• August 7, 2024

Australian Central Bank Chief Warns Of Potential Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Concerns

According to Odaily, Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Michele Bullock has expressed vigilance regarding inflation risks, stating that the central bank will not hesitate to raise interest rates if necessary. Bullock anticipates that inflation will not return to the target range of 2-3% until the end of 2025. The RBA committee believes that the current interest rates are still aligned with its inflation objectives. Despite this, the growth in demand remains excessively strong.

  • August 7, 2024

Federal Reserve's September Rate Cut Probabilities Revealed

According to BlockBeats, data from CME's 'FedWatch' tool on August 8 indicates that the probability of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates by 25 basis points in September is 31.5%, while the likelihood of a 50 basis point cut stands at 68.5%.Looking ahead to November, the cumulative probability of a 50 basis point rate cut by the Federal Reserve is 15.7%. The chances of a cumulative 75 basis point cut are 55.6%, and the probability of a cumulative 100 basis point cut is 28.7%.

  • August 7, 2024

Ripple CEO Comments On Court Ruling Reducing SEC's $2 Billion Demand

According to BlockBeats, on August 8, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse commented on a recent court ruling regarding the sale of XRP to retail customers. The ruling determined that Ripple's actions did not violate federal securities laws. Garlinghouse stated on X that the SEC had initially demanded $2 billion, but the court recognized the excessive nature of this demand and reduced it by approximately 94%. He expressed respect for the court's decision and emphasized Ripple's commitment to continuing its business development. Garlinghouse described the ruling as a victory for XRP, the industry, and the rule of law, noting that the SEC's resistance against the entire XRP community has now been eliminated.

  • August 7, 2024

Ripple Fined $125 Million For Institutional Sales Of XRP

According to CoinDesk, a federal judge has imposed a $125 million fine on Ripple after determining that its institutional sales of XRP violated federal securities laws. District Judge Analisa Torres of the Southern District of New York issued the penalty following her finding that 1,278 institutional sale transactions by Ripple breached securities regulations. This fine is significantly lower than the $1 billion in disgorgement and prejudgment interest and $900 million in civil penalties initially sought by the SEC.The judge reiterated her stance that Ripple's programmatic sales of XRP to retail clients through exchanges did not violate federal securities laws. The SEC's attempt to appeal this part of the ruling was unsuccessful during the case proceedings. In addition to the fine, Judge Torres imposed an injunction against future securities law violations by Ripple. She noted that while she is not making a judgment that Ripple has violated any laws since the SEC filed its lawsuit, the company's actions suggest a likelihood of future violations.The injunction requires Ripple to file a registration statement if it plans to sell any securities in the future. The SEC is expected to appeal the July 2023 ruling now that the judge has imposed a sentence, following the denial of the SEC's motion for an interlocutory appeal last year. The SEC and Ripple had previously settled charges related to CEO Brad Garlinghouse and other executives after the interlocutory appeal was denied. Following the judgment, the price of XRP saw a slight increase, rising by 3 cents or approximately 2%.

  • August 6, 2024

Hong Kong Monetary Authority Reviews Virtual Banks, Proposes Name Change to Digital Banks

According to BlockBeats, on August 6, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) released a review report on virtual banks. The review indicates that the development of virtual banks has successfully achieved the three policy objectives set for their introduction in Hong Kong. Additionally, the technology-driven innovative banking model of virtual banks has been widely accepted in the Hong Kong market. By the end of 2023, the number of virtual bank account holders reached 2.2 million. The market has responded positively to the products and services offered by the eight virtual banks.In conjunction with the review, the HKMA has also initiated a one-month public consultation on the proposal to rename

  • August 5, 2024

Goldman Sachs Raises US Recession Probability For Next Year

According to Odaily, Goldman Sachs economists have increased the likelihood of a U.S. recession next year from 15% to 25%. Despite this, they emphasize that there are several reasons not to be overly concerned about a recession, even with a significant rise in unemployment rates. Led by Jan Hatzius, the economists stated, 'We still believe the risk of a recession is limited. The overall economy appears to be in good shape, with no major financial imbalances, and the Federal Reserve has ample room to cut interest rates quickly if necessary.'It is noteworthy that Goldman Sachs' forecast for the Federal Reserve is less aggressive compared to JPMorgan and Citigroup. Hatzius' team anticipates the Fed will lower the benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points in September, November, and December. In contrast, JPMorgan and Citigroup expect a 50 basis point cut in September. Goldman Sachs' report states, 'Our forecast assumes that job growth will rebound in August, and the FOMC will consider a 25 basis point rate cut sufficient to address any downside risks. If we are wrong and the August jobs report is as weak as July's, a 50 basis point cut in September is possible.'The economists also expressed skepticism about the U.S. labor market facing a rapid deterioration risk. They argue that job vacancies indicate demand remains robust, and there are no apparent shocks triggering a downturn.