wallstreet

A well-known hedge fund investor, whose name is associated with successful strategies on Wall Street, recently drew the attention of financial markets by calling a popular investment strategy 'absurd.' According to him, this strategy, which gained popularity among retail investors through social networks, is based on false assumptions and does not withstand scrutiny in a volatile market.

Wall Street analysts have identified three key reasons for the rapid growth of Ethereum, which has risen by 65% in the last month. The first reason is the expansion of the cryptocurrency narrative beyond Bitcoin: investors are increasingly focusing on the potential of $ETH . The second is the growth of activity in layer two networks, which improves scalability and reduces transaction costs, making the Ethereum ecosystem more attractive to developers and users. The third reason is the recent Pectra update that occurred in early May 2025, which enhanced the network's efficiency and attracted institutional investors.

On May 9, 2025, during the fourth roundtable on crypto since March, SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw – the only remaining Democrat – questioned whether the SEC under Trump was favoring blockchain too much, even intervening to 'pick winners and losers.' Is this a turning point or a risk for the market? Let's analyze.

Crenshaw Opposes: SEC Should Be Technology Neutral

At a meeting with participation from Wall Street 'giants' like BlackRock, Nasdaq, Fidelity, and Franklin Templeton, Crenshaw questioned the SEC's push to move traditional securities onto blockchain. She emphasized: 'No one disputes that the SEC should be a neutral technology agency. So why are we assessing different types of blockchain for industry application? Why focus only on blockchain and not other distributed ledger technologies?' She called this effort 'like the government picking winners and losers,' casting doubt on the motives when the SEC hosted an event at headquarters to support traditional financial companies.

Wall Street’s fear gauge, the Vix, hits a near four-year low, reflecting investor confidence in the Federal Reserve’s inflation control.The Vix’s drop to 12.4 from over 20 in October suggests reduced market volatility and aligns with the S&P 500’s best month since July 2022.Analysts caution that the current market calm might lead to future instability, with expectations of increased volatility ahead.
In a significant financial development, Wall Street’s “fear gauge,” the Vix, has recently seen a dramatic fall to near four-year lows, signaling a major shift in investor sentiment.
This decline in the Vix, which measures expected volatility in the S&P 500 index, reflects growing investor confidence that the Federal Reserve can successfully curb inflation without triggering a recession.
This newfound optimism is a stark contrast to the heightened concerns that dominated financial markets in the latter part of the previous year.
The Vix Indicator and Investor Confidence
The Vix, which often referred to as Wall Street’s fear gauge, plunged to 12.4 this week, marking its lowest point since November 2019. This drop from over 20 in late October signifies a substantial shift in market outlook.
The gauge ended the week slightly higher at 12.6 but still represents a significant decrease in market volatility expectations. This decrease coincides with the S&P 500 index recording its best month since July 2022, buoyed by a greater-than-anticipated fall in US inflation to 3.2% in October.
Investors’ rising optimism is underpinned by a belief that the Federal Reserve will start reducing interest rates in early 2024. Jim Tierney, head of US growth investments at AllianceBernstein, encapsulated this sentiment, noting a growing confidence in the Federal Reserve’s ability to achieve a ‘soft landing’ for the economy.
Risks in Tranquil Markets
Despite the apparent tranquility in the markets, analysts caution against complacency. Historically, calm markets can breed instability as investors increase their equity holdings and leverage.
This concern is echoed in the prices of long-term options contracts, which suggest that this period of low volatility might be short-lived, with expectations of higher volatility in the coming year and beyond.
The JPMorgan team of US equity and quantitative strategists pointed out that the current low volatility is unusual given the backdrop of high interest rates, weakening economic data, and heightened geopolitical tensions.
They attributed this anomaly to a delayed impact of rising rates on economic growth and a surge in popularity of short-dated stock options, which the Vix doesn’t capture.
Moreover, the market is yet to fully appreciate the risks associated with the shift from 15 years of ultra-low interest rates. These risks include potential impacts on commercial real estate, rising bankruptcies, and credit delinquencies.
JPMorgan analysts warn of ‘unknown unknowns’ that could emerge as the economic environment continues to evolve. The recent dive in Wall Street’s fear gauge highlights a complex scenario in the financial markets.
On one hand, there is growing optimism about the Federal Reserve’s handling of inflation and its ability to prevent an economic downturn. On the other, there are underlying risks and uncertainties that could disrupt this calm. Investors and analysts alike are keeping a watchful eye on various economic indicators to gauge the future trajectory of the market.
As the Federal Reserve continues its delicate balancing act, the financial markets are poised at a critical juncture, with potential implications for both short-term trading and long-term economic stability.
#wallstreet $BTC

#WallStreet is eyeing significant upside for Strategy's stock as its #bitcoin reserves near 500,000 BTC. According to recent reports, Strategy has fully embraced its position as a bitcoin treasury company, and this move is being met with bullish sentiment from Wall Street. The company's year-to-date BTC #yield of 74.3% is a measure it uses to assess the performance of its bitcoin strategy, and it has bested its previous high of 47.3% in 2021.

The news of Strategy's growing bitcoin reserves has sparked interest among investors, with many institutional holders increasing their stakes in the company. The number of institutional holders with at least $100 million AUM has jumped significantly, and the total reported value of these holdings has reached $15.3 billion. This influx of investment is a testament to the growing confidence in Strategy's ability to navigate the cryptocurrency #market and capitalize on the potential upside of bitcoin.

As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Strategy's stock performs in relation to the price of bitcoin. With US spot Bitcoin #ETF s surpassing 500,000 BTC in cumulative net inflows and BlackRock's spot ETF approaching the $50 billion AUM mark, there are certainly opportunities for growth and investment in the space. However, there are also potential risks to consider, such as profit-taking and significant sell walls that can hinder rallies. As we move forward into 2025, it will be important for investors to stay informed and adapt to changing market conditions in order to make informed decisions about their investments in Strategy and other cryptocurrency-related assets.
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