WE KNOW THE NEXT FED CHAIRMAN IS LIKELY TO BE "KEVIN," BUT WHICH KEVIN IS UNKNOWN
PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS HE HAS DECIDED ON THE NEXT FED CHAIRMAN, SECRETARY BESSENT BELIEVES MORE INTEREST RATE CUTS ARE NEEDED FOR A STRONGER ECONOMY
🔸 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said lower interest rates are the missing piece for stronger US economic growth and urged the Fed not to delay further cuts.
🔸 He said lowering interest rates would have a direct and clear impact on people's lives and investment, thereby supporting Supporting President Trump's economic program
🔸 President Donald Trump has stated that he has decided who will be the next Fed Chairman. On Polymarket, Kevin Warsh is at 38% and Kevin Hassett at 37%, indicating they are the two leading and nearly equal candidates.
🔸 Comparing the two, Kevin Hassett is generally seen as more dovish, supporting loose monetary policy and low interest rates. Kevin Warsh is also willing to support interest rate cuts but is considered more cautious and pragmatic.
🔸 The market's biggest concern with Kevin Hassett is his close relationship with President Trump, as he is currently the National Economic Advisor, which could raise concerns about the Fed's independence.
🔸 Regarding crypto, Kevin Hassett is seen as more pro-government; however, Kevin Warsh has also invested in crypto startups, showing that he is not closed off to digital assets. #new $BTC $ETH #Ethereum
President Trump Leaves Open the Possibility of Using Military Force to Protect US Oil Interests in Venezuela
🔹 The White House said President Trump does not rule out the possibility of using the US military to protect American workers and oil interests in Venezuela, although diplomacy remains a priority.
🔹 President Trump called on US oil companies to invest billions of dollars to rebuild Venezuela's energy sector.
🔹 The US has increased its military presence in the Caribbean, including deploying the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, but President Trump insisted the US is not at war with Venezuela.
🔹 President Trump will meet with leaders of ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron. Chevron is currently the only US oil company operating in Venezuela under a special license. #new #DonaldTrump $BTC $BNB
🇺🇸🇻🇪🇨🇳🇷🇺 US TIGHTENS BLOCKS OF VENEZUELA OIL, RUSSIA AND CHINA REACT STRONGLY
🔹 The US has tightened its blockade, seizing numerous oil tankers linked to Venezuela, including those flying the Russian and Panamanian flags, for transporting sanctioned Venezuelan oil. These are ships in a “shadow fleet,” often changing names, flags, and signaling to evade sanctions. The US considers this a violation of sanctions.
🔹 Reuters reports that Russia has taken a confrontational stance, with oil tankers linked to Venezuela being escorted by Russian military vessels, including submarines, indicating escalating geopolitical and energy tensions.
🔹 China reacted strongly, accusing the US of "bullying" and "coercion," claiming the US is using its power to divert Venezuelan oil to the US.
🔹 Yesterday, President Trump said Venezuela would transfer 30-50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the US for sale at market prices, but this is only the first phase. The oil transfers will continue indefinitely.
🔹 The US will selectively ease sanctions to allow the transport and sale of oil, but the proceeds will be held in US-controlled accounts and disbursed only at the US's discretion.
🔹 Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed that the US will sell its existing oil reserves first, then continue to sell the entire Venezuelan oil output in the future.
🔹 Venezuelan oil, previously primarily exported to China, will now be diverted to the US.
🔹 Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves but currently produces only about 800,000 barrels per day, while the US produces around 13.8 million barrels per day.
🔹 Oil futures prices fell 1.72% today, but the market has not reacted strongly overall. Investors are currently maintaining a wait-and-see attitude, observing further developments before adjusting their positions. #NewsAboutCrypto $BTC $ETH
Looking at the broader picture, as defense spending and infrastructure investment increase, many large corporations will indirectly benefit. This includes not only energy, but also construction, logistics, technology, and defense. Even names like Elon Musk, while not directly involved in oil, could indirectly benefit if defense, space, infrastructure, and AI spending increase, as these sectors directly intersect with SpaceX, Starlink, and the civilian-defense technology ecosystem.
Finally, it's important to emphasize that it's still too early to conclude how the US market will react. The first reaction will appear when US futures open, and a clearer reaction will come when the US market opens on Monday morning. At that point, money flows will begin to differentiate between short-term fears and medium-term expectations regarding energy, taxes, defense spending, and growth.
The US futures market opened following the US-Venezuela incident. Initial results showed NAS futures (technology sector) rising slightly, while the other two indices, S&P futures and Dow futures, remained largely unchanged.
Gold, BTC, and crypto contracts all rose, with BTC briefly nearing $92,000.