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Gold Experienced Significant Volatility Overnight and into Early Trading 

By
Paul Ugbede Godwin
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Gold experienced significant volatility overnight and into early trading on March 24, 2026. Spot gold prices wicked down sharply below $4,200 with lows reported around $4,100–$4,128 in futures and spot data, marking the lowest levels since December 2025 and a four-month low in some reports.

It then staged a partial recovery, bouncing back toward the $4,400–$4,450 range as of midday UTC, with current spot prices hovering around $4,420–$4,440 per ounce; up modestly on the day in some quotes but still reflecting heavy selling pressure overall.

This created a prominent long lower wick on daily/weekly charts, as selling stalled near the $4,100 area; close to technical support like the 200-day moving average in some analyses before buyers stepped in for a vigorous rebound of several hundred dollars intraday.

Gold has been in a steep pullback, down over 15% from its all-time high near $5,600–$5,600+ in late January 2026. The recent plunge accelerated amid shifting expectations on U.S. interest rates; higher-for-longer bets due to inflation concerns, profit-taking after a massive rally, and mixed impacts from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East including the ongoing Iran-related developments, which haven’t provided the usual safe-haven boost this time.

This kind of wick often signals exhaustion in selling or a potential short-term bottom, though the metal remains under pressure on a weekly/monthly basis (down ~14% in the past month). Middle East tensions—primarily the ongoing U.S.-Israel military conflict with Iran that escalated sharply—have had a complex, two-phase impact on gold and broader markets.

Geopolitical escalation; U.S./Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, Iranian retaliation, threats to the Strait of Hormuz, and spillover risks to Lebanon/Gulf states triggered immediate safe-haven buying. Gold surged rapidly: from around $5,100–$5,200/oz to highs above $5,400 and briefly $5,423 in the first few days, as investors fled riskier assets amid fears of prolonged war, supply disruptions, and uncertainty.

This aligned with gold’s historical role during Middle East flare-ups. Reversal and Downward PressureDespite the conflict entering its third-plus week with ongoing missile/drone exchanges, shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, and no clear ceasefire, gold has not sustained gains and has instead fallen sharply.

The metal has erased all 2026 gains, dropped 15–20% from its post-strike peak, and recently wicked to multi-month lows (consistent with the sub-$4,200 levels noted in early trading today) before a modest rebound. The dominant transmission channel has been economic/inflationary rather than pure geopolitics: Oil price spike (crude surged past $100/barrel at times due to Hormuz risks and energy supply squeezes) ? higher global inflation expectations.

This has fueled bets on fewer Fed rate cuts or even higher-for-longer policy, which hurts non-yielding gold by raising opportunity costs. Stronger U.S. dollar acting as the “ultimate safe haven” in this episode, making dollar-denominated gold more expensive for foreign buyers.

Liquidity-driven selling: Investors tapped gold holdings amid sharp equity market volatility and broader risk-off moves. In short, the war’s inflationary side effects have outweighed its traditional safe-haven appeal this time.

Oil and energy: Volatile but net higher, with risks of further spikes if shipping remains disrupted. Equities and risk assets: Under pressure from higher energy costs and rate uncertainty. Gold trimmed some losses today after reports of President Trump postponing additional strikes on Iran, easing immediate escalation fears and allowing a short-covering bounce.

Analysts note the outlook remains highly event-driven: any de-escalation could cap gold’s upside, while renewed intensification or sustained oil/inflation pain keeps the tug-of-war alive. Technical support sits near the recent lows (~$4,100 area), with resistance overhead around $4,500–$4,600 and higher.

This dynamic explains why gold “wicked below $4,200” overnight despite the headlines—geopolitics is clashing with macro forces. If you’re watching charts or trading this, key levels to monitor include support around $4,100 and resistance near $4,500–$4,600.

The next investment cycle of Tekedia Capital begins April 6, 2026

By
Ndubuisi Ekekwe
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0

The next investment cycle of Tekedia Capital begins in the first week of April 2026. We will be bringing 15 global startups covering photonics, space tech, AI, finance, etc. Join here and co-invest with us https://capital.tekedia.com/course/fee/

Bitcoin Rebounds Above $71K Amid Easing Geopolitical Tensions, But Bearish Undercurrents Persist

By
Ojukwu Emmanuel
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The price of Bitcoin recorded a modest recovery after a period of volatility triggered by geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran.

The rebound followed comments from Donald Trump, who announced on Monday a temporary halt to planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, citing constructive diplomatic discussions. The pause, expected to last five days, helped restore risk sentiment across global markets and provided a boost to cryptocurrencies.

As a result, Bitcoin climbed above the $71,000 mark after previously dipping below $68,000 this week, amid heightened uncertainty. Despite this upward movement, the asset remains approximately 45% below its all-time high of $126,000, underscoring the broader weakness that has characterized the market in recent months.

Notably, Bitcoin has now spent four consecutive months below the $100,000 threshold, its longest stretch under this level since surpassing it in 2024, reinforcing signals of an ongoing bear market phase.

Market dynamics continue to suggest that sellers maintain a dominant position, even as short-term recoveries emerge. Analysts have also pointed to a potential decline in participation from retail investors, raising concerns about reduced grassroots momentum in the current cycle.

During the recent period of U.S.-Iran tensions, Bitcoin outperformed traditional assets such as S&P 500 and gold, highlighting its resilience and growing appeal as an alternative store of value. The ongoing conflict has fueled volatility across financial markets, including equities, commodities, and digital assets, with uncertainty expected to persist given Iran’s continued aggressive stance.

Bitcoin’s long-term performance remains a key factor driving investor interest. Over the past decade, the cryptocurrency has delivered returns of over 15,000%, significantly outpacing the S&P 500 and gold, which posted gains of 289.7% and 125.8%, respectively.

Its evolving decoupling from traditional equities, combined with increasing institutional adoption, such as the expansion of spot Bitcoin ETFs and participation from firms like Morgan Stanley, has further strengthened its position in global portfolios.

Additional advantages, including 24/7 trading, censorship resistance, portability, and a fixed supply, continue to drive adoption, particularly in regions experiencing economic instability or conflict, such as Ukraine, Russia, and Iran.

Market analyst Ali Martinez has highlighted a recurring four-year cycle in Bitcoin’s price behavior, consisting of accumulation, markup, distribution, and bear phases. According to his analysis, the market is currently entering what he describes as the “final discount” stage, potentially presenting a strategic entry window between October 6 and October 16, 2026.

Similarly, analyst Celal projects that Bitcoin could reach a new all-time high of $145,000 between October and November. This outlook is supported by technical indicators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI), which suggests strengthening momentum and the possibility that Bitcoin is forming a price bottom ahead of a significant rally.

From a technical standpoint, Bitcoin must maintain stability above the $70,000 level to sustain its recovery. Immediate resistance is observed near $71,650, with a more critical barrier at $72,000. A decisive breakout above these levels could trigger further upward movement. Conversely, failure to overcome resistance may result in renewed downward pressure.

Outlook

Bitcoin’s near-term trajectory is likely to remain closely tied to macroeconomic developments and geopolitical events. While easing tensions can provide temporary relief rallies, underlying bearish sentiment and reduced retail participation may limit sustained upward momentum in the short term.

However, the medium- to long-term outlook remains cautiously optimistic. Potential monetary easing, increased institutional inflows, and cyclical market patterns could set the stage for a new bullish phase later in 2026.

Africa’s Position in the Next Capital Market Order – Ndubuisi Ekekwe

By
Ndubuisi Ekekwe
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At a time when the global order is being redesigned, ushering fragmentation of power with new rules quietly emerging, the Abuja Conclave brings together a select group of thinkers and operators to interrogate one central question: “What must Africa control, align, or deliberately forgo today to avoid becoming a permanent rule-taker in the next global system?”

Join me and other speakers at the Conclave as we examine this question with clarity and rigor. I will approach it through the lens of the capital market, that foundational construct upon which nations organize capital, coordinate production, and build enduring prosperity. Across human history, no system has been more effective in aggregating resources and scaling development than a well-structured capital market.

The wealth of nations is anchored on its capacity to combine and recombine elemental factors of production, and the capital market is the fulcrum upon which everything happens.

Take a case study and consider this paradox: in a nation like Nigeria where more than 80% of printed money sits outside the banking system, what does that imply? It means capital is not compounding. It means value is idle. It means billions are forfeiting returns that could have been earned through simple sovereign instruments. It means people are operating at MONEY level instead of CAPITAL level. Money delivers largely poverty, capital anchors abundance as money does not have generative production capacity.

So, how does Nigeria, and indeed Africa, reposition in a new capital market order, especially as AI reshapes how value is created, priced, and exchanged? This is the conversation, and why you need to attend.

Date: March 30–31, 2026 | Abuja, Nigeria

Register free here: https://events.16thcouncil.uk/gsn-abuja-conclave/

Join us.

Happy Pay Secures $5M Seed Round to Scale Africa’s First Ad-Subsidised BNPL Network

By
Ojukwu Emmanuel
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0

South African Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform Happy Pay has raised $5 million in a seed funding round to accelerate the growth of what it describes as Africa’s first ad-subsidised payments network.

The round was led by Partech, with participation from Futuregrowth Asset Management, 4Di Capital, E4EAfrica, Equitable Ventures, Felix Strategic Investments, Summit.Deals, and The University Technology Fund.

The newly raised capital will be deployed to expand Happy Pay’s merchant network, scale its presence across both digital and physical retail channels, and further develop its AI-powered advertising and recommendation engine.

Commenting on the investment, Matthieu Marchand noted that after evaluating BNPL companies across Africa, Europe, and the United States, Partech believes Happy Pay’s model offers a compelling value proposition.

According to him, BNPL solutions are most effective when they provide real affordability for consumers while enabling merchants to boost conversions, grow their customer base, build loyalty, and reduce acquisition costs.

Happy Pay’s Co-founder and CEO, Wesley Billet, described the milestone as a significant step in the company’s journey. He emphasized that Happy Pay is not merely a BNPL checkout solution but a broader commerce network designed to eliminate interest costs for consumers.

He wrote,

“Super excited to announce Happy Pay’s $5M Seed Round, led by Partech!  Happy Pay is far more than a Buy Now Pay Later checkout button. We’re building Africa’s first ad-subsidised payments network, an ecosystem spanning online and physical instalment payments connected by an intelligent performance ads engine that delivers cost-free finance for consumers and a new growth channel for retailers.”

South Africa has emerged as one of Africa’s most dynamic markets for Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), driven by a convergence of digital adoption, shifting consumer behavior, and the rapid expansion of e-commerce.

As financial inclusion and alternative credit models gain traction, BNPL is increasingly positioned as a critical component of the country’s evolving fintech ecosystem. Projections indicate that the sector will expand to around $1.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of about 9.8% during the forecast period.

Other estimates suggest even more aggressive expansion, with long-term forecasts pointing to growth rates exceeding 20% annually through the early 2030s, underscoring the sector’s scalability and investor appeal.

Founded in 2023, Happy Pay enables brands and merchants to subsidise the cost of financing by investing in targeted advertising at the point of purchase, creating a system where consumers access interest-free payments while merchants unlock a new growth channel.

The platform offers shoppers the ability to split payments across two pay cycles without interest or upfront deposits. The company says this model helps increase merchants’ average basket sizes and improves customer conversion rates.

Happy Pay operates in a rapidly growing market. With the average credit-active South African spending approximately 28% of their take-home income on debt repayments, the startup is positioning its offering as a more affordable alternative to traditional credit.

Since launch, the company has grown to over 600,000 users, representing a 900% increase, driven largely by younger consumers. It competes with other players in the space such as PayJustNow, Payflex, and Float.

By integrating payments, retail, and advertising into a single ecosystem, Happy Pay is aiming to redefine how credit is delivered and monetised across Africa’s retail landscape.

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