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The U.S. Federal Reserve has kept interest rates unchanged at 4.25%–4.50%, citing rising risks of both inflation and unemployment as trade policies add to economic uncertainty.At the conclusion of its two-day policy meeting on Wednesday, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) opted to maintain its benchmark interest rate range, extending its pause on monetary easing for the third consecutive meeting. The decision, which was widely anticipated by markets, comes amid growing concerns about the economic impact of new tariffs under the Trump administration.Fed Flags Growing Economic Uncertainty"Uncertainty about the economic outlook has increased further," the Fed said in its official statement. "The Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate and judges that the risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation have risen."The Federal Reserve is now attempting to navigate a complex macroeconomic landscape where persistent inflation remains above the 2% target, while recent data suggest a cooling labor market. New tariffs imposed on global trade partners by the U.S. have introduced additional variables, prompting policymakers to proceed cautiously.Markets Focus on Powell’s RemarksAll attention now turns to Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET (18:30 UTC), where investors will look for further guidance on potential rate cuts in the coming months. Market consensus still expects up to three rate cuts in 2025, with July viewed as the likely starting point — though Fed officials have stressed the need for more data on the impact of tariffs before adjusting policy.Bitcoin Holds Near $96K After Fed AnnouncementFollowing the decision, Bitcoin (BTC) was trading at $96,600, holding gains from earlier in the session. BTC had briefly fallen below $97,000 during the day amid volatility triggered by ongoing U.S.-China trade negotiations. While the Fed's statement emphasized caution, Bitcoin’s stability suggests investor appetite for alternative assets may persist amid macroeconomic uncertainty.

According to ShibDaily, the United Kingdom has decided against establishing a national Bitcoin reserve, diverging from potential U.S. plans to hold digital assets at a national level. Emma Reynolds MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, announced this decision during her speech at the Financial Times Digital Asset Summit in London. Reynolds stated that accumulating Bitcoin is not part of the UK's strategy, emphasizing that it is not suitable for their market. She acknowledged the U.S.'s approach but clarified that it is not the UK's plan. Despite this, Reynolds highlighted the importance of transatlantic cooperation, noting that the UK seeks alignment with the United States. She mentioned recent discussions between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, as well as the formation of a senior official level working group between the UK and the U.S. to enhance collaboration on digital asset policy. An upcoming meeting of the regulatory forum in June will include discussions on digital asset collaboration. Reynolds pointed out a significant shift in the U.S. approach to crypto regulation, describing it as a major change from the previous administration under U.S. President Donald Trump. Reynolds also revealed that the UK government is exploring the issuance of sovereign debt using distributed ledger technology, with the procurement process already underway and plans to select a supplier by late summer. Additionally, she stated that the UK does not intend to replicate the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, opting instead to develop its own tailored approach to digital asset regulation. The UK’s legislative approach focuses more on regulatory outcomes rather than replicating the EU’s rule-based model. Reynolds emphasized that the UK intends to regulate digital assets within the same framework that governs traditional financial institutions, advocating for a 'same risk, same regulatory approach' philosophy. She acknowledged that certain aspects of the cryptocurrency sector are beyond the reach of government regulation, noting the challenges posed by decentralized elements. While the UK has firmly dismissed the idea of establishing a Bitcoin reserve, it continues to focus on developing a balanced and forward-thinking approach to digital asset regulation. As the global landscape evolves, the government remains committed to fostering innovation while ensuring stability within the financial ecosystem, without the need for a national cryptocurrency stockpile.

According to BlockBeats, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has initiated a motion to end debate on the GENIUS Act, formally known as the 2025 Stablecoin Innovation Act. A crucial procedural vote is scheduled for Thursday. The bill, led by Bill Hagerty, mandates that stablecoins be fully backed by liquid assets such as the U.S. dollar or short-term treasury bonds. To pass, the bill requires 60 votes, with the current Senate composition being 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats, necessitating support from at least seven Democrats. On the Democratic side, nine senators, including Ruben Gallego, have co-signed opposition to the current version, calling for stricter regulations on foreign issuers and enhanced anti-money laundering provisions. Senator Richard Blumenthal has sent an inquiry to World Liberty Financial, a crypto company linked to U.S. President Donald Trump, to investigate potential conflicts of interest. Meanwhile, Republican Senator Rand Paul has criticized the bill for excessive regulation of stablecoins, while Senator Josh Hawley has expressed concerns about tech giants potentially issuing stablecoins. The vote comes amid ongoing controversies surrounding the Trump family's crypto interests, with Democrats continuing to press for an assessment of how the President's business dealings might influence policy. If passed, the bill would establish the first federal regulatory framework for stablecoins in the United States.

According to BlockBeats, the Federal Reserve is expected to announce its interest rate decision at 2 a.m. UTC+8. Data from CME's 'FedWatch' tool indicates a mere 4.4% probability of a 25 basis point rate cut in May, while the likelihood of maintaining the current rate stands at 95.6%.

According to Odaily, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce has announced that China will engage in trade discussions with the United States following recent signals from the U.S. regarding tariff adjustments. The talks are scheduled to take place from May 9 to 12 in Switzerland. China has emphasized that the negotiations must be conducted on the basis of mutual respect and equality, rejecting any coercive tactics disguised as negotiations. China remains firm in its stance, willing to engage fully while also keeping the door open to uphold international fairness, justice, and the multilateral trade order.

According to Odaily, Senate Democrats announced on Tuesday a new legislative proposal aimed at prohibiting federal officials and their families from issuing digital assets. This move comes after they withdrew support for the Senate's initial stablecoin regulation bill. The proposed legislation targets digital assets currently held by U.S. President Donald Trump and his family, including stablecoins and meme coins.Senator Jeff Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon, introduced the bill, stating that the current situation allows individuals seeking to establish connections with the President to purchase cryptocurrencies owned or controlled by him, thereby personally benefiting the President. Merkley described this as an extremely corrupt practice that threatens national security and undermines public trust in the government. He emphasized the urgent need to put an end to such corruption.

According to Odaily, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has withdrawn its appeal against the crypto prediction platform Kalshi. Last year, the CFTC filed a motion to prevent Kalshi from offering prediction markets related to the November elections. A federal judge previously ruled that the CFTC had overstepped its authority in attempting to block Kalshi from allowing users to trade contracts. In February of this year, CFTC Commissioner Summer K. Mersinger stated that election contracts would continue to exist. Kalshi has affirmed that the election market will persist.

According to BlockBeats, officials from the United Kingdom and the United States are close to finalizing a trade agreement that will lower tariff quotas on British steel and automotive exports. The deal is expected to be signed this week, providing relief for certain UK exports from the 25% additional tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump in February and March on steel and automotive imports.A senior UK official noted that negotiations are progressing rapidly, although there are still disagreements between the two countries regarding pharmaceutical issues. The UK's proposal includes concessions on the digital services tax to Washington, reducing tariffs on American automotive exports, and lowering tariffs on U.S. agricultural products.

According to BlockBeats, the Atlanta Federal Reserve's GDPNow model has updated its forecast for the United States' second-quarter GDP growth to 2.2%. This marks an increase from the previous estimate of 1.1%.

According to BlockBeats, U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is in good standing, asserting that everything is fine with the agreement. However, Canadian Prime Minister Carney has indicated that certain aspects of the USMCA may require adjustments. President Trump mentioned that any expected changes to the agreement might only involve minor modifications.

According to BlockBeats, U.S. Treasury Secretary Besant has announced ongoing negotiations with 17 out of 18 major trade partners. This development highlights the United States' efforts to strengthen economic ties and address trade-related issues with key international partners. The discussions aim to enhance cooperation and resolve existing trade challenges.

According to BlockBeats, analysts at Monex Europe have indicated that the U.S. dollar might strengthen if the Federal Reserve dampens expectations for a rate cut during its upcoming meeting. The market anticipates a possible rate cut in June, but recent U.S. data suggests that the Fed is unlikely to ease its policy before the fourth quarter.Tariffs are expected to further elevate price pressures, keeping inflation at high levels. The labor market remains robust, contradicting expectations of an economic slowdown. This situation leaves the Federal Reserve with limited options other than delaying market expectations for easing and emphasizing the resilience of underlying economic conditions.

According to BlockBeats, recent data from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) indicates a significant rise in the mention of 'cryptocurrency' and 'stablecoins' in their documents. In April, the term 'cryptocurrency' appeared 786 times, marking a 38% increase from March's 569 mentions and an 8% rise compared to April 2024's 727 mentions. The term 'stablecoins' was mentioned an average of 103 times per month from February to April 2025, doubling the previous 13-month average of 48 mentions, with March reaching 124 mentions.This surge in references highlights the federal agency's growing focus on digital assets. The anticipated new regulatory framework and guidelines for stablecoins by the SEC have become a central topic in the market. Cryptocurrencies are increasingly becoming integral to corporate risk management and investor relations.

According to BlockBeats, key members of the U.S. House of Representatives have released a draft bill aimed at establishing a regulatory framework for digital assets in the United States. The proposal was introduced by French Hill, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, G.T. Thompson, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Bryan Steil, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence, and Dusty Johnson, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development. This initiative seeks to address the growing need for clear regulations in the digital asset sector.

According to Odaily, the South Korean Financial Services Commission has announced that starting in June, nonprofit organizations and virtual asset exchanges will be permitted to legally sell their virtual assets. This is contingent upon the establishment of internal review mechanisms and enhanced anti-money laundering checks. Nonprofit organizations receiving cryptocurrency donations must convert these assets into cash immediately, with transactions limited to mainstream cryptocurrencies on Korean won exchanges. Additionally, from June 1, the government will enforce new regulations requiring newly listed cryptocurrencies to have a minimum circulation volume and will restrict market price orders at the initial listing stage. These measures aim to prevent 'pump and dump' schemes and the speculation of zombie and meme tokens.

According to Odaily, ten U.S. senators have issued a joint statement expressing their inability to support the updated version of the stablecoin regulation bill, known as the GENIUS Act, released last week. The statement highlights several issues, including inadequate anti-money laundering provisions and concerns regarding national security and the safety of the financial system.Notably, four Democratic senators—Gallego, Warner, Kim, and Blunt Rochester—who supported the original version of the bill during the Senate Banking Committee review in March, are among those who signed the statement. However, Angela Alsobrooks, a co-sponsor of the bill, did not sign the letter.The GENIUS Act, officially titled the "Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act," was introduced in the U.S. Senate on February 4, 2025. It aims to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for payment stablecoins within the United States to promote financial innovation, protect consumers, prevent illegal financial activities, and reinforce the dominance of the U.S. dollar in the global financial system.

According to PANews, the European Union has officially adopted the Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (AMLR), which will take effect on July 1, 2027. This regulation will prohibit all financial institutions from offering anonymous crypto accounts or wallets and will ban transactions involving privacy coins such as Monero, Zcash, and Dash. Additionally, the new rules mandate compulsory identity verification for crypto transactions exceeding 1,000 euros. A new regulatory body, the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), will be established to directly oversee large crypto platforms.

According to Odaily, the Blockchain Association has called on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to adopt a flexible and gradual approach to cryptocurrency regulation under its new leadership. The association argues that as blockchain technology rapidly evolves, the SEC should avoid implementing restrictive policies that could hinder technological innovation and the expansion of application scenarios. It emphasized that overly stringent regulations might weaken the United States' competitiveness in the global blockchain industry. Previously, the SEC's regulatory actions in the crypto sector, including lawsuits against several crypto companies, have sparked widespread debate. The Blockchain Association recommends that the SEC engage in open dialogue and collaborate with the industry to develop a regulatory framework that accommodates technological advancements while balancing innovation and compliance.