The Bank of Japan kept its policy rate at 0.75% but upgraded growth and inflation forecasts and said it is prepared to raise rates when conditions warrant. The guidance nudges markets toward a 2026 normalization path, with knock-on effects for global bond flows, yen volatility, and rate-sensitive sectors across Asia. It also underscores a steady shift away from ultra-loose policy as domestic services activity remains firm.
Source: Seeking Alpha
Gold surges toward $5,000 on geopolitics and policy uncertainty
Gold extended a record rally, pushing toward the $5,000/oz threshold as investors sought safety amid trade tensions and renewed debate over central bank independence. Banks including Goldman Sachs lifted price targets, citing robust private-sector demand and ongoing central bank buying. The move tightens financial conditions for shorts and reinforces gold’s role in portfolios as both a hedge and a momentum asset.
Source: MarketWatch
Record outflows hit U.S. spot crypto ETFs as risk-off grips markets
Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs saw nearly $1B in net outflows in a single session, led by redemptions from large funds as macro volatility triggered a de-risking wave. Bitcoin-linked products shed over $700M, while ETH funds lost nearly $300M, reflecting tactical repositioning by institutional allocators. Notably, nascent spot XRP and Solana ETFs still posted small inflows, hinting at selective rotation even within a defensive tape.
Source: FinanceFeeds
Trump sues JPMorgan and Jamie Dimon for $5B over alleged “debanking”
President Donald Trump filed a $5B lawsuit in Florida state court alleging JPMorgan unlawfully closed his and affiliated entities’ accounts for political reasons. The case elevates the “debanking” debate and could force discovery into internal bank decisions at a time of heightened scrutiny over access to financial services. JPMorgan says the suit lacks merit and that it terminates relationships based on legal and regulatory risk, not politics.
Source: Seeking Alpha
BitGo’s IPO signals reopening for crypto infrastructure listings
Crypto custodian BitGo priced its NYSE IPO at $18 per share, briefly jumped as much as 36%, then settled near the offer price by the close. As the first major U.S. crypto-related listing of 2026, BitGo’s debut offers a fresh reference point for valuing custody and infrastructure plays versus exchanges. The listing follows a more stable regulatory backdrop for compliant service providers and could pave the way for additional offerings.
Source: FinanceFeeds
AUSTRAC orders independent AML audit of fintech unicorn Airwallex
Australia’s financial intelligence agency mandated that Airwallex appoint and fund an external auditor to review its AML/CTF compliance as the company scales globally. The review will assess transaction monitoring, suspicious-matter reporting, and oversight—highlighting the friction between rapid growth and evolving risk controls. While not alleging wrongdoing, AUSTRAC’s action can influence bank partnerships and licensing timelines if remediation is required.
Source: Finance Magnates
Tokenization moves mainstream: issuer seeks SEC relief to put Treasury ETF shares on-chain
F/m Investments asked the SEC for exemptive relief to tokenize shares of its $6B TBIL ETF while keeping it within the 1940 Act framework. The proposal treats blockchain as recordkeeping infrastructure—same CUSIP, rights, and disclosures—opening the door to faster settlement and “token-aware” distribution without creating a new asset class. If approved, it could accelerate adoption of on-chain wrappers for traditional funds and ETFs.
Source: FinanceFeeds
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