The dollar weakened against most major currencies on Wednesday after the U.S. signaled it may be close to an agreement with Iran. President Donald Trump said he would briefly suspend the operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran.

Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, today announced the appointment of Sergiy Martynchuk as senior vice president and group head of Ukraine, Moldova, Southern and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus region. Based in Kiev, Martynchuk will have overall responsibility for Visa’s operations and strategy in 17 countries.

The Ministry of Finance launches a mechanism of continuous subscription to state securities intended for individuals. Since May 4, subscription through the electronic platform eVMS.md is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout the year, without time limits.

Iran’s Central Bank and the IRGC are using the country’s largest crypto exchange to convert dollars. A Reuters investigation found that it processed transactions worth tens and hundreds of millions of dollars related to sanctioned groups, including the Central Bank of Iran and the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

In April 2026, Moldova recorded an agiotic demand of the population for government bonds, which exceeded the authorities’ expectations. Within the April subscription, citizens invested more than 131.5 million lei through the eVMS.md platform, given that the Ministry of Finance’s offer amounted to 85 million lei.

After a decline in previous years, diaspora remittances have shown an upward trend since the beginning of 2026, remaining an important source of support for the solvency of the Moldovan population. In March, $175 million was received. This is more than in January and February and even surpassed the record of the traditionally peak December 2025 ($173.77 million).

Economist Vladimir Golovatiuc notes that the active sale of foreign currency by the Moldovan population has recently become a significant support for the family budget. In his opinion, this indicates the forced use of currency receipts due to the fall in real incomes.

Billionaire Ilon Musk has once again demonstrated the art of market manipulation. His short post on social network X caused mixed reactions from users, once again mixing politics and the crypto market. Although in essence, many considered Musk’s tweet to be “empty” in general.

As of spring 2026, the foreign exchange market of Moldova is characterized by high volatility and instability. At the same time, the situation with meeting the demand for currency is difficult, but does not indicate a complete deficit.

According to the data of the National Bank of Moldova (NBM), in March 2026, the volume of new loans issued amounted to 9,039 million lei. Of these, 70.8% of loans were issued to enterprises (business sector), and 29.2% to individuals. Lending was performed mainly in Moldovan lei (MDL).

The dollar, considered a defensive asset, rebounded amid renewed tensions between the US and Iran. Hopes for a peace agreement are fading as Iran has said it will not participate in the talks. The Strait of Hormuz in the spotlight: Iran has once again blocked this crucial waterway.

In March 2026, the volume of attracted new deposits amounted to 27,254 million lei, one third of which was provided by the population. Compared to February, the volume of new deposits increased by almost 7%.

Market participants and trading companies previously working with cryptocurrencies are switching to trading traditional assets en masse.

The dollar is nearing six-week lows as hopes for talks with Iran offset the military risk premium, dampening hopes for a constructive outcome to U.S.-Iran talks and raising risk appetite among investors in financial markets.

Today, the April round of subscription for government securities opened, which will last until April 22, 2026 through the eVMS.md platform. A special feature of this round was the offer of bonds with a maturity of one year.

Almost 100% of the government’s domestic borrowing goes not to finance budget expenditures, but to service the public debt on loans taken earlier.

One-year government bonds will become available for purchase on the eVMS platform in the second quarter of this year. This is the first time the Ministry of Finance has demonstrated such an “innovative” approach to domestic borrowing by offering “shortened investments” with a maturity of one year and publishing a monthly schedule for the next round of subscriptions.

French cosmetics giant L’Oréal has completed a major deal with Kering, acquiring its Kering Beauté division for €4 billion. The deal also includes the famous Creed perfume house, which strengthens L’Oréal’s position in the premium perfume segment.

Cryptocurrencies and stocks fell after the president’s national address, which undermined a two-day rally based on expectations of an end to the war. The price of oil rose 5% to over $107.

Major currencies are declining against the dollar amid deteriorating risk sentiment after Trump’s speech, showing everyone where the real safe haven lies.
