Experts forecast Russia's key interest rate will decline to 12–13% by year-end, Vedomosti reports. For additional details, visit mt in max.

Santiment reports a sharp increase in XRP outflows. Despite the movement, the token's price remains stable and has not declined, which is historically seen as bullish. mt in max

Some experts suggest that, similar to the Dotcom bubble era, conditions may be ripe for a large-scale capital rotation from tech stocks into the commodities sector. mt in max

Toyota global sales decline 7.3% YoY in March; second consecutive monthly drop attributed to Middle East crisis and RAV4 model update. Details at mt in max

Japan's Nikkei 225 index hits record high; extensive coverage available at mt in max.

GLORAX reports IFRS 2025 net profit of 3.09 billion rubles, up from 1.22 billion rubles a year earlier. for more details, see the company’s report.

Western Union plans to launch its USD-backed stablecoin, USDPT, on the Solana blockchain by May, aiming to offer an alternative to SWIFT for its clients. The company also intends to introduce a Digital Asset Network to connect crypto wallets with its retail and agent network. Additionally, Western Union is working on a USD Stable Card set to launch across multiple markets later this year.

SP500 futures hit new record highs; Bitcoin reaches highest level since Jan. 31, 2026. MOEX remains in limbo following recent CBR meeting. mt in max

Superyacht Nord, owned by Alexey Mordashov, transited Strait of Hormuz on April 25, DP reports. More details available on max.ru.

The United States will no longer send its delegation to Pakistan for talks with Iran. If Tehran wishes to continue discussions, representatives may travel to the U.S. or call, President Trump said. Trump told Fox News that the war with Iran will soon end, and victory will be achieved.

Former President Donald Trump disclosed he has held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding Ukraine, according to Fox News. Trump stated he conducted two phone calls with each leader and expressed confidence in resolving the ongoing conflict. Skepticism remains regarding the veracity of his claims. More details available at mt in max.

U.S. Trade Department Commences Acceptance of Claims for $166 Billion in Tariffs Declared Illegal by Court Ruling April 20 — The Biden administration began accepting claims for approximately $166 billion in tariffs that a federal court has deemed unlawful. The move follows a February report indicating Howard Lutnick’s firm, led by his sons, acquired rights to tariff refunds at roughly 20-30 cents on the dollar. With the tariffs invalidated, these investments could potentially generate returns of three to five times the original amount. [mt в max]

EU Implements Ban on Russian LNG Imports via Short-Term Contracts; Exempts Third-Country Transactions The European Union's prohibition on importing Russian LNG through short-term contracts of up to one year took effect today. While transactions involving Russian LNG routed through third countries are permitted, direct imports from Russia are now banned. Analysts forecast a significant decline in Russian LNG supplies to Europe by 2027. Further details available at mt in max.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio gaining traction as potential 2028 presidential candidate among Trump supporters, Politico reports. Rubio now regarded as the only stable figure within current administration. mt в max

White House announces participation of Whitkoff and Kushner in Iran peace talks in Pakistan; details on counterparts not specified. mt в max

Pakistan may announce today the resumption of negotiations between Iran and the U.S., Al Arabiya reports.

Delimobil reports Q1 2026 operational results, with a 16% rise in users to 13.3 million. More details available in the report.

Marshall Islands may experience fuel shortage within two months, Ministry of Finance reports. mt in max

Continuous inflows into spot BTC ETF persist for eighth consecutive day. mt in max

Currency Trading Update: USD/CNY at 6.83; USD/RUB at 78.7.

Karlsson agrees to two-year contract extension with Senators

USS George H. W. Bush, a third U.S. aircraft carrier, has arrived in the Middle East and entered the area of responsibility for U.S. Central Command.

Former President Trump highlighted that, although he has ample time, Iran does not, stating "the clock is ticking." He stressed that a deal will only be finalized when it is practical and advantageous for the United States, its allies, and the global community. More details available at MarketTwits.

Israeli media reports indicate imminent military action against Iran appears highly probable. Former President Trump reportedly extended a ceasefire with Iran until Sunday, April 26, but the White House has denied establishing any deadlines. Meanwhile, a Fox News correspondent noted the USS George H.W. Bush carrier strike group is anticipated to reach the Middle East within three to five days. Details

The EU will ban transactions with 20 Russian banks effective May 14, including Post Bank, Russian Standard, WB Bank, Fora-Bank, SDM-Bank, Ural Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and Avangard Bank. More details are available in this article.

Novabev shares rise 1% following earnings release; company reports 13% increase in net profit for 2025 under IFRS to 5.2 billion rubles. More details available at here.

China's chip exports rose 77% YoY in Q1 2026, driven by robust global AI demand, Bank of America reports. mt в max

Sber to unify non-financial IT products under new Sber2B brand; aims to boost market share. More details available at Vedomosti and Market Twits.

CryptoQuant reports that Bitcoin supply is moving toward long-term holders. Since January, long-term investors have accumulated 303,000 BTC, including 53,000 via Strategy, as short-term traders reduced their holdings by 290,000 BTC over the past 30 days. Further information available at mt in max.

Europe's underground gas storage levels remain subdued amid ongoing supply challenges linked to the Hormuz crisis. The EU's storage facilities are currently at 30.6% capacity, approximately 34 billion cubic meters, representing a decrease from levels seen over the past three years but aligning more closely with 2021-2022 figures, RBC reports. Further details available on MarketTwits.

Former President Trump says he is not rushing Iran into a deal, Fox News reports. No definitive timeline has been set for a ceasefire or new negotiations with Iran. More details available here.

Russia has been invited to participate at the highest level in the G20 summit in the USA. mt в max

Australia's April economic data indicates improvement; Manufacturing PMI increased to 51 from 49.8, Services PMI rose to 50.3 from 46.3, and Composite PMI advanced to 50.1 from 46.6.

Key global economic indicators, including Manufacturing, Services, and Composite PMIs from Australia, Japan, India, Germany, Eurozone, UK, and the US, are scheduled for release today. Canada will publish March's PPI data. In the US, initial jobless claims and EIA gas inventories will be reported. The European Union plans to implement its 20th sanctions package against Russia. Notable earnings reports include Sanofi, Nokia, Honeywell, American Airlines, American Express, Blackstone, Comcast, Lockheed Martin, Union Pacific, and Intel.

Israeli media outlets N12 and Ynet report former President Trump has extended the Iran truce until April 26; White House officials deny any deadlines have been established. For more information, visit mt at max.

India's diamond imports fell 46% year-on-year to $710 million in March, with synthetic diamond imports rising 27% to $76 million, according to GJEPC data. More details available.

Russia's T-Bank has increased its stake in MKB from 2% to 5.46%, according to a regulatory disclosure.

Shares of major telecoms decline following reports that Deutsche Telekom is considering a merger with its U.S. subsidiary, T-Mobile US, which could become the largest M&A deal in history. More details at mt in max.

Kazakhstan's oil volumes, previously transported to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline, will be redirected to alternative logistical routes beginning May 1, 2026, according to Novak.

EU ambassadors move forward with negotiations for €90 billion Ukraine loan and 20th Russia sanctions package; Hungary has lifted its objections. mt in max

Iran's army chief, Lieutenant General Amir Hatami, states that the nation is prepared to fight "to the last drop of blood." More insights available at mt in max.

AKRA upgraded the credit rating of SPB Exchange’s subsidiary NKO-TC "SPB Clearing" to A-(RU). mt in max

Iraq to resume oil shipments via Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline through Fish Khabur node, authorities say; pipeline capacity approximately 1.6 million bpd. Iraqi exports declined roughly 80% in March, Sky News Arabia reports.

Japan, a major LNG importer, has reduced its LNG imports from the Middle East by 27% since the onset of the conflict, according to Ministry of Finance data via TASS. mt in max

Former President Donald Trump issues a few days' deadline to Iran to resume negotiations, warns of potential escalation to military actions if not. More details here

MOSCOW—Russia has extended its fertilizer export quotas until Nov. 30, 2026, with a volume cap of 20 million tons for shipments from June to November, according to government decree. For more information, visit mt in max.

Cryptorank reports significant declines in Total Value Locked across various blockchains over the past 30 days. More details available in the full report at mt in max.

Lufthansa to cancel 20,000 summer flights to offset rising fuel costs, BBG reports. Read more here.

Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, says BTC is a reality and a valuable tool in computer science for projecting power, Senate hears. mt in max

Hungary's MOL received official notification from Ukrtransnafta of readiness to resume oil deliveries via the "Druzhba" pipeline.