Global crude oil prices continue to rise, with both U.S. WTI and Brent crude up 3% on the day.

Samsung Electronics says it is not currently considering issuing American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). Earlier, sources familiar with the matter revealed that Samsung Electronics is in the preliminary stage of exploring ADR issuance. The company has held initial discussions with multiple banks but has not yet decided whether to move forward with the plan. Samsung will closely monitor the volatile performance of memory chip stocks during the decision-making process. If it ultimately proceeds with a US listing, its massive business portfolio and ongoing labor disputes may pose challenges to the transaction structure design. Sources added that Samsung evaluated ADR issuance in the past but ultimately abandoned the idea. However, SK Hynix’s recent successful US listing has given Samsung new impetus to re-examine this option. BlockBeats Note: Samsung Electronics is one of the core subsidiaries of Samsung Group; the two are not parallel independent entities.

Shipping data platform Kpler reports that the number of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz fell by roughly 52% year-on-year between July 10 and 12. All vessels have resumed taking more cautious navigation routes. Meanwhile, vessel traffic via Iran and alternative routes has increased, while activity along International Maritime Organization (IMO)-designated routes and in Omani waters has almost completely halted. While no IMO-confirmed attacks have occurred since June 27, tensions between the U.S. and Iran, plus warnings from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, have kept the commercial shipping sector on high alert. Yesterday, Trump announced the immediate resumption of a blockade on Iran, imposing a 20% fee on cargo transits. In response, Iran stated it cannot "open" the Strait of Hormuz. "For those concerned, a simple clarification: A blockade is a blockade. It cannot 'open' the Strait of Hormuz—it will only restrict it. The only way out of this self-inflicted predicament is to remain open and flexible in negotiations and follow reason."

Oman's Foreign Minister stated that complex discussions are currently underway to develop a long-term arrangement to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to foreign media reports, SK Hynix has officially kicked off mass production and shipments of its 12-layer HBM4 for NVIDIA, with the product now in the capacity ramp-up stage. Unlike earlier supplies that were classified as samples, this marks the first time HBM4 is being delivered in its final, fully quality-certified specification for NVIDIA’s next-generation AI platform, Vera Rubin. Starting this September, SK Hynix will formally scale up HBM4 shipments to fully meet NVIDIA’s demand for high-end compute chip supplies. (Jinshi)

Binance announced that it will adjust the funding rate mechanism for the USDT-margined perpetual contracts of SKHYNIXUSDT, SAMSUNGUSDT, and HYUNDAIUSDT starting from 16:15 UTC on July 14. The funding rate settlement period will be changed from every 8 hours to every 4 hours, and the upper and lower limits of the funding rates for these contracts will be uniformly adjusted to ±0.50%. Specifically, SAMSUNGUSDT and HYUNDAIUSDT will take effect at 20:00 UTC on July 14, while SKHYNIXUSDT will implement the ±0.50% rate limit starting from its 16:00 UTC settlement on the same day. Binance noted that it will dynamically adjust contract parameters in the future based on market risk conditions, including funding rates, minimum price increments, maximum leverage, and margin requirements.

According to an official announcement, to meet users' diversified investment needs, Bitget has launched the KUAISHOU (Kuaishou Technology) stock perpetual contract. The contract is settled in USDT, supports up to 20x leverage, and is available for 24/7 trading. For more details, please refer to Bitget's official platform.