I’ve always believed that to understand the future of marketplaces, we need to first look back. In Chapter 1 of Bulletproof Your Marketplace, I take a step back from the legal frameworks and risk strategies to explore the big picture: how marketplaces have evolved from ancient trading posts to today’s digital platforms—and what that means for founders like you.

The International AI Safety Report 2026 marks a decisive shift in the global AI conversation. For years, discussions about AI safety were dominated by hypotheticals - scenarios about distant superintelligence or abstract existential risk. This year’s report feels different. It is grounded in measurable developments, real-world deployments, and documented misuse. The risks are no longer speculative - they are emerging alongside rapidly improving frontier systems.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re either building a marketplace or already operating one. First of all—congrats. That means you’re part of a $3.6 trillion global economy that’s reshaping how we live, work, and connect. But while there’s enormous opportunity in building a marketplace or digital platform, there’s also a ticking clock on when—not if—something will go sideways.

As digital platforms become increasingly central to economic activity, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of significant regulatory evolution - especially across the UK and EU. Deloitte’s Digital Regulatory Outlook 2026 highlights how policymakers are recalibrating the rules that govern digital ecosystems and underscores what leaders of marketplaces and digital platforms need to do now to stay ahead of compliance risks and turn change into a strategic advantage.

If you run a marketplace or digital platform, you already know consumer reviews aren’t just “nice to have” — they’re mission critical. Reviews drive discovery, build trust, and shape purchase decisions. But with that power comes risk. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is now signaling it intends to enforce its Consumer Review Rule in earnest — and that’s a big deal for every platform operator.