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The United Arab Emirates is on track to maintain an annual growth rate of approximately 4 % from 2025 through 2028, underpinned by robust expansion in non-oil sectors and rising oil output, according to S&P Global Ratings.

S&P’s Zahabia S Gupta, Director of the Sovereign team, emphasised that even with softened oil prices and global growth headwinds, the federation and individual emirates are projected to record consecutive fiscal surpluses. Boosted liquidity and investment returns are expected to raise the UAE’s net asset position to around 177 % of GDP by 2028.

Oil production quotas agreed by OPEC+ are forecast to remain elevated, enhancing the UAE’s hydrocarbon revenues, though the non-oil sectors—such as finance, real estate, tourism, and services—are seen as the main drivers. The Central Bank raised its 2024 GDP projection to 4 % and forecasts growth of 6 % for 2025. Sectoral diversification, including continued investment in infrastructure, logistics, and digital technologies, will support sustained activity levels across the seven emirates.

Emirates’ fiscal health, backed by solid sovereign reserves and rising yields on sovereign-backed assets, positions the government to generate surpluses even amid modest global economic slowdown. Gupta points out that income from liquid investments will be critical in reinforcing net asset accumulation. This resilient fiscal trajectory contrasts favourably with regional peers.

Sharjah, however, presents a more cautious outlook. S&P recently revised its forecast for the emirate’s economic performance, predicting roughly 3 % annual growth through 2028 alongside a widening deficit that is expected to reach 6.7 % of GDP in 2024. The difference underlines the UAE’s internal variance in expansion and structural robustness.

The UAE’s medium-term macroeconomic forecast aligns with IMF projections indicating real GDP growth of about 4.2 % in 2025 and a gradual uptick to 4.5 % by 2028. Non‑oil GDP growth is expected to consistently outpace the oil sector, significantly contributing to overall diversification efforts. Financing this will involve domestic debt issuance, estimated at around US $19 billion in 2024, nearly 55 % of which will be allocated to development projects.

Market observers note that the central bank’s policy rate adjustments, tied to the US Federal Reserve, may influence domestic lending conditions, but the policy outlook remains cautious given the dirham’s peg to the dollar. Financial sector resilience—evidenced by healthy bank liquidity and expanding lending—will support private sector credit growth.

The UAE’s strategic economic pivot includes deeper integration into global supply chains, expansion of tourism and hospitality capacity, and advanced digital infrastructure rollout. High-profile projects such as the Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort, which is set to open in Ras Al Khaimah in 2027, reflect the commitment to economic diversification.

Investors and analysts recognise that sustaining 4 % growth will require balancing oil revenue reliance with resilient non-hydrocarbon sectors. Fiscal discipline and effective public investment will remain crucial, particularly amid geopolitical tensions and potential global demand fluctuations. S&P’s projections anticipate that the UAE will continue recording fiscal surpluses, unlike other economies which may face tightening pressures.

The UAE’s economic trajectory contrasts sharply with that of Saudi Arabia, where growth is expected to accelerate to about 4 % over the same period—yet heavily influenced by oil production—underscoring the UAE’s relative strength in non‑oil diversification. The country’s strategic position as a regional financial and logistics hub reinforces its prospects against external shocks.

Challenges persist, including global inflationary pressures, energy price volatility, and regional geopolitical uncertainty. The government’s capacity to manage these risks, while preserving capital buffers and sustaining reform momentum, will be critical to achieve projected outcomes.

Senior officials in Washington have quietly activated contingency plans for military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, marking a dramatic shift in US posture amid escalating Israeli–Iranian hostilities. According to multiple reports, including Bloomberg and Reuters, the White House and Defence Department are preparing the operational infrastructure needed to engage Tehran directly.

President Donald Trump, speaking on 18 June outside the White House, offered only ambiguity: “I may do it. I may not do it… nobody knows what I’m going to do.” Meanwhile, senior US generals, defence secretaries and intelligence chiefs are said to be readying federal agencies for a possible weekend strike. Forces in the Middle East have been repositioned; aircraft and ships have been moved from bases such as Al‑Udeid in Qatar and Bahrain’s Fifth Fleet port to reduce vulnerabilities.

Sources indicate that the primary target could be Iran’s underground Fordow uranium enrichment plant — a hardened bunker facility situated within a mountain and long deemed beyond Israel’s military reach without US bunker‑busting capacity. With Israel continuing airstrikes on Iran as part of ‘Operation Rising Lion’, analysts assess that a US strike would dramatically escalate the conflict.

Within the White House, debate is intensifying. The New York Times and Washington Post report that Trump, influenced by hawkish advisors such as Senator Lindsey Graham and defence chiefs, has signed off on strike plans but is awaiting final approval. His delay aims to allow Iran a final diplomatic window — offering a chance to curb uranium enrichment before force is used.

Opposition persists even within Trump’s own camp. A divide between hawks, advocating for decisive action, and MAGA-aligned isolationists, including Vice President Vance and media figure Tucker Carlson, highlights the internal tug-of-war shaping presidential decision‑making. Trump has underscored this dynamic: advisors like Gen. Dan Caine and CIA Director John Ratcliffe have pressed for a more aggressive stance, while isolationists urge restraint.

Politically, the administration faces calls for a formal congressional mandate. Critics argue the Constitution requires authorisation for military action beyond self‑defence; proponents counter the urgency of neutralising Iran’s perceived nuclear threat demands swift action.

Diplomacy continues in parallel. The UK, France and Germany are convening in Geneva to press Iran on de-escalation — a track the US has distanced itself from. Tehran has responded with warnings to Washington, promising strong retaliation if US forces become involved.

Markets have reacted with caution. Observers note fears of a broader Middle East conflict, amplified oil price volatility, and rising inflationary risks tied to increased military spending. Central banks, notably the Federal Reserve and Bank of England, must weigh geopolitical shocks alongside inflation outlooks.

On the ground, Israeli airstrikes have continued across Iran, targeting nuclear infrastructure including Arak and Natanz, with over 1,100 sites reportedly struck since mid‑June. Iran has launched multiple missile barrages at Israeli territory; civilian casualties are said to be in the hundreds on both sides.

The timing of any US strike remains uncertain. Sources cite a possible weekend window, with final orders likely to be issued at the last moment. Pentagon leadership, including SecDef Hegseth and Gen. Caine, are expected to have operational control, while the president retains final authority.

As conflicting pressures swirl — military readiness, strategic diplomacy, domestic political debates — all eyes are on whether President Trump will strike at Iran’s underground sites or continue hedging amid rising global risk.

FalconX, a leading cryptocurrency prime brokerage, has initiated informal talks with bankers and advisers to explore an initial public offering in 2025, signalling a significant move to satisfy burgeoning institutional demand for digital assets. The firm, which last raised $150 million in 2022 at an $8 billion valuation, is not yet retaining an underwriter—an early but strategic step toward going public.

Founded in 2018, FalconX began as a crypto-focused prime broker, enabling clients to trade directly on exchanges. Today it spans three verticals—markets, custody and staking, and direct market access prime brokerage—positioning itself as a full-spectrum financial services provider for institutional clients. This evolution reflects growing investor interest in digital assets and the firm’s expansion through deals and strategic integration.

In early 2025, FalconX acquired Arbelos Markets, marking its entry into the derivatives segment, a lucrative but highly competitive space. It also forges partnerships with established players such as Standard Chartered, integrating global banking and foreign-exchange capabilities, and with Cantor Fitzgerald, accessing a credit facility collateralised by Bitcoin—its “first step in a broader credit framework” to bolster institutional offerings.

The broader crypto sector is experiencing an IPO wave. Several digital-asset platforms, including Fold, Exodus and eToro, have listed in 2025. Notably, stablecoin issuer Circle achieved a landmark $1.1 billion IPO on 5 June, marking the largest crypto-market debut in history and fuelling expectations of further listings. Following Circle’s success, firms such as Bullish and Gemini filed for public listings, with Kraken and Justin Sun’s Tron Group also preparing filings.

Amid this sector-wide momentum, FalconX is working to enhance its public profile, seeking to craft a compelling narrative ahead of a potential IPO. The firm’s strategy, according to one insider, emphasises readiness to appeal to public-market investors, including both strategic partnerships and public relations positioning.

The firm’s track record underpins its IPO ambition. In June 2022, it secured a $150 million Series D led by Singapore’s GIC and B Capital at an $8 billion valuation. That round also involved Thoma Bravo, Wellington Management, Adams Street Partners and Tiger Global Management. CEO Raghu Yarlagadda emphasised FalconX’s market‑neutral model, rigorous risk‑management and profitability amid volatility—a rarity in the crypto space.

With over $430 million in capital raised to date, FalconX has demonstrated resilience, continuing to hire and expand services even as competitors retrench. GIC’s commitment and the firm’s strategic posture reflect stable investor confidence.

Institutional demand for crypto is rapidly growing, and FalconX’s moves align with this shift. The acquisition of Arbelos, banking collaboration and credit facility signal a broader ambition to integrate traditional and digital finance infrastructures, broaden offerings and close service gaps. As co-head of markets Joshua Lim observed, strategic partnerships and acquisitions enable FalconX to fill missing links that would otherwise force customers to assemble services piecemeal.

Within this context, launching an IPO emerges as both a capital‑raising tool and a visibility lever. As one adviser noted, “When you launch an IPO, you need to have a story…. You’re selling yourself to the investing public”. FalconX’s groundwork suggests readiness to craft that narrative, aligning with its strong financial position and strategic trajectory.

A coalition of South Korea’s top 100 firms generated an economic contribution of 1,615.2 trillion won in 2024, marking a 3.9 percent rise from the previous year, according to CEO Score data released on 18 June. Samsung Electronics led the charge with a 7 percent increase to 157.5 trillion won, accounting for 9.8 percent of the total haul.

This growth reflects an integrated model of wealth distribution across stakeholders—suppliers, workers, government, shareholders and communities. Total sales of these firms reached 2,122.4 trillion won, growing 6.6 percent year-on-year, underlining the deep economic interlinkages driving expansion.

Hyundai Motor secured the second position with a contribution of 115.2 trillion won, followed by Kia at 86.6 trillion won, which spectacularly posted the steepest increase thanks to surging supplier payments. Among the top ten contributors were LG Electronics, Hyundai Mobis, GS Caltex, SK Energy, Posco, Samsung C&T and LG Chem. In contrast, LG Energy Solution saw a pronounced drop of 28.3 percent to 19.2 trillion won, weighed down by lower stakeholder payouts.

Industry breakdown highlights that electronics and IT firms contributed about 370 trillion won, followed by petrochemicals at 312 trillion won and the auto sector at 303.5 trillion won. Construction, shipbuilding, steel and distribution made further sizeable additions, reflecting a diverse industrial base.

The dominance of chaebol giants—especially Samsung—continues unabated. Samsung and its affiliates, constituting nearly a quarter of national GDP, help drive national innovation and exports. Beyond scale, these conglomerates are embracing strategic shifts. Government figures show a record R&D investment of 83.6 trillion won by South Korean firms, with Samsung alone ploughing 30.2 trillion won into innovation, followed by SK hynix at 4.5 trillion won, Hyundai at 4.3 trillion won, and LG Electronics at 3.4 trillion won.

Despite stepping up R&D budgets by 15.3 percent, only 40 domestic firms made the global top 2,000 by R&D outlays, compared to 681 in the US and 524 in China—underscoring scope for further thrust in innovation. Within semiconductors, South Korea continues to hold a dominant global footprint, commanding approximately 60 percent of the DRAM market and 52.6 percent of NAND, led by Samsung and SK hynix. Notably, SK hynix claimed 36 percent of DRAM market share in Q1 2025, overtaking Samsung’s 34 percent.

This data reveals a dual narrative: chaebol behemoths remain the backbone of the economy, but a growing reliance on innovation and global competitiveness is reshaping the corporate landscape. Hyundai’s pivot to electric vehicles, Kia’s ramped-up supplier integration and LG’s diversification into chemicals and energy solutions are emblematic of this shift.

However, concentration risk persists. Samsung and its affiliates form a significant share of GDP and exports, but reliance on a limited set of heavyweights may expose the economy to global headwinds. The comparative lag in R&D-intensive mid-sized firms risks stifling long-term resilience.

Nevertheless, public policy is responding. Regulatory tweaks aimed at supporting corporate research and streamlining licensing protocols, alongside financial incentives and infrastructure development, suggest a proactive stance to broaden innovation beyond the chaebol core.

As South Korea navigates economic turbulence—from fluctuating global demand to supply chain uncertainties and U.S.–China tech tensions—the measured expansion of stakeholder-driven value and intensification of R&D efforts signal a strategic repositioning.

Powered by over 45 AI‑based strategies spanning arbitrage, trend‑following and swing trading, the platform reports impressive performance metrics. Annualised returns range from 60 % to 3 500 %, win rates hover between 85 % and 95 %, maximum drawdowns are tightly controlled at 15–70 %, and Sharpe ratios exceed 2.6 — all underpinning over USD 1 billion in assets under strategy management as of Q2 2025. One standout offering, “BTC Grid Arbitrage + AI Risk Control”, executed 540 trades in 2024 with a 92 % success rate and yielded a total return of 272 %.

At its heart, Nivex purports AI is not simply a feature, but the platform’s operating system. Users define goals and the AI assumes responsibility for detecting trends, assembling strategies, allocating capital, managing risk and executing trades at millisecond speeds. Combined with a suite of tools including spot and futures trading, dollar‑cost averaging and grid trading, the platform positions itself not as an exchange, but an intelligent asset engine.

A central component of Nivex’s offering is its AI Strategy Engine, which supports customizable parameters—such as leverage, stop‑loss, DCA and drawdown limits—and integrates institutional-grade strategies. Complemented by Smart Yield and AI Lending systems, users can earn APYs of up to 60 % on fixed terms, while automated lending tools continually optimise on‑chain opportunities.

Critical to its ambitions is delivery of institutional‑grade signal copying. By aggregating signals from global quant funds, Nivex enables retail users to subscribe and replicate live trades via automated execution, stop‑loss and performance tracking—without any coding. The company asserts this approach raises win rates by 30 % and improves execution speed by 80 % compared with manual trading.

Nivex is also developing an “Institutional Buying Heat Index” based on fusion of ETF flows, on‑chain transfers, CEX‑DEX liquidity movements and sentiment signals. This engine converts macro and micro market trends into actionable portfolios for both retail users and institutional clients via APIs and data subscriptions.

Compliance and geographic expansion underpin Nivex’s credibility. The platform operates service centres in North America, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Southeast Asia, holding licences with FinCEN and MSB, and pursuing approvals from MAS, VARA and AUSTRAC. It also hosted AI‑driven closed‑door summits at Token2049 Singapore, attracting industry leaders such as Justin Sun of TRON.

Industry analysts highlight a growing shift in trading infrastructure—from simple order‑matching to data‑driven, strategy‑oriented platforms. Nivex exemplifies this trend, providing automated AI‑based strategy execution at a time when global investment in AI surpassed USD 350 billion in 2024.

The AI trading platform market is projected to grow from USD 11.5 billion in 2024 to USD 75.5 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 20.7 %, driven by high demand for automation, faster decision‑making and cost reduction. Within this context, major players include Kavout, Numerai and Algotraders — yet Nivex’s rapid integration of AI, compliance and global deployment positions it as a formidable contender.

Yet adoption of AI in trading brings challenges. Regulatory regimes struggle to keep pace, raising concerns about algorithmic opacity, data integrity and algorithmic bias. Nivex appears conscious of such risks, emphasising transparency, backtesting via a Strategy Lab, risk‑control features and strict KYC/AML protocols.

From a user experience angle, Nx.one’s prior focus on intuitive interface design, multi‑language support, real‑time analytics and security layer architecture—including multi‑signature wallets, cold storage, encryption, firewall defences and audit transparency—appears retained under Nivex.

CEO Simon highlighted Nivex’s core vision: “We’re not building a cheaper exchange—we’re building a smarter platform. Let the system trade for you. Let AI manage risk. Let data create wealth,” adding, “In the next five years, the most valuable asset won’t be trading skills. It’ll be your connection to a system that improves itself”.

Bitcoin has surged to command approximately 64 per cent of the global cryptocurrency market, a dominance level unseen since January 2021 and propelled by heavy institutional inflows following the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024. This increased dominance has coincided with a resurgence in confidence for Ethereum, which has seen its share climb from around 7.1 per cent in April to approximately 9.3 per cent today.

This shift marks a turning point in crypto capital flows. For many investors, Bitcoin remains the safe harbour amid global market volatility and rising macroeconomic uncertainty. According to the Financial Times, heightened Bitcoin dominance is underpinned by “heightened institutional investment,” with major hedge funds such as Millennium Management and Brevan Howard among top ETF holders. Smaller tokens have lost ground as smart money funnels into the more established and liquid assets.

Ethereum’s revival reflects this evolving dynamic. Once languishing with just over 7 per cent market share in April, it has rebounded to 9.3 per cent. Analysts attribute the rise to improving investor sentiment and increasing adoption of Ethereum-based applications. Technical indicators also support a bullish outlook: Ethereum’s market value has risen nearly 48 per cent over the past three months, compared to Bitcoin’s 31 per cent.

Chart patterns signal a potential inflection. Bitcoin dominance has encountered resistance at around 64–65 per cent, hinting at a possible reversal. Analysts such as “Astronomer” on social platforms point out that Bitcoin’s market share is approaching a critical ceiling and may soon recede—a shift that historically precedes renewed altcoin activity.

Investor behaviour appears to reflect this emerging balance. Spot Ethereum ETFs have attracted sustained inflows, with over US$1.3 billion entering ETH products across 19 consecutive days. Additionally, ‘smart money’ whale activity in ETH protocols indicates a strategic accumulation, even as retail traders step back. These large-scale holders are said to control nearly 27 per cent of the total ETH supply—an indication of growing institutional confidence.

Market analysts underscore that Bitcoin dominance near 64 per cent still keeps altcoins marginalised. Daan Crypto warns that unless Bitcoin dominance dips below this level, funds will remain weighted toward Bitcoin. The Altcoin Season Index—a metric tracking the performance of top altcoins relative to Bitcoin—currently sits in the 30s, suggesting a fading but not yet full-blown move into altcoins. Historically, a shift above 75 triggers more substantive altcoin rallies.

Nevertheless, proponents argue that liquidity rotation is underway. Ethereum’s rise is seen as the vanguard, often signalling broader market rotation into high-cap alternatives. As Maxwell Mutuma noted, “Altcoins have spent a good part of 2025 playing catch‑up…with Bitcoin’s dominance at 64 per cent, it’s certainly raised some concerns,” even as “Ethereum’s recent surge hints at a broader altcoin rotation”.

Despite current trends, caution remains. Analyst Severino has advised that although technical indicators support a pullback in Bitcoin’s dominance, any full-scale altcoin rally is not yet assured. He emphasises that meaningful declines below 62 per cent in Bitcoin dominance would be needed to confirm a structural shift in asset allocation.

Ethereum stands at the centre of this crossroads. With its market share approaching 9.3 per cent, ongoing technological updates such as the upcoming Pectra upgrade may reinforce investor confidence and drive further capital inflows.

The current scene paints a narrative of cautious optimism. Bitcoin remains firmly dominant, buoyed by institutional demand, but Ethereum’s resurgence signals that capital is beginning to trickle back into the altcoin space. Whether this marks the vanguard of a broader altcoin resurgence or simply a temporary reprieve will depend on whether Bitcoin dominance retreats from its 64 per cent plateau.

Abu Dhabi’s state‑owned oil giant ADNOC has unveiled plans to escalate its U.S. energy investments six‑fold over the next decade, targeting a total of $440 billion. Speaking in Washington on 17 June, Sultan al‑Jaber, ADNOC Chief Executive and UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, declared that the American market is “not just a priority; it is an investment imperative” for the company’s global expansion.

Al‑Jaber underlined the urgency of the move, emphasising that artificial intelligence represents a “once‑in‑a‑generation investment opportunity.” He pointed out that the growth of data centres driven by AI will demand substantial power— “The next stage of evolution” in energy consumption, he said. The planned investments will span a wide spectrum: anchor stakes in the largest liquefied natural gas facility in Texas, petrochemical plants, and the deployment of 5.5 gigawatts of renewable energy paired with storage systems “from coast to coast”.

ADNOC’s international investment arm, XRG, is cementing its presence with a new Washington office, aimed at steering these high‑stakes ventures. XRG has already struck a deal with Occidental’s 1PointFive for a direct air capture project in Texas, with potential investment reaching $500 million. Additional widescale cooperation includes agreements to develop U.S. gas, LNG, specialty chemicals and energy infrastructure.

The announcement synchronises with a broader bilateral strategy: in March, senior UAE officials committed to a ten‑year, $1.4 trillion investment framework in the U.S., covering sectors such as AI, energy, semiconductors and manufacturing. As part of that pact, U.S. companies agreed to invest $60 billion in UAE energy assets. The XRG–Occidental partnership, as well as other collaborations involving ExxonMobil, Japanese firms Inpex and JODCO, is expected to expand capacity at Abu Dhabi’s major offshore oil field, Upper Zakum.

At the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in Washington, al‑Jaber addressed the broader challenge of powering AI, stating that U.S. energy infrastructure must undergo a “system‑wide shift” to keep pace. He highlighted the need to hyperscale energy supply—from gas, renewables with storage and nuclear—to meet the projected requirement of 50–150 GW of new capacity just in the next five years. He warned against prematurely retiring existing power plants, advocating instead for grid modernisation and rapid permitting for new infrastructure.

Environmental groups have voiced concern that the surge in AI‑driven energy demand could lead to rising carbon emissions unless clean energy is prioritised. In response, al‑Jaber suggested that AI could, in fact, offer solutions—optimising grid efficiency and managing load fluctuations, effectively “unlocking its own energy challenge”.

The energy‑AI summit ENACT, hosted by XRG and MGX alongside the Atlantic Council, gathered leading figures from across the energy, tech and finance sectors. Delegates, including representatives from Exxon, OpenAI and BP, discussed mid‑ and long‑term strategies to address the escalating power needs of hyperscale data centres.

These developments are set against a backdrop of rising instability in the Middle East, where al‑Jaber cautioned that energy remains a “cornerstone of peace, stability and prosperity,” signalling that the new chapter of collaboration aims to underpin global energy security.

For the U.S., the influx of investment promises a host of benefits: large‑scale infrastructure expansion, high‑task employment, and reinforced energy resilience. Projects under the UAE umbrella—from LNG plants to hydrogen and carbon capture initiatives—are poised to generate thousands of jobs, while U.S. energy firms gain access to new development avenues both at home and back in the Gulf.

Yet questions remain. Policy experts stress that realisation of al‑Jaber’s ambitious vision will depend heavily on ensuring timely regulatory approvals and creating an effective risk environment for private capital. Moreover, balancing fossil fuel commitments with the drive toward decarbonisation will require clear direction from both governments and industry stakeholders.

A coalition of civic groups has presented the Election Commission with over 54,000 signatures demanding a public vote on the Entertainment Complex Business Act, a proposed law to legalise integrated resorts with casinos in Thailand. The petition surpasses the 50,000-signature threshold mandated by the National Referendum Act, compelling authorities to verify the submissions within 30 days.

The campaign, led by the Stop Gambling Foundation and allied organisations, began gathering support in January and reached its goal in May after approximately 120 days of mobilisation. On submission day, activists including Thanakorn Khomkrit, the foundation’s secretary-general, and youth representative Wasinee Sonsaeb, arrived at the Commission’s offices in Bangkok backed by over 100 civil society figures.

Proponents of the law argue it would generate substantial economic advantages. Cabinet estimates suggest that legal casinos in integrated resorts could add between US$3.5 billion and $7 billion annually to tourism revenue, attract nearly US$3 billion per development, create thousands of jobs, and lift tourist numbers by 5–10%. The government also contends such regulation might curb illegal gambling and bolster the national economy.

Yet critics argue the bill was neither debated during the 2023 election campaign nor subjected to meaningful public consultation. Thanakorn Khomkrit warned that proceeding with casino legislation without a public mandate could pose political dangers and exacerbate societal tensions, especially given concerns around sufficiency-economy principles. He urged that a referendum would lend legitimacy to both the government and investors, reducing public resistance.

Echoing those views, Wasinee Sonsaeb cautioned that legalising casinos and online gambling “would be handing down a sinful legacy to our children,” warning that current proposals echo past mistakes instead of learning from thorough consultation seen in jurisdictions like Singapore.

Under the referendum law, once the commission validates the signatures, the petition will be forwarded to the Cabinet Secretariat for consideration. The Cabinet must then approve a referendum before legislation may proceed.

The bill’s political trajectory has already faced obstacles. Introduced to Cabinet on 13 January, it received preliminary approval; however, debate was postponed until Parliament’s July session following resistance from coalition members and public protests. Proposed safeguards include a 5,000‑baht entry fee for Thai nationals with a minimum bank deposit of 50 million baht, along with capping casino space at 5% of each complex.

Economic modelling from Thailand’s Fiscal Policy Office projects that integrated resorts could draw 5–20% more foreign visitors and increase per-visitor spending from 40,000 to 60,000 baht. International gaming giants including Las Vegas Sands, MGM, Wynn, Genting, and Galaxy have reportedly expressed interest, particularly in the Bangkok market.

Still, public opposition remains fierce. Alongside concerns about youth exposure and gambling dependency, critics emphasise that transparency demands more extensive public dialogue. A January poll found nearly half the population doubted the bill would pass because of widespread disapproval.