Crypto and Forex News Roundup 18/09/2019

Cryptocurrency markets on the rise but Bitcoin stays put

Most of the major cryptocurrencies saw considerable rises over the past 24 hours although Bitcoin remained mired in the $10,100-10,200 mark. Ethereum made big gains where it rose by no less than 10% to the $213 level. Ripple was the biggest gainer of the day with a considerable 27% rise to well over the $30 mark – a level not seen since July. Stellar Lumens was another big gainer where it rose by a considerable 20% to retake the $0.07 level. Other coins which gained considerably include LTC, ADA, BCHABC, DASH and LINK.

Former IMF Head now ECB Governor

The former managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, has just been elected as the new president of the European Central Bank. Although the vote was quite clear, it remains to be seen what Lagarde can do to influence financial policy, in particular on cryptocurrency.

At first glance, Lagarde might seem more open-minded to disruption of the banking sector than many in similar positions. However, is she really in favour of Bitcoin and other decentralised cryptocurrencies?

The former IMF managing director will replace the outgoing Mario Draghi.

Israeli elections end in deadlock

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle east are set to continue as the results of the Israeli election continue to trickle in. Binyamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party appears to be in a deadlock with Benny Gantz’s centrist Blue and White coalition. Latest vote counts show that Gantz’s coalition is actually ahead of Likud with Netanyahu’s hopes of forming a government appearing ever more distant.

Arab-Israelis, angered by Netanyahu’s constant demonisation, voted more than a dozen lawmakers into the Knesset. On the other side of the political spectrum, secular rightwing Israelis questioned the bonds between a confident Zionism and Judaism. At the same time, the deeply devout ultraorthodox, perhaps the wiliest of political operators, found themselves pushed aside by a secular, rabble-rousing Russian migrant, Avigdor Lieberman.