FIFA is stretching the 2026 World Cup final halftime to somewhere between 20 and 25 minutes. The reason: a full-blown entertainment spectacle featuring the likes of Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Justin Bieber, Coldplay, and Burna Boy. It’s the first halftime show in World Cup history. Breaking the 15-minute rule The standard… Listen ⇢

US President Donald Trump hosted Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House, where the two leaders discussed economic collaborations aimed at enhancing Iraq’s oil production. The meeting underscored commitments to bolster economic ties, with a particular focus on increasing the output of Iraq’s oil sector. This development comes… Listen ⇢

Spain’s 2-0 demolition of France in the 2026 World Cup semi-final on July 14 did more than crown a new generation of football royalty. It sent shockwaves through the crypto markets that have become deeply intertwined with the beautiful game. Teenager Lamine Yamal turned in a performance for the ages,… Listen ⇢

Key Takeaways The ECB picked 36 providers for a 12-month digital euro pilot starting in H2 2027. Stripe joined the pilot as the ECB tests payments, merchants, and offline transactions. The pilot will test real-world use while privacy concerns remain central to adoption. ECB Advances Digital Euro With 12-Month Pilot… Listen ⇢

Morgan Stanley has revised its S-1 filings for proposed spot Ether and Solana ETFs, indicating potential advancements in its efforts to introduce these crypto products. The updated filings reveal that Coinbase will provide custody and facilitate staking, with BNY Mellon also designated as a joint custodian. The funds, named Morgan… Listen ⇢

CoreWeave, the AI-focused cloud infrastructure company that went public just last year, is now evaluating financial derivatives as a shield against declining memory and storage chip prices. The move signals something bigger than one company’s risk management strategy. It points to an emerging asset class that barely existed two years… Listen ⇢

The stablecoin cold war just got a lot less cold. Circle, the company behind USDC, banned a Tether-backed investment fund from its platform in late 2023 over concerns that the fund was engaging in trading activity designed to manipulate markets in favor of Circle’s biggest rival. The fund fought back… Listen ⇢

Gold prices have stabilized around $4,050 per ounce, following the release of U.S. inflation data that was softer than anticipated. The June 2026 Consumer Price Index (CPI) indicated a year-over-year inflation rate of 4.2%, which, although higher than May’s 3.8%, was below market expectations fueled by tariff and energy concerns.… Listen ⇢

President Donald Trump recently confronted a Fox News reporter, emphasizing that the United States will not lead a ground campaign in Iran, and suggesting that other countries or groups will instead take on this role. This comes amid ongoing tensions over Iran’s nuclear program, which have escalated since joint U.S.–Israeli… Listen ⇢