As of the latest updates, the Federal Reserve has maintained its benchmark interest rate unchanged at a range of 4.25% to 4.5%, a decision made during its July 2025 meeting, marking the fifth consecutive time rates have been held steady. This reflects a cautious stance amid ongoing uncertainty, particularly due to the impact of tariffs and elevated inflation, which remains above the Fed's 2% target. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has emphasized a "wait-and-see" approach, noting that no decisions have been made regarding a potential rate cut at the next meeting in September. However, recent economic data, including softer job numbers and moderate inflation increases in July, has led to speculation of a near-certain rate cut in September, with probabilities estimated at around 92-100% based on market sentiment and statements from figures like Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who suggested a possible half-point cut. The July decision saw rare dissents from Governors Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller, both Trump appointees, who favored a 0.25% rate cut, highlighting internal divisions over the labor market's health and inflation control. Powell has indicated that future decisions will hinge on incoming data, including employment and inflation reports expected before the September meeting. While the Fed held rates steady in July, the evolving economic landscape—softening labor market data and tariff effects—suggests a shift may be nearing, though no definitive action has been confirmed as of August 19, 2025.
A crypto pullback refers to a temporary decline in the price of a cryptocurrency or the overall market after a period of upward movement or high prices. It’s a natural part of market cycles, often driven by profit-taking, market corrections, or shifts in investor sentiment. During a pullback, prices may drop by a certain percentage (e.g., 5-10% or more) before potentially stabilizing or resuming an upward trend. Traders often see it as a chance to buy at a lower price (a "dip"), while others may view it as a signal to stay cautious if the decline hints at a larger downtrend. The context, like market news or technical indicators, helps determine whether it’s a buying opportunity or a warning sign.
The SEC marked Oct. 8 as its next deadline for the Truth Social Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF.
Two more delays, which are routine, were also filed on Monday for the CoinShares Litecoin ETF, CoinShares XRP ETF, and the 21Shares Core XRP ETF, for later in October.
Bitcoin is consolidating within a falling wedge pattern and is currently trading above the support trendline. The Ichimoku Cloud is acting as a resistance barrier above the wedge.
A solid breakout from the pattern would confirm a bullish trend, while a breakdown below the support trendline would invalidate the pattern.
🇺🇸 TODAY: The OCC says community banks can partner with stablecoin companies to drive innovation and offer new products.
Comptroller Jonathan Gould says stablecoins offer these institutions new ways to serve their communities' payment needs while the regulator updates supervisory frameworks.