Latest news with #StandardChartered
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Standard Chartered Predicts Bitcoin Will Hit $135,000 by the End of September
Bitcoin is already up 25% on the year, and Standard Chartered expects even bigger returns during the next two quarters. It's basing that prediction primarily off of substantial inflows from ETFs and Bitcoin treasury companies. Bitcoin is highly volatile, but it has performed well for long-term investors. 10 stocks we like better than Bitcoin › Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has had a successful run during 2025. It reached an all-time high of almost $118,900 in July 10 and is up 25% on the year. The S&P 500, often used as a measure of how the stock market is doing, has managed a 6% year-to-date return. Investors are happy with the results but also wondering if a decline could be on the way. Bitcoin's previous bull runs have been followed by downturns where it lost a significant portion of its value. But Standard Chartered, a U.K. bank, is predicting that the leading cryptocurrency will go even higher during the next two quarters. In the past, Bitcoin has followed a price dynamic related to its halving cycle. A Bitcoin halving is when the block reward for Bitcoin mining is cut in half. While the miners who validate transactions earn half as much as before, halving tends to increase the demand for Bitcoin and drive up the price. Bitcoin halvings are scheduled to occur every time 210,000 blocks are mined, which happens roughly every four years. There have been four Bitcoin halvings, in 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024, and Bitcoin's price has risen after each one. After the first three halvings, prices peaked after about 18 months, and then declined. The most recent halving occurred in April 2024, and following that 18-month estimate, the price should peak in about September. However, Standard Chartered believes that increased investments in Bitcoin will help it move past that dynamic, and the bank has a very bullish outlook on where the price will go. It's predicting Bitcoin will reach $135,000 by the end of the third quarter (a 13% increase from the price as of July 10) and $200,000 by year's end (a 68% increase). Based on Bitcoin's returns so far this year, those price targets seem quite optimistic. There are a few reasons Standard Chartered expects this kind of growth during the next six months. Inflows from institutional and corporate investors will be the dominant driver of Bitcoin's growth, according to Standard Chartered. It reported that Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and Bitcoin treasury companies bought 245,000 bitcoins in the second quarter. It was the second-best quarter on record behind only the fourth quarter of 2024. It's reasonable to expect that Bitcoin will continue to benefit from institutional interest. Bitcoin ETFs have become a popular way to invest in the leading cryptocurrency. The Securities and Exchange Commission approved the first Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024. Between then and now, Bitcoin ETFs recorded $48.9 billion in net inflows. Standard Chartered also mentioned the Genius Act as a potential tailwind for Bitcoin. Since the Genius Act regulates stablecoins, it doesn't directly affect Bitcoin. But it could attract new crypto investors who were previously on the fence due to a lack of regulations, and new investors often start with Bitcoin. The U.S. Senate passed the Genius Act on June 17, and a House vote could happen as early as this week. Any positive news on that front will likely be a tailwind for Bitcoin. Even with high Bitcoin inflows and the Genius Act, Standard Chartered's price predictions may be out of reach. In particular, $200,000 by the end of the year is a sizable leap. The bank has also overshot the mark before, as it predicted Bitcoin would hit $120,000 in the second quarter of 2025. However, with the volatility in the crypto market, it's practically impossible to make accurate price predictions. Bitcoin could certainly increase by another 68% over the rest of the year, or it could lose half its value. The real question isn't where Bitcoin's price will be in a few months, but whether it's a sound long-term investment. It's hard to argue with the results up until now, as Bitcoin has delivered fantastic returns. It's up 1,200% during the past five years. There's also a limited maximum supply of 21 million Bitcoin, giving it a built-in scarcity that helps amid rising demand. On the other hand, Bitcoin doesn't have much real-world utility. Unlike a business, it doesn't produce anything of value. And while Bitcoin works as a payment method, transactions are slower and more expensive than other cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin transactions generally take about 10 minutes to process and cost about $1. Bitcoin seems to have caught on as a digital store of value, though, and as a hedge against inflation. Given how successful it has been and the growing interest in cryptocurrency investing, Bitcoin is a reasonable investment, as long as you don't put too much money in it. A good starting point is 1% of your portfolio, and then you can increase your allocation from there if you feel comfortable. Before you buy stock in Bitcoin, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Bitcoin wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $674,432!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,005,854!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,049% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 180% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 7, 2025 Lyle Daly has positions in Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Standard Chartered Predicts Bitcoin Will Hit $135,000 by the End of September was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Wall Street Just Got Backdoor Access to India's $639B Credit Boom
India might've just given Wall Street its next credit playground. In a quiet but significant move, the financial regulator for GIFT City has approved the use of total return swaps (TRS) on corporate bondsnot just sovereign debt. That means global players like HSBC and Standard Chartered can now offer international investors synthetic access to rupee-denominated company debt, without requiring them to open a local account. It's a structure tailor-made for speed and scaleand it's landing just as India's private credit scene hits record highs, including a $3.4 billion raise by Shapoorji Pallonji Group, the country's largest private credit deal to date. TRS has already been gaining steam thanks to India's upcoming inclusion in global bond indexes. That inclusion helped funnel $22 billion into government debtand this new layer could do the same for corporate bonds. We've seen good volume growth through our GIFT City branch, said Sachin Shah, managing director at Standard Chartered India, noting strong inbound interest from global funds. HSBC (NYSE:HSBC) confirmed it's also ready to offer swaps for corporate paper, riding a wave of fresh appetite for yield and exposure. For now, the swap approvals only cover rupee-denominated bonds. But banks are already pushing to extend access to dollar bonds issued by Indian companies through GIFT City. The International Financial Services Centres Authority isn't saying yes just yetbut it is preparing a consultation paper that could open that door. If it does, this may mark a turning point for India's $639 billion credit marketand reshape how foreign capital flows into one of the world's fastest-growing economies. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
FF News
2 days ago
- Business
- FF News
Temenos' Mick Fennell Talks AI, Embedded Payments & Partnerships at TCF 2025
At TCF 2025, Mick Fennell, Business Line Director – Payments at Temenos, talked about how new technology like AI, cloud, APIs, and blockchain is revolutionsing how payments work. Fennell started by saying that instant payments are increasing as the industry is trying to connect local systems to make cross-border payments easier. Because there is an increase of payments happening, and things are getting complicated, banks are using cloud processing to handle the load and keep things running smoothly. AI is cutting down on false alarms when it comes to fraud and financial crime, while also making operations easier by fixing problems faster. And for customers, AI tools are making things better by helping them understand complicated info. AI is even helping to find the cheapest way to send payments in real-time. He also mentioned that embedded payments are becoming increasingly important as APIs and embedded finance tools are making it possible to connect directly to customer systems. When you add blockchain and stablecoins to the mix, these technologies are enabling faster payments, transparency, and new ways to exchange value. Then Fennell shared some big news: Standard Chartered is now part of the Temenos Exchange, which a marketplace with over 130 fintech partners that enhance and add value to Temenos. Standard Chartered has been using Temenos' software, but now they're also a partner and the first service they're partnering together on, according to Fennell, is integrating Standard Chartered's FX service, SC ALE. Temenos will pre-build the integration and w his partnership makes sure they are aligned, that the product is easy to use, and well-maintained, giving banks flexibility and reliability. With over 950 banks using Temenos, this move gives Standard Chartered acces to Temenos client base. This partnership also gives Temenos clients more choices and easier access to further services, including new products related to stablecoins and digital assets in the future. People In This Post Mick Fennell Temenos
Finextra
2 days ago
- Business
- Finextra
What sustainability-linked bank accounts are out there?
1 Like 4 This content has been selected, created and edited by the Finextra editorial team based upon its relevance and interest to our community. Due to the increasing pressure on big banks to meet net zero goals and fulfill environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements, a wave of sustainability-focused banking services have been released, seeking to help integrate green initiatives into consumers' everyday lives. As Scott Hamilton detailed in an earlier Finextra long read on ESG-linked accounts, there are several incumbents that offer such services, which align with the United Nations (UN)'s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – including Standard Chartered, CIBC, and United Overseas Bank. However, the new administration in the United States has initiated a row-back in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and ESG initiatives and requirements for domestic companies – with global repercussions. Despite this push against sustainable initiatives in banking, there has been a pickup in the availability of sustainable bank accounts for users. McKinsey research found that sustainable banking products are attractive to consumers regardless of income levels and types of communities. The research found that 40% of US consumers are interested in using climate-linked financial products, and of those interested, two in three would place 40% of their savings or credit card spending into a green retail product. Sustainable bank accounts – an increasingly popular service – are not exclusive to companies. Such products integrate sustainability directly from the transactions being made through that account – such as tracking carbon footprints, making sustainable banking choices, and allocating funds for green initiatives. So, what bank accounts of this kind are out there for climate-conscious, digitally savvy users looking to change the way they bank? Are they truly sustainable? There are various parameters that are used to measure sustainability and ethical banking, and different methods to accurately quantify ESG are still in development. The following banks are transparent about their emissions and which industries they lend to, and contribute to initiatives that promote climate-consciousness and ethical banking. Triodos Bank Triodos Bank is a B Corp-certified European bank headquartered in the Netherlands. The bank has an ethical ethos, publishing information on every organisation that it lends to – excluding those in the oil, gas, arms, tobacco, and deforestation industries. Triodos focuses its lending on renewable energy and joined the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2023, to fully phase out fossil fuels. The bank has set 2035 emissions reductions targets that were validated by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). Triodos offers ethical current and savings accounts for users, as well as Ethical Savings Bonds. Banco Pichincha This Ecuadorian bank headquartered in Quito prioritises ESG in its offerings. Banco Pichincha supports businesses with sustainable principles. The bank was ranked in the top 100 of 500 on Time's list of World's Best Companies in Sustainable Growth 2025. In February this year, the bank received a USD $137 million loan to fund green financing and gender equality in access to credit from CAF. Banco Pichincha offers personal bank accounts for users in Ecuador, and online bank accounts for Ecuadorians living abroad to send money back, which can be opened in the US. The City Bank Limited Bangladesh-based bank has over 1.7 million customers and has joined the UN's Net-Zero Banking Alliance. Named one of the top sustainable banks in Bangladesh for the last three years, City Bank is actively engaged in green refinance and core banking sustainability. City Bank offers a Green Savings Account to Bangladeshis, for which trees will be planted for every account and available funds will be invested into sustainable projects. Amalgamated Bank New York City-based Amalgamated Bank is a certified B Corp that operates fully on renewable energy and net zero emissions. The bank is Fossil Free certified and 23% of their loans fund climate solutions. The goal of the bank is to make green living easier, which is why they offer homeowners special credit to install solar panels. The Amalgamated Bank Give-Back Checking account matches half of the interest earned and donates it to one of their partnered charities, which include an array of social activism organisations. Climate First Bank Florida-based Climate First Bank is certified B Corp and Fossil Free. The bank was built on belief that banking can be climate-conscious and sustainable. The bank's Climate First Bank Pride Banking checking account allows people to use their chosen name and pronouns to open an account – and will donate $100 to an LGBTQ charity if the user sets up a direct deposit, worth at least $750. Along with Amalgamated Bank and Areti Bank, Climate First is one of three remaining US members of the UN's Net Zero Banking Alliance. Ecology Building Society Ecology Building Society is a UK-based bank focused on creating a climate-focused, green banking experience that is committed to environmental sustainability. The bank has pledged not to fund fossil fuels, mining companies, the arms trade, and deforestation. Ecology offers current and savings accounts that fund energy efficient homes, clean energy, and community projects. The bank also offers residential and commercial mortgages for those looking to make eco-friendly self-builds and refurbishments, and community housing projects. Nationwide Building Society Nationwide does not lend to the fossil fuel industry and is committed to be gas-free by 2030 and net zero by 2050. The bank sources 100% of its electricity from renewable energy. The UK-based bank discloses all carbon emissions associated with mortgage, commercial real estate, and registered social lending – and has set science-based targets to reduce them. To promote sustainable housing, Nationwide has the Green Additional Borrowing mortgage product with 0% interest, and offers homeowners £500 cashback if they purchase a home with a high Energy Performance Certificate score. The Co-operative Bank This high-street UK bank is committed to renewable energy and biodiversity protection. It offers green bonds and loans to make the UK more energy efficient. Focusing on funding SMEs, the bank does not support any form of fossil fuel production and ethically reviews not only the firms it funds, but their parent companies as well. In 2024, the bank was acquired by Coventry Building Society, though in the press release the bank clarified that products and services will remain the same for their customers. The bank offers a variety of accounts, including a student account, current account, an account for Ukranian refugees, and the Cashminder account for people with no credit history or a low credit score. Vancity Community Investment Bank Vancity is a Canadian bank based in Vancouver. The organisation achieved carbon neutrality in 2008 and has set net zero goals for 2040. The bank does not invest in fossil fuels and supports clean energy initiatives. Vancity's profit-sharing program returns 30% of its profits to members to invest in initiatives such as climate change mitigation and financial literacy. The bank also focuses on backing climate action projects to improve the local community, such as funding a hydrogen fuel network and promoting renewable energy solutions. In 2023, Vancity added an emission tracking feature to their credit cards so that users could track their carbon footprint through their purchases. Moving forward The sustainable finance revolution is here, and big banks need to be putting in the work to ensure SDGs are being met. Since its inception in 2021, membership to the Net Zero Banking Alliance has increased to 127 banks in 44 countries to set science-based net zero targets for 2030 – more and more banks are stepping up to the task. While there are several banks now that offer bank accounts that integrate sustainability into payments, there is definitely room for more growth. All banks should not only offer sustainability-linked accounts, but embed green and clean energy practices into their retail infrastructure.
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Slim: Egypt's Central Bank Cautious Over Inflation
Egypt left interest rates on hold, snapping two rounds of monetary easing, as caution about tensions in the region and the fallout from US President Donald Trump's tariffs outweighed slowing inflation. Carla Slim, Standard Chartered, MENA Economist spoke to Bloomberg's Horizons Middle East and Africa anchor Joumanna Bercetche on the rate decision as well as Oman's rating upgrade and OPEC+'s path forward with oil output. (Source: Bloomberg)
