[News Brief] Apr 22, morning | U.S. CFTC Commissioner Says Crypto Perpetual Futures Could Be Legalized in the U.S. Within Weeks

U.S. CFTC Commissioner Says Crypto Perpetual Futures Could Be Legalized in the U.S. Within Weeks

A commissioner of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said that the legalization of crypto perpetual futures (PERPs) in the United States could happen within weeks. Once the regulatory classification is finalized, an official market launch is expected to follow.

According to @WuBlockchain, CFTC Commissioner Michael Selig said in an interview with Anthony Pompliano that genuine crypto perpetual futures are likely to become legal in the U.S. soon. He explained that the CFTC is currently working through the regulatory classification of PERPs and believes that, once proper safeguards are in place, an official launch could happen within weeks to a month.

Commissioner Selig said the so-called workaround products currently in the market stem from a structure that has existed for about 50 years, describing the current effort as building a formal institutional framework to replace them. He added that this move would be a major win for both the industry and the American public.

Perpetual futures are leveraged derivative products with no expiration date. They have become a core trading instrument in the global crypto market, but in the U.S. they have only been offered in limited form due to regulatory uncertainty.

Ethereum Foundation Sells 10,000 ETH

The Ethereum Foundation reportedly sold 10,000 ETH worth about $23 million.

Crypto account Watcher.Guru shared the news on X. Large-scale sales from the foundation’s wallet could raise concerns about increased supply and may weigh on short-term sentiment toward ETH.

Whale Transfers 300 Million USDT to HTX

A whale transferred 300 million USDT (about $299.97 million) from an unknown wallet to HTX, according to Whale Alert.

Funds flowing into an exchange are often interpreted as capital being prepared for purchases or trading activity, but on-chain transfers alone cannot confirm the actual purpose or whether trades will occur.

Source: Whale Alert.

Trump Says Iran Must Either Be Completely Destroyed or Reach a Deal

President Trump said that, regarding Iran, the outcome must be either complete destruction or a deal.

Earlier, Trump had expressed dissatisfaction with Iran’s latest proposal. A Pakistani official said Iran’s newest proposal had been delivered to the U.S. side, though the specific contents have not yet been disclosed.

The remarks are being interpreted as highlighting renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty surrounding U.S.-Iran negotiations.

Trump Plans to Raise Tariffs on EU Cars and Trucks to 25%

President Trump said he plans to raise tariffs on automobiles and trucks imported from the European Union to 25%.

Watcher.Guru reported the development on X. The move could reignite trade tensions between the U.S. and the EU and may weigh on investor sentiment across global equities and risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.

Markets have previously reacted sensitively to the possibility of expanded tariffs and trade friction among major economies.

Cathie Wood Says Bitcoin Bull Market Remains Intact, Bull Case Target at $1.5 Million

ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood said the Bitcoin bull market remains intact and that her bull case target stands at $1.5 million. She expects Bitcoin to continue rising despite market uncertainty.

According to a video shared by @pete_rizzo_, Wood said her Bitcoin bull case is still $1.5 million and that "the bull market is not over yet." She also conveyed that investors should not be shaken by fear in the market and should continue holding.

Her comments suggest that long-term institutional optimism remains in place despite recent volatility. However, she did not provide a specific timeline for reaching the target price.

a16z Crypto Says the Term 'Stablecoin' May Gradually Lose Its Usefulness

According to PANews, Robert Hackett, head of special projects at a16z Crypto, said the term "stablecoin" may gradually lose its usefulness over time.

Hackett explained that the term originally emerged to emphasize stability amid the high volatility of the crypto market, but with technological progress, stability has now become a basic requirement. As a result, the industry’s focus is shifting from whether something is stable to what can be built on top of it.

He said the term may eventually be replaced by broader concepts such as "digital dollars" or "on-chain assets," or become unnecessary altogether as these instruments are naturally integrated into the financial system.

The remarks reflect the trend of stablecoins rapidly becoming a core tool for payments, remittances, and digital financial infrastructure.

Trump Says Oil, Natural Gas, and Broad Prices Would Plunge Once the War Ends

President Trump said that once the war ends, prices across the board — including oil and natural gas — would fall sharply.

According to Odaily, Trump also said the United States is not leaving the Strait of Hormuz at this time. The remarks came as markets remain alert to Middle East tensions and volatility in global energy prices.

Venezuela's April Oil Exports Hit Highest Level Since 2018

Venezuela’s crude oil exports rose to 1.23 million barrels per day in April, the highest level since 2018.

The increase was driven by greater shipments to the United States, India, and Europe.

This rise may be interpreted as a signal of expanding global oil supply and could affect energy prices, inflation expectations, and sentiment toward risk assets.

Venezuela had previously struggled with weak exports due to sanctions and production disruptions.

Trump's Net Worth Triples After 2024 Election Victory

Watcher.Guru reported that President Trump’s net worth has tripled to $6.5 billion since his victory in the 2024 presidential election, helped by gains related to cryptocurrency.

However, the post did not provide a detailed breakdown of the assets contributing to the increase or specific details regarding crypto-related holdings.

Trump has recently drawn market attention for moves related to the cryptocurrency industry.