UBS Group: Raises End-March 2027 Brent Crude Price Forecast to $85 a Barrel

April 13th: Market sources report Strategy spent approximately $1 billion last week to acquire 13,927 bitcoins.

April 13 — Iranian hardline Parliament Speaker Ebrahim Raisi dismissed U.S. President Trump’s claims about blocking the Strait of Hormuz as “empty rhetoric.” The Iranian official warned that Iran is ready to respond if tensions escalate, adding that Tehran could take additional undisclosed actions that may disrupt markets.

On April 13, the U.S. military announced — citing a notice to mariners reported by Reuters — that any vessel entering or departing a restricted area without authorization will be intercepted, rerouted and detained. The blockade applies to all maritime traffic, regardless of flag, and will be enforced in the Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a government meeting on April 13 that a ceasefire with Iran could end soon. He noted that U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has identified the removal of enriched uranium as the main current issue between the U.S. and Iran.

**April 13 – Bitcoin traders are actively positioning for a price drop, STS Digital CEO Maxime Seiler said Wednesday.** The crypto exchange chief noted in a report that demand for put options (downside protection) is far outpacing call options. Investors are paying premiums for downside safeguards while selling upside bets — a clear sign of market panic, he added. At the time of the bearish signal, Bitcoin was trading just above $70,000. The token fell nearly 4% over the weekend amid former U.S. President Trump’s threat to block the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday, U.S. Central Command announced the Navy will intercept all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports starting at 10 a.m. ET. That move pushed oil prices back above $100 per barrel. High oil prices signal rising inflationary pressures — a key focus for central bankers ahead of their late-April meeting. As a risk asset, Bitcoin is highly sensitive to central bank policies, which shape the financial system’s monetary su

On April 13, Stack BTC—a publicly listed Bitcoin treasury firm backed by UK Reform Party leader Nigel Farage and former Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng—bought 37.1898 bitcoins at roughly $72,385 each (or ~￡53,778 per coin). The total cost was approximately $2.69 million (￡2 million), pushing the company’s total Bitcoin holdings to 68.1898 coins.