- The Nasdaq closed 0.57% lower at 15,287 on Wednesday.
- Coinbase tumbled on US SEC intention to sue over Coinbase Lend Program.
- Carnival Cruises tanked on new CDC COVID-19 testing recommendations.
The US markets closed lower on Wednesday as investors assess the recent rise in COVID-19 delta cases across the country alongside a weaker than expected jobs report on Friday.
The Dow Jones fell 0% to finish the trading day down 69 points to close at 35,031 points .
The tech heavy NASDAQ fell 0.57% to finish the trading day down 88 points to close at 15,287 points
One bitcoin is worth US$46,074 going into the Asian trading day.
The Australian dollar is firm against the major currencies and is buying 73.63 US cents.
Coinbase shares fell on Wednesday after the cryptocurrency exchange platform said the US Securities and Exchange Commission intends to sue Coinbase over its Lend program which has been announced but is yet to launch. The program is intended to pay customers a 4% interest rate on their holdings of Coinbase-backed stablecoin, USD Coin, as well as make commissions on lending crypto-assets.
Shares in cruise line Carnival tanked yesterday after stricter COVID-19 testing guidelines were announced by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC recommends passengers get a COVID-19 test two-days before boarding a cruise ship, a shorter time frame than previous guidance, with vaccinated passengers also needing a PCR test to board and wear masks while on board.
And China has moved to ban all private tutors from giving classes online or in unregistered locations like cafes and hotels, in a bid to shut down all for-profit tutoring in the nation.