United Arab Emirates

Standard Chartered has introduced direct bitcoin and ether trading for affluent clients in the United Arab Emirates, allowing eligible investors to buy and sell crypto through existing bank accounts. The service uses in-house custody and settlement through a closed-loop model, removing the need for separate crypto wallets or third-party trading platforms.

Oil prices rose for a second day as traders weighed unresolved US-Iran talks and the risk of shipping disruption through the Strait of Hormuz. WTI is holding above key support near $93, while Brent remains supported above $100 as technical traders watch upside targets at $104 and $113.

WTI and Brent remain caught between recovering Persian Gulf crude exports and lingering uncertainty around U.S.-Iran tensions. Natural gas retains a firmer tone as constrained LNG flows and technical support near $3.11 keep buyers focused on upside levels.

WTI and Brent remain caught between recovering Persian Gulf crude flows and persistent geopolitical uncertainty around Iran and the Hormuz Strait. Natural gas retains a firmer technical tone as tight LNG conditions and support near $3.11 keep bulls engaged.

The Senate’s failure to advance the Clarity Act keeps U.S. digital asset policy largely in the hands of the SEC and CFTC. Market participants say the stalemate protects bank deposits from yield-bearing stablecoins while giving clearer offshore regimes such as the UAE another opening to attract crypto firms.

Gold and silver remain under pressure as Federal Reserve tightening expectations support the U.S. dollar and limit upside for dollar-priced metals. Softer oil prices and persistent geopolitical tensions are keeping safe-haven demand in play, leaving traders focused on key technical levels in XAU/USD and XAG/USD.

Standard Chartered has launched institutional bitcoin and ether spot trading through its Dubai International Financial Center branch. The service places digital assets on the same electronic foreign exchange infrastructure used by institutional clients for major currency trading.

Natural gas is trying to regain momentum above the $2.75 to $2.80 resistance zone as hot weather supports demand despite strong production. WTI and Brent oil remain volatile as traders weigh Middle East developments, profit-taking and the risk of supply disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.

Gold and silver opened slightly higher as renewed US talks with Iran pushed oil prices sharply lower and eased some inflation concerns. Technical traders are watching whether gold can clear $4,200 and whether silver can break out of its $55 to $64 consolidation zone.

Crude oil markets remain pressured as traders weigh Middle East transit risks, limited Gulf exports and technical breakdowns in WTI and Brent. Natural gas is attempting to recover, but resistance levels and strong U.S. production continue to limit bullish momentum.

International investigators say Binance’s revised process for many foreign law enforcement requests is slowing efforts to trace scammers, combat money laundering and freeze stolen crypto. The exchange says it has not reduced cooperation and describes the policy as a stronger control framework aligned with regulated institutions.

The European Union has widened its Russia sanctions to include crypto-linked payment infrastructure, unnamed service platforms and the A7A5 stablecoin. The package also introduces a tool that could allow Brussels to block transactions between EU operators and crypto providers used by Russia.