Wu Jie Zhuang: Hong Kong will issue the first batch of stablecoin issuer licenses in March, hoping that the government will promote the use of cryptocurrencies among all residents of Hong Kong through stablecoin airdrops.

Nigel Farage invests 2 million pounds in Bitcoin, becoming the UK’s first openly holding MP

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage bought Bitcoin with roughly £2 million, becoming the first sitting member of Parliament to publicly disclose an investment of this size. The move highlights his party’s support for cryptoassets and could spark debate about the impact on the UK’s crypto policy and potential conflicts of interest. Farage invested via Stack BTC, strengthening his dual political and financial endorsement.

U.S. banks question the White House’s stablecoin yield report, concerned about the risk of deposit outflows

U.S. banks are questioning a White House stablecoin yield report, arguing that it overlooks the impact of stablecoins on deposit outflows, which could lead to higher financing costs and reduced local lending. The two sides are currently negotiating an agreement on the Senate bill, and a ban on paying stablecoin interest is the focus of the dispute.

Banking industry questions the White House’s stablecoin report, allegations that the crisis of community bank deposit outflows was deliberately avoided

The American Bankers Association criticizes the White House’s research framework in its stablecoin report, saying it overlooks the risk of deposit outflows that could be triggered by prohibiting stablecoin yield. The White House report says the ban will have only a minimal impact on bank lending, increasing it by just $2.1 billion, but the ABA believes this issue’s framework fails to reflect the risks that would actually harm community banks and support the local economy. This dispute is also tied to the current cryptocurrency regulatory legislative efforts, shaping the future development of stablecoins and the competitive landscape for banks.

Trump’s net worth jumps 60% to $6.3 billion as business expansion sparks controversy over potential conflicts of interest

Trump’s net worth is estimated at $6.3 billion, up about 60% before his return to the White House. This growth is mainly driven by his family’s expansion into overseas real estate deals and the cryptocurrency sector. Government ethics experts say they are concerned and believe there may be conflicts of interest. The White House and the Trump Organization deny such claims.

Citigroup raises its U.S. stock market rating to “Buy,” favoring defensive stocks

Gate News message, April 14, Citi Group’s strategists raised their rating for the U.S. stock market from "Neutral" to "Buy," aligning with the views of other analysts on Wall Street. Citi said that heightened uncertainty in the war situation has made investors more inclined to choose companies with higher quality and stronger defensiveness. Based on the principles of a "quality/defensive tilt," Citi adjusted its global asset allocation. Meanwhile, Citi downgraded its emerging market stock rating from "Buy" to "Neutral," saying these markets are more vulnerable to energy shocks, and that a stronger U.S. dollar puts additional pressure on them.

Iranian Ambassador to India: Indian oil tankers have not paid the Strait of Hormuz transit fees to Iran

Iran’s ambassador to India, Fattahali, said that Indian tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz did not pay the transit fee to Iran, and the Indian government also denied having paid any fee. Since the outbreak of the Iran war, Iran has blockaded that route, and there are still 15 Indian vessels stuck in the Persian Gulf.