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European stocks wrap volatile week mixed: FTSE 100 inches higher, DAX dips

3 Mins Read

European markets closed out a turbulent week with modest losses on Friday, as the intensifying tariff standoff between the United States and China continued to rattle global investor sentiment.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index slipped 0.1%, retracing slightly after logging its strongest session since March 2022 on Thursday.

The UK’s FTSE 100 rose 0.64% after better-than-expected GDP data for February, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 was flat.

Germany’s DAX declined 0.9% and France’s CAC 40 dipped 0.3%.

The euro continued to strengthen, gaining 1.3% against the US dollar to reach $1.134 — its highest level since February 2022 — on the back of optimism over economic resilience in the eurozone.

Sector-wise, risk-off sentiment remained evident. Industrials, technology, and energy stocks stayed under pressure, while defensive sectors such as utilities and consumer durables attracted buyers.

Trump tariff tensions dominate market narrative

The session capped a week marked by extreme volatility, fueled by policy uncertainty surrounding US President Donald Trump’s new tariff regime.

The White House’s initial move to impose steep “reciprocal tariffs” on nearly 90 countries and territories was walked back midweek, replaced by a 10% blanket levy for 90 days to allow for negotiations, excluding China, which faces a punitive 145% import duty.

In response, Beijing raised its tariffs on US goods to 125%, up from 84%, escalating fears of a prolonged disruption in global trade flows.

Despite these developments, European equities have shown greater resilience than their US counterparts.

While the S&P 500 has dropped nearly 11% year-to-date, the Stoxx 600 is down only 4.4%.

France’s CAC 40 has slipped 4%, the FTSE 100 is lower by about 3%, and Italy’s FTSE MIB has declined just 0.9%.

Germany’s DAX remains an outlier, up 2.4% so far in 2025.

Analysts attribute this relative outperformance to expectations that the economic fallout from the US-led trade conflict will be less severe in Europe.

Several Wall Street banks have noted that Europe’s diversified export base, stronger trade links with Asia outside of China, and more conservative monetary policy responses may cushion the impact.

US stocks on Friday

After starting the day in red, US stocks edged higher Friday as investors tried to find footing following a volatile week dominated by tariff headlines and economic data.

The S&P 500 rose 0.5%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 140 points, or 0.4%, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.7%.

The move higher came despite a setback in consumer sentiment data that briefly pressured equities.

The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index for April fell more than expected, signaling rising unease among households.

The University of Michigan’s latest consumer sentiment survey showed a sharp decline in confidence, with the index falling to 50.8 in April from 57 in March.

This marks one of the lowest readings since the pandemic-era lows and underscores rising anxiety among consumers amid inflation concerns and escalating trade tensions.

More notably, consumers’ year-ahead inflation expectations surged to their highest level since 1981, stoking concerns that price pressures could persist even as broader inflation gauges show signs of cooling.

The post European stocks wrap volatile week mixed: FTSE 100 inches higher, DAX dips appeared first on Invezz

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Crypto Market Recap: Trump Signs First Crypto Bill, SEC Issues Crypto Guidance

6 Mins Read

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Friday (April 11) as of 9:00 p.m. UTC.

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

At the time of this writing, Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$83,823.99 and up 5.2 percent in 24 hours. The day’s range has seen a low of US$81,675.28 and a high of U$83,968.58.

Bitcoin performance, April 11, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Markets recovered on Friday afternoon after a week of unprecedented volatility triggered by an ongoing trade war between the US and China. Stronger-than-expected producer price index data out of the US suggests inflation could be easing, igniting a recovery for the crypto and stock markets.

Ethereum (ETH) is priced at US$1,565, a 3 percent increase over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency reached an intraday low of US$1,549.00 and a high of US$1,582.64.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) is currently valued at US$120.57, up 8.4 percent over the past 24 hours. SOL experienced a low of US$118.23 and a high of US$121.52 on Friday.
  • XRP is trading at US$2.05, reflecting a 4.2 percent increase over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency recorded an intraday low of US$1.99 and a high of US$2.06.
  • Sui (SUI) is priced at US$2.22, showing an increaseof 6.5 percent over the past 24 hours. It achieved a daily low of US$2.17 and a high of US$2.24.
  • Cardano (ADA) is trading at US$0.6279, reflecting a 4.9 percent increase over the past 24 hours. Its lowest price on Friday was US$0.6175, with a high of US$0.6313.

Crypto news to know

Trump overturns IRS DeFi rule

US President Donald Trump has signed into law a bill nullifying an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rule that controversially expanded the definition of “broker” to include decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms.

The regulation, finalized in the waning days of the Biden administration, would have required DeFi protocols — which operate without intermediaries — to report detailed user transaction data to the IRS, something crypto developers argued was both technically unfeasible and legally dubious.

With bipartisan support, both chambers of Congress passed the reversal using the Congressional Review Act. The decision is part of Trump’s broader pledge to position the US as a global crypto leader.

In his first week back in office, he created a federal working group on cryptocurrency regulation and signed an executive order to build a national Bitcoin reserve. The Trump administration has also repeatedly criticized the Biden-era IRS framework as stifling innovation and creating legal liabilities for developers.

SEC issues guidance on crypto securities disclosures

Intending to build on the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Crypto Task Force, the commission’s Division of Corporation Finance issued guidance on how federal securities laws should apply to crypto.

The commission said companies issuing or dealing with tokens that could be securities should give better details about their business. However, the statement didn’t provide clarity on what digital assets could be securities.

Crypto companies typically provide details about their operations, the function of their tokens, and their plans for generating revenue. They also address their future involvement with any launched crypto networks or apps, specifying who will take responsibility for them if the company itself does not.

The SEC has requested that cryptocurrency companies provide additional details about their technology. This includes specifying whether their product uses a proof-of-work or proof-of-stake blockchain, as well as information about its block size, transaction speed, reward mechanisms and the measures taken to ensure network security.

The SEC also asked whether the protocol is open-source or not.

It added that a company should share if a protocol’s code can be modified, and if so, who can make such changes and whether the smart contracts involved have been subjected to a third-party security audit.

Other disclosures the statement mentioned are whether the token’s supply is fixed and how it was or will be issued, along with identifying executives and “significant employees.”

New York moves to let state agencies accept crypto payments

New York could soon become one of the first US states to formally integrate cryptocurrency into government operations.

A newly filed bill, Assembly Bill A7788, introduced by Assemblymember Clyde Vanel, proposes to allow state agencies to accept crypto — including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash — for a wide range of payments such as taxes, fees, rent, and fines.

The proposed legislation would authorize agencies to enter agreements with crypto payment providers, ensuring that final settlements are made in fiat currency to shield state budgets from crypto market volatility.

More importantly, the bill stipulates that debts would not be considered legally settled until the state receives full fiat payment, preserving the integrity of public finance processes.

Agencies may also charge service fees to offset transaction costs and volatility hedging. While this is not the first time such a proposal has emerged — similar bills were introduced in previous legislative sessions but failed to advance — the current climate of growing mainstream adoption and Trump-era pro-crypto sentiment may improve its chances.

SEC and Ripple seek abeyance in legal proceedings

The SEC and Ripple have filed a joint motion to put their appeals in abeyance, pausing proceedings in a sign that both entities anticipate a settlement will be reached when newly appointed SEC Chairman Paul Atkins takes over.

The Senate confirmed Atkins on April 9; however, no date has been set for his swearing-in.

“An abeyance would conserve judicial and party resources while the parties continue to pursue a negotiated resolution of this matter,” the parties jointly stated in an April 10 court filing. Ripple’s defense attorney, James Filan, said the new filing supersedes the April 16 deadline for Ripple to respond to the SEC’s brief filed in January.

In other developments, the SEC dismissed its lawsuit against Helium developer Nova Labs for allegedly issuing unregistered securities.

BlackRock reports digital asset inflows

BlackRock (NASDAQ:BLK) released its Q1 earnings report on Friday, reporting US$84 billion in total net inflows in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 3 percent annualized growth in assets under management (AUM).

Its performance was led in part by US$107 billion in net inflows to its iShares ETFs, roughly US$3 billion, or 2.8 percent, directed to digital asset products. Digital AUM amounted to US$50.3 billion at the end of Q1, roughly 0.5 percent of the firm’s US$11.6 trillion total AUM.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Retirees ‘stunned’ as market turmoil over tariffs shrinks their 401(k)s

5 Mins Read

Americans nearing retirement and recent retirees said they were anxious and frustrated following a second day of market turmoil that hit their 401(k)s after President Donald Trump’s escalation of tariffs.

As the impending tariffs shook the global economy Friday, people who were planning on their retirement accounts to carry them through their golden years said the economic chaos was hitting too close to home.

Some said they are pausing big-ticket purchases and reconsidering home renovations, while others said they fear their quality of life will be adversely affected by all the turmoil.

“I’m just kind of stunned, and with so much money in the market, we just sort of have to hope we have enough time to recover,” said Paula, 68, a former occupational health professional in New Jersey who retired three years ago.

Paula, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she feared retaliation for speaking out against Trump administration policies, said she was worried about what lies ahead.

“What we’ve been doing is trying to enjoy the time that we have, but you want to be able to make it last,” Paula said Friday. “I have no confidence here.”

Trump fulfilled his campaign promise this week to unleash sweeping tariffs, including on the United States’ largest trading partners, in a move that has sparked fears of a global trade war. The decision sent the stock market spinning. On Friday afternoon, the broad-based S&P 500 closed down 6%, the tech-heavy Nasdaq dropped 5.8%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 2,200 points, or about 5.5%.

As Wall Street reeled Friday after China hit back with tariffs against the U.S., millions of Americans with 401(k)s watched their retirement funds diminish along with the stock market.

“I looked at my 401(k) this morning and in the last two days that’s lost $58,000. That’s stressful,” said Victor Fettes, 54, of Georgia, who retired last week as a senior director of risk management and compliance at Verizon. “If that continues, I can’t stay retired.”

Trump has said the tariffs will force businesses to relocate manufacturing and production back to the U.S. and bring back jobs. Some investors and business groups have pushed back, saying they are likely to lead to higher prices for U.S. consumers.

“Our country has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike,” Trump said recently. “But it is not going to happen anymore.”

The president has acknowledged the potential pain coming to some Americans’ wallets, but he continues to staunchly defend his agenda.

“MY POLICIES WILL NEVER CHANGE,” he posted to social media Friday. Later, he wrote, “ONLY THE WEAK WILL FAIL.”

Trump’s tariffs are steeper and more widespread than any in modern American history. They are potentially even broader than the tariffs of 1930 that historians said worsened the Great Depression.

Some Americans thinking about retirement told NBC News they feel their economic stability is being played with.

“I don’t want to have to worry that everyone is constantly changing my financial reality,” said Alison Carey, 64, of Oregon, a freelancer in the theater industry. “Let the economy do its machinations, but don’t put me in the gears.”

Paula said she and other older Americans are living with “anxiety about something where you don’t really know what’s going to happen. You can’t do anything though.”

She and her husband have decided to pause and reduce spending on big-ticket items. They are reconsidering vacations and home renovations.

“We can’t change anything right now, except our spending,” she said. “I’m sure there are consumers across the board that want to be cautious, too. Then it becomes a vicious cycle. Consumer confidence goes down.”

One in five Americans age 50 and over have no retirement savings, and more than half, 61%, are worried they will not have enough money to support them in retirement, according to a survey published by the AARP last April.

“It makes you realize how out of touch the current administration is with regular people,” said Benajah Cobb, 63, Carey’s husband, who also works in the theater industry.

He said he hoped the last few days of stock market turmoil would motivate lawmakers to put more checks and balances on the president.

“It’s happening so quickly. Things are falling apart so quickly,” he said. “I’m hoping Congress will try to step up a bit, the Republicans in Congress.”

Fettes said he has been calling his representatives about the tariffs and other issues “to make sure that as a constituent, our voices are being heard.”

“We believe firmly in our family that a democracy is a participatory game, and so we want to make sure that our representatives understand where we’re at and what we would like for them to do to represent,” he said.

Paula said that as she and her husband continue to monitor their retirement accounts, their biggest fear is how Trump’s policies could impact the quality of the rest of their lives — and when their funds will run out.

“That’s my big worry, when is that shortfall going to happen now?” she said.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

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In Politics

Trump envoy meets Putin in Russia as Trump fumes over stalled Ukraine peace talks

4 Mins Read

White House envoy Steve Witkoff was in Russia on Friday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin after peace talks with Ukraine stalled out in recent weeks, ‘frustrating’ President Donald Trump.

‘This is another step in the negotiating process towards a ceasefire,’ White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said of the meeting. ‘I think the president has been quite clear that he’s been continually frustrated with both sides of this conflict, and he wants to see this fighting, and he wants the war to end.’

Russian media broadcast images of Putin and Witkoff meeting at the presidential library in St. Petersburg. 

Leavitt said the U.S. had ‘leverage’ over Ukraine and Russia to pressure them to agree to peace.

‘We believe we have leverage in negotiating a deal… And we’re going to use that leverage. And the president is determined to see this through,’ Leavitt said.

Trump has demanded that both sides agree to an immediate 30-day ceasefire while they hash out a longer peace deal. Ukraine has agreed to this, while Russia has not. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed Ukraine had found two Chinese men fighting on behalf of Russia within their borders, a development that would suggest Russia is receiving direct manpower aid from both North Korea and China. 

Zelenskyy said at least 155 Chinese citizens were fighting for Russia as he accused Putin of ‘prolonging the war’ — a claim the Kremlin denied Thursday, stating that China takes a ‘balanced position’ to the war and that ‘Zelenskyy is wrong.’ Fox News Digital has reached out to the Russian Ministry of Defense for further comment.   

Ahead of Witkoff’s meeting with Russian officials, Trump ramped up pressure on Putin, writing on Truth Social: ‘Russia has to get moving. Too many people are DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war – a war that should have never happened, and wouldn’t have happened, if I were President!!!’

Trump said on March 31 that he was ‘pissed off’ with the Russian leader and threatened to put ‘secondary tariffs’ on Russia’s oil exports, its financial lifeline for the war effort. That could mean sanctioning countries that buy Russian oil or cracking down on its ‘shadow fleet’ of tankers carrying oil across the globe in disguise.

Trump has previously aired out complaints about Zelenskyy, too, calling him a ‘dictator without elections.’ A public White House meeting last month erupted into a near-shouting match where Zelenskyy abruptly left the premises. 

Ukraine agreed to both the unconditional ceasefire and a more tailored maritime ceasefire, but Russia has made a fresh round of demands, including the lifting of some sanctions. 

‘We are making progress. We hope that we are getting relatively close to getting a deal between Russia and Ukraine to stop the fighting,’ Trump said during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday. 

The U.S. and Russia carried out a prisoner exchange deal that saw the return of ballerina and U.S.-Russian citizen Ksenia Karelina to the U.S. on Friday. Karelina was sentenced to 12 years in prison at the start of the war in 2022 for donating $51 to a Ukrainian charity. 

On Thursday, U.S. and Russian officials met in Istanbul to discuss reopening operations at each other’s embassies. 

The St. Petersburg gathering is Witkoff’s third meeting with Putin this year. Over the weekend he will head to Oman to negotiate with Iran in nuclear talks.

Ahead of Friday’s meeting, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was ‘no need to expect breakthroughs’ and the ‘process of normalizing relations is ongoing.’

Reuters contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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China strikes back with 125% tariffs on US imports amid deepening trade war

3 Mins Read

China has sharply escalated its trade confrontation with the United States, raising tariffs on American goods to 125% from 84% in response to President Donald Trump’s reciprocal duties.

The announcement, made on Friday by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council, marks a new peak in the tit-for-tat trade battle that has battered global markets and dampened hopes for a negotiated resolution.

“Even if the US continues to impose higher tariffs, it will no longer make economic sense and will become a joke in the history of world economy,” the Chinese statement read, according to a CNBC translation.

Officials in Beijing also declared that with tariffs at such levels, there is effectively no longer a market for US imports into China.

They warned that further US actions would be ignored entirely.

The Trump administration confirmed a day earlier that US tariffs on Chinese imports now amount to an effective rate of 145%, further intensifying the standoff.

“There are no winners in a trade war, and going against the world will only lead to self-isolation,” Xi told Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing on Friday, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

China brands US measures as economic bullying

Separately, China’s Ministry of Commerce issued a strongly worded condemnation of Washington’s approach, describing US tariff actions as “typical unilateral bullying” and a serious breach of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

Beijing said it had lodged a fresh complaint with the WTO over the latest round of US tariff hikes.

“We urge the US to immediately correct its wrong practices and cancel all unilateral tariff measures against China,” a ministry spokesperson said, underscoring Beijing’s hardening stance.

Chinese officials have repeatedly accused the Trump administration of escalating tensions for domestic political gain.

“The successive imposition of excessively high tariffs on China by the US has become nothing more than a numbers game, with no real economic significance,” a spokesperson for China’s Commerce Ministry said in a statement Friday.

Hopes for resolution fade as both China, US dig in their heels

The prospect of a breakthrough in US-China trade talks has all but evaporated, as both sides dig in for what increasingly looks like a prolonged economic conflict.

“It’s unfortunate that the Chinese actually don’t want to come and negotiate, because they are the worst offenders in the international trading system,” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview with Fox Business.

He criticised Beijing’s stance and argued that China’s economic structure remains dangerously imbalanced.

Beijing, meanwhile, has made clear it will not back down. According to Reuters, China’s commerce minister reaffirmed the country’s determination to defend its interests with “resolute countermeasures.”

European markets give up morning gains

The latest escalation rattled European markets, wiping out early gains.

The FTSE 100 slipped 0.048%, the Stoxx 600 fell 0.51%, Germany’s DAX dropped 0.61%, and France’s CAC 40 lost 0.45% in morning trading.

Investment bank Goldman Sachs on Thursday cut its forecast for China’s 2025 GDP growth to 4%, citing the drag from trade tensions and softer global demand.

Although exports to the US account for just around 3% of China’s GDP, Goldman analysts estimate that between 10 million and 20 million Chinese jobs are linked to these shipments, highlighting the broader economic risks.

As the rhetoric sharpens and retaliatory measures mount, the world’s two largest economies appear locked in an increasingly bitter standoff with no clear off-ramp in sight.

The post China strikes back with 125% tariffs on US imports amid deepening trade war appeared first on Invezz

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Crypto Market Recap: Bitcoin Stages a Comeback as Tariff Negotiations Continue

5 Mins Read

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Wednesday (April 9) as of 9:00 p.m. UTC.

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

At the time of this writing, Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$82,060.13 and up 7.2 percent in 24 hours. The day’s range has seen a low of US$76,842.48 and a high of US$82,665.31.

Bitcoin performance, April 9, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Bitcoin is back to trading near levels seen earlier in the week following an announcement from the White House that tariffs against most countries will be paused for 90 days, after which reciprocal tariffs will be lowered to 10 percent. China is an exception — tariffs against the country have been boosted immediately to 125 percent.

Ethereum (ETH) is priced at US$1,633.44, an 11.9 percent increase over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency reached an intraday low of US$1,459.15 and a high of US$1,661.40.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) is currently valued at US$118.54, up 14.3 percent over the past 24 hours. SOL experienced a low of US$104.09 and a high of US$119.68 on Wednesday.
  • XRP is trading at US$2.03, reflecting an 11.8 percent increase over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency recorded an intraday low of US$1.79 and a high of US$2.06.
  • Sui (SUI) is priced at US$2.24, showing an increaseof 13.9 percent over the past 24 hours. It achieved a daily low of US$1.09 and a high of US$2.26.
  • Cardano (ADA) is trading at US$0.6308, reflecting a 12.8 percent increase over the past 24 hours. Its lowest price on Wednesday was US$0.5597, with a high of US$0.64.

Crypto news to know

Trump’s tariff shock wipes US$2 billion from US Bitcoin stash

The US government’s Bitcoin holdings have dropped by nearly US$2 billion in value since April 2 — dubbed “Liberation Day” by President Donald Trump — following a steep market selloff triggered by tariff announcements.

According to Arkham Intelligence, the 198,012 BTC held by federal agencies declined in value from US$17.24 billion to US$15.21 billion in just under a week as Bitcoin slid from over US$87,000 to below US$77,000.

An executive order made by Trump in March established a strategic Bitcoin reserve sourced from seized assets, further tying federal coffers to price swings in the cryptocurrency. The losses come as the administration ramps up global economic pressure, testing the volatility of its newly created digital reserve.

Digital asset regulations under scrutiny at congressional hearing

The Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) held a hearing on Wednesday to examine why current regulations may not apply to digital asset activities, and to explore which of these activities trigger US securities laws. Members of the subcommittee also discussed how Congress can address challenges through legislative action that reduces legal uncertainty while encouraging innovation.

At the hearing, Rodrigo Seira, special counsel to law firm Cooley, told the subcommittee that current securities laws are not flexible enough to account for digital assets, citing a long list of crypto projects that have tried and failed to register their products with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

“It is clear that the current securities regulatory framework is not a viable option to regulate crypto. It fails to achieve its stated policy goals,” Seira said in his opening remarks.

“(T)he idea that crypto projects can come in and register with the SEC is demonstrably false.”

Seira admitted that it is critical to apply federal regulations to crypto promoters; however, “virtually no crypto projects have successfully registered their tokens under federal securities laws and lived to tell the tale.”

Representative Bryan Steil, head of the subcommittee, praised the progress that lawmakers have made, mentioning last week’s passing of the STABLE Act in the House of Representatives, before directing the subcommittee to the next stage of the process, namely comprehensive digital asset market structure legislation.

Pakistan taps Bitcoin mining and AI to solve power woes

Pakistan is turning to Bitcoin mining and AI data centers as a solution for its surplus electricity problem, aiming to repurpose excess power into revenue-generating infrastructure.

Bilal Bin Saqib, head of the country’s Crypto Council, told Reuters that mining sites will be selected based on regional energy overcapacity, with former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao advising on the initiative.

Despite regulatory ambiguity, Pakistan ranks among the top 10 countries in global crypto adoption and boasts over 15 million users. The move also emphasizes youth blockchain upskilling and fostering innovation in fintech through regulatory sandboxes to boost exports and economic resilience.

Kraken, Mastercard bring crypto spending to 150 million merchants

Crypto exchange Kraken is teaming up with Mastercard (NYSE:MA) to roll out crypto debit cards across the UK and Europe, enabling users to spend digital assets at more than 150 million merchants.

The partnership builds on Kraken Pay, which allows seamless crypto-to-fiat transactions in over 300 currencies.

The new physical and digital cards — set to launch in the coming weeks — are aimed at expanding crypto’s real-world utility and normalizing digital asset payments.

Kraken CEO David Ripley views this as a critical step toward integrating crypto into everyday commerce, while Mastercard has underscored its commitment to innovating in digital finance and supporting blockchain initiatives.

Binance to delist 14 tokens

Binance announced on Tuesday (April 8) its decision to delist 14 tokens — BADGER, BAL, BETA, CREAM, CTXC, ELF, FIRO, HARD, NULS, PROS, SNT, TROY, UFT and VIDT — from its platform on April 16.

The decision follows a comprehensive evaluation that included a review of project commitment and trading volume. The outcome also incorporated the results of Binance’s newly introduced ‘Vote to Delist’ mechanism, which allows users to vote on potentially underperforming tokens based on their BNB holdings.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink to step down amid high-stakes war diplomacy

2 Mins Read

U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink is stepping down, the State Department confirmed Thursday, as the Trump administration ramps up its efforts to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

Tammy Bruce, a State Department spokesperson, said Brink would be leaving her role, though she didn’t give a specific departure date. 

The news comes at a critical moment for U.S. foreign policy as officials work to ease tensions and end the grinding war in Eastern Europe.

Brink, a career diplomat with decades of experience, was nominated by then-President Joe Biden and unanimously confirmed by the Senate in May 2022, just months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

She became the first U.S. ambassador to serve in Kyiv since 2019, helping reestablish America’s diplomatic presence after embassy staff were evacuated in the early days of the war.

Before serving in Ukraine, Brink was the U.S. ambassador to Slovakia and worked in top roles at the National Security Council. She speaks Russian and is known for strongly defending U.S. interests in Eastern Europe.

While in Ukraine, Brink was a vocal supporter of American military aid and often appeared publicly with Ukrainian leaders. Her resignation comes as the Trump administration shifts focus toward ending the war through diplomacy and renewed talks with Russia.

Also on Thursday, U.S. and Russian officials held rare face-to-face talks in Istanbul aimed at repairing long-strained diplomatic relations. The State Department said the two sides exchanged formal notes to finalize an agreement that would stabilize banking services for each country’s embassies, a step seen as key to keeping diplomatic missions operational.

In recent years, both countries have imposed financial restrictions on each other’s embassies and slashed staffing due to the fallout from the war. A finalized banking deal could open the door to restoring some of those lost diplomatic connections.

The State Department said follow-up talks are expected, though no date has been set.

Brink’s departure lands at a moment of major transition in U.S. foreign policy. Her exit may also clear the way for a new ambassador more closely aligned with the Trump administration’s push for a ceasefire deal.

The State Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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European stocks rally 8% as US tariff delay lifts global market sentiment

4 Mins Read

European markets posted sharp gains on Thursday following a surprise move by US President Donald Trump to postpone a new round of tariffs on dozens of countries, including the European Union.

The announcement, made late on Wednesday, triggered a major rally across global equities, as investors responded to signs of easing trade tensions between two of the world’s largest economic blocs.

With the Eurozone already facing headwinds from slowing growth and supply chain issues, the temporary relief offered by the US decision sent a wave of optimism through financial markets in the region.

Indexes rally across Europe

By 9 am CET on Thursday, European stock markets were firmly in positive territory. Germany’s DAX index climbed 8.37%, while the EURO STOXX 50 rose 8.78%.

France’s CAC 40 advanced 2.27%, the FTSE 100 in London increased 5.96%, and Spain’s IBEX 35 rose 8.10%.

Italy’s FTSE MIB recorded the strongest surge among major bourses with a gain of 10.20%, while Switzerland’s SMI rose 9%.

The euro strengthened by 0.27% against the dollar to $1.09815, and the pound gained 0.38% to trade at $1.28688, reflecting broader investor sentiment in favour of European assets.

EU to expand trade ties

The three-month suspension of tariffs comes after Trump’s announcement last week of a 20% duty on US imports from the European Union.

The proposed tariffs were part of a broader push by the US administration to impose reciprocal trade measures on foreign nations.

The reversal, however, marks a significant shift in tone, particularly towards the EU.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the pause an important step for global trade stability.

She reiterated the EU’s commitment to engaging with the US on “frictionless and mutually beneficial” trade, noting that predictable conditions are vital for global supply chains.

While the US decision did not affect existing tariffs on key sectors like steel, aluminium, and automobiles, it paused additional duties on a range of imports.

The European Union is still expected to launch countermeasures against the US levies on steel and aluminium starting next week. However, von der Leyen did not comment directly on those plans in her public statements.

Long-term concerns remain

Although the US tariff suspension provided short-term relief to markets, underlying trade tensions remain unresolved.

Trump’s move is seen as part of a broader strategy to increase pressure on China, while temporarily reducing friction with traditional allies.

The paused tariffs had targeted billions of dollars in EU exports, and their suspension is viewed by analysts as a negotiating tactic rather than a permanent policy shift.

The European Union has responded by intensifying its efforts to diversify its trade relationships.

According to von der Leyen, the bloc is engaging with trade partners that collectively account for 87% of global trade, in a bid to reduce reliance on any single country or economic bloc.

She also highlighted the need to improve integration within the EU’s single market.

In her remarks, she pointed to a renewed push by Brussels to lift internal barriers and boost economic cooperation among member states.

Global reaction continues

The US tariff delay came at a crucial time for global markets.

On Wednesday, Wall Street saw major gains, with investors interpreting the announcement as a sign that Washington may be open to negotiations with its trading partners.

That rally continued in Europe on Thursday, with renewed buying interest across sectors.

However, the long-term direction of trade relations between the US and EU remains uncertain.

The suspension is set to expire in three months, and there is no guarantee that discussions during this window will lead to a lasting agreement.

Meanwhile, the EU’s planned countermeasures and the US focus on confronting China could reignite tensions down the road.

As markets continue to respond to developments in US trade policy, the EU appears to be hedging its bets by strengthening internal cohesion and expanding global partnerships—steps that may shape the region’s resilience in future economic shocks.

The post European stocks rally 8% as US tariff delay lifts global market sentiment appeared first on Invezz

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Silver Price Update: Q1 2025 in Review

6 Mins Read

Gold may be grabbing headlines with record-breaking highs in 2025, but silver is quietly making its own impressive climb, rising 17 percent since the start of the year.

Long supported by industrial demand, the silver market is also benefiting from its reputation as a safe-haven asset. However, mounting economic uncertainty has rattled investors in recent months.

While there are many driving forces behind this uncertainty, the ongoing tariff threats from US President Donald Trump and his administration have spooked equity markets worldwide.

What happened to the silver price in Q1?

After reaching a year-to-date high of US$34.72 per ounce in October 2024, the price of silver spent the rest of the year in decline, bottoming out at US$28.94 on December 30.

A momentum shift at the start of the year caused it to rise. Opening at US$29.53 on January 2, silver quickly broke through the US$30 barrier on January 7, eventually reaching US$31.28 by January 31.

Silver price, January 2 to April 4, 2025

Chart via Trading Economics.

Silver’s gains continued through much of February, with the white metal climbing to US$32.94 on February 20 before retreating to US$31.13 on February 28. Silver rose again in March, surpassing the US$32 mark on March 5 and closing above US$32 on March 12. It peaked at its quarterly high of US$34.43 on March 27.

Heading into April, silver slumped back to US$33.67 on the first day of the month; it then declined sharply to below US$30 following Trump’s tariff announcements on April 2.

Tariff fears lift silver, but industrial demand uncertainty looms

Precious metals, including silver, have benefited from the volatility created by the Trump administration’s constant tariff threats since the beginning of the year. These threats have caused chaos throughout global equity and financial markets, prompting more investors to seek safe-haven assets to stabilize their portfolios.

“We don’t really have any indication yet that industrial demand has weakened. There is, of course, a lot of concern regarding industrial demand, as tariffs could cause demand destruction as costs go up,” he said.

Krauth noted that for solar panels there is an argument that tariffs could positively affect industrial demand if countries have a greater desire for self-sufficiency and reduced reliance on energy imports.

He referenced research by Heraeus Precious Metals about a possible slowdown in demand from China, which accounts for 80 percent of solar panel capacity. However, any slowdown would coincide with a transition from older PERC technology to newer TOPCon cells, which require significantly more silver inputs.

“This, along with the gradual replacement of older PERC solar panels with TOPCon panels, should support silver demand at or near recent levels,” Krauth said.

Recession could provide headwinds

Another potential headwind for silver is the looming prospect of a recession in the US.

At the beginning of 2024, analysts had largely reached a consensus that some form of recession was inevitable.

While real GDP in the US rose 2.8 percent year-on-year for 2024, data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s GDPNow tool shows a projected -2.8 percent growth rate for the first quarter.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis won’t release official real GDP figures until April 30, but the Atlanta Fed’s numbers suggest a troubling fall in GDP that could signal an impending recession.

“When the economy slows down, demand for manufactured goods, including silver, decreases, which means that buying in the next six months is unlikely to be a wise decision,” she said.

Solar panels account for significant demand, with considerable amounts also used in electric vehicles. Tariffs on US vehicle imports and a possible recession could create added pressure for silver.

“Another important factor is silver’s connection to the electric vehicle market. Previously, this sector supported demand for the metal, but now its growth has slowed down. In Europe and China, interest in electric cars is no longer so active, and against the background of economic problems, sales may even decline,” Khandoshko said.

Silver demand from solar panel production stands at 232 million ounces annually, with an additional 80 million ounces used by the electric vehicle sector. A recession could lead consumers to postpone major purchases, such as home improvements or new vehicles, particularly if coupled with the extra costs of tariffs.

Although the impact of tariffs on the economy — and ultimately demand for silver — remains uncertain, the Silver Institute’s latest news release on March 3 indicates a fifth consecutive annual supply deficit.

Silver price outlook for 2025

“I think silver will hold up well and rise on balance over the rest of this year,” Krauth said.

He also noted that, like gold, there have been shipments of physical silver out of vaults in the UK to New York as market participants try to avoid any direct tariffs that may be coming.

Khandoshko suggested silver’s outlook is more closely tied to consumer sentiment. “The situation may also change when the news stops discussing the high probability of a recession in the US,” she remarked.

With Trump announcing a sweeping 10 percent global tariff along with dozens of specific reciprocal tariffs on April 2, there appears to be more instability and uncertainty ahead for the world’s financial systems.

This uncertainty has spread to precious metals, with silver trading lower on April 3 and retreating back toward the US$31 mark. Investors might be taking profits, but it could also be a broader pullback as they determine how to respond in a more aggressively tariffed world. In either scenario, the market may be nearing opportunities.

“There is some risk that we could see a near-term correction in the silver price. I don’t see silver as currently overbought, but gold does appear to be. I think we could get a correction in the gold price, which would likely pull silver lower. I could see silver retreating to the US$29 to US$30 level. That would be an excellent entry point. In that scenario, I’d be a buyer of both the physical metal and the silver miners,” Krauth said.

With increased industrial demand and its traditional safe-haven status, silver may present a more ideological challenge for investors in 2025 as competing forces exert their influence. Ultimately, supply and demand will likely be what drives investors to pursue opportunities more than its safe-haven appeal.

Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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In Politics

Trump-backed bill to stop ‘rogue’ judges passes House

3 Mins Read

The House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday to limit federal district judges’ ability to affect Trump administration policies on a national scale.

The No Rogue Rulings Act, led by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., passed the House and limits district courts’ power to issue U.S.-wide injunctions, instead forcing them to focus their scope on the parties directly affected in most cases.

All but one Republican lawmaker voted for the bill, which passed 219 to 213. No Democrats voted in favor.

The Trump administration has faced more than 15 nationwide injunctions since the Republican commander-in-chief took office, targeting a wide range of President Donald Trump’s policies, from birthright citizenship reform to anti-diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

Issa himself was confident the bill would pass, telling Fox News Digital on Tuesday morning, ‘We’ve got the votes.’

He was less certain of the bill getting Democratic support, though he noted former Biden administration solicitor general Elizabeth Prelogar made her own complaints about district judges’ powers during the previous White House term.

‘We’re hoping some people look at it on its merits rather than its politics,’ Issa said.

Rep. Derek Schmidt, R-Kan., who has an amendment on the bill aimed at limiting plaintiffs’ ability to ‘judge shop’ cases to favorable districts, told Fox News Digital before the vote, ‘A lot of things get called commonsense around here, but this one genuinely is.’

‘The basic policy of trying to rein in the overuse of nationwide injunctions was supported by Democrats before. It’s supported by Republicans now, and I’m hoping [this vote will] be supported by both,’ he said.

Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, who, like Schmidt and Issa, is a House Judiciary Committee member, told Fox News Digital after the bill’s passage, ‘Many Democrat-appointed lower court judges have conducted themselves like activist liberal lawyers in robes while attempting to stop President Trump’s nationwide reforms. The No Rogue Rulings Act limits this unchecked power.’

Another GOP lawmaker, Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, told Fox News Digital, ‘More than 77 million Americans voted for [Trump’s] pro-American policies and want to see them implemented quickly. There is no reason that activist judges whose authority does not extend nationally should be allowed to completely stop [his] agenda.’

Republicans’ unity on the issue comes despite some early divisions over how to hit back at what they have called ‘rogue’ and ‘activist’ judges.

Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., who supported impeachment and Issa’s bill, told Fox News Digital, ‘The judicial vendetta against President Trump’s agenda needs to be checked. Nationwide injunctions by activists judges have stood in the way of the American people’s will and in come cases their safety, since the President was sworn into office.’

Stutzman said Issa’s bill ‘will stop individual judge’s political beliefs from preventing the wants and needs of our citizens from being implemented.’

A group of conservatives had pushed to impeach specific judges who have blocked Trump’s agenda, but House GOP leaders quickly quashed the effort in favor of what they see as a more effective route to take on the issue.

Despite its success in the House, however, the legislation does face uncertain odds in the Senate, where it needs at least several Democrats to hit the chamber’s 60-vote threshold.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

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