Our Scans · (FS.1.02) Central Banking · Weekly Summary

• [New] The emergence of privately issued stablecoins, now subject to comprehensive regulation by a major economy for the first time, is restructuring the architecture of global payments in ways that central bank frameworks neither fully anticipated nor have adequately addressed. ORF America
• [New] Bank Disintermediation Risk: If retail users hold direct claims on the Federal Reserve via a digital dollar, traditional commercial bank deposits could flight to safety during times of crisis, destabilizing the fractional reserve banking system. investing.com
• [New] The Federal Reserve has opted to hold its benchmark rate steady at recent meetings, and now it's possible that the Fed might raise rates as early as September. / Iran Bankrate.com
• [New] We expect one more rate hike from the European Central Bank in 2026, and see a risk of more tightening from the US Federal Reserve. Pictet Asset Management
• [New] The cleanest evidence is a Bank of England working paper, Geopolitical risk and cross-border bank lending, which finds that a one-standard-deviation rise in firm-level geopolitical risk cuts cross-border bank lending by roughly 4% within a year. Perspective on Risk
• [New] After falling to multi week lows earlier this week, bullion staged an impressive rebound as weaker-than-expected US employment data eased concerns over additional monetary tightening by the Federal Reserve. investing.com
• [New] In precious metals, gold moved sharply higher yesterday after weaker-than-expected US jobs data eased concerns that the Federal Reserve may need to raise interest rates in 2026. investing.com
• [New] The Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina governor speaks about building resilience to counter geoeconomic shocks, strengthening reforms amid EU convergence, addressing stablecoin and NBFI risks, Sepa integration, and capacity building. Central Banking
• [New] Real estate experts anticipate modest, sustainable growth rather than a downturn, with existing home sales projected to increase by 2-14% in 2026, depending on interest rate movements. Houzeo
• [New] A moderation in inflation could pave the way for Federal Reserve rate cuts, improving liquidity conditions for risk assets. Khaleej Times
• [New] The World Gold Council's 2026 Central Bank Gold Reserves Survey found 89% of respondents expect global official gold reserves to rise over the next twelve months, a record 45% plan to increase their own holdings, and 74% anticipate lower dollar holdings over the next five years. investing.com
• [New] Across asset classes, investors are increasingly uneasy even as the Federal Reserve maintains a patient stance on inflation risk. investing.com
• [New] The Bank of England has kept UK interest rates on hold as it warned that a further escalation in the Iran war could drive inflation above 4% in 2027, adding to cost of living pressures on households. The Guardian
• [New] The Bank of England identifies 4% inflation as particularly worrisome when it comes to second-round inflation risks. investing.com
• [New] The most immediate downside risk remains a prolonged escalation of the Middle East conflict that lifts inflation and long-term interest rates and pushes the Federal Reserve toward renewed policy tightening. Fox Business
• [New] Gold has rallied on safe-haven demand and hopes of US interest rate cuts, although a stronger dollar and a crude oil-led inflation scare amid the Iran war have occasionally limited gains. Mining Weekly
• [New] The rise in bond yields comes as worries over a Federal Reserve rate hike in 2026 eased in recent weeks, given recent softer than expected inflation prints. Precious Metals International Ltd.
• [New] The dollar has climbed as escalating tensions in the Middle East spark concerns over energy supply disruptions and fuel expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates. financialpost
• [New] Should tensions in the Middle East ease and energy markets stabilize, the outlook for inflation and Federal Reserve policy could improve just as quickly as it deteriorated over the past month. Rhame & Gorrell Wealth Management | The Woodlands Finan
• [New] In addition to monetary policy, warning signs have emerged in the underlying fundamentals of the US economy. Cashback Island

Last updated: 13 August 2026