European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde defended the ECB's decision to raise its key interest rate earlier this month, arguing that the move was necessary to keep inflation under control rather than serving as a precautionary measure. Speaking at the central bank's annual monetary policy conference in Sintra, Portugal, she rejected suggestions that the increase should be viewed as an "insurance hike.

The head of the European Central Bank said the bank’s latest rate increase will help bring down inflation to its 2% target by next year.

ECB raised its deposit rate to 2.25% in its first hike since 2023. Lagarde says the euro area can handle tighter policy. Here's what it means for crypto.