U.S. Treasury Downplays Role of Crypto in Financing Palestinian Militant Groups
Finance
FinCEN Report Unveils Bitcoin's Role in Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation
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Gold Prices Plunge Below $2,000 as Stubborn Inflation Dashes Rate Cut Hopes
"Gold prices tumbled below the critical threshold of $2,000 per ounce, marking the lowest point in two months, as a U.S. inflation report that exceeded expectations dampened hopes for an imminent reduction in interest rates by the Federal Reserve. -
Dow Faces Sharp Decline Amid Hotter-Than-Expected Inflation Data
"The stock market experienced a significant downturn on Tuesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeting over 500 points, marking one of its steepest declines since March 2023. This sell-off was spurred by unexpectedly high inflation data for January, which has cast doubts on the anticipated series of Federal Reserve rate cuts that many investors had been banking on to bolster the equity market.
The Latest
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Bank of Japan Raises Interest Rates to 17-Year High
The Bank of Japan raised its benchmark interest rate to 0.5% on Friday, marking its highest level since 2008, as the central bank moves to address persistent inflation and rising wages. The decision underscores a shift in monetary policy for a nation that has long struggled with stagnant price growth and economic stagnation. 
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Beijing Prods Insurers and Funds to Invest Big in Struggling A-Shares
China unveiled an ambitious plan on Thursday to inject hundreds of billions of yuan into its stock markets as part of a coordinated effort to reverse stagnant performance and boost investor confidence. 
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Gold Prices Near Record High Amid Trump’s Tariff Threats and Dollar Weakness
Gold prices surged to near-record levels on Wednesday as heightened trade policy uncertainty and a weakening U.S. dollar pushed investors toward safe-haven assets. Spot gold rose 0.4% to $2,755.2 per ounce, just shy of its October 2024 all-time high of $2,790.15. U.S. gold futures settled at $2,770.90, reflecting steady demand for the precious metal. 
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Trump’s Crypto Promises Fall Short as Bitcoin Retreats from Inauguration Day Highs
Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency market experienced a sharp pullback following President Donald Trump's inauguration, tempering the industry's initial optimism about the new administration's potential impact on the sector. Bitcoin, which had soared to a record high of $109,350.72 on Monday, dropped to approximately $103,527.93 by Tuesday, reflecting a more cautious investor sentiment. 
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Trump-Backed $TRUMP Coin Hits $13 Billion Market Cap and Makes Him a Billionaire Overnight
President-elect Donald Trump's latest venture into cryptocurrency has catapulted him into the billionaire ranks overnight, as his newly launched $TRUMP token skyrocketed to a $13 billion market capitalization within days. The coin, introduced with the slogan "Join the Trump Community. This is History in the Making!" has become a flashpoint for both financial speculation and ethical scrutiny, raising concerns about its implications given Trump's impending presidency. 
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Capital One Outage Leaves Customers Frustrated as Resolution Drags On
Capital One's prolonged technical outage, now entering its second day, has left customers scrambling to access deposits, make payments, and transfer funds. The issues began on Thursday when the bank attributed the disruption to a third-party vendor, Fidelity Information Services (FIS). The Jacksonville, Florida-based vendor later clarified that a local power outage had impacted a critical data center, disrupting several applications. 
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Oil Prices Set for Fourth Consecutive Weekly Gain Amid Sanctions and Policy Uncertainty
Oil prices eased slightly on Friday but remained on track for a fourth straight week of gains, driven by concerns over tightening supply due to expanded U.S. sanctions on Russia and speculation about forthcoming energy policies under President-elect Donald Trump. 
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Bitcoin Briefly Hits $100,000 Amid Cooling Inflation and Market Optimism
Bitcoin reached a milestone on Wednesday, briefly surpassing $100,000 as investors responded to fresh signs of easing inflation and a more favorable economic outlook. The cryptocurrency, which saw a 4% increase in 24 hours, reflected broader enthusiasm for risk assets, including equities, as expectations of a less aggressive Federal Reserve gained traction. 
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China’s Central Bank Injects Near-Record Liquidity to Tackle Cash Crunch, Support Yuan
China's central bank has infused nearly $131 billion into its financial system, marking one of its largest liquidity injections on record. The move comes as the People's Bank of China (PBOC) works to address heightened demand for cash ahead of the Lunar New Year while simultaneously shoring up the embattled yuan. 
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China’s Central Bank Faces Policy Limits as It Halts Bond Purchases
China's central bank is maneuvering through one of its most challenging economic landscapes in decades, as it balances efforts to stimulate the economy against risks of destabilizing financial markets and the currency. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) suspended government bond purchases on Friday, a move analysts interpret as a signal to cool overheating bond markets while navigating its limited monetary policy options. 
