Gold pushed through fresh records above $4,800/oz on safe‑haven demand as investors rotated out of risk assets into hard assets amid tariff threats and currency swings. Strategists flagged growing odds of a $5,000 print in 2026 as central‑bank and private‑sector buying remain firm and the dollar wobbles on shifting rhetoric around U.S.–EU trade. The bid for gold has also spilled into tokenized formats, where volumes have soared alongside spot. Short‑term, momentum is strong but overbought conditions raise the risk of tactical pullbacks.
Source: Seeking Alpha
Markets whipsaw on “Greenland” headlines, then stabilize as Trump softens tone; dollar firms
Equities and the dollar rebounded after President Trump used Davos remarks to dial back tariff threats and rule out force over Greenland, easing immediate escalation risks that had rattled global assets. USD/JPY climbed as safe‑haven yen demand faded ahead of the BoJ decision, while U.S. futures steadied following a bruising selloff tied to trade and rate‑path uncertainties. With GDP and claims on deck, traders are watching whether calmer rhetoric sticks long enough to support risk and keep the dollar bid.
Source: Seeking Alpha
Hong Kong to issue first stablecoin licenses in Q1 2026, cementing Asia’s regulatory lead
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority will award its inaugural batch of fiat‑referenced stablecoin licenses this quarter, moving from rulemaking to execution under a framework that treats major tokens as “systemically important payment instruments.” Issuers must hold 100% high‑quality liquid reserves, segregate funds, and offer T+1 par redemptions, positioning the city as a compliant hub for on‑chain payments and tokenized finance. The launch follows a sandbox phase and dovetails with HKMA’s tokenized‑deposits pilots.
Source: FinanceFeeds
CLARITY Act momentum draws Wall Street into crypto; Coinbase pushes “win‑win” compromise
U.S. banks are preparing to roll out custody, trading, and settlement services as the Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act nears the finish line with clear SEC/CFTC roles and stablecoin guardrails. Treasury estimates trillions in deposits could migrate to regulated, 24/7 on‑chain rails as tiered licensing lets insured banks issue dollar‑pegged tokens with strict reserves. Coinbase, meanwhile, is working with the industry to preserve 1:1 reserve models and consumer rewards while aligning disclosures—signaling détente between exchanges and banks.
Source: FinanceFeeds
Vietnam greenlights five‑year pilot to license crypto exchanges, targeting onshore liquidity
Vietnam launched a landmark, tightly supervised program to license domestic crypto trading platforms, aiming to shift one of the world’s most active retail markets from gray channels into regulated, taxable venues. Applicants must be Vietnam‑incorporated, meet stringent capital (≈$380–$400M) and cybersecurity requirements, and connect directly to VND rails under State Securities Commission oversight. The move aligns with new digital‑asset property recognition and broader plans to tokenize traditional instruments.
Source: FinanceFeeds
Robinhood–Susquehanna take control of MIAXdx, accelerating push into prediction and derivatives
Robinhood and Susquehanna acquired 90% of MIAXdx, a CFTC‑regulated exchange and clearinghouse for fully collateralized futures, options on futures, and swaps, with seller MIAX retaining 10%. The deal gives Robinhood regulated market plumbing to expand into event and prediction markets while MIAX concentrates capital on core venues yet keeps upside in the growth vertical. Expect product expansion leveraging Susquehanna’s liquidity DNA and Robinhood’s distribution.
Source: FinanceFeeds
Schwab posts record 2025: $11.9T in client assets, $23.9B revenue on strong inflows and trading
Charles Schwab capped the year with double‑digit revenue growth and record assets, powered by $519B in core net new assets, higher trading engagement, and expanding net interest income. Q4 revenues rose 19% to $6.3B; daily trades climbed 31% Y/Y, and margin balances increased 34%, highlighting broad client activity across advice, banking, and trading. With a Forge Global deal pending and robust capital returns, Schwab signaled continued investment in private markets and client experience.
Source: FinanceFeeds
You May Also Be Interested In...
- Ramp Network Goes Live With EU MiCAR CASP Licence
- CySEC Steps Up Enforcement Ahead of Cyprus EU Council Presidency
- Grayscale Seeks NYSE Arca Approval to Convert NEAR Trust Into ETF
- XAUT Surges as Gold‑Backed Tokens Eye $5,000
- Binance Wallet Adds AI Tools to Track Web3 Narratives
- EXANTE Strengthens Trading Operations With Trade Desk Lead Hire