Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

Gate News message, April 22 — North Carolina has officially introduced House Bill 1029, the Digital Asset and Stablecoin Act, marking the state's entry into crypto regulation. The bill, developed following recommendations from a dedicated blockchain committee, aims to integrate digital assets into t

Abstract: Valour Inc., a subsidiary of DeFi Technologies, secured about $11 million in institutional funding across two transactions on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and Sweden's Spotlight, reflecting rising demand for regulated Hedera (HBAR) ETFs that provide digital asset access via traditional market infrastructure. Summary: Valour Inc., part of DeFi Technologies, raised about $11M from institutions on Frankfurt and Spotlight, signaling appetite for regulated Hedera ETFs via traditional markets.

Gate News message, April 22 — Jingyan Technology Co., Ltd. (精研科技) announced it received warning letters from the Jiangsu Securities Regulatory Bureau regarding disclosure violations affecting the company, executives, and its subsidiary Antexin Technology Co., Ltd. The regulator identified three

Cambricon's 2025 briefing signals growth potential amid rising AI demand; CEO Chen Tianshi stresses independent IP, industry backing, and long-term partnerships to manage competition, inventory, and pending litigation.

Summary: DoD announces a 2027 defense budget of about $1.5 trillion, up 42%, with 52% for weapons procurement and expanded drone, space, and Golden Dome defenses, plus $74B for unmanned systems and $30B for hardware. Abstract: This article outlines the DoD's 2027 budget details, noting a 42% increase to roughly $1.5 trillion. It highlights major allocations to weapons procurement, unmanned systems, space superiority initiatives, the Golden Dome missile defense, and funding for missile interceptors and other critical hardware.

Gate News message, April 22 — Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) fell 0.2%, or 12.24 points, to close at 5,002.72 on April 22, as investors worried about a prolonged Middle East conflict and potential escalation between the U.S. and Iran. The trio of local banks all declined. DBS

U.S.-Iran tensions push Wall Street toward tokenized real-world assets and on-chain futures, expanding tokenized Treasuries and DeFi hedges to manage off-hours volatility and energy-supply risks. Abstract: The article assesses how the U.S.-Iran conflict is accelerating Wall Street’s adoption of tokenized real-world assets and on-chain futures to manage geopolitical volatility. It notes a surge in tokenized U.S. Treasuries, broader institutional integration, and the use of blockchain pricing during market closures. IMF projections of higher oil prices and slower growth frame the case for tokenized oil and DeFi hedges as prudent responses to energy shocks and supply disruptions.

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

A trader with address 0x5c2 opened a CHIP short after its launch, accumulating 28.85M CHIP (~$2.43M) in 3 hours, while also holding a 1,400-unit short in xyz:SP500 (~$9.94M). Abstract: The note highlights a single address amassing CHIP shorts and xyz:SP500 short positions soon after CHIP's launch, suggesting concentrated bearish bets on both assets.

Gate News message, April 22 — Iran's Navy seized two container ships in the Strait of Hormuz on April 22, accusing them of violating maritime regulations, and transferred the vessels to Iranian coastal waters. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps participated in the operation. The UK Maritime Trade

Due to ongoing fighting between the United States, Israel, and Iran that continues to disrupt raw material supply, global leader condom manufacturer Karex said condom prices could rise by 20% to more than 30%. This conflict not only disrupts global energy markets, but also further drives up production costs for a range of consumer products, putting the global supply chain under severe strain. The Strait of Hormuz is blockaded, disrupting petrochemical raw material supply In an interview with the media, Karex CEO Goh Miah Kiat said that because condom manufacturing is highly dependent on oil-derived products, since the outbreak of the conflict in late February, production costs have risen sharply. This includes basic petrochemical inputs such as ammonia used to preserve latex and, as lubricants, silicon oils and other affected petrochemical raw materials. In addition to crude oil, petrochemical feedstocks such as naphtha used to manufacture packaging materials are also facing shortages, forcing Asian manufacturers that rely heavily on imported raw materials to raise prices

Gate News message, April 22 — At Fuyao Glass' annual shareholder meeting yesterday (April 21), founder Cao Dewang, now honorary chairman after stepping down from the board in October 2025, addressed concerns over U.S. tariffs and geopolitical risks. "If tariffs make the business unprofitable, I

CNBC reported that Trump publicly said he would help if needed, considering establishing a currency swap channel with the UAE, marking the White House’s first public response on the issue. The UAE central bank governor visited the U.S. last week to raise the possibility, but the actual decision still rests with the U.S. Federal Reserve. Fighting in the Strait of Hormuz disrupts dollar liquidity; if it goes ahead, it would broaden the impact of dollar diplomacy and on crypto, stablecoins, and global inflation/exchange rates.

Abstract: ClearBank has partnered with Singapore-based cross-border payments firm Tazapay to grant access to UK and European payment rails, marking ClearBank’s first Singapore client and its fifth Asia partnership this year. The collaboration integrates Tazapay’s stablecoin-funded payouts with regulated rails to help Asia-based fintechs enter UK/Europe more efficiently. Summary: ClearBank partners with Tazapay to give UK/European rails to a Singapore-based cross-border payments firm, expanding Asia ties while enabling stablecoin-funded payouts through regulated rails for Asia-based fintechs.

Summary: JPMorgan lifts 2026 S&P 500 to 7,600, 2027 to 385 EPS, driven by AI enthusiasm and easing Middle East tensions; forward P/E stays 22x, potential to 23x and ~8,000 if tensions fall; warns of short-term consolidation amid oil and geopolitical risks. Abstract: JPMorgan’s strategy team, led by Dubravko Lakos-Bujas, raised the year-end S&P 500 forecast to 7,600 from 7,200, citing renewed AI enthusiasm and easing Middle East tensions. 2026 EPS is boosted to $330 and 2027 to $385, with the forward multiple held at 22x; a quicker geopolitical resolution could lift the multiple to 23x and push 2026 toward 8,000. The AI theme gained momentum after Anthropic unveiled Mythos, with about two-thirds of AI-related S&P 500 stocks outperforming. Risks include higher oil prices and lingering geopolitical tensions, suggesting a potential short-term consolidation before further gains.

Summary: Capital Group's American Funds EUPAC Fund raised its Metaplanet (3350.T) stake by 2.79 million shares to 3.85 million, about $8.8 million, with BitcoinTreasuries.NET monitoring the move. Abstract: Capital Group's American Funds EUPAC Fund boosted its Metaplanet stake, adding 2.79 million shares to 3.85 million (~$8.8 million), a move tracked by BitcoinTreasuries.NET.

Gate News message, April 22 — Dar Albalad for Business Solutions Company, a Saudi IT services provider, is pursuing the first initial public offering in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region since the start of the Iran war. The company will float 21 million shares, representing 30 percent of

Summary: Ripple joins a BIS Payments taskforce to improve cross-border payment interoperability, contributing blockchain expertise to cut delays, fees, and opacity in global transfers. Abstract: This note reports that Ripple has joined a BIS taskforce under the Payments and Market Infrastructure committee to address cross-border payment interoperability. The taskforce seeks to reduce delays, fees, and opacity across international settlements, with Ripple contributing its blockchain-based technology to help design scalable global frameworks.