Overview
- The Pentagon told U.S. lawmakers that clearing naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz would take at least six months and would begin only after the conflict ends, a signal that energy prices may stay high.
- Iran has deployed additional mines and traffic through Hormuz has dropped sharply across a chokepoint that handles about one‑fifth of the world’s seaborne oil, tightening supply and lifting prices.
- Following Thursday’s slide in U.S. and European stocks, Brent traded above $100 and WTI neared the mid‑$90s as government bond yields rose on worries that costlier fuel will keep inflation sticky.
- Bitcoin’s surge toward $80,000 has stalled near $77,000 to $78,000 after a squeeze powered by negative funding, forced short buying, low exchange reserves, and ongoing inflows into spot ETFs.
- Prediction markets reflected caution without panic, with contracts showing roughly 1% odds of Bitcoin falling to $60,000 in April and about 2% odds of crude setting a record by April 30.