U.S. President Donald Trump called current interest rate levels "artificial" and "ridiculous," arguing that the economy is powerful despite borrowing costs. He suggested Federal Reserve Open Market Committee members raised rates "because they like the politics of it." The comments came as the Treasury Department said it would double government debt buybacks over the coming months to calm the bond market, focusing on longer-duration Treasuries where yields have reached multi-decade highs. U.S. government debt has meanwhile topped $40 trillion. Trump also threatened Iran with what he called the "most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country," warning that nations helping Tehran evade sanctions would face severe financial penalties and describing the effort as "Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale." Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies rallied after Trump urged Congress to pass a "fair version of the Clarity Act," legislation expected to help define the legal classifications of certain crypto assets. Asian technology stocks rebounded, led by SK Hynix, whose shares rose as much as 12% after a massive stock buyback announcement; trading on South Korea's Kospi was briefly halted after the index gained more than 5%. Moderna shares surged more than 170% and Merck rose more than 10% after the companies announced positive initial results from an experimental cancer vaccine, moving the treatment closer to an approval filing. Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel called it "a big moment for medicine, a big moment for patients" in an interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box." The broader coverage also examines a multiyear sponsorship boom between crypto companies and soccer clubs, which expanded during the pandemic as clubs sought funding and crypto firms pursued visibility, recognition and credibility through shirt, stadium and club partnerships.