Daily Digest — 25 Apr 2026

Google’s planned $40 billion investment in Anthropic dominated tech headlines as the search giant doubles down on AI competition, helping drive Nvidia to a record close above $5 trillion market cap. The broader AI rally lifted chipmakers across the board, with markets shrugging off geopolitical tensions as Bitcoin tracks toward its best month in a year, fueled by $5 billion in new USDT issuance.

Diplomatic activity intensified around the Iran conflict as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad while US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner prepare their own Pakistan trip. Oil declined 1.5% to $94 despite ongoing tensions, as traders focused on potential diplomatic progress rather than Israel’s escalating attacks in Gaza that killed 12 Palestinians.

Trans-Atlantic tensions emerged as European NATO allies pushed back against reported US threats to Spain, while a leaked Pentagon memo suggested reassessing UK claims to the Falklands. The pound gained 0.5% against the dollar despite these diplomatic strains, as gold held steady above $4,700 and silver advanced 1.2% amid continued safe-haven demand.