HKEX is launching 5-year China government bond futures, receiving positive feedback from international institutional investors. These will be the first offshore products enabling investors to manage risks in Chinese treasury bonds at low cost, bypassing the QFII quota requirement.
Brent crude futures with September delivery on the ICE exchange in London dropped below $82 a barrel, marking the first time since July 13, according to trading data. The price initially fell 6.74% before paring some losses.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee met China Securities Regulatory Commission chairman Wu Qing to discuss deepening financial market links. This high-level meeting occurred ahead of the launch of Hong Kong's first yuan-denominated five-year bond futures, aiming to enhance the RMB product ecosystem and consolidate Hong Kong's role as an offshore RMB hub.
Leveraged funds reduced their net bearish Bitcoin futures position by 5,566.5 BTC-equivalent, while asset managers simultaneously became less net bullish by 2,204.3 BTC-equivalent, according to a CFTC report covering July 21-28. This indicates a reduction in bearish exposure but not a broad institutional bullish turn.
Hong Kong's finance chief, Paul Chan, announced the city will raise its 2026 full-year economic growth forecast after a 5.1% expansion in H1 2026. This is driven by strong global AI product demand and services exports, alongside a pledge to promote yuan use. Chan cautioned on geopolitical risks and US dollar interest rates.
Mainland Chinese parents are increasingly enrolling their children in costly financial quotient (FQ) training camps, aiming to cultivate early financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills. These popular week-long classes, costing at least 12,800 yuan, are often booked months in advance.
CME Group launches 55 standard and 22 Micro single-stock futures for heavily traded US companies, aiming to capitalize on modern market dynamics shaped by crypto, commission-free trading, and extended-hours activity.
Perpetual futures for tokenized stocks and commodities on Hyperliquid and Binance nearly matched Bitcoin's trading volume, reaching $61.7 billion last week. This growth, particularly in equities and commodities, signals a shift in crypto markets and draws attention from traditional finance leaders.
XRP trades at $1.06, down 2.9% in 24 hours, with high derivatives open interest ($2.43B) outpacing spot volume ($361M), making the market fragile. Bitcoin's direction post-Fed meeting will heavily influence XRP's outcome, with key support at $1.05 and $1.00.
Crypto exchanges are expanding into tokenized stocks, commodities, and precious metals, with market capitalization growing to $6.6 billion in June 2026 from $1.4 billion in January 2025, driven by competition from traditional brokerages and decentralized exchanges.
BitMEX's utility token (BMEX) plummeted 90% to $0.002 after the exchange announced its decision to wind down operations. The closure follows a significant drop in BitMEX's Bitcoin futures market share and is seen as part of broader industry corrections.
Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart suggests the CLARITY Act will have minimal direct impact on Bitcoin, which already has established regulatory infrastructure. The updated bill, released by Senate Republicans, is seen as more beneficial for assets like Ethereum and Solana, which lack clear legal status.
Glasgow is hosting a scaled-back Commonwealth Games in 2026 after Victoria withdrew due to financial concerns. Despite organisers' optimism, challenges like low ticket sales, limited free-to-air TV coverage, and star athlete absentees raise questions about the event's long-term viability and relevance.
PM Narendra Modi announced fast-track courts for paper leak cases, prioritizing students' future. This follows student protests over the NEET paper leak, with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticizing Modi and demanding the education minister's resignation.
Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh shared a heartfelt message on the ongoing NEET examination paper leak protests, urging dialogue for a safe learning environment. The controversy has intensified with protests, parliamentary deadlock, and legal scrutiny, including Delhi Police FIRs and Delhi High Court notices. Olympian Manu Bhaker also voiced concern for students.
Stock futures are down after SpaceX announced its debut earnings report and share lock-up expiration. Oil prices surged over $95/barrel due to US strikes on Iran, while new US tariffs are signaled, and the Fed faced cybersecurity access issues with an AI model.
Bitcoin has rebounded to nearly $66,000 from its June 30 low, but options traders are still paying high premiums for downside protection, and leveraged long positions are rebuilding. This creates a 'pre-capitulation trap' as the market awaits the Federal Reserve's policy meeting.
Arcus, a decentralized exchange backed by Robinhood Crypto, has launched tokenized stocks and perpetual futures on Robinhood Chain, offering over 95 stock tokens and derivatives. The platform uses a self-custodial model, but its stock tokens are unavailable in the US, Canada, and the UK due to ongoing regulatory questions.
Brent crude futures surged to $91.42 before easing to $88.28 on a US-Iran ceasefire proposal, while Bitcoin held above $65,000. The article analyzes how Bitcoin's behavior reflects expectations for diplomacy to temper oil-driven inflation, influencing Federal Reserve policy and Treasury yields, outlining various market scenarios.
XRP's open interest has surpassed $2.4 billion, increasing by $125 million in a week as traders boost derivatives exposure. The token trades near $1.13, requiring a daily close above $1.18 to confirm a stronger price expansion towards $1.26, with derivatives poised to amplify future moves.
Physicist Laura Grego discusses the impending changes in space usage, from tens of thousands of new satellites altering sky views to the unaddressed military and nuclear vulnerabilities in space, highlighting the need for public awareness and governance.
The Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) is in early discussions to extend its trading hours, potentially to 5pm or 8pm, according to two sources. The move aims to enhance market competitiveness, though scrapping the lunch break is not being considered.
Spain's manager Luis de la Fuente hailed his team's "destiny" after they secured their second World Cup title, defeating 10-man Argentina 1-0 in extra time with a goal from substitute Ferran Torres. The victory saw Spain's defense shine, while Lionel Messi's last World Cup ended without a second title.
Bitcoin fell below $63,000 on Monday, influenced by rising oil prices and declining equity futures following U.S. strikes on Iran. Factors like thin weekend trading and fund flows also contributed to the drop, with Bitcoin nearing $60,000.
