Microsoft to Enforce Three-Day Office Work Policy Starting 2026

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Microsoft (MSFT.O) announced on Tuesday that it will require employees to work from office at least three days a week starting in 2026, marking one of the company’s biggest shifts in post-pandemic workplace policy.

Rollout Plan

  • The return-to-office mandate will be introduced in three phases:

    1. Employees near Redmond, Washington headquarters.

    2. Other U.S. locations.

    3. International offices.

  • Staff living within 50 miles of Redmond HQ must comply by February 2026, with timelines for other regions to follow.

Industry Trend

  • Microsoft joins tech giants like Amazon in scaling back remote work flexibility as firms seek to strengthen collaboration and culture.

  • Many companies shifted to remote setups during the pandemic but are now rolling back WFH policies amid productivity and cohesion concerns.

Company Statement

Amy Coleman, Microsoft’s Chief People Officer, said in a blog post that the phased plan is meant to give employees time to adjust while aligning with Microsoft’s long-term vision for a hybrid work model.

U.S. Targets Cyber Scam Networks in Myanmar and Cambodia with Sanctions

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The United States Treasury Department announced on Tuesday new sanctions against cyber scam operators in Myanmar and Cambodia, a rapidly growing industry that Washington says stole tens of billions of dollars from Americans in 2023.

Key Points of the Sanctions

  • The sanctions target nine companies and individuals in Shwe Kokko, Myanmar, and 10 entities in Cambodia, many linked to Chinese criminal networks.

  • The scams involve money laundering, illegal gambling, and fraudulent investment schemes.

  • The U.S. described the networks as relying on modern slavery practices, including debt bondage, confinement, violence, and threats of forced prostitution.

Victims and Operations

  • Hundreds of thousands of people, lured by fake job offers, were trafficked into scam compounds in Southeast Asia, especially along the Thai–Myanmar border.

  • Once inside, victims were forced to operate online scams targeting strangers globally.

  • In Cambodia, scam centers linked to crypto fraud often resembled prisons, according to Amnesty International.

Political and Security Context

  • Shwe Kokko, a hub for cyber scams, was created in 2017 by Hong Kong–registered Yatai International Holdings and the Karen National Army (KNA), an armed group allied with Myanmar’s military.

  • Both Yatai and the KNA have previously faced sanctions.

  • Following Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, scam compounds expanded from militia areas into zones under junta control.

U.S. Statement

John K. Hurley, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, emphasized:

“Southeast Asia’s cyber scam industry not only threatens the financial security of Americans, but also subjects thousands of people to modern slavery.”

Impact and Next Steps

  • The sanctions aim to cut off financial flows to these networks and raise global pressure on governments in Myanmar and Cambodia, which have been accused of turning a blind eye.

  • Both governments did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

Gemini Secures Nasdaq Investment Ahead of IPO, Strengthening Crypto–Wall Street Ties

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Cryptocurrency exchange Gemini, founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, has secured Nasdaq as a strategic investor in its upcoming New York listing, marking a significant step for the digital asset industry as it pushes further into mainstream finance.

IPO Details

  • Gemini is targeting up to $317 million in proceeds from its IPO.

  • Nasdaq will buy $50 million in shares in a private placement during the listing.

  • Trading is expected to begin Friday under the ticker “GEMI”, though final timing depends on market conditions.

Strategic Partnership

The partnership extends beyond capital:

  • Nasdaq clients will gain access to Gemini’s custody and staking services.

  • Gemini’s institutional clients will be able to use Nasdaq’s Calypso platform to manage and track trading collateral.

Market Context

  • The IPO comes amid a rebound in U.S. equity capital markets, with strong investor demand for new listings.

  • Recent high-profile IPOs — including Figma and Firefly Aerospace — have boosted confidence.

  • Gemini would become the third publicly traded crypto exchange, following Coinbase and Bullish.

Gemini’s Position

  • One of the largest U.S. crypto exchanges by volume, Gemini manages $21 billion in assets and has processed $285 billion in lifetime trading volume.

  • Services include an OTC trading desk, a U.S. crypto credit card, and support for Bitcoin, Ether, and stablecoins.

  • The company reported a net loss of $282.5 million on revenue of $68.6 million for the first half of 2025, compared with a smaller loss a year earlier.

Broader Significance

The Nasdaq partnership signals a deepening connection between Wall Street and crypto markets, reinforcing digital assets as a mainstream asset class.
The move also positions Gemini as a stronger competitor in an IPO wave dominated by crypto and AI-related firms.