Latest news with #U.S.Treasuries
Arabian Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
Dollar Suffers Worst H1 Slump in Four Decades as Capital Seeks Alternatives
The U.S. dollar has slumped by more than 10 per cent year‑to‑date, marking its most severe first‑half decline since the mid‑1980s, as global investors pull back from dollar‑denominated assets amid doubts over U.S. economic policy and rising interest in alternatives such as cryptocurrencies. Institutional investors across Europe and Asia are leading a broad sell‑off. European pension funds and insurers have slashed dollar‑asset exposure to levels unseen since 2022, primarily through equity divestment, while Asian bondholders have been unwinding fixed‑income positions. Market watchers identify multiple bearish drivers: weakening Federal Reserve credibility under the spectre of political interference, dovish statements signalling potential rate cuts, and concerns over President Trump's tariff posture and mounting debt. These factors have undercut confidence in the dollar's role as the premier global reserve asset. ADVERTISEMENT Declining yields on U.S. Treasuries have narrowed their appeal, prompting asset shifts toward Europe and emerging markets and feeding a broader investor rotation away from dollar‑centric investments. Cash strategists at Bank of America report that the net underweight position on the dollar is the most significant in two decades, signalling widespread repositioning. Despite periodic reprieves, market technicals remain weak. The ICE U.S. Dollar Index, trading around the high‑90s, broke key support levels, triggering technical patterns that suggest further downside unless a strong reversal emerges. The dollar's weakness is also fueling a surge in alternative assets. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have rallied, with analysts highlighting an inverse correlation to the dollar's performance. Gold and select equities in Europe and Asia have benefited from the reallocation of capital. Echoes of the mid‑1980s Plaza Accord era are notable, when coordinated efforts led to a sharp devaluation of the dollar. However, experts caution that the current environment reflects deeper structural trends: geopolitical uncertainties, shifting reserve currency strategies, and Asia's growing role in capital flows. Some analysts argue that short‑term technical bounce possibilities exist, especially if U.S. economic indicators outperform or geopolitical tensions rekindle risk‑off flows. Yet, the prevailing consensus points to a prolonged adjustment period, as 'short dollar' bets remain deeply entrenched among fund managers. The dollar's slide has implications beyond currency markets. Weaker dollar conditions typically ease financial constraints for emerging economies with dollar-denominated debt, support commodity prices, and influence global trade balances. Conversely, U.S. consumers may experience elevated import costs. Attention now shifts to key catalysts: upcoming Fed commentary, U.S. inflation and employment data, and whether the administration proceeds with proposed tariffs or investment taxes that could further unsettle international investor sentiment.
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Stablecoin bill creates protections for crypto users, critics say it's not enough
June 25 (UPI) -- After passing the Senate via cloture, the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act faces a vote in the U.S. House in the coming weeks. Proponents of the bill establishing regulations for payments with stablecoins say it is the first step in establishing protections for businesses and consumers while opponents say it lacks important guardrails. Stablecoin, a form of cryptocurrency that is backed by a more stable asset, such as a currency like the U.S. dollar or a commodity like gold, is designed to maintain a stable value. The GENIUS Act creates legal guidelines for licensing stablecoin issuers and oversight mechanisms to regulate banks and other financial institutions dealing in stablecoins. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., sponsored the bill in the Senate. He said on the Senate floor that passing the act will improve the speed and efficiency of payment with stablecoins around the globe while creating safeguards to deter illicit activity. "Stablecoins also advance a vital national interest by driving demand for U.S. Treasuries. A recent report forecasts that with a well-crafted U.S. regulatory framework, stablecoin issuers could become one of the top holders of U.S. Treasuries by the end of this decade -- if not sooner," Hagerty said. "This would strengthen our fiscal position and cement the dollar's status as the world's reserve currency. If we fail to act now, not only will these benefits slip away. Without a regulatory framework, stablecoin innovation will proliferate overseas -- not in America." Christian Catalini, founder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Cryptoeconomics Lab, told UPI that the GENIUS Act will lower the cost of making payments with stablecoin internationally. "It is much needed legislation that will unlock a safer and more scalable stablecoin ecosystem," Catalini said. "It will lead to entry by many more issues, increasing competition among stablecoins." Beginning three years after the GENIUS Act is enacted, it will be illegal to offer or sell a payment stablecoin to anyone in the United States without a permit. It will also be illegal for foreign service providers to issue or make a stablecoin available in the United States without complying with U.S. guidelines. This includes demonstrating compliant technological capabilities. Those who violate the GENIUS Act would be subject to fines of up to $1 million and five years in prison for each violation. The bill dictates the requirements for becoming a stablecoin issuer. Among these requirements, the issuer must have the capital to support the stablecoins they are issuing. Issuers will be required to submit reports upon request detailing their financial condition, their system for monitoring and controlling financial and operating risks and compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and other laws and sanctions implemented by the Secretary of the Treasury. Nonbank entities, such as fintech companies, will be able to apply for licensing to issue stablecoins. Fifty Republicans and 18 Democrats voted to end debate over the bill in the Senate, allowing it to advance. Catalini said it garnered some bipartisan support due to the significance of stablecoin. "The technology is likely to be ultimately as impactful as the Internet," he said. "Countries that will create the best environment for it will lead for decades to come." Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., voted against ending debate, arguing that the bill does not do enough to stop government officials, such as President Donald Trump, from engaging in corruption with the use of cryptocurrency. Trump and first lady Melania Trump each launched new meme coins hours before Inauguration Day. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., was among the Democrats to support the bill. In a statement, he said concerns remain about how Trump and his family have used crypto technologies to "evade scrutiny." However, he does not believe this should deter from passing the regulations in the GENIUS Act. "We must remain vigilant in exposing and stopping these abuses," Warner said. "But our outrage over that corruption cannot prevent us from building a foundation for responsible innovation in this space. If we don't lead, others will, and not in ways that reflect our interests or democratic values." Independent Community Bankers of America expressed concerns with the GENIUS Act in a letter to the Senate last month. Chief among those concerns was language that it believed would allow non-bank issuers to obtain Federal Reserve Master Accounts. The current version of the bill has addressed that language, according to the ICBA. "On behalf of the nation's community bankers, ICBA appreciates the work by the Senate to address concerns raised by ICBA with the GENIUS Act throughout the legislative process in order to provide regulatory clarity while protecting against the negative economic consequences that would result from community bank disintermediation," Rebeca Romero Rainey, ICBA president and CEO, said in a statement. Catalini said that he expects more regulations to follow due to Trump's support of cryptocurrency. "We need new rules for market infrastructure, tax treatment and more," he said. "No bill is perfect but the GENIUS Act is an important first step in ensuring consumers and businesses are appropriately protected when paying for holding a balance in stablecoin." Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., voted against ending debate on the bill. They did not respond to requests for comment. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
3 days ago
- Business
- UPI
Stablecoin bill creates protections for crypto users, critics say it's not enough
1 of 3 | Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., sponsored the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act in the U.S. Senate. Photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI | License Photo June 25 (UPI) -- After passing the Senate via cloture, the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act faces a vote in the U.S. House in the coming weeks. Proponents of the bill establishing regulations for payments with stablecoins say it is the first step in establishing protections for businesses and consumers while opponents say it lacks important guardrails. Stablecoin, a form of cryptocurrency that is backed by a more stable asset, such as a currency like the U.S. dollar or a commodity like gold, is designed to maintain a stable value. The GENIUS Act creates legal guidelines for licensing stablecoin issuers and oversight mechanisms to regulate banks and other financial institutions dealing in stablecoins. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., sponsored the bill in the Senate. He said on the Senate floor that passing the act will improve the speed and efficiency of payment with stablecoins around the globe while creating safeguards to deter illicit activity. "Stablecoins also advance a vital national interest by driving demand for U.S. Treasuries. A recent report forecasts that with a well-crafted U.S. regulatory framework, stablecoin issuers could become one of the top holders of U.S. Treasuries by the end of this decade -- if not sooner," Hagerty said. "This would strengthen our fiscal position and cement the dollar's status as the world's reserve currency. If we fail to act now, not only will these benefits slip away. Without a regulatory framework, stablecoin innovation will proliferate overseas -- not in America." Christian Catalini, founder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Cryptoeconomics Lab, told UPI that the GENIUS Act will lower the cost of making payments with stablecoin internationally. "It is much needed legislation that will unlock a safer and more scalable stablecoin ecosystem," Catalini said. "It will lead to entry by many more issues, increasing competition among stablecoins." Beginning three years after the GENIUS Act is enacted, it will be illegal to offer or sell a payment stablecoin to anyone in the United States without a permit. It will also be illegal for foreign service providers to issue or make a stablecoin available in the United States without complying with U.S. guidelines. This includes demonstrating compliant technological capabilities. Those who violate the GENIUS Act would be subject to fines of up to $1 million and five years in prison for each violation. The bill dictates the requirements for becoming a stablecoin issuer. Among these requirements, the issuer must have the capital to support the stablecoins they are issuing. Issuers will be required to submit reports upon request detailing their financial condition, their system for monitoring and controlling financial and operating risks and compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and other laws and sanctions implemented by the Secretary of the Treasury. Nonbank entities, such as fintech companies, will be able to apply for licensing to issue stablecoins. Fifty Republicans and 18 Democrats voted to end debate over the bill in the Senate, allowing it to advance. Catalini said it garnered some bipartisan support due to the significance of stablecoin. "The technology is likely to be ultimately as impactful as the Internet," he said. "Countries that will create the best environment for it will lead for decades to come." Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., voted against ending debate, arguing that the bill does not do enough to stop government officials, such as President Donald Trump, from engaging in corruption with the use of cryptocurrency. Trump and first lady Melania Trump each launched new meme coins hours before Inauguration Day. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., was among the Democrats to support the bill. In a statement, he said concerns remain about how Trump and his family have used crypto technologies to "evade scrutiny." However, he does not believe this should deter from passing the regulations in the GENIUS Act. "We must remain vigilant in exposing and stopping these abuses," Warner said. "But our outrage over that corruption cannot prevent us from building a foundation for responsible innovation in this space. If we don't lead, others will, and not in ways that reflect our interests or democratic values." Independent Community Bankers of America expressed concerns with the GENIUS Act in a letter to the Senate last month. Chief among those concerns was language that it believed would allow non-bank issuers to obtain Federal Reserve Master Accounts. The current version of the bill has addressed that language, according to the ICBA. "On behalf of the nation's community bankers, ICBA appreciates the work by the Senate to address concerns raised by ICBA with the GENIUS Act throughout the legislative process in order to provide regulatory clarity while protecting against the negative economic consequences that would result from community bank disintermediation," Rebeca Romero Rainey, ICBA president and CEO, said in a statement. Catalini said that he expects more regulations to follow due to Trump's support of cryptocurrency. "We need new rules for market infrastructure, tax treatment and more," he said. "No bill is perfect but the GENIUS Act is an important first step in ensuring consumers and businesses are appropriately protected when paying for holding a balance in stablecoin." Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., voted against ending debate on the bill. They did not respond to requests for comment.
Arabian Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
Tether Targets Top Spot Among Bitcoin Miners
Tether chief executive Paolo Ardoino has pledged to catapult the company into the position of the world's leading Bitcoin miner by the end of 2025, asserting that crypto‑mining is key to safeguarding its $10 billion‑plus Bitcoin reserves. He outlined a sweeping strategy centred on large‑scale investment in mining and energy infrastructure across Latin America. Ardoino said Tether has already channelled upwards of $2 billion into mining and energy systems and is now accelerating deployment. While the company's precise hash‑rate remains confidential, executives emphasise that their investment reflects both scale and strategic intent. The mining push forms part of a broader financial architecture designed to secure the firm's Bitcoin holdings and further embed it within the Bitcoin ecosystem. The announcement emerged at the Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas, where Ardoino noted Tether's robust earnings—reporting a $13 billion profit in 2024—and a sizeable portfolio of U.S. Treasuries. He revealed the firm holds more than 100,000 BTC and hinted that the mining operation will leverage renewable energy sources supporting its underlying reserves. ADVERTISEMENT Tether is concurrently preparing to open‑source its Bitcoin Mining Operating System, which the company says will democratise mining by enabling participants ranging from individual Raspberry Pi setups to large‑scale farms to connect into secure point‑to‑point networks. The move is intended to broaden participation, enhance resilience of the Bitcoin network, and solidify Tether's position as a leader in infrastructure innovation. Energy infrastructure forms a crucial part of Tether's strategy. Ardoino highlighted investments across Latin America in renewable energy projects, including substantial commitments in Uruguay and El Salvador, where Tether relocated its headquarters and backs geothermal initiatives through a project known as Volcano Energy. These investments reflect a dual focus: securing clean, reliable power for mining and contributing to regional energy resilience. The strategic rationale centres on mitigating the risks of holding large Bitcoin reserves. Mining, Ardoino explained, provides not only operational control but also reinforces financial sovereignty, anchoring assets within a secured blockchain‑based ecosystem. By internalising hash‑rate and power sources, Tether aims to shield its holdings from external dependency and volatility. Security considerations have informed the launch of MOS. As a decentralised architecture, the system allows devices to operate without reliance on central servers, reducing vulnerability to single‑point failures or third‑party disruptions. Looking ahead, Tether plans to integrate artificial‑intelligence tools into MOS to monitor performance and optimise operations in real time. Tether's move into open‑source mining software dovetails with its broader tech ambitions. Ardoino introduced QVAC, an AI platform that uses non‑custodial wallets, and unveiled plans for a Bitcoin‑centric wallet developed with Rumble. These projects underscore Tether's strategy to embed Bitcoin deeper into digital finance and expand its ecosystem services. Market observers note that Tether's mining ambition places it in direct competition with publicly traded mining firms. Although exact hashrate figures are absent, the scale of investment and reserve holdings suggest that surpassing existing miners is credible by late 2025. Tracking progress will require scrutiny of deployment timelines and performance metrics, which Tether has declined to specify. Financial analysts regard Tether's diversified asset approach—spanning Bitcoin, gold and U.S. Treasuries—as a deliberate hedge strategy. The large Bitcoin reserves, reportedly worth over $10 billion, alongside substantial gold and treasury holdings, underpin a multifaceted capital structure. By converting passive holdings into active mining assets, Tether aims to generate operational yield and enhance asset security. Critics of large‑scale corporate mining warn of environmental strains and centralisation risks. Tether's emphasis on renewable energy uptake and decentralised software architecture reflects an attempt to mitigate these concerns. If MOS and energy projects deliver as promised, the model may provide a template for sustainable, corporate-scale participation in Bitcoin mining. Next steps include the public release of MOS, scheduled for later in 2025, alongside scaling up of energy infrastructure across targeted Latin American sites. Close monitoring of mining output, energy efficiency, and systems performance will determine whether Tether's pledge translates into actual dominance in global Bitcoin mining.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How Much Higher Can the Israel-Iran Conflict Take Treasury Bond Futures?
September U.S. Treasury bond futures (ZBU25) a buying opportunity on more price strength. See on the daily bar chart for September U.S. T-Bond futures that prices are in a four-week-old uptrend. See, too, at the bottom of the chart that the moving average convergence divergence (MACD) indicator is in a bullish posture as the red MACD line is above the blue trigger line and both lines are trending up. The T-Bond bulls have the near-term technical advantage to suggest still more price upside in the near term. Robotaxis, Powell and Other Key Things to Watch this Week The 7 Signs Your Stock Is A Buyout Target Looking to Gamble on Hard-Hit Solar Stocks? This Is the Top-Rated Ticker Now. Stop Missing Market Moves: Get the FREE Barchart Brief – your midday dose of stock movers, trending sectors, and actionable trade ideas, delivered right to your inbox. Sign Up Now! Fundamentally, risk appetite in the general marketplace is not robust and the weekend U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear sites suggests risk aversion will remain elevated for at least the near term. That's bullish for safe-haven U.S. Treasuries. A move in September T-Bond futures above chart resistance at the June high of 114 30/32 would become a buying opportunity. The upside price objective would be 120 even or above. Technical support, for which to place a protective sell stop just below, is located at 113 even. IMPORTANT NOTE: I am not a futures broker and do not manage any trading accounts other than my own personal account. It is my goal to point out to you potential trading opportunities. However, it is up to you to: (1) decide when and if you want to initiate any trades and (2) determine the size of any trades you may initiate. Any trades I discuss are hypothetical in nature. Here is what the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has said about futures trading (and I agree 100%): Trading commodity futures and options is not for everyone. IT IS A VOLATILE, COMPLEX AND RISKY BUSINESS. Before you invest any money in futures or options contracts, you should consider your financial experience, goals and financial resources, and know how much you can afford to lose above and beyond your initial payment to a broker. You should understand commodity futures and options contracts and your obligations in entering into those contracts. You should understand your exposure to risk and other aspects of trading by thoroughly reviewing the risk disclosure documents your broker is required to give you. On the date of publication, Jim Wyckoff did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on
