Fed Set for Rate Cut as Markets React to Tech Deals and Crypto Crackdowns | The Integrity Ledger

Welcome to The Integrity Ledger — today’s biggest moves span Fed rate cuts, a billion-dollar bidding war shaking global markets, and regulators tightening their grip on crypto.

The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points at Wednesday's meeting, marking a third straight reduction despite inflation remaining above target. Weak labor market data, including over 1.17 million layoffs announced through November 2025 and an unexpected loss of 32,000 private sector jobs in November, have pressured policymakers to ease. However, Fed officials remain divided on the move as headline and core PCE inflation held elevated at 2.8% and 2.9% in September.

Investors should brace for continued monetary accommodation, though a cautious Fed tone may signal a pause in cuts early next year. Businesses with exposure to labor markets and inflation-sensitive sectors need to monitor evolving policy signals amid ongoing economic uncertainty.

Fox Business

US stocks opened mixed with the Dow down 0.24% and the S&P 500 slipping 0.10%, while the Nasdaq edged up 0.10%. Markets priced in an 88% chance of a Federal Reserve rate cut at this week’s meeting after softer inflation data. Netflix shares fell 3.27% following Warner Bros. Discovery’s 6.7% jump on Paramount's unexpected $108 billion hostile takeover bid.

Investors are repositioning portfolios ahead of the Fed’s December policy decision, favoring tech growth amid expectations of rate easing. Strategic acquisitions like IBM’s $11 billion Confluent deal and Broadcom’s chip talks with Microsoft underscore sustained innovation and consolidation in technology sectors. Market participants should weigh tech sector strength against cautious sentiment in traditional industrial stocks.

The Economic Times

Netflix shares fell more than 3% to their lowest since April 2025 following Paramount Skydance's $108.4 billion hostile takeover offer for Warner Bros Discovery, surpassing Netflix's own $72 billion proposal. The aggressive bidding war sparked analyst downgrades and mounting investor concerns over escalating competition and acquisition costs in the entertainment industry.

The intensified bidding war increases risks around deal completion and valuation for Netflix investors. Paramount's higher all-cash offer may pressure Netflix to reconsider its strategy amid shifting consumer trends and potential regulatory delays, affecting streaming market dynamics and shareholder value.

The Economic Times

Strategy acquired 10,624 BTC valued at approximately $963 million at an average price of $90,615 per coin, bringing its total ho)dings to 660,624 BTC. Funded entirely through equity sales—including $928 million from common stock and $35 million from preferred shares—the purchase underscores Strategy's ongoing aggressive accumulation via its ATM offering program. The company's BTC portfolio now carries unrealized gains exceeding $11 billion at current market prices.

This substantial acquisition reaffirms Strategy's commitment to building Bitcoin exposure despite market volatility, aiming to capitalize on price dips for long-term gains. Maintaining a $1.44 billion fiat reserve to support dividends without selling Bitcoin enhances investor confidence. Strategy’s persistent equity issuance amidst stock price pressure highlights its role as a leading institutional Bitcoin holder and market influencer.

Coincu News

Fino Payments Bank shares dropped over 11% on Monday despite receiving an in-principle license from the Reserve Bank of India to convert into a small finance bank. The stock closed at Rs 278.95 on the BSE, down from an intra-day high of Rs 324.65, amid selling pressure. The RBI has allowed an 18-month transition period, requiring the holding company to reduce stakes held by key investors Bharat Petroleum Corp and Blackstone GPV Capital Partners.

The share price decline likely reflects investor concerns over the mandatory stake reductions by major shareholders, which could dilute value. The license upgrade positions Fino for expanded services, but execution risks remain during the transition period. Market participants will closely watch how the holding company manages investor exits and regulatory compliance.

The Economic Times

Many CIOs are transitioning from a cloud-first approach to a cloud-smart strategy that tailors infrastructure decisions to specific workloads. This shift is driven by rising cloud costs, data governance complexities, and AI's influence on workload placement. Companies like Procter & Gamble and Cisco are adopting hybrid architectures combining public and private clouds to optimize performance, cost, and compliance.

Adopting cloud-smart strategies enables organizations to balance agility with cost control and regulatory compliance, particularly as AI workloads demand specialized infrastructure. CIOs must develop processes for workload evaluation, embed FinOps disciplines, and invest in hybrid cloud talent to effectively manage this transition and maximize technology investments.

Cio.com Ireland

Barts Health NHS Trust confirmed a Cl0p ransomware attack exploited a vulnerability in Oracle E-Business Suite in August, leading to theft of invoice-related data including names, addresses, and records of patients and former staff. The breach was uncovered after stolen data surfaced on the dark web, prompting the Trust to seek a High Court order to prevent dissemination and is collaborating with UK authorities and regulators.

The stolen data, while not directly harmful, raises phishing and identity theft risks, urging caution among affected individuals. Barts Health's swift legal and investigative response underscores the growing threat posed by ransomware groups exploiting legacy system vulnerabilities in critical healthcare infrastructure.

Techradar Sg

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Ambitions Enterprise Management Co. L.L.C, a UAE-based MICE and tourism services provider, reported a 14% revenue increase to $9.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, driven by a 38% rise in MICE management services. Operating income surged 164% to $333,003, while net income jumped 191% to $328,897 compared to the same period in 2024.

The company's strong financial performance reflects the recovery in the UAE's MICE sector and effective operational efficiencies. Investors may view the improved profitability and disciplined cost management as positive signals for sustainable growth in this post-pandemic tourism market.

Benzinga

The Enforcement Directorate filed a chargesheet against former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain and 13 others under anti-money laundering laws for alleged corruption in awarding tenders for Delhi Jal Board's sewage treatment plants. The agency alleges involvement in concealment and misuse of proceeds worth Rs 17.70 crore, attaching assets valued over Rs 7.44 crore in a 'benami' probe.

This case underscores intensified scrutiny of public contract awards and highlights legal risks for officials entangled in procurement corruption. It may prompt tighter governance and compliance controls within public utilities like DJB.

Deccan Herald

The Enforcement Directorate has filed a chargesheet against former Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain and 13 others for alleged money laundering linked to a Rs 17.7 crore corruption case involving tenders for Delhi Jal Board sewage treatment plants. The probe found that illegal commissions and bribes worth Rs 6.73 crore were paid through banking channels and cash, leading to undue gains of Rs 9.96 crore by a private firm.

This case underscores ongoing scrutiny of public procurement processes and signals stricter enforcement under the PMLA to curb corruption and money laundering. Businesses dealing with government tenders may face heightened compliance demands, and policymakers may pursue more transparent tender mechanisms.

Money Control

The Enforcement Directorate attached proceeds of crime worth ₹4,189.89 crore in crypto-related cases and declared one accused a Fugitive Economic Offender, arresting 29 people and filing 22 prosecution complaints. The CBDT detected ₹888.82 crore of undisclosed income from virtual digital assets and sent 44,057 communications to non-reporting taxpayers. These actions highlight increased government enforcement and international coordination efforts on unregulated crypto-assets.

The Hindu

The Supreme Court is considering President Trump's effort to expand control over independent federal agencies by allowing him to fire board members without cause, challenging the 1935 Humphrey’s Executor decision. The case involves the firing of FTC member Rebecca Slaughter and could set precedent affecting other officials like Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook. The court's conservative majority appears supportive, signaling a potential shift in presidential removal powers.

Boston Herald

Hong Kong is struggling to express grief over the Tai Po fire disaster, which killed at least 159 people, due to Beijing's national security crackdown restricting civil society, media, and grassroots activism. Traditional avenues for accountability and public mourning have been stifled, while authorities prioritize quelling dissent over addressing issues like fire safety and government responsibility.

The Guardian

China's trade surplus surpassed $1 trillion for the first time, despite a nearly 29% drop in exports to the U.S. due to President Trump's tariffs. Chinese exports rose 5.9% overall by November, boosted by sales to Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia, while imports to China increased only slightly.

NPR

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— The Integrity Ledger Team