Barclays: ECB may choose to cut interest rates in December
Barclays currently believes that the European Central Bank may choose to cut interest rates once in December, rather than the previously predicted rate cut in September. The bank's economist Mariano Sinha said that this revision takes into account the weakness in economic activity in the second half of the year, caused by the continued drag of trade policies and the impact of earlier imports by the United States. Barclays expects that by December, signals regarding trade headwinds will be clearer, and concerns about supply chain disruptions affecting inflation will decrease. In addition, confidence that the 2026 fiscal plan will not reignite inflationary pressures may increase, supporting a 25 basis point rate cut. Barclays expects that by 2026, the European Central Bank's terminal deposit rate will remain at 1.75%.
Lido cuts 15% of staff due to cost pressures
Vasiliy Shapovalov, co-founder of Lido, announced that, due to cost considerations, Lido Labs, Lido Ecosystem, and Lido Alliance have made the difficult decision to cut about 15% of their staff. This adjustment is not due to performance issues, and those affected are important members who have been deeply involved in protocol and community development. Shapovalov stated that, although the market is currently in an upward phase, this decision reflects a commitment to long-term resilience and sustainable growth, aiming to focus on operational priorities, optimize resource allocation, and align with the interests of LDO token holders.
Trump Media Reports $20 Million Net Loss in Q2, Plans to Launch Utility Tokens and Digital Asset ETFs
Trump Media, the parent company of Truth Social, had a net loss of $20 million in Q2, with a 3.8% drop in stock price. Of this, about $15 million was related to SPAC merger legal expenses. In July, the company purchased $2 billion worth of Bitcoin, currently the fifth largest publicly traded Bitcoin holder in the world, and plans to launch a utility token tied to Truth Social and Truth+. In addition, its digital asset ETF plan has been submitted to the SEC, with the review postponed until September 18.