The U.S. Federal Reserve raised its benchmark federal funds rate by 0.25% on Wednesday after markets priced in near 100% certainty the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) would codify the quarter-point increase. The FOMC statement further detailed that ongoing rate increases are anticipated to bring inflation down to the target range of 2%. FOMC Outlines […]
Tag: Federal Reserve
Fed Hikes Benchmark Rate by 25 Basis Points, Signals More Increases to Come
The Fed’s benchmark rate is now the highest it has been since 2007.
No Policy Pivot In Sight: “Higher For Longer” Rates On The Horizon
The market is nearly unanimous in expecting a 0.25% rate hike during February’s FOMC meeting, yet many expect a “pause” shortly thereafter. We beg to differ.
Bitcoin Rise in First Month of 2023 Moves Crypto Fear Index From ‘Extreme Fear’ to ‘Greed’
Last month, statistics showed that the Crypto Fear and Greed Index (CFGI) had a score of 25, indicating “extreme fear.” Thirty days later, with a 39% increase in bitcoin prices against the U.S. dollar, the current CFGI score on Jan. 30, 2023, is 61, reflecting “greed.” Crypto Fear Index Jumps to ‘Greed,’ Etoro Market Analyst […]
Market Strategist Warns of ‘Blood’ on February 1 Ahead of Fed Meeting
Stocks, precious metals, and cryptocurrencies rallied during the first month of the year, and market strategists are saying that markets could retract in the near future if the U.S. Federal Reserve keeps hiking rates and maintaining a broader tightening policy. In three days, on Feb. 1, 2023, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is set […]
JPMorgan CEO Says BTC Is Fraudulent, a ‘Pet Rock;’ Bank of America Says CBDCs Are ‘Natural Evolution’ — Bitcoin.com News Week in Review
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon has reiterated his supposed skepticism of bitcoin, recently calling it a “hyped-up fraud,” and a “pet rock.” For it’s part, Bank of America has said that it views central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and stablecoins as a “natural evolution of today’s monetary and payment systems.” This and more on inflation and […]
Crypto Bank Custodia Denied Membership in US Federal Reserve System
The U.S. Federal Reserve Board has rejected the attempt of Custodia Bank to become member of the Federal Reserve System. According to the decision announced Friday, the application submitted by the digital asset bank is inconsistent with legal requirements. Federal Reserve Board Says Business Model Proposed by Custodia Bank Presents Risks Crypto bank Custodia has […]
U.S. Inflation and Consumer Spending Cooled in December — Prices up 5.5% from Last Year
The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge eased further in December, and consumer spending fell — the latest evidence that the Fed’s series of interest rate hikes are slowing the economy.
Commerce Dept: U.S. Economy Slowed but GDP Still Grew 2.9% in Q4
The U.S. economy expanded at a 2.9% annual pace from October through December, ending 2022 with momentum despite the pressure of high interest rates and widespread fears of a looming recession.
Crypto, Equity, Metal Markets Plunge as Tech Earnings Disappoint and US Economic Weakness Deepens
Equity markets began the day in the red following the latest corporate earnings reports from some of the world’s largest firms, including Microsoft. The tech giant’s recent conference call was considered disappointing, and earnings from firms such as Boeing, Texas Instruments, and 3M were also lackluster. Gold and silver prices were down between 0.43% and […]