ZeroRushCaptain

Coins and Tokens are often confused due to translation reasons. Coins have their own independent blockchain, while Tokens are based on existing public blockchains. Tokens come in three types: payment, utility, and asset, and their scope of application and volatility are usually higher than Coins. When investing, you can choose spot or margin trading, and it is important to carefully control risks and select a secure trading platform.

The Australian dollar (AUD) is the fifth largest trading volume currency globally (ranking: USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, AUD), and the AUD/USD currency pair is also one of the top five most actively traded currency pairs worldwide. This currency pair features high liquidity and low spreads, allowing traders to execute short-term trades or medium- to long-term strategies more flexibly.
📌 Key Features: The AUD is considered a "commodity currency." Australia's economic structure is highly dependent on the export of bulk commodities such as iron ore, coal, and copper. Therefore, every fluctuation in global raw material prices directly impacts the volatility of the AUD exchange rate.
The AUD itself is a high-yield currency and has historically been a popular target for hot money and carry trade strategies. However, over the past decade, the AUD has generally been weaker. From the early 2013 level of 1.05, the AUD has depreciated by over 35% against the USD by 2023, while the US dollar index increased by 28.35% during the same period. Other major currencies such as the euro, Japanese yen, and Canadian dollar against the USD have also generally

Influenced by the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts and the US presidential election, the RMB has recently appreciated strongly against the US dollar, reaching a new low in over a year. The central bank's guiding policies have demonstrated the stability of the RMB, thereby strengthening the international credit foundation. Experts predict that the RMB will rise to 6.85 by 2026, reflecting increased confidence and demand for RMB internationalization.

In recent months, news about interest rate hikes has been everywhere. The Federal Reserve, the Central Bank of Taiwan, the Bank of Japan—central banks around the world are one after another wielding the "double-edged sword" of interest rates. But the question is, do you really understand what a rate hike means? Why is it so important? And how does it affect your wallet?
Simply put, a rate hike means the central bank raising the benchmark interest rate. But the underlying economic logic behind this decision determines your investment returns, mortgage costs, and even salary increases. This article will delve into the details of what a rate hike really entails.
What exactly does a rate hike mean?
A rate hike and a rate cut are the two main tools central banks use to control the money supply. Every time a central bank adjusts the benchmark interest rate, it sends a signal: what the economy is about to do.
A rate hike means increasing the interest rate level; conversely, a rate cut means lowering it. It sounds simple, but in practice, it’s quite complex.
Taking the Federal Reserve as an example, they adjust the overnight borrowing rate (the federal funds rate)

To succeed in trading in the Hong Kong stock market, you first need to understand the rhythm of the exchange's operations. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of the opening and closing hours, market suspension arrangements, and trading rules for Hong Kong stocks in 2025, helping investors seize every trading opportunity accurately.
What is HKEX? An article to understand Hong Kong's financial hub
HKEX (Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited) is the only legal securities exchange in Hong Kong, and it is also a listed company with stock code 0388.HK. As one of the top ten exchanges globally and among the top three in Asia, HKEX has become one of the most dynamic capital markets in Asia. Notably, since its establishment in 1989, HKEX has ranked first worldwide in IPO financing seven times over the past 13 years.
HKEX operates multiple trading platforms, including the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (responsible for stock trading), the Hong Kong Futures Exchange (futures trading), the Hong Kong Central Clearing Company, and several clearing institutions. It also controls the London Metal Exchange and other international markets.

Morning Market Overview: BTC Faces Downward Pressure, Key Levels Breached
As the trading day begins, the crypto market continues its over a month-long correction, with Bitcoin's performance influencing the entire ecosystem. According to the latest data, BTC is currently priced at 92.52K, down 1.25% over the past 24 hours. This wave of correction is not an isolated phenomenon—US stocks are also weakening, and risk assets are generally under pressure.
Bitcoin has for the first time since April fallen below the critical level of $87,000, triggering widespread attention among market participants. Behind the more than 4% decline, there are sharp shifts in short-term capital flows and a clear decline in new buyer interest. The upward momentum that once supported prices earlier this year has now quietly dissipated into market volatility.
Whale Activity Intensifies, Leverage Liquidation Chain Reinitiated
The driving forces behind this correction are not attributable to a single factor. Continuous short-term trader position closures over several weeks, combined with

USD/JPY shows modest gains near 156.50, influenced by mixed signals from U.S. policymakers and warnings from Japan about potential currency intervention. Fed officials suggest keeping rates steady, complicating the dollar's trajectory amid upcoming inflation data and BoJ rate expectations.

London Metal Exchange copper futures prices break historical highs, driving the collective rise of Taiwan stock copper concept stocks. Multiple factors such as tight global copper mine supply, trade expectations, and green energy transition are boosting copper prices. Although market sentiment is hot, technical analysis indicates a possible short-term correction. In the medium to long term, copper prices are in an upward trend, but short-term fluctuations are unavoidable, and investors should exercise caution.

This week, the cryptocurrency market faced a downturn due to AI investment concerns, with Bitcoin dropping to $93,240 and Ethereum slightly recovering. Disappointing earnings from Oracle highlighted mounting pressure on profit margins, impacting overall market sentiment. Standard Chartered cut its Bitcoin year-end forecast, indicating a potential shift in demand sources, emphasizing the reliance on ETF inflows for future price stability.

Standard Chartered analyst Geoffrey Kendrick's 2027 thesis splits into two distinct plays—one anchored in institutional structure, the other riding on regulatory catalysts and adoption narratives.
Regulation Has Shifted from Risk Event to Infrastructure Foundation
Policy momentum matters not

The Japanese Yen is Becoming a New Favorite for Taiwanese Investors
In December 2025, the TWD to JPY exchange rate reached 4.85, which is not only a sign of the tourism revival but also hides significant changes in the global macro environment. While the US enters a rate-cutting cycle, the Bank of Japan raises interest rates against the trend, and this widening interest rate differential is reshaping the foreign exchange market landscape.
Many still view the Japanese Yen as a "small wallet" for travel, but in reality, from risk hedging to arbitrage trading, the Yen has become a versatile asset. According to market observations, Taiwan's currency exchange demand increased by 25% in the second half of this year, with over 40% coming from non-tourism purposes—this clearly indicates the rising importance of the Yen in asset allocation.
Why Focus on Yen Investment Now? Three Key Reasons
A Safe Haven Currency
The Yen, along with the US Dollar and Swiss Franc, ranks as one of the world's three major safe-haven currencies, especially valuable during periods of increased geopolitical risk. During the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, the Yen appreciated by 8% in a single week.

The RMB to USD exchange rate has recently appreciated strongly, driven by three main factors: a weakening US dollar, central bank policy support, and the year-end foreign exchange settlement effect. Institutions are divided on the RMB's outlook for 2026, but generally optimistic about its long-term appreciation potential, with forecast ranges from 6.80 to 7.00.

Foreign exchange market experiences significant fluctuations, multiple currencies under pressure
Last week (12/15-12/19), the foreign exchange market was relatively calm: the US dollar index rose by 0.33%, with major non-US currencies showing mixed gains and losses. The euro fell by 0.23%, the Japanese yen declined the most at 1.28%, the Australian dollar dropped by 0.65%, and the British pound edged up by 0.03%. Behind this market behavior, there is a hidden re-adjustment of central bank policy expectations across countries.
Euro fluctuates while seeking a bottom; the future policy of the Federal Reserve remains uncertain
The EUR/USD exchange rate last week first rose then fell, ultimately closing down by 0.23%. Although the European Central Bank maintained interest rates as scheduled, President Lagarde's remarks did not lean as hawkish as market expectations, disappointing bullish traders.
On the US data front, the November employment report showed a lukewarm performance, while CPI data was below market expectations. Major investment banks such as Morgan Stanley and Barclays pointed out that these data were significantly affected by seasonal adjustment issues.

Cryptocurrency asset performance diverges, Bitcoin faces slight pressure
Entering the last week of December, the digital asset market shows a volatile trend. Bitcoin has decreased by 0.34% in the past 24 hours, currently quoted at $88,020, which is approximately 6.35 million RMB based on the current exchange rate (using $2,000 = 14,400 RMB for approximation). Ethereum's performance appears even weaker, with a 24-hour decline of 0.03%, priced at $2,976, roughly 21,465 RMB after conversion. In contrast, traditional financial markets have experienced a noticeable rebound, and this divergence is worth noting.
US stocks rally across the board, the three major indices all rise
Good news came from the US stock market on Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.38%, the S&P 500 index rose by 0.88%, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.31%, demonstrating a strong overall performance. This upward trend is related to last Friday's "Four Period Settlement Day."

Futures Contracts Basics: What You Need to Know First
Futures contracts are essentially agreements—both parties agree to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price at a specific future date. This concept is easiest to understand with commodities.
For example, if you buy a crude oil futures contract now at $80 that settles in three months, you are locking in the right to purchase a certain amount of crude oil (e.g., 1000 barrels) at $80 in three months. If the oil price later rises to $90, the value of your futures position increases.
U.S. stock futures represent futures contracts on the U.S. stock index. The asset here is not a specific commodity but a basket of stocks' aggregate value. When you trade the E-mini S&P 500 futures, you are essentially trading the following formula-derived nominal value of the stock basket:
Index points × Multiplier (USD) = Nominal value of the stock basket
For example, if the Nasdaq 100 index is at 12,800

What is the US dollar exchange rate? A must-read for investors
The US dollar exchange rate refers to the value conversion rate of the dollar relative to other currencies. For example, EUR/USD=1.04 indicates that 1 euro can be exchanged for 1.04 US dollars; if this ratio rises to 1.09, it means the euro has appreciated and the dollar has depreciated; conversely, a drop to 0.88 indicates the dollar has appreciated.
The US Dollar Index is weighted based on the exchange rates of six major international currencies (Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Swedish Krona, Swiss Franc) against the US dollar. A higher or lower index reflects the strength or weakness of the dollar relative to these currencies. It’s worth noting that a Federal Reserve rate cut does not necessarily lead to a decline in the dollar index—this also depends on whether the central banks of the component currencies’ countries take corresponding measures.
Historical Cycles of the US Dollar Fluctuations: From the Bretton Woods System to Today
Since the collapse of the Bretton Woods system in 1971, the US dollar index has gone through eight distinct cycles. Understanding these cycles can help grasp the current trends in US exchange rates.

In 2025, the US stock market started the year with a strong rally, with the Nasdaq Index leading the way with a 30.12% increase, followed closely by the S&P 500 which rose by 24.56%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average grew more modestly by 14.87%. Faced with the differentiated performance of the three major indices, investors are also troubled: which one should I choose? Which one can make more money?
Simply put, choosing the right index is half the success in investing. Today, we will deeply analyze the three core indicators of the US stock market to help you identify the most suitable investment options.
Quick comparison of the three major indices: composition, scale, and characteristics
The three giants of the US stock market each have their own features.
The S&P 500 Index (S&P 500) is the most representative, including 500 top publicly listed companies in the US. These 500 companies account for about 80% of the total market capitalization of the US stock market, almost covering the entire US economy.