LIVE MARKETS-Citi boosts stablecoin outlook

All major U.S. stock indexes higher: Nasdaq leads with ~0.6% gain Energy up most among S&P sectors; Cons staples biggest percentage loser Euro STOXX 600 index ends ~0.8% higher Dollar off; bitcoin, gold rise; crude up >1% U.S. 10-Year Treasury yield rises to ~4.18% Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of markets brought to you by Reuters reporters. You can share your thoughts with us at CITI BOOSTS STABLECOIN OUTLOOK Citi Research raises its forecast for stablecoin market size to $1.9 trillion by 2030 in its base case and $4.0 trillion in its bull case scenario, from its April estimate of $1.6 and $3.7 trillion respectively. “Today we expect stronger stablecoin growth compared to 6-9 months ago,” strategists said, citing demand from the crypto-native ecosystem, e-commerce and digitally native firms, and offshore buyers seeking U.S. dollar exposure. Stablecoins, which aim to hold a constant value typically pegged 1-to-1 to the dollar, have a combined market value of about $300 billion, according to CoinGecko. Their use has surged among crypto traders shifting funds between tokens, and the industry hopes they will gain mainstream traction for instant payments. Citi said the turnover of bank tokens could exceed stablecoins by 2030, even with a modest shift of current traditional rails on chain. “It is not a digital format war that we foresee. But a continued progress towards smarter, faster finance,” Citi strategists wrote. (Medha Singh) EARLIER ON LIVE MARKETS: IPO UPTICK A BULLISH SIGN FOR STOCKS CLICK HERE INVESTOR SENTIMENT SHIFTS TOWARD ‘NEUTRAL’ CLICK HERE PCE VS UMICH: MORE SPENDING/SOURING SENTIMENT, STEADY PRICES/RISING INFLATION EXPECTATIONS CLICK HERE BEARISH BETS BUILD: STOCKS SET FOR A BUMPY RIDE CLICK HERE WALL STREET SET TO GAIN GROUND AS INFLATION DATA KEEPS FED RATE CUT BETS ALIVE CLICK HERE RALLY IN BANKING STOCKS STILL HAS LEGS CLICK HERE GERMAN OPPORTUNITY? CLICK HERE EUROPEAN BOURSES SHRUG OFF TRUMP’S TARIFFS CLICK HERE EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: TRUMP DOES IT AGAIN CLICK HERE STOCKS COP ONE-TWO PUNCH CLICK HERE Inflation gauges Personal consumption UMich UMich inflation expectations