Markets Shaken as Oil Jumps, Fed Scrutiny Grows | The Integrity Ledger

Welcome to the Integrity Ledger — Markets tremble as Fed scrutiny deepens, silver demand surges, crypto laws shift, and global unrest spreads. From oil jumps to AI risks, today’s signals warn investors: integrity, power, and money are colliding fast worldwide now.

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U.S. stocks traded mixed on Tuesday with the Dow Jones falling 0.60% to 49,293.33 while the NASDAQ gained 0.17% to 23,773.29. Inflation remained steady with the Consumer Price Index rising 2.7% year-over-year in December, matching expectations and unchanged from November. Oil prices surged 2.6% to $61.06 amid rising energy sector shares.

The steady inflation rate suggests persistent price pressures above the Federal Reserve's 2% target, potentially influencing monetary policy decisions. Rising oil prices and energy sector gains could support inflationary trends, while mixed equity performance reflects sector-specific dynamics that investors should monitor closely.

Benzinga

Global financial markets opened with significant volatility, led by strong gains in Asia where Japan’s Nikkei jumped over 3% to a multi-year high following a weak yen and optimism around potential fiscal stimulus. South Korea and Taiwan stocks also hit record levels, while investors in the U.S. and Europe are watching key earnings reports and upcoming inflation data that could influence future Federal Reserve policy.

Global equity volatility signals that currency moves and regional stimulus hopes are now driving returns as much as company fundamentals, increasing short-term trading risk. Investors should watch Asian market momentum and U.S. inflation data closely, as both could quickly shift capital flows and sector performance worldwide.

Reuters

Old Glory Bank and Digital Asset Acquisition Corporation (NASDAQ:DAAQ) have agreed to merge, creating OGB Financial Company, a Texas-based public firm to be listed on Nasdaq under ticker OGB. The deal values Old Glory Bank's pre-money valuation at $250 million, with DAAQ holding $176 million in trust and plans for at least $50 million in PIPE proceeds, targeting a closing in Q1 or early Q2 2026.

The merger will provide Old Glory Bank the capital to expand its deposit base and broaden its crypto integration, including patented tools for seamless fiat-crypto transfers and planned consumer crypto loans across all 50 states. Investors can anticipate increased fintech innovation within a federally chartered bank supporting the Freedom and Crypto Economies.

Benzinga

The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act's latest draft suggests classifying XRP, Solana (SOL), Dogecoin (DOGE), and other major cryptocurrencies on equal legal footing with Bitcoin and Ethereum. This applies if these tokens back exchange-traded products listed on registered U.S. exchanges by January 1, 2026, exempting them from being labeled securities under the Securities Act of 1933.

This provision could reduce regulatory uncertainty for several large cryptocurrencies, facilitating their exchange listings, custody arrangements, and institutional adoption. If enacted, the law would signal a regulatory shift that leverages market validation via exchange-traded products as a benchmark for crypto classification.

ETH News

France's markets regulator revealed that nearly one-third of crypto companies without an EU MiCA licence have not informed authorities whether they will apply for the licence or cease operations by the June 30 deadline. While 30% of about 90 unlicensed companies have applied and 40% do not intend to seek a licence, the remaining 30% remain unresponsive, raising regulator concerns.

Crypto firms in France must clarify their licensing intentions soon to comply with EU-wide MiCA rules, or prepare to exit the market by mid-2024. The increasing regulatory scrutiny, including possible centralized EU supervision via ESMA, highlights growing oversight pressures on crypto operations across Europe.

The Star

According to Deloitte’s Q4 CFO Signals Spotlight report, 50% of North America’s largest CFOs rank digital transformation, led by AI integration, as their top priority for 2026. Surveying 200 CFOs from companies with $1 billion+ revenue, Deloitte finds 87% view AI as extremely or very important to finance operations next year, signaling a shift from pilot projects to enterprise-wide deployment.

Finance leaders are accelerating AI adoption by embedding intelligent agents into workflows and redeploying existing talent to manage costs effectively. This move reflects a strategic shift towards enhanced productivity and cost optimization amid intensifying competition and evolving consumer behavior.

Fortune

Unknown hackers claim to have stolen and are selling roughly 860GB of Target’s internal source code and documentation. The data reportedly includes wallet services, identity tools, gift card systems, and developer metadata. Target has since locked down its servers and removed repositories, though the breach’s authenticity remains unverified.

If confirmed, this breach could expose critical internal systems and sensitive technical information, increasing risks of further cyberattacks or exploitation. Organizations should review their source code management security and monitor for potential secondary incidents. The incident highlights persistent vulnerabilities in publicly accessible developer platforms.

Techradar Au

Amerigo Resources announced a record quarterly copper production of 18.9 million pounds in Q4-2025, achieving its highest production on record and exceeding its revised 2025 guidance with 62.2 million pounds of copper produced. The company also provided its 2026 guidance, targeting 63.8 million pounds of copper and 1.5 million pounds of molybdenum, marking the sixth consecutive year of increased production guidance. Amerigo became debt-free in October 2025 and returned $20.3 million to shareholders through dividends and buybacks during the year.

Amerigo's operational resilience amid challenging conditions and successful optimization projects position the company to capitalize on the current high copper price environment. The consistent increase in production guidance and strong cash flow should enhance shareholder returns, while the upcoming plant maintenance and expanded capital expenditure plans reflect a focus on sustaining long-term operational efficiency.

Benzinga

Lebanese former central bank governor Riad Salameh’s corruption case has been transferred to the Court of Cassation, the country’s highest criminal court. Facing charges of embezzlement totaling $42 million and illicit enrichment, Salameh was released on $14 million bail and denies all allegations. The trial date is yet to be set, with arrest warrants pending if he or his associates fail to appear.

The transfer to the highest court marks a pivotal stage in Lebanon’s efforts to address alleged financial misconduct linked to its economic collapse. Investors and regulators will closely watch the unfolding judicial process amid ongoing international investigations and sanctions against Salameh and his associates.

AP News

A special CBI court convicted SKS Ispat & Power Ltd and director Deepak Gupta for fraudulent coal block allocation in Madhya Pradesh. Gupta received a three-year prison term and a Rs 10 lakh fine, while the company was fined Rs 50 lakh for submitting false claims to secure the Rawanwara North Coal Block.

The conviction marks the 20th in the ongoing coal block scam investigations, reinforcing regulatory scrutiny on corporate disclosures during resource allocations. Companies and executives involved in similar cases may face heightened legal risks and penalties.

The Economic Times

Iran is engulfed in widespread unrest triggered by the rial's plunge to about 1.4 million per US dollar, sparking strikes and protests across all provinces. The unrest, marked by thousands of deaths and arrests, challenges the regime's economic survival amid corruption and falling purchasing power. This crisis threatens the Islamic Republic's stability, highlighting deeper economic and political vulnerabilities.

The Times Of India

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it will stop calculating the economic savings from health benefits — such as reduced deaths and medical costs — in key air pollution regulations, marking a shift toward evaluating only industry compliance costs. Critics warn this may weaken protections against harmful pollutants like ozone and fine particulate matter and undermine public health.

Associated Press

President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda — in power since 1986 — announced he is seeking a seventh term, drawing criticism over entrenched leadership, corruption, and election irregularities. Growing domestic dissatisfaction and debates over succession are intensifying ahead of elections.

Reuters

In Asia Pacific news, Taiwan publicly thanked Canada for its support as Taiwanese leaders prepare for a diplomatic trip to China. Meanwhile, major regional developments include a high-profile media tycoon’s trial in Hong Kong and legal moves in Malaysia over social media policies, reflecting shifting geopolitical and domestic priorities.

Reuters

Stay sharp, stay ethical, and keep following the money.
— The Integrity Ledger Team