Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu says the Iran ceasefire could end soon

The Strait of Hormuz is set to be blocked effective tonight: Trump officially orders the interception of Iranian vessels, and oil prices surge past $102

U.S. President Trump announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and will have it take effect on April 12; oil prices promptly surged. The U.S. military will intercept ships bound for Iran, but it will not affect shipping from other Persian Gulf countries. This move intensifies the global energy crisis, with oil prices breaking above $100, which could affect inflation and central bank policy. The market is also watching how geopolitical risk could impact risk assets.

Trump Threatens to Impose 50% Tariffs on China: Intelligence Says China Plans to Deliver Air-Defense Weapons to Iran

U.S. President Trump threatens to impose an additional 50% tariff on China, claiming China is preparing to deliver air defense systems to Iran. This has heightened tensions between the U.S. and China. Trump’s threat is largely political pressure, and implementation would require legal procedures. China denies providing military aid and calls for restraint. The incident shakes the market, drives up oil prices, and affects the outlook for cryptocurrency.

U.S.-Iran talks break down! The U.S. blocks the Strait and is considering restarting airstrikes. Iran: prepared to miss cheap oil

The peace talks between Iran and the United States have broken down. The U.S. has blockaded the Strait of Hormuz and is considering airstrikes, causing international oil prices to break above $100. Bitcoin has fallen below $71,000. Experts warn that the world is facing a severe crude-oil supply shock, and stored oil is about to run out.

The American Bankers Association criticizes the White House’s stablecoin report, saying it overlooks the core risks of interest-bearing stablecoins

The American Bankers Association criticized the stablecoin report released by the White House Council of Economic Advisers, saying its analysis was wrong. It emphasized that allowing stablecoins to pay interest would lead to local banks’ deposits flowing out and would tighten credit, countering the report’s claim about the effects of the proposed ban.

The Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Bureau signed a memorandum of cooperation with the National Cyberspace Administration of China, covering areas including AI, cross-border data flows, and blockchain.

Gate News message. On April 13, the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced that it has signed with the National Internet Information Office a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation for the Development of Innovation and Technology, with the aim of promoting high-quality development of the digital economy empowered by technological innovation. The Memorandum of Understanding covers key areas such as artificial intelligence, cross-border data, and blockchain. The objective of the Memorandum of Understanding is to further implement the country’s national “15th Five-Year Plan”, support Hong Kong in building an international innovation and technology center, and promote the development of a new real-economy led by technological innovation.

The U.S. military announced a blockade in waters east of the Strait of Hormuz, and all vessels must obtain authorization to pass through.

Gate News update. On April 13, a notice to seafarers showed that the U.S. military announced it will impose a blockade in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman east of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the notice, any vessel that enters or leaves the blockade area without authorization will be intercepted, diverted, and detained. The blockade measure applies to all maritime traffic, regardless of the flag the vessel flies.