Ripple has announced a new partnership with a Korean insurance company, marking its first such deal in the region. According to CoinDesk, this collaboration aims to facilitate near real-time settlement of Korean treasuries. However, the official statement did not specify any live volume or timeline for the implementation of this service. This strategic move by Ripple highlights its ongoing efforts to expand its presence in the Asian market. The partnership is expected to enhance the efficiency of treasury operations for the Korean insurer, potentially setting a precedent for similar collaborations in the future. While the specifics of the deal remain undisclosed, the focus on real-time settlement aligns with Ripple's broader mission to streamline financial transactions globally. As the company continues to forge new alliances, the financial industry will be watching closely to see how these developments unfold.

US President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell are about to clash over whether Powell has the right to remain in office if Trump fails to confirm his chosen successor, Kevin Warsh, in time. Warsh is scheduled to testify before the Senate Banking Committee next Tuesday, but he may struggle to secure congressional approval before Powell's term expires on May 15. Trump stated on Wednesday that he would fire Powell if he doesn't leave "on time," and the likelihood of a direct confrontation between Trump and Powell increases if Warsh's confirmation is not forthcoming. This controversy comes as Trump has repeatedly attacked Powell for not yielding to his demands for interest rate cuts, calling the Fed chairman an "idiot" and a "stubborn mule" for refusing to lower borrowing costs. Analysts say that with Trump's latest attack increasing the likelihood of Powell remaining on the board, Trump's strategy could undermine Warsh's efforts to reshape the central bank. (Financial Times)

Tech shares propelled the Nasdaq to 24,016.02 and the S&P 500 to 7,022.95 on Wednesday. According to NS3.AI, Bitcoin reached $75,229, marking a 1.07% increase over 24 hours and nearly a 10% rise over the past two weeks. The market gains coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that the US-Iran war was nearing its end, although he noted that the final outcome hinges on a deal between the two nations.

Citi has released a research report indicating that Lens Technology's (06613.HK) first-quarter performance fell short of expectations. According to Jin10, the company's management attributed the weak results to reduced procurement by clients due to rising memory prices and foreign exchange losses. Management anticipates that the impact of foreign exchange will diminish in the coming quarters, with revenue contributions from iOS foldable models starting in May and a potential recovery in Android demand in the second half of 2026. In response to the first-quarter results, Citi has lowered its 2026 net profit forecast for Lens Technology by 13% to 4.36 billion yuan, while maintaining its earnings estimates for 2027 and 2028. The target price for Lens Technology's H-shares has been reduced from HKD 27 to HKD 25, with a "buy" rating, and the target price for A-shares has been adjusted from 32 yuan to 30 yuan, with a "neutral" rating. Despite the disappointing performance in the first half of 2026, Citi believes that Lens Technology could benefit from restocking sentiment for iOS products from late Q2 to late Q3. The bank expresses a preference for H-shares due to better risk-reward potential.

Cosmos SDK's GitHub repository indicates a shift in the licensing of its Enterprise module from the Apache-2.0 open-source license to a 'Source Available Evaluation License.' According to Foresight News, this new license permits only non-commercial evaluation, testing, and educational use, requiring separate commercial licenses for business applications. Greg Osuri, founder of the application chain Akash Network, expressed concerns over this change, stating that Akash can no longer use the module for production or commercial purposes, nor can it offer services based on this component to third parties. Previously, Akash planned to migrate to a shared security layer while maintaining some Cosmos integration for interoperability. However, the new licensing terms make it nearly impossible for Akash to remain within the Cosmos ecosystem, which Osuri describes as a 'hostile' adjustment.

Bitcoin's price increased to approximately $74,935 during the Asian trading session, marking a 0.7% rise over the past 24 hours and a 5.4% increase over the week. According to ChainCatcher, the recent surge is primarily driven by spot trading rather than a broad resurgence in risk appetite. QCP Capital notes that the perpetual contract funding rates for Bitcoin remain negative, and open interest is declining, indicating that short sellers are increasing hedging rather than closing positions passively. The options market also reflects caution, with short-term implied volatility remaining low and the one-month term below the three-month term. The risk reversal indicator shows a higher demand for downside protection compared to upside bets, suggesting traders are more inclined to pay for potential declines rather than chase gains. QCP describes this movement as a "rebound" rather than a trend reversal. On the macroeconomic front, long-term U.S. Treasury yields and gold prices have not confirmed a return to risk appetite, with gold remaining near high levels, indicating ongoing demand for safe-haven assets. Analysts suggest that the current market behavior is more driven by expectations of a ceasefire, leading to an "emotional recovery," rather than the resolution of core risks. Ethereum has shown relative strength, with the ETH/BTC ratio rising to about 0.0315. Additionally, on-chain transaction volume and stablecoin supply have reached historical highs, indicating a potential rotation of funds into high beta assets. However, the market is advised to monitor upcoming risk events to determine the sustainability of this upward trend.

European Central Bank Governing Council member Muller stated that there is currently no definitive evidence indicating second-round effects of inflation. According to Jin10, Muller emphasized the importance of monitoring inflation trends closely to assess any potential impacts on the economy. He noted that while inflation remains a concern, the lack of clear evidence for second-round effects suggests that the situation may not be as severe as some fear. Muller’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about inflationary pressures in the eurozone and the ECB's strategies to address them.

BlackRock has identified South Korean stocks as a key factor in its recent upgrade of emerging market equities, citing significant earnings growth and reliance on global semiconductor demand. According to Jin10, BlackRock increased its holdings in U.S. and emerging market stocks this week, noting potential for earnings growth in both categories. Despite challenges such as the ongoing conflict in Iran, corporate earnings expectations for 2026 are rising, partly driven by AI-related themes. The company's Global Chief Investment Strategist emphasized South Korea's role in the upgrade, stating, "South Korea is a major driver of our emerging market ratings upgrade." She highlighted South Korea's impressive development within the tech supply chain ecosystem and noted strong consumer demand for AI-related hardware products, expressing optimism about this trend.

The Sentinel Action Fund, a US super PAC backed by the Solana Institute, announced it will invest $8 million to support Republican candidate Jon Husted's bid for the Ohio Senate seat against Sherrod Brown, a long-time critic of the crypto industry. Sentinel stated that the funds will be used in conjunction with its affiliated organization, Right Vote, to help candidates who support crypto policies win. Husted has been a vocal supporter of digital asset innovation, advocating for a "regulatory framework conducive to innovation" and supporting legislation including the GENIUS Act. Regarding funding sources, Sentinel has secured support from crypto capital firms such as Multicoin Capital, with the Solana Institute and Multicoin contributing $750,000 and $250,000 respectively. Traditional financial figures such as Stephen Schwarzman and Kenneth Fisher have also contributed. It's noteworthy that crypto super PACs are continuously increasing their political investment. Previously, a candidate backed by Fairshake successfully defeated Brown in the 2024 election. With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, crypto capital is accelerating its strategic positioning to push pro-crypto policy candidates into the US legislative system. (The Block)

On April 16, Jin10 reported that the Japanese yen has seen a slight recovery against the U.S. dollar following a new verbal warning issued by Japan's Finance Minister during the G20 meeting. After meeting with the U.S. Treasury Secretary, Japan's Finance Minister stated that the U.S. and Japan have agreed to enhance communication regarding foreign exchange rates. The yen has now moved away from the 160 level, which was considered a danger zone for intervention. According to Sony Financial Group analyst Junato Momito, any rise in the dollar against the yen during Thursday's trading is expected to be capped at 159.50, as traders await U.S. economic indicators, including initial jobless claims and industrial production data.

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Computing power-based tokens are reshaping the value coordinates of the AI ​​era, but their transparency and value are still the black box of AI, and the industry is still searching for a true anchor to price the results.

Google has launched a native Gemini app for macOS, giving Mac users quick access to its AI assistant directly from the desktop using keyboard shortcuts. The app lets users analyse what is on their screen, work with files, and use Gemini without switching apps, aiming to make it part of everyday workflow.

Any entity, whatever it may have been, can be redefined as an AI company. As long as the story is compelling enough, investors will foot the bill.

Theoretical breakthroughs in quantum computing are progressing at an unexpected pace, and this trend is real. However, "accelerated theoretical breakthroughs" do not equate to "the tools for attack being ready." Quantum computing still faces fundamental challenges in three dimensions: physics, engineering, and cost.

Sources have revealed that the actual operator of WLFI is a well-known Chinese stock trader.

If Warsh successfully takes over the Federal Reserve, his policies will feature a combination of "strict monetary discipline, open digital finance, and a clear regulatory framework," driving crypto assets from "fringe speculative assets" to "mainstream compliant asset classes."

The only way to truly save the economy is through explosive economic growth led by the private sector and driven by technological innovation.

In the attention economy, narrative itself is an asset. But its value only exists when someone believes in it.