MACRO & FED
The Irish Times
13 Sep 2026 · 06:45
Makhlouf stays on the fence on future rate hikes
It’s almost a tradition now that the day after the European Central Bank (ECB) makes a move on interest rates, the various members of its governing council make public statements justifying the decision and …
It’s almost a tradition now that the day after the European Central Bank (ECB) makes a move on interest rates, the various members of its governing council make public statements justifying the decision and looking at what may come next.
As the governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, Gabriel Makhlouf is no exception. In a blog post published on Friday, he outlined his support for the move, describing the 0.25 percentage point hike as “a measured response” to spiking inflation.
“Energy prices have not faded and, if anything, are proving stickier than previously thought,” he wrote.
For mortgage holders and investors alike, perhaps the most important part of Makhlouf’s post looked at what comes next. He maintained that there is “significant uncertainty to the outlook” for the European economy, and that is almost entirely because of the continuing uncertainty in the Middle East.
He rightly described the Iran war as “a geopolitical driver more than economic one”. Nevertheless it is the key driver and as long as it continues, energy prices are likely to remain high. Brent crude oil topped $107 (€92.16) per barrel on Thursday and remained close to $105 on Friday.
That means higher inflation, but experts traditionally warn to be careful hiking when it’s all because of energy prices and not excessive consumption. Doing so could strangle the economy, especially if it hasn’t been thriving up to now.
That is clearly a concern right now and according to Makhlouf the ECB is “already seeing a tightening of financing conditions”. That’s central bank-speak for the economy is slowing down already. Not good if prices are going to keep rising. That opens the door to stagflation – something of a nightmare scenario for central bankers and anyone who remembers the 1970s era of no growth and runaway prices.
Markets appear to have made up their mind and have priced in three hikes over the next year, with ECB officials reportedly seeing the next one coming as soon as October.
[ Energia dual-fuel customers to be €230 worse off after price hike announcedOpens in new window ]
Still, Makhlouf remains publicly on the fence. There is “no pre-commitment” to a move on rates, he wrote, while he will watch closely “the persistence of the energy price shock, and the extent to which it is showing up in consumer prices, both directly and indirectly; on wage dynamics; and on the transmission of previous moves”.
MACRO & FED
Biztoc.com
13 Sep 2026 · 06:45
High oil prices could force ECB to raise rates further, warns top policymaker
Austrian central bank governor Martin Kocher says risk of elevated inflation is higher than it was a few months ago Austrian central bank governor Martin Kocher says risk of elevated inflation is higher than …
Austrian central bank governor Martin Kocher says risk of elevated inflation is higher than it was a few months ago Austrian central bank governor Martin Kocher says risk of elevated inflation is higher than it was a few months ago
This story appeared on ft.com, 2026-09-12 04:00:33.
MACRO & FED
Crypto Briefing
13 Sep 2026 · 06:45
Rising energy prices complicate central bank policies amid Iran, Ukraine conflicts
Crude oil all time high predictions Rising oil, gas, and diesel prices have prompted central banks and governments to reassess the economic impacts of the ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine. Bloomberg Markets reported …
Crude oil all time high predictions
Rising oil, gas, and diesel prices have prompted central banks and governments to reassess the economic impacts of the ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine. Bloomberg Markets reported that current geopolitical tensions are driving up energy costs, which are likely to affect inflation expectations and complicate monetary policy decisions. Brent crude surpassed $100 per barrel recently, suggesting tighter energy conditions as markets react to these developments. The elevated prices reflect an environment where central banks may face challenges in managing inflation without altering interest rates.
Advertisement
Key Takeaways
Rising oil and gas prices appear to suggest increased inflationary pressures, complicating central bank policy decisions.
Market pricing indicates a low probability of crude oil reaching a new all-time high by September 30, currently at 1.8% YES.
The likelihood of no Fed rate cuts in 2026 remains high, with a 93.5% YES probability, suggesting market confidence in steady rates amid geopolitical uncertainties.
What to Watch
Observers should look for any shifts in OPEC’s production policies, as changes could impact global oil supply and prices. Additionally, developments in the Iran and Ukraine conflicts could influence energy markets and inflation expectations. Central bank responses to these price pressures will be crucial, with any indications from the Federal Reserve or other major banks potentially affecting the outlook on interest rates.
Get live prediction-market analysis, powered by Vera. Sign up for Vera.
CRYPTO
Cryptoprowl.com
13 Sep 2026 · 06:45
Weekly Wrap: Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Crypto
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: $BTC ) and other cryptocurrencies were down to end the trading week on Sept. 11 as the odds of an interest rate hike in the U.S. continued to rise. Futures markets now …
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: $BTC ) and other cryptocurrencies were down to end the trading week on Sept. 11 as the odds of an interest rate hike in the U.S. continued to rise. Futures markets now see a greater than 70% chance that the U.S. Federal Reserve raises interest rates by 25-basis points at its meeting on Sept. 16.
Markets ratcheted up their expectations for higher interest rates following a hot U.S. inflation report for August, and as crude oil hovers near $100 U.S. a barrel for the first time since May of this year. Higher interest rates are negative for risk assets such as crypto. As a result, Bitcoin was trading at $77,500 U.S. at week’s end, down from a recent high of $82,000 U.S.
Other digital assets were also under pressure, with Ethereum’s (CRYPTO: $ETH ) price right around $2,500 U.S. Despite the pullback, crypto prices remain sharply higher than where they were a month ago, when Bitcoin was trading below $65,000 U.S. BTC peaked at an all-time high of $126,198.07 U.S. on Oct. 6 of last year.
More From Cryptoprowl:
Here’s what else happened with cryptocurrencies over the past week…
Strategy Holds Off On Bitcoin Purchases: Strategy (NASDAQ: $MSTR ) did not buy or sell any Bitcoin over the last week. Instead, the company focused on repurchasing 1.81 million shares of its preferred stock (NASDAQ: $STRC ) for $176.3 million U.S. Strategy also increased the total allowable repurchase amount of its preferred stock to $2 billion U.S. from $1 billion U.S. The serial crypto acquirer kept its holdings of Bitcoin unchanged at 845,050 BTC.
U.S. Bancorp To Launch Stablecoin: U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: $USB ), the fifth largest lender in America, is preparing to launch its own stablecoin. The bank said that it has completed a live cross-border payment via the new stablecoin and is now weighing broader uses across its payments business. The stablecoin is called USBDC (CRYPTO: $USBDC ) and is pegged one-for-one to the U.S. dollar. The move by U.S. Bancorp comes as stablecoins tied to fiat money grow in popularity among financial institutions.
Ethereum To Be ‘Quantum Resistant’ By 2029: The Ethereum Foundation (CRYPTO: $ETH ) has set itself the goal of making its blockchain and related infrastructure resistant to quantum computer attacks by 2029. The move comes as a growing number of analysts predict that powerful quantum computers will be able to break today's cryptography by 2030. The Ethereum Foundation said that it is taking the threat of quantum computers serious and has locked in 2029 as its goal to make the Ethereum blockchain resistant to such attacks.
Coinbase CEO Says Bitcoin Has Bottomed: Coinbase Global (NASDAQ: $COIN ) CEO Brian Armstrong said that he believes Bitcoin has bottomed and expects it to move higher over the next two years. “I personally think we've seen the bottom of the Bitcoin price in this cycle,” said Armstrong in a media interview. Armstrong, who runs the Coinbase crypto exchange, added that he doesn’t anticipate another downturn in Bitcoin’s price until the next halving event that’s expected in about two years time.
Bybit To Launch European Super App: Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit plans to launch a new super app in Europe that will offer both a regular bank account and stock and crypto trading. The privately held Dubai-based firm, which claims to have more than 80 million users worldwide, will launch the new super app for the European market. It will provide European users with traditional bank accounts as well as the ability to trade derivatives, tokenized stocks, and digital assets such as Bitcoin.
Nasdaq Invests $100 Million In Kraken: Nasdaq (NASDAQ: $NDAQ ) has invested $100 million U.S. in Payward, the parent company of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken. The investment by Nasdaq was part of a new funding round that valued Payward at $21 billion U.S. Nasdaq’s investment also comes as the exchange known for listing technology stocks develops tokenized market infrastructure and prepares for around the clock trading. As part of the funding agreement, Kraken will distribute Nasdaq’s tokenized stocks on its platform.
Polymarket Hires First Chief Financial Officer: Polymarket has appointed its first chief financial officer (CFO). The privately held company said that it has hired veteran executive Warren Jenson, who previously served as CFO at Amazon (NASDAQ: $AMZN ), to be its first-ever chief financial officer. Jenson will oversee Polymarket’s financial operations and capital strategy. He will also have responsibility for the company’s long-term planning. The CFO appointment comes a Polymarket prepares for an initial public offering (IPO) that could take place within a year or two.
Bitwise Closes Dogecoin ETF After 10 Months: Bitwise Asset Management is liquidating and closing its Dogecoin (CRYPTO: $DOGE ) exchange-traded fund (ETF) after 10 months of trading. Bitwise has set Oct. 14 as the expected final trading session for the ETF on the New York Stock Exchange. Investors in the crypto ETF can sell their positions up until that time, when they will be automatically sold and proceeds returned to them. The Dogecoin fund generated $3 million U.S. in trading volumes during its first week. However, daily trading activity failed to return to that initial level in the following months.
Sam Bankman-Fried Appeals To U.S. Supreme Court: Sam Bankman-Fried has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn his fraud conviction. Bankman-Fried, who co-founded and led former cryptocurrency exchange FTX, is serving a 25-year prison term after being convicted on seven counts of fraud and money laundering. FTX filed for bankruptcy in 2022 with $9 billion U.S. in liabilities. Previous appeals of Bankman-Fried’s conviction stressed that all of FTX’s customers have been repaid with interest and no money lost because of the exchange’s collapse.
Crypto Platforms Lose $3.63 Billion To Cyberattacks: Cryptocurrency platforms around the world lost nearly $4 billion U.S. over an 18-month period due to cyberattacks. A new report from CoinGecko says that between January 2025 and July 2026, crypto platforms lost a combined $3.63 billion U.S. due to a variety of cyberattacks. Stolen passkeys were among the most common ways that crypto companies were hacked by criminals and funds stolen, states the report. The biggest cyberattack involved crypto exchange Bybit, which lost $1.4 billion U.S. in a February 2025 breach.
CRYPTO
Crypto Briefing
13 Sep 2026 · 06:45
Ether rallies as bearish liquidations drive market surge
More than $255 million in short positions were wiped out in 24 hours, triggering Ether's strongest single-day move in weeks Ether ripped higher on September 11, surging as much as 8.3% intraday to briefly …
More than $255 million in short positions were wiped out in 24 hours, triggering Ether's strongest single-day move in weeks
Ether ripped higher on September 11, surging as much as 8.3% intraday to briefly top $2,600. The catalyst wasn’t a protocol upgrade or a surprise ETF approval. It was something more primal: bears getting absolutely torched.
More than $255 million in Ether short positions were liquidated over a 24-hour stretch, according to Coinglass data. Of that total, roughly $188 million evaporated in a single hour. When that many leveraged bets unwind at once, prices don’t just rise. They launch.
Gloria What happens to one stock can ripple through your portfolio. Gloria Finance sees the connections most investors miss. See the connections →
The anatomy of a short squeeze
A short squeeze works like a financial chain reaction. Traders borrow an asset and sell it, betting the price will fall. When the price rises instead, they’re forced to buy back at higher levels to cover losses, which pushes the price up further, which forces more covering. Rinse, repeat, liquidate.
Advertisement
That’s exactly what played out across crypto markets on Wednesday. Bitcoin saw approximately $172 million in short liquidations during the same window, though its price gains were comparatively modest at less than 4%.
Total liquidations across the crypto market exceeded $500 million, with the overwhelming majority coming from short positions.
Ether’s jump to $2,600 marked the first time the token crossed that threshold in months.
Macro backdrop fueled the fire
The liquidation cascade didn’t happen in a vacuum. It unfolded against a backdrop of fresh US economic data, specifically inflation readings that came in hotter than expected. Oil prices declined during the same session.
Analysts noted that traders maintaining short positions were incurring escalating costs as the rally intensified. In perpetual futures markets, when prices move against short holders, they pay increasingly steep funding rates to stay in their positions. At some point, the math simply stops working, and that’s when liquidation engines take over.
The pattern has repeated throughout this year. Both Bitcoin and Ether have experienced multiple liquidation-driven short squeezes, often triggered by macroeconomic data releases that catch leveraged traders offside.
What the positioning shift means
Ether’s outperformance relative to Bitcoin during this event is worth noting. An 8.3% move versus less than 4% suggests that ETH-specific positioning was more aggressively bearish heading into the data release.
CRYPTO
Crypto Briefing
13 Sep 2026 · 06:45
Houthis open new front in Middle East war, oil prices rise
Crude oil all time high predictions The recent development of the Houthis opening a new front in the Middle East war has led to a rise in oil prices, according to a report from …
Crude oil all time high predictions
The recent development of the Houthis opening a new front in the Middle East war has led to a rise in oil prices, according to a report from MarketWatch. This geopolitical tension has sparked concerns about potential disruptions in oil supply from the region, a critical supplier of global oil. The Brent crude oil benchmark saw a significant increase, reflecting heightened volatility as the market reacts to these unfolding events. Historically, such geopolitical risks have had a substantial impact on oil prices, and the current situation is consistent with previous patterns where conflict in the Middle East contributes to price hikes.
Advertisement
Key Takeaways
Market behavior suggests that the new front opened by the Houthis in the Middle East war is contributing to increased oil prices.
Pricing indicates a 25% increase in the likelihood of crude oil reaching a new all-time high by September 30, as concerns about supply disruptions grow.
Brent crude oil prices have been volatile, consistent with increased geopolitical tensions affecting market dynamics.
What to Watch
Observers will likely focus on further developments in the Middle East conflict, particularly any escalation that could further threaten oil supply. Attention will also be on OPEC’s response and any potential production adjustments that might stabilize prices. Key figures such as OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo and Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud will be pivotal in steering market expectations through their policy decisions. Additionally, any peace efforts or geopolitical stabilizations may indicate a shift that could mitigate current market concerns.
Get live prediction-market analysis, powered by Vera. Sign up for Vera.
CRYPTO
Crypto Briefing
13 Sep 2026 · 06:45
Goldman, BofA vie for Anthropic IPO wealth management as market cap expectations soar
Anthropic, the San Francisco-based AI lab known for developing the Claude chatbot, is preparing to assist its staff with wealth management as it edges closer to an anticipated IPO. Financial institutions Goldman Sachs and …
Anthropic, the San Francisco-based AI lab known for developing the Claude chatbot, is preparing to assist its staff with wealth management as it edges closer to an anticipated IPO. Financial institutions Goldman Sachs and Bank of America are reportedly competing to manage the IPO proceeds for Anthropic’s employees. The company, which achieved a valuation of $965 billion following a $65 billion funding round in May 2026, is being closely watched by markets as a major IPO candidate, suggesting expectations of substantial equity stakes for its staff.
The developments appear to have influenced market expectations around Anthropic’s IPO market capitalization. Current pricing in prediction markets suggests a notable expectation of Anthropic achieving a market cap between $1.75 trillion and $2.25 trillion at the close of its IPO day. Sub-markets indicate a 22% likelihood for both these ranges, reflecting strong interest and a possibly optimistic outlook from market participants about Anthropic’s valuation prospects.
Gloria You may own more of this than you think. Gloria Finance looks through your funds and identifies your hidden true exposure. Check your exposure →
Advertisement
The competition between Goldman Sachs and Bank of America for Anthropic’s wealth management business underscores the high stakes associated with the company’s IPO. As Anthropic finalizes its IPO plans, market participants are closely monitoring the potential impacts on its anticipated market cap, with current indicators suggesting confidence in a high valuation upon public listing.
Key Takeaways
The announcement of wealth advisers for Anthropic staff appears consistent with confidence in the upcoming IPO.
Market participants suggest a 22% probability for Anthropic’s market cap to be between $1.75T and $2.25T on IPO day.
The involvement of prominent banks like Goldman Sachs and Bank of America underscores the high expectations surrounding Anthropic’s IPO.
What to Watch
In the coming weeks, attention will be on any formal announcements from Anthropic regarding IPO pricing and dates, which could significantly impact market expectations. Watch for any new disclosures about Anthropic’s financials or strategic moves that could influence its perceived valuation. Changes in broader market conditions, particularly in the tech sector, could also impact Anthropic’s IPO prospects and market cap predictions.
Get live prediction-market analysis, powered by Vera. Sign up for Vera.
CRYPTO
Crypto Briefing
13 Sep 2026 · 06:45
Anthropic’s AI advances boost its potential as top model by September 2026
Anthropic’s AI has reportedly achieved superhuman capabilities in hacking, increasing the number of entities capable of executing certain actions from two to three. The development, highlighted in a tweet by @TFTC21, suggests a significant …
Anthropic’s AI has reportedly achieved superhuman capabilities in hacking, increasing the number of entities capable of executing certain actions from two to three. The development, highlighted in a tweet by @TFTC21, suggests a significant advancement in AI technology, positioning Anthropic’s AI as a formidable contender in the competitive landscape. This progress appears to have influenced prediction markets, with the odds of Anthropic having the best AI model at the end of September 2026 currently priced at 88.5% YES, up from 83% a week ago. The AI model is competing with other major tech companies such as Google, Meta, and OpenAI for the top spot.
Advertisement
Key Takeaways
Anthropic’s AI development appears consistent with increased confidence in its model being the best by September 2026.
The market pricing suggests a strong likelihood, with odds at 88.5% YES for Anthropic’s model being ranked highest.
The recent advancement in hacking capabilities reflects a significant leap in AI technology, influencing market perceptions.
What to Watch
Observers will be keenly monitoring further developments from Anthropic and its competitors as the September deadline approaches. Any additional advancements or releases from rival companies like Google or Meta could alter the current market dynamics. Upcoming benchmark results and evaluations will be crucial indicators of which AI model might emerge as the leader by the end of September 2026.
Get live prediction-market analysis, powered by Vera. Sign up for Vera.
CRYPTO
CNA
13 Sep 2026 · 06:45
Crypto investor pardoned by Trump donates £36 million to Farage's Reform UK
LONDON, Sept 11 : Crypto investor Ben Delo said on Friday he would donate a record £36 million ($48.7 million), or £1 million a month before the next national election, to Britain's populist Reform …
LONDON, Sept 11 : Crypto investor Ben Delo said on Friday he would donate a record £36 million ($48.7 million), or £1 million a month before the next national election, to Britain's populist Reform UK to help the party get ready for government.
Delo, the British co-founder of crypto trading platform BitMEX who was convicted of a Bank Secrecy Act violation in the United States and pardoned by President Donald Trump, said he wanted to ensure a "fair fight" with Britain's two main parties — the governing Labour Party and main opposition Conservatives.
After enjoying a commanding lead in opinion polls for over a year, Reform, led by veteran Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, has seen its support wane over a series of allegations about donations before the election, due in mid-2029.
DELO WANTS REFORM TO PREPARE FOR GOVERNMENT
In an opinion piece in the right-leaning Telegraph newspaper, Delo said his "conclusion from Reform's recent troubles is that they should spend less time trying to raise funds ... and more time preparing for government."
"Reform are making serious plans for government, which is more than Labour did before they won in 2024. It takes time to develop thought-through policies and draft legislation, and it takes real money."
He did not refer directly to an undercover investigation earlier this month that raised allegations that two senior aides to Farage had broken electoral law by arranging for a foreign donor to pay for political polling.
Farage, who was forced to suspend the two senior aides, welcomed the donation, saying he was "honoured and humbled that Ben Delo has shown such confidence in Reform."
"Ben knows that we are the only party that can turn the country around and reverse Britain's decline."
Delo has long supported Reform, previously giving the party £8 million. The £36 million donation dwarfs the previous record of £10 million that British businessman John Sainsbury, who died in 2022, left to the Conservatives, according to the Electoral Commission's online database.
In his article, he said he understood how it was to be a startup under scrutiny and wanted to back a party he wanted to help "win and govern."
"Right now it takes a thick skin to back Reform financially ... Is it any wonder successful business people with a stake in mainstream society and a care for their own reputation are shy about writing cheques to Reform?"
($1 = 0.7394 pounds)
CRYPTO
Crypto Briefing
13 Sep 2026 · 06:45
RWAs reach $46B onchain market, led by US T-bills at $15B
Five tokenized assets now account for roughly 70% of the entire real-world asset category, underscoring just how concentrated the institutional push into onchain finance has become. The tokenized real-world asset market has crossed $46.2 …
Five tokenized assets now account for roughly 70% of the entire real-world asset category, underscoring just how concentrated the institutional push into onchain finance has become.
The tokenized real-world asset market has crossed $46.2 billion in onchain value, with US Treasury bills commanding the largest slice at approximately $15 billion. That means government debt, the most boring asset class on Earth, is now the single biggest driver of one of crypto’s fastest-growing sectors.
Five assets alone represent about 70% of the total RWA market.
Gloria A stock you don't own just moved — and two you do depend on it. Gloria Finance sees the connections others miss. See the connections →
Where the money actually sits
Ethereum remains the dominant chain for tokenized RWAs, holding roughly $17.3 billion in distributed value.
The more interesting story is further down the leaderboard. Stellar has climbed to third place among blockchains by RWA market capitalization, now hosting around $3.3 billion in tokenized assets. That figure grew by $149.4 million in just 30 days.
Advertisement
BNB Chain and Solana round out the top chains carrying meaningful RWA value. Different data sources peg the total RWA market anywhere between $38 billion and $46.2 billion, with the higher number coming from RWA.xyz data captured by NullTX.
The discrepancy comes down to what counts. Some trackers exclude certain stablecoin-adjacent products or use narrower definitions of what qualifies as a tokenized real-world asset.
The institutional heavyweights setting the pace
BlackRock’s BUIDL fund, Franklin Templeton’s BENJI tokens, and Ondo Finance’s USDY product have been among the key issuers funneling capital into onchain Treasuries and money market instruments.
Franklin Templeton took an early bet on tokenized Treasuries and has continued expanding its BENJI platform. Ondo Finance, coming from the crypto-native side, has carved out a niche by offering yield-bearing stablecoin alternatives that appeal to both DeFi users and institutions looking for compliant options.
Why Stellar is quietly gaining ground
Stellar’s rise to third place deserves a closer look. The chain’s RWA portfolio leans heavily toward euro and dollar-denominated money market products, which signals a type of institutional interest that goes beyond the usual USD-only playbook.
Recent integrations have bolstered Stellar’s real-world utility case. MoneyGram launched a stablecoin-backed Visa card on the network, and Zebec has built payroll solutions that run on Stellar’s infrastructure.
What this concentration means for the market
The fact that five assets control 70% of a $46.2 billion market tells you something important about where RWAs sit in their maturity curve. This isn’t a diversified ecosystem yet. It’s a sector dominated by a small number of large, institutional-grade products that have earned regulatory comfort and investor trust.
Improved regulatory clarity through 2026 has been a tailwind for the entire sector. As governments and financial regulators have become more comfortable with the concept of tokenized securities, the compliance burden on issuers has become more predictable.