BTCC Evening News Highlights (September 17)

1. BOJ Decision Due Today, Markets Expect a 25-Basis-Point Rate Hike

Markets broadly expect the Bank of Japan to raise its policy rate by 25 basis points to 1.25% today, which would be the highest level since 1995. Rising energy prices and domestic inflation pressures are pushing the BOJ further away from its long-standing accommodative stance.

2. US Stocks Rebound Strongly as Nasdaq Jumps 1.69%

The Dow rose 317.95 points on Thursday to 51,779.85, up 0.62%. The S&P 500 gained 1.14% to 7,637.74, while the Nasdaq surged 1.69% to 26,418.30, ending a three-session losing streak.

3. US 10-Year Treasury Yield Falls Back to Around 4.94%

The US 10-year Treasury yield fell about 6.6 basis points on Thursday to 4.939%, moving back below 5%, while the two-year yield declined to 4.671%. Lower long-term yields were a major driver of the rebound in technology stocks.

4. US Initial Jobless Claims Fall to 196,000, Below Expectations

Initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 10,000 to 196,000 in the week ended September 12, the lowest since mid-July and well below the 208,000 consensus estimate, signaling continued resilience in the labor market.

5. Continuing Jobless Claims Fall to 1.73 Million, Lowest Since Early 2024

Continuing claims fell by 39,000 to 1.73 million in the week ended September 5, their lowest level since January 2024. Low layoff rates continue to reinforce the Fed’s assessment that the labor market remains close to full employment.

6. Philadelphia Semiconductor Index Jumps More Than 3% as AI Hardware Trade Rebounds

The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index and gold and silver mining stocks all rose more than 3% on Thursday, with technology becoming the strongest major S&P 500 sector. Chip stocks recovered sharply after being sold off on concerns over calls to slow AI development.

7. SEC Introduces Five-Year “Innovation Exemption” for Tokenized Stocks

The US SEC announced a five-year partial exchange-regulation exemption for qualifying tokenized equity trading platforms. Certain liquidity providers will also receive partial exemptions from dealer registration requirements, with the rules taking effect immediately.

8. SEC Says Tokenized Stocks Must Represent Real Shareholder Rights

The SEC said stock tokens covered by the exemption must represent actual equity rights, including dividends and voting rights. “Synthetic tokens” that merely replicate stock prices through derivatives are excluded. Issuers may also refuse to allow their shares to be listed in tokenized form.

9. Coinbase and Circle Rise 5.8%, Robinhood Gains 5.2%

Crypto-linked stocks were among the strongest performers in US equities after the SEC unveiled its regulatory exemption for tokenized stocks. Coinbase and Circle both gained 5.8%, while Robinhood rose 5.2%.

10. Bank of England Holds Rates at 3.75%, Three Policymakers Back a Hike

The Bank of England voted 6–3 to keep its policy rate unchanged at 3.75%, with three members supporting an immediate increase to 4%. The central bank also warned that the energy shock from the Middle East war could push UK inflation above 4% early next year.

11. Bank of England Pauses Active Gilt Sales for Six Months

The Bank of England unexpectedly announced a six-month pause in active sales of government bonds, while outlining a plan to reduce its monetary-policy gilt holdings to zero by 2034. UK government bond yields fell noticeably after the announcement.

12. Bank of England Sees Inflation Slightly Above 4% Early Next Year

The Bank of England raised its third-quarter GDP growth forecast from 0.1% to 0.4%, but also projected inflation slightly above 4% in early 2027, more than double its 2% target. High energy costs remain the biggest source of uncertainty.

13. Saudi Supply Concerns Ease as Oil Pulls Back Sharply From Recent $110 High

Saudi Arabia has increased crude transshipment through Oman while advancing repairs to its East-West pipeline, reducing concerns over a near-term supply shortfall. Brent crude has fallen below $104 from levels near $110 earlier this week, although restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz means supply risks have not disappeared.

14. Gold Jumps More Than 2%, Reclaims $4,350

Spot gold rose more than 2% on September 17, reaching as high as $4,360.36 per ounce and rebounding sharply from a near six-week low. Lower oil prices eased inflation concerns, while declines in the dollar and the US 10-year Treasury yield improved the appeal of non-yielding gold.

15. Silver Surges 4.2% to $65.60

Spot silver jumped 4.2% on September 17 to $65.60 per ounce, significantly outperforming gold. Platinum rose 1.8% and palladium gained 1.6%. A softer dollar, lower Treasury yields and renewed inflows into precious metals drove the rebound.

16. Huawei Says AI Chip Capacity Cannot Meet Domestic Chinese Demand

Huawei rotating chairman Xu Zhijun said the company’s current AI computing hardware capacity cannot even meet demand in China, leaving little room for large-scale overseas expansion for now. Huawei’s Ascend series is becoming an increasingly important part of China’s AI computing infrastructure.

17. Huawei Brings Forward Ascend 960 Series, Plans Annual AI Chip Upgrades

Huawei plans to launch the Ascend 960DT in the first quarter of 2027, three quarters earlier than previously planned, while the 960PR is scheduled for the third quarter. The company also plans to launch the 970 and 980 series in 2028 and 2029, respectively.

18. Silicon Valley AI Data Center Expansion Faces Energy and Water Constraints

Residents and environmental groups in San Jose are calling for tighter scrutiny of the electricity use, water consumption and diesel backup-generator emissions associated with AI data centers. California lawmakers have passed several related bills requiring large power users to shoulder more grid costs.

19. Total Crypto Market Cap Rises to $2.63 Trillion, Up 1.14% in 24 Hours

CoinMarketCap data showed total crypto market capitalization at around $2.63 trillion, up 1.14% over 24 hours, with trading volume at roughly $71.6 billion. Bitcoin dominance fell to 58.54%, down about 0.35 percentage points from the previous day.

20. Bitcoin Holds Near $76,500, Up Around 0.3% in 24 Hours

Bitcoin was last trading around $76,468, up 0.33% over 24 hours, with a market capitalization of about $1.53 trillion. Lower Treasury yields and oil prices improved risk appetite, although expectations for further Fed tightening continued to limit upside.

21. ETH Rises to $2,447 as SOL Reclaims $101

ETH traded around $2,447, up 1.29% over 24 hours. SOL rose 2.91% to about $101.46, while BNB gained 2.15% to around $739. Major altcoins broadly outperformed Bitcoin.

22. ZEC Gains Another 8.7%, Rises to $1,463

ZEC remained strong, trading around $1,463, up 8.69% over 24 hours and 33.65% over seven days. Its market capitalization reached approximately $24.68 billion, keeping it among CoinMarketCap’s top 10 cryptocurrencies.

23. HYPE Jumps Nearly 11% to $86.80

Hyperliquid’s HYPE traded around $86.80, up 10.92% over 24 hours, with a market capitalization of about $21.8 billion. HYPE and ZEC are among the most active large-cap tokens in the top 100 by market value.

24. JPMorgan Says Lower BTC ETF Hedging Could Improve Bitcoin’s Relative Performance

JPMorgan analysts noted that both Bitcoin and gold ETFs have attracted inflows since late July, although BTC ETFs still show relatively high short and hedging activity. If that hedging demand declines, Bitcoin could receive additional capital support.