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Hogan Lovells' Alex Sciannaca and Giles Hutt analyse the steps being taken by the US and EU to implement the global convention on choice of law agreements

The US has proposed a $1 billion loan guarantee programme for Ukraine. Arnold & Porter's Steven Tepper explains why this marks a significant expansion of the government's foreign assistance tool

An incoming legislative amendment could force China to reconsider its fragmented system of financial markets oversight

Are banks and Bitcoin firms at the start of a beautiful friendship? Bitcoin and banking need each other. So why can't the two get along? Since their creation, Bitcoin and other virtual currencies have lived in a murky world, with their anonymity and separation from official government bodies raising concerns. That has allowed the technology to capitalise on the best of the market, creating new ways to process payments, and transfer and exchange funds. Over this same period, the banking industry has faced greater regulation and political scrutiny. New requirements are adding to the sector's costs and processing times, cutting into traditional profit centres. A partnership between virtual currency firms and traditional financial institutions could benefit both their business and customers.

Alibaba has announced that it will list in the US, concluding speculation over whether New York or Hong Kong would host what's expected to be 2014's biggest initial public offering (IPO).

IFLR's cover story this month looks at developments in contingent convertible bonds (also known as CoCos), and the rapid maturation of the bank capital market. CoCos are bonds that are designed to convert into shares or be wiped out if a bank runs into trouble. Because these securities receive a regulatory seal of approval as a way for banks to build loss-absorbing capital buffers, the instruments are quickly gaining popularity. Indeed, Santander and Danske Bank have both recently issued CoCos. Even Nationwide, a mutual with no equity into which the bonds can convert, has now found a way to enter the market.

Disintermediation via group insurers is the low hanging fruit for longevity de-risking

George Borovas,

Europe’s most popular fund domiciles, as revealed by the global survey A global survey of 200 asset managers has revealed their priorities when choosing European fund domiciles, with some surprising results. The Economist Intelligence Unit survey, commissioned by Matheson and released on March 4, confirms previous reports that Ireland is Europe's fund domicile of choice. Other findings, however, challenge the traditional perceptions of the funds industry.

João Nuno Riquito and Bruno Almeida of Riquito Advogados navigate the network of interests and rules that arise in cross-border mergers involving Macau