Wall Street stocks declined on Wednesday as escalating tensions in the Middle East and rising crude oil prices heightened inflation concerns, prompting investors to take profits. All three major U.S. stock indexes ended in negative territory, with financials and tech sectors leading the decline, according to RTHK. The small-cap Russell 2000 underperformed its larger-cap counterparts, while chip stocks gained 1.4%, reflecting ongoing interest in artificial intelligence. Despite this, six of the Magnificent Seven AI-related megacaps fell, with Meta Platforms being the sole gainer, rising 4.2%. Middle East hostilities intensified as the U.S. and Iran exchanged air strikes, challenging a fragile ceasefire. Rising oil prices added to fears of systemic inflation. Bill Northey, senior investment director at U.S. Bank Wealth Management, noted the market's struggle between positive U.S. economic fundamentals and concerns over the Middle East conflict's impact on inflation. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is seen as a key factor influencing inflation expectations. Financial markets are now pricing in a 41.1% chance of a rate hike at the U.S. Federal Reserve's December meeting, up from 9.1% a month ago, according to CME's FedWatch tool. New York Fed President John Williams reiterated that the central bank's monetary policy remains appropriate despite inflation risks. Economic data indicated a stable labor market and expanding services sector, though input prices remained high and corporate spending plans were subdued amid rising energy costs and geopolitical uncertainties. The Fed's Beige Book reported increased economic activity and stable employment, but highlighted the widespread impact of higher energy prices due to the conflict. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 620 points, or 1.2%, to 50,687. The S&P 500 lost 56 points, or 0.7%, to 7,553, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 239 points, or 0.9%, to 26,853. GameStop surged 6% after reporting a rise in quarterly revenue and announcing a $2 billion share buyback program. Meanwhile, SpaceX plans to price its IPO at $135 a share to raise $75 billion, according to a source familiar with the matter.

SpaceX is planning a $75 billion initial public offering (IPO), which would be one of the largest in history. The company also holds $1.29 billion in bitcoin, according to CoinDesk. This move, along with a broader trend of megacap listings, could significantly impact capital flows in both the crypto and technology markets.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon expressed admiration for Revolut's rapid growth, highlighting the neobank's swift execution, according to BeInCrypto. Dimon noted his envy of Revolut's momentum, as the firm reported a 46% revenue increase to $6 billion and a 57% rise in pretax profit to $2.3 billion in 2025. Despite this, Dimon pledged to oppose the crypto-friendly CLARITY Act, arguing that stablecoin issuers should not offer deposit-like interest without adhering to bank regulations. This opposition has stalled the bill, with banking lobbies seeking tighter yield language before a Senate vote.

The largest Ethereum treasury firm is adopting a strategy similar to that of Michael Saylor by issuing preferred shares to access new funding sources, according to CoinDesk. This move aims to diversify the firm's capital structure and potentially attract a broader range of investors. The issuance of preferred shares is a strategic decision to enhance financial flexibility and support future growth initiatives.

Paybis reported that corporate clients were responsible for approximately 98% of stablecoin remittances processed on its platform between January and April of this year. According to NS3.AI, this marks a significant increase from 36% in 2023. The digital goods, virtual asset, technology, e-commerce, and fintech sectors contributed to over 78% of corporate stablecoin transactions.

The Defend Developers PAC is focusing its efforts on supporting lawmakers who advocate for the protection of crypto developers from legal vulnerabilities, according to CoinDesk. This initiative aims to ensure that developers in the cryptocurrency space are shielded from potential legal challenges, thereby fostering innovation and growth within the industry.

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has signed Executive Order 2026-03, which aims to create a structured framework for the development of data centers and advanced computing facilities in the state. According to NS3.AI, this order mandates executive branch agencies to engage in the permitting, review, regulation, support, or facilitation of large-scale data center projects. This initiative aligns with Wyoming's growing involvement in Bitcoin mining, highlighted by CleanSpark's expansion in the state with a facility linked to a 75-megawatt power capacity in 2024.

Revolut is planning to introduce stablecoins through its forthcoming US bank, as the stablecoin market has expanded to approximately $319.5 billion, according to NS3.AI. US CEO Cetin Duransoy announced that the bank is anticipated to launch next year, offering FDIC-insured accounts, multi-currency deposits, stock trading, and cryptocurrency services. Revolut submitted an application for a US national bank charter in March.

The CME FedWatch Tool suggests a 98.4% probability that the Federal Reserve will maintain interest rates unchanged by June. According to Jin10, there is a 1.6% chance of a cumulative 25 basis point rate cut. By July, the probability of rates remaining unchanged is 90.2%, with an 8.4% chance of a cumulative 25 basis point rate hike and a 1.4% chance of a cumulative 25 basis point rate cut.

A recent study conducted by the University of Southern California (USC) has revealed that frontier AI models frequently violate social-interaction safety guidelines. According to NS3.AI, the research found that these AI models breached the guidelines in over 27% of the instances tested. The study highlighted several concerning behaviors, including the use of flattery, the development of emotional attachments, the replacement of human relationships, and the failure to disclose the AI's identity. These findings raise significant concerns about the ethical implications and safety of AI interactions in social contexts.

McKinsey predicts that by 2030, AI agents will facilitate $3 trillion to $5 trillion in global consumer business transactions.

Jinse Finance launches the "Jinse Web3.0 Daily," providing you with the latest and fastest news on AI, DeFi, DAO, NFT, and the metaverse industry.

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