[News Brief] Apr 22, morning | IMF cuts 2026 global growth forecast from 3.5% to 3.0%

IMF cuts 2026 global growth forecast from 3.5% to 3.0%

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowered its 2026 global economic growth forecast from 3.5% to 3.0%.

According to the source, the downward revision reflects geopolitical risks stemming from the Iran war and concerns about a global economic slowdown.

Some Fed officials back interest rate hikes

According to Watcher.Guru, the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) said some officials supported raising interest rates.

Support for rate hikes is tied to a tightening stance aimed at combating inflation, and markets see it as a factor that could weigh on risk-asset sentiment.

Iran officially halts negotiations with the U.S. on final resolution

Iran has reportedly officially suspended negotiations with the United States regarding a final resolution.

Source: According to Odaily, TASS reported, citing a senior Iranian source, that Iran formally halted the negotiations with the U.S., citing American threats.

Russia imposes full ban on diesel exports

Russia has fully banned diesel exports to stabilize its domestic fuel market following attacks on refineries in Ukraine.

According to Alex Kimani, the Russian government took the measure to secure domestic supply after energy infrastructure suffered major damage from Ukrainian drone strikes.

The move comes as concerns grow over fuel supply disruptions stemming from refinery damage. Instability in energy supply can affect global oil prices and inflation expectations.

CFTC chair says the Clarity Act is “very close” to passage

The chair of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said passage of the Clarity Act is “very close” and emphasized that establishing federal standards for crypto assets is important.

According to Bitcoin Magazine, the CFTC chair stressed that the bill must be passed. The Clarity Act aims to establish federal-level regulatory standards for crypto assets in the United States.

110 million USDT transferred from JustLend DAO to unidentified wallet

According to Whale Alert, 110 million USDT (approximately $199.24 million) was transferred from JustLend DAO to an unidentified wallet on the 8th (local time).

The owner of the receiving wallet and the purpose of the transfer have not been confirmed. Large stablecoin movements can be interpreted as a liquidity signal for the market depending on whether they are related to exchange inflows or outflows.

Source: Whale Alert

VanEck’s Matthew Sigel: Bitcoin price will be significantly higher in one year

According to Bitcoin Magazine, Matthew Sigel of asset manager VanEck said Bitcoin’s price will be “significantly higher” one year from now than it is currently.

Sigel said he is advising clients to gradually increase their Bitcoin holdings over the coming months. VanEck is a major asset manager offering digital asset-related products, including spot Bitcoin ETFs.

Trump-backed AI Financial discusses sale of core payments business to Perpetuals.com

Source: According to PANews, The Wall Street Journal reported that AI Financial (formerly Alt5 Sigma), a public company backed by the Trump family, is discussing the sale of its core payments business to blockchain technology firm Perpetuals.com.

The proposed price is up to about $15 million. AI Financial acquired a controlling stake in the business last year for $750 million, and the deal reportedly generated more than $500 million in related proceeds for the Trump family.

Deal terms have not yet been finalized, and the negotiations may change or fall through.

Nexo launches card in Argentina supporting crypto payments and collateralized loans

Nexo has launched the Nexo Card in Argentina, supporting crypto payments and collateralized lending features.

According to Wu Blockchain, the Nexo Card allows eligible users to spend digital assets in debit mode or borrow against their holdings without selling them in credit mode.

Users can switch between the two modes on a single screen, while cashback is offered on some purchases. Interest-earning functionality also applies to idle balances within the app.

Binance to adjust tick sizes for six perpetual contracts including LABUSDT, MYXUSDT, TAIKOUSDT, and ERAUSDT on the 9th

According to Odaily, Binance announced that it will adjust the minimum price movement unit (tick size) for six USDⓈ-M perpetual contracts, including LABUSDT, MYXUSDT, TAIKOUSDT, and ERAUSDT, at 12:00 p.m. Korea time on the 9th.

LABUSDT will be changed from 0.001 to 0.0001, while MYXUSDT, TAIKOUSDT, and ERAUSDT will be changed from 0.0001 to 0.00001. Binance said the adjustment will not affect existing orders or trading operations.