Bespoke Investment Group posted on X, providing a comprehensive overview of the latest market developments. The update, titled 'The Closer,' offers insights into current market trends and economic indicators. The report highlights key movements in various sectors, analyzing the factors influencing these changes. It also delves into the implications of recent economic data releases and their potential impact on future market performance. Bespoke's analysis aims to equip investors with the necessary information to make informed decisions in a rapidly changing economic landscape. The report underscores the importance of staying updated with market trends to navigate the complexities of the financial world effectively.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed significant concern over Iran's steadfast refusal to engage in discussions regarding its ballistic missile program. According to Jin10, Rubio emphasized that this stance poses a 'very, very serious problem' in the context of international security and diplomatic efforts. The issue of Iran's missile capabilities has been a longstanding point of contention, affecting negotiations and regional stability. Rubio's remarks highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the international community in addressing Iran's military developments and their implications for global peace.

Federal Reserve Chairman Eric Schmid said on Wednesday that excessive inflation remains a key issue the Fed needs to address, but he did not specify how monetary policy should respond. "I think we still have work to do on inflation," Schmid said, adding that "I think the job market is pretty good." He did not explain how these factors influence his assessment of the monetary policy outlook. Schmid had previously expressed skepticism about the Fed's rate cuts last year, when officials lowered the target interest rate range to 3.5% to 3.75%. Markets expect further rate cuts this year, but officials have offered little guidance. Schmid also addressed the Fed's balance sheet, saying internal discussions focused on understanding the appropriate level of reserves needed for the financial system. He noted that the large amount of mortgage-backed securities held by the Fed in its past bond-buying activities continues to depress home borrowing costs. Given the current size of the Fed's mortgage-backed securities holdings, mortgage rates "are likely 75 to 100 basis points lower than they would have been."

Lynas has announced a significant rise in profit for the six months ending in December, driven by enhanced production and better pricing for its primary product. Bloomberg posted on X that despite the positive financial performance, the results did not meet analyst expectations. The company's improved output and favorable market conditions contributed to the profit increase, highlighting its operational efficiency and market strategy. However, the shortfall in meeting forecasts suggests potential challenges in aligning with market predictions. Lynas continues to focus on optimizing its production capabilities to sustain growth.

Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic said Wednesday that the rift between the Fed and the White House has begun to erode public trust in the central bank's apolitical position. This is one of the most direct warnings yet from a senior monetary policy official about the consequences of Trump's hardline stance against the Fed. In his farewell address before retiring from the Atlanta Fed at the end of February, Bostic said his colleagues within the Fed system remain committed to keeping their work separate from politics. "But my visits over the past few months have made it clear that the legal and verbal battles surrounding the central bank have led people from all walks of life to question the Fed's independence, which is a serious concern." Bostic is not the only Fed official this year to emphasize the importance of central bank independence, but no one has warned as directly as he did on Wednesday that the current controversies could undermine public trust in the institution.

EnCap Flatrock Midstream is reportedly contemplating the sale of its gas pipeline company, Momentum, for a sum exceeding $5 billion. Bloomberg posted on X, citing sources familiar with the matter, that the potential transaction is in the early stages and could attract interest from various buyers in the energy sector. Momentum, known for its extensive pipeline network, plays a significant role in the transportation of natural gas across key regions. The sale, if finalized, would mark a substantial move in the midstream energy market, reflecting ongoing trends and shifts within the industry. EnCap Flatrock Midstream has not publicly commented on the potential sale, and details regarding the timeline or interested parties remain undisclosed. The development comes amid a broader context of strategic evaluations and asset management within the energy sector, as companies seek to optimize their portfolios and capitalize on market opportunities.

U.S. stocks closed Wednesday with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.6%, the S&P 500 up 0.8%, and the Nasdaq Composite up 1.26%. Nvidia (NVDA.O) rose 1.4%, Circle (CRCL.N) jumped 35%, and Western Digital (WDC.O) gained 7.5%.

Nvidia (NVDA.O) reported Q4 fiscal 2026 revenue ($68.1 billion) and data center revenue ($62.3 billion) that both exceeded market expectations, and again provided optimistic quarterly revenue forecasts, indicating that large-scale AI computing deployments are still on track. The company stated that Q1 fiscal 2027 sales will reach approximately $78 billion, compared to Wall Street's average expectation of $72.6 billion. CEO Jensen Huang stated in the announcement, "Our customers are racing to invest in AI computing." This forward-looking forecast helps alleviate market concerns about an AI investment bubble. Huang has repeatedly downplayed concerns about the unsustainability of AI hardware spending growth. Wednesday's report provided some evidence that short-term concerns may have been exaggerated. Nvidia shares rose more than 3% in after-hours trading.

According to CME's "FedWatch": The probability of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates by 25 basis points by March is 2%, and the probability of keeping rates unchanged is 98.0%. The probability of the Fed cutting rates by a cumulative 25 basis points by April is 15.9%, the probability of keeping rates unchanged is 83.8%, and the probability of a cumulative 50 basis point cut is 0.3%. The probability of a cumulative 25 basis point cut by June is 39.5%.

U.S. Secretary of State Rubio emphasized the importance of keeping diplomatic channels open, stating that diplomatic measures should not be permanently excluded. According to Jin10, Rubio refrained from categorizing Thursday's meeting as anything beyond an opportunity for further discussions. This approach underscores the ongoing commitment to dialogue in international relations.

A deal that could reshape the global payments industry is quietly brewing.

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As of February 20, BitDeer's own Bitcoin holdings officially reached zero.

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MoonPay has launched MoonPay Agents, a tool that lets AI systems create wallets, hold funds, and carry out crypto transactions without human intervention once funded. The platform is built on MoonPay CLI and supports trading, swaps, recurring payments, and machine-to-machine transactions while keeping custody under the user’s control.

Stripe is reportedly exploring an acquisition of rival PayPal, as the once-dominant fintech heavyweight grapples with mounting competition, executive turnover and an 85% stock plunge from its 2021 peak.