Solutions for a Complex World
- Stephen H Akin
- Jun 22
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 22
Code-named "Operation Midnight Hammer," the top-secret U.S. precision attack on Iran's nuclear facilities launched overnight was the largest strike using B2 bombers in history and it was the longest flight involving the fleet since 2001, Pentagon officials said Sunday.
B-2 stealth bombers struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear program
The mission included the first use of the Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs, or MOP, which had only previously been used in a testing role, according to officials.
"Iran's nuclear ambitions have been obliterated," U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a Sunday morning press briefing at the Pentagon, following the attacks.
More than 125 aircraft participated in the mission, including seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers which were launched from the continental United States shortly after midnight Eastern Time and refueled multiple times in midair as they flew 18 hours to reach their targets, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during the press briefing.
Caine said that just after 2 a.m. Iran time, the B-2 bombers began dropping 14 MOP bombs in strikes on two of Iran's nuclear facilities -- the Natanz and Fordo sites. Each MOP bomb measures about 20 feet long, weighs 30,000 pounds and is capable of penetrating 200 feet deep inside a target before exploding.
According to Caine, troops in the region were not given an advance warning of the attacks. In the wake of the strike, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), overseeing military operations in the Middle East and Central Asia, elevated force protection measures across the region, especially in Iraq, Syria and the Gulf, said Caine.
"Our forces remain on high alert and are fully postured to respond to any Iranian retaliation or proxy attacks, which would be an incredibly poor choice," Caine said. "We will defend ourselves. The safety of our service members and civilians remains our highest priority.”
Akin Investments: Solutions for a Complex World
At Akin Investments we position ourself as a provider of comprehensive, customized financial solutions designed to address the complexities of today’s financial landscape. Our approach is rooted in decades of Wall Street experience, with founder Stephen Akin bringing 40 years this September 2025 of expertise to the table.
Key Offerings:
Wealth Management: Personalized strategies tailored to individual client needs.
Independent Professional Advice: Objective, expert guidance without selling financial or insurance products or taking custody of funds.
Financial Planning: Services for all levels of wealth, including retirement, estate, and educational planning.
Active Portfolio Management: Combining technical analysis with fundamental research to guide investment decisions.
Retirement and RMD Planning: Expertise in business and personal retirement plans, including IRAs, 401(k)s, and 403(b)s.
Alternative Investments and Structured Solutions: Guidance on non-traditional investment opportunities and structured settlement transactions.
Philanthropic Management and Endowments: Support for charitable giving and institutional investment needs.
Akin Investments emphasizes a client-first, advice-only model, focusing on providing expert guidance rather than selling products. Our services are designed to help clients navigate a complex financial environment, offering strategies for wealth preservation, growth, and legacy planning.
Expertise and Recognition:
Stephen Akin has been featured in prominent financial publications such as Forbes, Fortune, and US News, highlighting the firm’s credibility and experience.
The firm is registered in South Carolina and Mississippi, serving a diverse client base with a reputation for integrity and depth of knowledge.
“Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins of 2025” or the “GENIUS Act of 2025”
The US Senate passed the GENIUS Act Bill on Wednesday with a vote of 68-30 in a major boost for stablecoins — reserve-backed cryptocurrencies that have received an impetus from the Donald Trump administration in America. The next stage for the GENIUS Act will be passage in the US House of Representatives, where members have readied their own version of a stablecoin regulation bill, the STABLE Act.
The GENIUS Act of 2025, formally titled the "Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act of 2025," is landmark legislation focused on the regulation of payment stablecoins within the United States. The bill was introduced by Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and has garnered bipartisan support, passing the Senate by a 68-30 vote.
Purpose and Scope
The GENIUS Act aims to create a comprehensive regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, digital assets designed to maintain a stable value relative to a reference currency (such as the U.S. dollar).
The legislation seeks to foster innovation in the U.S. digital asset sector while ensuring consumer protection, financial stability, and compliance with existing laws like the Bank Secrecy Act.
Key Provisions
Regulation of Stablecoin Issuers: Establishes clear guidelines and requirements for entities that issue payment stablecoins, including registration, reserve management, and operational standards.
Consumer Protections: Implements measures to safeguard users of stablecoins, such as transparency requirements, redemption rights, and anti-fraud provisions.
Exclusion of Unrelated Amendments: The Senate passed the bill without amendments related to credit card interchange fees or interest rate caps, maintaining focus on stablecoin regulation.
Coordination with Existing Laws: The Act integrates with the Bank Secrecy Act and other financial sector regulations to ensure compliance and oversight.
Legislative Status
Passed the Senate and now moves to the House of Representatives, where the companion legislation is the STABLE Act (H.R. 2392).
The bill is seen as a significant step in U.S. digital asset policy, with the potential to shape the regulatory environment for stablecoins and related financial technologies.
Industry and Policy Impact
The GENIUS Act is widely regarded as a bipartisan effort to balance innovation with consumer and financial system protections.
Its passage is expected to provide regulatory clarity for stablecoin issuers and users, support the growth of digital payments, and reinforce the U.S. position in the evolving global digital asset landscape.
In summary: The GENIUS Act of 2025 establishes a national framework for the regulation of payment stablecoins, aiming to promote innovation while ensuring robust consumer protections and financial stability. The bill has cleared the Senate and awaits consideration in the House
DOWNLOAD THE FULL TEXT OF THE BILL:
Key Swiss Banking Law Changes
These changes are among the most significant for Swiss banking regulation in recent years and are designed to address vulnerabilities exposed by the Credit Suisse collapse.
The Swiss government unveiled new proposals on June 6, 2025, aimed primarily at UBS following its takeover of Credit Suisse. These proposals would require UBS to hold an additional $26 billion in core capital, a significant increase intended to bolster the stability of Switzerland’s largest bank.
One of the central changes is that UBS will be required to fully capitalize (100%) its foreign subsidiaries at the parent company level, up from the current 60%. This move is designed to reduce systemic risk and better protect Swiss taxpayers in the event of another major bank failure.
Implementation Timeline
The proposed rules will not take immediate effect. The government plans to submit a draft bill for consultation with stakeholders by autumn 2025.
The Federal Council aims to approve the bill and present it to parliament in 2026, but the final legislation is not expected to pass before 2027 and will not come into force before 2028.
Certain measures, called ordinances, could be enacted directly by the government as early as 2027, but the most significant changes will require parliamentary approval and have a transition period of 6 to 8 years for UBS to comply, potentially stretching compliance into the mid-2030s.
Other Notable Proposals
The new rules include mechanisms for bonus "clawbacks," enhanced access to central bank liquidity, and greater regulatory powers.
The capital requirement changes would also allow UBS to reduce its holdings of Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bonds by $8 billion, shifting the focus to core capital.
The government emphasized that these measures are "targeted and proportionate," aiming to restore trust and stability in the Swiss financial sector after the Credit Suisse crisis.
Broader Context
These changes are a direct response to the shockwaves caused by the 2023 collapse of Credit Suisse and the subsequent emergency takeover by UBS, which left UBS with a balance sheet larger than the Swiss economy.
The government’s actions reflect a broader trend toward stricter oversight and increased resilience in the Swiss banking sector, with an eye on protecting the financial system and taxpayer interests
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No Immediate Changes to Secrecy Laws
There were no major changes to Swiss banking secrecy or client confidentiality laws announced this week. However, a recent media discussion highlighted ongoing concerns about the criminalization of disclosing confidential banking information, based on amendments to the Swiss banking act that have been in force since 2015.
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