{"id":72118,"date":"2026-09-22T22:08:21","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T02:08:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-trade-and-tech-in-focus-strait-of-hormuz-traffic-slumps-as-blackrock-eyes-ai-tokenization\/72118\/"},"modified":"2026-09-22T22:08:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T02:08:21","slug":"global-trade-and-tech-in-focus-strait-of-hormuz-traffic-slumps-as-blackrock-eyes-ai-tokenization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-trade-and-tech-in-focus-strait-of-hormuz-traffic-slumps-as-blackrock-eyes-ai-tokenization\/72118\/","title":{"rendered":"Global Trade and Tech in Focus: Strait of Hormuz Traffic Slumps as BlackRock Eyes AI Tokenization"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-trade-and-tech-in-focus-strait-of-hormuz-traffic-slumps-as-blackrock-eyes-ai-tokenization\/72118\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-trade-and-tech-in-focus-strait-of-hormuz-traffic-slumps-as-blackrock-eyes-ai-tokenization\/72118\/#Geopolitical_Tensions_Choke_Global_Energy_Arteries\" >Geopolitical Tensions Choke Global Energy Arteries<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-trade-and-tech-in-focus-strait-of-hormuz-traffic-slumps-as-blackrock-eyes-ai-tokenization\/72118\/#BlackRock_Envisions_a_%22Machine-Native_Economy%22\" >BlackRock Envisions a &quot;Machine-Native Economy&quot;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-trade-and-tech-in-focus-strait-of-hormuz-traffic-slumps-as-blackrock-eyes-ai-tokenization\/72118\/#Corporate_Leaders_Join_High-Stakes_US-China_Diplomacy\" >Corporate Leaders Join High-Stakes U.S.-China Diplomacy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-trade-and-tech-in-focus-strait-of-hormuz-traffic-slumps-as-blackrock-eyes-ai-tokenization\/72118\/#Japans_Economic_Paradox_Rising_Wages_Falling_Spending\" >Japan\u2019s Economic Paradox: Rising Wages, Falling Spending<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-trade-and-tech-in-focus-strait-of-hormuz-traffic-slumps-as-blackrock-eyes-ai-tokenization\/72118\/#Australias_Credit_Strength_Affirmed\" >Australia\u2019s Credit Strength Affirmed<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Strait of Hormuz traffic collapsed to just three commodity vessels on Tuesday<\/strong>, a significant drop from the 10-day average of 17, as geopolitical tensions and a U.S. blockade of Iran-related shipping stifle maritime trade.<\/li>\n<li><strong>BlackRock (<a href=\"\/stock\/BLK\">BLK<\/a>) has proposed the tokenization of AI computing capacity<\/strong>, viewing standardized compute claims as a future digital asset market for financing and programmable settlement.<\/li>\n<li><strong>General Motors (<a href=\"\/stock\/GM\">GM<\/a>) CEO Mary Barra is confirmed to attend President Trump\u2019s state dinner for Xi Jinping<\/strong>, highlighting the auto industry&#39;s central role in upcoming U.S.-China trade negotiations.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Japanese retailer Aeon (<a href=\"\/stock\/8267\">8267<\/a>) launched 1,000-yen jeans<\/strong> to capture cost-conscious consumers as Japan\u2019s household spending continues to fall despite record wage growth.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Export Finance Australia (EFA) maintained its \u2018AAA\u2019 credit rating from Fitch<\/strong>, underpinned by a &quot;virtually certain&quot; guarantee from the Australian government.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Geopolitical_Tensions_Choke_Global_Energy_Arteries\"><\/span>Geopolitical Tensions Choke Global Energy Arteries<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Shipping activity in the <strong>Strait of Hormuz<\/strong> reached a near-standstill on Tuesday, with only <strong>three commodity vessels<\/strong> recorded transiting the waterway. This figure is sharply lower than the recent 10-day average of approximately <strong>17 vessels<\/strong> and represents a fraction of the <strong>125 daily transits<\/strong> seen prior to the regional conflict that began in early 2026.<\/p>\n<p>The decline follows a series of maritime incidents and a rigorous <strong>U.S. blockade<\/strong> aimed at Iranian crude exports. While some tankers continue to transit with transponders disabled to avoid detection, the visible drop in traffic has sent spot charter rates for tankers as high as <strong>$294,000 per day<\/strong>, reflecting a massive surge in insurance and risk premiums for shippers.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"BlackRock_Envisions_a_%22Machine-Native_Economy%22\"><\/span>BlackRock Envisions a &quot;Machine-Native Economy&quot;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In a newly released white paper titled <em>&quot;The Machine-Native Economy,&quot;<\/em> <strong>BlackRock (<a href=\"\/stock\/BLK\">BLK<\/a>)<\/strong> argues that <strong>artificial intelligence<\/strong> and <strong>digital assets<\/strong> are converging into a single financial infrastructure. The firm suggests that <strong>AI computing capacity<\/strong>\u2014the &quot;commodity&quot; of the intelligence age\u2014could soon be <strong>tokenized<\/strong> on blockchains to allow for more efficient financing and 24\/7 programmable settlement between AI agents.<\/p>\n<p>The investment giant projects that hyperscale cloud revenue will exceed <strong>$1 trillion annually by 2030<\/strong>. By treating compute as a tradeable digital asset, BlackRock believes the industry can better manage the <strong>$5 trillion in capital expenditures<\/strong> required for AI infrastructure over the next five years.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Corporate_Leaders_Join_High-Stakes_US-China_Diplomacy\"><\/span>Corporate Leaders Join High-Stakes U.S.-China Diplomacy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>General Motors (<a href=\"\/stock\/GM\">GM<\/a>)<\/strong> CEO <strong>Mary Barra<\/strong> is set to join other elite tech and industrial leaders at a White House state dinner for Chinese President <strong>Xi Jinping<\/strong> this Thursday. The meeting comes at a critical juncture for the automotive sector, as <strong>President Trump<\/strong> signals a potential willingness to allow Chinese automakers to open U.S. plants provided they employ American workers\u2014a move many domestic manufacturers, including GM, have historically viewed with caution.<\/p>\n<p>The summit&#39;s importance was echoed by <strong>South Korean President Lee<\/strong>, who emphasized that the U.S.-China dialogue is the &quot;linchpin&quot; for regional stability. Market analysts are closely watching the dinner for signs of a &quot;thaw&quot; in trade barriers that could impact global supply chains for electric vehicles and semiconductors.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Japans_Economic_Paradox_Rising_Wages_Falling_Spending\"><\/span>Japan\u2019s Economic Paradox: Rising Wages, Falling Spending<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In Japan, <strong>Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi<\/strong> reaffirmed the nation\u2019s commitment to a &quot;peace-loving&quot; and defense-oriented policy, even as the government requests a record <strong>8.9 trillion yen<\/strong> defense budget for 2027. This geopolitical pivot occurs against a backdrop of domestic economic strain; despite a <strong>4.7% surge in nominal wages<\/strong>\u2014the highest in 34 years\u2014real household spending fell by <strong>3.6%<\/strong> in July.<\/p>\n<p>Responding to this &quot;cost-consciousness,&quot; retail giant <strong>Aeon (<a href=\"\/stock\/8267\">8267<\/a>)<\/strong> has introduced <strong>1,000-yen ($7.00) jeans<\/strong>, a move designed to attract consumers who are increasingly prioritizing savings over discretionary spending. The retailer&#39;s strategy highlights a growing disconnect between corporate wage growth and actual consumer confidence in the face of persistent inflation.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Australias_Credit_Strength_Affirmed\"><\/span>Australia\u2019s Credit Strength Affirmed<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Fitch Ratings<\/strong> has affirmed <strong>Export Finance Australia\u2019s (EFA)<\/strong> Long-Term Issuer Default Rating at <strong>\u2018AAA\u2019<\/strong> with a stable outlook. The rating agency noted that EFA\u2019s creditworthiness is equalized with the Australian sovereign rating due to a <strong>legislated guarantee<\/strong> under the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Act 1991. Fitch described the likelihood of government support as &quot;virtually certain,&quot; providing a stable foundation for Australia&#39;s trade financing amid global volatility.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways Strait of Hormuz traffic collapsed to just three commodity vessels on Tuesday, a significant drop from the 10-day 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