Macro news

September 23, 2026

21:26 Macro

Venezuela’s Crypto Activity Climbed to $39.1 Billion as Stablecoin Use Accelerated

Venezuela posts fastest crypto growth in Latin America: Chainalysis Venezuela’s crypto activity jumped 107.2% to $39.1 billion in the 12 months to June 30, 2026, the fastest growth among Latin America’s five biggest markets, Chainalysis said. The firm linked the surge to January, when the US detained President Nicolás Maduro, saying stablecoin use rose as people moved from the bolívar into dollar-based crypto assets; crypto outflows then spiked 891.7% quarter over quarter.

September 15, 2026

22:13 Macro

Ethiopia Cuts Bitcoin Miners’ Power as Lower Dam Inflows Strain Hydropower

Ethiopia cuts power to Bitcoin miners after hydropower drop Ethiopian Electric Power has slashed electricity deliveries to Bitcoin miners by 75%, leaving them with just 23% of contracted supply after El Niño cut dam inflows by about 20%. The country has agreements with 39 mining firms, and miners had grown to use roughly a third of Ethiopia’s electricity while generating about 35% of EEP revenue. EEP plans to review the curbs in October, with further cuts possible if reservoir levels do not recover.

September 10, 2026

21:41 Macro

El Salvador Nears IMF Program Restart After Bitcoin Standoff Softens

El Salvador moves toward IMF bailout restart after Bitcoin dispute eases The IMF reached a staff-level agreement on the second and third reviews of El Salvador’s $1.4 billion program, clearing the way for a $140 million disbursement if the executive board approves. A key hurdle eased after the IMF said new Bitcoin purchases since the first review were funded by private donations, not public money, and noted progress on transferring control of the state-backed Chivo wallet to a private operator.

September 9, 2026

10:13 Macro

Iran Reportedly Lets Exporters Use Crypto Earnings for Imports as Sanctions Tighten

Iran shifts trade settlement toward crypto, FT reports Iran’s central bank has quietly encouraged exporters to use overseas earnings in USDT, bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to pay for imports directly, bypassing the official FX system, the FT reported. The change lets traders exchange foreign currency at market rates instead of returning funds via a state platform, as Tehran tries to keep trade flowing under tighter U.S. sanctions and tap more than $100 billion in undeclared export earnings.

July 28, 2026

02:46 Macro

Bitcoin Falls Below $63,000 as Fed Rate-Hike Concerns Weigh on Crypto

Bitcoin drops to 11-day low as Fed rate-hike fears hit crypto Bitcoin slipped below $63,000, touching its lowest level in 11 days, as traders braced for a possible Federal Reserve rate increase this week. Bloomberg reported BTC fell as much as 2.3% to $63,414 and Ether lost about 3.6%, while pressure on Bitcoin was also amplified by more than $465 million in net outflows from US spot Bitcoin ETFs on July 23 and 24.

July 15, 2026

21:45 Macro

US Says It Disabled Tanker Bound for Iran After Alleged Blockade Breach

US says it disabled tanker bound for Iran’s Kharg Island US Central Command said July 15 it disabled the Curacao-flagged tanker M/T Belma with a Hellfire strike on its smokestack after the vessel ignored repeated warnings and tried to breach a renewed maritime blockade while heading toward Kharg Island. CENTCOM said the ship was empty and no longer moving toward Iran; in the first 24 hours after the blockade resumed at 4 p.m. ET on July 14, two other commercial vessels were redirected.