Global Markets React to Mixed Economic Signals and Regulatory Shifts

By / / Breaking News

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Chartered (SCBBY) has significantly raised its year-end 2028 forecast for Ether (ETH) to $25,000, a substantial increase from its previous $7,500 estimate.
  • China's new yuan loans in July dropped to CNY12.87 trillion, falling short of estimates and marking the lowest level since 2007, signaling persistent weak demand.
  • Global oil prices have decreased following a pessimistic demand outlook from the International Energy Agency (IEA) for the upcoming months.
  • Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) is reportedly considering imposing higher fines for market manipulation linked to high-frequency trading (HFT).

Article

Financial markets are navigating a complex landscape marked by a bullish outlook for a major cryptocurrency, concerning economic data from China, a gloomy forecast for oil, and tightening regulatory scrutiny in Japan.

Standard Chartered (SCBBY) has made headlines by dramatically increasing its year-end 2028 price forecast for Ether (ETH). The bank now projects the cryptocurrency to reach $25,000, a significant leap from its earlier estimate of $7,500. This revised outlook suggests growing confidence in Ether's long-term potential within the financial sector.

Meanwhile, China's economy is showing mixed signals, with new loan figures painting a picture of weak demand. New yuan loans in July amounted to CNY12.87 trillion, falling below the estimated CNY13.22 trillion and marking the lowest level since 2007. Aggregate financing for January to July also came in below expectations at CNY23.99 trillion, compared to an estimated CNY24.457 trillion. This suggests underlying softness in credit demand despite efforts to stimulate the economy.

However, China's money supply data presented a somewhat brighter picture. The M2 money supply grew 8.8% year-over-year in July, exceeding the estimated 8.3%. Similarly, the M1 money supply saw a 5.6% year-over-year increase, also surpassing the 5.2% estimate. The M0 money supply also rose 11.8% year-over-year. The outstanding aggregate financing at the end of July stood at CNY431.26 trillion.

In the energy markets, oil prices have seen a decrease following a pessimistic forecast from the International Energy Agency (IEA). The IEA's outlook for upcoming months suggests slower global oil demand growth, contributing to the downward pressure on prices. The agency cut its 2025 global crude demand forecast to 730,000 barrels per day (bpd) from 1.03 million bpd, citing a fragile macroeconomic environment.

Finally, Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) is reportedly considering an increase in fines for market manipulation related to high-frequency trading (HFT). This move, reported by Nikkei, indicates heightened regulatory attention on sophisticated trading strategies and efforts to maintain market integrity.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. We are not financial professionals. The authors and/or site operators may hold positions in the companies or assets mentioned. Always do your own research before making financial decisions.
Scroll to Top