Start now →

US blockade keeps Strait of Hormuz traffic near zero despite White House claims

By Estefano Gomez · Published April 17, 2026 · 2 min read · Source: Crypto Briefing
Market Analysis

The White House says the Strait of Hormuz is open, but commercial traffic remains near zero due to a U.S. blockade. The market for Trump announcing the blockade has been lifted by May 31 sits at 88.5% YES.

The White House statement hasn’t moved traders much. Odds for the blockade being lifted by April 19 hold at 23.5% YES, after a 6-point drop yesterday. The May 31 market is steady, which suggests traders expect a resolution closer to the end of May rather than in the near term.

The market for UK warships passing through the strait by April 30 is at 9.5% YES, down from 12% last week. That decline tracks with the broader skepticism: the blockade is still in effect and the risk environment hasn’t changed.

Total USDC traded across these markets is $33,928. It takes $3,730 to move the May 31 market 5 percentage points, a sign of thin liquidity and cautious positioning. Most traders appear to be waiting for concrete policy shifts or announcements from Trump or the U.S. Navy before committing.

The gap between the White House’s “open” framing and actual shipping data suggests rhetoric, not reality. A YES share in the May 31 market costs 88.5¢, so traders buying at that price need to believe in meaningful de-escalation within the next 45 days.

Watch for official statements from Trump or CENTCOM that clarify the blockade’s status. Shipping data matters too: any actual increase in vessel transits through the strait would be the clearest signal that the blockade is genuinely ending.

Get prediction market intelligence as a structured API feed. Early access waitlist.

Which Countries Will Send Warships Through The Strait Of Hormuz April 30
Contract Odds Δ since publish Volume 24h
April 30 9.5% Trade →
Trump Announces Us Blockade Of Hormuz Lifted
Contract Odds Δ since publish Volume 24h
May 31 88.5% Trade →
April 17 5.1% Trade →
April 19 23.5% Trade →
⚡ Also Impacted by This Story
This article was originally published on Crypto Briefing and is republished here under RSS syndication for informational purposes. All rights and intellectual property remain with the original author. If you are the author and wish to have this article removed, please contact us at [email protected].

NexaPay — Accept Card Payments, Receive Crypto

No KYC · Instant Settlement · Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay

Get Started →