Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

Tether confirmed its participation in a $134 million funding round for Stablecoin Development Corporation, aiming to provide investors exposure to the stablecoin market through key holdings in SKY and USDS. SDEV now holds around 2.15 billion SKY tokens.

On April 16, South Korea's KOSPI index increased by 1.05%, opening at 6,155.28, while Japan's Nikkei 225 index rose by 0.57%, reaching 58,466.61 at the open.

Benefiting from positive news about the U.S.-Iran peace agreement, the stock market surged sharply, with the Nasdaq index and the S&P 500 index reaching record highs. Bitcoin remained steady at 74K, market sentiment improved, and the Fear & Greed Index rose to 55. Investor FOMO toward the stock market intensified, and the total market capitalization in the crypto market increased overall, indicating genuine buy-side interest.

Gate News: According to the latest Gate TradFi data, HOOD (Robinhood) has surged by 2% in a short period. Current volatility is significantly higher than recent averages, indicating increased market activity.

Against the backdrop of the gradual expansion of global crypto and financial regulation, Circle co-founder Jeremy Allaire was named to Time’s 2026 list of the 100 most influential people, symbolizing the growing importance of stablecoins. Circle has evolved from a digital payments company into a stablecoin platform centered on USDC, and plans to become part of global financial infrastructure. This shift makes its business model more akin to a digital money market fund, foreshadowing the potential profitability and growth of stablecoins in the future.

Shrinkflation, driven by rising inflation due to the Middle East conflict, is affecting Brazilian consumers as companies reduce product quantities while keeping prices unchanged. Despite Lula's efforts to alleviate financial burdens, public discontent is growing, complicating his reelection prospects.

The United States and Iran reached a “principled agreement” to extend the ceasefire on April 15, bringing hope for the ceasefire deal that expires on April 21, with Pakistan actively mediating. Despite this, three major core disputes—Iran’s nuclear program, navigation rights in the Strait of Hormuz, and war reparations—still need to be resolved. The ceasefire news boosted the financial markets back to strength, pushed oil prices down, and led investors’ risk appetite to rebound. If a formal agreement cannot be signed before the deadline, the situation in the Middle East may flare up again.

On April 14, 2026, the State Bank of Pakistan lifted its crypto-assets banking ban that has been in place since 2018, officially kicking off the Virtual Assets Act 2026. Banks may open accounts for licensed virtual asset service providers, but must establish a segregation-of-funds mechanism to ensure that customers’ funds are not affected. This policy change responds to domestic demand and demonstrates Pakistan’s growing role on the international stage.

Gate News message, April 15 — U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Wright stated that there is no necessity to further release the country's strategic petroleum reserves.

Allbirds has raised $50 million through convertible bonds and will transition from footwear retail to AI computing, rebranding as NewBird AI to reflect its new mission.

Gate News message, according to the April 15 update, Bitcoin ETFs recorded a single-day net inflow of 4,566 BTC (approximately $337.41 million) and a 7-day net inflow of 6,753 BTC (approximately $499.04 million). Ethereum ETFs saw a single-day net inflow of 23,405 ETH (approximately $54.37 million)

The central bank released a report stating that Taiwan’s CBDC development will follow a phased promotion strategy. In the short term, it is not urgent to issue retail CBDC; the focus is on wholesale CBDC and the infrastructure for asset tokenization. The central bank emphasized that CBDC will not increase the money supply and will have legal standing. As a rule, merchants may not refuse to accept it, in order to prevent the payment market from becoming overly dependent on the private sector.

Gate News: According to the latest Gate TradFi data, BE (Bloom Energy Corp) has surged by 22% in a short period. Current volatility is significantly higher than recent averages, indicating increased market

The World Silver Institute forecasts a widening supply shortage in the silver market, projecting a 46.3 million ounce deficit by 2026. While demand for silver bars and coins will rise, other sectors will decline, leading to an overall consumption decrease. Despite near-term challenges, a positive outlook for silver remains.

Trump threatens to fire Fed Chair Powell if he stays past May 2026, amid an ongoing Justice Department investigation into the Fed's renovations. Powell insists he will not resign before the investigation concludes, regardless of Trump's criticisms.

Crypto hedge funds are diversifying into traditional commodities and equity indices, indicating that crypto trading infrastructure is merging with mainstream finance, as reported by Bloomberg.

Strive, a Nasdaq-listed bitcoin treasury company, is raising its Series A Preferred Stock dividend to 13.00%. It also acquired 27 additional bitcoins, totaling 13,768 BTC, ensuring dividend payments can be supported for about 19.6 years.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent indicated that the Federal Reserve may lower interest rates further, emphasizing that rising oil prices have not impacted inflation expectations, as they remain detached from broader economic price pressures.

Gate News message, April 15 — The United States has not agreed to extend the ceasefire agreement, according to Axios.

Tether Investments participated in a $134 million funding round for Stablecoin Development Corporation, aimed at enhancing stablecoin infrastructure. Global stablecoin circulation has surpassed $300 billion, with Tether's USDT user base reaching 570 million.