Finance

Wall Street is highly focused on the afternoon release of the Federal Reserve's minutes from its September meeting. Though the central bank decided unanimously to hike rates at that session, recent mixed comments from central bank officials and softening labor data have shifted market expectations toward a potential pause. Traders are searching the report for clues regarding the likelihood of an additional rate increase later this month.

Geopolitical tensions continue to weigh on financial markets as a fresh round of attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted key shipping corridors. The escalated maritime risks have driven up energy prices, triggering predictions that oil could sustain a range between $100 and $105 per barrel through the end of the year. This renewed energy shock has simultaneously placed downside pressure on international stock indexes and global bonds.

Digital assets experienced a sharp mid-week downturn, with Bitcoin retreating under the $84,000 threshold and Ethereum shedding roughly 3.5% of its value. The sudden price dip triggered over $400 million in long-position liquidations within a single hour as heavily leveraged traders were flushed out. This rapid selloff was further aggravated by the broader market rotation and macro headwinds from rising bond yields and climbing oil prices.