Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

Singapore's MS Capital has secured a $1 billion investment mandate for Chinese equities from a Middle Eastern sovereign fund, highlighting rising interest in quantitative strategies amid regional volatility. The firm managed $1.5 billion and plans expansions.

The SEC has repealed the Pattern Day Trader rule, eliminating the $25,000 minimum balance requirement for day trading accounts, intended to limit frequent trading and investor risk.

Global smartphone shipments fell 4.1% in Q1 2026, the first drop since 2023, due to supply issues and rising costs from the Iran conflict. Apple and Samsung grew, while emerging markets saw price surges dampen demand.

The minutes of the U.S. Federal Reserve meeting show that the federal funds rate remains unchanged at 3.5% to 3.75%, emphasizing factors such as stability in the labor market, limited impact from AI investment, and still-present inflation pressures. The unanimous approval reflects the stability of monetary policy, and it remains cautious about any further rate cuts; the outlook going forward needs to be determined by observing inflation data.

Chinese aluminum exports are set to rise as buyers seek alternatives due to supply disruptions in the Persian Gulf. March exports increased by 13%, with forecasts predicting annual sales could reach or exceed past records due to heightened demand.

A trader known as epsteinfiles has placed a $12,300 bet with Lookonchain, predicting that MicroStrategy will hold over 1 million BTC by December 31, 2026, with a flawless track record in past bets.

Oracle shares rose 5% as it expanded its partnership with Bloom Energy, which will provide 2.8 gigawatts of fuel cell systems. Bloom Energy's stock surged 20%. This deal follows Oracle's $400 million warrant to buy Bloom shares and is part of broader AI infrastructure initiatives.

Anthropic is set to roll out its latest AI model, Claude Opus 4.7, boosting its ability for multi-agent collaboration and autonomous generation of websites and presentations. This move has caused the share price of design software companies to fall. Despite improvements in model capabilities, Anthropic will still implement strict safety controls to reduce potential risks.

Ziguan Technology established an AI Development Center to promote generative AI as well as B2B and B2C applications. The company hopes to improve operational efficiency and player engagement, and also aims to make a turnaround. However, many players remain skeptical, fearing that AI will only become a tool for cutting costs and could negatively affect game quality.

Huaqin Technology launched a Hong Kong share offering on April 15, aiming to raise up to HK$4.55 billion. The company, a leader in the global consumer electronics ODM market, targets significant revenue growth through advanced data center designs.

Tesla's China President indicated that the Shanghai Gigafactory could manufacture humanoid robots in the future, aligning with CEO Musk's vision and China's national plan for robot production. Compliance with Chinese standards may lead to regional differences in robot development.

A whale address was liquidated for $10.3 million in long positions after a sudden oil price drop, resulting in a $1.14 million loss, as reported by Lookonchain. The positions involved crude oil futures benchmarks.

Naver raised about $1.1 billion through a dual-currency green bond issuance amid strong investor demand. This marks the first such issuance by a South Korean private company in six years, with proceeds allocated to eco-friendly projects.

Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan reported strong economic performance driven by exports, services, and goods trade, alongside steady consumption and rising private investment. He emphasized the city's robust stock market and the need for financial stability to enhance competitiveness.

Gate News: According to the latest Gate TradFi data, ZHIPU (ZhiPu 02513.HK) has dropped by 6% in a short period. Current volatility is significantly higher than recent averages, indicating increased market

21Shares updates its Hyperliquid ETF filing, confirming the stock ticker THYP, which is seen as an adjustment in response to SEC comments. This move increases the likelihood of the ETF being listed. Compared with Bitwise’s HYPE ETF, the latter has already announced a 0.67% management fee, one of the highest in the market. The Hyperliquid platform’s strong fundamentals attract attention, but given the uncertainty around inflows of meme-coin ETF funds, market demand still needs to be watched.

World Bank President Ajay Banga announced plans to mobilize $80 billion to $100 billion to aid countries affected by the Middle East conflict. This includes $20-$25 billion through a crisis response window and $30-$40 billion from repurposing existing projects.

Kevin Warsh, nominated for Federal Reserve Chair, reported investments in over 20 digital asset companies. His portfolio includes DeFi platforms, blockchain networks, and Web3 projects. The Senate Banking Committee may advance his nomination, raising potential conflict of interest concerns.

Billionaire Tim Draper predicts that Bitcoin will rise to $250k within 18 months, mainly due to inflation pressure and a weakening U.S. dollar. While his prediction is appealing, it hasn’t been met over the past six years, and his personal holdings may affect the assessment. Market conditions and the impact of regulatory policies on prices must be taken into account.

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.