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First Majestic Silver (TSX, NYSE: AG) said total production rose 39% in the third quarter as the Canadian miner churned out the most silver in its history. Shares hit their highest intraday level in more than four years before retreating. Total production of 7.7 million attributable silver-equivalent oz. in the July-September period included a record 3.9 million oz. silver, 35,681 oz. gold, 13.9 million lb. zinc and 7.7 million lb. lead, Vancouver-based First Majestic said late Wednesday. This compares with 5.5 million silver-equivalent oz. in the same period a year ago. Driving the record quarterly silver output was attributable production of 1.4 million oz. at Los Gatos – one of the company’s four operating mines in Mexico. First Majestic acquired its 70% stake in the mine in January, and integration is almost complete, according to the company. Silver-equivalent production of 23.2 million oz. through nine months represents about 73% of the company’s full-year target. First Majestic is expected to produce between 30.6 million and 32.6 million oz. silver this year at an all-in sustaining cost of $20.02-$20.82 per ounce. ‘On track’ First Majestic “is on track to achieve 2025 guidance,” BMO Capital Markets mining analyst Kevin O’Halloran said Thursday in a note. He raised his target price on the stock to C$21. Shares of the company fell 0.6% to C$19.59 Thursday afternoon in Toronto, cutting the company’s market value to about C$9.8 billion ($7 billion). Earlier they hit C$20.55, their highest level since June 2021. The stock has more than doubled since the start of the year as silver rose. Silver has soared about 75% since the start of the year, topping gold’s 53% gain, amid mounting political and economic uncertainty – which lifts the metal’s appeal as a safe haven – and rising demand for use in green energy technology. Spot silver surged more than 4% Thursday to an all-time high of $51 an ounce. Other production highlights from First Majestic during the period included 1.47 million oz. silver and 13,945 oz. gold from San Dimas, 412,669 oz. silver and 20,979 oz. gold from Santa Elena and 575,193 oz. silver from La Encantada. First Majestic completed about 79,500 metres of drilling across its mines in the third quarter. It has 30 active drill rigs, including five at Los Gatos, 13 at San Dimas, eight at Santa Elena, two at La Encantada and another two at Jerritt Canyon, a Nevada gold mine that the company is looking at potentially restarting. Drilling at Jerritt Canyon began during the third quarter, with 12,522 metres completed on the property. The work, which focuses on greenfield exploration and resource addition, is ahead of plan, according to the company. First Majestic plans to release results from the 2025 drilling program by Dec. 31.

Crypto analyst PlanB has explained why the Bitcoin price may never drop below $100,000 again. This comes as market participants continue to speculate on whether the flagship crypto could fall below this psychological level if a full-blown bear market were to occur. Bitcoin Price Has Likely Turned $100,000 Into Support PlanB stated in an X post that he will not be surprised if the Bitcoin price does not drop below $100,000 again as the market witnesses the $100,000 resistance turn into $100,000 support. The analyst further noted that the September close was the fifth consecutive monthly close above that psychological price level. PlanB stated that the same thing happened when the Bitcoin price was trading at $10,000, $1,000, $100, and $10. The analyst’s remarks came as he noted that 63% of people think that Bitcoin will drop below $100,000. Notably, there were more calls for a drop below $100,000 towards the end of September when BTC dropped to as low as $108,000. Crypto influencer Ansem was among those who predicted that the flagship crypto would likely retest $90,000. However, the Bitcoin price has since staged a remarkable comeback from the $108,000 lows, rallying to a new all-time high (ATH) above $126,000 to start the month. As a result, BTC is already up 7% to start the month, with October notably the flagship crypto’s second-best performing month after November, based on historical data. It is worth noting that the Bitcoin price has traded above $100,000 since May 8 and has now been above this psychological level for over 150 days, its longest streak. Meanwhile, market participants are currently betting that it will likely stay this way. According to Polymarket data, there is only a 25% chance that BTC will drop below $100,000 by the end of this year. BTC Bull Market Still On Crypto analyst Titan of Crypto declared that the crypto market is still on and questioned why market participants were in a rush to call the top. The analyst noted that the Stoch Relative Strength Index (RSI) crossovers keep aligning with strength. He added that the chart will tell them when the bull run is over, but for now, that is not the case. In another analysis, Titan of Crypto revealed that the Bitcoin price continues to print higher highs and higher lows. Based on this, he raised the possibility that BTC could rally to as high as $160,000 by the end of the year. This aligns with predictions by JPMorgan and Standard Chartered, which predict that BTC can reach $165,000 and $200,000, respectively, by year-end. At the time of writing, the Bitcoin price is trading at around $122,000, up in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

In the formative decades of the United States Mint, every coin struck carried more than face value — it carried a story. The 1853-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar, particularly the “Arrows and Rays” variety, stands as one of the most fascinating artifacts of mid-19th century American coinage. It tells a story of economic adaptation, artistic refinement, and the evolving identity of a growing nation. A Glimpse Into the Mid-19th Century Mint By 1853, the U.S. Mint was confronting challenges brought about by shifting metal values and the growing demands of commerce. Silver coins, long a foundation of everyday trade, had begun to vanish from circulation as their melt value exceeded their face value. To preserve the use of silver in coinage, Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1853, which slightly reduced the silver content in half dollars and other denominations. The Mint needed a clear way to signal this change to the public. The solution came in the form of small arrows beside the date on the obverse and rays radiating from the eagle on the reverse. These simple yet striking design modifications distinguished the new, lighter-weight issues from previous ones. The result was one of the most visually distinctive and historically important half dollars in U.S. coinage history. The Role of the New Orleans Mint The “O” mintmark tells us this coin was struck at the New Orleans Mint, one of the few branch facilities producing U.S. coinage in the antebellum South. Every die was hand-prepared, meaning no two coins were exactly identical. Subtle differences in strike, alignment, and finish give each piece its own personality — a reminder of the artistry and human effort behind every issue. The obverse features Liberty seated on a rock, holding a shield symbolizing strength and readiness, and a staff topped with a Liberty cap representing freedom. On the reverse, an eagle spreads its wings, surrounded by sunburst-like rays and framed by arrows — a bold expression of movement and change. The “Arrows and Rays” Distinction The “Arrows and Rays” design was short-lived, produced only in 1853 before the Mint reverted to a simpler format. This makes the variety especially prized among collectors. The arrows and rays are not mere decoration — they represent a defining moment when the Mint openly marked a shift in the nation’s monetary standard. Each surviving example of the 1853-O Seated Liberty Half “Arrows and Rays” tells the story of a young economy balancing artistry, practicality, and progress. It reflects how the Mint adapted to economic pressures while preserving beauty and symbolism in coinage. Silver, History, and Survival Many 19th-century silver coins endured heavy use in circulation, and countless others were later melted for bullion. As a result, well-preserved examples of the 1853-O “Arrows and Rays” are scarce today. Those that remain offer collectors a glimpse into America’s financial past — a tangible artifact from an era when silver coins passed through the hands of merchants, pioneers, and citizens shaping the nation’s future. Holding one is like holding a chapter of U.S. history — a coin that survived changing laws, economic shifts, and the test of time. It is a physical reminder of when silver truly served as money, trusted and valued in every corner of the young republic. A Collector’s Treasure Owning a 1853-O Seated Liberty Half “Arrows and Rays” is more than a milestone in numismatics — it is an achievement. Collectors prize this coin for its one-year-only design, low mintage, and powerful symbolism. It represents the intersection of artistry and adaptation, where every design element served a purpose and every coin told a story of national growth. For many enthusiasts, the “Arrows and Rays” variety stands among the most iconic issues of the Seated Liberty series. It bridges two eras — the early Mint’s handcrafted tradition and the increasingly industrialized coinage of the later 19th century. Why Collectors Still Pursue the Arrows and Rays Series Collectors continue to pursue the 1853-O “Arrows and Rays” Half Dollar for its rarity, beauty, and historical resonance. It represents an era of transformation within the U.S. Mint, when even small design changes carried deep economic and cultural meaning. Each coin is a testament to craftsmanship, resilience, and the evolving relationship between money and trust in a growing nation. Final Thoughts In an age when currency is digital and intangible, coins like the 1853-O Seated Liberty Half “Arrows and Rays” remind us of something enduring — the weight of real silver, the marks of human hands, and the stories engraved in metal that have outlasted generations. As part of the broader legacy of U.S. Mint silver coinage, this piece stands as a timeless symbol of innovation, adaptation, and the artistry that defines America’s numismatic heritage. The post 1853-O Seated Liberty Half: The Rare “Arrows and Rays” Coin Every Collector Covets appeared first on Blanchard and Company.

In the formative decades of the United States Mint, every coin struck carried more than face value — it carried a story. The 1853-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar, particularly the “Arrows and Rays” variety, stands as one of the most fascinating artifacts of mid-19th century American coinage. It tells a story of economic adaptation, artistic refinement, and the evolving identity of a growing nation. A Glimpse Into the Mid-19th Century Mint By 1853, the U.S. Mint was confronting challenges brought about by shifting metal values and the growing demands of commerce. Silver coins, long a foundation of everyday trade, had begun to vanish from circulation as their melt value exceeded their face value. To preserve the use of silver in coinage, Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1853, which slightly reduced the silver content in half dollars and other denominations. The Mint needed a clear way to signal this change to the public. The solution came in the form of small arrows beside the date on the obverse and rays radiating from the eagle on the reverse. These simple yet striking design modifications distinguished the new, lighter-weight issues from previous ones. The result was one of the most visually distinctive and historically important half dollars in U.S. coinage history. The Role of the New Orleans Mint The “O” mintmark tells us this coin was struck at the New Orleans Mint, one of the few branch facilities producing U.S. coinage in the antebellum South. Every die was hand-prepared, meaning no two coins were exactly identical. Subtle differences in strike, alignment, and finish give each piece its own personality — a reminder of the artistry and human effort behind every issue. The obverse features Liberty seated on a rock, holding a shield symbolizing strength and readiness, and a staff topped with a Liberty cap representing freedom. On the reverse, an eagle spreads its wings, surrounded by sunburst-like rays and framed by arrows — a bold expression of movement and change. The “Arrows and Rays” Distinction The “Arrows and Rays” design was short-lived, produced only in 1853 before the Mint reverted to a simpler format. This makes the variety especially prized among collectors. The arrows and rays are not mere decoration — they represent a defining moment when the Mint openly marked a shift in the nation’s monetary standard. Each surviving example of the 1853-O Seated Liberty Half “Arrows and Rays” tells the story of a young economy balancing artistry, practicality, and progress. It reflects how the Mint adapted to economic pressures while preserving beauty and symbolism in coinage. Silver, History, and Survival Many 19th-century silver coins endured heavy use in circulation, and countless others were later melted for bullion. As a result, well-preserved examples of the 1853-O “Arrows and Rays” are scarce today. Those that remain offer collectors a glimpse into America’s financial past — a tangible artifact from an era when silver coins passed through the hands of merchants, pioneers, and citizens shaping the nation’s future. Holding one is like holding a chapter of U.S. history — a coin that survived changing laws, economic shifts, and the test of time. It is a physical reminder of when silver truly served as money, trusted and valued in every corner of the young republic. A Collector’s Treasure Owning a 1853-O Seated Liberty Half “Arrows and Rays” is more than a milestone in numismatics — it is an achievement. Collectors prize this coin for its one-year-only design, low mintage, and powerful symbolism. It represents the intersection of artistry and adaptation, where every design element served a purpose and every coin told a story of national growth. For many enthusiasts, the “Arrows and Rays” variety stands among the most iconic issues of the Seated Liberty series. It bridges two eras — the early Mint’s handcrafted tradition and the increasingly industrialized coinage of the later 19th century. Why Collectors Still Pursue the Arrows and Rays Series Collectors continue to pursue the 1853-O “Arrows and Rays” Half Dollar for its rarity, beauty, and historical resonance. It represents an era of transformation within the U.S. Mint, when even small design changes carried deep economic and cultural meaning. Each coin is a testament to craftsmanship, resilience, and the evolving relationship between money and trust in a growing nation. Final Thoughts In an age when currency is digital and intangible, coins like the 1853-O Seated Liberty Half “Arrows and Rays” remind us of something enduring — the weight of real silver, the marks of human hands, and the stories engraved in metal that have outlasted generations. As part of the broader legacy of U.S. Mint silver coinage, this piece stands as a timeless symbol of innovation, adaptation, and the artistry that defines America’s numismatic heritage. The post 1853-O Seated Liberty Half: The Rare “Arrows and Rays” Coin Every Collector Covets appeared first on Blanchard and Company.

Is the Bank of Japan Truly Independent? In Japan in the mean time… One key theme in 2025 has been a weaker USDJPY, driven by diverging monetary policy paths. While the Bank of Japan (BoJ) has been preparing to raise interest rates, other major central banks, most notably the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) are shifting toward rate cuts. USDJPY Daily Chart However, recent political developments in Japan are reshaping market expectations. The soon-to-be Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a proponent of Abenomics, has signaled a potentially more cautious stance on monetary tightening. According to a Newsquawk.com report: Advisor to Japan’s new LDP leader Takaichi, Honda, says the BoJ should be cautious about raising interest rates; unclear when the next rate hike would be but Takaichi is likely to be cautious. This development has reignited a long-standing question: Is the Bank of Japan truly independent from the ruling government? The Bank of Japan’s Legal Independence From a legal standpoint, the BoJ is independent but with conditions. The Bank of Japan Act of 1998 was designed to ensure that the central bank could conduct monetary policy independently, with its primary mandate being price stability. However, the law also requires that the BoJ maintain close contact with the government, ensuring that its policies remain “in harmony with the government’s basic economic policy.” In other words, independence exists on paper, but coordination is built into the framework. In Practice: Policy Coordination Over Independence While the BoJ is legally independent, its actions are often coordinated with government policies. Leadership Appointments: The BoJ’s Governor and Deputy Governors are appointed by the Cabinet and approved by Japan’s Parliament. This gives the government dome indirect say in the shaping of monetary policy decisions. Ministry of Finance Coordination: Historically, the BoJ has worked closely with the Ministry of Finance, especially during periods of deflation and economic stagnation. Abenomics Example: Under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the BoJ played a central role in Abenomics, a three-pronged policy of monetary easing, fiscal stimulus, and structural reforms. The BoJ launched aggressive quantitative easing, printing money to buy government bonds and other assets to push down yields and stimulate inflation toward a 2% target. This was a clear example of policy coordination that blurred the lines between central bank independence and government influence. The “Takaichi Trade”: Markets Bet on a Return to Abenomics Under Japan’s New Prime Minister Today’s Reality: Independence Under Pressure Formally, the Bank of Japan remains independent. But in practice, political and economic pressures often shape its policy direction. While the BoJ conducts its operations independently it does not do so with complete autonomy, especially when the government’s economic strategies depend on continued monetary support. Now, with Sanae Takaichi taking office, that dynamic may once again come into play. A New Era, Different Challenges While Takaichi supports Abenomics-style growth policies, Japan’s economic environment has changed: Deflation is no longer the central threat. Economic growth, though modest, is mildly positive. Inflation has finally shown signs of life. This means the Abenomics blueprint of aggressive monetary easing may no longer fit current conditions. Still, political pressure could mount on the BoJ to delay rate hikes and maintain easy financial conditions. Adding to that, fiscal stimulus may soon return to center stage.According to Newsquawk, LDP leader Takaichi will immediately issue an order to compile a stimulus package once chosen in parliament to become the next Prime Minister. This suggests a renewed focus on government spending, a move that could complicate the BoJ’s efforts to manage bond yields if JGB rates rise as a result. To sum up, the question of BoJ independence has never been purely theoretical, it’s a matter of how Japan balances monetary and fiscal coordination. As the Takaichi administration begins, the Bank of Japan may once again find itself navigating a fine line between maintaining credibility as an independent central bank and supporting government-led economic policy. As Takaichi said, BoJ is responsible for monetary policy but any decision must align with the government goal.(newsquawk.com) Asahi Shimbun in English The post Is the Bank of Japan Truly Independent? The Takaichi Era May Put That to the Test appeared first on Forex Trading Forum.

The uranium market has momentum on its side as it looks to end 2025 on a strong note, with several catalysts lined up to fuel a sector seen as critical for the future of energy, says Sprott. In a report released on Thursday, the firm listed three key developments that could lift uranium even further, namely the US government’s critical minerals policy, accelerating demand for the nuclear fuel, and concerns surrounding supply. In the first case, Sprott analysts led by Jacob White pointed to the Trump administration’s intent to stockpile more uranium to alleviate the persistent supply gap for US utilities and the country’s heavy reliance on foreign supply, in particular that of Russia. The plan, if enacted, could result billions of dollars in funding towards building a secure uranium supply and the required nuclear technologies, reinforcing a bullish outlook for the sector, Sprott said. Secondly, Sprott said it is increasingly confident in uranium’s long-term fundamentals, especially after the World Nuclear Association’s (WNA) September symposium. It pointed to a WNA report that outlined lofty demand expectations, from the current 175 million lb. of U3O8 equivalent annually to 391 million lb. by 2040, representing a 124% growth. Importantly, the WNA forecast was more than double its previous, highlighting a surge in optimism over nuclear fuel use, especially with a “new class” of demand from hyperscalers such as Microsoft. Lastly, Sprott’s bullish sentiment is reinforced by a structurally tight supply amid expectations of declining output from the world’s top producers such as Kazatomprom and Cameco, as well as execution risks across the development pipeline. Also, it stated that the WNA report had missed some of the key production cuts, meaning the uranium market could be even tighter than headline figures suggest. Bullish outlook intact Sprott said the above factors will be critical in driving the momentum in uranium as the current cycle progresses. In September, market sentiment turned sharply positive as fresh capital flowed in and supply tightened, leading to an 8% rise in uranium prices during the month and a rebound to $82/lb., it wrote. The rebound followed months of dislocation, which saw uranium prices reach a maximum spread of $17/lb. This, as Sprott said, was not “sustainable” for a market that is in a structural deficit position. Doubling down on its bullish outlook, the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust (TSX: U.U for USD; U.UN for CAD) has continued to buy up uranium and now holds over 72 million lb. — maintaining its position as the world’s largest physical uranium holder. Year to date, the Trust has gained about 8.7%, with a market capitalization exceeding $6 billion. Meanwhile, uranium equities have delivered impressive performances, with the Sprott Uranium Miners ETF rising by over 50% this year. Over the past five years, uranium and related equities have significantly outperformed other asset classes, according to Sprott.

Equities have enjoyed a remarkable run, with major indices pushing to fresh highs — from last Friday’s Dow peak above the 47,000 milestone to yesterday’s record closes in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. Since June–July 2025, following the end of the 12-day Israel–Iran conflict, markets have been ecstatic, printing new all-time highs almost every week. Yet, beneath the surface, some divergences are starting to show. The S&P 500 now stands 9.5% above its January 2025 high, the Nasdaq is up 12.5%, but the Dow Jones has gained only 3.6% — a notable gap that hints at sectoral imbalance. A weekly look at US Indices Weekly Chart Outlook for US Equities – October 9, 2025 – Source: TradingView This underperformance of consumer defensives and cyclicals, coupled with persistent USD strength, weighs on broader sentiment. Tariffs are hurting US manufacturing companies and dragging profit-margin expectations lower. Things don't look as bad when a sector outperformance drags sentiment higher and pulls indices upward. On the other hand, a lack of Market Breadth ends up dragging the stability of the overall sentiment lower – This is what is dragging indices lower in today's session. Market breadth helps to gauge the overall health, direction, and participation within a stock market or index. It achieve this by comparing the number of stocks that are advancing against those that are declining. US Equity heatmap – October 9, 2025 – Source: TradingView Read More: An unusual pattern emerges in NZD/USD after the 50 bps cutDow Jones Technical Outlook: Dow Tests Key Confluence Level. Is Another 500 + Point Slide Incoming?Europe on the brink of the heating season, yet gas remains cheapHow large are the sector divergences ? YTD performance per Sector (Left) ; Daily performance per Sector (Right) Top performing sectors this year: Basic Materials (dragged higher by commodities): +28.90%Communication Services: +24.18%Technology: +23.09% Worst performing sectors this year: Consumer Defensive: +1.52%Real Estate: +3.71%Consumer Cyclical: +4.41% At some point, Market participants may take caution from some key sectors to the economy underperforming, leading to an overall reduced activity and purchasing power. Now, a trader's role is to spot if this leads to a simple retracement that prompts dip buying, or if the current highs are established for a longer-run. For this, the best is to look at the current highs on all indices: If buyers can push for a weekly close above previous highs, it usually means that the trend is to continue. If they fail to do so, Markets will be looking to retest lower levels in value consolidation. Safe Trades! Follow Elior on Twitter/X for Additional Market News, interactions and Insights @EliorManier Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

The latest FOMC news signals a clear dovish tilt among U.S. Federal Reserve officials, with the newly released minutes showing that additional rate cuts are likely before the end of the year. Most participants judged that it would be “appropriate to ease policy further over the remainder of 2025,” marking a notable shift from the cautious tone that dominated much of the year. While the central bank remains officially committed to its 2% inflation target, the tone of the September meeting minutes suggests the Fed is becoming more concerned about slowing employment than lingering inflation. The first rate cut in September—by 25 basis points—was driven by signs of a softening labor market, with job gains slowing and the unemployment rate ticking higher. EXPLORE: 15+ Upcoming Coinbase Listings to Watch in 2025 FOMC News: Two More Rate Cuts Expected in 2025 According to the Fed’s median estimate, two additional 25-basis-point (bps) cuts are expected before year-end, likely at the October and December FOMC meetings. Market expectations largely align with that view. CME FedWatch data currently shows a 92.5% probability of a 25-bps cut at the October 29 meeting. (Source: FedWatch) The softer tone had an immediate impact on risk assets. Bitcoin rose following the release of the minutes, briefly pushing above $124,000 before settling around $123,500. The broader crypto market capitalization remains above $4.19 trillion. Crypto traders often view lower interest rates as bullish, as easier monetary policy tends to increase liquidity and risk appetite across both traditional and digital asset markets. The expectation of further easing has therefore strengthened sentiment in crypto, especially after months of mixed signals from the Fed. DISCOVER: Gold Price Hits $4K ATH, Leaves Nasdaq In The Dust — Is the Bull Cycle Toast? The Employment vs. Inflation Debate The FOMC’s dual mandate, maximizing employment and maintaining stable prices, has again become a balancing act. The minutes showed members were divided over whether to prioritize addressing downside risks to employment or continue pressing on inflation. Most participants agreed that the policy stance should move toward a more neutral level given the recent labor data. They noted that inflation risks had “either diminished or not increased,” although several members remained cautious, arguing that loosening too quickly could reignite price pressures. (Source: US Department Of Labor) Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid reiterated that inflation remains “too high” and said he would prefer a more measured pace of easing. In contrast, newly appointed Governor Stephen Miran, the only official who dissented in favor of a larger 50-bps cut in September, said he is “sanguine about the inflation outlook” and supports a more aggressive approach to easing. This split underscores a key uncertainty: whether the current rate level is still restrictive. Some members argued that the real policy stance may no longer be significantly tight, while others believe the economy could still benefit from further easing to offset labor market weakness. EXPLORE: 16+ New and Upcoming Binance Listings in 2025 Implications for Bitcoin and Crypto For crypto markets, the Fed’s turn toward easier policy reinforces a familiar narrative: that Bitcoin and other decentralized assets thrive when real yields fall and liquidity expands. Former hedge fund manager James Lavish noted that while the Fed is “still concerned about rising inflation,” its willingness to cut rates anyway highlights why “sound money like BTC matters more than ever.” Traders reacted quickly to the FOMC news, with Bitcoin jumping above $124,000 before stabilizing near $123,500. In previous cycles, easing phases have often coincided with renewed upside in risk-on assets, including crypto. However, traders remain cautious after September’s post-FOMC volatility, when Powell’s comments briefly triggered a sell-off despite the rate cut. Market Cap 24h 7d 30d 1y All Time With the next Fed meeting approaching and economic data releases delayed by the ongoing government shutdown, Powell’s upcoming speech will serve as the only major policy signal this week. Both Wall Street and crypto markets are bracing for potential volatility. DISCOVER: 16+ New and Upcoming Binance Listings in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways FOMC news confirms the Fed’s softer stance, with two more rate cuts expected in 2025. Easier policy from the Fed lifted Bitcoin above $124,000, reinforcing optimism across the broader crypto market. The post FOMC News: Members to Ease Policy More This Year – What it Means For Crypto? appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

The Dow Jones Index is on the back foot today continuing its bearish trend this week which started with Monday's retreat from the recent highs. The lack of US data due to the US government shutdown has left markets with few catalysts to look forward to. A host of Federal Reserve policymakers including Fed Chair Powell have also done little to inspire any volatility this week. Looking at the current Fear and Greed index, and it is hovering in neutral territory as well. Source: FinancialJuice Given the current malaise we are seeing in US stocks this week and with the lack of US data releases the technicals and chart patterns that develop tend to be more reliable. Let us take a look at what the Dow Jones chart and technicals are telling us. Technical Outlook - Dow Jones, S&P 500 From a technical standpoint, the Dow Jones Index on the four-hour chart below has been printing lower highs and lower lows since Friday October 3. The period-14 RSI has also crossed below the 50 neutral level hinting at a shift in momentum from bulls to bears. As things stand, price is at a key confluence level around the 46660 mark which was the swing low on October 2 and holds the 100-day MA. A break of this level could lead the Dow Jones index to decline some 500 points to test the 200-day MA which rests at 46143 with a move beyond that opening up a retest of the psychological 45000. If the Dow finds support at this confluence level, immediate resistance rests at 46900 before the swing highs at 47050 and 47160 come into focus. Dow Jones Four-Hour Chart, July 16, 2025 Source: TradingView (click to enlarge) If the Dow does drop, the move may not be a big one. History suggests the current bull market may still have room to run despite Wall Street's impressive performance over the last few years. Let us take a look. History Suggests Bull Market May Have More Upside Potential The current upward trend, or "bull market," in the U.S. stock market is nearly three years old, but historical patterns suggest it might only be halfway through its lifespan. This bull market officially began on October 12, 2022, when the S&P 500 index hit its lowest point after a period of interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. Since then, the index has been soaring, recently hitting a series of record highs, driven primarily by a massive surge in large technology stocks. The S&P 500 is up almost 90% since its 2022 low. However, this gain is still less than the historical average increase of over 170% for past bull markets, which have typically lasted about five years. Interestingly, the market's performance over the past year (its third year) has been very strong, with a gain of over 15%, marking the strongest third-year performance of any bull market since 1957. Source: LSEG Despite the overall strong performance, the market's gains have been very concentrated. While the standard S&P 500 is up nearly 90%, the equal-weight S&P 500 (which shows the performance of the average stock, not just the biggest ones) has only risen 49%. This difference shows that only the largest "megacap" stocks are truly driving the headline index higher. Some investors are now hopeful that when the Federal Reserve begins to cut interest rates, it will broaden the rally and allow smaller, average stocks to finally catch up. Now of course this is looking at the S&P 500 but one cannot ignore the knock on impact it has on Wall Street as a whole. The correlation between the S&P500, Nasdaq 100 and the DOw Jones index during the current bull run have been there for all to see. This leaves me thinking that even if there is a lag, the Dow will also benefit from further gains should this bull rally extend for another two years. Follow Zain on Twitter/X for Additional Market News and Insights @zvawda Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

The New Zealand Dollar has been under heavy pressure in recent weeks, weighed down by a string of disappointing economic data, including a sharp GDP contraction that surprised markets and pushed the RBNZ toward a more dovish stance. But markets often move in unexpected ways. Despite the policy decision being split between a 25 bps and 50 bps cut, and the RBNZ ultimately choosing the larger move, NZD/USD didn’t tumble as far as expected. In fact, buyers stepped in, bringing the pair back to nearly unchanged levels by the close of yesterday's session. NZD/USD Intraday 15m Chart – October 9, 2025 – Source: TradingView So, what explains this counterintuitive reaction? Markets are forward-looking — a larger cut today reduces the need for aggressive easing later, prompting traders to reassess what might have been peak dovishness. In other words, Participants assess that the RBNZ will have less to do from here. A look at the following Rate pricing for the RBNZ Pre-RBNZ Rate Cut pricing – October 7, 2025 – Source: LSEG A 25 bps cut would have led to a longer rate cut path: A 2% Neutral Rate would have been reached in April 2026, taking the New Zealand economy longer to recover. The red circles follow a 25 bps, slower rate cut path. Post-50 bps cut RBNZ Pricing – October 9, 2025 – Source: LSEG Read More: Europe on the brink of the heating season, yet gas remains cheapNasdaq 100: Short to medium-term bullish trends intact amid AI bubble fearsMarkets Today: Softbank Surges 11%, HSBC Falls 6.6%, US Dollar Continues to Advance. DAX Eyes Further Gains The new pricing shows that the cut cycle is priced to end in February 2026 – Hence, faster recovery for the New Zealand economy. Sellers now aim to test yesterday's lows to see if the yearly bottom has been found after failing yesterday. We’ll now look at NZD/USD key levels to see where is the current bottom and if a new one could then emerge. NZD/USD 2H Chart and levels NZD/USD 2H Chart, October 9, 2025 – Source: TradingView Amid a US Dollar rebound, sellers have found a place to sell the pair after re-testing the 4H 50-period Moving Average. Will the pair reach new lows, or has a bottom been found after the Jumbo rate cut? This marks key breakout points to follow for the pair: A break above the daily highs (0.58070) should confirm the intermediate bottom. A downside break would imply further weakness in the NZD is expected. Levels to keep on your NZD/USD charts: Support Levels: March highs Support and Channel lows 0.5730 to 0.5755Yesterday lows for Bulls to defend 0.57370.5650 March Lows Support0.56 Psychological LevelResistance Levels: Session highs and breakout level: 0.58070Current High timeframe Pivot 0.5850, topline and MA 2000.59 Main Resistance Zone (+/- 150 pips) Safe Trades! Follow Elior on Twitter/X for Additional Market News, interactions and Insights @EliorManier Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

While Bitcoin and Ethereum are trying to cope with the mild pressure they faced earlier this week, institutional and corporate accumulation of Ethereum has reached a major milestone: companies and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) now collectively hold more than 10% of the total supply. According to StrategicETHReserve, total institutional holdings have grown to 12.48 million ETH, accounting for 10.31% of Ethereum's circulating supply. Specifically, corporate entities accumulating Ethereum collectively hold around 5.66 million ETH, or 4.68% of total supply. Meanwhile, spot Ethereum ETFs now own roughly 6.81 million ETH, representing 5.63% of the total. This trend not only underscores Ethereum's long-term potential but also significantly impacts its market dynamics and stability. The increasing share of Ethereum in the portfolios of major financial players is a key indicator of the maturing cryptocurrency market. It shows that institutional investors view Ethereum not merely as a speculative asset, but as a promising technological platform with a broad range of applications — from decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to metaverse projects. The influence of institutional investors on Ethereum extends far beyond simple price appreciation. Their participation helps enhance liquidity, reduce volatility, and, importantly, attract greater regulatory attention to the cryptocurrency market. Standardization and clear regulation could foster further development and wider adoption of Ethereum as an integral component of the global financial system. A sharp increase in ETF inflows in recent months has coincided with ETH being added to the balance sheets of public companies such as BitMine and SharpLink — a trend often compared to Bitcoin accumulation by Strategy. According to SoSoValue, in October, US spot Ethereum ETFs recorded a net monthly inflow of $621.4 million, compared to $285.7 million in September and $3.9 billion in August. Trading recommendations Bitcoin Buyers are currently aiming to reclaim the $122,400 level, which opens a direct path toward $124,400, and from there to $126,450. The ultimate target lies around $129,100 — breaking above it would confirm the continuation of the bullish market. In case of a decline, buyers are expected around $120,600. A drop below this area could quickly push BTC down toward $119,000, with the final downside target near $117,100. Ethereum A confident consolidation above $4,403 opens the way directly to $4,502. The ultimate bullish target lies around $4,582 — breaking above it would signal a strengthening bull market and growing buyer interest. If Ethereum falls, buyers are expected near $4,318. A move back below this area could quickly drag ETH down to $4,244, with the final downside target around $4,155. What's on the chart The red lines represent support and resistance levels, where price is expected to either pause or react sharply. The green line shows the 50-day moving average. The blue line is the 100-day moving average. The lime line is the 200-day moving average. Price testing or crossing any of these moving averages often either halts movement or injects fresh momentum into the market. The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com

Binance Japan has teamed up with PayPay to make it easier for people in the country to use crypto for everyday cashless payments. The partnership was announced on 9 October 2025 and aims to build new services that connect digital assets with PayPay’s payment network, offering users a smoother payment experience. “By integrating cashless payments and cryptocurrency, we will deliver a seamless financial experience to everyone in Japan.” For those who don’t know, PayPay is a joint venture between SoftBank Group and Yahoo Japan. It offers QR code and barcode-based payment services through a smartphone app, allowing users to link their bank accounts or credit cards and make cashless payments. (Binance Japan) According to former Binance CEO, Changpeng Zhao, as a part of this deal, PayPay and SoftBank have taken a 40% stake in Binance Japan. A Japanese startup has announced plans to launch the country’s first yen-backed stablecoin later this year, signalling a willingness from the authorities to embrace the crypto boom. EXPLORE: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in 2025 Key Takeaways Binance Japan now lets users buy crypto directly using PayPay Money PayPay and SoftBank acquired a 40% stake in Binance Japan to deepen collaboration Japan leads Asia in crypto adoption, with a 120% jump in On-chain activities​ The post Binance Japan Banks On PayPay’s Network Effect For Smoother Crypto Payments appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Bill Zanker, a longtime ally of US President Donald Trump, is leading an effort to raise at least $200 million to prop up the Official Trump meme coin, reports have disclosed. The bid is being run through a vehicle called Fight Fight Fight LLC, and backers say the fundraising could climb as high as $1 billion, though the deal is not guaranteed to close. Rescue Plan Targets Market Pressure According to Bloomberg and people familiar with the effort, the token has lost most of its value since launch, sliding from $75 in January to around $8 today — a drop of more than 90%. Zanker’s pitch is to build a digital-asset treasury that would buy and support the token to steady trading and rebuild investor interest. Trump has shown visible support for the initiative; in May 2025 he met privately with leading holders after a social campaign that let top contributors win a place at a dinner. Organizers kept a live leaderboard tied to the token, but the event had little effect on price. Token Control And Supply Issues According to Messari data, only 20% of the total supply is currently unlocked, leaving a circulating market value at roughly $1.5 billion. The remaining 80% of tokens were locked at launch and are due to be released over time. That high concentration of locked supply, much of it held by entities tied to the US President, is a persistent worry for traders because future releases could swell supply and pressure prices. Rival Token Gains Strength While the Trump token flounders, World Liberty Financial’s WLFI has pulled in major backing. Reports show ALT5 Sigma holds about $1.3 billion of WLFI. CoinGlass data indicates roughly $82 million left the WLFI perpetual market during a recent squeeze, trimming total value locked to $630 million. Community sentiment tracking slid from 79% to around 75%, and more than 4% of investors shifted from bullish to bearish on certain platforms, according to market trackers. Whales And Exchanges Active Meanwhile, Arkham Intelligence flagged that large crypto players have been accumulating WLFI in recent days, with centralized platforms like Robinhood, Bitget, Bitpanda, and Indodax investing over $30 million collectively. At the same time, exchanges including Binance, MEXC, and Coinbase pared small slices of their WLFI holdings, each selling under 1% of their reserves. Featured image from Getty Images, chart from TradingView

The US dollar refuses to yield the ground it gained earlier, ignoring the government shutdown and growing expectations of a Fed rate cut. Today, the USDX dollar index reached another 10-week high near 99.06, marking its fourth consecutive day of strengthening. Meanwhile, the cryptocurrency market continues its correction. While Bitcoin's price today remains nearly unchanged from yesterday's close, Ethereum (ETH) has lost about 2.8%, trading around $4,378.00 against the dollar at the time of publication. The record high of $4,955.00 was set on August 24 of this year, just ten days after Bitcoin (BTC) reached its own all-time high near $124,000.00. Ethereum differs from Bitcoin in investor perception While Bitcoin is often viewed as a kind of digital gold — a defensive asset during times of economic uncertainty — Ethereum is typically seen as a technological platform powering a wide array of decentralized applications and smart contracts. Therefore, amid general macroeconomic instability driven by US inflation and debt concerns, Ethereum appears less attractive to many professional market players. Although technical progress tied to network upgrades is undoubtedly important, the overall investment climate plays a major role in shaping Ethereum's short-term price fluctuations. As a result, and as we can observe, while Bitcoin's recent correction seems to have nearly ended, Ethereum has yet to reach a new high. Crypto market experts are analyzing the reasons behind this and highlighting key factors that could fuel further growth in the leading altcoin's price. Key factor #1: staking in Exchange-Traded Funds One of the most significant catalysts for Ethereum's price growth is the potential introduction of staking mechanisms into a US exchange-traded fund (ETF) managed by investment giant Grayscale. This would allow shareholders to earn additional income while maintaining their positions. Previously, such a mechanism was unavailable, as US regulators viewed staking as a potential source of illicit income. Now, this shift opens up new earning opportunities for Ethereum investors. Such a measure could increase Ethereum's appeal to institutional investors, boosting overall demand and helping sustain high price levels. Key factor #2: the Fusaka upgrade The second key driver cited by crypto analysts is the upcoming Fusaka blockchain upgrade, scheduled for the end of this year. The update includes a range of improvements to the network's performance — notably higher throughput and lower transaction costs. This upgrade is expected to make Ethereum more user-friendly by reducing network congestion and improving speed and reliability. Alongside new mechanisms such as the increased share of coins locked in staking — effectively reducing circulating supply — the update could create a shortage of Ethereum on the market, further supporting the bullish trend. Competition and outlook Despite competition from projects like Solana (SOL), Ethereum continues to lead its segment. However, rival platforms are gradually capturing some investor attention and resources, slightly slowing Ethereum's growth pace compared to previous market cycles. Nonetheless, crypto analysts are confident that Ethereum's price could rise significantly in the near future. Among the potential targets for the ETH/USD pair are levels of $5,500 and even $8,600 in the medium term. Bottom line In summary, while infrastructure development and positive momentum around Ethereum set the stage for another rally, substantial progress is likely only if overall market conditions remain supportive and investor adoption continues to grow. Still, given the planned upgrades and the current market sentiment, experts believe Ethereum stands a strong chance of setting new historical highs soon. The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com

Anglo American’s (LON: AAL) chief executive officer Duncan Wanblad said Botswana’s government will join negotiations with one or two shortlisted bidders for De Beers, as the mining giant moves to sell its 85% stake in the diamond producer. “This isn’t going to be the classical first round, second round sale process that you would ordinarily receive for businesses of this type,” Wanblad told the Financial Times at the the publication’s annual Mining Summit. Anglo will hold direct talks with selected bidders alongside Botswana, which owns 15% of De Beers through its Debswana joint venture. Wanblad said he expects the sale process to conclude within six months but did not rule out spinning off De Beers if negotiations fail. The government’s participation marks a shift in tone after President, Duma Boko, criticized Anglo’s handling of De Beers and said his administration could run it more effectively. De Beers swung to a $189 million loss in the first half of 2025 from a $300 million profit a year earlier amid weak diamond prices, adding pressure for a deal. Anglo values De Beers at about $5 billion, though analysts at UBS estimate the sale could generate between $3 billion and $4 billion, including deferred payments, given challenging market conditions. Pan-African consortium Angola’s state-owned Endiama has reportedly bid for a minority stake, proposing a pan-African consortium of diamond-producing nations to co-own De Beers. The two companies have partnered since 2022, when they signed and later expanded exploration and processing agreements. Their collaboration led to Angola’s first major kimberlite discovery in more than 30 years this August. De Beers has also drawn interest from at least six consortia, including billionaire Anil Agarwal, Indian firms KGK Group and Kapu Gems, and Qatari funds. Wanblad said Anglo was under no obligation to accept any offer but welcomed growing regional interest. “It’s really positive news that the government of Angola has expressed an interest in taking some ownership,” he said. “We’re taking all of this into the mix and working through what’s best for the business, for Anglo, and for Botswana.” Feriel Zerouki exit In a separate development, De Beers executive Feriel Zerouki announced she will step down as chief trade and industry officer and leave the executive committee at the end of October. Zerouki, who joined De Beers in 2005, played a leading role in advancing ethical sourcing and transparency across the diamond supply chain.

Until recently, most developers viewed the Ethereum mainnet as this unscalable yet irresistibly attractive layer on which it was impossible to launch a functional perpetual DEX. Ethereum has everything. It is the second most valuable network after Bitcoin and the first smart contracts platform. After dYdX, there has been no other major perpetual DEX on Ethereum until Lighter took over from Q3 2025. Lighter is moving numbers; big numbers taking on top centralized exchanges, and soon Binance. As of October 9, Lighter generated over $8.5Bn in trading volume in 24 hours. On this platform, traders are placing leveraged positions. Cumulatively, there is over $2.2Bn in open interest placed on 91 different pairs, some enabling the trading of some of the best cryptos to buy. (Source: Coingecko) As expected, over 50% of all trading volume is associated with Bitcoin, while 20% is from the ETH USDC pair. Although BNB crypto is the third most valuable crypto when writing, traders are placing more HYPE and SOL trades than BNB. Market Cap 24h 7d 30d 1y All Time DISCOVER: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in 2025 What Makes Lighter DEX Super Attractive If you are just any other retail trader, the first thing you will want to know is the fee paid when looking to clip gains, even from the top Solana meme coins. On Binance, placing a market order means paying a total fee of 0.08%: 0.04% to open and another 0.04% to close. This charge is outrageously high. The success of Lighter, the observer added, is “bullish for Ethereum appchains.” DISCOVER: 10+ Next Crypto to 100X In 2025 Lighter TVL Up 2000X In 6 Months: Missing Link In Ethereum? Ethereum is the source of all DeFi primitives The first smart contracts platform missed a high-volume perpetual DEX Lighter TVL up 2000X from late March 2025 Is Lighter the missing link in Ethereum? The post Lighter TVL Up 2000X In 6 Months: Is This Perp DEX The Missing Link In Ethereum? appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Arthur Hayes argues that Bitcoin’s widely cited four-year halving cycle has broken down and that macro liquidity—not protocol mechanics—will dictate the next leg of the market. In a new essay titled “Long Live the King!” published on October 9, 2025, the BitMEX co-founder contends that policy choices in Washington and Beijing are setting up a structurally easier money regime that should keep pushing BTC higher, even as many traders look for a textbook cycle peak. “The four-year anniversary of this fourth cycle is upon us,” he writes, but those applying the old pattern “miss why it will fail this time.” The 4-Year Bitcoin Cycle Is Dead Hayes’ framework is explicit: the price of money and its quantity are the dominant variables for risk assets, and Bitcoin’s USD value rises and falls with dollar liquidity. “Bitcoin in the current state of human civilization is the best form of money ever created,” he says, yet its dollar price “will ebb and flow ‌because of the price and supply of dollars.” He extends the lens to China, arguing that the yuan credit impulse has historically amplified or dampened crypto cycles alongside US conditions. To make the case that halving-anchored timing is obsolete, Hayes revisits four eras and links each to turning points in dollar and yuan liquidity. The “Genesis Cycle” (2009–2013) rode post-GFC quantitative easing and a surge in Chinese credit until both decelerated into 2013, “popp[ing] the Bitcoin bubble.” The “ICO Cycle” (2013–2017) was powered less by dollars than by “a fuck ton of yuan sloshing around the global money markets,” as the China credit impulse spiked in 2015 amid a yuan devaluation, before tightening and higher U.S. rates ended the run. The “COVID Hoax” period (2017–2021)—Hayes’ label for the pandemic-era policy response—saw “helicopter money” under President Donald Trump and a rapid doubling of dollar supply with rates pinned at zero, propelling all risk assets, including crypto, until inflation forced tightening in late 2021. In the current “New World Order” phase (2021–?), Hayes argues that liquidity plumbing, not halvings, explains Bitcoin’s resilience. He highlights the US Treasury’s issuance tilt toward short-dated bills, which drained the Fed’s reverse repo facility and “unleashed ~$2.5 trillion of liquidity into the markets,” and he characterizes this as a political choice to “run the economy hot.” He links the macro pivot directly to today’s setup: “The Fed resumed cutting interest rates in September even though inflation is above its own target,” while the administration seeks to “lower the cost of housing” and loosen bank regulation to spur lending to “critical industries.” In Hayes’ reading, the policy signals are unambiguous: “money shall be cheaper and more plentiful.” China, in his view, won’t reprise the extreme credit surges of 2009 or 2015, but it also won’t be a headwind. While Beijing grappled with deflationary pressure and a property-sector reckoning, Hayes expects pragmatism to prevail: “When the economic pressure proves too intense… Chinese policymakers print money.” The upshot, he says, is that China may not drive global fiat creation, “but it won’t hinder it either.” The unifying thesis is that cycles have always been monetary cycles wearing different masks. Bitcoin’s earlier peaks coincided with decelerating dollar and yuan liquidity; its latest advance reflects a new alignment of political priorities with easier money, regardless of the halving calendar. Hayes puts it bluntly: “Listen to our monetary masters in Washington and Beijing. They clearly state that money shall be cheaper and more plentiful. Therefore, Bitcoin continues to rise in anticipation of this highly probable future.” His closing line distills the claim to a coronation metaphor: “The king is dead, long live the king!” At press time, BTC traded at $122,147.

European gas prices stay near 30–32 euro per MWh despite the upcoming heating season.High storage levels and strong LNG inflows from the U.S. keep the market stable.China’s weaker LNG demand reduces global price pressure.Risks ahead include Norwegian production outages and possible winter cold pushing prices toward 40 euro per MWh. Despite the approaching heating season, natural gas prices in Europe remain near a yearly low — around 30–32 euros per megawatt-hour (MWh). The persistence of such low levels results primarily from high storage inventories and strong inflows of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States. In addition, lower demand for LNG in China — offset by an increase in pipeline gas deliveries from Russia — has reduced competition and thus eased price pressure on the European market. Chart of the European TTF natural gas futures contract, daily data, source: Bloomberg High storage levels and steady prices Since the end of June, the benchmark TTF price has remained around 30–32 euros per MWh, even as the heating season approaches. In the spring, the situation was much more “tense.” After a cold winter, European gas storage facilities were filled to only 33 percent, it means 25 percentage points lower than the year before. However, thanks to increased LNG imports in the second quarter, storage levels rose to about 80–82 percent, significantly reducing the risk of shortage. U.S. LNG exports play a key role The United States has played a key role in stabilizing the market. After the launch of new export terminals, American LNG exports increased by nearly 20 percent in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year. For the full year, growth is expected to reach as much as 25 percent. Rising supply from the U.S. is helping the European Union gradually move away from Russian gas, whose imports are now planned to end completely by 2027 — one year earlier than previously projected. China’s weaker LNG demand eases global pressure At the same time, Chinese LNG imports fell by 17 percent in the first eight months of the year, and in September they may decline by another 20 percent year-on-year. This results from weaker domestic demand and increased pipeline gas supplies, mainly from Russia, which is redirecting part of its exports from Europe to Asia. Risks ahead: Norway and the weather factor Despite the current stability, it is likely that European gas prices will start rising again in the coming months. Although storage levels are high, they remain slightly below the multi-year average, and another risk factor is the ongoing production outages in Norway, particularly at the Troll field. Outlook: prices may climb by year-end If temperatures in Europe start to drop rapidly and industrial gas demand continues to recover, the market balance could shift. In such a scenario, TTF contract prices could rise — possibly reaching 40 euros per MWh by the end of the year. Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

About 6.4 million tonnes of copper production capacity, equal to more than 25% of global mine output, is stalled or suspended due to environmental, social, and governance (ESG), a new study shows. These bottlenecks, unlike geological or technical barriers, stem from conflicts that could be resolved through stronger governance, deeper community engagement, and more sustainable practices, according to analysts at GEM Mining Consulting. The findings come as demand for copper continues to surge, driven by electrification, renewable energy growth, and the digital economy. Countries including Chile, Peru and the United States hold some of the largest reserves now off the market. Unlocking even a fraction of these projects could ease looming supply shortages during the energy transition, Patricio Faúndez, head of economics at GEM, says. Source: GEM Mining Consulting.(Own elaboration based on various public sources). Peru accounts for the largest share of unproduced copper, roughly 31% or 1.8 million tonnes annually, followed by the US with 0.8 million tonnes, Chile with 0.7 million tonnes, and Argentina and Papua New Guinea (PNG) with about 0.6 million tonnes each. Peru’s halted output nearly matches its current annual production. If released, the country could reclaim its position as the world’s second-largest copper producer, surpassing the Democratic Republic of Congo with more than 4 million tonnes per year, the study notes. Source: GEM Mining Consulting.(Own elaboration based on various public sources). In the US, restarting suspended projects could narrow the gap between domestic production and rising consumption, strengthening supply security and reducing import dependence. In Chile, the stalled copper could finally break a decades-long production ceiling of around 5.5 million tonnes per year, pushing output beyond 6 million tonnes and reinforcing the country’s leadership in global supply. Three telling cases Among the 33 projects paralyzed by ESG factors, three stand out: La Granja in Peru, Resolution Copper in the US, and El Pachón in Argentina. La Granja, owned by Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and First Quantum Minerals (TSX: FM), has faced community opposition over alleged contamination and land use since 2006. Despite regulatory approvals, the project — ranked as the world’s fifth-largest copper deposit — remains blocked by public distrust. In Arizona, Rio Tinto’s Resolution Copper project has been stalled for more than two decades due to Indigenous and environmental opposition over the sacred Oak Flat site, located in federally owned land. Resolution Copper has faced Indigenous and environmental opposition over the sacred Oak Flat site. (Image by Wendy Kenin |Flickr Commons.) El Pachón in Argentina, held by Glencore (LON: GLEN), has been delayed by glacier-protection rules and permitting hurdles, though new incentives under President Javier Milei’s RIGI regime may revive development. GEM’s report does not mention an iconic copper mine that has remained idled since November 2023: First Quantum’s Cobre Panamá. Before Panama’s Supreme Court declared the mine’s operating contract illegal and forced it to shut down, ranked among the world’s largest copper producers, yielding 350,000 tonnes in 2022, its final full year of operations. The mine contributed about 5% of Panama’s GDP, and First Quantum estimates the suspension has cost the country up to $1.7 billion in lost economic activity. Perfect storm Panguna in Papua New Guinea stands as a stark reminder of how ESG concerns, such as water use, biodiversity loss, Indigenous rights, consultation failures and local protests can collide. Once one of the world’s largest copper-gold mines, the mine operated by Rio Tinto’s unit by Bougainville Copper, closed in 1989 after a violent civil conflict over environmental destruction and inequitable profit sharing. More than three decades later, redevelopment remains uncertain. While some projects may eventually progress, Faúndez warns that many remain frozen for years, out of sync with surging demand. Rebuilding trust, enforcing higher environmental standards, and stabilizing governance, he said, will be crucial to unlocking the copper needed for the global energy transition.

It is natural for traders to fade the trend. Seeking value, one expects that elevated prices after a steep uptrend mean overpriced and low prices after a big correction always mean underpriced. Looking for value is something natural for the Homo Economicus. When we go to the store, we are looking for discounts. But with Markets, discounts don't always translate well with good trades. The steep uptrend in EURUSD from January to the 1st of July brought the pair from 1.01 (close to parity) to 1.18 in a spectacular move. Those who bet on a reversal then initially got proven right, with the pair falling 4,000 pips during the same month. But, those who were expecting a full downtrend to form got met with a huge rebound. From end-July to the September FOMC meeting, the pair actually consolidated and went to break new yearly highs – Currently at 1.19188. Such a strong uptrend usually leaves banks and algorithms looking for spots to re-enter the trend. These strong flows lead to consolidation and continuation of the trend. Now turning to today – A bearish divergence double-top made at the new yearly highs is following with what resembles a longer-run correction. The lesson ? Strong trends often don't reverse in one shot – Double tops tend to be more accurate signals and the same works on all timeframes. Let's explore a multi-timeframe EUR/USD analysis to look into the details. Read More: Weakness showdown: NZD vs JPY in the FX marketsNorth American mid-week Market update – US-Canada deal approachingWho said that the USD and Gold can't rally together? Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

So, gold just became the main character again. The world is a hot mess right now. There’s a new war starting every other day, the central banks are tweaking rates like it’s nothing, and the boomers are hoarding gold like it’s 2008. Add to this some inflation and a weak dollar, and boom, the gold price is now $4,000. Basically, the world is now Golum and gold is its precious. (Source: Tradingview) What we are seeing here is a domino effect taking hold. The first domino fell with the Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Gaza wars that drove investors towards gold as a hedge against instability. A cooling job market and inflation in the US had people expecting rate cuts from the Federal Reserve (FED), which made yield-bearing assets like bonds less attractive and boosted the demand for non-yielding assets like gold. Gold has been the mainstay of the traditional finance system for years. It is usually more stable than Bitcoin, which can swing more in the short term. But in 2025, both assets are climbing together. Gold is up 50% this year, and Bitcoin 33%. This highlights the case for Bitcoin as the Digital gold and also underscores that both assets are reacting similarly to economic forces. EXPLORE: Best New Cryptocurrencies to Invest in 2025 Tokenised Gold Pops Off Amid Dollar Debasement Fears With the dollar steadily losing credibility, there’s a new movement unfolding on the blockchain: the rise of tokenised gold. In the past couple of months, investors have been steadily investing in blockchain-based representations of physical gold, such as Tether Gold (XAUT) and Paxos Gold (PAXG). This is a cool way to hedge against volatility while staying within the digital ecosystem. (Source: CoinGecko) According to RWA.xyz’s data, the number of crypto wallets holding tokenised gold has shot up by 53%. $3 billion worth of these tokens are currently in circulation. (Source: RWA.xyz) Tether Gold, the biggest player in this segment, has grown its supply by 52%. Paxos Gold isn’t too far behind with a 50% increase. (Source: DefiLlama) These tokens are backed 1:1 by real bullion and offer the stability of gold with the flexibility of crypto. Because they live on the blockchain, people can use them in lending platforms or put them up as collateral on DeFi without needing to move off-chain. This also points to the broader shift and appetite for RWA tokenisation, where traditional stores of value are being reimagined and moved on-chain for 24/7 markets. EXPLORE: 9+ Best Memecoin to Buy in 2025 Key Takeaways Global instability, rate cuts, and a weak dollar triggered gold’s explosive $4,000 breakout Bitcoin may follow gold’s lead, with analysts predicting stronger performance in Q4 Tokenised gold is booming as investors seek stable, blockchain-based hedges against fiat debasement The post Gold Price Hits $4K ATH, Leaves Nasdaq In The Dust — Is the Bull Cycle Toast? appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

According to reports, Dogecoin faced a pullback this week even as signs of buying interest appeared on charts and in corporate coffers. DOGE traded at $0.251 at the time of reporting, down 4.8% over the past 24 hours but up 2.5% for the last seven days. The coin opened the week near $0.27 and slipped under $0.25 as sellers pressured the market. CleanCore Expands Dogecoin Treasury Reports have disclosed that CleanCore Solutions has been adding to its Dogecoin holdings and now holds more than 710 million DOGE as part of a plan to reach a one-billion coin target. The company’s treasury shows over $20 million in unrealized gains. CleanCore said the buildup follows a $175 million private placement completed on September 5, 2025, and that Bitstamp by Robinhood is its chosen trading venue for the purchases. The Dogecoin Foundation and House of Doge are listed as partners in the broader initiative. Trader Spots Repeating Setup On 4-Hour Chart According to an X post by analyst Trader Tardigrade, the four-hour chart shows a “nice” pattern that has appeared more than once this month. The set up involves two failed rally attempts where price climbed toward resistance but fell back, each time finding support on a rising trendline. The recent pattern began around October 4 after DOGE slid from about $0.26. Bulls pushed prices above $0.27 on October 6, but the move did not hold and the token again returned to trendline support. A Pattern With Earlier Echoes Based on reports, the same sequence showed up in late September. That episode started near $0.22 on September 26, where an initial rally stalled at about $0.234 and then retreated to support by September 28. A second try ended just above $0.235 on September 29. Price then found footing near the trendline and climbed from roughly $0.22 on September 30 to about $0.26 by October 3. The repeated failure to break support in both stretches is being read by some as evidence of steady bids at those levels. Outlook And What To Watch Market watchers say the key lines to follow are the rising support line identified by Tardigrade and the resistance zone near $0.27. A sustained move above that level would be seen as bullish by traders who use the four-hour timeframe. Conversely, a break below the trendline would remove a short-term floor that has held during the two prior episodes. CleanCore’s ongoing accumulation is being tracked by observers who note that large buyers can change market dynamics when they buy on dips. Taken together, the chart pattern and the corporate buying give investors two ways to read the market: one is technical and favors a possible repeat of late-September strength; the other is structural and looks at steady accumulation by an institutional treasury. For now, DOGE’s mixed daily numbers show that momentum is fragile, even though both the chart and the reported treasury moves point to persistent demand at certain price levels. Featured image from OlesyaNickolaeva/Shutterstock.com, chart from TradingView

Amid the calls for new all-time highs for Bitcoin, one analyst is going against the trend and calling a crash. The prediction not only expects Bitcoin to break below the $100,000 level, which many believe was already left in the past, but to actually fall by more than 60% from here. The analysis, which depicts a flash crash, shows a possible price reversal into levels not seen in years. Entering A Bitcoin Short With Conviction The crypto analyst who goes by the pseudonym Dick Dandy revealed that their next move was to enter into a Bitcoin short position between $121,400 and $121,700. However, the more interesting part is the take-profit targets that Dandy set for this position. First of these lies at the $105,700 level, moving down all the way through to $85,800. From here, the crypto analyst expects the Bitcoin price to continue to crash until it falls below $50,000 and registers prices not seen since 2024. Falling to the $43,900 target would mean an over 60% decline in the price, but the analyst expects Bitcoin to crash further. With the possibility that Bitcoin could see a recovery from $35,000, the analyst explains that they plan to open a long position to hedge their short. But maintains their belief in the fact that the Bitcoin price will continue to decline. Ultimately, Dandy believes that the Bitcoin price will eventually reach $10,000, which is the end of the target. Anatomy Of The Crash Explained In Theory In another post, Dandy explained the theory behind the Bitcoin flash crash as mostly a battle between traders and the market-makers. According to the analyst, market makers essentially enable crypto traders to utilize liquidity to enter leveraged positions. But ultimately, they want their money back while making sure that traders do not profit from their trades. Such cases lead to rapid price movements, which have become known in the market as “stop hunts.” These work to take a large number of traders out of their positions very quickly by liquidating them, essentially returning the liquidity, and then some, back to the market makers. As for why such a large move is possible, the analyst explains that this is because most of Bitcoin’s market cap is all liquidity used for leveraging and derivatives trading. In fact, the analyst believes that the “floor price” of Bitcoin lies around $8,000, taking into account the stable sources and dividing it by the “dispersed amount of bitcoin on the market.” Dandy predicts that this move will happen very quickly, hence terming it a flash crash, and that traders will have very little time to react. “The more sell orders there are, and the greater the quantity of Bitcoin ordered to be sold, the faster price will drop down,” the analyst explained.

Key takeaways Nasdaq 100 hits record high: The index rallied 1.2% on 8 October 2025, reaching a new all-time closing high of 25,137, supported by continued tech sector strength.AI bubble concerns rise: Market chatter grows around US$1 trillion in “AI circular deals” among OpenAI, Nvidia, AMD, and Oracle, sparking valuation worries.Technical outlook remains bullish: The Nasdaq 100 stays within its ascending channel, above the 20-day and 50-day moving averages.Market breadth improves: A rising share of Nasdaq 100 stocks now trades above short- and medium-term moving averages, reinforcing bullish momentum. The Nasdaq 100 rallied by 1.2% on Wednesday, 8 October 2025, and scaled to another fresh all-time closing high of 25,137. All in all, the technology-heavy Nasdaq 100 has started October on a firm footing with a month-to-date gain of 1.35% as of 8 October 2025, trailing just behind the current top performer, the small-cap Russell 2000 (+1.70%) among the major US benchmark stock indices. $1 trillion AI circular deals Fig. 1: AI circular deals among OpenAI, Nvidia, Oracle, AMD & major technology hardware providers (Source: Bloomberg News, 8 Oct 2025) In the recent week, there has been a growing chatter of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) bubble that has formed due to circular deals that involved the generative AI market leader, OpenAI, and other major technology hardware providers, as well as chip makers; Nvidia, AMD, and Oracle Corp, that could amount to US$1 trillion (see Fig. 1). These intertwined deals have revived fears of a bubble and raised questions about whether Nvidia (also the largest component stock in the Nasdaq 100) is investing heavily to prop up the market and keep companies to spending on its products. In addition, OpenAI is still burning cash and does not expect to be cash-flow positive until around 2030. Despite the rising fears of an AI bubble, the technical structure of the Nasdaq 100 remains bullish. Let’s now break down the latest technical analysis elements, short-term trajectory (1 to 3 days), and relevant short-term key levels to watch for the US Nasdaq 100 CFD Index (a proxy of the Nasdaq 100 futures). Fig. 2: US Nasdaq 100 CFD Index minor trend as of 9 Oct 2025 (Source: TradingView) Fig. 3: Market breadth of Nasdaq 100 (% of stocks above 20-day/50-day MA) as of 9 Oct 2025 (Source: TradingView) Preferred trend bias (1-3 days) The medium-term uptrend phase of the US Nasdaq 100 CFD Index remains intact from the 2 September 2025 low of 22,979. Bullish bias above 24,795 short-term pivotal support for the next intermediate resistances to come in at 25,370 and 25,590/25,640 (Fibonacci extension cluster) (see Fig. 2). Key elements The price actions of the US Nasdaq 100 CFD Index have continued to oscillate within a medium-term ascending channel since 2 September 2025 and traded above its 20-day and 50-day moving averages (see Fig. 2).The hourly RSI momentum indicator of the US Nasdaq 100 CFD Index has remained supported by an ascending trendline, which suggests short-term bullish momentum remains intact (see Fig. 2).Market breadth of the Nasdaq 100 has continued to improve. The percentage of Nasdaq 100 component stocks trading above their respective 20-day and 50-day moving averages has increased steadily from 25 September 2025 to 8 September 2025 (% of stocks above 20-day moving averages increased from 46% to 57%, and % of stocks above 50-day moving averages increased from 40% to 55% (see Fig. 3).Alternative trend bias (1 to 3 days) A break below the 24,795 key short-term support on the US Nasdaq 100 CFD Index negates the bullish tone for a minor corrective decline sequence to materialise, exposing the next intermediate supports at 24,620 and 24,380. Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

Most Read: AUD/USD Forecast: Navigating US Government Shutdown & Technical Signals EUR/USD continued its slide this morning but is trading flat on the day. Yesterday's daily candle close though has broken a long-tern ascending trendline and sets the pair up for a potential move lower. There is a caveat however, the fundamental picture and technical picture are flashing mixed signals. EUR/USD Paints a Mixed Picture EUR/USD seemed poised to test the 1.2000 psychological level heading into the Federal Reserve meeting on September 17. After the meeting the fundamental factors such as monetary policy still seemed to support the idea as well. Many viewed the Federal Reserve meeting and Fed Chair Powell's speech as dovish in nature. However, the fact that the Fed only saw one rate cut in 2026 and 2027 did signal to me that we could see a bit of a reaction in the US dollar. Such a reaction did materialize with the US Dollar Index (DXY) rallying in the 3 days after the FOMC meeting. Since then the DXY has continued its impressive rise and this in part is down to the Fed meeting as well as the US Government shutdown. The lack of high impact data from the US has actually benefitted the greenback. Now the question is will the greenback be able to hold onto its gains once the US government shutdown ends? This question may hold the key to the EUR/USD technical setup below. Technical Analysis - EUR/USD From a technical standpoint, EUR/USD has broken the key confluence level which rests around the 1.16300 area. In doing so the pair saw a daily candle close below the medium-term ascending trendline and hinting at a potential change in trend. The pair is also on course for a fourth successive day of declines as price is current being held back by the 100-day MA which rests at 1.1633. The trendline break hints at a move lower toward the 1.14000 handle and potentially a deeper pullback all the way down to 1.1058 handle. The problem with this setup though is the fundamental picture is at odds with this outlook especially when the US government shutdown ends. Thus the move may not play out smoothly but there is definitely a potential opportunity to keep an eye on. The one concern for now is the period-14 RSI which is currently in oversold territory on the daily timeframe. This could lead to a short-term bounce toward the most recent swing high at 1.1740 or potentially the 50-day MA at 1.1691 before continuing on its downward path. EUR/USD Daily Chart, October 9, 2025 Source: TradingView.com (click to enlarge) Client Sentiment Data - EUR/USD Looking at OANDA client sentiment data and market participants are Short on the EUR/USD with 56% of traders Net-Short. I prefer to take a contrarian view toward crowd sentiment and thus the fact that so many traders are Short means EUR/USD could rise in the near-term. Follow Zain on Twitter/X for Additional Market News and Insights @zvawda Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.