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Powell sees inflation outlook in check, no need to hike rates because of oil shock

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Fed Chair Powell: Inflation expectations appear to be well anchored beyond the short term
Fed Chair Powell: Inflation expectations appear to be well anchored beyond the short term

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, in a wide-ranging talk at Harvard University, said Monday that he sees inflation expectations as grounded despite rising energy prices so the central bank doesn’t need to respond with higher interest rates.

As his term leading the central bank nears an end, Powell avoided questions about the longer-term direction of interest rates or inclinations his designated successor has espoused.

In the near term, he said the proper move is to look beyond the short-term gyrations of the energy market and focus on the Fed’s goals of stable prices and low unemployment.

“Inflation expectations do appear to be well anchored beyond the short term, but nonetheless, it’s something we will eventually maybe face the question of what to do here,” he said during a question-and-answer question with a moderator and students. “We’re not really facing it yet, because we don’t know what the economic effects will be, but we’ll certainly be mindful of that broader context when we make that decision.”

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As he has in the past, Powell said he believes the current rate target, in a range between 3.5%-3.75%, is “a good place” for the Fed to sit as it observes events currently playing out, including the Iran war and the impact tariffs are having on prices.

Jerome Powell, chairman of the US Federal Reserve, during a moderated conversation at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, on Monday, March 30, 2026.

Mel Musto | Bloomberg | Getty Images

The comments appeared to register in financial markets, with traders no longer pricing in a significant chance of a rate hike this year. As recently as Friday morning, markets were looking at a better than 50% probability of a quarter percentage point increase amid expectations the Fed would react to the surge in energy costs. However, odds of a hike by December fell to 2.2% after Powell’s appearance.

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Powell said raising rates now could have negative effects on the economy later. He noted that Fed rate moves have a lagged impact on the economy, so tightening here wouldn’t help the inflationary impact of the Iran war.

“By the time the effects of a tightening in monetary policy take effect, the oil price shock is probably long gone, and you’re weighing on the economy at a time when it’s not appropriate. So the tendency is to look through any kind of a supply shock,” he added.

Market-based measures such as breakeven rates in Treasury yields indicate few fears of an inflation spike. Breakevens measure the difference between Treasurys and inflation-indexed securities. The five-year breakeven rate most recently was around 2.56% and trending lower over the past 10 days.

Powell’s term ends in mid-May, and President Donald Trump has nominated former Governor Kevin Warsh as the next chair. However, Warsh’s nomination is being held up in the Senate Banking Committee as U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro continues her investigation into renovations at Fed headquarters.

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Though a judge threw out a subpoena Pirro’s office issued to Powell, she has appealed the decision. While the case is being adjudicated, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., has vowed to prevent the nomination from going through.

For his part, Warsh has stated a preference for lower interest rates than the current level. Asked to comment on his successor’s plans, Powell said, “I’m not going to swing at that pitch.”

Regarding private credit, Powell noted rising defaults, investor withdrawals and concerns about wider issues in the $3 trillion sector.

“I’m reluctant to say anything that suggests that we’re dismissive of the risk, but we’re looking for connections to the banking system and things that might result in contagion. We don’t see those right now,” he said. “What we see is a correction going on, and certainly there’ll be people losing money and things like that. But it doesn’t seem to have the makings of a broader systemic event.”

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Crypto World

Hyperliquid price forms a bullish flag as golden cross looms, will it breakout?

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Hyperliquid price has formed a bullish flag pattern on the daily chart.

Hyperliquid price is close to confirming multiple bullish patterns as futures traders show increased interest in the token.

Summary

  • Hyperliquid price has risen up 22% over the past month, supported by rising open interest and increased futures market activity.
  • Growth in commodity perpetuals and event-based contracts, alongside rising trading volumes, has boosted token demand through increased burn mechanisms.
  • Technical setup shows a bullish flag and a potential golden cross, with upside targets near $44, while a drop below $34.8 could invalidate the bullish outlook.

According to data from crypto.news, Hyperliquid (HYPE) price was trading at $36.9, up 22% over the past month and 78% higher than its year-to-date low.

Hyperliquid price rallied as it witnessed a massive surge in real-world asset trading volumes.

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Notably, following the implementation of HIP-3, which expanded the protocol capabilities, investors can now trade decentralized perpetual contracts on commodities like gold, silver, and crude oil.

Amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, a massive jump in volume was observed in Hyperliquid’s 24/7 crude oil perpetuals, which topped $1 billion in a single day in March.

Unlike traditional markets, Hyperliquid provides round-the-clock access to its commodity markets, making it a pressure valve for macro traders amidst geopolitical events that often unfold over the weekend.

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Furthermore, the project’s expansion into prediction markets from its introduction of event-based contracts has added another layer of utility and attracted fresh participants who can now trade on the outcome of real-world events natively alongside their futures positions.

In the last 24 hours, open interest on Hyperliquid hit over $1.61 billion. A surge in open interest suggests more active participation from traders and is a sign that the current trend has significant backing.

The HYPE token has also benefited from increased trading volumes. Trading volumes on the platform have hit a record high of over $2.4 billion.

As Hyperliquid’s Assistance Fund uses up to 97% of protocol fees to buy back and burn HYPE tokens, the latest surge has significantly increased the burn rate of tokens and hence has helped drive the asset price higher through deflationary pressure.

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On the daily chart, Hyperliquid price has formed a bullish flag pattern after a steep vertical move known as a pole, followed by a brief period of consolidation. A bullish flag is one of the most well-known bullish continuation patterns in technical analysis.

Hyperliquid price has formed a bullish flag pattern on the daily chart.
Hyperliquid price has formed a bullish flag pattern on the daily chart — April 1 | Source: crypto.news

It is also close to confirming a golden cross, which occurs when the 50-day SMA crosses over the 200-day SMA. Traders view such pattern confirmations as a major signal of long-term trend reversal and sustained buying momentum.

Hence, if a golden cross is confirmed, Hyperliquid price would likely confirm the bullish flag pattern, which would propel it toward the upside of $44, the highest point of the flag formation. A breakout above it could set the stage for a push toward new all-time highs.

On the contrary, if Hyperliquid price drops below the 200-day SMA at $34.8, the bullish thesis would be invalidated and could lead to further downside.

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Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

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Crypto Scam Leader Extradited to China to Face Charges

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Crypto Scam Leader Extradited to China to Face Charges

Li Xiong, a key member of a group that allegedly helped crypto scam rings in Asia to move money, has been extradited from Cambodia to China, where he will face fraud and money laundering charges, according to Hong Kong-based news outlet Ta Kung Wen Wei.

On April 1, with strong support from the relevant authorities in Cambodia, a task force sent by China’s Ministry of Public Security successfully escorted Li Xiong, a core key member of the Chen Zhi criminal syndicate, back to China from Phnom Penh, Cambodia,” it said on Wednesday, citing a statement from China’s Ministry of Public Security on WeChat.

Xiong previously served as chairman of Huione Group, an alleged criminal organization that served scam centers in Cambodia that carried out “pig butchering” scams and other investment schemes to steal crypto from victims around the world. 

Huione Group was responsible for one of the largest illicit online marketplaces in the world, handling over $89 billion in cryptoassets.

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Source: Jacob in Cambodia

His extradition comes three months after the arrest of Chen Zhi, the head of Prince Group, which operates Huione Group. In October, it was reported that the US Department of Justice seized 127,271 Bitcoin (BTC) worth more than $15 billion from Zhi.

Related: Hong Kong retiree loses $840K in triple ‘crypto expert’ scam

The US Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network directed US banks to cut payments and accounts tied to the Huione Group in October.

Authorities ask other Huione members to surrender

Ta Kung Wen Wei noted that several other members of Zhi’s criminal syndicate have been brought to justice “one after another,” citing comments from Chinese public officials.

“Public security authorities will continue to intensify efforts to capture fugitives,” it said, adding:

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“At the same time, they once again warn criminals to recognize the situation, stop before it is too late, surrender as soon as possible, and strive for lenient treatment.”

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