Beldex Taps HPX to Elevate Real-World Payments with Crypto

Steel Dynamics (STLD) stock dropped 1.3% premarket after issuing Q1 EPS guidance of $2.73–$2.77, significantly below the $3.24 Wall Street consensus. The post Steel

The post EUR/CHF slides as Euro struggles post-inflation data appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. EUR/CHF weakens for a second straight session as the euro struggles to recover post-Eurozone inflation data. Eurozone core inflation steady at 2.3%, headline CPI eases to 2.0% in August. SNB maintains a flexible policy outlook ahead of its September 25 decision, with no immediate need for easing. The Euro (EUR) trades under pressure against the Swiss Franc (CHF) on Wednesday, with EUR/CHF extending losses for the second straight session as the common currency struggles to gain traction following Eurozone inflation data. At the time of writing, the cross is trading around 0.9320 during the American session. The latest inflation data from Eurostat showed that Eurozone price growth remained broadly stable in August, reinforcing the European Central Bank’s (ECB) cautious stance on monetary policy. The Core Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), which excludes volatile items such as food and energy, rose 2.3% YoY, in line with both forecasts and the previous month’s reading. On a monthly basis, core inflation increased by 0.3%, unchanged from July, highlighting persistent underlying price pressures in the bloc. Meanwhile, headline inflation eased to 2.0% YoY in August, down from 2.1% in July and slightly below expectations. On a monthly basis, prices rose just 0.1%, missing forecasts for a 0.2% increase and decelerating from July’s 0.2% rise. The inflation release follows last week’s ECB policy decision, where the central bank kept all three key interest rates unchanged and signaled that policy is likely at its terminal level. While officials acknowledged progress in bringing inflation down, they reiterated a cautious, data-dependent approach going forward, emphasizing the need to maintain restrictive conditions for an extended period to ensure price stability. On the Swiss side, disinflation appears to be deepening. The Producer and Import Price Index dropped 0.6% in August, marking a sharp 1.8% annual decline. Broader inflation remains…

New York’s top financial regulator urged banks to adopt blockchain analytics, signaling tighter oversight of crypto-linked risks. The move reflects regulators’ concern that traditional institutions face rising exposure to digital assets. While crypto-native firms already rely on monitoring tools, the Department of Financial Services now expects banks to use them to detect illicit activity. NYDFS Outlines Compliance Expectations The notice, issued on Wednesday by Superintendent Adrienne Harris, applies to all state-chartered banks and foreign branches. In its industry letter, the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) emphasized that blockchain analytics should be integrated into compliance programs according to each bank’s size, operations, and risk appetite. The regulator cautioned that crypto markets evolve quickly, requiring institutions to update frameworks regularly. “Emerging technologies introduce evolving threats that require enhanced monitoring tools,” the notice stated. It stressed the need for banks to prevent money laundering, sanctions violations, and other illicit finance linked to virtual currency transactions. To that end, the Department listed specific areas where blockchain analytics can be applied: Screening customer wallets with crypto exposure to assess risks. Verifying the origin of funds from virtual asset service providers (VASPs). Monitoring the ecosystem holistically to detect money laundering or sanctions exposure. Identifying and assessing counterparties, such as third-party VASPs. Evaluating expected versus actual transaction activity, including dollar thresholds. Weighing risks tied to new digital asset products before rollout. These examples highlight how institutions can tailor monitoring tools to strengthen their risk management frameworks. The guidance expands on NYDFS’s Virtual Currency-Related Activities (VCRA) framework, which has governed crypto oversight in the state since 2022. Regulators Signal Broader Impact Market observers say the notice is less about new rules and more about clarifying expectations. By formalizing the role of blockchain analytics in traditional finance, New York is reinforcing the idea that banks cannot treat crypto exposure as a niche concern. Analysts also believe the approach could ripple beyond New York. Federal agencies and regulators in other states may view the guidance as a blueprint for aligning banking oversight with the realities of digital asset adoption. For institutions, failure to adopt blockchain intelligence tools may invite regulatory scrutiny and undermine their ability to safeguard customer trust. With crypto now firmly embedded in global finance, New York’s stance suggests that blockchain analytics are no longer optional for banks — they are essential to protecting the financial system’s integrity.