A clearer view of today.

Energy markets rallied as rising geopolitical risk around Iran and stalled U.S.-Iran talks sent oil prices sharply higher, with futures logging their biggest daily jump in about four months. WTI pushed through early-February resistance to set fresh monthly highs, while traders weighed potential disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and the prospect of a more protracted conflict scenario. The move puts crude closer to year-to-date peaks and tightens the focus on headline risk into the weeks ahead.

Source: Seeking Alpha

Latest flow data show U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs remain the preferred, regulated on‑ramp for institutions, with persistent (if moderate) allocations boosting category AUM. In contrast, Ethereum-linked and diversified crypto ETFs recorded flat-to-negative flows, signaling a more selective risk stance as investors prioritize liquidity, regulatory clarity, and deep market structure. The divergence underscores disciplined capital deployment over broad speculative risk-taking.

Source: FinanceFeeds

The European Central Bank moved a step closer to operational testing of a digital euro, with plans to begin selecting payment service providers in Q1 2026 and launch a year‑long pilot in the second half of 2027. The program will run with a limited set of PSPs, merchants, and Eurosystem staff, while policymakers stress the CBDC is designed to preserve banks’ central role in payments and reduce reliance on non‑EU card networks. Legislative approval in 2026 remains a key milestone for any eventual rollout.

Source: FinanceFeeds

London Stock Exchange Group will embed governed, rights‑cleared, AI‑ready content and workflow tools across Bank of America’s platforms under a new multi‑year partnership. The deal targets faster, compliant access to market intelligence, deeper client workflow integration via LSEG Workspace/APIs, and stronger screening using World‑Check risk data—illustrating how tier‑one banks are standardizing on unified data platforms for AI‑driven analytics and regulatory resilience.

Source: FinanceFeeds

Grayscale’s Sui Staking ETF (GSUI) on NYSE Arca and Canary’s SUI Spot ETF (SUIS) on Nasdaq debut with integrated staking, adding a yield component to spot crypto exposure. Fee waivers aim to accelerate AUM growth as both funds tap institutional‑grade partners for custody, admin, and liquidity, while investors weigh staking yields (historically ~1.7%–3.3%) against a near‑term token unlock that could add supply volatility. The launches mark a pivotal shift toward yield‑bearing crypto ETFs.

Source: FinanceFeeds

Moscow is preparing technical and regulatory measures—potentially by mid‑2026—to curb access to offshore crypto exchanges, redirecting activity to supervised local platforms. Officials cite daily volumes of roughly 50 billion rubles and billions in fees flowing to overseas venues; enforcement would likely rely on Roskomnadzor DNS/DPI controls. Analysts warn hard blocks could push activity to P2P desks and DEXs, complicating monitoring even as authorities push to “repatriate” liquidity.

Source: FinanceFeeds

LMAX Group added gold to its institutional perpetual futures lineup, enabling continuous XAU/USD exposure—including weekends—via funding‑rate alignment rather than contract roll. The move extends a crypto‑native derivatives model into a core macro asset, addressing the weekend gap risk when primary spot and listed futures are shut. It’s the latest sign that round‑the‑clock market access is edging beyond digital assets into traditional commodities.

Source: FinanceFeeds

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