The Euro at a Crossroads: Challenges and Opportunities in a Changing Global Currency Order
In a keynote speech, Thorsten Beck discusses the limited global role of the euro and the challenges it faces in becoming a true alternative to the US dollar.
Adam
Europe
Eurosystem balance sheet edges lower to 鈧�6.25 trillion as securities holdings decline and liquidity remains high
The latest consolidated financial statement of the Eurosystem for 10 April 2026 shows a slight weekly decline in total assets and liabilities, which stood at EUR 6.25 trillion, down by about EUR 6.5 billion compared with the previous week.
Tokenisation and the Future of Finance: The Role of Central Banks
In his keynote, Piero Cipollone discusses how technology鈥攅specially tokenisation and distributed ledger technology (DLT)鈥攃ould transform the financial system and improve its efficiency.
Extensive grazing: essential for one in three of Europe鈥檚 protected habitats
A new briefing from the European Environment Agency (EEA), published on 15 April 2026, highlights that low-intensity grazing is crucial for maintaining a significant share of Europe鈥檚 protected natural environments. According to the report, one in three habitats protected under EU law depends on extensive grazing practices.
ECB Calls for Stronger Single Market to Boost Bank Competitiveness
The European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council has urged deeper integration of the EU banking sector, stressing that a more unified Single Market is essential to strengthen competitiveness, resilience, and long-term economic growth in the euro area.
ECB Calls for Deeper Single Banking Market to Boost EU Competitiveness
The European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council has called for a stronger and more integrated Single Market for banking in the euro area, arguing that deeper financial integration is essential to improve competitiveness, resilience, and long-term economic growth.
Ursula von der Leyen reacts to the Hungarian election results
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen commented on the Hungarian election results in a post on X on Sunday evening, stating that 鈥淗ungary has chosen Europe.鈥�
Eurosystem Consolidated Financial Statement Shows Stable Assets Amid Quarter-End Adjustments
The Eurosystem鈥檚 consolidated balance sheet, published on 3 April 2026, reveals total assets of 鈧�6.25 trillion. While the overall level of assets has decreased slightly by 鈧�29 billion due to transactions over the past week, this has been more than offset by quarter-end adjustments amounting to 鈧�120 billion.
ECB Unveils Strategy to Strengthen Europe鈥檚 Payment System
The Eurosystem has presented a comprehensive new strategy for the future of European payments, aiming to ensure the system remains secure, innovative and resilient amid rapid technological change.
Euro Area Lending Rates Edge Down Slightly in February 2026
Euro area borrowing costs showed mixed but generally stable trends in February 2026, according to the European Central Bank.