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March 14 (Reuters) - Imagine digitally inscribing 3D images of objects such as multi-colored spheres onto a tiny fragment of bitcoin. Just when you thought crypto couldn't get any stranger, bitcoin accidentally births a new breed of NFTs. "I think this is really the start of a fundamental shift in what you can do with bitcoin," said Alex Miller, CEO at bitcoin developer network Hiro. Nonetheless, bitcoin NFTs have built up a head of steam in a short space of time. Satoshis inscribed with NFTs are involved in about 7% of the total number of bitcoin blockchain transactions, according to Glassnode data.

☆ First Republic leads losses among U.S. regional banks on contagion fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Medha Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] A person walks past the Park Avenue location of the First Republic Bank, in New York City, U.S., March 10, 2023. REUTERS/David 'Dee' DelgadoMarch 13 (Reuters) - Shares of U.S. regional banks slumped on Monday, led by losses in First Republic Bank (FRC.N) as news of fresh financing failed to assuage bank contagion fears following the collapse of SVB Financial Group (SIVB.O) and Signature Bank (SBNY.O). The KBW regional banking index (.KRX) slipped 5.4%, and the S&P 500 banking index (.SPXBK) fell 6%. U.S. President Joe Biden vowed to do whatever was needed to address a potential banking crisis after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. Among Wall Street lenders, Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) dropped 3.3%, Citigroup Inc (C.N) and Wells Fargo (WFC.N) slid about 6% each, while lenders in Asia and Europe plunged too.

☆ First Republic slumps as additional financing fails to soothe deposit outflow fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A person walks past the Park Avenue location of the First Republic Bank, in New York City, U.S., March 10, 2023. First Republic on Sunday said it had secured additional financing through JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N), giving it access to a total of $70 billion in funds through various sources. The bank's stock was last down 74% at $21.11 on Monday. "While the bank (SVB) is better positioned for potential deposit outflows on Sunday evening than it may have been earlier in the weekend, if there are net deposit outflows, it will shrink the EPS power of the bank," Raymond James analyst David Long wrote in the note. U.S. authorities launched emergency measures on Sunday to shore up confidence in the banking system after the failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SIVB.O) threatened to trigger a broader financial crisis.

[1/2] A person walks past the Park Avenue location of the First Republic Bank, in New York City, U.S., March 10, 2023. There were multiple trading halts on bank shares as the KBW regional banking index (.KRX) fell 5.4%, and the S&P 500 banking index (.SPXBK) dropped 6%. Hogan said each regional bank has its own exposure to different parts of the market. He added the fate of regional bank stocks will be "case by case" as investors look to see which ones could have the most negative exposure. "First Republic Bank, which has significant exposure to the coastal real estate markets appears to be next on the list".

The pan-European STOXX 600 index (.STOXX) fell 1.7% on broad-based losses, with HSBC (HSBA.L), Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE), Barclays (BARC.L), Unicredit (CRDI.MI) and Commerzbank (CBKG.DE) down between 2.7% and 7.2%. If it can happen to a U.S. bank, it could potentially happen to a bank in Europe as well." Next week, the focus is likely to be on the European Central Bank which is expected to hike its key lending rate by 50 bps. Daimler Truck (DTGGe.DE) added 3.5% on dividend payment plans after hitting its 2022 targets and forecasting higher earnings and revenue this year. Reporting by Susan Mathew and Medha Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Dhanya Ann ThoppilOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

UK banks (.FTNMX301010) dropped to an eight-week low, spooked by a brutal rout in U.S. bank SVB Financial (SIVB.O) following a share sale. The FTSE 100 (.FTSE) slipped 1.9% to a five week low, while the more domestically focused mid-cap index (.FTMC) gave up 2.1% to hit a two-month low. The FTSE 100 is set to the end the week down about 2.8% in what could be its worst week since September, as worries around hawkish central banks sapped risk appetite. Next week, investors will be watching for UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's spring budget. Reporting by Susan Mathew in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza and Saumyadeb ChakrabartyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 21,000 to a seasonally adjusted 211,000 for the week ended March 4, the Labor Department said on Thursday. "This could be a game changer for today's market," said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Spartan Capital Securities in New York. The gains pushed up the S&P 500 communication services (.SPLRCL), consumer discretionary (.SPLRCD) and information technology (.SPLRCT) sectors between 0.4% and 0.6%. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.64-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 1.06-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded four new 52-week highs and 11 new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 28 new highs and 54 new lows.

☆ Futures slip on rate-hike worries ahead of payrolls data
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

With economic data so far suggesting the labor market remains hot despite the Fed's aggressive monetary tightening over the past year, investors are now focused on the February non-farm payrolls report due on Friday. The reading is expected to show payrolls increased by 205,000 last month, according to economists polled by Reuters, after January's blowout 517,000 figure, which had first led markets to reprice their expectations for U.S. interest rates. "Our US economists expect a positive surprise to payrolls on Friday," said Citi strategists in a note published late on Wednesday. Nasdaq futures led declines on Thursday, with shares of Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) down 3.1% in premarket trade and set to extend its losses from the previous session on news of a probe by the U.S. auto safety regulator. ET, Dow e-minis were down 62 points, or 0.19%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 14.75 points, or 0.37%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 83.75 points, or 0.68%.

☆ Crypto stocks slide after Silvergate decides to shut down
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The crypto lender's shares slumped 45% to $2.86, a day after hitting a record low and losing 64% since the company flagged a going concern risk on March 1. Shares of Signature Bank (SBNY.O), which uses blockchain technology, fell 9%. Crypto exchange Coinbase Global (COIN.O), which severed ties with the bank last week, dropped 3%. Silvergate's announcement also adds to a list of high-profile collapses of crypto market players since last year. With Silvergate shares down 95% over the past 12 months, and 72% so far this year, shorting has been a profitable trade for bearish investors.

☆ 0DTE options could turn 5% intraday market decline into 25% rout -JPMorgan
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 6 (Reuters) - Trading in new near-dated U.S. options contracts can supercharge volatility in U.S. stocks, potentially leading to tremendous intraday declines, analysts at JPMorgan said. The U.S. equity options market has seen a rise in the trading of options contracts set to expire at the end of the trading day - dubbed 0DTE (zero day to expiry) options - with their daily notional value rising to about $1 trillion, according to JPMorgan data. Their recent growth has been eyed as one cause of intraday volatility, with JPMorgan's Marko Kolanovic last month warning they could spark a massive volatility event under certain circumstances. Such a scenario could occur if the S&P 500 fell 5% in five minutes, triggering $30.5 billion in 0DTE option-related trading that would tack another 20 percentage points onto the index's decline, the bank’s analysts said. Furthermore, JPM noted that retail traders were not the main driver of volume growth in 0DTE options, with individual investors accounting for about 20% of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY.P) options volume and only around 5% of the S&P 500 same-day options.

[1/2] A representation of the virtual cryptocurrency Bitcoin is seen in this picture illustration taken October 19, 2021. Crypto payment specialists have also seen strong volumes. Nonetheless, proponents say bitcoin offers lower transaction costs and quicker speeds than traditional cash, especially for cross-border transfers. For others, though, growing interest in CBDCs is evidence that blockchain payments tech is here to stay. Traditional finance firms looking to embrace crypto payments have also shrugged off recent market volatility.

☆ U.S.-listed China shares feel the heat as report fans Sino-U.S. tensions
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 24 (Reuters) - Shares of Chinese companies listed in the United States fell in early trading on Friday as reports that Washington was looking to expand the number of troops helping train Taiwanese forces added to rising Sino-U.S. tensions. The iShares China Large-Cap ETF slipped 2.9%, while KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF shed 2.8%. China's blue-chip CSI300 Index (.CSI300) closed 1% lower during Asia hours, while shares of aerospace defense companies jumped. Relations between the world's two largest economies worsened this month over the shooting down of the Chinese spy balloon, weighing on China ADRs after a sharp rally starting late last year. A multitude of factors weighed on China ADRs last year including a risk of delisting from U.S. exchanges over an audit dispute, trade friction and geopolitical worries.

☆ Lucid shares stumble on dour EV production target as price war weighs
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 23 (Reuters) - Shares of Lucid Group Inc (LCID.O) slumped 10% in premarket trading on Thursday after the electric vehicle maker's 2023 production targets fell short of expectations amid waning demand and a price war unleashed by market leader Tesla Inc (TSLA.O). Lucid expects to produce 10,000 to 14,000 luxury electric vehicles this year, below analysts' estimates of 21,815 cars, according to Visible Alpha. Tesla shares rose 1.3%. About a quarter of Lucid's free float shares are in short position, according to analytics firm Ortex. Meanwhile, Nikola Corp's shares (NKLA.O) rose 4.7% on receiving an order for 20 hydrogen electric trucks from German logistics company Richter Group.

☆ S&P ends down as Fed minutes fail to halt losing run
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( David French | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

However, a general weakening in the final hour of trading pushed both the S&P 500 (.SPX) and the Dow Jones Industrial (.DJI) back into the red. The Dow fell 84.5 points, or 0.26%, to 33,045.09, the S&P lost 6.29 points, or 0.16%, to 3,991.05 and the Nasdaq added 14.77 points, or 0.13%, to 11,507.07. Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., February 17, 2023. Most of the 11 major S&P 500 sectors fell, with energy (.SPNY) and real estate (.SPLRCR) the poorest performers. The S&P 500 posted four new 52-week highs and one new low; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 36 new highs and 110 new lows.

SummarySummary Companies Fed minutes said almost all agreed to 0.25% hike last timeNeed to control inflation would likely mean further hikesIndexes up: Dow 0.01%, S&P 0.16%, Nasdaq 0.4%Feb 22 (Reuters) - Wall Street's main indexes held steady on Wednesday in the wake of the publication of the minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting. Minutes from the Fed's Jan. 31-Feb. 1 meeting said that "almost all" Fed officials agreed to slow the pace of increases in interest rates to a quarter of a percentage point. After choppy trading for much of the day, the main benchmark indexes went into the minutes' release holding slight gains. These advances were held after the Fed's latest commentary was released. Reporting by Johann M Cherian and Medha Singh in Bengaluru and David French in New York; Editing by Marguerita ChoyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Wall St slightly higher as investors focus on Fed minutes
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Johann M Cherian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. stocks shed more than 2% on Tuesday after a rebound in business activity in February stoked fears of interest rates staying higher for longer. New York Fed President John Williams, a voting member of the rate-setting committee this year, is scheduled to speak later in the day. Following a market rout in 2022, the three major indexes logged monthly gains in January as investors hoped the Fed would pause its rate hikes and perhaps pivot around year-end. However, stocks have had a volatile run in February, leaving the Dow flat for the year as traders priced in higher interest rates for longer, assuming that inflation remains higher in a sturdy economy. The S&P index recorded three new 52-week highs and one new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 21 new highs and 92 new low.

☆ Wall St set for higher open as investors focus on Fed minutes
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Johann M Cherian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SummarySummary Companies Fed minutes due at 2:00 p.m. U.S. stocks shed more than 2% on Tuesday as investors worried that a rebound in U.S. business activity in February could mean interest rates might need to stay higher for longer. ET (1900 GMT), are expected to detail the breadth of debate at the central bank over how much further interest rates may need to be raised to slow inflation. However, stocks have had a volatile run in February as traders priced in higher interest rates for longer, considering inflation remains above the 2% target in the face of a sturdy economy. Money market participants expect rates to peak at 5.35% by July and stay around those levels till the end of 2023.

☆ Futures stable after Wall St rout on rate worries
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ET (1900 GMT), is anticipated to detail the breadth of debate at the central bank over how much further interest rates may need to be raised to slow inflation. Money market participants expect rates to peak at 5.35% by July and stay around those levels till the end of 2023. ET, Dow e-minis were up 26 points, or 0.08%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 2.5 points, or 0.06%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 12 points, or 0.1%. St. Louis Fed President James Bullard said rates will have to go north of 5% to tame inflation. Reporting by Johann M Cherian and Medha Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun KoyyurOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Wall St inches higher as investors focus on Fed minutes
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Johann M Cherian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SummarySummary Companies Fed minutes due at 2:00 p.m. U.S. stocks shed more than 2% on Tuesday after a rebound in business activity in February stoked fears of interest rates staying higher for longer. "We expect all indicators to point to the Fed remaining hawkish in its inflation fight." However, stocks have had a volatile run in February as traders priced in higher interest rates for longer, considering inflation remains elevated in the face of a sturdy economy. Money market participants expect rates to peak at 5.35% by July and stay around those levels till the end of 2023.

REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File PhotoFeb 21 (Reuters) - The world of stablecoins is suddenly looking shaky. "There's way too much demand for dollar-based stablecoins for them to go away," said Alex Miller, CEO at bitcoin developer network Hiro. Market leader tether (USDT) has been a big beneficiary, adding $1.9 billion to its market capitalization to hit $70.3 billion since the news. It now commands 52.6% of the stablecoin market, up from just over 51%. Traders also use these tokens to hedge their positions, and hence dwindling market value is associated with falling liquidity and leverage in the broader crypto market.

☆ Futures fall as Home Depot outlook disappoints
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Investors will be focusing on retail giant Walmart Inc's (WMT.N) results due later in the day. ET, Dow e-minis were down 264 points, or 0.78%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 30.75 points, or 0.75%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 110.25 points, or 0.89%. Money market participants see the benchmark level peaking to a 5.3% in July, and staying near those levels throughout the year. Yield on the U.S. benchmark 10-year Treasury note edged higher, in turn pressuring rate-sensitive growth stocks. Reporting by Johann M Cherian and Medha Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb ChakrabartyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Amazon's VC arm leads $20 mln funding at entertainment firm Superplastic
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 15 (Reuters) - Entertainment company Superplastic said on Wednesday it had raised $20 million in a funding round led by the venture capital arm of Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) as it looks to expand its universe of digital characters. The latest cash infusion, a Series A extension, takes Superplastic's total funding to $58 million, the company said. Other investors that participated in the funding round include Craft Ventures, Google Ventures, Galaxy Digital, Kering, Sony Japan, Scribble Ventures, Kakao, Animoca Brands, Day One Ventures and Betaworks. Superplastic sells toys, apparel and non-fungible tokens in collaboration with brands, including Gucci, Fortnite, Mercedes-Benz, Tommy Hilfiger and celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Post Malone and The Weeknd. Reporting by Medha Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi MajumdarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Cryptoverse: Punk apes and a resurrection of NFTs
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Medha Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The NFT market is twitching out of its torpor, defying reports of its demise. Over the past 30 days, though, OpenSea remains top with volumes of $443.98 million, versus $366 million for Blur. BITCOIN JOINS NFT PARTYIn another non-fungible development, the novel use of the bitcoin blockchain for minting an NFT collection has caused a stir among crypto enthusiasts. Bitcoin Punks is a series of monkey-themed NFTs and a derivative of the wildly popular CryptoPunks collection. Some media reports have indicated Bitcoin Punk NFT being sold for as much as 9.5 bitcoin, worth in the region of $205,000.

☆ Wall St dips as Treasury yields rise after auction
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Carolina Mandl | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"With Treasury yields higher, it becomes a legitimate alternative to equities," said Michael Rosen, chief investment officer at Angeles Investments. Weighing on the S&P 500 (.SPX) and Nasdaq (.IXIC) indexes, Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) extended losses from the previous session to fall 4.7%. All 11 S&P 500 sectors posted losses. More than half of the S&P 500 companies have reported quarterly earnings so far, and 69% of them have beaten estimates, according to Refinitiv data. The S&P 500 posted 15 new 52-week highs and one new low; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 75 new highs and 57 new lows.

☆ Wall St dips as Treasury yields rise; Disney hits 5-month high
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Carolina Mandl | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The U.S. 30-year Treasury yield rose after an auction in the early afternoon, while the yield curve between two-year and 10-year notes widened earlier. Weighing on the S&P 500 (.SPX) and Nasdaq (.IXIC) indexes, Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) extended losses from the previous session to fall 5.2179%. The S&P 500 communication services sector (.SPLRCL) sank 2.86%. More than half of the S&P 500 companies have reported quarterly earnings so far, and 69% of them have beaten estimates, according to Refinitiv data. The S&P 500 posted 15 new 52-week highs and one new low; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 69 new highs and 41 new lows.

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