Headline: Markets Brief: Argentina Steadies, SOL ETFs Draw Inflows, Circle Expands FX Access
Introduction: Global markets opened the week on a mixed but resilient footing, with Latin American equities firmer, selective strength in digital assets, and shifting expectations across rates. Liquidity, regulatory actions, and the AI investment cycle remain key drivers to watch.
Argentina’s peso held steady as inflation eased to 2.3%, helping lift sentiment alongside a modest 0.57% gain in the Merval equity index. The rally follows a dramatic 69.31% surge in October, with confidence underpinned by access to a U.S. dollar swap backstop. In fixed income, expectations point to 10-year U.S. Treasury yields edging toward 4.21% over the next year, while the 2-year tenor may soften on rate-cut bets, though supply dynamics remain a risk factor.
In digital assets, Solana-focused exchange-traded funds saw approximately $368 million in net inflows, bucking outflows from Bitcoin and Ethereum products. Despite the inflows, SOL’s price faces technical pressure, with traders watching the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement as a key level. Stablecoin activity continues to expand: Circle launched StableFX for 24/7 foreign exchange trading on its Arc platform, supporting broader adoption of USDC as its market cap reached $76 billion. Circle’s Q3 revenue climbed to $740 million, topping forecasts and reinforcing stablecoin-driven cash flow momentum.
Regulatory and technology themes also shaped sentiment. Authorities in Rome dismantled a €50 million forex/crypto fraud scheme that targeted German investors, with extradition proceedings underway. Meanwhile, estimates for the artificial intelligence market vary widely—from about $1.5 trillion to as high as $16 trillion—highlighting both opportunity and valuation risk. Nvidia projects up to $4 trillion in AI infrastructure spending over time, while AMD sees a potential $1 trillion market for data center chips, keeping traders focused on earnings durability and capital intensity.
Key Points: – Argentina’s peso stabilized as inflation cooled to 2.3%; Merval rose 0.57% after a 69.31% surge in October. – SOL ETFs attracted roughly $368 million in net inflows, diverging from BTC and ETH outflows; SOL price tests a key 61.8% Fibonacci level. – Circle launched StableFX 24/7 FX trading on Arc; USDC market cap hit $76 billion and Q3 revenue reached $740 million. – U.S. rates outlook: 10-year yields seen drifting toward 4.21% in a year; 2-year yields may ease on rate-cut expectations amid issuance risks. – €50 million forex/crypto scam busted in Rome targeting German investors; extradition actions are in progress. – AI market projections range from $1.5 trillion to $16 trillion, with Nvidia and AMD signaling massive infrastructure and chip demand.
