Geopolitics

On April 14, 2026, the State Bank of Pakistan lifted its crypto-assets banking ban that has been in place since 2018, officially kicking off the Virtual Assets Act 2026. Banks may open accounts for licensed virtual asset service providers, but must establish a segregation-of-funds mechanism to ensure that customers’ funds are not affected. This policy change responds to domestic demand and demonstrates Pakistan’s growing role on the international stage.

Gate News message, April 15 — The United States has not agreed to extend the ceasefire agreement, according to Axios.

International oil prices rose significantly due to heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with WTI crude up 1.97% and Brent crude up 2.00% amid Iranian threats to U.S. maritime actions.

In a Fox Business News interview, President Trump expressed optimism about resolving the Iran conflict soon, emphasizing that the U.S. will not agree to terms if Iran seeks nuclear weapons development.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict is affecting weapons supplies to Ukraine, particularly for air defense. He emphasized the critical shortage of the Patriot missile system, which has reached a concerning level.

The IMF has downgraded its 2026 global growth forecast to 3.1%, citing risks of recession from rising oil prices and US-Iran tensions. Bitcoin has also dropped significantly amid poor macroeconomic conditions and rising global debt.

Zerion confirmed a recent AI-driven social engineering attack by North Korean hackers, resulting in a $100,000 loss from corporate hot wallets. User funds remain safe, and the company has taken precautionary measures. This follows another significant attack on Drift Protocol.

Kevin Warsh, nominated for Federal Reserve Chair, has disclosed investments in various crypto projects including Solana and Compound. Experts believe he likely invested indirectly through digital asset-focused funds ahead of his confirmation hearing.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported ongoing operations in southern Lebanon, where they discovered and seized Hezbollah weaponry, including launchers and missiles. The IDF, alongside the Air Force, targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and will maintain their offensive actions.

World Bank President Ajay Banga announced plans to mobilize $80 billion to $100 billion to aid countries affected by the Middle East conflict. This includes $20-$25 billion through a crisis response window and $30-$40 billion from repurposing existing projects.

The U.S. International Trade Commission partially ruled on manufacturing machines under Section 337, reviewing economic factors for domestic industry requirements while not addressing other case aspects. Comments are due by April 28, 2026.

The Strait of Hormuz is experiencing a gradual recovery in shipping traffic despite ongoing regional tensions, with current levels still below pre-conflict volumes.

International crude oil futures fell sharply, with WTI down 7.87% to $91.28 and Brent down 4.6% to $94.79 per barrel. Iran is contemplating suspending shipping through the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing negotiations.

Israeli Defense Minister Katz announced that Israel's military actions, including the "12-Day War" against Iran in 2025, have dismantled Iran's nuclear program. The U.S. and Israel demand the removal of enriched uranium as a condition to cease regional military operations.

Gate News message, April 14, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its latest edition of the World Economic Outlook report, lowering its forecast for global economic growth in 2026 by 0.2 percentage points to 3.1%. The report notes that the fighting in the Middle East has significantly affected the current momentum of global economic growth. If the fighting and high oil prices continue for longer, this year global economic growth will fall to 2.5% or even lower.

Nauru appoints cryptocurrency entrepreneur Dadvan Yousuf as its Commissioner for International Trade to advance a digital asset strategy, attract global investment, strengthen cooperation with virtual service providers and technology companies, and help position Nauru as a virtual asset hub.

Gate News message, April 14, Reuters reported, citing sources, that U.S. and Iranian delegations will hold talks in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, later this week.

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 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.

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.