NASDAQ Composite Index hits another intraday all-time high; Cryptocurrency-related stocks surge
On April 22, Bitget market data shows the Nasdaq Composite Index has once again hit a new intraday all-time high, currently up 1.25%.
Cryptocurrency-related stocks are seeing strong gains: MSTR is up 9.41%, COIN 5.73%, CRCL 8.26%, SBET 3.80%, and BMNR 6.10%.
7 minutes ago
Iran Denies Holding US-Iran New Negotiation, Accuses Trump of "Lying Again"
**April 22 Update**
Xinhua News Agency reported Thursday that Iran’s Tasnim News Agency labeled U.S. President Donald Trump a “liar again” in response to his remarks that day suggesting a new round of U.S.-Iran talks could occur on April 24.
Trump told the New York Post in contradictory comments that a second round of talks with Iran might take place on the 24th. However, Tehran has not yet decided to participate in the proposed April 24 talks and has not revised its plan to skip the negotiations.
Additionally, the Iranian government has not officially announced its stance on extending the ceasefire.
7 minutes ago
Risk Hedging Ebbing + Rate Cut Expectation Rising, Dollar Bulls in Collective Retreat!
April 22 — The U.S. dollar weakened sharply on Tuesday as Middle East tensions eased (dimming its safe-haven appeal) and renewed bets on a Federal Reserve rate cut this year spurred global funds to pull out of dollar assets at an accelerated pace.
The U.S. Dollar Index has dropped ~2.3% from its late March peak, marking its worst monthly performance since August 2023.
Wall Street firms cite two key drivers for the greenback’s slide: fading safe-haven premiums and shifting policy expectations. JPMorgan has restarted its dollar-shorting strategy and turned bullish on risk-sensitive currencies like the Australian dollar. Bank of New York Mellon notes emerging market currencies have rebounded across the board, a sign of a sharp jump in global risk appetite.
Rising Fed rate-cut bets have also sent funds flowing back into high-yield and carry trade positions. Previously pressured currencies — including the euro, Korean won, and South African rand — have rebounded strongly, with some
7 minutes ago
The IDF Accuses Hezbollah of Violating the Ceasefire Agreement
**IDF Alleges Hezbollah Violated Ceasefire, Vows to Neutralize Threats**
On April 22, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement claiming Hezbollah in Lebanon violated the ceasefire agreement, adding it would take action to eliminate the threat.
The military said Hezbollah launched a drone targeting its soldiers south of the Blue Line in southern Lebanon. It noted the incident breached the ceasefire and that the drone had been intercepted. The IDF also stated it would continue acting to neutralize any threat to Israeli civilians and troops.
Earlier the same day, the IDF announced that during operations to dismantle armed infrastructure in multiple areas south of the Blue Line, soldiers seized weapons including rocket launchers, ammunition, drones, and firearms. These weapons, the IDF claimed, were intended for Hezbollah militants to attack Israeli forces.
Additionally, the IDF mentioned that the day prior, two armed individuals who crossed the Blue Line and approach
7 minutes ago
US Treasury Secretary: Expects Iran Conflict to End, Natural Gas Prices to Fall
April 22 — U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she expects the Iran conflict to end, which would drive down natural gas prices. Gasoline prices could fall below pre-conflict levels with Iran. President Trump has shown his ability to lower energy costs.
The claim that Iran would gain $14 billion from sanctions relief is “pure fantasy,” the U.S. Treasury Department stated. Lifting sanctions on Iran would release more than 250 million barrels of seaborne oil, the department added — without this action, prices would be higher (Kinling).
7 minutes ago
Crude Oil Futures Surge Amid Escalating Concerns Over Hormuz Strait Situation
On April 22, oil futures climbed for a third straight trading session as the anticipated reopening of the Strait of Hormuz failed to materialize again.
U.S. energy consulting firm Ritterbusch & Associates said in a note that former President Trump’s extension of the ceasefire removed the immediate risk of escalation, but talks could be pushed back—and U.S. lockdown measures are expected to stay in place indefinitely.
Shipments via alternative routes and drawdowns from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) have partially softened the blow to oil prices from the strait’s closure, while demand destruction that disrupts prices is emerging as a growing focal point. (FX168)
7 minutes ago