Republican lawmakers, led by Rep. John Moolenaar, are pressuring JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America to abandon their role in underwriting CATL’s Hong Kong IPO, citing the Chinese battery maker’s alleged ties to forced labor camps in Xinjiang. CATL, a major electric vehicle battery supplier, is accused of maintaining close ties with the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), a paramilitary group linked to human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims. The $4.6 billion IPO is set to begin trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, despite concerns over CATL’s alleged connections to China’s military and persecution of ethnic minorities. The controversy highlights growing tensions between US financial institutions and China’s human rights record.
about US Lawmakers Pressure Banks Over China-Linked IPOJPMorgan Chase
0 posts last weekSteve Cohen Warns of US Recession Risk, Fed Rate Hold
At the Sohn Investment Conference, hedge fund titan Steve Cohen highlighted a 45% chance of a US economic contraction, citing ‘significant slowing growth’ despite avoiding a current recession. He forecasts 1.5% GDP growth in 2026—calling it ‘OK but not phenomenal’—against the historical 3.2% average. Cohen flagged the S&P 500’s unusual April rebound, suggesting a possible 15% pullback or sideways movement ahead. He anticipates the Fed will maintain rates to counter tariff-driven inflation risks, echoing JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon’s recent recession concerns. The analysis underscores lingering economic fragility despite temporary market rallies.
about Steve Cohen Warns of US Recession Risk, Fed Rate HoldCrypto Investors Boost Security Amid Rising Threats
Crypto investors with substantial holdings are increasingly turning to personal security services amid a surge in kidnappings and physical threats. Amsterdam-based Infinite Risks International has noted a rise in long-term clients and proactive security requests, as high-net-worth individuals recognize the necessity of protection. Incidents like the kidnapping of Ledger’s co-founder and attacks on crypto executives have heightened fears, prompting governments like France to enhance security measures for industry leaders. Data breaches, such as the recent Coinbase hack, further expose vulnerabilities, with criminals targeting crypto holders for their easily transferable assets. Major exchanges like Coinbase and Circle are spending millions annually on CEO security, far exceeding traditional finance firms. Experts warn that the threat level remains ‘very high,’ urging investors to prioritize real-world safety alongside digital security.
about Crypto Investors Boost Security Amid Rising ThreatsMeta Faces ‘Epidemic of Scams’ on Facebook and Instagram
Meta is confronting an escalating wave of scams on Facebook and Instagram, described by a spokesperson as an ‘epidemic’ growing in both scale and sophistication. The company is testing facial-recognition tech and partnering with banks like JPMorgan Chase, which reports nearly half of Zelle scams among its customers originated from Meta platforms. Despite recent improvements, internal documents reveal Meta has deprioritized scam enforcement, leaving businesses like Edgar Guzman’s Atlanta-based home improvement store struggling with fraudulent ads. JPMorgan has begun blocking suspicious Zelle payments tied to social media, but victims continue to face losses due to Meta’s inconsistent takedowns.
about Meta Faces 'Epidemic of Scams' on Facebook and InstagramAnthropic Secures $2.5B Credit Line from Major Banks
Anthropic, the AI research firm behind the Claude large language model, has secured a $2.5 billion revolving credit facility from a consortium of major banks, including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Citibank. The five-year credit line strengthens Anthropic’s balance sheet and provides flexibility for continued expansion. The firm recently raised $3.5 billion in a Series E funding round, valuing it at $61.5 billion, and has seen an 8x increase in high-value customers. This financial backing underscores the growing confidence in Anthropic’s mission and business model.
about Anthropic Secures $2.5B Credit Line from Major BanksJPMorgan Chase Scam: Victim Loses $387K in Phone Fraud
A JPMorgan Chase customer was defrauded of $387,000 after receiving a call from scammers impersonating the bank’s fraud department. Over two months, the victim made multiple withdrawals and handed over the funds. The investigation led to a police chase and the arrest of Dominique Jones and Jean Saint Fort, who now face charges including grand larceny and weapon possession. Authorities found a handgun and stolen credit cards in their vehicle. It remains unclear if the victim will recover the lost funds. The case highlights the risks of phone-based financial scams targeting bank customers.
about JPMorgan Chase Scam: Victim Loses $387K in Phone FraudJPMorgan: US May Avoid Recession but Faces Slow Growth
David Kelly, JPMorgan Chase’s chief global strategist, believes the US economy may avoid a recession due to fiscal stimulus and tariff adjustments, but warns of slow growth in the coming months. While consumer resilience has helped, rising tariffs, student loan repayments, and government cutbacks could dampen spending. Kelly emphasizes that while a recession is less likely, economic expansion will remain sluggish, with inflation risks from tariffs posing additional challenges.
about JPMorgan: US May Avoid Recession but Faces Slow GrowthWarren Buffett Sells $3.23B in Bank Stocks, Boosts Cash
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has significantly reduced its exposure to US banks, selling $3.23 billion worth of shares in Citigroup, Bank of America, and Capital One during Q1. The firm completely exited its Citigroup position (14.6M shares worth $1B) and trimmed Bank of America holdings by 48.7M shares ($2.19B). Beyond banking, Berkshire also sold positions in Nu Holdings, Charter Communications, and others, while increasing investments in Constellation Brands (doubling stake), Domino’s Pizza, and Occidental Petroleum. Notably, Berkshire’s massive Apple position remained unchanged, and cash reserves grew to $350 billion by March 31st, signaling a cautious investment approach amid market uncertainty.
about Warren Buffett Sells $3.23B in Bank Stocks, Boosts CashJPMorgan Expands to Public Blockchain with Chainlink & Ondo
JPMorgan Chase has executed its first transaction on a public blockchain, leveraging Chainlink’s oracle services and Ondo Finance’s tokenization platform. This represents a strategic shift from the bank’s earlier focus on proprietary blockchain solutions. The transaction was facilitated by Kinexys, JPMorgan’s rebranded blockchain division, which has processed $1.5 trillion in volume since inception. Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov hailed the development as ‘the beginning of something big,’ while Kinexys head Nelli Zaltsman revealed the collaboration was years in the making. Following the news, LINK and ONDO tokens saw significant weekly gains of 24% and 21% respectively.
about JPMorgan Expands to Public Blockchain with Chainlink & OndoJPMorgan Completes First Public Blockchain Transaction
JPMorgan Chase has completed its first transaction on a public blockchain, settling tokenized U.S. Treasuries through Ondo Finance with Chainlink’s cross-network technology. This milestone underscores the bank’s growing commitment to blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi) as institutional interest in tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) surges. The transaction was facilitated via JPMorgan’s Kinexys platform, which has processed $2 billion in daily volumes and holds $1.5 trillion in derivatives assets. The move aligns with broader industry trends, as RWAs on blockchains now exceed $12 billion in value, with BlackRock’s digital liquidity fund nearing $3 billion. JPMorgan’s pivot to Web3 reflects a strategic shift toward 24/7 cross-border settlements and cost-efficient transactions.
about JPMorgan Completes First Public Blockchain TransactionDimon Urges US to Secure Critical Supply Chains from China
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon emphasized the need for the US to secure critical supply chains, particularly for items like penicillin, medical ingredients, and rare earths, which are heavily sourced from China. He argued that national security should take precedence over trade concerns, especially in sectors like AI and semiconductor chips that could benefit China’s military. The White House recently announced a trade deal with China, leading to a market rally, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite posting significant gains. Dimon’s comments highlight growing geopolitical tensions and the economic implications of supply chain dependencies.
about Dimon Urges US to Secure Critical Supply Chains from ChinaJPMorgan Reverses EM Currency Stance as Dollar Weakens
JPMorgan Chase admitted its strategy to short emerging market (EM) currencies backfired, as 14 EM currencies outperformed the US dollar since April. The bank had expected Trump’s tariffs to pressure EM FX but underestimated the dollar’s own weakness due to capital flight from US assets. JPMorgan has since upgraded Asian currencies to ‘overweight,’ favoring the Malaysian ringgit while expecting the Chinese yuan to stabilize. The bank also raised global recession odds to 60%, warning that US equities may no longer be a safe haven amid trade uncertainty and economic risks.
about JPMorgan Reverses EM Currency Stance as Dollar Weakens