Vietnam is pushing its rare earth sector up the value chain, seeking to capture more value from its reserves rather than export raw materials. But reliance on foreign capital could constrain national development goals.
China is preparing a commercial rollout of mBridge after a record RMB 11.3bn settlement in June 2026. Its shift from a limited CBDC experiment to commercial use could reshape cross-border payments.
Kazakhstan created the Astana International Financial Centre to let firms operate under common rules. EU sanctions are now testing whether the centre can remain insulated.
Amendments to mandatory ship reporting systems in the Danish Straits reflect a cautious attempt to utilise the Northern European chokepoint as an instrument of strategic pressure against the Russian shadow fleet.
South-East Asia’s mineral leverage will increasingly depend on whether its data can cross the same borders as its nickel, lithium and battery materials.
