Finance

Core Summary President Donald Trump publicly threatened to halt certain international trade activities unless the Federal Reserve lowers its benchmark interest rate. This rare statement directly challenges the Fed’s independence, triggering sharp financial market volatility and sparking intense debate about political interference in monetary policy. Event Details According to The New York Times, Trump stated in an interview that he would consider “pausing certain unnecessary trade activities” if the Fed does not cut rates before its next meeting. While he did not specify which trade would be halted, markets generally interpreted this as potentially involving tariff adjustments or trade restrictions on specific countries. ...

Global fast-fashion giant Shein plans to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on September 1 with a valuation approaching $27 billion. The company had previously attempted multiple listings in London and New York, all blocked by regulatory and political obstacles.

Summary Ripple, a leading company in the crypto payments space, has successfully issued $275 million in senior notes to advance its strategic push into prime brokerage services. This financing move signals the deepening application of traditional financial instruments in the crypto industry. Details Ripple announced the completion of $275 million in senior note issuance, with proceeds primarily earmarked for expanding its prime brokerage business. This service aims to provide institutional investors with comprehensive financial services including lending, leveraged trading, and liquidity support. ...

Oil prices maintain recent gains as US-Iran peace talks stall and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slows, raising concerns about global supply security.

Ferrari’s first-ever all-electric vehicle, the Luce, sold for $40 million at auction, setting a new record for the brand despite design controversies.

Core Summary US stocks suffered a major selloff on July 29, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunging 900 points, a drop of over 2%, marking the largest single-day decline in recent weeks. Market panic intensified ahead of the Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest rate decision, as investors grew deeply concerned about recession risks and monetary policy direction. Analysts warn that market volatility could persist for weeks. Event Details According to CNBC, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 900 points on July 29, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also falling sharply. This selloff was driven by multiple converging factors: Federal Reserve policy uncertainty, mixed corporate earnings performance, and escalating geopolitical tensions. ...

Summary Philippe Stern, former president of Swiss luxury watchmaker Patek Philippe, passed away on June 28 at age 88. He was regarded as the guardian of modern watchmaking, and under his leadership Patek Philippe cemented its position as maker of the world’s most prestigious timepieces. Details According to the New York Times, Philippe Stern led Patek Philippe from 1993 until 2020, when he handed the reins to his son Thierry Stern. During his tenure, Patek Philippe not only consolidated its supreme position in haute horlogerie but also pushed sports luxury watches to unprecedented market heights through the Nautilus and Aquanaut collections. ...

Former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan Dies at 100 Alan Greenspan, who served as Chairman of the US Federal Reserve from 1987 to 2006, has died at the age of 100. His family confirmed the passing of the legendary central banker on June 22. Born in New York in 1926, Greenspan served as Fed Chairman for nearly 19 years, the second-longest tenure in the institution’s history. He was widely known as the “maestro” of the global economy, and his monetary policy decisions profoundly shaped modern financial markets. ...

Global asset manager Franklin Templeton has filed with the SEC for two new ETFs that automatically reinvest stock dividends into Bitcoin. The product marks a significant step in the convergence of traditional finance and crypto assets, with an expected effective date as early as September 1, 2026.

Core Summary The UK and Japan have announced a bilateral investment agreement worth £18 billion. According to a statement from Downing Street, Japanese companies will invest billions of pounds in UK infrastructure and offshore wind energy. This is one of the largest bilateral investment deals signed since Brexit, demonstrating the two nations’ deep commitment to economic security and green transition cooperation. Event Details Downing Street announced in a statement that Japanese companies have committed to investing over £18 billion (approximately $23 billion) in the UK over the next five years, focusing on three key areas: infrastructure development, offshore wind energy, and advanced manufacturing. ...