Blockchain. Crypto. It's happening to investments, currency, food trucks. Yes, payments are possible

with crypto now. But it's not just happening to tortilla chips. Also, microchips. You can trade

tokenized real world and digital assets. So it's happening to assets, trading, industries,

economies, and pretty much everything else. And it's happening with Ripple.

For informational purposes only, not an offer or inducement.

For investment professionals and high net worth companies,

FSMA 2000 financial promotion order.

The Economist.

Thank you. The Economist Hello and welcome to the intelligence from The Economist.

And I'm Jason Palmer.

And I'm Rosie Bloor.

Every weekday, we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

It's a NATO member country. It's got a strategic position in a region that's gearing up for serious great power tensions.

Problem is, Iceland doesn't even have an army.

Yet.

And many of us love the flexibility of working from home,

but bosses aren't so keen.

They want us back where they can see us.

The question is, what really affect company culture and performance?

Music But first... Japanese politics isn't usually known for dramatic upsets. The Liberal Democratic Party, or LDP, has commanded the political system since its founding in 1955. But that era may be on the wane. In yesterday's upper house elections, the LDP and its junior coalition partner lost their majority.

...prime minister Ishiba Shigeru said he solemnly accepted the result.

It's a big blow for Mr. Ishiba, for the LDP, but it's also a sign of how Japan's politics is changing fast.

...