India has notified the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026, effective May 1, 2026. The rules operationalise the PROG Act, 2025 and set up the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) to label prohibited money games, enforce via banks and payments, and require age and fair-play safeguards. e-sports and compliant social games get a clearer compliance path.
The government has set a new M&A approval trigger: companies must seek Competition Commission of India clearance for deals over Rs 2,000 crore when the target has substantial operations in India. The change is designed to strengthen oversight of mergers and acquisitions, with particular focus on fast-growing digital markets to support fairer competition practices.
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The European Union is considering a second one-year delay to its anti-deforestation law, potentially pushing implementation to 2026. Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall pointed to concerns about whether the required IT system is ready. The move comes amid opposition from businesses and trading partners, even after the EU signed a free trade agreement with Indonesia.
India’s Competition Amendment Bill targets delays in merger and acquisition approvals by pushing stricter, faster review timelines. Backers argue the updated approach is needed for today’s fast-moving markets, while companies may face tighter procedural deadlines for regulatory clearance. The bill’s changes aim to reduce waiting periods and accelerate decisions on M&A transactions.
The Indian government has begun cancelling registrations of NGOs that have not spent foreign donations received years ago. Under a proposed bill, oversight could tighten further, with powers to freeze funds and restrict how assets are managed. The move signals a major push for greater accountability in the non-profit sector and stronger compliance with donor utilisation norms.
India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT will enforce new online gaming rules from May 1, including the creation of the Online Gaming Authority of India. The framework brings game approvals and classifications, mandatory registration for specific titles, and long-valid digital certificates. Money games get stricter oversight, while players will see stronger safety tools such as age checks, parental controls, and a clearer grievance process.
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Bitcoin ended 2025 down 5% and about 30% from its October peak after a wave of volatility and mass liquidations. Analysts point to stabilisers already emerging: better liquidity, low exchange reserves, increased institutional interest, and clearer regulation. With major central banks easing and crypto infrastructure expanding, 2026 may bring a steadier, more sustainable recovery.
Karnataka’s proposed labour law changes triggered outrage over a reported 14-hour workday, but the real controversy lies in the details. A close read of the amendment focuses on scheduling, overtime thresholds, and applicability across sectors. The move could reshape how work hours are counted and compensated—meaning the impact may differ sharply from headlines.
US senators have unveiled long-awaited draft legislation to build a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. If enacted, it would clarify which financial regulators oversee the fast-growing sector—an issue that has fueled uncertainty. Supporters say clearer jurisdiction could reduce friction for businesses and investors, potentially accelerating mainstream digital asset adoption.
Crypto markets moved in a mixed, range-bound pattern, with Bitcoin hovering near $92,800 and Ethereum holding above $3,200. While altcoins diverged, analysts pointed to resilience around key support levels as evidence of underlying strength. Direction may hinge on regulatory developments tied to the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act and fresh U.S. jobs data.
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CAFE III fuel-efficiency standards for auto makers are set to start April 1, 2027, with the government unlikely to extend the deadline. Automakers are already discussing the upcoming norms, and a high-level meeting on April 16 will aim to lock in the framework. The rules include flexible compliance and carbon credit trading, reshaping how companies meet targets.
Companies are increasingly leaning on “net worth” to blur the impact of financial discrepancies that must be disclosed to investors. While firms argue it cushions negative readings, experts say the practice is misleading and investor-unfriendly. Regulators may need to step in, the warning goes, to prevent metric swapping from undermining transparent reporting.
An estimated 3 million bottom-of-the-pyramid borrowers have lost access to formal financing over the past nine months, raising concerns that regulatory tightening is diluting India’s financial inclusion push. The shift appears to be hitting lower-income borrowers hardest, potentially reversing gains made by fintech and lenders in expanding credit access to underserved communities.
SEBI’s consent order mechanism, modeled on the US SEC’s plea-bargaining approach, is meant to quickly resolve alleged defaults by market infrastructure and registered intermediaries. But the process is drawing scrutiny over how transparent it really is, with observers questioning whether consent settlements explain outcomes clearly enough for stakeholders and investors.
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India is in discussions with cryptocurrency exchanges to understand how trading activity is evolving, a top tax official said. The move aims to build oversight over newer crypto products while ensuring tax compliance as regulations and market practices shift. The government wants clearer insight into transactions and activity patterns, rather than reacting after the fact.
Saudi Arabia has tightened rules for hospitality providers in Mecca and Medina ahead of Hajj, introducing harsher penalties for repeat violations. Authorities say fines will rise based on how often offenses occur and the size of the business, with repeat offenders facing possible closures and even license cancellation to improve pilgrim services during the peak period.
The RBI is expected to issue a revised circular on upper-layer NBFCs, with its scale-based regulation framework under review. Sources say Tata Sons may not receive the exemption it sought from upper-layer classification, a move officials believe could be aimed at avoiding an NBFC listing. The decision may significantly reshape the listing trajectory.
The UK’s financial watchdog, the FCA, says it has targeted illegal crypto trading sites in London through a joint effort with tax officials and police. Acting under money laundering and terrorist financing regulations, it issued cease and desist letters at each location. The move signals tighter enforcement against platforms suspected of operating outside legal and regulatory frameworks.
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The government says it is redefining what qualifies as a “small company” to improve the business climate and reduce compliance load for law-abiding firms. The move is aimed at making it easier for smaller operators to comply with rules and regulations, potentially changing which businesses benefit from exemptions and simplified processes.
Slice, a small finance bank, is reportedly in discussions with VC firms and other investors to raise $50–100 million, but at a lower valuation. The move comes as the fintech sector faces increased regulatory scrutiny, putting funding plans and growth timelines under sharper pressure.
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