Good morning. The term “Dead Cat Bounce” comes from the idea that even a dead cat will bounce if it falls fast enough. Traders use it to describe a short-lived rally in a falling market.

Because nothing says finance like morbid cat physics.

-Pat Lewis, Shaun A, Jonathan Kibbler

MARKETS

Prices supplied by Google Finance as of 4:00am ET - stock prices as of close. Here is what the prices mean.

CRYPTO

The financial world as we know it is undergoing a massive transformation, and it’s not just about meme stocks or overnight crypto moonshots anymore. With President Trump’s newly implemented and frankly, quite dubious "One Big Beautiful Bill", the entire monetary landscape could be reshaped, and cryptocurrencies like XRP and XLM are positioned to play a crucial role in this new era. These aren’t just speculative assets; they’re the building blocks of a more efficient, inclusive financial system.

Essentially, it’s a sweeping fiscal policy move that includes deep tax cuts, primarily benefiting the wealthy, while slashing funding for social programs like Medicaid and food stamps. Some analysts believe this will be an absolute disaster for America’s middle and lower class, but I digress. As far as the banking and finance sectors are concerned, this could accelerate the decline of the current monetary system, paving the way for a blockchain-based alternative where digital assets like XRP and XLM become essential infrastructure. Critics, including high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Senator Rand Paul, have raised concerns about the bill’s economic impact. But whether you love it or hate it, the financial status quo may not survive this shift.

Now, let’s talk about XRP.

Unlike most cryptocurrencies, it wasn’t designed just for traders, it was built to solve real-world problems in cross-border payments. Financial institutions can use XRP to move money across borders almost instantly, with minimal fees and without the need for pre-funded accounts. That’s a game-changer in a world where traditional banking systems are slow and expensive. The recent court ruling that confirmed XRP isn’t a security was a huge win, opening doors for even broader institutional adoption. With Ripple’s existing partnerships with major banks, XRP is well on its way to becoming a cornerstone of the next-generation financial system.

Then there’s XLM, the Stellar network’s native token.

While XRP focuses on institutional use, Stellar is all about financial inclusion, bringing banking services to people who’ve been left out of the traditional system. In developing countries where banking infrastructure is weak or nonexistent, XLM enables fast, low-cost remittances and payments. Partnerships with companies like MoneyGram show just how serious Stellar is about making global finance more accessible. This isn’t just about making money; it’s about empowering people who’ve been underserved by the old system.

And the potential doesn’t stop at finance. Blockchain technology could also revolutionize healthcare funding, especially as public systems face budget cuts. Projects like XRP Healthcare are already exploring ways to use decentralized networks for medical payments and claims processing. If governments pull back on healthcare spending, blockchain-based solutions might step in to fill the gap, ensuring faster, more transparent transactions for patients and providers alike.

So, what does all this mean?

We’re looking at a potential monetary reset, where outdated systems give way to more efficient, decentralized alternatives. XRP and XLM aren’t just tokens to trade, they’re the foundation of a financial future that prioritizes speed, accessibility, and sovereignty. Whether Trump’s bill succeeds or not, one thing is certain: blockchain technology is reshaping money, and these two assets are at the forefront.

The old way of doing things is crumbling.
The new system?
It’s already being built, and it runs on XRP and XLM.

-Pat Lewis

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NEWS

Markets are bracing for another geopolitical flashpoint after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose an extra 10% tariff on any country “aligning with the anti-American policies of BRICS.” That’s a wide net, and traders are trying to assess the fallout just as the bloc holds its summit in Brazil.

This isn’t just about tariffs, it’s about Trump drawing a red line against the growing influence of BRICS, a group already openly pushing to challenge U.S. economic leadership and the global dominance of the dollar.

Trump’s new 10% tariff threat targets nations he deems aligned with BRICS’ anti-American stance. While vague on details, the message was loud and clear: there’s a new penalty tier coming for those siding with the bloc. That’s a major escalation on top of the already looming August 1 tariff rollout.

BRICS leaders fired back in a joint statement, condemning what they called “unjustified unilateral protectionist measures.” They didn’t name Trump directly, but the shot was obvious. Their broader concern: the global economy is getting warped by trade-restrictive moves and they want to present a united front.

Behind the headlines, this is about more than steel or soybeans. BRICS wants to erode the U.S. dollar’s central role in global finance. That’s the long game. And this spat could accelerate dedollarization talks, especially among countries wary of weaponized tariffs.

Trump confirmed that country-specific letters will start going out Monday, clarifying new tariff rates and deals in place. Treasury Secretary Bessent insisted the August 1 date is final, not a floating deadline. That clarity might bring relief, or rattle investors if major economies are caught flat-footed.

Markets don’t like uncertainty, and this policy shift is ripe with it. If BRICS members respond with retaliatory trade measures or accelerate alternative currency plans, expect safe-haven assets like Gold and the Yen to gain. USD performance could split depending on how aggressively the Fed stays on the sidelines.

This is more than just tariffs. Trump’s threat is a direct jab at BRICS’ growing influence and a bold move to protect U.S. leverage in the global system. But it might also backfire, accelerating the very multipolar shift he’s trying to stop. Let’s keep our eyes on capital flows, FX headlines, and BRICS response.

-Shaun A

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Answer: Technical Analysis