Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

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.

The U.S. Department of Energy will loan over 26 million barrels of crude oil to nine companies, marking the third release of strategic reserves since the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict began, aimed at moderating oil prices. Delivery is set for May and June 2026.

Bitcoin spot ETFs saw significant net inflows of $664 million on April 17, the largest in three months. BlackRock led the funds with $284 million, followed by Fidelity and ARK. Other products saw minimal contributions.

Ethereum spot ETFs saw $127 million in net inflows on April 17, with Fidelity's FETH leading at $84.13 million, followed by BlackRock's ETHA and other notable contributions from Grayscale and 21Shares.

Bitdeer reported producing and selling 177 BTC in the week ending April 17, resulting in no net increase in its holdings, leaving the firm with a zero Bitcoin position.

President Trump announced that U.S. negotiations about a potential conflict with Iran will persist over the weekend. He firmly denied any possibility of Iran imposing tolls on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

X's new Cashtags feature, launched on April 15, generated $1 billion in trading volume in two days, allowing users to access trading platforms and view price charts. Currently available only on iPhone in the U.S. and Canada, it complements the forthcoming X Money payment system, part of Elon Musk's vision for an "everything app."

MicroStrategy's stock surged 13.83% as Bitcoin reclaimed $78,000, returning the company to an unrealized profit of $1.37 billion. The rise follows easing tensions in the Middle East and a broader rally in risk assets, despite criticism of its preferred stock.

The U.S. is contemplating increased uranium imports from Namibia to support nuclear energy for AI data centers, as China dominates Namibia's uranium sector. Rising uranium prices are reviving mining interests, despite water supply challenges in the arid region.

U.S. President Donald Trump reported "very positive" developments concerning Iran, focusing on preventing the country from obtaining nuclear weapons, following recent favorable news.