Tech, Banks Weigh On Wall Street; Trump Eases Iran Oil Fears

U.S. President Donald Trump struck a more conciliatory tone regarding an ICE officer's fatal shooting of a Minnesota mother, saying on Wednesday that it was "sad to see on both sides."

During a wide-ranging interview with Reuters in the Oval Office, Trump called the shooting "unfortunate," a more moderate response than earlier remarks by Vice President JD Vance and Trump's own social media post.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, Jonathan Ross, fatally shot U.S. citizen Renee Good, a mother of three, on January 7 in Minneapolis after Trump surged more than 2,000 federal officers to Minnesota to ramp up immigration enforcement.

Videos reviewed by Reuters showed Ross fired the first of three shots as the car began moving past him.

In a post on Truth Social shortly after the shooting, Trump called Good "a professional agitator" who "violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer," saying it appeared the officer shot her in self-defense.

When Reuters asked on Wednesday if he believed the ICE officer did the right thing, the Republican president struck a more cautious tone.

"I don't get into right or wrong. I know that it was a tough situation to be in," Trump said of the officer's involvement. "There was very little respect shown to the police, in this case, the ICE officers."

"It's so sad to see on both sides," he added.

When asked if he would pardon Ross if he was charged and convicted in the shooting, Trump said he would wait to see how the process played out.

"I think that we're gonna have to see what happens. That was a very unfortunate incident. We're just going to see what happens," Trump said.

Federal agents are generally immune from state prosecution for actions taken as part of their official duties although local officials have rejected the idea that the shooting was in self-defense.

Trump said he would continue to send ICE officers into U.S. cities, saying it was needed to combat crime, even as the surges have led to violent confrontations.

ICE data shows many of those arrested in Trump's crackdown have no criminal charges or prior convictions.

Source: Reuters

A contract crew from Verizon installs 5G telecommunications equipment on a tower in Orem, Utah, U.S. December 3, 2019. Picture taken December 3, 2019. REUTERS/George Frey

Verizon Communications' (VZ.N) U.S. wireless network remained down late Wednesday evening for many users in the U.S., prompting several major cities to advise residents to use other carriers to call emergency services.

With the outage more than seven hours old, the carrier said it was still working to fix the problem but saw no indication of a cyberattack.

The company did not disclose the scope of the disruption. But Downdetector, which aggregates data on service outages, said more than 180,000 reports had been submitted at the peak, while some media outlets said more than a million customers may have been affected.

"Our teams remain fully deployed and are focused on the issue," Verizon said. "We ... remain committed to resolving this as quickly as possible."

Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr told Reuters after a congressional hearing the agency will review the issue "and take appropriate action." Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez said she would ask the agency to investigate.

New York City told residents the outage could affect some users trying to call 911 for emergency help. "Call using a device from another carrier, a landline, or go to a police/fire station to report emergencies," the city said on X. The District of Columbia issued a similar alert.

Some Verizon customers posted frantic messages on social media seeking updates on service restoration.

Verizon faced a nationwide wireless outage in late 2024 that impacted over 100,000 users at its peak. The outage drew the FCC's attention after several services were affected and iPhone users were stuck in "SOS" mode.

Source: Reuters

Key Points:

XRP dips as concerns over the Market Structure Bill trigger profit-taking and rotation into BTC and the broader crypto market.

This week, the US Senate Banking Committee released its Market Structure Bill text ahead of the highly anticipated January 15 markup. However, the text received mixed reviews, weighing on the demand for XRP.

Despite concerns over the Bill, robust inflows into XRP-spot ETFs and increased XRP utility continue to support a bullish short- to medium-term price outlook for XRP.

Below, I will explore the key drivers behind recent price trends, the medium-term (4-8 weeks) outlook, and the key technical levels traders should watch.

US Senate Banking Committee Market Structure Bill Gets Bad Reviews

The US Senate Banking Committee published a bipartisan text of the Market Structure Bill on Tuesday, January 13, setting the stage for a Committee vote on Thursday, January 15.

Hopes for crypto-friendly legislation sent XRP to a January 6 high of $2.4151 before briefly dropping below $2.1.

However, negative reviews of the text and investor caution ahead of the January 15 US Senate Banking Committee markup left XRP in negative territory mid-week.

Coinbase (COIN) CEO Brian Armstrong criticized the Banking Committee's text, stating:

"After reviewing the Senate Banking draft text over the last 48hrs, Coinbase unfortunately can't support the bill as written. […] We appreciate all the hard work by members of the Senate to reach a bipartisan outcome, but this version would be materially worse than the current status quo. We'd rather have no bill than a bad bill. Hopefully, we can all get to a better draft."

Armstrong highlighted several issues with the bill, including:

SEC vs. Ripple Case Exposes XRP to Legislative Developments

Armstrong's view on the bill giving the SEC greater authority than the CFTC likely weighed on buyer appetite for XRP, given the SEC vs. Ripple case. The US Court of Appeals approved Ripple and the SEC's appeal withdrawals in August 2025 following a lengthy legal battle that lasted almost five years.

Crucially, the SEC withdrew its appeal against Judge Torres' July 2023 ruling that programmatic sales of XRP did not satisfy the third prong of the Howey Test. The court ruling paved the way for a US XRP-spot ETF market and enabled Ripple to expand its US footprint, thereby increasing the real-world utility of XRP.

Despite the negative comments, Armstrong remained hopeful for a crypto-friendly regulatory environment, concluding:

"I'm actually quite optimistic that we will get to the right outcome with continued effort. We will keep showing up and working with everyone to get there."

Notably, Coinbase was also embroiled in a legal battle with the SEC. In 2023, the SEC charged Coinbase with allegedly operating as an unregistered securities exchange, broker, and clearing agency. Additionally, the SEC charged Coinbase for the unregistered offering and selling of securities in connection with its staking-as-a-service program.

The SEC dismissed the Coinbase lawsuit in February 2025, following Chair Gary Gensler's departure from the agency.

Legislation giving the SEC greater authority exposes XRP and the broader crypto market to political risk. An anti-crypto US administration could potentially establish an agency tasked with challenging the digital asset space through the courts.

Ripple Gives Thumbs Up to the Draft Text

Despite Armstrong's concerns, other market participants were less critical about the Banking Committee's draft text. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse commented on the draft text, stating:

"While long overdue, this move by Senator Tim Scott and the Banking Committee on market structure is a massive step forward in providing workable frameworks for crypto, while continuing to protect consumers. Ripple (and I) know firsthand that clarity beats chaos, and the bill's success is crypto's success. We are at the table and will continue to move forward with fair debate. I remain optimistic that issues can be resolved through the markup process."

The progress of the Market Structure Bill on Capitol Hill remains key to XRP's bullish short- to medium-term price outlook.

For context, the token surged 14.69% on July 17 after the US House of Representatives passed the Market Structure Bill to the Senate. XRP then rallied from a December 31 $1.8746 to an eight-week high of $2.4151 on January 6 after the Banking Committee announced a January 15 markup.

XRPUSD – Weekly Chart – 150126 – Market Structure Bill Price Action

XRP Price Targets

The progress of the Market Structure Bill, strong XRP-spot ETF inflows, and increased XRP utility reinforce a positive short-term (1-4 weeks) outlook, with a $2.5 price target.

Furthermore, expectations that the Senate will pass crypto-friendly legislation reaffirmed the bullish longer-term price targets:

Key Risks to Bullish Outlook

Several scenarios could derail the positive outlook. These include:

These scenarios would likely weigh on sentiment, pushing XRP below $2, which would signal a bearish trend reversal.

Technical Analysis: Key Levels to Watch

XRP fell 1.24% on Wednesday, January 14, partially reversing the previous day's 5.43% rally to close at $2.1376. The token underperformed the broader crypto market cap, which gained 1.09%.

Despite the pullback, XRP remained above its 50-day EMA, while the token continued trading below the 200-day EMA. The EMAs signaled a bullish near-term but a bearish longer-term bias. However, the bullish fundamentals remain dominant.

Key technical levels to watch include:

Viewing the daily chart, a breakout above $2.2 would pave the way toward the 200-day EMA. A sustained move through the 200-EMA would signal a bullish trend reversal, opening the door to testing the $2.5 resistance level.

Importantly, a break above the EMAs would reaffirm the bullish medium-term outlook and the longer-term (8-12 weeks) $3.66 price target.

XRPUSD – Daily Chart – 150126 – EMAs

Fundamental Drivers to Monitor

Near-term price drivers include:

Holding Above $2 Remains Crucial

Holding above the $2 psychological support level remains pivotal for the short- to medium-term outlook. Favorable fundamentals continue to outweigh bearish longer-term technicals, indicating a sustained rebound. The recovery from December's lows and January's gains reinforced the bullish structure and constructive short- to medium-term bias.

A breakout above $2.2 would enable the bulls to target the upper trendline. A sustained move through the upper trendline would affirm the bullish trend reversal and validate the bullish structure, supporting the price targets:

However, a drop below $2.0 would bring the lower trendline into play. A sustained fall through the lower trendline would invalidate the bullish structure, signaling a bearish trend reversal.

XRPUSD – Daily Chart – 150126 – Bullish Structure

Outlook:

Looking ahead, today's Banking Committee markup, central bank chatter, and XRP-spot ETF flows will influence the near-term price outlook.

Increasing expectation of a March Fed rate cut, and a dovish BoJ neutral rate (potentially 1%-1.25%) would lift sentiment. Strong demand for XRP-spot ETFs and bipartisan support for the Market Structure Bill would reinforce the constructive bias.

In summary, robust XRP-spot ETF inflows and the progress of the Market Structure Bill support a medium-term (4–8 weeks) move to $3.0. A March Fed rate cut and the Senate passing the Market Structure Bill would reaffirm the longer-term (8–12 weeks) price target of $3.66.

Looking beyond 12 weeks, these events are likely to send XRP above its all-time high of $3.66. A break above $3.66 would support the $5 price target over a 6- to 12-month time horizon.

Source: FX Empire

Global traders anxiously awaiting news of military action in Iran were met with reports suggesting that a US strike is not imminent and could be days away, if it happens at all. An NBC report, citing multiple US officials and sources familiar with White House discussions, has cooled expectations of immediate conflict.

This uncertainty has sent ripples through commodity markets, with both crude oil and precious metals falling sharply as the geopolitical risk premium evaporates.

Trump Demands a "Decisive Blow," Not a Long War

According to sources, President Trump has made his conditions for military action clear to his national security team. He reportedly wants any strike against Iran to be a "swift and decisive blow" that avoids dragging the US into a sustained conflict lasting weeks or months.

"If he does something, he wants it to be definitive," one person familiar with the discussions noted.

However, a key obstacle has emerged: Trump's advisers have been unable to guarantee that a US military strike would lead to a quick collapse of the Iranian regime. Officials are also concerned that the US may not have sufficient assets in the region to counter what they anticipate would be an aggressive Iranian response.

This logistical challenge is highlighted by the position of US aircraft carriers, which are still days away from the gulf, delaying the timeline for any potential large-scale operation.

The current situation could push Trump toward a more limited initial offensive, while keeping options open for escalation. As of Wednesday afternoon, sources confirmed that no final decisions had been made in the fast-evolving scenario.

The Post-Strike Power Vacuum Concern

Adding to the military and logistical challenges are political concerns about what would follow a potential regime change in Iran. In a separate interview with Reuters, Trump expressed uncertainty about whether Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi could rally enough support within the country to take power.

Pahlavi is the son of the late shah of Iran, who was ousted in 1979. While Trump described him as seeming "very nice," he questioned his political viability.

"I don't know how he'd play within his own country," Trump said. "I don't know whether or not his country would accept his leadership, and certainly if they would, that would be fine with me."

These comments suggest a lack of a clear succession plan, raising the risk of a power vacuum in a post-strike scenario. While Trump acknowledged that the current government in Tehran could fall due to internal protests, he stated that "any regime can fail."

Markets React: Crude Oil and Silver Prices Tumble

The combined reports from NBC and Reuters effectively reduced the probability of an imminent US strike, triggering a sharp reversal in commodity markets.

Crude oil, which had been rising on geopolitical tensions, tumbled. WTI crude was set to dip below $60 a barrel after trading above that level for the entire day.

WTI crude oil prices dropped sharply as reports indicated a lower likelihood of immediate military action in Iran.

Precious metals also saw a significant sell-off. Silver plunged as much as $6 in seconds, falling from $92 to $86 as stop-loss orders were triggered. The rapid decline offered a preview of how quickly the recent rally could unwind as geopolitical fears subside.

Silver prices experienced a steep decline, reflecting the rapid unwinding of geopolitical risk premiums in precious metals markets.

U.S. President Donald Trump has asserted that Ukraine, not Russia, is the primary party holding up a potential peace agreement. In a sharp departure from the position held by European allies, Trump suggested Moscow is prepared to end the conflict while Kyiv remains reluctant.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's historically volatile relationship is central to the latest American-led peace negotiation efforts.

During an exclusive interview in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump told Reuters that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to conclude the nearly four-year-long invasion. The U.S. president claimed his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, was the one showing reticence.

"I think he's ready to make a deal," Trump said of Putin, adding, "I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal."

When asked why U.S.-led negotiations have failed to resolve Europe's largest land war since World War Two, Trump gave a one-word answer: "Zelenskiy."

A History of Volatile Relations

Trump's comments suggest renewed frustration with the Ukrainian leader, with whom he has maintained a famously volatile relationship. While interactions appeared to improve during Trump's first year back in office, this latest statement highlights underlying friction.

Historically, Trump has sometimes appeared more willing to accept Putin's assurances at face value than those from U.S. allies, a stance that has previously frustrated officials in Kyiv, European capitals, and even some Republican lawmakers in Washington.

This perspective contrasts with U.S. intelligence reports from December, which warned that Putin had not abandoned his goal of capturing all of Ukraine and reclaiming territory from the former Soviet empire. At the time, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard disputed that assessment.

The State of U.S.-Led Peace Efforts

Recent U.S.-led negotiations have reportedly centered on providing security guarantees for a post-war Ukraine, designed to prevent a future Russian invasion. As part of a potential accord, American negotiators have pushed Ukraine to consider abandoning its eastern Donbas region.

Ukrainian officials have been deeply involved in these talks, which are being spearheaded on the U.S. side by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. However, some European officials have expressed skepticism about whether Putin would agree to the terms being discussed by Kyiv, Washington, and European leaders.

Trump told Reuters he was not aware of a potential trip to Moscow by Witkoff and Kushner, a possibility reported earlier on Wednesday by Bloomberg.

Potential Davos Meeting on the Horizon

Looking ahead, a meeting between the two leaders could be imminent. When asked if he would meet with Zelenskiy at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, next week, Trump confirmed he would if the Ukrainian president attends.

"I would—if he's there," Trump said. "I'm going to be there."

Trump did not offer further specifics on why he believes Zelenskiy is holding back on a deal, stating only, "I just think he's, you know, having a hard time getting there."

For his part, Zelenskiy has publicly and consistently ruled out any territorial concessions to Moscow, citing that the country's constitution does not permit giving up any of its land.

President Donald Trump says he has no immediate plans to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell but noted it was "too early" to determine his ultimate fate, leaving the central bank chief's future in a state of uncertainty.

In a recent interview, Trump addressed whether he would remove Powell from his post, stating, "I don't have any plan to do that." However, when asked if an ongoing Justice Department investigation provides grounds for dismissal, the president remained noncommittal.

"Right now, we're in a little bit of a holding pattern with him, and we're going to determine what to do," Trump said. "But I can't get into it. It's too soon. Too early."

While Powell's term as Fed Chair concludes in May, his appointment to the Board of Governors extends until 2028, meaning he is not required to leave the institution.

Investigation Centers on Renovation Costs

The uncertainty surrounding Powell's position is amplified by a criminal investigation recently opened by the Trump administration. The probe focuses on cost overruns related to a $2.5 billion project to renovate two historic buildings at the Federal Reserve's headquarters.

Powell, who disclosed the investigation, has denied any wrongdoing. He argues the unprecedented action is a pretext to pressure him for not cutting interest rates as aggressively as Trump has demanded.

This pressure campaign has intensified as midterm congressional elections approach, with voters citing cost-of-living issues as a major concern and giving Trump low marks on his handling of the economy.

Potential Successors and Political Backlash

Trump indicated he is already considering replacements for Powell, highlighting former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh and National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett as leading candidates. "The two Kevins are very good," he commented, adding that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was not in the running because "he wants to stay where he is."

The administration's move against Powell has drawn sharp criticism from key Republicans in the Senate, foreign economic officials, and investors. Critics argue the investigation politicizes sensitive monetary policy and undermines the Fed's independence, a cornerstone of global economic stability.

Trump, however, dismissed these concerns outright. When challenged on the backlash, including from lawmakers whose support he needs for a new nominee, he responded, "I don't care. They should be loyal. That's what I say."

He similarly brushed off the widely held view that eroding central bank independence could weaken the U.S. dollar and spark inflation, simply repeating, "I don't care."

A Test of Presidential Power Over the Fed

The conflict with Powell is part of a broader effort by Trump to assert influence over the traditionally independent central bank. The administration has also attempted to fire another Fed official, Governor Lisa Cook, who is now challenging her termination in a case that will be argued before the Supreme Court.

Trump believes his business background gives him a superior grasp of economic policy. "A president should have something to say" about the Fed, he told Reuters. "I made a lot of money with business, so I think I have a better understanding of it than Too Late Jerome Powell."