Originally published at: Tether Now 18th Largest Holder of US Treasuries, BP Pivots Away from Wind – Peak Prosperity
US Politics
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the Department of Justice will move to unseal grand jury testimonies following a request by Presisdent Trump. This decision comes after public criticism and Trump’s reported description of the Epstein story as a “scam.” Additionally, Trump faces controversy over a Wall Street Journal report alleging he wrote a suggestive birthday letter to Epstein for his 50th birthday. Trump has denied the allegations, calling the letter fake and announcing plans to sue the Journal and Rupert Murdoch, stating the piece is “malicious and defamatory” and suggesting the timing of the claims is politically motivated.
Economy
Tether’s USDt stablecoin has reached a $160 billion market cap, serving over 400 million users, particularly in emerging markets, as a form of digital currency. Backed primarily by US Treasurys, Tether’s growth corresponds with rising stablecoin transaction volumes. Critics have raised concerns about the transparency of Tether’s reserves, calling for greater regulatory scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve is considering a potential shift in monetary policy, with discussions around Yield Curve Control reemerging as a method to manage long-term interest rates. Analysts indicate that a dovish Fed Chair and coordination with the Treasury could involve setting yields across the curve, which might reduce interest expenses by trillions while potentially affecting the dollar’s value.
Energy
The European Union has announced more sanctions package against Russia, targeting financial transactions with Russian banks, prohibiting the use of Nord Stream gas pipelines, and lowering the G7 price cap on Russian oil exports to $47.6 per barrel. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the measures as among the most significant to date, with the goal of reducing Moscow’s funding for the war, though the full impact depends on broader G7 coordination.
In the US, BP has sold its onshore wind business to LS Power as part of a $20 billion divestment plan to focus on oil and gas. The transaction, covering 1.7GW of capacity across seven states, aligns with BP’s strategic shift toward fossil fuels amid shareholder pressure and a 10% decline in share price over the past year. Environmental groups like Greenpeace have criticized BP’s move, arguing it undermines efforts to combat climate change.
Health
Vaccine safety concerns were highlighted during a Senate hearing titled “Voices of the Vaccine Injured,” where bipartisan lawmakers, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), raised questions about pharmaceutical liability protections under the 1986 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act. Testimonies from parents and advocates described severe injuries and deaths allegedly linked to vaccines, leading to calls for reforming the compensation system and considering restrictions on direct-to-consumer drug advertising.
In a separate statement, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary responded to criticism over COVID-19 vaccine approvals, acknowledging reported safety signals and personal awareness of injuries. He emphasized the importance of robust data and randomized trials to evaluate risks, especially for low-risk groups such as healthy children.
Sources
Bondi Responds to Trump, Set to Unseal Epstein Grand Jury Testimonies Amid Scandal
Bondi says the DOJ will move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts.
Trump Denies Writing Bawdy Birthday Letter to Epstein, Plans to Sue Wall Street Journal
President Trump denied he wrote the letter.
Yield Curve Control: Could the Fed Go All-In on Radical Monetary Policy?
If you are going to do something radical – why not go all the way?
Tether’s USDt Surges to $160B Market Cap, Solidifying ‘Digital Dollar’ Status
a testament to USDt’s growing role as the digital dollar for “billions of people living in emerging markets and developing countries.”
Source | Submitted by AaronMcKeon
Senate Hearing on Vaccine Injuries Sparks Bipartisan Concern Over Pharma Liability
“Maybe we ought to look at this system,” said Blumenthal, referring to the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, which established a government compensation program for people injured by vaccines while granting legal immunity to vaccine makers.
FDA Commissioner Pleads for Patience Amid COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Concerns
I would like people to be patient with us as we try to approach this methodologically, collecting the proper data.
EU’s 18th Sanctions Package Targets Russian Banks and Nord Stream, Slashes Oil Price Cap to $47.6
We’re cutting the Kremlin’s war budget further.
Source (Paywalled)
BP Sells US Onshore Wind Business to LS Power in Strategic Shift Back to Oil
“The onshore US wind business has great assets and fantastic people, but we have concluded we are no longer the best owners to take it forward.”
Source (Paywalled)
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Kash Patel, Crypto Critic, Public Health Official, Greenpeace.