President Trump Declares Venezuela Will Turn Over Oil Valued at Up to $3 Billion

Posted on January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Venezuela would give up to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, according to President Donald Trump, which would be worth about $2.8 billion at current market prices. He also announced that the cargoes would be sold. The announcement, made late Tuesday and with few details, marked a significant step forward for the US government in its efforts to boost its economic influence in Venezuela and beyond following the weekend overthrow of leader Nicolás Maduro.

It’s also a setback for China, a close ally and previously the country’s largest oil buyer.

Trump posted on social media, saying, “I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil to the United States of America.

“This oil will be sold at its market value, and as President of the United States of America, I will be in charge of that money to make sure it is used to help the Venezuelan people.”

The amounts mentioned by Trump would total roughly 30 to 50 days of Venezuelan oil production before the US’s partial blockade, significantly lower than previous levels. Following Trump’s remarks, the US oil benchmark, West Texas Intermediate, dropped as much as 2.4 percent and is currently trading near $56 per barrel.

Requests for additional information were not answered by the White House or the US Energy Department.

Venezuela’s production has sharply declined due to decades of neglect and the departure of many foreign oil companies despite having the largest proven crude reserves in the world. Today, less than 1% of the world’s supply comes from Venezuela. According to analysts, a major recovery in output will take years and require billions of dollars in investment.

Copper Defies Gravity: Starts 2026 Higher After Monumental Gains Not Seen Since Post-Crisis 2009

Posted on January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Copper continued a strong rally after breaking through $13,000 per ton for the first time as investors wagered on a tighter market. after capping the biggest annual gain since 2009 on prospects for a tighter market.

Three-month futures reached a record $13,387 per ton on Tuesday, up 3.1 percent from Monday’s peak. Holdings have moved to the US due to worries that the Trump administration might impose a tariff on refined metal, which could leave the rest of the world short. In the past, inventories served as a buffer, but they are currently locked in the United States.

Base metals have had a very successful start to 2026 with the LMEX Index, which tracks the six major metals, including copper, rising to its highest level since the sector’s peak in March 2022.

This year, supply chain issues have dominated the metals industry, with accidents occurring in copper mines across Chile, Indonesia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Zinc mines have also been disrupted, and increased energy costs and supply constraints in China pose a threat to aluminum production. The threat of US import tariffs remains the primary motivator for copper. The Mercuria Energy Group, Ltd. predicted in November that the rest of the world would experience a severe metal shortage in 2026.

According to Natalie Scott-Gray, senior metals analyst at StoneX Financial Ltd., copper is expected “to be led by sentiment from investors over US copper-specific tariffs, with focus on regional levels of global stocks and material entering the US, rather than underlying global fundamentals” in the upcoming months.

China’s Silver Squeeze Ignites Chaos: $80 Breach Signals Explosive Bubble

Posted on January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Silver sank after breaking above $80 per ounce for the first time amid a historic rally driven by speculative trading and a persistent mismatch between supply and demand.

Increased central bank purchases, inflows into exchange-traded funds, and three consecutive rate cuts by the Federal Reserve have made precious metals hot in recent months.

The value of China’s only pure-play silver fund dropped by its daily maximum of 10%, ending a wild bull run that led the fund’s manager to issue rare warnings. The sudden decline in the UBS SDIC Silver Futures Fund LOF follows weeks of gains driven by increasing global interest in precious metals, which the manager called “unsustainable.” Spot silver is on track for its best annual performance since 1979 after reaching a record high of $72.70 per ounce on Wednesday.

UBS SDIC Fund Management Co. announced new restrictions after three consecutive days this week of exceeding the 10% upward limit. Starting in December, there will be a cap on new Class C share subscriptions, typically the best option for short-term investors, decreasing from 500 yuan to 26-100 yuan ($14.25), according to a statement on the fund manager’s website. Strong investor interest in precious metals has focused on silver, with a historic short squeeze in October fueling the notable global spot price rally.

Palladium, gold, and platinum have all surged, and other Chinese funds linked to these metals have also seen significant gains, as investors caution. This year, the silver fund has surged by nearly 220%, while Shanghai-traded silver futures have risen about 128%. The premium over the underlying asset jumped from 7% at the start of the month to nearly 62% by Wednesday. As the fund’s value declined and futures rose, this premium is expected to decrease on Thursday.

Commodities that do not pay interest benefit significantly from lower borrowing costs, with traders betting on additional rate reductions in 2026. Physical premiums have hit extreme levels due to relentless industrial demand from solar panels, EVs, AI data centers, and electronics, pushing against dwindling inventories. Elon Musk’s weekend remarks highlighting the growing investor frenzy around precious metals triggered Monday’s early momentum.

“This is not good,” Musk said on X in response to a tweet about Chinese export restrictions.

Many industrial processes rely on silver. The US’s blockade of oil tankers in Venezuela and Washington’s actions against the Islamic State in Nigeria over the past week have increased the appeal of these metals as safe havens. Silver inventories are at their lowest point ever, raising the risk of supply shortages that could impact several industries.

Copper Surges Past $13,000 on US Inventory Hoarding and Global Tightness

Posted on January 6, 2026January 7, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Copper continued a strong rally after breaking through $13,000 per ton for the first time as investors wagered on a tighter market.

Base metals have had a very successful start to 2026 with the LMEX Index, which tracks the six major metals, including copper, rising to its highest level since the sector’s peak in March 2022.

Aluminum has surged to its highest level in over three years, while the red metal, which is used in wires and cables, has now gained more than 20% since late November. In the first half of last year, President Donald Trump encouraged a rush to ship copper to the US.

However, after deciding to exempt refined metal from tariffs, there was a pause. In recent months, the trade has resurfaced as local prices have once again traded at a premium due to a plan to revisit the issue of levies. December saw the largest increase in US copper imports since July.

Bitcoin Hits $93K Milestone as Markets Cheer Potential Lock-Up of Venezuela’s Massive BTC Holdings

Posted on January 6, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Bitcoin surged above $93,000 as investor sentiment improved in response to reports of U.S strikes in Venezuela. Venezuela possesses $60 billion worth of Bitcoin, which could have an impact on Bitcoin prices and the larger cryptocurrency market in 2026. Bitcoin was trading close to $93,700, up 2.53 percent on Monday.

US forces apprehended Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores in Caracas, Venezuela, and transported them to New York on suspicion of drug trafficking. President Trump emphasized Venezuela’s enormous oil reserves when he declared that the US would oversee the country until a safe transition.

However, given US oil interests, some question whether the drug charges are the true cause.
Bitcoin’s market capitalization has increased by roughly 7%, to $1.86 trillion. $33.9 billion was traded in 24 hours. The recent surge, according to analysts, demonstrates how susceptible Bitcoin is to world events and how it is increasingly viewed as a hedge during times of geopolitical unpredictability.

Overall, the news from Venezuela caused some brief fluctuations in the market, but it didn’t change the fundamental principles of Bitcoin.

According to reports, Venezuela may conceal up to 600,000 Bitcoin, comparable to Strategy and BlackRock’s holdings. According to reports, Bitcoin was acquired through oil sales and gold transactions settled in cryptocurrency to avoid the U.S sanctions.

Recovering these assets has become a priority since Maduro was taken to the United States. The Bitcoin could be frozen or added to a US reserve if it is seized, which could restrict supply and encourage higher Bitcoin prices in 2026.

XRP Boost: Institutional Boost: PwC Endorses Endorses Ripple as Core Financial Services Player

Posted on January 6, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

The PwC report highlights Ripple’s compatibility with conventional financial systems, which makes it a desirable option for banks considering blockchain adoption. Ripple is positioned as a link between traditional finance and the developing decentralized economy, thanks to its scalable and compliance-driven infrastructure.

PwC is expanding its crypto services in response to clearer US regulations, indicating a new framework for advising clients on digital assets. According to SMQKE, PwC’s support could boost institutional trust in Ripple, hastening adoption among big banks and payment networks, particularly as operational dependability and regulatory clarity propel crypto integration.

According to the report, major financial institutions are beginning to see blockchain as a necessary infrastructure rather than merely a speculative asset. This change is highlighted by Ripple’s inclusion, which presents cryptocurrencies as strategic instruments that increase efficiency.

Thus, XRP and the larger cryptocurrency industry have reached a significant milestone with PwC’s acknowledgement of Ripple as a financial services infrastructure. This confirms Ripple’s technological significance and indicates widespread adoption of blockchain, turning XRP from a cryptocurrency into a crucial force behind international payments in the future.’

XRP has evolved from a digital token to a pillar of contemporary finance with PwC’s acknowledgement of Ripple as a crucial financial services infrastructure. Additionally, this validation shows how Ripple can be used in the real world to speed up international payments and reduce transaction costs while also indicating growing institutional trust in blockchain technology. Ripple is positioned as a crucial instrument for a quicker, more transparent, and interconnected financial system, reflecting a wider trend toward mainstream adoption for the cryptocurrency industry.

China’s Grip on Silver Tightens – Putting the Brakes on AI and Renewable Energy Growth

Posted on January 6, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

China’s new export-licensing system went into effect on January 1st, placing government gatekeepers between the country and the rest of the world for 121 million ounces of silver exports annually.

This implies that 60–70% of the refined supply traded internationally will require Beijing’s approval to exit the country. The increase in margin on silver dealers caused Wall Street to panic. The typical suspects warning about “speculative excess” were trotted out by CNBC. Six months ago, there were a lot of people on the X platform who couldn’t even spell backwardation when they suddenly explained why silver was overpriced.

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, responded to a post about the impending restrictions on his social media platform X by criticizing the action.

However, the regulations are not brand-new. The new steps to improve oversight of rare metals were first announced by China’s Commerce Ministry in October, the same day that Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump met in South Korea. At the time, the US lowered tariffs while Beijing consented to a one-year suspension of some rare earth export restrictions.

A list of 44 businesses authorized to export silver under the new regulations in 2026 and 2027 was made by China earlier this month.

The new regulations in 2026 also limit exports of tungsten and antimony, two materials heavily utilized in advanced technologies and defense, which are currently dominated by China’s supply chain. The state-run Securities Times on Tuesday quoted an unidentified industry insider who stated that the new policy formally elevates the metal, even though China hasn’t declared a complete ban on silver exports.

The US added silver to its nationally recognized list of essential minerals, citing its application in solar cells, batteries, electrical circuits, and antimicrobial medical devices.

According to a different US analysis, China had one of the biggest silver reserves and was one of the world’s top producers in 2024. According to Wind Information, which cited official data, China exported over 4,600 tons of silver in the first 11 months of the year, far more than the approximately 220 tons that were imported during that time.

Venezuela Shock Boosts Gold: XAU/USD Forecast Points to $4,450 Breakthrough

Posted on January 6, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Gold (XAU/USD) increased to about $4,440. As the Venezuela crisis introduces geopolitical uncertainty, the precious metal continues to rise and reaches a one-week high due to demand for safe havens.

Traders will keenly watch US economic data, such as Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP), for hints about the direction of monetary policy. After the US Army’s Delta Force attacked Venezuela and captured its President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on Saturday, tensions between the US and Venezuela reached a new high

Maduro began an extraordinary legal battle with significant geopolitical ramifications on Monday when he entered a not guilty plea to US charges in a narco-terrorism case against him. Traditional safe-haven assets are fueled by increased geopolitical tensions and uncertainty in this area.

The upside of the yellow metal is partly due to dovish expectations of the US Federal Reserve (Fed). According to the most recent Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Minutes, the majority of Fed officials agreed that additional interest rate cuts were necessary as long as inflation decreased.

Still, they couldn’t agree on when or how much. Lower interest rates could support the non-yielding precious metal by lowering the opportunity cost of holding gold. On Friday, everyone will be watching the US employment report for December.

55,000 new jobs are anticipated to be added to the US economy in December, while the unemployment rate is predicted to drop to 4.5 percent. In the short term, this could strengthen the US dollar (USD) and weaken the price of commodities denominated in USD if the reports indicate a better-than-expected result.

XAG/USD Rally: Venezuela Unrest Sparks Major Safe-Haven Buying in Silver

Posted on January 6, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Silver (XAG/USD) is trading in positive territory near $76.55. The white metal continues to rise on safe-haven flows. The removal of Maduro by US President Donald Trump increased geopolitical risks in the market following the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

According to the Guardian, Trump threatened to launch a second military assault if Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, refused to comply with their demands. Maduro began an extraordinary legal battle with significant geopolitical implications on Monday when he entered a not guilty plea to US charges in a narco-terrorism case against him.

The price of silver may also increase in anticipation of US interest rate cuts later this year. The US Federal Reserve (Fed) is currently pricing in two quarter-point cuts in 2026.

Lower interest rates could support the non-yielding price of silver by decreasing the opportunity cost of holding it.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics will release data on job openings, resignations, and layoffs on Wednesday, along with the December jobs report. In response to weakening labor market conditions, the Fed has lowered its target range for short-term borrowing rates at its last three meetings, and officials expect to lower it further this year. The University of Michigan will publish its initial January consumer sentiment index later this week, and the US government will report on housing starts.

XRP Wealth Tsunami Incoming? BlackRock’s Undercover Pile-Up Signals Huge Explosion

Posted on January 5, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Maxwell Stein, the Director of Digital Assets at BlackRock, caused a stir in the crypto market.

“Trillions of dollars are poised to enter the blockchain ecosystem, but in the short term, we need to demonstrate the technology’s utility,” stated Maxwell Stein. Meanwhile, Adena Friedman, President and CEO of NASDAQ, elaborated on how banks have begun tokenizing bonds, fixed income assets, and stablecoins, particularly Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).

Ripple’s annual Swell conference is one of the most anticipated events in the cryptocurrency community. However, renowned analyst Digital Asset Investor recently noted that while the Swell conference may not directly impact prices, an announcement regarding an XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) backed by BlackRock could have a significantly different effect. This comment reignited discussions about the factors that truly influence XRP’s market fluctuations and whether Swell WAS a meaningful price catalyst.

The consensus among digital asset investors is clear: the Swell conference typically does not lead to immediate changes in XRP’s value. The conference mainly focuses on cross-border payment innovations, blockchain integration, and industry collaboration—topics that support long-term fundamentals but rarely trigger short-term price spikes. Conversely, the analyst suggested that a formal XRP ETF, especially one backed by a major international investment firm like BlackRock, would dramatically transform the market landscape. Such an event would signify institutional support and regulatory recognition, potentially attracting significant capital inflows and influencing the token’s price.

Reactions on X varied among users. While some see potential, one user noted that the current market trend indicates weakness and consolidation, suggesting that broader declines may overshadow any positive developments. They also mentioned that retail traders might react emotionally in the short term.

The overarching conclusion is that traders differentiate between significant financial advancements and mere symbolic events. Although Swell’s global reach and institutional partnerships are noteworthy, they rarely generate headlines that impact the market. In contrast, the possibility of a BlackRock XRP ETF would have much larger implications for investor accessibility, liquidity, and long-term valuation.

Market participants will likely continue to look for signs of progress in institutional integration as Ripple’s Swell 2025 conference in New York approaches. However, until an ETF or regulatory milestone is officially announced, expectations for substantial price movements remain low.