Main Takeaway:The London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) was once the world’s pre-eminent benchmark for short-term borrowing costs. Its phase-out by mid-2023 and replacement with robust, transaction-based rates such as SOFR has reshaped global finance—and India’s banks, corporates and regulators have been racing to adapt. 1. The Rise and Reign of LIBOR Introduced in the 1980s,… Continue reading

OPEC may feel like an exclusive club of oil monarchies, but its decisions ripple through Indian pumps, power plants and policy rooms. For India—third-largest oil consumer—OPEC’s output swings dictate import bills, rupee swings and the pace of green transitions. 1. Birth of a Cartel In 1960, five oil-exporting nations—Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela—met… Continue reading

Ponzi finance thrives on perpetual recruitment rather than genuine earnings—fueling some of India’s most devastating scams and the world’s largest financial fraud. Understanding its mechanics and indicators empowers investors and regulators to spot and stem these lethal schemes. 1. A Dance of Illusion Imagine a party where new guests pay hefty entry fees to keep… Continue reading

Main Takeaway: With the phasing out of LIBOR—the London Interbank Offered Rate—India’s financial markets pivoted to more robust alternative reference rates like SOFR and MIFOR, reshaping everything from corporate borrowings to home loans and derivatives. 1. From Gold Standard to Funding Gauge In the 1980s, as London’s Eurodollar markets boomed, banks needed a common yardstick… Continue reading