JH Kim

On the 31st (local time), crypto-specialized media The Block reported that, according to a survey conducted by global accounting firm Deloitte, 99% of participating Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) anticipate utilizing virtual assets in their businesses over the long term. According to the report, about 40% of CFOs at companies with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion indicated plans to introduce virtual assets as either an investment vehicle or a payment method within the next two years. Meanwhile, when it comes to investing in virtual assets, 43% cited price volatility as the primary concern.

On the 31st (local time), the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced through its official website that it is launching 'Project Crypto'. This is a move to support President Donald Trump's policy direction to make the United States a global hub for virtual assets (cryptocurrencies). Paul Atkins, SEC Commissioner, stated, "We will strive to ensure that virtual assets can be actively distributed in the United States," adding, "Contrary to SEC's previous claims, most virtual assets are not securities. The SEC will guarantee investors the maximum choice to safely store and freely trade their assets." He continued, "Broker-dealers equipped with alternative trading systems should be able to provide not only non-security-type virtual assets but also services such as securities, staking, and lending, without needing separate licenses in all 50 states or complex federal approvals," and stressed, "We will actively support digital asset innovation through so-called 'super apps'."

Donald Trump, President of the United States, announced on his social media, Truth Social, on the 31st (local time) that he has decided to extend the tariff agreement with Mexico by 90 days. He added, "Mexico will continue to pay a 25% tariff" and stated, "We plan to renegotiate the tariff issue within 90 days."

The three major U.S. stock indices are showing mixed trends. As of 12:14 a.m. on the 1st, the Nasdaq Composite Index is trading at 21,261.91 points, up 0.63% from the previous day. The Dow Jones Index is down 0.24% at 44,354.49 points, while the S&P 500 Index is recording an increase of 0.27% at 6,379.79 points.

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, announced on the 30th (local time) via his social media platform Truth Social that he would be "meeting with the South Korea negotiation team this afternoon." He went on to say, "Currently, a 25% tariff is being applied to South Korea, but the South Korean side has come up with a proposal to lower this," adding, "I would like to hear what proposal they have prepared."

On the 30th (local time), The Block, a media outlet specializing in virtual assets (cryptocurrencies), reported that BZX, a securities exchange under the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), has submitted a regulatory amendment to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to expedite the listing process for virtual asset Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). The proposal from BZX allows certain ETFs that meet specified requirements to be automatically listed and traded without a separate SEC approval, by skipping the usual exchange rule change filing (19b-4) review process. The exchange expects that this measure will improve accessibility and efficiency in the virtual asset ETF market and enhance the speed of new product launches.

The three major U.S. stock indexes ended mixed. The Nasdaq Composite Index closed at 21,129.67 points on the 31st, up 0.15% from the previous day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended down 0.38% at 44,461.28 points, while the S&P 500 Index finished down 0.07% at 6,366.58 points.

According to Decrypt, a virtual asset (cryptocurrency) media outlet, on the 30th (local time), the White House stated in a virtual asset policy report that legislation is needed to mandate that U.S. taxpayers must report their overseas virtual asset accounts. The Trump administration believes that this measure can prevent U.S. citizens from transferring virtual assets abroad and also serve to protect domestic brokers and exchanges. The report added that such measures can also contribute to strengthening transparency in the virtual asset market and preventing tax evasion.

On the 30th (local time), according to CNBC, Jerome Powell, Chair of the Fed, evaluated that "this Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting was quite successful." Chair Powell said, "Waller and Bowman, who opposed the rate hold, are expected to directly explain their views within two days," adding, "The two members judged that now is the time to cut rates." He continued, "Disagreements among members are not surprising at all," and added, "As various perspectives were discussed, I believe this meeting was very meaningful."

According to CNBC on the 30th (local time), Jerome Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve System (Fed), stated that "30-40% of core inflation arises from tariffs" and added, "Inflation is now much closer to the 2% target."

According to CNBC on the 30th (local time), Jerome Powell, Chair of the United States Federal Reserve (Fed), stated, "Interest rates cannot be decided based on the Dot Plot released in June." The June Dot Plot maintained the outlook for two rate cuts within the year.

According to CNBC on the 30th (local time), Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated, "No decision has been made yet regarding the FOMC meeting scheduled for September."

According to CNBC on the 30th (local time), Jerome Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve System (Fed), said, "Economic conditions are solid, but inflation remains somewhat above the Fed's target," and added, "Various indicators confirm that economic growth has somewhat slowed down." He continued, "The June Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index is expected to increase by 2.7% compared to the same period last year," and "Due to the impact of tariffs, some product prices have risen," he added.

According to the economic news account Walter Bloomberg on the 30th (local time), Donald Trump, President of the United States, signed an executive order imposing an additional 40% tariff on Brazilian imports. As a result, the total tariff rate imposed on Brazil has been raised from the previous 10% to 50%.

On the 30th (local time), the US Federal Reserve (Fed) Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) held the benchmark interest rate steady but made no clear statement on the timing of a rate cut. At this meeting, two governors appointed by President Donald Trump, Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman, opposed the decision to hold rates, arguing that the current monetary policy is overly restrictive. It is the first time in about 30 years that two governors have simultaneously voted against the decision at an FOMC meeting. In the statement released after the meeting, the Fed said, "The unemployment rate remains low, and the labor market is strong. Inflation is rising moderately," but also added, "However, economic growth slowed somewhat in the first half of the year, and if this trend continues, a rate cut may occur at a future meeting." They further noted, "Uncertainty about future economic conditions remains high."

The Federal Reserve (Fed) Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced in an official statement on the 30th (local time) that it will keep the key interest rate unchanged. This is in line with market expectations. As a result, the U.S. benchmark interest rate remained at 4.25%~4.50%.

According to Walter Bloomberg, an economic news account, on the 30th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump said, "Jerome Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve (Fed), is not expected to lower interest rates today."

According to The Block, a virtual asset (cryptocurrency) specialized media outlet, on the 30th (local time), the White House released an official report consisting of 168 pages outlining regulations for virtual assets. Unlike the previously released summary, this report notably includes the U.S. government's plan to reserve virtual assets. The report states, "The Department of the Treasury manages reserved virtual assets, and the reserved Bitcoin (BTC) will generally not be sold, but will be maintained as a U.S. reserve asset to be used for achieving government policy objectives." Although specific follow-up measures related to the Bitcoin reserves have not yet been disclosed, the report adds, "The Department of the Treasury is carrying out relevant work, and further information will be provided soon." Additionally, the report suggests granting the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) the authority to regulate the spot market for non-security digital assets.

On the 30th (local time), CoinDesk, a media outlet specializing in virtual assets (cryptocurrencies), reported that although Telegram closed illegal markets "Huione Guarantee (Haowang Guarantee)" and "Xinbi Guarantee," similar markets continue to thrive. According to the report, the transaction volume of existing illegal markets, which amounted to approximately 3.5 billion Tether (USDT), has shifted to another Telegram-based market called "Tudou Guarantee." A report from blockchain security company TRM Labs states that Huione Guarantee's transaction volume decreased by 50% compared to its 2024 peak, but Tudou Guarantee's daily inflow surged by 70 times.

According to economic news account Walter Bloomberg on the 30th (local time), U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant stated that "there will be no interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve (Fed) today."

The three major U.S. stock indices are showing a mixed trend. As of 12:14 a.m. on the 31st, the Nasdaq Composite Index is trading at 21,157.72 points, up 0.28% from the previous day. The Dow Jones Index is down 0.09% at 44,591.54 points, while the S&P 500 Index is recording an increase of 0.10% at 6,377.17 points.