Crypto Macro News and Global Policy Updates

Well-known analyst Tom Lee said in an interview that despite the U.S.-Iran conflict and rising oil prices, the stock market did not fall, showing that the market has strong resilience. He believes that most S&P constituents have undergone significant adjustments, that the worst-case scenario for the overall market may already be behind us, and that there is room for upside from here. He is bullish on Ethereum as well as technology, industrial, and mid- and small-cap stocks.

Trump said on the Truth platform that all U.S. troops and supplies will remain in Iran and the surrounding region until an agreement is reached and carried out. He warned that if the agreement is not followed, he will launch stronger military action, but he pledged not to use nuclear weapons to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. military is also stepping up its preparations for war.

U.S. President Trump announced a 50% tariff on any country that provides military arms to Iran, emphasizing there will be "absolutely no exemptions." At the same time, the U.S. and Iran reached a ceasefire agreement, and Trump said he would work closely with Iran to end uranium enrichment and lift sanctions, with the situation hopeful to shift toward negotiations.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent urged Congress to pass the “Clear Act” as soon as possible to establish a clear regulatory framework for digital assets. He noted that cryptocurrencies have been widely adopted and emphasized that the United States must proactively maintain its leadership position in global financial regulation.

Gate News message. On April 9, U.S. President Trump issued a statement denying the 10-point plan for Iran negotiations reported by The New York Times and CNN. Trump said the 10-point plan is completely false, a fabricated scam intended to smear the people involved in the peace process.

The Democratic Party of Korea introduced the “Digital Assets Basic Act,” establishing a digital asset regulatory framework, including issuance requirements for stablecoins and rules governing market conduct. In addition, the Financial Services Commission requires exchanges to implement a uniform withdrawal delay to combat voice scams. The core of the bill centers on a dispute over the eligibility requirements for stablecoin issuance, with the central bank and the Financial Services Commission taking different positions.

Gate News message, April 9, Goldman Sachs said that given the decline in risk premium at the front end of the curve, and that crude oil volumes transiting the Suez Canal have started to increase, it has lowered its second-quarter price forecasts for Brent crude (the global oil price benchmark) and WTI crude (the U.S. oil price benchmark) to $90 per barrel and $87 per barrel, respectively.

Although the U.S. and Iran have announced a temporary ceasefire, the Strait of Hormuz remains obstructed for passage. Iran requires oil tankers to pay a one-dollar toll per barrel and to do so in bitcoin. This move challenges the traditional “petrodollar” system, aims to reduce the risk of sanctions, and may accelerate the global process of de-dollarization in trade.

Bitcoin (BTC) gives back the overnight gains, temporarily trading at around $70,650 on April 9. The U.S. SEC appointed David Woodcock as its new Enforcement Director, after concerns were raised about how crypto cases would be handled following the departure of the prior official. The U.S. Treasury is planning to require stablecoin issuers to take on anti-money-laundering and sanctions compliance obligations.

Glassnode reports that although the Bitcoin price rebounded to $72k due to a U.S.-Iran ceasefire, the market structure is still in a bear market. In the short term, the downside may be limited, but the $78k level faces pressure overhead. ETF capital inflows have ticked up slightly, but they have not yet fully returned; trading activity in derivatives remains sluggish, indicating insufficient market confidence. Going forward, we need to monitor changes in the futures trading and options markets.

Iran plans to charge ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz a $1 per barrel Bitcoin toll, an action that is seen as a challenge to the “petrodollar” system. Trump says he is considering a joint venture with Iran to set up a fee collection mechanism, showing new developments and a power struggle between the U.S. and Iran on this issue. Even if there is a desire for a ceasefire, renewed passage through the Strait of Hormuz will still be subject to Iran’s strict control.

Bitcoin has recently been trading below $72,000 and faces risks from the failure of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks and the Strait of Hormuz closing again, which has weighed on market sentiment. At the same time, Federal Reserve meeting minutes show that the likelihood of further rate hikes is rising, further affecting the valuation of risk assets. Bitcoin’s key resistance level is $75,000 and its support level is $68,000; the market is currently waiting for a clear direction confirmation signal.

The United States and Iran reached a two-week ceasefire agreement, and global financial markets turned optimistic, with the S&P 500 rising 2.51%. U.S. crude oil prices fell to below $95 per barrel, easing concerns about an energy crisis. Bitcoin at one point rose 5% to $72,841, hitting a three-week high. Expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates have also increased.

U.S. Representative Richie Torres calls on the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate allegedly abnormal trading activity in the markets before Donald Trump delayed a military strike, saying the trading activity looks suspicious and that a formal investigation of the relevant trading records is needed.

Gate News: According to the latest Gate TradFi data, NAS100 (Nasdaq 100) has surged by 1.5% in a short period. Current volatility is significantly higher than recent averages, indicating increased market

Gate News message. On April 8, according to Iran’s SNN news agency, the Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization said on April 9 that it has designated safe transit lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, and that ships must use these lanes in coordination with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The organization noted that safe entry into the lanes is航located for vessels navigating from the Oman Sea toward the north side of Larak Island, while the safe lanes departing from the Gulf require entering the Oman Sea via the south side of Larak Island.

The Speaker of Iran’s parliament announced that the key provisions in the proposal at 10 o’clock had already been violated before negotiations, including the failure to honor a ceasefire commitment, the destruction of drones that violated airspace, and the denial of Iran’s right to enrich uranium. He said that it is unreasonable to hold negotiations in such circumstances.

Global markets moved unevenly as geopolitical tensions intensified and energy prices climbed sharply. Oil prices surged above key levels while Bitcoin maintained stability despite pressure. Meanwhile, equities fluctuated as traders reacted to escalating rhetoric and uncertain diplomatic outcomes. O

White House press secretary Leavitt said that Iran’s initial package of 10 proposals has been abandoned, but that the new proposal could serve as the basis for U.S.-Iran negotiations. Trump emphasized that stopping uranium enrichment activities is a red line and rejected a “wish list” style agreement.

Gate News update: On April 8, the Federal Reserve meeting minutes (FOMC Minutes) showed that several participants further pushed back their assessment of when rate cuts would happen to a more distant future.