1. The number of initial jobless claims in the United States for the week ending March 21 was 210,000, in line with expectations.
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits for the week ending March 21 was 210,000, in line with expectations and the previous week's figure of 205,000.
2. WSJ: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac accept cryptocurrency as a standard for mortgage loan asset verification for the first time.
William Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), has ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to prepare proposals allowing cryptocurrencies to be considered reserve assets in single-family home loan risk assessments. This directive marks the first time these two government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) have directly recognized the value of digital assets without requiring borrowers to first convert their cryptocurrencies into US dollars. Eligible crypto assets must be proven to be held on a centralized exchange regulated by the United States.
3. The UK will ban cryptocurrency political donations and restrict donations from overseas voters.
The UK government has announced a ban on the use of cryptocurrencies for political donations until regulatory mechanisms are deemed adequate. It will also cap political donations from overseas voters at £100,000 per year, covering regulated transactions such as loans of equal value. These measures will be implemented retroactively through amendments to the People's Representatives Act, requiring political entities to return any improperly donated funds within 30 days of the law taking effect. These measures are based on recommendations from a Rycroft Review report and aim to address the risks of foreign financial interference and untraceable funds.
4. Hong Kong police announced updates on the JPEX fraud case: 80 people have been arrested and assets worth approximately HK$228 million have been frozen.
Hong Kong Police's Commercial Crime Bureau has launched a new operation in the JPEX virtual asset trading platform fraud case, charging 10 people (6 men and 4 women, aged 26 to 47) with "money laundering" and "conspiracy to launder money." The case will be heard tomorrow at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts. Since the investigation began in September 2023, police have arrested a total of 80 people, including core members, OTC operators, and online influencers, and frozen assets totaling approximately HK$228 million. Currently, 26 people have been prosecuted in the case, and some fugitives remain wanted by Interpol.
