Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

U.S. rare earth stocks rose significantly on April 17, with Critical Metals up over 28% after gaining control of the Tasiusarsuaq deposit in Greenland. Other companies like USA Rare Earth, United States Antimony, and MP Materials also experienced gains.

Iran's announcement to open the Strait of Hormuz led to a rise in U.S. stocks, with major indices climbing. Airline stocks soared, while Netflix dropped over 10% due to lower-than-expected profit guidance.

President Trump announced on social media that the naval blockade on Iran will persist until a complete deal is finalized, emphasizing that negotiations are nearly done and should be concluded swiftly.

Gate News: According to the latest Gate TradFi data, XTIUSD (WTI Crude USOIL) has dropped by 8% in a short period. Current volatility is significantly higher than recent averages, indicating increased market

Gate News message, April 17 — Gold futures in New York broke above $4,900 per ounce during today's session, rising 1.91% intraday, according to data from Gold Ten.

The U.S. and Iran are negotiating a conflict resolution plan, involving the unfreezing of $20 billion in Iranian assets in return for Iran giving up its enriched uranium stockpile. Talks are set for April 20 in Islamabad.

Gate News message, April 17 — The U.S. Dollar Spot Index has wiped out all gains accumulated since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict.

Gate News message, April 17 — WTI crude oil futures declined 10.14%, trading at $85.09 per barrel, while Brent crude oil futures (London-traded benchmark) fell 9.03%, settling at $90.41 per barrel.

Iran's Foreign Minister announced that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all commercial vessels during the ceasefire, ensuring the safety of crucial shipping routes. This reflects Iran's commitment to maritime passage in the region.

Gate News message, April 17 — The rate swap market is signaling a dovish shift, with current pricing reflecting expectations for 15 basis points of Federal Reserve rate cuts by December.

Fatih Birol of the IEA predicts a two-year recovery for Middle East oil and gas production post-Iran war, with rising prices if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. Global oil demand is projected to decline for the first time since the pandemic.

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure advocates for euro-denominated stablecoins and urges banks to consider tokenized deposits, supporting the Qivalis alliance's plans for a euro-pegged stablecoin by 2026 to counter U.S. digital payment dominance. This signals a shift from previous French policies against private stablecoins.

American Bitcoin (ABTC) will release its Q1 2026 earnings report on May 6, 2026, after U.S. market close, followed by a live earnings call and webcast at 4:30 PM ET.

Gate News message, April 17 — Spot silver extended gains intraday, rising 2% to $79.99 per ounce.

HKEX proposed to shorten Hong Kong's stock settlement cycle from T+2 to T+1, applicable to various secondary market transactions. The transition is set for late 2027, pending readiness and approval, aligning with global trends toward faster settlements.

Gate News: According to the latest Gate TradFi data, OJUICE (Orange Juice) has surged by 4% in a short period. Current volatility is significantly higher than recent averages, indicating increased market

China plans to enhance its network legal system to address the needs of internet development, focusing on legislation for AI, digital economy, and other tech sectors. By December 2025, over 180 laws are expected, though current regulations still lag behind public expectations.

San'an Optoelectronics terminated its $239 million acquisition of Lumileds due to U.S. national security concerns. The deal was abandoned after CFIUS's warning, and the company stated that this will not adversely affect its operations or finances.

Ukraine aims to host a leadership summit in Turkey involving Presidents Zelensky, Putin, Erdogan, and Trump to discuss peace efforts, as stated by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

Hungary's Tisza Party chairman Peter Mogyoró announced that MOL may restart the "Friendship" oil pipeline soon, ensuring fuel supply security. He also aims for protective pricing for fuels post-government formation and is negotiating EU funding, hoping for an agreement during his first visit to Brussels.