US Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jim Risch have introduced the bipartisan System Integrity through Licensed Vault Expansion and Resilience (SILVER) Act to amend the Commodity Exchange Act and mandate at least two licensed precious metal depositories in each US time zone, breaking the current concentration around New York City. The bill aims to cut systemic and national security risk, improve market liquidity and reduce storage and transport costs for miners and traders in Western states such as Nevada. Backers include Money Metals Depository, The Silver Institute, A‑Mark Precious Metals/Gold.com and Texas Precious Metals Depository, with a companion bill already filed in the House.

Midway through 2026, the Institution of Civil Engineers is moving to formalise its next phase of work after a first half-year focused on asset maintenance, ethics, intelligence and stewardship across the profession. Trustees are steering efforts towards more data‑driven asset management, with emphasis on whole‑life performance of critical infrastructure and clearer ethical frameworks for use of digital tools and automation. For practitioners, this signals tighter expectations on maintenance strategies, evidence‑based decision‑making and governance around intelligent infrastructure systems.

The Institution of Civil Engineers has revised and modernised its Code of Professional Conduct to tighten expectations on ethical behaviour, competence and accountability for members and registrants. The refreshed code is expected to place greater emphasis on managing safety risks, transparent decision-making on major infrastructure projects, and responsible use of emerging tools such as digital twins and AI-based design optimisation. Firms will need to review internal procedures, training and project governance to ensure alignment with the updated professional and regulatory obligations.