Investors are counting down to the Federal Reserve’s Sept. 17 monetary policy decision; markets expect a quarter-point rate cut that could trigger short-term volatility but potentially fuel longer-term gains across risk assets.

The economic backdrop highlights the Fed’s delicate balancing act.

According to the latest CPI report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Thursday, consumer prices rose 0.4% in August, lifting the annual CPI rate to 2.9% from 2.7% in July, as shelter, food, and gasoline pushed costs higher. Core CPI also climbed 0.3%, extending its steady pace of recent months.

Producer prices told a similar story: per the latest PPI report released on Wednesday, the headline PPI index slipped 0.1% in August but remained 2.6% higher than a year earlier, while core PPI advanced 2.8%, the largest yearly increase since March. Together, the reports underscore stubborn inflationary pressure even as growth slows.

The labor market has softened further.

Nonfarm payrolls increased by just 22,000 in August, with federal government and energy sector job losses offsetting modest gains in health care. Unemployment held at 4.3%, while labor force participation remained stuck at 62.3%.

Revisions showed June and July job growth was weaker than initially reported, reinforcing signs of cooling momentum. Average hourly earnings still rose 3.7% year over year, keeping wage pressures alive.

Bond markets have adjusted accordingly. Per data from MarketWatch, 2-year Treasury yield sits at 3.56%, while the 10-year is at 4.07%, leaving the curve modestly inverted. Futures traders see a 93% chance of a 25 basis point cut, according to CME FedWatch.

If the Fed limits its move to just 25 bps, investors may react with a “buy the rumor, sell the news” response, since markets have already priced in relief.

Equities are testing record levels.

The S&P 500 closed Friday at 6,584 after rising 1.6% for the week, its best since early August. The index’s one-month chart shows a strong rebound from its late-August pullback, underscoring bullish sentiment heading into Fed week.

The Nasdaq Composite also notched five straight record highs, ending at 22,141, powered by gains in megacap tech stocks, while the Dow slipped below 46,000 but still booked a weekly advance.

Crypto and commodities have rallied alongside.

Bitcoin is trading at $115,234, below its Aug. 14 all-time high near $124,000 but still firmly higher in 2025, with the global crypto market cap now $4.14 trillion.

Gold has surged to $3,643 per ounce, near record highs, with its one-month chart showing a steady upward trajectory as investors price in lower real yields and seek inflation hedges.

Historical precedent supports the cautious optimism.

Analysis from the Kobeissi Letter — reported in an X thread posted Saturday — citing Carson Research, shows that in 20 of 20 prior cases since 1980 where the Fed cut rates within 2% of S&P 500 all-time highs, the index was higher one year later, averaging gains of nearly 14%.

The shorter term is less predictable: in 11 of those 22 instances, stocks fell in the month following the cut. Kobeissi argues this time could follow a similar pattern — initial turbulence followed by longer-term gains as rate relief amplifies the momentum behind assets like equities, bitcoin and gold.

The broader setup explains why traders are watching the Sept. 17 announcement closely.

Cutting rates while inflation edges higher and stocks hover at records risks denting credibility, yet staying on hold could spook markets that have already priced in easing. Either way, the Fed’s message on growth, inflation, and its policy outlook will likely shape the trajectory of markets for months to come.

May 26th, 2025 – Panama City, Panama

class=”ql-align-justify”>Flipster, a global cryptocurrency trading platform, is launching APR Supercharge, a limited-time rewards campaign offering users up to 122% APR on eligible USDT deposits.

Running from June 1 to June 14, 2025, the initiative combines deposit-based yields with trading incentives, rewarding active users on the platform.

Users who deposit USDT will earn a 20% base APR on new net deposits, applicable across all supported networks. By maintaining a daily trading volume of at least 250,000 USDT and depositing via the TON or APTOS networks, they have the opportunity to unlock an additional 80% APR boost the following day—bringing total potential rewards to 100% APR.

These rewards are stackable with Flipster’s existing Earn Campaign, which offers up to 22% APR on USDT balances—allowing eligible users to potentially earn a combined APR of up to 122%, rewards distributed daily in USDT. There are no lock-up periods—users retain full access to their capital at all times. Rewards are calculated based on the 24-hour average net deposit, with a cap of 200,000 USDT per user.

Flipster offers trading across 350+ cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH, trending altcoins, and meme coins, giving users a broad range of opportunities to trade and qualify for the APR boost. 

With a zero-fee model—no maker or taker fees on spot and perpetual futures trades—along with no deposit fees and low-cost withdrawals, Flipster ensures full pricing transparency. Combined with tight spreads, the platform ensures cost-efficient execution for all types of traders.

For advanced traders, up to 100x leverage is available on perpetual futures markets, enabling flexible position sizing to match market conditions and trading strategies.

APR Supercharge is part of Flipster’s broader commitment to building an accessible, user-first trading experience. As the platform expands globally, its suite of campaigns and earning tools continues to offer users smarter ways to trade, earn, and grow their portfolios—without hidden fees or unnecessary friction.

APR Supercharge launches on June 1, 2025. Users can participate by depositing USDT via eligible networks and maintaining daily trading activity throughout the campaign window. Full campaign mechanics and eligibility details are available here.

About Flipster

Flipster is a global cryptocurrency trading platform that delivers fast, secure, and intuitive access to digital assets. With over 350 trading pairs across spot and perpetual futures markets, Flipster combines zero trading fees, tight spreads, and up to 100x leverage to give users a powerful edge in any market condition.

Users can trade and earn simultaneously—with USDT used for trading continuing to earn APR rewards—maximizing capital efficiency without sacrificing execution.

Designed with a focus on security and a user-first experience, Flipster delivers the speed, transparency, and reliability traders need to move with confidence.

Over the past year, Flipster’s trading volume grew 856%, and total user assets increased by more than 6,000%, solidifying its position as a leading derivatives trading platform.

Users can learn more at flipster.io or follow X.

Contact

Press Contact
pr@flipster.io

The first quarter of 2025 has brought significant challenges for technology investors. With the S&P 500 (^GSPC 1.08%) struggling amid renewed trade tensions and economic policy shifts under the Trump administration, many innovative companies have seen their market valuations compress dramatically — regardless of their operational progress.

These market conditions have created a rare buying opportunity across multiple emerging technology subsectors. From advanced computing to nuclear innovation, and from drug discovery platforms to urban air mobility, transformative companies are trading at steep discounts to their potential future values.

Image source: Getty Images.

For investors willing to look beyond current volatility, these three diverse technology disruptors represent compelling opportunities to position your portfolio for the next wave of technological revolution that will reshape entire industries in the decades ahead.

Powering the AI revolution

Despite an 8% year-to-date decline, Applied Digital (APLD 3.35%) remains at the forefront of a critical shift in artificial intelligence (AI) — power-efficient data infrastructure. As demand for AI computing intensifies, Morgan Stanley projects a potential 36 GW power shortfall for U.S. data centers by 2028, positioning Applied Digital to capitalize on this emerging challenge.

Bolstered by strategic investments from Nvidia and a new $5 billion financing facility from Macquarie Asset Management, the company has the financial backing to execute its ambitious vision. However, investors should be mindful of its substantial debt load of $479.6 million and ongoing net losses despite robust revenue growth.

Ultimately, Applied Digital’s investment narrative centers on infrastructure emerging as a strategic asset, potentially rivaling AI software in driving the next phase of computing innovation.

Transforming urban mobility

Joby Aviation (JOBY 5.35%) is emerging as a leader in electric urban air mobility. Still, its stock has fallen by a whopping 23% year to date, a reflection of the broader market’s struggles this year and the typical short-term volatility associated with an evolving industry.

Joby Aviation’s innovative air taxis, capable of carrying a pilot plus four passengers at speeds up to 200 mph, hold the potential to drastically cut travel times, possibly transforming an 80-minute drive from Heathrow to Canary Wharf into an 8-minute flight. The company is also expanding its market presence through strategic alliances with Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines while delivering aircraft to the U.S. Air Force and achieving rapid progress on FAA certification.

With plans to carry its first commercial passengers by late 2025 or early 2026, over $933 million in cash reserves, and an additional $500 million commitment from Toyota, Joby has the financial strength to execute its ambitious vision.

Nonetheless, investors should note that Joby’s success hinges on navigating complex multistage FAA certification processes and establishing entirely new regulatory frameworks for urban air mobility operations. These noteworthy challenges could impact both the company’s projected commercialization timeline and costs.

Empowering AI’s optical backbone

Poet Technologies (POET -4.44%) shares have retreated 35% year to date, creating a compelling entry point for investors targeting the critical optical infrastructure that powers modern AI networks. The company’s revolutionary Optical Interposer platform seamlessly integrates electronic and photonic components onto single chips, producing high-speed optical engines that are becoming indispensable for next-generation data centers.

With AI development accelerating globally, TrendForce projects optical transceiver demand to surge at an impressive 56.5% annual growth rate. Poet is strategically positioned to capitalize on this expansion through established partnerships with industry leaders including Luxshare Tech and Mitsubishi Electric. The company has fortified its financial position with over $110 million in recent funding, while expanding its manufacturing capabilities in Malaysia to address the anticipated demand curve.

While Poet’s groundbreaking technology has garnered multiple industry accolades, the company remains in the commercial-scaling phase. Its future success hinges on flawless manufacturing execution and widespread adoption among hyperscale data centers that are aggressively expanding their AI infrastructure to meet exploding computational demands.

The world of blockchain is expanding every day, and BNB Chain wants to lead the charge as an “AI-first” platform. In simple terms, BNB Chain wants to bring artificial intelligence (AI) into Web3, making it easier for decentralized applications to learn, adapt, and run autonomously. We look at the growing importance of AI Agents in the Web3 space and highlight how developers can leverage BNB Chain AI Agents to build, launch, and scale their next big idea.

What Are AI Agents?

AI Agents are software entities that act and make decisions without needing as much human oversight. In the Web3 world, these AI Agents act like independent digital helpers that can chat with decentralized apps (dApps), respond to users, and even work alongside other AI systems.

Because they’re powered by machine learning, they’re able to understand information, make predictions, and take action on their own—almost like having an extra set of hands (or brains) to get things done.

Because these agents operate on decentralized networks, they gain the benefits of transparency, security, and shared ownership—key factors that make Web3 so revolutionary.

BNB Chain: The AI-First Blockchain

BNB Chain offers three core components that cater to AI projects:

1. BNB Smart Chain (BSC): A blockchain compatible with Ethereum’s technology (known as the Ethereum Virtual Machine, or EVM). It’s fast, secure, and costs very little in transaction fees compared to older blockchains.

2. opBNB: A second-layer solution designed to speed up transaction processing even more, allowing developers to handle large user bases without breaking the bank.

3. BNB Greenfield: A decentralized storage solution for keeping data private, secure, and easy to reuse. This is critical for AI models that rely on large amounts of information.

This setup aims to allow BNB Chain AI Agents to run more efficiently, handle bigger data loads, and keep costs low.

Source BNB Chain

Key AI Agent Solutions on BNB Chain

1. Eliza

Eliza is a customizable AI Agent that relies on a special BNB Chain Plugin created by NodeReal. It connects with popular large language models (LLMs) such as OpenAI’s GPT, Claude, and Llama. Because it’s designed for on-chain operations, Eliza can handle tasks like transferring tokens, swapping currencies, and bridging assets between networks. Eliza can also manage interactions on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Telegram, and Discord.

What’s more, it supports autonomous trading strategies and can store and process documents using a system called RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation).

2. ShellAgent

ShellAgent comes from a platform called MyShell. One of its best features is the no-code “Classic Mode,” which is good for beginners who want to build AI Agents without diving deep into coding.

This tool also supports multiple AI models, so creators can pick the setup that suits them best. After building your AI Agent, you can place it on MyShell’s Agent Marketplace. That makes sharing or monetising your creation easy, so you earn rewards for your hard work.

3. TermiX

TermiX stands out by providing an easy way to create AI Agents using a low-code, drag-and-drop interface. This means you don’t need to be a coding wizard to get started.

TermiX taps into open-source DeFAI Agent Kits so you can run real on-chain operations without any middlemen getting in the way. What’s cool is that you can tokenize your AI Agent, turning it into a digital asset and setting up your own pricing or subscription options. In other words, TermiX unlocks new ways for innovators to monetize their AI-driven ideas and potentially earn revenue right from the start.

4. Revox.ai

Revox.ai is all about accessibility. It helps both new and experienced developers build AI-Web3 applications quickly, with plenty of tools and plugins to speed things up. The built-in Agent Marketplace lets you showcase your AI Agents or collaborate with other creators.

With on-chain transactions supported from the start, Revox.ai ensures you can make and receive payments directly through the blockchain—no fuss, no middleman.

Additional Launchpad Options

The BNB Chain ecosystem also provides several user-friendly launchpads to help kickstart AI Agent development:

• Eternal AI: Create and interact with AI personalities modelled after influential historical figures.

• Jam.ai: A playful platform centered around designing squirrel-themed AI Agents.

• MyShell: Beyond ShellAgent, MyShell hosts various AI-focused apps for deeper exploration.

• BadAI: A tool for making AI Agents collaborative, advanced, and easy to build.

AI Hack & AI Agents Competition

BNB Chain regularly holds events like the AI Hack, which brings together experts to speed up AI adoption in the blockchain world. Plus, the AI Agents Competition offers a $10,000 prize in BNB tokens. Winners can also join the AI Fast Track Program, gaining support in marketing, business development, and potential listing on major exchanges.

BNB Chain AI Agents offer a powerful way to build, automate, and manage next-generation dApps. If you’re a developer eager to explore AI in Web3, BNB Chain’s user-friendly tools and generous incentives make it an ideal place to start experimenting right now.

Editor’s note: Written with the assistance of AI – Edited and fact-checked by Jason Newey.