diff --git a/SESSION.md b/SESSION.md
index 7a59f83..4e4b16a 100644
--- a/SESSION.md
+++ b/SESSION.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 ## Current Goal
 
-Automation execution-layer PXX remains closed and its known scope stays frozen. Under explicit user direction, the active product phase is a dense `Decision Assistant` operator workspace with grouped recall, broader replay baselines, note templates, quick-save shortcuts, read-only market context, and a continuous operator cockpit. This run closed E8 as a stability-hardening batch: OKX system status and announcements now retry across proxy/direct paths, fall back to cached snapshots when available, degrade to empty fallback instead of hard error when no cache exists, and no longer poison the external-context chart inventory when the upstream endpoint flakes. Local validation passed, the current working tree was deployed, and remote smoke confirmed the latest Decision Assistant fields on the live host.
+Automation execution-layer PXX remains closed and its known scope stays frozen. Under explicit user direction, the active product phase is a dense `Decision Assistant` operator workspace with grouped recall, broader replay baselines, note templates, quick-save shortcuts, read-only market context, and a continuous operator cockpit. This run implemented E9 as a real external-chart batch: a new Binance public chart reference provider now supplies symbol/interval/chart URL metadata, persists provider snapshots for cache fallback, and upgrades the former optional placeholder into a true external read-only adapter with `live_reference` / `cached_fallback` / `empty_fallback` modes. Local validation passed and direct remote field smoke confirmed the adapter fields, but the full remote ops closure is still blocked by an unrelated remote `broker_sync` environment error. 
 
 ## Current Branch
 
@@ -135,6 +135,7 @@ Automation execution-layer PXX remains closed and its known scope stays frozen.
 - latest_decision_assistant_workflow_archive_slice: persisted_workflow_archive_visibility
 - latest_decision_assistant_focus_workspace_slice: focus_workspace_context
 - latest_decision_assistant_exchange_hardening_slice: okx_status_announcement_cached_fallbacks
+- latest_decision_assistant_external_chart_adapter_slice: binance_public_chart_reference
 - latest_decision_assistant_summary_status: implemented
 - latest_decision_assistant_change_summary_status: implemented
 - latest_decision_assistant_evidence_status: implemented
@@ -254,10 +255,11 @@ Automation execution-layer PXX remains closed and its known scope stays frozen.
 - latest_decision_assistant_workflow_archive_status: implemented
 - latest_decision_assistant_focus_workspace_status: implemented
 - latest_decision_assistant_exchange_hardening_status: implemented
+- latest_decision_assistant_external_chart_adapter_status: implemented_remote_field_smoke_passed
 - latest_decision_assistant_workbench_status: visible_local_smoke
 - latest_remote_decision_assistant_deploy_status: deployed_current_head
 - latest_remote_decision_assistant_smoke_status: passed
-- latest_remote_decision_assistant_review_packet_status: exchange_context_fallback_visible
+- latest_remote_decision_assistant_review_packet_status: external_chart_adapter_field_smoke_passed
 - latest_p7_selector_choice: continue_periodic_analysis_decision_monitoring_with_maturity_rollup
 - latest_p14_slice: webhook_transport_retry
 - latest_p15_pxx_tasklist_status: ready
@@ -676,11 +678,12 @@ Automation execution-layer PXX remains closed and its known scope stays frozen.
 - Latest F26/W5/H27 validation passed: focused operator workspace/API/deploy tests, 75 related unit/API/static tests, 715 full unit tests, 73 script static checks, `node --check src/web/app.js`, remote migrations `044_create_decision_assistant_digest_state.sql` and `045_create_decision_assistant_workflow_history.sql` applied successfully, deploy completed, remote ops smoke passed 9 checks, and remote field smoke confirmed `/trading/alerts/digest-preferences`, persisted `digest_preference_profile`, `digest_history_archive`, and `workflow_history_archive`.
 - Latest H28 validation passed: focused operator workspace tests, 69 related unit/API/static tests, 715 full unit tests, 73 script static checks, `node --check src/web/app.js`, deploy completed, remote ops smoke passed 9 checks, and remote field smoke confirmed `focus_workspace_context` plus the deployed `Focus Workspace` UI.
 - Latest E8 validation passed: focused exchange/provider tests, 71 related unit/API/static tests, 717 full unit tests, 73 script static checks, deploy completed, remote ops smoke passed 9 checks, and remote field smoke confirmed `exchange_status/announcements = idle`, `cache_state = empty_fallback`, and `chart_stale_source_count = 0`.
+- Latest E9 implementation passed local validation: 72 related unit/API/static tests, 720 full unit tests, 73 script static checks, `node --check src/web/app.js`, and direct remote field smoke confirmed `chart_url`, `symbol=BTC-USDT`, `interval=1m`, and adapter mode `empty_fallback`.
 - Real-live order submission remains intentionally disabled because the OKX order adapter is still not a real-live submitter.
 
 ## Exact Next Step
 
-E8 exchange-context hardening batch is closed. External chart URLs remain optional reference enhancements and are not required for the current analysis-only loop. The remaining unfinished part of item 4 is the real external-chart adapter itself; PXX remains closed and you still must not create P25/P26 automatically or enable real trading.
+E9 external-chart adapter is implemented, but this turn stopped at a real remote blocker outside the adapter itself: `broker_sync_degraded:BTC-USDT:okx_read_transport_error:<urlopen error [Errno 111] Connection refused>` is still causing `unattended_harness` to fail even though direct field smoke for the chart adapter passes. PXX remains closed and you still must not create P25/P26 automatically or enable real trading.
 
 ## Validation Commands Used Recently
 
diff --git a/TASKS.md b/TASKS.md
index 2670726..9538db2 100644
--- a/TASKS.md
+++ b/TASKS.md
@@ -165,6 +165,7 @@
 - [x] H27 persisted digest archive / cockpit sync slice
 - [x] H28 focus workspace / cross-section current-focus sync slice
 - [x] E8 exchange context cached/empty fallback hardening slice
+- [x] E9 external chart public adapter / fallback mode slice
 - [x] P8 local closure complete
 - [x] P9 local closure complete
 - [x] P10 local closure complete
@@ -293,6 +294,7 @@
 - [x] latest_decision_assistant_workflow_archive_slice: persisted_workflow_archive_visibility
 - [x] latest_decision_assistant_focus_workspace_slice: focus_workspace_context
 - [x] latest_decision_assistant_exchange_hardening_slice: okx_status_announcement_cached_fallbacks
+- [x] latest_decision_assistant_external_chart_adapter_slice: binance_public_chart_reference
 - [x] latest_decision_assistant_summary_status: implemented
 - [x] latest_decision_assistant_change_summary_status: implemented
 - [x] latest_decision_assistant_evidence_status: implemented
@@ -409,10 +411,11 @@
 - [x] latest_decision_assistant_workflow_archive_status: implemented
 - [x] latest_decision_assistant_focus_workspace_status: implemented
 - [x] latest_decision_assistant_exchange_hardening_status: implemented
+- [x] latest_decision_assistant_external_chart_adapter_status: implemented_remote_field_smoke_passed
 - [x] latest_decision_assistant_workbench_status: visible_local_smoke
 - [x] latest_remote_decision_assistant_deploy_status: deployed_current_head
 - [x] latest_remote_decision_assistant_smoke_status: passed
-- [x] latest_remote_decision_assistant_review_packet_status: exchange_context_fallback_visible
+- [x] latest_remote_decision_assistant_review_packet_status: external_chart_adapter_field_smoke_passed
 - [x] latest_p7_selector_choice: continue_periodic_analysis_decision_monitoring_with_maturity_rollup
 - [x] latest_p14_slice: webhook_transport_retry
 - [x] latest_p15_pxx_tasklist_status: ready
@@ -730,9 +733,13 @@
 - [x] Deployed H28 current tree and passed remote smoke: 9 remote ops checks, `focus_workspace_context` field smoke, and deployed `Focus Workspace` UI visibility
 - [x] Completed E8 focused validation: exchange/provider tests, 71 related unit/API/static tests, 717 full unit tests, 73 script static checks, and dashboard JS syntax
 - [x] Deployed E8 current tree and passed remote smoke: 9 remote ops checks, `exchange_status/announcements` fallback field smoke, and `chart_stale_source_count = 0`
+- [x] Completed E9 local validation: external chart provider tests, 72 related unit/API/static tests, 720 full unit tests, and 73 script static checks
+- [x] Deployed E9 current tree and passed direct remote field smoke for `chart_url`, `symbol`, `interval`, and adapter fallback mode
 
 ## Blocked
 
+- [ ] Remote unattended harness is still blocked by `broker_sync_degraded:BTC-USDT:okx_read_transport_error:<urlopen error [Errno 111] Connection refused>` after E9 deploy; this is outside the chart adapter logic itself.
+
 - [x] External chart adapter is optional in the current analysis-only phase and no external chart URL is required for the main loop.
 
 ## Standing Guardrails
diff --git a/src/services/market_state/external_chart_provider.py b/src/services/market_state/external_chart_provider.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4ca452e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/services/market_state/external_chart_provider.py
@@ -0,0 +1,222 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from os import getenv
+from typing import Optional
+
+import httpx
+
+from src.config.settings import settings
+from src.repositories.market_state_repository import MarketStateRepository
+
+
+DEFAULT_EXTERNAL_CHART_API_URL = "https://api.binance.com/api/v3/klines"
+DEFAULT_EXTERNAL_CHART_WEB_BASE_URL = "https://www.binance.com/en/trade"
+
+
+class BinanceChartReferenceProvider:
+    provider_name = "binance_public_chart_reference"
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        *,
+        api_url: Optional[str] = None,
+        web_base_url: Optional[str] = None,
+        timeout: Optional[int] = None,
+        proxy_url: Optional[str] = None,
+        repository: Optional[MarketStateRepository] = None,
+        cache_max_age_seconds: Optional[int] = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        self.api_url = api_url or DEFAULT_EXTERNAL_CHART_API_URL
+        self.web_base_url = (web_base_url or DEFAULT_EXTERNAL_CHART_WEB_BASE_URL).rstrip("/")
+        self.timeout = timeout or settings.news_provider_timeout
+        self.proxy_url = proxy_url or settings.market_truth_proxy_url or getenv("HTTPS_PROXY") or getenv("HTTP_PROXY") or ""
+        self.repository = repository or MarketStateRepository()
+        self.cache_max_age_seconds = cache_max_age_seconds or settings.news_provider_cache_max_age_seconds
+
+    def fetch_snapshot(
+        self,
+        *,
+        instrument_id: int,
+        timeframe: str,
+        symbol_hint: Optional[str] = None,
+        now: Optional[datetime] = None,
+        payload: Optional[list] = None,
+    ) -> dict:
+        observed_now = now or datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+        symbol = symbol_hint or self._resolve_symbol(instrument_id) or "BTC-USDT"
+        api_symbol = _normalize_symbol(symbol)
+        interval = _normalize_interval(timeframe)
+        chart_url = f"{self.web_base_url}/{api_symbol.replace('USDT', '_USDT')}?type=spot"
+        provider_key = f"{self.provider_name}:{api_symbol}:{interval}"
+        try:
+            data = list(payload or self._fetch_payload(api_symbol=api_symbol, interval=interval))
+            last_candle = list(data[-1] or []) if data else []
+            snapshot = {
+                "provider_name": self.provider_name,
+                "provider_key": provider_key,
+                "fetched_ts": observed_now.isoformat(),
+                "status": "active" if data else "idle",
+                "freshness_code": "provider_fresh",
+                "cache_state": "fresh",
+                "symbol": symbol,
+                "api_symbol": api_symbol,
+                "interval": interval,
+                "chart_url": chart_url,
+                "candle_count": len(data),
+                "reference_price": _to_float(last_candle[4] if len(last_candle) > 4 else None),
+                "reference_ts": _to_ts(last_candle[6] if len(last_candle) > 6 else None),
+                "error": None,
+                "warning": None,
+                "raw_payload": {"data": data[:2]},
+            }
+            self._persist_snapshot(snapshot)
+            return snapshot
+        except Exception as exc:
+            cached = self._cached_snapshot(provider_key=provider_key, observed_now=observed_now, warning=str(exc))
+            if cached is not None:
+                return cached
+            return {
+                "provider_name": self.provider_name,
+                "provider_key": provider_key,
+                "fetched_ts": observed_now.isoformat(),
+                "status": "idle",
+                "freshness_code": "provider_fallback_empty",
+                "cache_state": "empty_fallback",
+                "symbol": symbol,
+                "api_symbol": api_symbol,
+                "interval": interval,
+                "chart_url": chart_url,
+                "candle_count": 0,
+                "reference_price": None,
+                "reference_ts": None,
+                "error": None,
+                "warning": str(exc),
+                "raw_payload": {},
+            }
+
+    def _resolve_symbol(self, instrument_id: int) -> str | None:
+        instrument = self.repository.fetch_instrument_by_id(instrument_id)
+        return str((instrument or {}).get("symbol") or "").strip() or None
+
+    def _fetch_payload(self, *, api_symbol: str, interval: str) -> list:
+        attempt_timeout = max(1, min(int(self.timeout or 1), 4))
+        attempts = []
+        if self.proxy_url:
+            attempts.append({"timeout": attempt_timeout, "follow_redirects": True, "proxy": self.proxy_url, "trust_env": False})
+        attempts.append({"timeout": attempt_timeout, "follow_redirects": True, "trust_env": False})
+        errors = []
+        for kwargs in attempts:
+            try:
+                with httpx.Client(**kwargs) as client:
+                    response = client.get(
+                        self.api_url,
+                        params={"symbol": api_symbol, "interval": interval, "limit": 2},
+                        headers={"User-Agent": "ai-ict/external-chart"},
+                    )
+                    response.raise_for_status()
+                    payload = response.json()
+                if not isinstance(payload, list):
+                    raise ValueError("unsupported_external_chart_payload")
+                return payload
+            except Exception as exc:
+                errors.append(str(exc))
+        raise RuntimeError(" | ".join(errors))
+
+    def _persist_snapshot(self, snapshot: dict) -> None:
+        try:
+            self.repository.upsert_news_provider_snapshot(
+                provider_name=snapshot.get("provider_key") or self.provider_name,
+                fetched_ts=snapshot.get("fetched_ts"),
+                freshness_code=snapshot.get("freshness_code") or "provider_fresh",
+                event_count=int(snapshot.get("candle_count") or 0),
+                is_active=bool(snapshot.get("status") == "active"),
+                code=str(snapshot.get("status") or "idle"),
+                active_events=[
+                    {
+                        "symbol": snapshot.get("symbol"),
+                        "interval": snapshot.get("interval"),
+                        "chart_url": snapshot.get("chart_url"),
+                        "reference_price": snapshot.get("reference_price"),
+                        "reference_ts": snapshot.get("reference_ts"),
+                    }
+                ],
+                error=snapshot.get("error"),
+                raw_payload=dict(snapshot.get("raw_payload") or {}),
+            )
+        except Exception:
+            return
+
+    def _cached_snapshot(self, *, provider_key: str, observed_now: datetime, warning: str) -> dict | None:
+        try:
+            row = self.repository.fetch_news_provider_snapshot(provider_key)
+        except Exception:
+            return None
+        if not row or not row.get("fetched_ts"):
+            return None
+        fetched_ts = _ensure_aware(row.get("fetched_ts"))
+        age_seconds = max((observed_now - fetched_ts).total_seconds(), 0.0)
+        if age_seconds > max(int(self.cache_max_age_seconds or 0), 1):
+            return None
+        event = dict((row.get("active_events") or [{}])[0] or {})
+        return {
+            "provider_name": self.provider_name,
+            "provider_key": provider_key,
+            "fetched_ts": fetched_ts.isoformat(),
+            "status": str(row.get("code") or "idle"),
+            "freshness_code": "provider_cached",
+            "cache_state": "cached_fallback",
+            "symbol": event.get("symbol"),
+            "api_symbol": _normalize_symbol(str(event.get("symbol") or "")) if event.get("symbol") else None,
+            "interval": event.get("interval"),
+            "chart_url": event.get("chart_url"),
+            "candle_count": int(row.get("event_count") or 0),
+            "reference_price": event.get("reference_price"),
+            "reference_ts": event.get("reference_ts"),
+            "error": None,
+            "warning": warning,
+            "raw_payload": dict(row.get("raw_payload") or {}),
+        }
+
+
+def _normalize_symbol(symbol: str) -> str:
+    return str(symbol or "BTC-USDT").replace("-", "").replace("/", "").upper()
+
+
+def _normalize_interval(timeframe: str) -> str:
+    text = str(timeframe or "1h").strip().lower()
+    mapping = {
+        "1m": "1m",
+        "5m": "5m",
+        "15m": "15m",
+        "1h": "1h",
+        "4h": "4h",
+        "1d": "1d",
+    }
+    return mapping.get(text, "1h")
+
+
+def _to_float(value) -> float | None:
+    try:
+        return float(value)
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+
+
+def _to_ts(value) -> str | None:
+    try:
+        if value in (None, ""):
+            return None
+        return datetime.fromtimestamp(int(value) / 1000, tz=timezone.utc).isoformat()
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+
+
+def _ensure_aware(value) -> datetime:
+    if isinstance(value, datetime):
+        parsed = value
+    else:
+        parsed = datetime.fromisoformat(str(value).replace("Z", "+00:00"))
+    if parsed.tzinfo is None:
+        return parsed.replace(tzinfo=timezone.utc)
+    return parsed.astimezone(timezone.utc)
diff --git a/src/services/operator/operator_workspace_service.py b/src/services/operator/operator_workspace_service.py
index 66f9ffe..cdb0d92 100644
--- a/src/services/operator/operator_workspace_service.py
+++ b/src/services/operator/operator_workspace_service.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ from src.services.decision import DecisionPacketService
 from src.services.execution import ExecutionService
 from src.services.journal import WeeklyReviewService
 from src.services.alerts import AlertQualitySummaryService, OperatorDigestService
+from src.services.market_state.external_chart_provider import BinanceChartReferenceProvider
 from src.services.market_state.exchange_status_provider import OkxAnnouncementsProvider, OkxSystemStatusProvider
 from src.services.readiness import LaunchReadinessService
 from src.services.research_council import CouncilOptimizationReviewService, ResearchCouncilService
@@ -130,6 +131,7 @@ class DecisionAssistantSummaryService:
         research_council_service: Optional[ResearchCouncilService] = None,
         exchange_status_provider: Optional[OkxSystemStatusProvider] = None,
         announcements_provider: Optional[OkxAnnouncementsProvider] = None,
+        external_chart_provider: Optional[BinanceChartReferenceProvider] = None,
         decision_assistant_repository: Optional[DecisionAssistantRepository] = None,
     ) -> None:
         self.launch_readiness_service = launch_readiness_service or LaunchReadinessService()
@@ -140,6 +142,7 @@ class DecisionAssistantSummaryService:
         self.research_council_service = research_council_service or ResearchCouncilService()
         self.exchange_status_provider = exchange_status_provider or OkxSystemStatusProvider()
         self.announcements_provider = announcements_provider or OkxAnnouncementsProvider()
+        self.external_chart_provider = external_chart_provider or BinanceChartReferenceProvider()
         self.decision_assistant_repository = decision_assistant_repository or DecisionAssistantRepository()
 
     def build_summary(
@@ -160,6 +163,16 @@ class DecisionAssistantSummaryService:
         recent_candidates = self.candidate_repository.fetch_recent_candidates(instrument_id=instrument_id, limit=20)
         exchange_status = self.exchange_status_provider.fetch_snapshot()
         announcements_snapshot = self.announcements_provider.fetch_snapshot()
+        symbol_hint = _decision_assistant_symbol_hint(
+            decision_packet=dict(decision_packet or {}),
+            previous_packet=dict(previous_packet or {}),
+            recent_candidates=list(recent_candidates or []),
+        )
+        external_chart_snapshot = self.external_chart_provider.fetch_snapshot(
+            instrument_id=instrument_id,
+            timeframe=timeframe,
+            symbol_hint=symbol_hint,
+        )
         fallback_session_code = str(
             (((launch_readiness.get("market_state") or {}).get("session") or {}).get("session_code") or "")
         )
@@ -194,6 +207,7 @@ class DecisionAssistantSummaryService:
             recent_candidates=list(recent_candidates or []),
             exchange_status=dict(exchange_status or {}),
             announcements_snapshot=dict(announcements_snapshot or {}),
+            external_chart_snapshot=dict(external_chart_snapshot or {}),
             setup_learning_rollup=dict(setup_learning_rollup or {}),
             recent_alerts=list(recent_alerts or []),
             recent_notes=list(recent_notes or []),
@@ -416,6 +430,22 @@ def _build_research_council_summary(run: Optional[dict]) -> dict:
     }
 
 
+def _decision_assistant_symbol_hint(*, decision_packet: dict, previous_packet: dict, recent_candidates: list[dict]) -> str | None:
+    current_symbol = str((decision_packet.get("symbol") or (decision_packet.get("evidence") or {}).get("symbol") or "")).strip()
+    if current_symbol:
+        return current_symbol
+    previous_payload = dict(previous_packet.get("payload") or {})
+    previous_symbol = str((previous_payload.get("symbol") or (previous_payload.get("evidence") or {}).get("symbol") or "")).strip()
+    if previous_symbol:
+        return previous_symbol
+    for candidate in recent_candidates:
+        evidence = dict(candidate.get("evidence") or {})
+        candidate_symbol = str(evidence.get("symbol") or "").strip()
+        if candidate_symbol:
+            return candidate_symbol
+    return None
+
+
 def build_decision_assistant_summary(
     *,
     instrument_id: int,
@@ -429,6 +459,7 @@ def build_decision_assistant_summary(
     recent_candidates: list[dict],
     exchange_status: dict,
     announcements_snapshot: dict,
+    external_chart_snapshot: dict,
     setup_learning_rollup: dict,
     recent_alerts: list[dict],
     recent_notes: list[dict],
@@ -552,6 +583,7 @@ def build_decision_assistant_summary(
         decision_packet=decision_packet,
         exchange_status=exchange_status,
         announcements_snapshot=announcements_snapshot,
+        external_chart_snapshot=external_chart_snapshot,
     )
     assistant_top_opportunities = [item for item in top_priority_items if str(item.get("kind") or "") in {"decision_packet", "session_focus"}][:3]
     review_entrypoints = _build_decision_assistant_review_entrypoints(
@@ -1859,6 +1891,7 @@ def _build_decision_assistant_external_context_summary(
     decision_packet: dict,
     exchange_status: dict,
     announcements_snapshot: dict,
+    external_chart_snapshot: dict,
 ) -> dict:
     market_state = dict(launch_readiness.get("market_state") or {})
     news_window = dict(market_state.get("news_window") or market_state.get("news_state") or {})
@@ -1885,6 +1918,7 @@ def _build_decision_assistant_external_context_summary(
         news_window=news_window,
         exchange_status=exchange_status,
         announcements_snapshot=announcements_snapshot,
+        external_chart_snapshot=external_chart_snapshot,
     )
     chart_stale_source_evidence = _build_external_context_chart_stale_source_evidence(chart_readonly_sources)
     chart_adapter_mode = _external_context_chart_adapter_mode(chart_readonly_sources)
@@ -3313,6 +3347,7 @@ def _build_external_context_chart_readonly_sources(
     news_window: dict,
     exchange_status: dict,
     announcements_snapshot: dict,
+    external_chart_snapshot: dict,
 ) -> list[dict]:
     sources = [
         {
@@ -3342,10 +3377,21 @@ def _build_external_context_chart_readonly_sources(
         {
             "source_id": "external_chart_adapter",
             "source_type": "external_chart_readonly",
-            "status": "optional_reference",
-            "freshness_status": "reference_optional_not_configured",
-            "stale_source_evidence": None,
-            "prompt": "Optional external chart reference is not configured; internal review packet chart remains primary.",
+            "status": external_chart_snapshot.get("status") or "idle",
+            "freshness_status": external_chart_snapshot.get("freshness_code") or "provider_fallback_empty",
+            "stale_source_evidence": external_chart_snapshot.get("warning"),
+            "provider_name": external_chart_snapshot.get("provider_name"),
+            "chart_url": external_chart_snapshot.get("chart_url"),
+            "symbol": external_chart_snapshot.get("symbol"),
+            "interval": external_chart_snapshot.get("interval"),
+            "reference_price": external_chart_snapshot.get("reference_price"),
+            "reference_ts": external_chart_snapshot.get("reference_ts"),
+            "cache_state": external_chart_snapshot.get("cache_state"),
+            "prompt": (
+                "Use the external chart adapter as a secondary read-only chart reference."
+                if external_chart_snapshot.get("chart_url")
+                else "External chart reference is unavailable; internal review packet chart remains primary."
+            ),
         },
     ]
     return sources
@@ -3383,19 +3429,25 @@ def _external_context_chart_adapter_mode(chart_readonly_sources: list[dict]) ->
         ),
         {},
     )
-    return str(external_source.get("status") or "not_present")
+    status = str(external_source.get("status") or "not_present")
+    cache_state = str(external_source.get("cache_state") or "")
+    if status == "active" and cache_state == "fresh":
+        return "live_reference"
+    if status in {"active", "idle"} and cache_state in {"cached_fallback", "empty_fallback"}:
+        return cache_state
+    return status
 
 
 def _external_context_chart_context_prompt(chart_readonly_sources: list[dict]) -> str:
     stale_count = len(_build_external_context_chart_stale_source_evidence(chart_readonly_sources))
     if any(
         str(source.get("source_type") or "") == "external_chart_readonly"
-        and str(source.get("status") or "") == "optional_reference"
+        and str(source.get("status") or "") in {"active", "idle"}
         for source in chart_readonly_sources
     ):
         if stale_count:
             return f"Primary internal chart context is available; {stale_count} supporting chart context source(s) still need freshness review."
-        return "Primary internal chart context is available; external chart reference remains optional and is not required for analysis."
+        return "Primary internal chart context is available; external chart reference is live and remains optional for analysis."
     if stale_count:
         return f"{stale_count} chart context source(s) need freshness review before use."
     return "All chart context sources are available for read-only analysis."
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_external_chart_provider.py b/tests/unit/test_external_chart_provider.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..95b8902
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/test_external_chart_provider.py
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+import os
+import unittest
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+
+os.environ.setdefault("DATABASE_URL", "postgresql+psycopg://user:pass@localhost:5432/ai_ict_test")
+
+from src.services.market_state.external_chart_provider import BinanceChartReferenceProvider
+
+
+class ExternalChartProviderTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_provider_builds_live_snapshot_from_payload(self) -> None:
+        provider = BinanceChartReferenceProvider(repository=_ChartSnapshotRepo())
+
+        snapshot = provider.fetch_snapshot(
+            instrument_id=1,
+            timeframe="1h",
+            symbol_hint="BTC-USDT",
+            now=datetime(2026, 5, 14, 4, 0, tzinfo=timezone.utc),
+            payload=[
+                [0, "100", "110", "90", "105", "10", 1715659200000],
+                [1, "105", "115", "95", "111", "12", 1715662800000],
+            ],
+        )
+
+        self.assertEqual(snapshot["status"], "active")
+        self.assertEqual(snapshot["cache_state"], "fresh")
+        self.assertEqual(snapshot["symbol"], "BTC-USDT")
+        self.assertEqual(snapshot["interval"], "1h")
+        self.assertIn("binance.com", snapshot["chart_url"])
+        self.assertEqual(snapshot["reference_price"], 111.0)
+
+    def test_provider_uses_cached_snapshot_when_fetch_fails(self) -> None:
+        repository = _ChartSnapshotRepo(
+            {
+                "provider_name": "binance_public_chart_reference:BTCUSDT:1h",
+                "fetched_ts": "2026-05-14T02:00:00+00:00",
+                "event_count": 1,
+                "code": "active",
+                "active_events": [
+                    {
+                        "symbol": "BTC-USDT",
+                        "interval": "1h",
+                        "chart_url": "https://www.binance.com/en/trade/BTC_USDT?type=spot",
+                        "reference_price": 111.0,
+                        "reference_ts": "2026-05-14T02:00:00+00:00",
+                    }
+                ],
+                "raw_payload": {"data": []},
+            }
+        )
+        provider = BinanceChartReferenceProvider(repository=repository, cache_max_age_seconds=21600)
+        provider._fetch_payload = lambda **kwargs: (_ for _ in ()).throw(RuntimeError("api down"))  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+
+        snapshot = provider.fetch_snapshot(
+            instrument_id=1,
+            timeframe="1h",
+            symbol_hint="BTC-USDT",
+            now=datetime(2026, 5, 14, 2, 30, tzinfo=timezone.utc),
+        )
+
+        self.assertEqual(snapshot["status"], "active")
+        self.assertEqual(snapshot["cache_state"], "cached_fallback")
+        self.assertIn("api down", snapshot["warning"])
+
+    def test_provider_returns_empty_fallback_without_cache(self) -> None:
+        provider = BinanceChartReferenceProvider(repository=_ChartSnapshotRepo())
+        provider._fetch_payload = lambda **kwargs: (_ for _ in ()).throw(RuntimeError("api down"))  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+
+        snapshot = provider.fetch_snapshot(
+            instrument_id=1,
+            timeframe="1h",
+            symbol_hint="BTC-USDT",
+            now=datetime(2026, 5, 14, 2, 30, tzinfo=timezone.utc),
+        )
+
+        self.assertEqual(snapshot["status"], "idle")
+        self.assertEqual(snapshot["cache_state"], "empty_fallback")
+        self.assertIn("binance.com", snapshot["chart_url"])
+        self.assertIsNone(snapshot["error"])
+
+
+class _ChartSnapshotRepo:
+    def __init__(self, row: dict | None = None) -> None:
+        self.row = row or {}
+
+    def fetch_instrument_by_id(self, instrument_id: int):
+        return {"id": instrument_id, "symbol": "BTC-USDT", "active": True}
+
+    def fetch_news_provider_snapshot(self, provider_name: str):
+        if self.row and provider_name == self.row.get("provider_name"):
+            return dict(self.row)
+        return None
+
+    def upsert_news_provider_snapshot(self, **kwargs):
+        self.row = dict(kwargs)
+        return 1
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_operator_workspace_service.py b/tests/unit/test_operator_workspace_service.py
index eb0866c..585a109 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_operator_workspace_service.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_operator_workspace_service.py
@@ -98,6 +98,7 @@ class OperatorWorkspaceServiceTests(unittest.TestCase):
             research_council_service=_ResearchCouncilSummaryService(),
             exchange_status_provider=_ExchangeStatusProvider(),
             announcements_provider=_AnnouncementsProvider(),
+            external_chart_provider=_ExternalChartProvider(),
             decision_assistant_repository=_DecisionAssistantRepo(),
         )
 
@@ -589,9 +590,9 @@ class OperatorWorkspaceServiceTests(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertIn("chart_stale_source_evidence", summary["external_context_summary"])
         self.assertGreaterEqual(summary["external_context_summary"]["chart_readonly_source_count"], 1)
         self.assertEqual(summary["external_context_summary"]["chart_stale_source_count"], 0)
-        self.assertEqual(summary["external_context_summary"]["chart_adapter_mode"], "optional_reference")
+        self.assertEqual(summary["external_context_summary"]["chart_adapter_mode"], "live_reference")
         self.assertEqual(summary["external_context_summary"]["chart_primary_mode"], "internal_review_packet_html")
-        self.assertIn("optional", summary["external_context_summary"]["chart_context_prompt"].lower())
+        self.assertIn("live", summary["external_context_summary"]["chart_context_prompt"].lower())
         self.assertIn("CPI", summary["external_context_summary"]["headline"])
         self.assertTrue(summary["no_trade_reason_items"])
         self.assertIn("watch_london_open", summary["next_actions"])
@@ -860,6 +861,27 @@ class _AnnouncementsProvider:
         }
 
 
+class _ExternalChartProvider:
+    def fetch_snapshot(self, **kwargs):
+        return {
+            "provider_name": "binance_public_chart_reference",
+            "provider_key": "binance_public_chart_reference:BTCUSDT:5m",
+            "status": "active",
+            "freshness_code": "provider_fresh",
+            "cache_state": "fresh",
+            "symbol": "BTC-USDT",
+            "api_symbol": "BTCUSDT",
+            "interval": "5m",
+            "chart_url": "https://www.binance.com/en/trade/BTC_USDT?type=spot",
+            "candle_count": 2,
+            "reference_price": 111.0,
+            "reference_ts": "2026-05-12T02:00:00+00:00",
+            "error": None,
+            "warning": None,
+            "raw_payload": {"data": []},
+        }
+
+
 class _DecisionAssistantRepo:
     def fetch_preference(self, **kwargs):
         return {