Oil spikes, then pulls back. Markets sell off, then bounce. Is this the same pattern all over again? This week kicked off with renewed Middle East tensions shaking sentiment, but the real story may lie beneath the surface. Despite supply risks and ongoing disruptions, oil prices are struggling to hold their gains — pointing to something deeper: demand destruction may already be kicking in. Meanwhile, equities — especially tech and AI names — continue to show resilience, brushing off macro uncertainty and geopolitical noise. Are investors underestimating the risks, or correctly looking through the volatility? With key US data ahead and Kevin Warsh’s Senate...

Markets are walking a tightrope. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have flared up again, sending oil prices higher and raising fresh questions about global stability. Oil is up, US and European markets are pressured but Asian tech heavy indices are holding up well thanks to encouraging AI news of late. This week, earnings season is picking up pace, with major companies about to report. Can strong results offset the pressure from higher oil and ongoing conflict? Listen to find out more! Ipek Ozkardeskaya has begun her financial career in 2010 in the structured products desk of the Swiss Banque Cantonale...

For decades, the US dollar has been the undisputed anchor of the global financial system. But what happens if that dominance starts to crack — even slightly? And could the euro step in? From the weaponisation of finance to rising US deficits and a more fragmented global trade system, the foundations of dollar dominance are being quietly challenged. Europe sees an opportunity: a stronger international euro could reduce imported inflation, lower transaction costs, deepen capital markets and increase financial autonomy. But the path is far from simple. Without a unified fiscal system, a true safe asset comparable to US Treasuries, and st...

When investors talk about “the market,” they are usually referring to an index. But what exactly are stock market indices, and why have they become such a powerful tool for investors? In this episode, we break down how major benchmarks like the S&P 500, FTSE 100, DAX, and CAC 40 work. We also explore how indices reflect different economies, why diversification matters, and how investors can gain exposure through ETFs or futures. From technology-driven US markets to commodity-heavy indices, discover how tracking the right index can help shape a smarter investment strategy. Listen to find out more! Ipek Ozkardeskaya has begun her fina...

Silver is often grouped with gold as a “precious metal” — but that label can be misleading. Unlike gold, silver is not a safe haven. It behaves more like a cyclical asset, driven by industrial demand rather than financial stress. With roughly half of global demand coming from sectors like electronics, solar panels, and electric vehicles, silver is deeply tied to economic growth and the energy transition. That makes its price sensitive not just to macro conditions and interest rates, but also to the US dollar and broader commodity cycles. On top of that, supply dynamics are complex, as most silver is pro...

In the first episode of a series focused on commodities, we dive into the world of crude oil in this special episode, break down the key factors shaping oil prices — from global supply and demand dynamics to geopolitics, US dollar moves, interest rates and economic growth. Learn how OPEC+, US shale and top consumers like China, the US, and India influence market balance and imbalances. We also explore trading strategies: spot markets, futures, equities and energy ETFs, highlighting risks, opportunities and the nuances of the market structure. Listen to find out more! Ipek Ozkardeskaya has begun her financial career in 2010 in...

Bitcoin is back in the green, thanks to the ceasefire in Iran! Will it be enough for bullish momentum?

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Natural gas is one of the most important — and often misunderstood — energy commodities in the world. While oil usually dominates the conversation, natural gas plays a crucial role in heating homes, fueling power plants, supporting industrial activity and acting as a bridge fuel in the global energy transition. In this episode, we explore how natural gas markets actually work. Why are there different regional prices? Why can gas prices diverge dramatically between the US, Europe and Asia? And how do traders and investors gain exposure to natural gas through futures, ETFs, or energy companies? Listen to find out more! Ipek Ozka...

US equities surged nearly 3% on renewed hopes that tensions between the US and Iran could ease, lifting investor sentiment across global markets. Oil prices pulled back, the US dollar weakened, and the euro gained as traders reassessed central bank expectations. A more cautious tone from the Federal Reserve, combined with softer US economic data, contrasted with rising inflation pressures in Europe—fueling moves in FX markets. But is this rally built to last? Much will depend on energy prices and whether geopolitical risks continue to ease or flare up again. With the Strait of Hormuz remaining a key pressure point – and...

In this episode of UNLOCKED, Cindy Candrian, founder of Delta Labs, joins us to explore the rise of “AI twins”: artificial versions of people designed to better understand how we think, decide and behave. 🎙️ Drawing from her work at the intersection of AI, human behavior and decision-making, she explains why humans are often blind to their own biases, and why AI twins can sometimes predict our actions more accurately than we can ourselves. 📊 We also discuss cognitive bias, overlooked customer segments, and how AI can help businesses move beyond their own perspective to make better decisions, ask better questions and understand p...

Markets are walking a tightrope. A sharp rebound in sovereign bonds suggests investors believe the surge in oil prices will slow global growth enough to limit central bank tightening. But is that a step too far? While yields pulled back and Fed Chair Jerome Powell struck a relatively balanced tone, inflation—especially in Europe—is far from under control. The ECB is unlikely to sit on its hands, keeping rate hikes firmly in play even as growth risks mount. Meanwhile, equity rebounds look fragile. Energy stocks are thriving, but the broader market faces rising costs and potential margin compression. Yet earn...

The escalation in the Middle East continues with US troops coming to the region and Houthis joining the war. Oil prices are up this morning, again, with some calling for $150… even $200 per barrel. But at what cost? Demand destruction, rising recession risks and a potential stagflation shock are all back on the table. At the same time, central banks are stuck. Inflation could stay higher for longer, even as growth slows — a difficult mix to assess when uncertainties are so high. Listen to find out more! Ipek Ozkardeskaya has begun her financial career in 2010 in the structured products desk of the...

A ceasefire… of sorts. While Donald Trump extended his self-imposed ceasefire deadline in the Middle East, attacks continue at full speed and traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely limited. Iran’s “gift” to Trump? Allowing 10 oil tankers to pass this week — compared to ~100 in normal times. Markets are clinging to the hope that the extension keeps immediate escalation off the table, offering fragile relief into the weekend. Oil flows remain constrained, geopolitical tensions persist, and global inflation risks are rising. Investors are left watching carefully: this isn’t peace, and risks persist! Listen to find out more! Ipek Ozkardeskaya...

Crypto also profits from AI domination, this time with Bittensor

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Markets are already pricing in peace—but is it far too early? Despite rising geopolitical tensions and Iran’s rejection of the US proposal, equities continue to push higher, with the S&P500 showing surprising resilience. Investors appear eager to move past the conflict, but the reality on the ground tells a different story. Oil prices are climbing again, inflation risks are resurfacing, and central banks may be forced to stay tighter for longer. At the same time, bond yields are rising, mortgage rates are creeping higher, and the US dollar is regaining strength. Markets are leaning into an optimistic scen...

Middle East tensions remain firmly in the driver’s seat—and markets are reacting in real time. Oil is volatile, equities are cautiously rebounding, and the US dollar continues to push higher. Meanwhile, global growth signals are weakening, inflation pressures are creeping back, and central banks may be forced into a more hawkish stance. History reminds us that geopolitical shocks can fade—but only if tensions ease. Could oil stabilize? The answer is yes, but the timing remains unknown, and the short term price moves depend on Iran’s response and duration of the war. Listen to find out more! Ipek Ozk...

Markets are trading like a theatre of the absurd — where one headline can flip everything in seconds. Within hours, threats of escalation turned into ceasefire hopes, sending oil plunging, equities soaring, and investors scrambling to keep up. But just as quickly, doubts crept back in. At the center of it all: the TACO trade — the idea that Trump ultimately “chickens out.” It’s worked before. But what happens when the other side doesn’t play along? With tensions in the Middle East driving energy prices and sentiment, markets are caught between fear of escalation and fear of missing the next rally. Is th...

The narrative is changing hands. What started as a US-driven escalation in the Middle East is now evolving into a more complex standoff, with Iran increasingly shaping expectations. Markets are reacting differently—investors are less sensitive to Trump’s announcements, signaling that the US is no longer fully in control of the story. Oil prices remain elevated on fears of a prolonged disruption, while rising inflation expectations push central banks toward more hawkish moves. Slower growth and stagflation risks are also being priced in, creating a delicate balancing act for investors. Listen to find out more! Ipek Ozkardeskaya has begun her...

Oil is pulling back as US/Israel are trying to calm the game, but don’t be fooled—the Middle East continues to boil, energy price risks remain tilted to the upside and the latter has thrown central banks into a fresh dilemma: what to do with the rates? Rate cut expectations are fading, while the risk of renewed tightening is creeping back—especially in Europe, where the energy shock hits harder. But here’s the catch: higher rates won’t fix an oil shock. Is there a place to hide? Chinese equities outperformed US, European peers since the beginning of the Ira...

Oil markets can’t catch a break. What started as optimism on Iraq resuming exports quickly flipped into renewed panic as escalating tensions in the Middle East rattled energy markets. Attacks on Iranian facilities and threats toward Gulf countries have pushed oil and gas prices sharply higher again — and markets are feeling the heat. Equities are under pressure as rising energy costs squeeze margins and fuel inflation fears. Meanwhile, central banks are walking a tightrope. The Fed held rates steady, but the tone remains cautious — even hawkish — as inflation risks linger. And it’s not just the US: the ECB, BoE, and S...

XRP gaining speed again according to futures traders... 00:00 Intro 00:26 Disclaimer 00:30 Preview 00:43 Bitcoin 05:50 Ethereum 07:37 Ripple 08:49 Subscribe & Good bye #crypto #cryptonews #cryptotrading #swissquote _____ 👉 Discover our brand and philosophy: https://www.swissquote.com/en/group _____ 👉 Deepen your trading and investing knowledge with Swissquote Inspire: explore our articles, analyses, webinars and exclusive content: https://www.swissquote.com/private/inspire _____ 👉 Discover Swissquote’s culture and join a company that values innovation, diversity and team spirit: https://www.swissquote.com/en/careers

Oil prices remain volatile as Middle East tensions continue, though alternative export routes are easing immediate supply concerns. All eyes are on the Fed today, as policymakers weigh whether to hold rates steady or signal a shift amid persistent inflation pressures. Meanwhile in China, OpenClaw-based AI agents are sparking a race among tech giants like Alibaba, Tencent and MiniMax, driving cloud demand and new revenue opportunities. Investors are watching closely as agentic AI emerges as the next big wave in technology, and try to find the next opportunity. Listen to find out more! Ipek Ozkardeskaya has begun her financial career...

The RBA has fired the first hawkish shot, raising rates 25bp as inflation pressures rise — and oil is keeping markets on edge. WTI is above $95pb, Brent flirting with $100pb, amid tanker flows in the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. But upside pressures persist. The Federal Reserve kicks off its two-day policy meeting today, while other major central banks are due to announce their verdict throughout the week, with markets already pricing in hawkish expectations. The market reaction will depend on how much of the hawkishness is already priced in. Meanwhile, at Nvidia’s GTC conference, CEO Jensen Huan...

Oil starts the week near $100pb as tensions in the Middle East continue, with Iran’s key export hub attack and uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz. Will this push inflation higher and force central banks to tighten further? This week, the Fed, ECB, BoE, SNB, BoJ, and RBA all announce policy decisions, balancing soaring energy prices against slowing growth. We break down the potential market impact and what investors should watch closely – plus a look at NVIDIA’s GTC conference, where AI and tech could grab headlines away from the geopolitical chaos. Listen to find out more! Ipek Ozkardeskaya has be...

Oil prices continue to rise despite emergency measures — including strategic reserve releases from International Energy Agency members and US naval escorts for commercial vessels — crude prices remain elevated. Brent Crude briefly surged to $100 per barrel, while WTI approached $98, keeping energy markets under intense pressure. The surge in oil prices is already feeding into global inflation fears, just as investors were hoping for interest-rate cuts from the Federal Reserve later this year. As such, today’s reaction to the US PCE read will likely be asymmetric and won’t reverse the dull outlook. Listen to find out more! Ipek Ozkardeskaya has begun he...

Bitcoin is showing actual debasement trade strength that we haven't seen in a long time!

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US inflation came in line with expectations, but markets found little comfort in the data. Oil prices surged despite the International Energy Agency’s announcement that it would release a record 400 million barrels from strategic reserves. Instead of calming markets, the move reinforced concerns that the Middle East conflict could drag on, tightening global energy supply and keeping inflation pressures alive. With global oil demand exceeding 100 million barrels per day, the planned release would only cover a few days of consumption. As crude prices climb, investors are reassessing central bank expectations, bond yields are rising, and the US dollar is st...

SORRY for the late upload- I had technical issues, fixed now! This week's episode will be released tomorrow!

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Oil prices are retreating after this week’s surge, with US crude slipping back toward $76 per barrel as the International Energy Agency considers a release of strategic reserves. The move may temporarily cap prices, but markets remain on edge, with Middle East supply disruptions still a major risk. All eyes are now on today’s US Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which will give a critical snapshot of inflation pressures before the latest energy price surge fully flows through the economy. The reading could influence Federal Reserve policy expectations and determine whether markets remain calm—or if further volatility is ahead...

Volatility is off the charts as markets react to every headline from the Middle East. Oil spiked toward $120 per barrel on escalating tensions, sending futures and equities sharply lower, only to reverse after reports that the G7 could release strategic reserves. The episode shows just how sensitive markets are to energy prices right now. Investors still know very little about how the Iran conflict will evolve, but oil remains the main barometer for risk sentiment. Rising crude quickly feeds into inflation expectations, shaking central bank rate forecasts, FX and global equities. But the swings are wild and will likely continue...

Oil markets are surging as tensions in the Middle East escalate. US crude briefly spiked to $120 per barrel, while Brent crude climbed above $110, with both benchmarks still trading above the $100 mark. The stakes are enormous: the Middle East holds around half of global oil reserves and roughly 40% of the world’s natural gas reserves, and about 20% of global oil and LNG flows through the Strait of Hormuz — one of the most critical energy chokepoints in the world. If energy prices remain elevated, inflation pressures could return globally, complicating the outlook for central banks, bond markets, and global growth. Listen to find...

Global markets continue to reel as tensions in the Middle East push oil prices higher, rattling investors and reigniting inflation fears. US crude extends rally, while sovereign yields climbed on worries that central banks may be forced to tighten policy faster than expected. The US government has floated potential measures to tame the rally, including strategic reserve releases and easing fuel-blending requirements, but many warn that financial interventions may do little if physical supply disruptions persist. All eyes now turn to the US jobs report: with inflation already sticky, a strong payrolls print could calm markets, while weaker-than-expected numbers may...

Can technology scale finance without losing the human touch? In this episode of UNLOCKED, Manon Duez, Senior Sales Executive at Vanguard, joins us to discuss the future of financial advice. 🎙️ Drawing from her experience in a competitive industry where she was often the only woman in the room, she reflects on the lessons that shaped her career. 📊 We also discuss the limits of automation in finance, why many clients still turn back to human advisors, and why trust and relationships remain at the core of long term financial partnerships. . . This content is only intended for those permitted to receive it under lo...

Volatility remains high as the Middle East conflict enters a sixth day, keeping investors on edge. Early reports of potential Iranian negotiations were dismissed, while disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz have pushed oil prices higher, adding pressure to global inflation and interest rates. US and European equities rebounded yesterday on strong economic data, but futures don’t point at further gains. Headlines will continue to drive the price action but investors are eager to price in an end to the conflict. This is why tiniest hopes lead to gains that can not be sustainable if the conflict persists. Listen to...

The Middle East conflict is intensifying — and markets are feeling it. Equities are under pressure, banks and miners are selling off, and private credit stress is resurfacing. Meanwhile, software stocks are attempting a rebound — but funding conditions may pose a bigger threat than AI disruption itself. Globally, rising energy prices are also reigniting inflation concerns just as central banks were preparing for rate cuts. If oil and gas remain elevated, markets may have to reprice the entire monetary policy outlook. Listen to find out more! Ipek Ozkardeskaya has begun her financial career in 2010 in the structured products desk of the Swis...

Volatility is back, and markets are reacting in unexpected ways. Oil and gas prices surged on Middle East tensions, European stocks tanked, and yields jumped — yet US equities barely flinched. Big Tech gained regardless of the war headlines. What’s driving the US resilience? Dip buyers stepped in as oil retraced, showing that even war headlines and fading Fed cut expectations weren’t enough to shake investor confidence… for now. But the risks remain. Rising energy prices, tighter financial conditions, and geopolitical uncertainty could hit corporate earnings and slow AI investment plans. Bitcoin rebounded despite risk appetite fading, gold remained muted, a...

Nvidia’s blockbuster earnings beat expectations across nearly every metric, yet the stock plunged over 5% to close below $185, despite strong guidance. Michael Burry flagged Nvidia’s $95bn in purchase obligations — up from $16bn a year ago — warning that if AI demand slows, excess capacity could pressure margins. Meanwhile, Salesforce, CrowdStrike, and Snowflake all rose, driven by strong AI adoption and robust bookings. Memory chip makers remain the clear winners, pushing hardware costs higher and impacting PC and smartphone margins. Overall, Nvidia’s drop dragged the S&P 500 slightly lower, though most stocks advanced on falling U.S. yields. Gold consolidates gains near...

Nvidia delivered a blockbuster Q4, smashing expectations. Forward guidance for Q1 also topped analyst forecasts, cementing Nvidia’s leadership in AI infrastructure and inference. Yet despite the stellar results, the market reaction was muted. Shares rose modestly in after-hours trading as investors focused on revenue concentration, leverage concerns and broader AI and tech valuation risks. Even with impressive execution, Nvidia alone isn’t enough to reignite global risk appetite. From software warnings to HALO rotation trades, the market remains selective, with investors weighing growth vs risk in a cautious environment. Listen to find out more! Ipek Ozkardeskaya has begun her fina...

US and European markets rebounded as the AI fear trade eased and investors digested the latest US tariff shake-up. LegalZoom, once hit hard by fears of Anthropic’s Claude, jumped 2.5% after AI integrations promised more customizable, AI-friendly offerings. The iShares Expanded Software ETF also rose nearly 2%, showing opportunities emerging even amid software stress. In Big Tech, Meta announced a massive $tens-of-billions AMD chip deal to deploy up to six gigawatts of AI computing — enough to power 4–5 million homes. While the deal boosts AMD’s revenue and stock, investors are cautious about rising debt and complex warrants that could give Meta up to 10...