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ASX:
News Roy
Morgan
Bitcoin
News Cryptocurrency
News
World
News
Markets,
Cryptos and Culture
February
4, 2026
Sydney,
Australia to Wall Street, New York
"All
That Glitters" Edition: Part III
"Gold"
(Spandau Ballet)
"You Got the Silver" (The Rolling Stones)
"Goldfinger" (Shirley Bassey)
"Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" (The Wolf Of Wall
Street theme) Cannonball Adderley
"Stretch Your Face" (TOBACCO). Silicon Valley
theme
"Diamonds" (Rihanna)
"Falling Down" (1993). (James Newton Howard)
"Every 1's a Winner" (Hot Chocolate)
"Still Humble" (def rebel)
"Clubbed to Death". (The Matrix theme).
Kurayamino Mix. (Rob D)
Markets
ASX
futures down 73 points/0.8% to 8741
AUD +0.9% to US70.09¢
Bitcoin $76,201.96 -2.95%
Dow -0.9%
S&P -1.4%
Nasdaq -2.1%
Gold +5.2% to $US4905.80 an ounce
Silver 85.011 +5.855 7.41%
Oil +1% to $US67.01 a barrel
Iron ore -0.1% at $US102.80 a ton
News
Numbers
Double Check
Australian
Dollar: $0.7010 USD (up $0.0067 USD) Iron Ore: $102.80
USD (unchanged) Oil Price: $63.70 USD (up $1.62 USD)
Gold Price: $4,953.56 USD (up $273.87 USD) Copper
Price: $6.0730 USD (up $0.2345 USD) Dow Jones: 49,222.61
(down 185.05 points)
News
ASX
rises on gold rebound; CBA, tech rally
The
Australian sharemarket rallied on Tuesday, with the
S&P/ASX 200 adding 0.9 per cent to close at 8,870.6
points; it initially rose 1.1 per cent before the
Reserve Bank announced an increase in the cash rate.
Gold stocks were boosted by a rebound in the price
of the precious metal, with Newmont Corporation advancing
5.6 per cent to $164.75. WiseTech Global was up 1.7
per cent at $57.38 and the Commonwealth Bank finished
1.1 per cent higher at $153.08, but Neuren Pharmaceuticals
shed 10 per cent to end the session at $14.63. (RMS)
Cryptos
Very
limited rebound in crypto
Market
Overview
The
crypto market capitalisation grew by 1.7% in 24 hours
to $2.65 trillion. Once again, the positive sentiment
in global financial markets came to the rescue of
crypto. BNB is leading the rebound, benefiting from
the support of the founder of Binance and Doge, which
was mentioned again by Musk. At the same time, local
resistance has formed in the market at $2.65-2.68
trillion, where the rebound has been losing momentum
since the beginning of the month.
Bitcoin
is trading above $78K, about 5% higher than Monday's
lows, but hitting resistance from 1 February. This
limited rebound is causing bearish sentiment about
the immediate prospects for Bitcoin and the whole
crypto market.
News
Background
According
to CoinShares, global investment in crypto funds fell
by $1.696 billion last week, following an outflow
of $1.732 billion the week before. Investments in
Bitcoin fell by $1.321 billion, in Ethereum by $308
million, in XRP by $44 million, in Solana by $32 million,
and in multi-asset funds by $14 million.
The
options market indicates that investors are beginning
to form positions in anticipation of a local bottom.
Long-term Bitcoin investors have moved into unrealised
losses, which allows the market to transition into
an ‘extremely bearish’ phase, according
to CryptoQuant. The market has also been negatively
affected by a persistent lack of liquidity for several
months.
Bernstein
expects the crypto market decline to end when Bitcoin
reaches the highs of the previous cycle in the $60,000
range. The subsequent reversal will lay the foundation
for the ‘most significant cycle’ for BTC.
Meanwhile,
Bloomberg Intelligence strategist Mike McGlone reiterated
his forecast for the current year, according to which
Bitcoin could fall to $10,000. In his opinion, the
current year may resemble the crisis years of 2008
and 2000-2001.
Corporate
Ethereum holders suffered a major loss after the asset's
value fell. According to BitMineTracker, the ‘paper’
losses of BitMine, the largest holder of the second-largest
cryptocurrency, amounted to $6.95 billion. Investor
Ross Gerber called this ETH purchase potentially ‘the
worst deal in history.’
Hong
Kong-based Trend Research has already begun to reduce
its positions, selling 33,589 ETH ($79 million) at
a loss. Japanese financial holding company Nomura
is also reducing its investments in cryptocurrencies.
However, Strategy continues to buy, acquiring another
855 BTC ($75.3 million) over the past week at an average
price of $87,974. (FxPro)
News
The
dollar moves forward
Greenback
actively attacks opponents
Central
banks take different paths
The
first expansion in manufacturing business activity
in more than a year and the second government shutdown
in the last five months have added fuel to the US
dollar rally. The Purchasing Managers' Index reached
52.6, its highest level since August 2022. This is
evidence of the strength of the US economy. The BLS
has been forced to postpone the publication of labour
market data due to the shutdown. Under these circumstances,
the chances of a federal funds rate cut in June have
fallen to 58%, pressuring EURUSD.
TD
Securities believes the US dollar will strengthen
by another 2% in February, as US data will begin to
pleasantly surprise. Nevertheless, the USD index rally
is an excellent opportunity to sell the greenback
versus the Euro, Australian dollar, Pound and Swedish
krona. The company expects EURUSD to rise to 1.22
in the third quarter.
Forecasts
of a short-term strengthening of the US dollar seem
logical. Donald Trump is dancing his tango (two steps
forward, one step back) with tariff threats. So, the
‘sell America’ strategy has faded into the
background. Scott Bessent denies US involvement in
currency interventions. Markets considered Kevin Warsh
to be the most hawkish possible candidate for the
Fed chairmanship. The shutdown deprives the Fed of
necessary data and prolongs the pause in the monetary
easing cycle.
As
a result, the futures market does not expect the Fed
to ease its monetary policy until June. For four months,
the federal funds rate will exceed the ECB deposit
rate by 175 basis points. This creates ideal conditions
for carry traders and EURUSD sales.
The
euro's retreat allows the ECB to breathe a sigh of
relief. The European Central Bank was on tenterhooks
over fears that the main currency pair would settle
above 1.2. This would have created headwinds for the
eurozone's export-oriented economy. The step back
of EURUSD makes the Governing Council meeting on 5
February boring.
The
Bank of England is another matter. There was already
a split within the Monetary Policy Committee. The
simultaneous acceleration of inflation and cooling
of the British labour market is exacerbating it. GBPUSD
risks getting caught in a real storm when the results
of the BoE's February meeting are announced.
Meanwhile,
the Reserve Bank of Australia's cash rate hike has
inspired AUDUSD bulls to launch a new attack. (FxPro)
News
Feb
3
Bitcoin
Price Plunges 40% From All-Time Highs to One-Year
Lows
The
bitcoin price is trading at one-year lows.
Bitcoin’s
price dropped below $75,000 today, its lowest level
in nearly a year, as global crypto markets endured
a sustained wave of selling triggered by broader financial
stresses and shifting investor appetite.
The
bitcoin price has now retraced more than 40% from
its all-time highs reached in late 2025. According
to Bitcoin Magazine Pro data, the one-year low for
the bitcoin price is $74,747. Bitcoin is dancing near
that number.
Recent
trading data showed Bitcoin price slipping through
key technical support levels, driving forced liquidations
across derivatives markets and intensifying downside
price pressure. Over roughly the past 24 hours, around
$2.56 billion in Bitcoin positions were liquidated,
according to market data.
This
follows weeks of risk-off sentiment across global
asset classes.
The
downturn in cryptocurrencies has coincided with stress
in other markets like precious metals, tech sell-offs,
and losses in equities.
Institutional
players report losses as policy signals remain dubious
The
market slide has had tangible impacts on key industry
participants. Galaxy Digital, a major crypto investment
firm led by Michael Novogratz, reported a $482 million
loss for the fourth quarter of 2025, earlier today.
The
firm attributed this to the decline in digital asset
prices and a sharp drop in trading volumes, which
fell more than 40% from the prior quarter. Galaxy’s
stock traded lower following the earnings release,
reflecting investor concern about the broader bitcoin
price and crypto downturn.
Also,
Bitcoin price currently trades below $76,000, which
is roughly the average price at which Strategy acquired
a portion of its BTC holdings and well below the cost
of many of its accumulated coins.
Since
Strategy owns hundreds of thousands of bitcoins at
higher average purchase prices, the current market
value is less than what was paid for much of its inventory,
leaving a significant portion of its holdings “underwater.”
Market
participants have also pointed to U.S. monetary policy
developments as a significant driver of the sell-off.
The
recent nomination of Kevin Warsh as chair of the U.S.
Federal Reserve by President Donald Trump has prompted
forecasts of tighter monetary conditions.
A
strengthening U.S. dollar in response to monetary
policy shifts has also weighed on Bitcoin. A firmer
dollar typically makes non-yielding assets like Bitcoin
less attractive, reducing inflows from investors seeking
currency-neutral hedges. Analysts noted that the dollar’s
recent performance provided technical headwinds that
amplified the crypto market’s decline.
The
Trump administration has continued to engage with
industry leaders on digital asset policy, including
efforts to advance regulatory clarity through legislation
such as the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act.
This
dialogue has really slowed down over the last couple
of months, it has not yet translated into stabilizing
price action amid current conditions.
Bitcoin
price in genuine ‘crypto winter’
Despite
this, Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan said in a recent memo
that the crypto market has been in a genuine “crypto
winter” since early 2025, rather than experiencing
a short-lived correction.
Hougan
highlighted that bearish sentiment remains strong,
as evidenced by the Crypto Fear and Greed Index, which
shows near all-time fear levels despite positive developments
like the appointment of a bitcoin-friendly Fed chair.
Hougan
noted that institutional flows helped mask the severity
of the downturn. U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs and digital
asset treasury vehicles purchased over 744,000 BTC
during this period—roughly $75 billion in demand
— cushioning bitcoin price’s drawdown, which
he estimated could have reached nearly 60% without
this support.
He
compared the current environment to previous downturns
in 2018 and 2022, where markets remained depressed
despite incremental positive news.
Looking
ahead, Hougan suggested that crypto winters often
end not with exuberance but with exhaustion. In his
words, “It’s always darkest before the dawn.”
Bitcoin
price is currently at $74,800, with a 24-hour trading
volume of 55 B. BTC is -5% in the last 24 hours. It
is currently -5% from its 7-day all-time high of $78,994.
(BM/AI News)
News
Mining/Politics/Trade
Trump
launches $US12 billion strategic mineral stockpile
to counter China; rare earth stocks jump
The
Trump administration will launch a major initiative
known as Project Vault, which is designed to reduce
America's dependence on China for rare earths and
other strategically important metals. According to
senior administration officials, the initiative would
represent the first large-scale mineral reserve designed
specifically for private-sector use. By creating a
centralised reserve for civilian industries, US government
officials hope to cushion companies against sudden
shortages and sharp price swings that can disrupt
production and strain finances. Project Vault will
be financed through a mix of private and public funding:
$US1.67 billion is expected to come from private investors,
while the US Export-Import Bank is set to provide
a $US10 billion loan with a 15-year term. The program
is part of a broader push to cut US reliance on China,
which dominates much of the critical minerals supply
chain. (RMS)
US
critical-minerals diplomacy: from America-First deals
to Pax Silica
International
Institute for Strategic Studies
The
Trump administration has adopted a three-pronged approach
to critical minerals policy during its second term
in office. It initially focused on increasing domestic
production of critical minerals, including fast-tracking
permitting processes, widening the US government's
financing reach and relaxing environmental constraints;
this was followed by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act,
which appropriated US$7.5 billion to the Pentagon
for critical minerals. The Trump administration has
also pursued bilateral arrangements with key partners,
including Australia, Japan and Ukraine to reduce dependence
on China for critical minerals. Meanwhile, the US
launched Pax Silica in December 2025, an initiative
aimed at building secure and resilient supply chains
for the technologies foundational to artificial-intelligence,
especially silicon and critical minerals. (RMS)
News
Mining/Rare
Earths Biz
Rio
Tinto investors lean to London
Rio
Tinto's Australian-listed shares have fallen by 1.5
per cent since the resources giant confirmed in early
January that it is holding merger talks with Glencore,
while its London-listed shares have gained nearly
nine per cent. Rio Tinto's Australian shares have
traditionally traded at a premium to its London stock,
but this premium has fallen from 23 per cent at the
start of 2026 to around 14 per cent. Some observers
believe that Rio Tinto is more likely to pay for the
Glencore deal by issuing new Australian shares, which
could result in the shareholdings of local investors
being diluted. (RMS)
News
Investors
rush in to ASX-listed rare earths
Shares
in Australian-listed critical minerals explorers and
producers rallied on Tuesday, amid hopes that they
will be able to participate in the Trump administration's
Project Vault. RZ Resources' CEO Campbell Jones says
the US government's proposed critical minerals stockpile
provides a "real opportunity" for the company,
which is developing a minerals sands mine in Victoria
and a processing plant in Queensland. RZ Resources'
executive chairman David Fraser in turn says the company
could be processing third-party minerals within 12
months. (RMS)
News
Gold
Price News
As
of February 4, 2026, gold prices have experienced
significant volatility, rebounding after a historic
sell-off in late January.
Current
Live Spot Prices
Per
Ounce (USD): ~$4,940.70
Per Ounce (AUD): ~$7,044.24
Per Gram (AUD): ~$226.48
Per Kilogram (AUD): ~$226,477.15
Market
Summary & Recent Performance
Recent
Volatility: Gold surged nearly 7% on February 3, 2026,
as bargain hunters entered the market following a
massive two-day rout. This crash saw prices drop from
an all-time high of $5,594.82 on January 29 to as
low as $4,405 on February 2.
Key
Drivers: The sharp decline was triggered by the nomination
of Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair (perceived as a hawkish
move) and increased margin requirements by the CME
Group.
Historical
context: Despite the recent correction, gold is up
approximately 74% compared to this time last year.
Retail
Bullion Prices (AUD)
include:
For those looking to buy physical gold in Australia,
representative selling prices from dealers like ABC
BullionandJaggards
1oz
Gold Cast Bar: ~$7,560.00
1/2oz Gold Cast Bar: ~$3,791.00
10g Gold Minted Tablet: ~$2,380.00
1g Gold Minted Bar: ~$262.70
Future
Outlook
Analysts
remain divided on the short-term trajectory. While
Citi maintains a 2026 average forecast of $5,000,
some institutions like JP Morgan and UBS expect gold
to reach $6,200–$6,300 by year-end as investors
seek hedges against rising debt and inflation.
News
Pop
Culture
Gold
Movies:
Gold
(2022 Australian Film): A survival thriller starring
Zac Efron. Set in a harsh desert, it follows two drifters
who discover a massive gold nugget and must protect
it from intruders and the elements.
Gold
(2016 American Film): A crime drama starring Matthew
McConaughey, loosely based on the 1997 Bre-X mining
scandal. It follows a prospector's journey into the
Indonesian jungle to find a massive gold deposit.
Gold
(2018 Indian Film): A period sports drama starring
Akshay Kumar. It tells the story of India's first
Olympic gold medal as an independent nation in the
1948 Summer Olympics hockey event.
Gold
(2022 Indian Malayalam Film): A comedy-drama directed
by Alphonse Puthren, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran
and Nayanthara.
Gold
(1974 British Film): A thriller starring Roger Moore
as a mine manager caught in a deadly conspiracy involving
a South African gold mine.
News
Wall
Street Movies:
Wall
Street (1987): Oliver Stone’s archetypal drama
featuring Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko, whose "Greed
is good" mantra defined the 1980s era of excess.
Glengarry
Glen Ross (1992): A masterclass in dialogue following
desperate real estate salesmen under intense pressure
to "Always Be Closing".
Trading
Places (1983): A comedic take on commodities trading
where a commodities broker and a street hustler trade
lives as part of a callous bet.
Working
Girl (1988): A look at corporate mergers and acquisitions
through the eyes of a secretary who seizes an opportunity
to climb the ladder.
Financial
Dramas & Thrillers:
Recent
films have shifted focus to the mechanics of the 2008
financial crisis and the rise of retail trading movements.
The
Big Short (2015): Directed by Adam McKay, this film
uses unconventional storytelling and celebrity cameos
to explain the complex housing market collapse.
The
Wolf of Wall Street (2013): Martin Scorsese’s
high-energy portrayal of Jordan Belfort's rise and
fall through penny stock scams and extreme debauchery.
Margin
Call (2011): An intense, 24-hour look inside an investment
bank on the verge of collapse as its leaders realize
their assets are toxic.
Dumb
Money (2023): Dramatizes the real-life GameStop "short
squeeze" where retail investors on Reddit took
on major hedge funds.
Boiler
Room (2000): Focuses on the predatory world of "pump
and dump" brokerage firms and the high-pressure
sales tactics used to scam investors.
New & Upcoming Releases (2025–2026):
The
finance genre continues to expand with new stories
about whistleblowers and corporate scandals.
The
Social Reckoning (expected Oct 2026): Directed by
Aaron Sorkin, this highly anticipated film follows
Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen and her collaboration
with a Wall Street Journal reporter.
How
to Make a Killing (expected Feb 2026): An A24 production
starring Glen Powell about a man on the hunt for an
inheritance taken from him at birth.
Crime
101 (expected Feb 2026): A heist thriller involving
a multi-million dollar score and a disillusioned insurance
broker.
Documentaries:
Inside
Job (2010): Narrated by Matt Damon, this Academy Award-winning
documentary provides a detailed examination of the
2008 meltdown.
Enron:
The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005): A deep dive
into one of history’s most infamous accounting
scandals and the corruption that led to the company's
fall.
Becoming
Warren Buffett (2017): A profile of the legendary
investor’s life and his unique approach to wealth
and philanthropy.
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day
Media
Man
Cryptocurrency,
Finance and World
"Volatility
is Satoshi’s gift to the faithful." - Michael
Saylor
"Bitcoin
is a tool for freeing humanity from oligarchs and
tyrants, dressed up as a get-rich-quick scheme."
— Naval Ravikant
"We
have elected to put our money and faith in a mathematical
framework that is free of politics and human error."
— Tyler Winklevoss
"You
can't stop things like Bitcoin. It will be everywhere,
and the world will have to readjust. World governments
will have to readjust." — John McAfee
"Bitcoin
is the most important invention in the history of
the world since the Internet." — Roger Ver
"Cryptocurrency
is such a powerful concept that it can almost overturn
governments." — Charles Lee
"In
the future, national currencies will become obsolete.
Bitcoin will become the single global currency."
— Jack Dorsey
"The
future of finance is crypto, whether it’s in
payments, contracts, or savings." — Changpeng
Zhao
"Crypto
offers freedom to the unbanked and hope to the underprivileged."
— Elizabeth Stark
"The
new frontier of innovation is in decentralization.
Blockchain leads the charge." — Don Tapscott
"Digital
currency is here to stay, and it’s only a matter
of how long before governments embrace it." —
Brad Garlinghouse
Pop
Culture
Dream
Matches: Fantasy Booking
The
Million Dollar Man vs IRS
Money INC vs Right To Censor
Santa vs Grinch
Bulls vs Bears
Crypto King vs Mr World Bank
Citizens vs NWO
Neo vs Agent Smith
John McAfee vs You Know Who!
TKO vs Naysayers
Jake Paul, Polymarket and BETR vs Naysayers
Pro Boxing vs Newspaper Reports
VKM vs The World
Paul Bros vs Mainstream Wokes
Mr X vs Mr Bluesky
Chris Jericho vs Dirtsheets
NFL vs everyone
Zuffa vs MVP
Netflix vs World
Meta vs Australia
White Light vs Dark Matter
Lexis King vs NIL's (WWE NXT)
Volk vs Naysayers (UFC: Sydney, Australia)
Brock Lesnar vs Everyone! (WWE Royal Rumble)
Roman Reigns vs CM Punk (WWE WrestleMania)
Green vs The Coal Miners Daughter
AC/DC vs Swifties
Triangle v World Bank
Sarah's Oil vs Big Oil
Mr X vs Mr VOX
Mr X vs Mr Platformer
Mr FOX vs Mr Vice
Fox And The Hound vs The View
The Masked Superstar vs Mr Jones
The Undertaker vs Mankind
UFC Legends vs Father Time
Vinnie Vegas and Oz vs Los Americanos
NXT GM vs The Don
Mr Moneymaker vs Mr Regulator
Mr Blockchain vs Mr EU
Markets
and Cryptos
May
21, 2025
Sydney, Australia
Markets
ASX
futures up 47 points/0.6% to 8416
AUD -0.6% at US64.18¢
Bitcoin +1.3% to $US106,932
Dow -0.4%
S&P -0.5%
Nasdaq -0.5%
Gold +2.0% to $US3294.01 an ounce
Oil +0.2% at $US65.64 a barrel
Iron ore +0.1% at $US99.50 a ton
Cryptos
Today:
Bitcoin
$107,158.55 USD +1.71%
ETH $2,522.35 USD +0.31%
Tether $1.00 USD +0.16%
XRP $2.36 USD -0.60%
BNB $651.14 USD +0.39%
Solana $168.56 USD +2.17%
USD Coin $1.00 USD +0.11%
Dogecoin $0.2262 USD +0.90%
Cardano $0.7435 USD +0.26%
TRON $0.2699 USD +1.74%
Wrapped Bitcoin $106,517.38 USD +1.24%
News
Bitcoin
News
Price
Surge and Volatility: Bitcoin recently broke above
$107,000, with posts on X indicating a high of $107,000
on May 21, 2025, after trading around $106,000. It
has since pulled back slightly, trading at approximately
$104,830 as of May 19, 2025. Earlier this year, Bitcoin
experienced a 19% drop in the first four months, followed
by a strong recovery, with a 38% gain over the past
year, outperforming traditional investments like gold,
stocks, and bonds, according to Russia’s Central
Bank. Analysts suggest Bitcoin is nearing its all-time
high of $108,786 from January 2025, with resistance
around $108,000 being a key level to watch.
Optimistic
Price Predictions: Analysts are bullish on Bitcoin’s
2025 trajectory. Some forecasts include:
A “reasonable” target of $220,000 to $250,000,
driven by Bitcoin’s correlation with gold price
movements and institutional adoption.
A
bold prediction of $500,000 to $1 million by Blockstream
CEO Adam Back, citing undervaluation and market inflows.
A
potential $20 trillion market cap by 2030 if Bitcoin
continues to be viewed as “digital gold.”
Coinpedia
projects a 2025 high of around $168,000, fueled by
ETF inflows and institutional interest.
Institutional
Adoption:
JPMorgan Chase, despite CEO Jamie Dimon’s skepticism,
now allows clients to buy Bitcoin, marking a shift
toward mainstream acceptance.
U.S.
spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $2.8 billion in net inflows
in May, with total assets exceeding $122 billion,
indicating strong institutional demand.
Arizona
enacted a law to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve,
with other U.S. states potentially following, which
could drive sustained price growth.
Companies
like Metaplanet in Japan have significantly increased
Bitcoin holdings, with 6,796 BTC as of May 12, 2025,
contributing to bullish sentiment.
Market
Dynamics and Mining:
Bitcoin’s network hashrate reached 831 EH/s by
May 1, 2025, up 77% from 2024 lows, despite post-halving
profitability challenges. The 2024 halving reduced
block rewards to 3.125 BTC, pushing miners to optimize
efficiency and cut energy costs.
Bitcoin’s
dominance in the crypto market is high, signaling
strong investor preference for BTC during bull runs.
Trump’s
Crypto Ventures: The Trump family’s involvement
in crypto has expanded, including a $TRUMP meme coin,
a Bitcoin mining operation called American Bitcoin,
and a stablecoin (USD1). These ventures, alongside
potential deregulation, are seen as influential but
controversial due to conflicts of interest.
Market
Sentiment and Risks:
While ETF inflows and institutional moves fuel optimism,
analysts warn of potential short-term pullbacks due
to “upside exhaustion” and correlations
with equities.
Over
$600 million in crypto positions were liquidated during
a recent surge past $106,000 and subsequent drop to
$103,000, highlighting volatility risks.
Global
Developments:
Russia’s Central Bank notes growing crypto adoption
in Moscow, with Bitcoin’s 40% return in 2025
outpacing traditional assets.
In
El Salvador, ties between Trump’s commerce chief
and Tether/Bitfinex are under scrutiny, raising questions
about crypto’s political influence. (Grok)
News
Neither
the US rating nor Coinbase's problems hurt Bitcoin
Moody's
US credit rating downgrade spooked Bitcoin, but not
for long. According to HSBC, the recent trade truce
between Washington and Beijing changed the game. It
has permanently raised global risk appetite, allowing
digital assets to flourish. Could the loss of the
States' latest top rating stop the BTCUSD bulls? As
it turns out, no.
Bitcoin
is being driven upwards by a crowd of retail investors,
who are also driving the US stock market. Small players
don't care that the US economy is slowing down, and
the Fed is not going to cut rates. Traders are buying
the S&P 500 and digital assets simply because
they are rising. At the same time, Morgan Stanley's
recommendation to buy the dips in stock indices is
adding fuel to the fire of the rally in stocks and
BTC.
Traders
are not particularly concerned about the fact that
as Bitcoin grows, the number of fraudulent transactions
increases. For example, criminals fraudulently gained
access to Coinbase's customer base and demanded a
ransom of $20M for silence. Binance and Kraken also
fell victim to the attack but managed to protect themselves.
In February, Bybit was hacked, and $1.5B worth of
cryptocurrency was stolen, the largest crypto theft
in history.
Meanwhile,
Donald Trump continues to popularise digital assets
by announcing a dinner party for holders of the TRUMP
coin. Its value skyrocketed in the first few days
of circulation but has since drastically fallen. White
House representatives do not see any conflict of interest
in the fact that the US president makes money in the
industry that he promotes.
Further
dynamics of BTCUSD will depend on changes in global
risk appetite. As the downgrade of the US credit rating
showed, fans of risky assets in general and Bitcoin
in particular are hard to scare. If the resistance
at 107K is broken, there are more chances to restore
the uptrend. (FxPro)
News
Rating
downgrade didn’t spook US markets, but the fundamental
picture is deteriorating
US
indices reacted swiftly to Moody's top US credit rating
downgrade. On previous occasions of similar decisions
(in August 2011 by S&P Global and in August 2023
by Fitch), the markets showed a multi-day decline
of about 10% and continued the downtrend over the
following two to three months. It should be noted
that additional negative factors contributed to the
markets' decline at that time.
This
time, the situation turned out to be different: the
comments of the US authorities' representatives about
the lateness of the decision contributed to the market
recovery. Investors promptly bought back the 1.5%
drawdown, which allowed the Nasdaq 100 and S&P
500 indices to renew their two- and three-month highs.
Technical
analysis on weekly charts shows positive dynamics.
Last week, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indices
broke above their 50-week moving average, developing
a rebound from the area near the 200-week average
from early April. Both indices need to rise a little
more than 3% to return to all-time highs, which does
not align with pessimistic expectations from trade
wars.
On
the other hand, such a rise makes stocks more expensive.
We recognise the potential damage to global trade
due to tariffs that create barriers, hindering the
expansion of US companies.
Compared
to conditions before ‘Liberation Day,’ stocks
look more overvalued. A recovery amid a deteriorating
fundamental picture inspires confidence in making
new highs, but be prepared for possible market lethargy
at levels above 6000 on the S&P 500 and 22000
on the Nasdaq 100, as well as an increased frequency
of corrective pullbacks. (FxPro)
News
DAX40
and FTSE100 outperform the S&P500, rejecting economists'
pessimism
Tariff
wars have increased the legitimacy of stimulus measures
in Europe and Asia. Since the start of the year, the
ECB and Bank of England have been aggressively cutting
rates against the Fed's continued rate hikes. The
People's Bank of China made a small, 0.1 percentage
point cut on Tuesday morning. Earlier this year, Germany
announced an $800 billion package of support for the
economy, abandoning a tight budget framework, contrasting
with the mood for budget deficit reduction in the
United States.
Germany's
DAX40 hit all-time highs on Monday. The German market
is feeling the envy of its peers, trading in the 24000
area, nearly 28% above the early April lows. The FTSE100
is less than 2% off its peaks set in early March.
This has been achieved, contrary to the more than
8% strengthening of the pound and euro against the
dollar since the start of the year and is indicative
of the strength of Europe's markets against the US.
This is a higher rate of growth in the case of the
DAX and a stronger recovery in the case of the FTSE.
Stimulus
measures from Europe and China are working like a
rising tide, boosting the overall level of equities.
Should the US enter the stimulus race through Fed
policy easing, this would spur the S&P 500 and
Nasdaq 100 higher, but it would be just as objectively
positive for Europe and Asia.
The
market dynamics in Germany and the UK starkly contrast
with the sentiment and outlook of economists in light
of the trade wars. It is not uncommon to see markets
one step ahead of the economic consensus, but that
makes it no less interesting to see if markets can
thrive against forecasters' pessimism. (FxPro)
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day
"Bitcoin
is a tool for freeing humanity from oligarchs and
tyrants, dressed up as a get-rich-quick scheme."
— Naval Ravikant
"We
have elected to put our money and faith in a mathematical
framework that is free of politics and human error."
— Tyler Winklevoss
"You
can't stop things like Bitcoin. It will be everywhere,
and the world will have to readjust. World governments
will have to readjust." — John McAfee
"Bitcoin
is the most important invention in the history of
the world since the Internet." — Roger Ver
"Cryptocurrency
is such a powerful concept that it can almost overturn
governments." — Charles Lee
"In
the future, national currencies will become obsolete.
Bitcoin will become the single global currency."
— Jack Dorsey
"The
future of finance is crypto, whether it’s in
payments, contracts, or savings." — Changpeng
Zhao
"Crypto
offers freedom to the unbanked and hope to the underprivileged."
— Elizabeth Stark
"The
new frontier of innovation is in decentralization.
Blockchain leads the charge." — Don Tapscott
"Digital
currency is here to stay, and it’s only a matter
of how long before governments embrace it." —
Brad Garlinghouse
Cryptos
and Markets
Cryptos
Cryptos
Today: (Near Live)
May
19, 2025
Sydney, Australia
Bitcoin
$104,266.52 USD +0.52%
ETH $2,421.78 USD -3.18%
Tether $1.00 USD -0.41%
XRP $2.39 USD +1.05%
BNB $644.71 USD -0.00%
Solana $168.47 USD +0.54%
USD Coin $1.00 USD -0.13%
Dogecoin $0.2251 USD +3.48%
Cardano $0.7427 USD -0.85%
TRON $0.2662 USD -2.40%
Wrapped Bitcoin $104,441.92 USD +0.75%
News
XRP
News
Price
Movement: XRP is trading around $2.40-$2.55, with
a recent peak at $2.65 on May 14, 2025. It’s
up over 366% in the past year but dipped 1.6% recently
due to market consolidation and legal uncertainties.
Analysts suggest a potential rally to $3.00 if it
breaks the $2.72 resistance, supported by bullish
indicators like RSI and low exchange inflows. Some
predict explosive growth to $5.90, $15, or even $123
based on technical patterns, though these are speculative.
SEC
vs. Ripple Lawsuit: The ongoing legal battle with
the SEC remains pivotal. On May 15, Judge Analisa
Torres rejected a joint SEC-Ripple motion to amend
a prior settlement due to procedural issues, leaving
the case in limbo. Despite this, Ripple’s legal
chief confirmed XRP’s non-security status remains
intact. A $50 million settlement was briefly finalized,
but renewed scrutiny and the SEC’s push to lift
restrictions on institutional XRP sales have stirred
uncertainty. A resolution could pave the way for XRP-spot
ETF approvals.
ETF
Speculation: Hopes for an XRP-spot ETF have driven
price surges, with filings from firms like 21Shares,
Bitwise, and Franklin Templeton. However, BlackRock’s
silence after SEC talks and a delayed decision on
Solana ETFs (with XRP ETF deadlines looming in June)
have tempered optimism. Experts warn an ETF might
not fully align with XRP’s utility-driven adoption.
Market
and Adoption: XRP hit $1.2 billion in daily trading
volume in South Korea, surpassing Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Ripple’s technological advancements include EVM
sidechains for blockchain interoperability and shared
MPC wallets for secure custody. President Trump’s
endorsement of XRP as a potential strategic reserve
currency and Missouri’s crypto tax break law
have fueled bullish sentiment. Ripple’s acquisition
of Hidden Road could lock up 5% of XRP’s circulating
supply, potentially driving prices to $5-$15 short-term.
Futures
and IPO Buzz: The CME Group is set to launch XRP futures
today, May 19, 2025, a move seen as a step toward
institutional adoption and potential ETF approval.
Speculation about a Ripple IPO, possibly valuing the
company at $100 billion, continues to grow, with SBI
Holdings noting XRP in escrow won’t count toward
valuation until the IPO.
Community
Sentiment: XRP’s community is optimistic, with
commentators like “J4b1” calling May 19
a potentially historic day, possibly tied to the futures
launch or legal developments. However, claims of a
finalized SEC settlement by May 19 appear unverified.
Posts on X highlight excitement but also speculative
narratives, like BlackRock buying XRP, which lack
confirmation.
Critical
Note: While bullish projections abound, some analysts
caution that historical patterns may not hold, and
regulatory hurdles could persist. Always verify claims,
especially from X posts, as they can be speculative
or misleading. For the latest, check trusted sources
or monitor Ripple’s official channels. (Grok)
News
Dogecoin
News
Price
Movements and Market Performance: Dogecoin has shown
significant volatility, with a recent 48.7% surge
over the past month, trading around $0.223 as of May
18, 2025. It reached a high of $0.248 in early May
but faced a slight pullback, consolidating near $0.22–$0.23.
Analysts suggest a potential breakout above the $0.25–$0.26
resistance could spark a new bull run, with price
targets ranging from $0.30 to $0.70 in the next 30
days, and some optimistic forecasts eyeing $1 in 2025.
However, a "death cross" on technical charts
indicates midterm bearish risks, making the $0.21
support level critical.
Whale
Accumulation: On-chain data reveals that Dogecoin
whales have accumulated over 1 billion DOGE in the
past month, signaling strong confidence in future
price gains. This activity, coupled with an 800% surge
in daily active addresses (reaching 674K, the highest
since November 2024), suggests robust network engagement
and potential for an explosive price move if support
holds.
ETF
Speculation: Enthusiasm is growing around four Dogecoin
ETF applications under SEC review, including one from
21Shares in partnership with the Dogecoin Foundation.
Bloomberg analysts estimate a 75% chance of approval
in 2025, which could drive mainstream adoption and
price growth. This news contributed to a 528% spike
in active addresses on May 13, from 74,640 to 469,477.
Network
and Ecosystem Developments: The Dogecoin Foundation
is pushing for broader adoption through DogeOS, an
app layer for gaming, AI, and DeFi, backed by $6.9
million in investment. This aims to transform Dogecoin
from a meme coin to a utility-driven asset, potentially
supporting its $100 billion market cap goal.
Market
Sentiment and Speculation: Posts on X reflect bullish
sentiment, with unverified claims of PayPal accepting
Dogecoin payments circulating, though these lack confirmation.
Additionally, Dogecoin’s futures open interest
surged from $989 million to $1.62 billion, indicating
heightened speculative trading. Some analysts warn
of overheating risks, but others see room for growth
before a cycle top.
Cautions
and Risks: Dogecoin creator Billy Markus warned about
a potential asset bubble that could crash the global
economy, though specifics were vague. Geopolitical
tensions and trade policy shifts continue to influence
crypto markets, adding uncertainty. The coin’s
volatility and reliance on speculative momentum remain
concerns. (Grok)
News
Bitcoin
Movie News
Michael
Saylor’s $40BN Bitcoin Bet: The Financial Times
released a documentary exploring Michael Saylor’s
bold corporate investment in Bitcoin, highlighting
his journey from corporate strategy to crypto prominence.
Posts on X indicate strong interest, describing it
as a must-watch for Bitcoin enthusiasts.
Everyone
Is Lying To You For Money: Set to premiere at SXSW
London in June 2025, this crypto-skeptical documentary
features interviews with former FTX and Celsius CEOs,
Sam Bankman-Fried and Alex Mashinsky, and examines
El Salvador’s Bitcoin adoption under President
Nayib Bukele.
Crypto
Man: A South Korean crypto-themed film based on true
events, slated for release in January 2025, was in
post-production as of December 2024.
Satoshi
Nakamoto Film: Directed by Sophia Banks, this upcoming
feature film, based on Andrew O’Hagan’s
“The Satoshi Affair,” will explore the mystery
of Bitcoin’s enigmatic creator.
Ross
Ulbricht Documentary: Filmmakers Jonah Tulis and Blake
J. Harris are nearing completion of a documentary
featuring over 60 hours of interviews with Ross Ulbricht,
the pardoned Silk Road founder, focusing on his life
and the platform’s role in popularizing Bitcoin.
Biggest
Heist Ever: Netflix’s 2024 documentary details
the 2016 Bitfinex hack by Ilya Lichtenstein and Heather
Morgan, who laundered $4.5 billion in Bitcoin, dubbed
“Bitcoin’s Bonnie and Clyde.”
Aimy
in a Cage: This 2015 dystopian horror film, adapted
from a graphic novel, was the first movie fully funded
by Bitcoin, allowing director Hooroo Jackson to maintain
creative control.
Cold
Wallet: A 2025 thriller about cryptocurrency fraud,
presented by Steven Soderbergh, has been praised for
its suspenseful take on a home invasion tied to crypto.
These
projects reflect growing cinematic interest in Bitcoin’s
cultural, financial, and criminal dimensions.
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day
“Trading
Bitcoin is like trading Apple, Amazon, Google, or
Facebook a decade ago. The more you obsess over timing
the market, the more mistakes you make. They were
all technology networks that were dominant & destined
to grow.” - Michael Saylor, Former CEO of MicroStrategy
"Whereas
most technologies tend to automate workers on the
periphery doing menial tasks, blockchains automate
away the center. Instead of putting the taxi driver
out of a job, blockchain puts Uber out of a job and
lets the taxi drivers work with the customer directly."
- Vitalik Buterin, Co-Founder of Ethereum
"The
Latin American countries where you have this combination
of inflation or hyperinflation cycles – deflation
as well – and then you have very high friction
for financial transactions, a high percentage of people
who are unbanked, cryptocurrencies make total sense."
– Fred Thiel, CEO of Thiel Advisors & Marathon
Digital Holdings
“…we
know gold is a $12 trillion asset, bitcoin’s
about a 10th of gold. Could they be half of gold?
At one point, Sure, it could … And at some point,
it will be larger than gold… that money is finding
its way to Gen Z and Millennials, and they feel much
more comfortable with digital gold than old clunky
gold.” - Mike Novogratz, CEO of Galaxy Digital
“If
you don't believe me or don't get it, I don't have
time to try to convince you, sorry.” - Satoshi
Nakomoto, Founder of Bitcoin
Markets
ASX
futures down 7 points/0.1% to 8360 on Sat
Australian
dollar +0.1% to 64.10 US cents
Wall
Street:
S&P 500 +0.8%
Dow Jones +0.7%
Nasdaq +0.5%
Europe:
Stoxx 50 +0.3%
FTSE +0.6%
DAX +0.3%
CAC +0.4%
Bitcoin
+0.9% to $US104,244
Spot
gold -1.1% to $US3203.65 per ounce on Saturday
US
oil +1.4% to $US62.49 a barrel on Saturday
Brent
crude oil +1.4% to $US65.41 a barrel on Saturday
Iron
ore -1.5% to $US99.70 per ton (Singapore 62% grade)
10-year
yield:
US 4.48%
Australia 4.45%
Germany 2.59%
News,
Markets, Comms and Culture
May
15, 2025
Sydney,
Australia
Markets
Australian
Dollar: $0.6420 USD (down $0.0050 USD)
Iron Ore June Spot Price (SGX): $101.70 USD (up $2.10
)
Oil Price (WTI): $62.89 USD (down $0.74)
Gold Price: $3,179.41 USD (down $72.13)
Copper Price (CME): $4.6435 USD (down $0.0650)
Bitcoin: $103,541.08 USD (down 0.93%)
Dow Jones: 42,051.06 (down 89.37 points)
News
Australia
Miners,
energy help ASX to sixth day of gains
The
Australian sharemarket posted a modest gain on Wednesday,
with the S&P/ASX 200 adding 0.1 per cent to close
at 8,279.6 points. Fortescue was up 2.2 per cent at
$16.97, Woodside Energy rose 3.4 per cent to $22.31
and the Commonwealth Bank firmed 0.8 per cent to end
the session at $167.50. However, Insignia Financial
shed 15.8 per cent to finish at $3.37 and Aristocrat
Leisure was down 8.9 per cent at $62.10. (Roy Morgan
Summary)
News
Media
CNN
and Fox take on their own legacies with new streaming
services
Fox
Corporation is set to launch its third streaming service
in the US. Fox One will feature content from across
the media group's operations, including news, sport
and entertainment. It will complement Fox Corp's existing
Fox Nation streaming news channel and Tubi, a free
advertising supported general entertainment streaming
platform. Meanwhile, Warner Bros Discovery-owned CNN
plans to launch a news streaming service that will
be bundled with subscriptions to http://cnn.com. Fox
Corp and CNN are both confident that their new streaming
products will not cannabilise the customer base for
their cable TV services. (RMS)
News
Rio
shows we must invest in green iron: Fortescue boss
Rio
Tinto recently advised that the iron content of its
flagship 'Pilbara Blend Fines' product will be downgraded
by nearly one percentage point, to 60.8 per cent;
BHP had previously reduced the iron content of two
iron ore products in 2024. Fortescue CEO Dino Otranto
says the trend underlines the need for Australia to
invest in more domestic refining, in order to produce
higher-grade iron ore. Otranto has indicated that
Fortescue is on track to finish construction of a
green iron plant at its Christmas Creek iron ore hub
and produce commercial quantities of green iron by
the end of 2025. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Beware
the rally in iron ore above $US100, it might not last
The
iron ore price has peaked at more than $US101 per
tonne in Singapore trading on Wednesday, which is
its highest level in about six weeks. Factors such
as the easing of trade tensions between the US and
China have bolstered the price of the steel input,
although market watchers say the rebound is unlikely
to be sustained. Headwinds include steel production
cutbacks in China and a looming increase in global
iron ore supply as new projects in Africa start to
commence shipments. (RMS)
News
Core
Lithium plan to revive mothballed Finniss
Perth-based
Core Lithium has advised that it may resume operations
at its Finniss mine in the Northern Territory. The
mine was placed in 'care and maintenance' mode in
2024, in response to a sharp downturn in the price
of lithium. Core hopes a plan to significantly reduce
mining and processing costs at Finniss, while also
boosting productivity, will enable the mine to reopen.
CEO Paul Brown says the quality of the Finniss deposit
and its proximity to the Port of Darwin gives it an
advantage over rival lithium mines in Western Australia.
(RMS)
News
Australian
Mining News
WA
Mining Conference and Exhibition: Scheduled for October
8–9, 2025, in Perth, this event will focus on
critical minerals, mine waste management, and innovative
technologies shaping the industry’s future. It
aims to be a key platform for networking and industry
insights.
Global
Resources Innovation Expo (GRX25): Set for May 20–22,
2025, in Brisbane, GRX25 will feature industry leaders
like Owen Hegarty, discussing transformation and sustainability
in mining.
Carbine
Resources: The company secured a 21-year mining lease
for its Muchea West silica sand project in Western
Australia, marking a significant milestone.
Federal
Government Cabinet: Following the re-election of Prime
Minister Anthony Albanese, the new cabinet has been
welcomed by mining bodies. The government is pushing
the Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive (10%
refundable tax offset for processing 31 critical minerals)
and a Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive ($2/kg for
renewable hydrogen).
Prospect
Awards 2025: Nominations are open for the Australian
Mining Prospect Awards, recognizing excellence in
safety, occupational health, and industry leadership.
Legacy
Minerals: The company is advancing the Nico Young
nickel-cobalt project in New South Wales, leveraging
prior work by Jervois Global to reduce costs and accelerate
development.
Rio
Tinto’s Winu Project: Rio Tinto and Sumitomo
Metal Mining signed final joint venture agreements
for the Winu copper-gold project in Western Australia’s
Great Sandy Desert.
Sibanye-Stillwater:
The company reported a 92% increase in zinc production
(25,000 tonnes) at its Century zinc retreatment operation
in Queensland for the March 2025 quarter, with a feasibility
study for the Mt Lyell copper mine in Tasmania due
by late 2025.
Tivan’s
Speewah Fluorite Project: Tivan formed a joint venture
with Sumitomo Corporation, supported by a $5.3 million
investment and government funding, to develop Australia’s
first fluorite operation in Western Australia.
Hillgrove
Resources: The Kanmantoo copper mine in South Australia
produced 811 tonnes of copper in April, with annual
guidance set at 12,000–14,000 tonnes for 2025.
Critical
Minerals and Sustainability: Australia’s mining
sector is poised to lead in the global energy transition,
with growing demand for critical minerals and a focus
on innovation and sustainable practices.
Queensland
Mining Coroner: Wayne Pennell was appointed Queensland’s
first mining and resources coroner to investigate
fatalities and address a backlog of inquests, enhancing
safety accountability.
Social
Media Sentiment: Posts on X highlight ongoing exploration
(e.g., Verity Resources’ Monument Gold Project)
and acquisitions (e.g., Terra Metals’ Dante Project
expansion), reflecting active industry momentum. However,
a 119% mining rate hike by a Goldfields council has
sparked concern among local explorers. (Grok)
News
Pop
Culture/Entertainment
Media
Movies
Network
(1976) - Directed by Sidney Lumet, this satirical
drama follows a TV network exploiting a deranged anchor’s
rants for profit, highlighting media sensationalism.
Stars Faye Dunaway and Peter Finch.
Nightcrawler
(2014) - A thriller by Dan Gilroy about a drifter
(Jake Gyllenhaal) who becomes a freelance crime journalist,
blurring ethical lines for fame. It’s a sharp
critique of modern media’s vulture-like tendencies.
Zodiac
(2007) - Directed by David Fincher, this film chronicles
a cartoonist-turned-detective’s obsession with
the Zodiac Killer, exploring media’s role in
public fear and fascination.
Citizen
Kane (1941) - Orson Welles’ classic traces the
life of a newspaper magnate, loosely based on William
Randolph Hearst, examining media power and personal
ambition.
Sweet
Smell of Success (1957) - A biting satire about a
ruthless press agent and a powerful columnist, showcasing
media manipulation with sharp dialogue.
News
Gold:
Movie
Gold
(2016) is a crime drama inspired by the 1990s Bre-X
mining scandal. Matthew McConaughey stars as Kenny
Wells, a prospector who partners with geologist Michael
Acosta (Édgar Ramírez) to find gold
in Indonesia. After striking it rich, their success
unravels amid fraud and betrayal. Directed by Stephen
Gaghan, the film explores greed and ambition but received
mixed reviews for its uneven tone and pacing. It grossed
$14.8 million against a $20 million budget. Available
on platforms like Hulu or Amazon Prime (check current
listings). (Grok)
News/Profile
Gold
(1974)
Gold
(1974) is a British thriller directed by Peter R.
Hunt, based on Wilbur Smith's novel Gold Mine. Set
in South Africa, it follows Rod Slater (Roger Moore),
a mining engineer, who uncovers a conspiracy to flood
a gold mine to manipulate global gold prices. The
plot involves corporate greed, sabotage, and high-stakes
action, with Slater racing to stop the scheme.
Cast:
Roger Moore, Susannah York, Ray Milland, Bradford
Dillman.
Key
Details: 120 min, rated PG, released August 1974 (UK).
Filmed on location in Johannesburg, featuring intense
mining scenes.
Reception:
Mixed reviews; praised for action and Moore’s
charisma, criticized for pacing and dated elements.
IMDb rating: 5.7/10.
Availability:
Limited streaming; available for rent/purchase on
platforms like Amazon or on DVD.
News
Bitcoin
Movies Streaming
Money
Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery (2024, HBO)
A
documentary by Cullen Hoback exploring Bitcoin’s
origins and the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto. It’s
a thrilling investigation into Bitcoin’s rise
and its potential impact on global finance.
Streaming:
Available on HBO’s streaming platform, Max. Check
JustWatch for additional services or free options
like Apple TV+ trials.
Bitconned
(2024, Netflix) A true-crime documentary about three
individuals who scammed millions in the unregulated
crypto market to fund lavish lifestyles. Streaming:
Exclusively on Netflix.
Banking
on Bitcoin (2016)
A
popular documentary diving into Bitcoin’s impact,
its challenge to centralized banking, and its early
history. It’s a great pick for understanding
Bitcoin’s ethos. Streaming: Available on Amazon
Prime Video (free for subscribers), Fandango at Home,
and for purchase/rent on Amazon, YouTube Primetime,
or Apple TV.
The
Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014)
Follows
programmer Daniel Mross and early Bitcoin adopters,
offering insights into Bitcoin’s volatile early
days. Ideal for beginners.
Streaming: Available on Prime Video, Fandango at Home,
and for purchase on iTunes or Amazon.
Bitcoin:
The End of Money as We Know It (2015)
A
concise documentary tracing the history of money and
Bitcoin’s potential to disrupt fiat systems.
Features experts like Andreas Antonopoulos.
Streaming:
Available on Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Fandango at
Home. Free on YouTube in some regions (e.g., Ulterior
States).
Notes
on Streaming with Bitcoin:
Major
platforms like Netflix and HBO Max don’t directly
accept Bitcoin payments. However, you can use crypto
via gift cards purchased from platforms like Bitrefill,
Coinsbee, or eGifter, which offer cards for services
like Amazon, Fandango, or Rakuten, usable for streaming
or movie tickets.
For
example, Bitrefill sells Showtime or Rakuten gift
cards (for US, Spain, Portugal, Italy) payable with
Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Dogecoin.
Crypto
debit cards from providers like http://Crypto.com
or Coinbase can also convert Bitcoin to fiat for subscriptions
or purchases at non-crypto-accepting platforms.
Additional
Tips:
Check
platforms like JustWatch or IMDb for real-time streaming
availability, as services change frequently.
Some
older documentaries, like Ulterior States (2014),
are freely available on YouTube, offering ideological
perspectives on Bitcoin’s early days.
Be
cautious with free streaming sites; some, like Openload
or Streamango, have been linked to crypto-jacking
schemes that mine Monero using your device’s
CPU. (Grok)
Cryptos
Today: (Near Live)
May
13, 2025
Sydney, Australia
Bitcoin
$102,452.96 USD -1.57%
ETH $2,473.59 USD -1.39%
Tether $0.9993 USD -0.10%
XRP $2.53 USD +7.21%
BNB $662.27 USD +1.78%
Solana $172.50 USD -0.12%
USD Coin $0.9993 USD -0.07%
Dogecoin $0.2295 USD -1.04%
Cardano $0.8162 USD +0.72%
TRON $0.2732 USD +3.10%
Wrapped Bitcoin $102,406.50 USD -1.66%
News
Cryptocurrency
News
Bitcoin
Price Surge: Bitcoin has surpassed $100,000, briefly
touching $105,000, driven by optimism around global
trade deals, particularly U.S.-U.K. agreements and
ongoing U.S.-China talks. Analysts warn of a potential
short-term sell-off ahead of the May 13 CPI print,
with BlackRock noting quantum computing as a risk
for Bitcoin ETFs.
Ethereum
Rally: Ethereum (ETH) has surged over 44% in three
days, reaching $2,600, fueled by the Pectra network
upgrade and declining Bitcoin dominance. Analysts
speculate ETH could hit $10,000 or even $12,000 in
2025 due to institutional adoption, DeFi growth, and
a high ETH burn rate.
Altcoin
Momentum: Altcoins like Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA),
and Dogecoin (DOGE) are rallying, with DOGE up 27%
and ETH leading with a 32% weekly gain. Bitcoin’s
dominance has dropped to 63.89%, signaling a potential
altcoin season.
Meta’s
Crypto Plans: Leaked reports suggest Meta is exploring
cryptocurrency support for its 3 billion users, potentially
integrating stablecoins for creator payments, which
could boost market sentiment.
Regulatory
Developments: SEC Chairman Paul Atkins is prioritizing
a rational crypto regulatory framework, with XRP noted
as the only regulated cryptocurrency in the U.S. However,
a bipartisan stablecoin bill (GENIUS Act) stalled
due to concerns over Trump’s personal crypto
ventures, raising conflict-of-interest issues.
Market
Inflows: Crypto investment products saw $882 million
in inflows last week, with U.S. crypto ETFs hitting
a record $62.9 billion in cumulative net inflows since
January 2024. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF recorded
a 19th consecutive day of inflows on May 9.
Other
News: Coinbase acquired Deribit for $2.9 billion,
expanding its derivatives offerings. New Hampshire
passed a law allowing state investment in cryptocurrencies.
France’s rumored crypto ban was mentioned on
X but lacks credible confirmation and should be treated
as speculative. (Grok)
Blockchain
News
Meta’s
Blockchain Push: Meta is reportedly exploring a blockchain-based
payment system, potentially offering low-cost digital
transfers. This follows their unsuccessful Diem project,
signaling renewed interest in blockchain integration.
Crypto
in Education: Animoca Brands’ Yat Siu highlights
blockchain’s potential in education, particularly
through DeFi student loan financing. Ripple’s
$25 million donation to a crypto education fund underscores
growing academic influence.
XRP
and Interoperability: XRP is expanding into multichain
interoperability, connecting with Cosmos and EVM sidechains.
With 200+ financial partners, it aims to bridge traditional
finance and crypto ecosystems.
Avalanche
and Web3 Gaming: Avalanche’s John Nahas emphasizes
blockchain as seamless backend infrastructure for
gaming, citing examples like Gunzilla Games’
“Off the Grid,” which leverages blockchain
for user ownership.
Policy
Shifts: The Trump administration is driving a pro-crypto
agenda, with plans to integrate blockchain into financial
systems. Bank regulators are exploring blockchain-based
payment systems, a stark contrast to previous skepticism.
Robinhood’s
Blockchain Platform: Robinhood is developing a blockchain-based
platform for trading tokenized US securities in Europe,
potentially partnering with Arbitrum or Solana.
Ethereum’s
Pectra Upgrade: Ethereum’s latest upgrade introduces
features like smart wallets and lower fees but has
raised concerns about a new attack vector that could
allow hackers to drain funds.
Other
Developments: Brave is integrating Cardano into its
browser wallet, and MBS Global plans a $9 billion
blockchain financial hub in the Maldives.
For
real-time updates, platforms like Cointelegraph or
CryptoSlate on X are active sources,
News
Crypto
market slows down, nearing a top
Market
Picture
The
crypto market slowed down but continued to move upwards
over the weekend, reaching $3.35 trillion. For the
past few days, it has been trading in the region of
the highs since early February. Ethereum and Dogecoin
have been the stars of this movement, adding around
40% in seven days, although the former's contribution
is certainly more significant.
The
crypto market's sentiment is consolidating in the
greed zone, leaving the corresponding index at 70
for the last three days. This is a good basis for
continued gains: not too hot to take profits and not
too cold to leave traders on the sidelines.
Bitcoin
rallied above $105.5k on Monday morning, entering
the area of highs where it has twice failed to hold
over the past six months. The impressive corrective
pullback from late January to early April, in our
opinion, created substantial margin for a new wave
of growth. Therefore, we will not be surprised if,
along with the positive dynamics of stocks, BTCUSD
will move to the renewal of historical highs already
this week.
News
Background
On
the weekly bitcoin chart, after the upward breakout
of the ‘bull flag’ pattern, a further rise
to $182,000 is possible, given the growth before the
downward consolidation. Cointelegraph presented such
a scenario.
Significant
inflows into spot bitcoin ETFS in the US continued
for the third week in a row. According to SoSoValue
data, weekly net inflows into spot BTC-ETFS totalled
$921 million, bringing the total to $41.16 billion
since bitcoin-ETFS were approved in January 2024.
Inflows into spot Ethereum-ETFS in the US broke after
two weeks, recording a small net outflow of $38.2
million to $2.47 billion since last July.
Cryptoquant
noted that the strategy firm's pace of bitcoin purchases
exceeds the rate at which miners are issuing new coins.
The firm's holdings alone imply an annual deflation
of the asset of 2.23%.
Public
mining companies sold about 70% of mined bitcoins
in April against a falling mining profitability, TheMinerMag
calculated. Since March, miners seemed to be moving
away from the HOLDing strategy that had prevailed
last year.
Over
the years, Coinbase has considered investing a significant
portion of its savings in bitcoin, following the example
of Strategy, but abandoned the idea because of the
risks, said Brian Armstrong, head of the exchange.
(FxPro)
News
Markets
ASX
futures are pointing up 97 points/1.2% to 8364
AUD
-0.0% to US63.70¢
Bitcoin
-1.6% to $US102,525
Wall St:
Dow +2.8% S&P +3.3% Nasdaq +4.4%
VIX -3.51 to 16.03
Gold -0.03% to $US3235.57 an ounce
Brent oil +1.8% to $US65.03 a barrel
Iron ore +3.2% to $US100.00 a ton
10-year yield: US 4.47% Australia 4.36%
News
May
12, 2025
Investors
ramp up crypto spree as bitcoin nears record high
Australian
investors have pounced on the plunge in bitcoin earlier
this year and have been ramping up exposure to the
cryptocurrency in a bold bet that could pay off handsomely,
with analysts tipping prices to hit $US200,000 this
year.
The
world’s largest digital asset crossed the key
$US100,000 level last week for the first time since
February. Bitcoin extended that rally on Monday to
trade near $US105,000, just shy of its record of around
$US109,000 on January 20 – the day US President
Donald Trump was inaugurated.
It
represents a stunning turnaround for the cryptocurrency,
which traded as low as $US74,000 in early April amid
Trump’s escalating trade war. But sentiment started
to shift as traders hunted for alternatives to US
assets as they questioned the stability of the world’s
largest economy.
“Bitcoin
appeared to benefit from capital rotation associated
with ‘sell-America’ positioning and growing
scepticism around US monetary dominance,” Global
X investment analyst Justin Lin told The Australian
Financial Review after upgrading his year-end price
target to $US200,000.
The
trend was reinforced by a resurgence in global bitcoin
exchange-traded funds in April, with investors adding
$US2.9 billion ($4.5 billion) to those vehicles. That
marked a sharp reversal from February and March, when
more than $US5 billion in total was pulled from the
space.
A
further $US1.58 billion of flows moved into global
bitcoin ETFs in the first eight days of May, according
to US-listed crypto exchange Coinbase.
In
Australia, local ETFs have attracted $148 million
in inflows so far this year – more than double
compared to the same period in 2024.
And
unlike the US, Australian investors have been consistent
buyers throughout this year. Local bitcoin ETFs experienced
$6.9 million of inflows in March and $20.5 million
in new flows in April, according to Global X.
Trump
gala
The
second-largest digital token, ethereum, has also been
swept up in last week’s rally, surging as much
as 33 per cent in its steepest weekly gain since 2021,
when low interest rates fuelled the pandemic-era crypto
boom.
While
ether has benefited from easing global trade tensions,
the token was boosted by a network upgrade designed
to reduce fees, improve network efficiency and enable
more complex wallet functionalities – moves seen
as necessary to fend off competition from faster-growing
rivals like solana.
Trump
has become an advocate of digital assets during his
second term by rolling back legal actions against
many companies in the sector, establishing a bitcoin
reserve, easing regulation and even launching his
own memecoin.
The
president is due to host a private gala dinner on
May 22 with the top 220 holders of the Trump memecoin,
an event that could mark a “turning point”
for the broader cryptocurrency market, according to
Global X’s Lin.
“[The
event’s] symbolic value is significant,”
he said. “It could serve as a launchpad for broader
crypto-friendly rhetoric and possibly renewed regulatory
commitments. Any such pivot would inject momentum
into the sector.” (AFR) *Full article and coverage
via subscription to The Australian Financial Review.
News
Cryptocurrency
Movies
Here’s
a concise rundown of notable cryptocurrency-themed
movies and documentaries, blending education and entertainment,
based on their relevance to blockchain, Bitcoin, and
digital currencies:
Documentaries
The
Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014)
Follows early Bitcoin adopters like Daniel Mross,
exploring Bitcoin’s origins, volatility, and
potential to disrupt finance. Insightful for understanding
the early crypto community. Available on various streaming
platforms.
Banking
on Bitcoin (2016)
Chronicles Bitcoin’s ideological roots and its
impact on financial systems, featuring interviews
with key crypto figures. Great for grasping Bitcoin’s
societal implications. Available on Netflix and other
platforms.
Trust
Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018)
Explores blockchain’s broader applications beyond
cryptocurrency, demystifying the technology’s
potential. Funded and distributed via blockchain,
it’s a unique watch. Available on Prime Video.
Bitcoin:
The End of Money as We Know It (2015)
A 60-minute dive into the history of money and Bitcoin’s
role in challenging centralized finance. Features
experts like Vitalik Buterin. Streamable on platforms
like YouTube.
Trust
No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King (2022)
A Netflix documentary investigating the mysterious
death of QuadrigaCX CEO Gerry Cotten and the $250
million in missing investor funds. Gripping for scam
enthusiasts.
Biggest
Heist Ever (2025)
A Netflix documentary detailing the 2016 Bitfinex
hack, where 120,000 Bitcoin (worth over $4 billion)
were stolen. Focuses on Heather Morgan (aka Razzlekhan)
and Ilya Lichtenstein. A fresh take on crypto crime.
Feature
Films
Crypto
(2019)
A crime thriller starring Beau Knapp, Luke Hemsworth,
and Kurt Russell. Follows a Wall Street banker uncovering
a cryptocurrency-fueled money laundering scheme in
his hometown. Critically mixed but engaging for drama
fans. Available on Google Play and Prime Video.
Silk
Road (2021)
A crime drama about Ross Ulbricht and the dark web
marketplace Silk Road, where Bitcoin was the primary
currency. Explores the legal and ethical complexities
of crypto in illicit markets. Available on streaming
services like Fandango.
Dope
(2015)
A coming-of-age comedy-drama where high schoolers
use Bitcoin for a dark web drug transaction. Not crypto-centric
but an early mainstream nod to Bitcoin’s cultural
presence. Streamable on Netflix.
Bitcoin
Heist (2016)
A Vietnamese action-comedy about undercover agents
chasing a crypto hacker, “The Ghost.” Blends
suspense and humor, offering a lighthearted take on
crypto crime. Available on Prime Video.
Why
Watch These?
These films range from educational documentaries to
thrilling fictional tales, reflecting crypto’s
rise, scandals, and societal impact. Documentaries
like Banking on Bitcoin and Trust Machine are ideal
for learning about blockchain’s mechanics and
potential, while thrillers like Crypto and Silk Road
dramatize the risks and allure of digital currencies.
For 2025, Biggest Heist Ever is a must-watch for its
fresh perspective on a massive crypto theft.
Where
to Watch
Most
are available on Netflix, Prime Video, Google Play,
or Fandango. Check specific platforms for availability
in your region. (Grok)
News
Bitcoin
Movies On Netflix
Netflix
currently offers a few movies and documentaries focused
on Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. Here are the most notable
ones available as of my last update:
Bitconned
(2024) - A true-crime documentary about three individuals
who exploited the cryptocurrency market, scamming
millions from investors to fund lavish lifestyles.
It dives into the darker side of crypto with a focus
on the Centra Tech scam. [IMDb: 6.5]
Trust
No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King (2022) - This
documentary explores the mysterious death of Gerald
Cotten, founder of the QuadrigaCX exchange, and the
$250 million in investor funds that vanished. It follows
investors turned amateur detectives unraveling the
scandal. [IMDb: 6.3]
Hotel
Bitcoin (2024) - A Spanish comedy film where four
friends discover a fortune in lost bitcoins, sparking
a chaotic adventure to protect their windfall and
friendships. It’s a lighter, fictional take on
Bitcoin’s allure.
Biggest
Heist Ever (2024) - A documentary covering the Bitfinex
hack, where a couple, dubbed the "Bitcoin Bonnie
and Clyde," allegedly laundered nearly 120,000
bitcoins. It’s a deep dive into one of crypto’s
most infamous crimes.
Crypto
Boy (2023) - A Dutch drama about a young man drawn
into the world of cryptocurrency after a fallout with
his father, exploring themes of ambition and deception.
It’s more character-driven than educational.
Notes:
Availability
may vary by region, so check Netflix in your area.
Some
older Bitcoin documentaries, like Banking on Bitcoin
or The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin, are not currently
on Netflix but may be available on other platforms
like Amazon Prime or YouTube.
For
a broader list, posts on X also mention Bitcoin: The
End of Money as We Know It and The Blockchain and
Us, but these are not confirmed on Netflix at this
time. (Grok)
News
Memecoins
Today:
Memecoins
are seeing significant activity today, May 13, 2025,
with several coins rallying and ongoing controversies
shaping market sentiment. Here's a concise overview
based on recent developments:
Market
Performance:
Dogwifhat
(WIF), Book of Meme (BOME), and FLOKI are extending
double-digit rallies, driven by a risk-on sentiment
in crypto markets following US-China tariff reductions.
Technical indicators suggest potential for further
gains.
Moo
Deng, a Solana-based memecoin, surged 153% in the
past 24 hours, fueled by institutional demand for
SOL and retail interest after Bitcoin’s rally
above $103,000.
FLOKI
is highlighted on X as a top performer, with posts
suggesting it could lead the memecoin rally alongside
DOGE, SHIB, and PEPE.
Political
and Controversial Developments:
Trump’s
$TRUMP Memecoin: The coin remains in the spotlight
due to a May 22 dinner for top holders at Trump’s
Virginia golf club, sparking ethical concerns and
political backlash. The coin surged over 50% after
the announcement, reaching a $2.7 billion market value,
though 764,000 investors have lost money compared
to 58 wallets profiting significantly.
Melania’s
$MELANIA Memecoin: Launched January 19, it saw sniper
traders earn $99.6 million by buying minutes before
its public announcement. The team recently sold $1.5
million in tokens, amid a weakening memecoin market.
Legislative
Pushback: Senate Democrats blocked stablecoin legislation
due to controversies surrounding Trump’s crypto
ventures. Proposed bills, like the End Crypto Corruption
Act, aim to ban presidents and officials from issuing
digital assets to curb potential conflicts of interest.
Market
Sentiment:
X posts reflect active interest in memecoins, with
users seeking recommendations and shilling coins like
FLOKI and letsBONK. However, some posts highlight
the speculative nature, describing pump-and-dump cycles.
Discussions
on memecoins hit a year-to-date high, shifting focus
from Bitcoin and layer-1 protocols, though some argue
the memecoin frenzy is cooling as stablecoins gain
traction on Solana.
Broader
Context:
Memecoins
face criticism for lacking intrinsic value, with some
viewing them as celebrity-driven schemes. However,
advocates suggest AI agents could drive a “memecoin
renaissance” by adding utility.
The
$TRUMP token’s performance has been lackluster
compared to its peak, with onchain activity spiking
after the dinner announcement but still down 79% from
its all-time high.
Critical
Note: While memecoins are rallying, their volatility
and speculative nature carry significant risks. The
political ties to certain coins, especially $TRUMP,
raise ethical and legal questions, potentially influencing
market stability. Always verify information, as X
posts can contain unverified claims, and memecoin
investments are highly speculative. (Grok)
Bull
Market: Def
"Bull
market" describes a financial market where prices
are rising or are expected to rise. It commonly refers
to the stock market but can be applied to anything
that is traded, such as bonds, real estate, currencies,
and commodities.
Markets
and Cryptos
May
10, 2025
Sydney, Australia
Markets:
ASX
futures up 12 points/0.2% to 8261
AUD +0.1% at US64.09¢
Bitcoin +1.8% to $US103,152
Dow -0.3%
S&P -0.1%
Nasdaq -0.00%
Gold +0.6% to $US3326.57 an ounce
Oil +1.7% at $US63.92 a barrel
Iron ore +0.5% at $US97.00 a tonne
Cryptos
Today: (Near Live)
Bitcoin.
$102,887.02 USD. - 0.18%
Ethereum. $2,331.30. +6.50%
Tether $1 USD -0.10%
XRP. $2.35. +1.83. +2.4%
BNB. $638.149. +2.35%
Solana. $172.18. +6.56%
USD Coin. $1 USD -0.17%
Dogecoin: $0.2045 USD +5.52%
TRON. $0.2562 USD +3.06%
Cardano $0.7801 USD +2.20%
Wrapped Bitcoin $102,930.51 -0.28%
News
Crypto
News
Bitcoin
Surges Past $100,000: Bitcoin reclaimed the $100,000
mark for the first time since February, driven by
optimism around a U.S.-UK trade deal announced by
President Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The deal, which includes a 10% U.S. tariff on UK goods
and reduced UK tariffs, has fueled a broader market
rally. Bitcoin was trading at $102,700 late Thursday,
with analysts noting potential support at $100,000
and resistance near $107,000.
Other
Cryptocurrencies Rally: Ether surged over 14% to $2,050.46,
its highest since late March, while Solana and Dogecoin
gained 10% and 12%, respectively. The total crypto
market cap rose 2.5% to $3.09 trillion.
Stablecoin
Bill Blocked: The GENIUS Act of 2025, aimed at regulating
stablecoins, was stalled in the U.S. Senate on May
8 by Democratic lawmakers, citing concerns over President
Trump’s ties to the crypto industry, including
his family’s World Liberty Financial stablecoin
venture.
German
Seizure of Crypto Assets: German authorities seized
€34 million ($38 million) in cryptocurrencies,
including Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, and Dash, from
the eXch platform, linked to laundering funds from
Bybit’s $1.4 billion hack in February 2025.
SEC
and Ripple Settlement: The SEC and Ripple filed a
joint letter on May 8 to dissolve an August 2024 injunction
against Ripple and return $75 million of $125 million
in penalties held in escrow.
Trump’s
Crypto Ventures: World Liberty Financial, a Trump-affiliated
firm, unveiled a stablecoin and secured a $2 billion
deposit deal with an Emirati fund. However, Democratic
senators, including Elizabeth Warren, are pushing
back against crypto legislation, alleging corruption
tied to Trump’s crypto ventures.
Bitcoin
Investment Moves: Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy)
announced a $180 million Bitcoin purchase, adding
1,895 BTC, while a new whale withdrew $50 million
in Bitcoin from Binance.
Ethereum
Upgrades: Ethereum’s Pectra protocol upgrade
went live on May 7, boosting investor interest. Analysts
predict ETH could hit $5,925 in 2025, with long-term
forecasts up to $15,575 by 2030.
Market
Sentiment: The crypto market is in a transitional
phase, with Bitcoin down 14% from its January 2025
high of $109,079. Analysts like Standard Chartered’s
Geoff Kendrick forecast Bitcoin reaching $120,000
by Q2 2025 and $200,000 by year-end. (Grok)
News
A
sharp crypto market awakening
Market
Picture
TThe
crypto market has added about 5.8% to its capitalisation
over the past 24 hours, bringing it to $3.24 trillion.
This is roughly the area where the market has been
consolidating for most of February. A pause halfway
to the area of historical highs above 3.50 looks like
a logical respite. Back in November, the market surged
without major pauses—but this time, the momentum
appears more measured, with less of the earlier excitement.
The
crypto market sentiment index reached 73, which is
only a couple of steps away from extreme greed and
is the highest since late January. Often, this is
a working sentiment for continued growth.
Bitcoin
has been reaching levels above 104000 this morning,
adding an impressive 5% in the last 24 hours and 33%
in 30 days. At current highs, all eyes are on how
soon it will reach the all-time highs, which are less
than 6% away, and whether or not it can overcome them
outright. While similar rallies have broken records
in the past, we still expect some consolidation near
the highs before any decisive move higher.
The
rocket of the last few days has certainly been Ethereum,
which soared 23% in the last 24 hours, strengthening
twice as fast as Bitcoin over the month. The technique
worked perfectly. ETHUSD stomped around the 50-day
moving average for a long time and rose in value by
a third in less than two days to $2380. The rise to
2700 looks like an ‘easy part’ of the growth.
Further upside will already have to be fought for.
News
Background
On
May 8, bitcoin's realised capitalisation reached a
record $890.74 billion, which could indicate that
BTC is poised for significant growth, CryptoQuant
noted. The metric is the aggregate value of all coins
in circulation based on the quotes at which they were
last transferred.
Ethereum
shows the best weekly performance in the top 20 cryptocurrencies.
Nansen notes the accumulation of ‘smart money’
by institutions like Wintermute.
U.S.
banks can perform crypto transactions on customer
requests, provide custodial services through third
parties, and generate tax returns on digital assets.
This is stated in a clarification from the US Office
of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).
Payments
company Stripe has launched a product called Stablecoin
Financial Accounts. It will allow businesses in 101
countries to hold balances in dollar-denominated Stablecoins
and receive and send fiat and cryptocurrencies. (FxPro)
Best
Quotes Of The Day
An
investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
— Benjamin Franklin
"Bottoms
in the investment world don't end with four-year lows;
they end with 10- or 15-year lows." — Jim
Rogers
"Be
fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when
others are fearful." — Warren Buffett
Markets
May
8, 2025
ASX
futures down 4 points/0.1% to 8176
AUD -1.0% at US64.33¢
Bitcoin +1.3% to $US96,173
Dow +0.9%
S&P -0.2%
Nasdaq +0.4%
Gold -1.8% to $US3371.13 an ounce
Oil -1.9% at $US61.00 a barrel
Iron ore +0.8% at $US98.25 a ton
Markets
and Cryptos
May
7, 2025
Sydney, Australia
Markets
ASX
futures down 23 points/0.3% to 8146
AUD
+0.3% to US64.87¢
Bitcoin
flat at $US94,534
Wall
St:
Dow -1.0%
S&P -0.7%
Nasdaq -0.9%
VIX +1.18 to 24.82
Gold +2.4% to $US3414.77 an ounce
Oil +3.4% to $US62.26 a barrel
Iron ore +1.2% to $US97.70 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.31% Australia 4.33%
News
Bitcoin.
$95,096. 2.41%
Ethereum. $1,789.65. 1.60%
Tether. $1.99. +0.16%
XRP. $2.14. -0.46%
BNB. $599.88. 0.05%
Solana. $144.79. 1.351%
News
Crypto
News Today
Bitcoin
Price Outlook: Binance founder Changpeng "CZ"
Zhao predicts Bitcoin could reach $500,000 to $1 million
this market cycle, citing institutional adoption,
government accumulation, and pro-crypto U.S. policies.
Bitcoin is currently trading around $94,376, with
some analysts forecasting a 2025 high of ~$168,000.
Florida
Bitcoin Reserve Bills Withdrawn: Florida’s House
Bill 487 and Senate Bill 550, which aimed to establish
a state Bitcoin reserve, were withdrawn from consideration
on May 3, marking a setback for state-level crypto
initiatives.
Trump
Family Crypto Ventures: The Trump-affiliated World
Liberty Financial (WLFI) is gaining traction. Its
stablecoin, USD1, is being used for a $2 billion investment
by Abu Dhabi’s MGX into Binance. The Trump family’s
crypto activities, including a $TRUMP meme coin, have
sparked Senate backlash, with Democrats raising concerns
over conflicts of interest and pushing for stricter
stablecoin regulations.
BNB
ETF Filing: VanEck has filed for the first U.S. BNB
exchange-traded fund, which could stake BNB tokens,
signaling growing institutional interest in Binance’s
native token.
Crypto
Market Trends: Bitcoin remains steady at ~$93,831,
while Ethereum (ETH) and XRP are seeing slight declines.
Analysts suggest ETH may outperform XRP in May due
to stronger technical setups. The broader crypto market
cap dipped slightly, with mixed altcoin performance.
Regulatory
and Institutional Moves: Morgan Stanley plans to offer
crypto trading on its E*Trade platform by 2026. U.S.
banks no longer need Federal Reserve notification
for crypto activities, a significant regulatory win.
Crypto-Related
Crime: French police rescued the father of a crypto
entrepreneur kidnapped for ransom, highlighting a
rise in crypto-related abductions in France. (Grok)
News
Blockchain
News Today
Ethereum
Pectra Upgrade: Ethereum’s mainnet is undergoing
the Pectra upgrade today, marking its most significant
code change since the Merge in 2022. This upgrade
includes 11 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs)
aimed at enhancing user-friendliness, staking experiences,
wallet features, and overall blockchain efficiency.
Originally planned for 2024, the upgrade was delayed
due to its complexity.
Crypto
Market Trends: As of May 6, Bitcoin remains stable
at around $93,831, while Ethereum and XRP have seen
slight declines. Analysts are watching for potential
bigger moves in 2025, with Bitcoin predicted to possibly
hit $167,598.22 this year and surpass $900,000 by
2030, driven by increased adoption and whale activity.
Maldives
Blockchain Hub: A $9 billion blockchain hub project
in the Maldives is gaining attention as a transformative
initiative for the region’s crypto ecosystem,
highlighting blockchain’s growing global infrastructure.
Tether’s
AI Platform: Tether’s CEO, Paolo Ardoino, has
unveiled a new AI platform with crypto payment support,
building on their December 2024 announcement. This
move signals further integration of blockchain with
AI technologies.
Regulatory
Shifts: Recent U.S. policy changes allow banks to
offer Bitcoin and crypto services without Federal
Reserve notification, a significant win for crypto
adoption. This has sparked bullish sentiment, particularly
for Ethereum, which is seen as a hub for stablecoin
and onchain services.
Worldcoin’s
U.S. Expansion: Sam Altman’s Worldcoin is deploying
biometric “orbs” in U.S. cities to streamline
crypto wallet security, aiming to make transactions
more user-friendly and secure. (Grok)
News
The
US ran a record trade deficit in March. It will be
worse in April
In
March, the US trade deficit with other countries reached
unprecedented levels, driven by a rush to purchase
goods ahead of anticipated tariffs. This surge comes
amidst the backdrop of the US President’s striking
‘America’s Liberation Day’ tariff announcement,
with retaliatory tariffs following in April.
The
trade deficit is an important fundamental pressure
factor on the dollar, and it promises to become even
stronger in April’s data. As a result, we are
seeing temporary anomalies in the import numbers,
which have been on a tear since December, adding over
27% to March last year.
Exports,
on the other hand, are still within the trend of the
last three years, adding 6.7% YoY to $278.5bn. Still,
it doesn’t quite match the record-breaking $140.5
billion deficit and $419 billion in imports.
These
alarming numbers are likely just a preview, with a
downturn expected in the coming months—though
it will probably be less dramatic. This will give
the illusion that tariffs are working. However, it’s
more accurate to take a long-term view, factoring
in both the unusual spike in imports and the potential
drop that may follow. It would not be surprising if
the net effect is very controversial. (FxPro)
News
Gold
News Today
Gold
prices rose to a two-week high on Tuesday, May 6,
2025, driven by post-holiday buying from China and
concerns over potential U.S. tariffs on pharmaceutical
imports. Spot gold gained over 2%, reaching around
$3,317 per ounce, supported by a weaker U.S. dollar
and safe-haven demand. Investors are focused on the
Federal Reserve’s policy meeting outcome on May
7, as higher interest rates typically reduce the appeal
of non-yielding gold. In India, 24-carat gold prices
climbed to ?95,740 per 10 grams, while silver saw
a slight decline to ?96,900 per kilogram. Geopolitical
tensions, including Middle East conflicts, and uncertainty
over U.S.-China trade talks continue to bolster gold’s
appeal.
Markets
and Cryptos
May
2, 2025
Sydney,
Australia
Markets:
ASX
futures down 9 points/0.1% to 8153
AUD -0.3% at US63.86¢
Bitcoin +2.6% to $US96,560
Dow +0.7% S&P +1.2% Nasdaq +2.1%
Gold -1.9% to $US3227.23 an ounce
Oil +1.5% at $US61.95 a barrel
Iron ore -1.2% at $US95.20 a ton
Crypto
Today:
Bitcoin.
$96,857.23. 2.30%
Ethereum. $1,848.94. 2.43%
XRP. $2.2249. 0.71%
BNB. $599.84 USD +0.01%
Solana. $150.61 USD +2.64%
USD Coin. $1.00 USD -0.01%
Dogecoin. $0.1816 USD +4.87%
Crypto
News
Ripple’s
Regulatory Milestone: Ripple became the first blockchain-powered
payments provider licensed by Dubai’s DFSA, enabling
regulated cross-border crypto payments in the UAE,
a key global trade hub.
XRP
Market Dynamics: Despite a 30% price drop, XRP analysts
highlight strong fundamentals and institutional integration,
suggesting the dip may be a strategic shakeout before
a potential rally to $3.
SoFi’s
Crypto Push: Fintech SoFi plans to reintroduce crypto
investing by year-end, leveraging new U.S. regulatory
guidance. They aim to integrate blockchain across
lending, savings, and payments within 24 months.
UK
and US Regulatory Alignment: The UK announced draft
rules to regulate crypto exchanges and dealers, aiming
to align with the U.S. under Trump’s pro-crypto
policies, despite EU concerns.
Stablecoin
Developments: Visa and Bridge partnered to launch
stablecoin-linked cards in Latin America, while Abu
Dhabi’s ADQ, IHC, and First Abu Dhabi Bank plan
a dirham-backed stablecoin.
Worldcoin’s
U.S. Entry: Sam Altman’s Worldcoin (now World)
will debut in U.S. cities like Atlanta and San Francisco,
offering its WLD token for identity verification via
Orb scans.
Security
Concerns: North Korea’s Lazarus Group is targeting
crypto developers with malware through fake U.S. companies,
escalating cyber threats.
Markets
and Cryptos
April
28. 2025
Sydney,
Australia
Markets:
ASX
futures up 2 points/0.02% to 8078
AUD -0.1% at US63.91¢
BTC +0.1% to $US94,422
Dow +0.1% S&P +0.7% NAS +1.3%
Gold -0.9% to $US3319.72 an ounce
Oil +0.5% at $US66.87 a barrel
Iron ore -0.9% at $US98.60 a ton
Cryptos
Today:
Bitcoin
$94,380.95 USD -0.08%
Ethereum $1,803.59 USD -0.80%
Tether $1.00 USD -0.14%
XRP $2.28 USD +3.50%
BNB $606.29 USD -0.46%
Solana $149.14 USD +0.08%
USD Coin $0.9995 USD -0.12%
Dogecoin $0.182 USD +0.42%
Cardano $0.7146 USD +0.94%
TRON $0.2474 USD -2.16%
Markets
and Cryptos
April
24, 2025
Markets:
ASX
futures down 8 points/0.1% to 7925
AUD -0.2% at US63.57¢
BTC +2.1% to $US93,467
Dow +0.9% S&P +1.5% NAS +2.3%
Gold -2.7% to $US3291.17 an ounce
Brent oil -2.1% at $US66.02 a barrel
Iron ore +1.7% at $US100.30 a ton
Cryptos
Today:
Bitcoin
$93,462.51 USD +0.36%
Ethereum $1,793.04 USD +2.35%
Tether $1.00 USD +0.18%
XRP $2.22 USD -0.49%
BNB $606.23 USD -0.68%
Solana $150.92 USD +2.35%
USD Coin $0.999 USD -0.01%
Dogecoin $0.1784 USD +0.43%
Cardano $0.6953 USD +3.18%
TRON $0.2469 USD +0.02%
Markets
and Cryptos
Markets:
April
23, 2025
ASX
futures up 103 points/1.3% to 7939
AUD -0.7% at US63.68¢
BTC +4.5% to $US91,358
Dow +2.7%
S&P +2.1%
NAS +2.5%
Gold -1.5% to $US3371.27 an ounce
Oil +1.5% at $US67.22 a barrel
Iron ore -0.7% at $US98.65 a ton
Cryptos
Today:
Bitcoin
$91,075.31 USD +4.29%
ETH $1,695.23 USD +7.53%
Tether $1.00 USD -0.02%
XRP $2.16 USD +3.57%
BNB $607.70 USD +1.95%
Solana $144.34 USD +5.47%
USD Coin $0.9994 USD -0.08%
Dogecoin $0.1728 USD +9.13%
Markets
April
22, 2025
Sydney,
Australia
ASX
futures up 47 points/0.6% to 7833
AUD +0.6% at US64.18¢
Bitcoin +3.1% to $US87,298
Dow -2.7%
S&P -3.0%
Nasdaq -2.9%
Gold +2.8% to $US3420.95 an ounce
Brent oil -2.1% at $US66.55 a barrel
Iron ore +2.2% at $US99.60 a tonne
Cryptos
Today
Bitcoin:
$88,043.85USD
Ethereum: $1,623.35
Tether: $1.0002
XRP: $2.1231
BNB: $603.36
Solana $139.13
News
BlackRock
Boosts Bitcoin ETF with $84M Purchase BlackRock, a
major financial firm, has purchased $84 million worth
of Bitcoin for its spot Bitcoin ETF. This move reflects
ongoing institutional interest in cryptocurrencies,
despite uncertainties in the broader crypto market,
including legal issues surrounding other cryptocurrencies
like XRP. (Grok)
News
MicroStrategy's
$555M Bitcoin Purchase MicroStrategy, led by Michael
Saylor, has further expanded its Bitcoin investment
by purchasing an additional 6,556 BTC for approximately
$555.8 million, at an average price of $84,785 per
Bitcoin. This acquisition increases their total holdings
to 538,200 BTC, now valued at around $36.47 billion.
The move underscores Saylor's ongoing strategy of
accumulating Bitcoin, with the company achieving a
Bitcoin yield of 12.1% year-to-date in 2025. This
significant investment has been widely discussed online,
reflecting Saylor's belief in Bitcoin as a key asset
for MicroStrategy.
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day:
Truth
Social, the US President declared, “THE GOLDEN
RULE OF NEGOTIATING AND SUCCESS: HE WHO HAS THE GOLD
MAKES THE RULES.”
News
MicroStrategy's
Massive Bitcoin Purchase
MicroStrategy,
under the leadership of Michael Saylor, has significantly
expanded its Bitcoin holdings by purchasing an additional
6,556 Bitcoins for approximately $555.8 million at
an average price of $84,785 per Bitcoin. This acquisition
increases their total to 538,200 Bitcoins, representing
about 2.56% of the total Bitcoin supply, with a current
valuation of around $36.47 billion. This strategic
move underscores MicroStrategy's strong conviction
in Bitcoin's long-term value, sparking discussions
on its impact on Bitcoin's market dynamics and the
broader implications for corporate investment strategies
in cryptocurrency. (Grok)
News
The
Dollar Repeats Its Bearish Pattern of the 1980s and
2000s
After
four consecutive weeks of decline, the dollar index
started the new Monday by continuing its move into
the territory of three-year lows. Once again, a worrying
sign is that this dollar weakness is not translating
into buying in stocks or bonds — their indices
are also losing ground. From a technical standpoint,
the dollar index has broken through the 161.8% level
of the initial impulse from the highs at the start
of the year to a significant pause in early March.
The DXY received little to no support around the 99–100
area, which had triggered reversals over the past
two years.
The
dollar index is now trading around the same levels
it held during the second half of Trump's previous
presidential term, from 2018 to the first half of
2020. On the daily timeframes, the RSI is showing
the deepest oversold conditions since July 2020, and
on the weekly chart — since 2017.
Although
this setup creates favourable conditions for a rebound,
previous instances have led not to a full reversal
but to consolidation and further decline. A confident
break below the 200-week moving average underlines
the strength of the current sell-off. In the history
of free-floating forex markets — roughly the
past half-century — the current situation on
the long-term charts could be only the third similar
case, following the episodes of the mid-1980s and
early 2000s. In those cases, peaks in the dollar were
followed by two and six years of decline, shaving
off 45% and 40% respectively.
In
both instances, the dollar went on to update its historical
lows, while a major side effect was global recession
and a serious downturn in financial markets.
Focusing
solely on the implications for the US currency, a
repeat of the 1980s and 2000s patterns suggests a
potential move below 70, although this could take
years.
A
more immediate and realistic target for bears is a
pullback towards the 90 area on the index, where reversals
took shape in 2018 and 2020. A gradual decline, akin
to the 2002–2008 period, appears more likely
than a near-vertical collapse reminiscent of the 1980s.
Along the way, prolonged consolidations and even substantial
rebounds are possible. (FxPro)
News
Gold
Up
Wall Street brokers are urging clients to buy gold
despite prices already surging nearly 30 per cent
this year as analysts scramble to adjust forecasts
to keep up with the precious metal’s dizzying
rally. Goldman Sachs declared late last week that
gold still offered an “attractive entry point”
for investors, forecasting prices could hit $US4000
an ounce by the middle of next year. That’s 18
per cent above the precious metal’s current price,
which hit another all-time high above $US3384 an ounce
on Monday.
News
Gold
Price: 3,424.50 USD +97.50 (+2.93%)
Markets
and Cryptos
Major
stock indexes down, with the Nasdaq taking the biggest
hit, falling more than 3%.
Big
tech shares fell, led by Tesla, Nvidia and Apple.
The
ICE U.S. dollar index, a measure of the dollar against
a basket of major currencies, slipped more than 1%
to its lowest level in three years. The dollar hit
fresh lows against the euro, pound, yen and Swiss
franc.
Treasury
yields up, with the 10-year up to 4.39%.
Gold
surged to over $3,400 an ounce, a new record
Bitcoin
rallied
Japan's
Nikkei dropped 1.3%
China's
CSI 300 rose 0.3%.
Markets
in Hong Kong and Europe closed for the Easter holiday.
Dow
falls 1,000 pts, Nasdaq down 3%, S&P 2%
The
Dow Jones fell 1,053.09 points or 2.69% to 38,089.14,
the S&P 500 dropped 145.32 points or 2.75% to
5,137.38, and the Nasdaq declined 499.13 points or
3.06% to 15,787.31.
Cryptos
Today:
April
21, 2025 (US)
Bitcoin:
$88,043.85USD
Ethereum:
$1,623.35
Tether:
$1.0002
XRP:
$2.1231
BNB:
$603.36
Solana
$139.13
News
BlackRock
Boosts Bitcoin ETF with $84M Purchase
BlackRock,
a major financial firm, has purchased $84 million
worth of Bitcoin for its spot Bitcoin ETF. This move
reflects ongoing institutional interest in cryptocurrencies,
despite uncertainties in the broader crypto market,
including legal issues surrounding other cryptocurrencies
like XRP. (Grok)
News
MicroStrategy's
$555M Bitcoin Purchase
MicroStrategy,
led by Michael Saylor, has further expanded its Bitcoin
investment by purchasing an additional 6,556 BTC for
approximately $555.8 million, at an average price
of $84,785 per Bitcoin. This acquisition increases
their total holdings to 538,200 BTC, now valued at
around $36.47 billion. The move underscores Saylor's
ongoing strategy of accumulating Bitcoin, with the
company achieving a Bitcoin yield of 12.1% year-to-date
in 2025. This significant investment has been widely
discussed online, reflecting Saylor's belief in Bitcoin
as a key asset for MicroStrategy.
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day:
Truth
Social, the US President declared, “THE GOLDEN
RULE OF NEGOTIATING AND SUCCESS: HE WHO HAS THE GOLD
MAKES THE RULES.”
News
MicroStrategy's
Massive Bitcoin Purchase
MicroStrategy,
under the leadership of Michael Saylor, has significantly
expanded its Bitcoin holdings by purchasing an additional
6,556 Bitcoins for approximately $555.8 million at
an average price of $84,785 per Bitcoin. This acquisition
increases their total to 538,200 Bitcoins, representing
about 2.56% of the total Bitcoin supply, with a current
valuation of around $36.47 billion. This strategic
move underscores MicroStrategy's strong conviction
in Bitcoin's long-term value, sparking discussions
on its impact on Bitcoin's market dynamics and the
broader implications for corporate investment strategies
in cryptocurrency. (Grok)
News
The
Dollar Repeats Its Bearish Pattern of the 1980s and
2000s
After
four consecutive weeks of decline, the dollar index
started the new Monday by continuing its move into
the territory of three-year lows. Once again, a worrying
sign is that this dollar weakness is not translating
into buying in stocks or bonds — their indices
are also losing ground.
From
a technical standpoint, the dollar index has broken
through the 161.8% level of the initial impulse from
the highs at the start of the year to a significant
pause in early March. The DXY received little to no
support around the 99–100 area, which had triggered
reversals over the past two years.
The
dollar index is now trading around the same levels
it held during the second half of Trump's previous
presidential term, from 2018 to the first half of
2020. On the daily timeframes, the RSI is showing
the deepest oversold conditions since July 2020, and
on the weekly chart — since 2017.
Although
this setup creates favourable conditions for a rebound,
previous instances have led not to a full reversal
but to consolidation and further decline. A confident
break below the 200-week moving average underlines
the strength of the current sell-off.
In
the history of free-floating forex markets —
roughly the past half-century — the current situation
on the long-term charts could be only the third similar
case, following the episodes of the mid-1980s and
early 2000s. In those cases, peaks in the dollar were
followed by two and six years of decline, shaving
off 45% and 40% respectively. In both instances, the
dollar went on to update its historical lows, while
a major side effect was global recession and a serious
downturn in financial markets.
Focusing
solely on the implications for the US currency, a
repeat of the 1980s and 2000s patterns suggests a
potential move below 70, although this could take
years. A more immediate and realistic target for bears
is a pullback towards the 90 area on the index, where
reversals took shape in 2018 and 2020. A gradual decline,
akin to the 2002–2008 period, appears more likely
than a near-vertical collapse reminiscent of the 1980s.
Along the way, prolonged consolidations and even substantial
rebounds are possible. (FxPro)
News
Gold
Up
Wall
Street brokers are urging clients to buy gold despite
prices already surging nearly 30 per cent this year
as analysts scramble to adjust forecasts to keep up
with the precious metal’s dizzying rally.
Goldman
Sachs declared late last week that gold still offered
an “attractive entry point” for investors,
forecasting prices could hit $US4000 an ounce by the
middle of next year. That’s 18 per cent above
the precious metal’s current price, which hit
another all-time high above $US3384 an ounce on Monday.
News
Gold
Price: 3,424.50 USD
+97.50 (+2.93%)
News
Further
updates and numbers within 120 minutes.
Markets
April
15, 2025
ASX
futures up 31 points/0.4% to 7805
AUD
+0.7% to US63.32¢
Bitcoin
+0.3% to $US84,895
Wall
Street:
Dow+1%
S&P +0.9%
Nasdaq +0.9%
VIX -5.94 to 31.62
Gold -0.9% to $US3209.82 an ounce
Oil -0.3% to $US64.58 a barrel
Iron ore +0.8% to $US97.90 a ton
10-year yield: US 4.36% Australia 4.40%
Cryptos
Today:
Pi
Network. $0.7407. -1.07%
XRP. $2.14. -1.38%
Bitcoin. $84,578.00. -0.22%
Dogecoin. $0.1605. -3.55%
Shiba. $0.000012. -1.06%
Pi Network [IOU... pi. $0.7411. -1.01%
MEMES. $0.000100. +0.06%
Solana. $129.78. -1.17%
Markets
April
12, 2025
ASX
futures up 23 points/ 0.3% to 7683
AUD
+1% to US62.86¢
Bitcoin
+5.2% to $US83,813
Wall
St:
Dow
+1.6%
S&P +1.8%
Nasdaq +2.1%
VIX -3.08 to 37.64
Gold +1.9% to $US3235.90 an ounce
Brent oil +2.2% to $US64.72 a barrel
Iron ore +0.1% to $US97.20 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.48% Australia 4.39%
Cryptos
Today:
BTC.
$83,838.53. 5.57%
ETH. $1,570.31. 3.55.
USDT. $0.9996. 0.02%
XRP. $2.0561. 4.70%
BNB. $589.40. 2.45%
SOL. $120.77. 8.53%
USDC. $0.9999. 0.00%
DOGE. $0.1606. 4.79%
Cryptocurrency,
Fintech, Biz, Metals, Comms and News
Cryptos
Today:
BTC-USD.
85279.47. ( +2.25% )
AAPL. 198.15. ( +4.06% )
XRP-USD. 2.16. ( +6.66% )
ETH-USD. 1643.50. ( +4.87% )
SOL-USD. 132.26. ( +8.83% )
News
Crypto
and gold are both alternative assets, but they differ
significantly:
Crypto
(e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum):
Pros: Decentralized, high growth potential (Bitcoin
up ~100% in past year as of Apr 2025), borderless
transactions, tech-driven (blockchain). Some coins
like Bitcoin have capped supply, mimicking scarcity.
Cons:
Volatile (prices can swing 10-20% daily), regulatory
uncertainty, energy-intensive (Bitcoin mining uses
~150 TWh annually), no physical backing, vulnerable
to hacks/theft.
Use
case: Speculative investment, digital payments, store
of value for some.
Gold:
Pros: Stable (less volatility, ~10-15% annual return
long-term), tangible, universal acceptance, inflation
hedge (retains value over centuries), no counterparty
risk.
Cons:
Low growth (underperforms stocks/crypto in bull markets),
storage costs, no yield (doesn’t generate income),
less liquid for small transactions.
Use
case: Safe-haven asset, portfolio diversification,
jewelry/industrial demand.
Data
point: As of Apr 2025, Bitcoin’s market cap ($1.5T)
is ~10% of gold’s ($15T). Gold’s price is
~$2,600/oz, up 30% in 2 years; Bitcoin’s ~$75,000,
up 150% in same period.
Verdict:
Crypto offers higher reward/risk, suits tech-savvy
speculators. Gold’s for stability, long-term
wealth preservation. Mix depends on risk tolerance—younger
investors lean crypto, conservatives prefer gold.
(Grok)
News
China
Raises Tariffs on U.S. Goods to 125% Amid Trade War
China
has announced an increase in tariffs on all U.S. imports
from 84% to 125%, effective April 12. This move is
seen as a retaliation to the United States' earlier
imposition of a 145% tariff on Chinese goods. The
escalation marks a significant development in the
ongoing trade war between the two nations, with potential
implications for global trade dynamics and economic
relations. (Grok)
News
ChatGPT
Enhances Memory with 'Moonshine' Feature
OpenAI
has introduced an update to ChatGPT that enhances
its memory capabilities, allowing the AI to reference
all past conversations to provide more personalized
responses. This feature, known as 'Moonshine', is
rolling out to Plus and Pro users globally, except
in the EEA, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and
Liechtenstein. Team, Enterprise, and Edu users will
gain access in the coming weeks. Users have the option
to opt out of this feature at any time through the
settings, maintaining control over their data and
privacy. (Grok)
News
Crypto
helped by dollar weakness
April
11, 2025
Market
Picture
Crypto
market capitalisation remained at $2.59 trillion on
Friday morning, in line with the previous day's values,
despite a dip to $2.50 trillion overnight and a subsequent
recovery on Friday morning. This contrasts with the
slide in stock indices because a falling dollar supports
cryptocurrencies. Like a rising tide, the dollar's
decline is lifting other assets.
Sentiment
in the crypto market has returned to the extreme fear
zone, sending the index to the 25 level.
Bitcoin has been rising since early Friday, climbing
above $81.4K, after closing just below $80K on Thursday.
However, the first cryptocurrency has yet to confirm
a growth reversal. The key area along the way is the
$85K level, where the 50-day moving average passes.
Its overcoming will be an important confirmation of
the bullish sentiment, while fluctuations below it
will remain market noise.
XRP
and Tron found support this week on the decline to
the 200-day moving averages. This small but encouraging
signal suggests that market participants are still
adhering to a ‘buy on dips’ strategy, believing
in the continuation of the bullish trend.
News
Background
•
A combination of on-chain metrics and technical indicators
point to the need for Bitcoin to return above $93K
to regain upward momentum, Glassnode noted. The correction
has intensified selling by medium-term holdings, but
their activity is slowing.
•
New Bitcoin sell-offs are possible in the coming weeks,
but the bear market is likely to start in September,
according to ‘il Capo of Crypto’. The analyst
attributes this to the expected process of ‘global
economic reset’, which may be accompanied by
a major crisis - the first in BTC history.
•
The US Senate has approved the nomination of Paul
Atkins to the post of SEC chairman. He is expected
to focus on developing permanent standards for the
regulation of digital assets.
•
The SEC authorised the listing and trading of options
on spot Ethereum-ETFs from BlackRock, Bitwise and
Grayscale. In September, the regulator already gave
a similar authorisation for derivatives based on BTC-ETFs.
News
Top
10 Memecoins This Week
Here's
a list of the top 10 memecoins trending this week,
based on market performance, community engagement,
and recent price action as of April 13, 2025. Note
that memecoin rankings can shift rapidly due to volatility
and hype, so always do your own research before investing:
Dogecoin
(DOGE)
Still the king of memecoins, holding strong with a
massive community and consistent market cap dominance.
Recent price stability keeps it at the top.
Market Cap: ~$1.65T
Shiba
Inu (SHIB)
A long-time favorite, SHIB has seen renewed interest
with ecosystem updates like Shiba Name Service. Its
300% weekly rally earlier this year lingers in investor
memory.
Market Cap: ~$15B
Pepe
(PEPE)
The frog meme coin continues to thrive, driven by
viral social media buzz and a loyal community. It’s
a top pick for speculative traders.
Market Cap: High-ranking, exact figures fluctuate
Official
Trump (TRUMP)
Launched in January 2025, this Solana-based coin tied
to Donald Trump has exploded due to political hype
and exchange listings.
Market Cap: ~$38B
Bonk
(BONK)
Solana’s dog-themed memecoin remains a community
darling, with integrations across DeFi and NFTs boosting
its appeal. Up 2.01% this week.
Market Cap: ~$2.3B
Floki
Inu (FLOKI)
Evolving from a meme to a Web3 project with NFT and
DeFi utility, Floki stays relevant with strong marketing
and Elon Musk ties.
Market Cap: Growing steadily
dogwifhat
(WIF)
A Solana-based memecoin with quirky branding, WIF
rides the wave of dog-themed coin popularity and DEX
trading volume.
Market Cap: Competitive in top 10
Fartcoin
(FARTCOIN)
A humorous Solana coin gaining traction for its absurd
branding. Up 35% recently, showing the power of meme-driven
pumps.
Market Cap: ~$475M at $0.4755
SPX6900
(SPX)
Ethereum-based coin with a “flip the stock market”
slogan. Its 8000% surge late last year keeps it in
the spotlight.
Market Cap: ~$860M
Pudgy
Penguins (PENG)
A
newer entrant leveraging NFT community hype, PENG
combines cute branding with growing exchange availability.
Market
Cap: Rising fast
Notes:
Rankings
are based on recent data and sentiment from sources
like CoinGecko, CoinMarketCap, and X posts, but exact
positions vary by source. Memecoins are highly speculative,
and prices can crash as fast as they pump.
I
avoided obscure coins like $FRADWARD or $RETARDIA
mentioned on X, as they lack verified traction and
could be pump-and-dump schemes.
Always
check real-time data on exchanges like Binance, Coinbase,
or DEXs like PancakeSwap, as memecoin volatility is
extreme.
News
Dogecoin
wins Media Meme 'Memecoin Of The Month' award
News
Flashback
AFP
Press Release
March
20, 2025
Australian
victims warned over rising cryptocurrency exchange
impersonation scams
This
is a joint media release between the Australian Federal
Police, National Anti-Scam Centre, and Binance Australia
Editor's
note: Scam text example image available via Hightail.
Authorities
have hit send on a text and email blitz to warn Australian
cryptocurrency customers about scammers impersonating
a high-profile exchange.
The
National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), in partnership with
the AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination
Centre (JPC3), has today (20 March, 2025) reached
out to more than 130 potential victims alerting them
to the impersonation scam targeting the Binance cryptocurrency
exchange.
They
were identified through messages found on an end-to-end
encryption platform.
In
scams similar to what is seen in traditional finance,
targets were allegedly contacted via SMS and encrypted
messaging platforms by someone claiming to be a Binance
representative who said their cryptocurrency accounts
had been breached.
The
messages allegedly contained fake verification codes
and were often 'spoofed', meaning they appeared in
a legitimate existing message thread from the well-known
cryptocurrency exchange.
A
support phone number was also sent, but when the targets
called it, they were instructed to protect their accounts
by transferring their cryptocurrency to a 'trust wallet',
which was controlled by the scammer and allowed the
assets to be stolen.
Under
Operation Firestorm, a global operation launched in
2024 to address and disrupt offshore organised crime
networks deceiving Australians through romance, cryptocurrency
and investment scams, the JPC3 identified more than
130 Australian-based victims targeted by the crypto
scam through collaboration with foreign law enforcement
partners.
AFP
Commander Cybercrime Operations Graeme Marshall said
once the funds were transferred to an account controlled
by scammers, they were generally quickly transferred
through a network of wallets and money laundering
accounts making seizure or recovery difficult.
"The
AFP has worked closely with our partners at the NASC
to ensure any victims in Australia targeted by these
scammers were identified swiftly and given advice
to help protect their cryptocurrency accounts,"
Commander Marshall said.
"Anyone
who received an SMS or email warning from the NASC
must take it very seriously.
"If
you have already transferred your cryptocurrency to
a so-called trust wallet, report it to your bank or
digital currency exchange immediately, then to police
via ReportCyber quoting the reference number AFP-068."
Australian
Competition & Consumer Commission Deputy Chair
Catriona Lowe said impersonation scams had become
common, and it was vital that people verified all
communications they received, even where they appeared
to come from trusted organisations.
"Impersonation
scams rely on people trusting that the text, email
or phone call they get is legitimate and scammers
go to significant lengths to create the appearance
of legitimacy," Ms Lowe said.
"We
urge all Australians to contact an organisation directly
using official contact details from their website
or app to verify any communication they receive."
Binance
Chief Security Officer Jimmy Su said protecting their
users was Binance's top priority, and education was
key in the fight against scams.
"Scammers
often impersonate trusted platforms — like Binance
and others — by exploiting certain telecom loopholes
to manipulate sender names and sender phone numbers
to create urgency," Mr Su said.
"To
stay safe, always verify communications using Binance
Verify — our tool to confirm official Binance
channels. Never share sensitive information like your
seed phrase or transfer funds under pressure. If in
doubt, stop and verify through official sources.
"Binance
remains committed to working with law enforcement
and the community to combat fraud and enhance user
security."
Impersonation
scams
An
impersonation scam occurs when scammers pretend to
be trusted businesses, government agencies, law enforcement,
or even friends and family to steal money or personal
information.
Warning
signs
Unsolicited
contact from someone claiming to be from Binance,
a well-known cryptocurrency exchange, about an 'account
breach'.
Pressure
to act quickly due to suspicious activity or security
concerns.
Being
asked to provide sensitive information, such as your
seed phrase or account balance.
Unusual
requests to transfer money or make payments to a different
account under the guise of securing your funds.
Insisting
on secrecy and not discussing the matter with family
or friends, claiming the situation is sensitive.
Protect
yourself
If
you receive a call, email or text claiming to be your
Digital Currency Exchange (DCE) provider, use the
official contact details on your provider's website
to confirm the legitimacy of the request.
Don't
click on any links or download attachments from unsolicited
messages.
Be
extremely wary of urgent requests asking you to act
immediately.
Keep
your devices secure by ensuring your software is always
up to date.
Never
provide your personal information, particularly your
seed phrase.
What
to do if you're a victim
Report
it to police quoting the reference number AFP-068.
Report
it to Scamwatch to help others avoid similar scams.
Stop
all communication with the scammer.
Notify
your DCE provider.
If
you are concerned your identity has been compromised,
contact the national identity and cyber support service,
IDCARE.
Situations
such as this can be upsetting. If you, or someone
you know, needs help, we encourage you to contact
Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
They provide 24/7 support services.
About
the JPC3
The JPC3 brings together Australian law enforcement
and key industry and international partners to fight
cybercrime and prevent harm and financial loss to
the Australian community.
We
are committed to equipping all Australians with the
knowledge and resources to protect themselves against
cybercrime.
Watch
our cybercrime prevention videos and protect yourself
from being a victim of cybercrime.
If
there is an immediate threat to life, or risk of harm,
call 000.
If
you are a victim of cybercrime, report it to police
using Report Cyber.
About
the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC)
The
National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) is run by the ACCC.
The NASC promotes and participates in public and private
sector collaboration to make Australia a harder target
for scams.
The
NASC runs the Scamwatch service (http://scamwatch.gov.au)
which receives intelligence from the public and provides
information about how to spot and avoid scams.
(Credit:
Australian Federal Police)
News
Gold
Price
Gold
extended its rose above the $3,250 per ounce mark
on Friday, a new record, lifted by a weaker US dollar
and surging demand for safety following further escalation
in the US-China trade war. China lifted its tariffs
on the US to 125% as of April 12th and stated it will
ignore further US responses after a series of increases
in tariffs by the White House topped at 145%. The
current measures are due to impact nearly $700 billion
of goods exchanged between the world's largest economies
every year, paring risk assets tied to global growth
and supporting inflows into safety. On the monetary
policy front, the Federal Reserve gave no indication
that it will intervene in policy to cap the surge
in long-dated yields, but further evidence of disinflation
in the March CPI report supported the case for rate
cuts this year, also supporting bullion assets.
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day
"Blockchain
is the tech. Bitcoin is merely the first mainstream
manifestation of its potential." — Marc
Kenigsberg
"Blockchain
is the biggest opportunity set we can think of over
the next decade or so." — Bob Greifeld
"Blockchain
is the most disruptive technology I’ve seen in
decades." — William Mougayar
"Blockchain
will do for trusted transactions what the internet
did for information." — Ginni Rometty
"Blockchain
is the future of financial transactions." —
Blythe Masters
"Blockchain
technology is a way to truly democratize power and
wealth." — Laura Shin
"Decentralization
is the keyword for blockchain’s value proposition."
— Vitalik Buterin
"The
great thing about blockchain is that it has the potential
to create new industries." — Patrick Byrne
"Blockchain’s
transparency makes it the perfect tool for accountability."
— Balaji Srinivasan
"Blockchain
is the backbone of the internet of value." —
Don Tapscott
News
Bitcoin
Gaming: News
$GAMES
Token Surge: The $GAMES token, touted as the first
Bitcoin gaming token on http://Gate.io, spiked 35%
as it entered price discovery. It's tied to the "Game
of Bitcoin" project, stirring buzz around a potential
recovery in crypto gaming markets.
Japanese
Developer Enish's Bitcoin Move: Enish, a Japanese
game developer, bought 100 million yen (~$670,000)
worth of Bitcoin to deepen its blockchain gaming expertise.
Their game "De Lithe Last Metsoires" already
uses blockchain, aiming to enhance gameplay and business
models.
Web3
Gaming Momentum: Projects like Big Time Studios and
Star Atlas are gaining traction in Web3 gaming, focusing
on player ownership and sustainable economies. Star
Atlas emphasizes decentralized governance, letting
players shape in-game policies, which could integrate
Bitcoin or crypto rewards.
Bitcoin
Casino Rankings: New 2025 rankings highlight Bitcoin
casinos like Ignition, BitStarz, and mBit for no-KYC,
fast payouts, and provably fair games. These platforms
support Bitcoin alongside other cryptocurrencies,
offering slots, poker, and live dealer options.
Play-to-Earn
Growth: Play-to-earn (P2E) games like http://Casino.bet
Wheel let players earn Bitcoin without deposits, blending
simple gameplay with crypto rewards. These models
are drawing attention for accessible crypto gaming.
News
ASX
News
ASX
Metals & Mining:
BHP
Group Limited (ASX:BHP): Showed a decrease of 2.25%.
Fortescue Ltd (ASX:FMG): Currently has a positive
percentage change.
Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO): Showed a decrease.
Northern Star Resources Limited (ASX:NST): Has a positive
percentage change.
Industrial
Metals:
Copper (Comex): Showed a positive change of +18.65.
3Mo Copper (LME): Showed a positive change of +166.50.
3Mo Aluminum (LME): Showed a positive change of +26.50.
3Mo Zinc (LME): Showed a positive change of +10.50.
Precious
Metals:
Gold: Prices are fluctuating.
Silver: Prices are fluctuating.
Platinum: Prices are fluctuating.
Palladium: Prices are fluctuating
News
Gold:
The price of gold is currently around $5,148.58 per
ounce in Australian dollars.
Silver:
The price of silver is around $51.52 per ounce in
Australian dollars.
Cryptocurrency,
Fintech, Markets, Comms, Biz, Politics
April
7, 2025
Markets
ASX
futures down 331 points/4.3% to 7388
AUD -0.3% at US60.21¢
Bitcoin -4.3% to $US79,283
Dow -5.5%
S&P -6.0%
Nasdaq -5.8%
Gold -2.5% to $US3038.24 an ounce
Brent oil -6.5% at $US65.58 a barrel
Iron ore flat at $US98.00 a tonne
News
April
7, 2025
Crypto
Today:
BTC.
$78,820.93. 4.67%
ETH. $1,577.20. 10.02.
USDT. $0.9998. 0.03%
XRP. $1.9566. 7.10%
BNB. $552.66. 6.00%
USDC. $1.0002. 0.03%
SOL. $106.55. 9.74%
DOGE. $0.1499. 9.96%
News
Countries
Respond to U.S. Tariffs with Negotiation Offers
Following
President Trump's announcement of new tariff policies,
Vietnam and Taiwan have both offered to eliminate
all tariffs on U.S. goods. Additionally, over 50 countries
have reached out to the U.S. to begin trade negotiations,
as stated by U.S. National Economic Council Director
Kevin Hassett. These actions are in response to the
U.S. imposing tariffs, with countries seeking to negotiate
new trade deals to mitigate the impact of these tariffs.
(Grok)
News
Bitcoin
Dips Below $80,000, Hits $78,000 Amid Market Liquidation
On
April 6, 2025, Bitcoin experienced a significant price
drop, falling below $80,000 and reaching as low as
approximately $78,000. This decline was accompanied
by a $200 million liquidation from the cryptocurrency
market within the past hour. Ethereum also saw a decrease,
falling below $1,700, marking a notable downturn in
the broader crypto market. (Grok)
News
Trump's
Tariffs Prompt Global Trade Shifts
President
Trump has recently imposed tariffs on several countries,
prompting a variety of responses globally. Vietnam
has proposed eliminating tariffs on U.S. goods following
discussions with Trump, with plans to send diplomats
to Mar-a-Lago to finalize the agreement. In the UK,
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has acknowledged the failure
of globalization and expressed understanding of Trump's
tariff strategy. Meanwhile, business leaders like
Elon Musk have advocated for a zero-tariff system
between the U.S. and Europe to establish a free trade
zone. Public opinion on these tariffs is divided,
with some seeing an increase in Trump's approval ratings,
while others, including investors, express concerns
over economic impacts. (Grok)
World
News, Biz, Markets, Resources, Politics, Media
April
4, 2025
Tariff
wars made the dollar a risky asset
Gold
Movements
in metals have been monumental. A 3% rise deep into
the region of all-time highs for Gold was followed
by a collapse of more than $100 from $3,170 to $3,050
an ounce. On Friday, trading stabilised near $3100,
minimally adding to levels at the opening of the week.
Tactically,
this is a good time for the bulls to exhale and lock
in profits. This is confirmed by the fulfilment of
an important growth target and the entry into extreme
overbought on weekly timeframes on RSI. Multi-week
corrections started in similar conditions in 2024.
Oil
Oil
took a double hit in the week in less than 24 hours
when it came under pressure from the macroeconomy
due to tariffs and OPEC+ actions. Tired of waiting
for the global economy to accelerate, the Cartel switched
gears in the battle for market share, pledging to
ramp up production faster than the previously announced
plan.
Similar
moments occurred in March 2020 and December 2014.
On both occasions, oil dipped below $30 a barrel before
finding support in the form of coordinated action
by global producers. In theory, coordination is now
at a higher level, but that doesn't negate the powerful
pressures expected due to the trade shock and supply
expansion.
Technically,
oil is breaking through the bottom of the three-year
range, and the 50-week moving average worked as resistance
for the third time since September. (FxPro)
News
Cryptos
Today
BTC.
$83,789.09. 0.70%
ETH. $1,812.44. 0.36.
USDT. $0.9997. 0.00%
XRP. $2.1330. 2.61%
BNB. $596.22. 0.09%
SOL. $120.95. 3.74%
USDC. $1.0000. 0.01%
DOGE. $0.1696. 3.20%
News
Markets
ASX
200 futures are pointing down 93 points/1.2 per cent
to 7786
AUD
+0.4% to US63.22¢
Bitcoin
-4.7% to $US82,018
Wall
St:
Dow -4%
S&P -4.8%
Nasdaq -6%
VIX +8.26 to 29.77
Gold -0.9% to $US3108.38 an ounce
Brent oil -6.7% to $US69.91 a barrel
Iron ore -1.5% to $US101.25 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.04% Australia 4.26%
News
Germany
Considers Gold Withdrawal from U.S. Vault
Germany
is contemplating the withdrawal of approximately 1,200
tons of gold, valued at around $124 billion, from
a U.S. Federal Reserve vault in New York. This consideration
comes in the context of recent U.S. tariffs imposed
by President Trump. The decision-making process involves
senior officials from the Christian Democratic Union
(CDU) Party, who are set to lead the next German government
in the Bundestag. The potential repatriation of gold
has not occurred since World War II, highlighting
the significance of the current deliberations. (Grok)
News
Bitcoin
Holds Steady Amid Stock Market Turmoil
On
April 4, 2025, the US stock market experienced a significant
drop, with over $1.5 trillion in value being erased.
Amidst this turmoil, Bitcoin has shown resilience,
maintaining its value around $80,000. Some observers
and investors view this as a sign of Bitcoin decoupling
from traditional financial markets and emerging as
a potential safe haven asset, similar to gold. US
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has publicly stated
that 'Bitcoin is becoming a store of value,' reflecting
a viewpoint that is gaining traction among some in
the financial community. (Grok)
News
Coffee
Tariffs Prompt Debate on U.S. Production
The
United States is currently facing a discussion around
proposed tariffs on imported coffee, which could impact
consumer prices. While coffee is grown in the U.S.,
primarily in Hawaii, the production volume is significantly
less than the national demand. Increasing domestic
production to meet this demand presents logistical
and time-related challenges, as coffee plants require
several years to mature and produce a full crop. Opinions
vary on the feasibility and desirability of relying
more heavily on American-grown coffee to circumvent
the potential tariff-induced price increases.
Markets
April
4, 2025
ASX
futures down 74 points or 0.9% to 7805
AUD
+0.6% to US63.35¢
Bitcoin
-4.6% to $US82,296
Wall
St:
Dow
-3.3%
S&P -4.1%
Nasdaq -5.2%
VIX +6.02 to 27.53
Gold -0.7% to $US3112.12 an ounce
Brent oil -6.5% to $US70.09 a barrel
Iron ore -1.5% to $US101.25 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.05% Australia 4.26%
Cryptos
Today:
BTC.
$81,846.87. 5.49%
ETH. $1,774.30. 6.24.
USDT. $0.9997. 0.02%
XRP. $2.0101. 6.23%
BNB. $587.77. 2.64%
USDC. $1.0000. 0.01%
SOL. $113.95. 12.19%
DOGE. $0.1581. 8.06%
Markets
April
4, 2025
ASX
futures down 74 points or 0.9% to 7805
AUD
+0.6% to US63.35¢
Bitcoin
-4.6% to $US82,296
Wall
St:
Dow
-3.3%
S&P -4.1%
Nasdaq -5.2%
VIX +6.02 to 27.53
Gold -0.7% to $US3112.12 an ounce
Brent oil -6.5% to $US70.09 a barrel
Iron ore -1.5% to $US101.25 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.05% Australia 4.26%
Cryptos
Today:
BTC.
$81,846.87. 5.49%
ETH. $1,774.30. 6.24.
USDT. $0.9997. 0.02%
XRP. $2.0101. 6.23%
BNB. $587.77. 2.64%
USDC. $1.0000. 0.01%
SOL. $113.95. 12.19%
DOGE. $0.1581. 8.06%
Markets
March
24, 2025
ASX
futuresdown 0.5 per cent or 41 points to 7945
AUD
flat at US62.73¢
Bitcoin
+1.2% to $US85,147
Wall
St:
Dow +0.1%
S&P
+0.1%
Nasdaq
+0.5%
VIX
-0.52 points to 19.28
Gold
-0.8% to $US3022.15 an ounce
Brent
oil +0.2% to $US72.16 a barrel
Iron
ore -0.5% to $US100 a tonne
10-year
yield: US 4.25% Australia 4.39%
Crypto
Today
BTC.
$85,293.57. 1.15%
ETH. $2,001.72. 0.75.
USDT. $1.0001. 0.03%
XRP. $2.4026. 0.56%
BNB. $622.52. 0.78%
SOL. $132.21. 2.11%
USDC. $1.0003. 0.02%
ADA. $0.7082. 0.59%
Markets
March
24, 2025
ASX
futuresdown 0.5 per cent or 41 points to 7945
AUD
flat at US62.73¢
Bitcoin
+1.2% to $US85,147
Wall
St:
Dow +0.1%
S&P
+0.1%
Nasdaq
+0.5%
VIX
-0.52 points to 19.28
Gold
-0.8% to $US3022.15 an ounce
Brent
oil +0.2% to $US72.16 a barrel
Iron
ore -0.5% to $US100 a tonne
10-year
yield: US 4.25% Australia 4.39%
Crypto
Today
BTC.
$85,293.57. 1.15%
ETH. $2,001.72. 0.75.
USDT. $1.0001. 0.03%
XRP. $2.4026. 0.56%
BNB. $622.52. 0.78%
SOL. $132.21. 2.11%
USDC. $1.0003. 0.02%
ADA. $0.7082. 0.59%
News
Media
Man Group Market Feed
News,
Crypto, Markets, Biz, Politics, Media
March
13/14, 2025
Crypto:
just a bumpy downtrend
Market
picture
The
crypto market declined during the week to a total
capitalisation of $2.5 trillion, a third lower than
the peaks in December last year. However, towards
the end of the week, we could see attempts to stabilise
the market, with a rebound of $2.67 trillion.
Despite
the growth attempts, only if the market breaks above
its 200-day moving average will we be able to take
it as a signal of a return to growth. For now, the
market dynamics resemble no more than just a bumpy
downtrend.
The
story is similar in Bitcoin, where the bears are regaining
control of the market on bounces to the $83,500 area.
A 200-day moving average is near this level.
Ethereum
is in a steep decline, having pulled back below $1900.
At its low point, it was below $1750. It hasn't been
this cheap since October 2023, losing over half of
its price since its peak in mid-December.
News
Background
Outflows
from spot bitcoin-ETFs in the US continue for the
seventh day in a row, with 19 trading sessions out
of 21 already.
CryptoQuant
calls the range of $75,000 - 78,000 as support, which
coincides with the lower boundary of the realised
price. If the quotes are fixed below this zone, the
$63,000 mark may become a benchmark.
Senator
Cynthia Lummis introduced an updated Bitcoin Act bill
in the US Senate that would allow the government to
store more than 1 million bitcoins as part of a newly
created crypto reserve. The US can buy 200,000 BTC
each year for five years, reallocating funds from
the Fed and Treasury Department.
The
US SEC has extended the deadlines for several applications
to launch spot ETFs based on XRP, Solana, Litecoin
and Dogecoin. Bloomberg called the regulator's move
‘expected’ and in line with standard procedures.
(FxPro)
News
The
crypto bounces back from extreme fear
Market
picture
The
cryptocurrency market bounced 2% in the last 24 hours
to $2.67 trillion. So far, the situation looks like
a small rebound after the collapse. We should not
talk about the beginning of recovery as long as the
market is below its 200-day moving average of $2.83
trillion.
Sentiment
in the crypto market has shifted from dread to fear
at 34. The indicator was last higher more than three
weeks ago, indicating that now is a good time to buy.
However, it's worth paying attention to the nervous
stock market before considering investments in more
volatile cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin
was climbing above $83,000 on Tuesday, hitting resistance
in the form of the 200-day moving average. If a long-term
trend line is repurposed as resistance, that's a worrisome
bearish fact.
Ethereum
ended Tuesday with growth and was trading near $1900
at the start of Wednesday, but this is a timid rebound
within the steep peak the coin has been in since February
24th and the broader downtrend of the past three months.
News
Background
CryptoQuant
states a sharp drop in open interest in Bitcoin and
Ethereum futures, suggesting a ‘leverage washout’
and a chance of market stabilisation. The Kobeissi
Letter admits a wave of short position unwinding in
risk assets after extreme fear levels are reached.
Clearstream,
the post-trading arm of Deutsche Börse, will
offer cryptocurrency settlement and custody services
to institutional clients as early as next month, starting
with Bitcoin and Ethereum. It then plans to add support
for other cryptocurrencies and services for staking,
lending and brokerage.
Glassnode notes that Solana fell below its realised
price of $134 for the first time in three years. The
metrics show the average cost for investors to purchase
the coin.
According
to Arkham Intelligence, on 11 March, bankrupt exchange
Mt. Gox transferred 11,501 BTC (~$905 million) to
an unknown address. Mt. Gox-related addresses hold
a total of 35,915 BTC worth $2.89bn. (FxPro)
News
Gold
hits fresh record
March
14, 2025
Spot
gold hit a fresh record high on Friday after the US
threatened higher tariffs on the EU, adding to growing
concerns that levies could hamper economic growth.Prices
rose as high as $US2990.02. It came after spot gold
notched its biggest intraday gain this year on Thursday,
rising 1.9 per cent. US President Donald Trump overnight
threatened to impose 200 per cent tariffs on alcohol
from the European Union, after the block set a 50
per cent tariff on American whisky.
News
Trump
crypto venture has talked to Binance about doing business
March
14, 2025
World
Liberty Financial, one of the Trump family’s
crypto ventures, has discussed doing business with
the world’s largest digital-asset exchange, Binance
Holdings, according to four people with knowledge
of the talks.
The
exchange’s founder pleaded guilty to failing
to take required measures to prevent terrorists, child
abusers and entities in sanctioned nations from using
its services.
It’s
not clear what stage the discussions have reached
or whether they’ll result in any transactions
or ventures, said the people, who asked not to be
named because the talks are private.
Two
of the people who spoke said conversations have included
the possibility of Binance developing a stablecoin
– a dollar-backed cryptocurrency – with
World Liberty, which President Donald Trump and his
sons began promoting in September. The Trumps receive
three-quarters of World Liberty’s net revenue,
according to its founding documents.
In
addition, representatives of the Trump family have
held talks with Binance about taking a stake in its
US arm, Binance US, The Wall Street Journal reported
on Thursday (Friday AEDT), citing people familiar
with the matter. In a post on X, Binance founder Changpeng
Zhao said he has not held discussions about a Binance
US deal with anyone.
Zhao
pleaded guilty in 2023 to anti-money laundering failures
that allowed Binance to be used by criminal groups
and terrorist organisations, including Hamas.
Zhao,
known as “CZ”, was released from a halfway
house in Long Beach, California, in September after
serving a four-month sentence. Binance paid a $US4.3
billion fine. Zhao has been pushing for the Trump
administration to grant him a pardon, according to
the Wall Street Journal’s report.
Three
months after leaving the halfway house, Zhao met with
Steve Witkoff, a co-founder of World Liberty, in Abu
Dhabi at the Bitcoin MENA 2024 conference, two of
the people said. Witkoff is the president’s Middle
East envoy. He is slated to meet with Russian President
Vladimir Putin this week as part of the Trump administration’s
efforts to halt the fighting that began when Russia
invaded Ukraine three years ago.
The
substance of Witkoff’s meeting with Zhao in December
is not clear. Talks between the crypto companies they
founded have taken place since then, according to
the four people with knowledge of the matter.
Witkoff
did not immediately respond to a request for comment,
nor did a White House spokesperson. Witkoff has said
he’s in the process of divesting from his crypto
assets as well as his holdings in real estate, transferring
holdings to his sons to manage potential conflicts
of interest.
A
representative for Binance US declined to comment
on Thursday, and representatives for World Liberty
did not respond to requests for comment.
Zhao
is still Binance’s controlling shareholder, with
a net worth of $US36.9 billion ($58.7 billion), according
to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He stepped down
as its chief executive officer in November 2023, when
he pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an anti-money
laundering program.
Richard
Teng, who replaced Zhao, said in February that he
sees an opportunity for a “fresh reset and a
restart” under Trump, though he did not specify
any plans. (Full article and coverage via subscription
to The Australian Financial Review)
News
SEC
Proposes XRP as Key U.S. Financial Asset
The
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has
released a document titled 'Comprehensive Proposal:
XRP as a Strategic Financial Asset for the U.S.' This
proposal explores the potential for XRP to become
a key financial asset, discussing the replacement
of the SWIFT system, legal clarity for XRP, and economic
benefits like unlocking $1.5 trillion in banking liquidity.
Discussions are also underway regarding whether XRP
should be classified as a commodity, similar to Ethereum,
which could influence its regulatory and market future.
News
Rumble's
Strategic Bitcoin Acquisition
March
13, 2025
Rumble,
a video platform and competitor to YouTube, has announced
the purchase of 188 Bitcoins for approximately $17.1
million. This acquisition is part of Rumble's strategy
to integrate Bitcoin into its treasury management,
aiming to hedge against inflation and participate
in the growing trend of corporate cryptocurrency adoption.
The move reflects a broader acceptance of Bitcoin
as a legitimate financial asset among companies.
March
11, 2025
Bitcoin
Plunge and U.S. Crypto Reserve Plan
Bitcoin
experienced a significant price drop, falling below
$80,000 after reaching a high of over $84,000. This
decline contributed to a market cap loss of $100 billion
in the cryptocurrency sector. Concurrently, the U.S.
government has announced plans for a Strategic Bitcoin
Reserve, intended to hold cryptocurrency forfeited
through legal actions, sparking discussions on market
stability and government involvement in crypto. (Grok)
News
US
confirms its critical minerals agenda as fallen miner
AVZ chases an improbable African prize
A
spokesman for the US State Department has confirmed
that the Trump administration is interested in entering
into a critical minerals partnership with the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC). DRC President Felix Tshisekedi
is said to want to strike a deal with the US to help
resolve a conflict with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels,
while any deal between the DRC and the US could help
Australian company AVZ Minerals. AVZ is seeking to
regain control of the Manono lithium deposit, which
it contends was illegally seized from it by Chinese
company Zijin, and it is understood that the Trump
administration would want to see AVZ regain control
of at least some part of Manono as part of any deal
with the DRC. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Markets
Australian
Dollar: $0.6282 USD (down $0.0035 USD)
Iron Ore Apr Spot Price (SGX): $102.20 USD (up $1.60
USD)
Oil: (WTI): $66.61 USD (down $1.09 USD)
Gold: $2,983.88 USD (up $52.14 USD)
Copper (CME): $4.9240 USD (up $0.0815 USD)
Bitcoin: $80,472.06 USD (down 2.82% in last 24 hours)
Dow Jones: 40,813.57 (down 537.35 points)
News
Roy
Morgan wins Media Man 'News Services Company Of The
Month' award
News Media
Australia
Peter Dutton More Crypto Friendly And Switched On
Than Albanese (Media Man Group)
News
"Dutton
A Genuine Contender" (Sky News Australia)
Crypto,
Fintech, Markets, News and Politics via Media Man
March
12/13, 2025
The
crypto bounces back from extreme fear
Market
picture
The
cryptocurrency market bounced 2% in the last 24 hours
to $2.67 trillion. So far, the situation looks like
a small rebound after the collapse. We should not
talk about the beginning of recovery as long as the
market is below its 200-day moving average of $2.83
trillion.
Sentiment
in the crypto market has shifted from dread to fear
at 34. The indicator was last higher more than three
weeks ago, indicating that now is a good time to buy.
However, it's worth paying attention to the nervous
stock market before considering investments in more
volatile cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin
was climbing above $83,000 on Tuesday, hitting resistance
in the form of the 200-day moving average. If a long-term
trend line is repurposed as resistance, that's a worrisome
bearish fact.
Ethereum
ended Tuesday with growth and was trading near $1900
at the start of Wednesday, but this is a timid rebound
within the steep peak the coin has been in since February
24th and the broader downtrend of the past three months.
News
Background
CryptoQuant
states a sharp drop in open interest in Bitcoin and
Ethereum futures, suggesting a ‘leverage washout’
and a chance of market stabilisation. The Kobeissi
Letter admits a wave of short position unwinding in
risk assets after extreme fear levels are reached.
Clearstream,
the post-trading arm of Deutsche Börse, will
offer cryptocurrency settlement and custody services
to institutional clients as early as next month, starting
with Bitcoin and Ethereum. It then plans to add support
for other cryptocurrencies and services for staking,
lending and brokerage.
Glassnode
notes that Solana fell below its realised price of
$134 for the first time in three years. The metrics
show the average cost for investors to purchase the
coin.
According
to Arkham Intelligence, on 11 March, bankrupt exchange
Mt. Gox transferred 11,501 BTC (~$905 million) to
an unknown address. Mt. Gox-related addresses hold
a total of 35,915 BTC worth $2.89bn. (FxPro)
News
SEC
vs Ripple Case: Negotiations Underway for Settlement
Recent
developments indicate that the legal dispute between
Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) could be nearing a conclusion. Reports suggest
that Ripple's legal team is currently negotiating
more favorable terms related to a $125 million fine
and an injunction on XRP sales to institutional investors.
The anticipation of a settlement has led to increased
interest and speculation within the cryptocurrency
community regarding the outcome and its potential
impact on XRP. (Grok)
News
U.S.
Plans Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Acquisition
Senator
Cynthia Lummis has reintroduced the BITCOIN Act, which
proposes that the United States government purchase
one million Bitcoins over five years to create a strategic
reserve. This legislative move reflects a growing
acknowledgment of Bitcoin as a digital asset for national
economic strategy, garnering support from both traditional
financial sectors and cryptocurrency advocates. Alongside
this, there is an ongoing debate about the implications,
risks, and potential benefits of such a reserve. (Grok)
News
Trump's
Crypto Banking Deregulation
President
Donald Trump is reportedly planning to sign an executive
order that would reverse regulations set by the Biden
administration aimed at restricting banking activities
for cryptocurrency firms. This move could impact how
crypto companies interact with the Federal Reserve,
potentially leading to greater integration of cryptocurrencies
within the traditional financial system. (Grok)
News
Rumble's
Strategic Bitcoin Acquisition
Rumble,
a video platform and competitor to YouTube, has announced
the purchase of 188 Bitcoins for approximately $17.1
million. This acquisition is part of Rumble's strategy
to integrate Bitcoin into its treasury management,
aiming to hedge against inflation and participate
in the growing trend of corporate cryptocurrency adoption.
The move reflects a broader acceptance of Bitcoin
as a legitimate financial asset among companies. (Grok)
News
Trump
Predicts Market Surge Amid Economic Indicators
President
Trump has publicly stated his belief that the U.S.
financial markets are poised for significant growth,
making his comments at an event with business leaders.
This optimistic forecast follows recent economic indicators
showing inflation cooling to levels not seen in years,
despite mixed responses from markets regarding Trump's
economic policies including tariffs. (Grok)
News
Ethereum's
Lowest BTC Ratio Since 2020 Triggers Liquidation Risk
The
Ethereum Foundation faces potential liquidation of
over $100 million in assets if Ethereum's price drops
to $1,100, amidst a historic low in the ETH/BTC trading
ratio not seen since May 2020. This financial maneuver
is part of Ethereum's strategy to manage its treasury
through decentralized finance (DeFi), highlighting
both the risks and innovative approaches to crypto-asset
management in a volatile market. (Grok)
News
Gold
funds burst out of the blocks in 2025 as returns rocket
Australian
gold funds are shaping up for a bumper year as mining
companies start to capitalise on record prices, helping
the stocks to finally catch up to the performance
of the precious metal.
Portfolio
managers were left frustrated last year after a jump
in production costs held back ASX-listed gold producers
from riding the rally in the spot prices to record
levels. The VanEck Gold Miners exchange-traded fund
climbed nearly 20 per cent in 2024 versus a 38 per
cent rally for the gold price in Australian dollars.
But
easing cost inflation that has plagued the mining
sector for the last three years and an ongoing surge
in prices has seen the trend reverse course. VanEck’s
Gold Miners ETF is up 17 per cent already this year
while the Aussie dollar spot price has climbed 6.3
per cent.
Local
fund managers are bullish that gold has much further
to run after the US dollar price climbed above $US2942
an ounce for the first time and the Australian dollar
gold price breached $4500 an ounce.
Victor
Smorgon Partners’ Resource Gold Fund returned
a chunky 13.3 per cent in January and portfolio manager
Cameron Judd believes the valuations of ASX gold stocks
still don’t reflect the outlook for the yellow
metal.
“Gold’s
performance in times of uncertainty or crisis could
see it push towards $US3600,” Mr Judd said. “Despite
the strong gold price performance and fundamentals
supporting further appreciation, gold miners are trading
at discounted valuations on the ASX.”
Wall
Street’s biggest banks believe a $US3000 price
tag is imminent. Citi said it was possible within
the next three months, while JPMorgan has a year-end
target of $US3150. Bank of America said on Thursday
that gold could reach $US3500 an ounce if investment
demand rises 10 per cent this year.
The
unprecedented surge in the gold price has been fuelled
by investors seeking safe haven assets as US President
Donald Trump unleashes aggressive trade and geopolitical
policies. There are fears the president will accelerate
inflation, forcing central banks to raise rates in
a way that damages global growth.
Victor
Smorgon’s top holdings include ASX-listed Vault
Minerals and the world’s largest gold miner,
US-based Newmont, which recently acquired Newcrest.
The fund also owns Australia’s biggest gold miner
Northern Star, which agreed to buy rival De Grey in
a $5 billion deal. (AFR) *Full article and coverag
via subscription to The Australian Financial Review.
News
Australia
Northern
Star paying top dollar for gold rival
Northern
Star has offered $5 billion to buy De Grey Mining,
with De Grey shareholders to vote on the offer on
16 April. De Grey is the company behind the Hemi gold
prospect in Western Australia, which is thought to
hold at least 11 million ounces of gold and which
is slated to produce 530,000 ounces annually in its
first decade of operation. KPMG, which was engaged
to provide an independent assessment of Northern Star's
offer, has valued DeGrey at between $4 billion and
$4.79 billion, inclusive of a premium for control.
It concludes that the offer is "fair and reasonable
and therefore is in the best interests of De Grey
shareholders, in the absence of a superior proposal".
(Roy Morgan Summary)
News
March
12, 2025
Crypto
market tumbles after stocks
Market
picture
Crypto
market capitalisation has been falling to $2.5 trillion
following the rumbling fall of the US stock market.
It is dipping below the peaks of early 2024 and late
2021. Previously, a similar decline would complete
a corrective pullback, attracting buyers. However,
the chances of such an outcome are now lower than
in previous years due to the powerful influence of
traditional financial companies, which has strengthened
the link between the crypto market and stock dynamics.
For
now, though, we can argue that there is less terror
in crypto. The Fear and Greed Index is at 24 (+4 points
for the day), while the low point was a week earlier
at 10.
Bitcoin
slipped towards $76.5K in the early hours of Tuesday
but has popped above $80K at the time of writing,
approaching Monday’s consolidation levels. A
bearish pattern persists on the daily timeframes,
which suggests a strengthening sell-off after a failure
under the 200-day moving average. The scenario of
a pullback to the $70-74K area still looks the most
probable for us. This is all the truer as the consolidation
and rebound in early March has taken the short-term
oversold stance out of the market.
Ethereum
is trying to find a pivot point after falling towards
$1750 at the start of Tuesday. These were the lowest
values in the last 17 months. On weekly timeframes,
the RSI oscillator hit its lowest point since mid-2022
- near the bottom of the bear market. Does this signify
an opportunity for the recklessly bold or a breakdown
in the leading altcoin? We will find out in the coming
days.
News
Background
According
to CoinShares, global crypto fund investments fell
by $876 million last week after record outflows of
$2.911 billion a week earlier. Investments in Bitcoin
fell by $756 million; in Ethereum, by $89 million.
Investments in Solana rose by $16 million, in XRP
by $6 million, and in Sui by $3 million.
As
a result of another recalculation, Bitcoin mining
difficulty increased by 1.43% to 112.15T. The growth
did not compensate for a 3.15% drop two weeks ago.
However, the figure came close to the all-time high
of 114.17T reached in January.
Strategy
(former MicroStrategy) intends to raise $21bn through
the sale of preferred shares as part of its At-The-Market
program. The proceeds will be used to buy Bitcoin
and other corporate purposes. (FxPro)
News
March
11, 2025
US
Senator And Congressman Introduce Strategic Bitcoin
Reserve Bills To Buy One Million BTC
Speaking
at the “Bitcoin for America” summit, lawmakers
announced their plans to create a federal bitcoin
reserve that would see the U.S. buy one million BTC.
Today
at the Bitcoin Policy Institute’s “Bitcoin
for America” summit in Washington DC, U.S. Senator
from Wyoming Cynthia Lummis announced that she is
going to reintroduce her strategic Bitcoin reserve
legislation in the Senate today.
“I
am so pleased to announce that today I will be reintroducing
The Bitcoin Act,” Senator Lummis stated. “And
I’ll be joined here shortly by Senator Justice
of West Virginia, who is one of the cosponsors. And
we have several other additional cosponsors. And a
lot of it is a result of the excitement that’s
been building.” (Bitcoin Magazine). *Full article
via Bitcoin Magazine
News
XRP
wins Media Man 'Crypto Of The Month' award
News
Markets
Australian
Dollar: $0.6317 USD (up $0.0020 USD)
Iron Ore Apr Spot Price (SGX): $100.60 USD (up $0.15
USD)
Oil (WTI): $67.70 USD (up $1.14 USD)
Gold: $2,931.74 USD (up $13.03 USD)
Copper (CME): $4.8425 USD (up $0.0500 USD)
Bitcoin: $82,880.91USD (up 0.32% in last 24 hours)
Dow Jones: 41,350.93 (down 82.55 points)
News
Roy
Morgan wins Media Man 'News Services Company Of The
Month' award
News
Media
Australia
Peter
Dutton More Crypto Friendly And Switched On Than Albanese
(Media Man Group)
News
"Dutton
A Genuine Contender" (Sky News Australia)
March
10, 2025
ASX
futures are pointing up 69 points, or by 0.9 per cent,
to 8011.
All
US prices are as of 4.15pm Sunday in New York:
Bitcoin
-3.7% to $US83,138
On
Wall St: Dow +0.5% S&P +0.6% Nasdaq +0.7%
VIX -1.5 to 23.37
Gold -0.1% to $US2909.10 an ounce
Brent oil +1.3% to $US70.36 a barrel
Iron ore +0.3% to $US100.70 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.3% Australia 4.4%
January
10, 2025
ASX
futures up 33 points or 0.4%
AUD
-0.3% to 61.98 US cents
UK pound -0.4% to $US1.2309
Bitcoin -2.9% to $US91,275 at 7.23am AEDT
US markets closed for Jimmy Carter’s funeral
Stoxx 50 +0.4% FTSE +0.8% DAX -0.1% CAC +0.5%
Spot gold +0.3% to $US2671.00/oz at 1.55pm in New
York
Brent crude +1.2% to $US77.08 a barrel
Iron ore +1% to $US97.40 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.69% Australia 4.48% Germany 2.56%
US prices as of 1.59pm in New York
Media
Man Group Market Feed
Markets
March
12, 2025
ASX
futures down 72 points/0.9% to 7812
AUD +0.5% at US63.08¢
Bitcoin +7.1% to $US83,122
Dow -0.5%
S&P -0.5%
Nasdaq +0.8%
Gold +1.1% to $US2919.09 an ounce
Oil +0.6% at $US69.66 a barrel
Iron ore +0.6% at $US100.45 a tonne
March
10, 2025
ASX
futures are pointing up 69 points, or by 0.9 per cent,
to 8011.
All
US prices are as of 4.15pm Sunday in New York:
Bitcoin
-3.7% to $US83,138
On
Wall St: Dow +0.5% S&P +0.6% Nasdaq +0.7%
VIX -1.5 to 23.37
Gold -0.1% to $US2909.10 an ounce
Brent oil +1.3% to $US70.36 a barrel
Iron ore +0.3% to $US100.70 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.3% Australia 4.4%
Markets
March
1, 2025
ASX
futures down 12 points or 0.2% to 8120
AUD -0.6% at US61.96¢
Bitcoin +0.4% to $US84,447
Dow flat
S&P -0.1%
Nasdaq -0.2%
Gold -1.1% to $US2845.82 an ounce
Oil -1% at $US73.3o a barrel
Iron ore -2.2% at $US102.00 a tonne
The
Australian Financial Review - Markets
The
Australian Financial Review - Markets Live
The
Australian Financial Review - Commodities
News
The
Australian Financial Review wins Media Man 'Newspaper
Of the Month' award
Google
Finance
Yahoo!
Finance
News.com.au
- Business
Media
Man Group Market Feed
January
10, 2025
ASX
futures up 33 points or 0.4%
AUD
-0.3% to 61.98 US cents
UK pound -0.4% to $US1.2309
Bitcoin -2.9% to $US91,275 at 7.23am AEDT
US markets closed for Jimmy Carter’s funeral
Stoxx 50 +0.4% FTSE +0.8% DAX -0.1% CAC +0.5%
Spot gold +0.3% to $US2671.00/oz at 1.55pm in New
York
Brent crude +1.2% to $US77.08 a barrel
Iron ore +1% to $US97.40 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.69% Australia 4.48% Germany 2.56%
US prices as of 1.59pm in New York
News
Stock
Market News via Grok
Stock
Market Overview:
Recent
Market Movements: The U.S. stock market saw significant
volatility recently. The Dow Jones Industrial Average
experienced a notable decline, marking its longest
losing streak since 1974, primarily triggered by a
Federal Reserve interest rate decision that was more
hawkish than anticipated. This led to a spike in bond
yields and a surge in the dollar value, affecting
global markets.
ASX
Performance: In Australia, the ASX 200 has been subject
to various influences. There was a recovery in trading,
with gains noted after a period of losses, particularly
highlighted by a $3.4 billion sale of Foxtel to a
British streaming company. The market has been navigating
through economic growth expectations, potential impacts
from international politics, and local economic indicators.
Global
Market Trends: European markets have seen elevated
bond yields impacting share openings, while the Swiss
central bank reported a significant profit due to
rising gold and stock prices. The global economic
growth is projected at 2.8% for 2025 by the UN, indicating
a stable but cautious market environment.
Sector
and Company News: Inari Medical's acquisition by Stryker
for $80 per share has been a significant event, setting
a tone for potential M&A activities in the medical
technology sector. This deal reflects strategic moves
to tap into high-growth markets.
Tech
and AI Influence: There's a growing trend of misinformation
in AI-generated news, with Apple's AI news alerts
being a recent example. This issue is becoming a focal
point for investors, especially in tech stocks, as
accuracy in information impacts market sentiment.
Economic
Indicators and Fed Policy: The Federal Reserve's latest
rate decisions continue to influence market dynamics.
After lowering the overnight borrowing rate by a quarter
point, the Fed's outlook on future rate cuts has led
to market adjustments, showing increased uncertainty
and volatility.
Investor
Sentiment: There's a mix of optimism and caution among
investors, with some sectors like tech and semiconductors
experiencing significant movements based on company-specific
news like partnerships or product launches. The market's
reaction to Fed policies and global economic news
is closely watched.
Current
Trends on X:
Discussions
on X highlight notable pre-market movements, record
trading volumes, and significant corporate announcements
that are driving stock market discussions. The interaction
between individual stock performances and broader
market trends is a key focus for the community on
X.
This
snapshot provides a view into the current state of
the stock market, driven by economic policies, corporate
news, and investor reactions to global and local events.
(Grok)
Media
Man: Traditional type investments in Gold and Silver
looking good. Word on the street is that BTC is looking
good for the next few months but may be in for a dive
or crash in approx Mid March - April 2025. Lithium
and Iron Ore looking good as Australian political
season heats up. *Not financial advice. Op based on
speaking to numerous people in and around the industry
and researching dozens of papers and industry journals.
Markets
January
7, 2025
Under
The Media Man Watercooler And On The Floor
ASX
futures up 12 points or 0.2%
AUD
+0.5% to 62.46 US cents
Bitcoin +3.7% to $US102,068 at 8.33am AEDT
On Wall St: Dow -0.1% S&P +0.6% Nasdaq +1.2%
In New York: BHP -0.7% Rio -0.4% Atlassian +1.7%
Tesla +0.2% Apple +0.7% Nvidia +3.4% Microsoft +1.1%
Alphabet +2.5% Amazon +1.5% Meta +4.2%
VIX -0.09 to 16.04 QQQ +1.2% TLT -0.5%
Stoxx 50 +2.4% FTSE +0.3% DAX +1.6% CAC +2.2%
Spot gold -0.2% to $US2635.63/oz at 1.53pm in New
York
Brent crude -0.7% to $US76.00 a barrel
Iron ore -1.2% to $US97.00 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.61% Australia 4.47% Germany 2.44%
US prices as of 4.29pm in New York
Markets
January
4, 2025
ASX
futures up 23 points or 0.3% near 8am AEDT
AUD
+0.2% to 62.16 US cents
Bitcoin
+1.2% to $US98,195 at 8.27am AEDT
On
Wall St at 4pm: Dow +0.8% S&P +1.3% Nasdaq +1.8%
In
New York: BHP -0.8% Rio -0.3% Atlassian +3.3%
Tesla
+8.2% Apple -0.2% Nvidia +4.7% Microsoft +1.1%
Alphabet
+1.3% Amazon +1.8% Meta +0.9%
Mara
+14.1% MicroStrategy +13.2% Iren +8.4%
VIX
-1.8 to 16.13 QQQ +1.6% TLT -0.3%
Stoxx
50 -0.9% FTSE -0.4% DAX -0.6% CAC -1.5%
Spot
gold -0.7% to $US2639.37oz at 4.51pm in New York
Brent
crude +0.9% to $US76.58 a barrel
Iron
ore -2.6% to $US98.30 a tonne
10-year
yield: US 4.60% Australia 4.38% Germany 2.42%
US
prices as of 4.54pm in New York
Market
Highlights
Under
The Media Man Watercooler
November
26, 2024
ASX
futures up 18 points or 0.2% near 8am AEDT
AUD
+0.03% to 65.03 US cents
Bitcoin
-2.5% to $US94,320 at 8.40am AEDT
On
Wall St at 4pm: Dow +1% S&P +0.3% Nasdaq +0.3%
In
New York: BHP +0.2% Rio +1% Atlassian +0.2%
Tesla
-4% Apple +1.3% Nvidia -4.2% Microsoft +0.4%
Alphabet
+1.7% Amazon +2.2% Meta +1.1%
VIX
-0.64 to 14.60 QQQ +0.2% TLT +2.6%
Stoxx
50 +0.2% FTSE +0.4% DAX +0.4% CAC +0.03%
Spot
gold -3.4% to $US2623.72/oz at 2.31pm in New York
Brent
crude -2.8% to $US73.05 a barrel
US
oil -3.2% to $US68.96 a barrel
Iron
ore +2% to $US102.55 a tonne
10-year
yield: US 4.27% Australia 4.48% Germany 2.21%
US
prices as of 4.38pm in New York
News
via Grok
Financial
Markets via Grok
Financial
markets are broad arenas where buyers and sellers
engage in trading securities such as stocks, bonds,
currencies, and derivatives. Here's an overview:
Definition
and Function:
Financial
markets are platforms or systems where the trading
of financial assets occurs. They facilitate the flow
of capital between those who have it and those who
need it. This interaction aids in capital raising,
risk management through derivatives, and promotes
commerce. Financial markets can be physical (like
stock exchanges) or electronic.
Types
of Financial Markets:
Stock
Markets: Where shares of publicly traded companies
are bought and sold, allowing companies to raise money
and investors to gain equity in businesses.
Bond
Markets: Companies, municipalities, and governments
issue bonds to borrow funds, with investors lending
money in exchange for interest over time.
Money
Markets: Deals in short-term, high-liquidity financial
instruments like Treasury bills, commercial paper,
and certificates of deposit.
Derivatives
Markets: Instruments like futures, options, and swaps
that derive value from underlying assets, used for
hedging or speculation.
Foreign
Exchange (Forex) Markets: The marketplace for trading
different currencies, known for high liquidity.
Commodities
Markets: For trading raw materials like gold, oil,
or agricultural products.
Importance:
Capital
Allocation: Financial markets help in efficiently
directing savings towards productive investments,
fostering economic growth.
Price
Discovery: They provide a mechanism to determine the
price of securities based on supply and demand, reflecting
the perceived value of assets.
Liquidity
Provision: They offer liquidity, allowing investors
to convert assets into cash quickly.
Risk
Management: Through mechanisms like derivatives, markets
help in managing financial risks.
Current
Trends (as of November 2024):
Market
Volatility: There's been observed volatility in stock
markets, with some indicators suggesting frothy valuations
and market reactions to policy changes.
Yield
Spreads: Unusual movements in bond yields, like high-yield
corporate bonds having wider spreads than fixed-rate
mortgages, indicate market distortions.
Economic
Policy Expectations: Markets are pricing in expected
economic policies, with mixed signals on the impact
of new administrative policies on growth and inflation.
Understanding
financial markets involves recognizing their complexity
and their role in the global economy, where they serve
as mechanisms for both investment and risk management.
(Grok)
News
Markets
News via Grok
Here's
a concise update on markets news, reflecting recent
trends and events:
U.S.
Markets: The U.S. stock markets recently closed with
mixed results. The S&P 500 saw a slight increase,
while the NASDAQ rose more significantly, but the
Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a small decline.
Tesla and Alphabet were among the gainers, whereas
NVIDIA faced some pressure ahead of its earnings report.
There's cautious optimism in the market, with sectors
like technology leading the gains.
Global
Trends: India: The Indian stock market staged a notable
recovery with the Sensex and Nifty indices showing
significant gains, surpassing 78,000 and 23,700 respectively.
This surge affected all sectoral indices, particularly
IT and Realty, amidst discussions about the potential
influences of political events on market dynamics.
ASX
200: The Australian market saw an uptick, driven by
commodity prices with uranium and iron ore stocks
leading due to external factors like Russia's uranium
export limits.
Commodities
and Currencies: Gold and Silver: Precious metals like
gold and silver have seen price increases, reflecting
investor interest in safe-haven assets.
Iranian
Rial: Iran's currency hit an all-time low due to economic
pressures from international sanctions.
Policy
and Economic News: U.S. Federal Reserve: There have
been adjustments in interest rates with a quarter-point
cut amid post-election uncertainties, indicating a
response to economic conditions but also concerns
about inflation control.
Energy
Sector: Decisions affecting gas allocation in India
have impacted city gas distribution companies, leading
to significant drops in their stock prices due to
fears of rising CNG prices and broader economic implications.
Market
Sentiment: The market is navigating through a phase
where recovery signs are visible, yet there's a careful
watch on how long these trends will last, especially
with upcoming economic data and corporate earnings
influencing investor behavior.
These
insights are drawn from recent market movements and
discussions, highlighting the dynamic nature of global
financial markets and the various factors influencing
them. (Grok)
Markets
and Commodities
November
1, 2024
Australian
Dollar: $0.6579 USD (up $0.0009 USD)
Iron
Ore Nov Spot Price (SGX): $104.10 USD (up $0.30 USD)
Iron
Ore Dec Spot Price (SGX): $103.80 USD (up $0.28 USD)
Oil
Price (WTI): $70.51 USD (up $1.57 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,746.76 USD (down $38.62 USD)
Copper
Price (CME): $4.3600 USD (up $0.0030 USD)
Bitcoin:
$69,991.53 USD (down 2.58% in last 24 hours)
Dow
Jones: 41,763.46 at 4.09pm NY time (down378.08 points
on yesterday's close)
Markets
and Commodities
October
24, 2024
Australian
Dollar: $0.6630 USD (down $0.0050 USD)
Iron
Ore Nov Spot Price (SGX): $98.80 USD (down $1.90 USD)
Oil
Price (WTI): $70.99 USD (down $1.25 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,716.17 USD (down $31.21 USD)
Copper
Price (CME): $4.3330 USD (down $0.0520 USD)
Bitcoin:
$66,436.33 USD (down 1.50% in last 24 hours)
Dow
Jones: 42,514.95 at 4.20pm NY time (down 409.94 points
on yesterday's close)
Markets
and Commodities
October
17, 2024
Australian
Dollar: $0.6670 USD (down $0.0030 USD)
Iron
Ore Nov Spot Price (SGX): $104.55 USD (down $1.85
USD)
Oil
Price (WTI): $70.52 USD (down $0.39 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,673.95 USD (up $12.93 USD)
Copper
Price (CME): $4.3665 USD (up 0.0270 USD)
Bitcoin:
$67,856.42 USD (up 1.50% in last 24 hours)
Dow
Jones: 43,077.70 at 4.20pm NY time (up 337.28 points
on yesterday's close)
Markets
and Commodities
October
10, 2024
Australian
Dollar: $0.6710 USD (down $0.0040 USD)
Iron
Ore Nov Spot Price (SGX): $105.15 USD (unchanged -
public holiday)
Oil
Price (WTI): $73.36 USD (down $0.55 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,607.14 USD (down $15.75 USD)
Copper
Price (CME): $4.4080 USD (down 0.0605 USD)
Bitcoin:
$60,908.07 USD (down 2.11% in last 24 hours)
Dow
Jones: 42,512.00 at 4.20pm NY time (up 431.63 points
on yesterday's close)
Market,
Commodities and Financial News Snapshot via Media
Man
October
7, 2024
ASX
futures up 26 points or 0.3% to 8215 near 6am AEST
AUD
+0.1% to US68.01¢
Bitcoin
+1.3% to $US62,692
US
10-year yield +13bp to 3.97%
Dow
+0.8% S&P +0.9% Nasdaq +1.2%
FTSE
flat DAX +0.6% CAC +0.9%
Gold
-0.1% to $US2653.60 an ounce
Brent
oil +0.6% to $US78.05 a barrel
Iron
ore -0.3% to $US108.70 a tonne
Markets
and Commodities
October
7, 2024
Australian
Dollar: $0.6786 USD (down $.0054 USD)
Iron
Ore Nov Spot Price (SGX): $108.70 USD (down $0.05
USD)
Oil
Price (WTI): $74.38 USD (up $0.67 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,653.25 USD (down $2.79 USD)
Copper
Price (CME): $4.5675 USD (up 0.0240 USD)
Bitcoin:
$62,679.21USD (up 1.48% in last 24 hours)
Dow
Jones: 42,352.75 (up 341.16 points on Thursday's close)
Markets
and Commodities
October
4, 2024
Australian
Dollar: $0.6840 USD (down $.0040 USD)
Iron
Ore Nov Spot Price (SGX): $108.75 USD (down $0.20
USD)
Oil
Price (WTI): $73.71 USD (up $2.70 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,656.04 USD (down $2.97 USD)
Copper
Price (CME): $4.5435 USD (down 0.1195 USD)
Bitcoin:
$60,801.67 USD (up 0.09% in last 24 hours)
Dow
Jones: 42,011.59 (down 184.93 points on yesterday's
close)
Market,
Commodities and Financial News
Snapshot
via Media Man
October
4, 2024
ASX
futures down 33 points or 0.4% to 8209 near 6am AEST
AUD
-0.6% to $US68.44¢
Bitcoin
+1.3% to $US60,954
Dow
-0.6%
S&P
-0.4%
Nasdaq
-0.3%
FTSE
-0.1%
DAX
-0.8%
CAC
-1.3%
Gold
-0.1% to $US2657.32 an ounce
Brent
oil +5.2% to $US77.77 a barrel
Iron
ore +0.6% to $US108.75 a tonne
Markets
and Commodities
September
11, 2024
Australian
Dollar: $0.6650 USD (down $0.0010 USD)
Iron
Ore Oct Spot Price (SGX): $91.00 USD (down $1.35 USD)
Oil
Price (WTI): $66.31 USD (down $2.49 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,516.51 USD (up $11.13 USD
Copper
Price (CME): $4.1050 USD (down 0.0365 USD)
Bitcoin:
$57,669.72 USD (down 0.38% in last 24 hours)
Dow
Jones: 40,736.96 at 4.59pm NY time (down 92.63 points
on yesterday's close)
Market,
Commodities and Financial News
Snapshot
via Media Man
September
11, 2024
ASX
futures down 3 points or 0.04% to 7997 near 6am AEST
AUD
-0.1% to 66.58 US cents
Bitcoin
+1.4% to $US57,885
Dow
-0.3%
S&P
+0.4%
Nasdaq
+0.8%
FTSE
-0.8%
DAX
-1.0%
CAC
-0.2%
Gold
+0.3% to $US2514.88 an ounce
Brent
oil -3.2% to $US69.52 a barrel
Iron
ore -0.8% to $US91.00 a tonne
Markets
And Commodities
August
20, 2024
Australian
Dollar: $0.6728 USD (up $0.0063 USD)
Iron
Ore Sep Spot Price (SGX): $95.00 USD (up $2.70 USD)
Oil
Price (WTI): $74.43 USD (down $2.22 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,504.11 USD (down $4.07 USD)
Copper
Price (CME): $4.1975 USD (up $0.0470 USD)
Bitcoin:
$59,144.75 USD (down 1.09% in last 24 hours)
Dow
Jones: 40,896.53 (up 236.77 points on Friday's close)
Markets
And Commodities
August
19, 2024
Australian
Dollar: $0.6665 USD (up $0.0055 USD)
Iron
Ore Sep Spot Price (SGX): $92.30 USD (down $1.25 USD)
Oil
Price (WTI): $76.65 USD (down $1.46 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,508.18 USD (up $51.88 USD)
Copper
Price (CME): $4.1505 USD (up $0.0100 USD)
Bitcoin:
$59,792.97 USD (up 0.64% in last 24 hours)
Dow
Jones: 440,659.76 (up 96.70 points on Thursday's close)
Market,
Commodities and Financial News
Snapshot
via Media Man
July
29, 2024
ASX
futures up 60 points or 0.8% to 7938 near 3am AEST
AUD
+0.2% to 65.48 US cents
Bitcoin
-0.6% to $US67,636
Dow
+1.6%
S&P
+1.1%
Nasdaq
+1%
FTSE
+1.2%
DAX
+0.7%
CAC
+1.2%
Gold
+1.0% to $US2387.19 an ounce
Brent
oil -1.5% to $US81.13 a barrel
Iron
ore +2.5% to $US102.40 a tonne
Markets
and Commodities
July
18, 2024
Australian
Dollar: $0.6730 USD (unchanged)
Iron
Ore Aug Spot Price (SGX): $105.05 USD (down $2.10
USD)
Oil
Price (WTI): $83.10 USD (up $2.28 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,458.69 USD (down $10.15 USD)
Copper
Price (CME): $4.4165 USD (down $0.0405 USD)
Bitcoin:
$64,196.81 USD (down 0.80% in last 24 hours)
Dow
Jones: 41,198.08 at 4.20pm NY time (up 243.60 points
on yesterday's close)
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
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July
8, 2024
Crypto
Bargain-hunters are back
Market
picture
Bargain
hunters are showing themselves in full force in crypto.
Cryptocurrency market capitalisation rose 3.6% in
24 hours to $2.11 trillion, climbing back to the top
of the range of the past five days. It will take the
market to rise another 2% before we can say that the
bear attack has been repelled. Until then, we can
only talk about consolidation after the sell-off.
Bitcoin
rebounded to $57.3K after a couple of dips to $54K,
sticking to its descending channel that has been in
force since March, but the price is very dangerously
stuck at the bottom of this corridor. This situation
makes us fear an acceleration of the sell-off with
a potential target in the $50-51K area, where the
crypto market was stagnant in February.
Ethereum
trades at $3050 and remains below the 200-day moving
average but has not given up trying to climb higher.
Here, ETH has a strong support line, which also attracted
buyers in April and May. More on the bulls' side is
that the RSI on daily timeframes rises from oversold
territory. These are promising technical signals,
but the sustained sell-off from the US and German
governments and the overhang of selling from Mt Gox
lenders is clearly undermining the confidence of too
many buyers.
News
background
According
to CoinShares, investments in crypto funds rose by
$441 million last week for the first time after three
weeks of outflows. Bitcoin investments increased by
$398 million, Solana by $16 million, Ethereum by $10
million.
Recent
price declines, driven by potential selling pressure
from Mt Gox and the German government, were probably
seen as a buying opportunity. Inflows into BTC accounted
for only 90% of the total inflows, as investors chose
to invest in a much broader set of altcoins. The most
notable of these was Solana, which has received $57
million in investments since the beginning of the
year, making it the most efficient altcoin in terms
of flows, CoinShares noted.
German
authorities continue to transfer Bitcoins to exchanges.
On 8 July, two 250 BTC transfers were made to Coinbase
and Bitstamp platforms. Transactions of 700 BTC and
500 BTC followed to unidentified Arkham numbers.
The
Bitstamp exchange promised to distribute the payments
from Mt Gox "as soon as possible," despite
having a 60-day deadline. So far, only Japanese BitBank
and SBI VC Trade addresses have been distributed coins.
The three remaining recipients - Bitstamp, Kraken
and BitGo - are still awaiting their turn. The trustee
has 94,771 BTC (~$5.4bn) left to send.
Bitfinex
points out signs of a potential end to the market
correction. Short-term investor selling is potentially
close to exhaustion. Meanwhile, the funding rate for
perpetual BTC contracts has turned negative for the
first time since 1 May.
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Donald
Trump to Headline Bitcoin 2024 Conference in Nashville
July
11, 2024
Former
President Donald Trump has been confirmed as a keynote
speaker at the upcoming Bitcoin 2024 conference set
to take place in Nashville, Tennessee.
This
news comes as a significant development for the event,
known for its major industry announcements and influential
speakers. The conference, which has previously been
hosted in Miami, has established itself as a platform
for groundbreaking news within the cryptocurrency
space.
Bitcoin
2021, the inaugural conference, made headlines when
El Salvador officially declared Bitcoin as legal tender.
The subsequent Bitcoin 2022 and Bitcoin 2023 conferences
continued the trend of notable moments, including
a powerful speech by U.S. Presidential candidate Robert
F. Kennedy Jr. in support of the Bitcoin industry.
This
year, the shift of the conference location from Miami
to Nashville signifies its increasing prominence on
the global stage. With two former U.S. Presidential
candidates, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump,
slated to speak, Bitcoin 2024 is anticipated to be
a pivotal event that could potentially impact the
future trajectory of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency policies
in the United States.
Donald
Trump’s participation in the conference is especially
noteworthy considering his recent engagements with
the Bitcoin community. Earlier this year, Trump met
with prominent U.S. Bitcoin miners, including representatives
from CleanSpark, where he reiterated his support for
Bitcoin mining both domestically and internationally.
In a statement, Trump pledged to prioritize the development
of Bitcoin and crypto initiatives in the United States
and safeguard the rights of the nation’s 50 million
crypto holders if re-elected as president.
As
Trump embarks on his presidential campaign, his alignment
with the Bitcoin industry stands in contrast to the
position of his potential rival, President Joe Biden,
who has shown less enthusiasm towards the cryptocurrency
sector. While Biden’s participation in Bitcoin
2024 remains unconfirmed, the event could underscore
the divergent approaches of the two candidates towards
Bitcoin and its implications for U.S. policies.
For
additional details on the Bitcoin 2024 conference
and to secure a discounted ticket using a promotional
code, interested individuals can visit the official
event website. Bitcoin Magazine, a subsidiary of BTC
Inc, the organizer of the largest Bitcoin conference,
The Bitcoin Conference, will be overseeing the event.
Websites
Bitcoin
2024
https://b.tc/conference/2024
Bitcoin
Magazine
https://bitcoinmagazine.com
July
1, 2024
Buyers
failed to pick up on the crypto market
Market
picture
The
crypto market has been enjoying an influx of buyers
since Saturday, with a visible acceleration on Monday.
Over the past 24 hours, capitalisation has risen 3.6%
to $2.33 trillion. Last week’s drop in the crypto
sentiment index to 30 (fear zone) reversed the price
twice, showing that the market is dominated by a ‘buy
the dip’ pattern.
Bitcoin
is trading near $63.3K, adding 5% since Saturday morning
and reaffirming the importance of support at 61.8%
of the Jan-March rally. From another perspective,
Bitcoin is adding and bouncing off the lower boundary
of the downward channel. Likely, the price is now
moving towards the upper boundary at $67K. However,
cautious buyers may prefer to wait for confirmation
with the price rising above $72-73K - the pivot area
of the last four months - which would be confirmation
of the start of a new impulsive wave of growth.
Bitcoin
ended June down 8.5% to $61.9K. In terms of seasonality,
July is considered quite successful for BTC, adding
eight times (22.3% on average) out of the last 13
and declining on five occasions (-7.8% on average).
News
background
In
terms of on-chain analysis, quotes have crossed the
realised price level of short-term holders at $62,000,
which historically can act as support during corrections
in bull markets.
According
to Arkham data, German authorities sent another 595
BTC worth ~$36.6 million to crypto exchanges on 26
June. Authorities began actively moving the cryptocurrency
on 19 June, when some of it first hit the Kraken and
Bitstamp exchanges.
Bitwise
forecasts net inflows into spot ETH-ETFs in the US
of $15bn in the first 18 months. Bloomberg expects
trading in the new product to start on 2 July.
Solana
Foundation has launched tools that enable it to turn
any website or app into a gateway for cryptocurrency
payments and other blockchain transactions.
On
26 June, the Blast development team completed the
first phase of an airdrop, distributing 17 billion
BLAST tokens (17% of the total issuance). Blast is
an Ethereum-based layer 2 (L2) network that was launched
in November 2023 by Blur founder under the pseudonym
Pacman. In terms of blockchain value locked (TVL),
the Blast ecosystem is ranked sixth in the DeFi Llama
ranking with a value of $1.58bn.
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News
Finance
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Euro,
Gold, Crypto and more via Media Man and FX Pro
A
strong current account surplus may not help euro
The
eurozone's current account surplus climbed to a six-month
high of 31.9bn in December. Analysts, on average,
had expected a decline to 20.3 bn from 22.5 bn the
previous month. The current level was seen in the
eurozone during the relatively benign pre-Covid period
and sometime before Natural Gas prices spiked in the
second half of 2021.
The
normalisation of the surplus is good news for the
single currency, as it means more net capital inflows
into the region. But this growth has been fuelled
by falling imports, which can be the result of lower
commodity and energy prices (which is a very good
thing), but also partly indicative of a slowdown in
domestic demand. This threatens to translate into
economic contraction in the coming months.
The
euro area experienced periods of severe import contraction
in late 2008 and early 2010, and in both cases, the
economy experienced a severe downturn. Back in 2008,
all this was accompanied by the collapse of the euro.
Gold
Gold
rises but within a downward channel
Gold
rallied for the fourth consecutive session to reach
$2023, recovering almost all the losses suffered the
week before on the back of the inflation report. Gold's
ability to rally suggests continued domestic demand,
as some investors are clearly rushing to buy back
any losses.
At
the same time, however, we note that since the beginning
of the year, gold has been characterised by solid
selloffs on the news, forming a smooth downtrend.
In the context of this downtrend, a rise to $2040-2045,
which is the upper boundary of the bearish range,
looks quite acceptable.
The
area around $2035 - the highs of two weeks ago - also
appears to be a crucial intermediate level. Confident
buying from this level would be the first important
signal that the recent correction is over and that
gold is ready to make a fresh assault on the highs.
Much
more important, however, will be the behaviour of
gold as it approaches the $2050 level, where the reversal
of the decline in late January took place.
Consolidation
at this level would confirm the breakdown of the downtrend
and set the stage for a move towards $2100 and the
subsequent renewal of historic highs.
However,
as long as gold is trading within the downtrend, there
is a greater chance of a breakdown or even an acceleration
of the downtrend.
Among
the fundamental factors, the potential for growth
could be provided by the fall in the dollar if Fed
officials show a softening of their position, bringing
the start of interest rate cuts closer.
On
the bearish side, equities could come under pressure
following the optimistic rally in the tech giants
and the news of a sharp slowdown in economic activity.
We also do not rule out the possibility that the recent
support measures for the Chinese stock market and
property sector will cool demand for gold as a safe-haven
for investors from that part of the world.
Cryptocurrency
Crypto
market growth halted amid capital inflows
Market
picture
The
crypto market has corrected 0.46% in the last 24 hours,
fluctuating within a narrow range without a clear
direction. Bitcoin is down 1% but up 3.7% over seven
days, Ethereum is flat for the day but up 10.6% over
the week. The top coins are mixed with BNB +2% and
Solana -2.5%.
Bitcoin
is currently drawing its fourth daily candle with
opening and closing levels close to each other. Such
sideways consolidations are characteristic of strong
bull markets, as opposed to corrective pullbacks on
smoother rallies.
Ethereum
hit local highs on rumours of a positive regulatory
decision before the end of March. Bloomberg analyst
James Seyffarth bet 4 ETH that the SEC will not approve
a spot Ethereum ETF next month.
According
to data from CoinShares, investment in crypto funds
rose by a record $2.452 billion last week, following
inflows of $1.116 billion the previous week.
Bitcoin investments increased by $2.424 billion, Ethereum
by $21 million, Cardano lost $6 million, and Solana
lost $1.6 million.
Since
the beginning of the year, crypto funds have seen
inflows of an impressive $5.2 billion, with total
AUM rising to $67 billion, the highest since December
2021.
News
background
Bitcoin
will see institutional support in the next three to
six months, according to Coinbase. Bitcoin ETFs could
eventually become a major competitor to gold funds.
According to IntoTheBlock, there is an 85% chance
that Bitcoin will reach a new all-time high within
the next six months. Five factors could contribute
to this: the halving of the price, ETFs, monetary
easing, the US election, and companies accumulating
BTC as part of their treasuries.
Former
CIA contractor Edward Snowden, who has been living
in Russia since 2013, called bitcoin the most significant
achievement of the financial system in the entire
existence of money and means of exchange.
Amberdata
admitted that Ethereum will outpace Bitcoin in terms
of growth due to more constructive deflationary policies.
The supply of ETH has been decreasing since September
2022, thanks to the update of The Merge, as well as
the implementation of a mechanism to burn part of
the commissions. During this time, around 0.36 million
ETH, or 0.3% of the total supply of 120 million coins,
have been removed from circulation.
Via
Roy Morgan Research and Media Man social media
Copper,
gold, and Bitcoin rise; Iron ore and oil fall; ASX
to fall in response to selling on Wall Street; US
vetoes Arab-backed UN resolution demanding ceasefire
in Gaza; Assange's lawyers warn that he risks 'flagrant
denial of justice' if he is tried in US
Latest
updates on Key Economic Indicators
21
February 2024
Roy
Morgan Summary
Australian
Dollar: $0.6550 USD (up 0.0011 USD)
Iron Ore Mar Spot Price (SGX): $120.85 USD (down $6.40
USD)
Oil
Price (WTI): $78.27 USD (down $1.02 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,024.37 USD (up $6.43 USD)
Copper
Price (CME): $3.8595 (up $0.0465 USD)
Bitcoin:
$52,059.35 (up 0.35% in last 24 hours)
New
report reveals Roy Morgan is one of Australia's leading
data companies - with in-depth information on millions
of Australians based on their Helix Personas
Market
Research Update
20
February 2024
Roy
Morgan Summary
Roy
Morgan leads the way as one of Australia's leading
data companies. A special in-depth report into Australia's
leading data companies interviewed Roy Morgan CEO
Michele Levine and Executive Chairman Gary Morgan
about the role the company plays in compiling data
and building profiles of different Australians. One
of Roy Morgan's key products is 'Helix Personas' which
profiles people under headings such as "young
and platinum", "smart money", "cautious
conservatives", "fair go", "working
hard" and nearly 50 other personas. For example,
the "young and platinum" group love their
mobile devices and are "always on the hunt for
the shiny, new and cool" and "making the
rent". Their income is around the $64,000 a year
mark and they can often be found "living a conventional
life centred around family".
Roy
Morgan CEO Michele Levine confirmed that the Helix
Personas market segments are based on statistical
information, not data from individual people. "It's
totally ethical. Unlike Facebook or any of these things,
it's not any particular individual", Roy Morgan's
chief executive Michele Levine, said.: 38,582.12 at
3.22pm NY time (down 45.87 points on Friday's close)
Roy
Morgan wins three-year contract to deliver domestic
tourism statistics for Austrade
21
February 2024
Roy
Morgan Summary
From
2025, Roy Morgan will provide Austrade with the world's
best practice survey methodology, big data integration
and modelling techniques to deliver accurate domestic
tourism statistics. Roy Morgan has reimagined the
future of domestic tourism statistics to move Austrade
and its stakeholders to the forefront of tourism intelligence
with a new platform that will drive the future of
Australia's tourism industry, which is estimated to
be worth in excess of $160 billion. Portia Morgan,
the Head of Client Services at Roy Morgan, says that
using face-to-face interviewing, which is the gold-standard
for surveying the population, enhanced with big data
and cutting-edge data science techniques, Roy Morgan
will be delivering a future-proofed system that will
be cost effective, reliable, and accurate. She adds
that Roy Morgan has been delivering survey-based tourism
insights via its Holiday Tracking Survey for 20+ years
and the company is thrilled to be working with Austrade
and the broader industry to provide a deeper of understanding
of how many people are travelling, where they go,
what they do and how they spend their valuable tourism
dollars.
Anti-mining
PM pushes BHP's cash offshore
Roy
Morgan Summary
It
is somewhat hypocritical of the federal government
to flag possible support for Australia's nickel industry,
given that Labor's anti-mining legislation may jeopardise
the expansion of BHP's copper operations in South
Australia. BHP is still likely to proceed with an
expansion, but the previously touted investment of
between $10bn and $15bn is now only a 50 per cent
chance. The new labour laws in the government's industrial
relations reforms mean that BHP is now more likely
to redirect much of this capital investment to its
criticals minerals projects in other countries; rival
miner Rio Tinto is already doing this.
More
than 2.7 million New Zealanders now read newspapers
and magazine audiences surge to over 1.7 million
21
February 2024
Roy
Morgan has released its readership results for New
Zealand's newspapers and magazines for the 12 months
to December 2023. The data shows that 2.73 million
New Zealanders aged 14+ (64.4%) now read or access
newspapers in an average 7-day period via print or
online (website or app) platforms. In addition, 1.71
million New Zealanders aged 14+ (40.3%) read magazines,
whether in print or online either via the web or an
app. The New Zealand Herald is still the nation's
most widely-read publication, with a total cross-platform
audience of 1,720,000 in the 12 months to June 2023
- almost five times as many as the second placed Dominion
Post with a readership of 341,000. Meanwhile, New
Zealand's most widely read magazine is still the driving
magazine AA Directions, which had an average issue
readership of 379,000 during the year to December
(an increase of 63,000 on a year ago).
These
are the latest findings from the Roy Morgan New Zealand
Single Source survey of 6,254 New Zealanders aged
14+ over the 12 months to December 2023.
New
report reveals Roy Morgan is one of Australia's leading
data companies - with in-depth information on millions
of Australians based on their Helix Personas
Market
Research Update
20
February 2024
Roy
Morgan Summary
Roy
Morgan leads the way as one of Australia's leading
data companies. A special in-depth report into Australia's
leading data companies interviewed Roy Morgan CEO
Michele Levine and Executive Chairman Gary Morgan
about the role the company plays in compiling data
and building profiles of different Australians. One
of Roy Morgan's key products is 'Helix Personas' which
profiles people under headings such as "young
and platinum", "smart money", "cautious
conservatives", "fair go", "working
hard" and nearly 50 other personas. For example,
the "young and platinum" group love their
mobile devices and are "always on the hunt for
the shiny, new and cool" and "making the
rent". Their income is around the $64,000 a year
mark and they can often be found "living a conventional
life centred around family". Roy Morgan CEO Michele
Levine confirmed that the Helix Personas market segments
are based on statistical information, not data from
individual people. "It's totally ethical. Unlike
Facebook or any of these things, it's not any particular
individual", Roy Morgan's chief executive Michele
Levine, said.
(Credit:
Roy Morgan Research)
Roy
Morgan Summary
Roy
Morgan leads the way as one of Australia's leading
data companies. A special in-depth report into Australia's
leading data companies interviewed Roy Morgan CEO
Michele Levine and Executive Chairman Gary Morgan
about the role the company plays in compiling data
and building profiles of different Australians.
One
of Roy Morgan's key products is 'Helix Personas' which
profiles people under headings such as "young
and platinum", "smart money", "cautious
conservatives", "fair go", "working
hard" and nearly 50 other personas. For example,
the "young and platinum" group love their
mobile devices and are "always on the hunt for
the shiny, new and cool" and "making the
rent". Their income is around the $64,000 a year
mark and they can often be found "living a conventional
life centred around family". Roy Morgan CEO Michele
Levine confirmed that the Helix Personas market segments
are based on statistical information, not data from
individual people. "It's totally ethical. Unlike
Facebook or any of these things, it's not any particular
individual", Roy Morgan's chief executive Michele
Levine, said.
(Credit:
Roy Morgan Research)
The
Saudi National Manual for Assets and Facilities Management
Released by EXPRO
It
will serve as a comprehensive reference enhancing
quality, efficiency, and sustainability in Saudi Arabia
Government entities.
RIYADH,
SAUDI ARABIA, June 5, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The
National Manual for Assets and Facilities Management
(NMA&FM) represents a comprehensive reference
that enhances quality, efficiency, and sustainability
in the management of assets and facilities in Saudi
government entities. This reflects the value of the
citizens’ combined efforts to establish a unified
reference in this field, which is considered the first
of its kind on the national and regional levels.
The
manual, which is prepared by the Government Expenditure
& Projects Efficiency Authority “EXPRO”
combined effort with success partners from the concerned
government entities, aims to unify the different procedures
for managing assets and public facilities, ensuring
compliance with local legislation, and building asset
management systems by registering and evaluating them
to support optimal decision-making. The goal is to
extend the life cycle of assets, manage public facilities
effectively and efficiently based on the principle
of cost and quality and relying on continuous improvement,
and preserve resources by activating the concept of
financial planning for asset and facility management
and effective management of supply chains and contracts.
The
manual serves as a technical reference for public
entities on how to utilize each entity’s asset
and facility management resources impeccably and manage
them efficiently. It also covers the entire business
life cycle of assets and facilities, starting with
planning, constructing, and receiving the project,
through contracting and purchasing stages, to operating
and maintaining and ending with the decision to stop
using and dispose of the facility or asset.
The
implementation of this manual has documented success
stories in various government entities, Including
the Hygiene Performance Contracts transformation Initiative
For Riyadh City in cooperation with Riyadh Region
Municipality. This initiative resulted in the preparation
and development of 16 integrated performance contract
brochures for the hygiene of Riyadh city, with an
estimated value of over 6 billion riyals, and the
development of 11 performance indicators to improve
service implementation and quality.
To
increase operational efficiency and service quality
at the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture,
a system for facilities management was established
according to best practices. This included automating
assets and facilities management processes, creating
an indicator board with over 10 indicators, and setting
a standard for classifying dams based on urgency and
risk levels according to the global best practices.
Additionally, a complete asset registry for dams was
built, and the computerized operations and maintenance
system was activated.
The
collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources
and Social Development led to an increase in operating
efficiency and improvement in the quality of service
by establishing a facilities management system based
on best practices and automating five main and supportive
processes for managing assets and facilities. This
reduced operational and maintenance costs and increased
beneficiary satisfaction rates.
Furthermore,
the cooperation with King Saud University has improved
operational efficiency and service quality. The university’s
assets were counted and inventoried, the effectiveness
of the computerized asset management program system
was enhanced, and it was linked to other systems at
the university in line with the requirements of the
national manual. Additionally, an occupational health
and safety policy was developed and approved, measurement
indicators were identified, and seven procedures for
operation and maintenance were implemented. These
measures contributed to accelerating and facilitating
the operation and field maintenance processes, as
well as merging with inventory management to raise
the efficiency of purchasing operations.
In
addition, Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University
has succeeded in developing and launching a computerized
system for managing assets and facilities. This system
includes the operation automation and maintenance
processes and ordering spare parts through computerised
systems, increasing spending efficiency on annual
operation and maintenance costs. It also accelerated
service provision, monitored implementation, and provided
data and technical and financial indicator panels
to support decision-makers. This cooperation resulted
in a qualitative leap in the satisfaction rate of
users of university facilities, as well as the complete
automation of the inventory and spare parts management
process.
The
Riyadh Region Municipality developed 13 integrated
performance contract brochures for the operation and
maintenance of Riyadh’s roads, with an estimated
value of 2 billion riyals, and established nine performance
indicators to measure the service performance, implementation,
and quality.
EXPRO
has made the manual available to its partners from
public entities, their asset and facility departments,
and specialized contractors and consulting offices
via the website. EXPRO is committed to providing partners
with all necessary knowledge for the manual's application
through a training package for each volume, on-the-job
training, and experiential learning.
The
manual consists of 17 volumes upon which the asset
and facilities management methodology is based. Each
volume addresses a specific function of asset and
facilities management and takes into account the best
global practices for accomplishing these functions.
It is reviewed and updated periodically based on accumulated
experiences and the contributions of a committee of
government entities’ representatives, as well
as global developments in the field of asset and facilities
management.
The
first volume includes an introduction to the manual,
covering the calibres and guidelines necessary for
management. The second volume is devoted to managing
assets and the business requirements while achieving
a balance between risks, performance and cost to ensure
the proper use of assets. It also focuses on effectively
monitoring assets during their life cycle to guarantee
proper utilization, as well as relying on specialized
asset management systems and software.
The
third volume explains how assessment, as an organizational
process, is useful in determining an asset's condition
and establishing an appropriate life cycle. This supports
the proper direction of the asset and subsequent maintenance
activities, ultimately achieving the required value.
The
fourth volume includes guidelines for defining the
financial policy framework, including planning the
asset’s life cycle with regard to the necessary
funding to maintain its operation at the required
service level. It also covers the integration of strategic
asset management with financial planning procedures,
which helps in making decisions between investment
and funding options and determining the achievable
service level.
The
fifth volume focuses on managing the processes of
planning, organizing, and work control, as well as
maximizing the use of resources to manage facilities
and assets. This is based on written procedures that
support the preservation of resources and limit any
shortcomings or inconsistencies in the services provided,
thus helping to avoid a negative impact on the entity’s
reputation. It also emphasizes aspects that must be
taken into account in future planning and development.
The
sixth volume is concerned with managing maintenance
by applying best practices to develop tools for planning
maintenance and applying methodologies in their management.
This contributes to determining the design life of
the assets and the continuity of their services to
maintain the safe and reliable operation of the assets.
Additionally, it focuses on optimizing the benefits
of its operational processes.
The
seventh volume guides the procedures for adjusting
the work and managing the requests related to maintenance
activities. It prioritizes and plans these activities,
fixes malfunctions, estimates costs, schedules work,
and oversees testing and closure.
The
supply chain management volume focuses on the strategic
planning, implementation, control, and monitoring
of supply chain activities, such as warehouse and
inventory management. Effective supply chain management
contributes to achieving optimal value and promotes
competitive infrastructure as well as logistics services
worldwide while measuring performance and linking
supply to demand.
The
Contract Management volume focuses on planning, implementing,
managing and supplying asset and facility contracts
that ensure legal compliance, meet required service
levels, maximize financial and operational performance,
and reduce potential risks.
The
tenth volume focuses on safety, health, and the environment
by providing a guideline to the procedures and controls
relied upon to protect employees, visitors, public
property, and the environment. It includes procedures
for monitoring compliance, risk assessment, safety
reviews, and safety training.
The
eleventh volume presents the core pillars of quality
management, which include monitoring daily work, conducting
audits to measure the service provider’s compliance
with its contractual obligations, and addressing inconsistencies.
The effective application of quality management promotes
strategies, policies, procedures, and plans.
The
manual makers devoted a volume to managing risks and
reducing the potential impact of events that may hinder
the stakeholder or user from achieving asset and facilities
management objectives, with the possibility of applying
risk management to all comprehensive management procedures.
The
thirteenth volume guides and directs users on the
procedures and principles that must be applied to
establish effective document management. Document
and records management services are useful for obtaining,
circulating and retrieving approved information when
needed.
Volume
Fourteen pays attention to emergency management, strategic
organization of personnel, and allocation of resources
to reduce the impact of emergencies and restore operations
effectively.
The
performance control volume explains the foundations
of operating and managing operations and activities
in accordance with the entity’s mission, vision,
goals and requirements. This allows changes to be
made when needed in order to maintain the consistency
and effectiveness of performance to achieve the desired
business objectives.
The
asset and facility management of construction project
volume identifies the procedures required during the
construction stages to ensure the best results of
operation and maintenance throughout the life cycle
of the asset’s construction or restoration project.
The
Energy Management and Sustainability Guideline outlines
the optimal means for the strategic application of
energy efficiency in buildings, in addition to sustainability,
which represents an approach to integrating the environment,
human needs, and costs.
EXPRO
has recently launched the “Evolution of Tradition”
awareness campaign to publicize the importance of
the National Manual for Assets and Facilities Management.
This includes a series of multimedia explaining the
importance of following the manual’s guidelines
to organize and facilitate the work of government
entities, achieving many benefits on the national
level in terms of efficiency and quality. These have
a direct impact on performance of the entity and citizens.
The campaign presents some government entities’
success stories following the implementation of Manual.
Expenditure efficiency teams within government entities
also organize activities to publicize the importance
and content of the manual.
For
more details, contact Turki Bukhari, Executive vice
president, A&FM at media@expro.gov.sa.
Learn
more at: https://expro.gov.sa
Turki
Bukhari
Expenditure & Projects Efficiency Authority (EXPRO)
Media
Man
Warrner
Bros
Profile
In
2010, the Warner Bros. Pictures Group broke the all-time
industry worldwide box office record with receipts
of $4.814 billion, which surpassed the prior record
of $4.010 billion (set by the Studio in 2009). Warner
Bros. also established a new industry benchmark for
the international box office with a total of $2.93
billion (marking a record third time of crossing the
$2 billion threshold) and retained its leading domestic
box office ranking with receipts of $1.884 billion.
2010 also marked the 10th consecutive year Warner
Bros. Pictures passed the billion dollar mark at both
the domestic and international box offices. Warner
Home Video was, once again, the industry’s leader,
with an overall 20.6 percent marketshare in total
DVD and Blu-ray sales. The companies comprising the
Warner Bros. Television Group and Warner Bros. Home
Entertainment Group remain category leaders, working
across all platforms and outlets, and are trendsetters
in the digital realm with video-on-demand (transaction
and ad-supported), branded channels, original content,
anti-piracy technology and broadband and wireless
destinations.
The
Warner Bros. Pictures Group brings together the Studio’s
motion picture production, marketing and distribution
operations into a single entity. The Group, which
includes Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures
International, was formed to streamline the Studio’s
film production process and bring those businesses’
organizational structures in line with Warner Bros.’
television and home entertainment operations.
Warner
Bros. Pictures produces and distributes a wide-ranging
slate of some 18-22 films each year, employing a business
paradigm that mitigates risk while maximizing productivity
and capital. Warner Bros. Pictures either fully finances
or co-finances the films it produces and maintains
worldwide distribution rights. It also monetizes its
distribution and marketing operations by distributing
films that are totally financed and produced by third-parties.
The Studio’s 2011 slate includes “Sucker
Punch,” “The Hangover Part II,” “Green
Lantern,” “Harry Potter and the Deathly
Hallows – Part 2,” “Happy Feet 2”
and “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.”
Warner
Bros. Pictures International is a global leader in
the marketing and distribution of feature films, operating
offices in more than 30 countries and releasing films
in over 120 international territories, either directly
to theaters or in conjunction with partner companies
and co-ventures.
New
Line Cinema, part of Warner Bros. Entertainment since
2008, coordinates its development, production, marketing,
distribution and business affairs activities with
Warner Bros. Pictures to maximize film performance
and operating efficiencies. Highlights of New Line’s
2011 release slate, distributed by Warner Bros., include
“Horrible Bosses,” “Final Destination
5,” “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas”
and “New Year’s Eve.”
The
Warner Bros. Television Group oversees and grows the
entire portfolio of Warner Bros.’ television
businesses, including worldwide production, traditional
and digital distribution, and broadcasting. In the
traditional television arena, WBTVG produces primetime
and cable (Warner Bros. Television and Warner Horizon
Television), first-run syndication (Telepictures Productions)
and animated (Warner Bros. Animation) programming,
which is distributed worldwide by two category-leading
distribution arms/operations (Warner Bros. Domestic
Television Distribution and Warner Bros. International
Television Distribution).
Among
the primetime series produced by divisions of the
Warner Bros. Television Group are “Two and a
Half Men,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “The
Mentalist,” “Mike & Molly,” “Fringe,”
“Gossip Girl,” “The Vampire Diaries,”
“Nikita,” “The Middle,” “Southland,”
“The Closer,” “Rizzoli & Isles,”
“Supernatural,” “The Bachelor,”
“Pretty Little Liars,” “Randy Jackson
Presents America’s Best Dance Crew” and
many more. Also produced by the company are first-run
syndicated programs such as “The Ellen DeGeneres
Show,” “TMZ” and “Extra,”
among others, as well as animated shows “Scooby-Doo!
Mystery Incorporated” and “Young Justice.”
WBTVG
is an innovative leader in developing new business
models for the evolving television landscape, including
ad-supported video-on-demand, broadband and wireless,
and has digital distribution agreements in place with
all of the broadcast networks. Internationally, the
Studio is one of the world’s largest distributors
of feature films, television programs and animation
to the worldwide television marketplace, licensing
some 50,000 hours of television programming, including
more than 6,000 feature films and 50 current series,
dubbed or subtitled in more than 40 languages, to
telecasters and cablecasters in more than 175 countries.
WBTVG
provides original shortform programming for the broadband
and wireless marketplace through its Studio 2.0 digital
venture, and its digital media sales unit is devoted
specifically to multiplatform domestic advertiser
sales for both broadband and wireless. WBTVG continues
its strategic expansion into digital production and
distribution with the launch of several advertiser-supported
entertainment destinations, including TheWB.com, a
premium, video-on-demand interactive and personalized
network and KidsWB.com, a premium destination built
around youth-oriented immersive entertainment.
The
final component of WBTVG is broadcasting: The CW Television
Network, launched (in partnership with CBS) in September
2006 with quality, diverse programming, is targeted
to the 18–34 audience.
Warner
Bros. Animation’s combined classic and contemporary
library currently boasts 14,000 animated episodes
and shorts which air on domestic broadcast networks,
as well as cable networks and in direct-to-video releases
around the world. The classic library includes such
brands as Looney Tunes, Merrie Melodies, Hanna-Barbera
and Ruby-Spears as well as such beloved characters
as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Sylvester, Tweety, Taz,
Tom and Jerry, Popeye, Batman, Superman, the Flintstones,
the Jetsons and Scooby-Doo.
Warner
Bros. Home Entertainment Group brings together Warner
Bros. Entertainment’s home video (Warner Home
Video), digital distribution (Warner Bros. Digital
Distribution), interactive entertainment/videogames
(Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment), direct-to-consumer
production (Warner Premiere), technical operations
(Warner Bros. Technical Operations) and anti-piracy
(Warner Bros. Anti-Piracy Operations) businesses in
order to maximize current and next-generation distribution
scenarios. WBHEG is responsible for the global distribution
of content through DVD, electronic sell-through and
transactional VOD, and delivery of theatrical content
to wireless and online channels. It is also a significant
worldwide publisher for both internal and third party
videogame titles.
In
2010, Warner Home Video dominated the U.S. market
as the number one company in total sell-through video
(DVD and Blu-ray combined) with 20.6% marketshare,
theatrical catalog, TV on DVD, non-theatrical family
and animation, Blu-ray and VOD. WHV has been the number
one studio in overall DVD sales 14 consecutive years,
and is also the leading studio in the international
home video space.
With
more than 3,700 active licensees worldwide, Warner
Bros. Consumer Products licenses the rights to names,
likenesses and logos for all of the intellectual properties
in Warner Bros. Entertainment’s vast film and
television library. With a global network of offices
and agents in key regions throughout the world, including
North America, Latin America, Asia and Europe, WBCP
maintains an ongoing commitment to expand and build
the power of its core brands’ recognition in
the international marketplace through strong and creative
merchandising, promotional marketing and retail programs.
DC
Entertainment’s DC Comics has been in continuous
publication for more than 60 years, and is the leading
comic book publisher in the industry and the creator
of some of the world’s most recognized icons.
DC’s characters continue to headline blockbuster
feature films, live-action and animated television
series, direct-to-video releases, collectors’
books, online entertainment, digital publishing, countless
licensing and marketing arrangements and, most recently,
graphic novels. DC continues to attract new readers
and fans all over the world with its signature characters
Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Justice League
leading the way.
Warner
Bros. International Cinemas provides a true state-of-the-art
movie experience to audiences in Japan with more than
60 multiplex cinemas and more than 600 screens internationally.
One of the pioneers in multiplex development for the
international marketplace, WBIC is continually exploring
new markets for expansion. (Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment)
Press
Release
09
August 2010
MICROGAMING SET TO LAUNCH THE LORD OF THE RINGS™:
THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING ONLINE VIDEO SLOT GAME
First Title to Utilize Proprietary Cinematic Spins™
Technology Allowing Players to Experience the Film
with Every Spin
ISLE
OF MAN – Microgaming today announced the imminent
launch of a new flagship game, The Lord of the Rings:
The Fellowship of the Ring Online Video Slot Game.
This slot game is the first to utilise Microgaming’s
new Cinematic Spins™ technology, allowing gamers
to see clips from the films with every spin.
The
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is a
new online slot game that is part of a multi-year
licensing agreement Microgaming signed with Warner
Bros. Digital Distribution in 2009. The company is
developing a series of cutting-edge, graphic rich
video slots based on this popular movie trilogy and
will use animation material, themes, and characters,
from the trilogy of The Lord of the Rings™ motion
pictures that include The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship
of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
These online slot games will be available to adults
only in countries where online gaming is permitted.
The
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is the
first online video slot to use Microgaming’s
Cinematic Spins™ state-of-the-art gaming technology.
This allows movie clips to act as moving backgrounds
behind the reels during spins providing players an
unprecedented level of excitement and immersion.
Win sequences and expanding wilds also use cinematic
clips, instead of traditional animated graphics. The
slots feature famous scenes from the film including
Ringwraiths during the attack at Weathertop, Balrog
in the Mines of Moria, and Uruk-hai in the woods of
Middle-earth. Players will also enjoy seeing characters
from the films that include Frodo, Aragorn, Saruman
and the deadly Black Riders.
Roger
Raatgever, CEO Microgaming comments: “Microgaming
has always been ahead of the curve with innovative
offerings, but this game really does push the boundaries
of what an online slot can do. The Lord of the Rings:
The Fellowship of the Ring looks and feels like an
extension of the big screen film experience and we’re
confident that our operators will see a great deal
of demand from their players, when the game is released.
This is an important deal for Microgaming and highlights
our commitment to partner with the right brands, at
the right time. The Lord of the Rings is one of the
most successful and well loved brands on the planet
and we are excited about combining this widespread
appeal with Microgaming’s groundbreaking software.”
The
Lord of the Rings Trilogy generated $3 billion in
worldwide box office receipts and was nominated for
a total of 30 Academy Awards®; of which they won
17, including Best Picture.
-
Ends -
Notes to editors:
*Cinematic Spins is a trademark held by Microgaming
©
2010 New Line Productions, Inc. All rights reserved.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of
the Rings: The Return of the King and the names of
the characters, items, events and places therein are
trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth
Enterprises under license to New Line Productions,
Inc.
For
further information please contact:
Duncan Skehens / Laura Moss/ Lyndsay Haywood
Lansons Communications
020 7490 8828
DuncanS@lansons.com / LauraM@lansons.com / LyndsayH@lansons.com
Warner Bros. Digital Distribution
Peter
Binazeski
818-977-5701
peter.binazeski@warnerbros.com
About Microgaming (www.microgaming.com)
Since the company developed the first true online
Casino software over a decade ago, it has led the
industry in providing innovative, reliable gaming
solutions. Thanks to an unrivalled R&D programme,
that averages 60 games per year and a unique ‘partnership’
approach to working with operators; Microgaming software
powers over 160 market-leading online gaming sites.
The company’s front and back-end software supports
multi-player, multi-language games - over 500 of them,
all uniquely branded and provides platforms for land-based
and wireless gaming. Microgaming powers the world’s
largest Progressive Jackpot Network and has paid out
over €265million. In May 2009 it created the
biggest ever online jackpot winner with a single payment
win of €6.37m.
As
a founding member of eCOGRA, Microgaming is at the
forefront of an initiative focused on setting the
highest standards in the gaming industry, and leads
in the areas of fair gaming, responsible operator
conduct and player protection. Microgaming has been
awarded eCOGRA’s Certified Software Seal following
a rigorous onsite assessment to ensure that the development,
implementation and maintenance of the software is
representative of industry best practice standards
Microgaming licensees are therefore eligible to apply
for the eCOGRA Safe & Fair Seal.
About
Warner Bros. Digital Distribution
Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD) manages Warner
Bros. Home Entertainment Group's (WBHEG) electronic
distribution over existing, new and emerging digital
platforms, including pay-per-view, electronic sell-through,
video-on-demand, wireless and more. WBDD also oversees
the WBHEG's worldwide digital strategy, partnerships
in digital services and emerging new clients and business
activities in the digital space.
News
2009
With
Time Warner sitting on $7 billion in cash, the
Marvel deal has ignited rumours of a second wave
of consolidation in the media industry. Dream
Works Animation, home of Shrek, is seen as a potential
takeover candidate, as is MGM with its huge library
of classic films. The games firms Electronic Arts
and Take Two Interactive, with its Grand Theft
Auto franchise, are also being touted as potential
buys.
Profile
Warner
Bros. Entertainment, Inc. (also known as Warner
Bros. Pictures, or simply Warner Bros.) is one
of the world's largest producers of film and television
entertainment.
It is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters
in Burbank, California and New York City. Warner Bros.
has several subsidiary companies, including Warner
Bros. Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros.
Interactive Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television,
Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Home Video, TheWB.com
and DC Comics. Warner owns half of The CW Television
Network.
Founded in 1918 by Jewish immigrants from Poland,
Warner Bros. is the third-oldest American movie studio
in continuous operation, after Paramount Pictures,
founded in 1912 as Famous Players, and Universal Studios,
also founded in 1912.
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