Market Performance
| Asset / Index | Value ($) | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC) | 67,421 | -1.40% |
| Ethereum (ETH) | 2,047 | -0.58% |
| Bitcoin Spot ETF | -225M | — |
| Ethereum Spot ETF | -48M | — |
| Nasdaq (NAS100) | 23,200 | -1.83% |
| S&P 500 (SPX) | 6,368 | -1.68% |
| Russell 2000 (RUT) | 2,456 | -1.52% |
| U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) | 100.178 | +0.17% |
| VIX Volatility Index | 30.84 | +10.10% |
| U.S. 10-Year Yield | 4.392 | -1.26% |
| Brent Crude Oil (BRENT) | 107.475 | +4.69% |
| LBMA Gold (XAU) | 4,529 | +2.00% |
| LBMA Silver (XAG) | 70.00 | +2.62% |
“Prepared at UTC 09.22 am”
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Deal Could Be Close as Talks Continue
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday evening that direct negotiations with Iran are ongoing and that a potential agreement with Tehran could be near. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump described the talks as “extremely positive” and suggested that a deal is possible, while also noting uncertainty around the outcome. He reiterated earlier calls for regime change in Iran following U.S. airstrikes last month that killed several high-ranking Iranian officials, and added that while a deal seems likely, no specific timeline has been set.
Iran Denies Direct Talks, Signals Conditions for Negotiations
Iran has largely denied engaging in direct negotiations with Washington since the conflict began in late February and has called for hostilities to end before any talks can begin. Trump declined to comment on whether the U.S. would deploy ground forces, claiming instead that Washington is progressing faster than planned and has significantly weakened Iran’s air force, navy, and missile capabilities. He also stated that Iran allowed around 20 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as part of concessions, with reports indicating that Pakistan-flagged vessels were permitted transit.
Stablecoin Payments Become ‘Invisible’ as Crypto Card Use Surges in Southeast Asia
Stablecoin-based payments are becoming increasingly seamless in Southeast Asia as crypto card adoption accelerates. Singapore-based StraitsX reported a 40x increase in transaction volume and an 83x rise in card issuance between 2024 and 2025, highlighting rapid growth in stablecoin card programs across the region.
Strategy May Have Paused Bitcoin Buying After 13-Week Streak
Strategy appears to have halted its bitcoin accumulation last week, ending a 13-week streak of consecutive purchases. The company did not announce a weekly bitcoin acquisition for the first time since late December, signaling a potential pause in its aggressive buying strategy.
CLARITY Act to Ban Stablecoin Interest, Redefining Them as Payment Tools
The proposed CLARITY Act would prohibit interest-bearing stablecoins, effectively redefining them as payment instruments rather than savings products. According to 10x Research’s Markus Thielen, the shift could redirect yield opportunities back toward traditional finance and regulated products, creating headwinds for decentralized finance. While the change may benefit companies like Circle and regulated infrastructure providers, it is expected to negatively impact DeFi tokens.
Bitcoin Drops to $65K Before Rebounding Above $67K Amid War Escalation
Bitcoin briefly fell to $65,112—its lowest level since the February war-driven crash—before recovering above $67,000 as Asian markets opened. The latest escalation in the conflict, including Houthi involvement, new U.S. military deployments, and attacks on Iran’s aluminum facilities, shook global markets and pushed Brent crude toward $115 per barrel. The break below bitcoin’s recent higher-low structure has raised questions about the sustainability of its current range, while rising oil and metal prices are increasing broader inflation risks that could delay potential Federal Reserve rate cuts.
Ethereum Developers Launch EEZ to Improve Network Interoperability
A group of Ethereum development organizations, including Gnosis, Zisk, and the Ethereum Foundation, launched a new initiative called the Ethereum Economic Zone (EEZ). Announced at EthCC in Cannes, the project aims to improve interoperability between Ethereum’s expanding ecosystem of networks and reduce the need for slow and costly transfers. The initiative comes amid growing debate around Ethereum’s scaling strategy and seeks to simplify interactions for both users and developers across the ecosystem.
