Bitcoin Continued Its Powerful Rally

The US stock indices ended Thursday’s trading with a noticeable decline. By the end of the day, the Dow Jones Index (US30) fell by 1.31%. The S&P500 Index (US500) declined by 0.87%. The Technology Index Nasdaq (US100) closed Thursday in the red by 0.72%. The main source of investor concern was the fear that the Treasury’s initiative for large‑scale bond buybacks to contain borrowing costs would have only a temporary effect. Excess dollar liquidity, along with a sharp rise in energy prices caused by the start of the US “economic war” against Iran and the effective blockade of tankers in the Persian Gulf, intensified inflation fears and triggered a rise in Treasury yields across the curve.

The US Treasury’s decision to significantly expand buybacks of 20‑year and 30‑year government bonds led to a decline in their yields, increasing investor appetite for risk assets, including digital assets. As a result, Bitcoin (BTC/USD) continued its powerful rally, approaching the 76,000‑dollar mark. The currency is showing its highest levels since late May and is preparing to record a weekly gain of roughly 19% – its best result since February 2024. The main catalyst for growth was a political factor: President Donald Trump urged Congress to accelerate the adoption of a “fair version” of the Clarity Act, which is intended to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for the digital‑asset industry in the United States.

European stock markets ended Thursday’s session with a slight decline amid overall pessimism related to macroeconomic challenges and weak consumer‑demand data. By the end of the day, Germany’s DAX (DE40) fell by 0.41%, France’s CAC 40 (FR40) closed down 0.57%, Spain’s IBEX 35 (ES35) declined by 0.18%, while the UK’s FTSE 100 (UK100) ended the trading session higher at 0.05%. The main driver of the decline was the luxury‑goods sector. Investor sentiment worsened after the release of weak July retail‑sales data from China, which came in below expectations, as well as amid rising inflation risks and currency‑market volatility in the US.

Sweden’s Riksbank decided at its August meeting to leave the key interest rate unchanged at 1.75%. The regulator considered the current monetary policy balanced, pointing to generally stable economic prospects despite summer inflation spikes and above‑projections readings in June.

The Swiss franc (CHF) strengthened to around 0.798 per US dollar, reaching a two‑month high. The main driver of the franc’s appreciation was the weakening of the dollar amid the US Treasury’s announced plans to expand its bond‑buyback program to contain borrowing costs. Meanwhile, the SNB keeps its interest rate at zero (0%), intending to maintain it unchanged for an extended period and relying on currency interventions to prevent excessive franc appreciation.

WTI oil prices continued their strong rise, gaining 2.7% on Thursday and reaching around 87 dollars per barrel. This is the highest level since July 24, triggered by President Donald Trump’s announcement of a new large‑scale package of economic sanctions and restrictions against Iran. The new measures aim to fully isolate Tehran from international financial, commercial, and transport channels, including the banking system, shipping registries, and shadow supply networks. Washington seeks to increase economic pressure to force Iranian authorities into negotiations on the regional conflict, the nuclear program, and shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz.

Silver prices (XAG) rose to 68.2 dollars per ounce on Thursday, hitting a two‑month high. The main drivers of growth were strong industrial demand and increased investor interest in safe‑haven assets amid US. Treasury measures to expand long‑term bond buybacks. Washington’s announced doubling of debt‑buyback volumes is aimed at containing Treasury yields. Such actions reduce borrowing costs and increase the risk of long‑term depreciation of fiat currencies, prompting investors to shift funds into tangible assets to protect purchasing power.

US natural gas prices (XNG) fell to 2.72 dollars per million British thermal units (MMBtu) on Thursday, retreating from nearly four‑week highs. Traders are trying to balance hot‑weather prognoses with current inventory data and strong domestic supply. According to the EIA, energy companies injected only 16 billion cubic feet of gas into storage last week. This is significantly below the level for the same period last year (19 billion cubic feet) and the five‑year average (29 billion cubic feet).

In Asia, by the end of the day, Japan’s Nikkei 225 (JP225) rose by 1.36%, China’s FTSE China 50 closed higher by 0.87%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HK50) gained 1.19%, and Australia’s ASX 200 (AU200) closed Thursday higher by 0.33%.

Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3.7% for the three‑month period ending July 2026, reaching its lowest level since August 2025. Total employment in the economy increased by 1,500 people to 3.648 million, while the number of unemployed rose by 6,000 to 145,700. Meanwhile, among young citizens aged 20 to 29, unemployment increased from 7.5% to 8.4%, and the underemployment rate rose to 1.7%.

• S&P 500 (US500) 7,641.16 -66.82 (-0.87%)

• Dow Jones (US30) 52,759.21 -703.84 (-1.32%)

• DAX (DE40) 25,983.04 -108.29 (-0.42%)

• FTSE 100 (UK100) 10,748.16 +4.81 (+0.05%)

• USD Index 98.88 +0.05 (+0.05%)

News feed for: 2026.08.21

• New Zealand Trade Balance (q/q) at 01:45 (GMT+3) – NZD (MED)

• Australia Manufacturing PMI (m/m) at 02:00 (GMT+3) – AUD (MED)

• Australia Services PMI (m/m) at 02:00 (GMT+3) – AUD (MED)

• Japan National Core CPI (m/m) at 02:30 (GMT+3) – JPY (HIGH)

• Japan Manufacturing PMI (m/m) at 03:30 (GMT+3) – JPY (MED)

• Japan Services PMI (m/m) at 03:30 (GMT+3) – JPY (MED)

• UK Retail Sales (m/m) at 09:00 (GMT+3) – GBP (MED)

• German Manufacturing PMI (m/m) at 10:30 (GMT+3) – EUR (MED)

• German Services PMI (m/m) at 10:30 (GMT+3) – EUR (MED)

• Eurozone Manufacturing PMI (m/m) at 11:00 (GMT+3) – EUR (MED)

• Eurozone Services PMI (m/m) at 11:00 (GMT+3) – EUR (MED)

• UK Manufacturing PMI (m/m) at 11:30 (GMT+3) – GBP (MED)

• UK Services PMI (m/m) at 11:30 (GMT+3) – GBP (MED)

• Canada Retail Sales (m/m) at 15:30 (GMT+3) – CAD (MED)

• US Manufacturing PMI (m/m) at 16:45 (GMT+3) – USD (MED)

• US Services PMI (m/m) at 16:45 (GMT+3) – USD (MED)