Bank of Russia Analysts Note Ditching US Dollar Is ‘Hardly Possible’ Without Structural Changes to Foreign Trade

A report from the research department of the Bank of Russia shows that, due to the structure of foreign trade contracts, it will be difficult to ditch the usage of the U.S. dollar to settle payments. The analysts found that contracts are often denominated in U.S. dollars and that most transactions are still concluded with … Read more

Ethereum’s Shapella Upgrade to Enable Staking Withdrawals Set to Go Live on April 12

The Ethereum blockchain is set to undergo its next major update since the network switched from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake through The Merge. The upcoming upgrade, dubbed “Shapella,” which combines the Shanghai and Capella validator changes, is expected to take place on April 12, 2023. While most users will not be affected by the change, the … Read more

Market Strategist Michael Wilkerson Believes US Inflation Could Rise to 12% by Year-End Despite Predictions of Decrease

While several market strategists and analysts expect U.S. inflation to drop considerably in 2023 compared with last year, Michael Wilkerson, founder of Stormwall Advisors, thinks the inflation rate could climb as high as 12% by the end of this year. The country’s inflation rate has cooled down over the past seven months, but Wilkerson insists … Read more

Banks in Russia to Lose $700 Million a Year Due to Digital Ruble, Experts Say

Russian banks may be the main losers from the introduction of a digital ruble while retailers will save on acquiring fees, analysts have predicted. The benefits for consumers using the new digital currency are not that obvious as they may not be paid any interest or cashback. Launch of Russia’s Digital Ruble Said to Result … Read more

Report: Egyptian Pound Reaches New Low Against US Dollar Despite Flexible Exchange Rate Regime

The exchange rate of the Egyptian pound versus the U.S. dollar fell to a new low on Jan. 11 after it tapped 32.14 per greenback. The currency’s latest significant depreciation came just a few months after it adopted a flexible exchange rate regime. According to the International Monetary Fund, the monetary authorities in Egypt have … Read more

Report: US Central Bank Loses Billions From Rate Hikes, ‘Losses Pile up Into an IOU’

While the U.S. Federal Reserve ramped up the benchmark bank rate with a barrage of rate hikes, U.S. Treasury markets and global bond markets, in general, have seen one of the worst selloffs in over a decade. The Fed’s actions has fueled criticism toward the U.S. central bank as some strategists believe the onslaught of … Read more

Analysts Say an Onslaught of Fed Rate Hikes Could Spur a ‘Bond Market Flash Crash’ or ‘Blow up the Treasury’

The U.S. economy has been struggling with inflation running rampant and investors are eagerly waiting for the U.S. Federal Reserve to announce the next federal funds rate hike next month. Harris Kupperman, the founder of the hedge fund Praetorian Capital, believes the onslaught of Fed rate hikes could very well “blow up the Treasury.” Furthermore, … Read more

Latest CPI Data Shows Red-Hot Inflation Continues to Thrive in the US, Consumer Prices Jumped 8.2% in September

The latest inflation data from the United States indicates that consumer prices have kept climbing despite expectations of a slowdown. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) summary published on Thursday shows an 8.2% rise in the year through September, and the core index rating saw the fastest yearly increase since 1982. September’s CPI Data Was Worse … Read more

US Inflation Rate in August Runs Hot at 8.3%, Peter Schiff Says America’s ‘Days of Sub-2% Inflation Are Gone’

On September 13, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the country’s consumer price index (CPI) inflation jumped by 8.3% annually in August. The reduction was less than expected and market analysts believe the U.S. Federal Reserve will continue its aggressive rate hikes going forward. US Consumer Prices Increased at an 8% Annual Pace of … Read more