US pre-market trading saw broad losses across the semiconductor, storage, and optical communication sectors, with AAOI dropping more than 11%.

Recent reports indicate that some banks in Hong Kong have initiated a capital source declaration process for existing mainland Chinese investment clients, setting deadlines including August 20 (failure to submit may lead to suspension of investment services) and September 12 (failure to submit may result in termination of investment services). According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, some licensed Hong Kong institutions—including HSBC Hong Kong and Hong Kong branches of Chinese state-owned banks—have indeed taken such steps recently, targeting mainly long-term inactive accounts. An HSBC spokesperson stated: "When managing investment client relationships, we comply with relevant regulatory requirements. Therefore, we invite relevant mainland Chinese investors to provide self-declarations and confirm that the information they submitted in the Know Your Customer (KYC) and Customer Due Diligence processes is up-to-date and valid. This move helps us continue providing uninterrupted services to clients. The latest declaration requirement applies only to our investment service clients." It is understood that these measures by Hong Kong banks are based on a circular issued by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) on May 22 (synchronized with a circular from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission), rather than any new policy or regulatory guidance. (Yicai)

According to foreign media reports, the Iranian rial has hit an all-time low against the US dollar. This comes after the US announced it would impose unprecedented pressure on Iran's economy. Data from exchange rate tracking website Bonbast shows that on Monday, the rial fell to 2.039 million against the US dollar in Iran's unofficial market. Against the backdrop of the US's efforts to further isolate Iran, the rial has remained under sustained pressure. The US is cutting off Iran's economic lifelines by threatening its few remaining trade partners, blocking its major Persian Gulf ports, and curbing its oil exports. Iran's leading financial newspaper World Economy stated that the rial's depreciation is driven by multiple factors, including blocked foreign exchange transfers, declining exports, rising import demand, and mounting inflation expectations.

In a recent video interview with the Altcoin Daily podcast, Arthur Hayes stated that his new startup project Flop Network plans to airdrop 20% of its total 10-year supply, though this figure may be adjusted later. The purpose of disclosing this number is to collect user feedback, and the FLOP token is expected to rank among the top two cryptocurrencies in the market.

Bernstein analysts have assigned Circle an "Outperform" rating and set a $140 price target. The analysts noted that Circle’s current growth cycle does not depend on the progress of the U.S. Clarity Act. They pointed out that USDC supply increased by $1.7 billion over the past week, while USDC’s market share in stablecoin trading volumes continues to expand—all factors that demonstrate Circle’s business growth momentum remains strong.

On-chain analyst Ai Yi (@ai_9684xtpa) monitored that Hyperliquid’s largest LIT short seller today urgently added $2.5 million in margin, posting an unrealized loss of $5.605 million. The trader holds 2.528 million LIT short positions (valued at approximately $8.9 million) with an average entry price of $1.3. Following LIT’s listing on Upbit today, the token saw a brief rally; to mitigate liquidation risk, the short seller added margin. Currently, the single-coin margin stands at a high of $7.16 million, with a liquidation price of $5.78.

Finance ministers from six EU member states—Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Poland and Austria—recently jointly sent a letter to Ireland, the current rotating presidency of the EU, calling on member states to discuss a mechanism at the upcoming EU Finance Ministers’ meeting in September to tax oil companies that have reaped "excessive profits" due to the Strait of Hormuz blockade and energy supply shocks.