Recent data from Gas Infrastructure Europe shows the continent is facing its lowest gas reserve levels, raising concerns about replenishing inventories for the winter.

The European Union has two crucial periods for gas supply each year: March, when winter ends and summer begins, and October, when winter begins again. According to the GIE, gas reserves are currently at 61 %, “the lowest level for this time of year in recent years, even lower than that recorded in 2021.”

Gas prices rose in August. And the region is facing a slower-than-necessary filling rate. “The recent pace gives an idea of ​​the challenge. Between early and mid-August, storage capacity increased by an average of 0.27 percentage points per day. If this rate continues, storage levels will reach around 73 % by October 1st. Europe would have to continue injecting gas throughout the autumn to keep rebuilding reserves, coinciding with the gradual increase in demand associated with heating.”

To overcome this predicament, a high rate of injection would be necessary, in addition to ensuring sufficient gas volumes, particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG), which entails a high cost that is passed on to the consumer.

Regarding the European regulatory framework for this sector, it “maintains a 90% filling target.” However, since the “reform of the Gas Storage Regulation, in force since September 2025, this level can be reached at any time between October 1st and December 1st.” A deviation of up to 10 percentage points is permitted when filling conditions are difficult, extendable by an additional five points by the European Commission if these conditions persist. The regulation will be in force until the end of 2027.

In any case, the reserve level for October will be the benchmark for the markets. If storage falls below the levels of recent years, the margin for absorbing a cold winter, lower renewable energy production, or renewed pressure on gas imports is reduced. Furthermore, it contributes to greater volatility in both gas and electricity market prices.

M.Pino

Source: elperiodicodelaenergia

(Reference image source: Sylvain Miklaszewski on Unsplash)

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Morgan Stanley is definitively opening up to the cryptocurrency sector, encouraging its clients to consider them as a broader investment option.

“In a new report from its Global Investment Committee, the banknotes that cryptocurrencies can have a place in modern portfolios, provided this is done in a controlled and limited manner. Advisors can guide clients on opportunities, but also on market volatility.”

Depending on each investor’s risk profile, the firm “recommends holding between 2 and 4 percent in digital assets. For conservative investors, the recommendation remains at zero.”

The principle applies to more than 16,000 financial advisors, who collectively manage more than $2 trillion in client wealth. In this regard, the report notes that “digital assets like Bitcoin can provide long-term value, but only within a balanced portfolio with periodic rebalancing.”

Morgan Stanley compares Bitcoin, the market’s leading cryptocurrency, to digital gold; it considers it a scarce digital asset that cannot be simply printed, used by investors as a hedge against inflation and currency risks.

The bank is likely to announce the launch of cryptocurrency trading through E*Trade in 2026, in collaboration with the infrastructure company Zerohash. “Clients will be able to buy and sell Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana. The plan is part of a broader trend in which large banks offer crypto products through trusted platforms.”

M.Pino

Source: 99bitcoins.com

(Reference image source: Sven Piper on Unsplash)

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