EtherX

The Federal Reserve may be heading toward a monumental leadership shift as President Donald Trump aims to select the next Federal Reserve Chair before Christmas , according to senior administration discussions and growing speculation within financial circles. With Jerome Powell’s term ending in May 2026, Trump’s accelerated timeline puts pressure on markets, policymakers, and the short list of frontrunners competing for one of the most influential economic jobs in the world. The announcement scheduled to land during the heart of the holiday season has already triggered intense debate on Wall Street. Investors are assessing whether the next Fed Chair will maintain Powell’s cautious approach or pivot sharply toward Trump’s preferred aggressively pro-growth policies. Why Trump Wants a Decision Before Christmas Sources close to the administration say Trump wants clarity early to: 1. Provide Market Stability Amid Volatility Markets have experienced heightened uncertainty, with inflat...

In a move that has drawn significant attention across tech and investment circles, billionaire investor Peter Thiel has reportedly fully divested his stake in Nvidia Corporation, according to regulatory filings and market analysts.  What We Know Thiel’s hedge fund, Thiel Macro LLC, filed its Quarter 3 2025 13F disclosures, which show that it sold all 537,742 shares of Nvidia that previously comprised around 40% of the fund’s equity holdings. The sale is estimated to be worth nearly $100 million , based on average NVDA prices over the sale period.  Thiel’s exit comes at a moment when Nvidia’s valuation has soared the chipmaker recently surpassed an approximate $5 trillion market cap.  Why This Matters Signal for the tech market: Thiel is widely regarded as a contrarian and influential investor. His complete exit from a high-profile AI company such as Nvidia raises questions about how he views valuation and risk in the current AI stock surge. Bubble concerns:...

In a major development for the digital-asset world, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reportedly issued guidance aimed at speeding up the effectiveness of filings for issuers of crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs). According to senior Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, this change is designed to clear a substantial backlog of pending crypto-ETF applications and could substantially shorten the time it takes for spot-crypto funds to hit the market.  The backlog in question stems from the surge in digital-asset ETF filings in recent years, as asset managers seek regulated vehicles that offer exposure to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL) and XRP. As of late 2025, Bloomberg reports more than 155 crypto ETP/ETF applications track 35 different tokens.  What the New Guidance Covers The SEC’s recent document titled “Fast-Tracking Digital Asset ETFs” outlines a proposed shift toward what could be described as a “generic listing”...

The event-driven trading platform Kalshi has posted a remarkable performance this year, setting fresh milestones in volume and liquidity across its markets. In October 2025, the platform recorded monthly trading volume of over US $4.39 billion , a level it described as historic.  That surge underscores how demand for prediction markets contracts where users trade yes/no outcomes tied to real-world events has moved from niche to mainstream. Kalshi’s rapid growth is being fueled by its expansion into sports, politics and economic event markets, broader retail access, and a growing institutional market-making base. Why This Surge Matters Kalshi’s data show a dramatic shift in its market share in the event-contract space. In September 2025 it captured about 62.2 % of global prediction-market volume, according to industry reporting.  Meanwhile, its month-on-month volume escalated into the billions. Because prediction markets have usually been smaller and more speculative, this ...

Australia’s law enforcement agencies have issued a stark warning: criminals are misusing the country’s official cybercrime reporting system to target and drain cryptocurrency wallets belonging to unsuspecting Australians.  According to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the joint policing body Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre (JPC3), fraudsters are submitting fake reports via the national platform ReportCyber using stolen personal data and then posing as law-enforcement officers to coax victims into handing over crypto wallet access. They exploit the legitimacy of official systems to deceive users, then prompt them to transfer funds to fraudulent “cold storage” wallets or disclose seed phrases. How the Scam Works The scam typically unfolds in several steps: Fraudsters acquire victims’ personal details such as email addresses and phone numbers.  They file a bogus ReportCyber incident in the victim’s name, making it appear as though the victim is alre...

In a move that’s sure to raise eyebrows (and maybe a few coffee cups thrown across trading desks), BlackRock clients reportedly sold 26,610 ETH , worth around $91.09 million , in the latest crypto shake-up. While we may not have a full play-by-play of the motivations, the numbers speak loud enough: when the big players choose “sell” over “HODL,” it’s time to pay attention. The Sale That Says “Maybe We’re Nervous” Yes, you read that right. According to blockchain analytics circulating in crypto circles, 26,610 ETH were offloaded by wallets linked to BlackRock client flows, with dollar value estimated around $91 million. That’s not small change. Ok, this isn’t officially Treasury-level or central-bank-level panic, but still it’s substantial. What makes it more eyebrow-raising: earlier in 2025, BlackRock and associated arms have been seen purchasing hefty chunks of Ethereum, sometimes in the $70-150 million range. So this sudden reversal (if indeed it is one) might indicate a shif...

In a landmark shift for U.S. crypto regulation, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Paul S. Atkins announced on November 12, 2025, the introduction of a new token taxonomy designed to distinguish when crypto-assets qualify as securities and when they do not.  At the Fintech Conference hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Atkins declared that “most crypto tokens trading today are not securities.”  He laid out a three-part approach: the importance of a clear taxonomy, a re-application of the historic SEC v. W. J. Howey Co. “Howey” investment-contract test in the digital-asset context, and practical implications for innovators, intermediaries and investors.  What the Token Taxonomy Means The proposed framework offers a structured way to view digital assets: Tokens that are truly decentralized, functional network token s (sometimes called “digital commodities” or “network tokens”) may be treated as non-securities, provided their value i...

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has announced that the administration is poised to unveil a “substantial” set of tariff measures in the coming days, signaling major developments ahead in trade policy. The comments come amid heightened global trade tensions and ongoing negotiations with key partners.  What Bessent’s Statement Means Speaking ahead of a high-profile meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Bessent stated that a “very substantial framework” had been reached with China, which could avert 100 % tariffs on Chinese goods and address rare-earth export controls. He also indicated that more news on tariff policy will emerge over the next few days. While he did not provide specifics on rate levels or target sectors, the remarks mark a tactical shift in the U.S.’s tariff narrative. The timing and phrasing suggest that the Treasury is preparing markets, businesses and international trade partners for a major policy update potentially...

Circle Internet Group (NYSE: CRCL) has announced it is exploring the possibility of launching a native token on the Arc Network , marking a potentially significant development in the evolution of programmable money and stable-coin infrastructure. The blockchain network, which is the core of Circle’s vision for an “Economic Operating System for the Internet,” could soon feature its own token to foster ecosystem growth and participation. What Circle’s Announcement Revealed In its Q3 2025 earnings report published on November 12, Circle disclosed that the Arc Network testnet has already attracted over 100 companies spanning banking, payments, digital assets and technology sectors. Among its corporate highlights, Circle stated: “Arc Token: Circle is exploring the possibility of launching a native token on the Arc network which could foster network participation to drive adoption, further align the interests of Arc stakeholders and support the long-term growth and success of the A...

During a recent appearance on CNBC’s Squawk on the Street , Kevin Hassett, Director of the National Economic Council (NEC), declared that U.S. inflation is on a favourable trajectory. He specifically noted that the latest consumer-price index (CPI) data came in below expectations , marking what he called a “very positive” development for the economy.  What Hassett’s Comments Reveal Hassett’s remarks reflect a growing optimism at the White House about inflation dynamics. He emphasised that lower-than-forecast CPI figures suggest the inflation-fighting strategy of the Federal Reserve may be gaining traction and that pressure on prices is easing more than commonly assumed. While he did not project specific rate-cut timings, the tone suggests that policymakers may increasingly view inflation outcomes as supportive of future monetary-policy easing. Why the Latest CPI Figures Matter According to Hassett, the recent inflation data were key in reshaping expectations. Because inflati...

In a significant diplomatic development, People’s Republic of China has stated its readiness to work with the United States to maintain and stabilise global supply chains amid mounting geopolitical tensions. This gesture comes as both nations increasingly recognise how deeply intertwined their economies and production networks are. At the heart of China’s statement is the acknowledgement that disruptions whether due to trade policy, export controls, pandemic after-effects or technology restrictions pose systemic risks not only to individual economies but to the wider global production system. Chinese officials emphasise that supply-chain fluidity underpins economic growth and international trade.  Pressure Points and Chinese Response Over recent years, U.S. and Chinese export and trade restrictions particularly in areas such as semiconductors and rare earths have triggered supply chain anxieties worldwide. China’s recent promise to help stabilise supply chains appears as a strat...