Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

On April 15, two vessels, including a supertanker under U.S. sanctions and a cargo ship with food supplies, transited the Strait of Hormuz into Iranian waters, activating positioning systems without interference, though Iranian authorities have not confirmed the reports.

TeraWulf reported a $900 million stock offering to finance AI data centers, causing its stock price to drop following the announcement, as per Gate News on April 15.

Genter Jay Technology has established an AI development center to promote generative AI and B2B and B2C applications. The company hopes to improve operational efficiency and player engagement, and also aims to turn things around. However, many players are skeptical, worried that AI will only become a tool for reducing costs, impacting game quality.

Nvidia's new open-source AI tools for quantum systems prompted a significant surge in global quantum computing stocks. The Ising model addresses error correction and calibration challenges, achieving faster execution and improved accuracy. Market growth is projected to exceed $11 billion by 2030, with Europe leading advancements.

With AI demand growing, the importance of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) is increasing, and Asia’s semiconductor industry is undergoing structural adjustments. Samsung and SK hynix are accelerating the development of HBM4 and outsourcing the photomask process, which could benefit Japanese photomask makers such as DNP. Despite SK hynix lowering its HBM4 shipment outlook, DDR5’s gross margin is higher than that of HBM4, allowing traditional DRAM to regain pricing power. Samsung is under pressure, and HBM4 may be delayed in its rollout, affecting the overall timeline.

The Philippine DOE requires oil and gas companies to disclose storage capacities to monitor fuel supply amid global disruptions. Compliance is crucial, with penalties for non-compliance, and additional LPG shipments are set to improve supply levels.

China's Guotou Ruiyuan Silver Futures Fund will halt trading due to high premiums on its shares, effective until April 16, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Investors are warned of potential losses from excessive premiums. Trading may be further suspended if premium issues persist.

Victory Giant, a PCB maker, is set to price its Hong Kong share sale at HK$209.88 per share, aiming to raise HK$17.5 billion. The offering, driven by strong demand, could increase by 15%. Proceeds will mainly fund AI circuit board capacity expansion.

On April 15, the S&P 500 rose 1.2%, nearing its record high, fueled by optimism post-ceasefire in a conflict affecting oil supply. Despite inflation and economic growth concerns, investors remain confident, with strong earnings anticipated, particularly in tech.

Gate News message, April 15 — Spot gold (London) fell below $4,800 intraday, declining 0.89% on the day.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict is affecting weapons supplies to Ukraine, particularly for air defense. He emphasized the critical shortage of the Patriot missile system, which has reached a concerning level.

The IMF predicts a sharp decline in Middle Eastern economic growth due to the Iran war, with GDP dropping from 3.6% in 2025 to 1.9% in 2026. The conflict has severely impacted oil and gas infrastructure, leading to a potential recovery delay of two years and causing global inflation to rise.

On April 15, Hong Kong's indices showed mixed results, with the Hang Seng Index up 0.29%. Key gains came from Alibaba-W and the innovative drug sector, buoyed by governmental support. Airline stocks also rebounded amid falling oil prices.

Kevin Warsh, nominated by Trump for Federal Reserve chair, is the wealthiest candidate in recent history, with a net worth up to $209 million. His diverse investments include Silicon Valley, fintech, and AI. Despite potential conflicts, he has a modern view on digital assets.

Gate News: According to the latest Gate TradFi data, COCOA (Cocoa) has surged by 6% in a short period. Current volatility is significantly higher than recent averages, indicating increased market activity.

Tim Cook invested about $1.06 million in Nike by purchasing 25,000 shares at $42.43 each on April 10, as revealed in a recent SEC filing.

Dunamu and Naver Financial plan to merge by September 30, 2026, and pursue an IPO. Shareholders will exchange shares, with Dunamu becoming a subsidiary of Naver Financial, while merger details await regulatory review.

Deutsche Börse Group has invested $200 million in Payward, acquiring about 1.5% of its shares. This partnership, focused on integrating traditional finance with digital assets, aims to improve services for institutional investors, pending regulatory approval.

BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) bought 2,870 BTC on April 14, continuing a streak of 9,631 BTC over five days, reflecting growing institutional participation in Bitcoin via regulated ETFs. This trend reduces market supply and enhances access and compliance for traditional investors.

ASML raised its 2026 revenue forecast to €360-400 billion, driven by high demand for advanced chips due to AI investments. Q1 2026 results showed net sales of €8.8 billion. Strong growth in both EUV and non-EUV systems is expected, alongside increased dividends and share repurchases.