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Kerala tourism minister PA Mohammad Riyas, speaking at the state conference of the Chamber of Pharma Entrepreneurs in Kochi on August 21, highlighted the growing global recognition of Kerala’s hospitals. “Kerala’s medical tourism sector is experiencing significant expansion in both reputation and patient visits,” he said. Kerala is emerging as a key destination in the global medical tourism landscape, with rapid advancements in its healthcare sector, according to Tourism Minister PA Mohammad Riyas. Speaking at the state conference of the Chamber of Pharma Entrepreneurs (COPE) in Kochi on August 21, where he inaugurated an associated expo, Riyas highlighted the growing global recognition of Kerala’s hospitals. “Kerala’s medical tourism sector is experiencing significant expansion in both reputation and patient visits,” he said. The minister emphasised the interconnected growth of the tourism and pharmaceutical industries in the state. “If we popularise our medical tourism sector further, it will help the pharma sector in Kerala. I hope the chamber will continue to bring new ideas and make Kerala’s health sector even stronger,” Riyas said. Addressing the gathering virtually, State Finance Minister KN Balagopal stressed the importance of ensuring the quality and authenticity of medicines available in the market. He urged COPE to assist in curbing the spread of counterfeit drugs, which pose a serious threat to public health. Also read | ‘Two Rupee Doctor’ passes away after healing thousands of poor patients in north Kerala Meanwhile, Revenue Minister K Rajan commended the pharmaceutical industry for its efforts in integrating modern technologies and infrastructure. He noted that these developments are positioning Kerala as a potential global hub in the pharmaceutical sector. COPE state president K Sanal shared insights into the economic impact of the industry, stating that the annual turnover of the state’s pharma sector exceeds ₹1,000 crore. He also lauded the sector’s proactive role in responding to emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Kerala floods, and the Wayanad disaster, by ensuring a steady supply of essential medicines. Meanwhile, to push towards modernising public transport in the state, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) rolled out 143 new buses on August 22, each equipped with advanced technology and modern amenities. The new fleet is part of an initiative to enhance passenger comfort and digitise the corporation’s operations. Also read | Kerala’s Madayipara transforms into floral wonderland and tourists are amazed Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar officially flagged off the new vehicles, announcing that the upgraded fleet will serve inter-state, inter-district, and long-distance routes. The move aligns with the state’s efforts to transform KSRTC into a more efficient, passenger-friendly transport system. “We are launching new buses for the facelift of KSRTC. We are providing the most expensive and modern buses and facilities in the KSRTC fleet. We are aiming for total modernisation and digitalisation,” Minister Ganesh Kumar was quoted as saying at the launch event by PTI. Highlighting upcoming infrastructural developments, the minister noted that major highways are currently under construction, which will pave the way for direct services on key routes including Trivandrum to Kochi, Kozhikode, and Thrissur. “Digitalisation refers to the integration of all inventory and operations into AI-supported software. Yesterday, the Chief Minister inaugurated that,” he added, referring to a major tech upgrade in the transport system. Expanding KSRTC’s digital footprint, the minister announced the launch of two new mobile applications — one designed to assist with mock driving tests, and another offering private bus fare concessions. These apps are expected to benefit students and the general public. “We are providing examinations for students and the public through their mobile phones. We are conducting examinations for driving school instructors every three months and exams for motor vehicle department officers every month to upgrade their knowledge,” Ganesh Kumar said. The launch of the new fleet and digital platforms marks a significant step in Kerala’s transportation reforms, with a focus on technology, accessibility, and enhanced service standards. (Edited by : Jerome Anthony) First Published:  Aug 23, 2025 11:41 AM IST Read More

HomeMarket NewsInterGlobe Aviation to get $537 million inflow after Nifty 50 entry Brokerage firm Nuvama Alternative & Quantitative Research wrote in a note that in case IndiGo and Max Healthcare are included in the Nifty 50 index, it would result in both these stocks getting inflows worth up to $537 million and $412 million, respectively. By Meghna Sen   August 23, 2025, 1:24:59 PM IST (Published) InterGlobe Aviation Ltd., the parent of IndiGo, and hospital-chain operator Max Healthcare Institute will be included in the Nifty 50 index, according to the announcement made by the exchange as part of its semi-annual rebalancing. These two stocks will replace IndusInd Bank and Hero MotoCorp. The changes will take effect on September 30, 2025, as per the NSE circular. Brokerage firm Nuvama Alternative & Quantitative Research wrote in a note that in case IndiGo and Max Healthcare are included in the Nifty 50 index, it would result in both these stocks getting inflows worth up to $537 million and $412 million, respectively. IndiGo has delivered healthy returns to shareholders in recent times. The stock has risen over 32% so far in 2025. However, Kotak Institutional Equities recently downgraded IndiGo to ‘Add’ from its earlier rating of ‘Buy’, citing recent operational pressures and the sharp rally in its share price. Kotak has a target price of ₹6,850 on the counter. For the year through July-end, shares of IndusInd Bank declined 17.59%. Hero’s stock was up 1.82%. IndusInd Bank took a $230 million hit in the year ended March 31 due to misaccounting in internal derivative trades, prompting the resignations of CEO Sumant Kathpalia and deputy Arun Khurana in April. Apart from the benchmark, the Nifty 100, Nifty Next 50, Nifty 500, Nifty Midcap and Smallcap indices have also seen additions and exits. No changes were made in Nifty Bank, Nifty IT, FMCG, Oil & Gas, Metals, Private Bank, and PSU Bank indices. NSE’s semi-annual index reshuffle is based on stocks’ average free-float market capitalisation over six-month periods ending January 31 and July 31, with the changes implemented in March and September, respectively. Changes to the Nifty 50 usually lead to reshuffling of exchange traded funds linked to the benchmark index, which could result in several million dollars worth of inflows and outflows for the stocks that are rejigged. Note To Readers Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on CNBCTV18.com are their own and not that of the website or its management. CNBCTV18.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Read More

A few minutes after Fed Chair Jerome Powell hinted at a possible rate cut during his speech at Jackson Hole, Binance futures experienced a sharp uptick. According to market data analysis from CryptoQuant, Binance futures products recorded a $300 million upsurge in 15 minutes after the Fed Chair’s speech. As a result, Binance’s BTC Open Interest (OI) jumped to around $13.3 billion. Meanwhile, the total crypto OI surged by 8.5 percent to about $215 billion. The sudden market shift also resulted in more than $656 million of crypto derivatives liquidated in the past 24 hours Bitcoin Price Rebounds on Possible Fed Rate Cuts in 2025 Bitcoin price regained bullish sentiment following Fed Chair Powell’s remarks at the Jackson Hole conference. President Donald Trump welcomed the Fed rate cut goodwill but highlighted it ought to have happened a year ago. “With policy in restrictive territory, the baseline outlook and the shifting balance of risks may warrant adjusting our policy stance,” Fed Chair Powell stated. The flagship coin rallied over 4 percent on Friday to trade above $117k during the mid North American session. The wider altcoin industry followed in tandem, led by Ethereum (ETH), thus pushing the total crypto market towards $4.12 trillion.  Meanwhile, Kalshi traders increased their bets on a potential 25 bps Fed rate cut in September to 79 percent and reduced their stake on possible the Fed maintaining its rate between 4.25% and 4.5% to 18 percent. What’s Next? With the renewed demand for Bitcoin by whale investors, a fresh bull market is likely in the coming weeks. However, Bitcoin price must consistently close above $120k to invalidate the midterm bearish sentiment towards $108k. We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts on This Article! Was this writing helpful? Read More

Topline Astronomers have detected what may be the most massive black hole ever observed. It was found within what’s known as the Cosmic Horseshoe galaxy — one of the most massive galaxies known — which is so large it distorts spacetime into a near-ring of light. The Cosmic Horseshoe gravitational lens. The newly discovered ultramassive blackhole lies at the centre of the orange galaxy. Far behind it is a blue galaxy that is being warped into the horseshoe shaped ring by distortions in spacetime created by the immense mass of the foreground orange galaxy. NASA/ESA Key Facts The newly found black hole is about 36 billion times the mass of the sun. That’s 10,000 times heavier than Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. The immense size of the black hole puts it close to the theoretical upper limit of what the universe can sustain. The black hole exists in the Cosmic Horseshoe galaxy, which is so big it distorts spacetime and warps the passing light of a background galaxy into a giant horseshoe-shaped Einstein ring. It’s about five billion light-years distant. Despite its size, the massive back hole appears to be dormant. It was detected because of its immense gravitational pull on the stars around it. Every galaxy in the universe has a supermassive black hole at its center, with larger galaxies having larger ultra-massive black holes, scientists think. What Is The Cosmic Horseshoe Galaxy? One of the most massive galaxies ever recorded, the Cosmic Horeshoe was originally discovered in 2007 using data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey in New Mexico. Later imaged by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, it’s about 10 times the mass of the Milky Way, according to NASA. The Cosmic Horseshoe is a classic example of an Einstein Ring, whereby the bending of spacetime by mass — as predicted by Albert Einstein — a foreground galaxy acts as a lens to magnify a background galaxy. The alignment needs to be exact, making them rare. In the image of the Cosmic Horseshoe, the blue horseshoe shape is a distant galaxy, and the red galaxy is in the foreground. It’s the blue horseshoe galaxy that’s of most interest to astronomers because it’s older, in this case forming about three billion years after the Big Bang, which is thought to have created the universe 13.7 billion years ago. How The Biggest-Ever Black Hole Was Found As well as gravitational lensing, the black hole within the Cosmic Horseshoe was detected by studying how, and how fast, stars in the galaxy move around black holes. The findings have been published in a paper in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society in the U.K. “We detected the effect of the black hole in two ways — it is altering the path that light takes as it travels past the black hole and it is causing the stars in the inner regions of its host galaxy to move extremely quickly,” said Professor Thomas Collett, a researchers at the University of Portsmouth in the U.K. and one of the co-authors of the paper. The stars in question are moving at almost 400 kilometers per second. The Cosmic Horseshoe is thought to be a “fossil group” of ancient galaxies that have merged together. “It is likely that all of the supermassive black holes that were originally in the companion galaxies have also now merged to form the ultra-massive black hole that we have detected,” said Collett. “So we’re seeing the end state of galaxy formation and the end state of black hole formation.” Further reading ForbesDon’t Miss Friday’s Six-Planet ‘Parade’ — Here’s How To WatchBy Jamie Carter ForbesSee The Six-Planet Parade Peak As ‘Black Moon’ Arrives: The Night Sky This WeekBy Jamie Carter ForbesNorthern Lights Update: Aurora Alert For Monday Night In 16 StatesBy Jamie Carter Read More

Topline A federal judge on Wednesday rejected the Justice Department’s request to unseal grand jury materials in its prosecution against Jeffrey Epstein, thwarting the Trump administration’s primary strategy to try and quell the public uproar over it refusing to release the full Epstein files—though the grand jury materials were unlikely to have revealed much information even if they had been released. Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a party at the Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, on February 12, 2000. Getty Images Key Facts New York Judge Richard Berman denied the DOJ’s request to make a number of documents public from the grand jury that decided to indict Epstein in 2019, including transcripts from the grand jury and exhibits that the grand jury was shown. The Trump administration asked the court to unseal the materials in response to the public backlash over the DOJ’s memo announcing it would not release any further files on Epstein to the public. Grand jury materials can typically only be made public under a very narrow set of circumstances, and while the Trump administration had argued that the Epstein case merited an exception due to the public interest in the case, Berman disagreed. The judge wrote that while there is “certainly and appropriately lots of discussion about the Epstein case,” that interest is “legally insufficient” to justify the materials being released, and other factors also warrant the records remaining under seal, such as protecting the privacy and safety of Epstein’s victims. Berman suggested the DOJ should instead release its own files in the Epstein case rather than ask for the grand jury materials to be unsealed, noting it is “the logical party” to release files on Epstein and that the information in the grand jury materials “pales in comparison” to the information “in the hands of the Department of Justice.” The ruling comes after two other courts previously rejected other requests by the DOJ to unseal grand jury materials in cases against Epstein and associate Ghislaine Maxwell. What’s In The Grand Jury Materials? While it’s unclear what exactly the sealed grand jury materials include, it’s unlikely they feature any major revelations about Epstein’s case or the people he associated with. The only witnesses who testified to the grand jury were law enforcement officials, and jurors did not hear from any of Epstein’s victims directly. The government has also conceded in court filings that at least some of the exhibits may already have been made public during Maxwell’s trial, and much of the materials may have been redacted in order to protect the identities of victims and other third parties. The indictment against Epstein details how the financier allegedly abused numerous women and led a sex trafficking operation in which victims were persuaded to recruit other women, many of whom were underage, but while it notes that some Epstein employees and other “associates” were involved in the operation, it does not make any allegations regarding the financier’s powerful friends. Will Any Epstein Files Be Released? Wednesday’s ruling ensures that grand jury materials regarding Epstein will remain under wraps, and the DOJ has still shown no willingness to voluntarily release its files on Epstein to the public. The government is expected to start complying with a congressional subpoena asking for its documents on Epstein later this week, however, and the House Oversight Committee confirmed to Forbes it intends to make the documents it receives public. It’s unclear how long that could take, however. The DOJ is expected to only start providing documents to lawmakers on Friday but has not confirmed a timeline on how long it will take to send over all the materials, and the committee told Forbes it will review documents to ensure victims’ privacy before anything is released. Key Background Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges in 2019 and died in prison later that year, but interest in his case has resurged this summer in the wake of the DOJ’s memo refusing to disclose any further documents. Justice officials including Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel had long promised the documents would be released and helped build public interest in the case prior to entering the White House, with Patel and Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino repeatedly promoting conspiracy theories such as the existence of a so-called Epstein “client list.” Their sudden about-face by refusing to release the files sparked fury among Trump’s base, and the push to release grand jury materials is one of a few steps the Trump administration has taken in an effort to limit the backlash, along with conducting a private interview with Maxwell in July. President Donald Trump directed Bondi to ask for the grand jury materials to be released in July, as the president faced scrutiny over a Wall Street Journal report suggesting he sent a “bawdy” letter to Epstein for the financier’s 50th birthday. The president called for the grand jury materials to be released after long downplaying the case against Epstein—whom he was friends with in the 1990s and early 2000s—and decrying the conspiracies against him as a “hoax.” Further Reading ForbesJudge Rejects Trump Bid To Unseal Epstein Associate Maxwell’s Grand Jury RecordsBy Zachary FolkForbesTrump And Bondi Promised Epstein Grand Jury Docs—But It Doesn’t Mean Anything Will Be Released Today Or EverBy Alison DurkeeForbesDOJ Asks Court To Release Epstein Grand Jury Evidence—But Unclear How Much May Already Be PublicBy Alison Durkee Read More

August 22, 2025 Overview: The Realtor.com® economics team video update gives you the relevant economic and real estate information you need to know each week every Friday to navigate the housing market as a homebuyer, home seller, or industry professional. For the week ending August 22, Realtor.com® Chief Economist Danielle Hale covers her reaction to the Fed’s annual Jackson Hole Symposium. She discusses the latest data on homebuilding including a report on the markets where buyers are looking for and finding it. Danielle reviews the latest research on how mortgage rates and income are shaping purchasing power for home shoppers and how that affects home sales along with the latest mortgage rate and housing market trends. Finally, she highlights the strikingly coastal lean of America’s most expensive ZIP codes You’ll find all the details including full reports and our housing data for download at realtor.com/research. You can also follow us on X (formerly twitter) for real time updates. And instagram @realtordotcomecon for graphics. Reports and articles referenced: August 2025 Buying Power Report https://www.realtor.com/research/buying-power-report-aug-2025/  Top New Construction Metros for 2025 https://www.realtor.com/research/top-new-construction-metros-2025/  America’s Most Expensive ZIP Codes https://www.realtor.com/research/americas-most-expensive-zips/  Weekly Housing Market Trends – Week of August 16 https://www.realtor.com/research/weekly-housing-trends-view-data-week-august-16-2025/  Commentary on Housing Construction – July 2025 https://www.realtor.com/research/new-home-construction-july-2025/  Commentary on Mortgage Rates – August 21, 2025 https://www.realtor.com/research/freddie-mac-mortgage-rates-august-21-2025/  Commentary on Existing Home Sales – July 2025 https://www.realtor.com/research/existing-home-sales-july-2025/ Commentary on Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole Address August 2025 https://www.realtor.com/research/federal-reserve-powell-jackson-hole-2025/ Housing data for download: https://www.realtor.com/research/data VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: I’m Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com®. As late summer signals last beach vacations and the Fed’s annual Jackson Hole Symposium, I’ll discuss the latest data on homebuilding including a report on the markets where buyers are looking for and finding it. I’ll also review the latest research on how mortgage rates and income are shaping purchasing power for home shoppers and how that affects home sales along with the latest mortgage rate and housing market trends. Finally, I’ll highlight the strikingly coastal lean of America’s most expensive ZIP codes.  In Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole address he pieced together a picture of the economy as a whole–healthy, but slowing–based on a wide number of variables illuminating the Fed’s dual mandate and pressures on employment and the inflation outlook. Chair Powell acknowledged that conditions “may warrant adjusting [the] policy stance,” which he described as restrictive. My own outlook matches the typical market perspective: that the Fed is likely to cut in September, and Chair Powell’s address has further consolidated expectations around this view. In construction, data showed an uptick in July housing starts, but both permits and completions were down on a yearly basis.  Builder confidence remains low and incentive use is widespread. However, builders reported a modest uptick in buyer traffic, and a Realtor.com study showed that some markets have even greater buyer engagement. This metric along with other stats on homebuilding fed into our Top New Construction Metros ranking. These top metros are overwhelmingly found in the South, but every region is represented by at least one market on the list. The option of buying a new home may be more realistic than many consumers expect. One challenge facing builders is buyer purchasing power. A Realtor.com study found that despite significant income growth, higher mortgage rates have erased nearly $30,000 in home purchasing power for the typical income household in the last 6 years. There are a few markets that bucked this trend, where incomes have grown enough to offset the impact of higher mortgage rates, but they are the exception, not the norm. Even though mortgage rates are still a headwind, existing home sales rose in July getting just past a 4 million sales pace. Home price growth slowed and data show notable variation across the country, making it more important than ever to tap into local market trends. This week, mortgage rates were unchanged as investors digested conflicting signals on recent labor market and inflation data. Rates are likely to move lower as we near mid-September and the next expected Fed cut.  Meanwhile, housing data remained fairly steady. We see more sellers, but momentum is waning and active listings continue to go up as prices remain flat. Finally, have you ever wondered where the nation’s priciest homes are? America’s most expensive ZIP codes are found in coastal markets in California and New York, and also where the number one priciest ZIP is: Fisher Island in Miami, FL. You can find all the details, including full reports and our housing data for download, at realtor.com/research.  You can also follow us on X (formerly twitter) for real time updates. And instagram for graphics.  Subscribe to our mailing list to receive monthly updates and notifications on the latest data and research. Read More

Powell flags ‘shifting’ risks Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole speech signaled the Federal Reserve is preparing to pivot, both in the near term with interest rates and in the longer run with its policy framework. In the short run, Powell acknowledged that the “balance of risks appears to be shifting.” Inflation remains above target, with core PCE at 2.9% as the effects of tariffs “accumulate,” while the labor market is softening as job growth slows, labor force participation dips, and unemployment edges up to 4.2%. That two-sided risk, upside pressure on prices versus downside risks to employment, has markets already pricing in a September rate cut. Beyond September, though, Powell was clear that “monetary policy is not on a preset course” because the FOMC makes decisions “based solely on [its] assessment of the data.” At the same time, Powell underscored a deeper pivot: The Fed is moving away from its 2020 strategy of flexible average inflation targeting and back toward a simpler flexible inflation-targeting approach, better suited to an economy where both inflation and employment risks matter. The new consensus statement restores a simpler framework and clarifies how the Fed balances its dual mandate when inflation and employment objectives diverge. Put differently, the Fed is now more willing to lean against labor market weakness, even if inflation is still a touch high. What it means for the housing market For housing, the Fed’s pivot could matter in two ways. In the short run, mortgage rates remaining at 10-month lows are already offering a boost to affordability and, potentially, to buyer sentiment. That relief is welcome after several years of high borrowing costs eroded consumers’ purchasing power, leaving this summer especially frustrating for buyers, sellers, and builders as both existing– and new-home sales stayed sluggish. But there’s also a longer-run shift in play: If Powell’s new framework signals a steadier commitment to balancing inflation and employment risks, it could reduce uncertainty and stabilize rate expectations. Going forward, resolving economic uncertainty will be key for restoring consumer confidence and jumpstarting the housing market this fall, and beyond. Read More

The cryptocurrency market is showing signs of life again, with a nearly 4% jump, as its market cap hit almost $4 trillion in the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, with Bitcoin up almost 4% from yesterday, crossing the $116,800 mark, a remarkable 93% increase from one year ago. This rally has surprised the entire crypto market while traders are wondering the reason behind this massive jump.  Let’s break down what’s driving this rally. Powell Hints at Rate Cuts In Sept Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s recent speech from Jackson Hole strongly hinted at upcoming interest rate cuts, encouraging investors to move into risk-on assets like cryptocurrencies. Meanwhile, the CME FedWatch tool now shows a 75% chance of a cut Powell’s softer stance pushed investors toward riskier assets like crypto. Bitcoin quickly bounced from $111,600 to above $117,000, showing how strongly markets react to Fed signals. Bitcoin Spot ETF Outflows Drop Sharply Another big reason was the sharp drop in Spot Bitcoin ETF outflows. After billions left earlier in the week, starting with $523.3 million on August 19, $315.9 million on August 20, and $194.4 million the other day, the outflow sharply dropped to just $23.2 million on August 22. This shows institutions are holding their positions instead of cashing out, giving markets a fresh boost of confidence. Ethereum Saw Big Gains Ethereum also saw a big push, climbing to near a new high $4,735. A big reason behind this move is strong support from institutions. SharpLink announced a $1.5B buyback, and Japan’s SBI bank invested in Circle to grow USDC. At the same time, gas fees on Ethereum are now at record lows, making it cheaper for people to use DeFi. $744.77 Liquidations Add to the Rally According to CoinGlass data, the past 24 hours saw 176,721 traders liquidated, with total liquidations reaching $752.96 million. Short sellers were hit hardest, with nearly $463 million in short positions wiped out.  Ethereum accounted for more than half the overall liquidations ($385.2 million), while Bitcoin recorded $111.76 million in short liquidations. This forced buying helped push crypto prices higher, adding to today’s rally. Altcoins Ride the Momentum The market rally today isn’t limited to Bitcoin and Ethereum alone, major altcoins like XRP, Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), and Dogecoin (DOGE) have also posted substantial gains.  On top of this, the Altcoin season index has seen a jump and is currently standing at 57, indicating the altcoin season is near. Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World! Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more. FAQs Why is the crypto market rallying today? Markets surged nearly 4% after Fed hints at September rate cuts boosted investor confidence. How did Powell’s speech affect Bitcoin? Powell’s dovish tone on rate cuts encouraged crypto investment. Bitcoin jumped from ~$111,600 to over $117,000 shortly after his comments. Are altcoins also rallying? Yes, major altcoins like XRP, SOL, ADA, and DOGE posted gains. The Altcoin Season Index jumped to 57, indicating a nearing altcoin season. We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts on This Article! Was this writing helpful? Read More

Bitcoin is navigating a trend-shift zone as markets digest Jerome Powell’s latest Jackson Hole speech. The Fed Chair flagged rising downside risks to jobs while hinting at a possible September rate cut, even as tariff-driven inflation pressures remain a concern. Historically, Powell’s policy signals have heavily influenced crypto markets—dovish tones in past speeches have boosted Bitcoin’s momentum, while hawkish stances triggered sell-offs. With the BTC price now at a pivotal level, traders are watching closely for signs of a breakout toward a new ATH. How Powell’s Past Speeches Moved Bitcoin The Fed Chair acknowledged that the U.S. labour market is beginning to show signs of strain, raising the possibility of interest rate cuts sooner than expected. At the same time, he cautioned that tariff-driven inflation could complicate the outlook, forcing the Fed to balance growth risks with price stability. Powell’s remarks have consistently acted as a catalyst for Bitcoin price swings: Jackson Hole 2022: His hawkish stance on persistent inflation led BTC to drop nearly 8% in two days, erasing short-term bullish momentum. FOMC March 2023: When Powell signaled slower rate hikes, Bitcoin surged 12% in a week, marking one of its strongest rebounds that quarter. Jackson Hole 2024: A balanced but cautious tone on inflation saw BTC consolidate, holding support near $25,000 before resuming its uptrend weeks later. This pattern shows how monetary policy language directly shapes Bitcoin’s volatility, with dovish hints fueling rallies and hawkish notes sparking sell-offs. Powell’s latest speech suggests the Fed is leaning dovish, acknowledging rising risks to employment and hinting at a potential September rate cut. Historically, such signals have bolstered Bitcoin as investors shift toward risk-on assets. What’s Next for the Bitcoin Price Rally?  The recent comments from the FED chair have paused the BTC price plunge for a while, which was testing the pivotal support close to $112,500. A rebound to $117,500 has displayed investors’ confidence in the token as well as a strong presence of the bulls. However, the bulls have fallen weak as the price entered the resistance zone, which suggests the market participants may get yet another buying opportunity.  As seen in the above chart, the BTC price continues to remain within a rising parallel channel, a bullish pattern. After the bounce from the support, the possibility of a sustained upswing prevails, but indicators like the supertrend, which has flipped bearish, raise concerns. Meanwhile, the MACD displays the possibility of a bullish crossover with a drop in the selling pressure. This could point towards a breakout towards the resistance of the channel if the price surpasses the resistance zone between $116,206 and $116,500.  However, the crucial resistance to surpass is the average band of the channel around $119,400, which could validate the revival of the bull run to a new ATH, somewhere around $126,600.  We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts on This Article! Was this writing helpful? Read More

The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has approved the joint stipulation of dismissal for the appeal filed by Ripple Labs and the SEC. According to the order issued at the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse, the stipulation withdrawing the appeals was approved on Friday August 22. As a result, the lawsuit filed by the U.S. SEC in late 2020 is officially over. The Court’s approval of the joint stipulation of dismissal for the appeals was welcomed by the Ripple Labs community, the XRP holders, and the wider crypto industry. Institutional Investors React Appropriately to the Official Closure of the Ripple vs SEC case Following the closure of the longstanding Ripple vs SEC case, fund managers seeking to offer spot XRP ETFs rushed to update their filings on Friday. With the October deadline fast approaching, seven fund managers, led by Graysvale Investment, updated their S-1 filings.  “Bunch of XRP ETF filings being updated by issuers today. Almost certainly due to feedback from the SEC. Good sign, but also mostly expected,” James Seyffart, ETF analyst, noted.  The regulatory clarity in the United States has helped Ripple grow the XRP market outlook significantly in the recent past.  What’s Next for XRP? With the SEC lawsuit against Ripple officially closed, XRP price is well positioned to enter its euphoric phase of the 2025 bull market. The large-cap altcoin, with a fully diluted valuation of about $308 billion, gained 6.9 percent in the past 24 hours to trade about $3.08 at the time of this writing. From a technical analysis standpoint, XRP price has been forming a potential descending triangle, amid a rising market, signaling bullish accumulation. The next major target for XRP price is $6.9, which coincides with the 1.618 daily Fibonacci extension. We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts on This Article! Was this writing helpful? Read More