USA —
US Corporate Bankruptcies Surge to Pandemic Highs in July
July saw 71 corporate bankruptcy filings—the most since the pandemic began. Despite solid GDP and markets, the spike reflects mounting strain on debt-laden firms—from retail to real estate—unclear restructuring paths, and economic pressures that are surfacing beneath the economy’s surface.
Europe —
“Chapter 22” Filings: Companies Return to Bankruptcy Without Recovery
Some companies, including Joann, Rite Aid, and Claire’s, have already filed for Chapter 11 twice—coined “Chapter 22”—a sign that earlier restructuring failed. With Spirit Airlines next in line, experts warn this trend signals deep-seated insolvency rather than temporary setbacks.
China —
Asia’s Live Commerce Drives Trillion-Yuan Growth, But TikTok Struggles in Japan
China’s live commerce market topped ¥7.4 trillion in H1 2025 and is spreading globally through TikTok Shop. But the rollout in Japan faces cultural resistance and logistical barriers, highlighting both the promise and friction of cross-border B2B e-commerce strategies.
Asia (Rest) —
Thrive Expands in APAC with Two New VP Hires
Tech outsourcer Thrive has appointed two new APAC VPs—in Hong Kong and Singapore—to drive its cybersecurity, cloud, and networking expansion. The hires follow recent investment from Berkshire Partners and Court Square Capital and signal Thrive’s urgency to scale its B2B offerings in APAC markets.
Canada —
BUZZ HPC Teams Up with Bell Canada for Sovereign NVIDIA AI Infrastructure
BUZZ HPC, a subsidiary of HIVE, is partnering with Bell Canada to deploy NVIDIA-accelerated AI infrastructure across Canadian data centers. Built for data privacy and digital sovereignty, the infrastructure empowers domestic AI innovators while enabling secure, high-performance computing.
