Key Takeaways
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump expects Hamas to respond within 3-4 days to a new Gaza peace plan, which includes a ceasefire, hostage release, and disarmament.
- The U.S. government shutdown has led to White House threats of "imminent" and potentially thousands of federal worker layoffs, a significant departure from traditional furloughs.
- CME Group (CME) announced it will introduce 24/7 trading for cryptocurrency futures and options starting in early 2026, driven by surging client demand and record 2025 volumes, including $39 billion in notional open interest.
- Canadian motor vehicle sales saw a 3.6% year-over-year decline in September, as reported by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, despite an 8.1% year-to-date increase.
White House Urges Hamas Response on Gaza Peace Plan
The White House is pressing for a swift resolution to the Gaza conflict, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announcing that President Trump anticipates a response from Hamas within 3-4 days regarding a newly unveiled peace plan. The proposal, which has garnered support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and various Arab and Muslim nations, outlines a comprehensive approach including a ceasefire, the release of hostages within 72 hours, the disarmament of Hamas, and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
During a Fox News interview, Leavitt emphasized that the White House "hopes and expects" Hamas to approve the plan, stating that President Trump will establish a "red line" for their response. Trump underscored the urgency of the initiative, suggesting that its acceptance by Hamas would lead to an "immediate end to the war itself." Discussions are reportedly at a "very sensitive" stage, with the administration highlighting broad regional backing for the proposal.
Government Shutdown Triggers Layoff Threats, Economic Data Delays
A U.S. government shutdown commenced on October 1, 2025, leading to significant warnings from the Trump administration regarding federal employment. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that "consequential" layoffs of federal workers are "imminent" and likely to impact thousands, marking a shift from the typical furlough procedures seen in previous shutdowns. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has been directed to identify areas for these cuts, with the administration attributing the necessity of these actions to the Democratic party.
House Speaker Mike Johnson previously stated there was "nothing to negotiate" on a stopgap funding bill, despite a Republican-backed seven-week continuing resolution failing in the Senate due to Democratic opposition over healthcare provisions, particularly Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Johnson maintained that ACA tax credits were a "December policy issue, not a September funding issue." The ongoing shutdown is also expected to delay the release of critical economic data, including the upcoming jobs report, which could impact market analysis and policy decisions.
CME Group to Launch 24/7 Crypto Trading Amid Record Volumes
CME Group (CME), a leading derivatives marketplace, announced plans to offer 24/7 trading for its cryptocurrency futures and options beginning in early 2026, pending regulatory approval. This strategic expansion is a direct response to increasing client demand for continuous access to cryptocurrency markets for risk management. Trading will occur continuously on CME Globex, with a weekly two-hour maintenance period over weekends.
The announcement follows a period of robust growth for CME Group's cryptocurrency products in 2025. The company reported a record notional open interest of $39 billion on September 18. Furthermore, August saw a record average daily volume of 411,000 contracts, representing a substantial 230% year-over-year increase, alongside a record average daily open interest of 335,200 contracts, up 95% from the previous year.
Canadian Auto Sales Decline in September, Year-to-Date Remains Strong
Canadian motor vehicle sales experienced a 3.6% year-over-year decrease in September, according to data from DesRosiers Automotive Consultants. An estimated 157,000 units were sold during the month. This decline is attributed to a strong comparative September in 2023, when vehicle availability significantly improved, and three fewer selling days in September 2024 due to the Labour Day holiday.
Despite the monthly dip, the year-to-date performance remains positive, with sales up a respectable 8.1% compared to the first nine months of 2023, reaching 1.41 million units. The Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) for September was 1.78 million, aligning with figures observed in July and August. Notably, Volkswagen led in percentage gains year-to-date, increasing 55.8%, while General Motors (GM) led in volume, up 9.7% from 2023.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.