Fed’s Barr: Easing liquidity regulations to reduce Fed balance sheet not advisable

Finance  Feds Barr: Easing liquidity regulations to reduce Fed balance sheet not advisable  Federal Reserve (Fed) Governor Michael Barr said that lowering liquidity rules to get the central banks balance sheet smaller is a bad idea and could undermine the safety of the financial ‌system, Reuters reported on Thursday.  Key quotes  Easing liquidity regulations to reduce Fed balance sheet not advisable.  Reducing liquidity requirements would just heighten stability risks.  Reduced balance sheet may boost funds to Fed liquidity facilities.  Reduced Fed balance sheet would probably boost Fed interventions.  Fed working to shift balance sheet duration to align with broader Treasury market.  Doubtful liquidity coverage ratio adjustment will significantly impact reserve demand.  Monetary policy toolkit has been effective for a long time.  Effective monetary policy execution revolves around rate management.  Generating reserves doesnt cost the Fed.  Liquidity requirement should increase, not decrease.  Returning to limited reserves would involve significant trade-offs.  Market reaction  At the time of writing, the US Dollar Index (DXY) is trading around 98.95, up 0.07% on the day.

05-15

Tether freeze unit tops $450M milestone

The Tether freeze coalition known as T3 FCU has surpassed $450 million in blocked illicit USDT since launching in 2024.T3 FCU, backed by Tether, TRON, and TRM Labs, intercepted 43.9% more illicit proceeds in 2025 than the year before, operating across 23 jurisdictions.The units cases span drug trafficking, exchange hacks, North Korea-linked funds, terrorist financing, and kidnappings and extortion.FATF designated T3 FCU an invaluable law enforcement resource as TRM Labs estimated total illicit crypto flows reached a record $158 billion globally in 2025.  The T3 Financial Crime Unit, a joint initiative backed by Tether, TRON, and blockchain analytics firm TRM Labs, has crossed $450 million in frozen assets linked to suspected criminal activity. The milestone was announced by Tether on Thursday, less than two years after the unit launched in 2024.  T3 FCU focuses on USDT activity on the TRON blockchain, where Tethers dominant stablecoin circulates at scale. The unit has executed asset freezes within 24 hours of requests from global authorities, including during active kidnapping and extortion emergencies.  T3 FCU reported intercepting 43.9% more illicit proceeds in 2025 than the previous year. It has worked with law enforcement across 23 jurisdictions, including the United States, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Bulgaria.  “This $450

05-15

Clarity Act clears Senate as Bitcoin hits $82K

The Clarity Act cleared the Senate Banking Committee 15 to 9 on Thursday, sending Bitcoin above $82,000 for the first time in weeks.The Senate Banking Committee advanced the Clarity Act in a bipartisan 15 to 9 vote, with two Democrats crossing the aisle to back the bill.Bitcoin climbed above $82,000 following the committee vote before pulling back to around $81,500, up roughly 2.5% on the day.Unresolved ethics provisions and a 60-vote Senate floor threshold remain as the bill moves toward a full Senate vote ahead of May 21 recess.  The Clarity Act advanced out of the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday in a 15 to 9 bipartisan vote, clearing a critical legislative gate for the most significant crypto market structure bill in US history. Bitcoin (BTC) climbed above $82,000 following the vote before retreating slightly to around $81,500, up approximately 2.5% on the day.  Two Democratic senators crossed the aisle to back the bill alongside all 13 Republicans on the committee. Chairman Tim Scott had described securing all 13 Republican votes as “the red zone,” with Senator John Kennedy having withheld support in the days leading up to the session.  Cody Carbone, who heads the Digital Chamber, told reporters the unresolved ethics provision

05-15

Clarity Act Moves Forward After 15-9 Committee Vote

Senate Banking Committee PASSES the Clarity Act in 15-9 vote.  Sen. Cynthia Lummis called the proposal “the hardest piece of legislation” of her career. She said the bill fits new digital assets into an older regulatory system. The text splits oversight between the SEC and the CFTC and sets rules for exchanges, brokers, and custodians.  The committee rejected several Democratic amendments during the markup session. Sen. Elizabeth Warren opposed the bill and called it “a bill written by the crypto industry.” She argued that the draft weakens securities law protections that date to 1929.  Warren also warned that the bill allows banks to increase crypto exposure. She linked that risk to practices before the 2008 financial crisis. Republicans voted down her amendments in 11-13 votes.  Ethics, Sanctions, and DeFi Debates Shape Vote  Democrats raised concerns about illicit finance and stablecoins during the hearing. Sen. Jack Reed said Iranian actors use stablecoins to buy drone components. He sought authority for regulators to block foreign illicit stablecoin flows, but the amendment failed.  Sen. Chris Van Hollen cited estimates that over $150 billion moved through illicit wallets last year. He proposed penalties for releasing DeFi protocols designed for money laundering. Republicans rejected his measure and said current criminal laws

05-15

Ethereum Battles and Maintains Its Range Above $2,200

Ethereum  Ethereum Battles and Maintains Its Range Above $2,200  .  Ethereum Price Long-Term Analysis: Ranging  The largest altcoin continues to trade within a range between the $2,200 support level and the $2,500 high. Currently, price movement is restricted by the 50-day SMA as support and the 21-day SMA as resistance.  On the downside, if Ether loses support at the 50-day SMA, it could fall to lows of $2,200 and $2,000. Alternatively, if buyers push the price above the 21-day SMA, Ether may rise to $2,400 and $2,500. Once buyers overcome the $2,500 barrier, the largest altcoin is expected to gain momentum, potentially reaching the next high of $3,000. Today, Ether is at $2,268.  Technical indicators:  Resistance Levels: $4,500 and $5,000Support levels: $3,000 and $2,500  Ethereum Indicator Analysis  The largest altcoin is currently trapped between the 50-day SMA support and the 21-day SMA resistance. This suggests that Ether will likely remain between the moving average lines for several days. Ethers price bars are below the horizontal moving average lines. The long candlestick wicks are being rejected at the moving average lines, indicating strong selling pressure at recent peaks.  What Is the Next Direction for Ethereum?  Ethereum has declined and found support above the $2,240 level for the third time since April 19.

05-15

XRP Hits Session Highs as CLARITY Act Advances to Full Senate

Broader sentiment around and the digital asset sector turned increasingly after the Senate Banking Committee voted 15-9 to advance the Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act of 2025, a major step toward establishing clearer regulation in the United States. The legislation would clarify oversight responsibilities between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), fueling optimism that a more structured regulatory framework could accelerate institutional adoption and strengthen confidence across digital asset markets. Ahead of the committee vote, publicly expressed support for the CLARITY Act, with CEO Brad Garlinghouse describing the legislation as a critical moment for the industry. s endorsement reinforced expectations that regulatory clarity could create a more favorable environment for companies and digital assets operating in the U.S.  Technical Indicators Highlight Overbought Conditions  Technical indicators on the 1-hour chart reflect strong momentum but also increasingly stretched short-term conditions. The ( ) has climbed to around 80.6, placing firmly in overbought territory following the rapid advance. The ( ) remains strongly , with the line near 0.01536 and the signal line around 0.00609 while the histogram remains positive near 0.00927, indicating accelerating upside momentum.  From a Moving Average (MA) standpoint, is trading comfortably above both the 50-period

05-15

XRP Futures Activity Just Broke Above Its 30-Day Average: Bullish Signal Or Warning?

Sebastians journey into the world of crypto began four years ago, driven by a fascination with the potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize financial systems. His initial exploration focused on understanding the intricacies of various crypto projects, particularly those focused on building innovative financial solutions. Through countless hours of research and learning, Sebastian developed a deep understanding of the underlying technologies, market dynamics, and potential applications of cryptocurrencies.  As his knowledge grew, Sebastian felt compelled to share his insights with others. He began actively contributing to online discussions on platforms like X and LinkedIn, focusing on fintech and crypto-related content. His goal was to expose valuable trends and insights to a wider audience, fostering a deeper understanding of the rapidly evolving crypto landscape. Sebastians contributions quickly gained recognition, and he became a trusted voice in the online crypto community.  To further enhance his expertise, Sebastian pursued a UC Berkeley Fintech: Frameworks, Applications, and Strategies certification. This rigorous program equipped him with valuable skills and knowledge regarding Financial Technology, bridging the gap between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi). The certification deepened his understanding of the broader financial landscape and its intersection with blockchain technology.  Sebastians passion for finance and writing is evident

05-15

Grove launches $1 billion liquidity network for tokenized Treasury funds

Groves Basin liquidity network can supply up to $1 billion in daily stablecoin liquidity to support redemptions for tokenized U.S. Treasury funds.Grove introduced a liquidity facility capable of providing up to $1 billion in daily stablecoin liquidity.The Basin network is designed to support instant redemptions for tokenized Treasury products including BlackRocks BUIDL fund.The launch highlights growing institutional demand for tokenized real-world assets and on-chain liquidity infrastructure.  Blockchain credit infrastructure company Grove has launched a liquidity network called Basin aimed at supporting instant redemptions for tokenized U.S. Treasury funds, marking another major step in the expansion of tokenized real-world assets. According to reports from ChainCatcher, the platform can initially provide up to $1 billion in stablecoin liquidity per day.  The liquidity facility is designed to support products including BlackRocks BUIDL tokenized Treasury fund and the Janus Henderson Anemoy Treasury Fund (JTRSY). Basin will allow investors to redeem tokenized Treasury assets more efficiently by providing stablecoin liquidity infrastructure that operates continuously on-chain.  The launch comes as tokenized Treasury products continue attracting institutional capital due to rising demand for blockchain-based yield-bearing assets tied to traditional financial instruments. BUIDL has emerged as one of the largest tokenized Treasury offerings since its launch, reflecting accelerating interest in bringing

05-15

CLARITY Act Faces Tight Odds Ahead of Key Senate Vote

Last-minute disputes over DeFi rules cast uncertainty over the CLARITY Act committee vote.Cynthia Lummis warned Congress cannot wait for another crypto collapse before regulating markets.More than 100 amendments and bipartisan tensions complicated the CLARITY Acts path forward.  Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are prepared to vote Thursday on the crypto-focused CLARITY Act, a proposal that could shape digital asset regulation in the United States. The Senate Banking Committee markup came as crypto firms, lobbyists, and industry groups closely monitored negotiations amid signs that bipartisan support had weakened.  Cynthia Lummis remained optimistic ahead of the hearing. Speaking on CNBCs Squawk Box, she said lawmakers had spent more than nine months working with Democrats on the bill. Lummis argued the legislation would establish clearer rules for digital assets in the U.S.  “Its the Wild West out there,” Lummis said. She added that the framework would help regulators target fraud while allowing legitimate crypto companies to continue operating in the country.  Bipartisan Negotiations Hit Final Roadblocks  However, disagreements emerged just hours before the committee session began. Journalist Eleanor Terrett reported that five pro-crypto Democrats met Thursday morning privately to discuss their voting strategy after negotiations stalled the previous night.  According to Terrett, ethical concerns were no longer the main issue.

05-15

Bitget Enters Mexico Market with UIF and SAT Registration to Grow in Latin America

Bitget, a renowned crypto exchange, is expanding its services into the Mexican market following the completion of crucial registrations. In this respect, Bitget has confirmed its successful registration with the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) and Tax Administration Service (SAT) of Mexico. These authorizations place Bitget among the early crypto entities to fulfill the local compliance needs in one of the fastest-growing digital asset hubs of Latin America. So, the development fortifies its strategy to expand presence across Latin and Central America, where there is a growing demand for regulated cryptocurrency services.  Bitget Obtains UIF and SAT Registrations in Mexico to Expand Compliant Crypto Services  Bitgets expansion into Mexico comes with the completion of the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) and Tax Administration Service (SAT) registrations. While Mexico is emerging as a noteworthy jurisdiction for the adoption of digital finance, Bitget attempts to effectively align with the regulatory expectations.  Particularly, the SAT regulates tax obligations for domestic and foreign entities working in the financial market of Mexico. Additionally, UIF is the financial intelligence agency of the country to monitor and prevent any money laundering activities and other illegal financial flows. Collectively, these authorizations permit Bitget to execute its services under the evolving anti-money laundering (AML)

05-15
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