Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Do you think Bitcoin will ever need a standard way to verify real-world events?

I've been thinking about something recently and I'm curious what people here think.

Bitcoin does an incredible job of verifying ownership and transactions without trusting a third party.

But when an application needs to know whether something happened in the real world, things get messy.

For example:

  • Was a package actually delivered?
  • Did someone really visit a location?
  • Was an inspection completed?

Most systems seem to fall back to GPS, a centralized API or simply trusting whoever reports the data.

Do you think this is something Bitcoin should stay completely out of, or is there room for protocols that verify real-world events while using Bitcoin purely as a settlement layer?

Genuinely interested in hearing different opinions.


Stick figure drawing doodles 10LightStar01 is live!

Stick figure drawing doodles 10LightStar01 is live!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq9CwopUH1s

This is a fever dream of a digital age—a sprawling, surrealist tapestry where crochet patterns meet high-speed police chases, and the Grim Reaper is just another guy trying to manage an office.

Here is the story of The Day the Grid Glitched.

The Morning Shift

The day began in a flurry of #ModernCrochet and chaos. At the local craft guild, a "Magical Crochet Gargoyle Quitter" was throwing in the towel, leaving behind a trail of freeform stars and loose ends. Meanwhile, in the corporate underworld, the Grim Reaper CEO adjusted his tie at his administrative desk. "It’s my panel," he hissed to a room of trembling interns, "and you will respect the filing system."

Outside, the physical world was losing its grip on reality. A green avocado was spotted zip-lining across the forest canopy, screaming "Wee!" while a dairy cow and a buffalo experienced love at first sight on the prairie. It was beautiful, until the "Authorized Official Shambulance" sped by with off-key sirens, driven by a DoorDash driver who had clearly taken a wrong turn at the interstate.

The Midday Madness

By noon, the legal system was buckling. A divorce attorney was arguing for a 4% inflation alimony increase, while a stubborn police officer attempted to ticket a driver for doing 55 mph, despite the driver’s GPS claiming otherwise.

In the skies, things weren't much better. An airplane pilot abandoned the cockpit—not because of an emergency, but to fix a sewer leak in the bathroom. This left the County Sheriff’s helicopter pilot to pick up the slack, shouting the command code "Accel UR L8 twerk" into his AI navigator.

Back on the ground, the "Microwave Preventive Maintenance Team" (composed entirely of trolls in tin foil hats) was conducting a rigorous inspection of a breakroom, while nearby, a police officer and his best friend were formally interrogating a hairball.

The Evening Gala

As the sun set, a tarnished copper green armadillo drone took flight from the roof of a skyscraper, filming the most anticipated event of the year: the wedding of the Grim Reaper and the Reapress. They exchanged vows of "invisible threat control" while a dancing xenophobic xylophone provided the music.

However, the party was crashed by a Giant Plushy Octopus looking for hugs and a "Slip and Fall Droidbot" seeking a lawsuit settlement. In the corner, Holly Bitcoin gave tap dance lessons to a singing pickle, while a group of mushroom soldiers set up tents inside a refrigerator’s cooling system to escape the heat.

The Final Stitch

As the clock struck midnight on March 8, 2026, the digital world began to "URL barf." Google Meet was exposing phone numbers, and the #DreamTrackAI was telling everyone to "try again tomorrow."

The chaos finally settled into a quiet, bizarre peace. A Jack Rabbit and a Skunk shared a moment in the woods, and a single claymation blue bird tucked its family into a nest made of crochet scrap yarn. The world was a mess of unredacted reports, stuck cruise controls, and singing rainbows—but as the Star and Hammer cartoon faded to black, one thing was clear: nobody was above the law, but everyone was definitely above the limit for weirdness.

The scene opens on a high-stakes, high-altitude pursuit. Jack, a lanky cartoon cat with whiskers that twitch like radio antennas, is dangling from a vine. Hammer, a stout mouse wearing a tiny tool belt, is standing on Jack’s head, squinting through a pair of brass binoculars.

"Target sighted," Hammer squeaked, pointing a tiny paw toward the horizon. "And he’s moving fast."

Zip-lining across the triple-canopy rainforest at a reckless velocity was Avocado. He wasn't just a fruit; he was a daredevil with a pit of pure adrenaline. Wearing tiny goggles and a GoPro strapped to his pebbly green skin, Avocado let out a high-pitched, "WEEEEEEEE!" as he blurred past a troop of confused howler monkeys.

The Chase is On

Jack didn't have a zip-line, but he did have cartoon physics. He grabbed a passing toucan by the feet, and with a rhythmic "Bang! Bang!" of Hammer’s literal mallet against a hollow log to create a beat, they swung into the sky.

"We need to intercept him before he hits the Cloud Forest!" Hammer shouted over the wind. "If he zips into the 'Modern Crochet' sector, we'll lose him in the yarn fog!"

The Obstacles:

  • The Sourdough Rapids: A river of fermented dough they had to skip across.
  • The Giant Plushy Octopus: A sentient obstacle that tried to hug them mid-air.
  • The Interior Microwave Team: A group of trolls in tin foil hats who were trying to "inspect" the jungle for grease fires.

The Final Stretch

Avocado was gaining speed, his pit humming like a drone motor. He was headed straight for a transitional train scene—a steam engine locomotive puffing purple smoke across a trestle bridge.

"Now, Jack! Use the yarn smudging technique!" Hammer commanded.

Jack pulled a scrap of neon-pink crochet string from his pocket. With the grace of a Vaudeville performer defying gravity, he whipped the string forward. It looped around Avocado’s stem just as the fruit was about to clear the canopy.

ZIP—THWIP—BOING!

The tension on the crochet line acted like a bungee cord. Avocado didn't crash; he performed a perfect, mid-air 360-degree flip, his tiny goggles fogging up with joy.

The Landing

They all tumbled onto a soft mossy log near a Box Turtle who was busy falling in love with an Armadillo. Avocado bounced twice, his GoPro still recording the whole "Brainrot" investigation.

"Why were you running?" Jack panted, his fur standing up in static-electrified tufts.

Avocado adjusted his goggles and looked at them with wide, watery eyes. "Running? I wasn't running. I was just trying to get to the Holly Bitcoin Tap Dance Lessons before the early bird special ended."

Hammer looked at Jack. Jack looked at the Armadillo.

"Well," Hammer sighed, putting his mallet back in his belt. "At least we got the footage. This is going to kill on #DreamTrackAI."

VLq-x3ou19E untitled
0TMbRWk4WjI The making of Jack and Hammer, cartoon cat and mouse, bang
27LTuniln4k untitled
r384VZLXu3A It's go time with Grandma and hot grits in the ring
Ttbtm4D_gWo pole vault remix
hxicWioIX38 How to take the loose end of crochet stitch, put it over the main strand, fold loop
_Tn8GDwQxAU Police officer can't stop car due to cruise control being stuck #crazycars #carwars
HIXe_nKGXwA Untitled Help I can't put my foot in a shoe without a hole in the shoe
SbURuV-AfKw Untitled Magical crochet gargoyle quitter I Quit doodle art animation
wXRoZkjgg1Y pingrok Being hold off in an ambulance
Ws8yubqGV9k Join the National Guard.
Y42d9L-TPl4 Untitled You U Ewe and I, eye aye have gone on a date a couple of times haven't we?
UK9nCeVtutU Untitled door dash ambulance Authorized official shambulance services
s0zhJiIvVI4 How to skip one crochet, stitch and count to 3 #moderncrochet #beginners
6rfXhtSP5xk Cuddlefish jellyfish love at first sight in the ocean, prairie of plankton.
LGU4J83SAxs Green avocado goes zip lining A top the forest canopy Wee
arAPCXGIWCs Untitled Hapoy Jake Patrick Wesley Day
jS4zJkPKeY8 Untitled I love ❤️ you Singing pickle
qzs14JC3VUY Holly Bitcoin Tap Dance Lessons
PzLApGgcrDw Unlisted cat Video Bob chicken Crane
ZSNHIl-H_YA Trolls in tin foil hats Following.\n The microwave team That looks like fun
cK5lfQtYRL0 Ma.\n King a crochet larger one, 2, 3, Stitching.\n A square. Basic beginner, crafting.
iao2E0zcS0Y The life of bug, Mushroom soldiers set up tents inside of refrigerator cooling system #theoutcasts
jsnY8MNuZ34 Best cooling system on the planet fixed by maintenance refrigerator repair #applianceexperts
_UGblsuJUnw My artificial intelligence tool on YouTube is really popular, it's telling me to try again tomorrow.
5VYC607cWVw #DreamTrackAI pretty little baby, wiggle loves give me
WWB1d8vomoI Gorilla vs Laughing cactus toy
8kKjbmBxytA Hippopotamus manatee love at first sight
UuRPSEgUONw Untitled Sunshine smiles, fluffy ponies Singing rainbow
MuaLc-TsHb8 unlisted can't touch this
Oh1h3EYHT6w The interior microwave, preventive maintenance checks and services team Inspections
qytG5WJmjH0 Me police officer and best friend interrogate a hairball #brainrot very bizarre investigation
aqgdVA9zh90 Jack McAuley Doggy Day Care
1hJy1EeMquw Unlisted Unclassified
zMfSaHTThaE How To freeform crochet flower ๐ŸŒผ #doodle
dKb1qRc3o9o yeti best friend and cactus doing winter dance ballet in snow
hKynH3bUS1s Dairy cow and Buffalo love at first sight on the prairie
CxNKsmayhGY Crochet string scrap ๐Ÿชน nest for baby birds
nDzxUT-XaqY Untitled Steam Engine LocomotiveTrain transitional scene
GQGUaP3GCH8 Geminisyria Cooking Pizza in outdoor Stone fire pit with Trollba
Avz8V3n_GMg The airplane pilot has left the cockpit and is fixing a sewer leak in the bathroom. #squawkbox
tpOQC0ZO2Qs The making of cartoon Jack and Doodle Fire Rescue Airplane
J2QnlZxfPDE Unlisted
zO11ZBlTuk0 untitled cat reflections
vxy39kHdeYo Grim Reaper CEO It's my panel and you will respect me, Administrative desk job clerk opening
82j_JU_L2Hg When space force attends a retirement party for National Guard, Major Foughcup
Q3gfpuOd1tU I've tried to like people. I really have, and then they start talking and breathing And stuff
dA7Hm9ZCG3Q Divorce attorney Request 4% inflation alimony from divorce judge For ex, wife, survival
W20EkPyA8h4 Untitled pointing to the sky pose
U6hhfz3YXyg untitled
EMsniptQwao Out of control ambulance in the middle of the interstate Off key sirens #emsweek
O2CdiQDAgOw Me running through under water transpatent cables in the ocean with emoji balls
m_UBIWxyKjc Gerbils and mice scratching a record
kzE4Z4gWIgQ Untitled working with grown men in the corn ๐ŸŒฝ
tpWdK6sqUd0 Grim reaper and best friend crash a stadium concert giving tourists a tour Through the arena.
DrMa2hwb6Ts Untitled Below river window displays local attraction
Q02wFzUWqq4 The Curiosity Hook: The making of Jack Star and Hammer Cartoon
ICFUxXR_hBA Jack Rabbit Skunk Love in the woods
9KZe4RnXfOA Armadillo box turtle love near fern moss log deep in the forest.
FqthJO69_oA County Sheriff helicopter pilot gives command code to GPS AI- "Accel UR L8 twerk" #quadcopters
BL6RojCX47Q She didnt just dance, she defied gravity, vaudeville big band era
lrhNN8WfdVY Tarnished copper green armadillo drone takes flight
Nop7msLpFbo Ice Police arrest Oticfyptokmiss Rodriguez during building ladder escape
VfgRh7Ihu_8 Police arrest trollGPTchat
tfiQpdf9xuE untitled
ceU9T6Y--C8 Slip and Fall Droidbot Doggabuls Synergy Drink TransOracle Lipplate lawsuite Zoroke partner
NstJxUjDXOg Untitled unitard, yoga tree pose
Zx6BBFXOXmE My GPS says I was doing 55 miles an hour, Stubborn Hard-headed police officer Traffic stop
oopFOTBwRKA How to use yarn as a blending tool for smudging, Transitioning Pencil pen drawings. Art Sketch Tip
FkjnyVeY-Mk Unlisted Partial Unredacted Committee on Judiciary Jack Smith Report
i_naFvEeaP8 The vacuum hose vent safety cleaning drone To reach high places inside the home Prevent slip fall
8EepbpHH5gs Google's clients are having a URL barf 403 error #remotejobs #sidehustle
9OxrKTj2p-Y March 8, 2026
hqyDrKMckmA CPU central processing unit green energy HVAC BOILER room cleaning maintenance
iS6iZjXv8Ok The claymation cartoon story of spaghetti and noodle, the Blue Bird family Nest
7zT96UKY9yY Surrender Burart
S-fYKAxS22Y Security alert US embassy Doha, Shelter in place, Travel advisory To avoid region Recommend
wXMNDNyadOY Untitled Books: My husband John is a Senator Kennedy
bGrUFNfeOBo Man wins Presidential Medal of Freedom for missing the woman He dated and ex. Husband
M7h1tuBSAaU No love anticipated from Chicago windy city or Detroit 8 miles, Eminem burn #seo
bjdsRjfinfM How to crochet a free form star Random stitches and more 10LightStar01 is live!
8U1Yd92_9Tk Mirror Love Bird
RXg88dMgxf0 The dancing xenophobic xylophones, World stage collaboration
C2JpWEjuXB4 Happy Valentines Day from crochet Pup stitch
p5qNmwVz2d8 Google Meet calling replacing (legacy) Duo Exposes your phone number and email
Ln_4tmLAMSY Would a woman hire male lawyer knowing that he had cheated on his wife? #divorcelaw #divorcelawyer
a9IGBuS2a-E Logmei silly hairball dance
boavDBvWgjs Flashing police car drone lifts off from a top of very tall roof of a skyscraper.
jr_Yfh3y78c He set the country backwards with his domestic violent attitude with physical abuse towards me
WpBEkq0gPWw Untitled Remix
gPtMY579pjQ This guy is admitting he's purposely manipulating people by playing dumb frauds & scam
KzvNCrlxa8s Giant plushy octopus hugs couple
-pmCMnQut-E Police arrest ogoniff sleeping on mailbox Dropbox #firstamendment #DreamScreenAI #aperturefoundation
CKYUeWHFczo Lock him up , - No one is above the law
9pFR8UEBsxw The first steps, and last steps are not needed for the crochet heart pattern
PzdL5mn0Baw The blossoming love of the 2 colored people, He loves his wife so very much
pMFd1mZiJRk Grim Reaper & Reapress Get married, Do you abide by invisible threats control According to his rules
n4nf4bB-Jo8 When active duty military shows up to the space force
EYLww4NNraI Was this a mistake? Remembering the old spark, Caring For an abuser

The Daily Market Flux - Your Complete Market Rundown (07/14/2026)

Reinvented to keep you in control, it's where your edge begins with better information. Go from market noise to clarity in seconds with a real-time platform built to redefine how traders and investors digest financial news.

Visit www.marketflux.io

Here is Your Complete Market Rundown (07/14/2026):

Top Stories

Markets Await CPI Data and Fed Chair Warsh Testimony as IBM Plunges on Earnings

Stock futures traded mixed as investors anticipated inflation data and Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh's congressional testimony amid mounting rate hike expectations. IBM shares plummeted 23% on disappointing earnings, while major bank results provided mixed signals.

Trump Scraps Hormuz Fee for Gulf Investment Deals, Announces Iran Blockade

President Trump abandoned his proposed 20% cargo fee on Strait of Hormuz shipments, replacing it with trade and investment agreements from Gulf states. The strait remains open to all traffic except Iranian vessels, which face full blockade. Oil prices pared gains on the announcement.

US Inflation Drops Sharply to 3.5% in June, Beating Forecasts

June CPI fell 0.4% monthly and rose 3.5% yearly, significantly below the 3.8% forecast and marking the largest decline since June 2023. Core inflation reached 2.6% annually versus 2.8% expected, effectively ending prospects for a July Fed rate hike.

Company News

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)

Performance Overview

1D Change:  -25.21%

5D Change:  -24.06%

News Volume:  363

Unusual Volume Factor:  14x

IBM Suffers Worst Day in Company History, Plunging 25% on Surprise Q2 Revenue Miss

IBM shares crashed 25% on July 14, 2026, marking the company's worst single-day decline on record and erasing $69 billion in market value. The technology giant released preliminary second-quarter results showing revenue of $17.2 billion, missing analyst estimates of $17.86 billion, with adjusted earnings per share of $2.27 versus expectations of $3.02. CEO Arvind Krishna acknowledged the shortfall in a letter to investors, stating "This quarter we faltered." The company attributed the miss to an unexpected shift in customer spending patterns during the final weeks of June, as clients redirected capital expenditure budgets toward servers, storage, and memory purchases to secure supply-constrained infrastructure ahead of anticipated price increases. Krishna admitted the company "did not anticipate the magnitude of the capex reprioritization." The revenue miss was concentrated in IBM's software and infrastructure segments, with infrastructure revenue falling 7% while software grew only 5%. Large mainframe and related software deals failed to close on expected timelines, and customers were distracted by rapidly evolving cybersecurity concerns, particularly the Mythos threat. Krishna characterized the spending shift as affecting mainframe and associated software rather than being widespread across the business. The collapse triggered a broader selloff across software and IT services stocks, with companies like ServiceNow, Accenture, Microsoft, and Salesforce declining in sympathy. Indian IT firms Infosys and Wipro saw their ADRs slump up to 8%. Analysts described the results as delivering a devastating blow to software stocks, with Goldman Sachs warning of a software bear case scenario. However, cybersecurity stocks surged on IBM's comments about customer security concerns, with CrowdStrike gaining 9% and Palo Alto Networks also rising. Hardware-focused companies like Dell and HP Enterprise saw gains as the AI infrastructure spending boom appeared to benefit chip and server manufacturers at the expense of traditional software vendors. Wall Street analysts responded swiftly, with HSBC downgrading IBM to Reduce and Bank of America cutting its price target, citing valuation concerns and software weakness. The decline represented IBM's steepest drop since at least 1968, with some reports suggesting it was the worst day since the company's modern-era 1962 IPO. The stock's 25% plunge shaved 425 points off the Dow Jones Industrial Average, where IBM holds a 3.3% weighting.

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Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (TSEM)

Performance Overview

1D Change:  12.39%

5D Change:  14.74%

News Volume:  37

Unusual Volume Factor:  18x

Tower Semiconductor Stock Soars 19% on $3 Billion Japan Expansion Backed by Government Grant

Tower Semiconductor announced a $3 billion investment to expand its chip manufacturing operations in Japan, sending shares surging 19% in premarket trading. The Japanese government will provide $1 billion in grants to support the project, which focuses on expanding capacity for 300mm silicon photonics, silicon germanium, and advanced packaging technologies. The expansion includes repurposing the Arai facility and increasing output at Fab 7. The company also raised its 2028 financial targets following the announcement. The investment represents a significant commitment to Japan's semiconductor manufacturing ambitions and positions Tower to capture growing demand in specialized chip technologies.

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The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS)

Performance Overview

1D Change:  9.11%

5D Change:  9.62%

Goldman Sachs Posts Record Q2 Results with Trading Revenue Surge, Stock Hits All-Time High

Goldman Sachs delivered a blowout second quarter on July 14, 2026, crushing Wall Street expectations with net revenue of $20.34 billion versus estimates of $16.35 billion and earnings per share of $20.98 compared to the $14.45 consensus. The 39% year-over-year revenue increase and 92% EPS growth marked one of the strongest quarterly performances in the bank's history. The standout performance came from trading operations, with equities sales and trading generating a record $7.42 billion against expectations of $5.02 billion, representing 72% year-over-year growth. Fixed income, currencies, and commodities trading produced $4.59 billion versus the $3.76 billion estimate. Investment banking revenue reached $3.40 billion, exceeding the $2.88 billion forecast, driven by robust deal activity including advisory work on the SpaceX IPO. Global Banking and Markets revenue totaled $15.52 billion, well above the $11.8 billion estimate, reflecting what CEO David Solomon described as clients bringing their most critical deals to the firm. Solomon noted particularly strong client activity in Asia, driven by AI-related capital formation and investment. The bank raised its quarterly dividend by 11% to $5.00 per share and announced expectations for full-year alternatives fundraising to exceed $125 billion. Goldman shares surged over 9% to reach an all-time high of $1,125.25, adding approximately 530 points to the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The stock's performance marked its best single-day gain since April 2025. Management highlighted the AI boom's impact on business activity, with Solomon stating the phenomenon remains in the early innings. The firm also emphasized wealth management expansion as a key growth driver, with that business generating client referrals across other divisions. Goldman raised $10 billion in a high-grade bond sale following the earnings announcement. Analysts raised price targets on the stock, citing the strong momentum across all major business segments and positive outlook for continued deal flow and trading activity.

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Nvidia Corporation (NVDA)

Performance Overview

1D Change:  4.07%

5D Change:  7.56%

Nvidia Cuts Asian Customer List by Half Amid China Export Controls While Beginning Limited H200 Chip Deliveries

Nvidia has reduced its authorized AI chip buyer list in Asia by more than half, implementing a stricter "white list" of vetted customers across Singapore, Malaysia, and other key markets to prevent advanced chips from being diverted to China. The move comes as the company navigates tightening U.S. export restrictions on semiconductor technology. Despite the tighter controls, U.S. officials confirmed that shipments of Nvidia's H200 AI chips to China have begun, though volumes remain "very few" and "trivial" according to Jeffrey Kessler, a Trump administration official overseeing export control programs. Documents show Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE and infrastructure firm MagInfra are among companies licensed to purchase the H200 chips, while Kingsoft received approval to buy AI chips from AMD. On the business development front, Nvidia is exploring a partnership with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to incorporate cooling systems and energy management technology at its next-generation data center facilities, according to Nikkei reports. Separately, AI startup Reflection AI signed a deal with Nebius worth over $1 billion through 2029 for access to Nvidia's GB300 chips. KeyBanc raised its price target on Nvidia stock to $330, citing strong demand, though reports indicate a slight delay in the rollout of the company's Rubin chip platform. Analysts remain bullish on the stock despite the delay, with some projecting significant upside potential. The developments highlight Nvidia's delicate balancing act between maintaining its dominant position in AI chip markets while complying with evolving U.S.-China trade restrictions. The limited H200 shipments to China represent a cautious reopening of that market under strict licensing requirements, while the reduced Asian customer list reflects heightened scrutiny to prevent unauthorized technology transfers.

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Earnings Events

IBM Plunges Up to 26% After Preliminary Q2 Results Miss Estimates, Marking Worst Day Since 1987 Crash

IBM shares crashed as much as 26% on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, after the technology company released preliminary second-quarter results that fell significantly short of Wall Street expectations. The decline represents IBM's steepest single-day drop since the October 1987 market crash. The company reported preliminary Q2 revenue of $17.2 billion versus analyst estimates of $17.86 billion, representing just 1% year-over-year growth. CEO acknowledged the shortfall directly, stating "This quarter we faltered." The miss was primarily driven by weakness in mainframe and related software sales, with large deals failing to close on expected timelines. By segment, software revenue grew 5%, but infrastructure revenue declined 7% as customers unexpectedly shifted spending toward servers, storage, and memory late in the quarter. Both revenue and earnings per share came in below internal expectations and analyst forecasts. The stock opened down 23.68% at $221.50 in pre-market trading on volume of 2.64 million shares, making it the most active pre-market stock. By early trading, shares had fallen as low as $218.77, down approximately 26% from the previous close around $290. The earnings warning triggered broader weakness across the IT services sector. Infosys ADR fell 7.91% and Wipro ADR declined 4.21% in U.S. trading, while Accenture dropped 9.04% as investors reassessed global IT spending trends. Indian IT stocks also came under pressure, with HCL Tech falling 4.63%. Wall Street analysts scrambled to reassess their positions on IBM, with the stock's options chain being "rewritten as at-the-money calls evaporate." The preliminary results raised concerns about enterprise software spending patterns and the impact of shifting technology priorities on traditional IT infrastructure providers. Despite the IBM-led weakness in legacy technology names, broader market indices showed mixed performance. The S&P 500 opened up 0.13% and the Nasdaq gained 0.49%, supported by strength in semiconductor stocks and positive inflation data. The Dow Jones fell 0.23%, weighed down by IBM's decline.

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Banks Post Strong Earnings as IBM Suffers Historic 28% Plunge

Major banks delivered solid quarterly results, lifting Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs shares while pushing the S&P 500 higher. IBM experienced its worst single-day decline in company history, dropping 28% and erasing billions in market value. SK Hynix surged 27% on the session. Cooling inflation data supported broader market gains, with the Nasdaq also closing positive despite late-session imbalances showing $1.4 billion in selling pressure.

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Major Banks Report Strong Q2 2026 Earnings with Robust Revenue Growth

JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and FB Financial all posted strong second quarter 2026 results, with each reporting solid net income and revenue gains alongside notable loan growth expansion.

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Citigroup Q2 Profit Surges 45% on Strong Trading and Investment Banking

Citigroup reported second-quarter earnings that exceeded analyst expectations, with profit jumping 45% year-over-year. Revenue climbed 14%, driven by robust performance in trading, capital markets, and investment banking activities.

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Macro Events

US Inflation Drops to 3.5% in June as Gasoline Prices Plunge, Easing Pressure on Federal Reserve

US consumer prices fell 0.4% in June, marking the largest monthly decline since April 2020 and bringing annual inflation down to 3.5%, well below the 3.8% forecast. The sharp drop was driven primarily by a 9.7% monthly plunge in gasoline prices, attributed to falling energy costs during what headlines describe as a brief US-Iran ceasefire. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, showed even more encouraging signs of cooling. The core Consumer Price Index remained flat at 0.0% month-over-month versus the 0.2% expected, while the annual core rate declined to 2.6% from 2.9%, matching its lowest level since February and coming in below the 2.8% forecast. The surprisingly soft inflation data immediately impacted financial markets and Federal Reserve policy expectations. Stock futures rallied following the release, while rate-hike bets for July were effectively eliminated. Bitcoin surged from approximately $62,900 to $63,820 within 30 minutes of the announcement, adding nearly $900 as investors rushed into risk assets. Gold jumped roughly $70, climbing from around $4,030 to above $4,100. The dollar weakened as traders increased bets on potential rate cuts. Beyond energy, the report showed favorable trends in other key categories including car prices, shelter costs, and apparel, suggesting broader disinflationary momentum across the economy. Energy commodities overall fell 9.5% month-over-month, with fuel oil dropping 9.2%. The timing proved significant as the data was released just ahead of Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh's first testimony before Congress as head of the central bank. Market analysts noted the report provided welcome relief for policymakers who had been weighing further rate increases to combat persistent inflation. However, some strategists cautioned that the favorable trends may prove temporary if renewed conflict in the Middle East pushes oil prices higher. Despite the June cooldown, concerns about September rate action remained, with some market participants still anticipating potential tightening later in the year. The report also showed US small-business sentiment rebounded in June, though inflation remained a major concern for many business owners. Bitcoin exchange-traded funds experienced significant outflows exceeding $424 million, led by Fidelity and BlackRock, wiping out the previous week's gains despite the positive inflation news. The June CPI reading represented the first monthly decline in consumer prices in six years, offering Americans tangible relief particularly at gas stations and taking meaningful pressure off the Federal Reserve's inflation-fighting mandate.

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Warsh Pledges Zero Tolerance for Inflation in Congressional Debut as Cooler CPI Data Eases Rate Hike Fears

Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh made his first appearance before Congress, delivering a forceful message that the central bank has "no tolerance for persistently elevated inflation" and vowing to make high inflation a "thing of the past." In prepared testimony to the House Financial Services Committee, Warsh criticized the Fed's 2020 policy framework as a mistake and promised a "regime change" to restore price stability and achieve the 2% inflation target. Warsh's hawkish stance came as markets were closely watching inflation data and reassessing expectations for Fed rate hikes. Prior to his testimony, some strategists had predicted no rate increases this year, but betting on near-term hikes mounted ahead of key economic releases. Fed Governor Waller separately noted that core inflation remains "too high," with markets pricing nearly 50% odds of a rate hike as soon as this month. The day brought relief when CPI data came in cooler than expected, with positive trends in car prices, shelter, and apparel beyond the anticipated energy decline. The softer inflation reading reduced rate hike expectations and lifted the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, though Warsh cautioned that "today's data does not say mission accomplished." He noted that containing inflation would support lower long-term Treasury yields and more affordable mortgages. Stock futures were mixed throughout the day as investors digested bank earnings alongside the inflation data. IBM shares plunged 23% on disappointing earnings, weighing on broader market gains. Rising U.S.-Iran tensions and oil prices climbing to one-month highs added uncertainty, with analysts warning that renewed Middle East conflict could reverse favorable inflation trends. Warsh expressed optimism about the overall economy, citing a stable labor market, few layoffs, and nominal wage growth, though he voiced caution regarding the AI boom. Democratic lawmakers pressed Warsh to defend the Fed's independence during the hearing as he outlined his systematic approach to policy changes.

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Treasury Yields Drop as Softer-Than-Expected CPI Boosts Rate-Cut Hopes

The 30-year Treasury yield fell from 5.10% to near 5.05% after inflation data came in below forecasts, before recovering above 5.09%. Stock futures and the S&P 500 climbed on the cooler inflation reading, which strengthened expectations for potential Federal Reserve rate cuts. The dollar also declined following the report.

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Dollar Retreats Ahead of Key US Inflation Data as Gold Rebounds Above $4,000

The dollar dipped before critical US CPI data release, though supported by rate expectations. Gold recovered above $4,000 amid the pullback. Sterling edged higher as the dollar rally paused. Middle East tensions provided earlier support for the greenback.

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Geopolitics Events

Trump Abandons 20% Strait of Hormuz Fee in Favor of Gulf Investment Deals

President Donald Trump reversed his plan to impose a 20% reimbursement fee on cargo shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, opting instead for trade and investment agreements with Persian Gulf states. Trump stated the investments would be "massive" and beneficial for both parties, saying he was contacted by Gulf countries proposing the alternative arrangement after his initial fee announcement. The president declared the strait open to all shipping traffic except vessels linked to Iran, announcing a full blockade on ships traveling to or from Iranian ports or carrying Iranian cargo. Trump emphasized that "nobody should be able to charge a fee" for the waterway. Oil futures pared earlier gains and US crude turned negative following the announcement, as markets had initially reacted to the proposed fee earlier in the week. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had previously mocked Trump's fee proposal, asserting Iran's role as the rightful guardian of the region. Trump indicated the Gulf states' investment commitments represented a superior outcome to collecting transit fees, stating "I think that's better." He also mentioned ongoing oil partnerships with Iraq and suggested Iran and Hezbollah could be added to Russia sanctions legislation, though secondary sanctions on India and China have not been discussed.

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U.S. Strikes Iran for Fourth Day as Tehran Attacks Kuwait and Bahrain

U.S. forces conducted additional strikes on Iranian military targets Tuesday, marking the fourth consecutive day of operations against emerging threats. Iran launched missiles and drones at Kuwait and Bahrain, with Kuwait intercepting one ballistic missile, five cruise missiles, and 33 drones. A Kuwaiti naval vessel was hit in the attacks. Separately, tankers came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz.

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Trump Pays E. Jean Carroll $5.6 Million in Sex Abuse and Defamation Case

Donald Trump paid E. Jean Carroll $5.6 million in a sex abuse and defamation settlement. The US court system transferred the funds Monday to an account established by Carroll's attorney, Roberta Kaplan, following Trump's repeated attempts to delay payment.

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Corporate Actions Events

Uber in Advanced Talks to Acquire Delivery Hero

Ride-hailing giant Uber is pursuing an acquisition of German food-delivery company Delivery Hero, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. The talks are reportedly at an advanced stage, sending Delivery Hero's stock higher on the news.

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DeepSeek Prepares for IPO Filing as Soon as This Year

Chinese AI company DeepSeek has begun preparations for an initial public offering, with potential filing as soon as this year, according to Bloomberg reports. The move could mark a significant debut for China's technology sector.

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Fixed Income And Interest Rates Events

Treasury Yields Drop as Softer-Than-Expected CPI Boosts Rate-Cut Hopes

The 30-year Treasury yield fell from 5.10% to near 5.05% after inflation data came in below forecasts, before recovering above 5.09%. Stock futures and the S&P 500 climbed on the cooler inflation reading, which strengthened expectations for potential Federal Reserve rate cuts. The dollar also declined following the report.

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Stock Markets Events

Buffett Excludes Gates Foundation From 2026 Stock Donations Amid Epstein Controversy

Warren Buffett has removed the Gates Foundation from his annual Berkshire Hathaway stock donations, redirecting shares to four family-linked charities instead. The decision follows ongoing scrutiny of Bill Gates' connections to Jeffrey Epstein.

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Technology Events

JPMorgan's Dimon Discusses Succession Plans as AI Drives Job Cuts and Record Profits

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon outlined expectations for his successor while reporting strong quarterly earnings driven by robust markets and consumer strength. Dimon revealed AI implementation has eliminated up to 40% of positions in certain roles, with technology efficiencies benefiting consumers through competitive pressure. The bank aims to expand its digital banking presence across Europe. Dimon's departure timeline remains unchanged.

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Nvidia Begins Limited H200 AI Chip Deliveries to China After US Approval

Nvidia has started shipping H200 AI chips to China and Hong Kong following US Commerce Department clearance, though a senior US official confirmed deliveries remain "very few" in number.

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Nebius Secures Over $1 Billion AI Computing Deal with Reflection AI Startup

Cloud provider Nebius agreed to sell more than $1 billion in computing power to Reflection AI, an artificial intelligence startup founded by two former Google DeepMind researchers.

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OpenAI Plans Screenless AI Speaker as First Hardware Product

OpenAI will unveil a moveable, screenless home speaker this year as its debut hardware device, with commercial release targeted for 2027. The AI companion product moves forward despite Apple's lawsuit alleging trade secret violations related to OpenAI's consumer hardware initiative.

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Crypto Events

EthSystems Brings Privacy Tech to Banks as Stablecoin Sector Draws $38M Investment

Ethereum Foundation spinout EthSystems launched privacy tools targeting institutional banking clients. Separately, stablecoin startup Velocity secured $38 million Series A funding from Dragonfly and FirstMark, while Japan's JCB partnered with Circle to explore cross-border stablecoin payments.

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Japan's JCB Network Partners with Circle for Stablecoin Integration Across 40 Million Merchants

Japan's largest card network JCB is collaborating with Circle to introduce stablecoin payments to its merchant base. Meanwhile, Ripple's major shareholder SBI is developing institutional XRP lending infrastructure in Japan and partnering with Doppler for enhanced adoption.

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Fed's Warsh Rules Out Bailouts for Crypto and Other Sectors

Federal Reserve official Kevin Warsh emphasized the central bank will not engage in bailout operations, explicitly stating this policy extends to the cryptocurrency sector.

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Misc Events

Lucid Shares Plunge 50% on Bankruptcy Reports, Company Issues Denial

Electric vehicle maker Lucid's stock collapsed by half following reports the company was considering bankruptcy or going private, claims which Lucid has rejected.

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PrairieSky Royalty Reports Record Q2 2026 Production with 38% FFO Growth

PrairieSky Royalty delivered record production volumes in Q2 2026, driving a 38% surge in funds from operations despite missing earnings per share expectations. The company maintained 99% operating margins during the quarter.

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Other Events

Taco Bell Under Investigation as Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Sickens Thousands

Public health officials are investigating whether lettuce at Taco Bell restaurants caused a cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting thousands nationwide. Yum shares declined on the news, while medical device stocks fell separately after HCA reported weak surgical volumes. The FDA is examining produce items as the outbreak's source remains unconfirmed.

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Healthcare Events

Biogen Advances Alzheimer's Drug Diranersen to Phase 3 After Positive Mid-Stage Results

Biogen reported positive Phase 2 trial data for Alzheimer's drug diranersen at AAIC and announced plans to advance to late-stage development, sending shares higher despite initial concerns over additional mid-stage data.

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Alzheimer's Treatment Advances as Biogen and Eisai Report Long-Term Benefits

Eisai and Biogen released study data showing sustained benefits from Alzheimer's drug LEQEMBI in early-stage patients, though questions remain about Biogen's broader Alzheimer's portfolio. Roche announced plans to test brain shuttle technology for disease prevention. Meanwhile, CVS Health expanded GLP-1 support amid valuation concerns, and Envoy Medical reported improved 12-month cochlear implant trial results with enhanced word recognition and no serious adverse events.

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AstraZeneca Acquires Global Rights to Chinese Lung Cancer Drug for $600M Upfront

AstraZeneca will pay China's Dizal Pharmaceutical $600 million upfront for global rights to lung cancer drug Zegfrovy, with total deal value reaching up to $1.5 billion including milestone payments.

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Oil And Gas Events

China's Crude Imports Drop 41% to Near-Decade Low on Weak Demand and Gulf War

Chinese crude oil imports plunged 41% year-over-year in June to 29.27 million tons, the lowest level since October 2016. The sharp decline to 7.15 million barrels per day reflects an abrupt domestic demand slowdown and disruptions from Persian Gulf conflict. Several Chinese refiners will receive no Saudi term shipments next month due to weak local demand and Saudi supply constraints. The sustained drop of 4-5 million barrels per day from the world's largest crude importer removes significant demand from global markets, weighing directly on prices.

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Oil Prices Target $90 as US-Iran Tensions Escalate Over Hormuz Blockade

US military operations against Iran have concluded as Washington reimposed blockades on Iranian ports. Iran maneuvered six sanctioned supertankers carrying 12 million barrels through the Strait of Hormuz before restrictions took effect. Trump's toll plans for the strategic waterway have refocused markets on supply disruption risks, pushing WTI and Brent crude toward $90 targets.

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Bitcoin Analysis: BTC rebounds above 64k as dollar weakens

As the trading week progresses, one of the most relevant events in the cryptocurrency market has been the recent recovery in Bitcoin. The price has started to show strength again amid the short-term loss of momentum in the U.S. dollar.

By :  Julian Pineda CFA, CMT,  Market Analyst

As the trading week progresses, one of the most relevant events in the cryptocurrency market has been the recent recovery in Bitcoin. The price has started to show strength again amid the short-term loss of momentum in the U.S. dollar.

Activity around BTC appears to have recovered and, for now, the asset is maintaining some buying pressure. If weakness in relevant substitute markets continues, this new bullish pressure could become more important over the next few sessions.

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https://preview.redd.it/gs7wnywdg9dh1.png?width=1420&format=png&auto=webp&s=dfe16c4fb0522ec76d9af9ed021501c235330006

Demand returns to the market

The trading session has been relevant for financial markets in general, following the release of CPI inflation data in the United States. The market expected an average annual rate of 3.8%, but the official figure surprised to the downside and came in at 3.5%.

This slowdown in price pressures has created expectations of a less aggressive Federal Reserve. As a result, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield has started to show weaker bullish momentum, falling below the 4.6% area. This loss of appeal in the bond market may have also affected one of Bitcoin’s most relevant substitute markets: the U.S. dollar.

This chain of events is important for Bitcoin price movements, as the dollar’s recent weakness may have opened room for a more consistent recovery in the cryptocurrency over the short term.

This relationship has remained in place over the last few months of trading. As the U.S. dollar has lost ground in recent sessions, Bitcoin has managed to regain strength. This is reflected in the behavior of the DXY index, which measures the dollar’s strength, and in the current correlation between both assets, which stands at -0.79.

This coefficient shows a relevant inverse relationship over the average of the last 50 sessions. However, it is important to remember that correlation can change over time.

https://preview.redd.it/o0hy5qefg9dh1.png?width=1479&format=png&auto=webp&s=d82566c53027f5748f5dd4037e7c003297bd2dd8

Source: StoneX, TVC, Tradingview

In addition, the dollar’s weakness after the inflation data release has coincided with a new increase in Bitcoin activity. Looking at Open Interest, an indicator that measures the total number of open buy and sell positions across different exchanges, there has been an increase toward the 22 billion area.

This reflects a new inflow of positions into the market. Given that Bitcoin’s price has also appreciated, part of this move could be related to new buying positions. This recovery in demand coincides with the recent weakness of the U.S. dollar, suggesting that Bitcoin is starting to regain appeal as some substitute markets lose ground.

https://preview.redd.it/cc9lzuwgg9dh1.png?width=1647&format=png&auto=webp&s=23aefbc88f1c9b9c98c7e0fa43be6b1fc90a3888

Source: CryptoQuant

Therefore, it is possible that the loss of strength in Bitcoin’s substitute markets is once again supporting the appeal of the crypto market. If this effect continues, demand activity could stabilize in the short term and allow BTC to maintain a more consistent recovery.

In that scenario, relevant buying pressure could remain part of Bitcoin price movements over the next few sessions.

 

Confidence begins to recover

Looking at the recent movements of the cryptocurrency market’s Fear and Greed Index, relevant increases toward the 33-point area stand out in the short term. The indicator maintains an upward slope and is approaching the “neutrality” zone after spending several weeks between “fear” and “extreme fear.” This reflects an important recovery in confidence perception, at least in the short term.

https://preview.redd.it/xu63vx5ig9dh1.png?width=1073&format=png&auto=webp&s=3819fac7e260e292b03aefe306cade41ba416ec7

Source: Coinmarketcap

This point is key because, if confidence levels manage to maintain some stability, a more favorable environment for demand could start to form. This could also support more stable buying pressure around BTC over the next few trading sessions.

 

Technical outlook for Bitcoin

https://preview.redd.it/mtehx39jg9dh1.png?width=1479&format=png&auto=webp&s=4515aa98dce00043acff10d2351e947f6df634a2

Source: StoneX, Tradingview

  • Long trend line at risk: Although a long bearish trend line has remained in place for months in Bitcoin price movements, the recent price recovery has started to become relevant. Price is now facing the base of this bearish trend line, as well as the barrier formed by the 50-period moving average. If buying pressure manages to hold, this structure could start to come under pressure. This could change the chart structure and open room for a phase of indecision, or even for a more relevant buying bias over the coming weeks.  
  • MACD: Now, the MACD histogram remains close to the neutral 0 line. This suggests a balance in the strength of short-term moving averages. If this behavior continues, it could reflect an increasingly relevant phase of indecision in the short term.  
  • RSI: A similar dynamic can be seen in the RSI, as the indicator line remains close to the neutral 50 level. This suggests that the average of bullish and bearish impulses over the last 14 sessions remains balanced. This reading also reflects a phase of indecision that could continue to be relevant in the short term.  

Key levels:

  • 66,900 – Important resistance: This key bullish barrier corresponds to the area marked by the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the most relevant move on the chart. It also remains the most important high-level barrier from previous weeks to watch. Price movements above this level could fully break the dominant bearish trend line and open room for a more relevant buying bias over the coming weeks.  
  • 63,800 – Near-term barrier: This relevant neutral level corresponds to the base of the long bearish trend line, the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level, and the 50-period simple moving average. This makes the area the most important short-term retracement reference. For this reason, price movements too close to this level over the next few sessions could highlight an important phase of indecision and even open room for the formation of a more relevant short-term sideways range.  
  • 57,790 – Definitive support: This area of recent lows coincides with the 2026 lows. Moves below this level could reinforce a dominant selling bias and open room for an important extension of the bearish trend line that has dominated for months of trading.  

Written by Julian Pineda, CFA, CMT – Market Analyst

Follow him on: @julianpineda25

https://www.forex.com/en-us/news-and-analysis/bitcoin-analysis-btc-rebounds-above-64k-as-dollar-weakens/

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Monday, July 13, 2026

America News Summary — 13 July 2026

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Bitcoin benefits no matter what happens

Every bitcoin commentator on the internet seems to look at their own local news events and claim these events are somehow good or bad for bitcoins price. From western countries and their local tax policy moves, to conflict in eastern europe or the middle east, to local policy decisions in asia.

But bitcoin is so much larger than any localised narratives, bitcoin is not a local stock market. All that news is nothing but noise.

Bitcoin only cares about aggregate liquidty, and when it comes to aggregate liquidity only one question matters, when the next global "event" hits will global central banks keep rates high and allow a recession to take hold or will they drop rates and stimulate the global economy with money printing?

The answer is simple, since 2008 the worlds central banks and governments have proven unequivocally that their only response to any macro event or crisis will be to cut rates and stimulate because the alternative would smash the global financial system.

The next time central banks and governments face a global crisis they will cut rates and stimulate, and thats all we need to know because easy money policy is what fuels bitcoins adoption and exponential price growth.

So many commentators are expecting a business cycle recession that will crash markets but since 2008 global central bank policy has been stimulus at all costs to protect the traditional financial system.

Central banks wont allow a global recession, at the first sign of any recession or crisis they will stimulate and that means scarce assets will be the best protection from easy money policy.

So forget the local news headlines, ignore any talk of a recession, and just understand that bitcoin will benefit from easy money policy during any potential global crisis.