Oxford Economics forecasts global food prices will rise 11.8% in 2026, with grains, fruit and vegetables, and dairy expected to be hit hardest. After Europe’s heatwave, cereals trade group Coceral cut its combined EU27 and UK grain harvest forecast to 286.6 million tonnes. Germany’s Farmers’ Association has warned the country’s grain output is expected to fall 7% to 41.9 million tonnes after drought and heatwaves.

Twenty One Capital reported a $413.5 million second-quarter net loss, with more than 97% driven by changes in the value of its Bitcoin holdings. The company recorded a $401.5 million loss from changes in the value of its digital assets and held 43,514 Bitcoin valued at about $2.78 billion. It ranks as the second-largest publicly traded Bitcoin treasury company, while Japan-based Metaplanet holds 43,000 BTC and is closing in. Twenty One ended the quarter with $106.1 million in cash and about $484.5 million in convertible notes outstanding.

PUMP rose 11.9% to USD 0.00309464 as USD 11.52M in 7-day revenue and attention supported the move; a 0.0031139 close remains the key test.

Niu Lai rose 22.6% in 24 hours as USD 54.124 million turnover and meme attention met a newly listed, high-volatility market.

ACE gained 50.8% in 24 hours as turnover reached 8.46x market cap; concentrated ownership and elevated attention keep reversal risk high.

MCX gold and silver futures edged lower in early trade on August 19 as higher oil prices, amid stalled U.S.-Iran talks, reinforced expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike. October gold futures fell 0.03% and September silver futures dropped 0.93%. Brent crude extended gains for a fourth straight session to near $92 a barrel after U.S. President Donald Trump said no negotiations were underway with Iran and disputed Tehran’s claim that the Strait of Hormuz remained closed to shipping.

Wall Street fell as AI-related stocks retreated, a move expected to weigh on the ASX at the open. Gold prices dropped 1.8% overnight, pressuring gold miners. Santos rose 3% after lifting its production outlook, while Healius fell 3.4% on a wider full-year net loss. Stockland jumped 13.7% after reporting a 20.2% increase in profit.

HIVE Digital Technologies recorded an $84.7 million noncash tax provision in Sweden after unfavorable court rulings prompted a change in its accounting assessment tied to disputed VAT exposure. The provision exceeded the company’s $79.1 million quarterly revenue and amounted to about 40.7% of its $208 million cash balance. HIVE received 1,004 BTC during the quarter, but the charge contributed to a $142.9 million GAAP net loss.