The Federal Reserve Chair plays a critical role in shaping U.S. monetary policy, influencing interest rates, inflation, and overall economic stability. With Jerome Powell’s term ending in May 2026, speculation is heating up over who President Donald Trump will select as his successor. Two leading candidates have emerged: Rick Rieder and Kevin Warsh.
Rick Rieder
Rick Rieder is BlackRock’s Chief Investment Officer for Global Fixed Income, a senior Wall Street expert in bonds and macroeconomic trends. He has impressed President Trump with his understanding of financial markets and monetary policy. • Pros: Strong market expertise; seen as flexible and market-friendly, potentially aligning with Trump’s preference for lower interest rates. • Cons: Lacks prior Fed leadership experience, which could raise questions about his familiarity with internal Fed operations.
Kevin Warsh Kevin Warsh is a former Federal Reserve governor (2006–2011) with extensive experience in monetary policy and financial regulation. He represents a more traditional choice, with credibility among economists and policymakers. • Pros: Deep knowledge of the Fed and policy-making; institutional experience. • Cons: Viewed by some as less likely to implement aggressive interest-rate cuts, which may not align with Trump’s priorities.
Who Has the Edge? Current prediction markets indicate that Rick Rieder has the higher chance of being nominated, with odds around 50–60%, compared to Kevin Warsh’s 24–30%. Rieder’s rising momentum is fueled by Trump’s positive comments about him and market sentiment favoring a candidate with a flexible, market-oriented approach. While Warsh remains a strong contender due to his Fed experience, the trend suggests that Rieder is currently the frontrunner. Why It Matters
The nomination will have wide-reaching implications: • For markets: Investors will closely watch how the new Fed Chair may influence interest rates and market stability. • Politically: Trump’s decision reflects both his economic priorities and his desire to leave a legacy on U.S. monetary policy. • Confirmation process: Even after nomination, the Senate must confirm the candidate, adding another layer of political consideration.
In conclusion, while both candidates are qualified, Rick Rieder appears more likely to become the next Fed Chair, signaling a potentially more market-driven approach to U.S. monetary policy. #Fed #TRUMP @HASSII
Rising geopolitical tension: U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated pressure on Iran, warning of possible military action amid ongoing unrest and threatening tariffs on countries that continue trading with Tehran. These developments could heighten global market uncertainty, potentially driving volatility across equities, commodities, and crypto as investors reassess risk and safe-haven assets.
Crypto ETFs take another step forward: Grayscale has filed with the SEC for a spot BNB ETF, seeking a Nasdaq listing under the ticker GBNB. If approved, it would open regulated U.S. investor access to BNB, pushing crypto ETFs beyond just Bitcoin and Ether. With VanEck also entering the race, the ETF landscape may be heading into its next major phase.
Europe’s Defense Autonomy: Finland Signals a Strategic Shift Finland’s President Alexander Stubb stated that Europe has the capacity to defend itself without relying on the United States, highlighting a growing debate over European strategic autonomy. Key Points Stubb emphasized that Europe possesses sufficient population, economic strength, technology, and military resources to ensure its own security—if fully utilized.The statement does not reject the U.S. alliance but underscores the need for Europe to assume greater responsibility for its defense.European NATO members collectively spend hundreds of billions of euros on defense and maintain modern, capable armed forces.The war in Ukraine has accelerated Europe’s reassessment of security dependencies.Uncertainty in U.S. domestic politics reinforces Europe’s desire for greater self-reliance. Market and Geopolitical Impact A stronger European defense posture could reshape NATO dynamics and global power balances.Increased defense spending and coordination may support Europe’s negotiating leverage and long-term deterrence.Investors and analysts should monitor concrete actions—defense budgets, procurement, and NATO deployments—rather than political statements alone. Conclusion Stubb’s remarks signal a strategic mindset shift: alliances remain essential, but Europe is increasingly focused on reducing overdependence and strengthening its own defense capabilities.
Did you know silver is far more abundant than gold? While gold is rare and mined with strict limits, silver exists in much larger quantities—sometimes 15–20 times more than gold. Yet, gold trades at a huge premium. Why?
Gold is the ultimate “safe haven” asset—held by investors, central banks, and jewelers. Silver, on the other hand, is both a commodity and an investment, heavily used in electronics, solar panels, and medical tech. Its industrial demand is growing fast. Historically, the gold-to-silver ratio has been 15:1 to 80:1. Right now, one ounce of gold costs roughly 80 ounces of silver—a stark reminder that silver is undervalued compared to gold.
With supply limited and industrial demand rising, silver’s potential is huge. Investors who understand this trend see it not just as a metal, but as a strategic asset for the future. Interestingly, silver’s price is now gaining momentum as industrial use increases and investors anticipate limited supply in the future. Many analysts believe silver could see significant appreciation, narrowing the gap between its price and gold over time. In short: Silver is far more abundant than gold, yet it remains much cheaper due to historical, economic, and investment factors. However, its growing industrial importance and limited supply may gradually increase its value, making it a compelling asset for investors who understand its potential. #Goldvssilver #GOLD #hassii @HASSII
Markets face rising risk across stocks, crypto, and global assets as Trump doubles down on tariffs at Davos. At the same time, the Supreme Court is weighing whether his tariff powers are even legal. If tariffs move forward, markets risk a sharp sell-off; if blocked, legal and fiscal chaos could still trigger a dump. Valuations are already extreme, with the Buffett Indicator near 220% and Shiller P/E close to 40. Markets are priced for perfection, leaving no room for shocks. New tariff threats on European allies add pressure on multinational earnings. A court ruling either way brings serious downside risks. Markets are on a knife’s edge—tomorrow may set the tone for the entire year.
Trump announced plans to appoint a new Federal Reserve Chair, criticizing current Chair Jerome Powell during his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Markets reacted negatively, with the Dow falling 1.8%, the S&P 500 down 2%, and the Nasdaq dropping 2.4%, as investors worried about possible changes in interest rate policy.
According to Pipsjourney CEO Hassii Kahloon, retail investors have largely exited, while institutional "whales" are aggressively accumulating Bitcoin. The retail retreat On-chain metrics indicate that retail participation is currently at a neutral level compared to historical averages. This shows that the broader public has not yet entered a phase of high "FOMO" or speculative hype. Much of this retail capital has reportedly rotated out of crypto and back into traditional assets like stocks, gold, and silver. The latter has been enjoying a truly remarkable rally, outshining all major cryptocurrencies and attracting speculative fervor. "Money just rotated to stocks and shiny rocks. I don't think we'll see a -50%+ crash from ATH like past bear markets. Just boring sideways for the next few months," Ju said in a recent social media post.
Whale accumulation In the meantime, large-scale entities, including institutions, corporate treasuries, and whales, are currently in the process of absorbing the supply. Institutional investors and "whales" are currently the primary drivers of market activity based on larger order sizes. Spot Bitcoin ETFs showed renewed momentum in the first week of January, recording more than $900 million worth of inflows. Greed returns In the meantime, the Bitcoin market has reached a significant psychological turning point. After a three-month period dominated by fear following the $19 billion liquidation event in October 2025, the Bitcoin Fear and Greed Index has now surged to 61.