ECB Cuts Rates, Lagarde Rules Out Bitcoin in EU Reserves
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The European Central Bank cut interest rates as expected on Thursday and left the option for more easing open. It maintained that inflation in the euro zone is mostly under control, despite concerns about global trade.
ECB Cuts Rate To 2.75%
The European Central Bank made its fifth rate cut since June, lowering the deposit rate from 3.0% to 2.75%. Despite some signs of recovery in recent surveys, the euro zone economy remains weak, and inflation is still slightly above the ECB’s 2% target. This economic situation made the rate cut necessary to support growth and keep inflation under control. “The disinflation process is well on track,” noted the ECB.
The ECB noted that inflation is still high because wages and prices are adjusting slowly after the past inflation surge. However, wage growth is slowing down as anticipated, and company profits are helping to reduce the impact of inflation.
Policymakers Relieved
Besides, the policymakers were likely relieved after U.S. President Donald Trump’s new administration didn’t impose the feared blanket trade tariffs. However, his threats continue to cast a shadow over the economic outlook. Tariffs often weaken economic growth, and if countries respond with their own tariffs, it can drive up inflation. This could complicate the ECB’s plans to ease interest rates.
Recently, the US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced its first monetary policy decision of 2025 noting that it will keep interest rates steady at the 4.25% to 4.5% range, which was in line with expectations.
Bitcoin Won’t Enter EU Reserves
Besides, the European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said that she was confident that Bitcoin would not enter reserves in the European Union.
“There is a view around the table of the Governing Council and most likely the General Council as well that reserves have to be liquid, that reserves have to be secure, that they have to be safe, that they should not be plagued by the suspicion of money laundering or other criminal activities,” Lagarde noted.
As a result, she stated that she is confident Bitcoin will not be included in the reserves of any central bank within the General Council.
Czech Reublic Faces Concerns Over Bitcoin Reserve Proposal
The Czech Republic is also preparing to adopt a Bitcoin reserve, but Finance Minister Zbynek Stanjura has raised concerns about the country’s Bitcoin strategy. In response to Czech National Bank (CNB) Governor’s Bitcoin proposal, the Finance Minister voiced concerns about Bitcoin’s instability and volatility. He argued that Bitcoin is unsuitable as a national reserve due to its highly volatile nature and emphasized that the government cannot override the CNB’s decisions.
