The Economic Times

India is actively shaping its digital asset future. Authorities are implementing stricter rules for crypto platforms and transactions. Tax collections are rising, and law enforcement is building capacity. Investor interest is shifting towards long-term allocation. New regulations are formalising real-world asset tokenisation. India is setting a global precedent in this evolving financial space.

Gold prices saw a slight increase on Monday, May 25, 2026, influenced by ongoing US-Iran peace talks. Major retailers like Tanishq, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers, and Malabar Gold & Diamonds reported higher rates for 22k gold. The IBJA also indicated a rise in gold and silver prices compared to May 22, 2026.

Foreign hackers attempted a novel AI-powered cyberattack targeting two-factor authentication using a zero-day exploit. Google's Threat Intelligence Group detected and thwarted this sophisticated plot, which aimed for mass exploitation. The AI-generated exploit exploited a logic flaw in a server administration tool, highlighting a new frontier in cyber threats. Consumers are urged to update software and use stronger authentication methods.

The Karnataka High Court has ruled in favour of exempt trust employees. Those who retired after September 1, 2014, and contributed Provident Fund on actual wages can now claim a higher EPS 95 pension. The court quashed the EPFO's rejection orders. This decision allows eligible employees to exercise joint options for enhanced pension calculations.

Planning your retirement corpus is crucial. A Rs 2 crore fund may not last 20 years with high withdrawals. Experts suggest a bucket strategy for sustainable income. This involves allocating funds for immediate needs, stable income, and growth. Careful planning and realistic withdrawals are key to ensuring your retirement fund lasts.

The 8th Pay Commission is still consulting stake holders on salary, pension and allowance revisions before finalising its report. Once approved, it may be implemented by late 2027, with arrears likely from January 1, 2026. Employee bodies have proposed varying fitment factors. Once the report is submitted, approved and implemented, central government employees will get arrears and increased pay outs.

LIC new plans 2026: Life Insurance Corporation of India has launched two new joint life insurance savings plans, LICs New Jeevan Sathi Single Premium and LICs New Jeevan Sathi Limited Premium. These non-par, non-market linked plans offer couples financial protection and long-term savings with guaranteed additions and fixed benefits, ensuring certainty on returns and payouts.

An investor's mutual fund portfolio was reviewed, revealing a need for better alignment with long-term goals. Experts advised shifting focus from direct equities to mutual funds, increasing SIPs annually, and diversifying beyond momentum-based index funds to achieve a Rs 7 crore target.

With fees, security and ease of use all up for scrutiny, WazirX makes a strong case for being the everyday traders go-to platform in Indias crowded crypto market.

The Reserve Bank of India has announced the premature redemption price for Sovereign Gold Bond SGB 2021-22 Series-I, fixed at Rs 15,840 per unit. Investors can redeem these bonds from May 25, 2026, after five years from the issue date. This premature redemption offers an impressive 235% simple return on the initial investment.

India's priority sector lending has aided financial inclusion for decades. However, a recent report suggests that simply increasing directed credit might not lead to higher economic growth. The analysis indicates that while these policies have helped reduce poverty, forcing credit into poorer districts may be inefficient. Priority Sector Lending Certificates help banks manage risks associated with these loans.

Sebi has proposed a framework allowing salaried employees to invest in mutual funds through salary deductions, similar to EPF and NPS. This initiative aims to simplify investing for first-time users, potentially reducing SIP stoppages and boosting monthly inflows by offering a disciplined, automated savings channel.

Gilt funds are gaining traction among aggressive debt investors. Advisors suggest these funds could deliver strong returns if the RBI cuts interest rates. Gilt funds invest in government securities, carrying no credit risk but high sensitivity to interest rate changes. Investors should be aware of the risks and have a long-term view.

Bombay High Court dismissed a tenant's plea to recognize a new builder in a redevelopment case. The court found no contract between the new builder and the landlord. It deemed the tenants' action an 'elite form of coercion and extortion'. The court imposed Rs 5 lakh costs on the tenants for abusing the legal process.

The Karnataka High Court restored ancestral land to three brothers after an outsider, Basappa, falsely mutated his name using a common surname. Basappa claimed ownership based on a supposed 1946 sale deed but failed to produce any proof. The court ruled in favor of the brothers, declaring them joint owners and restraining Basappa from interfering with their possession.

State Bank of India branches will operate as usual on May 25 and 26, 2026. The planned two-day strike by the All India State Bank of India Staff Federation has been postponed. Customers can access all regular banking services without disruption. This decision ensures continuity for banking operations across the nation. The deferral addresses concerns about employee-related issues.

A 10-year SIP investor has zero chance of losing money, while a 4-year investor has an 80% probability of earning over 10%. The ET WealthCrisil SIP Study 2026 crunches the numbersand this year, puts them through a market crash.

If you are confused by personal finance terms, jargon and calculations, heres a series to simplify and deconstruct these for you. In the 104th part of this series, Riju Mehta explains the difference between the terms used for unpaid loans.

The Reserve Bank of India is exploring multiple options to stabilize the rupee, which recently hit a fresh low. These include a potential interest rate hike, increased currency swaps, and raising dollars from overseas investors through deposit schemes and sovereign bonds. Policymakers recognize the rupee's rapid depreciation and are prioritizing its stabilization.

Welcome to TrendMap, your guide to the performance of different investment segments. In this edition, we present a 10-year performance tracker of various domestic market sectors. By Sameer Bhardwaj.

Without a definition of priority and discretion, many households suffer from ad hocism. How should they spend for the common good without sustained disagreement? How much is available to spend discreetly without being questioned? The definition and space are critical.

Rising crude oil prices are pressuring chemical sector margins due to increased feedstock and energy costs. Despite this, the Nifty Chemicals index shows resilience, outperforming the broader market. Analysts remain constructive on the long-term outlook, favoring specialty chemicals and companies with strong fundamentals and clear revenue visibility.

One of the objectives of the gold ETF was not merely financial innovation but to reduce, or at least postpone, the import of physical gold. The idea was elegant: channel Indias deep and lasting appetite for gold into financial products rather than repeated shipments of imported bullion. That promise, however, has never been fully realised.

New health plans cover treatments requiring two hours of hospitalisation, but exclusions remain critical.

The logic is simple: lounge access has become a heavily used perk. Banks earlier assumed that only premium customers or frequent flyers would visit lounges regularly. Instead, many customers signed up purely for lounge access, often with a fee waiver and otherwise using the cards sparingly otherwise

The RBIs rate-cut cycle is behind us. Experts foresee 5075 bps of hikes. Your bond portfolio needs to reflect that.

Yet, investment restrictions imposed on overseas exposure limits continue to constrain fresh inflows. While SIPs remain largely open, lump-sum investments are still restricted in many schemes.

From a cancer diagnosis in Kolkata to a layoff in Bengaluru to Covid panic in Agrareal investors, real crises, and the real cost of walking away.

A 10-year SIP investor has zero chance of losing money, while a 4-year investor has an 80% probability of earning over 10%. The ET WealthCrisil SIP Study 2026 crunches the numbersand this year, puts them through a market crash.

Indian Railway Finance Corporation is set to raise USD 2 billion through external commercial borrowing. This funding will primarily be in Japanese yen to support business growth in the current financial year. The company has already secured a loan agreement for USD 1.1 billion.

An Allahabad High Court ruling states a wife's education or earning potential does not disqualify her from maintenance. The court considered a case where a husband argued his wife's MBA and past jobs meant she could earn. The court emphasized her current inability to maintain herself and the husband's financial status.

Two friends were left stranded in Indonesia after an airline preponed their flight without prior notification. The Chandigarh State Consumer Commission ordered the airline to pay Rs 50,000 in compensation and refund the full ticket cost with interest, acknowledging the deficiency in service and the passengers' distress.

Bandhan Small Cap Fund topped the list of small cap schemes with the highest Sharpe ratio, indicating superior risk-adjusted returns over three years. ITI Small Cap Fund, Invesco India Smallcap Fund and two smallcap index funds also delivered strong performance with balanced risk metrics.

PPFAS Mutual Fund introduced the Rs 250 choti SIP facility across five schemes to encourage first-time investors and improve financial inclusion. The initiative allows eligible investors to start monthly SIPs with low-ticket investments under specific conditions prescribed by SEBI and AMFI.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has permitted Smt Nagamma to operate her husband's bank account. Her husband is in a persistent vegetative state and requires ongoing medical care. The court recognized the wife as the natural guardian, citing the ancient Indian concept of 'Ardhangini'. This decision will help fund his treatment and household expenses. The court mandated regular account updates.

Financial experts advise first-time SIP investors to focus on diversified equity mutual funds for long-term goals, avoid panic during volatility, limit exposure to sectoral funds, and rely on professional fund managers for balanced asset allocation and disciplined wealth creation over time.

A bus employee died after falling from the bus roof where he slept due to a lack of rest room facilities at Ghodasar bus station. The Gujarat High Court upheld a compensation award of Rs 6.52 lakh with interest and penalty, applying the principle of notional extension of employment.

Senior citizens can secure fixed deposit interest rates up to 8 percent for a three-year investment. Several small finance banks are offering this attractive rate for deposits up to Rs 3 crore. Investors should be aware of TDS rules and the option to submit Form 15H to avoid deductions if their total income is below taxable limits.