Daily Digest — 15 Apr 2026

The US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains “fully implemented” as Washington signals diplomatic openings with Iran, keeping oil markets cautiously stable at $91.62. Despite the chokepoint controlling 30% of global seaborne oil trade being effectively sealed, prices held steady as traders weigh hopes for negotiated resolution against supply chain disruption. The standoff has prompted central banks to begin selling gold reserves after years of record accumulation, as war-driven fiscal pressures force a scramble for liquidity.

Cryptocurrency markets showed resilience as Asian indices erased Iran-related losses, with Bitcoin holding above $74,000 despite altcoins pulling back. XRP surged toward $1.38 after Japan’s Rakuten integrated the token for payments, while Ethereum’s network added 284,000 users in Q1 as stablecoin supply hit a record $180 billion.

In the AI sector, ASML raised 2026 guidance on continued semiconductor demand, while Anthropic’s rapid rise at a \(380 billion valuation is making some OpenAI backers reconsider, given assumptions of a \)1.2 trillion IPO needed to justify recent rounds. Meanwhile, dozens of WordPress plugins were hijacked with backdoors after being sold to new owners, highlighting ongoing cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

The UK faces mounting defense concerns as former officials criticize the “bizarre lack of urgency” in preparing for potential conflict, while undercover investigations revealed a shadow industry helping migrants fraudulently claim asylum by posing as LGBTQ+ individuals.