Exec-X: Ten Global Insights for Leaders Q1-2026
Exec-X: Ten Global Insights for Leaders Q1-2026
Download Exec-X: Ten Global Insights for Leaders Q1-2026Exec-X is our regular selection of ten (X) insights from across the bank that we think you need to see. This edition includes four interconnected themes that are helping to reshape the global economy: the AI transformation, geopolitical realignment, the evolution of financial markets and the impact of digital assets.
Key Takeaways
While AI is starting to drive productivity gains, it is also creating new fraud risks, as deepfake incidents surged 47x since 2022.1
Rising geopolitical tensions are redirecting capital flows, with family offices citing trade disputes as their top concern, and defense spending now exceeding development aid by 2:1.
Financial infrastructure is undergoing radical change through private market democratization, 24/7 settlement cycles and European market harmonization.
Stablecoins and bank tokens are transitioning from crypto novelty to core financial infrastructure, with the market projected to reach $1.9 trillion by 2030.
1 Signicat, The Battle in the Dark, October 2025