Jerome Powell’s latest remarks have once again captured the attention of global markets, as investors dissect every word for signals on future monetary policy. While Powell acknowledged some progress in curbing inflation, he emphasized that the Federal Reserve remains data-dependent and is not yet ready to declare victory. His balanced tone—neither overly dovish nor hawkish—sparked mixed reactions across markets. Stocks initially rallied but retraced as traders processed the implications of “higher for longer” interest rates. Meanwhile, crypto markets showed resilience, with Bitcoin and Ethereum holding steady. Powell’s remarks underscore that while rate cuts may be on the horizon, caution still prevails.