News

BlockBeats News, April 17th, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi stated that the passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz has been opened. According to the Lebanon ceasefire agreement, the Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization has announced that during the remaining period of the ceasefire, all commercial vessels will have full access through the Strait of Hormuz, and the passage route will remain exactly the same as previously announced.

Golden Ten Data reported on April 17 that, following Ukraine's intensified drone attacks on Baltic ports and refineries, the Leningrad region of Russia is recruiting reserve personnel in an effort to protect critical infrastructure. This region is home to the Primorsk and Ust-Luga ports, which handle about 40% of Russia’s seaborne crude oil exports and also house fuel production plants. Drone attacks have caused disruptions to loading operations, while Novatek’s Ust-Luga gas processing plant and Surgut Oil & Gas Company's Kirishi refinery remain out of operation after attacks at the end of March. The region's governor, Alexander Drozdenko, on Friday called on residents — especially those with combat experience and retired military personnel — to join mobile armed squads stationed at vital facilities. He stated on social media that participants will sign three-year contracts to defend against air raids.

ChainCatcher news, according to Decrypt, U.S. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins has launched the official podcast "Material Matters". In its first episode, he joined Commissioner Hester Peirce and Mark Uyeda to publicly state their pro-innovation regulatory stance. Atkins stated that the United States should become the world's top destination for innovation and described the current moment as "an important turning point for the U.S. market." Uyeda criticized the SEC under Gensler for deviating from its core duties, while Peirce emphasized that regulation should be open to innovators.