How AI Innovation and Regulatory Shifts Will Transform Global Finance in 2025

From steady progress in Capricorn’s May 2025 horoscope to the UK’s regulatory push for safe AI adoption in finance, this press review spotlights pivotal trends shaping the future of money, technology, and personal growth. Discover how innovative startups are fighting financial scams, why Australia is cracking down on dormant crypto exchanges, and how global initiatives are boosting financial intelligence and workplace success. Dive in for actionable insights and the latest developments at the intersection of finance, regulation, and mindset.

Capricorn Horoscope for May 2025: Steady Progress and New Opportunities

According to the Hindustan Times, Capricorns (Dec 22-Jan 21) can expect steady progress in their professional and personal lives in May 2025. The monthly horoscope highlights a focus on career growth, strengthening relationships, and managing responsibilities. Opportunities for personal development are likely to arise, but maintaining balance and self-care is essential for success.

In the realm of love, Capricorns are encouraged to strengthen bonds and improve communication. Single Capricorns may find meaningful connections through shared interests, while those in relationships should prioritize understanding and patience. Honest conversations are recommended to foster trust and clarity.

Professionally, Capricorns are advised to focus on clear communication and collaboration with colleagues to achieve shared goals. The month may bring opportunities to take on new responsibilities or refine skills, which could lead to long-term benefits. Organization and task prioritization are key, as success may come gradually through patience and persistence.

Financially, Capricorns may notice steady progress. The horoscope suggests creating a practical budget, prioritizing essential expenses, and avoiding impulsive purchases. Reviewing investments or savings plans is recommended to ensure alignment with future needs, and seeking advice from trusted sources could help in making informed decisions.

Health-wise, Capricorns are encouraged to focus on balance in their routines, with attention to rest, hydration, and light physical activities such as walking or stretching. Including more whole foods in the diet and practicing stress management techniques like meditation or deep breathing are also advised.

Capricorn Attributes	Details
Strengths	Intelligent, Practical, Trustworthy, Generous, Optimistic
Weaknesses	Persistent, Stubborn, Suspicious
Symbol	Goat
Element	Earth
Body Part	Bones & Skin
Sign Ruler	Saturn
Lucky Day	Saturday
Lucky Color	Grey
Lucky Number	4
Lucky Stone	Amethyst

Natural affinity: Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio, Pisces
Good compatibility: Cancer, Capricorn
Fair compatibility: Gemini, Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius
Less compatibility: Aries, Libra

Summary: May 2025 is a month of steady progress for Capricorns, with opportunities for growth in career, relationships, and personal well-being. Careful financial planning and a balanced approach to health are emphasized. (Source: Hindustan Times)

FCA Proposes ‘Safe Place’ for AI Testing in Finance Sector

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK is planning to introduce a service that allows finance firms to test artificial intelligence (AI) tools before they are deployed, as reported by Computer Weekly. The proposed live AI testing service is expected to run for 12 to 18 months, with a planned launch in September 2025. This initiative aims to provide regulatory support to firms ready to deploy consumer or market-facing AI models.

Currently, the lack of a dedicated testing environment is slowing down the development and deployment of AI in the financial sector. The FCA is seeking feedback from firms on how this service can help them deploy safe and responsible AI, benefiting both UK consumers and markets. The service will also provide the FCA with valuable intelligence and a better understanding of AI’s impact on financial markets.

Jessica Rusu, the FCA’s chief data, intelligence and information officer, stated: “Under our new strategy, we’ve committed to being increasingly tech positive to support growth. We want financial firms and their customers to benefit from AI, so we’re providing a safe space to test how they plan to use it.”

The FCA’s proposal builds on its five-year strategy to support growth by enabling innovation and ensuring the UK’s financial services remain competitive through a tech-positive approach. The Bank of England reports that 75% of finance firms are already using AI, with an additional 10% planning to adopt it in the next three years.

Sarah Breeden, deputy governor of financial stability at the Bank of England, emphasized: “AI is expected to bring considerable potential benefits for productivity and growth in the financial sector and the rest of the economy. But for the financial sector to harness those benefits, we, as financial regulators, must have policy frameworks that are designed to manage any risks to financial stability that come with them.”

The Parliamentary Treasury Committee is also seeking evidence from consumers, finance firms, and IT suppliers to support an inquiry into the use of AI in the finance sector.

Summary: The FCA’s proposed AI testing environment aims to foster safe and responsible AI adoption in the UK financial sector, supporting innovation while managing risks to financial stability. (Source: Computer Weekly)

AVIEL Intelligence Raises £350K to Combat Financial Scams in the UK

AVIEL Intelligence, a UK-based startup founded by former Google employees and cybersecurity experts, has secured a £350,000 Pre-Seed investment to address the surge in financial scams in the UK, according to Tech.eu. The funding round was led by Fuel Ventures, with additional support from Cambridge Angels and other angel investors.

The UK has experienced a significant increase in financial scams, with losses from Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud reaching nearly £500 million in the past year. In response, the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) introduced new rules in October 2024 requiring over 1,100 Payment Service Providers (PSPs) to reimburse victims of APP fraud, shifting liability from consumers to financial institutions.

AVIEL Intelligence’s proprietary intelligence engine is already operational, identifying scam networks and enabling PSPs to take real-time action to block fraud. The company uses AI personas to interact with scammers on digital platforms, extracting information even as conversations move to encrypted environments like WhatsApp. This approach provides banks with critical insights into accounts used in scams, allowing for proactive fraud mitigation.

Joe Tallett, Co-Founder and CEO of AVIEL Intelligence, commented: “We couldn’t be more excited about closing our funding round and ramping up our anti-scam activities. With Fuel Ventures supporting our vision and providing the backbone of our funding round, AVIEL can accelerate fast.”

Fuel Ventures has invested over £370 million in more than 180 startups. Mark Pearson, Founder of Fuel Ventures, highlighted AVIEL’s unique approach, stating that the company uses intelligence, not just analytics, to stop scams at the source.

The investment will support AVIEL’s growth, including expansion across the UK and internationally, and further product development. Key priorities include increasing the speed and accuracy of scam detection, expanding the scope of scams covered, and scaling up intelligence delivery.

Summary: AVIEL Intelligence’s £350,000 Pre-Seed funding will accelerate its efforts to combat financial scams in the UK, leveraging AI-driven intelligence to help banks and PSPs prevent fraud. (Source: Tech.eu)

Australia’s AUSTRAC Targets Dormant Crypto Exchanges to Prevent Scams

Australia’s financial intelligence agency, AUSTRAC, is conducting a crackdown on dormant registered crypto exchanges to prevent their misuse by scammers, as reported by Cointelegraph. Of the 427 digital currency exchanges (DCEs) registered with AUSTRAC, around a quarter may be inactive. The agency is contacting exchanges that appear to no longer be trading, urging them to withdraw their registrations or risk cancellation.

AUSTRAC’s CEO Brendan Thomas stated that dormant exchanges will be told to “use it or lose it,” ensuring they are not acquired and exploited by criminals. The initiative comes ahead of changes to Australia’s money laundering laws, which will require crypto trading platforms to be regulated by AUSTRAC and registered from March 31, 2026.

Since 2019, ten firms have had their AUSTRAC registration canceled, with the most recent being FTX Express in June 2024. AUSTRAC also plans to publish a public list of registered exchanges to help Australians verify legitimate providers, though the release date is yet to be determined.

In February, the Anti-Money Laundering regulator took action against 13 remittance service providers and crypto exchanges, with over 50 others still under investigation for compliance issues. Six providers were refused registration renewal due to key personnel being convicted, prosecuted, or charged with serious offenses.

Australia is in the process of drafting a crypto regulatory framework, with new regulations proposed in March to bring exchanges under existing financial services laws.

Summary: AUSTRAC’s crackdown on dormant crypto exchanges aims to prevent their exploitation by criminals and improve the integrity of Australia’s crypto sector ahead of new regulatory changes. (Source: Cointelegraph)

Ekiti State and CIS Collaborate to Enhance Financial Intelligence

The Ekiti State Government in Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) have agreed to collaborate on capacity building in financial intelligence for top-level government officials, according to Tribune Online. This partnership is part of the Institute’s financial literacy programme and includes plans to introduce a Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Securities and Investment at Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.

Oluropo Dada, the 13th President and Chairman of Council, CIS, stated that the Institute has the capacity to train the state’s top civil servants in financial intelligence. The initiative aims to attract youths into the Nigerian financial market by building a solid foundation of investment knowledge. Dada also requested government sponsorship for at least 1,000 indigenous students in Ekiti State to write the Institute’s professional diploma examination as a pathway to further professional qualifications.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji expressed the state’s willingness to collaborate in all requested areas, emphasizing the importance of the capital market in economic development. The government plans to deepen its relationship with CIS, including training government workers in financial intelligence and onboarding the Bachelor’s Degree Programme in state-owned tertiary institutions.

The CIS President was accompanied by other Council Members, and the Governor’s team included key officials from various ministries and agencies.

Summary: Ekiti State and CIS are partnering to boost financial intelligence among government officials and students, with new educational programmes and professional training initiatives. (Source: Tribune Online)

Mozambique’s Financial Intelligence Office to Join Egmont Group

The government of Mozambique has authorized its Financial Intelligence Office (GIFIM) to join the Egmont Group, as reported by Club of Mozambique. This move aims to strengthen Mozambique’s technical capabilities in combating money laundering crimes. Currently, Mozambique holds observer status in the Egmont Group and expects to become a full member in June.

Attorney General Américo Letela stated that joining the Egmont Group will provide access to a secure international platform for exchanging intelligence information and developing the capabilities of Mozambique’s financial intelligence unit. The Egmont Group consists of 177 financial intelligence units (FIUs) worldwide, supporting efforts to counter terrorist financing and money laundering.

In 2024, the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Mozambique received 68 financial information reports from GIFIM, resulting in 49 criminal proceedings—19 for money laundering and 30 for financing terrorism. Additionally, 81 communications from financial and non-financial institutions led to 75 proceedings for money laundering. The number of money laundering cases registered in 2024 was 191, a reduction of 328 cases (63.2%) compared to the previous period.

The Egmont Group facilitates the secure exchange of expertise and financial intelligence among member FIUs, supporting the implementation of international anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism standards.

Summary: Mozambique’s GIFIM is set to join the Egmont Group, enhancing its ability to combat money laundering and terrorist financing through international cooperation and intelligence sharing. (Source: Club of Mozambique)

The Value of a Growth Mindset in the Workplace

According to CMI Career Confidence, ongoing learning and personal growth are among the biggest drivers of employee engagement at Equiniti, a financial services company. Andrew Stephenson, Chief People Officer at Equiniti, notes that investment in employee development leads to high engagement and low attrition, making the company one of the top employers globally.

Supportive managers play a critical role in fostering a growth mindset and advocating for learning programmes. Deon Pillay, Head of Marketing Technology at Legal and General Investment Management, exemplifies this by pursuing new qualifications annually, including project management, coaching, and AI for business. He credits his manager’s encouragement for his ongoing development, stating that such leadership is essential for cultivating a growth mindset.

“He’s never said ‘no’ to me,” says Deon. “He’s always encouraged that learning and development mindset. He says to go and study, and asks what I need from him in order to do so. That’s the kind of leader you need: someone who’s going to encourage that growth mindset, wherever your passion lies.”

Deon acknowledges the time commitment required for continuous learning but views it as a worthwhile investment. He recommends resources such as CMI’s Career Development Centre and mentoring platform for those seeking to develop their skills.

Summary: A growth mindset, supported by encouraging leadership and ongoing learning opportunities, is key to employee engagement and career development in the modern workplace. (Source: CMI Career Confidence)

Einschätzung der Redaktion

The focus on steady progress and new opportunities for Capricorns in May 2025 highlights the importance of patience, self-discipline, and adaptability in both personal and professional spheres. Emphasizing clear communication and collaboration aligns with broader trends in workplace success, while the advice to prioritize self-care and financial planning reflects a holistic approach to well-being. The encouragement to strengthen relationships and invest in personal growth suggests that Capricorns who actively engage with these themes may experience meaningful and sustainable advancement. Overall, the guidance provided is practical and actionable, offering a balanced roadmap for navigating challenges and leveraging opportunities during the month.