Lithium Carbonate Futures Decline 4% Intraday, Trading at 172,100 CNY/Ton

Iran Conflict Costs France €4-6 Billion as Government Freezes Spending

France faces €4–6B losses from the Iran conflict, driven by higher energy costs and €3.6B in borrowing costs, with a €6B spending freeze and new energy measures to avoid broad budget cuts.

Bitcoin rebounds to $76k, with Trump extending the Iran ceasefire to ease geopolitical pressure temporarily

U.S. President Trump announced on April 22 that the ceasefire deadline with Iran would be extended. At the request of Pakistan’s Army Chief of Staff and Prime Minister, the U.S. will wait for Iran to submit a unified proposal before moving forward, while continuing to maintain the naval blockade and keeping its forces on standby. Iran refused to attend the next round of negotiations originally scheduled to take place in Islamabad, and the Strait of Hormuz has closed again. Bitcoin rebounded to $76,000, and analyst DonAlt views this as a key early warning level that determines the direction of the market outlook going forward.

Trump Seeks to Extend Jones Act Waiver to Keep U.S. Oil Shipping Costs Down

Trump seeks to extend a 60-day Jones Act waiver paused in March to ease oil shipments amid tensions; White House notes 40 tankers boosted fleet by 70%, cutting transport costs. Abstract: This article discusses President Trump's effort to extend a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act, suspended in March to ease oil shipments amid Iran tensions. It notes that the waiver has expanded the effective U.S. fleet by about 70% and enabled 40 tankers to move petroleum between ports from California to Texas, Florida, and Alaska, helping to reduce transportation costs.

Polymarket launches sustainable contracts: 10x leverage trading for BTC, NVDA, and gold

Polymarket announced on April 21 that it will launch sustainable contracts. The first batch of underlying assets will be Bitcoin, NVDA, and gold, with up to 10x leverage and 24/7 trading. It is now open to an early-user whitelist. After completing the CFTC DCM registration, it is able to offer long-position futures and perpetual contracts in the United States, with no expiration date. Around the same time, Kalshi announced a competing product, and market rumors suggest that the new round’s financing valuation is too high. Details such as fees, margin, and liquidation are pending publication ahead of the official launch.

WTI Crude Falls Below $89/Barrel, Brent Breaks Through $98 Level

Oil prices drift lower as WTI dips below $89 and Brent holds near $98; silver gains amid a softer energy tone, with spot at $77.42/oz and NYMEX futures above $78. Abstract: This market brief notes a mixed energy and metals session. WTI crude slipped below $89 while Brent traded around $98 after modest declines, indicating soft demand or profit-taking. In contrast, silver rose, with spot at $77.42/oz and NYMEX futures above $78, signaling relative strength in precious metals amid a softer crude backdrop. The note suggests cautious positioning as energies and metals diverge in the near term.

IEA Chief: US-Israel-Iran Conflict Driving Global Energy Crisis, Most Severe in History

IEA's Birol warns the US-Israel-Iran conflict threatens a historic global energy crisis, worsened by Ukraine disruptions; Hormuz shipping disruptions spike volatility, prompting a record 400 million-barrel reserve release. Abstract: This article highlights IEA Director Fatih Birol's warning that the US-Israel-Iran conflict risks triggering a historic global energy crisis, intensified by the Ukraine crisis. It notes that about 20% of global crude oil and LNG transit via the Strait of Hormuz, where disruption elevates market volatility. It also reports that on March 11 the IEA's 32 member countries approved a record 400 million barrel release of strategic petroleum reserves to ease tight oil supplies.