Morgan Stanley

The Bank of Japan lifted its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points, taking it to the highest level in 31 years as inflation risks remain in focus. Bitcoin climbed above $77,000 while the yen weakened against the dollar, underscoring the complex market reaction to Japan’s latest tightening step.

U.S. diesel prices have climbed to a record high, raising concern that higher transport and industrial costs could feed into consumer inflation. The move complicates the outlook for bitcoin and gold as markets brace for more central bank tightening.

Zerohash, the crypto infrastructure provider behind digital asset services for major financial firms, plans to resubmit its national trust bank application after the OCC returned its initial filing. The company says the move does not affect current operations and expects a narrower application to receive swift review.

Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan says bitcoin could draw trillions of dollars from major institutions over the next decade. His long-term case argues that even a 1% allocation from the world’s largest capital pools could help support a $1.3 million bitcoin price by 2035.

Circle shares came under pressure after Morgan Stanley moved the stock to underweight and cut its price target to $38 from $106. The bank cited slower USDC growth, pressure on reserve income, and rising competition from tokenized cash products and new stablecoin models.

Morgan Stanley executives say tokenization and round-the-clock markets are pushing finance beyond the traditional 9-to-5 banking model. The firm is expanding digital asset access through E*TRADE, crypto ETFs and tokenized product development as investor demand broadens.

LMAX Group is assessing strategic alternatives with major advisers as the institutional trading platform weighs paths that could include a sale, SPAC merger or public listing. A Nasdaq listing is viewed by some people familiar with the discussions as the preferred route, though the firm is not under immediate pressure to move while crypto markets remain soft.

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.