Trump Backs Crypto; CFTC Moves Toward Hash-Rate Derivatives

Aug. 20 — Key headlines to watch ahead of Thursday's U.S. premarket session: 1) President Trump told technology and innovation leaders at a White House meeting that the "war" on cryptocurrencies is "completely over," said the U.S. is leading industry development, and urged Congress to pass a "fair" version of the Clarity Act. 2) U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs reported net inflows of $454.8 million on Wednesday. Spot Ethereum ETFs took in a net $186.8 million. 3) OpenAI's chief financial officer said the company aims to go public before 2027. 4) Goldman Sachs said markets continue to price September rate-hike risk with a hawkish tilt, adding that shifting rate expectations remain a key source of pressure on U.S. equities. 5) The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is soliciting public feedback on the potential launch of hash-rate derivatives contracts. 6) The CFTC chair said the agency is working to bring Hyperliquid into the U.S. market through a compliant pathway.