Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said on Nov. 18 he supports a 25-basis-point interest rate cut at the December meeting, citing concerns over labor market deterioration and its impact on middle- and lower-income consumers. Waller said upcoming employment data are unlikely to change his view that further easing is warranted, adding that inflation acceleration is not his primary concern. He characterized the December cut as a risk-management measure to prevent accelerated labor market weakening while moving policy toward a more neutral stance, and noted that tariffs would not have lasting inflationary impacts based on price data.

Federal Reserve officials are divided on monetary policy ahead of the December meeting, with at least three dissenting votes expected regardless of the outcome, Jin10 reports citing Nick Timiraos. Two factions have emerged: one group, now including four regional Fed presidents with voting rights this year and Fed Governor Barr, prioritizes inflation concerns; another camp, comprising all three Fed governors appointed by Trump, focuses on labor market risks and argues against overemphasizing inflation dangers that could trigger unnecessary recession risks. The three Trump-appointed officials would oppose holding rates steady, while a 25 basis point cut would also draw at least three opposing votes.

The U.S. Treasury Department submitted a proposal to the White House on Friday regarding America's participation in an international crypto tax reporting framework, Decrypt reports. The proposal would authorize the Internal Revenue Service to access key information on U.S. citizens' overseas crypto accounts and implement taxation. The framework is the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework established by the OECD in 2022, which requires member countries to automatically share citizens' crypto asset information to combat cross-border tax evasion. G7 nations including Japan, Germany, France, Canada, Italy, and the United Kingdom, along with crypto hubs such as the UAE, Singapore, and the Bahamas, have signed the agreement, with global rollout scheduled to officially commence in 2027.

Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson said on Nov. 17 that upside risks to inflation may have diminished and tariff impacts could prove temporary, Jin10 reports. Jefferson noted the labor market shows supply and demand are cooling gradually, emphasizing caution is warranted as monetary policy approaches the neutral rate. The Fed's Beige Book, due next week, will provide additional perspectives on economic conditions.

Singapore Exchange Derivatives Trading will launch Bitcoin and Ethereum perpetual futures on Nov. 24, Cointelegraph reports. The platform said the new products address rising institutional demand for digital assets and the convergence of traditional finance with crypto-native ecosystems. The perpetual contracts will allow qualified and professional investors to trade exposure to underlying assets without expiration dates, with all transactions regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission issued a circular on Nov. 17 urging licensed corporations and virtual asset trading platforms to remain vigilant against suspicious fund transfers showing signs of layering activities, Zhitong Finance reports. The SFC noted a rising trend of criminals exploiting licensed institutions for layering transactions to obscure the origins and destinations of illegal proceeds from fraud cases. Common warning signs include frequent, rapid, and organized deposits into client accounts followed by immediate withdrawals in cash or virtual assets.

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao said on Nov. 17 that any refund from the exchange's $4.3 billion settlement would be reinvested in the United States. Zhao called the matter "delicate," saying he is grateful for the resolution and seeks balance between requesting more and appreciating what has been achieved. Binance has not formally filed a refund request.

The governor of the Dutch central bank warned that a major stablecoin run could compel the European Central Bank to adjust interest rates, the Financial Times reported on Nov. 17. The remarks underscore regulators' growing attention to stablecoin systemic risks within the eurozone financial system.