Federal Reserve July Meeting: Gold and Markets on High Alert

A recent survey by the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) reveals that cryptocurrency ownership in Canada has surged to 25% in 2026, a significant increase from the 10% recorded in 2023. The study, which polled 2,360 Canadians aged 18 and over between December 2025 and January 2026, also found that 59% of respondents are aware of digital assets, indicating growing adoption and awareness of the cryptocurrency market in the country.

This growth in cryptocurrency ownership in Canada reflects a global trend of digital acceptance and a shift in risk perception within the sector. The OSC uses this data to anticipate emerging opportunities and risks, ensuring its regulatory approach protects investors while fostering fair and efficient markets. The research highlights the crucial role of financial institutions in educating investors and creating a safer, more transparent cryptocurrency ecosystem for Canadians.

Prediction markets and interest rate futures now point to a growing likelihood that the Federal Reserve will raise rates in September, reversing expectations from just weeks ago after officials struck a more hawkish tone. The Federal Open Market Committee voted 9 to 3 to keep the target range unchanged.

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's hawkish warning is sending ripples through financial markets, with investors adjusting their positions in anticipation of tighter monetary policy. This potential rate hike could negatively impact risk assets like Bitcoin and stocks while strengthening the US dollar and making bonds more attractive to investors.

The Court of Justice of Alagoas (TJAL) has made a landmark ruling, ordering the Bitcoin wallet Bitfy to return a customer's balance under penalty of fine. The decision, issued by Judge Gilvan de Santana Oliveira in the 9th Civil Court, marks a significant development for investor protection within Brazil's crypto ecosystem. This ruling could set precedents for other cases involving cryptocurrency wallets in Brazil, strengthening user rights and establishing greater accountability for companies in the sector. The case, obtained exclusively by Livecoins, demonstrates that Brazilian courts are increasingly equipped to handle disputes related to digital assets, which could bring more confidence and security to the country's cryptocurrency market.

Bitcoin displayed resilience by holding steady around $64,500 as the Fed's preferred PCE inflation metric recorded its first monthly drop in six years, triggering a relief rally in both stock and cryptocurrency markets. The Bitcoin price stability came as tensions in South Korea's semiconductor sector eased, combining with inflation data that met annual expectations, suggesting a potential moment of calm for investors following recent periods of volatility.