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4 May 2026, 20:15

China, Indonesia have launched a QR payment system that skips the US dollar

China and Indonesia have created a shared QR code payment system, allowing shoppers in both countries to pay with their own money, eliminating the need for a dollar. The initiative is part of a bigger Chinese effort to integrate Southeast Asian economies and undercut the US dollar’s influence in global trade. According to the new arrangement , Chinese citizens can use apps like Alipay to point their phones at a QR code in Indonesia and pay in yuan. Indonesians can do the same by using their country’s QRIS platform and paying in rupiah. Neither side is required to convert to dollars initially. A growing regional network Indonesia’s central bank announced the launch on Thursday, adding to the increasing number of Southeast Asian countries that have tapped into China’s booming digital payments network. Thailand implemented a similar scheme for Chinese tourists in late October, allowing them to pay local shops in yuan using their home applications. Vietnam introduced UnionPay in December and added Alipay last month. Malaysia and Singapore already have similar setups in place. Alicia Garcia-Herrero, chief economist for Asia-Pacific at French investment bank Natixis, described the Indonesia link-up as a practical move that lowers transaction costs and takes some of the currency risk off the table for both sides. “For Beijing, the primary drivers appear to be advancing dedollarisation efforts, promoting the international use of the yuan and strengthening economic integration with key Asean partners amid broader geopolitical pushes for financial autonomy,” she said. The push for financial independence comes as the Indonesian rupiah is under strain. The dollar-to-rupiah exchange rate recently was at Rp17,416.70, up 0.51% for the day. Analysts tracking the pair say it has been holding above its 20-day, 50-day, and 200-day moving averages, with some traders expecting a break over the Rp17,500 resistance mark. The data supporting the local-currency commerce trend are impressive. In the first two months of 2026, ASEAN countries settled $8.45 billion in cross-border trade in their own currencies, up 163% from the same time in 2025. The majority of such activities occurred in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The region is also constructing a shared infrastructure known as the Regional Payment Connectivity system, which will process 12.9 million transactions in the first half of 2025. Tariff cuts add weight to the push China has integrated digital payment expansion with trade policy reforms. Customs offices across the country have been grappling with a surge of imports under a broader zero-tariff program. Officials believe that final prices for certain commodities covered under the initiative will fall by 15% to 20%, decreasing costs for businesses that buy from China. These developments are consistent with the image painted by Goldman Sachs in a study released on January 5. Chief China economist Hui Shan noted that Chinese exporters have done well in finding buyers outside the United States, and that trend, along with a diminishing drag from the real estate industry, supports a stronger-than-expected growth outlook. Goldman Sachs forecasted Chinese economic growth above consensus, as well as monetary easing, fiscal spending, and exports. According to Garcia-Herrero, Beijing plans to add additional ASEAN nations and other partners to its digital payment network this year, as it continues to extend its financial footprint in the region. All of this is set against the backdrop of a global commercial environment that has seen several countries advocate for tariffs and limited market access. Meanwhile, China has positioned itself as a stable hub with solid supply chains and an open trade policy, emphasizing the contrast as other big economies become more protective of their own markets. It remains to be seen if these payment ties and trade deals will permanently transform the dollar’s role in Asian commerce, but the rate at which they are being implemented implies Beijing has no intention of slowing down. This expansion suggests that the integration of local currency systems is becoming a standard feature of trade across the region. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .

4 May 2026, 20:05

Bitmine Pushes $13.1 Billion Treasury as 5,180,131 ETH Position Reshapes Crypto Balance

Bitmine Immersion Technologies has unveiled a $13.1 billion treasury, with ethereum comprising roughly $12.1 billion of the total. Key Takeaways: Bitmine reached $13.1 billion in holdings on May 3, 2026, including 5.18 million ETH and 200 Bitcoin. Ranking as the #2 global treasury, Bitmine now trades $625 million daily, outpacing firms like DoorDash. Thomas Lee

4 May 2026, 19:55

Fed's Williams says the U.S. economy is entering a more uncertain phase

New York Federal Reserve President John C. Williams said the U.S. economy is entering a more uncertain phase, with risks increasing on both sides of the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate, which is to keep inflation under control while sustaining a strong labor market. “Right now, the future is difficult to see, and the risks to both sides of our mandate have increased,” Williams said on May 4, according to remarks published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. His comments reflect a growing tension for policymakers: inflation remains above target even as signs emerge that the labor market is losing some momentum, all against a backdrop of geopolitical instability tied to the Middle East. Balancing act for policymakers Williams signaled that, for now, the Fed believes it is in a position to manage those competing pressures without immediate changes to policy. “The elevated levels of inflation, mixed signals from the labor market, and heightened uncertainty from the Middle East conflict present an unusual set of circumstances, but the current stance of monetary policy is well positioned to balance the risks to our maximum employment and price stability goals,” he said. The Federal Reserve’s rate-setting body, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), has kept its benchmark interest rate in the 5.25%–5.50% range in recent meetings after an aggressive series of hikes, opting to wait for clearer signals from the data. As head of the New York Fed and vice chair of the FOMC, Williams is a central figure in shaping the Fed’s policy direction, and his framing suggests officials are increasingly alert to risks in both directions — not just inflation. Inflation still above Fed’s target Williams made clear that the Fed’s inflation fight is not over. “I am steadfastly committed to supporting maximum employment and bringing inflation down to our 2 percent longer-run goal on a sustained basis,” he said. Recent economic data illustrate the challenge. Inflation, measured by the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index, is still running at roughly 2.7%–2.9% annually, above the Fed’s 2% goal. At the same time, the unemployment rate has remained close to 4.0%, pointing to a labor market that is cooling gradually but not sharply weakening. Waiting for clearer signals Williams did not hint at any imminent move on interest rates. Instead, his remarks suggest a Fed that is watching closely — and cautiously — as it weighs whether inflation pressures or labor market softness will ultimately dominate. For markets, that means the coming months of inflation and employment data will be critical in determining whether the Fed leans toward easing policy, holding steady for longer, or, if needed, tightening again. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .

4 May 2026, 19:51

Tether Gold tops $3.3B as demand for bullion-backed tokens rises

Tether’s XAUt tops $3.3 billion as gold reserves reach 154 tons, with demand rising amid geopolitical tensions and shifting expectations for Federal Reserve policy.

4 May 2026, 18:02

Dark Defender Has Bullish Message for XRP Holders

Crypto analyst Dark Defender (@DefendDark) has published a structured breakdown of five events in May that he believes will push XRP to a new price target. His post targets $1.66 as the level at which what he calls “the cup” completes. The Institutional Foundation Comes First Dark Defender marks May 1 as the starting point. XRP futures went live on Coinbase on that date. He calls this “institutional plumbing” now being opened. It is a foundational move that positions XRP for larger capital flows before anything else on his list materializes. Six days later, GraniteShares will launch its 3x leveraged XRP ETFs . The product gives traders direct, amplified exposure to XRP price movements. It is a significant expansion of accessible instruments for those seeking outsized positioning. My Dear #XRPArmy , Five Waves cresting over May Wave 1: Settled in silence on the 1st. XRP futures went live on Coinbase. Institutional plumbing is now open. Wave 2: Ignites on the 7th. Magnified. GraniteShares 3x leveraged XRP ETFs launch! Wave 3: Walks out the… — Dark Defender (@DefendDark) May 3, 2026 Powell’s Exit as a Liquidity Event Dark Defender identifies May 15 as the moment he labels the “biggest wave.” Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell could exit on that date. Dark Defender states directly that this is “a boom for the liquidity.” He links a shift in Fed leadership to looser financial conditions, and that environment historically favors risk assets, including crypto. The Senate Deadline Before Memorial Day Wave four sets a price level and a legal milestone together. Dark Defender puts $1.5 as the target for this stage. He ties it to the Senate’s deadline on crypto legislation before the Memorial Day recess starting on May 25. He describes this as “crypto’s legal spine, decided.” A clear regulatory outcome removes a layer of uncertainty from the market, which could significantly benefit XRP, given its history with the SEC . The Final Target and What’s Next Dark Defender’s fifth wave brings XRP to $1.66. He states the cup completes at this level. He believes the sequence is already in motion and that the timing is not accidental. Dark Defender’s analysis is notable because it does not rely on one event. It builds a chain. Futures access, leveraged ETF availability, a Federal Reserve transition , Senate action on crypto law, and a resulting price breakout are all connected in his view. Each step adds a new layer of institutional credibility or regulatory clarity. Together, they make his $1.66 target a conclusion, not a guess. The XRP community is watching each date closely. The first catalyst has already landed, and four remain. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Dark Defender Has Bullish Message for XRP Holders appeared first on Times Tabloid .

4 May 2026, 17:24

Fed’s Williams forecasts US inflation at 3 percent in 2024

🚨 Williams sees US inflation at 3 percent in 2024. Markets now expect possible rate hikes instead of cuts in $BTC. Continue Reading: Fed’s Williams forecasts US inflation at 3 percent in 2024 The post Fed’s Williams forecasts US inflation at 3 percent in 2024 appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .