THE DAILY BRIEFING

A clearer view of today.

The stories that matter. The context you need.

INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVEFree to read.
Every day.

Business

Your briefing

3 min read

AI-assisted briefingHow we put it together ↗
BoE trims rates 25 bps, first cut of the cycle

The Bank of England lowered its policy rate by 25 basis points, signaling the start of an easing cycle as UK inflation cools and growth remains subdued. Markets are weighing how quickly the MPC can move, with gilt yields and sterling reacting to the guidance on future cuts and balance-sheet plans.

Source: Seeking Alpha


U.S. jobless claims jump, adding to signs of labor-market cooling

Initial jobless claims rose more than expected in the latest week, reinforcing evidence that hiring momentum is slowing. The data bolster expectations for Fed easing into year-end as markets price a softer growth path and moderating inflation.

Source: Seeking Alpha


Trump taps Stephen Miran for Fed Board; markets parse policy implications

President Trump is set to nominate adviser Stephen Miran to the Federal Reserve Board, a pick seen as favoring a weaker dollar and lower rates. Investors are assessing how the appointment could shift the policy mix and influence the timing and depth of rate cuts.

Source: NYT DealBook


Major court ruling vacates Fed’s interchange fee cap, shaking payments economics

A federal judge in North Dakota vacated the Federal Reserve’s debit interchange rule under the Durbin Amendment, dealing a blow to banks’ current swipe-fee framework. The decision injects new uncertainty into card economics for issuers, merchants, and networks, with appeals likely and business models in flux.

Source: American Banker


Gold spikes on report U.S. weighing tariffs on bullion bars

Gold futures surged after reports the U.S. is considering tariffs on imported gold bars, adding a new wrinkle to trade policy and safe-haven flows. The prospect of new levies fed a rotation into bullion and miners while investors reassessed inflation and geopolitical hedges.

Source: MarketWatch


Ripple-SEC legal fight ends, removing key overhang for XRP

The SEC and Ripple jointly dropped their appeals, formally closing the nearly five-year case over XRP. The resolution locks in last year’s court finding that programmatic sales of XRP are not securities, providing the market with greater regulatory clarity and potentially broadening institutional participation.

Source: FinanceFeeds


Standard Chartered-backed JV files for Hong Kong stablecoin license

Anchorpoint Financial—a joint venture between Standard Chartered, Animoca Brands and HKT—became the first firm to formally start the city’s new stablecoin licensing process. The move underscores the institutionalization of tokenized payments as Hong Kong opens a regulated framework for fiat-backed digital money.

Source: South China Morning Post


You May Also Be Interested In...

Business — August 8, 2025 | Briefing24