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Crude exports have reportedly remained near peak levels as global buyers ignore Washington’s demands to halt purchases Russia’s seaborne crude exports have remained near a 16-month high over the past four weeks, showing little impact from US President Donald Trump’s efforts to pressure global buyers into halting imports from Moscow, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday. According to vessel-tracking data through Saturday compiled by the outlet, average daily shipments held steady at 3.62 million barrels, matching the highest level since May 2024. The continued flow comes despite targeted US efforts to persuade countries to curb imports. Trump has pressured the EU, India, and China to stop purchasing Russian oil, describing the move as an effort to advance a potential Ukraine peace settlement. Moscow has criticized Washington's strong-arm tactics, saying that sovereign nations have the right to choose their trade partners. New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil have in particula...

Saudi Arabia's Council of Ministers approved a license for the new digital-first " EASY Bank " and advanced several international agreements aimed at boosting tourism, environmental protection , and strategic investments. RIYADH — In a move signaling ongoing economic diversification and digital transformation, the Saudi Cabinet on Tuesday authorized the Minister of Finance to issue the necessary license for "EASY Bank," a new financial institution poised to enter the Kingdom's evolving banking sector. The decision marks another step in modernizing Saudi Arabia's financial landscape, particularly catering to the growing demand for digital banking solutions . Chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman , the Cabinet meeting also saw the approval of the Tourism Development Fund 's application to become an affiliate member of the World Tourism Organization . This underscores the Kingdom's ambitious plans to expand its tourism sector and int...

Subheading: With a looming funding deadline, top House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries criticizes former President Donald Trump and Republicans, claiming their refusal to negotiate is jeopardizing healthcare funding and risking a government shutdown. WASHINGTON — House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has sharply criticized former President Donald Trump and House Republicans, asserting they are "leading the country" toward a government shutdown. Jeffries' comments come as a critical funding deadline approaches and bipartisan negotiations appear stalled, particularly over efforts to avert cuts to healthcare funding. In an interview with The Associated Press late Friday, Jeffries expressed a lingering hope that Congress could still forge an agreement to prevent federal funding from expiring next week, ahead of the October 1st deadline. However, recent actions, including House Republicans canceling a voting session next week and Trump's abrupt cancellation of a meeting ...

A tax hike was chosen in lieu of government borrowing to ease monetary policy, Anton Siluanov has said Russia will raise value added tax (VAT) by 2% to lower the budget deficit and curb inflation, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said in an interview with TASS published on Monday. Earlier in the day, the Finance Ministry submitted a draft budget for 2026-2028 to the Russian parliament. “A balanced budget will be an important factor in economic growth, as it is the basis for slowing inflation, macroeconomic stability, and the possibility of easing monetary policy,” Siluanov said. “Increasing the standard VAT rate from 20 to 22% as an additional measure was chosen based on its less negative impact on the economy compared to alternative measures,” he said, adding that critical goods such as food and medicines will remain taxed at a flat 10% to protect low-income households. The tax increase was chosen over government borrowing as the lesser of two evils, as the latter would have led...

The German airline’s strategic overhaul aims to automate roles and boost profitability amid industry pressures. FRANKFURT — Lufthansa , Europe’s largest airline group, announced Monday that it plans to eliminate 4,000 administrative jobs by 2030 as part of a sweeping restructuring strategy to digitize and streamline operations. The move reflects mounting pressure on the aviation industry to cut costs while maintaining competitiveness in a volatile global market. According to the company’s announcement made during its capital markets day in Munich , many of the targeted roles will be automated or merged into new digital functions. Lufthansa, which currently employs around 103,000 people, also revised its medium-term financial targets upward—projecting an operating margin of 8-10% of revenue, compared to prior goals of 8%. While the airline outlined ambitious performance metrics, industry analysts note that the success of the plan hinges on execution, workforce retrain...

OpenAI’s ChatGPT and AI search engine Perplexity roll out India-focused products as the country emerges as a testing ground for global expansion. NEW DELHI — Two of the world’s largest artificial intelligence firms are moving aggressively into India , seeking to capture millions of new users in the planet’s most populous country while using it as a proving ground for future growth in other emerging markets. This summer, OpenAI introduced localized subscription plans for its flagship chatbot, ChatGPT , while Perplexity AI , an AI-powered search engine , also rolled out products tailored to Indian consumers. Both companies are targeting the country’s vast base of young, price-sensitive users, who represent one of the fastest-growing digital audiences worldwide. Analysts note that India’s enormous population and rich cultural diversity offer a unique opportunity for AI companies to test products on a massive scale. By adapting to the needs of Indian consumers, firms gai...

Moscow has said American LNG would be much more expensive for European consumers The US stands ready to substitute all Russian gas and oil going to the EU, Energy Secretary Chris Wright has claimed, arguing that market hegemony for America would help end the Ukraine conflict. In an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, Wright praised the bloc for its efforts to phase out Russian energy but said it is “not as fast as we’d like.” “America stands ready today to displace all of the Russian gas that goes into Europe and all of the Russian refined products from oil as well,” Wright said. He added that he had been holding extensive talks with EU leaders to reassure them that this is feasible. ”We’re ready to serve their needs. And President [Donald] Trump’s agenda is peace. And to get peace, we have to starve [Russian President Vladimir] Putin,” Wright claimed, referring to revenues from energy exports. The EU has said it will seek to wean itself off Russian energy following the escala...

The value-added tax rate could be raised to 22% next year to boost revenue for defense and social spending The Russian Finance Ministry has proposed raising the value-added tax rate in 2026 in a draft budget. The move is designed to boost state revenues and direct more money to defense and social support, according to the ministry. The Finance Ministry said the standard VAT rate would rise from 20% to 22%, bringing in around 1 trillion rubles ($11.9 billion) in extra revenue. It said the funds would be used to equip the armed forces, pay military salaries, support families, and modernize defense enterprises. The measure is part of the federal budget plan for 2026-2028, which the cabinet approved on Wednesday. The draft keeps the reduced VAT rate of 10% for socially important goods. Other tax measures are included in the budget, such as a 5% tax on bets accepted by bookmakers and continued taxation of corporate profits. The ministry described the draft for 2026 as “balanced and susta...

The draft budget outlines a new gambling tax and higher VAT to fund state spending The Russian Finance Ministry has proposed a 5% tax on all gambling stakes under a new budget plan. The ministry also said bookmakers should pay a profit tax at the standard 25% rate. The measure is part of a wider package of tax changes in Russia aimed at increasing non-energy revenue to support state spending. In its 2026-2028 draft budget, the Finance Ministry proposed raising the standard value added tax to 22% from the current 20%, while keeping a 10% reduced rate for socially important goods, the ministry said on Wednesday. Currently, bookmakers pay a fixed regional gambling tax that depends on location, which “does not reflect the scale of turnover or the real financial result” of their operations, the ministry said. The new system would calculate tax based on both turnover (the 5% tax) and profit under the general corporate tax regime, replacing the fixed-fee model. Read more Bank of Russia...

The Eurasian Economic Union and Tehran have expanded economic ties since signing a free trade deal in May, Mohammad Atabak has said The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is helping shape a multipolar world and counter Western hegemonic tendencies, Iranian Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Mohammad Atabak has stated. He hailed the ongoing expansion in commerce between Tehran and the EAEU member states since a free-trade agreement was signed in May. Founded in 2014, the trade bloc is comprised of Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Speaking during a press briefing in Moscow on Wednesday, Atabak said that the “world no longer tolerates the West’s unilateral course.” “The time has come for the strengthening of various regional international organizations,” such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Iranian minister stated, emphasizing the importance of these groups in countering Western hegemony. He expressed optimism regarding further cooperation...

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin praised Base as a model Layer-2, combining user-friendly design with Ethereum’s decentralized security. He emphasized that Base is non-custodial and cannot block or seize user funds, countering misconceptions about L2 oversight. Vitalik Defends Base, Dispels Misconceptions on L2 Security Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has called Base, Coinbase’s Layer-2 network, a “model […] https://static.news.bitcoin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vitalik-buterin-calls-base-a-model-ethereum-l2-768x432.jpg

Bubblemaps has launched Intel Desk, a public platform that pays users in BMT to surface scams and suspicious activity—because in crypto, memory and accountability shouldn’t be optional. Bubblemaps’ Intel Desk Turns Scam Hunting Into a Paying Gig With BMT According to Bubblemaps’ X announcement, the Intel Desk is pitched as a “Wikipedia of investigations,” where […] https://static.news.bitcoin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bmtoken-768x432.png

This content is provided by a sponsor. Victoria, Seychelles, September 23rd, 2025 — Bitget, the world’s leading Universal Exchange (UEX), has announced a major upgrade to Bitget Onchain, a revolutionary feature that allows users to seamlessly trade, stake, and manage millions of on-chain tokens directly from a single Bitget spot account. The expansion introduces support […] https://static.news.bitcoin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bitget_nwmk-768x432.jpg

WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told U.S. business leaders that mounting downside risks to the labor market were a key factor behind last week’s interest rate cut , describing the move as another step toward a more neutral policy stance. Powell said the shift in the balance of risks made it clear there was no path “free of risk” for monetary policy. While the current stance remains somewhat restrictive, he argued it leaves the Fed well-positioned to respond to potential economic developments. The Fed chair acknowledged that U.S. economic growth has slowed and that downside risks to employment have increased, even as inflation remains elevated. “Inflation has ticked higher and continues to run somewhat above our target,” Powell noted, underscoring the delicate balance policymakers face. He also pointed to signs of weakness in consumer spending , with many companies reporting that heightened uncertainty is weighing on their outlook. At the same time, ...

CHICAGO — Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee warned against rushing to cut interest rates, even after voting in favor of the central bank’s first rate cut of the year. Speaking in an interview with CNBC , Goolsbee said inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target for more than four years, making caution essential in the next policy steps. Goolsbee noted that the neutral interest rate — the level that balances growth and price stability — should be closer to 3.1%. He suggested that could be reached gradually through two additional rate cuts this year, followed by one reduction in each of the next two years. At the same time, the Chicago Fed introduced a new tool designed to track the labor market in real time, using 11 separate datasets to monitor unemployment and job layoffs. While the jobless rate currently stands at 4.3%, which he described as historically low, Goolsbee emphasized that recent labor market trends require closer scrutiny. The...

Although the network’s mining difficulty cranked up 4.63% just four days ago, that bump barely ruffled the miners. The machines kept churning with wild devotion, and the protocol’s horsepower blasted its way to a shiny new all-time high of 1,091 exahash per second (EH/s). Miners Push Bitcoin Network to All-Time High Hashrate of 1.091 Zettahash […] https://static.news.bitcoin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bbbbkinh-768x432.png

President Javier Milei has again raised the prospect of dollarizing Argentina — a key plank of his political campaign. Milei, who touts dollarization as a solution to inflation, said it could be implemented only if the Argentine people vote for it. President Javier Milei Consider Dollarization as Argentine Peso Sinks After seemingly having controlled the […] https://static.news.bitcoin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/milei_dollarization-768x432.jpg

On Monday, ethereum may have survived a brutal sell-off, but signs of a proper comeback are still hanging in the balance. With a current price of $4,172, a market cap of $503 billion, and a 24-hour trading volume of $48.60 billion, all eyes are on whether the recent price floor between $4,029 and $4,497 was […] https://static.news.bitcoin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/etherbether-768x432.png

At an operating expense of $0.04 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), the current crop of SHA256 bitcoin miners sorts into a clear profit ladder, with high-hashrate hydro units setting the pace and a few efficient air and immersion options keeping things interesting. The Four-Cent Test: Which Bitcoin Mining Rigs Still Shine The king of the hill at […] https://static.news.bitcoin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/1000-768x432.png

According to timechainindex.com stats, Coinbase now custodies 3,002,996 bitcoin—valued around $347 billion—up from 2,919,643 BTC 57 days ago, a net gain of 83,353 BTC since July 26. Under Management: Coinbase Adds 83,353 BTC Since July 26, Pushing Stack to $347B Data collected from timechainindex.com and compared to a report published 57 days ago, exchange-traded funds […] https://static.news.bitcoin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/coinbasecustody-768x432.jpg

Bitcoin’s derivatives markets on Sunday, Sept. 21, showed heavy positioning across futures and options—with total futures open interest hovering at $83.56 billion and options traders leaning slightly call-heavy—as price chops in a seven-day range between $114,696 and $117,851 per BTC. Bitcoin’s $83.56B Futures Stack Meets Call-Leaning Options Into Quarter-End Bitcoin (BTC) spent the week grinding […] https://static.news.bitcoin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ddfff-768x432.png

The Solana DEX space is currently undergoing a major transformation, with the meme token trading volume plummeting. Once dominated by meme token frenzy, the trading trend is now shifting towards stablecoins. Solana DEX Sees MemeCoin Trend Waning According to recent data from Blockwork Research , memetoken trading on Solana DEX has plummeted from over 60% at the end of 2024 to under 30% currently. Conversely, SOL-based stablecoin trading volume has skyrocketed to its highest level since December 2023, signaling a notable change in investor preferences. Over the past few weeks, this plummeting interest in Solana -based cryptocurrencies has been observed. This trend has also impacted the overall performance of the platform. While the platform’s daily trading volume stood at 4.8 million at the start of the year, it plummeted to 900,000 in August. Significantly, experts comment that the growing concerns over memecoin scams have impacted the traders’ activity. Bitget’s chief analyst, Rya...

In what analysts describe as a regulatory milestone, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved Grayscale’s Digital Large Cap Fund (GDLC) , making it the country’s first multi-asset crypto exchange-traded product to gain SEC approval. This fund includes exposure to Bitcoin (BTC) , Ethereum (ETH) , XRP , Solana (SOL) , and Cardano (ADA) . According to experts, the approval wasn’t just about approving a new product—it came alongside new generic listing standards for crypto ETFs, intended to streamline the formerly arduous regulatory process. Grayscale CEO Peter Mintzberg revealed via social media that GDLC will now trade on NYSE Arca under the ticker “GDLC,” giving retail and institutional investors alike regulated brokerage access to a diversified crypto exposure without managing individual wallets. Meanwhile, the SEC’s new framework reduces the barriers for products tied to digital assets, replacing case-by-case reviews under Section 19(b) with clear...

NBA superstar Kevin Durant has finally regained access to an old Coinbase account , unlocking Bitcoin (BTC) he purchased nearly a decade ago. The story highlights both the challenges of early crypto adoption and the increasing role of major exchanges in safeguarding digital wealth. According to reports, Durant originally bought a small amount of Bitcoin in the early 2010s, when prices were far below today’s levels. Like many early adopters, he later lost access to his funds after forgetting account credentials and leaving the wallet dormant for years. Sources revealed that the recovery process was finalized after Coinbase’s customer support team helped verify Durant’s identity and restore the long-inactive account. The move comes as Coinbase continues to market itself as a trusted platform for celebrities, athletes, and everyday investors entering the crypto market . Meanwhile, analysts note that Durant’s case mirrors stories from countless early investors who misplac...

The U.S. financial markets have taken a major step into the digital asset space with the debut of the nation’s first multi-asset cryptocurrency ETF , a product designed to give investors broader exposure beyond a single token. The fund, which began trading this week, includes major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) , Ethereum (ETH) , XRP , Solana (SOL) , and Cardano (ADA). According to market filings, the crypto ETF seeks to address growing demand from investors who want diversified exposure to digital assets without directly managing wallets or private keys. Unlike single-asset products that track only Bitcoin ETFs or Ethereum ETFs , this new vehicle bundles several leading tokens, allowing traders to hedge risks and capitalize on multiple growth trends within the crypto market . Financial analysts note that the launch comes at a time when institutional investors are showing increasing appetite for digital assets, particularly following the approval of spot Bitc...

Morgan Stanley’s Chief Investment Officer, Mike Wilson, has upended conventional wisdom surrounding the classic 60/40 portfolio, advocating instead for a 60/20/20 mix. Gold now joins bonds as a direct allocation for investors seeking resilience in a time of inflation and market volatility. A new framework from Morgan Stanley Instead of relying solely on bonds to offset equity risk, Morgan Stanley recommends a 60/20/20 model that shifts 20% of the portfolio into gold, positioning it as a superior inflation hedge over Treasuries and suggesting shorter-duration bonds to optimize rolling returns. Wilson explained: “Gold is now the asset that demonstrates resilience, surpassing Treasuries. High-quality stocks and gold serve as the most effective hedges.” This marks a break from tradition, as gold outperformed bonds as the classic diversifier for equity portfolios over the last two decades. There has been a global uptick in gold purchases lately, with El Salvador, the BRICs (Brazil,...

90 days to Digital Fort Knox starts with Congress, which set a deadline for Treasury to outline a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a companion custody plan that would govern federal digital asset holdings. The reported FY2026 Financial Services and General Government bill, H.R. 5166, directs Treasury to deliver a practicability report on a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile within 90 days of enactment and to file, on the same schedule, a technical plan for custody and cybersecurity that includes treatment on the federal balance sheet, the role of the Forfeiture Fund, and a list of potential third-party custodians. A March executive action already described the reserve concept and a federal stockpile framework, as well as the appropriations language layers in timelines, reporting requirements, and operational detail. A forward view turns on float, flows, and the new ETF plumbing Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded products gained permission for in-kind creations an...

E uropean markets gained ground on Wednesday, rebounding from the previous session’s losses, as investors awaited the U.S. Federal Reserve’s upcoming monetary policy decision. London — The pan-European Stoxx 600 index inched up 0.1% to 551.38 points , recovering after touching a one-week low in Tuesday’s session. Germany’s DAX rose 0.4% to 23,421.80 , while the UK’s FTSE 100 added 0.1% to 9,203.27 . France’s CAC 40 also advanced 0.1% to 7,825.75 . Analysts said the modest gains reflect a cautious mood in markets, with traders positioning ahead of the Fed’s policy announcement, which could shape global risk appetite in the weeks ahead.

Baidu stock jumped nearly 16% in Hong Kong on Wednesday, supported by its growing focus on artificial intelligence businesses and an upgraded credit rating, while its U.S.-listed shares climbed 8% in the previous session. Hong Kong — The rally followed a recommendation upgrade from Aret Research Services , which shifted its view on Baidu from “sell” to “buy” , citing a positive outlook for revenue from the company’s AI chip segment and cloud computing services. Baidu has been aggressively expanding in AI semiconductors and computing infrastructure , areas that power its large language model and conversational AI platform, Ernie Bot . Analysts said the upgrade reflects renewed confidence in Baidu’s strategy to leverage artificial intelligence as a long-term growth driver, positioning the company as a key player in China’s tech sector despite rising global competition.

Bi tcoin (BTC) is holding firm around $115,000 , with traders closely watching key support levels as market signals point to potential shifts in the weeks ahead. According to analysts, maintaining the $115,100 threshold could set the stage for a rally toward $136,900 , while broader crypto indicators hint at an approaching altseason . Over the weekend, bitcoin’s price touched $116,800—its highest since late August—before retreating closer to the $115,000 level. Order book data showed heavy buy-side interest just above support, while sellers capped gains at $117,000. “BTC needs to hold $115,100; if it does, the next major target is $136,900,” trader Ak47 posted on X. Stablecoin flows fuel altseason speculation Beyond spot levels, the shrinking dominance of stablecoins is raising eyebrows among market watchers. Analysts note that if stablecoin market share falls toward 3%—down from the current 5%—capital could rotate into riskier assets, setting up a strong run for alt...

Hyperscale Data is making a high-stakes bet on both artificial intelligence (AI) and digital assets , announcing a $100 million bitcoin treasury program as it accelerates the build-out of its flagship AI data center in Michigan . The move underscores the company’s transition from a traditional data center operator into a pure-play player in AI and blockchain . The company disclosed the plan this week, noting that bitcoin (BTC) will become its primary reserve asset. The strategy follows the sale of its Montana data center holdings and fresh capital raised through its ongoing equity program . According to company filings, Hyperscale has already been mining bitcoin for years through its subsidiary Sentinum, Inc. , but this marks its most aggressive push yet into digital asset management . Meanwhile, construction in Michigan is ramping up. The site currently operates with 30 megawatts (MW) of power capacity, with plans to more than double that to 70 MW over the nex...

The global bond market remains unable to fully absorb the financial challenges facing the world’s largest economy, Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz told CNBC. New York — Stiglitz said a clear signal of market concern is visible in expected real interest rates over the next decade , which have climbed from 2% to about 2.5% . “It’s a real indicator that markets don’t believe things are being managed well,” he noted. The economist also warned that U.S. fiscal conditions are likely to deteriorate further , as companies find ways to bypass tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump. Once that happens, Stiglitz argued, tariff revenues — touted by Trump as a tool to fund the deficit — will fall short of expectations . Analysts say Stiglitz’s comments highlight growing unease over America’s debt trajectory and the potential strain on global markets from prolonged fiscal uncertainty.

E arning an MBA continues to offer strong career and salary prospects, with LinkedIn’s latest global rankings placing Stanford Graduate School of Business at No. 1 for the second year in a row. New York — According to U.S. News & World Report , the average starting salary and bonus for MBA graduates in 2024 reached $121,324 , underscoring the financial payoff of the degree. LinkedIn’s 2025 rankings, released Tuesday, relied on exclusive platform data to measure alumni outcomes across employment, promotion rates, alumni networks, leadership potential, and program diversity . The top five MBA programs worldwide are: Harvard Business School (U.S.) INSEAD (France/Singapore/UAE) Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (U.S.) Indian School of Business (India) Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University (U.S.) Analysts say the rankings highlight not only the enduring prestige of U.S. business schools but also the rising global influence of programs in...