Take 15: Trends in Algorithmic Trading and Developments in Asia

The EU still lacks details needed to address libra, according to a memo from European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis. "[A]s Libra is still a project, and thereby a moving target, the information provided remains insufficient for determining the precise nature of Libra and, by extension, its relation with existing EU law," the memo states. CoinDesk (UK) (19 Feb.)

Lawyers for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange say they have evidence former US Rep. Dana Rohrabacher offered a pardon in return for cooperation on leaks of Democratic National Committee emails. The lawyers have requested a London court allow a witness statement that describes "Mr. Rohrabacher going to see Mr. Assange and saying on instructions of the president, offering pardon or some other way out if Mr. Assange played ball and said the Russians had nothing to do with" the leaks. BNN Bloomberg (Canada) (19 Feb.)

China has decreased the one-year loan prime rate by 10 basis points, to 4.05%, and the five-year rate by 5 basis points, to 4.75%, to reduce corporate borrowing costs. Meanwhile, manufacturers are struggling against logistical and planning challenges to restart operations after an extended Lunar New Year break. Reuters (20 Feb.)