Top Headlines

Sterling Pushes Higher After Hawkish Comments from BoE Official – Financial Times (subscription)

Sterling outperformed several of its developed market peers, climbing back above $1.40 after hawkish comments from a senior Bank of England policymaker.

Pound Traders Look to May, Corbyn for Vital Brexit Clarity – Bloomberg

For pound traders seeking some degree of clarity on Brexit negotiations, speeches by Britain’s Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition will prove crucial this week.

US Dollar Edges Higher Amid Inflation Pressures – Wall Street Journal (subscription)

The US dollar edged higher as recent increases in inflation expectations helped support the currency.

Dollar-Rate Breakdown Exposes Foreign-Exchange Mystery – Wall Street Journal (subscription)

The US currency was expected to strengthen amid rising interest rates. Instead, it’s down 11% since late 2016.

Euro Climbs as Traders Eye Political Risk, Central Bank Speeches – Reuters

The euro gained as a fall in US Treasury yields dragged down the dollar, but trading was relatively quiet ahead of several speeches by central bankers and key political developments in Germany and Italy.

Popular Carry Trades Are Set Back as Yen Surge Erodes Gains – Bloomberg

This year’s market shakeup is threatening to upend one of the most reliable trades in global currencies.

Peter Little to Fight Proposed Fed Ban at Trial – FX Week (subscription)

Lawyers for the ex-trader, who is looking at a potentially permanent ban from markets, say he is innocent and will be vindicated.

Four Ex-Deutsche Bank Traders Evade UK Euribor Case – Bloomberg

Four traders charged in the UK for rigging interest-rate benchmarks at Deutsche Bank will escape prosecution after German officials refused requests to send them to London to face trial.

Market Players Struggle to Access Mifid Trade-Report Data – Risk (subscription)

Firms providing trade-reporting services under new European Union financial market rules are in danger of breaching the spirit of the law, and in some cases possibly the letter, according to lawyers and a key lawmaker.

Switzerland’s Stock Exchange Chairman Calls for ‘e-Franc’ – Financial Times (subscription)

Switzerland should launch a cryptocurrency version of the Swiss franc as part of the Alpine country’s attempt to steal a competitive lead in digital technologies, its stock exchange chairman has urged.

Bank of America Cautions on Potential Cryptocurrency Threat – Financial Times (subscription)

Bank of America has warned it could face “substantial” costs as it deals with cryptocurrencies, a sign of the potential threat to the world’s largest financial institutions posed by the rise of bitcoin and its alternatives.

Last Look and the Peer Pressure Push – Profit & Loss (subscription)

If good behaviour is not rewarded, what incentive is there for others to change?

Regulatory News

Fed Report Signals No Worries About Recent Market Volatility – Wall Street Journal (subscription)

The Federal Reserve signaled it is unperturbed by the volatility in financial markets earlier this month and remains on track to raise rates gradually this year.

New York is Quietly Working to Prevent a Major Cyber Attack That Could Bring Down the Financial System – Business Insider

With a lack of leadership from the federal government, New York is one of the first states to implement new cyber regulations.

SEC Advocacy Director Says Crypto Investors Shouldn’t ‘Flip A Coin’ – Coin Desk

An investor education official with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had a simple message to would-be cryptocurrency investors this week: think before you leap.

Company News

NEX, CFETS Launch of China-Based FX Trading Platform – Profit & Loss

NEX has partnered with the China Foreign Exchange Trade System (CFETS), China’s interbank market trading platform and infrastructure provider, to launch ‘CFETS FX2017’ (FX2017), a new trading platform for the Chinese FX market.

Ficc Revenues Tank at US Banks – FX Week (subscription)

Depressed volatility and low client activity at US banks over the course of last year drove sales and trading revenues in fixed-income, commodities and currencies (Ficc) markets to fall by double digits on average, on a full year and quarterly basis, compared with 2016.

Bank of America Signs Up for Another 10 Years at London HQ – Bloomberg

Bank of America is the latest overseas bank to commit its long-term future to the UK even as the country prepares for Brexit.

Market Savvy

What an Extension of Xi’s Reign in China Means for Investors – Bloomberg

Markets initially welcomed China’s plan to change its constitution, a move that would allow Xi Jinping to rule beyond 2023.

Krona Weakens After Central Bank Hints at Postponing Rate Rises – Financial Times (subscription)

The Swedish krona fell to its weakest level in more than a year, after reports from the Riksbank’s latest policy meeting suggested the central bank may postpone its plans to start lifting interest rates.

Bank Fraud Adds to Rupee’s Woes as Lenders May Curb Trade Credit – Bloomberg

The $2 billion fraud unearthed at Indian lender is casting its shadow over the rupee, already the second-worst performer in Asia this month, as banks tighten the availability of trade finance.