Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

Shin Hyun-song, nominated as Bank of Korea governor, discussed the future coexistence of Korean won stablecoins at a parliamentary hearing. He emphasized plans to enhance the digital currency ecosystem, including Project Hangang Phase 2 and participation in the Agora project for cross-border payments.

Bitcoin (BTC) continues to rise, reaching $74,670 on April 15. On the X platform, Cashtags were launched in the United States and Canada, integrating real-time financial data and trading. With the Bitcoin halving underway, there are only 105,000 blocks left until the next reward halving. Market sentiment is optimistic, and the US stock market also recorded gains. Among various crypto-news updates, the ARIA token price has crashed, and events such as Virginia’s new law incorporating digital assets have been reported.

Kraken has confidentially filed for a U.S. IPO, valued at $13.3 billion after Deutsche Börse Group invested $200 million. Despite a recent freeze due to market conditions, BTC's rebound has renewed interest.

One 97 Communications, parent of Paytm, became majority Indian-owned by March 2026, with domestic investors raising their stake to 50.3%. This shift followed a profitable quarter for Paytm, reporting a net profit of 2.3 billion rupees and aligning with regulatory changes.

On April 15, the Hang Seng Index rose 1.14% and the Hang Seng Tech Index increased by 2.26%, driven by gains in tech stocks like Baidu and Alibaba, as well as positive movement in the semiconductor sector.

The U.S. International Trade Commission partially ruled on manufacturing machines under Section 337, reviewing economic factors for domestic industry requirements while not addressing other case aspects. Comments are due by April 28, 2026.

China's lithium battery exports surged 50% in Q1 2026, driven by preemptive shipments before a tax rebate cut. This increase comes amid heightened energy security concerns due to Middle East conflicts, significantly boosting profits for manufacturers like Ningbo Deye Technology.

Gate News: According to the latest Gate TradFi data, XUNCE (XUNCE 03317.HK) has dropped by 4% in a short period. Current volatility is significantly higher than recent averages, indicating increased market

Spot Silver reached $80 per ounce on April 15, achieving a 0.58% intraday gain, marking its highest price since March 18, according to Jin10.

On April 15, Bitcoin rebounded about 6% after Trump said Iran is seeking to reach an agreement, breaking above $75,000. Expectations for the resumption of U.S.-Iran negotiations warmed up, lifting Asian stock markets. Technically, roughly $6 billion worth of short positions were forced to close, accelerating the rebound. Analysts said that if the U.S.-Iran situation continues to ease, Bitcoin could break through $80,000, and they predicted it may reach $150,000 by year-end.

NCSOFT plans to distribute 80,576 treasury shares, valued at around $14 million, to boost employee motivation and shareholder value. The allocation, occurring on April 24, follows the company's recent name change and approval of a share retention plan.

21Shares US has revised its Hyperliquid ETF filing (ticker THYP) following SEC feedback, as reported by Bloomberg's James Seyffart. Management fee details remain undisclosed.

Bitmine officially transferred from the NYSE American market to the main board, marking a significant milestone for the company. Despite a sharp drop in its share price, it still increased the share repurchase program to $4 billion. The company holds a large amount of Ether, and expects that a rebound in the crypto market will help improve its assets and share price performance.

Evergrande Property Services announced an exclusivity agreement for potential sale negotiations regarding a 51.016% stake held by China Evergrande and CEG Holdings. The company reported mixed 2025 financial results amid ongoing operational challenges.

In 2025, South Korean chaebol family members earned an average of 2.72 billion won, significantly outpacing employee compensation. Notable pay disparities exist, with several executives earning over 100 times their employees' salaries. Some companies increased owner pay while cutting staff salaries, while others did the opposite.

Amazon is set to acquire Globalstar for $11.6 billion, enhancing its satellite communications capabilities. The deal is aimed at boosting Amazon's Project Kuiper, enabling direct-to-device services by 2028, and may reshape competition in the market.

A major centralized exchange has partnered with High Roller Technologies to provide prediction market services in the U.S. Analysts project significant growth in this sector, although it faces regulatory challenges.

On April 15, Japan's Nikkei 225 index rose 410.48 points to 58,287.87, closing above 58,000 for the first time in three months. South Korea's KOSPI index increased by 177.87 points, with Samsung Electronics shares gaining over 4%.

The IMF has downgraded its global growth forecast due to the impact of Middle East conflicts on energy prices, presenting three potential scenarios. The adverse outlook suggests recession risks with rising oil prices affecting growth, particularly in emerging markets.

KKR will invest approximately $820 million in Samsung SDS through convertible bonds, facilitating a potential future equity stake.