The prices of oil futures tumbled on Tuesday following United States President Donald Trump’s inauguration. After officially returning to the White House, the US head of state vowed to increase the production of oil and gas in the country. In order to achieve his “Drill, baby, drill” goals, Trump imposed a national energy emergency. West Texas Intermediate for March deliveries declined going for $76.40 per barrel. Brent for the same month’s settlements fell selling at $79.18 a barrel.
Trump to declare energy emergency: ‘Drill, baby, drill’
US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will sign an executive order declaring a national energy emergency to increase US oil and gas production and reduce consumer costs. “Drill, baby, drill,” Trump added during his inaugural address, emphasizing the importance of energy independence to drive down costs and strengthen the US. Additionally, Trump plans to utilize natural resources in Alaska and protect gas appliances from federal regulations, fulfilling campaign promises.
Trump Prepares Energy Executive Orders
President-elect Donald Trump is preparing to sign a host of executive orders related to energy in the first hours after his inauguration. Bloomberg reported that Trump plans to declare a national energy emergency right after he’s sworn in as part of his plan to boost oil and gas production. According to a Wall Street Journal report, in addition to energy, Trump will target immigration and government hiring policies with his first executive orders. The planned changes include declaring a national emergency on the border between the United States and Mexico, redirecting funding to border infrastructure, reversing the diversity, equity, and inclusion policies of the previous administration, and canceling the federal land and offshore oil and gas drilling bans that President Biden signed while he was in office. As for the emergency that Trump is reportedly preparing to declare, Bloomberg wrote that it was unclear yet what it would be used to do specifically. The publication noted, however, that with such a declaration a president can “unlock special powers over the transportation of crude and use authorities to direct shifts in how electricity is generated and transmitted.” “We’re going to be using our emergency powers to allow countries and entrepreneurs and people with a lot of money build big plants, AI plants,” Trump said on the campaign trail. “We need double the energy that we already have, and it’s going to end up being more than that.” Another direction of Trump’s energy policies is cutting off funding for transition technologies, including EV subsidies, the Wall Street Journal noted in its report. The president-elect has also threatened to ban offshore wind on his first day in office. Trump has called wind power “an economic and environmental disaster.” However, he would be limited in his efforts to stop new wind turbine construction to federal lands.
SEC fines Vanguard over $100M to settle charges
United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on Friday that it fined the investment management advisor The Vanguard Group, Inc. with $106.41 million to settle its charges related to “misleading statements related to capital gains distributions and tax consequences for retail investors who held Vanguard Investor Target Retirement Funds (Investor TRFs) in taxable accounts.” The SEC stated that Vanguard reduced the minimum investment requirement for its Institutional Target Retirement Funds (Institutional TRFs) in 2020, which triggered redemptions as Vanguard clients transitioned from Investor TRFs to institutional versions. The SEC’s order found the redemptions resulted in taxable distributions for certain remaining shareholders, which Vanguard reportedly did not adequately disclose. “Materially accurate information about capital gains and tax implications is critical to investors saving for their retirements,” Chief of the Division of Enforcement’s Asset Management Unit, Corey Schuster, said. “Firms must ensure that they are accurately describing to investors the potential risks and consequences associated with their investments,” he added.
USA EIA Reveals Latest WTI Oil Price Forecasts
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) revealed its latest West Texas Intermediate (WTI) spot price forecasts in its January short term energy outlook (STEO), which was released recently. In that STEO, the EIA projected that the WTI spot price will average $70.31 per barrel in 2025 and $62.46 per barrel in 2026. The EIA’s previous STEO, which was released in December, forecast that the 2025 WTI spot price would average $69.12 per barrel. That STEO did not include a WTI spot price forecast for 2026. A quarterly breakdown included in the latest STEO showed that the EIA expects the WTI spot price to come in at $72.34 per barrel in the first quarter of this year, $71 per barrel in the second quarter, $70 per barrel in the third quarter, $68 per barrel in the fourth quarter, $64.97 per barrel in the fifth quarter of 2026, $63.33 per barrel in the second quarter, $61.68 per barrel in the third quarter, and $60 per barrel in the fourth quarter of next year.
The EIA’s December STEO projected that the WTI spot price would average $69.67 per barrel in the first quarter of 2025, $69.83 per barrel in the second quarter, $69.50 per barrel in the third quarter, and $67.50 per barrel in the fourth quarter. The EIA’s January STEO put the 2024 WTI spot price average at $76.60 per barrel. Its December STEO had it at $76.51 per barrel.
JPM Commodities Research team on Monday revealed that J.P. Morgan expects the WTI crude price to average $69 per barrel in 2025, and $57 per barrel in 2026. The company sees the WTI crude price coming in at $70 per barrel in the first quarter of this year, $73 per barrel in the second quarter, $69 per barrel in the third quarter, $65 per barrel in the fourth quarter, $60 per barrel in the first quarter of next year, $59 per barrel in the second quarter, $55 per barrel in the third quarter, and $53 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to the research note. The research note put the 2024 WTI price average at $77 per barrel.
Standard Chartered Bank Commodities Research Head Paul Horsnell this week showed that Standard Chartered expects the NYMEX WTI Basis nearby future crude oil price to average $79 per barrel in the first quarter of 2025, $81 per barrel in the second quarter, $86 per barrel in the third quarter, $90 per barrel in the fourth quarter, $88 per barrel in the first quarter of 2026, and $90 per barrel in the second quarter.
BMI report by the Fitch Group last month showed that BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, projected that the WTI crude front month price would average $77 per barrel in 2024 and $73 per barrel in 2025.
Macquarie team on strategists noted that “both WTI and Brent speculative (MM + Other) net length grew over the past week”. “WTI net length increased by 37.9K while Brent rose by 22.3K. WTI spec net length gained as new long interest was over five greater than added shorts,” the strategists highlighted in that report.
XS.com, Senior Market Analyst Antonio Di Giacomo, highlighted that the price of WTI crude oil had “experienced a notable increase, surpassing $80 per barrel”.
Gaza Ceasefire Agreement Halts the Oil Price Rally
Oil prices have stopped rallying as a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas could lead to the end of the Houthi bombardments of the Red Sea, but prices are still set to end the week with a gain. The recent relentless oil price rally that saw Brent break $82 appears to have slowed, but backwardation continues to expand in both Dubai and Brent futures. A potential de-escalation between Israel and Hamas, leading to the Houthis ending their maritime warfare in the Red Sea, could bring flat prices lower from next week onwards.
THIS IS AN URGENT WARNING TO ALL BITCOIN OWNERS:
Q-DAY IS COMING…THE DAY WHEN QUANTUM COMPUTERS WILL STEAL ALL YOUR BITCOIN…UNLESS YOU ACT FAST!
Microsoft 2025: The year to become Quantum-Ready
“We find ourselves in an exciting and pivotal time. We are at the advent of the reliable quantum computing era. And we are right on the cusp of seeing quantum computers solve meaningful problems and capture new business value. As we look toward the next 12 months, the pace of quantum research and development is only going to accelerate, making this a critical and catalyzing time for business leaders to act.”
“Brace For Q-Day…The Day Your Bitcoin Will Be Stolen”
– Center for International Governance Innovation
A Special FREE Report is now available that can save you from financial ruin –- and even help you get filthy rich too
More about that after I tell you why your Bitcoin is in serious jeopardy of being ripped off – and soon!
So what exactly is Q-Day?
It’s when powerful new quantum computers finally break Bitcoin’s encryption code and rip off every last cent. It’s been all over the financial news, and analysts around the world are scared to death. Your Bitcoins will be stolen before you even know it. Worst of all, there may be nothing anybody can do to stop it.
Quantum Computing Breakthrough: Good News For Science, Medicine & Technology….. But An Absolute Disaster For Bitcoin…But An Absolute Disaster For Bitcoin
A few weeks ago, Google introduced a new quantum supercomputer called Willow, I call it the BEAST, that changes everything. Unlike ordinary classical computers, Willow runs on the principles of quantum mechanics. Instead of bits, it uses qubits which allows it to make trillions of calculations in nanoseconds.
In a mind-blowing feat, Willow’s 105-qubit chip completed a calculation that would’ve taken our fastest supercomputer a mind-boggling 10 septillion years (that’s 10 followed by 24 zeros) a mere 5 minutes.
Major tech companies and governments are all in the race to build AI Quantum computers, such as Musk’s xAI, IBM’s HERON, and Microsoft’s AZURE are leading the investments in quantum computing. Hostile state actors like China and Russia have quantum AI computers. Pictured below is the China (They are spending 15 times the money as the US) quantum computer the ZuchongzhiZ
Most of the world is cheering because it will revolutionize the development of new medicine, optimize energy grids, automotive design and materials, aerospace, and almost everything else you can think of.
Quantum Computers Have Bitcoin Analysts Freaking Out
Because they can break previous encryption codes that classical computers couldn’t. Even scarier, it has already started
A bank of quantum computers in China and Russia as we speak are working to break the cryptocurrency encryption, allowing thieves to steal at least $3.8 trillion in Bitcoin.
Just so you don’t think I’m an alarmist, exaggerating or lost my mind completely…expert financial analysts and respected publications are all terrified about Q-Day.
“Bitcoin is a timebomb ready to explode.”
– Wall Street Journal
“Quantum computers come for Bitcoin.”
– Forbes
“Reported on Kent Carlos Perez-Delgado, a researcher at the University of Kent:”
“If I had a large quantum computer right now, I would essentially take over All the Bitcoin.”
– Fortune
“Bitcoin contributors should start preparing for the quantum future.”
– AllianceBernstein
the co-founder of the prominent cryptocurrency Ethereum, admitted that advancing quantum computing tech has “consequences across the entire Ethereum roadmap.”
– Vitalik Buterin
I hope I’ve now convinced you that the threat to Bitcoin is real and it’ll be here any day. Maybe even today or tomorrow.
5 minutes to steal all your bitcoin
“Q-Day might come in 2025, Tilo Kunz Executive Vice President of the Canadian cybersecurity firm Quantum Defense.”
– Tilo Kunz
The bottom line: It’s not a matter of if Bitcoin is hacked, but when.
Still Skeptical? Well, Did You Know That Bitcoin Was Hacked Before?
- Since 2011, Bitcoin has been ripped-off to the tune of a staggering $138,202,386,000
- Etherium losses to hackers: $1,175,082
- TOTAL: $142,315,183,000 at current Bitcoin prices
Still, that’s chump-change compared to what will be $3 Trillion stolen by quantum computers this year.
And the ripple effect would send the world into an economic crisis that would make the Great Depression pale in comparison.
Important Points to Consider
Still, that’s chump-change compared to what will be stolen by quantum computers. And the ripple effect would send the world into an economic crisis that would make the Great Depression pale in comparison.
So why hack Bitcoin? To quote bank robber, Willie Sutton, “because that’s where the money is.” All $3.8 trillion worth of Bitcoin –- including yours.
Stealing Bitcoin Is A Piece of Cake
So why is stealing Bitcoin so easy? As experts say, the new quantum computers make it a snap because they can run so many calculations so fast. While classical computers use binary 0s and 1s, quantum computers use Qubits that can be in two states — 0 and 1 — at the same time.
Weird, isn’t it? But it accounts for quantum computers’ amazing power.
As such, analysts now realize that SHA-256 encryption, which serves as a security measure protecting Bitcoin, is no match for quantum computers.
On top of that, consider that there’s:
- No reserve.
- No government guarantee.
- No central computer or authority.
- Most people have no insurance.
- And nobody has seen the source code and nobody knows who even invented Bitcoin.
Now you know why everyone is panicing.
Bitcoin’s Quantum Weakness
Bitcoin is considered ultra-secure against classical computers, but particularly vulnerable to quantum computers. That’s because every time a transaction is made, a public key is available to everyone and a private key, visible only to the spenders, are generated.
This key combination is then digitally ‘written’ onto a ledger of monetary transactions (copy below) within the system – aka a blockchain.
But there’s a catch, a large gaping hole for hackers. The Bitcoin transaction is not fully secure until it has been integrated into the blockchain. There’s a vulnerability window that can be manipulated, not by regular computers but by quantum computers that once they had access, they would simply divert the funds to a different address.
And poof, just like that, your money’s gone. Easy peasy.
So Why Doesn’t Bitcoin Just Push Out A New Encryption Update?
As Fortune points out, Bitcoin’s decentralized nature could make pushing an encryption update an immense task. By the time they push out an update your money will be long gone.
This One Simple Move Can Protect You From the Bitcoin Disaster
THE COMING BITCOIN Q-DAY CRASH
In this timely and comprehensive report, you’ll get news and analysis you won’t find anywhere else. You’ll get all of Bitcoins “forbidden secrets” and believe me, it will blow you away.
Most of all, you’ll find out how to:
- Protect your Bitcoin so it won’t get stolen
- Hedge your Bitcoin so you don’t lose your money when it crashes
- Take your money out of the quantum computer hackers’ reach once and for all
- Make millions from the coming collapse even as others get wiped out
THIS MAY BE YOUR LAST CHANCE TO SAVE YOUR BITCOIN INVESTMENT AND GET FILTHY RICH IN THE PROCESS.
YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO WAIT A MINUTE LONGER. ACT NOW!
Nick Guarino
Financial Analyst & Startigic Advisor
Publisher of The Wall Street Underground Celebrating our 30 year anniversary
Israel’s security cabinet greenlights Gaza deal
Israeli security cabinet voted on Friday in favor of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage agreement previously reached between Hamas and Israel, calling on the wider government to accept it as well, according to a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
During the meeting, as per a Kan correspondent, Netanyahu read out commitments given by outgoing United States President Joe Biden, as well as excerpts from his conversation with Biden’s successor, Donald Trump, in which Israel was given guarantees that should negotiations in part two of the deal fall through, the fighting will continue.
The full cabinet will now vote on the agreement.
Houthis Signal Pause on Red Sea Ship Attacks After Gaza Truce
The Yemen-based Houthis signaled a pause in their months-long attacks on commercial ships following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. In his first comments since the Gaza truce accord was announced on Wednesday, Houthi leader Abdulmalik Al-Houthi said that the group would follow the agreement, suggesting a halt in its campaign on vessels and on Israel. Still, he left the door open for resuming the attacks, which would likely mean shipping firms will remain very cautious of returning to the Red Sea. “We will continue to follow the stages of implementing the agreement,” Al-Houthi said in a speech Thursday. “Any Israeli breach, massacre, or siege — we will be immediately ready to provide military support to Palestinians.” He didn’t clarify if he was referring to attacks on Israel or on ships. Ship owners and insurers have been waiting for the Houthis to signal their intent in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, following months of missile and drone firings that have sunk some vessels, damaged many and forced a large majority to avoid the crucial trade route altogether. The Houthis and Israel have also been hitting each other directly. The US-supported Gaza agreement is meant to start on Sunday, though that depends on Israel’s security cabinet approving it on Friday. The Houthis, an Islamist group that’s designated as terrorists by the US and is backed by Iran, started their attacks in late 2023 in solidarity with Palestinians as the Israel-Hamas war raged. They said they’d continue until fighting ended. Most Western-linked container ships have over the past year chosen to take the much longer route around southern Africa when sailing between Asia and Europe, and kept clear of the Red Sea. That’s squeezed global shipping capacity, lifting freight rates and boosted the earnings of carriers like Mitsui OSK.
Trump Team Readies Oil Sanctions Plan for Russia Deal, Iran Squeeze
Advisers to President-elect Donald Trump are crafting a wide-ranging sanctions strategy to facilitate a Russia-Ukraine diplomatic accord in the coming months while at the same time squeezing Iran and Venezuela, people familiar with the matter said. The outgoing Biden administration on Friday imposed the most disruptive sanctions on Russia’s oil trade by any Western power to date. The move created an open question about how Trump views the measures, given his commitment to quickly ending the war in Ukraine. There are two main approaches under consideration by the Trump team. One set of policy recommendations — if the incoming administration believes a resolution to the Ukraine war is in sight — involves some good-faith measures to benefit sanctioned Russian oil producers that could help seal a peace deal, said the people, requesting anonymity as the deliberations are private. A second option would build on the sanctions, ramping up pressure even further to increase leverage, they said. The approach that Trump ultimately chooses is pivotal to the global oil market. Brent futures have gained almost $5 a barrel since Biden’s measures were announced. Some analysts anticipate further gains, something that would drive up fuel costs around the world. The Trump team’s plans are in the early stages and ultimately depend on the president-elect himself, the people said. Last week, Trump said a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin was being set up, raising the prospect of potential near-term negotiations to end the war. The strategy discussions include some of Trump’s cabinet nominees as well as former sanctions officials in his first administration, the people said. Several conservative-leaning think tanks are also being sounded out. The transition team has yet to announce Trump’s picks for some key roles involved in economic statecraft.
Trump’s advisers will ultimately be wrestling how to avoid major supply and price disruptions to the oil market at a time when Washington has extensive sanctions on three of the world’s top producers.
For the Trump team, a more-aggressive Russian policy mix could entail greater enforcement of secondary sanctions on oil trading, penalizing European shippers as well as Asian buyers, including major entities in China and India, the people said. Another possible approach: Pushing for more assertive interventions on tankers moving Russia’s oil through the vital Danish and Turkish chokepoints. A softer-touch scenario might mean issuing general licenses and lifting the price cap to higher than $60 per barrel — moves that would encourage Russian oil to keep flowing to the market. In his confirmation hearing on Wednesday for secretary of state, Marco Rubio cited the sanctions as a key piece of leverage that could bring about a peaceful resolution. Elsewhere, the Trump team is also assessing policy options for Iran and Venezuela. There’s a general consensus among his key advisers to return to a full maximum pressure strategy targeting Tehran, starting with a big sanctions package that hits major players in the oil industry, which could come as early as February, the people said. During Trump’s first term, a similar approach significantly curtailed Iranian oil exports, though they’ve climbed since President Joe Biden took office. The situation is more complex in Venezuela, where long-time ruler Nicolas Maduro just got sworn in for another term amid widespread evidence of election fraud but US oil firms like Chevron Corp. also have a presence.