Hong Kong has confirmed that its first regulated stablecoins are expected to enter circulation between the middle and second half of 2026 after two bank-backed institutions secured issuer licenses earlier this year.

According to a written reply by Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui to Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) granted stablecoin issuer licenses to two institutions with banking backgrounds in April 2026. Hui said the expected launch timeline is based on the institutions’ existing business plans.

The response also outlined how regulators intend to supervise the market after the rollout, saying the licensing framework is designed to support financial innovation while protecting users and maintaining monetary and financial stability.

Licensed issuers face reserve and supervision requirements

While confirming the launch window, the government said the HKMA had already considered the effect that regulated stablecoins could have on Hong Kong’s banking system before creating the licensing framework.

Under the Stablecoins Ordinance, which took effect in August 2025, licensed issuers must back their tokens with eligible reserve assets, including bank deposits and high-quality liquid debt securities. The government said those reserves must be placed with banks in Hong Kong, while the HKMA retains the authority to impose additional requirements if market conditions warrant.

Beyond the reserve rules, the central bank said it will carry out ongoing supervision once regulated stablecoins begin circulating and will continue assessing whether issuance affects bank deposits, lending activity, or overall financial stability.

At the international level, the government added that the HKMA is participating in studies led by organizations such as the Bank for International Settlements to examine how wider stablecoin adoption could affect traditional banking systems and to keep Hong Kong’s framework aligned with evolving global standards.

Separately, the government said the two licensed issuers are already participating in pilot projects involving central bank digital currency networks, tokenized deposits, and cross-border payment infrastructure. According to the reply, future adoption of these payment technologies will depend on demand across different use cases.

The announcement follows another digital payments initiative in Hong Kong. As previously reported by crypto.news, HKEX, and the HKMA recently began testing a wholesale e-HKD for derivatives trading, allowing clearing participants to use central bank digital currency for after-hours margin payments. The pilot is intended to improve settlement outside normal banking hours, although any commercial rollout remains subject to regulatory approval and operational readiness.

Enforcement expands as Hong Kong prepares more crypto rules

Alongside the rollout plans, the government said regulators have begun taking action against businesses that continue offering stablecoins without authorization.

According to the Legislative Council reply, the HKMA has issued letters to unregulated stablecoin providers explaining the legal requirements under the Stablecoins Ordinance and has continued monitoring whether those businesses comply. Depending on the circumstances, cases may be referred to the Police or the Department of Justice.

The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) also shares information with the HKMA when it identifies suspected marketing of unregulated stablecoins to Hong Kong residents through its monitoring under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance.

Looking beyond stablecoin issuance, the government said it will introduce legislation later this year covering virtual asset trading, custody, advisory, and management service providers to create a more comprehensive regulatory framework.

Officials also reiterated that regulated stablecoins are intended to function as blockchain-based payment instruments rather than speculative investments. The government warned that people who acquire unregulated stablecoins through unregulated channels do so at their own risk, while adding that financial regulators will continue public education campaigns and maintain updated lists of licensed entities.

Key Takeaways

• Shares of Moderna surged approximately 13% to $67.50, marking the highest closing price since September 2024, driven by announcements at its investor day presentation.
• The biotech firm introduced mRNA-6007, its inaugural in vivo CAR-T therapy program, aimed at autoimmune conditions such as lupus, with clinical trials scheduled to start in 2027.
• A unanimous 9-0 vote from an FDA advisory committee supported approval of Moderna’s influenza vaccine for individuals aged 50 and above, with a final FDA ruling expected on August 5, 2026.
• Jefferies analyst Andrew Tsai increased his price target to $53 from $45, while Piper Sandler’s Edward Tenthoff boosted his to $77, reaffirming an Overweight stance.
• Overall Street sentiment remains neutral with a Hold consensus rating and an average price target of $45.42 — suggesting potential downside from current price levels.

Shares of Moderna (MRNA) experienced a substantial rally on Friday, climbing roughly 13% to reach $67.50, positioning the biotech stock for its strongest close since September of last year. The impressive gain made MRNA the standout performer within the S&P 500 during the trading session. Intraday, shares briefly spiked nearly 15%, approaching the $69 level.

Moderna, Inc., MRNA

The surge was triggered by Moderna’s investor day presentation, during which the company unveiled an extensive expansion of its drug development pipeline that reaches far beyond its COVID-19 vaccine foundation.

MRNA has now advanced approximately 42% over the past 30 days, indicating a notable shift in market sentiment toward the stock.

The marquee reveal was mRNA-6007, Moderna’s inaugural in vivo CAR-T therapy program. The company intends to initiate clinical development by 2027, with an initial focus on B-cell-driven autoimmune disorders, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus.

Unlike conventional ex vivo CAR-T treatments that require removing patient T-cells, engineering them in laboratory settings, and reinfusing them, in vivo CAR-T therapy reprograms T-cells directly within the patient’s body. This approach offers greater efficiency and reduced costs.

Moderna isn’t the only pharmaceutical company pursuing this cutting-edge technology. Earlier this year, Eli Lilly acquired Orna Therapeutics primarily to gain access to its in vivo CAR-T platform. Notably, Lilly shares also rose 6% on Friday, boosted by favorable feedback from European regulators regarding its oral cancer treatment.

Strategic Roadmap Divided Into Three Phases

Moderna presented its strategic vision organized into three separate “horizons.” The initial phase emphasizes advanced, near-commercial assets, including current marketed products and late-stage pipeline candidates.

Jefferies analyst Andrew Tsai projects the company could launch more than seven new products spanning respiratory, oncology, and rare disease categories within the next two years. This would represent a significant expansion from its current portfolio of three approved vaccines.

Tsai highlighted Phase III melanoma trial results, anticipated in the latter half of 2026, as a critical upcoming milestone, describing it as “a major event” for shareholder value. He maintains a Hold rating while elevating his price target to $53 from the previous $45.

Another program drawing considerable attention is mRNA-4194, Moderna’s pioneering cancer prevention therapy designed for Lynch syndrome patients. Additionally, the company is progressing with mRNA-1195, its multiple sclerosis candidate, which should generate preliminary data later in 2026.

Influenza Vaccine Provides Additional Momentum

Beyond oncology and autoimmune therapeutics, Moderna received encouraging news regarding its flu vaccine candidate mRNA-1010 when an FDA advisory committee delivered a unanimous 9-0 vote recommending approval for adults 50 years and older.

The FDA’s final determination is scheduled for August 5, 2026. Approval would provide the company with another revenue-generating product independent of its COVID franchise.

Piper Sandler analyst Edward Tenthoff elevated his price target to $77 from $69 and maintained an Overweight rating, citing the substantial progress showcased during the investor day event.

However, despite positive reactions from select analysts, the broader Wall Street consensus remains at Hold, comprising two Buy ratings, 19 Hold ratings, and three Sell ratings across the past three months. The consensus price target of $45.42 suggests more than 31% potential downside from current trading levels.

Key Takeaways

• Qualcomm increased its fiscal 2029 non-smartphone revenue forecast to approximately $40 billion from $22 billion
• The chip manufacturer established a data center revenue objective exceeding $15 billion by fiscal 2029
• Meta Platforms committed to a multi-year partnership utilizing Qualcomm’s Dragonfly C1000 server chip
• Automotive segment generated record $1.3 billion in Q2 FY2026, representing 38% growth year-over-year
• QCOM shares surged up to 15% following the announcement before moderating

During Wednesday’s investor presentation, Qualcomm unveiled an aggressive expansion strategy that sent Wall Street into a frenzy. The semiconductor company nearly doubled its fiscal 2029 revenue projection for non-smartphone segments, elevating the target to approximately $40 billion from the previous $22 billion goal announced in 2024. The stock rallied as much as 15% during trading.

QUALCOMM Incorporated, QCOM

The previous $22 billion projection was already considered ambitious for a corporation still predominantly associated with mobile phone processors. The revised figure signals that Qualcomm is making a substantial wager on markets outside traditional handsets.

The cornerstone of this transformation is the data center sector. Qualcomm introduced the Dragonfly C1000, a server chip featuring over 250 proprietary cores. Additionally, the company launched a portfolio of AI acceleration products specifically engineered for inference workloads rather than training applications. Leadership is pursuing more than $15 billion in data center revenue by fiscal 2029, starting from essentially zero currently.

To put this in perspective, Qualcomm generated $10.6 billion in total revenue during fiscal Q2 2026. Mobile chip sales accounted for approximately $6 billion of that figure. Data center contributions remain negligible at present.

The most significant announcement wasn’t technical specifications — it was customer validation. Meta Platforms committed to a multi-year, multi-generation agreement to deploy Qualcomm’s new processor across its data center infrastructure, with production scheduled to commence in the second half of 2028. Securing Meta as a launch partner lends substantial credibility to the data center initiative.

Meta Agreement Validates Data Center Strategy

Qualcomm’s innovative High Bandwidth Compute (HBC) architecture employs vertical chip stacking instead of traditional horizontal layouts, positioning memory and processing units in closer proximity. The manufacturer claims this configuration enhances data transfer rates and power efficiency.

The initial generation of this architecture is slated to debut in data center deployments next year, with widespread commercial availability anticipated in 2028. Qualcomm is simultaneously engaging with mobile device, personal computer, and automotive manufacturers about future integration of this technology into their products.

Executive Vice President Durga Malladi stated directly: “What starts in data centers is not going to end there.”

The AI250 accelerator, built on the HBC framework, won’t enter commercial sampling until mid-2027. Meta’s CPU manufacturing doesn’t begin until late 2028. These remain forward-looking milestones rather than realized revenue.

Automotive Segment Delivers Current Results

While the data center narrative focuses on 2028 and beyond, the automotive division is generating results today. Qualcomm reported record automotive revenue of $1.3 billion in fiscal Q2 2026, reflecting 38% year-over-year expansion. The company projects $10 billion in annual automotive revenue by fiscal 2029, supported by a design-win backlog the company estimates at approximately $65 billion.

This trajectory provides tangible evidence for the broader diversification thesis. The automotive business demonstrates the strategy can succeed beyond smartphones in at least one significant market.

From a valuation perspective, the stock trades at roughly 17 times non-GAAP earnings. That multiple sits well below broader market averages and significantly trails valuations assigned to leading AI semiconductor companies — indicating the market continues to view Qualcomm primarily through the lens of its smartphone chip business.

QCOM finished Thursday at $189.39, declining 7.57% for the session, retreating from Wednesday’s investor day-driven rally.

TLDR

• Brent crude plunged more than 4% to approximately $72 per barrel Friday; WTI declined 3% to roughly $69
• Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz climbed to the highest volume since conflict escalated in late February
• An Iranian attack drone targeted a Singapore-flagged container vessel on Thursday
• US forces retaliated Friday with strikes against Iranian drone storage facilities, missile depots, and radar installations
• Crude prices staged a partial comeback in late Friday trading following confirmation of American military action

Crude oil markets experienced dramatic volatility on Friday, plunging in early trading before staging a recovery after the United States conducted military operations against Iranian targets in response to a drone assault on a commercial ship navigating the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude tumbled over 4% during regular trading hours, settling near the $72 per barrel level. West Texas Intermediate experienced a roughly 3% decline to approximately $69 — marking its first closing price beneath $70 since the Iran conflict intensified in late February. Both benchmark grades have now surrendered approximately 25–27% of their value during the past month.

The initial selloff occurred as maritime traffic navigating through the Strait of Hormuz climbed to its most robust levels since hostilities commenced. This development alleviated concerns regarding potential oil supply interruptions and applied downward pressure on crude valuations.

Factors Behind the Crude Selloff

Washington and Tehran finalized a 60-day memorandum of understanding during the previous week, temporarily halting active conflict. The agreement incorporates provisions for restoring commercial shipping operations through the Strait of Hormuz, alongside nuclear negotiations contingent upon sanctions relief.

As maritime vessels resumed more normal transit patterns through the strategic waterway, market participants reduced the conflict-related risk premium that had accumulated in oil futures.

Dennis Kissler, senior vice president at BOK Financial, cautioned on Thursday that the price correction might be excessive. “While the Strait of Hormuz is moving oil, there still exists the possibility of mines in the area as well as rogue Iranian militia continuing to make threats on shipping lanes,” he said. “The latest sell-off in prices is likely overstating the true near-term fundamentals,” he added.

The Drone Attack That Shifted Market Sentiment

On Thursday, Iran launched an attack on the Singapore-flagged container vessel Ever Lovely using what American officials characterized as a one-way attack drone. The commercial ship suffered damage during its passage through the strait.

President Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the assault on Friday. “I don’t like the fact that they took a shot,” he told reporters. “They shouldn’t be doing that.”

US Central Command announced that American military aircraft targeted Iranian missile storage locations, drone facilities, and coastal radar systems on Friday. The command characterized the operation as a “powerful response to yesterday’s attack.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed its forces “successfully repelled the attack.”

The military exchange generated renewed uncertainty about the sustainability of the ceasefire arrangement. Trump had previously indicated he would authorize resumed military operations if Iran breached the agreement’s provisions.

Notwithstanding the strikes, commercial shipping maintained its movement through the strait on Friday. Central Command confirmed it would continue facilitating safe passage coordination for commercial maritime traffic.

An outstanding issue involves whether Iran will implement transit fees for vessels passing through Hormuz. Oman informed European officials that certain tolls might eventually be imposed — a matter of continuing dispute between Washington and Tehran.

Crude oil prices climbed back above session lows in late Friday trading after confirmation of the US military strikes.

TLDR

• The Nasdaq Composite declined 0.2% Friday, marking its fifth consecutive session of losses, while the S&P 500 also retreated, with both indices recording weekly declines of more than 4% and nearly 2% respectively.
• Reports from the New York Times indicating OpenAI could postpone its public offering to 2027 intensified selling pressure in technology shares.
• Chip stocks experienced significant weakness following concerns about escalating memory and storage expenses after Apple increased pricing on MacBook and iPad products.
• Expectations of potential Federal Reserve interest rate increases strengthened following robust May Personal Consumption Expenditures data that sustained prospects for tighter policy.
• The Dow Jones outperformed competing indices with a modest weekly advance below 1%, benefiting from reduced technology sector allocation.

American equity markets experienced turbulence throughout the week, with technology shares bearing the brunt of investor anxiety. The Nasdaq Composite extended its losing streak to five consecutive sessions on Friday, settling 0.2% lower. The S&P 500 also registered modest losses. Both benchmarks concluded the week with substantial declines.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed a modest 56 points, representing a 0.1% decline on Friday. Despite the daily loss, the blue-chip index managed to secure a weekly gain of less than 1%. The Dow’s limited technology sector representation provided insulation from the broader selloff.

Artificial Intelligence Skepticism Fuels Market Weakness

Market participants have adopted a more cautious stance toward artificial intelligence investments. The sector confronted multiple headwinds this week, including questions about token economics and free cash flow generation, alongside intensifying competition from budget-friendly AI alternatives and Chinese rivals.

A New York Times article amplified the negative sentiment. The publication reported that OpenAI might delay its much-anticipated initial public offering from 2026 to 2027. This development dampened enthusiasm across the broader technology landscape.

Mizuho’s Daniel O’Regan, an analyst covering the sector, captured the prevailing sentiment. “Feels like every time I open Bloomberg or the WSJ there’s another negative AI headline,” he noted. He suggested the relentless stream of unfavorable coverage would likely continue unsettling individual investors.

Semiconductor manufacturers faced particularly acute pressure. Apple’s recent decision to increase prices on MacBook and iPad devices highlighted rising memory and storage component costs. Micron, a leading chipmaker, delivered solid quarterly results but cautioned that cost pressures would persist.

Hot Inflation Reading Revives Rate Hike Speculation

The Federal Reserve’s favored inflation gauge, the Personal Consumption Expenditures index, registered an elevated reading for May. This data point reinforced the possibility that the central bank might implement a rate increase this year, creating additional headwinds for growth-oriented and technology stocks.

Elevated interest rates typically present challenges for technology companies, whose valuations depend heavily on discounted future earnings projections. Any indication of potential borrowing cost increases disproportionately affects these securities compared to other market segments.

Nevertheless, not all indicators painted a bearish picture. Market breadth metrics remained constructive. Approximately two-thirds of S&P 500 constituents continued trading above their 200-day moving averages at week’s end.

David Donabedian, a senior investment strategist at CIBC Private Wealth, characterized the week’s price action as a recalibration rather than a structural breakdown. He observed that defensive sectors including health care, real estate, and consumer staples demonstrated resilience, while industrials and technology absorbed the heaviest losses.

Oil prices also retreated during the week. Brent crude declined to approximately $72 per barrel while West Texas Intermediate traded near $69. Shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz persisted despite an incident involving a container vessel, alleviating some supply concerns. The United States and Iran reached agreement on a 60-day ceasefire, though regional tensions persist.

Investors now turn their attention to a holiday-shortened trading week ahead. The June employment situation report arrives Thursday and will receive close scrutiny for additional insights regarding economic momentum and monetary policy trajectory.

Key Takeaways

• SpaceX receives Nasdaq 100 inclusion effective July 7, carrying less than 1% index weighting and potentially generating $7.3 billion in passive investor demand
• The stock tumbled 17.2% during its inaugural trading week, reducing market capitalization from over $2.5 trillion to approximately $2 trillion
• Shares currently hover around the $135 initial public offering price after dipping beneath the $150 debut level
• The aerospace company completed a $25 billion bond offering that attracted $90 billion in demand, though the debt has accumulated roughly $305 million in unrealized losses
• Company insiders offloaded $1.2 million worth of shares during the previous three months without any recorded purchases

SpaceX (SPCX) concluded its inaugural trading week as a publicly traded entity at $153.23, representing a 17.2% decline from its market debut. This downturn compressed the company’s valuation from a zenith exceeding $2.5 trillion to roughly $2 trillion.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp., SPCX

Shares commenced trading at $150 and surged to $225.64 before experiencing a sharp reversal. The stock currently trades marginally above its $135 offering price — a critical threshold that market participants are monitoring intently.

Notwithstanding the challenging debut week, a significant market event looms. Nasdaq announced Friday that SPCX will enter the Nasdaq 100 index effective July 7. The aerospace manufacturer meets Nasdaq’s accelerated eligibility criteria, which permits recently public companies to qualify for index membership soon after listing.

Market analysts project the index inclusion may compel passive investment vehicles to acquire approximately $7.3 billion in SPCX shares. This purchasing pressure originates from both Nasdaq 100 and Russell index additions. The company’s allocation within the Nasdaq 100 will represent less than 1% of total index composition.

This wave of passive capital inflows might deliver short-term price stability. However, the company’s underlying financial metrics present a more nuanced picture.

Recent Debt Offering Raises Eyebrows

On Tuesday, SpaceX executed a $25 billion bond transaction. The offering generated approximately $90 billion in investor interest and was expanded from an original $20 billion target. Initial reception appeared robust.

Nevertheless, the bonds have underperformed since issuance. Bloomberg data indicates the debt has generated paper losses approaching $305 million when measured against comparable US Treasury securities.

Certain Wall Street observers are questioning the rationale behind a massive debt raise immediately following one of history’s largest initial public offerings. The consecutive capital-raising activities have sparked market skepticism.

Ludovic Subran, chief investment officer at Allianz, commented during the FT Global Insurance Summit that the SpaceX transaction demonstrates markets transitioning “from a stretched boom into bubble territory.”

Financial Metrics Raise Red Flags

SpaceX registers a GF Score of merely 12 out of 100, indicating subpar performance across profitability and balance sheet strength metrics. The enterprise reported a net margin of -26.44% alongside an operating margin of -11.05%.

The company’s price-to-sales ratio stands at 79.15 — an elevated valuation multiple that embeds expectations of substantial future expansion.

Corporate insiders divested $1.2 million in equity over the preceding three-month period. Zero insider acquisitions were documented during this timeframe.

In separate developments, the Financial Times disclosed SpaceX is evaluating a direct-to-consumer mobile service leveraging Starlink’s satellite-to-phone technology. This initiative would position the company as a retail wireless provider in direct competition with traditional telecommunications carriers.

OpenAI has reportedly postponed its own public listing plans, a decision market observers interpret as evidence of waning investor appetite for artificial intelligence-related equities.

SpaceX’s official Nasdaq 100 membership becomes effective July 7.

Key Takeaways

• OpenAI introduced a restricted preview of the GPT-5.6 family featuring three models: Sol, Terra, and Luna
• These names echo Solana’s SOL token and the infamous Terra/Luna blockchain that imploded in 2022
• According to OpenAI, the naming convention represents different performance levels with no cryptocurrency connection
• Sol serves as the premium tier, Terra functions as the intermediate option, and Luna operates as the budget-friendly choice
• Government officials requested OpenAI maintain limited access during the initial rollout phase

On Thursday, OpenAI revealed its GPT-5.6 model lineup, introducing three distinct tiers branded as Sol, Terra, and Luna. The naming choices immediately triggered discussions throughout cryptocurrency communities due to obvious parallels with prominent blockchain initiatives.

Sol corresponds to the trading symbol for Solana, currently ranking among the top cryptocurrencies by total market capitalization. Meanwhile, Terra and Luna reference a blockchain platform that catastrophically failed in 2022, erasing approximately $60 billion in investor holdings.

OpenAI explicitly stated the naming scheme carries zero connection to cryptocurrency projects. According to the organization, these designations simply distinguish varying capability levels within the model architecture.

Breaking Down the Model Capabilities

Sol represents the premium offering, engineered for computationally intensive operations. Terra occupies the middle ground, delivering performance comparable to the earlier GPT-5.5 version while costing 50% less. Luna serves as the budget tier, prioritized for rapid processing and minimal expense.

The Sol variant introduces enhanced “max” and “ultra” reasoning capabilities. Its ultra configuration deploys multiple cooperative sub-agents to accelerate complex problem-solving workflows.

OpenAI highlighted that Sol achieves record performance on Terminal-Bench 2.1, a specialized evaluation measuring command-line programming proficiency. The company also reported advances in biological research applications and cybersecurity operations.

Regarding security applications, OpenAI confirmed Sol assists in vulnerability identification and remediation. However, the company emphasized the model remains below the “Cyber Critical” threshold defined in its internal safety protocols, preventing autonomous generation of complete working exploits.

Controlled Rollout and Security Validation

This deployment doesn’t constitute a general public launch. OpenAI characterized it as a “limited preview” accessible exclusively to select vetted partners. The organization continues conducting comprehensive safety evaluations before expanding availability.

White House representatives allegedly requested OpenAI maintain restricted distribution while federal agencies finalize a forthcoming cybersecurity executive order structure.

OpenAI dedicated more than 700,000 GPU computation hours to automated adversarial testing, systematically probing for model vulnerabilities prior to release. Additionally, human security specialists conducted manual assessments exploring potential misuse scenarios.

The company explained its multi-layered defense approach incorporates model-embedded protections, live content filtering systems, and user account-level surveillance mechanisms.

API access pricing starts at $5 per million input tokens and $30 per million output tokens for Sol. Terra costs $2.50 input and $15 output per million tokens. Luna operates at $1 input and $6 output rates.

OpenAI additionally confirmed plans to deploy Sol on Cerebras infrastructure this July, targeting throughput speeds reaching 750 tokens per second.

The organization projects broader ChatGPT and API integration for all three models within the next several weeks.

Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest has expanded its positions in Coinbase, SpaceX, Circle, Bullish, and Robinhood by purchasing about $25.54 million worth of shares on Friday across several of its exchange-traded funds.

According to ARK Invest’s latest daily trade disclosure, Coinbase accounted for the firm’s largest purchase by value. The investment manager bought 68,366 Coinbase shares through the ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK), ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW), and ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF). Based on the stock’s Friday closing price of $149.06, the purchase was valued at roughly $10.19 million.