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Markets, Crypto and Culture

August 13, 2025

Sydney, Australia

Markets

ASX futures up 20 points/0.2% to 8858

Australian dollar -0.1% to 65.27 US cents

Wall Street:
S&P 500 +1.1%
Dow Jones +1.1%
Nasdaq +1.4%

Europe:
Stoxx 50 +0.1%
FTSE +0.2%
DAX -0.2%
CAC +0.7%

Bitcoin +1% to $US120,008

Gold +0.2% to $US3348.26 per ounce

US oil -1.3% to $US63.11 a barrel

Brent crude oil -0.8% to $US66.12 a barrel

Iron ore +0.9% to $US104.40 per ton

10-year yield:
US 4.29%
Australia 4.24%
Germany 2.74%

News

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $119,583.76 USD +0.87%
Ethereum $4,564.07 USD +8.51%
Tether $0.9993 USD -0.03%
XRP $3.26 USD +4.27%
BNB $832.17 USD +4.08%

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 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

Markets, Cryptos and Culture

July 23, 2025
Sydney, Australia

ASX futures up 40 points/0.5% to 8681

Australian dollar +0.4% to 65.54 US cents

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

Europe:
Stoxx 50 -1%
FTSE +0.1%
DAX -1.1, CAC -0.7%

Bitcoin +2.3% to $US119,833

Gold +1% to $US3430.70 per ounce

US oil -1.5% to $US66.21 a barrel

Brent crude oil -0.6% to $US68.81 a barrel

Iron ore +2.1% to $US105.65 per tonne

10-year yield:
US 4.34%
Australia 4.30%
Germany 2.59%

Cryptos: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $119,646.99 USD +1.97%

Ethereum $3,712.70 USD -1.22%

Tether $1.00 USD +0.04%

XRP $3.54 USD -0.67%

BNB $776.25 USD +1.68%

Solana $201.95 USD +2.69%

USD Coin $0.9991 USD -0.00%

Dogecoin $0.2678 USD -1.56%

Cardano $0.8927 USD +0.60%

TRON $0.3135 USD -0.38%

Wrapped Bitcoin $119,600.99 USD +2.00%

Stellar $0.4724 USD -0.06%

Sui $3.98 USD +0.15%

Chainlink $19.45 USD -0.17%

Crypto News

Bitcoin bounces off support, Solana enters overbought territory

Market Picture

The crypto market capitalisation has declined by 1.4% over the past 24 hours to $3.9 trillion. At the end of Monday, pressure on Bitcoin spread to the market, halting growth in several altcoins.

The sentiment index remains at a comfortable level of 72, just short of the extreme greed zone. According to this metric, the market is not overheated, which preserves the potential for growth to accelerate. The optimal scenario for this would be a resumption of positive momentum in BTC.

Bitcoin slipped to $116K on Tuesday morning, the lower bound of the consolidation range of the last 10 days. However, during the European session, the price returned to the centre of this range, close to $118K. We will be able to talk about the end of consolidation if the price rises above $120K, which will signal a resumption of growth after a slight shake-up. An alternative scenario would be a deepening of the correction.

The price of Solana exceeded $200, returning to levels last seen in February. The RSI rose to 80, which in recent years has often triggered corrective pullbacks when the index (not the price) began to decline.

News Background

The ethPandaOps team said the next major Fusaka update will be deployed on the Ethereum network in early November. Ethereum developers will launch public test networks in September and October.Large holders of the first cryptocurrency increased their transfers of coins to crypto exchanges by 60% over the week, which may indicate profit-taking against the backdrop of market growth, CryptoQuant notes.

The UK government is considering selling 61,000 confiscated bitcoins ($7.1 billion) to cover the budget deficit.

According to Glassnode's calculations, new investors have invested more than $16.75 billion in Bitcoin over the past two weeks, indicating growing optimism in the market. However, retail interest in BTC remains subdued despite reaching a new all-time high. (FxPro)

News

Blockchain News

Maldives Financial Hub: The Maldives government partnered with Dubai-based MBS Global Investments to establish a $8.8 billion blockchain and digital assets financial hub in Malé, aiming to diversify the economy.

Telegram’s TON Wallet: Telegram rolled out its integrated self-custodial TON Wallet to 87 million U.S. users, enabling seamless crypto payments and DeFi access within the app. TON’s price jumped 3% to $3.41.

Tether’s Enforcement Actions: Tether froze nearly $86K in stolen USDT, spotlighting its centralized control capabilities in stablecoin ecosystems, raising debates about decentralization.

Poseidon’s Funding: Poseidon secured $15 million, led by a16z Crypto, to build a decentralized, IP-cleared data pipeline for AI training, enhancing blockchain’s role in AI.

PancakeSwap Infinity Launch: The latest version of PancakeSwap’s DEX launched on Coinbase’s Base network, hitting all-time highs in total value locked (TVL) and DEX activity.

Chainlink’s Compliance Engine: Chainlink’s Automated Compliance Engine (ACE) aims to streamline $60B+ in annual compliance costs for U.S. and Canadian institutions, potentially 10 times faster and cheaper.
Regulatory Developments: The Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act, protecting open-source developers from unfit licensure, is included in the Senate Market Structure draft.

Hacker Activity: A pro-Israel hacker group stole $81 million in crypto from Iran’s largest exchange, Nobitex, escalating geopolitical tensions.

News

Gold News

Gold Price Movements: Gold prices have been volatile but are trending upward, recently reaching $3,431.41 per troy ounce on July 22, 2025, up 0.96% from the previous day and 42.47% year-over-year. Prices briefly surpassed $3,400 per ounce, driven by a weaker U.S. dollar and geopolitical uncertainties. However, gains were capped by a stronger dollar and robust U.S. economic data in some instances.

Market Drivers:
Trade and Geopolitical Tensions: Ongoing U.S.-China trade disputes and President Trump's tariff policies, including potential 15-20% levies on the EU, have bolstered gold's safe-haven appeal. Reports of Trump considering firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell briefly spiked prices, though gains moderated after his denial.

Central Bank Demand: Central banks added 20 tonnes to gold reserves in May 2025, with annual buying exceeding 1,000 tonnes for the third consecutive year, supporting prices. J.P. Morgan predicts 900 tonnes of central bank purchases in 2025, driven by diversification away from U.S. dollar reserves.

Investor Sentiment: Physically backed gold ETFs saw their largest semi-annual inflow since H1 2020, reflecting strong investor interest amid inflation and growth concerns.

Regional Highlights:
India: Gold demand remains subdued due to near-record prices, with dealers offering discounts to attract buyers. Silver is gaining traction, trading near a 14-year high.

China: The People’s Bank of China continues adding to gold reserves, though retail investment has cooled. A new policy allows select insurance companies to invest in gold.

Ghana: A task force was launched to combat illegal gold trading, aiming to recover billions lost to smuggling.

Industry Developments:
Royal Gold acquired Sandstorm Gold for $3.5 billion, strengthening its North American position amid record-high bullion prices.

Australia’s gold mining industry is focusing on sustainable practices and partnerships with Indigenous businesses.

Forecasts: J.P. Morgan forecasts gold prices averaging $3,675/oz by Q4 2025, potentially reaching $4,000 by mid-2026, driven by central bank and investor demand. However, risks include potential Fed delays in rate cuts due to inflationary pressures from tariffs. (Grok)

News

Australian Casino News

The industry faces a tug-of-war between growth, regulatory enforcement, and financial instability, with major operators like Star and Crown under scrutiny and online platforms exploiting regulatory gaps

Star Entertainment's Woes: Star Entertainment Group, a major casino operator, is teetering on collapse. It secured a $200 million bailout in September 2024 and a $300 million deal with Bally’s Corporation in April 2025, but a $940 million funding deal fell through. The company faces a $400 million fine for money laundering violations, with shares suspended and 10,000 jobs at risk. Talks are ongoing with Crown Resorts for a potential takeover of Star’s stake in Queen’s Wharf Brisbane.

Crown Resorts Developments: Crown Perth was deemed suitable to retain its gaming license after remediation, while Crown Melbourne will host the Aussie Millions poker tournament in 2026, its first since 2020. Crown rejected an $8.4 billion takeover bid from Blackstone in 2021, but financial performance remains opaque since its 2022 acquisition.

Online Gambling Trends: Offshore online casinos, like http://Shuffle.com, process billions in cryptocurrencies monthly, despite being banned in Australia. These platforms use influencer marketing and crypto to bypass regulations, raising concerns about consumer protection. The Australian gambling market is projected to hit $15.43 billion in 2025, driven by mobile gaming and platforms like Neospin and Rooster bet.

Money Laundering Concerns: AUSTRAC ordered audits of Townsville’s Ville Resort-Casino and Darwin’s Mindil Beach Casino Resort due to high money laundering risks. Past scandals involving Crown and Star revealed ties to organized crime, yet no criminal charges have been laid.

Responsible Gambling Push: A 2023 parliamentary report recommended blocking transactions to illegal operators and stronger sanctions. Victoria’s trial of mandatory card-based gambling aims to curb problem gambling, while a proposed social media ban for under-16s may limit exposure to gambling streams on platforms like Kick and Twitch. (Grok)

News

Gold: Movie

Gold (2016) is a crime drama inspired by the 1990s Bre-X mining scandal. Matthew McConaughey stars as Kenny Wells, a prospector who partners with geologist Michael Acosta (Édgar Ramírez) to find gold in Indonesia. After striking it rich, their success unravels amid fraud and betrayal. Directed by Stephen Gaghan, the film explores greed and ambition but received mixed reviews for its uneven tone and pacing. It grossed $14.8 million against a $20 million budget. Available on platforms like Hulu or Amazon Prime (check current listings). (Grok)

News/Profile

Gold (1974)

Gold (1974) is a British thriller directed by Peter R. Hunt, based on Wilbur Smith's novel Gold Mine. Set in South Africa, it follows Rod Slater (Roger Moore), a mining engineer, who uncovers a conspiracy to flood a gold mine to manipulate global gold prices. The plot involves corporate greed, sabotage, and high-stakes action, with Slater racing to stop the scheme.

Cast: Roger Moore, Susannah York, Ray Milland, Bradford Dillman.

Key Details: 120 min, rated PG, released August 1974 (UK). Filmed on location in Johannesburg, featuring intense mining scenes.

Reception: Mixed reviews; praised for action and Moore’s charisma, criticized for pacing and dated elements. IMDb rating: 5.7/10.

Availability: Limited streaming; available for rent/purchase on platforms like Amazon or on DVD. (Grok)

News

Stockmarket Movies

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) - Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film follows the wild rise and fall of stockbroker Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), who engages in fraudulent schemes like pump-and-dump at his firm, Stratton Oakmont. It’s a cautionary tale about greed, excess, and unethical trading practices. Key Lesson: Avoid get-rich-quick schemes and prioritize ethical, long-term investing.

The Big Short (2015) - Directed by Adam McKay, this dramedy depicts a group of investors (Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt) who predict and profit from the 2008 housing market crash by betting against subprime mortgages. It explains complex financial concepts like credit default swaps in an accessible way. Key Lesson: Understanding market flaws and leveraging data can uncover opportunities, but systemic risks are real.

Wall Street (1987) - Oliver Stone’s classic stars Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko, a ruthless corporate raider who lures young stockbroker Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) into insider trading. The iconic “Greed is good” speech captures the 1980s financial excess. Key Lesson: Ethical dilemmas and insider trading can lead to severe consequences; information is valuable but must be used legally.

Margin Call (2011) - Directed by J.C. Chandor, this tense drama unfolds over 24 hours at a Wall Street firm during the early 2008 financial crisis. It highlights the risks of overleveraged assets and ethical challenges in finance. Key Lesson: Transparency and risk management are critical to avoid catastrophic losses.

Trading Places (1983) - A comedic take on finance, this John Landis film stars Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd as a street hustler and a wealthy broker whose lives are swapped in a bet. It showcases market manipulation and pit trading. Key Lesson: Market inefficiencies and insider knowledge can be exploited, but fairness matters.

Inside Job (2010) - This Oscar-winning documentary, narrated by Matt Damon, dissects the 2008 financial crisis, exposing greed, deregulation, and corruption in the financial sector. Key Lesson: Understanding systemic issues and regulatory gaps is crucial for investors.

Boiler Room (2000) - Directed by Ben Younger, this film follows a college dropout (Giovanni Ribisi) who joins a shady brokerage firm pushing worthless stocks. It reveals the dark side of pump-and-dump schemes. Key Lesson: Beware of too-good-to-be-true investments and prioritize companies with strong fundamentals.

Money Monster (2016) - Directed by Jodie Foster, this thriller stars George Clooney as a financial TV host taken hostage by a desperate investor (Jack O’Connell) who lost everything on a bad stock tip. Key Lesson: Due diligence is essential, as media-driven tips can be misleading.

Rogue Trader (1999) - This film tells the true story of Nick Leeson (Ewan McGregor), whose risky derivatives trading brought down Barings Bank. Key Lesson: Unchecked risk-taking and lack of oversight can lead to financial ruin.

Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (2020) - A critically acclaimed Indian web series depicting the rise and fall of stockbroker Harshad Mehta, who manipulated the Bombay Stock Exchange in the 1990s. Key Lesson: Loopholes in financial systems can be exploited, but unethical practices lead to downfall.

These films and series, spanning dramas, comedies, and documentaries, offer both entertainment and lessons on the stock market’s risks, ethics, and strategies. (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

News Media, Media Industry, Marketing: Australia and World

News

July 21, 2025

Billionaire plots Nine raid

About half of the proceeds from Nine Entertainment's sale of its 60.1 per cent stake in Domain Holdings will be returned to shareholders via a special dividend. Lucas Goode from Investors Mutual believes that Nine will then pursue growth assets that are a better "strategic fit" than Domain; he suggest that an outdoor advertising company could be a target, given that it would have revenue and cost synergies with Nine's TV stations. Meanwhile, sources have indicated that WIN Corporation's owner Bruce Gordon could seek to acquire Nine once Domain is sold; his direct stake in Nine will increase to more than 25 per cent later this year when swaps are converted to equity. (RMS)

News

Kyle and Jackie O's KIIS of death

The radio broadcasting industry's mid-year report is likely to be closely scrutinised, amid some underperforming programs in key timeslots. KIIS FM's breakfast show continues to be shunned by audiences in Melbourne. The Kyle and Jackie O Show, which is simulcast from Sydney, had a Melboune audience share of just 5.1 per cent in the third ratings survey for 2025; this compares with 12.5 per cent in Sydney. There is speculation that ARN Media will axe its current KIIS and Mix 102.3 breakfast shows in Brisbane and Adelaide respectively and syndicate the Kyle and Jackie O Show in these cities in order to offset the massive cost of its massive 10-year contract with Kyle Sandilands and Jackie Henderson. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Trump sues News Corp, Rupert Murdoch for libel, seeking $15b damages

US President Donald Trump has filed legal action in a Miami federal court against Rupert Murdoch, Dow Jones, News Corporation and two reporters from 'The Wall Street Journal' under federal libel law. His action comes after The Wall Street Journal described a sexually suggestive letter that it claims bears Trump's name and which was included in an 2003 album for the 50th birthday of Jeffrey Epstein, with Trump denying he ever wrote such a letter. Epstein later achieved notoriety as a convicted sex offender accused of trafficking girls, while Trump is seeking at least $US10 billion ($15.3 billion) in damages. (RMS)

News

Cinema's golden age comes at a premium

IMAX Corporation currently has more than 1,800 cinema screens worldwide; however, there are only four in Australia at present, despite the first one having opened in 1996. IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond says the company intends to expand its presence in the Australian market, with the aim of opening up to 40 of its big screens nationwide by the end of this decade. IMAX recently revealed plans to open up to five additional screens in partnership with Hoyts Cinemas, while it struck a similar deal with Event Cinemas in June. (RMS)

News

Quadrant eyes exit for QMS Media

Outdoor advertising company QMS Media recently secured a contract from the City of Auckland's transport department that is said to be worth at least $25 million; it was previously held by rival oOh!media. QMS Media is owned by Quadrant Private Equity, which acquired it for $420 million in 2019. At the time, it seemed like a bad investment, being just before the pandemic, which saw the outdoor advertising sector sell just $640 million worth of ads in 2020; it is currently a $1.4 billion industry. Quadrant chairman Chris Hadley says that 'exit options' for QMS Media are available, due to what he contends is its "growth, scale and profitability". (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

REA warns off realtors amid ACCC inquiry

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is currently investigating real estate listings platform REA Group over how it sets the prices it charges agents to list properties on its portal. REA has denied that a note to agents reminding them that their pricing agreements are confidential has nothing to do with the ACCC's inquiry, with which it states it is co-operating fully. Entcho Raykovski from E&P says that the ACCC's investigation seems to be mainly focused on REA's subscription pricing, which accounts for around four per cent of its revenue. (RMS)

News

Script to artists: Our process is 'robust', says Creative Australia

Creative Australia has come under fire for the process it uses to decide who it should award grants to, with Creative Australia being the federal government funder of theatre, film, music and books. The process essentially involves artists assessing the works of their fellow artists and friends, and the controversy it has attracted has prompted Creative Australia to issue artists with a script in case they are contacted by journalists about the process. The script says artists should state the process is "strict" and "guided by merit", and that Creative Australia has strict systems in place to manage possible conflicts of interest. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Major shake-up looms for Test cricket

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg will be part of an International Cricket Council working group that has been tasked with re-shaping cricket's calendar from 2027 onwards. It is possible the group might recommend that the number of countries playing Test cricket be capped, as few make money from it anymore, while a T20 Champions League could be relaunched as soon as September next year. The original T20 Champions League was launched in 2008 and lasted until 2014, while it is yet to be decided how the finances of the revamped league will be divided up. (RMS)

News

Streaming Media News

The industry is at a pivotal moment, balancing innovation with sustainability as it navigates viewer demands and economic realities. The streaming industry continues to evolve rapidly in 2025, driven by shifts in consumer behavior, technological advancements, and competitive dynamics. Here’s a concise overview of the latest trends and developments based on recent data:

Streaming Dominance: Streaming has surpassed traditional TV, capturing 44.8% of total TV viewership in May 2025, compared to 44.2% for combined broadcast (20.1%) and cable (24.1%), according to Nielsen’s The Gauge. Streaming usage has surged 71% since 2021, while broadcast and cable have declined 21% and 39%, respectively. YouTube alone accounted for 12.5% of TV viewing, with free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) services like PlutoTV, Roku Channel, and Tubi collectively holding 5.7%.

Market Growth: The global video streaming market, valued at $674.25 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $811.37 billion in 2025 and $2.66 trillion by 2032, driven by demand for on-demand content and live streaming, particularly in sports and gaming. The OTT segment is expected to grow fastest due to adoption in developing markets like India.

Netflix’s Leadership: Netflix remains the top subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) platform with over 260 million subscribers globally as of late 2023, bolstered by its user-friendly interface (favored by 36% of users) and original content. The “Netflix Effect” continues to amplify licensed content, with shows like You (4 billion minutes viewed in May 2025) exemplifying its impact. Netflix also made history with two exclusive NFL games on Christmas Day 2024.

Sports and Live Content: Streaming-exclusive sports content is expanding, with platforms like Peacock and Tubi simulcasting events like Super Bowl LIX and the 2024 Olympics. ESPN and FOX are launching standalone streaming services this fall, offering all their channels in one place. The NFL’s 2025 schedule features more streaming-exclusive games than ever.

Mergers and Partnerships: In India, Reliance Industries and The Walt Disney Company merged Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema in February 2025, creating an $8.5 billion entity with 30,000 Disney assets and exclusive sports content. Such collaborations aim to blend local and global content to capture diverse audiences.

Challenges and Trends: Market saturation raises concerns about content quality and originality, with platforms competing through exclusive content and AI-driven personalization. Generative AI is enhancing user experiences but sparking debates over deepfakes and artist compensation. Price hikes, like Peacock’s planned increase, and consumer “unsubscribe” trends due to economic pressures are notable challenges.

Web3 and Innovation: Emerging platforms like Soulbound_TV are exploring decentralized, AI-powered streaming models, aiming to disrupt traditional services with user-earning incentives. These are gaining attention but remain unproven.

Content Highlights: Recent moves include Apple TV+ renewing Murderbot for a second season and Netflix ordering a live-action Solo Leveling adaptation. Meanwhile, oversaturation concerns are voiced by streamers like StableRonaldo, reflecting industry growing pains. (Grok)

News

Sports Streaming News

Sports streaming in 2025 is a rapidly evolving landscape, driven by increasing demand for flexible, on-demand access to live sports. Here’s a concise overview of the latest developments based on available information:

New Joint Streaming Venture: ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery have launched a joint sports streaming platform, combining content from ESPN, ESPN+, ABC, Fox Sports, TBS, and TNT. This service, which aims to be a one-stop shop for sports fans, covers NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports, golf, and more. It’s available as a standalone app or bundled with Hulu, Disney+, or Max, with a launch expected in fall 2024. Pricing details remain undisclosed, but it’s positioned as a potential game-changer, though it lacks NBCUniversal and Paramount’s sports content (e.g., CBS Sports, Olympics).

Streaming Market Growth: The global sports streaming market was valued at $33.93 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $75.17 billion by 2030, growing at a 12.6% CAGR. Growth is fuelled by high-speed internet, mobile device adoption, and OTT services. Platforms are leveraging AI and data analytics for personalized content and 5G for enhanced streaming quality. VR and AR features are also emerging to boost fan engagement.

Key Players and Rights: DAZN leads in sports streaming rights spending (33% share), followed by Amazon Prime Video (23%), YouTube TV (16%), and Netflix (5%). DAZN secured a $1 billion deal for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, while Amazon expanded its NBA rights. Netflix streamed NFL games on Christmas 2024, drawing 26.5 million viewers, and is eyeing Formula 1 and UFC rights for 2025.

Top Services for 2025:

Hulu + Live TV: Offers major networks (CBS, ESPN, FS1, NBC Sports) and NFL Network/RedZone. Lacks some league-specific channels like MLB Network. Includes Hulu’s on-demand library.

YouTube TV: Provides 90+ channels, unlimited cloud DVR, and features like Key Plays for NFL/MLB/NBA. It’s the home of NFL Sunday Ticket ($479.99/season for 2024).

Fubo: Strong for sports with CBS, ESPN, NFL Network, and international channels like beIN Sports. Offers unlimited DVR but lacks Turner channels (TBS, TNT).

ESPN+: Streams exclusive UFC, baseball, college basketball, soccer, and golf for $11.99/month or $119.99/year.

Apple TV+: Features MLS games and sports documentaries, with a 7-day free trial or three months free with eligible Apple devices.

Prime Video: Streams NFL, NBA, and Premier League (UK), included with Prime or add-on subscriptions.

Piracy Concerns: Illegal streaming, particularly via modified Amazon Fire Sticks, is a growing issue, costing broadcasters revenue and exposing users to cyber risks. A 2025 report highlighted 59% of UK piracy users accessed streams via Fire Sticks. Sky and DAZN have called for stronger action from tech firms and governments.

Other Trends: Disney plans a direct-to-consumer ESPN streaming service by August 2025, potentially accelerating cord-cutting. Netflix’s sports strategy focuses on ad-supported live events, while Deltatre’s acquisition of Endeavor Streaming aims to enhance OTT capabilities. (Grok)

News

Brand News via Media Man

Netflix wins Media Man 'Brand Of The Month'; Runner-up: MAX

WWE wins Media Man 'Wrestling Promotion Of The Month' award

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

TKO Group wins Media Man 'Entertainment Promoter Of The Month' award

AEW wins Media Man 'Challenger Brand Of The Month' award

Prime wins Media Man 'Beverage Of The Month' award

Nespresso wins Media Man 'Coffee Brand Of The Month' award; Runner-up: Claudio's Cafe

Mining, Resources, Energy, Markets,News: Australia and World

June 30, 2025

War, tariffs, growth slump take $33bn toll on miners

The Department of Industry, Science & Resources has forecast that Australia's resources export earnings will fall to $369bn in 2025-26, compared with an estimated $385bn in the current financial year. The quarterly resources and energy report also forecasts that the sector's export earnings will fall to $352bn in 2026-27. The report notes a number of risks for the sector, including geopolitical tensions, the Trump administration's tariffs regime and slowing global economic growth. The report forecasts that iron ore export earnings will fall by $11bn to $104.8bn in 2025-26; however, gold shipments are expected to rise by $10bn to $56bn, and become the nation's third-biggest resources export in 2025-26. (RMS)

News

Iran could resume uranium enrichment 'in a matter of months', UN nuclear watchdog says

International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Rafael Grossi says Iran might be able to resume uranium enrichment 'in a matter of months', despite the US and Israeli attacks on several of its nuclear facilities. There have also been questions as to whether Iran was able to relocate some or all of its estimated 408.6-kilogram (900-pound) stockpile of highly enriched uranium before the attacks, with Grossi admitting to CBS News that "we don't know where this material could be". Iran has decided to suspend co-operation with the IAEA, and has Grossi's request for a visit to the damaged facilities. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Rio Tinto puts hunt for CEO on fast-track

Sources have indicated that Rio Tinto is likely to announce the successor to CEO Jakob Stausholm after its half-year results are released on 30 July. The resources group has commenced the process of interviewing and assessing the shortlisted candidates for the role; the leading internal contenders include chief commercial officer Bold Baatar and the head of iron ore, Simon Trott. Stausholm revealed plans to step down in May, prompting speculation that he had been pushed out. Rival BHP is said to be preparing for the eventual departure of CEO Mike Henry. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Beach touted as Narrabri buyer

Citi has stated that regulators might require Santos to divest its undeveloped Narrabri gas field in NSW in order for them to approve its $30 billion takeover by Abu Dhabi's XRG consortium. It comes as XRG was given an exclusive four-week period of due diligence on Friday to progress its bid for Santos, while the Kerry Stokes-backed Beach Energy is seen as a potential buyer for the Narrabri gas field, which contains an estimated 1,500 petajoules of gas. Potential daily production of 200 terajoules is equivalent to half of NSW's current gas consumption. (RMS)

News

June 26, 2025

Australia sues China-linked rare earths investors

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has lodged Federal Court action against Indian Ocean International Shipping & Service for breaching Australian foreign investment laws; action is also being taken against a former unnamed associate of the firm. The company is one of five foreign investors with links to China that Chalmers ordered in 2024 to divest their shares in rare earth miner Northern Minerals due to national interest concerns, with Chalmers' legal action against Indian Ocean International Shipping & Service said to be the first of its kind. (Roy Morgan Summary)

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]

[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

News

Markets

June 30, 2025

Australian Dollar: $0.6535 USD (down $0.0009 USD)
Iron Ore July Spot Price (SGX): $94.75 USD (up $1.20)
Oil (WTI): $65.52 (up $0.33)
Gold: $3,274.23 (down $53.78)
Copper (CME): $5.1220 (up $0.0690)
Bitcoin: $107,356.68 (up 0.13%)
Dow Jones: 43,819.27 (up 432.43)

Markets

June 27, 2025

Australian dollar +0.5% to 65.46 US cents

Wall Street:
S&P 500 +0.8%
Dow Jones +0.9%
Nasdaq +1%

Europe:
Stoxx 50 -0.2%
FTSE +2%,
DAX +0.6%
CAC -0.01%

Bitcoin +0.1% to US$107,875

Gold $US3329.90 an ounce at 6.41am AEDT
US oil +0.5% to $US62.26 a barrel at 8.42am AEDT
Brent Crude Oil +0.1% to $US67.78 a barrel
Iron ore -1% at $US94.52 a ton
10-year yield: US 4.24% Australia 4.1% Germany 2.57%

News

Gold once again approaches a cliff edge

The Israel and Iran ceasefire has reduced demand for gold as a safe-haven asset. The precious metal failed to break out of the medium-term consolidation range of $3,100 to $3,400 per troy ounce and resume its upward trend. This signals weakness among bulls and allows Citigroup to predict a fall in prices below $3,000 in 2026. According to the bank, thanks to Donald Trump's ‘big and beautiful’ tax bill, the acceleration of the US economy will push gold prices down. The decrease in geopolitical risks will also contribute to gold's decline.

Goldman Sachs, on the other hand, maintains its forecast for the precious metal to rise to $4,000. It cites the insatiable appetite of central banks, the weakening dollar, and the fall in US Treasury bond yields. Indeed, the White House is keen on lower debt market rates and a weaker currency. A recent survey by the World Gold Council shows that 43% of central banks plan to increase their bullion purchases over the next 12 months, up from just 29% a year ago.

The recent de-escalation has once again tested gold's support at its uptrend, marked by the 50-day moving average. On Friday, sellers pushed the price below this level, which passes through 3324, and are even attempting to stabilise below 3300. In May, a sharp movement managed to push the price back above this line. However, this metric is now turning downward, reflecting over two months of consolidation after reaching recent highs.

All signs indicate a potential repeat of the consolidation seen in November-December last year, which laid the groundwork for the subsequent rally. However, there is also a high probability that the failure to break through the $3500 level over the past two months signals a global trend reversal. We await whether this will mirror 2020, with a 20% correction in the next six months and a two-year sideways movement or resemble the nearly halving in gold prices from 2011 to 2015. (FxPro)

News

ASX dips on tech sell-off; lithium stocks rally

The Australian sharemarket drifted lower on Thursday, with the S&P/ASX 200 easing 0.1 per cent to close at 8,550.8 points. Northern Star Resources fell 2.3 per cent to $18.84, Xero was down 5.3 per cent at $184 and the Commonwealth Bank finished 0.4 per cent lower at $190.71. However, Mineral Resources was up 3.6 per cent at $20.90 and DroneShield added 11.7 per cent to end the session at $2.39. (RMS)

News

'Not the moment' for abandoned rare earths mega-merger, says Lynas boss

A merger of Lynas Rare Earths with MP Materials would create a monopoly of rare earths in the Western world, and the idea that they should merge has been previously flagged. Lynas CEO Amanda Lacaze said on Wednesday that she had been of the view that a merger of the two was a good idea, but that for a "variety of reasons, it didn't happen". Speaking on the sidelines of a talk for the Western Australian Mining Club, she said that there were no discussions between Lynas and MP Materials about a merger at present. She said that deals often have their moment, "and now is not the moment, unfortunately", in terms of one between the two companies. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Best Quotes Of The Day

"The best and biggest gold mine is in between your ears. To find the gold, think deeply and think better."

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

"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."

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

"There's a gold mine in you that must be exploited"

Media/Marketing/Arts: Australia

News

June 24, 2025

Thomson to lead News Corp until 2030

US-based media giant News Corporation has extended the current contract of CEO Robert Thomson by three years. It was slated to expire in mid-2027, but Thomson will now remain at the helm until at least June 2030. News Corp's chairman Lachlan Murdoch says Thomson has been instrumental in the media groups' growth and transformation in the digital age. Indeed, News Corp's digital revenue accounted for about 50 per cent of its total revenue in fiscal 2024, compared with about 20 per cent in 2014. Thomson has been CEO since 2013. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Mia Freedman's Mamamia and News Corp sued over cannabis ads

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has filed legal action against News Corp's magazine division and Mamamia in the Federal Court, with Mamamia being the media company owned by Mia Freedman. The TGA alleges Mamamia and News Corp's 'Body + Soul' magazine ran articles that unlawfully promoted medicinal cannabis products from Altus, which is a alternative-medicine website and dispensary; the Mamamia article under scrutiny was allegedly written by a person whose mother worked for a company connected to Atlus. (RMS)

News

Ten turns to Spotify to halt news losing streak

The Ten Network has signed a deal with audio streaming platform Spotify to broadcast its new current affairs and news show '10 News+' each day as an hour-long podcast and video. Spotify users will be able to access it within minutes of it finishing it on TV, while it will also be broadcast live on YouTube. With Ten having long trailed behind Seven and Nine in the ratings for free-to-air news, its new deal with Spotify follows the cancellation of its long-running nightly talk show 'The Project', with '10 News+' having being announced in its place. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Media/Marketing/Arts: Australia

June 23, 2025

Nine banks on NRL-led revival

The National Rugby League's current four-year broadcasting rights deal expires at the end of the 2027 season. Nine Entertainment and Foxtel are both keen to renew their rights deals when negotiations begin in coming months; the Stan streaming platform is likely to be a key element in any future deal for Nine to broadcast NRL matches, given the ongoing decline in linear TV audiences and advertising revenue. Meanwhile, sources at the Seven Network have indicated that it will not bid for the broadcasting rights for the NRL's regular season, although it may be interested in events like the State of Origin series and international matches. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Stan to buy ELP rights 'this week'

Media industry speculation suggests that Nine Entertainment is poised to secure a three-year broadcasting rights deal for the English Premier League. The incumbent rights holder Optus Sport is halfway through its current six-year deal with the EPL, which expires in 2028. However, sources have indicated that Nine will pay about $300m to take over the broadcasting rights for the next three seasons; the ELP is expected to air exclusively on Nine's Stan streaming platform. (RMS)

News

Google ditches deals with publishers amid Labor inaction

The Public Interest Publishers Alliance was established in 2021 and comprises 24 independent news publishers. The alliance negotiated a funding deal with technology giant Google in 2022 that had been slated to run for five years; the deal is believed to be worth several million dollars a year and was negotiated with the assistance of the Minderoo Foundation. Google has advised alliance members that it will terminate the deal two years ahead of schedule, because wants to split the small payments across a broader range of publications. The move comes amid criticism of the federal government over its tardiness over the proposed news bargaining incentive. (RMS)

News

'2025 Digital News Report more positive than it looks'

The latest University of Canberra Digital News Report has sparked some fears about the future of the Australian news industry, but the reality is not as bad as it may seem. Although media platforms overtook online news as a "source of news" for the first time, users are ultimately consuming content that has come from news publisher websites. The report reveals the percentage of people who pay for news has increased, while the main 'takeaway' from the report for advertisers is that consumer engagement with news is strong and strengthening, which is again consistent with ThinkNewsBrands and Roy Morgan data on news consumption. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Telstra nets film prize as impact and humour dominate Cannes

Several Australian advertising campaigns has taken out awards at the annual Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Telstra's Better on a Better Network ad campaign won four awards in the film craft category, including a Grand Prix award and two gold Lions. Telstra also won four Lions in the film category for its Christmas and business advertising campaigns. Other Australian ads that were recognised at Cannes include one for Suncorp, Coca-Cola and Volkswagen. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Leggett: Clemenger ready to lead the market

Clemenger BBDO has undergone major changes this year as it prepares to become a fully owned Omnicom agency, with Clemenger BBDO having combined with CHEP Network and Traffik agencies to create one fully integrated agency. Clemenger BBDO CEO Lee Leggett says it is now " ready to lead the market", with its leadership team being completed with the appointment last week of Stephen de Wolf as new chief creative officer. His appointment marks a return to Clemenger BBDO, where some of the campaigns that he worked on included the highly-regarded 'Meet Graham' campaign for the Victorian Transport Accident Commission. (RMS)

News

Pockets as deep as the snow

Snow Resorts Australia chairman Noel Landry says Victoria's 2025 ski season is expected to generate $21bn for the state economy. The state's ski resorts have had well "above average" snow depths since the season officially began during the King's Birthday long weekend. However, analysis shows that the cost of lift tickets at Victoria's ski resorts for the current season are generally much higher than some popular resorts in New Zealand. Landry, who is also the general manager of Buller Ski Lifts, emphasises that the cost of lift tickets in Victoria is boosted by state government charges that largely do not apply when visiting overseas ski resorts. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

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

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)