Interest Rates
Banco de la República hikes interest rate to 10.25% amid inflation surge and minimum wage controversy
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Colombia's Banco de la República raised its intervention rate by 100 basis points to 10.25%—the highest in over a year—in its first 2026 board meeting, citing persistent inflation above 5% for nearly six months and unanchored expectations from a 23.8% minimum wage hike decreed by President Petro's government. The decision, with a split 4-2-1 vote, drew market surprise and government criticism over economic contraction risks.
The South African Reserve Bank kept its repo rate unchanged at 6.75% on Thursday, citing the ongoing Iran war and rising oil prices. Governor Lesetja Kganyago said inflation remains on target but could accelerate if the conflict persists. The bank warned of potential rate hikes later this year.
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Colombia's Superintendencia Financiera reported that the usury rate for March stands at 25.52% effective annual rate, up 0.29 percentage points from February's 25.23%. This increase mirrors market interest rate adjustments. Institutions like Coltefinanciera and Banco Unión have rates closest to the cap.
The Board of Directors of the Banco de la República voted by majority to keep the policy interest rate at 9.25% in its final meeting of the year, amid ongoing inflationary pressures above 5%. Two members, including Finance Minister Germán Ávila, favored a 50 basis point cut. Inflation eased slightly to 5.3% in November, but future expectations rose.
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Bitcoin's price climbed to $88,000 following the Bank of Japan's interest rate increase to its highest level in 30 years. Despite expectations of a risk-off move, the hike did not trigger a flight to the yen, with futures traders instead piling into leveraged long positions. Ether outperformed bitcoin amid broader altcoin weakness.
The Bank of Japan’s quarterly tankan survey showed large manufacturers’ business sentiment index rising to 15 in December from 14 in September, marking a four-year high since December 2021. This improvement reinforces market expectations for a rate hike by the central bank. Nonmanufacturers’ index held steady at 34.
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Following yesterday's wild swings after the Federal Reserve's rate cut, Bitcoin fell below $90,000 for the first time in two days amid demand concerns for risky assets. Stocks rallied in contrast on Thursday.
Macro factors to shape Bitcoin's next price move
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