Economic Times

• South Korea will implement 24-hour trading for the won starting July 6 to increase the currency's global appeal and accessibility for international investors. • The reform aims to improve market efficiency and liquidity, though officials acknowledge potential risks regarding currency volatility during low-liquidity hours. • This move comes as the country experiences strong equity inflows and significant overseas investments that continue to put pressure on the national currency.

• Swiss financial regulator Marlene Amstad is urging banks and watchdogs to rapidly adopt new technology to combat escalating cybersecurity threats amplified by AI. • Amstad emphasized the critical need for faster vulnerability patching, as AI models are increasingly being used to expose systemic risks. • FINMA is actively promoting AI adoption among global regulators to strengthen financial systems, with a particular focus on securing digital assets.

• South Korea's Kospi index plunged more than 8% on Friday, marking the steepest weekly decline for the market in over three months. • The crash was driven by a massive sell-off in chipmakers and U.S. tech shares, leading investors to liquidate recent gains. • The volatility was so severe that it triggered a circuit breaker, temporarily halting trading to stabilize the market.

• Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have invested a record ₹39,640 crore into Indian government securities (G-Secs) during June. • This surge is driven by expanded access to sovereign debt and specific tax exemptions designed to attract overseas capital. • The influx of funds is significant as it strengthens the case for India's inclusion in major global bond indices.

• South Korea's KOSPI index surged up to 6%, reaching an intraday high of 8,982 and extending gains for a second consecutive session. • The rally was driven by a rebound in domestic chip stocks, which helped the market recover from a steep 10% drop experienced earlier in the week. • The rapid ascent triggered a "sidecar" mechanism, which briefly halted trading after the index jumped 5% to maintain market stability.

• India's tech startups secured $7.2 billion in funding during the first half of 2026, representing a 12% increase compared to the previous year. • Despite the rise in total capital, the number of funding rounds declined sharply as investors shifted focus toward fewer, more mature companies. • Investment trends show a clear preference for deep-tech and infrastructure sectors over consumer-facing businesses, signaling a more disciplined approach to capital.

• European stock markets opened higher as technology shares surged, reigniting a rally centered on artificial intelligence. • The positive momentum was triggered by upbeat financial forecasts from US chipmakers Micron and Qualcomm, which helped alleviate investor concerns regarding inflated valuations. • Gains were primarily concentrated in the semiconductor sector, with chipmakers and equipment suppliers leading the upward trend.