AnewZ Morning Brief - 01 April, 2026
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U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media that five digital assets will be included in a new U.S. strategic reserve of cryptocurrencies, a move that spurred a significant surge in market values.
Following the announcement, Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, rose more than 11% to trade at approximately $94,164, while ether, the second-largest, increased by about 13% to around $2,516. Overall, the total cryptocurrency market experienced a roughly 10% uplift, translating to an increase of over $300 billion, according to data from CoinGecko.
Industry experts noted that the move could signal a shift toward more active U.S. participation in the crypto economy. Federico Brokate, head of U.S. business at 21Shares, stated that the decision may accelerate institutional adoption, provide clearer regulatory guidelines, and strengthen the U.S. leadership in digital asset innovation. However, James Butterfill, head of research at CoinShares, expressed surprise at the inclusion of assets beyond bitcoin, suggesting that these additional currencies are more akin to tech investments.
Trump’s announcement comes amid broader policy moves favoring the crypto industry. The president, who received support from the sector during his 2024 campaign, is set to host the first White House Crypto Summit on Friday, and his family has recently launched its own digital coins. Under Trump’s administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission has eased its scrutiny by withdrawing investigations into several crypto companies and dropping a lawsuit against Coinbase, the nation’s largest crypto exchange. This marks a departure from the regulatory approach of the previous administration, which had imposed stricter measures to curb fraud and money laundering.
Analysts have noted that despite recent downturns in cryptocurrency prices, market momentum could build further if additional catalysts, such as anticipated interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve or a clearly articulated pro-crypto regulatory framework, emerge. Meanwhile, regulatory filings indicate that alongside hedge funds, banks and sovereign wealth funds have been increasing their allocations to crypto-related investments.
There is ongoing debate among legal experts and analysts over the best mechanism to establish the strategic reserve. Some argue that an act of Congress might be required, while others suggest that the U.S. Treasury’s Exchange Stabilization Fund could be used to purchase or sell the selected digital assets. Additionally, Trump’s crypto group had previously explored the option of creating the reserve using cryptocurrencies seized in law enforcement operations.
The announcement has intensified discussions on the future role of digital currencies in national policy, with market watchers and industry participants closely monitoring developments as the Trump administration pursues its crypto-related policy objectives.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the U.S is in talks with the new Iranian regime. He said this in a post on his Truth Social account but warned that the U.S. will "Obliterate" Iran's electric and oil facilities if no deal is reached, especially regarding the Strait of Hormuz closure.
The Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict is intensifying, with fresh strikes near Tehran, European calls for restraint, and Iran threatening to target U.S. firms in the region, raising fears of a broader escalation across the Middle East.
The war in Iran has rapidly upended regional security, triggering spillover across the Middle East and raising fears of wider economic disruption that could threaten globalisation.
The Israeli military said on Monday that Iran launched multiple waves of missiles at Israel, and an attack had also been launched from Yemen for the second time since the U.S.-Israeli war began on Tehran. It said two drones from Yemen were intercepted early 30 March but gave no further details.
Japan’s growing interest in Caspian crude reflects a pragmatic response to uncertainty in global energy markets and its continued reliance on the Middle East for more than 90% of its oil imports.
The U.S. national average retail price of petrol rose above $4 a gallon for the first time in over three years on Monday (30 March), according to GasBuddy data, as the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran continued to roil global energy markets.
Japan and Indonesia will deepen coordination on energy security, Tokyo said, as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran disrupts vital oil and gas flows to Asia.
China's three largest state-owned airlines have issued warnings regarding their financial outlook for the current year, acknowledging that the eruption of war involving Iran has driven jet fuel prices to unsustainable highs.
Stock markets across Asia fell on Monday as escalating conflict involving Iran drove oil prices sharply higher, fuelling fears of inflation and a potential global recession, with investors reacting to disruption risks in the Strait of Hormuz and prolonged hostilities.
World Trade Organization (WTO) talks broke up with no agreement on Monday on a plan for reform or even on extending a moratorium on e-commerce, piling more pressure on the trade body that finds itself increasingly sidelined by economic nationalism.
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