Bank of Thailand Governor cites concern over rapid baht appreciation

China's LNG imports rose 13.6% year-on-year in November, the highest level in 11 months.

In the foreign exchange market, the US dollar exhibits mixed movements. The USDCNY is quoted at 7.042. The USDTRUB is at 80.90.

EU summit to discuss Russian asset confiscation and sanctions; New Zealand GDP data due at 0045 GMT; UK interest rate decision scheduled for 1500 GMT, with Bank of England Governor's speech at 1530 GMT; ECB to announce interest rate at 1615 GMT; US initial jobless claims and CPI figures released at 1630 GMT; Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index due at 1630 GMT; ECB press conference set for 1645 GMT; US EIA natural gas storage report at 1830 GMT.

Venezuelan President Maduro issues statement amid escalating tensions with US, reaffirming that Venezuela will not become a colony and calling on Colombian military to unite against Washington; accuses US of trying to impose puppet government in Caracas. Reports indicate USS Gerald Ford approaching Venezuela, signaling potential military action. Colombian President Petro warns US attacks on Colombian targets would constitute a declaration of war.

The Times reports US opposes EU seizure of Russian assets, warning that such actions could prompt the EU and UK to repatriate funds. Concerns cite potential prolongation of Ukraine conflict and erosion of Western leverage over Moscow. Politico states US pressures EU to refrain from utilizing Russian assets for Ukraine. WAPO discloses a US proposal to deploy frozen assets for post-conflict agreements, including a $100 billion pledge for Ukraine’s reconstruction. More details on MT in MAX.

U.S. House rejects two Democrat-led resolutions opposing Caribbean ship strikes and military actions against Venezuela. The first aimed to limit former President Trump’s military activities in the Western Hemisphere without Congress approval; the second called for halting U.S. military operations involving Venezuela unless authorized by Congress. Trump previously indicated he had not ruled out air, sea, and ground operations against Venezuela. Details on MT in MAX

SP500, BTC, gold, and silver shift to war preparedness mode with Venezuela, reports Bogdanoff Market Monitor. For more details, visit MT in MAX.

EU may re-evaluate use of emergency powers for joint Ukraine borrowing, as ECB's Lagarde proposed; Belgium backs plan, sources say. Hungarian PM Orban excludes Russian asset confiscation from EU summit agenda on December 18-19 in Brussels. Seven EU nations reportedly oppose Russian asset confiscation, Euractiv reports.

Kallas says EU could assist Thailand, Cambodia with satellite monitoring if ceasefire reached

OpenAI and Google in talks over multiple biotech sector deals, The Information reports.

SBI Ripple Asia plans to launch yield-based products in Asia utilizing XRP, with an aim to tokenize real-world assets (RWA) on the XRP Ledger.

Increasing exports of Russian naphtha to Venezuela face potential disruption following U.S. sanctions and the blockade of tankers ordered by President Trump, according to a report by Reuters.

Russia's government will present proposals by February 1 on utilizing coal-powered electricity for data centers.

Russia deploys Yars ICBMs to multiple silo sites amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

HashKey, a licensed Hong Kong crypto exchange, has commenced trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under ticker #03887HK. The IPO reportedly oversubscribed 150-fold, yet shares are trading lower.

Euroclear placed on Fitch Ratings' Rating Watch Negative amid plans to transfer a loan to Ukraine using Russian assets. Further details at FitchRatings.com.

Trump declares Venezuela's government a foreign terrorist organization, citing theft of American assets, including oil and land. Orders complete blockade on sanctioned oil tankers entering and exiting Venezuela. Urges immediate return of assets to the U.S. Maduro earlier claimed U.S. intends to use anti-drug efforts as pretext for regime change and resource seizure.

Morgan Stanley forecasts that Tesla will substantially grow its robotaxi fleet in 2026 following key technical and regulatory milestones. The firm and other analysts expect the sector to generate significant profits for the automaker.

Russia's microfinance organizations (MFOs) to be barred from issuing new loans to individuals until existing ones are repaid, according to the Central Bank. More details available at the Central Bank's website.

Bank of America survey shows record-low cash levels; portfolios at 3.3%. Allocations to stocks and commodities reach highest since February 2022. Bull & Bear indicator rises to 7.9, approaching sell signal. Long positions on the "Magnificent Seven" remain favored; "AI bubble" identified as top market risk.

Shares of DOMRF rise above IPO price after purchase at IPO level and sale below, monitoring indicates.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said it is nearly impossible to prevent the confiscation of frozen Russian assets within the EU. In an interview with the Patriota YouTube channel, Orbán stated that EU bureaucrats have created a legal loophole allowing asset seizure without unanimity, requiring only a two-thirds majority vote. This development would limit Hungary and other member states’ ability to block such measures. An EU summit scheduled for December 18-19 is expected to focus on this issue.

EU remains "light years" from confiscating Russian assets, Polish Prime Minister says; Tusk indicates no decision expected at upcoming EU summit. max

WASHINGTON, Oct 23 (Dow Jones Newswires) – Former President Donald Trump has confirmed that his administration is exploring the potential loosening of regulations in the cannabis industry.

White House to hold press conference on Russia-Ukraine peace talks in approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. max

Oracle shares declined nearly 4%, extending losses to approximately $2.05 over three trading sessions. More details can be found on max.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed restoring trade and investment ties with American Chamber of Commerce representatives, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. More details are available on the website.

Ukraine rejects U.S. proposal for Donbas free economic zone, Politico reports. max

Thailand reportedly restricting foreign entry amid escalating conflict with Cambodia, police sources say, according to Nation Thailand. max

Crypto product inflows total $864 million for third consecutive week, CoinShares reports. Further details available at max.

Witkoff-Zelensky Meeting Described as Productive, Axios Reports Citing U.S. Official

A tanker carrying Russian naphtha to Venezuela has reversed course after the U.S. seized a Venezuelan oil shipment. The incident follows an October report by BBG indicating Russia has replaced the U.S. as the leading naphtha supplier in the petrochemical sector. More details can be found here.

Ukraine rejects Witkoff's proposal to withdraw troops from Donbas during Berlin talks; insists ceasefire must be without prior territorial concessions, limited to frontline. No outcomes disclosed, territorial disputes unresolved. Official statements pending. — AFP

Canada to release November CPI at 16:30 Moscow time; US to publish December NY Empire State Manufacturing Index at same time.

Ukraine-U.S. talks in Berlin conclude; territorial dispute unresolved, reports The Guardian. max

Juventus shares surge 13% following Tether's proposal to acquire the club; JUV fan token down 10%. More details at max.

Norilsk Nickel has published a new metal market overview. The global nickel market is projected to remain in a surplus exceeding 200,000 tons in both 2025 and 2026. The copper market is expected to shift to a deficit in 2026. Palladium market outcomes will largely depend on investment activity levels in 2026.

Russia's CIAN has announced the initiation of mandatory ADR conversion.

Ukraine's troop withdrawal from Donbas considered a "red line" for Kyiv, President Zelensky unyielding on this issue, reports Bild. max

Volkswagen to shut down Dresden plant for first time in 88 years; factory previously produced up to 200,000 vehicles annually. [Link]

Doha Bank Issues First Digital Bonds via Euroclear DLT Platform.

SpaceX has begun selecting banks to facilitate an IPO, reports Wall Street Journal. Read more.

European leaders are evaluating reparation credits to finance Ukraine, with discussions on seizing Russian assets. Kallas noted, "We are working on this, and it's challenging, but we continue our efforts." The upcoming EU summit on December 18-19 will address the confiscation of Russian assets, with a potential extension until December 21. More information is available here.

U.S. demonstrates reluctance to compromise on Ukraine peace plan amid recent challenging talks, WSJ reports. For further details, visit max.

Russian bond index (RGBI) rose above 119 amid ongoing market expectations of a potential rate cut by the Central Bank of Russia. max

EU foreign ministers to approve new sanctions targeting Russia's shadow fleet, including 40 Russian tankers, Kallas says. Details at this article.

Russian thermal coal prices in Asian markets declined in early December amid subdued demand, despite winter conditions. Chinese companies have increased stockpiles and requested shipment delays. Market recovery in Q1 is unlikely amid slowing industrial activity, which may result in further price decreases. — Ъ, max

Ukrainian geopolitical analysis draws parallels between ongoing negotiations and three-year Korean War talks, RBC-Ukraine reports. For more insights, visit

max.ru

Russian Android users' WhatsApp usage declines 25%, RBC reports. WhatsApp owned by Meta, designated extremist and banned in Russia. Additional details at max.