Global Stocks Near Records as BlackRock Enters DeFi - Real Vision Daily Briefing Recap

Podcast: Real Vision Daily Briefing

Published: 2026-02-12

Duration: 5 minutes

Summary

Global markets are buoyed by strong U.S. job numbers, boosting investor confidence and pushing indices to record highs. Meanwhile, BlackRock's entry into decentralized finance signals institutional interest in digital assets.

What Happened

The discussion starts with the strong U.S. non-farm payrolls report, which showed 130,000 jobs added in January and an unexpected drop in unemployment to 4.3%. This data has shifted investor focus to the resilience of the U.S. economy, reducing the likelihood of aggressive Federal Reserve rate cuts and pushing the MSCI All-World Index to near-record highs.

South Korea's Kospi index has also reached a new milestone by crossing 5,500 points for the first time, reflecting a global trend of stock market growth driven by positive economic indicators. In the U.K., however, the economy showed tepid growth with GDP expanding by only 0.1% in the fourth quarter and a surprising decline in industrial production.

Attention is now on upcoming U.S. initial jobless claims and CPI data, which could influence the Federal Reserve's decision-making process for the June meeting. Despite the strong job numbers, CME FedWatch indicates a 40% probability for a rate hold, suggesting market uncertainty about future monetary policy.

In the realm of digital assets, BlackRock's deepening involvement in decentralized finance is a standout development. The firm has introduced its Treasury-backed BUIDL token to Uniswap through a partnership with Securitize, although access is limited to approved institutional investors.

The crypto market remains stable despite some disruptions, such as Blockfills halting withdrawals. Meanwhile, Kraken has replaced its CFO ahead of its anticipated public listing, signaling potential strategic shifts within the company.

In other news, the acquisition of U.K. asset manager Schroders by Nuveen for $13.5 billion has caused shares to surge, highlighting continued consolidation in the asset management industry. Additionally, trade talks between the U.S. and China are ongoing, with a possible extension of the trade truce as President Trump plans a visit to Beijing in April.

Key Insights

• The U.S. economy added 130,000 jobs in January, dropping unemployment to 4.3%? This unexpected strength has investors buzzing, as it cools the odds of big Federal Reserve rate cuts and pushes global stock indices like the MSCI All-World to near-record highs.
• South Korea's Kospi index just broke the 5,500-point barrier for the first time, riding a wave of global stock growth. Meanwhile, the U.K. is lagging with just 0.1% GDP growth and falling industrial production, showing not all economies are in sync.
• Despite a robust jobs report, there's still a 40% chance the Fed will hold rates steady in June, according to CME FedWatch. With the upcoming U.S. jobless claims and CPI data, market uncertainty is keeping investors on their toes.
• BlackRock is diving into DeFi with its new Treasury-backed BUIDL token on Uniswap, but it's only for approved institutional players. While the crypto world stays calm, Kraken's CFO change hints at strategic shifts as it eyes a public debut.