US budget airlines $2.5B aid ✈️, Chinese firms hit by EU sanctions 🇨🇳, X Money launch by Musk 💰

Iran has proposed holding talks with the United States near the Strait of Hormuz as a step to address ongoing tensions over its nuclear program, with Pakistan potentially facilitating the discussions.

Axios · 3 minute read

Senator Thom Tillis has decided to end his opposition to Kevin Warsh's nomination as head of the Federal Reserve after the Justice Department concluded its criminal investigation into current Fed Chair Jerome Powell. This decision clears the way for Warsh's swift confirmation, which is scheduled for a Senate Banking Committee vote on April 29.

Yahoo Finance · 3 minute read

Profits at China's industrial firms increased by 15.8% in March, marking the fastest growth in six months, with notable gains in high-tech manufacturing and equipment sectors due to robust export growth. However, increased energy costs due to Middle East conflict, particularly rising oil prices, pose challenges for future economic conditions.

CNBC · 5 minute read

Economists project China's import growth to surpass export growth for the first time since 2021, driven by a surge in demand for high-end chips and AI-related technologies, with imports expected to rise by 5% in 2026. This increase follows policy shifts to open domestic markets and anticipations of continued growth in exports, resulting in a projected goods surplus of just over US$1.2 trillion by 2025.

Straitstimes · 4 minute read

US stocks are experiencing significant gains as they approach a crucial week characterized by key tech company earnings reports and a Federal Reserve meeting that could influence market direction.

Msn · 3 minute read

Beijing warned Brussels that the “EU will bear all consequences” after the bloc included Chinese companies in its latest sanctions package against Russia, escalating tensions in an already strained Sino-Europe trade relationship.

Politico · 1 minute read

Republican Senator Thom Tillis has pledged to block Federal Reserve appointments until a probe into Chairman Jerome Powell over renovation costs concludes, as the Fed is set to maintain interest rates between 3.50% and 3.75% amid high energy prices and ongoing supply chain disruptions due to war in the Middle East. Powell's potential successor, Kevin Warsh, nominated by Trump, faces challenges in the confirmation process, while the Fed prioritizes inflation containment over employment in the face of elevated consumer prices.

Yahoo Finance · 3 minute read

China has intensified scrutiny of circular invoicing in the metals market, leading to a significant cut in invoicing quotas for traders dealing in copper, aluminium, and silver in Shanghai. This crackdown has caused many firms to pause operations, affect spot trading activity, and disrupt physical trading activities due to reduced invoice availability.

Com · 4 minute read

Elon Musk is preparing to launch X Money, a financial services tool integrated into the X platform, which promises features such as 3% cash back, a 6% interest rate, and free peer-to-peer transfers. Despite regulatory hurdles and uncertainties concerning its rollout and features, X Money aims to create a super-app model similar to WeChat in China, leveraging the existing user base of 600 million monthly users.

Cnbctv18 · 6 minute read

U.S. budget airlines have requested a $2.5 billion relief package from the Trump administration to stabilize the aviation sector, with Spirit Airlines negotiating for a $500 million government loan to avoid liquidation. The potential federal assistance has sparked debate, with President Trump supporting aid to protect jobs, while critics argue against subsidizing struggling businesses.

Ainvest · 2 minute read

Goldman Sachs has increased its oil price forecasts, citing unexpectedly large declines in global oil inventories as a key factor influencing the decision.

Ndtvprofit · 3 minute read

The Bank of Japan is anticipated to maintain its interest rates unchanged due to the weak yen and economic uncertainties linked to the Iran conflict, with significant attention on Governor Kazuo Ueda's communication strategy. The Board is expected to focus on monetary normalization pressures and an updated economic outlook amid ongoing inflation concerns and external pressures.

Com · 5 minute read

Bitcoin has reached $78,126, gaining 10.5% over the past month due to the accumulation by mid-tier whales and decreased supply on exchanges. Institutional flows have surged, supporting the price increase, but the rally appears to be driven by a few large players rather than broad network involvement, creating a potential setup for further price movement.

Ainvest · 3 minute read

Cryptocurrency systems are better suited for artificial intelligence agents than human users, the chief executive of blockchain infrastructure firm, Alchemy, said, arguing that the design of digital assets aligns more closely with machine-based activity than traditional finance.

Mexc · 3 minute read