Daily Digest — 31 Mar 2026

Global markets found tentative footing today as geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz drove oil above $101 per barrel, while precious metals gained on safe-haven demand. The UK announced additional troop deployments to the Gulf region as Iran’s ambassador defied Lebanon’s expulsion order, underscoring escalating regional instability that has Asian governments scrambling to contain fuel costs.

OpenAI closed a record-breaking \(122 billion funding round at an \)852 billion valuation, yet the broader tech landscape remained mixed amid concerns over quantum computing threats to cryptographic security. Bitcoin managed a modest 1.9% recovery despite facing its worst quarterly performance against stocks since 2008, while Google’s quantum research raised fundamental questions about blockchain security that rippled through crypto markets.

Microsoft suffered through its worst quarter since 2008, losing nearly 25% of its value as AI investment enthusiasm cooled. The disconnect between massive AI funding rounds and actual market performance highlighted growing skepticism about artificial intelligence returns, particularly as companies like Nike warned of slower-than-expected recovery in China offsetting North American gains.

Meanwhile, a Russian fuel tanker reached Cuba amid the island’s critical energy shortage, providing up to 10 days of relief following a three-month blockade, while commodities from coffee to copper posted modest gains as supply chain concerns persisted across multiple sectors.