Category: government affairs

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Currency and money markets news scan: Three Fed reference rates see an uptick. China, Japan receive warning about weakening currency.

The takeaway: As Trump seeks to weaken the US currency, he calls out Japan and China for doing likewise. Joseph Adinolfi yesterday wrote for MarketWatch that supporters of President Trump as well as members of the administration would like the President to consider policy that would weaken the US dollar while maintaining the dollar’s status … Continue reading Currency and money markets news scan: Three Fed reference rates see an uptick. China, Japan receive warning about weakening currency.

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Currency and money markets news scan: Positioning ourselves to benefit from a rebuild of Ukraine infrastructure.

The takeaway: Turning the Ukraine-Russia war into a play on infrastructure. Among my general thesis about government is that it plays a role in making a market. In the 1700s and 1800s, the United States was in essence a realtor, selling land to settlers who promised to develop the vast territory of the United States. … Continue reading Currency and money markets news scan: Positioning ourselves to benefit from a rebuild of Ukraine infrastructure.

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Interbank market news scan: The bitcoin bros need to make an argument as to why a bitcoin strategic reserve is constitutional.

Proponents of bitcoin were very excited about the prospects of President Donald Trump creating a bitcoin strategic reserve. This prospect was fueled by support from Senator Cynthia Lummis, Republican of Wyoming, who last year introduced S.4912, the BITCOIN Act of 2024. S.4912 would require the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a “decentralized network of … Continue reading Interbank market news scan: The bitcoin bros need to make an argument as to why a bitcoin strategic reserve is constitutional.

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Interbank market news scan: Did Trump say anything scary to Davos participants? Nothing they have not heard before.

Speaking today via satellite before approximately 3,000 attendees at the World Economic Forum, President Donald Trump provided his agenda for where he wants to take the American and world economies. It was basically a rehash of some of his written executive orders over the last three days. Mr. Trump declared that the election provided him … Continue reading Interbank market news scan: Did Trump say anything scary to Davos participants? Nothing they have not heard before.

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Interbank market news scan: Is the U.S. House task force on monetary policy more political than monetary?

U.S. Representative French Hill, Republican of Arkansas and chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services, announced earlier this week the formation of the Monetary Policy, Treasury Market Resilience, and Economic Prosperity Task Force. According to Mr. Hill’s statement: “The Committee’s new Task Force will conduct hearings looking into issues relating to monetary policy, … Continue reading Interbank market news scan: Is the U.S. House task force on monetary policy more political than monetary?

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Is strong dollar policy antithesis of the Trump manufacturing agenda?

Currency analyst and trader Kathy Lien shared this video where she discusses the reasons behind the current climb in dollar strength. She lists five major reasons. First, the US economy is doing well when compared to the Eurozone and Asia. Yields are increasing and attracting more investors. Second, the Trump return to the White House … Continue reading Is strong dollar policy antithesis of the Trump manufacturing agenda?

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Trump forgets that as head of state, he is responsible for expanding it.

In this video, some rich bros from the All-In Podcast are waxing philosophical about the likely positive impact a Trump presidency will have on markets including the equity and crypto markets. There is the usual narrative about how a lighter touch, deregulatory scheme will create growth in the markets as well as in economic output. … Continue reading Trump forgets that as head of state, he is responsible for expanding it.

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Managing constituents: Governance and showtime.

Whether at the Republican or Democratic national conventions, the architects and engineers of government, the career bureaucrats, were nowhere on stage, in front of a camera, or even posting on social media. They understand that to effectively manage their licenses to exploit and regulate human behavior, desires, and needs, they must stay behind the green … Continue reading Managing constituents: Governance and showtime.