Global Scans · Legal · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Substantive regulatory change is likely to happen in the next decade as a result of the recent U.S. Presidential election, Brexit and efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change, increase trade and reduce bureaucracy while legislating for new forms of technological advancement such as robots, driverless cars and drones.

• [New] Observers are closely monitoring Japan's legislative developments, as the introduction of new anti-espionage laws could impact Russia's intelligence operations. Crypto Briefing
• [New] The Japanese government, recognizing the growing threat, has initiated measures to strengthen its counterintelligence capabilities, including the formation of a National Intelligence Council and the drafting of new anti-espionage legislation. Crypto Briefing
• [New] The next twenty-four months of FHFA implementation, CFPB Section 1033 activity, and state-level rent reporting laws will decide whether US credit scoring continues to widen access or stalls under documentation and audit pressure. TechBullion
• [New] ESRB could recommend to (the European Securities and Markets Authority), the European Commission, or national regulators that they exercise their legal powers to regulate private credit. Insurance Journal
• [New] The MPA Legal Coalition, comprising 11 organizations, will push the European Commission to take action against several member states that are failing to comply with their legal obligations to protect marine ecosystems, and will support legal action at the national level. Positive News
• [New] If the draft measures pass into law, firms which fail to comply could be made to pay £18m or 10% of global turnover - whichever is greater. BBC News
• [New] The U.S. Senate legislation that would regulate the crypto industry is wobbling forward in what are likely its final days as a viable effort for 2026, and advocates expect a new draft could emerge as soon as next week for potential Senate action later in the month. CoinDesk
• [New] As governments work together on licensing, reporting, and compliance, experts compiling lists of predictions for 2026 expect global crypto regulations to become a more important factor in how users and businesses think about crypto privacy. Bitcoin Foundation
• [New] The European Union has withdrawn approval for over 70 active substances under Regulation No 1107/2009 since its implementation, with further re-evaluations underway under the EU Farm to Fork Strategy targeting a 50% reduction in overall pesticide use by 2030. Persistence Market Research
• [New] French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said she plans to run in 2027's presidential elections, mounting a campaign that faces a legal minefield stemming from her conviction for misusing European Parliament funds. FDD
• [New] Justice Department guidance narrowing obligations under landmark disability laws, combined with Trump's order promoting involuntary treatment for homelessness, could embolden states to steer people back into institutions. Los Angeles Times
• [New] Local Law 154 prohibits the use of fossil fuels in most new construction and will start applying to high-rise buildings in 2027. Yahoo News
• [New] The PYMNTS Intelligence and Citi report Chain Reaction: Regulatory Clarity as the Catalyst for Blockchain Adoption found that blockchain's next leap will be shaped by regulation. PYMNTS.com
• [New] As AI evolves faster than traditional regulation, the FCA is re-thinking what it means to be an effective regulator, with greater emphasis on competition, collaboration and system-wide risk awareness. / UK FCA
• [New] Bank account governance is often fragmented across Treasury, Accounting, Legal, and HR, creating unclear ownership, inconsistent controls, and increased exposure to fraud, audit findings, and operational disruption. Annual Conference
• [New] The PRC's National Unity and Progress Promotion law could make a number of groups vulnerable to detention or sanctions, including overseas PRC ethnic minorities, overseas Chinese and dissidents, foreign lawmakers, journalists and researchers, Taiwanese officials and citizens. American Enterprise Institute - AEI
• [New] The PRC's new law on ethnic unity intimidates individuals whose activities, careers, and identities threaten the PRC's conception of ethnic unity. American Enterprise Institute - AEI
• [New] The Bank of England has signalled the need for more sophisticated regulation to manage the financial stability risks posed by increasingly autonomous agentic AI systems. FTI Strategic Communications
• [New] The UK is conducting its own review of the Payment Services Regulations, with the FCA expected to consult on updated safeguarding rules as part of the broader consolidation of the UK payments framework following Brexit divergence. The Fintech Times
• [New] President Donald Trump's abrupt shift toward an aggressive and unpredictable oversight regime for artificial intelligence has some in the industry yearning for some Biden-style regulation. Mimir's Well
• [New] The UK government has announced it will operationalise regulations that will tackle illegal deforestation, by prohibiting the use of illegal commodities and establishing commodity-based due diligence reporting frameworks, Responsible Investor reports. FTI Strategic Communications
• [New] A blockchain project considering a U.S. launch, a derivatives exchange debating the merits of listing tokenized deposits, or a venture fund trying to increase exposure to altcoins will all be affected by regulation changes. Bitcoin Foundation

Last updated: 14 July 2026