
Singapore fuel oil stockpiles extend climb while Nigeria inflows jump
Nigeria's Dangote refinery had been issuing some fuel oil tenders on a sporadic basis in the past months. Meanwhile, exports out of onshore tanks were mostly headed for China, with volumes surging week-on-week to more than 194,000 tons.
China's Shandong government has raised fuel oil import tax rebates for selected independent refineries, a move likely to spur some recovery in demand. Despite this, benchmarks for high-sulphur fuel oil have trended softer in recent trading sessions due to the high inventories in Singapore.
The spot market differential has fallen from a premium into a discount this week, pricing data showed. Week to Jun. 25, Fuel oil Total Total Net (in metric tons) Imports Exports Imports BRAZIL 129,763 0 129,763 CHINA 0 31,459 -31,459 INDIA 0 92 -92 INDONESIA 42,127 0 42,127 IRAQ 30,488 0 30,488 KOREA 4,417 0 4,417 KUWAIT 22,106 0 22,106 MALAYSIA 193,957 54,026 139,931 MEXICO 75,961 0 75,961 NETHERLANDS 3,614 0 3,614 NEW ZEALAND 0 8,649 -8,649 PHILIPPINES 0 17,750 -17,750 SOUTH SUDAN 45,883 0 45,883 SRI LANKA 0 9,996 -9,996 VIETNAM 9,625 17,763 -8,139 TOTAL 557,941 139,736 418,204
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Crypto Insight
4 hours ago
- Crypto Insight
China's crypto liquidation plans reveal its grand strategy
Opinion by: Joshua Chu, co-chair of the Hong Kong Web3 Association Last week's announcement of Hong Kong's LEAP Digital Assets Policy Statement 2.0 was made with much anticipation and fanfare. The government of Hong Kong promised a comprehensive regulatory framework that will unify licensing and 'expand the suite of tokenised products.' Yet beneath the hype and visible maneuvers lies a far more consequential move: Beijing's (the world's second largest holder of crypto) announcement of its intention to liquidate confiscated virtual currencies through Hong Kong's licensed exchanges. These events, while seemingly separate, are actually components of a carefully orchestrated strategy by China, designed to position Hong Kong as the dominant virtual asset hub and China's strategic market operator. A strategy of convergence: Hong Kong is poised to become the region's virtual asset hub. Still, it will also serve as the linchpin of China's global ambitions: a crypto hedge, a market price vehicle and a forward command post for PRC-crypto-liquidity. Regulatory foundations On the surface, Hong Kong's LEAP policy appears to be all the headlines. A proper understanding of strategy, however, demands looking beyond the surface. The true power of these policy decisions lies in the liquidity injection that China's crypto-liquidation decision will invariably create. This instrument will simultaneously grant Hong Kong unprecedented influence over global virtual asset markets. The foundation of Hong Kong's regulatory framework can be traced back to 2022 with the passage of the Amendment of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (AMLO), which, after the Securities and Futures Commission had the opportunity to gain sufficient experience under the previous opt-in regime, formally brought virtual asset trading platforms (VATPs) under their remit via the AMLO mandatory licensing regime. This critical move secured alignment with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards and became the first cornerstone legislation for virtual assets. The next critical legislation that came about was the Stablecoin Ordinance, set to commence on Aug. 1, 2025, establishing a dedicated licensing regime for fiat-referenced stablecoin issuers. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) oversees this regime, mandating one-to-one reserves, robust redemption mechanisms and rigorous risk controls. In June 2025, introducing the LEAP Digital Assets Policy Statement 2.0 further developed Hong Kong's framework. LEAP unifies licensing, expands the suite of tokenized products and advances use cases of cross-sector collaboration and talent development. Going beyond FATF-directed regulatory tinkering, LEAP aspires to be the architecture that will 'scale Hong Kong to new heights of global digital asset leadership' and signal Hong Kong's readiness to embrace the future of digital assets. Laws and regulations alone cannot, however, command markets. It is liquidity that will decide the day. China's decision to channel confiscated digital assets through Hong Kong's licensed VATP will strategically inject real, tangible liquidity into the ecosystem. This is no longer an FATF compliance checklist exercise — it is a strategic lever. Through enabling controlled liquidation, Hong Kong stands to become a market price vehicle capable of rapidly modulating supply and demand, another key driving factor of virtual asset value. Liquidity as a weapon Liquidity is the lifeblood of any market. Without liquidity, even the most sophisticated market will falter. Just look at the London Stock Exchange. Under China's grand strategy, unlike the United States, which holds a vast Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and is placed under a rigid 'hold-only' policy, liquidity injected into Hong Kong's exchanges will actively convert seized assets into market liquidity. This setup will grant Hong Kong — and by extension China — the ability to influence price, stabilize markets and respond to geopolitical pressures as it sees fit. Just as control of the rare earth metals gave China all the cards in the latest rounds of trade negotiation with the US, so too will control over crypto liquidity, effectively controlling the value of the US's newly minted crypto reserve. This is a subtle, yet profound, shift in the balance of power. The ability of a single nation to control liquidity flows is to control market narratives and outcomes. Implications and countermeasures This grand strategy fundamentally alters the balance of power within the cryptosphere. Hong Kong will have a decisive advantage in absorbing institutional capital and deepening market liquidity, leveraging its unique position as the conduit for the PRC's crypto liquidation moves. At the same time, by scaling 'Hong Kong to new heights of global digital asset leadership,' China will have a powerful geopolitical tool in its hands, able to control global cryptocurrency valuations through calculated market liquidity management. Meanwhile, the US will face a strategic dilemma: Should it continue with a passive crypto stockpile with limited or no market influence? Or should the US consider new mechanisms to counterbalance Hong Kong's growing control over crypto liquidity? Understanding the dynamic in this interplay is important for market participants, lawyers, risk practitioners and lawmakers. After all, compliance frameworks must be adjusted to address increased scrutiny and risks associated with liquidity-driven market movements. In contrast, risk management strategies anticipating volatility stemming from strategic liquidity flows and a keen understanding of how liquidity control will shape the market narratives and outcomes are key. The key to the Web3 markets is therefore liquidity and information. While Hong Kong's LEAP policy garners all the media attention, the true chess move lies in China's crypto liquidation and injection policy. This injection will turn Hong Kong into a dynamic market price vehicle, capable of wielding liquidity as a weapon that few jurisdictions can match. Contrast this with the US, which is constrained by a rigid 'hold-only' reserve policy, and it lacks the flexibility to influence market liquidity or respond effectively to price volatility. Singapore, which, despite a mature regulatory framework, faces limitations in market scale, and Dubai, though ambitious, struggles with fragmented regulatory remits and high operational costs that hinder rapid scaling. Hong Kong 'holds all the cards.' Only this time, China is also making all the liquidity cards. As such, the city's unique combination of mature regulatory framework, direct access to the world's second-largest crypto holdings and the ability to deploy such liquidity strategically at their discretion grants it an unparalleled high ground in the Web3 ecosystem. Hong Kong can modulate global crypto prices in real time, attract institutional capital and foster innovation within a stable, investor-friendly environment. Liquidity is the ultimate leverage in this contest, and Hong Kong holds the switch. Understanding this layered strategy is essential for those who seek to navigate the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape with clarity and foresight. Those who fail will find themselves outmaneuvered. Opinion by: Joshua Chu, co-chair of the Hong Kong Web3 Association. Source:


Zawya
9 hours ago
- Zawya
Abdulla Al Hamed visits Huawei's Research and Development Centre in Shanghai
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Zawya
10 hours ago
- Zawya
Nigeria Expands Agro-Industrial Footprint with New Processing Hub in Oyo State
Oyo SAPZ will host up to 40 agro-processing industries, create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, and benefit half a million farmers. A great honour to do this on my last official visit to Nigeria as President of the African Development Bank Group ( – Adesina Nigeria has launched a new Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Oyo State, marking a major milestone in the country's efforts to boost agricultural transformation, job creation and rural industrialization. The groundbreaking ceremony, held in the Ijaiye community near Ibadan on Saturday, was attended by national and international dignitaries, including the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina who was making his final official visit to Nigeria in that role. Also in attendance were the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, and Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari. The Oyo site is the third to be developed under the national SAPZ program, and the first in southwest Nigeria. It follows earlier launches in Kaduna and Cross River States in April 2025. According to Dr. Adesina, "I believe that Nigeria can and must be a global powerhouse in agriculture. But you need investments to be able to do that. You also need industrial platforms that will connect primary agricultural production all the way to how you store products, how you process and add value, and how you ship to be able to sell. And that is what the special agro-industrial processing zones are really about.' The program is financed by the African Development Bank, in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and Nigeria's federal and state governments. Together, they have committed $538 million to the first phase of the program, covering seven states and the Federal Capital Territory. Covering 3,000 hectares, with 300 hectares designated for immediate development, the Oyo SAPZ is expected to host up to 40 agro-processing industries, create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, and benefit half a million farmers. Oyo State Governor Makinde hailed the launch as a fulfilment of promises made: 'Today is about promises kept. It is a strategic step on the journey of sustainable development. These hubs bring producers closer to processors and link farms to markets. They reflect our government's belief that agriculture is not just about food, it is about infrastructure, enterprise and national relevance. We're building a future where agriculture feeds not just homes, but industries; where it doesn't just sustain families but entire economies.' Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima, Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari highlighted the SAPZ initiative's alignment with national priorities: 'Today's event exemplifies the spirit of partnership and shared vision that is vital to our nation's progress. The SAPZ initiative is one of the cornerstones of the renewed hope agenda championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a vision rooted in restoring Nigeria's dignity, unlocking our vast potentials and creating opportunities for every citizen.' Dr. Adesina underscored the transformative vision behind SAPZs, calling them essential to unlocking agricultural value chains and lifting millions out of poverty. 'The export of primary commodities is the door to poverty. The export of value-added commodities and products is a highway to wealth. It doesn't really matter what you have in terms of agricultural commodities, whether it is cocoa or coffee, or grains; if you're not adding value to it, it's actually going to make you poor. So, what we're doing here is to be able to unlock that value,' Adesina stressed. 'Our goal is very clear. It's to reduce massive post-harvest losses, develop logistics, and improve linkages between farm production, agro-processing, and value addition, transform rural economies, and, of course, to create jobs.' He outlined three critical pillars for the success of the SAPZs: political will, resource mobilization, and strategic partnerships. 'What we are witnessing today would not have happened without intense collaboration,' he noted. Reflecting on his 10-year tenure as President of the African Development Bank, Adesina highlighted milestones achieved under his leadership, including the Bank's capital increase from $93 billion in 2015 to $318 billion in 2024, and the two-time ranking of its sovereign portfolio as the most transparent among multilateral development banks globally The SAPZ initiative is a flagship of the Bank's 'Feed Africa' strategy, launched by Adesina in 2015. The zones are being developed in 28 sites across 11 African countries, with the Nigerian program being the largest. The chairperson of the Ijaiye Farm Settlers Association, David Olatunji, described Saturday's groundbreaking ceremony as 'a memorable opportunity' for the community and the state. 'We have a lot of unbroken forests around us, and the farmers are ready to work!' he declared. Dr. Adebowale Adeyeye, an agripreneur specializing in soyabean and cashew production and processing, said: 'The SAPZ project in Ijaiye is a strategic boost for businesses like ours. With targeted government support in areas like power, road access, and security, it creates the kind of enabling environment we need to scale operations, reduce costs, and attract long-term investment. It's a move that will strengthen agribusiness value chains and enhance overall competitiveness.' The SAPZ Programme is working to transform Nigeria's rural economy into zones of prosperity, by facilitating industrial processing, expanding market access, and attracting private sector investment. The Zones are being developed in 28 sites across 11 African countries, with the Nigeria program being the largest. Dr. Kabir Yusuf, National Coordinator of SAPZ Nigeria, announced plans to expand the program to an additional 10 states from September 2025, marking the beginning of the second phase that will cover the remaining States in the country. Adesina was accompanied by senior Bank officials, including the Director General for Nigeria, Dr. Abdul Kamara; Senior Special Adviser on Industrialization, Prof. Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka; and Director of Agricultural Finance and Rural Development Department, Richard Ofori-Mante. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).