valuation following the round is estimated at over $4 billion, underscoring the intense competition among frontier AI firms. The company specialises in “world models” that integrate video, audio, image and language to drive applications in robotics, simulation, advertising, gaming and personalised education. CEO Amit Jain described the aim as training systems on “a quadrillion tokens” of multimedia data to move beyond current large-language-model architectures.

HUMAIN, having positioned itself as a global full-stack AI player, will use the funding partnership to anchor its compute infrastructure ambitions. The joint roadmap includes the rollout of what HUMAIN terms “Project Halo” — a super-cluster targeting up to 2 gigawatts of AI compute capacity in the kingdom. Luma AI will become a key customer of this infrastructure.

The funding and infrastructure build-out reflect a strategic shift in Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification efforts. Under the leadership of Mohammed bin Salman, the PIF is deepening commitments to AI and high-performance computing as pillars of its wider Vision 2030 agenda. Luma AI’s partnership becomes a vehicle for exportable AI capabilities and for strengthening the kingdom’s position in the global tech ecosystem.

From Luma AI’s perspective, the capital infusion and access to sovereign-scale compute represent a strategic lever to accelerate development of next-generation models. In entertainment and creative industries the company already claims traction: its Ray3 reasoning video model has been embedded within major platforms. The new funding will allow expansion into simulation, robotics and immersive media. Jain asserted that only by integrating systems and infrastructure at scale can models “understand and simulate the universe”.

For HUMAIN the deal accomplishes several objectives: securing a marquee US AI partner, anchoring compute commitments, and beginning commercial deployments of its planned AI infrastructure. The first phase of the accompanying joint venture with Cisco Systems and AMD will deliver a 100-megawatt data-centre cluster in Saudi Arabia, fully subscribed by Luma AI, with construction scheduled to begin in 2026 and renewable energy powering the facility.

The global implications are significant. With Asia, Europe, India, the Middle East and Africa identified as target markets-worth an estimated 4.5 billion people-the infrastructure build-out promises to reshape the geography of AI training and inference. HUMAIN’s model seeks to challenge the dominance of US- and China-based AI supply chains.

Challenges remain. Developing multimodal AGI is widely acknowledged as highly complex, with technical risks, high compute costs and uncertain commercial timelines. Critics highlight concerns about geopolitical dependencies in AI infrastructure and the ethical implications of deploying models trained on vast multimedia datasets. The Saudi-US dimension adds further scrutiny given strategic sensitivities around data, export controls and digital sovereignty.