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Fannie Mae is set to accept crypto-backed mortgages for the first time through a new product launched by Better Home & Finance and Coinbase, allowing homebuyers to use cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin or USDC as collateral instead of selling assets for a cash down payment. The move marks a significant step toward mainstream adoption of crypto in housing finance, given Fannie Mae’s central role in the U.S. mortgage market. Under the structure, borrowers take out a traditional mortgage alongside a separate loan secured by their crypto holdings, which cannot be traded once pledged and may increase overall borrowing costs due to additional interest. The initiative aims to attract crypto investors seeking to preserve their holdings and avoid tax liabilities, although the product remains niche and carries risks linked to volatility and higher financing costs.

 

CNBC	Wall Street Journal

U.S. President Donald Trump has told the Financial Times he wants to “take the oil in Iran” and could seize the export hub of Kharg Island, even as negotiations continue.

 

Financial Times

Mastercard is exploring the sale of its real-time payments unit acquired from Nets in 2019 for $3.2bn, potentially at a significant discount, marking a reversal of its largest-ever acquisition as the business has weighed on growth. The unit generates around $370m in revenue and $100m in EBITDA, and may attract private equity interest, as Mastercard shifts focus to other areas including digital assets following its recent acquisition of stablecoin infrastructure firm BVNK for up to $1.8bn.

 

Financial Times

Reuters

Asset manager Blackstone has invested $250m in the United Arab Emirates-based payments and data intelligence technology platform Advanced Digital Gaming Technology. “We ​see significant opportunity ​to deploy capital ⁠at scale in the UAE to build companies that can grow both domestically and internationally, despite near-term ​headwinds," said Blackstone President and Chief Operating Officer Jon ​Gray.

 

Reuters

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is driving a surge in energy demand that is increasingly forcing major technology companies to rely on fossil fuels, putting their climate commitments at risk. Companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta are struggling to meet ambitious emissions targets as they build energy-intensive data centers, with many now acknowledging their goals may be delayed or harder to achieve. Despite record purchases of renewable energy, overall emissions have risen sharply—by nearly 50% at Google and more than 60% at Meta—while natural gas has become a key power source for data centers amid limited clean energy supply and grid constraints. Policy shifts, including reduced support for renewables, are further complicating the transition, prompting companies to adopt an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy that risks prolonging reliance on fossil fuels even as they continue investing in clean technologies.

 

Los Angeles Times

U.S. consumer sentiment declined in March, with the University of Michigan index falling to 53.3 from 56.6 in February, as rising gasoline prices and uncertainty linked to the Iran war weighed on confidence. The drop, which was steeper than expected, was driven by weaker short-term economic expectations, although longer-term outlooks remain relatively stable for now. Higher fuel costs, up around 33% month-on-month to nearly $4 per gallon, alongside stock market declines that hit wealthier households, contributed to the downturn. The survey also showed rising short-term inflation expectations, raising concerns for policymakers that sustained pessimism could influence spending behavior and wage demands. “The persistence of high prices continues to be the dominant factor for consumer views of the economy, with 47% of consumers spontaneously noting that prices are currently eroding their personal finances,” Joanne Hsu, director of the survey, said in a statement. “Consumers with middle and higher incomes and stock wealth, buffeted both by escalating gas prices and volatile financial markets in the wake of the Iran conflict, exhibited particularly large drops in sentiment."

 

USA Today

Bloomberg

Wall Street Journal

The OECD has warned that the Middle East conflict is reigniting inflation and weakening global growth, forecasting G20 inflation of 4% in 2026 and U.S. inflation rising to 4.2%, up sharply from prior estimates. While global growth projections remain relatively stable at 2.9% for 2026, the organization cautioned that higher energy prices and supply disruptions could further dampen activity and trigger financial market volatility. Central banks are expected to remain cautious, with the Federal Reserve and Bank of England likely to hold rates through 2026 and the European Central Bank considering a rate hike, as policymakers balance persistent inflation pressures against slowing economic momentum.

 

Los Angeles Times

New York Times

A European Central Bank study has found that U.S. consumers and importers absorb most of the cost of tariffs, contradicting claims that foreign exporters pay the bulk. The analysis estimates consumers currently bear around one-third of tariff costs, potentially rising above half over time, while a 10% increase in tariffs is projected to reduce import volumes by 4.3%, also negatively impacting exporters.

 

US News and World Report

Judges in New York’s federal appeals court have overturned a ruling that found Argentina liable to pay $16bn to former shareholders of the oil major YPF. Burford Capital, which financed the case, described the decision that overturned a judgement against Argentina for nationalising YPF in 2012 "very disappointing" and an "abandonment of minority shareholder rights." Bloomberg observes that the ruling is a significant victory for Argentine President Javier Milei, who had refused to negotiate with the plaintiffs, and helps clear his government’s path to a return to international markets at some point.

 

Financial Times

Reuters

Amazon-owned Zoox is preparing to launch a paid robotaxi service in the U.S. by the middle of the year, in Austin and Miami, as it seeks to catch up with rivals Waymo and Tesla in the fast-developing autonomous vehicle market. The company has already rolled out free rides and built the infrastructure to begin charging customers, but its commercial launch depends on securing regulatory approval, including an exemption for vehicles without traditional features such as steering wheels. Zoox is also expanding its operational footprint, planning to significantly increase coverage in San Francisco and broaden services in Las Vegas, including airport routes. Backed by Amazon since its $1.3bn acquisition in 2020, Zoox is differentiating itself with purpose-built driverless vehicles rather than modified cars, and has struck a partnership with Uber to extend distribution. 

 

CNBC

Financial Times

Austin American-Statesman

British Airways is offering its pilots a financial incentive to reduce their aircraft's fuel consumption. Pilots would be required to cut their jets' carbon dioxide emissions by 60,000 tons above 2025 levels to achieve a bonus that could equal 1% of their basic salary, according to a document seen by Bloomberg. The proposal is to be voted on by members of the British Airline Pilots’ Association at the end of April. “Flight crew decisions have a direct and measurable impact on fuel burn and emissions,” states a document sent to BA pilots in the union. “The incentive exists only to recognise and reward fuel efficient behaviors when, and only when, they are compatible with uncompromised safety and sound airmanship.”

 

Bloomberg