Fed Set for Another Rate Cut as Crypto Rules Tighten and Cyber Risks Rise | The Integrity Ledger

Welcome to The Integrity Ledger — today’s looming Fed decision, bold crypto regulation moves, and escalating cyber breaches reveal a world on the edge of change.

The Federal Reserve is poised to reduce its key interest rate for a third consecutive time, lowering it to approximately 3.6%, the lowest level in nearly three years. Although a rate cut is expected on Wednesday, the central bank may signal that only one more reduction is likely in 2026 amid divided views on inflation and hiring. Economic data delays caused by a government shutdown complicate the Fed’s outlook.

A further rate cut could ease borrowing costs for consumers on homes and vehicles, though mortgage rates depend on broader market dynamics. Financial professionals should monitor upcoming economic data closely, as it will heavily influence the Fed's decisions in 2026 under new leadership expected to prioritize lower rates.

AP News

The Federal Reserve is widely anticipated to announce a 25 basis point rate cut on Wednesday, with an 89.9% probability according to CME FedWatch data. Key figures including President Trump and NEC Director Kevin Hassett have publicly supported cautious easing, while Fed officials emphasize balancing inflation control with employment goals. Market reactions showed slight declines in major US equity ETFs ahead of the decision.

Investors will closely monitor the Federal Open Market Committee's policy tone and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's remarks for indications of future rate moves. The choice of Powell's successor, influenced by views on rate policy, could shape the Fed's strategic direction and market stability in the coming years.

Asianet Newsable

Inspecs, the Bath-based glasses maker, has agreed to a £85 million acquisition by an investment group led by entrepreneur Luke Johnson and property investor Ian Livingstone. Shareholders will receive 84p per share as the company moves from public to private ownership, rejecting a rival bid from Italian manufacturer Safilo. The deal aims to unlock Inspecs’ potential amid challenging market conditions including tariffs and weak demand.

Taking Inspecs private could provide the strategic flexibility to navigate tariff impacts and volatile markets in Europe and the US. The deal underscores investor confidence in the company’s growth prospects and may reinvigorate shareholder value following recent operational challenges.

The Independent

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has authorized a pilot program allowing Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USD Coin to be used as collateral in derivatives trading. Confirmed by Acting Chair Caroline D. Pham, this marks a regulatory milestone endorsing Bitcoin's integration into mainstream financial markets. The program will initially run for three months to evaluate risk management and implementation.

This approval enhances capital efficiency by enabling traders to use crypto holdings directly as collateral, reducing conversion costs and delays. It represents growing institutional validation for Bitcoin and sets the stage for broader digital asset integration within regulated financial systems. Market participants should prepare for evolving margin requirements and robust custody standards as this pilot progresses.

Bitcoin World

The Spiderman phishing kit is targeting customers of multiple European banks and cryptocurrency services by deploying pixel-perfect replicas of legitimate sites. It captures login credentials, two-factor authentication codes, and credit card data across major institutions like Deutsche Bank, ING, and PayPal, while also stealing seed phrases from crypto wallets. The modular platform allows cybercriminals to tailor attacks by country, device type, and bank, facilitating real-time credential theft and fraud.

Financial institutions and customers face heightened risks of account takeover, identity theft, and credit card fraud due to Spiderman’s advanced features, including intercepting PhotoTAN one-time passcodes. Vigilance in verifying official domains and monitoring unexpected authentication prompts is critical for preventing unauthorized access and financial losses.

Bleeping Computer

The convergence of artificial intelligence, blockchain, and Web3 infrastructure is driving a transformative shift in the digital economy for 2026. Key developments include autonomous agent trading, decentralized data marketplaces, and hybrid compute-verification models that combine cloud AI training with blockchain security. While innovation accelerates, significant challenges remain in security, privacy, regulation, and scalability.

Investors and developers should prioritize robust security measures, privacy-by-design frameworks, and integrated compliance strategies to navigate regulatory complexity. Hybrid architectures balancing cloud computing and blockchain will dominate real-world applications, attracting deeper institutional involvement as infrastructure matures.

Benzinga

VITAS Healthcare, the largest for-profit hospice provider in the US, disclosed a breach where hackers accessed patient data for 36 days from September 21 to October 27. The attackers exploited a compromised third-party vendor account, stealing sensitive information including Social Security numbers, medical diagnoses, and next-of-kin contacts of 319,177 patients across 15 states.

This breach highlights critical vulnerabilities in healthcare vendor security and the escalating risks posed by outdated infrastructure. Healthcare organizations must prioritize stronger third-party oversight and advanced monitoring to prevent prolonged undetected intrusions. The financial and reputational consequences underscore the urgency for comprehensive cybersecurity reforms in the sector.

Tech Republic

Daktronics, Inc. posted a 36.7% year-over-year increase in operating profit to $21.6 million for fiscal 2026's second quarter ended November 1, 2025, with sales rising 10% to $229.3 million. New orders climbed 12.1% to $199.1 million, while product backlog reached $320.6 million, up 36% from a year earlier. The company reaffirmed its three-year targets of 7-10% annual sales growth and a 10-12% operating margin.

Strong order growth across Live Events, Transportation, and International segments, including multiple Major League Baseball stadium projects, provides Daktronics with robust revenue visibility. Ongoing digital transformation and expanded manufacturing footprint, including a new Mexico facility, position the company to improve operational efficiency and sustain profitable growth in a competitive global market.

Benzinga

Glenn Oztemel, a former senior oil and gas trader from Westport, Connecticut, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for his involvement in an eight-year bribery and money laundering scheme. Oztemel paid over $1 million in bribes to Brazilian state-owned Petrobras officials to secure competitive advantages for Arcadia Fuels Ltd. and Freepoint Commodities LLC. Freepoint also admitted to FCPA violations and agreed to pay more than $98 million in penalties.

This case highlights ongoing risks of corruption in international commodity trading and reinforces the U.S. authorities’ commitment to enforcing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Companies operating abroad should enhance compliance controls and monitor third-party intermediaries closely to mitigate bribery risks.

Courant

The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed charges against 30 entities, including two Chinese nationals, for orchestrating a ₹1,000 crore investment scam during the Covid-19 lockdown. The fraud involved a fake mobile app, ‘HPZ Tokens’, falsely promising high returns from cryptocurrency mining. The accused allegedly operated a complex cybercrime network using shell companies and payment aggregators to launder proceeds.

This case highlights growing risks from cross-border cyber fraud exploiting emerging digital financial services in India. Businesses and regulators should tighten scrutiny on app-based investment platforms and payment intermediaries to prevent similar scams.

Hindustan Times

The Indian government has issued over 44,000 tax notices to cryptocurrency traders for not disclosing profits, uncovering Rs 888.82 crore in undisclosed income. Under current laws, crypto gains are taxed at 30%, with a mandatory 1% TDS on transfers, and stricter reporting begins fiscal year 2025-26 to curb evasion. This highlights growing regulatory efforts amid rising crypto adoption and unregulated asset risks.

Business News India

Michigan Democrat Haley Stevens introduced articles of impeachment against US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., accusing him of abuse of authority and undermining public health due to his vaccine policies and funding cuts. The Republican-controlled House is unlikely to act, and Democratic leaders do not support the motion. Kennedy has faced widespread criticism for policies that experts say harm trust in vaccines and public health.

The Guardian

Almonty Industries Inc. closed an upsized underwritten offering of common shares totaling US$129.375 million, including full exercise of the over-allotment option. The funds will support exploration and expansion projects at the Gentung Browns Lake Tungsten Project, Panasqueira Mine, and Sangdong Molybdenum Project. This capital raise secures Almonty's plans with no further offerings intended under its base prospectus.

Financial Post

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— The Integrity Ledger Team