Geopolitics

A survey shows that cryptocurrency is quite popular among young people in the UK, with 64% of left-leaning party supporters having heard of cryptocurrency. Although right-wing parties such as the UK Reform Party support the crypto industry, its appeal has transcended partisan lines. The government faces industry pressure on regulation, with slow progress in advancing it.

Gate News: On March 25th, the Science and Technology Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology publicly solicited opinions on 121 industry standard planned projects, including "Artificial Intelligence Safety Governance Model Context Protocol Application Security Requirements," and released a related list of proposed standard projects to be established. The public announcement period is from March 26 to April 24, 2026.

Gate News report: On March 25th, according to Solid Intel, Israel's Defense Minister stated that Israel dropped 15,000 bombs on Iran, a quantity four times the total from the previous 12-day conflict.

Gate News Report: On March 25, U.S. Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez formally called for removing Trump from the presidency under the 25th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The 25th Amendment stipulates that if the president becomes incapable of fulfilling their duties, the vice president shall assume the powers and duties of the office.

CEA Industries Inc. Director Hans Thomas Resigns as YZi Labs Advances Leadership Restructuring to Enhance BNC Control. Thomas's resignation is not due to internal disputes. YZi Labs is seeking to expand the board to control the company. The key to determining future control lies with current shareholders deciding whether to set a record date for share ownership. This event has drawn widespread attention to BNB and its asset management landscape.

Iran has proposed ceasefire conditions, including reparations and control of the Strait of Hormuz, but the United States considers them unrealistic. The US military buildup has heightened Iran's skepticism about peace negotiations, causing oil prices to soar and impacting commodities markets. Gold and Bitcoin have also experienced increased volatility, as global investors pay close attention to the development of the situation.

Despite the sharp decline in gold prices in March, recent recovery above $4550 demonstrates restored market confidence. Gold ETF demand remains robust, with SPDR Gold ETF assets under management approaching historical highs, reflecting investor focus on the long-term value of precious metals. While geopolitical tensions impact short-term prices, long-term investment demand remains strong.

South Korea's People Power Party proposes to cancel the 22% cryptocurrency gains tax set to take effect in 2027, arguing that the current tax system is immature and may cause unfairness, particularly affecting young investors. The party is concerned that strict taxation will lead to capital outflows, with 110 billion dollars already flowing out, affecting market activity. The bill is still under review, and whether it will pass remains uncertain. If it passes, it could boost market confidence and attract more investors.

Gate News report: On March 25, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency (IRNA), Iran's ambassador to Pakistan stated that friendly countries such as Pakistan are working to lay the groundwork for dialogue between Tehran and Washington, hoping these efforts can help end the war.

The South Korean Financial Services Commission report indicates that cryptocurrency outflows will reach $60 billion in the second half of 2025, primarily flowing to overseas platforms, while local exchange user numbers are growing but profits are declining. The total market capitalization and trading volume of the crypto market are expected to decline, with investors focusing on the impact of international markets and geopolitical factors on prices.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos announced that the nation has entered an energy emergency state to address threats to energy supply from Middle East conflicts. Multiple countries globally that rely on imported energy have also implemented austerity measures, reflecting the fragility of energy supply chains and the impact of conflicts on international markets.

The Trump family plans to hold a cryptocurrency elite event on April 25 in Florida for "Trump Coin" holders, inviting 297 investors to participate. The event has attracted political attention, with Democrats criticizing it as a "crypto corruption club" and questioning Trump's business conduct. The conference has the potential to further draw high-net-worth investors and global crypto industry focus, and in conjunction with the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, related political attacks may intensify.

Gate News reports that on March 25, COSCO Shipping Lines announced the immediate resumption of new booking services (standard containers) from the Far East to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Iraq.

As of March 25, the cryptocurrency market capitalization was approximately $2.4 trillion, with overall stagnation. The US-Iran conflict elevated risk-averse sentiment, with Bitcoin price maintaining around $70,644. Ireland and Europol seized 500 Bitcoin. Technical analysis shows Bitcoin may face short-term pullback, with Decred also under downward pressure, as the market exhibits volatile trading.

Taiwan is taking a cautious approach to stablecoins. The Financial Supervisory Commission plans to launch a domestic stablecoin as early as 2026, but issuance will be limited to licensed financial institutions. The central bank has raised questions about whether stablecoins meet monetary system standards and has not yet decided whether to issue a stablecoin denominated in New Taiwan dollars or US dollars. Industry experts point out that Taiwan needs to deepen its bond market and attract foreign capital to promote stablecoin development.

As Hong Kong's stablecoin license issuance approaches, experts discuss its impact on global stablecoin development. The legalization of USD stablecoins resolves cross-border payment issues but increases dependence on the US dollar. While Hong Kong's stablecoin solution is pragmatic, it faces rapidly evolving global liquidity patterns, and non-US dollar economies need to accelerate their positioning to avoid being locked into the US dollar system.

Deutsche Bank report analyzes the current state of the petrodollar system, pointing out that it faced pressure before the war. Factors such as U.S. energy independence, the trend of oil currency localization, and shaken trust in the Gulf region pose challenges to the system, resulting in increased Middle Eastern oil flows to Asia and more non-dollar transactions.

Brent crude oil prices have fallen below $100 per barrel as the United States proposes a 15-point plan to end the war with Iran, with mediators pushing for bilateral talks. Analysts point out that market sentiment will reverse as conflict risks diminish, despite ongoing attacks between the two sides and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Gate News reports that on March 25, the U.S. House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing today at 18:00 (UTC+8) on tokenization and the future of capital markets.

US-Iran ceasefire reports trigger market volatility, Bitcoin rebounds in the short term. Analysts believe Iran's influence has transcended military operations, with markets sensitive to ceasefire expectations. A ceasefire would boost risk assets, while continued conflict would limit Bitcoin's upside potential. Investors need to monitor Iran's stance.