Middle East crisis: Oil slides, gold & silver rise on US move to end conflict The United States’ proposal to end the Middle East conflict, including a 15-point plan aimed at resolving tensions with Iran, has triggered a shift in global energy and precious metals markets. Oil prices fell sharply as hostilities between regional powers eased, while gold and silver surged, reflecting investor concerns over potential supply disruptions and inflationary pressures. In late trading on Wednesday, Brent crude oil prices dropped to $97.2 per barrel, a 3% decline, following the announcement of the U.S. plan. This marked a reversal from earlier in March, when Brent had reached a multi-year high near $120 per barrel. The decline in oil prices was attributed to reduced fears of prolonged conflict, though analysts warned that lingering tensions could still impact global energy markets. Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, highlighted the risks of rising oil prices, stating that if crude surpasses $150 per barrel due to supply disruptions in the Gulf region even after the war ends, it could trigger a global recession. The ongoing conflict has severely disrupted oil and liquefied natural gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for about 20% of the world’s energy supply. The International Energy Agency (IEA) described this as the largest-ever oil supply disruption, underscoring the crisis’s scale. Domestic markets in India also saw significant movements. Crude oil futures for April delivery on the MCX platform fell 3% to Rs 8,475 per barrel, while gold and silver futures rose sharply. Gold prices climbed 3.8% to Rs 1.44 lakh per 10 grams, and silver surged 4.7% to Rs 2.34 lakh per kilogram.#iran #united_states #blackrock #brent_crude_oil #international_energy_agency
‘Stop eating and buy silver’: Robert Kiyosaki warns of the biggest market crash and reveals how $10 could save you Robert Kiyosaki, the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, has once again issued financial advice that has drawn attention. He is urging individuals to start investing in silver with as little as ten dollars, claiming this small step can teach essential lessons about money that books or courses might not provide. Kiyosaki reportedly joked that if someone lacks ten dollars, they could skip a meal to make the purchase. While the suggestion may seem extreme, he emphasizes that financial education often begins with tangible, small actions. Kiyosaki is not promoting silver for entertainment but as a critical investment for new investors. He frequently mentions buying “junk real silver,” such as old dimes and quarters, which are inexpensive but offer hands-on experience. Handling physical metal and interacting with dealers, he argues, teaches lessons about trust, networking, and responsibility that are difficult to grasp through theoretical learning. Dealers, he notes, are often eager to build long-term relationships with customers, subtly reinforcing the value of personal connections in financial matters. Kiyosaki’s warnings about a potential market crash are not new. In his 2013 book Rich Dad’s Prophecy, he predicted a major stock market collapse, a forecast he has reiterated in recent posts. He highlights rising global debt and structural weaknesses in financial systems as key risks. Specific concerns include private credit schemes managed by companies like BlackRock, which he believes could trigger a sudden and devastating crash. Such an event, he warns, could wipe out retirement savings and personal funds worldwide. While he hopes his predictions are incorrect, he stresses the importance of preparation.#silver #blackrock #robert_kiyosaki #rich_dad_poor_dad #rich_dad_s_prophecy
"Skip A Meal, Buy Silver": Rich Dad, Poor Dad Author Urges As War Fears Rise Financial author Robert Kiyosaki has issued a dire warning about an impending major stock market crash, urging individuals to start investing in silver despite the cost. In a recent post on the social media platform X, Kiyosaki, the author of the best-selling book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, claimed that the financial issues responsible for the 2008 Global Financial Crisis were never fully resolved. He warned that the next collapse could be even more severe, potentially driven by instability in the private credit market linked to investment giant BlackRock. Kiyosaki reiterated his long-standing prediction that the biggest stock market crash in history is still on the horizon, emphasizing that the 2026 timeframe is now approaching. He referenced his earlier warning from 2013, when he forecasted the collapse of Lehman Brothers during an appearance on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, shortly before the bank’s failure in 2008. According to him, the root causes of the 2008 crisis—excessive global debt and systemic financial vulnerabilities—remain unresolved, creating a recipe for a far larger economic downturn. The author argued that current global debt levels are unsustainable and could lead to catastrophic consequences if markets collapse. He warned that many baby boomers risk losing their retirement savings, as the value of stocks and other traditional investments could plummet. To mitigate this risk, Kiyosaki advised people to take proactive steps, such as investing in assets like gold, silver, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and oil. However, he placed particular emphasis on silver, calling it a more affordable and practical option for small investors.#blackrock #robert_kiyosaki #wolf_blitzer #lehmans_brothers #rich_dad_poor_dad
CySEC Regulated Coinbase Expands OTC Derivatives Offering Across the EEA Coinbase, a cryptocurrency exchange regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), has launched over-the-counter derivatives products for users in the European Economic Area (EEA). The offering, its first under a MiFID II licence obtained earlier this year through the acquisition of BUX Cyprus, allows traders to access both cryptocurrency and traditional market exposure through regulated financial instruments. The contracts are available to Coinbase Advanced users in 26 countries, including Germany, France, and the Netherlands. The new product lineup includes futures contracts tied to Bitcoin and equity-index products that combine exposure to the so-called Magnificent Seven stocks—Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Nvidia, Meta, and Tesla—with crypto-linked equities and BlackRock iShares exchange-traded funds tied to Bitcoin and Ether. These contracts are designed to provide traders with diversified investment opportunities, blending traditional asset classes with cryptocurrency assets. Coinbase has introduced two types of cash-settled futures contracts. One type is perpetual-style futures with five-year expiries, while the other includes dated contracts with monthly or quarterly expiries. Traders can access up to 10x leverage on certain products, though fees start at 0.02% per trade. The offering reflects the exchange’s strategy to expand its services in Europe, where regulatory frameworks like MiFID II have created a more structured environment for derivatives trading. This expansion follows similar moves by other crypto exchanges, such as Kraken, which began offering derivatives under a MiFID II licence after acquiring a Cyprus-based entity last year. Other firms with European crypto licences include Crypto.#blackrock #coinbase #mifid_ii #cysec #eea
Coinbase Launches Crypto Futures for European Traders Coinbase has introduced regulated crypto futures trading for users in 26 European countries, offering perpetual futures, dated contracts, and equity-index products. The platform is expanding its derivatives offerings to European traders for the first time, with products available through Coinbase Advanced under the MiFID II regulatory framework. This move provides European users with a regulated alternative to offshore platforms traditionally used for crypto derivatives. The new product suite includes perpetual-style futures with five-year expirations and dated contracts that expire monthly or quarterly. Leverage of up to 10 times is available on selected contracts, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, with transaction fees as low as 0.02% per contract. Users can fund their accounts in euros or USDC. The offering also features the Mag7 + Crypto Equity Index Futures, which combines exposure to the Magnificent Seven tech stocks with crypto-linked equities and BlackRock iShares ETFs tied to Bitcoin and Ethereum. Coinbase’s expansion aligns with growing demand for regulated crypto derivatives in Europe. The platform’s futures products are offered under a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) license, which allows firms to provide traditional financial products like stocks, bonds, and derivatives to EU customers. While Coinbase is a crypto exchange, its derivatives offerings fall under MiFID II regulations, ensuring compliance with European financial standards. The launch follows similar moves by competitors such as Kraken and Crypto.com, which introduced their own crypto futures products in May 2025. Coinbase’s entry into the European derivatives market positions it as a key player in the region’s evolving crypto landscape.#blackrock #coinbase #mifid_ii #mag7 #crypto_equity_index_futures
BlackRock $26 Billion Private Credit Fund Limits Withdrawals BlackRock Inc. has restricted withdrawals from its $26 billion HPS Corporate Lending Fund amid a surge in investor requests for redemptions, signaling growing concerns within the $1.8 trillion private credit sector. The firm announced Friday that shareholders had sought to redeem 9.3% of their shares, but management opted to limit repurchases to 5% of the fund’s holdings. According to Bloomberg calculations, this would have involved approximately $1.2 billion in shares, but investors will only receive about $620 million, based on the fund’s value at the end of 2025. The decision reflects heightened investor anxiety about the stability of private credit markets, which have faced volatility in recent months. The HPS Corporate Lending Fund, one of the largest non-traded business development companies in the industry, has now implemented a cap on redemptions to manage liquidity and mitigate potential risks. This move comes as broader concerns about the sector’s resilience resurface, particularly amid economic uncertainties and shifting market conditions. The fund’s management cited the need to balance investor demands with the long-term health of the fund. By capping repurchases at 5%, BlackRock aims to preserve capital and ensure the fund can continue to meet its obligations to remaining shareholders. However, the reduction in the amount investors can reclaim has raised questions about the firm’s ability to address liquidity pressures without compromising its financial stability. The situation highlights the challenges facing private credit firms as they navigate a complex economic landscape.#blackrock_inc #hps_corporate_lending_fund #private_credit_sector #blackrock #investor_redemption_restrictions
Ethereum’s Price Rally Expected Amid Tokenisation Growth and Geopolitical Uncertainty Tom Lee, chair of Bitmine, a digital asset treasury firm heavily invested in Ethereum, has predicted that the cryptocurrency’s price will rise in March despite ongoing uncertainties related to the war in Iran. Lee argued that Ethereum’s value is poised for a rebound as tokenisation efforts gain momentum, with major financial institutions increasingly adopting blockchain-based solutions. Tokenisation, the process of converting ownership rights in assets like real estate, stocks, or bonds into digital tokens on a blockchain, has attracted attention from industry leaders. Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, has praised the technology for its potential to enhance efficiency and reduce corruption. Lee emphasized that the surge in tokenised fund announcements is largely concentrated on Ethereum, suggesting that the platform’s growing role in financial innovation will drive its price upward. Lee’s bullish outlook comes amid a significant downturn for Ethereum, which has dropped over 50% since the October mass liquidation event that triggered a $2 trillion crypto market drawdown. Bitmine, which holds a substantial stake in Ethereum, has also seen its share price decline by 66% since September, trading at $20 per share. Despite these losses, Luke Nolan, a senior research associate at CoinShares, noted that paper losses during market downturns are not equivalent to permanent losses, especially in the absence of forced liquidations or margin calls. Wall Street’s interest in Ethereum has intensified, with BlackRock’s holdings of Bitmine shares increasing by 166% to $246 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to SEC filings. This trend reflects broader confidence in the asset class, as financial institutions seek to capitalize on discounted valuations.#ethereum #blackrock #bitmine #tom_lee #larry_fink
