The Fed’s Latest Rate Cut: A Cautious Step Forward Amid Economic Headwinds
In a move that was widely anticipated but far from unanimous, the Federal Reserve wrapped up its 2025 meeting with a third consecutive interest rate cut on December 10. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted 9-3 to lower the benchmark federal funds rate by 25 basis points, bringing it to a new target range of 3.5% to 3.75%. This brings the total reductions since the cutting cycle began in September 2024 to a cumulative 1.75 percentage points—six cuts in all. Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized that the decision was driven by a softening labor market, with recent data showing hiring slowing and unemployment ticking up slightly. “We’re committed to supporting maximum employment,” Powell said during his post-meeting press conference, underscoring the Fed’s dual mandate. Yet, inflation remains a stubborn thorn, hovering above the central bank’s 2% target at around 2.7% as of the latest readings. This tension left the committee divided: two members pushed for no cut at all, citing inflation risks, while one advocated for a bolder 50-basis-point slash to better shield jobs. The “dot plot”—the Fed’s quarterly snapshot of policymakers’ rate projections—paints a more restrained picture for the future. Officials now foresee just one additional cut in 2026 and another in 2027, stabilizing rates around 3% in the longer term. This hawkish tilt signals that further easing isn’t on autopilot; incoming data on jobs, prices, and growth will dictate the pace. As Powell put it, “We haven’t made any decision about January,” highlighting the uncertainty. For everyday Americans, this cut offers modest relief. Mortgage rates, already dipping to near-year lows, could ease a bit more, potentially aiding homebuyers squeezed by high prices. Credit card APRs and auto loans might follow suit, though experts note that with rates still elevated from pandemic lows, the impact won’t be transformative overnight. “A 25 basis point move isn’t going to revolutionize affordability,” Powell acknowledged, pointing instead to supply-side fixes like more housing construction. Markets reacted with measured optimism: The S&P 500 dipped slightly from record highs but closed up for the day, buoyed by hopes of a soft landing. Bond yields held steady, and economists like those at UBS predict two more cuts into early 2026, potentially fueling stock gains amid AI-driven productivity boosts and fiscal tailwinds. As we head into 2026, the Fed’s balancing act will be under the microscope. With inflation’s grip loosening but not gone, and jobs at risk, this rate cut feels like a pivot point—cautious, calculated, and contingent on what comes next. Borrowers, savers, and investors: Keep an eye on the data. The Fed certainly will. What do you think—too timid, or just right? Drop a comment below. #FedRateDecisions $BTC
“We are going to see a market comeback in Q1 of 2026. February and March will be a bull market again, based on a combination of macro indicators.” - Alice Liu, Head of Research at CMC, on market cycles #BinanceBlockchainWeek $BTC
Vanguard Ends Crypto Ban, Opens Door to Bitcoin & Ethereum ETFs
Vanguard, the world’s second-largest asset manager, has reversed its long-standing anti-crypto stance. Starting immediately, clients can now trade ETFs and funds that primarily hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana directly on the Vanguard platform. The move ends a decade of refusal and instantly gives millions of conservative investors easy access to digital assets. Bitcoin jumped nearly 7% to $92,000+ on the news, with Ethereum up 8%. Analysts call it one of the biggest steps yet toward mainstream institutional adoption. December has historically been Bitcoin’s strongest month — and this could be the catalyst for the next rally. In short: the giant that once said “no” to crypto just said “yes.”
Powell today (Dec 1, 2025): • Officially ended Quantitative Tightening (QT) today – no more balance-sheet shrinking. • Economy is solid but labor market is softening; inflation still a bit sticky. • December rate cut is possible but not guaranteed – “we’ll decide based on the data.” • No big dovish or hawkish bombshell; very cautious tone ahead of the Dec 9-10 meeting. Markets wanted a green light for a cut, got a yellow light instead. Crypto and stocks dipped a bit on the speech. #ETHBreaksATH $BTC $ETH
This dump is solely engineered by market makers to liquidate the bullish longs opened by retail investors after Bitcoin reached a new all-time high.
In the past, perpetual trading was not so common, so prices would rise at a faster pace because cartels profited mainly during market booms. However, now they can also make money by dumping (liquidating shorts), allowing them to play both sides to maximize their gains.
This is why, instead of seeing an organic move, we see cartels deliberately breaking market structures to liquidate longs and shorts.
The best way to win in this market is by just buying and holding spot. It’s impossible to win against the billion-dollar cartels.
October will end with a massive pump and we will see a parabolic Altcoin move in Q4. So don’t get shaken out before that. #WhaleWatch #BTCBreaksATH $BTC $BNB
*JUST IN*: 🇺🇦 Ukraine drafts new law to include digital assets like Bitcoin in the national reserve
Key Points About Ukraine’s Crypto Reserve Bill 1. Bill Number & Proposal - The draft law, registered as No. 13356, was submitted to Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, on June 10, 2025. - It proposes amendments to the Law on the National Bank of Ukraine, authorizing the NBU to hold cryptocurrencies alongside traditional reserves like gold and foreign currencies.
2. Voluntary, Not Mandatory - The bill does not require the central bank to buy Bitcoin but grants it the legal option to do so. - Decisions on timing, amounts, and methods of acquisition would be left to the NBU’s discretion.
3. Rationale Behind the Move - Lawmakers, led by Yaroslav Zheleznyak, argue that crypto reserves could strengthen macroeconomic stability** and support Ukraine’s digital economy. - The initiative aligns with global trends, citing examples like the U.S., El Salvador, and Brazil, which are exploring state crypto reserves.
4. Potential Benefits - Economic resilience: Diversification amid wartime financial pressures. - Investor appeal: Could attract foreign capital and crypto-focused investments. - Innovation signal: Positions Ukraine as a leader in sovereign crypto adoption in Europe.
5. Next Steps - The bill is in the early stages and must pass parliamentary review. If approved, Ukraine could become the first European country to officially hold Bitcoin in national reserves. #CryptoRoundTableRemarks $BTC #BinanceHODLerRESOLV $ETH
Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP and Dogecoin soar in June rally—here’s why XRP open interest hits $5 billion, signalling possible breakout. Dogecoin jumps above $0.20 as traders rotate into meme tokens. Analysts forecast potential highs of $137K for BTC and $12K for ETH in 2025. The cryptocurrency market is gaining ground again in early June 2025, with Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Dogecoin all staging notable recoveries. As of Tuesday, June 3, Bitcoin is trading around $105,000, Ethereum has pushed past $2,600, XRP is testing $2.20, and Dogecoin is holding near $0.20. The rally follows a weekend of sharp liquidations and reflects renewed appetite among retail and institutional traders alike. While short squeezes and technical momentum are partly behind the surge, broader macroeconomic factors and growing speculation around crypto ETFs are playing a key role in lifting sentiment. Bitcoin holds firm above $105,000 as whales accumulate Bitcoin’s price action has rebounded strongly since the end of May, recovering from a series of declines that wiped nearly $1 billion in open interest. After bottoming out near $101,000, BTC reversed course with four consecutive days of gains, briefly hitting $106,560. As of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $105,265. Analysts attribute the rebound to ongoing whale accumulation, with on-chain data showing that large wallets have continued to absorb selling pressure during dips. That trend, often viewed as a precursor to further rallies, has helped BTC maintain upward momentum despite broader market fatigue. From a macro perspective, escalating geopolitical tensions and expectations around monetary easing have bolstered Bitcoin’s image as a non-correlated asset. With central banks signalling policy shifts and the US dollar weakening slightly, Bitcoin is increasingly seen as a hedge against volatility. Technically, Bitcoin remains supported above $103,000, with upside targets extending to $108,000 in the near term. If buying pressure continues, models suggest a rally toward $137,000 is possible this month, while long-term forecasts still point to a potential $400,000 valuation by 2030. Ethereum trades near $2,615, ETF speculation boosts sentiment Ethereum has rallied over 7% in the past three days, recovering from lows near $2,430 to reach a session high of $2,650.83. It is currently trading at under $2,610. Ethereum’s price momentum is supported by growing speculation that the US Securities and Exchange Commission could approve a spot Ethereum ETF in the coming weeks. In addition to the ETF buzz, the Ethereum Foundation’s recent reorganisation has sparked fresh interest in the blockchain. A stronger focus on protocol development and staking infrastructure has drawn both institutional and retail inflows. Ethereum remains above its key moving averages, and chart watchers are eyeing a breakout past $2,810 to trigger further gains. However, previous attempts to breach that level have failed, suggesting that sustained bullish pressure is needed. Some models forecast Ethereum could test $6,000 this year, with upside potentially extending to $12,000 if institutional demand increases significantly. XRP builds pressure above $2.19 as open interest surges XRP is showing signs of a breakout, with the token climbing nearly 7% from weekend lows and currently hovering near $2.20. The price reached a daily high of $2.2229 on Tuesday, driven by a sharp increase in derivatives activity. XRP is trading at $2.21 currently. Data shows open interest in XRP contracts nearing $5 billion, signalling high expectations of a decisive move. This surge in open positions has fuelled speculation of a short squeeze if prices climb higher. While XRP has historically seen large price movements during periods of heightened open interest, the absence of a clear catalyst—such as news on Ripple’s legal battle or an ETF approval—makes direction uncertain. Price models suggest XRP could reach between $4.50 and $10 by year-end if conditions align, though any downside reversal may trigger sharp corrections due to the leveraged nature of current trades. Dogecoin spikes to $0.2013 as traders rotate into meme coins Dogecoin is back in the spotlight, reaching an intraday high of $0.2013 after three straight days of gains. It is currently trading around $0.195. The move reflects a common pattern during broader crypto rallies, where profits from majors like Bitcoin and Ethereum are often redirected into higher-risk meme tokens. The Bollinger Bands for DOGE are widening, indicating increasing volatility. Traders are watching resistance near $0.2310 as the next level to break. If DOGE fails to hold support at $0.1900, a retest of $0.17 is possible. While DOGE remains speculative, short-term technicals suggest room for further upside if market sentiment remains bullish. What’s driving crypto prices higher today A mix of factors is behind the rally across major tokens. These include renewed institutional demand, technical momentum, macroeconomic concerns, and anticipation of regulatory clarity. The possibility of more ETF approvals and the integration of crypto in traditional finance are also boosting market confidence. The US Federal Reserve is expected to maintain a dovish stance in the coming months, which has weakened the dollar slightly and increased the appeal of digital assets. In addition, falling bond yields and reduced inflation risks also encourage traders to turn to cryptocurrency green cloud mining platform. #BlackRockETHPurchase #TrumpTariffs $BTC $ETH