Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

The Kyrgyz cryptocurrency exchange Grinex suspended trading and withdrawals after a large-scale cyberattack and lost approximately $15 million in USDT. The stolen funds were quickly converted into TRX and ETH to reduce the risk of being frozen. Grinex is believed to be the successor to the sanctioned exchange Garantex, becoming the main trading platform for ruble-to-cryptocurrency pairs. In its attack statement, Grinex pointed the incident at an “hostile nation,” but it lacked specific evidence.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda highlighted the conflict in the Middle East as a source of inflation and economic slowdown risks. He confirmed that the Monetary Policy Committee will determine suitable measures to reach the 2% inflation target at the upcoming meeting.

In a House hearing, U.S. CFTC Chairman Selig emphasized a “zero-tolerance policy” toward market fraud and manipulation. He responded to questions regarding a $500 million oil futures transaction and said the CFTC is drafting rules to regulate prediction markets. Selig also mentioned a cooperation memorandum of understanding with the SEC to strengthen oversight of digital assets. Given that the CFTC currently has only one commissioner—himself—Selig emphasized operational efficiency and will hire new staff to enhance regulatory capacity.

April 17, Bitcoin returned to around $75,000 as U.S. President Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, boosting market sentiment. However, a CryptoQuant report shows that the proportion of large deposits has surged to over 40%, suggesting institutions may be preparing to sell. In addition, Bitcoin faces key technical resistance in the $76,000 to $76,800 range, and the market remains cautious about how events will unfold next.

The Investment Company Institute reported a $175.81 billion drop in U.S. money market fund assets to $7.64 trillion for the week ending April 15, with significant declines across taxable and tax-exempt funds.

Retail investors have returned to the U.S. stock market, driving major indices to record highs amid geopolitical tensions. The S&P 500 surpassed 7,000 points, led by a surge in quantum computing stocks and increased retail activity. However, economic risks remain, including rising oil prices and inflation concerns.

Gate News message, April 17 — Spot gold (precious metal commodity traded on global markets) broke through $4,800 per ounce today, rising 0.20% intraday.

SIFMA urged U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent to protect investors from cybersecurity threats posed by Anthropic's AI model, Mythos, potentially compromising the SEC's Consolidated Audit Trail system and risking identity theft. They called for halting personal data collection and destroying existing data.

The IEA's Fatih Birol warned that restoring oil and gas production disrupted by the Iran conflict may take up to two years. The Strait of Hormuz's closure has significantly impacted oil supplies, with emerging economies facing the toughest challenges. Demand is already contracting.

In March, Singapore's non-oil domestic exports surged 15.3% year-on-year, driven by a 74% increase in electronic exports, particularly semiconductors. Non-electronic exports declined, but overall growth continues as the country updates its 2026 export forecast.

On April 17, South Korea's KOSPI index dropped 4.55 points, while Japan's Nikkei 225 fell by 227.62 points, indicating weakness in major Asian equity benchmarks.

BlackRock withdrew 3,899 BTC worth $289.88 million and 839 ETH valued at $1.95 million from a major exchange, indicating a significant move of institutional assets off the platform.

The U.S. dollar index has dropped to near 98 from 100 as easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East reduce market risk-off sentiment. Analysts indicate that the dollar's recent strength was short-lived, signaling a potential return to a "weak dollar" outlook.

On April 16, the IAEA reported a temporary loss of external power at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station, lasting about 40 minutes. The cause is under investigation as the facility, controlled by Russia since February 2022, faces ongoing security concerns.

Israel and Lebanon reached a 10-day ceasefire agreement, U.S. stock index benchmarks hit new highs, and market sentiment is optimistic. Bitcoin is hovering around 75K; with capital flowing in, the rally is gradually gaining momentum. Keep an eye on the 78K resistance level.

China's civil aviation sector displayed strong Q1 2026 growth with increased flights, passenger traffic, and cargo volume. Optimism for Q2 is high due to holiday travel, while supply-demand dynamics remain favorable for investors in airline stocks.

Netflix's Q1 results exceeded expectations with $12.25 billion in revenue, but weaker Q2 guidance led to an 8% stock drop. Co-CEO Greg Peters noted strong early progress, while co-founder Reed Hastings plans to step down in June for philanthropy.

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

Since early 2026, China's brokerage research focus has shifted from a balanced approach to technology stocks, and back to defensive sectors by April. This reflects institutions adjusting portfolios in response to changing market conditions, highlighting a rotation into electric power equipment and machinery.

Scott Chronert of Citigroup predicts a "reverse perfect storm" for tech stocks as earnings season nears, where strong results will confirm AI investments and bolster market leadership. He suggests investor demand for confirmation of growth momentum may lead to rapid valuation recoveries in software and data centers, with potential for broader market leadership if conditions improve.