US stock futures drifted lower early Monday, signaling a cautious tone at the start of a busy week for global markets. Sentiment remained under pressure after US–Iran peace talks stalled, which pushed oil prices higher and added to lingering inflation concerns.

While prediction markets are booming – allowing anyone to bet on nearly everything from sports to elections to who’s going to win season 50 of “Survivor” – the little-known federal agency that regulates the industry has shrunk to its smallest size in 15 years.

The answer might surprise investors looking to manage risk under uncertain market conditions.

Natural gas futures fall as a bearish storage report and rising inventory weaken the market. Forecast points lower with soft demand and warm weather in play.

Oil rose in Asia amid rising tensions related to the Strait of Hormuz, while equities in the region advanced gained tracking Wall Street’s gains on Friday.

Perpetual futures allow investors to bet long or short on an asset, often a cryptocurrency, without an end date. Until now, perpetual futures have only been available on offshore markets.

Stock futures fell as the Iran war continues to dominate fiscal headlines ahead of a week stacked with Big Tech earnings.

Bitcoin (BTC) retreated from the $78,000 resistance in the past few days, but it is once again setting its eyes on this key level as market sentiment continues to improve.