Trump Criticizes Powell
US President Donald Trump has reiterated his criticism of Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. Trump argued that the US should benefit from the lowest interest rates on a global scale. He stated that current interest rates do not sufficiently support economic growth. He emphasized that lower interest rates would provide advantages in terms of investments and financial conditions. The statements reignited discussions about political pressure on the Fed’s independence.
SEC Opens Up 401k
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins said it is an appropriate time for cryptocurrencies to enter 401k retirement accounts. Atkins noted that the regulatory framework has now matured. He argued that crypto assets should be considered long-term investment vehicles. The statements were interpreted as an important signal for institutional and individual investors.
US Jobless Claims
Initial jobless claims in the US reached 209,000 in the week ending January 24. The data exceeded market expectations of 205,000. The previous week’s data was revised from 200,000 to 210,000. This outlook pointed to a partial slowdown in the labor market. However, overall levels are still considered strong compared to historical averages.
UK Stablecoin Review
The UK House of Lords Financial Services Regulatory Committee has launched a comprehensive inquiry into stablecoins. The review covers the growth of the stablecoin market and the effectiveness of proposed regulations. The future role of sterling-based stablecoins and their impact on the UK economy will be assessed. The feasibility of the regulatory framework proposed by the Bank of England and the FCA will also be addressed. The committee has requested submissions of views and evidence from the public and industry experts.
Major Buyback from ALT5
ALT5 Sigma Corporation has approved a $100 million share buyback program. Under the program, 50 million shares, equivalent to approximately 40% of outstanding shares, can be repurchased if the net asset value falls below that level. The company has also decided to continue purchasing $WLFI tokens on the secondary market. The value of the 7.3 billion $WLFI tokens held by ALT5 is approximately $1.5 billion. Management emphasized that these steps reflect confidence in the long-term value of the company.
21Shares has launched a new Solana-focused investment product, the Jito Staked SOL ETP (JSOL). JSOL offers dual-source returns by combining Solana price performance with staking rewards. The product is structured to be accessible through traditional banks and brokers. JSOL is listed on Euronext Amsterdam and Paris with a total expense ratio of 0.99%. This development signals increased institutional interest in the Solana ecosystem.
