Panda Traders

ISM PMI just printed 52.6 - first real expansion signal in years.
That’s usually what a new business cycle looks like.
Rate cuts are getting closer.
Liquidity is easing again.
And policy tone around crypto is turning more constructive.
Meanwhile:
Adoption keeps accelerating
Big banks are integrating digital assets
Real-world use cases keep expanding globally
We’ve seen this movie before:
2016–2017: Alts +1,000% to +4,000%
2020–2021: Alts +800% to +3,000%
2026 setup: Lower entries.
More survivors.
Potentially a bigger move.
Everyone’s still in disbelief - that’s usually how early phases look.
Zoom out: Alts look like they’ve put a base in.
Alt dominance is trying to break higher vs BTC.
All signs still point to a strong Alt Season in 2026.
Like this and I’ll share the alts I’m accumulating.
Follow so you don’t miss the next post.

$BTC $SOL $ETH
#XCryptoBanMistake #GoldSilverOilSurge #IranConfirmsKhameneiIsDead #BlockAILayoffs

– The war just expanded into Lebanon.

– Hezbollah launched missiles and drones at Israel in retaliation for Khamenei’s k*lling. Israel responded by striking Hezbollah targets across ALL of Lebanon, including Beirut’s southern suburbs.

– More than a dozen explosions rocked Beirut. People are fleeing on foot and by car. Roads are jammed.

– Israel k*lled the head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, Mohammad Raad.

– Israel’s military says its air force has now achieved aerial superiority over Tehran.

– Trump says the US has sunk 9 Iranian warships and “largely destroyed” Iran’s naval headquarters. His exact words: “We are going after the rest, they will soon be floating at the bottom of the sea.”

– The US also destroyed the IRGC headquarters.

– B-2 stealth bombers hit Iran’s ballistic missile facilities with 2,000-lb bombs Saturday night. Over 1,000 targets struck total.

– Iran claims it struck 3 US and UK oil tankers in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. One seafarer k*lled.

– A drone hit a British Royal Air Force base in Cyprus. No casualties. This came hours after the UK approved US use of British bases to strike Iranian missile sites.

– 158 students reported k*lled at a girls’ elementary school in Minab, southern Iran. Girls aged 7-12. UNESCO called it “a grave violation of humanitarian law.” The US military says it’s “looking into” the reports.

– Iran says it will NOT negotiate with the US.

– Trump told the New York Times the war could last “four weeks or less.”

– He also said he’s open to lifting sanctions if Iran’s new leadership is willing to negotiate.

– The IRGC claimed they hit the USS Abraham Lincoln . CENTCOM called it a “lie”, and said “didn’t even come close.”

– Markets just opened.

– Dow futures down 375 points. S&P down 0.74%. Nasdaq down 0.85%.

– Oil exploded. Brent crude surged 8.8% to $82.37. WTI up 8% to $72.38.

– Gold futures jumped 1.6%.

– UBS warns Brent could blow past $120/barrel if this escalates further.

– Hundreds of vessels are anchored and waiting. Hundreds of thousands of travelers are stranded worldwide.

– 9 k*lled and 50+ wounded in Karachi, Pakistan after protesters tried to storm the US Consulate.

– Syria closed ALL airspace and airports for 24 hours. But celebrations broke out in Damascus and Homs over Khamenei’s death, sweets were handed out in the streets.

– Trump says more American casualties are “likely.” He vowed to “avenge” the 3 US soldiers killed.

– Iran’s parliament speaker: “You have crossed our red line and must pay the price.”

– UAE recalled its ambassador from Iran AND shut its embassy in Tehran.

– Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador from Tehran.

– This is wild because Saudi-Iran relations were JUST restored in 2023 via China-brokered deal, now undone.

– Rubio briefing top Senate and House leaders Monday.

– Level 4 “Do Not Travel FOR ANY REASON”, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon.

– “Reconsider Travel”, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Pakistan, Qatar.

– “Exercise Increased Caution”, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE.

– Worldwide Caution issued to ALL Americans globally.

This is Day 3. And it’s getting bigger, not smaller.

If you think this is just about the war, you’re wrong. This situation affects markets worldwide.

But don’t worry, I’ll keep you updated over the next few days like I always do.

Markets move fast, so my tweets are time-sensitive. Turn on notifications so you don’t miss any important updates.
$BTC $SOL $XAU

#XCryptoBanMistake #GoldSilverOilSurge #IranConfirmsKhameneiIsDead #USIsraelStrikeIran #AnthropicUSGovClash

– Iran’s state TV and radio just went off the air after their broadcasting building was struck.
– Massive explosions rocked central Tehran near the intelligence ministry.
– Netanyahu says strikes on Iran “will increase even more in the coming days.”
– Iran’s IRGC just announced the “most ferocious offensive operation” in the history of Iran’s armed forces is about to begin against Israel and US bases.
– 8 k*lled near Jerusalem after Iranian missiles hit Beit Shemesh. A building collapsed.
– Tehran residents are fleeing the capital. Authorities converted a major highway to one-way northbound to handle the traffic.
– Iran’s internet has been down for over 24 hours straight.
– 1,579 more flights canceled today. Dubai airport, 70% of flights gone. Virtually zero flight activity over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, UAE, and Qatar.
– OPEC+ just raised production by 206,000 barrels/day trying to get ahead of the oil shock.
– Gas is $2.98/gallon right now. Analysts say it could jump 50 cents if the Strait of Hormuz fully closes.
– Congress is planning a war powers vote this week. It won’t matter, not enough votes to override a veto.
– Trump spoke with leaders of Israel, Bahrain, and the UAE today.
– Secretary of State Rubio canceled his Monday trip to Israel.
– Oil futures open in hours.
– France is sending its most powerful ships to the region.
– 9 people k*lled in Karachi, Pakistan after protesters tried to storm the US Consulate.
– Pakistan-Afghanistan fighting escalating, Pakistan jets firing on Kabul, heaviest fighting in years between the two.
– UAE ordered ALL schools and universities to remote learning for 3 days.
– Israel says it destroyed ~200 Iranian missile launchers and knocked out HALF of Iran’s missile launchers.
– Trump told NBC “a large amount of leadership was killed, I don’t mean like two people.”
– Sen. Warner (top Dem on Intel Committee): “I saw no intelligence Iran was planning a preemptive strike.”
In my opinion, this is far from over.
This will impact the stock market tomorrow.
But don’t worry, I’ll keep you updated on everything as this develops.
Turn on notifications so you don’t miss any important updates.
$LINK $XAU $BTC
#IranConfirmsKhameneiIsDead #USIsraelStrikeIran #AnthropicUSGovClash #BlockAILayoffs #JaneStreet10AMDump

For the first time in 36 years, Iran has a new face at the top.

Ayatollah Alireza Arafi. 67 years old. And most people have never heard his name.

Here’s everything you need to know about the man now running Iran:

He’s not doing it alone. Iran formed a 3-person leadership council: Arafi, President Pezeshkian, and Chief Justice Mohseni-Eje’i.

They’re splitting Khamenei’s powers between them until the Assembly of Experts picks a permanent Supreme Leader.

But Arafi is the one everyone’s watching.

This guy has been quietly stacking power for DECADES.

Born in 1959 in the small town of Meybod. His father was reportedly close with Khomeini himself, the original Supreme Leader. He was sent to Qom for religious training at age 11.

By 33, Khamenei personally made him Friday prayer leader. That doesn’t happen unless you’re trusted at the highest levels.

He simultaneously held THREE of the most powerful positions in the country:

– Director of Iran’s entire seminary system

– Member of the Guardian Council (the body that vets every law and every candidate)

– Member of the Assembly of Experts (the body that literally picks the Supreme Leader)

The man who now temporarily IS the Supreme Leader was already on the committee that CHOOSES the Supreme Leader.

He’s what makes him different.

He speaks fluent English and Arabic. He met Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2022. And he’s been openly pushing for Iran to adopt artificial intelligence to spread its message globally.

He’s being described by Reuters as a “completely trusted loyalist” of the regime. The IRGC sees him as a safe pair of hands.

Some analysts had him on the shortlist to replace Khamenei for YEARS. Now he’s effectively filling that role, at least temporarily.

The real question: does the Assembly of Experts make it permanent? Or does someone else emerge?

I will keep you updated as this story develops. Turn on notifications so you don’t miss anything.

$BTC $SOL $ETH
#IranConfirmsKhameneiIsDead #USIsraelStrikeIran #AnthropicUSGovClash #BlockAILayoffs #JaneStreet10AMDump