AI & Finance News — 2026-09-30 (Wed) Morning News

Overview

SEC Paul Atkins called Anthropic's IPO disclosure ($4.6B in revenue, $42B in loss) "unprecedented," bringing regulatory and capital market tensions into focus (Yahoo Finance). In banking and insurance, regulators are simultaneously issuing cease-and-desist orders due to the cyber risks of AI (Bloomberg, knoxradio.com). In asset management, investment money continues to flow, with BlackRock presenting an electricity demand of 148GW for AI infrastructure (tokenpost.com).

Bank trends

Fed Director Michelle Bowman said AI could be used for both banks' cybersecurity defenses and cyberattacks (Bloomberg, tokenpost.com). Forbes reported an article warning of "AI 'Bank Run'" (Forbes). Finastra deploys AI to solve bank payment processing problems (PYMNTS.com) Citi Investor Services revamps AI-powered market guidance platform (businesswire.com). In Japan, North Pacific Bank uses AI to predict crowding at each branch and optimize staff allocation (Nihon Keizai Shimbun).

Insurance trends

North Dakota health officials have ordered an AI company to cease operating in the state (knoxradio.com). Business Insider reports (businessinsurance.com) that ``AI facilitates cyberattacks while evolving defenses.'' KPMG publishes a paper on AI value creation in the insurance industry (kpmg.com). Piko Labs AI announces reinsurance brokerage service for captives (Captive International). In South Korea, Samsung Life Insurance was reported to be using AI and digital technology to reduce the complexity of insurance (매일경제).

Trends in asset management and market transactions

BlackRock presented 148GW of power demand associated with building AI infrastructure (tokenpost.com). A survey by HCLTech reported that 84% of asset management companies recognize the need to redesign their business models to support AI (Devdiscourse, Adgully.com). North American family offices are reportedly optimistic about AI and private equity (Wealth Solutions Report). On the market side, MarketWatch analyzes the signals the bond market sends to the AI boom and the stock market (MarketWatch). In Japan, Asemane One has partnered with asset management AI company BFAI (nna.jp).

Fintech/payment trends

Visa was reported to be increasing its vigilance against the "increasing risks posed by AI" (Reuters). Visa is said to be focusing on stablecoins and AI payments as it prepares to announce its financial results on October 27th (tikr.com). Meta expands its Muse AI agent to small and medium-sized businesses by linking it with Shopify, Stripe, Slack, etc. (Stocktwits). 247wallst.com warns that AI commerce is unprepared for ``$53 billion crisis'' (247wallst.com). It was reported that the ECB is considering starting a demonstration experiment of AI agent payments using the digital euro in January next year (BigGo Finance).

Remarks from key figures and authorities in the financial world

- SEC Chairman Paul Atkins: SEC staff says Anthropic's "unusual" AI risk disclosure is under review (Yahoo Finance). - Fed Director Michelle Bowman (not tracked, but related remarks): Points out that AI can be both a defense and a threat to bank cybersecurity (Bloomberg, tokenpost.com). *There are no notable changes in the headline regarding direct statements or actions regarding the VIPs being tracked (Jamie Dimon, Larry Fink, Jane Fraser, David Solomon, Brian Moynihan, Ted Pick, Ken Griffin).

Trends in AI-related stocks and funding

AI startup EliseAI reaches a valuation of $4 billion in its latest funding round (Reuters). Dorm Room Fund, which invests in student-led AI startups, raises $50M (Dealroom.co). AI startup Instinct has raised $1 billion, giving it a valuation of $10 billion (Inshorts). Anthropic is said to be aiming for an IPO with a valuation of $2 trillion, but one industry source said it "will not be a market catalyst" (TradingView). Anthropic IPO prospectus leaked, with disclosures about AI risks reportedly shared early with Wall Street (Gizmodo).

Trends in financial regulation and supervision

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins says SEC staff is reviewing Anthropic's "unusual" AI risk disclosure (Yahoo Finance). Regarding the FCA, it was reported that AI is passing the examination (defense) of crypto asset applicants (law360.com). Napier AI warns that opaque AI could lead to companies losing licenses (FinTech Global). National Mortgage Professional study identifies AI oversight gaps among small mortgage lenders (National Mortgage Professional). In Japan, the Financial Services Agency held a practical implementation course on nine items for responding to AI threats (Business + IT).

Integrated analysis: What is happening now

Anthropic's huge IPO preparations (reported valuation of $2 trillion, disclosure of $4.6 billion in profits and $42 billion in losses) have become the focus of attention as the interface between capital markets and the AI industry, and the disclosure content, which SEC's Paul Atkins described as "unusual", could serve as a test of future regulatory compliance. In the banking and insurance sector, the dual nature of AI being both a defensive tool and a means of attack is a common theme in both the Fed (Bowman) and Business Insider articles, and cyber risk management has emerged as a cross-industry challenge. On the asset management side, as shown by BlackRock's infrastructure investment (power demand 148GW) and HCLTech's survey (84% recognized the need to redesign business models), AI implementation has already moved beyond the "consideration stage" and into the "implementation redesign" stage. In the payment field, Visa's caution and Meta's expansion of AI agent commerce are proceeding in parallel, and the ``$53 billion AI commerce crisis'' pointed out by 247wallst.com symbolizes the risk that AI agents are becoming the main entity for payment execution without proper regulation. North Dakota's health authorities' orders to halt operations for AI companies and the warning that Napier AI will lose its license demonstrate a structure in which regulatory responses at the state and industry level take precedence on an individual case basis, and a comprehensive framework has not caught up.

Future points of interest

- Consequences of SEC Paul Atkins' Anthropic disclosure review and its impact on IPO disclosure standards for AI companies. - Materialization of AI payment/stablecoin strategy at Visa financial results announcement (October 27th). - To what extent will financial regulations (FCA, Financial Services Agency, etc.) develop an implementation-level supervisory system in response to the expansion of payments and commercial transactions using AI agents?