Digital advertising will drive total media ad spending in Western Europe toward $150 billion in 2022, as brands scramble for advantage in a rapidly changing world.

Digital video viewership continues to rise in the UK, despite already high penetration. A thirst for subscription content hasn’t quite been sated, but with a cost-of-living crisis looming, ad-supported options might garner interest among consumers.

The UK digital ad market is thriving. It will grow 11.9% this year, reaching £25.84 billion ($35.54 billion). Video will be a big contributor to this growth, as will social network spending, which is being disrupted by the likes of TikTok.

Technology decision-makers within the banking industry will need to balance high tech spending with the potential for regulatory disruptors.

This year, TikTok users in the UK will grow by 12.6% for a total of 17.5 million. TikTok, which overtook Twitter users last year, will surpass Snapchat users by year-end and continue its upward climb.

Younger consumers in the UK continue to drive the digital conversation, but older age groups did some catching up during the pandemic. And these older consumers are attractive to marketers and brands by dint of their disposable income.

EU probing Apple Pay: Restricting access to key NFC technologies on iPhones prevents EU banks from providing payment solutions, limiting competition. Mounting scrutiny could alter the duopoly’s payments dominance.

EU looks to make online platforms safer with sweeping law: Digital Services Act will ban ads to kids and allow regulators to levy big fines against Big Tech violators.

Payments volume grew 17% YoY in Q2 despite leaving a major market. Visa is focusing growth ambitions on new tech like open banking.

The 100,000-year plan: As Finland takes bold action toward energy independence with new nuclear reactors and an unfathomable waste-storage strategy, Russia’s energy tendrils are proving hard to untangle.

PayPal launched a softPOS solution that lets merchants accept contactless payments and can help PayPal gain more in-store volume.

The UK’s FCA found that the banks may have inadequate financial crime defenses.

Over 500 million people in Europe will use social networks monthly in 2022—with more than half hailing from Central and Eastern Europe. Facebook will remain the largest platform, but its lead is shrinking as Instagram and TikTok expand.

European consumers are changing their buying habits vis-à-vis inflation: The war in Ukraine is impacting economic conditions in numerous European markets, driving up prices to near-record levels and reversing recent gains in consumer confidence.

TikTok is the fastest-growing social platform amid slow overall social network user gains in the UK. Facebook remains the dominant force, but as its user base ages, its grip will begin to slip.