[News Brief] Apr 22, morning | New Hampshire to Hold Hearing on Resolution to Issue Up to $100 Million in Bonds for Bitcoin Acquisition and Holding Project

New Hampshire to Hold Hearing on Resolution to Issue Up to $100 Million in Bonds for Bitcoin Acquisition and Holding Project

New Hampshire’s governor and Executive Council are scheduled to hold a hearing on a resolution to issue up to $100 million in bonds for a bitcoin acquisition and holding project, according to Bitcoin Magazine.

The proposal concerns reviewing a state-level plan to hold bitcoin. If approved, it could attract attention as a case linking public funding with digital asset holdings.

Tether Treasury Transfers 500 Million USDT to Binance

According to Whale Alert, 500 million USDT (about $499.78 million) was transferred from the Tether Treasury to Binance.

Large inflows of USDT to exchanges are often interpreted as a sign of growing sidelined buying power, though it remains unconfirmed whether this will lead to actual market purchases.

U.S. Revokes License Allowing Iranian Oil Sales

The United States has revoked a license that had allowed Iranian oil sales, according to Watcher.Guru.

The move is related to the U.S. sanctions stance toward Iran and could heighten market concerns over oil supply and geopolitical risks in the Middle East.

Ukraine Drone Strike Halts Operations at Russia’s Largest Refinery Facility

Ukraine drone attacks have halted operations at Russia’s largest refinery facility, according to Odaily.

Reports said the attack came as Russia was already responding to a widening fuel shortage. The shutdown could add pressure to Russia’s energy sector.

Saudi Arabia Considers Expanding Red Sea Pipeline Routes to Reduce Reliance on the Strait of Hormuz

Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering expanding pipeline routes toward the Red Sea to reduce its reliance on the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Julianne Geiger, Gulf oil producers now view reliance on the Strait of Hormuz as a risk factor following five months of war, shipping disruptions, and Iranian threats to commercial vessels.

The Strait of Hormuz is a key corridor for Middle Eastern crude exports. Expanding alternative transport capacity could reduce supply chain uncertainty and influence energy prices and sentiment toward global risk assets.

EIA Lowers 2026 and 2027 WTI and Brent Crude Price Forecasts

According to Odaily, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), in its Short-Term Energy Outlook, projected 2026 WTI crude prices at $76.26 per barrel, down from the previous forecast of $88.32.

The EIA also lowered its 2027 WTI forecast from $74.39 to $60.76. Brent crude forecasts were revised down from $95.39 to $81.91 for 2026 and from $79.39 to $64.76 for 2027.

Polymarket Adds Instant Bitcoin Deposits via Lightning Network

Polymarket has added instant bitcoin deposit support via the Lightning Network, according to @pete_rizzo_.

With this update, Polymarket users can deposit BTC directly into their accounts. Polymarket is a global prediction market platform, and the move is seen as an example of expanding bitcoin payment and deposit utility.

BNB Ecosystem Prediction Market Platform predict.fun Launches Institutional-Grade Block Trading Feature

According to Odaily, BNB ecosystem prediction market platform predict.fun has launched an institutional-grade block trading feature.

The feature offers over-the-counter matching and on-chain settlement for large prediction market trades. Institutional users can connect directly with counterparties through a dedicated matching service and execute large orders as a single P2P transaction.

predict.fun said this can reduce slippage, liquidity shortages, and position exposure that may arise in traditional order book trading. Fees related to OTC trading will be waived for the next two weeks.

Spot Gold Falls Below $4,100 per Ounce

Spot gold prices fell below the $4,100 per ounce level.

According to PANews, based on Bybit pricing, spot gold traded at $4,097.99, down 1.61% on the day.

Gold prices are influenced by global interest rate expectations, dollar movements, and changes in risk appetite.

Anthropic to Expand Claude Cowork to Mobile and Web

Anthropic plans to expand Claude Cowork to mobile and web, according to Odaily.

The company also said it will extend its measure to double Claude Code’s Cowork usage limits through Aug. 5. Claude Cowork is a collaborative work feature, and the move is seen as an effort to broaden accessibility.