Geopolitics

Gate News message. On April 13, U.S. President Donald Trump said that yesterday (April 12) 34 ships transited the Strait of Hormuz, the highest single-day passage record since the strait was shut down. In addition, Trump said he will submit an updated version of the lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal again on or before April 27 local time.

Trump said in his statement that the Strait of Hormuz blockade has begun, and that other countries will assist the U.S. He warned Iran that if it does not reach an agreement within two weeks, it will face an unfavorable situation, and he emphasized that the United States will maintain the status quo. The United States is preparing to take measures to respond to Iran.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Gate News message: On April 13, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today that a ceasefire with Iran may end very soon.

Key factors, such as ETF flows, macro factors and on-chain supply favor a rally in bitcoin even as war risks linger.

Key factors, such as ETF flows, macro factors and on-chain supply favor a rally in bitcoin even as war risks linger.

Key factors, such as ETF flows, macro factors and on-chain supply favor a rally in bitcoin even as war risks linger.

U.S. President Trump threatened to impose a 50% tariff on China due to reports that China would ship air-defense systems to Iran. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded, emphasizing its responsible stance on arms exports and opposing false allegations.

Gate News message: On April 13, the spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters of Iran’s armed forces said that in the face of U.S. threats, Iran will decisively implement a “permanent mechanism to control the Strait of Hormuz.” The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and it is a major global oil shipping route.

The U.S. Navy began blockading the Strait of Hormuz starting April 13, U.S. Eastern Time, with all passage halted. Crude oil prices jumped nearly 10% in a single day, while Bitcoin fell 1.2% over the past 24 hours.

On April 13, XAU (gold contract) was trading at $4,717.28, down 0.56% over the past 24 hours. With the breakdown of the U.S.-Iran negotiations, market volatility has intensified; trading volume reached $1.34B, up 504.45% from last month. Liquidity is primarily concentrated across three centralized exchanges.

April 13, XAU is currently quoted at $4,717.28, down 0.56% over the past 24 hours. Geopolitical developments have affected trading activity, driving fluctuations in volume. Total trading volume for XAU futures across the entire network reached $1.34B, up 504.45% month-over-month. Liquidity on centralized exchanges is mainly concentrated on three leading platforms.

Bitmine rose to the NYSE main board on April 13 and increased its share repurchase authorization from $1 billion to $4 billion to support its stock price. Chairman Tom Lee said that U.S. stocks may have already bottomed out because the Iran-Iraq ceasefire agreement eased geopolitical risks and because the fundamentals of ether (ETH) have improved. Bitmine holds about 4.8 million ETH, and each 1% increase brings roughly $100 million in asset appreciation.

A whale-sized investor was already down $345k when betting that the Iranian regime would collapse on June 30, and the prior investment also failed. The market’s judgment rules are strict, and only under specific conditions is a regime collapse recognized; ordinary regime change is not considered.

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region signed a cooperation memorandum with the National Internet Information Office to advance technological innovation and support the high-quality development of the digital economy, covering areas such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, with the aim of implementing the country’s “15th Five-Year Plan.” Lee Ka-chiu said it will deepen cross-border data cooperation within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.