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Coinbase Global (COIN), the largest US cryptocurrency exchange, and PNC Financial Services Group (PNC), a major Pittsburgh-based bank, have formed a strategic partnership to integrate cryptocurrency services into PNC’s offerings. This collaboration enables PNC’s retail and institutional clients to buy, sell, and hold digital assets directly through their accounts, while PNC provides banking services like settlement to Coinbase. Announced as an early-stage relationship, the partnership will soon launch PNC’s first crypto offering using Coinbase’s crypto-as-a-service infrastructure. This move reflects a growing trend of traditional banking and crypto converging, fueled by a more favorable regulatory environment under the Trump administration, unlike the restrictive Biden-era policies. The crypto market’s surge, with a capitalization nearing $4 trillion and Bitcoin hitting record highs above $122,000, has spurred interest from major banks like Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase to explore digital asset opportunities. PNC, known for its conservative “brilliantly boring” brand, sees this as a way to meet client demand for secure crypto access without embracing volatility. This partnership exemplifies how even traditional institutions are adapting to the rising mainstream adoption of digital assets amidst evolving regulations and market dynamics.
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The Federal Reserve's December meeting minutes, released on Tuesday, revealed a closely contested decision to cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point to a range of 3.5%-3.75%, marking the third reduction this fall. While most officials supported the cut due to concerns about the job market, some advocated for maintaining rates, citing stalled progress toward the 2% inflation target. The minutes highlighted a split in opinions, with some suggesting it could be "some time" before further cuts, depending on economic data and inflation trends. Inflation is expected to remain somewhat elevated in the near term before gradually declining to the target, though uncertainties persist regarding the impact of tariffs on goods prices. Fed Chair Jay Powell adopted a cautious tone, indicating the committee is in a good position to evaluate the economy before deciding on future rate adjustments. The minutes, released with a three-week lag, provide a snapshot of officials’ thinking before newer economic data, including delayed November inflation and labor figures due to a government shutdown, became available. Notably, post-meeting data showed the unemployment rate reaching a four-year high of 4.6% in November, adding complexity to the Fed’s ongoing balancing act between inflation control and labor market stability.
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Gold and silver prices crashed after reaching record highs, with gold futures declining 4.5% to just over $4,340 per troy ounce and silver futures dropping 8.7%, their worst performance since 2021. The downturn followed heightened market tension after the Chicago Mercantile Exchange increased margin requirements for silver futures, forcing leveraged traders to sell or add funds. Additionally, China’s upcoming export restrictions on silver, starting in January, have intensified supply fears, especially given the metal’s critical role in the AI and renewable energy sectors. Silver, the top conductor of electricity, is essential for electronics, solar panels, and electric vehicles, and is currently in a global market deficit, recently added to the US critical minerals list. Despite a remarkable year—silver surged nearly 150% and gold 67%—experts like Bloomberg’s Mike McGlone caution against over-optimism, warning of potential price reversals reminiscent of the 1980 crash following a similar rapid ascent in 1979. Elon Musk also expressed concern over silver’s soaring prices due to its industrial importance. As precious metals like copper and platinum also hit records, the market remains volatile, with calls to take profits amid stretched valuations.
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Silver prices experienced a dramatic decline of over 6% after hitting a record high of $84 an ounce, driven by a speculative rally fueled by Chinese investment demand. The surge saw premiums for spot silver in Shanghai reach an unprecedented $8 above London prices. This frenzy prompted extreme measures in China, including the country’s only pure-play silver fund rejecting new customers after failing to temper investor enthusiasm with risk warnings. Concerns over potential heavy losses grew as the fund’s premium ballooned to over 60% above its underlying assets. Elon Musk weighed in, noting silver’s industrial importance, especially in solar photovoltaics, amid fears of supply shortages with inventories at historic lows. Meanwhile, exchanges like CME Group are raising margins on silver futures to reduce speculation. The rally follows a recent squeeze in the London silver market due to ETF inflows and exports to India, with much of the world’s available silver now in New York pending a US trade probe. Technical indicators suggest the rally may have overheated, with silver trading down 5.5% at $74.95 an ounce, alongside declines in gold, platinum, and palladium. Analysts warn of an extreme speculative atmosphere, exacerbated by hype around tight supply, as China—both a top producer and the largest consumer—continues to influence global silver dynamics.
