Top Headlines
Sterling Jumps as Market Prices in BoE Shift – Reuters
Sterling gained by almost half a percent against the dollar, helped by a shift in expectations for interest rates that has some in the market backing the Bank of England to raise borrowing costs within months.
Dollar Dips as Traders Await Signals on More Fed Hikes – Reuters
The dollar dipped to a four-day low against major currencies and the euro rose on the recent raft of robust data.
- Dollar Posts Second Day of Losses as Peso Gains After Rate Hike – Bloomberg
- Dollar Slips with Fed Speakers in Focus – Wall Street Journal (subscription)
Currencies Mixed During Morning Trade in Asia – Financial Times (subscription)
Currencies were mixed against the US dollar.
Report: Top Dealers Loosen Grip on FX Market (Slightly) – Profit & Loss
The top five FX dealers are losing market share, according to a new report from Greenwich Associates.
ECB Pushes to Gain Control of Euro Clearing Business After Brexit – Financial Times (subscription)
Governing council of central bank calls for change in statute to give it more legal powers.
US Dealers Wade Into European CCP Relocation Debate – Risk (subscription)
CFTC hearing warns of increased margining costs and a pre-Brexit client onboarding crunch.
How FinTech is Set to Change the FX Industry – Profit & Loss (subscription)
Speaking at the Profit & Loss Forex Network New York conference, panellists outlined how they think the application of fintech solutions will shape the FX industry going forward.
Regulatory News
CFTC’s Giancarlo Sails Through Confirmation Hearing – Wall Street Journal (subscription)
The nominee to serve as the top US derivatives regulator breezed through his confirmation hearing, presenting himself as a nonideological deal maker who would focus on upgrading his agency’s capabilities to regulate and monitor increasingly complex markets.
Some Trump Aides Want a New Leader at the Fed – Bloomberg
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen’s candidacy for another term is encountering resistance from some Trump administration advisers who want a new leader at the US central bank, according to two administration officials, even as the Treasury secretary indicated she may still be in the running.
Fed’s Stress Tests Bolster Case for Easing Bank Rules – Wall Street Journal (subscription)
The largest US banks survived a hypothetical “stress test” and could continue lending even during a deep recession, the Federal Reserve said, a strong report card that could bolster the industry’s case for cutting back regulation.
New Treasuries ‘Repo’ Rate to Replace Libor – Financial Times (subscription)
An industry body convened by the US government has chosen a new benchmark interest rate to replace the scandal-ridden Libor gauge as a reference for trillions of dollars of financial instruments.
Company News
New Platform Promises to Solve “Major Problems” in Cryptocurrency Markets – Profit & Loss
Just a day after Ethereum suffered a flash crash, plunging from $352 to 10 cents before rebounding to $325, a Hong Kong-based firm, OpenANX, has released a new real-world application of decentralised exchanges built on the Ethereum blockchain.
- New Token Sale for Blockchain-Based Currency EOS to Launch on Monday – Reuters
- London Startup Blockchain Raises $40 Million in Fresh Funding – Reuters
Frankfurt Emerges as Biggest Banking Winner After Brexit – Bloomberg
Frankfurt is emerging as the biggest winner from last year’s Brexit vote, with many of the world’s biggest banks choosing to base their new European Union headquarters in the German city.
Market Savvy
Buffett’s Home Capital Bet Helps Spur Rally in Canadian Dollar – Bloomberg
Warren Buffett’s rescue of beleaguered alternative mortgage lender Home Capital Group is helping the Canadian dollar outperform all major currencies.
Pressure on Qatari Currency Rises After Saudi-Led Demands – Financial Times (subscription)
Pressure on Qatar’s currency peg heightened after the Arab states leading a blockade against the kingdom outlined a list of demands that observers said are unlikely to be met, raising the prospect of an extended diplomatic deadlock.
Leu Regains Some Ground, But Political Crisis Weighs – Reuters
The Romanian leu regained some ground and stabilized after the ruling Social Democrats toppled their prime minister this week and now plan to form a new government.