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Trump Reinstates Strait of Hormuz Blockade; Proposes 20% Transit Fee on All Cargo — Brent Crude Jumps 9.5% to $83

President Trump announced the United States will reinstate a naval blockade on Iranian ports and impose a 20% fee on all non-Iranian cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz, effective Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. Brent crude jumped 9.5% to above $83 per barrel, its biggest single-day gain since May 2020, while WTI settled near $78. The move follows a third consecutive night of US strikes on Iran and effectively ends the ceasefire agreement signed in mid-June.

Trump Orders U.S. Naval Blockade of Strait of Hormuz After Iran Peace Talks Collapse

President Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to blockade the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday after weekend peace negotiations in Islamabad between the U.S. and Iran ended without a deal. The move sent oil prices surging past $103 per barrel, rattled global equity markets, and reignited fears of a prolonged energy supply shock that could deepen inflationary pressures across the global economy.

Block to Cut 40% of Workforce in AI-Driven Restructuring, Rattling Fintech Sector

Block, the payments and financial services company led by Jack Dorsey, announced it will eliminate approximately 40% of its workforce as part of a sweeping strategic restructuring tied to the adoption of artificial intelligence. The announcement sent S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures each down 0.4% before Friday's open and raised fresh concerns about AI-driven displacement across the broader fintech and financial services industry.

21Shares Spot SUI ETF to Begin Trading on Nasdaq, Expanding U.S. Access to Sui

21Shares announced that its spot SUI ETF will begin trading on the Nasdaq on Tuesday, providing U.S. investors with regulated access to the Sui blockchain’s native token. The listing represents a significant expansion of digital asset investment options within the regulated ETF ecosystem, reflecting broader institutional interest in crypto infrastructure and blockchain-related investment vehicles.

Binance Revives Tokenized U.S. Stock Trading Through Ondo Finance Partnership

Binance has reintroduced trading in select tokenized U.S. equities through a partnership with Ondo Finance, offering crypto traders access to fractionalized versions of traditional stocks and ETFs. The move underscores growing convergence between digital asset platforms and traditional financial markets, despite ongoing regulatory scrutiny in key jurisdictions.

Coinbase Surges 16% Despite Earnings Miss as $1 Billion Share Buyback Signals Confidence

Coinbase Global rallied 16.4% on Friday following fourth quarter results that missed revenue estimates but showcased $3.07 billion in free cash flow and completion of a $1 billion share buyback program. The cryptocurrency exchange's transformation into a diversified financial infrastructure platform attracted renewed institutional buying led by Cathie Wood's ARK Invest, which purchased $15.2 million in shares.

Bitcoin Tumbles Below $70,000 as Cryptocurrency Markets Face Continued Pressure

Bitcoin slipped below $70,000 on Monday following last week's volatile trading that saw the cryptocurrency briefly touch $60,000. The decline extends Bitcoin's retreat from October's record high, with the digital asset down approximately 50% from peak levels as institutional flows weaken and correlation with risk assets intensifies.

NYSE Unveils Tokenized Securities Platform to Enable Around-the-Clock Stock Trading

The New York Stock Exchange announced the launch of a private blockchain-based tokenized securities trading platform designed to facilitate 24/7 stock trading, a development that could reshape the intersection of traditional capital markets and digital asset infrastructure. The initiative, awaiting regulatory approval, reflects increasing institutional interest in tokenized real-world assets and potential innovation in market structure.

MSV Protocol Launches Proof-of-Asset Integrity as RWA Tokenization Accelerates

MSV Protocol unveiled its Proof-of-Asset Integrity solution on Monday, seeking to enhance trust and transparency in the tokenization of real-world assets. The initiative arrives amid accelerating adoption of decentralized finance models and increased institutional interest in blockchain-based asset representation.