Invest ideasNews
24 Apr 2026, 18:11
Justice Department Ends Probe of Fed Chair Powell, Clearing Path for Warsh Confirmation
The Justice Department closed the Jerome Powell probe, removing a barrier to Senate action on Kevin Warsh's Federal Reserve nomination.
24 Apr 2026, 16:13
Is the US Government Having Secret Plans with XRP? Ripple CTO Breaks Silence
Ripple Chief Technology Officer David Schwartz has responded to renewed claims that XRP is tied to undisclosed government plans or hidden financial system deals. In remarks shared on X, Schwartz rejected the idea that there is a secret arrangement involving Ripple, XRP, and the U.S. government. His response came after social media posts revived theories that XRP could be part of a larger unannounced rollout tied to central banks or a future financial reset. The speculation has been circulating alongside extreme price targets for XRP, including claims that the token could reach $1,000 or even $10,000 because of supposed private agreements. Those theories often point to nonpublic business relationships, sealed contracts, or backdoor government coordination. Schwartz said those claims do not reflect what he knows from his position inside Ripple and from his visibility into the broader XRP ecosystem. He addressed the matter directly, saying, “There is no conspiracy. There is no secret plan. There is nothing going on with the government and some big thing to do with XRP. Nothing like that, as far as I know.” Schwartz added that if there were a major unannounced initiative of that kind, he would likely know about it because of his role and access to internal and external developments. Schwartz Draws a Line Between Hype and Business Reality Schwartz’s comments were aimed at a specific type of narrative that has become common in parts of the XRP community. Some users have argued that public information only reveals a small part of what is happening behind the scenes and that hidden details explain why XRP could one day move sharply higher. Schwartz said those assumptions are usually wrong. He said most of what people see publicly is close to the full picture. In his words, “About 99% of what you see is what there is.” He also warned that people who rely on unnamed sources or viral claims to guide their expectations may be building those expectations on false premises. His comments were not directed at ordinary business confidentiality, but at broader claims of a hidden plan involving governments or a large pending event. That distinction became clearer when he responded to another user who suggested that secrecy itself proved a larger theory. Schwartz answered that there are many secrets in business, but those are not the same as conspiracy claims. He said some of Ripple’s partners require non-disclosure agreements, which is common in commercial relationships, and that such confidentiality should not be confused with evidence of a hidden XRP plan. NDAs and Partnerships Remain Part of Routine Operations Ripple has partnerships with financial institutions and other companies, and some of those relationships are not discussed publicly in full detail. Schwartz acknowledged that point, but he said the existence of NDAs does not support the idea that a government-backed XRP rollout is taking place in secret. He said many partner agreements remain private because the counterparties want that confidentiality, not because they are part of a covert initiative. His fuller response on X stated that conspiracy theories claiming something large is about to happen or that the government will take major action tied to XRP are “almost always going to be completely false.” He added that people who invest time, money, or emotion based on those stories are misleading themselves. That statement was one of his clearest attempts to separate normal corporate confidentiality from market speculation built on rumor. The issue has drawn more attention because XRP is often discussed in relation to payments, cross-border settlement, and policy developments around digital assets. That has made the token more vulnerable to narratives that link it to official plans, even when no evidence has been presented. Reserve Talk Adds to Speculation Around XRP Part of the recent conversation also followed renewed attention to President Donald Trump’s statement that a U.S. Crypto Reserve should include XRP, SOL, and ADA. That comment has been used by some social media users to support broader theories about XRP’s role in future government policy. Schwartz did not comment on that statement as proof of any secret arrangement. Instead, his remarks focused on the lack of evidence behind claims of hidden government coordination. For now, Schwartz’s position is clear. Ripple may have confidential partnerships, and XRP may remain part of wider policy discussions, but he said there is no secret government plan around the token. Amid these allegations, the XRP price has not wavered, trading at $1.43, a 0.58% surge from the intra-day low.
24 Apr 2026, 16:00
Bitcoin nears $80K as ETF inflows hit $2.4B in April
Bitcoin has climbed towards $80,000 as steady ETF inflows and renewed institutional demand have driven one of its strongest monthly performances in over a year. According to data from SoSoValue, US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs have extended their inflow streak to eight straight sessions, pulling in $223.21 million on Thursday alone and pushing the cumulative total to around $2.4 billion since April. The latest run has already overtaken the previous seven-day streak in March, which brought in roughly $1.2 billion. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has accounted for more than 73% of the latest inflows, drawing about $1.4 billion during the streak. The fund now holds 809,870 BTC, representing 62% of total assets under management across US spot Bitcoin ETFs. Meanwhile, the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust (MSBT), launched on April 8, has contributed $95 million during the current inflow stretch and has yet to record a single day of outflows, with total inflows reaching $163 million since launch. Price action has followed closely. Bitcoin has risen about 11% over the past 30 days and briefly moved above $79,000, its highest level since late January, while remaining nearly $20,000 above its early February lows. CoinGlass data shows BTC/USD is on track for a 14.3% monthly gain, positioning April as its strongest month since November 2024 if current levels hold. Institutional demand builds a price floor amid macro tension Looking at the recent trend, ETF accumulation has acted as a stabilising force during a period marked by geopolitical stress and shifting macro expectations. By absorbing roughly 19,000 BTC in the last five days alone, institutions are moving supply into structured portfolios, creating a 'disciplined floor' that limits downside during risk-off periods. This resilience was recently tested as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz pushed oil toward $107. While capital initially fled to Gold—which peaked near $4,800/oz—the progress in ceasefire discussions has sparked a rotation back into digital assets, allowing Bitcoin to decouple from its wartime correlation with equities. Momentum faces resistance near key levels Despite the rebound, crypto analysts continue to flag critical resistance zones. Bitcoin is now pressing against the upper end of its multi-month range, with $80,000 emerging as a decisive level for the next move. “$BTC has been in an uptrend during April. But it is coming up to some important high timeframe levels. Especially above the $80,000 area is where the bulls would need to push through to turn this around on the high timeframe,” said Daan Crypto Trades. “On the downside, the immediate supports are that ~$72,000 region and $65,000 below that,” he added. However, the path to a new all-time high remains narrow. Persistent energy-driven inflation continues to threaten the timeline for Federal Reserve rate cuts in late 2026. For bulls to maintain control, Bitcoin must convincingly break and hold the $80,000 threshold; otherwise, a rejection at this multi-month resistance could see the price drift back toward immediate support in the $72,000 region. The post Bitcoin nears $80K as ETF inflows hit $2.4B in April appeared first on Invezz
24 Apr 2026, 15:49
Tom Lee's BitMine Buys Another $23 Million in ETH From Ethereum Foundation
Top Ethereum treasury firm BitMine Immersion Technologies made its second ETH buy from the Ethereum Foundation.
24 Apr 2026, 15:42
Trump turns up the heat with “big tariff” threat on a Britain
US President Donald Trump has warned Britain it will face heavy trade tariffs if it refuses to scrap a tax on American technology companies, piling fresh pressure on a relationship already strained by disagreements over the war in Iran. Speaking from the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said Washington could respond to the UK’s digital services tax by imposing steep import duties on British goods. “We’ve been looking at it, and we can meet that very easily by just putting a big tariff on the UK, so they better be careful,” he told reporters. “If they don’t drop the tax, we’ll probably put a big tariff on the UK.” The digital services tax, introduced by the UK government in 2020, levies a 2% tax on the revenues of large US tech firms, including Amazon, Google, and Apple. It applies to companies earning more than £500 million globally from digital activities, provided at least £25 million of that comes from UK users. While those companies often pass the cost on to the third-party sellers and businesses using their platforms rather than absorbing it themselves, the tax raises more than most of them pay in UK corporation tax. A 2024 estimate by Tax Justice UK put the total yield at between £4.4 billion and £5.2 billion for 2024-2029. The tax is here to stay, as per Downing Street. “Our position on that is unchanged,” the prime minister’s official spokesperson said. “It is a hugely important tax to make sure that those businesses continue to pay their share. So it is a fair and proportionate approach to taxing business activities in the UK.” The tax was never meant to be permanent The UK agreed in 2021 to replace it once a broader international deal took effect. Under an arrangement brokered by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development among 140 countries, large multinationals would pay tax where they do business, with a minimum corporation tax rate of 15%. That plan was due to take effect in 2024, but has been held up by continued objections from several countries. Trump said the tax was aimed squarely at the best companies in the world. “The UK did it, a couple of other people did it,” he said. “They think they’re going to make an easy buck; that’s why they’ve all taken advantage of our country.” When asked what size tariff he had in mind, he said it would match or exceed whatever the UK collects. “What we’ll do is we’ll reciprocate by putting something on that’s equal or greater than what they’re doing,” he said. The digital services tax survived the UK-US trade deal struck in May 2025, even though it was raised during those talks. France, Italy, and Spain also operate similar taxes. In August 2025, Trump posted on Truth Social that he would protect American tech companies from what he called discriminatory foreign levies. “Digital taxes, digital services legislation, and digital markets regulations are all designed to harm, or discriminate against, American technology,” he wrote, warning of “substantial additional tariffs” unless such measures were removed. A weakening economy makes any concession harder to stomach The UK parliament has already raised doubts about whether economic ties with the US are beneficial. Last week, the Business and Trade Committee launched a formal inquiry into this matter. It stated that the US accounts for 17% of the UK’s total trade, while exports stand at 22%. However, the fruition of the Economic Prosperity Deal remains deeply uncertain. Committee chair Liam Byrne said businesses need “more predictability”. He warned the UK may fall behind without a clear strategy. This risk was also highlighted by the IMF recently. It had cut Britain’s 2026 growth forecast by 0.5 percentage points. Worst of all in the G7 nations. Inflation is expected to hit 4%, with unemployment reaching levels not seen in more than a decade. The reason? The UK’s dependency on gas for power generation, and that’s where the Iran conflict is hitting it the most, according to the IMF’s chief economist. Your bank is using your money. You’re getting the scraps. Watch our free video on becoming your own bank
24 Apr 2026, 15:20
USD/JPY Tight Range Persists as Underpriced BoJ Risk Stalls Yen Rally
BitcoinWorld USD/JPY Tight Range Persists as Underpriced BoJ Risk Stalls Yen Rally The USD/JPY currency pair continues to trade within a narrow band, with market participants seemingly underestimating the potential for a policy shift from the Bank of Japan (BoJ). Analysts at Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) have highlighted this dynamic, noting that the USD/JPY tight range reflects a market that is not fully pricing in the risk of a BoJ hawkish surprise. BBH Analysis: Why the USD/JPY Tight Range Matters BBH strategists argue that the current USD/JPY tight range between 149.00 and 151.00 is a direct consequence of the market’s complacency regarding BoJ policy. They point out that while the Federal Reserve’s rate path is heavily debated, the BoJ’s potential exit from negative interest rates is a more immediate risk for yen traders. This underpriced risk keeps the pair from breaking out decisively in either direction. The analysts emphasize that the BoJ’s next move could be a 10-15 basis point hike, a scenario that is not fully reflected in current spot prices. As a result, any hawkish commentary from BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda could trigger a sharp yen rally, breaking the current USD/JPY tight range . Key Factors Behind the Underpriced BoJ Risk Several factors contribute to the market’s underestimation of BoJ risk: Market focus on US data: Traders are primarily watching US non-farm payrolls and CPI, ignoring domestic Japanese data. BoJ’s cautious communication: The BoJ has been gradual in signaling change, leading to a ‘wait-and-see’ attitude. Carry trade dynamics: The yen remains a funding currency, discouraging long positions despite the potential for policy normalization. Global risk appetite: A strong stock market reduces demand for safe-haven currencies like the yen. Technical Outlook for USD/JPY From a technical perspective, the USD/JPY tight range is compressing volatility. The pair is trading near its 50-day moving average, with support at 149.50 and resistance at 151.00. A break above 151.00 could target the 152.00 level, while a move below 149.00 opens the door to 148.00. However, BBH warns that any such break is unlikely without a catalyst from the BoJ. The Bollinger Bands are narrowing, suggesting an imminent expansion in volatility. This technical setup aligns with BBH’s view that the current USD/JPY tight range is a pause before a significant move, likely triggered by a BoJ policy announcement. Impact on Traders and Investors For forex traders, the USD/JPY tight range presents both an opportunity and a risk. Range-bound strategies, such as selling at resistance and buying at support, have been profitable. However, the risk of a sudden breakout due to a BoJ surprise is high. BBH recommends using tight stop-losses and monitoring Japanese news closely. Japanese importers and exporters are also affected. A stronger yen, which would break the USD/JPY tight range to the downside, benefits importers by lowering costs but hurts exporters’ competitiveness. Conversely, a weaker yen supports the export-heavy Nikkei index. Global Context: Yen vs. Major Currencies The USD/JPY tight range is not occurring in isolation. The yen has weakened against the euro and the British pound in recent weeks, as the European Central Bank and the Bank of England maintain a hawkish stance. This divergence highlights the unique position of the BoJ, which remains the only major central bank yet to tighten policy. BBH’s analysis suggests that if the BoJ does act, the yen could strengthen across the board, not just against the dollar. This would have implications for global carry trades, which have been a dominant theme in 2024 and early 2025. Historical Parallels Historical data shows that periods of tight ranges in USD/JPY often precede significant moves. In 2022, a similar tight range broke when the BoJ intervened in the currency market. BBH notes that while direct intervention is less likely now, a policy shift could have a similar effect. The current USD/JPY tight range echoes that period, with the market again underestimating the BoJ’s willingness to act. Expert Opinions and Data Other analysts echo BBH’s concerns. A recent survey by Reuters showed that 60% of economists expect the BoJ to end negative rates by the third quarter of 2025. Yet, the options market implies only a 30% probability. This discrepancy supports BBH’s thesis that the USD/JPY tight range is underpricing BoJ risk. Data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) shows that speculative net short positions on the yen remain elevated. This suggests that the market is still betting against the yen, a position that could be squeezed if the BoJ surprises. What to Watch Next Key events that could break the USD/JPY tight range include: BoJ meeting minutes: Any hawkish language could trigger a rally. Japanese GDP data: Strong growth could give the BoJ confidence to act. US inflation data: A soft CPI could weaken the dollar, amplifying a yen move. Geopolitical events: A risk-off event could boost the yen’s safe-haven appeal. Conclusion The USD/JPY tight range is a critical signal for forex markets. BBH’s analysis highlights that the market is underpricing the risk of a BoJ policy shift, which could lead to a sharp yen rally. Traders should remain vigilant and prepare for increased volatility. The current calm may be the lull before a storm, with the BoJ holding the key to the next major move in the yen. FAQs Q1: What does ‘BoJ risk underpriced’ mean for USD/JPY? A1: It means the market is not fully accounting for the possibility that the Bank of Japan might raise interest rates. If the BoJ acts, the yen could strengthen, breaking the current USD/JPY tight range. Q2: Why is the USD/JPY trading in a tight range? A2: The pair is stuck between support and resistance levels as traders await a catalyst. BBH analysts believe the lack of movement is due to the market underestimating the BoJ’s policy risk. Q3: How can traders profit from the USD/JPY tight range? A3: Traders can use range-bound strategies, such as buying near support and selling near resistance. However, they should use tight stop-losses due to the risk of a sudden breakout from a BoJ surprise. Q4: What could break the USD/JPY tight range? A4: A hawkish BoJ announcement, stronger-than-expected Japanese economic data, or a shift in US interest rate expectations could break the range. BBH points to BoJ policy as the most likely catalyst. Q5: Is the USD/JPY tight range a sign of market complacency? A5: Yes, according to BBH. The market appears complacent about the BoJ’s next move, which is a risk for traders who are not prepared for a sudden yen rally. This post USD/JPY Tight Range Persists as Underpriced BoJ Risk Stalls Yen Rally first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
