Hong Kong's de facto central bank intervenes as currency hits weak end of trading range

If you're in the market for a home loan, there's some good news—mortgage rates have dipped again. As of June 26, the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage sits at 6.77%, marking the fifth straight week of declines. That's a small but meaningful break for buyers grappling with high housing costs.

Editor’s Note: Even a slight drop in mortgage rates can make a difference in monthly payments, giving hopeful homebuyers a bit more breathing room. While rates are still higher than the rock-bottom levels of a few years ago, this steady decline suggests lenders might be responding to economic shifts—or at least offering a little relief in a tough market. For anyone house hunting or refinancing, it’s worth keeping an eye on the trend.

Revolut, the UK-based digital banking heavyweight, is snapping up Argentina's Banco Cetelem—a modest-sized lender currently under the wing of French banking giant BNP Paribas. This move signals Revolut's aggressive push into Latin America, leveraging Cetelem's local foothold to expand its fintech empire.

Editor’s Note: For Revolut, this isn't just another acquisition—it's a strategic play to carve out space in Argentina's growing digital finance scene. While Cetelem might be small, its local infrastructure gives Revolut a ready-made entry point. For customers, it could mean more fintech options and better services, but it also highlights how big players are racing to dominate emerging markets. Keep an eye on whether this sparks more fintech deals in the region.

New HMRC figures reveal that around 420,000 retirees will start paying income tax on their state pensions next year—a significant jump driven by frozen tax thresholds and rising pension payments. This piece breaks down how pension taxation works, who’s affected, and why more older adults are getting caught in the net.

Editor’s Note: Retirement should mean financial peace of mind, but frozen tax brackets and inflation are quietly pulling more pensioners into the tax system. For those on tight budgets, this could mean unwelcome surprises—so understanding the rules now might save headaches later. It’s a reminder that even "secure" income isn’t immune to shifting policies.

Dinari has just made history by becoming the first tokenized equity platform to secure a US broker-dealer license. This means they can now legally offer digital shares of real-world stocks—think Apple or Tesla—as blockchain tokens. It’s a big step toward blending traditional finance with crypto, making stock investing more accessible and flexible for everyday people.

Editor’s Note: Tokenized stocks aren’t new, but regulatory approval has been a major hurdle. Dinari’s breakthrough could pave the way for more mainstream adoption of blockchain in investing. For crypto enthusiasts, it’s exciting validation; for traditional investors, it’s a nudge toward the future of trading. Either way, it’s a sign that the lines between Wall Street and crypto are blurring faster than ever.

Starbucks is shaking things up with a big shift in its pricing strategy—and it sounds like coffee lovers are in for some good news. While the details aren't spelled out here, the hint is clear: prices are moving in a way that’ll leave customers smiling (and maybe ordering that extra shot guilt-free).

Editor’s Note: Price changes at a giant like Starbucks ripple through the industry, affecting everything from local coffee shops to how often people treat themselves. If this means lower costs for customers, it could ease some of the "luxury fatigue" folks feel after years of rising prices. Plus, happy caffeine addicts = busy stores, so it’s a win for Starbucks too.