Crypto Briefing

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni is keeping things cool ahead of his team’s 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal clash against England, calling it “a football match. No more than that.” Argentina’s quarterfinal victory over Switzerland on July 9 set the stage for one of the tournament’s most anticipated matchups. Scaloni’s measured approach Scaloni, who has led Argentina since 2018, has built one of the most decorated runs in modern international football.

Kevin Warsh has been in the Fed chair seat for less than two months, and he is already making clear what kind of central banker he intends to be. During his first congressional testimony on July 14, 2026, Warsh told lawmakers that Fed policymakers have “no tolerance for persistently elevated inflation” and that restoring price stability is the institution’s central mission.

The renewed military engagement by President Trump with Iran has faced significant challenges, with no clear path to victory. The conflict, which began with joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in February, has escalated following the collapse of a fragile ceasefire in June. Trump’s strategy now involves threats of a naval blockade and potential ground troop deployment.

Spain’s 2-0 demolition of France in the 2026 World Cup semi-final on July 14 did more than crown a new generation of football royalty. It sent shockwaves through the crypto markets that have become deeply intertwined with the beautiful game. Teenager Lamine Yamal turned in a performance for the ages, effectively neutralizing Kylian Mbappé and denying France a third consecutive World Cup final appearance.

IBM just had the kind of day that makes investor relations teams update their resumes. The 113-year-old tech giant watched its stock plunge by as much as 25% on July 14 after releasing preliminary second-quarter results that told a story Wall Street really didn’t want to hear: enterprise customers are redirecting their budgets away from high-margin software and consulting toward physical AI infrastructure. The numbers paint a clear picture.

The United States is throwing its weight behind resurrecting a decades-old crude oil pipeline connecting Iraq and Syria. The Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline, originally built in 1952, once moved up to 300,000 barrels per day before the 2003 invasion of Iraq rendered it inoperable. Now, more than two decades later, Washington sees it as a strategic chess piece worth rebuilding.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi to address regional security concerns, particularly focusing on Iran’s recent attacks on shipping and neighboring countries. This meeting comes amidst the renewed U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, which has seen significant escalation following the breakdown of a temporary ceasefire.

Morgan Stanley has revised its S-1 filings for proposed spot Ether and Solana ETFs, indicating potential advancements in its efforts to introduce these crypto products. The updated filings reveal that Coinbase will provide custody and facilitate staking, with BNY Mellon also designated as a joint custodian. The funds, named Morgan Stanley Ethereum Trust and Morgan Stanley Solana Trust, offer a competitive 0.14% annual sponsor fee. As the ETFs await SEC review, their approval remains pending.

Marc Guehi, a prominent figure in England’s soccer team, stated that the pressure is firmly on Argentina as they prepare to face England in the semi-final. This high-stakes match is scheduled to take place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on July 15, 2026. Argentina, the defending champions, advanced to this stage after a hard-fought 3–1 victory over Switzerland, while England secured their spot with a 2–1 extra-time win against Norway.

Tehran has announced its refusal to initiate peace talks amidst ongoing military tensions with the United States over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. The collapse of the June 17 interim ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, following Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and U.S. retaliatory strikes, has led to an escalation of hostilities in the region.