World Gold Council to develop shared infrastructure for "Gold as a Service," with an emphasis on digital gold, according to a company spokesperson. Details available in the organization's recent press release and on MarketTwits.

U.S. reportedly close to executing ground operation in Iran, WSJ reports; Netanyahu indicates airstrikes alone insufficient; U.S. Navy's amphibious ship Tripoli, with an air group and over 2,000 Marines, expected in Persian Gulf within 5–7 days. Visit report here.

Iranian Foreign Minister signals no restrictions were Iran's infrastructure sustains damage again; emphasizes cessation of hostilities should prioritize repairs to civilian facilities. Further details available at here.

India may buy LNG from Russia if the opportunity presents itself, Foreign Ministry says, TASS reports. mt in max

Europe is ramping up coal-fired power generation as gas prices climb amid Iran-related turmoil, Bloomberg reports. For more details, visit mt in max.

Russia's Ministry of Energy stated that the country may impose a preemptive fuel export ban should prices rise substantially. mt в max

Switzerland's central bank maintains interest rate at 0%; signals readiness to intervene in forex market.

Former President Trump claims the United States was not informed about Israel's planned attack on Iran's South Pars gas field, according to a post on Truth Social. Axios reports the U.S. coordinated the operation with Israel. The Wall Street Journal reports Trump was aware of and supported the strike. Trump also issued a threat to destroy South Pars if Iran targets Qatar’s LNG facilities.

Gulf countries prepared to respond to Iran with escalation for escalation, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud says. Foreign ministers from 12 Arab and Islamic nations urged Iran to cease attacks on neighboring states during a Riyadh meeting, according to a joint statement. More details available at mt in max.

Iran launches missile strike on major refinery in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, located on the Red Sea. mt in max

Tensions rise as former President Donald Trump vows to destroy Iran's South Pars gas field if Iran targets LNG facilities in Qatar. Iran's Revolutionary Guard warns of intensified attacks on U.S. energy infrastructure in retaliation for any future strikes on its energy sites. mt in max

Japan's gasoline prices hit record 190.8 yen ($1.20) per liter, Kyodo News reports. mt в max

The USD/CNY exchange rate is currently at 6.89, while the USD/RUB rate is at 84.3.

Today's calendar features the start of the EU summit and an emergency IMO meeting on the Middle East. Key economic data releases are scheduled from Brazil, New Zealand, Japan, Switzerland, Britain, the Eurozone, and the U.S. Central banks from these regions are expected to announce policy decisions. Earnings reports from Alibaba, FedEx, and Gemini are also anticipated.

U.S. faces challenging weeks ahead amid rising gasoline prices, says Vance. For more insights, visit mt in max.

Gulf countries expedite evacuation of oil and gas personnel amid rising tensions; Saudi Aramco commences staff withdrawal from SAMREF refinery following Iran warning. mt in max

Israel conducting active strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure, according to Fars. The assault targeted South Pars, Iran's largest gas field in joint operation with Qatar. The field supplies pipeline gas to Turkey via the Tabriz-Ankara line. Disruptions could pressure Ankara to increase LNG imports amid tight global supply, analysts state. More details

Russia's Finance Ministry auctioned OFZ 26238 bonds totaling 86.31 billion rubles amid bids of 108.95 billion rubles; average yield 13.75% annually. mt in max.

Eurozone February consumer inflation rises 0.6% MoM, below expectations of 0.7%; YoY inflation steady at 1.9% versus 1.7% forecast. Core CPI up 2.4% YoY, meeting estimates and up from 2.2% prior.

Russian Economic Development Minister Reshetnikov confirms continuation of key interest rate reduction cycle.

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi scheduled to visit U.S. from March 18-20. mt в max

Asian nations face daily oil deficit of approximately 10 million barrels amid Middle East conflict, analysts say. mt in max

Shares of Russian fertilizer producers Phosagro and Acron have gained 8-9% since early March, outperforming the Moscow Exchange index, amid heightened attention related to Trump's "Epic Fury" operation. Analysts remain cautious on further upside, citing the temporary nature of product shortages, according to reports from Kommersant and MT in Max.

Hong Kong-based RedotPay, focused on stablecoin payments, plans to launch an IPO in the U.S., according to BBG. more at max

Oil prices for Caspian grades, including Kazakhstan's CPC Blend and Azerbaijan's BTC, have risen sharply this month amid Middle East tensions. Premiums in the Mediterranean market have significantly outperformed Brent premiums — RTRS.

Stocks rebound, with U.S. equities leading gains. Oil continues to adjust, gold remains weak, while Bitcoin displays strength. mt в max

Rusal shares slide 12% in Hong Kong trading following full-year results; reports net loss of $787 million for 2025 under IFRS, reversing prior year's profit of $983 million. Adjusted EBITDA for 2025 falls to $1.053 billion from $1.494 billion in 2024. For detailed operational results, see the company’s report. More insights available at max.ru/markettwits.

Iran's Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf emphasized that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will never revert to its pre-war condition. More details

The Pentagon announced discussions are underway to expand U.S. access to military bases in Greenland. mt in max

Hypothetically, minority shareholders of UGLD may expect to receive funds; experts note there are nuances to consider. For additional information, see this article. More details are available here at MT in Max.

Fesco eyeing expansion into Global South markets, sources say.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global maritime corridor, poses risks to oil and gas markets and could disrupt supply chains for medicines, fertilizers, jet fuel, plastics, and electronics, analysts warning.

SYDNEY—The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its cash rate to 4.1% from 3.85%, in line with market expectations, reaching its highest level in nearly a year amid persistent inflation pressures exceeding the central bank's 3% target. Heightened inflation risks have also been attributed to ongoing geopolitical tensions related to Iran, CNBC reported. More details available at here.

The foreign exchange market observed the US dollar at 6.88 against the Chinese yuan and 81.80 against the Russian ruble.

Israel’s Channel 12 reports recent SMS exchanges between Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi and Witkoff. Iran states it is not negotiating, while former President Trump claims discussions are ongoing.

IRGC plans to target U.S. industrial facilities in region in coming hours, sources confirm. More details.

Attention: Do not trade yet. A significant solar flare accompanied by a plasma ejection has occurred on the Sun. Scientists warn that Earth is likely to experience the strongest magnetic storm in the past two months. mt in max

Trading has been halted in several key futures contracts on the London Metal Exchange.

Gazprom reports 2025 net profit of 11.285 bln rubles under RAS, reversing a loss of 1.076 tril rubles last year. mt in max

Russia's government bonds index rises above 120 amid expectations of a possible rate cut by the Central Bank in its March 20 meeting. More details

Eric Voorhees, founder of ShapeShift, has reportedly purchased ETH worth $56 million, according to Lookonchain.

Gazprom warns Europe of significant challenges ahead for upcoming gas injection season amid ongoing extraction from underground storage, despite milder weather. Gas Infrastructure Europe reported reserves declined to 29% as of March 13. Storage levels in key gas-consuming nations remain below the EU average, fueling concerns. Germany, France, and the Netherlands report an average storage fill of 18.1%, with the Netherlands at a historic low of 8%. mt in max

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Waltz announced a significant victory over Iran, describing it as unprecedented in modern American military history. He called on other nations to join the effort to secure shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 80% of Asia's fuel imports pass. mt в max

U.S. envoy to the UN Waltz described recent military developments as a significant and unprecedented victory over Iran. Iranian Parliament Speaker Galibaf dismissed Trump's multiple declarations of victory over Iran as "truly ridiculous." Trump’s emphasis on media coverage underscores a disconnect between perception and reality. The situation remains dynamic. More insights

Iran in talks with unspecified nations to secure safe passage through Strait of Hormuz, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says.

Ali Larijani, Iran’s Security Council secretary, alleged that remnants of Jeffrey Epstein’s network are orchestrating a 9/11-like attack to be blamed on Iran, reaffirming Tehran’s stance against terrorism and U.S. hostilities. Experts note Iran currently does not possess missiles capable of reaching the U.S., complicating efforts by the Trump administration to rally support for significant escalation, including ground operations or tactical nuclear strikes.

Oil prices could rise to $150-200 if the Strait of Hormuz remains shut through March, risking a recession in the global economy, The Economist reports. mt в max

Ukrainian President Zelensky warns that the Middle Eastern conflict could divert U.S. attention from Ukraine. European diplomats express concern that the slowing pace of negotiations regarding Ukraine may result in a "catastrophe" for Kyiv, according to the Financial Times. More details available at mt in max.

China boosts national electricity grid infrastructure investments since early 2026, reports BBG. Details available here.

South Korean Prime Minister says Trump interested in meeting with Kim Jong Un. mt in max