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Court documents reveal further details of the Coinbase data breach. Ashita Mishra, an employee at Coinbase's outsourced customer service company in India, stole sensitive customer information, including social security numbers and bank account details, starting in September 2024.

🚨 LATEST: Saudi Awwal Bank inks agreement with Chainlink to accelerate onchain finance adoption in Saudi Arabia, leveraging CCIP and Chainlink Runtime Environment for next-generation onchain applications.

The U.S. Federal Reserve will take center stage this week as policymakers prepare to announce their latest interest rate decision on September 18, 2025, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. With global markets on edge, the outcome is poised to shape the trajectory of stocks, bonds, currencies, and even crypto for the months ahead. Economic Backdrop: Signs of Strain The Fed has kept its benchmark rate steady at 4.25%–4.50% since late 2024. But a string of weaker economic data has heightened pressure on the central bank to pivot: Labor market cooling: Unemployment climbed to 4.3% in August, its highest in more than two years. Nonfarm payrolls barely added 22,000 jobs, far below expectations, while wage growth slowed to 3.7% year-on-year. Inflation still sticky: Despite some moderation, consumer price inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target, with monthly readings reminding investors that price pressures haven’t fully abated. Resilient consumption: U.S. retail sales jumped 0.6% in August, showing consumers are still spending, even as higher borrowing costs weigh on households. This blend of weakening employment but stubborn inflation leaves the Fed in a delicate balancing act. Market Expectations: A Cut, but How Much? Financial markets are overwhelmingly betting on a rate cut. Futures tracked by CME’s FedWatch tool assign a 96% probability of a 25 basis-point cut, which would lower the target range to 4.00%–4.25%. A deeper 50 basis-point cut is seen as far less likely, but not impossible. A growing camp of economists argue that bold action may be needed to stabilize a labor market that appears to be losing momentum. Still, such a move could stoke fears that inflation might flare back up. Most analysts also expect at least one more cut later this year, depending on how inflation and employment evolve into the fall. What to Watch from the Fed When Chair Jerome Powell steps to the podium after the announcement, markets will parse every word. Key signals to watch include: The size of the cut – A 25-point move is priced in. Anything larger would be a shock. Forward guidance – Will the Fed suggest more cuts are coming, or frame this as a cautious adjustment? Inflation language – Phrases like “elevated” versus “moderating” could swing bond yields within minutes. Labor market tone – Acknowledging significant weakness could set the stage for further easing. Balance sheet policy – Any mention of slowing or halting quantitative tightening, especially on mortgage-backed securities, would affect housing and mortgage rates. Possible Outcomes and Market Impact While the decision itself matters, how the Fed frames its outlook could drive market reactions: The Base Case: A 25-basis point cut paired with cautious forward guidance is the most expected scenario. In this case, stocks may rise modestly, bond yields could ease, and the dollar might weaken slightly. Markets would see this as a careful but necessary adjustment. A Hawkish Twist: If the Fed cuts rates but stresses that inflation remains the primary concern, investors may be disappointed. Risk assets like equities could wobble, bond rallies may be muted, and financial conditions might remain tighter than markets would like. An Aggressive Surprise: A 50-basis point cut would signal urgency from the Fed. Risk assets could rally sharply, bonds would surge, and the dollar could weaken more noticeably. However, such a move could raise doubts about the Fed’s inflation-fighting credibility, sparking volatility in the months ahead. Why It Matters Beyond Wall Street For ordinary households, this decision carries real-world consequences. A rate cut would likely ease borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards. But savers could see lower returns on deposits. Globally, a softer dollar could lift emerging-market currencies and commodities. In crypto, Bitcoin and altcoins often thrive when liquidity expands though tying the Fed’s moves to specific price targets remains speculative. The Bigger Picture The Fed faces its toughest challenge in years: cut too aggressively, and it risks reigniting inflation. Move too slowly, and a cooling job market could tip the economy into recession. As of today, the consensus is clear a cut is coming. But the tone of Powell’s message may matter more than the cut itself. With investors, businesses, and governments watching worldwide, the September decision could set the tone for financial markets well into 2026. Expect a 25-point cut, brace for big market swings, and listen closely to Powell’s words. This isn’t just a rate decision it’s a turning point for the U.S. economy. $BTC $ETH

🗞️ Need to catch up on the news? Here's our top 10 from today: 🔸 UK to strengthen ties with US on cryptocurrencies and digital assets, with the deal expected to specifically include stablecoins and closer regulatory alignment, FT reports. 🔹 Tuttle Capital files for Bonk Income Blast ETF, Litecoin Income Blast ETF and SUI Income Blast ETF. 🔸 The U.S. House is pushing to add a CBDC ban to the market structure bill. 🔹 Bitwise filed for a Stablecoin & Tokenization ETF that will invest in stocks and crypto assets. 🔸 CleanCore bought another 100M $DOGE, pushing its Dogecoin treasury past 600M $DOGE. 🔹 Crypto-friendly Stephen Miran has sworn in as a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. 🔸 Google launched an open-source AI payments protocol supporting credit cards and stablecoins, built with Coinbase, the Ethereum Foundation and over 60 partners, per Fortune. 🔹 Santander’s online bank Openbank now offers crypto trading in Germany and will expand to Spain soon. 🔸 Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan sees an incoming “ETPalooza,” with SEC’s generic listing rules paving the way for rapid crypto ETP approvals. 🔹 Standard Chartered's SC Ventures plans to raise $250 million for a digital assets fund focused on fintech investments, targeting launch next year, per Bloomberg.

Here are some of the latest crypto updates as of today, September 17, 2025. Let me know if you want a deeper dive into any of these. Bitcoin (BTC) is trading around $116,900. Ethereum (ETH) is at about $4,539. 📰 Major News & Market Developments Ether price forecast by Citi Citi projects a year-end target for ETH of $4,300, citing increased interest in Ethereum-based applications like stablecoins and tokenization. But they warn that current prices may be driven more by market sentiment than fundamentals. U.S. sanctions tied to crypto transfers from Iran The U.S. has sanctioned people and entities involved in processing over $100 million of crypto tied to Iranian oil sales. This is part of ongoing efforts to monitor and control how cryptocurrencies are used in sanctions evasion. UK & U.S. cooperation on crypto regulation The UK is moving toward closer alignment with the U.S. on regulating digital assets—especially stablecoins—and exploring cross-border regulatory frameworks. India mandates cybersecurity audits for exchanges After several cyberattacks and frauds, the Indian government is now making cybersecurity audits mandatory for crypto exchanges, custodians, and intermediaries. The goal is to bolster security and investor trust. U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve proposal There’s a push (via a roundtable with crypto execs and lawmakers) for “Bitcoin Strategic Reserve” legislation that could allow the U.S. government to acquire up to 1 million BTC over five years, mainly using seized assets. Bitcoin price action & market sentiment BTC is holding above $115,000, but market participants are exhibiting cautious optimism. Technically, Bitcoin seems to be consolidating, possibly forming a symmetrical triangle pattern—could signal a breakout or breakdown depending on upcoming catalysts. New U.S. stablecoin from Tether Tether plans to launch “USAT”, a U.S.-based stablecoin to comply with newer U.S. regulation (the GENIUS Act). It will be issued by Anchorage Digital Bank, which is a nationally chartered trust bank. No yield is planned for USAT, and it’s aimed to be fully compliant. If you want, I can pull up price charts (BTC, ETH, your favorite tokens) or regulation news specific to Pakistan. Do you prefer that?