Global Finance

Driven by recent tit-for-tat military strikes between the United States and Iran across the Persian Gulf and inside Jordan, Brent crude oil futures briefly approached the psychologically important $100-per-barrel threshold on September 8, marking a new one-year high. Markets are increasingly worried that further escalation could choke off a vital global oil shipping lane, lifting energy stocks and safe-haven assets while reigniting global inflationary expectations.

Driven by a new round of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia’s civilian energy infrastructure, international crude oil prices climbed rapidly on September 8, approaching the psychologically important $100-per-barrel threshold. Both Brent and WTI hit one-year highs, lifting risk aversion across global energy markets and pressuring Western equities and emerging-market currencies.

Goldman Sachs says soft economic data makes a September Fed rate hike very unlikely, offering good news for bitcoin and risk assets. Markets focus on this week’s FOMC minutes for further policy signals.

Russia’s central bank has released draft rules for digital asset custody, requiring digital asset platforms to hold up to $2.8 million in liquid capital. This move paves the way for a comprehensive crypto regulatory framework coming this fall.

Wall Street giants including BlackRock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, Goldman Sachs, and SoFi have publicly endorsed the crypto market structure bill known as the Clarity Act, adding significant weight to Senate deliberations. As the Senate timeline tightens, the bill’s passage prospects have become a market focus.