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Inflation In Greece Increases To 3.1% In January, While Eurozone Sees 2.5% Rise Amid Energy Pressures

Inflationary pressures in the Eurozone showed a slight acceleration in January, with Greece seeing a more noticeable increase. According to preliminary data from Eurostat, Greece’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 3.1% year-on-year in January, up from 2.9% in December. Monthly, however, prices in Greece decreased by 0.7%.

Across the entire Eurozone, inflation edged up marginally to 2.5% annually, from 2.4% in December (following a 2.2% rise in November). This slight uptick came despite analysts predicting inflation would remain stable at 2.4%. Every month, the index dropped by 0.3%.

When excluding volatile food and energy prices, the underlying inflation rate in the Eurozone remained steady at 2.7% year-on-year. However, when comparing January to December, structural inflation showed a significant monthly decline of 1%.

Looking at individual components, inflation in services decreased slightly to 3.9% in January from 4%, while inflation in food, alcohol, and tobacco slowed more noticeably, falling to 2.3% from 2.6%. The price rise for non-energy goods remained steady at 0.5% annually.

Energy prices were the largest contributor to increased inflation, showing a sharp rise of 1.8% annually compared to just 0.1% in December. Monthly, energy prices rose by 2.9%.

Circle Stock Rallies After Senate Endorses Stablecoin Legislation

Shares of Circle surged on Friday, echoing the optimism sparked by the Senate’s approval of the GENIUS Act—a legislative measure aiming to set a robust regulatory framework for stablecoins. This unprecedented boost, following a 33% spike earlier in the week on Senate approval news, has generated significant investor enthusiasm across the market.

Market Reaction and Regulatory Momentum

Following the landmark Senate vote, Circle’s stock experienced an additional 14% gain. Now headed to the House of Representatives, the Act has ignited interest not only among crypto enthusiasts but also among traditional financial institutions. This regulatory clarity is expected to upgrade dollar payment rails and enhance liquidity, providing a springboard for adopting innovative financial technologies.

Coinbase and the Broader Crypto Ecosystem

Coinbase, another significant market player, saw its shares rise by 3%. The exchange benefits from a dual revenue stream derived from Circle’s USDC reserves, underscoring the growing interdependence between major crypto platforms. Coinbase’s model, which earns full interest on USDC held on its own platform, illustrates the evolving interplay between traditional finance and digital currency innovations.

Stablecoin Surge and Future Opportunities

Stablecoins, once primarily used as bridge currencies for traders, are emerging as key elements in major financial reforms. With giants like Amazon, Walmart, Uber, Apple, and Airbnb exploring stablecoin integration, the technology holds potential to deliver faster, cost-effective payment solutions on a global scale. The GENIUS Act, in particular, is positioned to bolster consumer protections while providing a transparent pathway for traditional finance to transition onto public blockchains.

Investors Take Notice

Analysts note that the GENIUS Act could significantly enhance settlement speeds, transparency and the overall demand for U.S. debt by aligning regulatory oversight with market innovation. As Circle’s shares are on track to finish the week with a remarkable 58% gain—and an astounding 500% increase since its IPO—the market is closely watching how these regulatory advances might drive broader adoption across crypto and decentralized finance sectors.

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