Macro Mondays: September 15, 2025
Macro Mondays: September 15, 2025
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Note: AI-generated summary based on third-party content. Not financial advice. Read more.
Quick Insights

The upcoming Fed decision presents a potential buying opportunity, as dovish guidance on future rate cuts could fuel the current stock market rally. The AI investment theme still has room to grow, so consider looking beyond NVIDIA for opportunities in the sub-layers of the data center build-out. A key macro trade is positioning for a weaker US Dollar, particularly against major currencies like the Euro and Japanese Yen. This anticipated weakness in the US Dollar could be the primary catalyst for the next major rally in Bitcoin and Ethereum. For a longer-term theme, invest in raw materials and companies central to localized supply chains to benefit from geopolitical fracturing.

Detailed Analysis

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Sector

  • The discussion centered on whether the AI theme is reaching a peak, especially with magazines like The Economist featuring it on their cover.
  • The sentiment is bullish, with the speaker arguing it's "too early to call the top" on the AI investment thesis.
  • The primary reason for this bullishness is the lack of positioning from large professional investors. Data shows that leveraged players like hedge funds are still net short on some equity indices and have not fully bought into the AI rally. This suggests the "most hated rally" has more room to run.
  • The current AI investment is a "data center capex cycle," where capital is flowing into building the necessary infrastructure.
  • The next phase of the cycle is expected to be a "forced CapEx cycle" where other industries (manufacturing, farming, etc.) will have to invest in AI and automation to keep up, especially in a world with trade tariffs.
  • While NVIDIA is mentioned as a top-level AI play, the speaker suggests there is value in looking at the "sublayer of AI trades below NVIDIA."

Takeaways

  • Despite mainstream media attention, the AI rally may not be over. The fact that many professional investors are still skeptical or under-invested could mean there is more capital waiting to enter the market.
  • Investors could consider looking beyond the mega-cap names like NVIDIA to find opportunities in second-tier AI companies that support the broader ecosystem.
  • The long-term investment thesis is not just about the current data center boom but the eventual, broader adoption of AI across the entire economy, which will require massive investment in the coming years.

US Dollar (USD)

  • The speaker holds a bearish view on the US Dollar, believing the "next leg is going to be much weaker."
  • A key point is that the current negative sentiment on the dollar is mostly positioned against Emerging Market currencies (EMFX).
  • There is not a significant bet against the dollar versus other major G10 currencies like the Euro (EUR), Japanese Yen (JPY), or British Pound (GBP). This is because these regions have faced their own unique economic or political issues.
  • A catalyst for dollar weakness against G10 currencies would be a "pretty uniform upswing globally" in economic growth. When the US, Europe, and Asia all grow together, the dollar typically weakens against other developed currencies.
  • This potential dollar weakness is seen as a key missing ingredient for a rally in "debasement related" assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Takeaways

  • The trade to watch may be a weakening US Dollar against other major world currencies (EUR, JPY, GBP), not just emerging market currencies.
  • If global economic data starts to show synchronized growth across major regions, it could signal the start of a new downtrend for the dollar.
  • A weaker dollar is historically bullish for assets priced in dollars, including commodities and cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin (BTC) & Ethereum (ETH)

  • Bitcoin and Ethereum were mentioned as assets that could benefit from a weaker US Dollar, specifically if the dollar weakens against other G10 currencies.
  • A chart from Jamie Coutts was highlighted, showing that on-chain transaction volume (a measure of activity on cryptocurrency networks) is growing rapidly and could exceed the volume of traditional payment giants like Visa and MasterCard as early as 2026.
  • This chart was described as an "eye-opening" indicator of a "tectonic shift" in how the traditional financial system interacts with crypto, suggesting growing real-world adoption and utility.
  • The transcript also included a sponsorship mention of Bitwise, a crypto asset manager that donates a portion of its profits from its Bitcoin and Ethereum funds to core developers, signaling a pro-ecosystem stance.

Takeaways

  • The next major rally for Bitcoin and Ethereum could be linked to a weakening of the US Dollar against other major currencies.
  • Underlying adoption of crypto networks for transactions is growing significantly, which strengthens the long-term fundamental case for the asset class, independent of short-term price movements.
  • Investors looking for exposure might consider fund providers like Bitwise that are actively supporting the health and development of the underlying crypto networks.

US Stock Market & The Federal Reserve

  • The general market sentiment is bullish, with the speaker noting that September, a historically weak month for stocks, has been "pretty solid so far."
  • The current rally is described as the "most hated rally that we've seen in years," implying that widespread skepticism among professional investors could provide fuel for further gains as they are forced to buy in.
  • The upcoming Fed decision is seen as a potential "incredible buying opportunity."
  • The market is pricing in a 90% chance of a 25 basis point (0.25%) rate cut. While some economists are forecasting no cut, the speaker believes a cut is highly likely.
  • The key for the market's reaction is not the cut itself, but the Fed's guidance on future cuts. If the Fed signals that more cuts are coming, the market is expected to "do just fine."

Takeaways

  • The prevailing negative sentiment and investor reluctance could be a contrarian indicator, suggesting the market has room to move higher.
  • The upcoming Fed meeting is a pivotal event. A 0.25% rate cut is already expected and priced in.
  • Pay close attention to the Fed's language about future policy. A clear signal that they intend to continue cutting rates would likely be very positive for the stock market. Any hesitation or suggestion that this is a "one-and-done" cut could be negative.

Global Supply Chains & Raw Materials

  • The speaker believes there is "value left in the factoring that's within the global supply chains."
  • This investment theme is based on the ongoing geopolitical fracturing and trade tensions (e.g., potential escalation with Russia, US-China relations).
  • This environment is not favorable for highly globalized supply chains, making investments related to inputs of raw materials and localized production more attractive.

Takeaways

  • Consider investments in companies that are critical to domestic or regional supply chains, particularly those involved in raw materials.
  • This theme is a way to invest in the "reshoring" or "friend-shoring" trend, which could see continued momentum due to persistent geopolitical uncertainty.
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Video Description
Andreas Steno, founder and CEO of Steno Research, is back with his co-host Mikkel Rosenvold, partner and head of geopolitics for Steno Research, to break down the latest news moving markets as we await the FOMC rate decision later this week. 🔥 *FINAL HOURS: Get 50% OFF Real Vision Connect* https://rvtv.io/3UenXVY 📣 This episode is brought to you by Bitwise Asset Management*. Bitwise has been all-in on crypto since 2017 and has more than 20 crypto-based products to help investors get the necessary access. Bitwise manages the world’s largest crypto index fund, one of the top Bitcoin ETFs, and one of the largest institutional Ethereum staking solutions. Bitwise has over $10 billion in assets under management and over 100 people in the US and Europe to help manage everything from ETFs to private alpha strategies to SMAs for large investors. 👉 Check out Bitwise at https://bitwiseinvestments.com and let them know that Real Vision mentioned them*. Carefully consider the extreme risks associated with crypto before investing 📣 Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 280 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means. 👉 Learn more at https://realvision.com/binance Elevate your brand with Real Vision. Connect with us at partnerships@realvision.com to explore advertising possibilities. Music license ID: WJ6TRPVHFD About Real Vision™: We arm you with the knowledge, tools, and network to succeed on your financial journey. Connect with Real Vision™ Online: Website: https://www.realvision.com/join Twitter: https://rvtv.io/twitter Instagram: https://rvtv.io/instagram Linkedin: https://rvtv.io/linkedin Disclaimer: https://media.realvision.com/wp/20231004185303/Disclaimer-1.pdf #macro #trump #dollar #bitcointrends #trumppolicies #macromondays #usd #dxy #nasdaq #dow #china #macrotrends #ratecuts #inflation #trumptariffs #trump #crypto #fed #powell #rates #economy #markets #bullish #bearish #etf #ethetf #btcetf #congress #uselections #stablecoins #usdt #usdc #inflation #steno #memes #stocks #equities #unemployment #raoulpal #realvision #fed #sec #ai #conflict #tradewar #job #jobsreport
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