[News Brief] Apr 22, morning | Trump Nears Signing Memorandum of Understanding with Iran, Easing Middle East Tensions

On the 11th (U.S. Eastern Time), U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded total net outflows of $19,026,500, marking a fifth consecutive trading day of net outflows.

According to Odaily, citing SoSoValue data, BlackRock's IBIT saw net inflows of $30,257,600, while Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust BTC recorded net inflows of $5,620,800. In contrast, ARK Invest/21Shares' ARKB posted net outflows of $27,208,200.

Total net assets of spot Bitcoin ETFs were tallied at $79.498 billion. This represents 6.26% of Bitcoin’s total market capitalization, while cumulative net inflows stood at $53.539 billion.

Odaily, citing Axios, reported that President Trump said a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding expected to be signed soon includes the immediate resumption of transit through the Strait of Hormuz without transit fees, along with phased sanctions relief contingent on Iran’s compliance.

According to the report, both sides have aligned on the wording of the agreement, though final approval is still pending. The draft extends the ceasefire by 60 days, expands its scope to include Lebanon, and provides for nuclear negotiations during that period.

It also includes a framework for handling Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium and a pledge by Iran not to possess nuclear weapons. The Strait of Hormuz is expected to restore shipping activity to pre-war levels within 30 days, while the U.S. would lift related blockade measures and allow Iran to resume oil exports for a certain period.

According to Odaily, after President Trump said he had canceled a planned attack and bombing campaign against Iran, spot gold rose by $30 in the short term, surpassing $4,130 per ounce.

WTI crude fell by $1 in the short term, while Brent crude extended losses by $4 per barrel to $89.74. This was interpreted as the oil market pricing in expectations of easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Odaily also reported that Axios said key differences in U.S.-Iran negotiations have narrowed under Qatar’s mediation.

Sources said Iranian officials and Qatari mediators held talks in Tehran on Wednesday, reducing gaps on three main issues: the method for releasing Iran’s frozen assets, reopening the Strait of Hormuz during the 60-day ceasefire, and the framework for negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.

President Trump had previously said several times that an agreement was close, but Iran has not officially confirmed this. Iranian officials reportedly informed some countries that an agreement in principle had been reached, although final approval remains pending.

Standard Chartered said that cryptocurrency prices, including Bitcoin, may have already passed the low point of this cycle, according to @pete_rizzo_.

Standard Chartered projected that Bitcoin could reach $100,000 this year. The comments have drawn attention as an institutional outlook on the market following the recent correction.

Source: Wu Blockchain

Galaxy Research analyzed that Bitcoin may not yet have reached the bottom of this cycle.

Galaxy said that only 4 of 13 historical bottom indicators have been triggered, and based on on-chain and market data, it suggested a base bottom range of $40,000 to $46,000. In the event of intensified capitulation, it said Bitcoin could fall as low as $30,000 to $37,000.

According to Odaily, Japanese Bitcoin treasury strategy firm Metaplanet signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of licensed Japanese brokerage C I Securities. The deal is expected to close in July, after which the company will be renamed Metaplanet Securities.

Metaplanet said the acquisition is its first major M&A transaction and the first execution step of its long-term strategy, 'Project Nova.' The company plans to combine C I Securities’ brokerage license and online securities platform to build a Bitcoin-centric financial ecosystem in Japan.

Metaplanet currently holds 40,177 BTC on its balance sheet. After the acquisition, Metaplanet Securities plans to offer Japanese investors yield-generating Bitcoin-related investment opportunities.

According to Whale Alert, 131,392,219 USDC was transferred from Kraken to an unknown wallet on the 12th.

The transfer was valued at approximately $131,436,929. Such large stablecoin transfers may indicate changes in exchange liquidity or preparation for over-the-counter trades, though the specific purpose has not been confirmed.

PA News reported on the 12th, citing Decrypt, that Coinbase’s Quantum Advisory Committee urged blockchain developers to begin preparing immediately for a transition to quantum security.

The report estimated that around 7 million BTC could be vulnerable to future quantum attacks due to exposed public keys and address reuse. However, there is currently no quantum computer capable of breaking blockchain encryption, and the report suggested that related risks may increase around 2030.

The report proposed several options, including freezing or burning tokens not moved to quantum-secure addresses after a deadline, leaving the decision to users, and compromise measures such as limiting the amount transferable per block.

The Ethereum Foundation previously formed a team to oversee its transition to quantum security, and Vitalik Buterin has also unveiled a quantum upgrade roadmap.

Exodus Movement is launching 'Exodus Market,' a Solana-based trading platform, in partnership with Ondo Finance, PANews reported citing The Wall Street Journal.

Exodus Market will allow users to directly trade more than 200 tokenized stocks, ETFs, and real-world assets (RWAs) on Solana. The partnership reflects the growing trend of bringing traditional financial assets onto blockchain-based trading platforms.