Goldman Sachs

A record diesel-to-crude spread is reviving inflation concerns just as Bitcoin weighs softer Federal Reserve expectations and a weaker U.S. dollar. Energy-market stress, tanker disruptions and rising bond yields are giving crypto traders a more complicated setup for Aug. 18, 2026.

Goldman Sachs says a September Federal Reserve interest-rate increase is very unlikely, citing softer economic data and improving inflation trends. The view is supportive for bitcoin bulls as BTC remains confined to a narrow trading band around the mid-$63,000 area.

B2C2 has appointed Jason Lai, former chairman of Schroders Wealth Management Asia, as a senior adviser in Singapore. The move underscores the institutional crypto liquidity provider’s push to serve family offices, funds and asset managers across Asia-Pacific.

Goldman Sachs has agreed to acquire NEOS Investments in a cash-and-equity transaction valued at up to $2.25 billion, adding the manager of the $1.1 billion BTCI bitcoin synthetic ETF. The move deepens Goldman’s options-based ETF franchise as competition intensifies with BlackRock in derivative income products tied to bitcoin exposure.

Brent and WTI recovered as traders reassessed the likelihood of a quick resolution to Gulf supply disruptions. Fees, vessel restrictions and insurance uncertainty continue to complicate any workable reopening of the Hormuz route.

The Senate’s failure to pass the CLARITY Act leaves a fast-growing digital asset market operating without a comprehensive federal framework. As major financial institutions advance tokenization efforts, the debate is shifting from crypto policy to broader market resilience.

Ondo Finance is weighing a potential acquisition valued between $250 million and $500 million as tokenization firms look for scale. The move comes amid strong crypto dealmaking in 2026, with infrastructure, payments, custody and institutional trading among the most active targets.

BlackRock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, Goldman Sachs and SoFi have publicly supported the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, adding pressure on Congress to advance crypto market structure legislation. The push comes as Senate negotiators weigh revised text, Wall Street divisions over stablecoin rules, and a narrow window before the August recess.

Cantor Fitzgerald and Securitize are collaborating to modernize initial public offerings through tokenization and blockchain infrastructure. The initiative is designed to let public companies raise capital and issue securities onchain while remaining within established public offering frameworks.

DTCC processed its first live production trades involving tokenized securities, including stocks, ETFs and U.S. Treasurys. The initiative highlights how blockchain-based representations of existing assets could reshape collateral, repo and equity market infrastructure without changing legal ownership rights.

U.S. stocks traded mixed Tuesday as softer June inflation data revived demand for technology and growth shares. Chipmakers helped the Nasdaq outperform, while IBM’s profit warning dragged on the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

A sharp reversal in SK Hynix weighed on semiconductor shares and put the Nasdaq 100 under renewed pressure. Traders are also watching CPI, crude prices, bank earnings and key technical levels as the week’s risk calendar intensifies.

Major brokerages have begun formal coverage of SpaceX after the 25-day post-IPO quiet period expired, with most firms issuing buy-equivalent ratings. Price targets range from $205 to $800 as analysts focus on launch services, Starlink broadband and government contracts.

Bitcoin has rebounded this month as traders reassessed U.S. interest-rate risks after softer inflation commentary and weaker job growth. But a surge in Japanese government bond yields is pushing global borrowing costs higher, threatening to curb appetite for non-yielding risk assets such as BTC.

Goldman Sachs says U.S. IPO issuance has surged to match 2021’s pace by dollar value, but the market still lacks the frenzy that defined past bubbles. Crypto firms including Payward, Ledger and Grayscale have also delayed listings amid volatile markets and softer demand.

Gold may experience a minor dip if the Federal Reserve opts for a 25-basis-point cut this week, but Goldman Sachs forecasts a subsequent rally, potentially pushing the metal to record highs.

Goldman Sachs has disclosed holding over $400 million in Bitcoin ETFs, including significant positions in the iShares Bitcoin Trust and Fidelity's Bitcoin ETF.