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Markets,
Crypto and Culture
Markets,
Cryptos and Culture
February
18, 2026
Mining
For Intel
Sports, Streaming And Headlines Biz
Mid Week Motivation
Biz Disruptors To Step Back Into Cage and Ring
Big Biz Betting On Combat Sport And Pop Culture
Sydney,
Australia to Wall Street, New York
ASX
200 futures up 54 points/0.6%: 8955
AUD +0.2% to US70.89¢
BTC $67,622.29 -1.34%
Dow +0.3%
S&P +0.3%
Nas +0.4%
VIX -1.05 to 20.15
Gold -2% to $US4891.56 an ounce
Silver 73.220 -2.21
Oil -1.7% to $US67.48 a barrel
Iron ore -0.3% to $US96.40 a ton
News
Numbers
Double Check
Australian
Dollar: $0.7080 USD (up $0.0005 USD)
Iron Ore: $96.40 USD (down $0.40 USD)
Oil Price): $62.35 USD (down $1.38 USD)
Gold Price: $4,875.84 USD (down $117.88 USD)
Copper Price: $5.6740 USD (down $0.0855 USD)
Dow Jones: 49,561.88 (up 60.95 points)
News
Mining
rally lifts ASX as BHP beats forecasts
The
Australian sharemarket posted a solid gain on Tuesday,
with the S&P/ASX 200 adding 0.2 per cent to close
at 8,958.9 points. BHP rose 4.7 per cent to $52.74,
JB Hi-Fi was up 8.1 per cent at $89.10 and Baby Bunting
advanced 8.6 per cent to end the session at $2.39.
However, Reliance Worldwide fell 9.1 per cent to $3.50,
WiseTech Global was down 1.6 per cent at $47.34 and
Seek finished 3.3 per cent lower at $16.54. (RMS)
News
Mining
rally lifts ASX as BHP beats forecasts
The
Australian sharemarket posted a solid gain on Tuesday,
with the S&P/ASX 200 adding 0.2 per cent to close
at 8,958.9 points. BHP rose 4.7 per cent to $52.74,
JB Hi-Fi was up 8.1 per cent at $89.10 and Baby Bunting
advanced 8.6 per cent to end the session at $2.39.
However, Reliance Worldwide fell 9.1 per cent to $3.50,
WiseTech Global was down 1.6 per cent at $47.34 and
Seek finished 3.3 per cent lower at $16.54. (RMS)
News
Profit
season off to 'unusually strong start'
Banks
and resources stocks have been the key drivers of
a strong earnings performance so far in the February
reporting season. However, there have been mixed earnings
outside of these sectors, which has been reflected
in share prices; Cochlear and Temple & Webster
are the stocks that fell sharply after their latest
financial results were below expectations. Hasan Tevfik
from MST Marquee notes that overall, there has not
been such a strong start to the earnings season since
February 2021, when the market was recovering from
the impact of the pandemic. (RMS)
News
Mining
and gaming to lead wave of debuts
Foreign
companies currently comprise about 10 per cent of
stocks listed on the Australian sharemarket. Sixteen
overseas-based companies debuted on the ASX in 2025,
which is a four-fold increase on the previous year;
they included both IPOs and dual listings. Millie
Horton from Jarden says more international companies
are now recognising the ASX as one of the premium
listing venues; indeed, the ASX itself notes that
its volume of new listings often exceeds that of New
York and London. Resources and gaming companies are
tipped to drive future growth in foreign compamies
listing in Australia. (RMS)
News
Australian
steel tariffs hit China's mills
Industry
data shows that China exported a record 119 million
tonnes of finished steel in 2025, which is 7.5 per
cent higher than previously. Meanwhile, Chinese steel
producers' margins have fallen significantly in recent
years, and some smaller producers are concerned that
the Australian government's move to impose a 10 per
cent tariff on Chinese steel imports will have a major
impact on their profits. Other countries are also
pursuing anti-dumping measures against China's steel
industry. (RMS)
News
Cryptos
Bitcoin
dips below short-term support
Market
Overview
The
crypto market cap stood at $2.35 trillion on Tuesday
morning, roughly the same as it was yesterday and
seven days ago. The leaders in growth among the most
liquid coins over the past week are the anonymous
Zcash and Cosmos, which are widely involved in the
tokenisation of debt assets, adding over 20%. At the
same time, the leaders in decline during this period
are Ethereum (-1.7%), BNB (-1.5%) and Bitcoin (-1.1%).
The decline of the largest coins is an ominous sign
for smaller ones, as it may soon pull them down with
it at an accelerated pace.
Bitcoin
technically fell below the support line that ran through
the extreme lows of the first half of February, as
another attempt to break above $70K on Monday attracted
the interest of sellers, which quickly pushed the
price back to $67K. On Tuesday morning, BTC is trading
near $68K, where it was the day before, but the former
support now looks like local resistance. Confirmation
of this trend reversal will be a fall below the recent
lows of $67K, with subsequent targets at $65K and
$60K. News Background
The
current situation is more reminiscent of a change
in the global BTC trend than a local correction, according
to CryptoQuant. The market has already entered a ‘stress
zone’ but has not yet reached the stage of final
capitulation. To form a ‘true bottom,’ a
peak in loss-taking and a complete exhaustion of selling
pressure are necessary.
Capriole
Investments founder Charles Edwards cited the quantum
threat as one of the reasons for the current BTC correction.
In contrast, Benchmark considers such fears to be
exaggerated, and Blockstream expects supercomputers
to appear only in 20-40 years. Growing attention to
the threat of quantum computing is beginning to reduce
the long-term appeal of Bitcoin compared to gold,
said analyst Willy Woo. In his opinion, about 4 million
‘lost’ coins could be dumped on the market
after a quantum computer hacks Bitcoin.
Blockstream
CEO Adam Back criticised the BIP-110 update aimed
at combating ‘spam’ on the Bitcoin network.
He called the initiative a threat to the reputation
of the first cryptocurrency.
In
the fourth quarter, Harvard University's management
company withdrew more than 20% of its investments
from the Bitcoin ETF, investing in an Ethereum-based
ETF for the first time. Despite the partial sale,
Bitcoin ETF shares remain the most significant public
asset in Harvard's portfolio. (FxPro)
News
Biz/Politics/World
The
dollar is not in a rush
EURUSD
remains prone to consolidation
The
yen is strengthening thanks to capital flows
The
US markets, closed for Presidents' Day, brought calm
to the Forex market. Traders are not forcing events,
awaiting the publication of the January FOMC meeting
minutes. This has resulted in EURUSD moving into a
narrow trading range. The pair showed no interest
in the news that the ECB is ready to offer liquidity
to other central banks to prevent tensions in the
money markets. This involves an increase in repo operations
from the third quarter.
ING believes that the euro's growing global role is
positive for EURUSD. The exchange rate is closely
linked to capital flows, and their movement from the
US to Europe is good news for the regional currency.
Christine Lagarde shares this opinion. According to
the Frenchwoman, the general mood is currently in
favour of the euro, as money is flowing into the region.
The head of the ECB prefers incentives to taxes. Therefore,
cheap liquidity will accelerate rotation.
However,
in the short term, the US dollar has a counterplay.
The longer the Fed pauses in the easing cycle, the
wider the rate differential will be. The high attractiveness
of US assets will prevent investors from rushing to
transfer capital to Europe.
Japan
is also scoring points with international investors.
According to Kazuo Ueda (BoJ Governor), Sanae Takaichi
(Prime Minister) did not make any specific requests
that would restrict the activities of the central
bank. They discussed economic and financial conditions.
If the central bank continues to make decisions independently,
political stability will play into the hands of the
bears on USDJPY. Investors are trying to understand
whether the Prime Minister is pressuring the BoJ to
stop raising rates, which also increases debt servicing
costs.
Gold
is trying to find a balance point, treading water
around $5,000 per ounce. According to Jefferies, two
main macro factors are supporting the precious metal:
the depreciation of the US dollar and high inflation.
This allows the company to raise its forecast for
the end of the year from $4,200 to $5,000. It notes
the high risks of a short-term peak in Gold amid growing
fears among traders concerned about the collapse in
prices at the end of January.
The
situation on the silver market is even worse. Backwardation
is intensifying, and futures contracts with distant
delivery dates are falling in price. This is usually
characteristic of perishable goods such as agricultural
products. (FxPro)
News
Streaming/Australia
2.5
million Young Australians aged 6-13 watch YouTube
The
latest Roy Morgan Young Australian Survey shows that
89% of the 6-13 age group watches YouTube (an estimated
2.5 million people). The leading YouTube video category
is Gaming, watched by 1.33 million children aged 6-13
(53% of YouTube watchers in this age group), ahead
of 930,000 watching the Animation category (37%),
900,000 watching Comedy (36%), and 850,000 watching
the Animals and Music categories (34%). The survey
also shows that 67% of boys aged 6-13 watch YouTube,
compared with 39% of girls. Boys are also far more
likely to watch the Sports category (36% cf. 17%).
In contrast, girls show a strong preference over boys
for categories such as Animals, Music, Fashion, Unboxing,
DIY and Cooking. This research is part of an ongoing
programme of research into Young Australian life experiences,
preferences, priorities and opinions. This programme
has been operating since the early 2000s, with the
latest data collection on YouTube between April and
December 2025, with a nationwide sample of 1,129 Young
Australians aged 6-13. (Roy Morgan)
News
Tech
News
Palantir
Moves Headquarters from Denver to Miami
The
data analytics company, founded in Palo Alto in 2003
by CEO Alex Karp and Peter Thiel, shifted to Denver
in 2020 to step away from Silicon Valley. Now, with
no official reason stated, it has relocated to Florida—a
state without personal income tax that attracts tech
firms with business-friendly policies and quality
of life. Miami leaders hailed the move as a milestone
for the city's tech scene, while critics like Rep.
Maxwell Frost and candidate James Fishback raised
civil liberties concerns tied to Palantir's government
contracts.
News
x
News/AI News
xAI
Launches Grok 4.2 Beta with Multi-Agent Team
The
4.20 beta, available now to X Premium+ and SuperGrok
subscribers on web, iOS, and Android, requires selecting
'Heavy' mode to activate Grok as leader, alongside
Harper for research, Benjamin for fact-checking, and
Lucas for logic and creativity. Demos show it querying
SpaceX-NASA missions and summarizing global news with
transparent steps and sources. Early testers praise
its unbiased research prowess and rapid learning via
weekly updates, though some note glitches like a botched
pelican SVG, as xAI refines it through user feedback.
News
Pop
Culture/Sports
Ronda
Rousey Faces Gina Carano in Netflix MMA Superfight
The
bout headlines Netflix's first live MMA event on May
16 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, as a five-round
pro fight at 145 pounds inside a hexagon cage, promoted
by Jake Paul's MVP. Rousey, absent since her 2016
loss to Amanda Nunes, called it the biggest superfight
in women's combat sports history, while Carano shared
a pumped-up training montage saying she's ready to
make the walk again. Though skeptics note their ages—Rousey
at 39 and Carano at 44—the legacy showdown has
MMA buzzing with excitement ahead of UFC's big card.
News
Pop
Culture/Pro Wrestling/WWE/Brands
WWE
Partners with DUDE Wipes for In-Ring Branding Deal
WWE
announced a multi-year partnership with DUDE Wipes,
making the flushable wipes brand its official hygiene
product, complete with wrestler gear branding, event
sponsorships, and a custom commercial featuring Superstars.
Reigning Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio
debuted the logo on his bandana ribcage t-shirt during
his Monday Night Raw return from injury in a triple-threat
match. WWE's Jesse Tomares praised the disruptive
integrations, while DUDE Wipes' Ryan Meegan called
partnering with 'Dirty Dom' surreal, promising fun
and cleanliness amid fan puns and mixed reactions
on commercialization.
News
Gaming/Casino/Betting
This
29-year-old is worth $15b and wants you to bet on
everything
The
co-founder of America’s biggest predictions market
on the “wisdom of the crowd”, political
polarisation – and the company’s adviser,
Donald Trump jnr.
Tarek
Mansour believes deeply in prediction markets –
or so he tells me again and again. He says they will,
variously, play the role of modern oracle, innovative
asset, public educator, new journalism and political
saviour. At the moment, however, most of the money
flowing through them is gambling on American football.
“We’re
making the world a little bit smarter about the future,
and I think that’s a very valuable thing to build,”
Mansour says. “It’s not something that you
should take as the Holy Grail truth, but it’s
better than the alternatives.”
Mansour
is a co-founder and chief executive of prediction
market Kalshi, the largest such platform operating
in the US. He has chosen to meet me at Serafina, one
of a small chain of Italian restaurants, in Manhattan’s
Meatpacking District because it is close to Kalshi’s
offices and rarely crowded. The sky above New York
is a threatening grey, and Kalshi traders are forecasting
a 74 per cent chance of rain.
Serafina
is empty and, in fact, locked when I arrive at our
appointed 11.30am. The waiter unbolts the heavy door
and shows me to a corner table at a plush banquette.
The walls are of rough brick, and the floors are of
unfinished wood. There are a few other small tables
and a large bar. A radiant portrait of a woman decorates
one wall. The waiter, Angel, turns on dance music
that blares just for the two of us.
Mansour,
29, arrives a couple of minutes later, wearing a cream-coloured
hoodie and thick glasses, lenses slightly tinted.
His hair is dark and curly and falls over one side
of his forehead. He is unshaven and says he has not
been sleeping well.
“When
people talk about, ‘We believe in markets’,
what do they actually believe?” Mansour says.
“What it means is that you believe that they’re
a good way to figure out what the price of something
is … And in this case, we’re pricing the
future.”
The
idea behind prediction markets such as Kalshi is simple
and powerful. Participants trade shares of some future
event (for example, whether it will rain in New York
today). The shares are redeemable for $1 if the event
occurs and $0 if it does not. Beforehand, the price
(74¢, say) can therefore be read as a probability
of the event occurring (74 per cent). Thus, in theory,
if large and liquid, these markets quantify and broadcast
the “wisdom of the crowd”. (AFR) *Full article
and coverage via The Australian Financial Review
Culture
'Welcome
To The Blockchain' aka
The
Bitcoin Song
Intro
We're
now standing on the precipice of a global revolution
Of
economics, of politics, and government
Welcome to the blockchain
verse
Power
corrupts, money is power
The
power to control the money is one that is now
In the hands of those who pretend we can't function
without them
So how can we do something about it? (Huh?)
Working hard to get a raise, lifting that wage up
Inflation takes it like a hidden taxation
Manipulated interest rates to give the banks
A way to create money with the loans that they're
giving out daily (yup)
That means our money is debt
That we gotta pay back more than a hundred percent
No wonder then why the middle class is going under
When the one's above them gotta cover and come to
collect
And many have no access to banking
Making payments, or saving, so more fees are taken
And every day the gatekeepers are trying to stop change
We can not wait, welcome to the blockchain
chorus
Welcome
to the blockchain
Things
are about to change
Open up the gates
Systems get replaced
Bitcoin
Decentralize the trust
Security, transparency
The network's run by us
Bitcoin
verse
Bitcoin
is a decentralized ledger
And
the currency is its first enterprise ever
Secured by the worldwide incentivized network
Can't be stolen or controlled by any sized effort
You can send it anywhere and instantly
No one can intervene, no third party in between
There's no counterfeiting
Algorithms control the outer limits of how many coins
can get released
Programmable money, no government can seize it
Payments can be customized by sender and receiver
Contracts can be written cementing your agreements
With terms that can't be bent once you consent then
it completes it
Autonomous businesses are possible
Where profit is distributed amongst those adopting
it
Paradigm shift we must adjust to the ending
With the blockchain, bitcoin is just the beginning
chorus
Welcome
to the blockchain
Things
are about to change
Open up the gates
Systems get replaced
Bitcoin
Decentralize the trust
Security, transparency
The network's run by us
Bitcoin
bridge
Now
that we got control
We're
not gonna let it go
My people all around the globe
We gotta keep building, building, building
Now that we got control
We're not gonna let it go
My people all around the globe
We gotta keep building, building, building
chorus
Welcome
to the blockchain
Things
are about to change
Open up the gates
Systems get replaced
Bitcoin
Decentralize the trust
Security, transparency
The network's run by us
Bitcoin
Writer:
Toby Ganger
News
Mining/Energy/Resources/Biz
Rio
Tinto dodges merger bullet
Rio
Tinto has dodged two 'bullets' due to Glencore's rejection
of a merger proposal: a possible BHP takeover bid
and a dangerous acquisition. BHP looked closely at
whether to bid for Rio Tinto if the latter announced
a merger with Glencore. The two companies would make
excellent merger partners; amongst others things,
their staff and senior people have similar cultures,
they are co-operating on future Australian iron ore
projects and they are copper joint venture partners
in Chile and the US. Meanwhile, there are significance
cultural differences between Rio Tinto and Glencore;
there is little doubt that Rio Tinto's CEO Simon Trott
would have had doubts about a merger once he understood
these cultural differences. (RMS)
News/Snapshot
Australian
Mining
Global
Commodity Rankings
Australia
holds some of the world's largest reserves and is
a leading producer of several key minerals.
#1
Producer: Iron Ore, Bauxite, Lithium, Rutile, and
Zircon.
#1
Reserves: Iron Ore, Gold, Lead, Nickel, Rutile, Uranium,
and Zinc.
#2
Producer: Gold, Alumina, and Manganese.
Key
Mining Hubs & Major Projects
Western
Australia: The nation's "engine room," producing
98% of Australia's iron ore and 60% of its gold. Major
sites include the Pilbara (iron ore) and the Super
Pit in Kalgoorlie (gold).
Queensland:
A global leader in metallurgical coal (Bowen Basin)
and silver/lead production (Cannington mine).
South
Australia: Home to Olympic Dam, which contains the
world's largest single uranium deposit and significant
copper and gold reserves.
Major
Players
The
sector is dominated by several multinational giants
and significant domestic players:
BHP:
Often ranked as Australia's most valuable company;
major interests in iron ore, copper, and coal.
Rio
Tinto: A world leader in iron ore (Pilbara) and aluminum.
Fortescue (FMG): Primarily focused on iron ore and
rapidly expanding into green energy.
Hancock
Prospecting: Australia's largest private mining company,
led by Gina Rinehart, the nation's wealthiest person.
South32:
Spun out of BHP; manages a diversified portfolio including
manganese, silver, and nickel.
2026
Trends & Developments
Critical
Minerals Push: The government has introduced a $23
billion package to support domestic processing and
manufacturing of critical minerals to reduce global
reliance on single-country supply chains.
Uranium
Rally: Prices exceeding US$100/lb have sparked renewed
interest in Australian prospects like the Kalkaroo
project.
M&A
Activity: Major merger talks continue between giants
like Rio Tinto and Glencore as they seek to consolidate
copper exposure for the EV market.
Workforce
Challenges: The Minerals Council of Australia is currently
calling for migration reforms to address a significant
"skills crunch" in the sector.
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
WWE Unreal vs The Old Guard
Reality TV vs John Pilger Type Journalism and Docos
Mr Real Deal vs Mr Grifter
Mr Truth vs Mr Shock Jock
Mr X vs Mr Bluesky: Rematch
WWE Wrestlers vs NFL Super Bowl Players
Logan Paul and Bad Bunny vs Jake Paul and The Don
- Special ref: Damian Priest
Kelly Gang vs Snow White Clan
BKFC vs PFL vs ONE
Mr Sky vs Mr Vice
Marvel Universe vs DC Universe vs Monster Universe
Logan Paul vs Tom Brady
MMA vs Lucha Libre
Confirmed
Matches To Happen:
Rousey
vs Carano (Netflix) May 16
Tyson
Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov (Netflix) April 11
Media
Man
Roy
Morgan wins Media Man 'Media Services Company Of The
Month' award
X
wins Media Man 'Platform Of The Month' award; Runner-ups:
YouTube and LinkedIn
Netflix
wins Media Man 'Streaming Service Of The Month' award
CAT
wins Media Man 'Heavy Industry Brand Of The Month'
award
Mack
Trucks wins Media Man 'Truck Brand Of The Month' award
Logan
Paul wins Media Man 'Pop Culture Disruptor Of The
Month' award
WWE
wins Media Man 'Wrestling Promoter Of The Month' award
'Landman
wins Media Man 'Streaming Series Of The Month' award
WWE2K16
wins Media Man 'Game Of The Month' award
Claudio's
Cafe wins Media Man 'Coffee Brand Of The Month' award
Jim's
Mowing wins Media Man 'Australian Business Of The
Month' award
Barefoot
Investor wins Media Man 'Financial Media Company Of
The Month' award
Markets,
Cryptos and Culture
February
17, 2026
Mining
For Intel
Sydney,
Australia to Wall Street, New York
ASX
200 futures up 15 points/0.2 per cent: 8895
AUD
+0.04% to US70.76¢
Bitcoin
$68,543.35 -0.48%
Wall
St closed: holiday
Gold
-1% to $US4992.08 an ounce
Silver 76.391 -1.57
Brent oil +1.2% to $US68.59 a barrel
Iron ore +0.1% to $US96.80 a ton
10-year
yield:
US 4.05%
Australia 4.71%
News
Numbers
Double Check
Australian
Dollar: $0.7075 USD (up $0.0009 USD)
Iron Ore: $96.80 USD (down $0.05 USD)
Oil Price: $63.73 USD (up $0.84 USD)
Gold Price: $4,993.72 USD (down $48.08 USD)
Copper Price): $5.7625 USD (down $0.0255 USD)
Dow Jones: 49,500.93 (unchanged - closed: public holiday)
News
Silver
plays its own game
Precious
metals are diverging due to different market structures
Dollar
under pressure before US GDP and EU business activity
releases
The
slowdown in US CPI from 2.7% to 2.4% has halted the
advance of the US dollar. If inflation returns to
its 2% target without a recession, the Fed will not
need to keep rates at such high levels. The futures
market has raised the chances of a resumption of the
monetary expansion cycle to 29% in April and 67% in
June. The fall in EURUSD that began after strong employment
statistics has been put on hold.
In
fact, the Fed is unlikely to change its outlook based
on a single report. The central bank needs confirmation
of labour market stabilisation and a disinflationary
trend. According to Philadelphia Fed President Anna
Paulson, prices must fall to 2%, so the central bank’s
work is not finished yet. However, a pause in the
Fed’s easing cycle plays into the hands of EURUSD
bears.
Pressure
on the US dollar is being driven by fears of a sharp
slowdown in US GDP in the fourth quarter, from 4.4%
to 3%, as well as by investor confidence in upbeat
business activity reports from the eurozone. According
to Capital Group, the currency bloc's economic acceleration
will drive inflation and force the ECB to raise its
deposit rate by the end of this year. This will bring
EURUSD back above 1.2.
The
yen was the best performer among G10 currencies in
the second week of February. Investors bet on political
stability after the Liberal Democratic Party won the
parliamentary elections and the associated repatriation
of capital to Japan. However, Sanae Takaichi now needs
to prove her government's commitment to stabilising
finances.
Gold
returned above $5,000 per ounce amid mixed signals
from the US labour market and inflation. Its path
diverged from that of silver. The white metal is falling
due to concerns that silver will not be able to return
to $100. This is activating sellers of recycled silver.
Increased supply amid declining demand from the industry
and jewellery due to high prices could return the
market to surplus after five years of deficit.
In
addition, the gold-silver ratio fell to its lowest
level in nearly 13 years at the end of January. The
white metal looks expensive from this perspective.
(FxPro)
News
Bearish
lull in the crypto market
Market
Overview
The
crypto market has been in a consolidation phase for
the past 10 days, trading mainly in the $2.30-2.40T
range, as market forces pull it back. As a result,
the total capitalisation is now roughly at the same
level as a week ago, $2.35T. On closer inspection,
a slight upward trend can be seen over the last few
days, but it seems too fragile to rely on.
Bitcoin
is trading below $69K, but since the start of the
day on Monday, it has made several attempts to climb
above this resistance. Taking a step back to larger
ranges reveals upward support over the last 10 days,
with another rebound on Monday morning and resistance
at the horizontal level of $71K. Despite a series
of higher highs, we view this as a bearish pause due
to the weak rebound after a massive decline. Consolidation
in such conditions only removes short-term oversold
conditions, paving the way for further declines.
News
Background
Losses
for short-term Bitcoin holders over the past seven
days have reached $2.3 billion, one of the largest
since the 2021 crash, according to CryptoQuant. On-chain
metrics do not yet confirm the formation of a structural
bottom. At the same time, BTC has come close to the
so-called undervaluation zone.
The
crypto market is gradually laying the groundwork for
a breakout from the bearish trend, according to Bitwise.
The development of real asset tokenisation (RWA) and
the influx of corporate investors into decentralised
finance (DeFi) could be the main drivers of the cryptocurrency
recovery.
Bitcoin
investors should be patient, as the bullish trend
will come later than expected, said Morgan Creek co-founder
Anthony Pompliano. In his opinion, BTC volatility
may increase in the near future due to the tense global
economic situation.
The
Bhutanese authorities are selling bitcoins from their
reserves for the third week in a row, Arkham notes.
The latest sale of 100 BTC brought in approximately
$6.8 million, and the kingdom's Arkham-identified
wallets still hold ~5,600 BTC.
The
largest American crypto exchange, Coinbase, reported
a net loss of $667 million for the fourth quarter.
The main reason for the losses is the negative revaluation
of the crypto portfolio and strategic investments.
Darknet
platforms are switching en masse to the anonymous
cryptocurrency Monero, according to TRM Labs. The
trend reversal is happening despite the mass delisting
of the asset on centralised platforms. (FxPro)
News
Feb
17
Tech
rebound buoys the ASX; Austal surges
The
Australian sharemarket posted a solid gain on Monday,
with Wall Street closed for a public holiday and Chinese
markets in a week-long shutdown for the Lunar New
Year; the S&P/ASX 200 added 0.2 per cent to close
at 8,967.1 points. WiseTech Global rose 12.9 per cent
to $48.11, Austal was up 19.5 per cent at $5.82 and
JB Hi-Fi ended the session 7.5 per cent higher at
$82.40. However, Fortescue shed 4.7 per cent to close
at $20.21 and Treasury Wine Estates was down 5.2 per
cent at $4.97.
News
Miners/Energy/Resources
Woodside
ramps up hunt for new CEO
Liz
Westcott, Mark Abbotsford and Daniel Kalms are regarded
as the leading internal candidates to succeed Meg
O'Neill as the CEO of Woodside Energy. Expectations
that the oil and gas group will opt for an internal
candidate have been heightened by its decision to
appoint Spencer Stuart to find a new CEO; the executive
search firm has an existing relationship with Woodside,
including the provision of leadership development
and evaluation services. Woodside is tipped to announce
its new CEO within weeks, at a time when it is preparing
for initial production at its Scarborough LNG project.
(Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Gold
rush pulls in dirt pirates and backpackers
The
price of gold has risen by 70 per cent in the last
year, prompting a new wave of prospectors at historic
goldfields such as Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.
The state accounts for more than 70 per cent of Australia's
gold production, primarily from the Kalgoorlie Goldfields.
The gold boom has attracted a range pf people to the
region, including amateur prospectors and families
that travel there on caravan holidays. It has also
resulted in extra work for Australia's gold stealing
detection unit, with a sharp rise in the theft of
ore from gold mine sites by criminals who process
it in backyards by using a cement mixer and chemicals
to extract the gold. (RMS)
News
Gold
News
72
Hours Ago
Gold
drags down the stock market
Traders
sold gold to meet margin requirements
The
unwinding of currency hedging operations supports
the US dollar The worst collapse in US stock indices
since November and a decline in jobless claims helped
the US dollar. However, the aggressive momentum of
the bears on EURUSD was held back by negative real
estate market statistics. Home sales fell to a 16-month
low, adding to concerns about an economic slowdown
and increasing the likelihood of the Fed easing monetary
policy in June from 58% to 73%.
The
uncertainty surrounding Donald Trump's policies is
forcing investors to either abandon US-issued assets
as part of a ‘sell America’ strategy or
hedge the currency risks of investments in securities
by selling the dollar. Therefore, the worst collapse
of the S&P 500 in almost three months led to the
closing of deals and supported the greenback.
The
fate of EURUSD depends on macro statistics and the
monetary policy of central banks. The futures market
is confident that the federal funds rate will remain
unchanged until June. 66 out of 74 Reuters experts
believe that the ECB deposit rate will remain at 2%
until the end of 2026. In their opinion, the eurozone
economy will slow down in 2026 from 1.5% to 1.2%.
This will be followed by a growth of 1.4% in 2027.
Divergence in monetary policy will play into the hands
of EURUSD in the medium term, but in the near future,
the wide interest rate differential will work in favour
of the bears.
If
US inflation does not slow down, the Fed's prolonged
pause will allow the US dollar to strengthen. The
collapse of US stock indices pushed gold prices below
$5,000 per ounce. This has often happened in the past,
with these assets moving in tandem, as the need to
maintain margin requirements on stocks leads to the
sale of other assets in the portfolio. Precious metals
were often among those sold off. History repeated
itself, causing XAUUSD to retreat.
The
Australian dollar also succumbed to pressure from
bears on the S&P 500. Hawkish rhetoric from Reserve
Bank officials unwilling to tolerate high inflation
increases the chances of continuing the cycle of monetary
restriction as early as March and puts pressure on
AUDUSD. However, the Aussie remains a high-yield currency,
so the deterioration in global risk appetite is leading
to pullbacks to the uptrend. (FxPro)
News
ASX
eyes record high as 80 companies prepare reports
Futures
pricing suggests that Australian equities will gain
about 0.6 per cent when the market opens on Monday,
following a mixed lead from Wall Street. The reporting
season will be a key focus for local investors in
the coming week, with 80 companies slated to release
their latest financial results in coming days. Economic
data to be released this week includes the quarterly
wage price index and employment data, while the Reserve
Bank will release the minutes from its recent monetary
policy board meeting at which it increased the cash
rate. The S&P/ASX 200 shed 1.4 per cent to close
at 8,917.6 points on Friday. (RMS)
News
Firmus
'AI factor' float facing ASX character test
The
ASX guidance for companies wanting to list on the
bourse states that they must satisfy the exchange
that each director and CEO "is of good fame and
character". The guidance also states that any
CEO or director that is going to be listed in the
company's prospectus must include a national criminal
history check; both requirements could prove to be
an issue for data centre technology business Firmus,
which aims to float on the ASX with a valuation of
$5.9bn-$7bn around the middle of this year. This is
because co-CEO Oliver Curtis has a criminal conviction
for insider trading. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Culture
'Welcome
To The Blockchain' aka
The
Bitcoin Song
Intro
We're
now standing on the precipice of a global revolution
Of
economics, of politics, and government
Welcome
to the blockchain
verse
Power
corrupts, money is power
The
power to control the money is one that is now
In
the hands of those who pretend we can't function without
them
So
how can we do something about it? (Huh?)
Working
hard to get a raise, lifting that wage up
Inflation
takes it like a hidden taxation
Manipulated
interest rates to give the banks
A
way to create money with the loans that they're giving
out daily (yup)
That means our money is debt
That we gotta pay back more than a hundred percent
No
wonder then why the middle class is going under
When
the one's above them gotta cover and come to collect
And many have no access to banking
Making payments, or saving, so more fees are taken
And every day the gatekeepers are trying to stop change
We can not wait, welcome to the blockchain
chorus
Welcome
to the blockchain
Things are about to change
Open up the gates
Systems get replaced
Bitcoin
Decentralize the trust
Security, transparency
The network's run by us
Bitcoin
verse
Bitcoin
is a decentralized ledger
And
the currency is its first enterprise ever
Secured by the worldwide incentivized network
Can't be stolen or controlled by any sized effort
You can send it anywhere and instantly
No one can intervene, no third party in between
There's no counterfeiting
Algorithms control the outer limits of how many coins
can get released
Programmable money, no government can seize it
Payments can be customized by sender and receiver
Contracts can be written cementing your agreements
With terms that can't be bent once you consent then
it completes it
Autonomous businesses are possible
Where profit is distributed amongst those adopting
it
Paradigm shift we must adjust to the ending
With the blockchain, bitcoin is just the beginning
chorus
Welcome
to the blockchain
Things are about to change
Open up the gates
Systems get replaced
Bitcoin
Decentralize the trust
Security, transparency
The network's run by us
Bitcoin
bridge
Now
that we got control
We're
not gonna let it go
My people all around the globe
We gotta keep building, building, building
Now that we got control
We're not gonna let it go
My people all around the globe
We gotta keep building, building, building
chorus
Welcome
to the blockchain
Things are about to change
Open up the gates
Systems get replaced
Bitcoin
Decentralize the trust
Security, transparency
The network's run by us
Bitcoin
Writer:
Toby Ganger
News
Mining/Energy/Resources/Biz
Rio
Tinto dodges merger bullet
Rio
Tinto has dodged two 'bullets' due to Glencore's rejection
of a merger proposal: a possible BHP takeover bid
and a dangerous acquisition. BHP looked closely at
whether to bid for Rio Tinto if the latter announced
a merger with Glencore. The two companies would make
excellent merger partners; amongst others things,
their staff and senior people have similar cultures,
they are co-operating on future Australian iron ore
projects and they are copper joint venture partners
in Chile and the US. Meanwhile, there are significance
cultural differences between Rio Tinto and Glencore;
there is little doubt that Rio Tinto's CEO Simon Trott
would have had doubts about a merger once he understood
these cultural differences. (RMS)
News/Snapshot
Australian
Mining
Global
Commodity Rankings
Australia
holds some of the world's largest reserves and is
a leading producer of several key minerals.
#1 Producer: Iron Ore, Bauxite, Lithium, Rutile, and
Zircon.
#1 Reserves: Iron Ore, Gold, Lead, Nickel, Rutile,
Uranium, and Zinc.
#2
Producer: Gold, Alumina, and Manganese.
Key
Mining Hubs & Major Projects
Western
Australia: The nation's "engine room," producing
98% of Australia's iron ore and 60% of its gold. Major
sites include the Pilbara (iron ore) and the Super
Pit in Kalgoorlie (gold).
Queensland:
A global leader in metallurgical coal (Bowen Basin)
and silver/lead production (Cannington mine).
South
Australia: Home to Olympic Dam, which contains the
world's largest single uranium deposit and significant
copper and gold reserves.
Major
Players
The
sector is dominated by several multinational giants
and significant domestic players:
BHP:
Often ranked as Australia's most valuable company;
major interests in iron ore, copper, and coal.
Rio
Tinto: A world leader in iron ore (Pilbara) and aluminum.
Fortescue
(FMG): Primarily focused on iron ore and rapidly expanding
into green energy.
Hancock
Prospecting: Australia's largest private mining company,
led by Gina Rinehart, the nation's wealthiest person.
South32:
Spun out of BHP; manages a diversified portfolio including
manganese, silver, and nickel.
2026
Trends & Developments
Critical
Minerals Push: The government has introduced a $23
billion package to support domestic processing and
manufacturing of critical minerals to reduce global
reliance on single-country supply chains.
Uranium
Rally: Prices exceeding US$100/lb have sparked renewed
interest in Australian prospects like the Kalkaroo
project.
M&A
Activity: Major merger talks continue between giants
like Rio Tinto and Glencore as they seek to consolidate
copper exposure for the EV market.
Workforce
Challenges: The Minerals Council of Australia is currently
calling for migration reforms to address a significant
"skills crunch" in the sector.
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
WWE Unreal vs The Old Guard
Reality TV vs John Pilger Type Journalism and Docos
Mr Real Deal vs Mr Grifter
Mr Truth vs Mr Shock Jock
Mr X vs Mr Bluesky: Rematch
WWE Wrestlers vs NFL Super Bowl Players
Logan Paul and Bad Bunny vs Jake Paul and The Don
- Special ref: Damian Priest
Kelly Gang vs Snow White Clan
BKFC vs PFL vs ONE
Mr Sky vs Mr Vice
Marvel Universe vs DC Universe vs Monster Universe
Logan Paul vs Tom Brady
TMZ Sports vs The View
MMA vs Lucha Libre
Markets,
Cryptos and Pop Culture
December
2025
Culture
In Biz Series Edition
Thank God It's Friday For Sin City Sydney
December
To Remember
Dec
12
Sydney, Australia
Dec
11
Wall Street, New York Groove
Cryptos
Struggling; All That Glitters
TKO To Naysayers Again!
World Streaming Wars
Online Media vs Legacy Media: Disruptors
Media
Pop Culture Theme: "Another Brick In The Wall"
aka "We Don't Need No Education" (Pink Floyd)
"Schools Out" (Alice Cooper)
Silicon Valley theme: "Stretch Your Face"
(Tobacco)
"The Social Network" (score album for film)
"Hall of Fame" (The Script)
"Eight Days a Week" (The Beatles)
"The Wolf of Wall Street" ("Mercy,
Mercy, Mercy" (Cannonball Adderley)
"Friday On My Mind" (The Easybeats)
December
12, 2025
Sin
City Sydney, Australia
ASX
futures up 96 points/1.1% to 8687
Wall
Street:
S&P
500 +0.2%
Dow Jones +1.4%
Nasdaq -0.3%
Europe
Stoxx
50 +0.8%
FTSE +0.5%
DAX +0.7%
CAC +0.8%
Australian
dollar at 66.39 US cents
Bitcoin
$92,885.97 +0.52%
Gold
flat: $US4205.79 per ounce
US oil -1.2% to $US57.78 a barrel
Brent crude -1.2% to $US61.46 a barrel
Iron ore -1% to $US101.75 per ton
10-year
yield:
US 4.14%
Australia 4.72%
Germany 2.84%
Bitcoin
Bitcoin:
(Near Live) $92,885.97 +0.52%
Ethereum
$3,249.65 -2.76%
XRP
$2.0508 +0.03%
News
Update: (Near Live)
News
New
York/Wall St via Mr Wolf!
December To Remember!
Dec
11
After The Bell; Bells To Be Rung
NYC!
Cryptos
Today: (Near Live)
Cryptos
tarnished again!
Bitcoin
$93,473.79 +1.16%
Market
ups and downs! Mood: Medium: Still picking up a little.
Play the long game?! Hardcores keep dream, as always!
Media
Man Favs:
(Near
Live)
Bells
Rung by Mr Wolf!
TKO hulks up! Going for submission on competitors?!
Christmas Grinch vs Santa.
Miners on hunt. Gamers full speed instead of socials..
Tech heads grapplers watch streaming wars!
NYSE Bell Ringers With Trees! Prep for new Season's
Beatings!
TKO kicks out again heading towards Saturday Night's
Main Event via Friday Night SmackDown!
Wall
St, New York
TKO
Group Holdings Inc $204.30 +7.36 +3.74%
NVIDIA Corp $180.93 -2.85 -1.55%
Formula One Group Series $86.66 +1.42 +1.67%
Alphabet Inc Class A $312.43 -7.78 -2.43%
News Corp Class A $26.10 -0.020 -0.077%
Netflix Inc $94.09 +1.38 +1.49%
Caterpillar Inc $625.61 +10.26 +1.67%
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp $10.91
-0.39 -3.45%
Tesla Inc $446.87 -4.58 -1.02%
Walt Disney Co $111.46 +2.63 +2.42%
Wynn Resorts Ltd $124.85 +1.25 +1.01%
Meta Platforms Inc $652.71 +2.58 +0.40%
Elders ADR $19.73 (US) (NYSE)
Mercedes Benz Group ADR $17.91 +0.11 +0.62%
Rio Tinto Ltd $90.59 (US)
Paramount Skydance Corp $14.12 -0.60 -4.08%
Red Light Holland Corp $0.021 +0.00261 +4.33%
Volvo ADR (parent/owner of Muck Trucks) $32.06
+0.70 +2.23%
Porsche Automobile Holding SE Unsponsored Germany
ADR $4.78 +0.070 +1.49%
Microsoft $483.47 +4.91 +1.03%
News
Global
Markets React to Central Bank Decisions and Policy
Outlooks
Stock
indices
The
Fed managed to please the American stock market by
easing its policy and forecasting an increase in GDP
from 1.8% to 2.3%, as well as a slowdown in inflation
from 3% to 2.5% in 2026, while also discussing the
positive impact of AI on productivity. As a result,
the S&P500 experienced its most dramatic reaction
to an FOMC meeting since March, and the Russell 2000
set a new record.
A
strong economy and inflation heading towards the 2%
target present a prime opportunity for stocks. Along
with increased productivity, this indicates that S&P500
companies may see growth in corporate earnings. Historical
episodes in which the Fed cut rates and markets were
near their peaks have shown higher levels 12 months
later in every case.
However,
expectations for the next rate cut have now shifted
to April, removing the indexes safety buffer. There
may be renewed talk of a tech giant bubble, as evidenced
by Oracle's shares plunging sharply after the company
reported disappointing earnings.
According
to Yardeni Research, investors should diversify away
from the "Magnificent Seven" and seek opportunities
in other issuers, as artificial intelligence is transforming
nearly every company into a technology firm.
What
is ahead
The
key events of the third week of December will be the
release of US labour market data for October and November,
as well as central bank meetings. The ECB, the Bank
of England and the Bank of Japan will have their say.
Investors will also pay attention to European business
activity data for December.
Jerome
Powell says that FOMC officials have similar views
on the US economy but differ in their assessment of
its risks. Hawks are concerned about high inflation,
while doves are worried about the cooling labour market.
If employment figures disappoint, derivatives will
shift expectations of monetary policy easing from
April to March, and possibly even January. This will
weaken the dollar. On the other hand, a pleasant surprise
from non-farm payrolls will allow the USD to recoup
some of its losses.
While
no changes are expected from the ECB, the Bank of
England is 90% likely to cut its repo rate to 3.75%.
However, the negative is already priced into the pound,
and in the event of hawkish comments, the pound could
strengthen. The fate of the yen will depend on the
outlook for the Bank of Japan's leadership. Few doubt
that the overnight rate will be raised, but what next?
(FxPro)
News
'I
love solving puzzles': How AFP's crypto sleuth tracks
ill-gotten gains
Abigail
Gibson is the Australian Federal Police's only cryptocurrency
forensic accountant, a role she has held since 2022,
after she first joined the AFP as a forensic accountant
in 2017. Gibson uses blockchains to look for clues
that might be able to connect individuals to money
laundering, scams or sales of illicit goods and services
on the dark web, and she says that "cryptocurrency
is a well-established method for criminals to attempt
to hide their wealth and transfer assets". Her
work includes aiding the AFP's Criminal Asset Confiscation
Taskforce, which has frozen $65 million in cryptocurrency
assets since July. (AFR)
News
Miners
lift ASX after Fed; Oracle hits tech
The
Australian sharemarket posted a small gain on Thursday,
with the S&P/ASX 200 adding 0.2 per cent to close
at 8,592. The resources sector was bolstered by a
rise in the gold price after the US Federal Reserve's
decision to reduce the cash rate for a third time;
Ramelius Resources advanced 6.7 per cent to $3.81
and Rio Tinto was up 1.8 per cent at $140.01. However,
a sharp fall in Oracle's share price weighed on local
technology stocks, with WiseTech Global shedding 2.2
per cent to end the session at $70.99. (AFR/Roy Morgan
Summary)
News
Dec
11
Bitcoin
attempts to break the short uptrend
Market
Overview
The
crypto market cap has been in a see-saw pattern over
the past three weeks, exhibiting a gentle uptrend
that has returned to the $3.08 trillion level during
a consolidation phase. With no clear trend, crypto
traders have reduced their activity in altcoins, waiting
for the trend to recover in the first cryptocurrency
and key stock indices.
Bitcoin
jumped to $94.5K on Wednesday evening in response
to the Fed's announcement of a bond-buying programme
and a key rate cut. But this link to stocks played
a cruel joke. The fall in Oracle shares dragged the
Nasdaq-100 to eight-day lows, and BTC rolled back
to $90K. The market is testing the strength of the
modest uptrend that has been forming since 21 November.
A drop below $88K would break this trend, bolster
bearish sentiment and confirm the end of the recovery
rally.
News
Background
Public
and private companies have increased their Bitcoin
reserves by 448% since the beginning of the year to
1.08 million BTC, according to Glassnode. The corporate
sector remains a key driver of demand for digital
gold.
ARK
Invest CEO Cathie Wood believes that large companies
buying cryptocurrency for long-term storage could
prevent BTC from falling 75-90% as it has in the past.
Strategy
founder Michael Saylor announced the company's plans
to acquire as much Bitcoin as possible. Mayside Partners
believes that such plans are economically unsound.
This is not innovation, but cascading leverage on
speculative collateral — a model that has failed
time and time again.
The
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has called on
the US Senate to withdraw the cryptocurrency bill
on ‘responsible financial innovation,’ which
will be considered next week. The organisation pointed
to the risks to pension savings and the country's
economy.
Twenty
One Capital, a big Bitcoin holder, has entered the
stock market. The company's shares fell 20% on their
first day of trading on the NYSE. The firm ranks third
among public holders of the first cryptocurrency with
42,000 BTC (~$3.9 billion). (FxPro)
News
Crypto
market awaits the final battle of the year
Market
Overview
The
crypto market lost just over 1% in 24 hours to $3.08T,
falling back to the consolidation levels of late November.
Attempts to shake up the market at the beginning of
this month were unsuccessful for both bulls and bears.
Excluding this impulse, the market has been treading
water for almost two weeks, hovering around the 23.6%
correction rebound line from the October-November
decline. Such a shallow rebound could be a sign of
a strong bear market, but this will only be confirmed
if November's lows of $2.73T are updated.
Bitcoin
is trading near $90K, having crossed this level for
the fifth consecutive day. An upward trend line can
be drawn through the lows of late November, but BTC
is now trading dangerously close to this line. At
the same time, horizontal resistance has formed in
the $92K area, bringing the positions of bulls and
bears closer together over time and promising a decisive
battle by the end of this week. It could not only
be the last significant battle of the year but also
determine the trend for the coming months.
News
Background
Short
positions on Bitcoin have recorded their largest outflow
since March 2025, when the price of BTC was near its
lows. Investors likely believe that the current surge
in negative sentiment has bottomed out, according
to CoinShares.
According
to Glassnode, the reserves of long-term Bitcoin holders
fell to a cyclical low in November. This marks the
end of the spot sell-offs that have hindered market
growth throughout 2025.
Ethereum
exchange reserves have fallen to record lows, which
could signal an imminent supply crisis, according
to CryptoQuant. Since July 2025, the indicator has
fallen by about 20%.
The
largest American investment company, BlackRock, has
applied with the SEC to register an ETF that will
allow investors to earn income from staking Ethereum
without directly owning the cryptocurrency.
Strategy
has increased its weekly Bitcoin purchases to their
highest level since July. The company bought 10,624
BTC ($963 million) last week at an average price of
$90,615 per coin. Strategy now owns 660,624 BTC, purchased
for $49.3 billion at an average price of $74,696 per
Bitcoin. (FxPro)
News
Streaming
Wars: Netflix vs Paramount (for Warner Bros) aka WBD.
What's Up Doc?!
Paramount
makes hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
Dec
9
Paramount
Skydance has directly approached Warner Bros Discovery's
shareholders with a takeover offer; it has opted to
bypass the rival media group's board, contending that
Warner's directors have backed an "inferior proposal".
Paramount has proposed a cash offer of $US30 per share,
valuing its bid for the entire company at about $US108bn.
It is seeking to trump Netflix's deal to acquire some
of Warner's assets for around $US83bn, which has been
approved by the boards of both companies. Warner has
rejected Paramount's claims that its sale process
had favoured a single bidder.
*Developing
news story "The Streaming Wars"
News
Australia
- USA Connection
Praise
for Trump's review of AUKUS
Defence
Minister Richard Marles says the federal government
is currently "working through" the Trump
administration's now-completed review of the AUKUS
alliance. He adds that the US is "completely
supportive" of the deal to sell nuclear-powered
submarines to Australia. The review was headed by
US defence official Elbridge Colby, who has been a
notable critic of AUKUS in the past. The AUKUS alliance
is likely to be a key focus when Marles and Foreign
Minister Penny Wong hold the annual AUSMIN talks with
US counterparts Pete Hegseth and Marco Rubio in Washington
DC next week.
News
24
hours ago +
Developing
Story
The
crypto market tries to form an uptrend
Market
Overview
The
crypto market soared by almost 7% over the past day,
reaching a capitalisation of $3.15T and forming a
higher local peak compared to Sunday. The mood on
the crypto market was buoyed by moves from institutional
giants Vanguard and Bank of America to open access
to digital assets for their clients. Combined with
the fact that the low point on December 1st is higher
than the lows on November 21st, we are seeing a series
of vital signs of an upward trend forming. However,
a conservative view suggests that fluctuations below
$3.38T are a correction from the previous decline.
Bitcoin
approached $94K on Wednesday morning, recovering half
of its losses from the sell-off between November 11th
and 21st. Considering the entire decline from its
October peak, BTCUSD remains trading below $ 98K as
part of the correction. The $98-100K range contains
three psychologically significant levels: the 50-day
average, early November support, and 61.8% of the
decline from the peak. Consolidation above this level
could convince buyers that crypto winter has not arrived.
News
Background
Vanguard,
the world's second-largest investment company by assets,
will open access to crypto ETF trading for its clients
on December 2nd. The company had previously stated
that it would avoid Bitcoin funds because cryptocurrency
is an “immature asset class” and does not
fit with the company's philosophy.
Bank
of America, one of the largest banks in the United
States, has recommended that its institutional clients
allocate 1% to 4% of their portfolios to cryptocurrencies.
Previously, investors were unable to access cryptocurrencies
because advisors were prohibited from recommending
such instruments.
The
four-year cycle theory has ceased to work, so Bitcoin
has a chance to reach new highs in 2026, according
to Grayscale. Analysts believe there are already some
signs that Bitcoin has likely bottomed out.
News
(from Friday: Sydney)
ASX
up as tech stocks rally, WiseTech gains
The
Australian sharemarket posted a modest gain on Thursday,
with lower trading volumes ahead of Wall Street's
closure for Thanksgiving Day; the S&P/ASX 200
added 0.1 per cent to close at 8,617.3 points. WiseTech
Global was up 6.9 per cent at $69.72, Bellevue Gold
rose 3.2 per cent to $1.29 and Reece advanced four
per cent to $12.73. However, DroneShield was down
7.8 per cent at $2 and Santos fell 1.8 per cent to
end the session at $6.44. (RMS)
News
The
Dollar's new edge: from shield to sword
The
dollar is losing its safe-haven status. • The
scale of the Fed's rate cuts has been overestimated.
• The yen is the main favourite for 2026.
BoJ
may not raise rates until March. If the US dollar
was previously a shield, it is now turning into a
sword. (FxPro)
News
Pop
Culture News
Dream
Matches: Fantasy Booking/Sports; Media Man Group Dream
Match Series; Crack The Code!
Million
Dollar Man vs IRS
Michael Wall Street vs Billionaire Ted
Mr X vs Mr BTC
Mr Green vs Mr Cash
VKM vs Easy E
Vinnie Vegas vs Mr Corbin
Mr Corp Merch vs Mr Freelance
Masked Superstar vs John McAfee
Sid Justice vs Mr Blood Diamond
Mr Bluey Chipper vs Street Fighter - King Of The Streets
Mr Dotcom vs Mr Wiki
Mr Gold vs Mr Green - Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Khan vs Khan - Winner Take All Match
Mr Wolff vs The Cleaner
Mr News vs Mr Vice - U.S Market Footprint Stipulation
Mr Paramount vs Mr Netflix
Mr ESPN vs Mr Fox
Mr Kross vs Mr Cardona
Cesaro vs Rollins
Dirty Dom vs Mr AAA
Punks vs Egos
Kross vs H
Murdoch Title vs Title
Mr Black Coffee vs Mr Claudio's Cafe Blend
Mr Warner vs Mr Netflix: Broadway draw thus far! Re-match!
Winner take all?!
TMZ vs Riddle
UFC vs PFL
The Oracle vs Cincinnati, Ohio
Mr X vs Hollyweird
Succession vs Billions
Mouse House vs Art House
NFL vs UFL
ABC vs Mainstream Aussies
Reigns vs Blanka
Cody Rhodes vs Joe
E. Honda vs NJPW
Capcom vs Warner
Cena vs ACME
Combat Sports Players vs Father Time
NXT vs TNA Wrestling (Showdown, not Invasion)!
Alpha vs Meta
TED X vs The Others
WWE's Solo vs NYC and Western Australia
UFC Predator vs MMA Predator
UFC Legal vs UFC Bad Egg Betting Disruptors
Bulls vs Bears
Logan Paul vs WWE babyfaces
Santa's Helper vs Grinch
John McAfee vs FBI + + +, Running .... Netflix Wins
again!
Killer Kross vs Matt Riddle - Shoot Fight/Wrestling
(MLW)! Holliday working web?! Most Marketable?!
VKM vs Numerous!
MLW vs The World
The Big Event vs US Promoters
Storm vs WWE Locker Room. Lash Legend on side!
NXT Gold Rush: Page & Green vs Hendry & Hail
Baszler vs Itoh - HOG Superclash - Nov 15
MSG, NY winning with WWE and UFC in Nov
The Vision vs WWE Lockerroom
John Cena vs Dirty Dom
Miz vs Management
Jericho vs Internet Marks
Mr Gold vs Mr Fool's Gold
Neo vs Mr Smith
PBR vs Others. No Bull?!
Aus Gvt vs Big Tech
Banks vs Cryptos
NVIDIA vs World
White House vs Wokes
Packer vs Devil D
Lucha Bros vs AAA Heels
WWE Black Scorpion/Masked Man vs Babyfaces
CM Punk vs The Hood
Starks vs Oba Femi - NXT Deadline
TNA Wrestling vs Dirtsheets
TKO vs Naysayers
John Cena vs Gunther: SNME
Chris Jericho and Mr X vs IWC
Mr Netflix vs Mr Paramount
News
Crypto
Movies/Docos
The
Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014)
Follows early Bitcoin adopter Daniel Mross, exploring
Bitcoin’s origins, its volatile rise, and the
community behind it. Great for understanding Bitcoin’s
early days and its potential to disrupt finance.
Banking
on Bitcoin (2016)
Examines Bitcoin’s history, ideological roots,
and impact on global financial systems through interviews
with pioneers and experts. A solid primer for newcomers.
Cryptopia:
Bitcoin, Blockchains, and the Future of the Internet
(2020)
Directed by Torsten Hoffmann, this documentary dives
into blockchain’s broader applications beyond
cryptocurrency, addressing scalability and regulatory
challenges. Ideal for those interested in blockchain’s
transformative potential.
Trust
Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018) Narrated by
Rosario Dawson, it explores blockchain’s societal
impact, from financial inclusion to voting systems.
A comprehensive look at real-world applications.
Bitcoin:
The End of Money as We Know It (2015)
Traces the history of money and introduces Bitcoin
as a decentralized alternative, critiquing centralized
financial systems. Features interviews with crypto
experts.
Deep
Web (2015) Narrated by Keanu Reeves, this documentary
focuses on the Silk Road marketplace and its creator,
Ross Ulbricht, highlighting Bitcoin’s role in
dark web transactions.
Bitconned
(2024) Explores the Centra Tech crypto scam, detailing
how three individuals defrauded investors during the
2010s crypto boom. A cautionary tale about unregulated
markets.
Feature
Films
Crypto
(2019)
A crime thriller starring Beau Knapp, Luke Hemsworth,
and Kurt Russell. It follows a young anti-money laundering
agent investigating corruption and cryptocurrency
in his hometown. Critics note its exaggerated portrayal
but praise its entertainment value.
Silk
Road (2021)
A dramatization of Ross Ulbricht’s creation of
the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace using Bitcoin.
It explores his rise and fall, blending crime and
drama.
Dope
(2015) A coming-of-age comedy-drama featuring Bitcoin
as a plot device. High schooler Malcolm uses Bitcoin
for a dark web transaction, reflecting its early association
with illicit activities.
Bonus
Mentions
Life
on Bitcoin (2014): Follows a couple attempting to
live solely on Bitcoin for 100 days, showcasing early
adoption challenges.
Bitcoin
Heist (2016): A Vietnamese action-comedy about hackers
chasing a crypto criminal, blending humor and thrills.
Notes
Documentaries are generally more educational, focusing
on Bitcoin’s history, blockchain technology,
and real-world implications. They’re great for
beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Feature
films often dramatize crypto’s association with
crime or scams, sometimes oversimplifying or exaggerating
for effect. They prioritize entertainment over accuracy.
For a deeper dive, check streaming platforms like
Prime Video, Fandango at Home, or YouTube, where many
of these are available.
News
Wall
Street (Movie)
Wall Street (1987), directed by Oliver Stone, is a
drama about ambition and greed in the 1980s financial
world. It follows Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), a young
stockbroker desperate to succeed, who gets entangled
with Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), a ruthless corporate
raider. Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is good,”
drives the story as Bud is lured into insider trading
and unethical deals, compromising his morals for wealth
and power.
The
film explores themes of capitalism, loyalty, and betrayal,
with Bud navigating pressures from Gekko, his father
(Martin Sheen), and his own conscience.
Key
Details: Cast: Michael Douglas (Gordon Gekko), Charlie
Sheen (Bud Fox), Daryl Hannah (Darien Taylor), Martin
Sheen (Carl Fox).
Runtime: 2h 6m.
Genre: Drama/Crime.
Rating: R. Box Office: ~$44 million (US).
Awards:
Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Notable
Aspects:
Gekko’s
“Greed is good” speech is iconic, reflecting
1980s excess. Inspired by real-life figures like Ivan
Boesky and Michael Milken.
A
sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), continued
the story.
Where
to Watch (as of 2025):
Streaming: Available on platforms like Peacock or
rentable on Amazon, YouTube, or Apple TV (check current
availability).
Physical: DVD/Blu-ray via retailers like Amazon.
News
Best
Quotes
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
Media
Man "Bullish is a mindset"
Markets,
Crypto and Culture
July
25, 2025
ASX
futures down 36 points/0.4% to 8640
Australian
dollar -0.2% to 65.88 US cents
Wall
St:
S&P 500 +0.1%
Dow Jones -0.7%
Nasdaq +0.2%
Europe:
Stoxx 50 +0.2%
FTSE +0.9%,
DAX +0.2%
CAC -0.4%
Bitcoin
+0.6% to $US118,804
Gold
-0.6% to $US3367.66 per ounce
US oil +1.3% to $US66.12 a barrel
Brent crude oil +1.1% to $US69.26 a barrel
Iron ore +0.8% to $US105.35 per ton
10-year
yield:
US 4.40%
Australia 4.35%
Germany 2.70%
News
Cryptos
Today: (Near Live)
Bitcoin
$115,514.48 USD -1.89%
Ethereum $3,636.74 USD +1.97%
Tether $1.00 USD -0.05%
XRP $3.08 USD +1.39%
BNB $759.63 USD +1.06%
Solana $178.73 USD -1.70%
USD Coin $0.9997 USD -0.06%
Dogecoin $0.2263 USD -1.52%
TRON $0.3138 USD +3.94%
Cardano $0.7958 USD +1.82%
Wrapped Bitcoin $115,435.58 USD -1.80%
Stellar $0.4136 USD +0.68%
Bitcoin Cash $522.42 USD +5.13%
Sui $3.63 USD +0.90%
Chainlink $17.40 USD -0.81%
Hedera $0.2353 USD -0.94%
Avalanche $22.96 USD -0.92%
Litecoin $109.59 USD +0.25%
News
July
24, 2025
The
crypto market nosedive
Market
Picture
The
crypto market took a nosedive, losing almost 4% of
its market cap over the last 24 hours. Without Bitcoin's
growth, altcoins, which had been driving the market
upwards in previous days, found themselves on sale.
Forty-eight of the top 100 altcoins are losing double-digit
rates over 24 hours, while only three are growing.
The
first cryptocurrency has been facing both a price
drop and an outflow from ETFs over the past couple
of days, while Ethereum continued to attract new capital
to funds. Meanwhile, BTC remains stuck in a narrow
range. At $117.3K on Thursday morning, it was on its
way to the lower limit of $116K. A reversal to growth
will be needed to stop the build-up of pessimism for
the entire crypto market, where corrective sentiment
is intensifying. If we look only at BTCUSD, a decline
to $111K — the area of previous peaks —
fits well into the pattern of a corrective pullback.
News
Background
According
to LVRG Research, institutional investors remain optimistic
about Ethereum. There is an outflow of funds from
Bitcoin to ETH, which often happens before a surge
in altcoin growth.
Bitwise
notes that the key driver of the Ethereum rally is
high demand from ETFs and corporate treasuries. Since
mid-May, Ethereum ETFs have attracted more than $5
billion in investments. Companies such as Bitmine
and SharpLink bought 2.83 million ETH for $10 billion.
During the same period, the network issued only 88,000
ETH.
According
to Lookonchain, there is significant activity in the
crypto market from large BTC and Ethereum holders,
which may be due to a desire to lock in profits after
price increases. EmberCN confirms the flow of large
batches of coins to Binance, which are probably for
sale.
The
BNB cryptocurrency has updated its historical highs
made last December and exceeded $800, taking fifth
place in the CoinMarketCap ranking and pushing Solana
aside. The growth may have been facilitated by the
inflow of institutional capital into ETF products.
Upexi
announced the acquisition of 100,000 Solana coins
for $17.7 million at an average price of $176.77.
Upexi's total reserves reached 1,818,809 SOL ($331
million), acquired for $273 million. (FxPro)
Cryptocurrency
News
Market
Trends and Prices: The global cryptocurrency market
cap is approximately $3.85 trillion, with a 5.6% change
in the last 24 hours. Bitcoin dominates at 59.6%,
trading around $117,716.99, while Ethereum holds 11.4%
dominance at $3,582.25. Solana is at $184.98, and
XRP is also significant in the market. However, some
cryptocurrencies like Cardano (-10.25%) and Solana
(-8.14%) have seen recent declines.
Regulatory
Developments: The U.S. House of Representatives passed
the GENIUS Act and a stablecoin regulatory framework,
both sent to President Trump for signing, marking
a significant milestone for the crypto industry. These
bills aim to provide clearer regulations for stablecoins
and expand oversight by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse expressed
optimism about working with new SEC leadership, hinting
at a potential resolution to Ripple’s ongoing
lawsuit by April or May 2026.
Bitcoin
and ETF Inflows: U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen
nine consecutive days of inflows, adding $403 million
recently. Bitcoin is nearing all-time highs, with
some analysts predicting further growth due to historical
trends and regulatory optimism. However, short-term
dips are possible due to bearish indicators below
$115,000.
Ethereum
and Altcoins: Ethereum has surged 65% over the past
month, outperforming Bitcoin in spot volume as whales
accumulate ETH amid altcoin rotation. BNB hit a new
all-time high of $804.70, surpassing Solana’s
market cap. Solana developers are eyeing a 66% increase
in block capacity to 100 million compute units to
boost transaction throughput.
Security
and Scams: Ripple issued a warning about deepfake
scams targeting the XRP community. Hong Kong police
dismantled a criminal group using deepfake technology
for fraudulent crypto schemes. Major exchanges like
Binance and Kraken successfully fended off social-engineering
hacks.
Innovations
and Launches: MoonPay rolled out Solana (SOL) staking
in its app. PancakeSwap’s Infinity DEX launched
on the Base chain, potentially impacting CAKE’s
price. Japanese artist Takashi Murakami is launching
NFT cards inspired by his physical works.
Corporate
Moves: PNC Bank partnered with Coinbase to offer crypto
trading to its customers, signaling mainstream finance
integration. JPMorgan Chase is exploring crypto-backed
loans, and Goldman Sachs and BNY Mellon are stepping
into tokenized money market funds.
Market
Sentiment: Posts on X reflect bullish sentiment, with
claims of banks being allowed to custody Bitcoin and
crypto, and payment providers like Klarna planning
to integrate cryptocurrencies. However, these claims
lack confirmation and should be treated as speculative.
(Grok)
News
Pop
Culture News
Dream
Matches: Fantasy Booking/Sports; Media Man Group Dream
Match Series
Million
Dollar Man vs IRS
Michael Wall Street vs Billionaire Ted
Mr X vs Mr BTC
Mr Green vs Mr Cash
VKM vs Easy E
Vinnie Vegas vs Mr Corbin
Mr Corp Merch vs Mr Freelance
Masked Superstar vs John McAfee
Sid Justice vs Mr Blood Diamond
Mr Bluey Chipper vs Street Fighter - King Of The Street
Stipulation
Mr Dotcom vs Mr Wiki
Mr Gold vs Mr Green - Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Khan vs Khan - Winner Take All Match
Mr Wolff vs The Cleaner
Mr News vs Mr Vice - U.S Market Footprint Stipulation
News
Cryptocurrency
Movies
Documentaries
The
Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014) Follows early Bitcoin
adopter Daniel Mross, exploring Bitcoin’s origins,
its volatile rise, and the community behind it. Great
for understanding Bitcoin’s early days and its
potential to disrupt finance.
Banking
on Bitcoin (2016) Examines Bitcoin’s history,
ideological roots, and impact on global financial
systems through interviews with pioneers and experts.
A solid primer for newcomers.
Cryptopia:
Bitcoin, Blockchains, and the Future of the Internet
(2020)
Directed
by Torsten Hoffmann, this documentary dives into blockchain’s
broader applications beyond cryptocurrency, addressing
scalability and regulatory challenges. Ideal for those
interested in blockchain’s transformative potential.
Trust
Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018) Narrated by
Rosario Dawson, it explores blockchain’s societal
impact, from financial inclusion to voting systems.
A comprehensive look at real-world applications.
Bitcoin:
The End of Money as We Know It (2015) Traces the history
of money and introduces Bitcoin as a decentralized
alternative, critiquing centralized financial systems.
Features interviews with crypto experts.
Deep
Web (2015) Narrated by Keanu Reeves, this documentary
focuses on the Silk Road marketplace and its creator,
Ross Ulbricht, highlighting Bitcoin’s role in
dark web transactions.
Bitconned
(2024) Explores the Centra Tech crypto scam, detailing
how three individuals defrauded investors during the
2010s crypto boom. A cautionary tale about unregulated
markets.
Feature
Films
Crypto
(2019) A crime thriller starring Beau Knapp, Luke
Hemsworth, and Kurt Russell. It follows a young anti-money
laundering agent investigating corruption and cryptocurrency
in his hometown. Critics note its exaggerated portrayal
but praise its entertainment value.
Silk
Road (2021) A dramatization of Ross Ulbricht’s
creation of the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace
using Bitcoin. It explores his rise and fall, blending
crime and drama.
Dope
(2015) A coming-of-age comedy-drama featuring Bitcoin
as a plot device. High schooler Malcolm uses Bitcoin
for a dark web transaction, reflecting its early association
with illicit activities.
Bonus
Mentions
Life
on Bitcoin (2014): Follows a couple attempting to
live solely on Bitcoin for 100 days, showcasing early
adoption challenges.
Bitcoin
Heist (2016): A Vietnamese action-comedy about hackers
chasing a crypto criminal, blending humor and thrills.
Notes
Documentaries
are generally more educational, focusing on Bitcoin’s
history, blockchain technology, and real-world implications.
They’re great for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Feature
films often dramatize crypto’s association with
crime or scams, sometimes oversimplifying or exaggerating
for effect. They prioritize entertainment over accuracy.
For
a deeper dive, check streaming platforms like Prime
Video, Fandango at Home, or YouTube, where many of
these are available.
News
Wall
Street (Movie)
Wall
Street (1987), directed by Oliver Stone, is a drama
about ambition and greed in the 1980s financial world.
It follows Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), a young stockbroker
desperate to succeed, who gets entangled with Gordon
Gekko (Michael Douglas), a ruthless corporate raider.
Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is good,” drives
the story as Bud is lured into insider trading and
unethical deals, compromising his morals for wealth
and power. The film explores themes of capitalism,
loyalty, and betrayal, with Bud navigating pressures
from Gekko, his father (Martin Sheen), and his own
conscience.
Key
Details:
Cast:
Michael Douglas (Gordon Gekko), Charlie Sheen (Bud
Fox), Daryl Hannah (Darien Taylor), Martin Sheen (Carl
Fox). Runtime: 2h 6m. Genre: Drama/Crime. Rating:
R. Box Office: ~$44 million (US).
Awards:
Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Notable
Aspects:
Gekko’s
“Greed is good” speech is iconic, reflecting
1980s excess.
Inspired
by real-life figures like Ivan Boesky and Michael
Milken.
A
sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), continued
the story.
Where
to Watch (as of 2025):
Streaming:
Available on platforms like Peacock or rentable on
Amazon, YouTube, or Apple TV (check current availability).
Physical: DVD/Blu-ray via retailers like Amazon.
News
Gold,
copper, & silver: How metals are moving this year
Metal
futures have made some pretty dramatic moves lately
from safe haven gold to tariff sensitive copper. So
let's take a look at the longer term trends. I'm Jared
Blikre, host of Stocks in Translation. And I'm going
to start by charting some of the moves in Dr. Copper
because this is where we have the most zig and zags
over the last 25 years. So this goes back to the beginning
of the century and we can see right now, we're at
$5.51 per pound. That is a record high. But if we
go back to the beginning of the century, guess what?
Uh we had a little bit of a slump in the wake of the
dot com boom and then bust, but starting in 2003,
we saw a big rise there. And that was as China actually
joined the World Trade Organization or the WTO. That
lasted into the global financial crisis. Then we had
a pretty big bust in in Dr. Copper, and then we had
another rise. And that rise was due to unprecedented
stimulus, not only from the Chinese government, but
also from the United States government, QE was in
force, and then we saw kind of a strong dollar play.
That weighed on this metal all the way into the beginning
of 2016. The entire world, most of the world indices
went through a bear market in 2015, and then 2016,
we found the footing. And that was actually the year
that Trump won, began his first presidency. And from
there, we saw some zig and zags, and then we saw a
shock into the pandemic. A couple of, a couple of
years of deflation or a semi-deflation, disinflation,
that caught up with it in 2022, but then it was off
to the races again. And especially with the Trump
tariffs now on copper, threatening to be threatening
to be 50% on August 1st, we're seeing a lot of front
running in this trade. Now, I also want to show you
gold futures and I'm going to show you silver as well.
And they follow a very similar pattern. We're not
seeing the dramatic zig and zags that we did in copper,
but we did see the same pattern of China joining the
WTO, contributing to that huge rise in price to 1800,
almost $2,000 an ounce by the beginning of the global
financial crisis. So a little bit of a meltdown there.
But in 2016 into 2018, we saw a bit of a rise into
the pandemic, a little bit of a whipsaw there, and
consolidation over a few years. Again, that 2022 bare
market in US stocks that contributed to some deflation
and disinflation globally, supply chain chain shocks
came into force again, and then we saw this huge rise
beginning in late 2023, and we are now at 3353. We've
seen a high of as much as $3,500 per ounce. And gold
is kind of unique among the precious metals and also
the industrial metals, and this is because central
banks have been a huge determining force in their
buying of it. This is a bar chart that shows central
bank buying in tons going back all the way to 2010.
And what you notice here is the last three years,
2022, 2023, 2024, all of those had gold being bought
by central banks of in the amount of over 1,000 tons.
And so that's a pretty big dramatic increase from
the prior years. And this has to do with the ongoing
dedollarization in China, as well as Russia, but also
a host of other countries, even some in western and
eastern Europe. So this is a trend that we want to
follow. Uh, I want to close out here with silver,
and I'm going to just chart the price action. Again,
very similar chart to gold and copper in terms of
the big movements here. We saw a big price spike into
almost $50 per ounce, and that was just as the global
financial crisis was getting underway. And then the
QE area in 2011, that's when we saw that high. Then
we saw a dramatic, dramatic crash into 2016, kind
of found its footing, saw a big squeeze in the early
pandemic, 2020 was a great year for silver, but then
we saw a little bit of a fallout. And again, silver
is on the rise here at $38. It's still off of that
$50 record high, but it is increasing very quickly.
To round out the conversation, I want to just put
on a table here. I have all three medals and just
kind of grouping them together. I want to display
how they are moving with their specific patterns with
a trigger, and then to tell you which one of these
is featured in these specific criteria. So here, under
the pattern, we have acceleration. So that would be
an economic acceleration. The trigger would be liquidity.
And when that happens, we see all metals benefiting
from that. And then when there's a safe haven scare,
and that trigger would be a crisis of some sorts,
you're going to see gold and silver outperforming
the most, kind of leaving Dr. Copper behind. And then
here's a bearish one, industrial drags, that affects
copper disproportionately here, and the trigger there
is typically a stronger US dollar because the US dollar
surges when global global industrials tend to drag,
and that's because the US is the least dirty shirt
in the laundry basket of the world. And then finally
here, we have a policy shock. This will affect all
three medals, but especially copper and gold here.
Um, arguably, the biggest reason is tariffs and debt,
and we've seen both of those contribute to silver
rising. So we could put all three in that basket as
well. But when you put it all together, we have the
perfect explosive mix for all three of these metals,
including palladium and also platinum, which we didn't
get to have time for, but all of these are experiencing
huge thrust in 2025. And we'll have to see how these
tariffs play out, especially on Dr. Copper with respect
to that August 1st deadline. Remember, 50% there.
So tune into Stocks in Translation for more jargon
busting deep dives, new episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays
on Yahoo Finances website, or wherever you find your
podcast. (Transcript from Yahoo! Finance podcast)
News
Best
Quotes
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
Media
Man
"Everything
is a gamble" Greg Tingle, Media Man Group
Markets
via Media Man Group
Magnificent
7
July
2025
Published
July 24, 2025:
(Sydney, Australia)
Most
Recent Market Trades
Netflix
$1,176.78 -13.30 1.12%
NVIDIA
Corp $170.78 +3.75 2.25%
Microsoft
Corp $505.87 +0.60 0.12%
Amazon
$228.29 +0.82 0.36%
Meta
Platforms Inc $713.58 +8.77 1.24%
Alphabet
Inc Class A $190.23 -1.11 0.58%
*correct
at time of publication
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Flashback/Lead
Up To Current!
Published
July 22, 2025:
(Sydney, Australia)
Netflix
$1,233.27 +24.03 1.99%
NVIDIA
Corp $171.38 -1.03 0.60%
Microsoft
Corp $510.06 +0.0100 0.0020%
Amazon
Inc $229.37 +3.24 1.43%
Meta
Platforms Inc $712.97 +8.69 1.23%
Alphabet
Inc Class A $190.10 +5.04 2.72%
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