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Polymarket partners with Chainalysis to deploy on-chain surveillance targeting insider trading and manipulation as volumes hit $7B monthly and regulation intensifies.<\/p>\n
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The\u00a0European Central Bank\u00a0maintained interest rates unchanged at its April 30 meeting, but ECB President Christine Lagarde\u2019s press conference remarks indicated a June rate hike has moved closer to reality, according to ING analyst Carsten Brzeski. Lagarde stressed that risks on both growth and inflation are intensifying, though the decision to keep rates steady was unanimous.<\/a><\/p>\n Brzeski noted the ECB has introduced a clear inclination towards rate hikes within its wait-and-see stance. Markets currently price approximately 50 basis points of tightening by year-end, with between 20 and 40 basis points anticipated by June.<\/a><\/p>\n The\u00a0ECB\u00a0baseline projections see headline inflation averaging 2.6% in 2026, 2.0% in 2027 and 2.1% in 2028, revised higher from December primarily due to energy price pressures from the Iran war. Core inflation is projected at 2.3% in 2026, moderating to 2.2% in 2027 and 2.1% in 2028.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lagarde warned that \u201cthe war in the Middle East has made the outlook significantly more uncertain, creating upside risks for inflation and downside risks for economic growth\u201d. The ECB president told the IMF\u2019s International Monetary and Financial Committee that the conflict \u201cwill have a material impact on near-term inflation through higher energy prices\u201d.<\/a><\/p>\n ECB staff projections included adverse scenarios showing headline\u00a0inflation\u00a0potentially reaching 3.5% or even 4.4% in 2026 if energy supply disruptions persist. The deposit facility rate remains at 2.00%, with main refinancing operations at 2.15% and marginal lending facility at 2.40%.<\/p>\nInflation Risks Tilt Upward<\/h2>\n