🔻 Crypto markets are retracing after the Fed's decision:
🏦 Keeping interest rates at 3.5% – 3.75% is putting pressure on the market
₿ Bitcoin: -1.24% ⬇️ to $75,284 ⛓️ Ethereum: -2.68% ⬇️ to $2,235 ⚡ Solana: -2.75% ⬇️ to $81.56 ⚠️ The pressure is ongoing with tightening monetary policy
🏦 Clear split within the Fed with interest rates on hold 📊 Keeping the rate at 3.5% – 3.75% (as expected 100%)
⚡️ Unusual vote: 8 to 4 📉 Objections to any hint of future rate cuts.
👥 First split of this magnitude since 1992 🔻 One member calls for an immediate cut of 0.25% 🚫 Some members refuse to hint at easing right now 📌 Disagreement over the statement wording and future policy direction
🔥 The Fed describes inflation as "high" with pressure from energy prices
📊 Inflation remains high... and job growth is slowing
🌍 Middle East tensions increase uncertainty 👀 Close monitoring of inflation risks and the labor market ⏳ Upcoming interest rate decisions will depend on data and risk assessment
💎Brent crude has surged to its highest level since the Iran War, hitting $119.50 per barrel, driven by escalating tensions after news broke that U.S. President Donald Trump decided to extend the American blockade against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.
This marks the highest oil prices since 2022, amid growing concerns about disruptions to global energy supplies.
Meanwhile, U.S. crude prices have climbed above $106 per barrel, with energy prices on the rise again.
The Wall Street Journal reported, citing American officials, that Trump has directed his team to prepare for a long-term blockade on Iran, which could lead to ongoing disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, where about 20% of the world's oil supply passes.
In the same context, the International Energy Agency warned that the current situation represents "the biggest threat to energy security in history," with a broad potential for market disruption and rising prices if the vital shipping corridor remains closed.
🔴 Major Question: Is Jerome Powell stepping down as Fed Chair at the end of his term?
📌 He might prefer to stay on as a member to support the independence of the central bank 🏛️
📌 His membership lasts until January 2028 ⏳, but he can leave before that
📌 Prosecutor Janine Pirro closed an investigation against him, paving the way for Kevin Warsh's confirmation
📌 A probe was requested regarding overspending on the Fed's headquarters renovation project 💰 📌 Donald Trump previously pressured to lower interest rates and hinted at firing him ⚠️
📌 Powell's exit now gives Trump the opportunity to appoint 3 members to the board (out of 7) 🎯
⚡ A new storm in the Strait of Hormuz: Controversial announcements.
💎💎💎💎
🌊 A recent statement has stirred up widespread debate regarding the ownership of the Strait of Hormuz, with an American official declaring it as U.S. territory.
💡 This statement comes at a time of escalating diplomatic and economic tensions in the region, as the Strait of Hormuz is one of the most crucial waterways in the world.
📊 Approximately 20% of the world's total oil exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, making it a vital strategic point in global politics.
🚨 It's tough to predict how this statement will impact the current tensions in the region, but it raises questions about the future of international relations in the area.
⚡ Expecting a rate cut with a balance sheet reduction, the next Fed chair is anticipated to lower interest rates while balancing the easing through a reduction in the balance sheet.
📈 It’s expected that the Fed's intervention on climate, environmental, equality, and diversity issues will be rolled back, leading to a decrease in the Fed's role in regulatory matters.
💰 The voting on the Open Market Committee members is coming up, but the chair is viewed as a key player in decision-making.
🔥 The initial meetings are likely to set the agenda for the Fed moving forward.
⚡ Tensions are rising between the United States and Iran following Donald Trump's announcement rejecting the lifting of the naval blockade without an agreement on Iran's nuclear program
📈 This announcement comes at a time when U.S. Central Command has expressed readiness to launch a series of strikes against Iran
💎 Donald Trump is considering military action if Iran does not take steps to de-escalate the situation
⚡ Russia might take steps to impose fees on all mobile traffic due to the war on VPNs.
📈 The Ministry of Digital Development is working on a separate pricing system for international mobile internet traffic, where they proposed allowing a maximum of 15 GB of international traffic per month for free, with a charge of 150 rubles for each additional GB.
🚨 Experts warn that network operators may not always be able to distinguish between VPN traffic and regular international traffic.
💰 Network operators could struggle to differentiate local requests from international ones, meaning access to a Russian site might route through an external node.
📊 In the end, both VPN users and non-users may end up having to pay the fees.
💎 The bottom line: the war on VPNs might lead to new fees for mobile internet for all users.
⚡ Major moves in the crypto market: BlackRock transferred 1473 Bitcoin worth $114 million and 5738 Ethereum valued at $13.4 million to its Coinbase Prime wallet.
📈 This transfer comes at a time when institutions and other investors are shorting Bitcoin and Ethereum through financial transactions.
💰 This indicates significant shifts in the crypto landscape, as large firms are rebalancing their investments in Bitcoin and Ethereum.
⚡ Tensions are heating up between the U.S. and Iran after Donald Trump announced his refusal to lift the naval blockade without a deal on Iran's nuclear program.
📈 This announcement comes as the U.S. Central Command has expressed readiness to launch a series of strikes against Iran.
💎 Donald Trump is contemplating military action if Iran doesn't take steps to de-escalate the situation.
📰⚠️ Military Alert and "Standard & Poor's" Predictions: The Energy Crisis is Heading Towards a "Long Stalemate"
💎💎💎💎
🔶 ⚔️ Axios reports that the U.S. military is gearing up for a wave of precision strikes against Iran, amidst ongoing naval blockades and stalled peace talks.
🔶 🛢️ Standard & Poor's has raised its Brent price forecast by $15 for 2026, emphasizing that oil flows will only gradually recover even if the Strait of Hormuz is opened.
📊 Market Impact: The rising risk premium keeps oil prices elevated to curb excessive demand and achieve market balance.
📰🟡 Washington Prepares for War: Defense Secretary Confirms Preventing Iran from Acquiring Nuclear Weapons
🔶 ⚔️ Secretary Herg announced the reactivation of defense capabilities to "war mode", emphasizing significant military successes against Iran recently.
🔶 🏛️ Requested a hefty budget to empower the Pentagon to maintain peace through strength, considering preventing Tehran from going nuclear a top priority with no room for compromise.
📊 Market Impact of the News: The "militarization of the economy" speech supports the dollar and defense stocks, increasing the risk premium in oil markets.
Next Step: Heading to the Senate for the Final Vote. 🏛️
Significance: Warsh is a strong advocate for digital currencies, and his appointment signals official recognition of the digital finance industry’s future in the U.S. 💰📈
Outcome: Anticipated Regulatory Green Light for the Crypto Market Globally. ✨
⚡ US Oil Exports Hit Record High 📈 US oil exports reached 6 million barrels per day last week, marking a new all-time high. 💰 This surge in exports reflects the increasing demand.
for US oil in the global market. 🚨 This announcement comes at a time when the oil market is experiencing significant shifts in supply and demand.
💎 Some US oil companies see new opportunities to ramp up production and score big profits.
⚡ Bitcoin's market cap volatility hits unprecedented levels since August 2024 📈 This coincides with a rise in the hash rate market cap index, indicating significant pressure on mining operations, which has persisted for 9 consecutive sessions.
💰 It's unusual for two metrics to converge for a market cap collapse, as this isn't tracked on crypto Twitter dashboards. The last time this reading was recorded was in August 2024, before Bitcoin saw a 38% bounce. Each cycle may vary, but the pattern remains consistent. .