Business & Finance
Do you know how your business rates are calculated?
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We are predisposed to believe that taxes are calculated both fairly, and correctly. This is not always the case. Mistakes can be made, and when calculating business rates liability this is certainly true. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) sets the rateable value (RV) for each commercial property at each new revaluation, which in turn determines the amount of business rates liability. However, if just one room of a commercial property is incorrectly assessed, then the liability for that property could be exponentially more than it should be.
“If the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and the government truly wanted to create a fair and transparent property tax,” Anthony Hughes, Managing Director of the business rates reduction specialists RVA Surveyors, explained, “all they need to do is inspect every commercial property to ensure that commercial property owners and tenants are being charged reasonably. Given the levels of staffing – particularly surveyors – in the VOA, they could achieve this within a twenty-four-to-thirty-six-month period with relative ease.”
This timeline would work perfectly in the upcoming 2023 rating list.
How will the new rating list affect how your business rates are reviewed?
The provisional rating list was scheduled to be released at the beginning of October 2022, but was not published until late November 2022. This significantly delayed business owner’s and leaders’ ability to create an accurate financial plan for the upcoming revaluation.
In October 2022, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that over 40% of firms had no, or limited cash reserves for the subsequent three month period. A situation, when paired with the incoming business rates hike in April, that is unsustainable for many businesses.
The VOA’s stated overall RV is 7.1% for England and Wales, but when you account for the artificially inflated multipliers, the 2023 revaluation is likely to see an increase in overall RV of at least 14%. This is almost double
the VOA and governments stance. Of course, this is not reflective of how individual industries or even local authority areas will see average RV increases of a much higher value. The Centre for Retail Research found
that more than 17,000 shops closed in 2022 – around 47 per day. With the multiplier frozen at its highest level since 1990 and exponential increases in RV on the horizon, the reality of shop closures is much higher and could only continue to rise.
Quite simply, business rates as a tax is something that commercial property owners and tenants are fast being unable to afford.
“If one room, one measurement – one single piece of evidence – is incorrect or missing, the VOA could dismiss the whole case. With less than fifty days until the next revaluation, it is imperative that commercial property owners and tenants investigate their business rates now.” Anthony Hughes added. “After the 31st of March they won’t be able to claim back any backdated savings from the 2017 rating list.”
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Business & Finance
AI Revolutionizes Cryptocurrency Trading with Real-Time Analysis
AI algorithms are transforming cryptocurrency trading by offering real-time analysis and unprecedented efficiency. This article explores the technological advancements and their impact on the crypto market.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the cryptocurrency trading landscape, a fact made clear by recent reports from Bloomberg. The integration of AI algorithms into trading strategies is providing unprecedented real-time analysis and efficiency, a development that is attracting significant attention from investors eager to capitalize on the volatile yet lucrative crypto markets.
In May 2026, Bloomberg highlighted how AI technologies are enabling traders to process vast amounts of market data at speeds unattainable by human analysts. This capability allows for the detection of patterns and trends that might otherwise go unnoticed, offering a competitive edge to those who harness these tools. The real-time nature of these analyses means traders can make decisions based on the most current market conditions, enhancing the potential for profitable trades.
The application of AI in cryptocurrency trading is not merely a theoretical concept but a practical reality transforming investment strategies. For instance, hedge funds and institutional investors are increasingly relying on machine learning models to predict price movements and optimize trading algorithms. These models can analyze a myriad of factors, from market sentiment to historical price data, adjusting trading strategies dynamically in response to new information.
AI’s role in enhancing trading efficiency is particularly crucial in the cryptocurrency markets, where volatility is a constant challenge. The ability to swiftly process and react to market changes can mean the difference between a lucrative trade and a significant loss. This agility is driving interest from tech-savvy investors who are keen to leverage innovation for financial gain.
However, the rise of AI in cryptocurrency trading is not without its challenges. Regulators are grappling with the implications of these technologies, as traditional oversight mechanisms struggle to keep pace with rapid technological advancements. There is an ongoing debate about the need for new regulatory frameworks to ensure fair and transparent trading practices.
Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of AI in cryptocurrency trading are substantial. As the technology continues to evolve, it is likely to drive further innovation in the financial sector, offering new opportunities for growth and investment. Investors and firms that can effectively integrate AI into their trading strategies are poised to thrive in this new digital era.
The future of cryptocurrency trading appears increasingly intertwined with AI technology. As more traders adopt these advanced tools, the market dynamics will likely shift, favoring those who can adapt quickly to technological changes. The ongoing integration of AI into cryptocurrency trading not only heralds a new era of financial innovation but also underscores the transformative power of technology in shaping the future of finance.
Business & Finance
The Rise of Green Finance in Europe: Challenges and Limitations
Explore the burgeoning field of green finance in Europe, focusing on the critical challenges and limitations that could shape its future. This article provides a thorough analysis of the barriers to sustainable investment growth and the potential implications for investors.
As the sun rises over Europe’s financial districts, a new wave of investment strategies is beginning to take shape. Green finance, a term that encapsulates financial investments flowing into sustainable and environmentally friendly projects, is gaining traction across the continent. However, beneath the surface of this promising trend lie significant challenges that could impede its progress.
The current landscape of green finance in Europe is characterized by an increasing number of funds and initiatives aimed at supporting sustainable development. The European Union has been at the forefront, implementing a comprehensive framework that encourages green investments. This includes the EU Green Deal and the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), which aim to direct capital flows towards sustainable economic activities. Despite these efforts, the journey towards a universally green financial system is fraught with obstacles.
One of the primary challenges facing green finance is the lack of standardized definitions and metrics. What exactly constitutes a ‘green’ investment can vary significantly across regions and sectors, leading to confusion and inconsistency. This lack of clarity can result in greenwashing, where investments are marketed as sustainable without meeting rigorous environmental criteria. The absence of a unified taxonomy complicates efforts to assess and compare the sustainability of different financial products.
Moreover, the transition to green finance is hindered by the existing financial infrastructure. Traditional financial systems are deeply entrenched, often prioritizing short-term gains over long-term sustainability. This systemic inertia makes it difficult for green initiatives to gain a foothold. Additionally, many investors are still skeptical about the profitability of sustainable investments, perceiving them as risky or less lucrative compared to conventional options.
Another significant limitation is the uneven distribution of green finance across Europe. While countries like Germany and the Nordic nations have made substantial progress in integrating sustainable practices, others lag behind due to economic and regulatory disparities. This imbalance poses a challenge to achieving a cohesive and effective green finance strategy across the continent.
The role of technology and innovation in overcoming these challenges cannot be overstated. Advancements in fintech, such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, have the potential to enhance transparency and efficiency in green finance. These technologies can help track and verify the environmental impact of investments, thus building trust and credibility in the market.
Despite these hurdles, the future of green finance in Europe holds promising opportunities. As awareness of climate change grows, so does the demand for sustainable financial products. Investors are increasingly recognizing the long-term benefits of aligning their portfolios with environmental goals. Furthermore, regulatory pressures and societal expectations are likely to drive more companies towards sustainable practices, thereby expanding the scope of green finance.
In conclusion, while the rise of green finance in Europe is a step in the right direction, it is not without its challenges. Addressing the issues of standardization, infrastructure, and regional disparities will be crucial in unlocking the full potential of sustainable investments. As Europe navigates these complexities, the outcome will not only shape the future of its financial markets but also its commitment to a sustainable global economy.
Business & Finance
Fed Ends Crypto-Specific Oversight: What It Means for the Industry
By PromoMag Business Desk | August 2025
The U.S. Federal Reserve has officially ended its dedicated oversight program for crypto and fintech—signaling a shift in how regulators will handle digital asset activities going forward. The “novel activities” supervisory program, introduced in 2023, is being dissolved, with crypto oversight now folded back into the Fed’s traditional bank examination framework. The decision has stirred debate across the financial world, as institutions assess whether this signals regulatory maturity—or strategic retreat.
The implications are significant. From compliance teams at major banks to fintech startups vying for legitimacy, everyone involved in digital assets must now recalibrate to meet evolving expectations without the specialized lens once offered by the Fed’s focused crypto arm.
The move suggests the Fed believes crypto is now mainstream enough to be treated as part of general financial supervision—yet critics worry this could dilute the nuanced oversight digital assets require.
Background: The “Novel Activities” Framework
The Fed launched its novel activities supervision program in August 2023 in response to growing integration of crypto, stablecoins, and blockchain-based banking functions across U.S. financial institutions. The initiative aimed to provide centralized expertise and scrutiny for risk-laden innovations, including tokenized assets and distributed ledger operations.
It operated parallel to traditional supervisory mechanisms, offering more specialized attention to high-risk fintech and crypto ventures while maintaining consistency across regional Federal Reserve Banks.
This structure was designed to address growing concern about the systemic risk posed by digital assets—especially in the wake of crypto collapses like FTX and TerraUSD.
Why the Fed Is Pulling the Plug
Fed officials have not framed the closure as a downgrade of crypto’s importance, but rather as a consolidation of resources. According to internal briefings, the rationale centers around streamlining compliance review, increasing supervisory efficiency, and reducing regulatory overlap.
A spokesperson from the Federal Reserve Board stated:
“We are embedding digital asset risk monitoring within our standard supervisory models, ensuring consistent treatment across all novel activities.”
In essence, the Fed believes that its traditional supervisory programs are now sophisticated enough to handle digital asset risks without the need for a separate channel.
Industry Response: Mixed Signals
Reactions from the financial sector are divided.
Major banks—including those offering crypto custody services or tokenized asset platforms—have expressed relief at the perceived reduction in regulatory burden. According to a senior compliance officer at a top-five U.S. bank:
“It’s a positive signal. The Fed sees crypto activities as part of the financial mainstream.”
However, fintech startups and some policy analysts worry the decision could lead to a loss of institutional expertise and focus, potentially making it harder to navigate complex regulatory expectations.
Crypto advocacy groups, such as the Blockchain Association, warned that “folding crypto oversight into legacy systems” could slow innovation and diminish clarity for newcomers to the space.
Regulatory Consequences for the Crypto Ecosystem
This shift creates a new regulatory reality for institutions engaged in digital asset activities.
Firms can expect a more generalized approach to supervision, one less tailored to the unique volatility and structural intricacies of blockchain technology. While this might reduce compliance complexity, it also removes the layer of crypto-specific feedback once provided under the novel activities program.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) have shown no indication of following suit, meaning regulatory fragmentation in the U.S. will likely persist.
Moreover, it raises questions about the future of coordinated federal crypto policy—especially as debates continue over stablecoin regulation and the role of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
Global Context: Lagging or Leading?
The Fed’s move contrasts with approaches taken in Europe, Asia, and even the UK.
The EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation has introduced a fully bespoke framework for digital asset supervision, offering clarity and structure to market participants. Hong Kong and Singapore have likewise invested heavily in dedicated crypto regulation teams and innovation hubs.
In the UK, although regulatory clarity has been slow, the recent announcement that retail investors will soon access regulated crypto ETNs on the London Stock Exchange underscores a willingness to evolve within clear frameworks.
As a result, some experts argue the U.S. risks falling behind its global peers in crypto governance and innovation readiness.
What Happens Next
For institutions, the end of the Fed’s crypto-specific program means adapting to a more homogenized—but perhaps less predictable—regulatory regime.
Financial firms should review their risk disclosures, audit procedures, and supervisory expectations to align with the broader examination frameworks now in place. The Fed is expected to release updated supervisory guidance before the end of 2025 to assist with the transition.
Market watchers will also look to Congress for any moves toward legislative clarity, particularly around stablecoins, custody rules, and crypto exchange oversight.
Final Thoughts
The Fed’s decision to retire its novel activities supervision marks a turning point. On the one hand, it acknowledges crypto as no longer “novel”—but rather as an established component of financial services. On the other, it risks flattening the regulatory nuance needed to address crypto’s unique challenges.
Whether this shift accelerates mainstream adoption or muddies the regulatory waters will depend on how swiftly and clearly the Fed communicates its new expectations.
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