TradFi Rise Alert: USDZAR (USD/ZAR) Rises Over 1%

Trump's Fed Chair Pick Kevin Warsh Has $131M–$209M Net Worth, Holds Crypto and AI Investments

Kevin Warsh, nominated by Trump for Federal Reserve chair, is the wealthiest candidate in recent history, with a net worth up to $209 million. His diverse investments include Silicon Valley, fintech, and AI. Despite potential conflicts, he has a modern view on digital assets.

Hong Kong as an Iran money-laundering hub? Wall Street Journal exposes $4.8 billion in underground fund flows

The Wall Street Journal reported that Hong Kong has become a key hub for the movement of Iranian funds. Using shell companies, it handles as much as $4.8 billion in oil proceeds each year and also helps procure military technology. Although U.S. sanctions keep escalating, Hong Kong still serves as an important base for Iran’s shadow banking, and it avoids U.S. financial system oversight through small banks and offshore transshipment. The Hong Kong government has refused to cooperate with unilateral sanctions, which has helped facilitate the flow of underground funds. The United States has therefore changed its strategy, trying to make it harder to set up shell companies to stop the flow of funds.

Bank of Korea Governor Nominee Shin Hyun-song Signals Openness to CBDC and Private Stablecoins, Unveils Won Internationalization Plan

Shin Hyun-song, nominee for Bank of Korea governor, acknowledged the coexistence of CBDCs and stablecoins at a confirmation hearing. He proposed a three-pronged approach for the won's internationalization and pledged to divest foreign assets to prevent conflicts of interest.

Yellen: A rate cut this year “is entirely possible”; the biggest variable is the supply shock from a war in Iran

Yellen said in Hong Kong that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates later this year, even though the Iran war is creating upward pressure on inflation. She emphasized that this situation depends on how inflation evolves, and warned that Trump’s political pressure on the Federal Reserve is an unprecedented threat that affects central bank independence.

Hong Kong Dollar HIBOR Rates Mostly Decline, One-Month Rate at 2.3%

On April 15, Hong Kong dollar interbank offered rates (HIBOR) fell for most tenors, with the one-month and three-month rates declining, while longer-term rates saw slight increases.

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Yellen Says Fed Rate Cut Still Possible This Year

Former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen believes the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates this year, despite uncertainty from the Iran war and oil price volatility. She sees a broad supply shock impacting various sectors but suggests stable inflation expectations make rate hikes unlikely.