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ECB Raises Interest Rates by 25bps Amid ‘Too High’ Inflation, ‘No Pause,’ Lagarde Says
5.5.2023
The European Central Bank (ECB) raised its key interest rates by 25 basis points, slowing the pace from previous increases. However, as inflation in the euro area remains persistently high, future rate hikes may still be expected with the regulator insisting it will continue to seek a “timely...
Biden Aides Explore Minting $1 Trillion Platinum Coin as Solution to Impending Debt Default
4.5.2023
As the United States stares down the barrel of a potential debt default come June, a curious and intriguing solution has emerged: crafting a single $1 trillion platinum coin. This unusual tactic exploits a legal loophole that allows the Treasury Department to mint platinum coins of any value....
Florida Takes a Stand Against CBDCs: Anti-CBDC Bill Receives Overwhelming Support in House and Senate
4.5.2023
In the wake of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ remarks in Jacksonville on Tuesday, both the Florida House of Representatives and Senate have approved the state’s anti-central bank digital currency (CBDC) legislation, dubbed SB 7054. The bill explicitly states that should the U.S. central...
Central Bank Digital Currencies Are Unexpectedly Becoming a Presidential Election Issue
4.5.2023
The U.S. has no plans to issue a digital dollar. So why are so many politicians coming out against the idea?
Federal Reserve Raises Interest Rate by 25bps, Insists ‘US Banking System Is Sound and Resilient’
3.5.2023
The U.S. Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), announced on Wednesday that the central bank would raise the federal funds rate by 25 basis points (bps), as was widely expected by the market. This marks the tenth consecutive occasion in which the Fed...
Iran Sets Up Platform to Facilitate Crypto Payments for Imports
3.5.2023
Authorities in Iran are taking steps to make crypto payments easier for companies importing goods in the sanctioned country. A dedicated platform has been established to allow local businesses to transfer cryptocurrency for the purpose of cross-border settlements. Iran to Use Cryptocurrencies...
Russian Banks Set for Record Profits This Year, Central Bank, Rating Agency Say
3.5.2023
Bank of Russia raised its forecast for the profits of Russian banks in 2023, expecting results that may break the 2021 record. This year’s high numbers are coming after 2022 became the worst annual period in seven years for the sanctioned Russian banking sector in terms of financial outcome. Banks...
Retail CBDCs bring unknown 'consequences' to financial system: IMF director
3.5.2023
The IMF's Kristalina Georgieva said wholesale CBDCs, on the other hand, have “fairly little space for undesirable surprises.”
Ron DeSantis Vows to Prohibit CBDC, ‘Woke Politics,’ and ‘Financial Surveillance’ in Florida
3.5.2023
Florida governor Ron DeSantis reiterated his call for a ban on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) during a visit to Jacksonville on Tuesday. Last March, DeSantis pushed for legislation to prohibit a CBDC in Florida. At Tuesday’s event called “Government of Laws, Not Woke Politics,”...
First Mover Americas: BRC-20 Tokens Skyrocket
2.5.2023
The latest price moves in bitcoin (BTC) and crypto markets in context for May 2, 2023. First Mover is CoinDesk’s daily newsletter that contextualizes the latest actions in the crypto markets
US Central Bank Expected to Raise Lending Rate by 25bps: Experts Predict Final Hike of 2023
30.4.2023
After the most recent increase in the federal funds rate, the U.S. Federal Reserve is set to raise the lending rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 5.25% in three days, according to expectations. A recent poll of 105 economists revealed that 94 of them predict a 25bps rate hike will occur during...
Zimbabwe’s De-Dollarization: Central Bank to Issue Gold-Backed Digital Currency in Early May
30.4.2023
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has said it will start issuing gold-backed digital tokens on May 8. The first phase of the launch will see the digital tokens being issued for “investment purposes with a vesting period of 180 days.” The RBZ also revealed that the gold-backed digital...
No Rate Hikes in Russia, Central Bank Keeps Interest Rate Level Again
29.4.2023
Bank of Russia decided to maintain the interest rate at 7.5% amid moderate inflation, estimated at 2.5% on an annual basis in April, although this may change later this year. The monetary authority improved its forecast for the Russian economy and now expects growth entirely in positive figures,...
Report: Kenya to Start Levying Tax on Revenue Earned by Crypto Exchanges
29.4.2023
According to regulations published by the country’s treasury secretary, global crypto exchanges used by Kenya’s estimated 4 million users will start paying a 1.5% tax on revenues earned. Tax-Avoiding Digital Asset Platforms The Kenyan Treasury has said it will start levying taxes...
Mauritius planning to launch pilot project for retail digital rupee late this year
28.4.2023
The governor of the Bank of Mauritius told a meeting of central bank technologists about the development of the island nation’s CBDC ambitions
First Mover Americas: Bitcoin Ending Week on Positive Note
28.4.2023
The latest price moves in bitcoin (BTC) and crypto markets in context for April 28, 2023. First Mover is CoinDesk’s daily newsletter that contextualizes the latest actions in the crypto markets
‘Not the Right Time to Stop’ Rate Hikes, ECB Chief Economist Says
27.4.2023
Current indicators suggest the European Central Bank (ECB) should raise the interest rate in May, the monetary authority’s chief economist said. Future increases will depend on the economic data but this is still not the right time to stop, according to Philip Lane who believes the bank has...
ECB’s Panetta Reinforces Digital Euro Focus on Payments
26.4.2023
Fabio Panetta, a member of the executive board of the European Central Bank (ECB), announced the digital euro project was entering its final phase. Before the committee on economic and monetary affairs of the European Parliament, Panetta stated that the digital euro, if approved, would be focused...
ECB President Lagarde on De-Dollarization: Reserve Currency Status Should No Longer Be Taken for Granted
26.4.2023
European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde has warned that the U.S. dollar’s reserve currency status “should no longer be taken for granted.” Acknowledging de-dollarization efforts by various countries, she stressed: “New trade patterns may have ramifications...
Central Banks Reduce US Dollar Swap Lines to Weekly Auctions Amid Moody’s US Banking Sector Downgrade
25.4.2023
After the tumultuous downfall of three major banks, namely Silvergate Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, and Signature Bank, several central banks made a collaborative announcement of a swift, coordinated emergency response. The intervention aimed to furnish U.S. dollar liquidity, with the intention...