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Oil spikes back above $100 as Hormuz blockade reignites inflation fears

Markets whipsawed after U.S.–Iran ceasefire talks collapsed and Washington began a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, lifting WTI back above $100. The move revives “higher-for-longer” rate expectations, pressures non-yielding assets, and keeps the dollar bid, even as tech shares show resilience. Traders are focused on this week’s U.S. PPI, China GDP, and central‑bank speeches for the next macro cue.

Source: FinanceFeeds


Institutional bid returns: U.S. spot crypto ETFs see $1.1B in a day

Spot crypto ETFs notched their biggest net inflow in more than three months at $1.1B, led by BlackRock’s IBIT, as allocators repositioned into “harder” digital assets amid geopolitical and energy shocks. The flows, which also benefited Ether funds, underscore a flight to quality within crypto and raise odds of a break from the recent consolidation range.

Source: FinanceFeeds


SEC outlines safe harbor for non-custodial crypto interfaces

SEC staff said websites and software that let users trade crypto securities via self‑hosted wallets aren’t brokers if they remain neutral gateways—no custody, solicitation, order taking, or transaction‑based pay. The guidance offers near‑term clarity for developers while the Commission advances broader rulemaking, and could accelerate wallet and “super‑app” integrations that keep users in control of assets.

Source: FinanceFeeds


Hong Kong grants first bank‑grade stablecoin licenses to HSBC and Anchorpoint

The HKMA issued its inaugural “Category A” stablecoin licenses, allowing HSBC and Anchorpoint to launch fiat‑backed HKD and USD tokens on public chains for retail and institutional use. Daily proof‑of‑reserves and near‑instant redemption are mandated, positioning Hong Kong as a tightly regulated venue for tokenized payments, on‑chain settlement, and real‑world asset issuance.

Source: FinanceFeeds


Bank of Korea proposes stock‑style circuit breakers for crypto trading

After a Bithumb operational error triggered extreme price swings, South Korea’s central bank recommended exchange‑level circuit breakers and stronger internal controls in its annual payments report. The measures, which could be folded into the forthcoming Digital Asset Basic Act, would automatically pause trading during abnormal volatility to protect retail investors and market integrity.

Source: FinanceFeeds


ClearBank becomes one of the first banks approved under EU MiCA

UK‑born ClearBank secured Crypto‑Asset Service Provider approval under the EU’s MiCA regime, enabling bank‑grade fiat–crypto rails across the bloc’s 27 states. The license supports issuance/redemption and settlement for euro‑denominated stablecoins and tokenized assets, offering institutions a regulated alternative to offshore providers for cross‑border money movement and liquidity management.

Source: FinanceFeeds


Ondo seeks SEC no‑action for tokenized “security entitlements” on Ethereum

Ondo Finance asked the SEC staff to bless a model that records stock “security entitlements” onchain while underlying equities remain with DTC via a U.S. broker‑dealer. The hybrid approach aims to digitize ownership, collateral, and recordkeeping without altering custody, reflecting tokenization’s near‑term path of layering blockchain over existing market plumbing.

Source: FinanceFeeds


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Business — April 14, 2026 | Briefing24