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TSMC smashes Q4 and boosts AI capex, lifting global chip sentiment

Taiwan Semiconductor posted a thumping quarter with Non-GAAP EPS of $3.14 and revenue of $33.73B, beating estimates as advanced 3nm–7nm nodes drove 77% of wafer revenue. Management raised 2026 revenue and AI capex outlook, reinforcing the cycle for upstream equipment and downstream AI platforms. European chip stocks rallied in sympathy as investors priced in stronger foundry demand.

Source: Seeking Alpha


Oil sinks over 4% on signs of U.S.–Iran de‑escalation

Crude prices tumbled after-hours as President Trump signaled the U.S. may not strike Iran, easing immediate supply-risk premiums. Brent and WTI fell more than 4%, with traders unwinding geopolitical hedges and rotating into risk assets. The pullback eases inflation pressure and supports the soft-landing narrative into Q1.

Source: Seeking Alpha


White House slaps 25% tariff on Nvidia H200 and AMD MI325X chips

President Trump issued a proclamation imposing a 25% tariff on key AI accelerators, targeting Nvidia’s H200 and AMD’s MI325X. The move injects fresh uncertainty into AI hardware supply chains, with potential cost pass-throughs, design pivots, and regionalization of manufacturing. Investors are reassessing knock-on effects across hyperscalers, chipmakers, and EMS providers.

Source: Seeking Alpha


CME Group to launch 100‑ounce Silver futures as retail metals boom

CME will debut a financially settled 100‑oz Silver futures contract on Feb. 9, aiming to broaden access as retail participation and metals volatility surge. The offering bridges the gap between micro contracts and traditional 5,000‑oz lots, enabling more precise risk management and lower capital requirements. It follows record activity in Micro Gold and Micro Silver as traders seek diversification and inflation hedges.

Source: FinanceFeeds


SEC closes Zcash probe with no action, easing pressure on privacy coins

The SEC ended its investigation into Zcash without recommending enforcement, removing a legal overhang for one of the highest-profile privacy assets. While not a policy endorsement, the decision suggests optional privacy designs and compliance engagement can lower enforcement risk. The outcome arrives as Congress debates broader market-structure legislation.

Source: FinanceFeeds


DZ Bank wins MiCA nod to offer retail crypto via VR Banking App

Germany’s DZ Bank secured approval under the EU’s MiCA regime to roll out “meinKrypto,” enabling retail clients of Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken to trade assets like BTC and ETH directly inside the VR Banking App. Each local bank will seek BaFin notification before onboarding, embedding crypto within familiar, regulated channels. It’s a meaningful step in mainstreaming digital assets across Europe’s cooperative banking network.

Source: FinanceFeeds


U.S. Bitcoin & Ethereum ETFs log biggest inflows in months as risk appetite returns

Spot Bitcoin ETFs took in $753.7M in a single day, their strongest since October, helping BTC reclaim $95K and restoring liquidity after late‑2025 redemptions. Fidelity and BlackRock led allocations, while spot ETH funds snapped a three‑day outflow streak, signaling broadening participation. Flows reflect cooling inflation, improving policy visibility, and a shift back to risk-on positioning.

Source: FinanceFeeds


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Business — January 15, 2026 | Briefing24