FOMC lits a spark: US equities, treasuries, and cryptocurrencies all riding the waves

FOMC lits a spark: US equities, treasuries, and cryptocurrencies all riding the waves

The global financial landscape has been buzzing with activity following the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, where the US Federal Reserve opted to keep benchmark interest rates steady within the 4.25 per cent to 4.5 per cent range, a decision that was broadly anticipated by markets.

This move, coupled with a significant reduction in the pace of quantitative tightening (QT)—slashing the monthly redemption of US Treasury securities from US$25 billion to US$5 billion—has injected a dose of optimism into US equities, propelling a rally that saw the MSCI US index climb by 1.1 per cent.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell, in his post-meeting press conference, struck a cautious yet steady tone, acknowledging the swirling uncertainties tied to President Donald Trump’s sweeping policy shifts while emphasising that the central bank is in no rush to tweak borrowing costs.

Powell’s message was clear: the Fed can afford to wait for the dust to settle on these policy changes before making any bold moves. This measured approach seemed to resonate with investors, who found comfort in the Fed’s updated projections and its handling of inflation and growth forecasts.

Diving into the numbers, the Fed’s dot plot—a key indicator of future rate expectations—held steady, signalling two rate cuts anticipated for the year, with no notable shift in dispersion among committee members. However, the Fed did adjust its economic outlook, trimming the median growth forecast for 2025 to 1.7 per cent from 2.1 per cent, a nod to potential headwinds, while nudging up the median inflation forecast to 2.8 per cent from 2.5 per cent.

Markets, however, latched onto Powell’s reassurance that the uptick in the core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) projection is confined to 2025 and likely transitory. This distinction quelled fears of entrenched inflation, allowing risk sentiment to advance.

The immediate market reaction was telling: equities surged by the end of Powell’s presser, US Treasuries flipped course with the 2-year yield dipping below 4 per cent and the 10-year yield shedding 4 basis points to 4.24 per cent, while the Dollar Index edged up 0.2 per cent. Gold, ever the barometer of economic unease, rose 0.4 per cent to a record US$3,048 per ounce, and Brent crude ticked up 0.3 per cent to US$71 per barrel. These movements paint a picture of a market buoyed by easier financial conditions yet still hedging against uncertainty.

Across the Pacific, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) mirrored the Fed’s steady hand, holding interest rates unchanged as expected. Governor Kazuo Ueda offered a cautiously optimistic take, noting that wage hike momentum remains on track—a critical factor for Japan’s long battle against deflation—but tempered this with concerns over US trade policies, a clear nod to the potential ripple effects of Trump’s agenda.

Similarly, Bank Indonesia followed suit, keeping its benchmark rates steady, aligning with market expectations. Asian equity indices, however, showed a mixed response in early trading, reflecting the region’s sensitivity to both US developments and local dynamics. Meanwhile, US equity index futures pointed to a higher open, suggesting that Wall Street’s rally might have legs yet.

The cryptocurrency market, often a bellwether for risk appetite, didn’t miss the beat either. Bitcoin soared past US$86,800 on Wednesday, a nearly five per cent jump, fuelled by the Fed’s signals of looser financial conditions and growing investor bets on a liquidity-driven rally.

The Fed’s decision to slow the runoff of its US$6.8 trillion balance sheet—capping Treasury redemptions at US$5 billion per month—aims to avert disruptions in funding markets, especially as debt ceiling tensions loom large. This dovish tilt has weakened the US dollar, which posted its third-largest three-day drop since 2015, while Treasury yields and bond market volatility have tumbled.

In the crypto space, the ETH/BTC trading pair ticked up from 0.23 to 0.24, a sign that investors are leaning into riskier assets like Ether over Bitcoin’s relative safety. Ether’s rise, though lacking an immediate catalyst, comes as the Ethereum network gears up for its Pectra upgrade, a major update set to roll out over 20 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs). These include EIP-7702, enhancing smart account functionality, and EIP-7251, which boosts validator staking limits—moves that promise to improve scalability and user experience, potentially stoking further interest in Ether.

From my perspective, the Fed’s latest stance is a masterstroke of pragmatism. By holding rates steady and dialling back QT, Powell & Co. are threading the needle between supporting growth and keeping inflation in check, all while navigating the wild card of Trump’s policy shifts. The market’s upbeat response—equities popping, yields dropping, and risk assets like Bitcoin and Ether surging—suggests that investors are interpreting this as a green light for risk-taking, at least in the near term.

The Fed’s acknowledgment of slower growth and higher inflation in 2025, paired with its “transitory” caveat, strikes me as a calculated effort to manage expectations without spooking markets. It’s a delicate dance, and so far, the Fed seems to be leading with confidence.

That said, the muted revisions to the dot plot—still pointing to two cuts—feel a tad optimistic given the uncertainties Powell himself flagged. If Trump’s policies (think tariffs, tax cuts, or deregulation) ignite inflation or disrupt trade, the Fed might find its hands tied, forced to choose between rate hikes that could choke growth or holding pat and risking credibility on inflation.

Globally, the BOJ’s steady stance feels like a missed opportunity. Japan’s economy could use a jolt, and with wage hikes gaining traction, a slight nudge on rates might have signalled more conviction in its reflationary push. Ueda’s caution about US trade policies is valid—Trump’s “America First” rhetoric could slam Japan’s export-driven economy—but it also underscores how interconnected these central bank decisions are.

Back in the US, the crypto rally is a fascinating subplot. Bitcoin’s surge past US$86,800 and Ether’s uptick reflect not just Fed-driven liquidity but a broader shift in investor psychology. The Pectra upgrade could be a game-changer for Ethereum, making it more competitive with newer blockchains, though its lack of an immediate trigger suggests this is more sentiment-driven than fundamentals-based for now.

In sum, the FOMC’s moves have lit a spark under global risk sentiment, with US equities, Treasuries, and cryptocurrencies all riding the wave of easier financial conditions.

The Fed’s cautious optimism, paired with its QT slowdown, has given markets room to breathe, even as it braces for the unknown of Trump’s policy fallout. Asia’s mixed response and the BOJ’s conservatism highlight the uneven global picture, but for now, the US is setting the tone.

Whether this rally has staying power will hinge on how those uncertainties play out—and whether the Fed’s wait-and-see approach holds up under pressure. For investors, it’s a moment to savor the upside while keeping an eye on the horizon.

 

Source: https://e27.co/fomc-lits-a-spark-us-equities-treasuries-and-cryptocurrencies-all-riding-the-waves-20250320/

 

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

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Alameda Research files $90M ‘aggressive’ lawsuit against Waves founder

Alameda Research files $90M ‘aggressive’ lawsuit against Waves founder

Alameda Research filed a lawsuit against Aleksandr Ivanov, founder of Waves, as part of its ongoing legal strategy to recover crypto assets.

The trading arm of the bankrupt FTX exchange is aiming to recoup at least $90 million of digital assets from Waves, according to a Nov. 11 court filing.

In March 2022, Alameda Research deposited $80 million worth of USDt (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) to the Waves-based decentralized liquidity protocol, Vires.Finance.

The court filing alleges that Ivanov artificially inflated the value of Waves (WAVES) tokens. According to the complaint:

“Ivanov secretly orchestrated a series of transactions that inflated artificially the value of WAVES, while at the same time siphoning funds from Vires. As the fraudulent scheme began to be uncovered, WAVES lost substantial market capitalization—losing over 95% of its value—and Vires users were saddled with $530 million in losses.”

FTX filed for bankruptcy on Nov. 11, 2022, causing over $8.9 billion in losses for its users and investors. The period after the collapse of the FTX exchange and its 130 subsidiaries was one of the darkest times in crypto history.

Bankman-Fried was arrested in the Bahamas on Dec. 12, 2022, after United States prosecutors filed criminal charges against him. He was extradited to the US in January 2023. Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison on March 28.

FTX and Alameda’s “aggressive legal strategy” highlights financial issues

Alameda’s recent lawsuit is part of a wider effort to recoup funds from multiple entities.

Alameda and the FTX estate have sued over 20 entities this year as part of an “aggressive legal strategy” that underscores their financial challenges, according to blockchain expert and author Anndy Lian.

He told Cointelegraph:

“In my view, the allegations against Ivanov point to possible misconduct, such as inflating the WAVES token’s value and misdirecting funds. If these claims are validated, they underscore the ongoing challenges of transparency and accountability within the crypto industry.”

For stakeholders, these legal actions are vital for potentially reclaiming lost assets,” Lian added, noting that the FTX case may set a precedent for future crypto regulations.

Post-FTX crypto industry needs education before regulation — Former Biden adviser

The crypto industry needs to prioritize education, not just regulation, to avoid the next FTX-like meltdown, according to Moe Vela, former senior adviser to US President Joe Biden and senior adviser to Unicoin.

Financial education, especially regarding risk management, should be the fundamental concern of the crypto industry, Vela told Cointelegraph in an exclusive interview:

“Education is the fundamental key to empowerment. […] We will not have equality in any form until we have economic parity. We’re not going to have economic parity until we teach people to be, instead of unsophisticated at anything, sophisticated, and that comes through education.”

Moe Vela Interview for Cointelegraph

The senior adviser’s comments came a week after FTX’s new amended proposal was released on May 7. The proposal promised “billions in compensation” for the users and creditors of the bankrupt exchange who had been unable to access their funds since November 2022.

 

Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/alameda-research-90-m-waves-founder

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

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Linfinity Making Waves Regionally – Engaging Industry Leaders across Sectors in Blockchain Technology Discussions

Linfinity Making Waves Regionally – Engaging Industry Leaders across Sectors in Blockchain Technology Discussions

Blockchain is much more than just hype over bitcoin and cryptocurrency – decision makers in various industries have a real interest in the topic. To delve deeper into the application and potential for distributed ledger technology, Linfinity has held multiple roundtable discussions where leaders from a diverse range of industries from finance and investments, to hospitality and real estate, came together to provide industry insights. Amid the discussion, it was clear that blockchain has potential to transform various industries. Below are the highlights of the roundtable discussions.

How Blockchain Will Disrupt Everything

The participants largely agreed that the adoption of blockchain was a question of not if, but when. As aptly put by roundtable attendee, Elaine Chia, Bank of Singapore’s Associate Director – “blockchain and cryptocurrency is a tsunami you cannot stop”. Participants brought up examples of how blockchain could potentially disrupt everyday scenarios: from search engines, to food security, to luxury goods. Had blockchain existed earlier, the milk powder scare of 2008 could have been largely avoided. By validating products on blockchain through adopting transparency and credibility, consumers can be more aware of the origins and expiry dates of pharmaceuticals and food products. In the luxury industry, fashion goods can also be authenticated on the blockchain system. Even fisheries can benefit from hosting information on blockchain to prove their sustainability measures, value adding to their consumers.

Blockchain: Boon or Bane?

The benefits of blockchain were agreed to go beyond encouraging transparency and traceability, as blockchain has the potential to boost efficiency. Participants in the banking and finance sectors stated during the roundtable discussions that blockchain technology should be adopted in its processes. It was mentioned that longstanding banks have strong views that technology can undoubtedly improve efficiency and there’s a massive amount of untapped potential to transform the way banks work.

Real estate consultant from Seed Global Investment, Edward Tan, shared with other roundtable participants that blockchain is a commonly discussed topic due to the nature of the industry where funds are frequently moved and a large amount of transactions happen on a daily basis. This creates an urgent need to implement blockchain technology.

Regardless of the background of participants, one thing was for certain: blockchain has the potential to improve systems everywhere. This is why Linfinity has embarked on the total supply chain wave, to provide businesses with a solution to improve transparency and efficiency. By implementing anti-counterfeit measures, traceability technology can strengthen processes.

ICOs: Are they Legitimate?

Despite the excitement and potential of blockchain, participants agreed that dubious ICOs are a possible explanation for the hesitancy and scepticism in blockchain adoption. Recently, ICO scams have been dominating headlines for scamming investors of millions. Often, these companies simply develop and market an attractive landing page or video in order to raise quick funds for their company.

In a recent Bloomberg Article, Lee Boon Ngiap, Assistant Managing Director of Capital Markets at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), said that the number of digital token exchanges and ICOs in Singapore has been on the rise. She continued that there is no need “to restrict them if they are bona fide businesses…but if any digital token exchange, issuer or intermediary breaches our securities laws, MAS will take firm action.” To avoid these scams, investors should study white papers with a discerning eye before committing to an investment. Due to the hot topic of ICOs often being a swindle, Linfinity is not heading towards the direction of an ICO. Instead it relies on the token model in order to incentivise businesses and end consumers.

Introducing Practical Applications of Blockchain Technology

Moving blockchain technology from a concept to reality, Linfinity has sought out strategic collaborations with companies to build a more trustworthy and traceable supple chain, based on their blockchain system.

To date, Linfinity has signed Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) in Singapore and Taiwan, with more upcoming in the region. The Singapore MOUs marked the start of partnerships between Linfinity and six companies across various industries – Crossinvest, RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP, RHT Holdings, RONGDE Logistics, Scientific Tradition, and WealthBriefingAsia. These partnerships span different industries from finance and legal to logistics and FMCG, and will see Linfinity’s implementation of blockchain technology improving the efficiency and transparency of supply chains.

In Taiwan, Linfinity and the Alishan Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement. Under this agreement, Linfinity will create a counterfeit traceability system for all players within the Alishan Group from manufacturers to consumers, as well as prevent counterfeit goods from circulating on the supply chain by using the first-ever dynamic game mechanism.

Anticipating Government Challenges and Regulations

As blockchain remains relatively new and unprecedented, companies must anticipate government challenges and regulations moving forward. Participants pointed out that the decentralized nature of blockchain leaves it resistant to government intervention, in the sense that governments cannot simply ban the access to blockchain altogether unlike Facebook in China.

Even so, companies interested in blockchain are still preempting what governments might do when they start to regulate blockchain. While the Singaporean government is in the midst of fine-tuning its registration processes and taxation, companies can rest assured that Singapore would embrace technological advancement, rather than cut away from it. In TechINAsia’s recent article, Bobby Ong, co-founder of CoinGecko, one of the largest cryptocurrency data websites, recently shared that regulations set up by Singapore are steps in the right direction, as “clear laws and guidelines by regulators are always welcomed by blockchain startups to ensure that the work that they are doing complies with regulations. It also helps blockchain companies with getting bank accounts.”

Linfinity Talk in Seoul, Korea, on 9th June on overview of blockchain technology with 180 attendees

In a bid to raise awareness and educate the mass public on blockchain and how it can benefit industries, Linfinity has made large strides beyond Singapore. The firm is establishing Linfinity Talks, the company’s self-contained global roadshow platform that demonstrates blockchain projects, as well as connect with like-minded businesses to further explore blockchain technology. Hosted by CEO of Linfinity, Mr Anndy Lian, he will share about blockchain technology and the importance of building a trusted and traceable anti-counterfeiting supply chain.

Targeting a regional audience, Linfinity has made its first stop in Seoul, Korea, where they were joined by CodePress – an out-of-the-box decentralized digital content distribution solution, aimed at helping content producers to quickly build their own content distribution networks.

Following its first successful event in Korea, the next Linfinity Talk will be held in Japan on 1st July 2018, Sunday. Subsequently, Linfinity will be involved in the ‘Asia Digital Asset and Blockchain Congress’ also held in Tokyo, Japan on the 2nd July 2018. Mr Anndy Lian be a Keynote Speaker at the event.

He will then be travelling to Taipei to be a panellist at the 2018 Asia Blockchain Summit on 3rd July.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aside from Japan and Taiwan, Linfinity has plans for more upcoming talks spread across the globe for the next three months – spanning from Singapore, London to Vietnam and Hong Kong. The possibilities of transforming supply chains across different industries is exciting – as the demand for trustworthy and reliable data increases. Mr Anndy Lian is open to discussions should there be interest in collaborations with Linfinity to apply their blockchain system to existing organisations and/or supply chains. You can reach him at pr@linfinity.io.

For more information on Linfinity, please refer to: https://www.linfinity.io/

Facebook: https://www.faccebook.com/linfinity.io

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/linfinitytoken

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linfinity

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

j j j