Cryptocurrency Dark Web Drug Market Operator Rui-Siang Lin Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison

On April 4th, per Coinglass data, total crypto liquidations across the network hit $133 million over the past 24 hours, with $77.83 million in long position liquidations and $54.89 million in short position liquidations.

**April 4th – Federal Reserve official Daly said the U.S. economy no longer needs to generate large numbers of jobs to keep the employment-population ratio steady. In this environment, monthly hiring figures no longer accurately reflect labor market health, and the unemployment rate is a more reliable measure.** **“Ratios and indicators like the employment-population ratio, unemployment rate, quit rate or hiring rate capture changes in workforce size, making them clearer reflections of labor market health,” she stated.** **Source: FX678**

On April 3, a senior Israeli official told Axios that Israel called off a planned strike on Iran to avoid hindering a rescue operation.

On April 3, Bloomberg reports the U.S. has doubled reinsurance guarantees for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to $40 billion, adding new partners including American International Group (AIG) and Berkshire Hathaway. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)—which launched a $20 billion reinsurance plan last month—said Wednesday the extra $20 billion in support comes from insurers Travelers, Liberty Mutual, Berkshire Hathaway, AIG, Starr, CNA, and Chubb. DFC CEO Adam Boehler noted in a statement: “These top U.S. insurers bring deep expertise in maritime and war risk coverage, boosting our efforts to restore confidence in global maritime trade.” The agency added it will collaborate with partners to vet qualifying vessels. Eligible applicants must submit details including the vessel’s origin/destination, primary beneficiary and location, cargo owner and location, and lender financing information for the ship.

On April 3rd, per Iran's Press TV citing an Iranian official, Iran can keep the Strait of Hormuz closed for years and would cut off U.S. military logistical support.

Per Crowdfund Insider, Charles Schwab will soon launch cryptocurrency trading on its investment platform as part of its push to build a "super app" or "all-in-one platform." Crypto-native platforms like Coinbase have led the way in creating such all-in-one hubs, while once-forward-thinking online brokers have been hesitant to embrace the concept—for some, likely due to lengthy internal debates and countless memos. Schwab’s new crypto account will launch with Bitcoin and Ethereum trading, with plans to expand its digital asset offerings over time. The firm previously rolled out cryptocurrency-themed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) following approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). At launch, the crypto account will be accessible to customers in all U.S. states except New York and Louisiana, and the platform was built entirely in-house by Schwab.