Precious Metals and Market News

Gold slides as Fed minutes, Hormuz oil spike lift yields - Kitco PM Report - (Kitco NewsWire) - Spot gold and silver prices are solidly lower in late-afternoon U.S. trading Wednesday, as renewed U.S.-Iran escalation, a sharp crude-oil rally and hawkish Fed minutes pushed Treasury yields and the U.S. dollar higher.

Gold had a rough Q2, but central bank demand will push prices higher through 2026 – Invesco - (Kitco News) – While Q2 was the worst quarter for gold in 12 years, with spiking energy prices raising inflation expectations and introducing the possibility of rate hikes, central bank demand will help gold finish the year on a positive note, according to the new quarterly gold outlook from Invesco.

FOMC minutes show a Fed united on rates and communications, but concerned about impacts of Iran, tariffs and AI on inflation - (Kitco News) – The minutes from the June 16-17 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting showed members united on monetary policy and changes to the Fed’s post-meeting communications but concerned about the economic impacts of the Iran war, tariffs, and the AI buildout, with the majority still seeing upside risks to inflation.

Investors flee gold ETFs in June as hawkish Fed expectations drive liquidation - (Kitco News) - Although gold prices are holding support above $4,000 an ounce, June proved to be a difficult month as rising opportunity costs continued to push investors out of gold-backed exchange-traded funds, according to the latest report from the World Gold Council.

Russia’s gold reserves fall below $300 billion in June after sixth straight monthly decline - (Kitco News) – Russia's state gold reserves fell below $300 billion at the end of last month amid a broader drop in the country's total reserve assets, according to the latest data from the Central Bank of Russia (CBR).The CBR valued the country's gold reserves at $298.99 billion at the end of last month, according to a report released on Tuesday.

Gold slides toward $4,050 as oil spike, Fed-rate repricing lift yields - Kitco AM Report - (Kitco NewsWire) - Spot gold and silver prices are lower ahead of the North American market open Wednesday, as renewed U.S.-Iran escalation pushed crude oil, Treasury yields and the U.S. dollar higher, overwhelming the safe-haven bid from Strait of Hormuz risk.

Gold and silver slip as Hormuz attacks lift oil, Fed-risk premium - Kitco PM Report - (Kitco NewsWire) - Spot gold and silver prices are weaker late Tuesday in North American trade, as higher Treasury yields, a firmer dollar and renewed Strait of Hormuz attacks offset the support metals had carried after last week’s weak payrolls report.

China’s central bank buys the dip, increasing gold reserves by 15 tonnes in June - (Kitco News) - As many analysts expected, central banks used gold’s further selloff last month to tactically increase their official gold reserves, with the People’s Bank of China continuing to dominate the market.

Digital gold could unlock bullion's next bull market by solving liquidity challenges, but trust remains a challenge - Gold Token SA’s Hemecker - (Kitco News) - Not only has gold surpassed U.S. Treasuries to become the world’s top central bank reserve asset, but the recent global energy crisis provoked by the war in Iran has proven the precious metal’s worth as an important source of liquidity, and according to one market executive, the yellow metal's evolution is just beginning.

Hong Kong begins trial of new central gold trading system, with first transactions complete and first bullion deposited - (Kitco News) – Hong Kong has begun the trial operation of a new central clearing and settlement system for gold, part of a broader set of policy and market initiatives intended to strengthen the city’s position as an international hub for the precious metals market.Hong Kong’s Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) announced the launch of the initiative earlier today.

Study Finds Self-Driving Cars Crash More Often, But Cause Far Fewer Injuries - Study Finds Self-Driving Cars Crash More Often, But Cause Far Fewer Injuries Self-driving cars may be involved in more crashes than human drivers on a per-mile basis, but the evidence suggests those accidents are generally far less likely to result in serious injuries or fatalities, according to Aulsbrook Car & Truck Lawyers. A review of autonomous vehicle safety data found self-d...

Trump To Delist Syria From Terror Designation, Boasts Of Putting 'Fantastic' Sharaa In Power - Trump To Delist Syria From Terror Designation, Boasts Of Putting 'Fantastic' Sharaa In Power Via Middle East Eye US President Donald Trump lavished rare praise on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday, calling him "fantastic" and "highly respected", as the two leaders met on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.  The meeting itself is a win for Sharaa, who w...

Tourist Nightmare: Toxic "Bone-Cutting" Fish Invades Mediterranean Beaches - Tourist Nightmare: Toxic "Bone-Cutting" Fish Invades Mediterranean Beaches Tourists heading to the Mediterranean are being urged to watch out for an invasive species of toxic pufferfish that has spread across popular beach destinations in Greece and other coastal countries, according to the Daily Mail. The silver-cheeked toadfish, originally native to the Indian Ocean, is believed...

EU Mandates Dystopian In-Car Cameras To Monitor Every Driver's Face - EU Mandates Dystopian In-Car Cameras To Monitor Every Driver's Face Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity News, The European Union has made it official. Every brand-new passenger car, van, truck, and bus sold or first registered across the bloc must now carry interior-facing cameras that track the driver's gaze, head movements, and attention levels. The system, called Advanced...

How The Global Economy Became The World's Most Dangerous Battlefield - How The Global Economy Became The World's Most Dangerous Battlefield Authored by Madge Waggy, The twenty-first century has introduced a form of confrontation that rarely appears on television screens, is seldom announced through diplomatic declarations, and almost never begins with the spectacle traditionally associated with war. Its progression is quieter, considerably more sophi...

US Military Races To Harden Strategic Nuclear Bases With Counter-Drone AI Shield - US Military Races To Harden Strategic Nuclear Bases With Counter-Drone AI Shield Defense company AeroVironment has won an $80.5 million order from the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 for its Titan MS counter-drone system, expanding the Department of War's efforts to secure critical defense infrastructure and other homeland sites from AI drone swarm attacks. The award falls under...

US Navy Backs 3,800 MPH-Speeding Blackbeard Hypersonic Missile With First Contract - US Navy Backs 3,800 MPH-Speeding Blackbeard Hypersonic Missile With First Contract Authored by Sujita Sinha via Interesting Engineering, The U.S. Navy has awarded defense technology startup Castelion its first production contract for the Blackbeard hypersonic missile. This $23.4 million deal includes 50 pre-production missiles and shows the Navy is ready to move the program past d...

Leaked Memo Shows 'Pro-Cuba' NGO Network Preparing To Target ICE, US Bases, Federal Buildings - Leaked Memo Shows 'Pro-Cuba' NGO Network Preparing To Target ICE, US Bases, Federal Buildings Independent Cuban news outlet ADN Cuba has revealed that a US-based Cuba solidarity coalition circulated a memo instructing far-left activists to prepare rapid-response protests at US federal buildings, military bases, recruitment centers, and ICE facilities in the event of a military conf...

James Talarico Says He Supports The Second Amendment - His Record Says Otherwise - James Talarico Says He Supports The Second Amendment - His Record Says Otherwise Authored by Leigh Gibson, Texas State Director - Gun Owners of America, The Second Amendment protects more than the right to own a firearm. It protects the natural right of every law-abiding American to defend themselves and their family. But it also serves a broader purpose: preserving the liberty of...

Iran Hits Back, Launching Missiles On Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar - Ignoring Trump's Warning Of "Much Worse" Bombing - Iran Hits Back, Launching Missiles On Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar - Ignoring Trump's Warning Of "Much Worse" Bombing Summary Iran retaliates: air defenses reportedly active over Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait. Trump threatens "it will get much worse" after Wednesday night US attack wave commences along Iran's coast. Trump tells NATO summit that Iran wants to assassinate him: "on every single...

7-Eleven made $349 million from surge in gasoline prices in the U.S. last quarter - Convenience store operator 7-Eleven on Thursday disclosed a $349 million profit from the surge in gasoline prices during the last quarter, even as fewer Americans filled their tanks.

Levi’s is finding new ways to win customers — by looking toward tops and ‘denim luxury’ - Jeans maker raises its full-year outlook for the second straight time, but shares fall after hours

Higher gas prices aren’t the only way rising tensions with Iran will hit home - Wall Street expects President Donald Trump’s call that the Iran cease-fire is over will hurt airlines and home builders more than it will help oil companies.

I started retirement with $3 million. Now I’m 89 and down to $2 million. What if I get sick? - Even if you’re not worried about your normal spending anymore, a long-term-care need is still a problem for any budget.

Did you mess up on your taxes? The IRS just made it easier to avoid paying a penalty. - It’s a ‘major taxpayer win,’ according to one advocate inside the IRS

Oil prices extend gains after hours as U.S. forces conduct additional strikes on Iran - Oil prices settled at their highest levels in more than two weeks on Wednesday, then extended their gains in after-hours trading after the U.S. military said it launched additional strikes on Iran.

Investors haven’t been this bullish on the dollar in a decade. How the buck can keep climbing. - A crowded bet on a stronger U.S. dollar may depend on whether Wednesday’s jump in oil prices proves lasting, as renewed Middle East tensions revive inflation concerns and bolster expectations that the Federal Reserve may need to keep policy tight.

This chart shows stamp prices over the years as USPS hikes postage again this weekend - The new rate will go into effect on July 12, and will be the eighth price increase over the last five calendar years

The Strait of Hormuz is back under ‘full-conflict conditions’ — and energy markets are scrambling - Oil prices surge as U.S. and Iran trade strikes; but even without further disruption, volatility appears here to stay for energy markets

‘I’d hate to end up with an unexpected tax bill’: I’m 73 and still work full time. Can I avoid paying taxes on my Social Security benefits? - “I’m actually earning more each week than I ever have before.”

Ukraine’s drone playbook is wreaking havoc in Russia — and upending where NATO wants to invest - Ukraine’s deep drone strikes on Russian refineries are reshaping the war and pushing NATO toward a $40 billion counter-drone plan.

Oil prices ease after spiking following fresh U.S. strikes against Iran - Oil prices turned lower on Thursday after the U.S. carried out fresh strikes on Iran, renewing concerns about supply disruptions in the Middle East.

Why the world’s best-performing stock market this year fell into bear territory - The Kospi fell more than 5% on Wednesday, which brought it 20% below its June 19 record high, according to LSEG data.

U.S., Iran trade fresh strikes as Trump says he's 'not sure' he wants deal - Centcom said it launched dozens of strikes on Iranian military infrastructure and small boats; Trump said the U.S. might take more military action "tonight."

SpaceX is racing toward orbital data centers. Here are ways to play this emerging technology - SpaceX’s push toward orbital data centers opens new avenues for AI infrastructure. Wall Street is already mapping the stocks that could benefit.

China consumer price growth weakens in June while producer inflation rises to near 4-year high - Investors increasingly view China's two-speed growth with robust export and tepid domestic demand as a defining long-term feature of the Chinese economy.

Christine Lagarde leaves door open to early ECB exit, as she mulls French politics - The European Central Bank's Christine Lagarde has declined to rule out an early end to her term as president, as she mulls a foray into French politics.

Job seekers giving up: Labor force participation rate falls to lowest in 50 years, outside of Covid era - A drop in the unemployment rate helped provide some upside to what was an otherwise downbeat jobs report — but it was for all the wrong reasons.

U.S. job creation cools in June with payrolls growth of just 57,000; unemployment rate at 4.2% - Nonfarm payrolls were expected to rise by 115,000 in June and the unemployment rate to hold steady at 4.3%.

Europe wants to rebalance trade with Beijing, but can't quit Chinese air conditioners - A historic heat wave has driven unprecedented demand for Chinese-made air conditioners in Europe, underscoring the tough task Brussels faces in rebalancing trade with Beijing.

U.S. isn't the only government that falsifies economic data - Outspoken Chinese Economist Who Doubted Official GDP Data Dies By Joe LeahyFinancial Times, LondonWednesday, July 8, 2026 The death of a prominent Chinese economist who openly questioned official GDP data has prompted an outpouring of mourning for a figure many saw as a "daring truth teller" in a country intolerant of independent voices. Gao Shanwen, former economist of SDIC Securities, a gover...

India silver import curbs create shortages, push premiums to six-month high - By Rajendra JadhavReutersWednesday, July 8, 2026 MUMBAI -- India's restrictions on silver imports have created shortages in the world's biggest market for the precious metal, pushing premiums to their highest levels in six months despite weaker-than-usual demand. Lower imports by India, which meets more than 80% of its silver demand through overseas purchases, could weigh on global prices, whil...

Gold is getting a new shine amid volatile geopolitics - By Chris Anstey and Augusta SaraivaBloomberg NewsWednesday, July 8, 2026 Sometime during the crash in the price of gold in the mid-2010s, one veteran financial-market journalist declared that "this is the moment when the world realized gold isn't a financial asset." Famous last words, as they say. After gold's surge over the past several years, and continuous debate about the long-term durabili...

Tanzania's central bank bought 28 tons of gold over past 18 months for reserves - From ReutersWednesday, July 8, 2026 DAR ES SALAAM -- Tanzania's central bank has bought about 28 metric tons of gold ​over the past 18 months to bolster ‌its international reserves and support the shilling currency, its governor, Emmanuel Tutuba, said. Tutuba was quoted in a ​finance ministry statement as saying the purchased ​gold was worth $3.68 billion at current prices. ... Dispatch continu...

China gold reserves rose in June the most since 2023 even as bullion tumbled - By Dylan Duan and ​Ryan WooReutersTuesday, July 7, 2026 China's central bank reported its biggest monthly increase in gold reserves ​in more than 2 1/2 ‌years in June, official data showed today, though bullion prices tumbled. The People's Bank of China maintained gold purchases for a ​20th straight month, with its reserves ​hitting 75.44 million fine troy ounces by the ⁠end of June, versus 74....

AI Investment Mania Has Begun to Percolate through the Economy, and the Fed Has Begun to Fret about the Effects - AI Dominated the Fed’s Meeting as Driver of “Persistent Inflationary Pressures” & Demand Growth.

QT plus Rate Hikes: ECB Sheds €149 billion of QE Assets in Q2, -52% since mid-2022, Marks Gold Down by €160 Billion - Fed’s anti-QT faction, take a look: ECB shed €3.7 trillion ($4.2 trillion) of its QE assets, nearly double the Fed’s QT, and nothing bad has happened.

Consumer “Inflation Expectations” Throw the Fed another Curveball - The Fed watches inflation expectations closely. It wants them to remain “anchored.” But consumer inflation expectations have become unanchored.

Legal tender and electronic payments – can we insist on paying in cash? - Answer lies in common law's approach to concept of legal tender When a tourist tried to pay for a burger in cash at a Tsim Sha Tsui restaurant in 2023, staff refused. The outlet accepted only cards ...

Bitcoin's dwindling exchange reserves don't pack the same bullish punch anymore - Santiment reported that bitcoin supply is at its lowest since 2017 and ether since 2015, adding that it doesn’t guarantee prices will move higher but helps set up crypto’s next bull cycle.

Live markets: Bitcoin ETFs slip back to outflows while ether funds extend their streak - U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs lost a net $84 million on Wednesday, ending a three-day inflow run that had pulled in roughly $509 million

Bank of Japan may speed up rate hikes, pushing borrowing costs above 2%, ex-BOJ official warns - Former BOJ official issues interest-rate warning as yen continues to slide against the dollar.

'CASHCAT' trader turns $800 into over $1 million on Robinhood's brand new blockchain - Robinhood's blockchain went live on July 1 to move stocks onchain. Its first breakout hit is a memecoin named after the mascot the company abandoned.

XRP holds near $1.10 as traders watch long-term breakout setup - XRP defended the $1.00-$1.05 support zone, but the near-term chart remains capped below resistance as analysts track larger wedge and channel patterns.

Bitcoin, ether steady, gold slides as U.S.-Iran tensions escalate again - Oil climbed for a third day and gold fell for a fourth while bitcoin is up 1.6% on the week.

Polymarket bets on U.S. marketing blitz to win back trust after 4-year ban: Report - The prediction market's head of U.S. operations says the business is taking steps to legitimize itself after years of legal scrutiny.

Crypto Long & Short: With MSTR concerns assuaged, look to traditional signals around BTC - In this week's Crypto Long & Short, FalconX’s Gaspar Martin writes that BTC is reaching a market bottom and is poised for a turnaround.

Crypto VC Paradigm launches $1.2 billion AI fund as it broadens beyond digital assets - The firm's latest fund backs AI and robotics startups but leadership says it remains committed to crypto investing.

Dinari, tZERO join forces on turnkey platform for tokenized U.S. equities - The move comes as firms race to build the infrastructure for blockchain-based stocks and debate how tokenized stocks should work.

Michael Saylor’s Strategy Sold 3,588 Bitcoin in Largest Sale Ever. Is it a Bearish Signal? - $MSTR just sold 3,588 BTC and many are calling it the top. But this only represents 0.42% of their total Bitcoin holdings, while the remaining stack is still worth about 179% of the company’s market cap. Panic selling or smart capital management? The following guest post comes from Ziven.io, a public markets intelligence platform delivering […]

Harry Hwang Warns Compliant Solana Order Flow Lanes Could Concentrate Institutional Liquidity - Moneygram has deployed an active Solana validator node and joined the Solana Developer Platform. Rather than an immediate integration with its retail remittance engine, this serves as an infrastructure staging ground to master public-node challenges before exposing its core settlement ledger. Moneygram’s Strategic Infrastructure Staging Ground Global remittance giants have traditionally operate...

A New York Crypto Legal Director Role Is Advertising $1 Million to $5 Million a Year - A fast-growing Solana-based crypto platform is advertising a New York director of legal affairs role paying $1 million to $5 million a year, even as the market remains weak and Bitcoin is down about 50% since October. The company launched in 2024, says it processes more than $300 million in daily transactions, and is facing […]

Kraken Wins $22 Million Arbitration as Arjun Sethi Calls for Clear Crypto Rules - Payward, Kraken’s parent company, has asked the Delaware Court of Chancery to enter final judgment against Mazars USA after winning a $22 million arbitration award. Co-CEO Arjun Sethi framed the case as part of a broader fight over debanking, regulatory pressure and the need for clear U.S. crypto market rules. Kraken Asks Delaware Court to […]

France’s Gambling Regulator Warns All Esports Betting Is Illegal as the $75M Esports World Cup Opens in Paris - As the Esports World Cup opens in Paris with the largest prize pool in the sport’s history, France’s national gambling authority has reminded fans that wagering on any of it is illegal. No licensed operator may take an esports bet in the country, and every site that offers one is unlawful – a stance the […]

Brickbat: Unfriendly Skies - In December, the Denver City Council voted against letting charter airline Key Lime Air lease space at the airport because… The post Brickbat: Unfriendly Skies appeared first on Reason.com.

Open Thread - What’s on your mind?

Sixteen Fun Facts About Me - Building on a meme started by Bryan Caplan and Richard Hanania.

D.C. Circuit Denies Stay of Order Removing Trump's Name from Kennedy Center - From D.C. Circuit Judges Patricia Millett, Robert Wilkins, and Gregory Katsas today in Beatty v. Trump: On May 29, 2026,… The post D.C. Circuit Denies Stay of Order Removing Trump's Name from Kennedy Center appeared first on Reason.com.

Video of National Constitution Center Conference on "2026 Supreme Court Review: Key Decisions, Executive Power, Civil Discourse" - Three different VC bloggers were among the speakers: Jonathan Adler, Keith Whittington, and myself.

Democratic Establishment Rages at Graham Platner - Robby Soave and Christian Britschgi talk about Graham Platners' downfall and all of the internet rumors surrounding the health of Sen. Mitch McConnell.

A Trump-Appointed Judge Quashes a Subpoena Aimed at Validating the President's Stolen-Election Fantasy - The decision rebukes the DOJ for demanding "private and sensitive" information about Georgia election workers "with no legitimate law enforcement purpose."

"AI Is the Democratic Party's Next Villain" - "We analyze roughly 280,000 candidate fundraising emails to trace the rise of anti-billionaire populism in the Democratic party and see how it is slowly merging with a new kind of anti-AI populism."

The Supreme Court's 'Reasonable Expectation of Privacy' Test Defies Expectations - Neil Gorsuch proposes an alternative to a Fourth Amendment standard that has proven to be an unreliable safeguard against government snooping.

Trump Tries To Take Credit for a Walmart July 4 Grocery Sale - He understands economics about as well as he understands the limits of presidential power.

Trump’s Anti-Weaponization Fund Is a (Another) Slush Fund - If Trump’s settlement stands, future presidents will have a roadmap for turning lawsuits into spending programs and political grievances into taxpayer-financed payouts.

There and Back Again: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act - The House’s amendment to the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is a great improvement over the Senate’s version. However, the bill is still filled with policies that won’t help, but rather harm, the housing market.

After the Castro Tyranny, Cubans Should Lead Their Transition to Freedom - When and if the Cuban dictatorship finally collapses, it would be best to let Cubans themselves determine their return to freedom.

A Federal Gas Tax Holiday Would Be Expensive and Ineffective - When the federal gas tax comes up for reauthorization in 2028, Congress should simply let the gas tax expire.

The SEC Throws in the Towel on Gag Orders - Facing an increasingly speech-friendly Supreme Court, the SEC reluctantly–and belatedly–decides to stop censoring its victims.

Five Weapons. One Target: Your Freedom. - The top tools of tyrants aimed right at your liberty. Washington, Webster, Paine, Madison, and more - they saw every one of them coming and warned us. On this Episode - what they use against us and what’s self-inflicted. The post Five Weapons. One Target: Your Freedom. appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

They’re not Grievances. They’re STOLEN Power - Declaration of Independence: That long list of charges against the king aren’t mere “grievances.” That word isn’t even in the text. They Founders didn't secede and fight a long, bloody war over mere complaints about bad policy. American Independence was built on something else spelled out in the text itself, and understood by everyone at the time. On this Episode - It's the foundation of the de...

Let’s Not Forget What Madison Said About War - What Madison is pointing out is that among all the ways that government destroys the liberty of its own people, its wars are the worst. The post Let’s Not Forget What Madison Said About War appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Automated Moderation Is Here to Stay - This blog post is part 1 of a 2-part series. The second part will set out recommendations for companies and policymakers.Six years ago—one month into a global pandemic—we argued that the automated moderation processes many platforms were rapidly adopting should be highly transparent, easily appealable, and temporary. We warned that "protocols adopted in times of crisis often persist when the cr...

Help EFF Cut the AI Hype - In the global race to build and dominate the AI industry, it can sure seem like the interests of ordinary people sit last on the agenda. It's just the opposite for EFF. While companies furiously jam AI tools into their veins and your eyeballs, EFF’s technologists, activists, and attorneys have been meticulously cutting through the hype to ensure AI can serve your privacy and free expression. Te...

LGBT Q&A: How Can I Wipe Online Data That Points To My Queer Identity? - This Pride, we’re answering all your digital rights questions in season two of our initiative, LGBT Q&A.  You Asked: Is there a way for me to wipe data about me online that could point to my queer identity? EFF’s Answer: You cannot protect everything all the time, but there are ways to wipe information about yourself online.  Most information available about you online will typically be found i...

Victory! South Milwaukee Lets Backyard Skeletons Rest in Peace - South Milwaukee will not be sending Sean and Laura Oster’s decorative skeletons to an untimely grave after the Institute for Justice (IJ) sent a letter informing them that any such action would be a major First Amendment violation.   The post Victory! South Milwaukee Lets Backyard Skeletons Rest in Peace appeared first on Institute for Justice.

Physical Therapist Files Legal Challenge Against Leavenworth, Wa. for the Right to Run a Small In-home Practice - For more than 15 years, licensed physical therapist Nicole Bulow has helped people get back to the lives they love, guiding active adults through injury […] The post Physical Therapist Files Legal Challenge Against Leavenworth, Wa. for the Right to Run a Small In-home Practice appeared first on Institute for Justice.

South Milwaukee Orders Residents to Take Down Whimsical Skeleton Display, a Violation of Their First Amendment Rights - Sean and Laura Oster have a bone to pick with South Milwaukee. The post South Milwaukee Orders Residents to Take Down Whimsical Skeleton Display, a Violation of Their First Amendment Rights appeared first on Institute for Justice.

TAURUS RENEWS PLATINUM-LEVEL CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP - BELLEVUE, Wash. — April 24, 2025 — The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) is pleased to announce that Taurus Holdings Inc. has renewed their commitment to the organization as a Platinum-level corporate partner. “At Taurus, we believe that the right to keep and bear arms is fundamental to the American way of life,” said Taurus USA The post TAURUS RENEWS PLATINUM-LEVEL CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP appear...

CA NON-RESIDENTS CAN APPLY FOR CARRY PERMIT STARTING APRIL 22 - BELLEVUE, Wash. — April 22, 2025 — Thanks to a preliminary injunction in the Second Amendment Foundation’s (SAF) case CRPA v. LASD, starting Tuesday, April 22, non-resident SAF members can apply for a California carry permit.  The injunction requires that California accept permit applications from any United States resident outside the state who is a The post CA NON-RESIDENTS CAN APPLY FOR CARR...

SCOTUS DENIES CERT IN WORTH, SAF WIN IN EIGHTH CIRCUIT STANDS - BELLEVUE, Wash. — April 21, 2025 — In a case that could potentially have far-reaching implications for similar lawsuits across the nation, the U.S. Supreme Court has denied Minnesota’s Petition for Writ of Certiorari in Jacobson v. Worth, the Second Amendment Foundation’s (SAF) challenge to the 18-20-year-old carry ban in the state. Minnesota asked the The post SCOTUS DENIES CERT IN WORTH, SAF ...

VA: GOA Files VA Supreme Court Brief as Injunction Expands Statewide - The fight over Virginia’s unconstitutional gun and magazine bans is moving fast. After GOA, GOF, VCDL, VCDF, and gun rights journalist John Crump secured a preliminary injunction in Crump v. Katz, Attorney General Jay Jones ran to the Supreme Court of Virginia asking the Court to put those bans back in force. GOA and our allies have now filed our opposition brief. … Read more

LET’S END “ZERO TOLERANCE” FOREVER! - The Biden Administration’s ATF “Zero Tolerance” policy was one of the most aggressive attacks on federally licensed firearms dealers in recent history. This rule weaponized federal code against firearms dealers, turning misspellings on paperwork into license revocations. The goal was clear, force gun stores out of business and make it harder for law-abiding Americans to exercise their Second Am...

GOA and GOF File Federal Lawsuit Challenging Pennsylvania’s Lifetime Carry Ban for Citizens with Minor, Decades-Old Drug Misdemeanors - GOA and GOF File Federal Lawsuit Challenging Pennsylvania’s Lifetime Carry Ban for Citizens with Minor, Decades-Old Drug Misdemeanors FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 8, 2026 Springfield, VA — Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF), alongside Craig Philips, an honorably discharged Air Force and Gulf War veteran, have filed a federal lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania’s statutory li...

Starling to whittle headcount by 3% - The bank is cutting jobs to eliminate duplication and accelerate product delivery, a spokesperson said.

Axos to buy Arc Technologies - The deal marks Axos’ fourth purchase announcement in a year.

PNC’s new mobile banking app built on personalization - The Pittsburgh-based bank wanted to debut a customizable app with more features and functionality “without making it heavy,” said Alex Overstrom, the lender’s head of retail banking.

Fiserv president exits - As Stripe alum Dhivya Suryadevara announced her resignation Tuesday, Fiserv elevated two executives.

Sony receives OCC’s conditional approval for trust charter - The Japanese conglomerate aims to launch Connectia Trust, which will issue and manage stablecoins, in 2027. Banking trade groups and consumer advocates voiced their objection months ago.

Deal deepens Business First's bank-consulting prowess - The Louisiana-based lender's acquisition of American Planning Corp. expands the list of advisory services it offers to other community banks.

Block to pay $45M to states for fraud on Cash App - A settlement with 46 states resolves allegations that Block's Cash App engaged in deceptive marketing and failed to maintain legally mandated fraud protections. The deal also requires Block to honor an agreement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau made in the final days of the Biden administration.

Activist investors demand changes at Alabama community bank - Two investors are in open revolt over what they see as inaction and underperformance at United Bancorporation of Alabama. Among their demands: more stock buybacks, lower expenses and new faces on the board of directors.

JPMorganChase's tokenized money market fund vaults ahead - The nation's largest bank's fund for stablecoin issuers seeking GENIUS Act–compliant yield vehicles already has $700 million in assets.

Sony gets conditional approval to establish US trust bank - Sony Bank received conditional approval from the OCC to launch a national trust bank subsidiary called Connectia for making its own dollar-backed stablecoins.

Project Insight: uncovering the complexities of global value chains - Project Insight developed a proof-of-concept dashboard to enhance policymakers' understanding and monitoring of global supply chain developments. By unifying detailed firm-level datasets, macroeconomic information and advanced analytics within a collaborative platform, the project demonstrated how granular and complex GVC dependencies can be studied more effectively.

On the comparison of capital requirements for global systemically important banks - Basel III introduced a comprehensive package of capital reforms to bolster the resilience of the global banking system. While the standard supports regulatory convergence across jurisdictions by establishing a common minimum set of requirements for internationally active banks, it also gives national authorities flexibility to exceed the minimum standards. Heterogeneous applications of Basel II...

Blockchain consensus mechanisms and fragmentation - by Daniel Eidan, Jon Frost, Rudraksh Kansal, Ulf Lewrick, Sang Hyuk Lim, Tomasz RybarczykWhile all permissionless blockchains use token-based incentives to sustain honest validation, differences in how validator rewards, coordination and participation are structured lead to distinct equilibria and trade-offs between decentralisation, security and scalability. These trade-offs underpin the emerg...

Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, June 16-17, 2026 - Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, June 16-17, 2026

Federal Reserve Board requests comment on a proposal to amend its requirements for banks to maintain anti-money laundering programs - Federal Reserve Board requests comment on a proposal to amend its requirements for banks to maintain anti-money laundering programs

Federal Reserve Board issues enforcement action with Small Business Bank and announces termination enforcement actions with BNP Paribas S.A., BNP Paribas USA, Inc., BNP Paribas Securities Corp., an... - Federal Reserve Board issues enforcement action with Small Business Bank and announces termination enforcement actions with BNP Paribas S.A., BNP Paribas USA, Inc., BNP Paribas Securities Corp., and Community Bankshares, Inc.

Press Release: FDIC Issues List of Banks Examined for CRA Compliance - PRESS RELEASE | JULY 2, 2026 FDIC Issues List of Banks Examined for CRA Compliance WASHINGTON — The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)...

Press Release: Agencies Release List of Distressed or Underserved Nonmetropolitan Middle-Income Geographies - PRESS RELEASE | JUNE 30, 2026 Agencies Release List of Distressed or Underserved Nonmetropolitan Middle-Income Geographies WASHINGTON — Federal ...