The article discusses the evolving dynamics of the securities and exchanges industry, highlighting key trends such as increased trading volumes driven by market volatility, diversification into non-trading revenue streams like data and technology services, a rise in mergers and acquisitions, and growing investment in AI and blockchain technologies. It notes the industry's strong performance relative to broader market indices, with a positive earnings outlook and a top-10% Zacks Industry Rank. The article identifies five key companies—Nasdaq, S&P Global, Intercontinental Exchange, CME Group, and Cboe Global Markets—as notable players, each with specific financial performance metrics and strategic focuses. The industry is also influenced by regulatory changes, crypto adoption, and cybersecurity challenges, with the Trump administration's crypto favoritism cited as a potential catalyst.

The Nasdaq Composite declined 1.34% to 21,338.96 on Tuesday, driven by a sell-off in technology stocks including Nvidia, which dropped nearly 3% after reports of a new China-focused chip intensified U.S.-China tech tensions. Palantir plunged 7%, while Intel surged 6.97% following a $2 billion investment by SoftBank at $23 per share, boosting SoftBank to Intel’s top five shareholders. Home Depot rose over 3% after reaffirming its full-year sales growth outlook despite missing Q2 estimates. The S&P 500 fell 0.59%, with gains in Real Estate, Consumer Staples, and Health Care sectors. Viking Therapeutics crashed 43% after disappointing obesity pill trial results, while Medtronic slid 3.66% amid governance changes. Nexstar agreed to acquire Tegna for $6.2 billion, creating the largest U.S. local TV group with 265 stations across 44 states, with a projected $300 million in annual synergies and a 40% boost in free cash flow. Digital asset-linked equities saw sharp declines, with Coinbase, Robinhood, and Circle all falling. Tether appointed former White House crypto adviser Bo Hines as a U.S. strategist, reflecting Trump’s push to position the U.S. as 'crypto capital of the world'. Markets await the Jackson Hole Symposium, where Fed Chair Jerome Powell is expected to signal a September rate cut with 83% probability.

PNC Bank has partnered with Coinbase to launch a crypto trading service for its customers, allowing them to buy, sell, and manage digital assets through the bank's platform. The move aims to expand financial services offerings in the growing cryptocurrency market and provide greater accessibility to retail investors.

The article discusses concerns over U.S. Federal Reserve policy, particularly regarding interest rate decisions and their impact on housing and the broader economy. President Trump criticizes Fed Chair Jerome Powell for delaying rate cuts, arguing that inflation is under control and mortgage rates are too high. James Fishback of Azoria and investor Ted Pillows express similar views, citing expectations of significant rate cuts—potentially up to 100 basis points—due to low inflation and rising global liquidity. Market sentiment in crypto is bearish, with Bitcoin and Ethereum declining, though some analysts believe a rally could occur in Q4 as rate cuts materialize. The upcoming Fed Chair Powell speech at Jackson Hole and the release of FOMC minutes are expected to influence market direction.

SoFi Technologies has announced it will become the first US bank to integrate the Bitcoin Lightning Network and Universal Money Address (UMA) through a partnership with Lightspark. The service, targeting the global remittance market valued at $740.5 billion in 2024, will launch later in 2025, beginning in Mexico. Users will convert US dollars to Bitcoin in real time, transfer funds via the Lightning Network, and receive payments directly in their local currency through their national bank accounts. The service will operate 24/7 for SoFi’s 11.7 million members and offer transaction costs below the national average, with exchange rates and fees displayed before confirmation. The move follows Coinbase’s adoption of Lightspark’s infrastructure in April 2024, where 15% of Bitcoin transactions were processed via Lightning within 12 months. Nubank, which partnered with Lightspark in June 2024, has not confirmed a launch date for its Bitcoin payments, allowing SoFi to claim the first-mover position in US banking for this service.