Fed’s Minutes Report Cites High Inflation and Economic Risks in Decision to Hold Rates

According to the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the choice to maintain the federal funds rate in its current range was driven by concerns about ongoing inflation and economic instability. Economic Instability and Inflation Keep Fed Rates Steady At the June 11-12 meeting, the FOMC highlighted that although inflation has … Read more

Bitcoin Dips to $56,952 as Market Reacts to Mt Gox and German BTC Moves

On Thursday, July 4, 2024, the price of bitcoin fell below $57,000, reaching a low of $56,952 at 5:20 a.m. EDT. There is widespread speculation about the Mt Gox distribution and the German government’s transfer of approximately 3,000 bitcoin to unidentified wallets, Coinbase, Bitstamp, and Kraken. Bearish Sentiment Grows as Bitcoin Continues to Slide Bitcoin’s … Read more

IMF Advises US to Keep Interest Rates Steady Through Late 2024

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised the U.S. to improve its fiscal position by reducing spending and increasing revenues. The IMF emphasizes addressing rising debt through policy adjustments and recommends maintaining current interest rates until late 2024. “Given those risks, we agreed that the Fed should keep policy rates at the current level until … Read more

US Senators Urge Federal Reserve to Cut Interest Rates — Warn Fed Policy Threatens Economy, Risks Recession

Three U.S. senators have urged Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates, arguing that high rates stifle the economy and raise housing and auto insurance costs, which are key inflation drivers. They warn that prolonged high rates risk a recession and increased unemployment, calling for immediate rate cuts to stabilize the economy. Senators … Read more

Fed Governor Bowman Insists High Inflation Could Necessitate Future Rate Hikes

Inflation in the U.S. has remained persistent, experiencing increases in the first two months of 2024, prompting members of the U.S. Federal Reserve to exercise caution against premature rate reductions. Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman has voiced considerations for elevating interest rates, diverging from market anticipations of rate reductions within the year. Bowman’s concerns primarily … Read more

Powell: Economy Progresses but Inflation Still ‘Too High’ to Adjust Benchmark Rate

On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) declared that there will be no change to the federal funds rate for the time being. The committee emphasized its intention not to lower the target rate until there is “greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably” toward the 2% target. Fed Pauses Rate … Read more

Fed Chair Powell Eases CBDC Concerns: US Far From Direct Fed Accounts, Emphasizes Need for Congressional Approval

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell engaged with the Senate Banking Committee, signaling that the U.S. is just beginning to contemplate the introduction of a central bank digital currency (CBDC). Powell Assures No Direct Fed Accounts in CBDC Plans, Seeks Congressional Go-Ahead In his conversation with the Senate Banking Committee, Fed Chair Jerome Powell explored the … Read more