๐๐บ๐ธ The U.S. State Department has launched a new initiative called the Freedom Tech Excellence Program (FTEP), appointing the Bitcoin Policy Institute as a founding partner alongside companies like Palantir and Anduril Industries. FTEP aims to facilitate a talent exchange program where private sector employees will engage in initiatives to promote diplomatic efforts focused on "digital freedom and freedom of expression." Some experts claim that BTC is a development by U.S. intelligence agencies.
โ๏ธ๐ฎ๐ท Former President Donald Trump paused military strikes against Iran on Friday, providing another opportunity for negotiations, according to AXIOS.
โ ๏ธ๐ฎ๐ท Former President Donald Trump has paused escalation with Iran due to dwindling air defense supplies needed for U.S. bases in the Middle East, concerns over conflict expansion, and potential economic impacts, according to the New York Times. Axios previously reported that Trump is allowing another chance for diplomacy. Meanwhile, CNN highlights Vance's worries about U.S.-Iran conflict escalation, while the New York Post reveals that the U.S. is considering a ground operation in Iran to seize enriched uranium, which could involve thousands of soldiers. The Wall Street Journal warns that the U.S.-Iran conflict may drag on for months.
โ ๏ธ๐ฎ๐ท๐บ๐ฆ Iran has accused Ukraine of attacking an Iranian merchant vessel in the Caspian Sea on the morning of July 25, according to Iran's Foreign Ministry. Tehran described the incident as a violation of international law and blamed Kyiv for escalating tensions. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has delivered a note of protest to the Ukrainian chargรฉ d'affaires. Middle Eastern media have warned of a potential missile strike against Ukraine.
๐ข๐ฎ๐ท๐ด๐ฒ Oman and Iran have made progress in negotiations regarding the Strait of Hormuz and may reach an agreement to resume shipping in the strait by the end of the weekend, according to AXIOS.
๐บ๐ฆ The United States and Ukraine have held talks regarding a potential ceasefire in the skies. This proposal will be presented to Russia in the upcoming round of peace negotiations. โ RTRS
โ ๏ธ๐บ๐ฆ The prospect of "freezing" the conflict with Ukraine is impossible, given Kyiv's stance, stated Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. His comments came in response to Kazakh President Tokayev's proposal to freeze the conflict and return to the Istanbul agreements.
๐ข๐ท๐บ Russia will extend the ban on gasoline exports until the end of the year. The decision to allow refineries to produce Euro-3 class gasoline is aimed at addressing the domestic fuel shortage and is temporary in nature. Additionally, Russia has reached an agreement with Kazakhstan regarding potential fuel supplies to Russia. โ Novak
๐ Russian gold miners have prepared for EU sanctions, and a new sanctions package is unlikely to significantly disrupt their operations. Major supply chain disruptions are not anticipated, as Russian exporters have long adapted their foreign trade relations towards China, India, Turkey, and the UAE โ ะช.
๐ The United States has increased its import of Russian fertilizers to a record high, according to reports from RIA.
โ ๏ธ๐ธ๐ฆ๐พ๐ช Iran has expressed its willingness to act as a mediator in negotiations between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
๐ฌ๐ง๐บ๐ธ The British Defense Minister, Wes Streeting, aims to restore relations with the Trump administration and strengthen security cooperation, according to The Telegraph.
๐ The earnings season for Q2 2026 continues in the United States. Among the companies that have reported, 80% exceeded revenue expectations, surpassing the five-year average of 70% and the ten-year average of 68%. Additionally, 86% surpassed earnings per share (EPS) estimates, also above the five-year average of 78% and the ten-year average of 76%, according to FactSet.
๐จ Following BitMEX, the cryptocurrency exchange Bitmart has announced its impending closure, as detailed in a recent tweet. The registration of new users has been halted, and the exchange is set to shut down on August 26. The native token of the exchange, #BMX, has plummeted by 60%.
๐ Hydropower has surpassed natural gas to become the largest energy source in the Bitcoin mining industry, according to a recent Cambridge study.
โ ๏ธโด๏ธ Bitcoin spot ETF flows remain stagnant as BTC trades within the range of $70,000 to $58,000. The consensus remains unchanged: signs of a potential bottom formation have emerged, but a "mass capitulation" in the market has yet to occur. The possibility of a "final" drop to the $50,000 to $40,000 range still exists.
๐ฅ๐บ๐ธ FBRX surged by 40%, while AGRX remained unchanged at 0%. In a significant development, argenx is acquiring Forte Biosciences for $77 per share.