TNW Weekly Briefing

Legislation and digital policy

European Commission opens call for evidence on Open Digital Ecosystems
Signal: The EU is preparing a structural shift toward open, interoperable digital infrastructure. This marks a move from regulating dominant platforms to actively shaping alternatives and reducing strategic dependency.

DMA and DSA enter an enforcement-heavy phase in 2026
Signal: Europe’s digital laws have moved from principle to execution. Compliance, fines, litigation, and operational constraints are now the central risk factors for large technology companies in the EU.

Intellectual property and market structure

EUIPO reports record trademark and design filings in 2025
Signal: European technology and business are entering a consolidation phase. Brand protection and defensibility are becoming core competitive assets, not legal afterthoughts.

Nice Classification v13 confirmed for 2026
Signal: Trademark strategy in Europe is becoming more technical and granular. Weak or generic IP structuring will increasingly translate into long-term competitive disadvantage.

Capital, economy, and institutions

EU institutional funding continues to prioritize digital autonomy
Signal: Through Horizon Europe and related instruments, capital allocation is increasingly aligned with infrastructure, security, and sovereignty rather than consumer-driven technology cycles.

ECB commentary reinforces long-term focus on euro stability and autonomy
Signal: The macroeconomic backdrop continues to support policies around financial and digital autonomy, shaping the environment for payments, fintech, and infrastructure investments.

Global context with European impact

Rising transatlantic tension around EU tech regulation
Signal: Enforcement of DMA and DSA is now a geopolitical issue. Regulatory decisions in Europe are increasingly influencing how global technology firms design products and operations worldwide.

Overall signal

Europe is no longer focused on optimizing digital markets.
It is focused on shaping digital architecture and control points.

For founders, investors, and executives, the implication is clear: resilience, compliance, and strategic positioning in Europe will matter more than speed or scale alone.

Disclaimer

Editorial note: This briefing is the result of ongoing work that involves paid subscriptions, institutional sources, dedicated people, and a significant investment of time and energy.

As CEO of TNW, I personally review, filter, and contextualize this information to surface only the signals that have real impact.

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