US Inflation Remains Higher Than Expected, Raising Concerns Among Investors

U.S. inflation levels dropped slightly in January, sliding from 6.5% to 6.4%. However, inflation remains higher than expected, causing concern among investors that the U.S. central bank will continue to hike the benchmark federal funds rate. Inflation in the US Remains High, Causing Uncertainty in Markets Inflation in the United States exceeded expectations among analysts … Read more

UAE Launches ‘Financial Infrastructure Transformation’ Program; CBDC Among 9 Key Objectives

On Feb. 12, 2023, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) announced the launch of a new initiative called the “Financial Infrastructure Transformation Program,” which has nine key objectives. One of these objectives is the research and development of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) designed to address both cross-border payments and domestic … Read more

Russia’s Largest Private Bank Launches Digital Asset Platform

Alfa-Bank, one of the major Russian banking institutions, has established its own platform for digital financial assets. The launch became possible after Russia’s monetary authority added Alfa-Bank to its register of digital asset issuers this week. Privately-Owned Alfa-Bank Sets Up Digital Asset Platform With Central Bank’s Permission Russia’s Alfa-Bank has launched ‘A-Token,’ a platform allowing … Read more

Federal Reserve Raises Benchmark Interest Rate by 0.25%, Disinflationary Process ‘Early,’ Says Powell 

The U.S. Federal Reserve raised its benchmark federal funds rate by 0.25% on Wednesday after markets priced in near 100% certainty the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) would codify the quarter-point increase. The FOMC statement further detailed that ongoing rate increases are anticipated to bring inflation down to the target range of 2%. FOMC Outlines … Read more