*In the past 24 hours, Bitcoin and Ethereum have seen modest price changes within narrow trading ranges, with BTC and  ETH experiencing a slight rise. Both assets maintain a bullish long-term outlook, supported by their 200-day SMAs. However, caution is advised due to mixed signals from various market indicators.

Friday

*Stocks edged higher ahead of Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole speech, with traders eager for insights into the pace and extent of potential Federal Reserve rate cuts.

*Powell’s address earlier today had been the focal point for traders all week. Markets dipped on Thursday amid concerns that Powell might push back against aggressive easing expectations. Meanwhile, strategists from JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank anticipate moderate bond movements during the conference, with options traders predicting limited stock fluctuations in the coming days.

*Two Federal Reserve officials indicated that it may soon be appropriate for the central bank to start lowering interest rates, suggesting that the process should be “gradual” and “methodical.”

*Citi, BMO assisted AIIB in its debut $300 million digital bond issuance, marking the first time an Asian issuer has used the Euroclear blockchain platform. Digital bonds are still a niche but expanding segment of the fixed-income market.

Thursday

*Stocks remained elevated after the latest jobless claims data indicated that the labor market is cooling gradually rather than slowing rapidly, despite elevated Federal Reserve rates.

*Ahead of Jerome Powell’s speech on Friday, equities rose in early New York trading, with the S&P 500 now less than 1% away from its all-time high. Treasuries continued to post small losses, while the dollar strengthened against most major currencies.

*Several Federal Reserve officials acknowledged that there was a credible argument for cutting interest rates at their July 30-31 meeting, before the central bank’s policy committee voted unanimously to keep them unchanged.

*Hong Kong’s efforts to establish itself as a digital-asset hub are facing challenges amid uncertainty over whether 11 crypto exchanges will secure full licenses after receiving initial approvals.

Wednesday

*Stocks edged up as investors awaited an annual review of U.S. jobs data and the Federal Reserve’s meeting minutes for more insight into potential interest rate cuts.

*Bond traders are taking on unprecedented risk, betting heavily on a Treasury market rally driven by expectations that the Federal Reserve will initiate its first interest rate cut in over four years.

*According to K33 Research, a signal from the Bitcoin derivatives market indicates a growing risk of a “short squeeze” that could trigger sharp rallies in the largest digital asset.

Tuesday

*Stocks struggled to gain momentum after a rally brought the market closer to all-time highs, erasing early August losses.

*Equities fluctuated in early New York trading following the S&P 500’s eighth consecutive day of gains, marking its longest winning streak in 2024. According to Citigroup strategists, investor sentiment has improved, driving bullish flows and adding around $16 billion in new long positions to S&P 500 futures, pushing positioning to increasingly extended levels.

*Central bankers gathering this week for one of the world’s most significant annual economic forums are expected to face more division than at any time since before the pandemic.

*In the crypto space, Bitwise Asset Management, a provider of crypto exchange-traded funds, is acquiring ETC Group, a digital-assets issuer based in London, amid a wave of deals within the ETF industry.

*Meanwhile, Bitcoin and the broader crypto market are experiencing significant losses this month, even as global stocks edge closer to record highs after overcoming concerns about the U.S. economy.

Monday

*Bitcoin and the broader crypto market keep experiencing significant losses this month, even as global stocks rebound toward record highs, overcoming concerns about U.S. economic growth.

*Stocks saw modest movements following last week’s risk-on rally as traders await indications of the extent of potential interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve.

*Shares of European defense companies dropped after reports suggested that Germany will halt new aid requests for Ukraine as it looks to curb spending.

*Wall Street is betting that Fed Chair Jerome Powell will confirm upcoming interest rate cuts at the central bank’s annual meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. However, as the focus shifts from “if” to “how significant,” stock traders might find themselves disappointed.

*Meanwhile, fund managers are positioning themselves to protect fixed-income returns in case of an inflation shock.