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U.S. stock futures edged higher after a surprisingly strong jobs report reignited debate over the Federal Reserve’s next moves on interest rates. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all posted early gains, signaling renewed confidence following a volatile stretch in the markets. The robust labor data underscored the economy’s resilience, but it also complicated expectations for near‑term rate cuts. A hotter‑than‑expected job market can give the Fed reason to keep borrowing costs elevated longer than investors had hoped. As a result, traders are now watching upcoming inflation readings and corporate earnings for clearer direction. Tech shares continued to draw attention, with some companies facing pressure from margin concerns even as enthusiasm around artificial intelligence remains strong. Market participants are preparing for additional economic data later in the week that could further shape the outlook for monetary policy and equity performa...

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How the Bank of Canada envisions a digital dollar



The Bank of Canada has revealed some details about its potential digital currency, which would be a digital version of the Canadian dollar. The central bank has been researching the idea of a digital currency for several years, but has not yet decided whether to launch one.

According to a presentation by the bank’s deputy governor Timothy Lane, the digital currency would not pay interest or require identification from users. This would make it different from bank deposits, which pay interest and require verification, and cash, which does not pay interest but is anonymous.

The bank says that a digital currency would have several benefits, such as improving financial inclusion, reducing the use of cash, and enhancing the resilience and efficiency of the payment system. It would also give the bank more control over the money supply and potentially enable new monetary policy tools.

However, there are also challenges and risks associated with a digital currency, such as privacy and security issues, legal and regulatory implications, and the impact on the banking sector and the economy. The bank says that it is consulting with various stakeholders, including the public, to assess the pros and cons of a digital currency.

The bank has not yet announced a timeline for launching a digital currency, but says that it will be ready to do so if the need arises. The bank says that it will continue to monitor the developments of other central banks and private sector initiatives, such as cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, that could affect the demand for a digital currency.

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