Global TradFi & Macroeconomics

The Nikkei 225 rose 87.74 points (0.13%) to 66,104.10 as of 9:09 AM on the 24th, reversing an initial decline despite weakness in US semiconductor stocks. The Topix gained 9.86 points (0.24%) to 4,077.15. The rebound followed bargain buying and yen depreciation support, even as the Philadelphia

XRP's circulating supply grew 5.5% year over year through monthly escrow releases, while XRPL revenue fell 81.6% year over year to $1.18 million, according to an Aug. 19 analysis from 21Shares. The supply expansion occurred because approximately 272 million XRP added monthly through escrow releases

A hedge fund founded by Leopold Aschenbrenner, a former OpenAI researcher, achieved over 400% returns in the first half through leveraged investments in AI infrastructure. The fund deployed up to 4x leverage on semiconductor, data center, and power companies, with SK Hynix among its portfolio

According to Herald Economy citing Korea Securities Depository, South Korean retail investors yesterday (August 24) net sold 3.64 trillion won (approximately $2.7 billion) of Nvidia shares as they brace for the chip maker's earnings report on August 27. The same period saw substantial net outflows f

According to a letter from Ken Griffin to clients on Friday, August 21, Citadel has disposed of over 80% of the positions acquired from Leopold Aschenbrenner's hedge fund Situational Awareness. The sale involved more than 100 block trades across 10 stocks, with a market value exceeding $4 billion, m

According to Yonhapinfomax, Japan's Nikkei 225 index rose 87.74 points (0.13%) to 66,104.10 in early trading on August 24, while the TOPIX index gained 9.86 points (0.24%) to 4,077.15. The rebound followed a decline that began with weakness in semiconductor stocks, reflecting spillover from the

According to the latest financial documents released on August 22, Donald Trump conducted 1,051 individual stock transactions in June 2026, with transaction values ranging from $78.1 million to $263.1 million. Trump purchased Berkshire Hathaway stock for the first time that month and bought Cintas, Visa, and Mastercard as the market declined. Trump’s Concentrated Trading: First Purchases of Berkshire Hathaway, Visa, and Mastercard June 18 was the month’s biggest trading day by transaction volume

According to Chinese state media, multiple Chinese banks' gold accumulation products broke above 1,000 yuan per gram on August 24. As of 10:15 a.m., the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China reported 1,005.69 yuan per gram, the China Construction Bank reported 1,008.89 yuan per gram, the

The Nikkei 225 index fell 0.1% at the early market close on August 24, while the Tokyo Stock Exchange index rose 0.3% over the same period.

According to Bloomberg, Michael Burry, the investor famous for betting against the U.S. housing market in 2008, has exited his Alibaba holdings and taken a large position in rival JD.com, citing concerns over Alibaba's valuation. Burry stated on Substack that he would not reinvest in Alibaba

According to Shanghai Gangxunlian, MMLC battery-grade lithium carbonate prices rose to 161,000 yuan per ton in early trading on August 24, up 7,500 yuan per ton from the previous day's 16:30 closing price.

According to Gate data, gold (XAUUSD) surged past $4,650 per ounce to $4,651.46 in the latest trading session, up 1.0% from the previous close.

According to Kpler ship-tracking data, fewer than 20 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend of August 23–24, with 13 passing on Saturday and only 4 on Sunday. U.S. and Iranian sanctions continue to restrict shipping through the critical energy chokepoint, though actual vessel

South Korea's foreign exchange market is experiencing strong dollar inflows. FX swap point spreads have narrowed to their lowest level in four years and four months, reflecting tightening short-term dollar funding conditions. The Korean won to U.S. dollar exchange rate has declined for seven

SK Hynix announced on August 20 a share buyback and retirement plan worth 40.43 trillion won. The semiconductor company will repurchase 24.07 million shares, representing approximately 3.3% of total outstanding shares, through November 19. SK Securities, named as the executing brokerage, saw its

According to Jin10, as of 10:23 on Aug 24, China's futures market experienced significant capital outflows of 76.01 billion yuan in CSI 1000 September contracts, followed by 42.26 billion yuan outflows in CSI 300 September contracts. On the inflow side, Shanghai Gold September contracts led

People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Sang-beom criticized South Korea's National Pension Fund rebalancing suspension during a Budget and Accounts Special Committee session on the 24th, calling the measure "deformed" and demanding document submission from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The lawmaker s

According to Jin10, gold prices hit their highest level in over three months on August 24, supported by dollar weakness. Markets are focused on the U.S. July PCE price index and Federal Reserve Chair Powell's speech at the Jackson Hole symposium later this week, which could provide new clues about i

Samsung Electronics stocks fell 7.64% to 260,250 won as of 11:03 AM on the trading day, according to Korea Exchange data. The decline followed the company's announcement on the 21st of a 90-110 trillion won shareholder return plan, with market uncertainty centered on the unspecified scale and

According to ChainCatcher, WTI crude futures fell 1.3% to $85.93 per barrel on Monday, while Brent crude dropped 1.24% to $93.22 per barrel, as markets awaited announcements from U.S. Treasury Secretary on new sanctions against Iran. Treasury Secretary had previously stated