Clash of the elephants on global stage

US-China trade war escalates further, despite temporary relief for other countries.

Tensions between the United States and China have taken a new turn. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on new trade tariffs for most countries, while simultaneously increasing tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%.

This move offers temporary relief for many countries and opens the door to negotiations over future trade arrangements. So far, more than 75 countries have expressed interest in talks with the US to reach mutually beneficial agreements.

Financial markets reacted positively to the news of the tariff pause. Globally, markets saw some of the biggest gains in years. Investors view the pause as a chance for de-escalation of global trade tensions, hoping it will lead to constructive negotiations and more stable economic relationships.

However, the increased tariffs on Chinese goods highlight persistent tensions between the world’s two largest economies. It remains uncertain how China will respond to the hike, and whether it will trigger further retaliatory measures. The coming months will be critical for the future of international trade relations and global economic stability.

Ripple acquires hidden road – first truly global crypto finance firm.

Ripple has announced the acquisition of prime brokerage platform Hidden Road, becoming the first crypto company capable of operating globally while offering multiple asset classes to institutional clients. This marks a significant milestone in bridging the gap between traditional finance and crypto.

Hidden Road provides institutional access to a range of markets through a single platform, including currency markets, equities, and now crypto. With this acquisition, Ripple gains the infrastructure needed to build a true bridge between crypto and traditional assets, unlocking global liquidity. This move solidifies Ripple’s position as a serious player at the intersection of fintech and digital assets, highlighting how quickly the two worlds are converging.

US ruling: stablecoins are not securities – adoption gets a boost.

In a major win for the crypto sector, US regulators have confirmed that stablecoins like USDC and USDT are not classified as securities. This provides long-awaited legal clarity for one of crypto’s most widely used technologies, especially in the world’s largest economy.

This decision reduces the legal risk for companies that issue or utilize stablecoins and paves the way for broader adoption. Stablecoins are a key part of the digital financial system, particularly for fast, low-cost payments both domestically and across borders.

With this regulatory green light, it will now be easier for financial institutions to integrate stablecoins into their services—bringing the idea of “digital dollars” in daily use one step closer to reality.