Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

The U.S. Treasury renewed a sanctions waiver for Russian oil purchases through May 16, despite prior indications of no renewal. This led to sharp declines in Brent crude prices, provoking criticism from European officials and highlighting geopolitical tensions.

Turkey and Iran have not yet begun negotiations to renew their natural gas contract expiring in 2026, as stated by Turkish Energy Minister Bayraktar. Currently, Iran exports 9.6 billion cubic meters annually, but Turkey's actual imports were only 7.6 billion cubic meters last year.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister criticized the U.S. for sending unclear messages regarding negotiations, indicating no specific date for upcoming talks has been set. He emphasized that it's up to Americans to assess the legality of these statements.

Former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss criticized Britain's economic trajectory, citing high taxes and regulations. She advocates for Bitcoin to combat currency debasement and is organizing a conference to promote a movement for sovereignty and freedom.

The U.S. Central Command announced a maritime blockade on vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports, leading to 23 ships complying and turning back since the operation began.

Ayatollah Khamenei's Armed Forces Day message emphasized military readiness, wishing well to personnel and families, and threatening a "new painful defeat" for enemies, coinciding with Iran's annual celebration.

Goldman Sachs proposed a Bitcoin-focused income ETF that avoids direct Bitcoin holdings, using linked ETFs and options strategies for income. This filing reflects increased competition in the crypto investment space among major firms.

SIX has integrated Swiss and Spanish equities data onchain via Chainlink's DataLink, enhancing access to over 75 blockchain networks. This allows the use of verified market data in various digital finance products, meeting growing institutional demands for reliable data.

X has launched the Cashtags feature, integrating financial trading into its social feed, generating $1 billion in trading volume shortly after its release. Currently available for iPhone users in the U.S. and Canada, it allows easy access to market data and discussions. X Money, a peer-to-peer wallet, is set for rollout amid regulatory concerns, while a new integration with Wealthsimple enables direct in-app trading.

On April 18, Ukraine's Armed Forces targeted four significant Russian oil facilities, including refineries and a transshipment terminal, aimed at disrupting fuel supplies to Russian forces. The damage assessment is ongoing, with no response from Russia yet.

The Strait of Hormuz was closed again because the U.S. side failed to fulfill its obligations under the agreement, and Iran needs to re-approve the passage of vessels. Trump said the negotiations are going well, but the issue of handling nuclear material remains the main point of disagreement. With the ceasefire deadline approaching, he hinted that it may not be extended, raising fears of a renewed attack. The situation is tense, and it could have far-reaching effects on the energy market.

MicroStrategy plans to switch its preferred stock dividend payouts from monthly to semi-monthly, aiming to enhance investor gains and stabilize stock prices. Shareholders will vote on this by June 8. The stock has seen a trading surge and significant price fluctuations recently, influenced by Bitcoin trends and external geopolitical factors.

Bitcoin ETFs saw $663.9 million in inflows on April 18, indicating renewed institutional confidence and a shift in market sentiment. This trend suggests sustained interest in Bitcoin as investors seek to diversify their portfolios.

HKEX is reforming its listing mechanism to improve IPO quality by enforcing stricter disclosure standards and allowing confidential submissions. Failure to meet standards will result in public disclosure of sponsoring institutions' names, emphasizing the importance of compliance.

Gate News message, April 18 — Iran has not agreed to hold the next round of negotiations with the United States, according to Iran's Tasnim News Agency on April 18.

More Americans now own Bitcoin than gold, highlighting a significant shift in asset preferences as Bitcoin's popularity surges. U.S. entities dominate global Bitcoin holdings, and institutional adoption is accelerating, with major firms entering the market and legislation potentially enhancing Bitcoin's legal status.

XRP ETFs surpassed $1.5 billion in inflows, fueled by growing institutional adoption post-Ripple's SEC settlement in 2025. Major firms launched products, and investor interest remains strong, with projections suggesting continued growth for XRP in the coming year.

Mohammad Makhber, an advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, asserted that Iran's internal unity and resistance are crucial for the nation's future and should not be compromised in foreign negotiations.

MicroStrategy has proposed changing its STRC preferred stock dividends from monthly to semi-monthly to enhance liquidity and stabilize stock prices, maintaining an 11.5% annual yield. Concerns about this structure have been raised by Bitcoin critic Peter Schiff.

Patrick Witt announced at the Solana Policy Institute summit that the White House mediated a stablecoin dispute to advance the Clarity Act. The compromise allows banks and crypto firms to together address regulatory concerns, with future focus on crypto taxation and blockchain integration strategies among financial institutions.