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Bitcoin (COIN:BTCUSD) showed little movement on Thursday, trading within a narrow range as ongoing concerns about potential U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict kept investors cautious.

Market sentiment was further subdued by cautious remarks from the Federal Reserve, which opted to maintain interest rates without signaling any imminent rate cuts. The Fed also lowered its expectations for rate reductions in 2026, reinforcing a more hawkish stance.

By 01:27 ET, Bitcoin had dipped slightly by 0.3% to $105,124.1, continuing to fluctuate within a band of roughly $103,000 to $108,000 over the past week—largely shaped by renewed tensions in the Middle East.

A Bloomberg report on Thursday revealed that U.S. officials are preparing for the possibility of military action against Iran in the near future, though no final decision has been made. This news triggered risk-off moves across global markets, including losses in cryptocurrency.

Former President Donald Trump’s comments on the situation offered little clarity about potential U.S. military involvement. Meanwhile, Iran has consistently warned against direct U.S. engagement.

Trump Praises Stablecoin Legislation, Urges Swift Passage

Trump expressed support for the recent Senate approval of the GENIUS Act, legislation designed to regulate stablecoins. He urged the House of Representatives to approve the bill quickly and without amendments.

“The House will hopefully move LIGHTNING FAST, and pass a ‘clean’ GENIUS Act. Get it to my desk, ASAP,” Trump wrote on social media.

Although the bill’s progress boosted some crypto stocks, notably Circle Internet Group Inc (NYSE:CRCL), it did not significantly lift overall market confidence. Circle’s USDC and Tether’s USDT remain the leading stablecoins, vital for many crypto transactions.

Altcoins Drift Lower Amid Fed Caution

Other cryptocurrencies followed Bitcoin’s downward drift, pressured by the Fed’s cautious outlook. The central bank held rates steady at 4.25%–4.5%, with Chair Jerome Powell emphasizing a data-driven approach to any future monetary easing.

Powell reaffirmed the possibility of two rate cuts in 2025 but trimmed the expected reductions in 2026—a move seen as relatively hawkish. He also cautioned that Trump’s proposed tariffs could increase inflation pressures, reducing the likelihood of rate cuts.

Risk assets broadly retreated after these comments, dragging crypto prices down as well.

Ethereum, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency, fell 0.5% to $2,525.37, while XRP held steady near $2.17. Cardano and Solana both declined by over 2.5%. Meme coins like Dogecoin slipped 0.3%, and $TRUMP token lost 1.3%.

A group of Democratic lawmakers from Texas has formally requested that Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) delay the planned rollout of its robotaxi service in Austin. The lawmakers’ letter, sent Wednesday, asks Tesla to hold off on the launch until September, when updated autonomous vehicle regulations come into force.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk had tentatively set the unveiling for this Sunday, but the lawmakers emphasized that postponing the launch would better ensure public safety and help foster trust in Tesla’s autonomous driving operations.

They argue that aligning the launch with the new legal framework will serve the community’s interests and support responsible deployment of self-driving technology.

Litigation Capital Management (LCM) (LSE:LIT) has disclosed a recent High Court ruling against one of its funded clients in a commercial litigation case, resulting in a £5.0 million investment write-down. The company is currently assessing the judgment and exploring possible responses. Alongside this, LCM provided a trading update revealing modest cash realisations during the second half of the fiscal year and a notable rise in net debt to A$73 million.

Due to ongoing uncertainty in the US litigation finance environment and related political factors, LCM has decided to suspend active marketing efforts for its Fund III, with plans to recommence fundraising activities in late 2025 or early 2026. Despite the recent trial loss, LCM remains confident in the underlying strength of the dispute finance market and its distinctive business model.

Financially, LCM faces headwinds from declining revenues that have affected growth projections. Technical indicators reflect bearish momentum, while valuation concerns persist, highlighted by a negative price-to-earnings ratio, even though the company offers a reasonable dividend yield. The recent legal setback weighs on market sentiment but does not significantly impact the overall portfolio’s performance.

About Litigation Capital Management

Litigation Capital Management (LCM) is an alternative asset manager specializing in global dispute finance. The firm operates through two main channels: direct investments from its permanent capital and third-party fund management. Its investment approach includes single-case funding, portfolio funding, and acquiring legal claims. Revenue streams come from direct investment returns and asset management performance fees. Headquartered in Sydney, LCM also maintains offices in London, Singapore, and Brisbane, and trades on AIM under the ticker LIT.

Kenmare Resources (LSE:KMR) has officially ended negotiations with a consortium led by Oryx Global Partners concerning a possible takeover. The company’s board declined the consortium’s revised offer, citing that it undervalued Kenmare’s business and future potential. Instead, Kenmare is concentrating on its independent growth strategy, advancing key initiatives such as the upgrade of the Wet Concentrator Plant A and ongoing talks with the Mozambique government to extend the Implementation Agreement, which aim to ensure sustained production and cash flow over the long term.

Kenmare’s outlook presents a mix of positive corporate developments and valuation strengths, tempered by some financial performance challenges. The company benefits from a solid equity base and an appealing dividend yield, but improving tightening margins and cash flow remains essential to drive future growth. Technical indicators suggest a stable outlook with the possibility for positive momentum ahead.

About Kenmare Resources

Kenmare Resources plc is a prominent global producer of titanium minerals and zircon, operating the Moma Titanium Minerals Mine located in northern Mozambique. The company specializes in extracting titanium minerals critical for numerous industrial uses and holds a strong market position thanks to its extensive mineral deposits and cost-efficient production capabilities.

Revolution Beauty Group Plc (LSE:REVB) has confirmed that Frasers Group plc has pulled out of the formal sale process and will not be submitting an offer. Despite this setback, Revolution Beauty continues to engage with other interested parties and is actively pursuing potential bids. The company is also in discussions with shareholders regarding an equity fundraising initiative, underlining its ongoing efforts to bolster its financial footing.

While Revolution Beauty’s outlook benefits from signs of improving profitability and cash flow, challenges remain due to elevated financial leverage and a fragile equity structure. Technical analysis points to moderate short-term strength, but valuation concerns around overpricing persist. Navigating this balance between growth opportunities and financial risk will be key moving forward.

About Revolution Beauty Group Plc

Revolution Beauty Group Plc operates within the cosmetics sector, offering a broad range of innovative and affordable beauty products. The company prides itself on inclusivity and accessibility, catering to a diverse customer base with its dynamic portfolio.

Hays plc (LSE:HAS) expects to report a pre-exceptional operating profit near £45 million for fiscal year 2025, reflecting ongoing headwinds in the permanent recruitment sector. The company saw a 9% drop in group net fees year-over-year during Q4, with steep declines in both permanent and temporary hiring activities. Regional results were mixed: while Germany and the UK experienced notable setbacks, North America showed signs of growth.

Despite these difficulties, Hays is focused on executing strategic plans aimed at boosting net fee productivity and streamlining back-office operations. These initiatives are designed to position the company for profit recovery once market conditions stabilize.

Hays faces considerable challenges, including weakening financial metrics and a negative valuation outlook due to unprofitable segments. Market sentiment remains cautious to bearish according to technical indicators, impacting overall confidence. Still, the company’s internal share buybacks and strategic efforts suggest some optimism for a turnaround.

About Hays plc

Hays plc is a global recruitment firm offering workforce solutions across multiple sectors. The company specializes in both permanent and temporary staffing services, serving clients worldwide.

NCC Group plc (LSE:NCC) announced a marked rise in pre-tax profits for the first half of 2025, largely driven by the sale of its Fox Crypto unit, which helped the company eliminate its net debt position. The Cyber Security division is refocusing its efforts on cultivating strategic client partnerships, even as revenues decline from high-volume, lower-margin contracts.

The firm is also considering divesting its Escode business, which has demonstrated steady revenue growth. Proceeds from a potential sale could be returned to shareholders or reinvested to strengthen the Cyber Security segment. These results underscore NCC Group’s shift towards operational efficiency and strategic repositioning, setting the stage for future growth and targeted acquisitions.

Positive technical indicators and recent corporate developments reflect growing investor confidence in the company’s leadership and strategy. However, financial challenges such as a negative price-to-earnings ratio suggest areas for improvement remain.

About NCC Group

NCC Group plc is a global leader in cyber security and software escrow services, employing around 2,200 professionals across Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific. The company delivers cyber resilience solutions to a diverse client base spanning public and private sectors, focusing on sustainable approaches to today’s evolving cyber threats.

Harvest Minerals Limited (LSE:HMI) is ramping up its rare earth element (REE) exploration at the Arapuá Project in Brazil, following encouraging technical results. Recent findings revealed notable total rare earth oxide (TREO) levels and elevated titanium concentrations, underscoring the project’s potential.

To fast-track progress, the company is partnering with PVW Resources for specialized technical support. The next exploration phase is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2025, reflecting Harvest’s broader strategy to solidify its role within the mining and resource development sector.

About Harvest Minerals

Harvest Minerals Limited is an AIM-listed company focused on the production of natural fertilizers and the exploration of mineral resources. Operating primarily in Brazil, the company’s key interests include the Arapuá Project, where it is developing rare earth element prospects alongside its established fertilizer operations.

Afentra plc (LSE:AET) has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase additional stakes in Angola’s offshore Blocks 3/05 and 3/05A from Etu Energias. The deal is a strategic step in Afentra’s plan to grow its portfolio of high-margin, long-life energy assets. Valued at an initial $23 million, the transaction includes performance-linked contingent payments tied to oil price benchmarks and production milestones.

This acquisition is expected to deepen Afentra’s relationships within its existing joint ventures and bolster its footprint in Angola’s oil and gas sector. The move underlines the company’s commitment to generating sustainable, long-term returns for shareholders through targeted asset growth.

About Afentra

Afentra plc is an Africa-focused oil and gas exploration and production company. Its mission is to facilitate a responsible energy transition on the continent by acquiring legacy assets from major international oil firms and working collaboratively with local governments. Afentra holds a mix of non-operated offshore and onshore interests in Angola and maintains a carried interest in the Odewayne Block in Somaliland.

Schroders Capital Global Innovation Trust plc (LSE:INOV) has announced plans to return up to £37 million to shareholders via a new tender offer, aligning with its broader strategy of a structured wind-down. The initiative follows the successful monetization of select investments and is part of the trust’s commitment to distribute proceeds to shareholders through a series of staged buybacks.

The price per share for the tender offer will be determined based on the company’s net asset value at the time of execution. Completion of the offer remains contingent on shareholder approval and is anticipated to conclude by the end of July 2025.

About Schroders Capital Global Innovation Trust

Schroders Capital Global Innovation Trust plc is an investment company focused on backing cutting-edge, high-growth enterprises. As part of its managed wind-down process, the trust is working to systematically divest its holdings and return value to shareholders. The strategy reflects a measured approach to portfolio realization, aimed at maximizing returns during the liquidation phase.