Mortgage applications in the United States increased by 4.7% on October 3rd, improving from a previous decline of 12.7%. This suggests that more people are applying for mortgages. Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s meeting on September 16-17 will be released soon. Many are keen to know about the 25 basis points rate cut decision. This comes at a time when the federal government is in a shutdown that began on October 1 due to a budget disagreement.

Solana’s Price Increases

On Wednesday, Solana’s price rose above $220, showing signs of a positive trend. This aligns with a recovery phase in the wider cryptocurrency market after a recent slump. FXStreet and the author want to clarify that they are not registered investment advisors. This article does not provide investment advice. There’s a sense of déjà vu in today’s mortgage numbers. Comparing with a jump from -12.7% to -4.7% in mortgage applications in October 2013, we see a similar market seeking stability. Today, on October 8, 2025, new MBA data shows applications have risen by 1.2% as the 30-year fixed rate briefly fell below 6.0%. This could mean the housing market is stabilizing after years of fluctuations. Traders may consider selling put options on major homebuilder ETFs, betting that the worst of the housing downturn may be over.

Attention on Federal Reserve Minutes

Back then, the focus on Fed minutes after a simple rate cut felt simple. Now, in late 2025, we’re carefully analyzing each word for hints about the Fed’s next moves. The federal funds rate has been steady at 4.75% for the last three quarters, and recent core PCE inflation data for August 2025 remains at 2.9%, just above the target. Uncertainty reigns, so traders are leaning into strategies that account for volatility ahead of the next Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. Using strangles on interest rate-sensitive assets like Treasury bond futures could be a smart move. Political uncertainty continues to be a major concern. The government shutdown of 2013 reminds us how quickly markets can shift. Now, we face another legislative standstill with tricky negotiations about the national debt ceiling before a December deadline. The VIX is trading at a relatively low 14.5, presenting a potential opportunity for traders to buy call options as protection against possible spikes in volatility with rising political tensions. The focus of speculation has shifted from assets like Solana to emerging market areas. While the 2025 crypto market is more developed, the real energy is now in the artificial intelligence hardware sector. Companies making next-generation processing units have seen an increase in implied volatility in their options chains of over 80% in the past month. This indicates traders are preparing for big price changes, and using call spreads could be an effective way to participate in potential gains while controlling premium costs. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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