Finance

Brent crude prices jumped nearly 4% to approximately $106 per barrel as optimism for a 15-point ceasefire plan between the U.S. and Iran began to wane. The market remains highly sensitive to potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which has effectively seen shipping traffic halted since late February 2026.

U.S. Treasury yields rose on Thursday, with the 10-year note reaching approximately 4.38% as investors processed fresh economic data showing weekly jobless claims at 210,000. The rise in yields reflects renewed inflation fears driven by high energy costs and upcoming bond auctions.

Digital assets experienced a bearish turn on March 26, 2026, with Bitcoin falling below the $70,000 threshold and Ethereum sliding toward $2,000. The sell-off in the crypto space mirrored broader risk-aversion in equities and was exacerbated by a spike in oil prices and negative funding rates.

The Federal Reserve held the benchmark interest rate in the 3.5% to 3.75% range during its March 2026 meeting, signaling a cautious 'wait-and-see' approach. Meanwhile, global forecasting groups have raised 2026 U.S. inflation projections to 4.2%, significantly higher than the Fed's own internal estimates.

Mastercard has entered a definitive agreement to acquire stablecoin startup BVNK in a deal valued at up to $1.8 billion, highlighting continued institutional interest in digital asset infrastructure. This move coincides with other major fintech developments, including new crypto-backed mortgage products from major exchanges.