US consumer prices rose 2.4% in the 12 months through January 2026, easing from 2.7% in December and undershooting economists' expectations. While the softer reading and modest monthly gains suggest some relief on inflation, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee signaled the central bank is not ready to cut interest rates until it sees more sustained progress. Traders largely expect the Federal Reserve to hold rates at its March 18, 2026, meeting, with future moves dependent on upcoming inflation and labor data.

Solana Company shares rose 14% to close at $2.21 as investors reacted to an institutional lending framework that unlocks liquidity from natively staked SOL. HSDT advanced from near $1.90 to about $2.35 before easing, with after-hours quotes at $2.34. The model links Anchorage Digital and Kamino to enable custody-based borrowing while preserving staking rewards.

On February 14, 2026, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said BRICS members are working on a dedicated exchange for precious metals alongside a grain market initiative. The plan emerges after gold prices surged above $5,600 in January, dropped toward $4,600 in early February, then moved back over $5,000 amid heightened volatility. BRICS officials also highlight broader efforts to reduce exposure to U.S. pressure through alternative platforms, digital systems, and greater use of national currencies.

In a Yahoo Finance interview, Patrick Witt said the administration aims to advance the CLARITY Act before the November midterms and flagged stablecoin yield as the main sticking point. He indicated another cross-industry meeting could happen next week, while Kalshi bettors price a 36% chance of passage by June and 22% by March.

After dropping to $60,000 on February 6, Bitcoin rebounded and is now trading just below $70,000 with a market capitalization of $1.390 trillion and dominance at 56.7%. Ethereum is back near $2,100, while Pi Network's PI token has climbed 8% on the day and 18% from its all-time low recorded three days earlier as the total crypto market cap reaches $2.455 trillion.

This guide presents 10 practical steps to open a demat account in India and start trading stocks, from choosing a registered depository participant to linking your bank. It explains required documents, online KYC, platform access, and basic order types. The approach emphasizes starting with small amounts and routine statement reviews.

On 14 February 2026, Trump Media & Technology Group's Truth Social Funds was reported to have filed for a Bitcoin/Ether ETF and a Cronos Yield Maximizer ETF. Earlier proposals from June and July 2025, including a spot Bitcoin ETF and a Crypto Blue Chip ETF, remain under SEC review after August 2025 delays.

US credit card balances rose by $44 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025 to $1.28 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Mortgage debt climbed $98 billion to $13.2 trillion over the same period. Goldman Sachs' chief US economist David Mericle says the figures underscore a housing affordability problem.