Cryptocurrency News


Cryptocurrency News

Blogs

Bitcoin News Media Blog

News

Google Finance

Yahoo! Finance

 

Markets, Crypto and Culture

Running Of The Bulls To Normal; Cryptos Hurting; All That Glitters ...

October 15/16, 2025

Sin City Sydney, Australia

ASX futures up 5 points/0.1%, at 9024

Wall Street:
S&P 500 +0.4%
Dow Jones: flat
Nasdaq +0.7%

Europe: Stoxx 50 +1%
FTSE -0.3%
DAX -0.2%
CAC +2%

Australian dollar: US65.06 cents

Bitcoin -1.6% to $US111,106

Gold +1.5% to $US4227.10 per ounce

Oil +0.1% to $US58.78 a barrel

Brent crude oil +0.1% to $US62.45 a barrel

Iron ore -0.3% to $US104.90 per ton

10-year yield:
US 4.03%
Australia 4.21%
Germany 2.57%

News Update: (Near Live)

Bitcoin:

New York/Wall St

Cryptos Today: (Near Live) Mood: Corrective! Salt Into The Wound In Checkers?! Or Salt Of The Earth In Metals Right Chess Move?! All That Glitters Not Digital Gold?!

Bitcoin $111,291.65 -1.77%
Ethereum $3,980.33 -3.44%
Tether $1.0005 -0.03%
Binance Coin $1,161.17 -3.98%
XRP $2.4129 -3.48%
Solana $194.13 -3.71%
TRON $0.3194 +0.85%
Dogecoin -$0.1961 -4.15%
Cardano $0.6677 -4.14%

Market corrective. Mood: Somber-like for many! Suspicious! Regaining smiles! Hardcores keep the dream!

Media Man Favs:

October 15, 2025 (Near Live)
Wall St, New York

TKO Group Holdings Inc $191.21 +1.18 +0.62%
NVIDIA Corp $179.83 -0.18 -0.099%
Formula One Group Series C $103.57 -0.15 -0.14%
Alphabet Inc Class A $251.03 +5.58 +2.27%
News Corp Class A $26.57 -0.070 -0.26%
Netflix Inc $1,203.29 -12.06 -0.99%
Caterpillar Inc $534.05 +6.58 +1.25%
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp $16.27
-0.010 -0.061%
Tesla Inc $435.15 +5.91 +1.38%
Walt Disney Co $111.71 +0.54 +0.49%
Wynn Resorts Ltd $118.07 +1.96 +1.69%
Meta Platforms Inc $717.55 +8.90 +1.26%
BHP Group Ltd $43.54
Mercedes Benz Group ADR $15.15 +0.040 +0.26%
Elders Ltd $7.50
Rio Tinto Ltd $129.69

News

The dollar prefers to stay within the range for now

The US dollar turned downward at the end of the day on Tuesday and continues to move downward in the first half of Wednesday. The dollar is being weighed down by the recovery of positive momentum in the stock markets. Pressure on the dollar can also be linked to Powell's latest comments yesterday evening. The Fed chairman confirmed the path to further rate cuts and said asset sales from the balance sheet could be halted soon, ending the quantitative tightening phase. To be cont ..

(FxPro)


News

The US stock market rebound may falter

US stock index futures are rising after a disastrous Friday, when Trump's aggressive response to China's tariffs shook the markets. The US president's announcements were carefully timed, with the most aggressive measures (additional 100% tariffs on Chinese goods) announced after the market closed.

Over the weekend, US and Chinese leaders appeared to reach out to each other, offering opportunities for further discussion and a deal. Market sentiment was close to extreme fear, with the Fear and Greed Index falling to 29 on Friday and recovering to 30 on Monday. These are the lowest values since the end of April, when the market was recovering from the “liberation day” effect on Trump's tariffs. In the last couple of years, this index has entered the extreme fear zone before we saw a reversal in the indices. This means that bears may exert another round of pressure on the markets. It is easy to link this to further toughening of mutual rhetoric between China and the US, albeit with the possibility of dialogue remaining open. In other words, in this case, it is worth talking about a decrease in the intensity of mutual recriminations, but not about a reversal in relations. From this, we can conclude that the risks that caused the markets to collapse on Friday remain. We also note that the S&P 500 is trading at a significant distance from its 200-week moving average, near which the market has ended its declines over the past 14 years since 2011, touching it or turning around within 2-5% of it. This contrasts sharply with the current situation, where the S&P 500 is almost 25% above this line. If we talk about a correction within a bull market, then the target for bears seems to be the 6100–6150 range, where the 50-week moving average and last winter's highs are concentrated. Movement in this direction looks like a viable strategy for the final quarter of the year, unless there is a real reversal in the rapprochement between China and the US, which we highly doubt. In addition, seasonal factors are also temporarily on the side of the bears, given the more than 40% growth from the lows of the year in early April, the suppressed volatility of the last month and a half, and the tendency to look for new patterns in the markets in the final months of the year. If that's not enough, add to this the fact that the economy is beginning to feel the effects of tariff wars and a deteriorating labour market, and AI is no longer a novelty. In these conditions, it will be increasingly difficult for traders to find reasons for local purchases. (FxPro)

News

Crypto market recovers from tariff shock

Market Overview

The crypto market capitalisation stood at $3.9 trillion on Monday, up 4.4% from the previous day but down 6% from pre-Friday crash levels. On Friday, the US stock market saw its biggest drop since April but recovered some of its losses on Monday. Since Sunday, the crypto market has been attempting to rebound after a sell-off that began as an emotional reaction to tariff initiatives by China and the US but escalated into massive margin calls and stop orders being triggered.

The sentiment index stood at 38 (fear) on Monday morning, down from 24 (extreme fear) the day before. The level of sentiment we saw over the weekend was last seen in April under similar circumstances — when tough trade tariffs were announced.

Bitcoin approached $115K on Monday, while Ethereum exceeded $4,200. Cryptocurrencies are recovering after Friday's sharp decline. The movement on Friday and in the early hours of Saturday swept the ‘weak hands’ out of the market, taking the price of BTC below the 50—and 200-day moving averages and below the August and September lows.

Such sweeping liquidations often set the bottom of the market, but it may take time for the wounds to heal. In 2020, 2021 and 2024, it took a couple of weeks for the rally to start, although the market did not rewrite the lows. But in 2022, the turnaround to growth after the crash began after about six months. Relying on these statistics is encouraging for bargain hunters in crypto. Still, it would be too hasty to say that the recovery will be just as quick and will begin immediately.

News Background

Wall Street crashed on Friday after US President Donald Trump escalated the trade conflict with China following Beijing's tightening of restrictions on trade in rare earth metals, Reuters reports. Cryptocurrencies and stock indices fell sharply on Friday. Some softening of tone from Trump and Xi has led to the probability of 100% tariffs against China by 1 November being estimated at 8% on Polymarket, down from 26% at the end of Friday. Santiment notes that bitcoin remains extremely sensitive to risk appetite and behaves more like a risky asset than a safe haven.

The Kobeissi Letter notes that the collapse of cryptocurrencies on 11 October will not have long-term fundamental consequences and was caused by a combination of technical factors. The market crash triggered a record cascade of liquidations worth $19.3 billion. Analyst Frank Fetter, citing technical indicators, said the cryptocurrency market is still far from overbought, which means there is still potential for the rally to continue.

News Flashback

Oil Holds Strong Despite Bearish Fundamentals

Weekly data from the EIA noted that the US returned to record oil production rates last week, supplying an average of 13.6 million barrels per day to the market, according to the latest EIA data. The trend towards increased supply began in August, but producers have only now returned to the peak levels recorded at the end of last year. Despite a 5.5-million-barrel increase in US commercial inventories over the past two weeks, inventories stay at the lower end of the range seen over the past decade, leaving considerable room for growth. The same can be said for the strategic reserve, which holds nearly 40% less oil than it did five years ago, before the start of the active sell-off. It is an interesting game in which, on the one hand, the US (the largest oil producer) is increasing supplies, while OPEC+ is increasing quotas on a monthly basis. This extremely bearish combination of factors did not cause oil prices to collapse; it was only because of global trade in currency depreciation that caused precious metals, stock indices, and cryptocurrencies to rise. Oil prices have not peaked in recent weeks .. To be cont .. (FxPro)

News

Gold hits new highs due to political turmoil

Gold is outside the realm of politics.

While currencies and securities depend on the actions of presidents and governments, precious metals do not. Therefore, political turmoil forces investors to use them as safe-haven assets.

The impressive 52% rally in gold started in April with the introduction of tariffs on America's Liberation Day. It continued due to the US government shutdown, the political crisis in France, and the change of leadership in Japan. he rise of gold above 4,000 dollars per ounce is not only the result of the weakness of fiat currencies. There are tectonic shifts in the structure of investment portfolios and fears of financial crises due to government recklessness.

The share of precious metals is growing both in speculators' assets and in the gold and foreign exchange reserves of central banks. The indicator has already exceeded the share of the euro. According to Eurizon Capital, if it equals the share of the US dollar, the price per ounce will soar to 8,500 dollars. The Supreme Court's abolition of tariffs will inflate the US budget deficit. France does not intend to reduce it, and Japan plans to increase bond issuance. All this creates a tailwind for commodity assets. (FxPro)

News

Politics remains the main driver of FX

The US government shutdown did not have a noticeable impact on the dollar's performance last week. However, it did help the stock market to grow slightly by strengthening expectations of monetary policy easing. However, these events pale in comparison to the change in Japan's ruling elite and the resignation of the French prime minister less than a day after the formation of the government in terms of their impact on the currency market. In Japan, Sanae Takaichi was chosen head of the Liberal Democratic Party over the weekend and is on track to become the country's first female prime minister. This event caused the yen to fall 2% to 150.49 from Friday's level before correcting to 149.80 at the time of writing. Takaichi is considered a supporter of aggressive government spending, structural reforms, and soft monetary policy, echoing the basic principles of Shinzo Abe. Overall, she has a more right-wing approach to national policy and is also a supporter of revising Japan's pacifist constitution. The market reaction clearly shows that they are considering Takaichi to be the new prime minister. If she does not change her political views (and she has softened them recently to win the party elections), we should be prepared for a further weakening of the yen, which reached its highest level since 1991 in the EURJPY pair, exceeding 176. However, the single currency is also facing uncertainty today due to a new political crisis in France. Prime Minister Lecornu, who had been trying to form a government for a month, resigned the day after he finally presented his new cabinet. His appointments drew criticism from both left-wing and right-wing allies. The EURUSD fell to 1.1650 at its lowest point on Monday, losing a full cent against Friday's levels. Unlike Japan, where a 2% drop in the JPY was accompanied by a 5% jump in the Nikkei225 index, France's CAC40 lost more than 2% intraday, paring its losses to 1.2% towards the end of the trading day in Europe. The EURUSD stopped its climb in July and has been hovering around 1.1700 all this time, not least because of the political crisis in France. Without it, the single currency would have had a much better chance of exploiting political divisions in the US to its advantage. It would be an exaggeration to call the situation in Japan and France a drama. Still, these events once again emphasise that as soon as the dollar's throne begin.

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 H
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 Western Australia
UFC Predator vs MMA Predator
Bulls vs Bears

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 Flashback

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 "Bullish is a mindset"

 

 

 

Markets, Crypto and Culture

Friday Hits Running Of The Weekend Bulls Downhill Continue Edition!

October 10, 2025

Sydney, Australia

ASX futures down 38 points, or 0.4%, at 8957

Wall Street:
S&P 500 -0.3%
Dow Jones -0.5%
Nasdaq -0.1%

Europe:
Stoxx 50 -0.4%
FTSE -0.4%
DAX +0.1%
CAC -0.2%

Australian dollar down 0.5% to US65.54¢

Bitcoin -1.9% to $US121,072

Gold -1.7% to $US3974.24 per ounce

US oil -1.8% to $US61.44 a barrel

Brent crude oil -1.7% to $US65.12 a barrel

Iron ore +0.9% to $US105.10 per ton

10-year yield:
US 4.14%
Australia 4.34%
Germany 2.70%

News Update: (Near Live)
October 11

Bitcoin: $110,833.67 8.40%

New York/Wall St
Saturday 11, October

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Mood: Corrective! Moody!

Bitcoin $111,039.86 8.23%
Ethereum $3,765.34 -12.97%
Tether $1.0012 +0.10%
Binance Coin $1,088.17 -13.92%
XRP $2.4214 -13.80%
Solana $182.94 -16.23%
USDC $0.9999 +0.02%
TRON $0.3182 -5.06%
Dogecoin $0.1934 -21.97%
Cardano $0.6552 -19.26%

Market corrective. Mood: Somber-like for many!


Media Man Favs:

October 10, 2025 (Near Live)

Wall St, New York

TKO Group Holdings Inc $187.05 +0.58 +0.31%
NVIDIA Corp $183.05 -9.46 -4.91%
Formula One Group Series C $103.20 -1.69 -1.61%
Alphabet Inc Class A $236.57 -4.96 -2.05%
News Corp Class A $25.78 -0.68 -2.57%
Netflix Inc $1,220.08 -10.99 -0.89%
Caterpillar Inc $491.30 -9.06 -1.81%
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp $15.97 -1.10 -6.44%
Tesla Inc $413.49 -22.05 -5.06%
Walt Disney Co $109.19 -1.80 -1.62%
Wynn Resorts Ltd $119.89 -3.66 -2.96%
Meta Platforms Inc $705.30 -28.21 -3.85%
BHP Group Ltd $42.22 -0.89 -2.06%
Mercedes Benz Group ADR $15.29 -0.18 -1.16%
Elders Ltd $7.53 +0.27 +3.72%
Rio Tinto Ltd $125.15 -2.12 -1.67%

News

Gold hits new highs due to political turmoil
Gold is outside the realm of politics. While currencies and securities depend on the actions of presidents and governments, precious metals do not. Therefore, political turmoil forces investors to use them as safe-haven assets. The impressive 52% rally in gold started in April with the introduction of tariffs on America's Liberation Day. It continued due to the US government shutdown, the political crisis in France, and the change of leadership in Japan.

The rise of gold above 4,000 dollars per ounce is not only the result of the weakness of fiat currencies. There are tectonic shifts in the structure of investment portfolios and fears of financial crises due to government recklessness.

The share of precious metals is growing both in speculators' assets and in the gold and foreign exchange reserves of central banks. The indicator has already exceeded the share of the euro. According to Eurizon Capital, if it equals the share of the US dollar, the price per ounce will soar to 8,500 dollars. The Supreme Court's abolition of tariffs will inflate the US budget deficit. France does not intend to reduce it, and Japan plans to increase bond issuance. All this creates a tailwind for commodity assets. (FxPro)

News

Politics remains the main driver of FX

The US government shutdown did not have a noticeable impact on the dollar's performance last week. However, it did help the stock market to grow slightly by strengthening expectations of monetary policy easing.

However, these events pale in comparison to the change in Japan's ruling elite and the resignation of the French prime minister less than a day after the formation of the government in terms of their impact on the currency market.

In Japan, Sanae Takaichi was chosen head of the Liberal Democratic Party over the weekend and is on track to become the country's first female prime minister. This event caused the yen to fall 2% to 150.49 from Friday's level before correcting to 149.80 at the time of writing.

Takaichi is considered a supporter of aggressive government spending, structural reforms, and soft monetary policy, echoing the basic principles of Shinzo Abe. Overall, she has a more right-wing approach to national policy and is also a supporter of revising Japan's pacifist constitution.

The market reaction clearly shows that they are considering Takaichi to be the new prime minister. If she does not change her political views (and she has softened them recently to win the party elections), we should be prepared for a further weakening of the yen, which reached its highest level since 1991 in the EURJPY pair, exceeding 176.

However, the single currency is also facing uncertainty today due to a new political crisis in France. Prime Minister Lecornu, who had been trying to form a government for a month, resigned the day after he finally presented his new cabinet. His appointments drew criticism from both left-wing and right-wing allies.

The EURUSD fell to 1.1650 at its lowest point on Monday, losing a full cent against Friday's levels.

Unlike Japan, where a 2% drop in the JPY was accompanied by a 5% jump in the Nikkei225 index, France's CAC40 lost more than 2% intraday, paring its losses to 1.2% towards the end of the trading day in Europe.

The EURUSD stopped its climb in July and has been hovering around 1.1700 all this time, not least because of the political crisis in France. Without it, the single currency would have had a much better chance of exploiting political divisions in the US to its advantage. It would be an exaggeration to call the situation in Japan and France a drama. Still, these events once again emphasise that as soon as the dollar's throne begins to shake, the ground beneath other currencies begins to tremble. (FxPro)

News

Miners offset ASX retreat from record high

The Australian sharemarket fell slightly on Monday, with the S&P/ASX 200 easing 0.1 per cent to close at 8,981.4 points after briefly reaching a new intra-day high. Rio Tinto was down 1.2 per cent at $123.58, WiseTech Global fell 2.2 per cent to end the session at $88.30 and the Commonwealth Bank finished 0.3 per cent lower at $169.96. However, Evolution Mining rose 2.6 per cent to $11.26 and Woodside Energy was up 0.2 per cent at $23.15. (RMS)


News Flashback

Oct 3

The US government shutdown is pressing dollar

The shutdown came as a bolt from the blue for the US dollar. The greenback was confident that Democrats and Republicans would reach a last-minute agreement. That did not happen. During previous government shutdowns, the dollar index typically fell on expectations of slowing GDP and mass layoffs. In 2025, the situation will worsen because the labour market is already cooling down. Due to the shutdown, the publication of important data will be postponed.

Therefore, the importance of the ADP report increases.

Over the last two months, there has been a decline in private sector employment. This increased the chances of a federal funds rate cut in October to 99% and in December to 87%. Treasury bond yields and the US dollar fell. There is increased demand for safe-haven assets in the markets. Gold continues to break records, Treasury yields are falling, and the yen has moved away from the political crisis in Japan and is growing steadily.

In contrast, European currencies are not yet able to take full advantage of the weakness of the US dollar. The euro is hampered by geopolitics and events in France.
S&P 500 shrugged off the shutdown

The S&P 500 shrugged off the shutdown and marked its 29th record high since the beginning of the year. Pharmaceutical and technology companies, which received a tariff deferral, led the rally. The market was pleased by the news that OpenAI had become the largest startup in history, with a valuation of over 500 billion dollars.

Jerome Powell's comments about the high valuation of US stocks led only to a temporary pullback in the S&P 500. Investors immediately bought up the dip. History shows that since 1996, similar rhetoric from the Fed chairman has led to an average 13% increase in the broad stock index over the next 12 months. There is a view in the market that high Price-to-Earnings ratios are the new reality. Corporate reporting is improving, the US economy has shifted its focus from manufacturing to technology, and artificial intelligence makes the US stock market unique and attractive. The ADP report on private sector employment did not deter the S&P 500. It finally convinced investors that the Fed would cut the federal funds rate twice more in 2025. (FxPro)


News Flashback

Crypto

October 2

The cryptocurrency market soared to extremes

Market Overview

The cryptocurrency market capitalisation soared by 4% over the past day to $4.07 trillion. The capitalisation has soared into the extreme zone, above which it was only briefly in mid-August and mid-September.

Cryptocurrency investors are convinced that the US government shutdown is not dampening risk appetite, and macroeconomic data is pushing the Fed to ease its policy further.

The sentiment index rose to 64 (greed), reaching its highest level in the last six weeks. However, the index is far from extreme greed, leaving significant potential for further strengthening.

On Thursday morning, Bitcoin exceeded $118K, surpassing the previous highs, which indicates an important technical breakthrough of the established range. The next step could well be an attempt to update historical highs approaching $125K. At the same time, it is worth paying attention to the activity of long-term sellers, who have been actively selling near these levels since July: we may see a new episode of selling on the rise.

News Background

The total supply of stablecoins grew by a record $45 billion in the third quarter, according to CEX.io. At the same time, 69% of the ‘printed’ volume was issued on the main Ethereum network.

According to CryptoQuant, the growth in the supply of stablecoins creates a powerful foundation for a bull market. Historically, Bitcoin has rallied not only in October but throughout the last quarter of the year.

The main factors that could trigger a crypto market rally in the fourth quarter could be changes in digital asset regulation in the US and expanded access to the crypto market through products on stock exchanges, according to Grayscale.

The total Bitcoin reserves of Japanese company Metaplanet reached 30,823 coins, placing it in fourth place among all corporate BTC holders.

According to Onchain Lens, Tether, the issuer of USDT, has replenished its Bitcoin reserve with 8,889 BTC worth $1 billion. Since May 2023, the company has been allocating 15% of its net profit to the purchase of BTC as part of its long-term asset diversification strategy.

Stani Kulechov, founder of leading lending platform Aave, said lower interest rates by global central banks will create favourable conditions for yield growth in the DeFi sector and may drive renewed interest in decentralised finance. (FxPro)

News

Oct 3

ASX rallies 1.1pc as miners and CBA jump

The Australian sharemarket posted a strong gain on Thursday, with the S&P/ASX 200 adding 1.1 per cent to close at 8,945.9 points. BHP rose 1.1 per cent to $41.94, Westgold Resources was up 8.3 per cent at $5.37 and the Commonwealth Bank finished 1.7 per cent higher at $169.82. However, profit-taking saw DroneShield fall 9.8 per cent to $5.18 following a rally in recent days, while REA Group was down 1.9 per cent at $224.99. (RMS)


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 H
Cesaro vs Rollins
Dirty Dom vs Mr AAA
Punks vs Egos
Kross vs H
L. 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 Western Australia
UFC Predator vs MMA Predator
Bulls vs Bears

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 Flashback

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

"Bullish is a mindset"

 

 

 

 

Cryptos, Markets and Culture

Friday Into The Weekend Edition!

October 3/4, 2025

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $122,667.92 +2.23%
Ethereum $4,506.29 +0.60%
Tether $1.0005 flat
Binance Coin $1,177.34 +7.54%
XRP $3.0270 +0.11%
Solana $230.17 -0.54%
USDC $0.9996 flat
TRON $0.3408 -0.88%
Dogecoin $0.2542 - 1.31%
Cardano $0.8572 -0.14%

Market bullish! Mood joyful

News

October 3, 2025

Markets (Sydney to New York)

Australian Dollar: $0.6590 USD (down $0.0020 USD)
Iron Ore: $103.40 USD (down $0.20 USD)
Oil: $60.68 USD (down $1.12 USD)
Gold: $3,856.37 USD (down $9.29 USD)
Copper: $4.9540 USD (up 0.0595 USD)
Bitcoin: $120,564.31 USD (up 2.56%)
Dow Jones: 46,519.72 (up 78.62 points)

Stocks

Media Man Favs:

TKO Group $197.35 -0.65 -0.33%
Formula One Group Series C $104.83 +0.68 +0.65%
NVIDIA Corp $187.62 -1.32 -0.70%
Alphabet Inc Class A $245.35 -0.34 -0.14%
News Corp Class A $28.38 -0.17 -0.60%
Netflix Inc $1,153.32 -9.21 -0.79%
Caterpillar Inc $497.85 +7.28 +1.48%
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp $17.34 +0.14 +0.81%
Tesla Inc $429.83 -6.17 -1.42%
Walt Disney Co $112.47 +0.33 +0.29%
Wynn Resorts Ltd $123.66 -9.68 -7.26%
Meta Platforms Inc $710.56 -16.49 -2.27%
BHP Group Ltd $42.08 +0.14 +0.33%
Mercedes Benz Group ADR $16.24 +0.18 +1.11%

News

Crypto

October 2

The cryptocurrency market soared to extremes

Market Overview

The cryptocurrency market capitalisation soared by 4% over the past day to $4.07 trillion. The capitalisation has soared into the extreme zone, above which it was only briefly in mid-August and mid-September.

Cryptocurrency investors are convinced that the US government shutdown is not dampening risk appetite, and macroeconomic data is pushing the Fed to ease its policy further.

The sentiment index rose to 64 (greed), reaching its highest level in the last six weeks. However, the index is far from extreme greed, leaving significant potential for further strengthening.

On Thursday morning, Bitcoin exceeded $118K, surpassing the previous highs, which indicates an important technical breakthrough of the established range. The next step could well be an attempt to update historical highs approaching $125K. At the same time, it is worth paying attention to the activity of long-term sellers, who have been actively selling near these levels since July: we may see a new episode of selling on the rise.

News Background

The total supply of stablecoins grew by a record $45 billion in the third quarter, according to http://CEX.io. At the same time, 69% of the ‘printed’ volume was issued on the main Ethereum network.

According to CryptoQuant, the growth in the supply of stablecoins creates a powerful foundation for a bull market. Historically, Bitcoin has rallied not only in October but throughout the last quarter of the year.

The main factors that could trigger a crypto market rally in the fourth quarter could be changes in digital asset regulation in the US and expanded access to the crypto market through products on stock exchanges, according to Grayscale.

The total Bitcoin reserves of Japanese company Metaplanet reached 30,823 coins, placing it in fourth place among all corporate BTC holders.

According to Onchain Lens, Tether, the issuer of USDT, has replenished its Bitcoin reserve with 8,889 BTC worth $1 billion. Since May 2023, the company has been allocating 15% of its net profit to the purchase of BTC as part of its long-term asset diversification strategy.

Stani Kulechov, founder of leading lending platform Aave, said lower interest rates by global central banks will create favourable conditions for yield growth in the DeFi sector and may drive renewed interest in decentralised finance. (FxPro)

News

Oct 3

ASX rallies 1.1pc as miners and CBA jump

The Australian sharemarket posted a strong gain on Thursday, with the S&P/ASX 200 adding 1.1 per cent to close at 8,945.9 points. BHP rose 1.1 per cent to $41.94, Westgold Resources was up 8.3 per cent at $5.37 and the Commonwealth Bank finished 1.7 per cent higher at $169.82. However, profit-taking saw DroneShield fall 9.8 per cent to $5.18 following a rally in recent days, while REA Group was down 1.9 per cent at $224.99. (RMS)

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 H
Cesaro vs Rollins
Dirty Dom vs Mr AAA
Punks vs Egos
Kross vs H
L. 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)!

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 Flashback

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

"Bullish is a mindset"

 

 

Markets, Crypto and Culture

October 2, 2025

Sydney, Australia

Markets

ASX futures up 46 points or 0.5% to 8923

Wall Street:
S&P 500 +0.3%
Dow Jones +0.1%
Nasdaq +0.4%

Europe:
Stoxx 50 +0.9%
FTSE +1%
DAX +1%
CAC +0.9%

Bitcoin +2.4% to $US117,575

Gold +0.1% to $US3864.36 per ounce
US oil -1% to $US61.77 a barrel
Brent crude oil -1% to $US65.39 a barrel
Iron ore flat at $US103.60 per tonne

10-year yield:
US 4.10%
Australia 4.36%
Germany 2.71%

News

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $117,874.03 +3.44%
Ethereum $4,322.05 +4.37%
Tether $1.0004 +0.04%
Binance Coin $1,022.61 +1.94%
XRP $2.9400 +3.35%
Solana $219.80 +5.58%
USDC $0.9997 +0.02%
TRON $0.3417 +2.62%
Dogecoin $0.2466 +6.40%

Market Cautious! Mood gaining

News

Mining Stocks

BHP Group Ltd $41.47 -1.06 +2.49%
Fortescue Ltd $18.94 +0.26 +1.39%
Rio Tinto $122.58 +0.55 +0.45%

News

The crypto market has rebounded from its low point, but further signals are needed
Market Overview
The crypto market capitalisation has remained virtually unchanged over the past 24 hours, staying close to $3.91 trillion and the 50-day moving average. The market has moved away from local lows but prefers to wait for the next catalyst to determine its direction. Labour market data and the resolution of the US shutdown issue promise to help in this regard.

Bitcoin is trading above $114.4k, trying to consolidate above its 50-day moving average. The first cryptocurrency is much worse than gold and silver at exploiting the narrative of US financial problems, showing very indecisive growth. Cryptocurrencies are being weighed down by pressure on the stock markets, for which the shutdown is a negative factor.

Bitcoin rose 6.1% in September to $114.6k, defying the seasonal trends of one of the two worst months of the year. In recent days, BTC has managed to approach the highs of the middle of the month.

From a seasonal perspective, October is one of the three best months of the year, which is why it is called ‘Uptober.’ Over the past 14 years, Bitcoin has ended this month with growth in 10 cases. The average growth was 27.4%, and the average decline was 15.3%.

News Background
According to Bitwise, the current situation may indicate the end of the decline phase. Sellers appear to be ‘increasingly depleted.’ Upcoming SEC decisions on spot ETFs could be catalysts for growth, according to Bitget Research.

The share of altcoins in the volume of futures trading on Binance reached a historic high of 82.3%, exceeding the peak values of the 2021 altseason, according to CryptoQuant. Traders are increasingly shifting their attention to more volatile assets in anticipation of higher profits.

DePIN tokens of decentralised physical infrastructure networks are not securities and are therefore outside the SEC's oversight. This is stated in a letter from the regulator addressed to the DoubleZero project. (FxPro)

Media Man: Cryptos bullish!


News lead up

Crypto market attempts to form a double bottom

Market Overview

The crypto market has been gaining since the start of the day on Friday, adding 3.5% during this time to $3.85 trillion, but still 1.3% below the level of a week earlier.

The rebound is coming from roughly the same levels as in early September. Once again, altcoins are recovering stronger than BTC. Such outperformance in the early stages of recovery often indicates the future winners of the race, which in this case are altcoins. The sentiment index fell to 28 on Friday but recovered to 50 by Monday. The approach to the extreme fear zone seems to have activated optimists, who began to buy back the drawdown. However, cautious traders will likely prefer to wait for the results of the 50-day moving average test, which is currently passing through $3.92 trillion. At the end of last week, Bitcoin found support at 109,000.

It was bought at roughly the same levels as the end of August and even slightly higher, which is positive for the bulls. On the other hand, September's local high is lower than the previous one, which generally indicates a decrease in volatility and a stronger movement towards a breakout beyond the $108-118K range. Movements within the range can give many false short-term signals.

News Background

Santiment has recorded a surge in mentions of “buy on dip,” which may indicate the likelihood of an imminent rebound. In addition, whales continue to accumulate BTC, and the supply of Bitcoin on exchanges is declining. However, Glassnode warns of a continued correction, given growing selling pressure from long-term holders and declining institutional demand for ETFs. The first Ethereum ETF with a staking feature from REX Shares and Osprey Funds has launched in the US.

Investors will receive monthly payments for supporting the ETH network. Applications from BlackRock and Fidelity are still being reviewed by the SEC. Ethereum has begun to show signs that a local bottom has likely been reached, notes analyst Mikybull Crypto.

The RSI oscillator on daily charts has fallen to its lowest levels since April, when ETH was trading around $1,400. According to the Wall Street Journal, US regulators are investigating cases of potential insider trading involving companies that accumulate cryptocurrencies in their reserves. The SEC and FINRA have already sent inquiries to a number of companies.

Rating agency Moody's warns that the rapid expansion of cryptocurrencies’ use in developing countries, including stablecoins, poses risks to monetary sovereignty and financial stability. (FxPro)

News

Sept 30

Uncertainty benefits AUD, while shutdown hurts USD

The Australian dollar gained for the third trading session, accelerating its growth to 0.5% on Tuesday after the Reserve Bank of Australia decided to keep its key rate at 3.60%. Analysts widely anticipated the decision, but the official commentary on the decision contained hawkish notes, which played into the hands of the AUD. The RBA noted that September inflation may be higher than previously expected and pointed to a recovery in economic activity. When the economy does not require emergency support and inflation is likely to pick up, central banks are more inclined to pause and assess the dynamic. In contrast, there are increasing signs in the US that monetary policy needs to be eased.

Taken together, this creates a divergence between Australian and US monetary policy in favour of the Australian dollar. At the end of last week, AUDUSD found support at the 50-day moving average and reversed to growth at the 200-day average. The pair has been moving upwards within a range since the beginning of the year, from which it only fell during the shock of ‘America's Liberation Day’ in early April. The Aussie touched the upper limit of this channel on 17 September, briefly exceeding 0.6700, but the looming US government shutdown halted the strengthening of the USD on the Fed's cautious comments. This exceptionally short-term and speculative story (a compromise was always found sooner or later) nevertheless undermines long-term confidence in the dollar, preventing it from reversing the downward trend that began at the start of the year. (FxPro)

News Flashback

Oil: producers intensify battle for market share Bullish sentiment on global stock and commodity markets supported the prevailing positive mood in oil prices last week. However, on Friday, the price turned downwards when it touched the 200-day moving average. This is due not only to technical factors but also to a set of fundamental reasons.

The latest weekly data on stocks and production reinforce the position of oil sellers. On Friday, Baker Hughes noted an increase in the number of active oil rigs to 424 (+6 for the week and +14 from the low in early August). Although this is significantly lower than the levels at the beginning of the year, when the latest decline began, it still resembles a trend that points to increased activity among US oil producers and their renewed confidence in the need to invest in the sector.

In addition, actual production levels have been rising since mid-July. In the middle of last week, the EIA reported an increase in production to 13.5 million barrels per day, the highest since the end of March. Interestingly, this has not yet led to an accumulation of reserves. Commercial stocks have fallen by almost 10 million barrels over the past two weeks, staying close to the lower limit for this indicator over the past ten years.

The strategic reserve is being replenished, but at about half the rate it was before Trump's election victory in November last year. Over the weekend, it was also reported that at the next monthly meeting of the OPEC+ monitoring committee on October 5, a recommendation will be considered for the cartel to increase quotas by at least another 135,000 barrels per day starting in November. The cartel has made a shift in its strategy, actively increasing quotas, first by removing voluntary cuts and now by raising the bar for all participants. In total, quotas have been increased by 2.5 million barrels per day during this period. The intensification of oil production has halted attempts by oil to grow, despite the positive macroeconomic backdrop. As a result, oil prices have been unable to sustainably consolidate above the 200-day moving average for more than a year now. This downward trend line has fallen to around $70, compared to $82 just over a year ago and a peak of $100 at the end of 2022.

Oil has been moving within a downward range for the past three years, with the upper limit for Brent at $73 per barrel and the lower limit at $53. Although the price is now significantly closer to the upper limit, a set of fundamental factors and technical pressures makes a decline more likely than growth in the near term. (FxPro)

News

News Flashback

Gold

What the aggressive growth of gold indicates

Gold is once again benefiting from a combination of geopolitical tensions, demand for safe-haven assets, and reduced risk appetite in the stock and cryptocurrency markets. The price per ounce returned to its historic highs, reaching $3,750 on the spot market and adding 3% from the start of the day on Friday to the start of active trading in Europe on Tuesday.

The previous historic high was set on 17 September, followed by two days of profit-taking. However, the wave of decline was not long-lasting, and gold corrected by less than 20% from its last rally on 20 August. This indicates a strong appetite for gold, despite the price highs and an almost unprecedented rate of growth since the beginning of the year. From a technical point of view, the expansion of this pattern indicates the potential for the price to rise to $4,000.

Politics is once again working in favour of gold bugs. The tightening of work visa rules is likely to cause discontent in India. Modi's statements about the need to make the country independent of foreign markets are undermining hopes for a trade settlement.

The latest discussion of a government shutdown also supports gold purchases.

The Fed's softening of its monetary policy stance is providing additional long-term confidence to buyers. Although this reassessment of market prospects has paused in recent days, it appears to be a pause rather than a reversal, as it would take a strong improvement in labour market indicators and a surge in inflation to change this trend.

Gold is being pushed in the same direction by expectations that global central banks will continue to accumulate gold reserves at the expense of the dollar's share in them, as alternative currencies do not look much better in terms of fundamentals.

On the other hand, the price growth rate is now more of a bearish factor. The historic rally is increasing demand for a full-fledged portfolio shake-up, with a correction of more than 130% growth over the last three years. The period from September to November, with the end of the financial and calendar year, looks like a suitable point to start this trend.

Additionally, the RSI on daily timeframes entering the overbought zone above 80 earlier in September increases the risks of a decline. Last week's price decline pushed the index back to 70. A similar signal has triggered a sideways movement or correction about a dozen times in the last five years, with only one exception in April 2024, when we saw an 8% price increase before a three-month sideways movement.

On balance, we view the situation as the final stage of gold's increase over the past three years. Growth within it may be quite aggressive, combined with accelerated closing of short positions. However, for medium- and long-term investors, this is suitable for closing long positions and looking for the right moment to open short ones. (FxPro)

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 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 H
Cesaro vs Rollins
Dirty Dom vs Mr AAA
Punks vs Egos
Kross vs H
L. 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?!

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

"Bullish is a mindset"

 

 

 

Cryptocurrency News, Fintech, Blockchain, Media

September 29, 2025

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $114,160.79 +1.91%
Ethereum $4,222.43 +2.12%
Tether $1.0005 -0.02%
XRP $2.8938 +1.08%
Solana $214.06 +2.03%
TRON $0.3372 +0.45%
Dogecoin $0.2369 +0.18%

News

September 29, 2025

Crypto market attempts to form a double bottom

Market Overview

The crypto market has been gaining since the start of the day on Friday, adding 3.5% during this time to $3.85 trillion, but still 1.3% below the level of a week earlier.

The rebound is coming from roughly the same levels as in early September. Once again, altcoins are recovering stronger than BTC. Such outperformance in the early stages of recovery often indicates the future winners of the race, which in this case are altcoins.

The sentiment index fell to 28 on Friday but recovered to 50 by Monday. The approach to the extreme fear zone seems to have activated optimists, who began to buy back the drawdown. However, cautious traders will likely prefer to wait for the results of the 50-day moving average test, which is currently passing through $3.92 trillion.

At the end of last week, Bitcoin found support at 109,000. It was bought at roughly the same levels as the end of August and even slightly higher, which is positive for the bulls. On the other hand, September's local high is lower than the previous one, which generally indicates a decrease in volatility and a stronger movement towards a breakout beyond the $108-118K range. Movements within the range can give many false short-term signals.

News Background

Santiment has recorded a surge in mentions of “buy on dip,” which may indicate the likelihood of an imminent rebound. In addition, whales continue to accumulate BTC, and the supply of Bitcoin on exchanges is declining.

However, Glassnode warns of a continued correction, given growing selling pressure from long-term holders and declining institutional demand for ETFs. The first Ethereum ETF with a staking feature from REX Shares and Osprey Funds has launched in the US. Investors will receive monthly payments for supporting the ETH network. Applications from BlackRock and Fidelity are still being reviewed by the SEC.

Ethereum has begun to show signs that a local bottom has likely been reached, notes analyst Mikybull Crypto. The RSI oscillator on daily charts has fallen to its lowest levels since April, when ETH was trading around $1,400.

According to the Wall Street Journal, US regulators are investigating cases of potential insider trading involving companies that accumulate cryptocurrencies in their reserves. The SEC and FINRA have already sent inquiries to a number of companies.

Rating agency Moody's warns that the rapid expansion of cryptocurrencies’ use in developing countries, including stablecoins, poses risks to monetary sovereignty and financial stability. (FxPro)

News

September 25, 2025

The crypto market is digging deeper

Market Overview

The crypto market capitalisation has fallen to a nearly three-week low of $3.83 trillion, falling deeper below its 50-day moving average. However, similar declines at the end of June and the end of August only encouraged buyers. On Thursday morning, Bitcoin wiped out the previous day's gains, while major altcoins, Ethereum, and Solana, have been declining for the fifth trading session in a row.

The sentiment index at 44 barely touches the fear zone, preventing us from talking about a full-fledged reversal in sentiment. Nevertheless, we are once again turning our attention to crypto as an early indicator of risk appetite. Altcoins, as well as small currencies of developed countries, have been losing ground since the Fed cut rates a week ago, and key US indices have joined them since Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Bitcoin unsuccessfully attempted to storm the 50-day moving average. Earlier, BTCUSD fell out of the upward channel that had been forming since early September. These are all signs of a deeper dive ahead, potentially into the $104-107K range.

News Background

Bitcoin's implied volatility has fallen to its lowest level since 2023. Blockchain data points to a “calm before the storm,” according to XWIN Research. The last time this happened, it was followed by explosive growth.

CoinW also calls the situation “the calm before the storm.” Negative funding rates, seasonal trends, and inflows into institutional ETFs tip the odds in favour of growth. According to CoinGlass, Bitcoin has strengthened in October in 10 of the last 12 years.

If US inflation turns out to be moderate, the Fed's rate will be further reduced, and the amount of liquidity in the market will increase. According to QCP Capital, this factor will be the main driver of Bitcoin's growth in October.
However, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon believes that the Fed is unlikely to cut its key rate. He sees factors that are more likely to cause inflation to rise than fall.

SkyBridge Capital founder Anthony Scaramucci confirmed his previous forecast that Bitcoin will reach its target of $150,000 by the end of the year. In his opinion, November-December is the most favourable period for buying BTC.

Pantera Capital CEO Dan Morehead said BRICS countries, including Russia and China, view Bitcoin as a tool for de-dollarisation. In his opinion, these countries will prepare to create state Bitcoin reserves and their own Bitcoin ETFs. (FxPro)

News

Blockchain News

1. SWIFT Announces Blockchain-Based Overhaul for Global Payments

The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), which handles millions of daily transactions, is integrating a blockchain-based ledger into its infrastructure. This move aims to enhance interoperability and speed, with top global banks collaborating on the project.

In response to rising stablecoin competition, SWIFT's update could accelerate tokenized asset adoption. Industry experts see this as a pivotal step toward hybrid traditional-fintech systems.

Related buzz: Qatar National Bank (QNB) has adopted JPMorgan's blockchain platform for instant USD payments in the Middle East, building on its prior Ripple partnership for cross-border efficiency.

2. Institutional Momentum:

BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF Expansion and Treasury PlaysBlackRock filed for a Bitcoin Premium Income ETF, extending its dominance beyond the $87 billion iShares Bitcoin Trust. This signals growing mainstream interest in yield-generating crypto products.

Anthony Scaramucci-backed Hivemind Capital launched a $550 million fund to acquire digital tokens on the Avalanche blockchain—the first of its kind for on-chain treasuries.

However, institutional Bitcoin acquisitions have slowed sharply, with treasuries scaling back amid market volatility. Analysts predict a potential cycle dip mirroring 2017, with $200K BTC targets if liquidity holds.

3. Regulatory and Government Advances

Nasdaq proposed rule changes to tokenize equity securities and exchange-traded products, potentially unlocking billions in on-chain capital markets.

The SEC is drafting an "innovation exemption" to fast-track digital asset product approvals, while U.S. lawmakers push to include crypto in retirement plans.

Stablecoin legislation is also advancing in Congress.

Globally, Kyrgyzstan plans to migrate government services on-chain by 2028, and the Philippines is exploring blockchain post-corruption protests.

Fnality, a blockchain payment firm, raised $136M from major banks for real-time settlements.

4. Tech Innovations and Ecosystem GrowthAmadeus Protocol unveiled the world's first "thinking blockchain," converting mining power into AI intelligence via unique Proof-of-Work (uPoW).

Solana developers are debating removing block limits after the Alpenglow upgrade to boost capacity for high-performance validators.

Layer-1 blockchains are solidifying as crypto's backbone, with tokenized assets and stablecoin rules testing their scalability.

AGII launched optimization engines for reliable blockchain automation in Web3.

In gaming and RWAs:

OFA Group's real-estate tokenization platform with Blockchain App Factory, and AAA's document-authentication pilot using Integra Ledger.

5. Market Sentiment and Warnings

Bitcoin's upward grind continues, but analysts flag 10-20% pullbacks and a possible financial crash by late September tied to global M2 liquidity.

XRP ETF speculation is heating up, with bearish trader bets amid approval rumors.

Broader trends: Korea Blockchain Week (through Sep 28) featured exchange partnerships and regulatory updates. Decentralized apps like Bitchat surged in Madagascar during protests.

News Flashback

September 24, 2025

BTC Calm Breaks as Bulls Face Resistance

Digital assets have been hit by one of the biggest sell-offs since the beginning of the year. According to Coinglass, 1.5 billion dollars in long positions were liquidated at the start of this week. Bitcoin fell from its monthly highs due to a revision of market views on the fate of the federal funds rate, the strengthening of the US dollar, and concerns about a decline in demand.

Corporations have accumulated $116 billion worth of Bitcoin and have become serious players in the market. The fall in their shares, coupled with Nasdaq's requirement for shareholder approval of new issues, has created real panic. If these financial institutions find it difficult to raise funds through securities issues, demand for digital assets will fall, and prices will also drop.

Optimists believe that this is not the case. There are also specialised exchange-traded funds and the resumption of the Fed's monetary policy easing cycle is likely to increase demand for Bitcoin ETFs. The outflow of capital from money market funds will also play a role. Reserves increased to a whopping $7.7 trillion in 2025. The average yield was 4.1%, which is significantly higher than the average 0.6% on bank deposits. As the federal funds rate declines, yields will fall, and money will flow into other ETFs, including those related to cryptocurrency.

Investors believe that over time, the link between US stock indices and Bitcoin will be restored. However, while US stocks have such an important growth driver as artificial intelligence technology, Bitcoin does not. Companies from the S&P 500, especially tech giants, regularly report positive corporate reports. Interest in cryptocurrency purchases by corporations, on the contrary, is falling.

The cryptocurrency market is prone to extremes. The highest derivative bets are concentrated at the 95,000 and 140,000 levels. This means that after a long period of calm, investors are expecting to see a real storm. Much will depend on the ability of Bitcoin bulls to overcome important resistance levels at 113,500 and 115,000. If they succeed, there will be a chance to restore the uptrend. Failure will increase the risks of a Bitcoin correction. (FxPro)

News

Best Quotes Of The Day

Cryptocurrency

“Bitcoin is a tool for freeing humanity from oligarchs and tyrants, dressed up as a get-rich-quick scheme.” – Naval Ravikant, former CEO of AngelList

“We have elected to put our money and faith in a mathematical framework that is free of politics and human error.“ – Tyler Winklevoss, co-CEO of Gemini

"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, Founder of McAfee Associates

“There are 3 eras of currency: Commodity based, politically based, and now, math-based.“ – Chris Dixon, Venture Capitalist at Andreesen Horowitz

“As the value goes up, heads start to swivel and skeptics begin to soften. Starting a new currency is easy, anyone can do it. The trick is getting people to accept it because it is their use that gives the “money” value.“ - Adam B. Levine, CEO of Tokenly

“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, Crypto and Culture

September 15, 2025

Sydney, Australia

Markets

ASX futures down 59 points/0.7% to 8804
Wall Street:
S&P 500 -0.1%
Dow Jones -0.6%
Nasdaq +0.4%
Europe:
Stoxx 50 +0.1%
FTSE -0.2%
DAX flat
CAC flat

Bitcoin -0.1% to $US115,849

Gold +0.3% to $US3643.14 per ounce
Oil +0.5% to $US62.69 a barrel
Brent crude oil +0.9% to $US66.99 a barrel
Iron ore +0.4% to $US105.90 per ton
10-year yield:
US 4.06%
Australia 4.21%
Germany 2.71%

News

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $116,036.73 USD +0.28%
Ethereum $4,624.75 USD -0.60%
Tether $0.9998 USD +0.14%
XRP $3.04 USD -2.20%
BNB $933.05 USD +0.18%
Solana $243.15 USD +1.40%
TRON $0.3491 USD +0.06%
Dogecoin $0.2799 USD -3.15%

Market Cautious, Mood/vibe rising!

 

 

Cryptos and Markets

September 9, 2025

Sydney, Australia

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $112,346.79 USD +1.07%
Ethereum $4,318.63 USD +0.44%
Tether $0.9999 USD +0.06%
XRP $2.98 USD +3.83%
BNB $879.96 USD +0.66%
Solana $214.83 USD +4.71%
TRON $0.3318 USD +0.55%
Dogecoin $0.2427 USD +7.72%

Markets

Wall Street:
S&P 500 +0.2%
Dow Jones +0.3%
Nasdaq +0.5%

Europe:
Stoxx 50 +0.8%
FTSE +0.1%
DAX +0.9%
CAC +0.8%

Bitcoin +0.7% to $US112,068
Gold -0.4% to $US3545.85 per ounce
Oil +0.4% to $US62.48 a barrel
Brent crude oil +0.8% to $US66.02 a barrel
Iron ore +1.5% to $US104.80 per ton

10-year yield:

US 4.16%
Australia 4.35%
Germany 2.72%

News

Cryptocurrency market uncertainty as a sign of suppressed retail risk appetite

Market Overview

Cryptocurrency market capitalisation has gained 2.5% over the past seven days to $3.85 trillion, demonstrating a very modest and erratic recovery without buyer euphoria or significant volumes. The crypto market capitalisation remains below its 50-day moving average, indicating the prevalence of bears in the market. This is a very worrying indicator of underlying risk appetite in financial markets. Although stocks are offsetting the weakness in the labour market with growth in anticipation of Fed dovishness, the weakness of the economy is still negative for retail customers, the driving force behind prices.

The sentiment index fell into fear territory on Sunday at 44, but returned to a neutral 51 on Monday, reflecting a wait-and-see stance.

Bitcoin continues to hover around $111K, crossing this mark up or down every day for the past seven days. Since the beginning of September, an upward line can be drawn through the local price lows, but BTC has gained about 3.6% during this time, more than the losses on 28 August alone.

News Background

The total volume of corporate Bitcoin reserves reached a record 840,000 BTC in August, but their growth rate and transaction volume fell to annual lows, according to CryptoQuant. This indicates a weakening of institutional demand.

The altcoin season has already begun, but only for those coins that large companies have included in their reserves, according to Bloomberg. Another potential driver of the alt season could be the approval of crypto ETF applications in the US. About 10 assets are expected from the SEC, including Dogecoin, Chainlink, Stellar, Bitcoin Cash, Avalanche, Litecoin, Shiba Inu, Polkadot, Solana and Hedera.

Stablecoins are gaining popularity because they offer businesses faster, cheaper and more reliable payments than traditional systems, said Stripe CEO Patrick Collison.

The Financial Times has learned of Tether's plans to buy gold. According to the publication's sources, the issuer of the USDT stablecoin has been discussing investing in the entire precious metal supply chain, which includes mining, processing, trading, and royalties. (FxPro)

News Flashback

September 4

Bitcoin is too cautious, XRP is more relaxed

Market Overview

The cryptocurrency market cap has not changed over the past day, remaining close to $3.81 trillion. On Wednesday, the market rose to $3.9T, but was unable to maintain its growth trajectory. Among the top coins, Ethereum has been the growth leader for over 24 hours, but its 1.4% rise is less than half of Wednesday’s gains.

Bitcoin is trading just above $110K, down 1.5% since the start of the day on Thursday. We believe the reason for the pullback is caution ahead of Friday's employment release, as BTC is the most sensitive to macroeconomic data among all cryptocurrencies. There may be many false signals within the $108K to $113K range, but a breakout from this consolidation can be seen as a more reliable signal of the trend direction for the coming days.

XRP escaped Thursday's general gloom, recovering fairly quickly to the day's opening levels after a weak start. This is an indicator of the internal strength of buyers, who are waiting for the risks of uncertainty to decrease, but are generally optimistic about tomorrow.

News Background

The pursuit of high returns from storing Ethereum carries serious risks for companies, warns SharpLink Gaming, itself the second-largest public holder of ETH by assets.

The queue to enter Ethereum staking has reached a two-year high, with an average waiting time of 14 days. The queue to exit staking has decreased by 20% after reaching a record high of 1 million ETH on 29 August.

According to The Block, the total volume of cryptocurrency trading on exchanges in August reached the levels seen at the beginning of the year.

The SEC and CFTC intend to coordinate the launch of spot crypto asset trading on regulated platforms, according to a joint statement from the agencies. The initiative aims to strengthen US leadership in blockchain technology.

The Solana community has approved the Alpenglow update, which will significantly speed up transaction finalisation and the operation of decentralised applications. According to MEXC forecasts, SOL could reach $250 by the end of the year.

The number of searches for meme tokens on Google has increased after several months of low activity. The indicator reached 57 points on a 100-point scale. This is significantly lower than the peak of 100 points recorded in January, which was fuelled by the hype surrounding the launch of the TRUMP token. (FxPro)

BTC

Market Cautious

News Flashback 36 hrs ago

The crypto market continues to send alarming signals

Market Overview

The cryptocurrency market capitalisation has fallen by 3.4% over the past seven days to $3.74 trillion, its lowest level in three and a half weeks.

News Flashback

Leading altcoins are once again attempting to pull the crypto market upwards

Market Overview

The crypto market capitalisation has increased by almost 2% to $3.86 trillion over the past 24 hours due to the traction of major altcoins such as Ethereum (+4%), XRP (+3%), Solana (+7.8%), and Dogecoin (+4.9%).

Crypto enthusiasts were expecting a different altcoin season, but it is still worth noting their outperformance relative to the first cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin gained 1% to $111K during the day after spending most of Tuesday forming the basis for a rebound on dips below $110K. This is an important indicator of interest in buying on dips, which probably encouraged more risk-tolerant altcoin buyers. The former is also lagging the stock market, where the S&P500 is on the verge of historic highs, and the Nasdaq100 is 1.8% below its historic high.

News Background

The Bitcoin derivatives market points to pessimistic sentiment, as market participants are actively buying put options.

New investors are selling Bitcoin at a loss. In this way, the market is getting rid of ‘weak hands’ and preparing a support base for future growth, notes analyst Crazzyblockk.

GLJ Research head Gordon Johnson said that BTC is at risk of a 65% collapse due to a reduction in dollar liquidity in the US financial system for the first time since 2022. Only the Fed’s abandonment of quantitative tightening (QT) and a return to new quantitative easing (QE) can remedy the situation.

According to Bitfinex, the altcoin season will not start until new cryptocurrency ETFs are approved. It is only expected to begin at the end of the year. The SEC is currently reviewing more than 70 applications to launch altcoin-based ETFs.

Citi warns that paying interest on stablecoin deposits could cause a massive outflow of deposits from the banking system. A similar situation was observed during the money market fund boom in the United States in the 1980s. (FxPro)

News

The reversal of the trend in crypto has been confirmed

Market Overview

The crypto market has been on a downward trend for the last 12 days, falling to $3.76 trillion on Tuesday morning and later stabilising at $3.79 trillion.

Capitalisation fell below the 50-day moving average and the area of recent lows, giving a technical signal of a change in the trend from growth to decline. The declines in this area over the past three months have been close to the bottom of local corrections.

The sentiment index remains fairly stable in neutral territory (48 versus 47 the day before). Declines in this area over the last three months have been close to the bottom of local corrections.

Bitcoin is trading near $110K, dropping to a low of $108.5K. Local attempts to stabilise in BTC are being replaced by even greater sell-offs.

News

S&P500’s buy-the-dip sentiment helped Bitcoin

The sell-off of Bitcoin following Congress's passage of a law regulating the circulation of stablecoins and the retreat of US stock indices from record highs allowed Bitcoin bears to push prices below the lower boundary of the $116k—$120k consolidation range. When it looked like a severe correction was coming, US stocks stepped in again. Investors bought up the S&P 500 dip, and Bitcoin immediately bounced back.

Changes in global risk appetite continue to be the main driver of cryptocurrency prices. July saw a series of record highs for the S&P 500, making it a successful month for Bitcoin. Meanwhile, Bitcoin-focused ETFs attracted $6 billion, the third-best result in the history of specialised exchange-traded funds. Ether ETFs were not far behind, with a record inflow of $5.4 billion.

The situation changed dramatically at the turn of July and August. Interest in digital assets began to cool. Coinbase's Bitcoin premium fell into the red for the first time since May, indicating a decline in demand from US investors. Open interest in Bitcoin and Ether futures contracts fell by 13% and 21%, respectively, compared to Bitcoin's record high. According to Coinglass, on the last day of July, $800 million in long positions across all cryptocurrencies were liquidated.

Speculators doubt the rally's continuation, while crypto treasuries are buying Bitcoin under any conditions. On pullbacks or at market prices, ‘Strategy’ acquired more than 21,000 coins worth $2.46 billion during the week of July 28th to August 3rd. This is the third-largest cryptocurrency purchase by Michael Saylor's company since records began. The average price is the second highest in history. As a result, Strategy's reserves have grown to more than $71 billion.

The future dynamics of Bitcoin will depend on the fate of US stock indices and capital flows into ETFs. If the S&P 500's successes are temporary, Bitcoin will be forced to undergo a deep correction. If its quotes remain below the middle of the previous consolidation range of $116k—$120k, the bears are in control. (FxPro)

News Flashback

Three blows to oil in three days

Oil has been under triple pressure since the end of last week, losing more than 7% per barrel of WTI since 31 July, reaching the important psychological level of $65.

The latest wave of oil sell-offs began with the realisation that US trade tariffs from August will be higher than initially expected, as higher tariffs are associated with an economic slowdown and weaker demand for energy. Fears of an economic slowdown intensified after the release of unexpectedly weak US employment data on Friday. Over the weekend, concerns were heightened by OPEC+'s increase in production quotas, which was reflected in the markets on Monday.

After its latest meeting, OPEC+ announced that it would increase production quotas for eight countries by 547,000 barrels per day starting in September.

Considering the quota increases since April, the entire voluntarily reduced volume of 2.2 million barrels per day will return to the market. This is a rather bold decision, given the growing fear that the global economy is slowing down.

Some link such steps by the cartel to the risks of supply disruptions due to potential sanctions from the US and the EU. In our opinion, it is also worth considering the cartel's intention to regain its market share from the US in this way.

Oil producers in the US are very sensitive to price, sharply cutting investment when prices fall. At the beginning of April, there were 489 oil rigs in operation, but according to data published on Friday, this number has fallen to 410. In the long term, a gradual increase in production efficiency should be considered, but at intervals of six months, it is unlikely that there will be any sharp progress. Therefore, we can expect some US production reduction and a gradual recovery in the share of traditional oil producers such as Saudi Arabia, Russia and the UAE.

The price of WTI crude oil, which rose to close to $70 at its peak last week, has returned to the lower end of the range since early June at $65. Closing the day below 66 will mark a failure below the 200- and 50-day moving averages, increasing the potential for further declines.

If OPEC+ really plans to increase its share of the oil market, it may not oppose further price declines. The intensification of negative trends in the global and US economies could bring the price back to this year's lows of $55 by the end of September and to the lower end of the downward corridor of $50 by the end of the year. However, further trends will depend heavily on the reaction of monetary authorities and oil producers. (FxPro)

 

 

Markets, Crypto and Culture

August 21, 2025

Sydney, Australia

Markets

ASX futures up 18 points or 0.2% to 8897

Australian dollar -0.3% to 64.35 US cents

Wall Street:
S&P 500 -0.2%
Dow Jones flat
Nasdaq -0.7%

Europe
Stoxx 50 -0.2%
FTSE +1.1%
DAX -0.6%
CAC -0.1%

Bitcoin +0.7% to $US114,376

Gold +1% to $US3348.46 per ounce
Oil +1.4% to $US63.21 a barrel
Brent crude oil +1.8% to $US66.95 a barrel
Iron ore -0.1% to $US101.00 per ton

10-year yield:
US 4.29%
Australia 4.29%
Germany 2.72%

News

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $114,261.69 USD +1.28%
Ethereum $4,332.84 USD +6.18%
Tether $1.00 USD +0.05%
XRP $2.95 USD +3.18%
BNB $869.18 USD +5.58%

News

August 19, 2025

Cryptocurrency market nervousness grows

Market Overview

The cryptocurrency market cap fell by another 0.4% to $3.87 trillion. The market is plunging below the former resistance level, raising speculators' fears of a possible major correction towards $3.6 trillion.

Bitcoin fell to $114.7k, rolling back to levels seen two weeks ago and below the medium-term trend line, which is a 50-day moving average. This dynamic reinforces fears of a deeper correction, which could affect the entire crypto market, potentially triggering a deeper correction to $100K, near the 200-day MA.

Ethereum rolled back to $4,200, losing more than 12% from its peak. The second-largest coin by capitalisation is seriously aiming to test the strength of the former resistance area near $4,100, which has been holding back price growth since March 2024. The ability to stay above this level will indicate a change in the market regime for this cryptocurrency, as the abundant capital inflows also suggest.

News Background

According to CoinShares, global investment in crypto funds rose more than sixfold last week to $3.748 billion, the highest inflow in the last four weeks. Investments in Bitcoin increased by $552 million, Ethereum jumped by $2.868 million, Solana grew by $177 million, XRP by $126 million, and Sui by $11 million.

According to Glassnode, the number of addresses with a balance of more than 10,000 BTC fell to an annual low, and the number of wallets with 1,000–10,000 BTC also decreased. This indicates that large holders are taking profits after reaching record highs.

According to Canary Capital, Bitcoin is 50% likely to reach $140,000–$150,000 by the end of 2025, but a bear market will come next year.

Solana became the first network to reach 107,540 transactions per second (TPS) during a stress test. The actual throughput of the blockchain is lower, at around 3,700 TPS, which is 59 times higher than that of the main Ethereum network. (FxPro)

News

S&P500’s buy-the-dip sentiment helped Bitcoin

The sell-off of Bitcoin following Congress's passage of a law regulating the circulation of stablecoins and the retreat of US stock indices from record highs allowed Bitcoin bears to push prices below the lower boundary of the $116k—$120k consolidation range. When it looked like a severe correction was coming, US stocks stepped in again. Investors bought up the S&P 500 dip, and Bitcoin immediately bounced back.

Changes in global risk appetite continue to be the main driver of cryptocurrency prices. July saw a series of record highs for the S&P 500, making it a successful month for Bitcoin. Meanwhile, Bitcoin-focused ETFs attracted $6 billion, the third-best result in the history of specialised exchange-traded funds. Ether ETFs were not far behind, with a record inflow of $5.4 billion.

The situation changed dramatically at the turn of July and August. Interest in digital assets began to cool. Coinbase's Bitcoin premium fell into the red for the first time since May, indicating a decline in demand from US investors. Open interest in Bitcoin and Ether futures contracts fell by 13% and 21%, respectively, compared to Bitcoin's record high. According to Coinglass, on the last day of July, $800 million in long positions across all cryptocurrencies were liquidated.

Speculators doubt the rally's continuation, while crypto treasuries are buying Bitcoin under any conditions. On pullbacks or at market prices, ‘Strategy’ acquired more than 21,000 coins worth $2.46 billion during the week of July 28th to August 3rd. This is the third-largest cryptocurrency purchase by Michael Saylor's company since records began. The average price is the second highest in history. As a result, Strategy's reserves have grown to more than $71 billion.

The future dynamics of Bitcoin will depend on the fate of US stock indices and capital flows into ETFs. If the S&P 500's successes are temporary, Bitcoin will be forced to undergo a deep correction. If its quotes remain below the middle of the previous consolidation range of $116k—$120k, the bears are in control.

News

Bitcoin tests support at 50-day MA

Market Picture

The crypto market rolled back at the end of last week following a reduction in risk appetite in the financial markets. However, on Sunday, sentiment changed with the return of active buyers near the total capitalisation of $3.60 trillion. At the time of writing, the market is at $3.73 trillion (+3.6%). Less than 10% of the top 100 coins show gains over 7 days, among which the largest are TRON (+2.2%) and TON (+4.5%).

The crypto market sentiment index fell to 53 by Sunday morning, a six-week low, but recovered to 64 on Monday, reflecting a resurgence of bullish sentiment. However, another impressive upward move will be needed to confirm a local victory for the bulls.

On Saturday and Sunday, Bitcoin received support from buyers on declines below $112K near the 50-day moving average - the fourth touch of this curve since April. On the “buy the dip” sentiment, the first cryptocurrency recovered to $115K on Monday morning. The rebound from support is a bullish signal for the next couple of days, but the fact that it has been tested frequently raises concerns for the medium term. News Background

According to SoSoValue, net outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US amounted to $812.3 million on August 1, the highest since February 25. As a result, the weekly outflow from BTC ETFs amounted to $643 million, a record high for the past 16 weeks.

The net outflow from spot Ethereum ETFs in the US on Friday amounted to $152.3 million. However, inflows in the previous days of the week managed to keep the indicator in positive territory (+$154.3 million). The positive trend has continued for 12 consecutive weeks.

Analyst Ali Martinez says that over the past two days, Bitcoin whales have bought 30,000 BTC. According to Santiment, over the past four months, whales with balances ranging from 10 to 10,000 BTC have accumulated 0.9% of the total coin supply.

According to The Block, trading volume on centralised crypto exchanges exceeded $1.7 trillion in July (the highest since February 2025), and trading volume on decentralised exchanges (DEX) also reached its highest level since January.

Galaxy Digital warned of risks in the public company sector, which accumulates cryptocurrencies by issuing shares. The model creates systemic vulnerability and could lead to a cascade collapse.

US SEC Chairman Paul Atkins announced Project Crypto. The project’s key objective is to establish clear rules for cryptocurrencies and turn the US into the “world’s crypto capital.” (FxPro)

News Flashback

Three blows to oil in three days

Oil has been under triple pressure since the end of last week, losing more than 7% per barrel of WTI since 31 July, reaching the important psychological level of $65.

The latest wave of oil sell-offs began with the realisation that US trade tariffs from August will be higher than initially expected, as higher tariffs are associated with an economic slowdown and weaker demand for energy. Fears of an economic slowdown intensified after the release of unexpectedly weak US employment data on Friday. Over the weekend, concerns were heightened by OPEC+'s increase in production quotas, which was reflected in the markets on Monday.

After its latest meeting, OPEC+ announced that it would increase production quotas for eight countries by 547,000 barrels per day starting in September.

Considering the quota increases since April, the entire voluntarily reduced volume of 2.2 million barrels per day will return to the market. This is a rather bold decision, given the growing fear that the global economy is slowing down.

Some link such steps by the cartel to the risks of supply disruptions due to potential sanctions from the US and the EU. In our opinion, it is also worth considering the cartel's intention to regain its market share from the US in this way.

Oil producers in the US are very sensitive to price, sharply cutting investment when prices fall. At the beginning of April, there were 489 oil rigs in operation, but according to data published on Friday, this number has fallen to 410. In the long term, a gradual increase in production efficiency should be considered, but at intervals of six months, it is unlikely that there will be any sharp progress. Therefore, we can expect some US production reduction and a gradual recovery in the share of traditional oil producers such as Saudi Arabia, Russia and the UAE.

The price of WTI crude oil, which rose to close to $70 at its peak last week, has returned to the lower end of the range since early June at $65. Closing the day below 66 will mark a failure below the 200- and 50-day moving averages, increasing the potential for further declines.

If OPEC+ really plans to increase its share of the oil market, it may not oppose further price declines. The intensification of negative trends in the global and US economies could bring the price back to this year's lows of $55 by the end of September and to the lower end of the downward corridor of $50 by the end of the year. However, further trends will depend heavily on the reaction of monetary authorities and oil producers. (FxPro)

News Flashback

July 29

Ethereum continues attempt to climb above $4,000

Market Picture

The crypto market lost 1%, falling back to a capitalisation of $3.9 trillion. This was a natural pullback against the backdrop of the dollar's impressive strengthening the day before. However, on Tuesday, the bulls were back in charge, bringing the market back to a level above Monday's opening but not yet reaching its peak.

Bitcoin is trading near $118.7K, unable to break through the resistance at $120K. This indecision to break out of the range is likely to continue until the market sees the Fed's key rate decision on Wednesday evening.

Ethereum rose to $3,930 at the end of the day, fell back to $3,700 on Monday, where it found interest from new buyers and rose to $3,830 at the time of writing. The last seven days have seen a fairly sharp upward trend, and if this trend continues, the price will rise above 4,000 by the end of this week.

News Background

According to CoinShares, global investment inflows into crypto funds last week amounted to $1.908 billion. Investments in Ethereum increased by $1.595 billion, Solana by a significant $312 million, XRP by $190 million, and Sui by $8 million. Investments in Bitcoin decreased by $175 million.

Japan's Metaplanet announced the acquisition of 780 BTC ($92.5 million) at an average price of $118,600. The company's total reserves now amount to 17,132 BTC, worth over $2 billion.

According to Blockware, Bitcoin will no longer show ‘parabolic’ rallies or ‘devastating’ bear cycles, as institutional investors have changed the market dynamics and reduced volatility.

According to Strategic ETH Reserve, the volume of the second cryptocurrency on the balance sheets of public companies has reached 2.32 million ETH (~$9.11 billion) — 1.92% of the total Ethereum supply. Bitmine Immersion Tech, associated with Fundstrat founder Tom Lee, pursues the most aggressive strategy. The company has ~566,800 ETH ($2.23 billion) on its balance sheet.

BNB, the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by capitalisation, updated its historical high above $860 on Monday. Against this background, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao's estimated fortune exceeded $76 billion. According to Forbes, Zhao owns 64% of the BNB supply — about 89.1 million tokens. (FxPro)

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 Streets 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
Mr Paramount vs Mr Netflix
Mr ESPN vs Mr Fox
Mr Kross vs Mr H

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

"Bullish is a mindset"

 

 

 

Markets, Crypto and Culture

August 15, 2025

Sydney, Australia

Markets

ASX futures up 2 points to 8832 at 6.41am AEST
Australian dollar -0.8% to 64.97 US cents

Wall St:
S&P 500 flat
Dow flat
NAS +0.1%

Europe:
Stoxx 50 +0.9%, FTSE +0.1%, DAX +0.8%, CAC +0.8%

Bitcoin -4% to $US118,066

Gold -0.6% to $US3335.42 per ounce

Oil +2.2% to $US64.01 a barrel
Brent crude oil +2% to $US66.91 a barrel
Iron ore -1.1% to $US102.35 per ton

10-year yield:
US 4.28%
Australia 4.21%
Germany 2.71%

News

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $117,672.99 USD -4.11%
Ethereum $4,458.95 USD -5.51%
Tether $1.00 USD +0.09%
XRP $3.05 USD -6.18%
BNB $829.16 USD -1.68%

News Overnight

Bitcoin hit new highs but then dropped back down

Market Overview

The crypto market cap rose to $4.20 trillion on Thursday morning before dropping back down somewhat to $4.14 trillion. But even with the correction, the daily gain is close to 2%, led by Bitcoin's slide to a new peak of $124.5K. Among the major coins, Cardano (+18%), Near Protocol (+6.2%) and Trump (+5.9%) were the leaders.

The sentiment index rose to 75, ready to move into the extreme greed zone. It was previously held at this level throughout the second half of July, but the entire crypto market was in a range at that time. (FxPro)

News Flashback

Summer Break for the Crypto Market

Market Overview

The cryptocurrency market began August with a relatively narrow range of $3.6-3.8 trillion, ending Wednesday at $3.72 trillion. The support received in the area of previous peaks set in December and January suggests that this is a temporary pause to lock in profits and gain liquidity before a new surge. At the same time, however, such sluggishness is turning away the most active traders, who are used to seeing multiple rallies. Now they have moved on to very small projects.

On Tuesday, Bitcoin was again approaching its 50-day moving average. Such frequent testing of the medium-term trend signal line indicates accumulated fatigue in the first cryptocurrency. For comparison, the crypto market's total capitalisation is still moving significantly above its 50-day average, which is currently around $3.57 trillion.

News Background

Institutional investors are actively buying up Ethereum, while retail traders remain on the sidelines. SharpLink bought 83,561 ETH ($264.5 million) last week at an average price of $3,634. The company's reserves amount to almost 522,000 ETH (~$1.9 billion). However, Bitmine Immersion Tech remains the leader, with 833 coins worth over $3 billion. A total of 64 corporations now own 2.96 million ETH ($10.81 billion) or 2.45% of the total Ethereum supply.

Large companies continue to buy Bitcoin, adding 26,700 BTC to their reserves in July. Strategy bought 21,021 BTC for $2.46 billion last week. According to BitcoinTreasuries, public and private companies now hold 1.35 million BTC ($155 billion) on their balance sheets — more than 6% of the total digital gold supply.

US regulators have proposed new rules for the crypto industry. The CFTC has launched an initiative to legalise spot trading of cryptocurrencies on registered exchanges, and the SEC has updated its guidance on stablecoin accounting rules.

USDe from Ethena Labs has become the third-largest stablecoin. Since mid-July, its capitalisation has grown by 75% to $9.5 billion. Demand for the asset may have been spurred by high yields ranging from 10% to 19% per annum. The total capitalisation of all stablecoins has been growing for the seventh month in a row and is approaching $275 billion. (FxPro)

News

S&P500’s buy-the-dip sentiment helped Bitcoin

The sell-off of Bitcoin following Congress's passage of a law regulating the circulation of stablecoins and the retreat of US stock indices from record highs allowed Bitcoin bears to push prices below the lower boundary of the $116k—$120k consolidation range. When it looked like a severe correction was coming, US stocks stepped in again. Investors bought up the S&P 500 dip, and Bitcoin immediately bounced back.

Changes in global risk appetite continue to be the main driver of cryptocurrency prices. July saw a series of record highs for the S&P 500, making it a successful month for Bitcoin. Meanwhile, Bitcoin-focused ETFs attracted $6 billion, the third-best result in the history of specialised exchange-traded funds. Ether ETFs were not far behind, with a record inflow of $5.4 billion.

The situation changed dramatically at the turn of July and August. Interest in digital assets began to cool. Coinbase's Bitcoin premium fell into the red for the first time since May, indicating a decline in demand from US investors. Open interest in Bitcoin and Ether futures contracts fell by 13% and 21%, respectively, compared to Bitcoin's record high. According to Coinglass, on the last day of July, $800 million in long positions across all cryptocurrencies were liquidated.

Speculators doubt the rally's continuation, while crypto treasuries are buying Bitcoin under any conditions. On pullbacks or at market prices, ‘Strategy’ acquired more than 21,000 coins worth $2.46 billion during the week of July 28th to August 3rd. This is the third-largest cryptocurrency purchase by Michael Saylor's company since records began. The average price is the second highest in history. As a result, Strategy's reserves have grown to more than $71 billion.

The future dynamics of Bitcoin will depend on the fate of US stock indices and capital flows into ETFs. If the S&P 500's successes are temporary, Bitcoin will be forced to undergo a deep correction. If its quotes remain below the middle of the previous consolidation range of $116k—$120k, the bears are in control.

News

Bitcoin tests support at 50-day MA

Market Picture

The crypto market rolled back at the end of last week following a reduction in risk appetite in the financial markets. However, on Sunday, sentiment changed with the return of active buyers near the total capitalisation of $3.60 trillion. At the time of writing, the market is at $3.73 trillion (+3.6%). Less than 10% of the top 100 coins show gains over 7 days, among which the largest are TRON (+2.2%) and TON (+4.5%).

The crypto market sentiment index fell to 53 by Sunday morning, a six-week low, but recovered to 64 on Monday, reflecting a resurgence of bullish sentiment. However, another impressive upward move will be needed to confirm a local victory for the bulls.

On Saturday and Sunday, Bitcoin received support from buyers on declines below $112K near the 50-day moving average - the fourth touch of this curve since April. On the “buy the dip” sentiment, the first cryptocurrency recovered to $115K on Monday morning. The rebound from support is a bullish signal for the next couple of days, but the fact that it has been tested frequently raises concerns for the medium term. News Background

According to SoSoValue, net outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US amounted to $812.3 million on August 1, the highest since February 25. As a result, the weekly outflow from BTC ETFs amounted to $643 million, a record high for the past 16 weeks.

The net outflow from spot Ethereum ETFs in the US on Friday amounted to $152.3 million. However, inflows in the previous days of the week managed to keep the indicator in positive territory (+$154.3 million). The positive trend has continued for 12 consecutive weeks.

Analyst Ali Martinez says that over the past two days, Bitcoin whales have bought 30,000 BTC. According to Santiment, over the past four months, whales with balances ranging from 10 to 10,000 BTC have accumulated 0.9% of the total coin supply.

According to The Block, trading volume on centralised crypto exchanges exceeded $1.7 trillion in July (the highest since February 2025), and trading volume on decentralised exchanges (DEX) also reached its highest level since January.

Galaxy Digital warned of risks in the public company sector, which accumulates cryptocurrencies by issuing shares. The model creates systemic vulnerability and could lead to a cascade collapse.

US SEC Chairman Paul Atkins announced Project Crypto. The project’s key objective is to establish clear rules for cryptocurrencies and turn the US into the “world’s crypto capital.” (FxPro)

News Flashback

Three blows to oil in three days

Oil has been under triple pressure since the end of last week, losing more than 7% per barrel of WTI since 31 July, reaching the important psychological level of $65.

The latest wave of oil sell-offs began with the realisation that US trade tariffs from August will be higher than initially expected, as higher tariffs are associated with an economic slowdown and weaker demand for energy. Fears of an economic slowdown intensified after the release of unexpectedly weak US employment data on Friday. Over the weekend, concerns were heightened by OPEC+'s increase in production quotas, which was reflected in the markets on Monday.

After its latest meeting, OPEC+ announced that it would increase production quotas for eight countries by 547,000 barrels per day starting in September.

Considering the quota increases since April, the entire voluntarily reduced volume of 2.2 million barrels per day will return to the market. This is a rather bold decision, given the growing fear that the global economy is slowing down.

Some link such steps by the cartel to the risks of supply disruptions due to potential sanctions from the US and the EU. In our opinion, it is also worth considering the cartel's intention to regain its market share from the US in this way.

Oil producers in the US are very sensitive to price, sharply cutting investment when prices fall. At the beginning of April, there were 489 oil rigs in operation, but according to data published on Friday, this number has fallen to 410. In the long term, a gradual increase in production efficiency should be considered, but at intervals of six months, it is unlikely that there will be any sharp progress. Therefore, we can expect some US production reduction and a gradual recovery in the share of traditional oil producers such as Saudi Arabia, Russia and the UAE.

The price of WTI crude oil, which rose to close to $70 at its peak last week, has returned to the lower end of the range since early June at $65. Closing the day below 66 will mark a failure below the 200- and 50-day moving averages, increasing the potential for further declines.

If OPEC+ really plans to increase its share of the oil market, it may not oppose further price declines. The intensification of negative trends in the global and US economies could bring the price back to this year's lows of $55 by the end of September and to the lower end of the downward corridor of $50 by the end of the year. However, further trends will depend heavily on the reaction of monetary authorities and oil producers. (FxPro)

News Flashback

July 29, 2025

Ethereum continues attempt to climb above $4,000

Market Picture

The crypto market lost 1%, falling back to a capitalisation of $3.9 trillion. This was a natural pullback against the backdrop of the dollar's impressive strengthening the day before. However, on Tuesday, the bulls were back in charge, bringing the market back to a level above Monday's opening but not yet reaching its peak.

Bitcoin is trading near $118.7K, unable to break through the resistance at $120K. This indecision to break out of the range is likely to continue until the market sees the Fed's key rate decision on Wednesday evening.

Ethereum rose to $3,930 at the end of the day, fell back to $3,700 on Monday, where it found interest from new buyers and rose to $3,830 at the time of writing. The last seven days have seen a fairly sharp upward trend, and if this trend continues, the price will rise above 4,000 by the end of this week.

News Background

According to CoinShares, global investment inflows into crypto funds last week amounted to $1.908 billion. Investments in Ethereum increased by $1.595 billion, Solana by a significant $312 million, XRP by $190 million, and Sui by $8 million. Investments in Bitcoin decreased by $175 million.

Japan's Metaplanet announced the acquisition of 780 BTC ($92.5 million) at an average price of $118,600. The company's total reserves now amount to 17,132 BTC, worth over $2 billion.

According to Blockware, Bitcoin will no longer show ‘parabolic’ rallies or ‘devastating’ bear cycles, as institutional investors have changed the market dynamics and reduced volatility.

According to Strategic ETH Reserve, the volume of the second cryptocurrency on the balance sheets of public companies has reached 2.32 million ETH (~$9.11 billion) — 1.92% of the total Ethereum supply. Bitmine Immersion Tech, associated with Fundstrat founder Tom Lee, pursues the most aggressive strategy. The company has ~566,800 ETH ($2.23 billion) on its balance sheet.

BNB, the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by capitalisation, updated its historical high above $860 on Monday. Against this background, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao's estimated fortune exceeded $76 billion. According to Forbes, Zhao owns 64% of the BNB supply — about 89.1 million tokens. (FxPro)

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 Streets 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
Mr Paramount vs Mr Netflix
Mr ESPN vs Mr Fox
Mr Kross vs Mr H

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

 

 

 

 

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

Bitcoin and Market Trends:

Bitcoin is trading around $116,313.77, with a yearly high of $123,091.61.

The crypto market remains bullish, driven by institutional demand via spot Bitcoin ETFs, which saw $1.9 billion in net inflows in early January 2025.

Analysts predict Bitcoin could reach $200,000–$250,000 by year-end if momentum holds, though concerns about a potential bubble persist due to rapid price appreciation.

Ethereum and Altcoins:

Ethereum is nearing $3,900, with a 5% rally boosting related stocks.

Solana, XRP, and Cardano are also gaining traction, with Solana potentially hitting $200–$250 in August and XRP eyeing $6–$10 by year-end, fueled by regulatory clarity and institutional adoption.

Regulatory Developments:

U.S. President Trump signed an executive order on August 7, 2025, allowing cryptocurrencies in 401(k) plans, boosting market sentiment.

The SEC’s “Project Crypto” initiative aims to modernize securities rules for blockchain integration. The U.S. House passed the GENIUS Act, marking a shift toward crypto-friendly regulation.

Other Noteworthy Updates:

PayPal now supports over 100 cryptocurrencies for U.S. merchants.

Nigeria has embraced stablecoins, while the Philippines banned 10 major exchanges.

Concerns linger about quantum computing threats to Bitcoin’s security, with 79% of experts surveyed seeing it as a risk within 5–10 years.

 

 

Markets, Crypto and Culture

August 7, 2025

Sydney, Australia

Markets

ASX futures down 24 points/0.3% to 8782

Australian dollar +0.5% to 65.02 US cents

Wall Street:
S&P 500 +0.7%
Dow +0.2%
Nasdaq +1.2%

Europe:
Stoxx 50 +0.3%
FTSE +0.2%
DAX +0.3%
CAC +0.2%

Bitcoin +1.3% to $US115,115

Gold -0.4% to $US3368.83 per ounce
Oil -1.5% to $US64.19 a barrel
Brent crude oil -1.4% to $US66.72 a barrel
Iron ore -0.5% to $US101.95 per ton

10-year yield:
US 4.23%
Australia 4.25%
Germany 2.65%

News

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $115,228.43 USD +1.52%
Ethereum $3,674.05 USD +3.25%
Tether $1.00 USD +0.02%
XRP $3.00 USD +2.50%
BNB $770.47 USD +3.07%

News

Summer Break for the Crypto Market
Market Overview
The cryptocurrency market began August with a relatively narrow range of $3.6-3.8 trillion, ending Wednesday at $3.72 trillion. The support received in the area of previous peaks set in December and January suggests that this is a temporary pause to lock in profits and gain liquidity before a new surge. At the same time, however, such sluggishness is turning away the most active traders, who are used to seeing multiple rallies. Now they have moved on to very small projects.

On Tuesday, Bitcoin was again approaching its 50-day moving average. Such frequent testing of the medium-term trend signal line indicates accumulated fatigue in the first cryptocurrency. For comparison, the crypto market's total capitalisation is still moving significantly above its 50-day average, which is currently around $3.57 trillion.

News Background
Institutional investors are actively buying up Ethereum, while retail traders remain on the sidelines. SharpLink bought 83,561 ETH ($264.5 million) last week at an average price of $3,634. The company's reserves amount to almost 522,000 ETH (~$1.9 billion). However, Bitmine Immersion Tech remains the leader, with 833 coins worth over $3 billion. A total of 64 corporations now own 2.96 million ETH ($10.81 billion) or 2.45% of the total Ethereum supply.

Large companies continue to buy Bitcoin, adding 26,700 BTC to their reserves in July. Strategy bought 21,021 BTC for $2.46 billion last week. According to BitcoinTreasuries, public and private companies now hold 1.35 million BTC ($155 billion) on their balance sheets — more than 6% of the total digital gold supply.

US regulators have proposed new rules for the crypto industry. The CFTC has launched an initiative to legalise spot trading of cryptocurrencies on registered exchanges, and the SEC has updated its guidance on stablecoin accounting rules.

USDe from Ethena Labs has become the third-largest stablecoin. Since mid-July, its capitalisation has grown by 75% to $9.5 billion. Demand for the asset may have been spurred by high yields ranging from 10% to 19% per annum. The total capitalisation of all stablecoins has been growing for the seventh month in a row and is approaching $275 billion. (FxPro)

News

S&P500’s buy-the-dip sentiment helped Bitcoin

The sell-off of Bitcoin following Congress's passage of a law regulating the circulation of stablecoins and the retreat of US stock indices from record highs allowed Bitcoin bears to push prices below the lower boundary of the $116k—$120k consolidation range. When it looked like a severe correction was coming, US stocks stepped in again. Investors bought up the S&P 500 dip, and Bitcoin immediately bounced back.

Changes in global risk appetite continue to be the main driver of cryptocurrency prices. July saw a series of record highs for the S&P 500, making it a successful month for Bitcoin. Meanwhile, Bitcoin-focused ETFs attracted $6 billion, the third-best result in the history of specialised exchange-traded funds. Ether ETFs were not far behind, with a record inflow of $5.4 billion.

The situation changed dramatically at the turn of July and August. Interest in digital assets began to cool. Coinbase's Bitcoin premium fell into the red for the first time since May, indicating a decline in demand from US investors. Open interest in Bitcoin and Ether futures contracts fell by 13% and 21%, respectively, compared to Bitcoin's record high. According to Coinglass, on the last day of July, $800 million in long positions across all cryptocurrencies were liquidated.

Speculators doubt the rally's continuation, while crypto treasuries are buying Bitcoin under any conditions. On pullbacks or at market prices, ‘Strategy’ acquired more than 21,000 coins worth $2.46 billion during the week of July 28th to August 3rd. This is the third-largest cryptocurrency purchase by Michael Saylor's company since records began. The average price is the second highest in history. As a result, Strategy's reserves have grown to more than $71 billion.

The future dynamics of Bitcoin will depend on the fate of US stock indices and capital flows into ETFs. If the S&P 500's successes are temporary, Bitcoin will be forced to undergo a deep correction. If its quotes remain below the middle of the previous consolidation range of $116k—$120k, the bears are in control.

News

Bitcoin tests support at 50-day MA

Market Picture

The crypto market rolled back at the end of last week following a reduction in risk appetite in the financial markets. However, on Sunday, sentiment changed with the return of active buyers near the total capitalisation of $3.60 trillion. At the time of writing, the market is at $3.73 trillion (+3.6%). Less than 10% of the top 100 coins show gains over 7 days, among which the largest are TRON (+2.2%) and TON (+4.5%).

The crypto market sentiment index fell to 53 by Sunday morning, a six-week low, but recovered to 64 on Monday, reflecting a resurgence of bullish sentiment. However, another impressive upward move will be needed to confirm a local victory for the bulls.

On Saturday and Sunday, Bitcoin received support from buyers on declines below $112K near the 50-day moving average - the fourth touch of this curve since April. On the “buy the dip” sentiment, the first cryptocurrency recovered to $115K on Monday morning. The rebound from support is a bullish signal for the next couple of days, but the fact that it has been tested frequently raises concerns for the medium term. News Background

According to SoSoValue, net outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US amounted to $812.3 million on August 1, the highest since February 25. As a result, the weekly outflow from BTC ETFs amounted to $643 million, a record high for the past 16 weeks.

The net outflow from spot Ethereum ETFs in the US on Friday amounted to $152.3 million. However, inflows in the previous days of the week managed to keep the indicator in positive territory (+$154.3 million). The positive trend has continued for 12 consecutive weeks.

Analyst Ali Martinez says that over the past two days, Bitcoin whales have bought 30,000 BTC. According to Santiment, over the past four months, whales with balances ranging from 10 to 10,000 BTC have accumulated 0.9% of the total coin supply.

According to The Block, trading volume on centralised crypto exchanges exceeded $1.7 trillion in July (the highest since February 2025), and trading volume on decentralised exchanges (DEX) also reached its highest level since January.

Galaxy Digital warned of risks in the public company sector, which accumulates cryptocurrencies by issuing shares. The model creates systemic vulnerability and could lead to a cascade collapse.

US SEC Chairman Paul Atkins announced Project Crypto. The project’s key objective is to establish clear rules for cryptocurrencies and turn the US into the “world’s crypto capital.” (FxPro)

News

Three blows to oil in three days

Oil has been under triple pressure since the end of last week, losing more than 7% per barrel of WTI since 31 July, reaching the important psychological level of $65.

The latest wave of oil sell-offs began with the realisation that US trade tariffs from August will be higher than initially expected, as higher tariffs are associated with an economic slowdown and weaker demand for energy. Fears of an economic slowdown intensified after the release of unexpectedly weak US employment data on Friday. Over the weekend, concerns were heightened by OPEC+'s increase in production quotas, which was reflected in the markets on Monday.

After its latest meeting, OPEC+ announced that it would increase production quotas for eight countries by 547,000 barrels per day starting in September.

Considering the quota increases since April, the entire voluntarily reduced volume of 2.2 million barrels per day will return to the market. This is a rather bold decision, given the growing fear that the global economy is slowing down.

Some link such steps by the cartel to the risks of supply disruptions due to potential sanctions from the US and the EU. In our opinion, it is also worth considering the cartel's intention to regain its market share from the US in this way.

Oil producers in the US are very sensitive to price, sharply cutting investment when prices fall. At the beginning of April, there were 489 oil rigs in operation, but according to data published on Friday, this number has fallen to 410. In the long term, a gradual increase in production efficiency should be considered, but at intervals of six months, it is unlikely that there will be any sharp progress. Therefore, we can expect some US production reduction and a gradual recovery in the share of traditional oil producers such as Saudi Arabia, Russia and the UAE.

The price of WTI crude oil, which rose to close to $70 at its peak last week, has returned to the lower end of the range since early June at $65. Closing the day below 66 will mark a failure below the 200- and 50-day moving averages, increasing the potential for further declines.

If OPEC+ really plans to increase its share of the oil market, it may not oppose further price declines. The intensification of negative trends in the global and US economies could bring the price back to this year's lows of $55 by the end of September and to the lower end of the downward corridor of $50 by the end of the year. However, further trends will depend heavily on the reaction of monetary authorities and oil producers. (FxPro)

News Flashback

July 29, 2025

Ethereum continues attempt to climb above $4,000

Market Picture

The crypto market lost 1%, falling back to a capitalisation of $3.9 trillion. This was a natural pullback against the backdrop of the dollar's impressive strengthening the day before. However, on Tuesday, the bulls were back in charge, bringing the market back to a level above Monday's opening but not yet reaching its peak.

Bitcoin is trading near $118.7K, unable to break through the resistance at $120K. This indecision to break out of the range is likely to continue until the market sees the Fed's key rate decision on Wednesday evening.

Ethereum rose to $3,930 at the end of the day, fell back to $3,700 on Monday, where it found interest from new buyers and rose to $3,830 at the time of writing. The last seven days have seen a fairly sharp upward trend, and if this trend continues, the price will rise above 4,000 by the end of this week.

News Background

According to CoinShares, global investment inflows into crypto funds last week amounted to $1.908 billion. Investments in Ethereum increased by $1.595 billion, Solana by a significant $312 million, XRP by $190 million, and Sui by $8 million. Investments in Bitcoin decreased by $175 million.

Japan's Metaplanet announced the acquisition of 780 BTC ($92.5 million) at an average price of $118,600. The company's total reserves now amount to 17,132 BTC, worth over $2 billion.

According to Blockware, Bitcoin will no longer show ‘parabolic’ rallies or ‘devastating’ bear cycles, as institutional investors have changed the market dynamics and reduced volatility.

According to Strategic ETH Reserve, the volume of the second cryptocurrency on the balance sheets of public companies has reached 2.32 million ETH (~$9.11 billion) — 1.92% of the total Ethereum supply. Bitmine Immersion Tech, associated with Fundstrat founder Tom Lee, pursues the most aggressive strategy. The company has ~566,800 ETH ($2.23 billion) on its balance sheet.

BNB, the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by capitalisation, updated its historical high above $860 on Monday. Against this background, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao's estimated fortune exceeded $76 billion. According to Forbes, Zhao owns 64% of the BNB supply — about 89.1 million tokens. (FxPro)

 

 

 

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

Crypto, Bitcoin, FinTech, Comms News

August 1, 2025

Crypto: A weak start to a difficult month

Market Picture

The crypto market lost 2.7% over the past 24 hours to $3.75 trillion, the level of a week earlier. As this was not the first day of decline, the biggest hit was to altcoins, with ETH losing 5.6% and XRP losing 6%, compared to a 3% loss for BTC.

The cryptocurrency sentiment index fell to 65, its lowest level since 8 July, after three weeks of extreme greed. Clearly, the inability to grow disappointed speculators and increased bearish sentiment.

Bitcoin is trading at $115K, falling below $114K at the most vulnerable time at the start of Asian trading. The first cryptocurrency has given up almost half of its gains from the lows at the start of the month to the peaks on 14 July. Heavy selling in the second half of the month is darkening the clouds, but it will take more than just fatigue and a lack of news to reverse the trend. Last month and August 2024 also saw a weak start, so this comes as no surprise.

News Background

Bitcoin rose 8.3% in July to $116,500, strengthening for the fourth consecutive month after a two-month decline. In terms of seasonality, August is considered one of the two most unfavourable months for BTC. Over the past 14 years, Bitcoin has ended the month with growth only five times and has declined nine times. For the last three years, Bitcoin has been unsuccessful. The average decline was 14.7%, while the average growth was 26%.

According to Strategic ETH Reserve, corporate Ethereum reserves exceeded $10 billion. Sixty-five companies hold 2.73 million ETH on their balance sheets, which is 2.26% of the second cryptocurrency's total supply.

Standard Chartered Bank expects large companies to accumulate Ethereum as a strategic asset and buy up to 10% of the cryptocurrency's total supply.

The American bank JPMorgan has announced an expansion of its cooperation with the Coinbase crypto exchange. The bank's customers will be allowed to buy cryptocurrencies using credit cards. (FxPro)

News

Blockchain News

Maldives Financial Hub: The Maldives has partnered with Dubai-based MBS Global Investments to create a blockchain and digital assets financial hub in Malé, valued at $8.8 billion, aiming to diversify its economy.

Bitcoin’s Market Surge: Bitcoin’s market cap hit $2.4 trillion, surpassing Amazon, silver, and Alphabet, driven by a July rally. It rose 11% in late April, nearing a two-month high of $94,000, fueled by potential U.S. tariff reductions and strong corporate earnings.

Ethereum’s Fusaka Upgrade: Ethereum’s upcoming Fusaka hard fork, expected in November, will focus on performance and security improvements without new user features.

Solana’s Capacity Boost: Solana plans to increase its block capacity from 60 million to 100 million compute units to enhance transaction throughput and reduce network congestion.

Corporate Blockchain Adoption: A Deloitte survey indicates 99% of CFOs at billion-dollar firms expect long-term crypto adoption, with nearly 25% planning integration within two years.

Stablecoin Developments: AllUnity’s EURAU stablecoin launched, but euro-denominated stablecoins remain a small fraction (0.2%) of the market despite 60% growth since late 2024. Amazon and Walmart’s stablecoin explorations raise privacy concerns.

Security and Hacks: A critical bug in SuperRare’s staking contract led to a $731,000 theft in RARE tokens, highlighting persistent vulnerabilities in blockchain systems.

U.S. Regulatory Moves: The SEC introduced new listing standards for crypto asset-based ETPs, and the White House released a crypto roadmap, though details on a U.S. Bitcoin reserve remain unclear.

Innovations and Partnerships: The Philippines launched a blockchain-based document validation system on Polygon, despite a network outage. Coinbase and JPMorgan partnered to expand crypto access for Chase clients. (Grok)

 

News

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $114,490.93 USD -3.55%
Ethereum $3,618.31 USD -6.51%
Tether $0.9996 USD -0.05%
XRP $2.93 USD -7.65%
BNB $768.48 USD -4.92%
Solana $168.08 USD -7.66%
USD Coin $1.00 USD +0.11%
Dogecoin $0.2045 USD -9.02%
TRON $0.3248 USD -0.27%
Cardano $0.7209 USD -8.51%
Wrapped Bitcoin $114,553.04 USD -3.46%

 

News

Best Quotes Of The Day

Cryptocurrency

“Bitcoin is a tool for freeing humanity from oligarchs and tyrants, dressed up as a get-rich-quick scheme.” – Naval Ravikant, former CEO of AngelList

"The crypto and blockchain model is most impressive. XRP has provided us with substantial return on investment" - Greg Tingle, Media Man Group

“We have elected to put our money and faith in a mathematical framework that is free of politics and human error.“ – Tyler Winklevoss, co-CEO of Gemini

"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, Founder of McAfee Associates

“There are 3 eras of currency: Commodity based, politically based, and now, math-based.“ – Chris Dixon, Venture Capitalist at Andreesen Horowitz

“As the value goes up, heads start to swivel and skeptics begin to soften. Starting a new currency is easy, anyone can do it. The trick is getting people to accept it because it is their use that gives the “money” value.“ - Adam B. Levine, CEO of Tokenly

“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

Cryptos: (Near Live)

BTC $117,250.66 USD -1.09%
Ethereum $3,111.50 USD +4.36%
Tether $0.9999 USD -0.23%
XRP $2.89 USD +0.33%
BNB $687.41 USD +0.41%
Solana $161.92 USD +0.68%
USD Coin $0.9994 USD -0.07%
Dogecoin $0.1968 USD +1.99%
TRON $0.301 USD -0.30%
Cardano $0.7372 USD +1.79%

 

 

Markets, Cryptos and Culture

June 30, 2025

ASX futures up 5 points/0.1% to 8,521
AUD -0.26% at US65.29¢
Bitcoin +0.83% to $US108,249
Dow +1.0% S&P +0.5% NAS +0.5%
Gold -1.8% to $US3,287.60 an ounce
Oil +0.1% at $US67.77 a barrel
Iron ore +1.4% at $US94.75 a ton

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $107,845.11 USD +0.65%
Ethereum $2,443.93 USD +0.58%
Tether $1.00 USD +0.61%
XRP $2.19 USD +0.48%
BNB $651.06 USD +0.75%
Solana $151.66 USD +0.98%
USD Coin $0.9995 USD +0.08%
Dogecoin $0.1647 USD +0.92%
TRON $0.2767 USD +1.31%
Cardano $0.5608 USD -0.45%
Wrapped Bitcoin $107,797.10 USD +0.68%

News

Bitcoin News

Price Movements: Bitcoin is trading at approximately $108,220, with a market cap of $2.15 trillion and a 24-hour trading volume of $10.41 billion, close to its highest monthly close ever, signalling bullish sentiment. It recently reclaimed $106,000 after dipping to $98,500, driven by optimism around a U.S.-brokered Israel-Iran ceasefire and expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts. Analysts project potential rallies to $120,000-$150,000 by year-end, with some long-term forecasts reaching $500,000 by 2030.

Geopolitical Impact: The ceasefire announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump boosted global market confidence, fuelling a crypto rally. Bitcoin rose 5%, alongside altcoins like Ethereum (9%), Solana (10%), and XRP (7%). However, geopolitical risks, like Middle East tensions, continue to influence volatility.

Institutional and State Adoption: Texas became the first U.S. state to fund a Bitcoin reserve with a $10 million purchase, following Governor Greg Abbott’s signing of Senate Bill 21. The Trump administration is also pushing for a national strategic crypto reserve, including Bitcoin, funded by seized assets. Additionally, Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) added 245 BTC to its $63 billion holdings, with more purchases expected.

Regulatory Shifts: The U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision to remove “reputational risk” from bank supervision, previously known as Operation Choke Point 2.0, is seen as a positive move for crypto custody services, potentially boosting institutional adoption.

Market Trends: Bitcoin whales are accumulating, with exchange deposits at decade lows, and a bull flag pattern suggests a potential breakout to $117,700. However, concerns linger about quantum computing advancements threatening Bitcoin’s cryptography and the environmental impact of mining operations.

Industry Developments: Vice President JD Vance, speaking at the Bitcoin 2025 Conference, called crypto a “movement,” signaling White House support. Meanwhile, U.S. investor Anthony Pompliano launched ProCap Financial, a $1 billion Bitcoin treasury company, and Texas-based firms are exploring AI-powered energy optimization for mining.

Risks and Scams: Crypto hacks hit a record high in 2025’s first half, and CoinMarketCap faced a scam exploit via malicious pop-ups. Additionally, unclaimed crypto from deceased users is a growing issue, with platforms lacking inheritance tools. (Grok)

News

Blockchain News

Digital Asset Funding: Digital Asset raised $135 million to scale its Canton Network, a permissionless layer-1 blockchain focused on institutional-grade compliance and privacy. The funding, backed by Goldman Sachs and Citadel, aims to accelerate onboarding real-world assets like bonds and alternative funds.

Stablecoin Blockchain Launch: Codex, a blockchain for stablecoins with $16 million in funding from Dragonfly Capital, Coinbase, and Circle Ventures, launched its mainnet. It focuses on bridging crypto and traditional finance, with native USDC support to enhance stablecoin adoption.

Fiserv’s Stablecoin Integration: Fintech giant Fiserv introduced a bank-friendly stablecoin, compatible with the Solana blockchain, leveraging Paxos and Circle infrastructure. This move aims to integrate blockchain-based payments into existing banking systems without additional fees.

Bitcoin Treasury Surge: Institutional Bitcoin adoption is growing, with The Blockchain Group in Paris raising $340 million for a corporate Bitcoin treasury, signaling a trend of firms using BTC to boost share value. Blockstream CEO Adam Back noted this could shift investor focus from altcoins.

US Legislative Push: The US House passed the Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2025 (HR 1664), directing the Secretary of Commerce to promote blockchain adoption and competitiveness, reinforcing US leadership in distributed ledger technologies.

XRP Ledger Advancements: Ripple’s XRP Ledger activated a permissioned decentralized exchange (DEX), blending compliance and decentralization to drive institutional blockchain adoption. Ripple also minted 13 million RLUSD, nearing a major stablecoin market milestone.

Regulatory Developments: Singapore’s new crypto rules mandate licensing by June 30, 2025, with non-compliant firms facing $200K fines or prison. Meanwhile, Vietnam legalized crypto under a new digital tech law, aiming for global tech leadership.

Innovative Blockchain Solutions: Nexus activated a testnet for 2.1 million users, rethinking blockchain infrastructure for AI integration. Algorand partnered with Paycode to bring blockchain-powered payments to underserved communities in Afghanistan, Ghana, and Zambia.

These updates reflect a strong push toward institutional adoption, stablecoin integration, and regulatory clarity in the blockchain space. For more details, platforms like Cointelegraph, The Block, or CoinGape offer comprehensive coverage. (Grok)

News

Gold News

Americans Cash Out on Gold Coins as Asian Investors Bulk Up

Americans who once snapped up gold bars and coins are offloading the assets while their Asian counterparts show no letup in bullion buying, a sign investors on opposite sides of the world have different outlooks on the global economy.

The divergence suggests US residents who stash bars and coins at home or in safe deposit boxes — akin to stock market day traders — are more at ease about US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, rising government debt and geopolitical tensions. And, they’re ready to cash in after the metal’s stunning rally over the past two years.

Known as retail investors, these Americans are bucking broader market trends in which more wealthy investors continue to aggressively buy the haven asset as do sovereign funds and central banks. Meanwhile, Asian gold buyers are eschewing jewelry for bars and coins.

In the US, “A lot of the retail investors tend to be Republican-leaning. And whatever we say about the policy of tariffs, they like the idea of how Trump’s doing,” said Philip Newman, managing director at research consultancy Metals Focus Ltd. “So from their point of view, there’s less reason to buy gold.”

The US market is so awash with bars and coins that some precious metals dealers have slashed their premiums to the lowest in six years to spur sales. And when investors sell, they’re now looking at paying dealers a fee to offload gold.

Bullion dealer Money Metals Exchange LLC currently charges buyers of one-ounce American Eagle gold coins $20 over spot prices, compared with $175 four years ago. And sellers now need to pay about $20 for the online exchange to take the metal, whereas in 2021 they would have received an extra $121 for selling.

The glut has led to a collapse in sales of newly minted bullion products, with the US Mint’s American Eagle gold coins — a proxy for retail demand — tumbling more than 70% in May from the prior year.

The demand for gold bars and coins has been falling for the past three years in North America and Western Europe while rising everywhere else in the world, with last year marking the biggest divergence on record in data going back to 2014, according to Metals Focus. That gap continued into the first quarter of 2025, driven predominately by the selloff in the US market, according to the consultancy.

Meanwhile, demand for bars and coins rose 3% in the Asia-Pacific region in the first quarter, with the Chinese market registering a 12% year-on-year increase, according to the latest data from the World Gold Council, a trade body representing gold miners. South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia all posted gains of more than 30%.

Initial worries of China and Asia getting hit the hardest by Trump’s tariffs led to “super strong” demand for gold in the region, said Kenny Hu, a commodity strategist at Citigroup Inc (C). Concerns about local currency depreciation also means gold remains the go-to asset for Asian investors who played a key role in the metal’s rally since 2024.

Investors in Southeast Asia lacking other investment options have started recognizing gold as a strategic asset, said Brian Lan, managing director of GoldSilver Central, a Singapore-based precious metals dealer.

“Southeast Asians who have memories of the war understand that gold is a form of insurance during periods of uncertainty,” he said.

In the US, profit taking is part of the equation given gold’s stunning climb — up 59% since the beginning of 2024 to $3,274.33 an ounce Friday. But Wall Street banks are split over whether the rally has ended. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. reaffirmed a $4,000-an-ounce forecast by next year and Morgan Stanley expects $3,800 by the end of this year, while Citigroup Inc. sees prices dipping below $3,000 next year.

“When there’s fear, they own more gold and less risk assets,” said Hu of Citigroup. “And now maybe they’re thinking things are actually fine. Tariffs are not that bad. Things will get negotiated out. Geopolitics eventually will de-escalate and US growth may be not that bad.” (AI News)

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

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

"It's not that hard to find dirt on people, former journalist or not. Look for the gold in everyone. It's there when you look deep enough. Some people it shines immediately, others one needs to drill a little more" Greg Tingle, Media Man Group

 

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $107,414.36 USD-0.25%
Ethereum $2,424.39 USD -0.60%
Tether $1.00 USD -0.04%
XRP $2.12 USD -3.32%
BNB $644.25 USD -0.61%
Solana $141.41 USD -2.13%
USD Coin $1.00 USD +0.02%
Dogecoin $0.161 USD -3.01%
TRON $0.2711 USD -0.80%
Cardano $0.557 USD -2.59%
Wrapped Bitcoin $107,341.94 USD -0.25%

News

Bitcoin News

Price and Market Trends: Bitcoin is trading around $95,000-$97,000, with recent volatility after hitting $100,000 in December 2024. Analysts predict a potential rally to $120,000 by Q3 2025, driven by institutional adoption and ETF inflows, though short-term corrections are expected due to profit-taking.

Mining Developments: Bitcoin’s hashrate dropped 15% in mid-June due to heatwaves spiking energy costs, leading to a 9% mining difficulty reduction, the largest since 2021. U.S. miners now control 31.6% of global hashrate, up 50% since April 2024. Chinese manufacturers are shifting production to the U.S. to bypass tariffs and sanctions.

Regulatory Updates: Norway’s planned ban on new crypto mining data centers starts autumn 2025 to prioritize energy allocation. France scrapped a study on using surplus energy for mining, citing climate goals. U.S. tax policies remain a hurdle, taxing mined coins immediately, pressuring miners to sell.

Institutional and ETF Growth: BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) saw $1 billion in inflows last week, pushing global Bitcoin ETF AUM to $110 billion. Institutional custody solutions, like Fidelity’s, are expanding, signaling mainstream adoption.

Technological Shifts: Bitcoin.?, a greener, quantum-resistant fork, is gaining attention as an alternative to Bitcoin’s energy-intensive mining, which emits 65 megatonnes of carbon yearly. Miners like MARA are integrating renewables, with MARA acquiring a Texas wind farm.

X Sentiment: Posts highlight Bitcoin’s 93% mined supply, fueling scarcity-driven bullishness. However, debates persist over energy consumption and regulatory risks. Some users speculate on Bitcoin’s role in a potential BRICS-backed currency shift, though unconfirmed.

Cryptocurrency News

The crypto market is on the verge of previous extremes

Market Picture

The crypto market cap increased by another 1% to $3.31 trillion, reaching the threshold of increased volatility. Just above that, in the $3.40–3.55 trillion range, is a turning point, which has activated sellers and prevented the market from consolidating higher.

The cryptocurrency sentiment index is at 74, just 1 point below the ‘extreme greed’ zone and in the range of the highs of the second half of May. At that time, the market capitalisation was at approximately the same level.

Since the end of Wednesday, Bitcoin has been testing the $108K mark, but it will sell off when it touches this level. Over the past couple of days, we have seen a smooth but steady intraday uptrend, accompanied by heavy buying from medium—and long-term investors. We see this as a sign of buying by professional market participants and link it to strengthening stocks, which increases the likelihood of reaching $110K or even $112K as early as this week.

News Background

Inflows into Bitcoin ETFs continue to influence the price of the first cryptocurrency, while companies' purchases for their Bitcoin reserves have virtually no impact, according to K33. Experts warn of likely high volatility in the crypto market due to Trump's upcoming budget bill and the 9 July tariff deadline.

According to The Block, the Bitcoin dominance index, which reflects its market share compared to other crypto assets, rose to 62% after falling to 59% in May. This raises questions about the onset of the altcoin season.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the US needs a regulatory framework for stablecoins. The GENIUS Act, passed by the Senate last week, is awaiting consideration in the House of Representatives.

Barclays, one of the UK's largest banks, has banned its customers from buying cryptocurrency with Barclaycard credit cards. The bank said that falling cryptocurrency prices could lead to debts that customers would be unable to repay.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the company could become the largest Bitcoin miner by the end of 2025. According to him, the company's goal is not commercial gain but protecting its assets. The company owns more than 100,000 BTC and wants to participate in securing the network to protect these investments. (FxPro)

News

Blockchain News

Institutional Adoption: Franklin Templeton’s CEO, Jenny Johnson, emphasized blockchain’s compelling advantages, predicting a rapid shift to digital asset technology in traditional finance. The firm launched a Bitcoin and Ether ETF and expanded its tokenized US government money market fund to Solana and Base blockchains.

Stablecoin Developments: The US Senate passed a stablecoin bill, establishing a regulatory framework for the first time, signaling a milestone for the crypto sector. Wyoming’s Stable Token Commission selected Aptos and Sei for its state-backed stablecoin pilot, WYST, pegged to the USD.

Corporate Investments: The Blockchain Group, a Paris-listed firm, acquired 182 BTC for $20M, bringing its total holdings to 1,653 BTC, valued at over $170M, with a reported 1,173% BTC yield in 2025. Everything Blockchain Inc. committed $10M to a multi-token crypto treasury, including SOL, XRP, SUI, TAO, and HYPE, aiming for $1M in annual staking rewards.

Regulatory Moves: Vietnam legalized crypto under a new digital technology law, aiming to position itself as a global tech leader. Meanwhile, Norway plans a temporary ban on new crypto mining data centers starting August 2025 to curb energy use.

Innovations and Partnerships: Coinbase introduced a stablecoin payment infrastructure for Shopify merchants to accept USDC. Project Eleven raised $6M to protect the Bitcoin blockchain from quantum computing threats with a quantum-safe cryptographic registry. Kaia joined the Japan Blockchain Association as the first Layer 1 blockchain, focusing on adoption via mini DApps on LINE.

Security and Fraud: Hackers, possibly linked to Israel, drained $90M from Iran’s largest crypto exchange, Nobitex, with funds transferred to addresses criticizing Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The US DOJ filed a $225.3M civil forfeiture complaint against a blockchain-based money laundering network tied to crypto investment fraud.

Market and IPO Activity: Plasma, a stablecoin-focused blockchain, raised $500M in a five-minute ICO, with 10 wallets securing 40% of tokens. MEXC’s COO highlighted a surge in crypto IPOs, with firms like Circle and Gemini capitalizing on regulatory clarity.

Gaming and Analytics: PENGU Game launched on the TON blockchain as part of Pudgy Penguins’ gaming strategy. Bubblemaps V2 also launched on TON, enhancing real-time token activity tracking.

These updates reflect blockchain’s growing integration into finance, regulatory progress, and ongoing challenges like security and energy concerns. (Grok)

News

Criminal use of stablecoins continues to rise: report

Most illegal activity happening on cryptocurrency ledgers now involves the tokens known as stablecoins, according to a report released on Thursday (Friday AEST) by an intergovernmental body that develops policies to protect the global financial system against money laundering and terrorist financing. The findings in the new report from the Financial Action Task Force land just as US lawmakers and businesses are pushing for the wider distribution of stablecoins, crypto tokens that are pegged to the US dollar or some other national currency. The task force, which brings together officials from most of the biggest countries in the world, found that a wide array of illicit actors — including terrorists, drug traffickers and North Korean hackers — have stepped up their use of stablecoins since the group’s last report on digital assets in 2024.The so-called “Genius Act” that was recently passed by the US Senate aims to normalise stablecoins by bringing them under a more standardised and rigorous regulatory regime than they have faced until now. This has led numerous companies to push forward with initiatives that would give consumers access to stablecoins and knit them into the traditional financial industry. The issuer of the USDC token, Circle Internet Group, went public in early June and its share price has risen more than sixfold since then. A company tied to President Donald Trump’s family, World Liberty Financial, has released its own stablecoin project.

 

 

 

 

Cryptos, Markets and Culture

"Don't Mention The War" ...

Crypto's Today: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $106,192.78 +1.00%
Ethereum $2,432.44 +1.05%
Tether $1.00 -0.05%
XRP $2.17 +0.56%
BNB $644.48 +0.41%
Solana $146.26 USD +0.26%
Dogecoin $0.1663 USD +0.11%

News

Bitcoin profiting on the returned demand for risk

Bitcoin has been on a rollercoaster ride. Firstly, quotes fell below the psychologically important round level of 100,000 in response to the United States' bombing Iran. Then, the cryptocurrency recorded one of the best daily rallies in 2025 thanks to Donald Trump's announcement of a ceasefire in the Middle East.

Along with the deterioration of global risk appetite amid the Israeli-Iranian conflict, fears about the growth of token supply put pressure on Bitcoin. Western sanctions are depriving the country of the opportunity to sell traditional assets. To attract resources, it may start selling cryptocurrency. Therefore, Tehran's reduction in oil exports increased the risks of a further decline in Bitcoin prices.

The markets believed in the end of the Twelve-Day War and returned to a positive outlook. The reduction in the number of daily transactions on the Bitcoin network from 600-700K in 2024 to 500K in 2025, with the average payment volume remaining unchanged at $7 billion, is good news. According to Glassnode, this indicates institutional investors' increased interest in digital assets.

Bitcoin is also supported by consistently high demand for Bitcoin-focused ETF products. Since their launch in January 2024, specialised exchange-traded funds have attracted more than $131 billion.

The turning point in the Israeli-Iranian conflict gives reason to expect a continuation of the rally in US stock indices. The return of the S&P 500 to record highs is strengthening global risk appetite and creating a tailwind for the first Crypto. Events in the Middle East have shown that Bitcoin has not become a hedge against turmoil, as its creators intended.

Nevertheless, the risky nature of cryptocurrency allows you to make good money on it during periods of market prosperity. How long will the current favourable period last? The answer will depend on the end of the war in the Middle East. It will also depend on Donald Trump's unwillingness to escalate trade conflicts. There is not much time left before the end of the 90-day tariff delay. Are the markets and the S&P 500 waiting for a new round of trade wars? (FxPro)

News

Crude Oil still caught in a bear hug

The price of a barrel of WTI fell to $64 at the start of trading on Tuesday, while Brent fell to $66.7 at its lowest point at the start of active trading in Europe. Retreating to levels seen before the latest conflict, the price recouped the ‘war premium’. This was how the markets reacted to Iran’s relatively restrained response and the subsequent reports of a truce with Israel.

The sharp decline in prices indicates the continuing dominance of bears in the market, where the Middle East conflict triggers a 20% price increase. Still, a moderate response and Trump’s tweet nullify the entire war premium.

Although it should be acknowledged that technically, Oil has broken through this year’s downward trend resistance, it has failed to develop its offensive. The sequence of lower local highs is generally in line with the trend that began in September 2023 and formed a downward channel.

The lower boundary of this corridor is now near $53 for WTI and will decline to $47 by the end of the year. For Brent, these levels are $56.5 and $50.50, respectively. However, this corridor is only valid based on currently known data. This is the main scenario for a time when subdued economic growth reduces energy demand, despite the OPEC+ declared market deficit.

If Israel and Iran return to the intensity of action we have seen in the last couple of weeks, it could break the trend that has formed in recent years. However, we still consider this scenario to be an alternative rather than a baseline.

Moreover, it cannot be ruled out that recent events will lead to an easing of sanctions imposed on Iran, allowing it to increase oil exports and further reduce its price. Even without sanctions, Iran has a compelling reason to try to increase its exports, spending the proceeds on rebuilding the country. (FxPro)

News

Bitcoin News

Bitcoin Price Surge Amid Ceasefire Optimism: Bitcoin reclaimed $106,000 following a ceasefire announcement between Israel and Iran by U.S. President Donald Trump, boosting global market confidence. The crypto market saw a broad rally, with Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Cardano gaining up to 13%. Analysts suggest a dovish signal from Fed Chair Jerome Powell could push Bitcoin past its $107,700 resistance level.

Analysts Bullish on Bitcoin’s Future: Multiple analysts project Bitcoin reaching $120,000 this year, driven by factors like spot price resilience, central bank policies, energy market trends, and technical setups. Some even predict a cycle top of $330,000 based on historical indicators like the AVIV ratio.

Institutional Accumulation:
Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) added 245 BTC ($26 million) to its holdings, now totaling 592,345 BTC worth over $63 billion.

BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF holds 3.25% of BTC’s total supply, nearing $70 billion in assets, signaling strong institutional interest despite slowing retail inflows.

Bitcoin whales are accumulating during market dips, with a bull flag pattern pointing to a potential $117,700 target.

U.S. Policy Shifts:

The U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision to remove “reputational risk” from bank supervision (previously known as Operation Choke Point 2.0) has fueled Bitcoin’s recovery by easing restrictions on crypto custody services.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called Bitcoin “freedom” and said it’s “here to stay.”

Fed Chair Powell noted a “significant change in the tone” of the crypto industry, hinting at increased activity.

Trump Family Ventures:

Eric Trump announced “American Bitcoin,” a new Bitcoin mining venture with Hut 8, leveraging favorable U.S. energy policies.

Posts on X claim Trump’s Truth Social filed for Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs with the NYSE, though this remains unverified.

Market Volatility and Recovery: Bitcoin briefly dipped below $100,000 due to U.S.-Iran tensions but rebounded to $105,000-$106,000 as ceasefire hopes grew. The market saw $1 billion in liquidations during the dip, with 240,000 traders affected.

Bitcoin Treasury Company: Investor Anthony Pompliano launched ProCap Financial, a Bitcoin treasury firm with up to $1 billion in BTC on its balance sheet, following the trend of companies like Strategy.

Sentiment on X:

Bitcoin is hailed as a major technological disruption, listed among the most significant innovations of the past 1,000 years.

Posts counter the “bubble” narrative, emphasizing Bitcoin’s resilience and long-term potential.

RFK Jr. confirmed owning Bitcoin during a financial disclosure inquiry.

Market Context: Bitcoin is trading around $106,000, up from a recent low of $98,500. The market is reacting to geopolitical developments, Federal Reserve policies, and institutional moves. Analysts remain divided, with some seeing consolidation and others predicting a breakout to new all-time highs. (Grok)

News

June 25, 2025

Sydney, Australia

Markets

ASX 200 futures up 5 points/ 0.1% to 8540

AUD +0.5% to US64.90¢

Bitcoin +2.1% to $US106,042

Wall St:
Dow +1.2%
S&P +1.1%
Nasdaq 1.4%

VIX -2.35 to 17.48

Gold -1.3% to $US3323.67 an ounce
Brent oil -5.1% to $US67.82 a barrel
Iron ore -1.1% to $US92.85 a ton

10-year yield: US 4.29% Australia 4.15%

News

Roy Morgan wins Media Man 'Media Services Of The Month' award

Media Man

UFC wins Media Man 'MMA Promotion Of The Month' award

WWE wins Media Man 'Wrestling Promotion Of The Month' award; Runner-ups: NXT, TNA Wrestling, AEW, NWA

All Elite Wrestling wins Media Man 'Challenger Brand Of The Month' award and 'Encouragement Award Of The Month'; WWE: John Cena and AEW: Claudio Castagnoli was the difference factor; AEW continues to gain stream! Cheer's to the renewed WWE - AEW friendly .. er, war?!

WSL wins Media Man 'Surfing Promotion/Brand Of The Month' award

Netflix wins Media Man 'Streaming Service Of The Month' award; Runner-ups: YouTube and MAX

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

News

Best Quotes Of The Day

The best and biggest gold mine is in between your ears."

"You are a gold mine of potential power. You have to dig to find it and make it real."

"Your mind is like a gold mine, if you dig deep you will find something golden."

"Don't die without mining the gold in your mind."

"We're like goldfields. Until we dig deep to find what's inside us, our true potentials may be hidden forever."

"If you want to find gold, you've got to love the process of digging."

"Even if you're sitting on a gold mine, you still have to dig."

"Develop men the same way gold is mined"

"Don't go into the mine looking for dirt; instead, go in looking for the gold."

"A prospector's job is to remove dirt as quickly as possible"

"A prospector who analyzes every speck of dirt won't find much gold"

"The world is sitting on a gold mine but knows it not."

"Make new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these are gold."

"All that is gold does not glitter."

"Gold is forever. It is beautiful, useful, and never wears out"

"Gold is the money of kings"

"Mining is the art of exploiting mineral deposits at a profit. An unprofitable mine is fit only for the sepulcher of a dead mule."

"Anyone can find the dirt in someone. Be the one that finds the gold."

"True gold fears no fire."

"The desire of gold is not for gold. It is for the means of freedom and benefit."

"Make new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these are gold."

"When taken for granted, gold in one's hand is sometimes considered like cheap copper – so are people."

News

Gold holds decline as ceasefire saps haven demand

Gold held a decline as a shaky Iran-Israel ceasefire appeared to hold, reducing demand for haven assets. Bullion was near $US3330 an ounce, after closing down 1.3 per cent on Tuesday. The truce between Israel and Iran continued after US President Donald Trump lashed out at both sides for early breaches. Geopolitical uncertainties, along with Trump’s aggressive trade policy and central bank buying, have spurred a 27 per cent advance in gold this year. The rally has lost momentum over the last couple of months, however, with bullion mostly trading between $US3300 and $US3400 an ounce. Spot gold rose 0.2 per cent to $US3330.85 an ounce in Asian trading. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was flat. Silver was steady, while platinum and dipped.

News

Bonus

Gold by Spandau Ballet

Producers: Steve Jolley & Tony Swain

Music Video: Gold
https://youtube.com/watch?v=VQ4qrcHyYj4

[Verse 1]

Thank you for coming home
Sorry that the chairs are all worn
I left them here I could have sworn
These are my salad days
Slowly being eaten away
Just another play for today
Oh, but I'm proud of you, but I'm proud of you
Nothing left to make me feel small
Luck has left me standing so tall

[Chorus] Gold (gold)

Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible, always believing
You are gold (gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
There's something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing

[Verse 2]

After the rush has gone I hope you find a little more time Remember we were partners in crime
It's only two years ago
The man with the suit and the face
You knew that he was there on the case
Now he's in love with you, he's in love with you
And love is like a high prison wall
And you could leave me standing so tall

[Chorus]

Gold (gold) Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know You're indestructible, always believing
You are gold (gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing

[Bridge]

Love is like a high prison wall
You could leave me standing so tall

[Chorus]

Gold (gold) Always believe in your soul

You got the power to know You're indestructible, always believing
You are gold (gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing (You are, gold)
Always believe in your soul You've got the power to know
You're indestructible, always believing 'Cause you are gold (gold)
I'm glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing (gold)

[Verse 1]

Thank you for coming home
Sorry that the chairs are all worn
I left them here I could have sworn
These are my salad days
Slowly being eaten away
Just another play for today
Oh, but I'm proud of you, but I'm proud of you
Nothing left to make me feel small
Luck has left me standing so tall

[Chorus]

Gold (gold) Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible, always believing
You are gold (gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
There's something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing

[Verse 2]

After the rush has gone I hope you find a little more time
Remember we were partners in crime
It's only two years ago
The man with the suit and the face
You knew that he was there on the case
Now he's in love with you, he's in love with you
And love is like a high prison wall
And you could leave me standing so tall

 

 

 

 

 

Cryptos and Markets Today

June 18, 2025

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $104,579.40 USD -3.77%
Ethereum $2,522.84 USD -5.17%
Tether $1.00 USD +0.01%
XRP $2.18 USD -6.12%
BNB $648.56 USD -1.49%
Solana $148.85 USD -5.40%
USD Coin $1.00 USD -0.00%
Dogecoin $0.1698 USD -5.65%
TRON $0.2746 USD -2.01%
Cardano $0.616 USD -6.05%
Wrapped Bitcoin $104,501.43 USD -3.84%

News

Markets

ASX futures down 17 points/0.2% to 8528
Australian dollar -0.6% to 64.82 US cents
Wall Street:
S&P 500 -0.8%, Dow Jones -0.7%, NAS -0.9%
Europe:
Stoxx 50 -1%, FTSE -0.5%, DAX -1.1%, CAC -0.8%
Bitcoin -3.8% to $US104,457
Spot gold flat at $US3387.83 per ounce
US oil +5% to $US75.32 a barrel
Brent crude oil +5% to $US76.90 a barrel
Iron ore -1.2% to $US92.90 per ton
10-year yield: US 4.39% Australia 4.25% Germany 2.53%

News

Pop Culture News Flashback

The Swiss Conspiracy: Movie

The Swiss Conspiracy is a 1976 action-crime-drama film directed by Jack Arnold, known for his work in B-horror classics like The Incredible Shrinking Man.

It’s a West German-American co-production filmed entirely on location in Zurich and the Swiss Alps, giving it a picturesque backdrop that often overshadows its convoluted plot. The movie stars David Janssen as David Christopher, a former U.S. Treasury official turned security consultant, hired by a Zurich-based Swiss bank to investigate a blackmail scheme targeting five of its clients with secret numbered accounts.

The cast includes Senta Berger, John Ireland, John Saxon, Ray Milland, and Elke Sommer, with a mix of European and American actors adding an international flavor.

The plot revolves around the bank, led by president Hurtil (Milland), receiving anonymous threats to expose the identities of five clients unless it pays 10 million Swiss francs in uncut diamonds.

The blackmailed clients include a Chicago mobster (Saxon), a Texas businessman (Ireland), a Dutch financier (Curt Lowens), a Zurich resident (Berger), and a crooked arms dealer who’s killed early on after refusing to pay.

Christopher’s investigation uncovers a web of deceit, with the blackmailees potentially blackmailing each other. The Swiss Federal Police, led by Captain Hans Frey, complicate matters by suspecting Christopher himself. The story culminates in a dramatic showdown in the Alps, involving a diamond exchange and a surprise twist, though some critics found the resolution murky.

The film’s strengths lie in its vibrant Swiss scenery, lively jazz-funk score by Klaus Doldinger, and a cast that seems to enjoy the locale more than the script. Highlights include fast-paced action scenes, exotic sports cars, and Berger’s charismatic performance as a Ferrari-driving femme fatale.

However, it’s criticized for its slow pacing, talky investigation scenes, and a plot that demands close attention to follow—miss a minute, and you’re lost.

The production quality varies, with some noting grainy visuals and sloppy editing in certain DVD transfers, possibly due to its public domain status. John Saxon’s performance as the mobster is polarizing, with some calling it exaggerated, while others praise the film’s B-movie charm and 1970s Euro-thriller vibe.

It holds a 5.0/10 rating on IMDb, reflecting mixed reception.

Fans appreciate its suspense and setting, calling it an underrated gem, while detractors find it bland and poorly executed.

The movie is available to stream on platforms like Tubi, Hoopla, IndieFlix, and Prime Video (for rent or purchase) in the US and Canada. A 4K restored special edition from Film Masters includes extras like a commentary track, a visual essay, and a featurette on Jack Arnold’s career. (Grok)

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

 

 

 

 

 

Markets and Cryptos

June 16, 2025

Sydney, Australia

Markets

ASX futures down 20 points/0.2% to 8532
AUD -0.1% at US64.81¢
Bitcoin +0.6% to $US105,292
Dow -1.8%
S&P -1.1%
Nasdaq -1.3%
Gold +1.4% to $US3432.34 an ounce
Brent oil +7.0% at $US74.23 a barrel
Iron ore -0.7% at $US93.85 a ton

News

Cryptos

Bitcoin $105,646.18 USD +0.49%
Ethereum $2,549.30 USD +1.19%
Tether $1.00 USD -0.08%
XRP $2.17 USD +1.48%
BNB $648.26 USD +0.76%
Solana $153.19 USD +5.96%
USD Coin $1.00 USD -0.06%
Dogecoin $$0.1752 USD -1.00%
TRON $0.2734 USD +0.70%
Cardano $0.6329 USD +1.50%
Wrapped Bitcoin $105,633.91 USD +0.49%

News

Gold 2nd Ranked To USD In Global Reserves

Gold has firmly reasserted itself as a strategic anchor in the global financial system, now ranking second only to the US dollar—and ahead of the euro—in terms of official reserve holdings measured at market value. This structural shift, outlined in the European Central Bank’s latest report on the international role of the euro, underscores how price dynamics, central bank behavior, and geopolitical realignment have collectively elevated gold’s monetary relevance.

From Inflation Hedge to Geopolitical Barometer

In 2024, gold prices surged by 30%, followed by another 30% year-to-date in 2025, briefly reaching an all-time nominal high of $3,500 per troy ounce in April. This sharp rally signals more than just a technical or inflation-driven cycle—it reflects a broader revaluation of gold’s role amid rising global uncertainty.

Conclusion: Gold’s Strategic Repricing

The ECB’s findings reflect a broader paradigm shift in the logic of reserve accumulation. Gold has not only appreciated in nominal terms—it has been reconceptualized as a core asset for monetary sovereignty and geopolitical insulation.

Its elevation to second place in global reserves is more than symbolic. It signals a growing distrust in traditional reserve currencies and a collective desire among central banks—particularly outside the Western alliance—to build resilience against political and financial coercion.

In this new global context, gold is no longer a passive relic of the past. It is increasingly being recognized as an active pillar of reserve strategy, with implications that stretch far beyond price charts and interest rate models.

News

Market Background

Australian dollar -0.1% to 64.84 US cents
Wall Street:
S&P 500 -1.1%, Dow Jones -1.8%, Nasdaq -1.3%
Europe: Stoxx 50 -1.3%
FTSE -0.4%
DAX -1.1%
CAC -1%
Bitcoin -0.3% to $US104,682
Spot gold +1.4% to $US3432.34 per ounce on Saturday
US oil +7.3% to $US72.98 a barrel on Saturday
Brent crude +7% to $US74.23 a barrel on Saturday
Iron ore -0.7% to $US93.85 per tonne
10-year yield: US 4.40% Australia 4.15% Germany 2.53%

News

Gold News

Recent gold news highlights a surge in prices driven by geopolitical tensions and economic factors. Gold prices in Dubai spiked to near-record highs, with 24-karat gold reaching Dh412.75 per gram (approximately $112.84), following Israel’s military strikes on Iran, boosting demand for safe-haven assets. Globally, spot gold hit a one-week peak at around $3,424.6 per ounce, up 1.2%, fueled by Middle East conflicts and expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts. In India, gold prices crossed Rs 1,01,540 per 10 grams, a Rs 2,200 surge, driven by safe-haven buying amid the Israel-Iran conflict. Analysts note gold’s appeal as a hedge against market volatility, with prices up 29% in 2025, though jewelry demand has weakened due to high costs. Central banks are on track to buy 1,000 metric tons of gold in 2025, marking a fourth year of significant purchases to diversify reserves. Posts on X also reflect bullish sentiment, with some predicting gold could reach $4,000 per ounce, though such claims are speculative.

For investors, gold remains attractive but experts caution against over-allocation due to its volatility. Always verify market trends with trusted financial sources before making investment decisions. (Grok)

News

Best Quotes

“Gold is the money of kings.” – Anonymous.

“He who has the gold makes the rules.” – Unknown.

“Gold is a living god and rules in scorn, all earthly things but virtue.” – Percy Bysshe Shelley.

“Gold is a deep and liquid subject.” – Anonymous.

“Gold is forever.” – Anonymous

News

Best Quotes

"Journalism allows its readers to witness history; fiction gives its readers an opportunity to live it." - John Hersey

"In America, the president reigns for four years, and journalism governs forever and ever." - Oscar Wilde

"The world is changing very fast. Big will not beat small anymore. It will be the fast beating the slow" Rupert Murdoch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Markets and Cryptos

June 10, 2025

Markets

ASX futures up 6 points/0.1% to 8565
AUD +0.5% at US65.20¢
BTC +2.2% to $US108,652
Dow +0.1% S&P +0.2% NAS +0.3%
Gold +0.6% to $US3329.38 an ounce
Oil +0.8% at $US67.01 a barl
Iron ore -0.9% at $US94.65 a ton

Cryptos
Bitcoin $108,754.01 USD +1.99%
Ethereum $2,580.09 USD +1.33%
Tether $1.00 USD -0.32%
XRP $2.30 USD +0.25%
BNB $662.24 USD +0.87%
Solana $156.49 USD +1.28%
USD Coin USDC $1.00 USD -0.23%
Dogecoin $0.187 USD +0.42%
TRON $0.2886 USD +1.63%
Cardano $0.6857 USD +1.28%
Wrapped Bitcoin $108,742.68 USD +2.06%

News

Tesla’s retail army place record ETF bet

As Elon Musk’s fortune plunged by $US36 billion ($55.2 billion) last week and Tesla’s stock suffered a brutal drubbing, his most ardent backers rushed in to buy the dip — with leverage. Investors poured $US651 million into the Direxion Daily TSLA Bull 2X Shares (ticker TSLL), marking the largest weekly inflow since the fund’s 2022 debut, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The biggest chunks came in on Thursday and Friday. The buying spree into TSLL — which is designed to deliver twice Tesla’s daily return — reflects a now-familiar reflex: doubling down on Musk during selloffs, a strategy that’s worked spectacularly in the past. What’s different now is that the trade faces an unprecedented risk after last week’s clash between the tech executive and President Donald Trump over a signature tax bill, with the fallout exposing big cracks in Musk’s political capital. Beyond the personal drama, Tesla faces intensifying business pressures from competition in China and cooling demand in developed markets. Broader questions also linger around the electric-vehicle maker’s valuation after years of trading at rich multiples relative to traditional automakers. All that wasn’t enough to stop the unwavering faith — or speculative fervour — still driving retail traders who have repeatedly profited betting on Musk’s comebacks. “The retail investor has done very well buying Elon Musk on weakness in the past, so they see the recent drop as a buying opportunity once again,” said Matt Maley, chief market strategist at Miller Tabak + Co. “They seem to be a little early this time given the uphill climb Tesla is facing.” (Wires)

News

Australia and International

Mining giant BHP rose 0.7 and Fortescue gained 1 per cent amid tentative signs of progress in trade talks between the US and China, which is the biggest market for iron ore. However, fellow iron ore giant Rio Tinto did not share in the gains, and its shares closed 0.4 per cent lower.

Commonwealth Bank – the biggest stock on the market – fell 0.8 per cent, after its market value earlier this week hit the milestone figure of $300 billion. CBA, which hit a record intraday high of $182 per share on Thursday, accounts for about 12 per cent of the ASX, and its shares have jumped almost 17 per cent this year. Westpac lost 0.2 per cent and ANZ Bank fell 0.4 per cent, while National Australia Bank rose 0.2 per cent.

Technology shares were weaker, with logistics software group WiseTech falling 1 per cent, accounting software business Xero losing 0.7 per cent, and data centre owner NextDC losing 0.9 per cent.

Stocks tied to rare earths slumped on expectations the Xi-Trump trade talk progress could pave the way for China to ease export restrictions on the critical minerals. Pilbara Minerals fell 5.2 per cent and Lynas lost 1.2 per cent.

Gold stocks were lower, with Evolution Mining losing 2 per cent and Northern Star Resources shedding 0.3 per cent.

Crypto News

June 2025

‘Bitcoin Family’ hides crypto codes etched onto metal cards on four continents after recent kidnappings

The family’s new storage model splits an encrypted 24-word seed phrase into multiple parts, hidden in locations from Europe to South America.

Their hot wallets are guarded by multi-signature protocols, while cold funds are stored entirely offline — with no hardware devices involved.

Taihuttu is also embracing decentralized trading platforms and MPC technology to reduce single points of failure amid rising threats.

A wave of high-profile kidnappings targeting cryptocurrency executives has rattled the industry — and prompted a quiet security revolution among some of its most visible evangelists.

Didi Taihuttu, patriarch of the so-called Bitcoin Family, said he overhauled the family’s entire security setup after a string of threats.

The Taihuttus — who sold everything they owned in 2017, from their house to their shoes, to go all in on bitcoin when it was trading around $900 — have long lived on the outer edge of crypto ideology. They travel full time with their three daughters and remain entirely unbanked.

Over the past eight months, he said, the family ditched hardware wallets in favor of a hybrid system: Part analog, part digital, with seed phrases encrypted, split and stored either through blockchain-based encryption services or hidden across four continents.

“We have changed everything,” Taihuttu told media on a call from Phuket, Thailand. “Even if someone held me at gunpoint, I can’t give them more than what’s on my wallet on my phone. And that’s not a lot.”

Media first reported on the family’s unconventional storage system in 2022, when Taihuttu described hiding hardware wallets across multiple continents — in places ranging from rental apartments in Europe to self-storage units in South America.

As physical attacks on crypto holders become more frequent, even they are rethinking their exposure.

This week, Moroccan police arrested a 24-year-old suspected of orchestrating a series of brutal kidnappings targeting crypto executives.

One victim, the father of a crypto millionaire, was allegedly held for days in a house south of Paris — and reportedly had a finger severed during the ordeal.

In a separate case earlier this year, a co-founder of French wallet firm Ledger and his wife were abducted from their home in central France in a ransom scheme that also targeted another Ledger executive.

Last month in New York, authorities said, a 28-year-old Italian tourist was kidnapped and tortured for 17 days in a Manhattan apartment by attackers trying to extract his bitcoin password — shocking him with wires, beating him with a gun and strapping an Apple AirTag around his neck to track his movements.

The common thread: the pursuit of crypto credentials that enable instant, irreversible transfers of virtual assets.

“It is definitely frightening to see a lot of these kidnappings happen,” said JP Richardson, CEO of crypto wallet company Exodus. He urged users to take security into their own hands by choosing self-custody, storing larger sums on hardware wallets, and — for those holding significant assets — exploring multi-signature wallets, a setup typically used by institutions.

Richardson also recommended spreading funds across different wallet types and avoiding large balances in hot wallets to reduce risk without sacrificing flexibility.

That rising sense of vulnerability is fueling a new demand for physical protection with insurance firms now racing to offer kidnap and ransom, or K&R, policies tailored to crypto holders.

But Taihuttu isn’t waiting for corporate solutions. He’s opted for complete decentralization — of not just his finances, but his personal risk profile.

As the family prepares to return to Europe from Thailand, safety has become a constant topic of conversation.

“We’ve been talking about it a lot as a family,” Taihuttu said. “My kids read the news, too — especially that story in France, where the daughter of a CEO was almost kidnapped on the street.”

Now, he said, his daughters are asking difficult questions: What if someone tries to kidnap us? What’s the plan?

Though the girls carry only small amounts of crypto in their personal wallets, the family has decided to avoid France entirely.

“We got a little bit famous in a niche market — but that niche is becoming a really big market now,” Taihuttu said. “And I think we’ll see more and more of these robberies. So yeah, we’re definitely going to skip France.”

Even in Thailand, Taihuttu recently stopped posting travel updates and filming at home after receiving disturbing messages from strangers who claimed to have identified his location from YouTube vlogs.

“We stayed in a very beautiful house for six months — then I started getting emails from people who figured out which house it was. They warned me to be careful, told me not to leave my kids alone,” he said. “So we moved. And now we don’t film anything at all.”

“It’s a strange world at the moment,” he said. “So we’re taking our own precautions — and when it comes to wallets, we’re now completely hardware wallet-less. We don’t use any hardware wallets anymore.”

The family’s new system involves splitting a single 24-word bitcoin seed phrase — the cryptographic key that unlocks access to their crypto holdings — into four sets of six words, each stored in a different geographic location. Some are kept digitally through blockchain-based encryption platforms, while others are etched by hand into fireproof steel plates using a hammer and letter punch, then hidden in physical locations across four continents.

“Even if someone finds 18 of the 24 words, they can’t do anything,” Taihuttu explained.

On top of that, he’s added a layer of personal encryption, swapping out select words to throw off would-be attackers. The method is simple, but effective.

“You only need to remember which ones you changed,” he said.

Part of the reason for ditching hardware wallets, Taihuttu said, was a growing mistrust of third-party devices. Concerns about backdoors and remote access features — including a controversial update by Ledger in 2023 — prompted the family to abandon physical hardware altogether in favor of encrypted paper and steel backups.

While the family still holds some crypto in “hot” wallets — for daily spending or to run their algorithmic trading strategy — those funds are protected by multi-signature approvals, which require multiple parties to sign off before a transaction can be executed.

The Taihuttus use Safe — formerly Gnosis Safe — for ether and other altcoins, and similarly layered setups for bitcoin stored on centralized platforms like Bybit.

About 65% of the family’s crypto is locked in cold storage across four continents — a decentralized system Taihuttu prefers to centralized vaults like the Swiss Alps bunker used by Coinbase-owned Xapo. Those facilities may offer physical protection and inheritance services, but Taihuttu said they require too much trust.

“What happens if one of those companies goes bankrupt? Will I still have access?” he said. “You’re putting your capital back in someone else’s hands.”

Instead, Taihuttu holds his own keys — hidden across the globe. He can top up the wallets remotely with new deposits, but accessing them would require at least one international trip, depending on which fragments of the seed phrase are needed. The funds, he added, are intended as a long-term pension to be accessed only if bitcoin hits $1 million — a milestone he’s targeting for 2033.

The shift toward multi-party protections extends beyond just multi-signature. Multi-party computation, or MPC, is gaining traction as a more advanced security model.

Instead of storing private keys in one place — a vulnerability known as a “single point of compromise” — MPC splits a key into encrypted shares distributed across multiple parties. Transactions can only go through when a threshold number of those parties approve, sharply reducing the risk of theft or unauthorized access.

Multi-signature wallets require several parties to approve a transaction. MPC takes that further by cryptographically splitting the private key itself, ensuring that no single individual ever holds the full key — not even their own complete share.

The shift comes amid renewed scrutiny of centralized crypto platforms like Coinbase, which recently disclosed a data breach affecting tens of thousands of customers.

Taihuttu, for his part, says 80% of his trading now happens on decentralized exchanges like Apex — a peer-to-peer platform that allows users to set buy and sell orders without relinquishing custody of their funds, marking a return to crypto’s original ethos.

While he declined to reveal his total holdings, Taihuttu did share his goal for the current bull cycle: a $100 million net worth, with 60% still held in bitcoin. The rest is a mix of ether, layer-1 tokens like solana, link, sui, and a growing number of AI and education-focused startups — including his own platform offering blockchain and life skills courses for kids.

Lately, he’s also considering stepping back from the spotlight.

“It’s really my passion to create content. It’s really what I love to do every day,” he said. “But if it’s not safe anymore for my daughters ... I really need to think about them.”

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

News

June 10, 2025

Media News

On the losing side of Wall Street was Warner Bros. Discovery, which flipped from a big early gain to a loss of 3 per cent after saying it would split into two companies. One will get Warner Bros. Television, HBO Max and other studio brands, while the other will hold onto CNN, TNT Sports and other entertainment, sports and news television brands around the world, along with some digital products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Markets and Cryptos

June 5, 2025
Sydney, Australia

Markets

ASX futures up 3 points/ 0.04% to 8568
AUD +0.5% at US64.95¢
Bitcoin -1.2% to $US105,049
Dow -0.1%
S&P +0.2%
Nasdaq +0.3%
Gold +0.6% to $US3373.00 an ounce
Oil -1.1% at $US64.90 a barrel
Iron ore +1.1% at $US95.35 a ton

Cryptos:

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $104,694.56 USD -0.90%
Ethereum $2,610.29 USD +0.00%
Tether $1.00 USD -0.08%
XRP $2.21 USD -2.33%
BNB $664.14 USD +0.45%
Solana $154.54 USD -1.20%
USD Coin $1.00 USD +0.03%
Dogecoin $0.1886 USD -3.06%
Cardano $0.6704 USD -1.87%
TRON $0.2731 USD +0.73%
Wrapped Bitcoin $104,747.33 USD -0.85%
Sui $3.19 USD -2.21%
Chainlink $13.84 USD -1.82%
Avalanche $20.33 USD -4.01%

News

Bitcoin News

Bitcoin rebounded, while Ethereum still fights with its 200-day MA

Market Picture
Market capitalisation at $3.32 trillion remains roughly the same as the day before. With the start of the new month, there is a visible upward trend with a sequence of higher local highs, although the market is more than 3% lower than seven days ago.

The cryptocurrency sentiment index remains in greed territory at 62, although it has lost a couple of points over the day. This cooling does not interfere with the local positive trend but indicates a moderate pace of growth.

Bitcoin is trading above $105K, rebounding from lows near $103K on 31 May. This looks like the beginning of an upward movement from the mid-May consolidation area. Potentially, this momentum could take the market to new highs above $130K.

Ethereum continues to struggle with its 200-day moving average, unable to consolidate above it. However, the overall positive background allows bulls to quickly seize the initiative on downward pullbacks. As was the case three and a half weeks ago, breaking through $2,700 will be an important signal that the coin has moved from consolidation to growth. In turn, this could be an important indicator of renewed optimism for the entire cryptocurrency market.

News Background
Bitcoin could correct to $96,700, according to CryptoQuant. This level corresponds to the average purchase price of short-term investors. Bitcoin Magazine is also not optimistic about the short-term prospects for Bitcoin.

Strategy has announced the issue of 2.5 million preferred shares with a 10% dividend yield. The funds raised will be used to purchase the first cryptocurrency.
Hong Kong-based Reitar Logtech Holdings intends to purchase $1.5 billion worth of Bitcoin as a hedge against volatility in traditional markets and to increase financial stability. No specific purchase dates have been announced.

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao has spoken about the risks associated with the widespread creation of corporate reserves based on Bitcoin. According to him, they are ‘non-binary and range from 0 to 100.’ However, it is possible to achieve an optimal risk/return ratio with the right balance. (FxPro)

News

The boiling point of the US labour market

Alternative employment data points to a sharp slowdown ahead of Friday's official employment report. ADP reports private sector employment growth of 37K, the lowest since March 2023 and well below the 6- and 12-month averages of around 150K.

Judging by this indicator, the US private sector labour market may be close to boiling point, where it was last seen for about a year from the first quarter of 2019 when the increase was barely noticeable. Employment is close to full capacity, but this is not causing wage growth to accelerate or fuelling inflation.

According to another report, the US services sector moved into contraction last month, as the ISM index fell to 49.9 from 51.6 a month earlier. Tariff uncertainty in April and May appears to be the main reason why order components are pulling the index down.

At the same time, the main obstacle to the Fed cutting rates remains, as the price component stands at 68.7 (the highest since November 2022), with prices rising in 16 out of 18 sectors. Earlier this week, the manufacturing ISM also reported some of the highest price growth rates since the beginning of 2022.

Most likely, the Fed will prefer to pause rather than move to easing policy, as the US president demands based on the data released. In theory, this is bearish news for the markets, but they are rising in the hope that the planned call on Friday between the leaders of the two largest economies will reverse the trend of recent months. (FxPro)

News

Cryptocurrency News

Bitcoin Market Dynamics: Bitcoin’s circulating supply is tightening, potentially setting the stage for price surges due to growing demand, as noted in Sygnum Bank’s June 2025 Monthly Investment Outlook. Bitcoin recently hit a high of $112,000 in May but dipped to $103,500 by late May, with analysts predicting it could reach $118,000 by June 30, 2025, if bullish momentum continues. Some forecasts suggest Bitcoin could climb to $175,000 in 2025 or even $250,000, driven by institutional demand and pro-crypto regulations, though bearish trends remain a risk.

XRP Price Volatility: XRP, after a 255% surge from November 2024 to January 2025, has fallen 34% from its January peak of $3.31. Analysts suggest it could break above $2.20 soon, with some predicting a potential rise to $5.81 in 2025 due to institutional adoption, while others warn of a possible delay in a bull run until November 2025.

Trump-Branded Crypto Ventures: A Trump-branded crypto wallet, the “Official $TRUMP Wallet,” was announced, but Trump’s sons distanced the family from it, highlighting rifts in their crypto ventures. The wallet, linked to the $TRUMP meme coin, allows trading of various cryptocurrencies and offers a $1 million reward sweepstakes for waitlist signups. Critics raise concerns about regulatory conflicts given Trump’s role in crypto oversight.

Stablecoin and ETF Developments: Stablecoin legislation is gaining traction, with the U.S. Senate advancing the GENIUS Act to regulate stablecoins, potentially boosting their adoption. Bitcoin ETFs saw $5.6 billion in inflows in May, with a 3-for-1 share split planned for the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF on June 16 to make it more accessible. U.S. BTC and ETH spot ETFs also reported inflows of $139.93 million and $109.43 million, respectively, on June 3.

Security and Regulatory Shifts: The SEC dropped its lawsuit against Binance, signaling a crypto-friendly stance under the Trump administration. However, a Coinbase customer data leak linked to an outsourcing company, known since January, may have cost up to $400 million. Additionally, “wrench attacks” combining cybercrime and physical theft are rising, with a notable case involving an Italian crypto trader in New York.

Other Crypto Updates: Pi Network’s price has dropped over 75% since February, with predictions it could fall to $0.40 unless transparency improves, despite a new game app launch. Pakistan allocated 2,000 megawatts to support Bitcoin mining and AI data centers, aiming to legalize crypto and attract investment. Conversely, China’s tightened restrictions on crypto ownership led to a $61 billion market cap dip.

Sentiment on X: Posts on X reflect optimism for crypto, with some claiming Bitcoin could hit $130,000 if not for market scares like China’s restrictions. Others highlight Pi Network’s potential, with speculative claims of it reaching $5 soon. (Grok)

News

Markets: Recap

ASX futures down 2 points to 8563

Australian dollar +0.5% to 64.94 US cents

Wall Street:
S&P 500 flat
Dow Jones -0.2%
Nasdaq +0.3%
Europe:
Stoxx 50 +0.6%
FTSE +0.2%
DAX +0.8%
CAC +0.5%

Bitcoin -1% to $US104,749
Spot gold +0.6% to $US3372.65 per ounce
US Oil -1.1% to $US62.74 a barrel
Brent crude oil -1.2% to $US64.85 a barrel
Iron ore +1.1% to $US95.35 per ton
10-year yield: US 4.35% Australia 4.25% Germany 2.52%

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%

 

 

 

 

 

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

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%

 

 

 

Cryptocurency News, Comms, Tech, Politics, Buzz

April 14, 2025 (USA)

MicroStrategy's Bitcoin Investment Surge

Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, has increased its Bitcoin investment by acquiring an additional 3,459 Bitcoins for approximately $285.8 million at an average price of $82,618 per Bitcoin. This purchase brings their total holdings to 531,644 BTC, with an average purchase price of $67,556 per Bitcoin, amounting to a total investment of about $35.92 billion. This move underscores Strategy's continued commitment to Bitcoin accumulation, achieving a year-to-date yield of 11.4% in 2025. (Grok)

News

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%

News

Strategy Acquires More Bitcoin

Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, has increased its Bitcoin investment by purchasing an additional 3,459 BTC for approximately $285.8 million at an average price of $82,618 per Bitcoin. This acquisition brings their total Bitcoin holdings to 531,644 BTC, with an average purchase price of $67,556 per Bitcoin, valuing their portfolio at around $35.92 billion. This action highlights Strategy's continued strategy of using Bitcoin as a significant treasury reserve asset, reflecting a broader trend of institutional adoption in the cryptocurrency sector.

News

NVIDIA to Produce AI Supercomputers in USA for First Time

NVIDIA has announced it will manufacture its AI supercomputers in the United States for the first time, with plans to invest up to $500 billion over the next four years to expand AI infrastructure. This initiative includes the start of production for NVIDIA's Blackwell chips at TSMC's facilities in Arizona, alongside new factory developments in Texas with partners Foxconn and Wistron. (Grok)

News

Trump and Musk on Intelligence: Predicting the Future as the Ultimate Measure

Former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that 'the best definition of intelligence is the ability to predict the future.' This statement led to a broad online discussion where some supported the idea, suggesting it aligns with long-term strategic planning. Others critiqued it, proposing that intelligence might also encompass shaping or adapting to the future. The conversation included humorous takes and reflections on whether Trump's own actions reflect this definition of intelligence.

News

$PEPE at Two: Meme Coin's Milestone Sparks Community Celebration

$PEPE, a cryptocurrency with origins in internet memes, celebrated its second anniversary. Fans and investors expressed their enthusiasm online, highlighting how $PEPE has evolved from a meme into a notable movement within the crypto community. Many are optimistic about its future, with predictions of significant growth and reflections on its positive impact on their lives. (Grok)

News

Webull's IPO Surge: The $BULL Market Frenzy

The stock of WeBull, trading as $BULL, surged over 250% on its IPO day, leading to multiple trading halts due to volatility. Starting at under $30, it quickly rose to over $50, driven by a low float and high investor interest. Discussions among traders highlighted both the potential for further gains, with some predicting a rise to $100, and concerns about the sustainability of such rapid increases, drawing comparisons to other volatile IPOs like $NMAX. The trading community displayed a mix of excitement and caution, with many sharing their investment strategies and entry points, reflecting the dynamic and speculative nature of the stock's performance.

News

$PEPE at Two: Meme Coin's Milestone Sparks Community Celebration

$PEPE, a cryptocurrency with origins in internet memes, celebrated its second anniversary. Fans and investors expressed their enthusiasm online, highlighting how $PEPE has evolved from a meme into a notable movement within the crypto community. Many are optimistic about its future, with predictions of significant growth and reflections on its positive impact on their lives. (Grok)

News

EU-US Trade Talks Resume: New Deal on the Horizon

President Donald Trump announced that the European Union has initiated discussions for a new trade deal with the United States. This follows ongoing tariff-related negotiations, with recent comments from both sides indicating progress. EU trade negotiators have been actively visiting the U.S. to work towards a comprehensive agreement, with projections suggesting a potential deal before June. (Grok)

News

Investors hope for bounce as Trump backflips again

Futures pricing suggests that Australian equities will gain about 0.2 per cent when the market opens on Monday, after a positive lead from Wall Street. The Trump administration's is likely to remain a key focus for invesors in the coming week, following the decision to exempt smartphones, computers and components from the tariffs regime. Pershing Square Capital Management's CEO Bill Ackman says the technology exemption could be the could be the beginning of the end for the US-China trade war. The S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.8 per cent to 7,646.5 points on Friday. (RMS)

News

Nvidia says its working to make supercomputers entirely in US for first time

Nvidia (NVDA) announced on Monday it is "working with its manufacturing partners to design and build factories that, for the first time, will produce NVIDIA AI supercomputers entirely in the US."

"Together with leading manufacturing partners, the company has commissioned more than a million square feet of manufacturing space to build and test NVIDIA Blackwell chips in Arizona and AI supercomputers in Texas," said Nvidia in a blog post on Monday.

The company said NVIDIA Blackwell chips have started production at TSMC’s chip plants in Phoenix, Arizona.

"NVIDIA is building supercomputer manufacturing plants in Texas, with Foxconn in Houston and with Wistron in Dallas. Mass production at both plants is expected to ramp up in the next 12-15 months," said the post.

Share of the AI giant rose in pre-market as the overall market gained.

 

 

 

 

Cryptocurrency, Fintech, Biz, Metals, Comms and News

April 12, 2025

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

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Crypto, Markets, Comms, News Media and Politics

April 4, 2025

Crypto did not give up trying to find the bottom

Market Picture

The crypto market cap fell below $2.65 trillion twice during the week. The market was below the $2.60 trillion level in November. The ability to consolidate above it was an important signal for the start of the rally. The market will likely defend this, which promises a prolonged battle near these levels. However, the balance is now on the side of the bears as the capitalisation index is moving away from its 200-day average. This is an important signal for large funds to reduce their investments in the sector.

The Cryptocurrency Sentiment Index spent the entire week in fear territory, ending in extreme fear at 25—the lowest level in three and a half weeks. However, these readings are not low enough to suggest oversold conditions, which should discourage sellers.

Bitcoin jumped to $88K in reaction to the tariff announcement, only to soon fall back below $82K. In the short term, it looked like another wave of selling to the upside. We have been seeing this trend since the second half of February. Technically, this is a continuation of the struggle with the major moving averages. The market is failing to consolidate above the 200-day MA, and the 50-day MA stopped rising intraday on Wednesday. As much as crypto enthusiasts would like it to be otherwise, the bears are in control of the market for now.

News Background

Nansen estimates that the crypto market has a 70% chance of forming a local bottom in the next two months amid global uncertainty over trade tariffs.

GameStop raised $1.5 billion by issuing convertible notes. The proceeds will be used to buy Bitcoin and for corporate purposes. The company's management approved the strategy on 25 March.

According to CryptoQuant, in the first quarter of the year, companies around the world added nearly 91,800 BTC (more than $7.7 billion) to their reserves. Meanwhile, selling by long-term investors and capital outflows from bitcoin ETFs prevented the asset from growing.

JPMorgan noted that March was the worst month for miners. The 14 largest US-listed bitcoin miners lost 25% of their market capitalisation (around $6 billion) last month. (FxPro)

News

Metaplanet Boosts Bitcoin Holdings with ¥2.63 Billion

On April 3, 2025, Japanese public company Metaplanet announced it had raised ¥2.63 billion, approximately $17.8 million USD, to purchase additional Bitcoin. This move increased their Bitcoin holdings to 4,206 BTC, following a recent acquisition of $13.6 million worth of Bitcoin. Metaplanet's actions reflect a continued interest in Bitcoin among institutional investors. (Grok)

News

Block Working on Bitcoin Integration for Square Terminals

Jack Dorsey, CEO of Block, has confirmed that the company is actively working to integrate Bitcoin payments into their Square terminals. This initiative aims to enable approximately 4 million merchants who use Square to accept Bitcoin payments. The development is part of a broader effort to enhance the adoption of Bitcoin in mainstream financial transactions, although no specific timeline for the implementation has been provided. (Grok)

News

Oil plummets the most since 2023

Oil tumbled the most since 2023 after suffering a twin hit from President Donald Trump’s tariffs and an OPEC+ decision to increase output faster than previously announced.West Texas Intermediate futures plunged as much as 7.4 per cent to trade below $US67 a barrel, while global benchmark Brent plummeted as much as 6.9 per cent to slip below $US70.Trump’s deluge of tariffs is creating fresh doubts about the outlook for the global economy, with levies against major crude importers such as China and India coming in more aggressive than feared. Although the administration steered away from actions that would directly affect oil markets — such as refraining from measures that would curb flows from Canada and Mexico — concerns that the trade war will sap global energy demand hammered prices.

News

Australia

PM, Dutton vow to reason with Trump

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday that President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 10 per cent tariff on Australian imports is "unwarranted", while Opposition leader Peter Dutton claimed that the "outcome would have been different" if he had been PM. Both Albanese and Dutton said they plan to visit the US if they win the 3 May election to try to persuade Trump to reverse his decision. However, both leaders ruled out negotiating on issues such as Australia's biosecurity ban on US beef and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which have been cited by the US as being grievances against Australia. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

The tiny Australian islands no one expected to draw Trump's fury

Located around 4,000 kilometres south-west of Perth and home to Australia's only two active volcanoes, Heard and McDonald islands are an Australian external territory with no record of any exports to anywhere. However, they have been hit with 10 per cent tariffs as part of US President Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariff impost, while Australian officials were very surprised that he hit Australia's external territory of Norfolk Island with a 29 per cent tariff. It officially recorded $411,000 in leather shoe exports in 2023, but a government official said it has no known exports to the US, and no tariffs or known non-tariff barriers on goods coming to Norfolk Island.

News

Manufacturing ISM: inflation up, activity down

Tuesday's ISM Manufacturing Indicator confirmed a worrying divergence in the US economy: economic activity is down, and inflation is rising. Often, the latter follows the former, but not now. A prolonged period of such dynamics is called stagflation, and it forces the Fed to make difficult choices in its dual mandate.

The ISM manufacturing business activity index fell from 50.3 to 49 last month. Strictly speaking, this is contractionary territory for the sector's activity, but due to the greater resilience of the service sector, historically, US GDP has declined when the indicator falls below 42.3.

The price component climbed to 69.4, recording its highest value since mid-2022. Unlike the episode three years ago, this has nothing to do with the economy overheating. We recall that the University of Michigan previously noted a sharp jump in consumer inflation expectations, both one year and five years ahead. If we focus only on these indicators, the central bank should have prepared to raise the rate or actually hike it.

But at the same time, business activity and consumer sentiment are creeping down. Tuesday's data marked the employment component falling deeper into the below-50 area. The rate has been below that level for 16 of the last 18 months. This is a very worrisome signal for industrial production and is alarming relative to Friday's labour market data. In addition, the components of production and new orders have been in contractionary territory and inventories are rising. These are all signs of weakening demand. This set of components suggests the need for a rate cut.

Which side will the Fed choose? We are more accustomed to a relatively lenient Fed, which carries risks for the dollar. If the news continues in a similar vein, the USD may return to decline after stabilising and rebounding in the second half of March. This scenario will be technically confirmed if DXY slides below the previous lows at 102.8 with a near-term downside potential of 99-100. (FxPro)

News

Australia

Albanese vows to defend media bargaining code

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the federal government stands by the nation's news media bargaining code, which was introduced by the Coalition in 2021. The media code was among a list of trade grievances with Australia that US President Donald Trump recently identified. Albanese also emphasised that local content quotas for US-based streaming services and social media age restrictions will also be non-negotiable in any talks with the US over Trump's reciprocal tariffs. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Australia

Netflix rival Max rolls out in Australia with bold profit prediction

The global boss of Australia’s newest streaming service, Max, has declared the platform will turn a profit within two or three years and will not rule out making local acquisitions where it makes sense.

Jean-Briac “JB” Perrette, who is the international chief executive of streaming for Warner Bros Discovery, the company that owns Max, Warner Bros, HBO, CNN, the DC Comic universe, Harry Potter and dozens more brands and channels, was visiting Sydney to launch Max, which went live in Australia on Monday.

The arrival of Max has already shaken up the local media market. It ended a 20-year output deal with Foxtel that meant HBO shows such as Game of Thrones, Succession and The Wire were pulled from Foxtel’s streaming service, Binge.

It also enters a crowded streaming market that is dominated by Netflix (6.2 million subscribers), Amazon Prime Video (4.8 million) and Disney+ (3.1 million), according to independent research firm Telsyte.

The cheapest, advertising-supported tier of Max, formerly known as HBO Max, will be free to Foxtel’s 1.4 million cable customers. Research firm Ampere Analysis estimated roughly half of Foxtel’s customers would subscribe. (AFR). Full article and coverag via subscription to The Australian Financial Review

News

Elon Musk to Remain Advisor Post-DOGE Initiative

Elon Musk will continue to serve as an advisor to President Trump and Vice President JD Vance after completing his initial six-month term with the DOGE initiative. His role has focused on improving government efficiency and addressing issues such as fraudulent grants and Social Security payments. Despite earlier reports suggesting his departure, Vice President Vance has confirmed that Musk's advisory role will persist beyond his current position. (Grok)

News

Newsmax Rings NYSE Bell for IPO Milestone

On April 3, 2025, Newsmax celebrated its initial public offering by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. The event was attended by Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy, along with various team members and guests, including Rudy Giuliani. The IPO marks a significant milestone for the media company as it goes public under the ticker symbol $NMAX.

News

Markets

Australian Dollar: $0.6316 USD (up $0.0026 USD)
Iron Ore May Spot Price (SGX): $101.25 USD (down $1.75 USD)
Oil Price (WTI): $66.74 USD (down $5.40 USD)
Gold Price: $3,108.12 USD (down $14.19 USD)
Copper Price (CME): $4.8135 USD (down $0.2785 USD)
Bitcoin: $81,965.73 USD (down 4.82% in last 24 hours)
Dow Jones: 40,545.93 (down 1,679.39 points)

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

Cryptos Today

BTC. $82,012.32. 4.29%
ETH. $1,784.70. 5.06.
USDT. $0.9995. 0.05%
XRP. $2.0595. 3.19%
BNB. $587.96. 2.41%
USDC. $0.9999. 0.00%
SOL. $115.55. 9.90%
DOGE. $0.1588. 7.69%

News

X wins Media Man 'Platform Of The Month' award

 

Media Man Business Blog

Media Man News Blog

Websites

FOX Business - Cryptocurrency

Google Finance - Cryptocurrencies

Yahoo Finance - Cryptocurrencies

The Australian Financial Review - Cryptocurrencies

CoinTelegraph CoinDesk.com Bitcoin.com - News

Bitcoin - Wikipedia Cryptocurrency - Wikipedia

Blockchain.com - News

FOX Business FOX News - US Economy

News Trends Bitcoin News Cryptocurrency News

Bitcoin Casino Directory

Bitcoin Games via Bitcoin.com

Blockchain Directory vis Media Man Group

NFT News

Sky News Australia - Business News

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X - Grok Ramps Up Cryptocurrency News Coverage With Major Donald Trump Launch With World Liberty Financial (WLFI); Media Man - Excellent Timing For News Cycle And U.S Election; Some Mainstream Media Will Have Little Choice But To Cover; X And Online News Sending News Global: Media Man

News

Trump to Launch Crypto Token Sale

Former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to launch a cryptocurrency token sale through his project named World Liberty Financial (WLFI) on Tuesday, October 15th, 2024. This initiative marks Trump as the first U.S. president to introduce a personal cryptocurrency. The token sale will be exclusive to accredited investors and will integrate with the Ethereum mainnet via the Aave protocol. Trump has announced an exclusive online event on Monday, October 14th at 8 AM EST to discuss the project further. This move into cryptocurrency by Trump has sparked discussions about its potential impact on the crypto market and its timing with political events. (Grok)

News

Trump's Crypto Token Launch

Former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to launch a cryptocurrency token sale through his project, World Liberty Financial, on Tuesday, October 15th, marking him as the first U.S. president to introduce a personal cryptocurrency. The token sale will begin with an exclusive event on Monday, October 14th at 8 AM EST, detailing the project's implications for finance. The cryptocurrency will be integrated with the Ethereum mainnet via the Aave protocol. Trump has also been accepting cryptocurrencies like XRP for his campaign, indicating a broader engagement with digital currencies. This initiative has generated significant interest and discussion within financial and cryptocurrency communities. (Grok)

Newswires

Trump Media stock soars after sudden reversal in election odds

October 13, 2024

Shares of Trump Media and Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, have jumped over the past week as betting markets started tilting toward former President Donald Trump.

On Friday, the stock surged 4.8% to close at $25.28, up 53% from last Friday's closing price.

That coincided with a broad improvement in Trump's odds of victory on top betting sites. For example, Vice President Kamala Harris was in the lead last weekend on PredictIt, then was tied by Wednesday, and was overtaken by Trump the following day.

Similarly, Harris had a slight edge on Oct. 4 on Polymarket, but lost it over the weekend, with Trump widening his lead throughout the following week. As of now, it shows 55% for Trump and 44.7% for Harris.

And on Kalshi, Harris and Trump were largely neck and neck, but Trump began pulling ahead by mid-week and now leads 53% versus 47%.

Meanwhile, renowned data scientist Thomas Miller, a professor at Northwestern University, also told Fortune's Shawn Tully on Thursday that Trump’s odds surged over the past week, giving him a two-vote electoral college lead.

He maintains that his model, which is guided by political betting data, is a much better forecaster than following the individual polls.

While nationwide opinion polls haven't seen a dramatic reversal, with Harris clinging to a narrow lead, polls in the key swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania show her advantage shrinking while Trump has held onto leads in other battlegrounds like Georgia and North Carolina.

Trump Media shares have already been on a wild ride this year, acting like a barometer of Trump’s election prospects. The stock skyrocketed following Trump’s first debate with President Joe Biden in June and again after Trump survived an assassination attempt in July.

But after Biden stepped aside and Harris took his place in the presidential race, Trump Media stock tumbled. Shares sold off further last month as the end of the lockup period approached, allowing company insiders to sell their shares.

Then last month, Trump said he would not sell his stock, dampening speculation that he would cash them out to cover legal or campaign expenses. Since hitting a low on Sept. 23, Trump Media stock has leapt 115%.

Trump owns about 59% of the outstanding shares, meaning his stake is now worth nearly $3 billion. (Wires, A.I News)

News Flashback By Popular Demand

Crypto And Politics

Gonzo Bitcoin Scribes With Gonzo, A.I And Grok

Wrestling With Crypto, BTC News And Power To The People; President Trump Looking For A Win-Win-Win situation

And The Crowd Roars Wild For Crypto Friendly Polies

In Case You Missed It

By A. Media Scriber. With assistance from A. Bot (Grok Chapter)

July 28, 2024

Trump vs Harris on cryptocurrency

For The U.S And World Wrestling Crypto Heavyweight Title

The Trumper Will continue to promote and lift bitcoin

Trump planning to establish a U.S. bitcoin stockpile, set up a crypto advisory council akin to Wrestlers Court

Former (to some) President Donald Trump on Saturday body slammed Vice President Kamala Harris over the Biden administration’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation and announced a sweeping set of industry-friendly policies, as he sought to win over the bitcoin mob.

Speaking at a major crypto conference in Nashville, Tennessee, Bitcoin 2024 (WrestleMania for Cryptos) Trump sought to hog tie Harris to the Biden administration’s rugged regulatory approach to the digital asset industry. Though Harris hasn’t taken a public position and her team is ramping up outreach to the crypto world, Trump said she is “against crypto.”

Every Babyface Needs A Villain/Heel

Trump endorsed an array of policies to boost crypto firms.

Bullet Points

Have the U.S government hold a stockpile of bitcoin, creating a crypto advisory council, installing a crypto-friendly Securities and Exchange Commission chair and ock blocking the Fed Reserve from creating its own digital currency.

“I pledge to the bitcoin community that the day I take the oath of office, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ anti-crypto crusade will be over,” he said.

“The moment I’m sworn in, the persecution stops and the weaponization ends against your industry.”

Trump’s grand and most welcome appearance at the Bitcoin 2024 conference cemented his embrace of the crypto industry, which is lobbying hard in downtown Washington and planning to spend more than a whopping $160 million to sway this year’s elections. And you thought that stakes were high in WWE's 'Money In The Bank'. How about a crypto title Triple H? Matt Cardona had the Internet Title - we know.

The emergence of Harris after Joe may have been caught in a sleeper hold is likely to complicate his pitch and may throw a ring spanner in the world. Her campaign is showing signs of opening up to the industry, and some Democrats are pushing her to break from the Biden administration’s more skeptical approach.

Trump vowed to terminate SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who has pursued a series of high-profile crypto enforcement actions and has sternly warned that digital asset trading poses big investor risks. Trump also pledged to enact policies to support stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency pegged to other assets like the dollar.

“We will have regulations, but from now on the rules will be written by people who love your industry, not hate your industry,” he said.

Trump was offered raucous applause and crowd pop, including when he vowed to sack Gensler.

“I didn’t know he was that unpopular,” Trump said.

Trump heaped praise on the crowd, calling them “highly intelligent,” and criticized crypto skeptics like Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), whom he singled out by name.

“The Biden-Harris administration’s repression of crypto and bitcoin is wrong, and it’s very bad for our country,” he said.

Trump himself is a former crypto critic, but he did not acknowledge his past comments in his particular speech. He penned in 2019 that he was “not a fan of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, which are not money, and whose value is highly volatile and based on thin air.”

Trump started embracing the crypto industry in May. He has since cashed in on his crypto stance, hosting crypto executives at fundraisers and his Mar-a-Lago resort.

Ahead of his speech on Saturday, Trump participated in a fundraiser at the bitcoin conference with an $844,600 asking price to attend a VIP reception, roundtable and to snap a mug shot er photo with the former president, according to an online invitation. A lower-tier ticket that went for $60,000 per person or $100,000 per couple allowed attendees to just attend the reception and get a snap a pic with The Trumpster.

Trump, who appeared on stage Saturday afternoon after an extensive delay, singled out several figures in the crypto world at the start of his speech. They included the Winklevoss twins, whom he dubbed “male models with a big beautiful brain,” Rep. French Hill of Arkansas, who is vying to lead the House Financial Services Committee next year, and David Bailey, who organized the conference.

So fans, you got the winning ticket, your Trump collectables, now you've heard The Hulkster's promo at the RNC. Now we just need the traditional title of President Of The United States, and Commander In Chief sounds good as crypto gold too.

A bullet proof boss, crypto friendly, freedom of speech, and pro actively draining the swamp while giving back power to the people. This trend may just catch on globally. We might need an NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) type group, and they can lock horns with the NWO, much like the famed World Championship Wrestling vs New World Order tussles of the past. DT For The Win! Some of the names change, but the ultimate goal largely remains the same - Freedom!

Special thanks: Bitcoin Magazine/Bitcoin 2024/Bitcoin 2024

Team Donald Trump

WWE, TKO Group, NWA

Hunter S. Thompson (the late)

Grok, X Corp

Trump Trading Cards

The Readers - that means you sport!

News

Bitcoin 2024 (via Grok)

The anticipation around Bitcoin in 2024 is palpable, driven by several key events and trends:

Bitcoin Halving: Scheduled for April 2024, this event reduces the reward for mining new blocks by half, from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC. Historically, halving events have led to significant price increases due to the reduced supply of new bitcoins entering the market. Analysts and enthusiasts expect this trend to continue, potentially pushing Bitcoin's price to new heights.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs: The potential approval of spot Bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) in the U.S. is seen as a major catalyst. Such financial products could bring a flood of institutional money into Bitcoin, enhancing its liquidity and acceptance as an investment vehicle. This move could significantly impact Bitcoin's price by making it more accessible to retail and institutional investors who prefer regulated investment products.

Macroeconomic Factors: With concerns over inflation, economic stability, and monetary policies, Bitcoin is increasingly viewed as a hedge against inflation or currency devaluation. Predictions of interest rate cuts and increased money printing by major economies like the U.S. and China could further bolster Bitcoin's appeal as a "digital gold."

Price Predictions: Various analysts and platforms have made bold predictions for Bitcoin's price in 2024.

Predictions range from $60,000 to as high as $524,000, with many expecting a significant bull run post-halving. These forecasts are based on historical patterns post-halving, increased adoption, and the potential for Bitcoin to be seen as a safe-haven asset.

Community Sentiment: On platforms like X, there's a mix of cautious optimism and outright bullishness.

Discussions highlight the potential for Bitcoin to reach six figures or even higher, driven by the halving, ETFs, and macroeconomic conditions. However, there's also acknowledgment of potential corrections or sideways movements post-halving, as seen in past cycles.

Technological and Network Developments: Beyond price, Bitcoin's underlying technology continues to evolve. The introduction of Ordinals and BRC-20 tokens on Bitcoin's network represents innovation in NFTs and DeFi directly on Bitcoin, potentially increasing its utility and thus, value.

Market Sentiment and Events: The Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville, featuring high-profile speakers, underscores Bitcoin's growing mainstream acceptance and its role in global financial discussions. Such events not only boost visibility but also might influence market sentiment positively.

Given these points, Bitcoin in 2024 is expected to be at the center of financial innovation, regulatory discussions, and investment strategies. While the exact price trajectory remains speculative, the combination of halving, potential ETF approvals, and global economic conditions sets the stage for what many in the community anticipate could be one of Bitcoin's most significant years yet. However, as with any investment, especially in cryptocurrencies, there's inherent volatility and risk involved, which should be considered alongside the optimism. (Grok)

News via Grok

Zurich Cantonal Bank Launches Crypto Trading

September 9, 2024

Zurich Cantonal Bank (ZKB), Switzerland's fourth-largest bank, has introduced trading services for Bitcoin and Ethereum, marking a significant step in integrating cryptocurrencies into traditional banking. This service allows clients to trade these cryptocurrencies through ZKB's existing eBanking and Mobile Banking platforms, offering 24/7 trading capabilities. Additionally, ZKB provides custody services for these digital assets, enhancing security. This move represents a notable advancement in the adoption of cryptocurrencies by mainstream financial institutions, potentially influencing broader acceptance and use of digital currencies in financial markets.

News

BTC via Grok

Here's a summary based on the latest information available up to September 7, 2024:

Price Movement: Bitcoin experienced a notable drop following the release of U.S. jobs data, with prices dipping by as much as 6.5% to around $52,600. However, there's been a slight recovery, indicating some volatility but also resilience around certain support levels.

Market Sentiment: There's a mix of caution and optimism. The market saw increased volatility with significant price drops across major cryptocurrencies, but there's also mention of a potential for recovery or stabilization, with some traders pointing out that the market might be setting up for further movements based on current support and resistance levels.

Technical Analysis: Various posts discuss Bitcoin's price action within a channel, with more tests at the lower end suggesting a potential for either a breakout or a strong bounce back. Negative funding rates and a lack of significant liquidations on the downside indicate a cautious market where shorts are confident at high-time-frame support levels.

Market Structure: There's an observation of thin order books between the current price and higher levels like $57,000, suggesting potential for rapid movements if buying pressure increases significantly.

Institutional Interest: The mention of Barclays targeting MicroStrategy stock for Bitcoin exposure highlights ongoing institutional interest in Bitcoin, albeit indirectly through stocks of companies with significant Bitcoin holdings.

ETF Impact: There have been outflows from Bitcoin ETFs, which might reflect profit-taking or a shift in investor sentiment, possibly influenced by macroeconomic data or regulatory news.

Future Outlook: While there's immediate concern over the recent dip, the broader sentiment includes watching for how Bitcoin reacts at current support levels, with some anticipation for potential upward movements if certain psychological or technical levels are breached.

This summary reflects a snapshot of Bitcoin's market dynamics as of early September 2024, characterized by typical crypto market volatility, technical analysis speculation, and ongoing interest from both retail and institutional investors. Always remember, the crypto market can be highly speculative, and sentiments can shift rapidly based on new information or broader market trends. (Grok)

News

Trump 2024 (via Grok)

Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign has been marked by several notable events and strategic shifts:

Campaign Events and Focus: Trump has been actively campaigning across key battleground states, with recent activities including a rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin, where he spoke on various issues like the economy, education policy, and international relations. His campaign schedule has included themed events focusing on economic policy, crime, national security, and immigration, indicating a broad-based approach to appeal to different voter concerns.

Strategic Adjustments: There's been a noticeable shift in campaign strategy, particularly in response to Kamala Harris's rise in the Democratic ticket. Trump has scaled back campaigning in states like New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Virginia, focusing instead on states with higher electoral impact like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Arizona. This suggests a strategic pivot to consolidate support in crucial swing states.

Policy Promises: Trump has made significant promises, including ending the Russia-Ukraine war before his potential inauguration, abolishing the U.S. Department of Education, and preventing World War III. These pledges aim to appeal to voters looking for strong, decisive action on both domestic and foreign policy fronts.

Public Sentiment and Campaign Style: Trump's rallies continue to draw crowds, although there have been observations of smaller turnouts in some instances compared to previous campaigns. His style remains confrontational, with direct attacks on his opponents and frequent use of social media to engage with supporters directly.

Legal and Political Challenges: The campaign has not been without controversy, including legal challenges and criticisms over his handling of previous events like the Afghanistan withdrawal. Trump's campaign has responded to these by focusing on his past achievements and painting his opponents as less competent or patriotic.

Fundraising and Support: Despite legal battles, Trump's campaign has managed to maintain significant financial support, though there have been fluctuations in fundraising success. His campaign has also been described as ramping up its ground game, suggesting an intensified effort to mobilize voters at the grassroots level.

Media and Public Perception: Social media posts reflect a mix of staunch support and criticism, with some users highlighting perceived weaknesses in Trump's campaign strategy or health, while others rally behind his policies and persona. The campaign's use of media, including Trump's own social media presence, plays a crucial role in shaping his narrative.

Engagement with Key Demographics: Efforts like announcing a "Black Americans for Trump" coalition indicate a strategy to broaden his voter base, addressing criticisms of past campaigns where he struggled with certain demographics.

Trump's 2024 campaign, therefore, is characterized by a blend of continuity in his aggressive campaign style, adaptation to new political realities with Harris as his opponent, and a focus on policy promises that aim to resonate with a wide swath of American voters, particularly in swing states crucial for electoral victory.

 

 

Bitcoin Surpasses $63,000

X And Grok Right On The Money For Crypto, Bitcoin Coverage In Near Real Time With Timelines And Accountability, X/Grok Motivated To Perform: Awaiting Mad Monday Following Bullish Weekend: Media Man

October 12, 2024

News

Bitcoin's price surged to $63,000, marking a significant recovery from $58,000 the previous day. This increase has led to optimism among cryptocurrency enthusiasts, with many predicting further gains and suggesting a shift from a bearish to a bullish market sentiment. Despite the price increase, the Fear and Greed Index indicates a market sentiment of fear, suggesting caution among investors. Analysts and investors are discussing potential price targets, with some forecasting Bitcoin could reach $100,000 soon. The discussions also highlight the weakening of previous resistance levels, indicating Bitcoin might easily surpass its August highs upon revisiting those levels.

News/Profile via Grok

What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin, often abbreviated as BTC, is the first and most widely recognized decentralized cryptocurrency. It operates on a technology called blockchain, which is a public, distributed ledger that records all transactions across a network of computers without requiring a central authority or bank. Here's a deeper dive:

Creation and Purpose: Introduced in 2009 by an individual or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin was designed as an electronic payment system based on cryptographic proof instead of trust, allowing online payments to be sent directly from one party to another without going through financial institutions.

Decentralization: Unlike traditional currencies, Bitcoin isn't issued or backed by any government or central bank. Transactions are verified by network nodes and recorded in blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptography.

Mining and Supply: New bitcoins are created through a process called mining, where miners solve complex mathematical problems to add transactions to the blockchain. This process also secures the network. The total supply of Bitcoin is capped at 21 million coins, making it deflationary by design.

Use Cases:
Store of Value: Often referred to as "digital gold," Bitcoin has become an investment asset, seen by many as a hedge against inflation due to its fixed supply.

Transaction Medium: While it started as a medium of exchange, its use in transactions has varied with its volatility, though it's still used for purchases, especially in niche markets.

Speculative Trading: Bitcoin's price volatility has attracted traders looking for profit through price movements.

Current Status (as of October 2024):
Price: The price of Bitcoin hovers around $63,000 to $64,000 USD, showing slight fluctuations but maintaining a robust market presence.

Market Sentiment: From posts on X, there's a sentiment around Bitcoin as not just digital currency but as a foundational technology for trustless systems, indicating its broadening perception from just a cryptocurrency to a pivotal blockchain technology.

Challenges and Considerations:
Volatility: Bitcoin's price can experience significant swings, which might deter its use as everyday currency but increases its allure for traders.

Regulation: Governments worldwide are still grappling with how to regulate cryptocurrencies, affecting its adoption and legality in various jurisdictions.

Energy Consumption: The mining process, particularly with the proof-of-work consensus mechanism, consumes substantial energy, leading to environmental concerns.

Cultural Impact: Bitcoin has not only influenced finance but also culture, becoming a symbol of financial freedom and resistance against traditional financial systems for many. Its mention in media, from documentaries to financial news, underscores its integration into broader societal discussions.

Bitcoin continues to evolve, influencing and being influenced by technology, economics, and global regulations. Its journey from an obscure digital currency to a recognized asset class illustrates the profound impact of blockchain technology on finance and beyond. (Grok)

News

Cryptocurrency News/Profile via Grok

Cryptocurrency refers to a type of digital or virtual currency that utilizes cryptography for security. Here's a breakdown of what it entails based on general knowledge and recent insights up to October 2024:

Definition and Function: Cryptocurrency operates on decentralized technology, typically a blockchain, which is a distributed ledger enforced by a network of computers. This technology ensures that transactions are secure, verified, and maintained without the need for a central authority like banks or governments.

Cryptocurrencies function as a medium of exchange, allowing direct transactions between parties.

Security and Anonymity: The use of cryptography makes cryptocurrencies extremely difficult to counterfeit or double-spend. While transactions can be pseudonymous, meaning they are not directly linked to personal identities, most cryptocurrencies provide a level of transparency where transaction details are public but not necessarily the identities behind them.

Market Dynamics: The cryptocurrency market has shown both significant growth and volatility. For instance, Bitcoin has experienced notable fluctuations, with its price and market cap often leading the crypto market's sentiment. Events like regulatory news, technological developments (like Ethereum's upgrades), and macroeconomic factors influence these markets.

Types and Use Cases: Beyond Bitcoin, there are thousands of cryptocurrencies, often referred to as altcoins, each with different functionalities. Ethereum introduced smart contracts, enabling decentralized applications (dApps) and decentralized finance (DeFi). Other cryptocurrencies focus on privacy, scalability, or specific use cases like supply chain management.

Public Perception and Adoption: Despite growing awareness, the adoption of cryptocurrencies as everyday currency remains limited. The complexity, regulatory uncertainties, and the lack of user-friendly infrastructure compared to traditional financial systems pose hurdles. However, there's increasing interest in cryptocurrencies as investment vehicles or speculative assets.

Regulatory Landscape: Governments around the world are grappling with how to regulate cryptocurrencies. Some countries are embracing crypto with regulatory frameworks, while others impose bans or severe restrictions. This regulatory dance impacts market stability and investor confidence.

Technological Developments: The blockchain technology underlying cryptocurrencies continues to evolve. Concepts like proof-of-stake (PoS) versus proof-of-work (PoW), scalability solutions, and interoperability between blockchains are at the forefront of innovation, aiming to address issues like energy consumption and transaction speeds.

Challenges: Cryptocurrencies face challenges like scalability, security (despite cryptography, there are still vulnerabilities in surrounding ecosystems like exchanges), regulatory scrutiny, and the risk of being used for illicit activities due to their pseudonymous nature.

Future Outlook: The future of cryptocurrencies might see them becoming more integrated into the financial system, either as a parallel system or evolving into something new with further technological advancements. The narrative around cryptocurrencies often oscillates between them being the future of money and speculative bubbles, reflecting the speculative and innovative nature of the space.

From the sentiment on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), there's a mix of enthusiasm for the potential of cryptocurrencies to revolutionize finance and skepticism regarding their stability, utility, and environmental impact. The conversation around cryptocurrencies continues to evolve, reflecting both their promise and the significant challenges they face in mainstream adoption. (Grok)

 

 

 

The Sydney Morning Herald - Business

News.com.au - Finance - Business

The Australian Financial Review - Companies AFR - Companies Index

The Australian Financial Review - Media and Marketing

Valuetainment - Business

Financial Times

 

Cryptocurrency News via Media Man and FxPro

September 18. 2024

The crypto market gets a boost from stocks

Market Picture

The crypto market has gained 2.1% in the last 24 hours to reach $2.08 trillion. The rise in the stock market has brought buyers back to Bitcoin, which has positively impacted cryptocurrencies. The sentiment index is still in the fear zone, but at 45, it is already close to neutral territory. This shows that it is lagging stocks where sentiment has shifted to 'greed'.

Bitcoin surpassed $60K, accelerating sharply at the start of the US session. The price peaked at $61.3K before retreating to $60.4K at the time of writing.

Despite some pullback, bitcoin has broken above its 50-day moving average, suggesting significant upside potential. However, it isn't easy to rely on today's technical picture ahead of the Fed's interest rate decision on Wednesday evening. The next important level is likely to be around the $64K, where the late August high and the 200-day average are located.

News Background

JPMorgan sees bitcoin hash rate growth slowing as miner revenues remain at historic lows. Meanwhile, US Bitcoin miners' share of the network hash rate rose for the fifth consecutive month to 26.7%, an all-time high.

MicroStrategy will place $700 million in four-year unsecured convertible notes to acquire additional bitcoins and fund general corporate purposes.

According to Arkham, the Bhutanese government's bitcoin holdings amount to 13,036 BTC ($770 million), almost three times El Salvador's reserves. The country has the world's fourth-largest stockpile of BTCs, derived from mining by a sovereign wealth fund.

The crypto industry is no longer able to provide 'dopamine' to either developers or traders. That is why it is in crisis, said CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju. According to him, the crypto industry is gradually turning into a 'gambling den'.

Developers Curve Finance and TON Foundation will create a platform for trading stablecoins on the TON blockchain. The new initiative will meet the growing demand for stablecoins and increase the liquidity and popularity of the network's Web3 ecosystem.

 

 

 

Bitcoin drops 10pc as rout deepens

August 5, 2024

 

Bitcoin is under pressure from a bout of risk aversion in global markets that saddled the largest digital asset with its heftiest weekly loss since the collapse of the FTX exchange in 2022.

The original cryptocurrency sank more than 10 per cent at one point before paring some of the decline to trade at $US54,333 ($83,590). The token lost 13.1 per cent in the seven days through Sunday, the most since the FTX bankruptcy period. Smaller tokens such as ether and meme-crowd favourite dogecoin also nursed heavy losses.

The declines come as a global stock sell-off intensifies, reflecting concerns about the economic outlook and questions over whether heavy investment into artificial intelligence will live up to the hype surrounding the technology. Geopolitical tension is rising in the Middle East, adding to investor skittishness.

Bitcoin exchange traded funds in the US suffered their largest outflows in about three months on August 2. The digital asset has also tumbled through its 200-day moving average price.

The latter technical chart pattern “opens the way for a deeper pullback” towards $54,000, Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG Australia, wrote in a note.

Bitcoin has been buffeted by a range of factors since hitting a record of $US73,798 in March, including shifting political fortunes in the US as pro-crypto Republican Donald Trump and his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris – who has yet to detail a digital-asset policy stance – lock horns in the presidential race. (AI News, Wires)

 

 

Features

Sports Business Daily

Sports Business Coverage Here

Media Business

Big Tech

Gold News

SEO News

AI News

 

 

Donald Trump Bitcoin Conference Keynote
https://youtube.com/watch?v=9UxAUryUKXM&ab_channel=BitcoinMagazine

Donald Trump delivers his keynote address at the Bitcoin Conference 2024. In a groundbreaking speech at the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville, former President Donald Trump outlines his vision for a crypto-friendly America. Trump promises to end the current administration's "anti-crypto crusade" and positions himself as the first major party nominee to accept Bitcoin donations. He pledges to fire SEC Chairman Gary Gensler, create a Presidential Crypto Advisory Council, and keep all government-held Bitcoin. Trump's address covers a wide range of topics, from energy policy to inflation, connecting them all to the future of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in America. He vows to make the U.S. the "crypto capital of the planet" and a "Bitcoin superpower," promising regulatory clarity and economic prosperity for the industry.

This video is a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of politics and cryptocurrency. Lower your time preference and lock-in your Bitcoin 2025 conference tickets today!!! (Credit: Bitcoin Magazine
@BitcoinMagazine
/Bitcoin 2024)

Click Here: http://b.tc/conference/2025 #djt

Websites

Bitcoin Magazine
https://bitcoinmagazine.com

Bitcoin Magazine:

NEWS: DONALD TRUMP TO SPEAK AT BITCOIN 2024 CONFERENCE IN NASHVILLE
https://bitcoinmagazine.com/business/donald-trump-to-speak-at-bitcoin-2024-conference-in-nashville

Bitcoin Magazine YouTube
https://youtube.com/@BitcoinMagazine

 

 

 

Cryptocurrency News via Media Man and FxPro

FxPro

PxPro: News

 

 

Cryptocurrency News via Media Man and FxPro

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.


 

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.


Media Man Int

Business News (Media Man Int) http://mediamanint.com/articles/business_news.html

Bitcoin News (Media Man Int) http://mediamanint.com/bitcoin_news.html

Blockchain News (Media Man Int) https://mediamanint.com/blockchain_news.html

Cryptocurrency News (Media Man Int) http://mediamanint.com/cryptocurrency_news.html

Gold Directory (Media Man Int) http://mediamanint.com/articles/gold_directory.html

Mining Directory (Media Man Int) *in progress http://mediamanint.com/articles/mining_directory.html

Commodities News (Media Man Int) *in progress http://mediamanint.com/commodities_news.html

 

 

News

Finance / World Business News

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)

 

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.