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    Nio chief says EU probe of Chinese electric cars does not ‘make sense’

    Standard DigitalWeekend Print + Standard Digitalwasnow $85 per monthBilled Quarterly at $199. Complete digital access plus the FT newspaper delivered Monday-Saturday.What’s included Global news & analysisExpert opinionFT App on Android & iOSFT Edit appFirstFT: the day’s biggest stories20+ curated newslettersFollow topics & set alerts with myFTFT Videos & Podcasts20 monthly gift articles to shareLex: FT’s flagship investment column15+ Premium newsletters by leading expertsFT Digital Edition: our digitised print editionWeekday Print EditionFT WeekendFT Digital EditionGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionSpecial featuresExclusive FT analysisFT Digital EditionGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionSpecial featuresExclusive FT analysisGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionFT App on Android & iOSFT Edit appFirstFT: the day’s biggest stories20+ curated newslettersFollow topics & set alerts with myFTFT Videos & Podcasts10 monthly gift articles to shareGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionFT App on Android & iOSFT Edit appFirstFT: the day’s biggest stories20+ curated newslettersFollow topics & set alerts with myFTFT Videos & Podcasts20 monthly gift articles to shareLex: FT’s flagship investment column15+ Premium newsletters by leading expertsFT Digital Edition: our digitised print editionEverything in PrintWeekday Print EditionFT WeekendFT Digital EditionGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionSpecial featuresExclusive FT analysisPlusEverything in Premium DigitalEverything in Standard DigitalGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionSpecial featuresFirstFT newsletterVideos & PodcastsFT App on Android & iOSFT Edit app10 gift articles per monthExclusive FT analysisPremium newslettersFT Digital Edition10 additional gift articles per monthMake and share highlightsFT WorkspaceMarkets data widgetSubscription ManagerWorkflow integrationsOccasional readers go freeVolume discountFT Weekend Print deliveryPlusEverything in Standard DigitalFT Weekend Print deliveryPlusEverything in Premium Digital More

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    US 30-year fixed-rate mortgage falls below 7%

    The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.94% during the week ending May 23, the lowest level and first reading below 7% since the second week of April, down from 7.02% in the prior week, mortgage finance agency Freddie Mac said on Thursday. It averaged 6.57% during the same period a year ago. Data this month showed the housing market taking a step back in April after a strong performance in the first quarter. Existing and new home sales fell last month. Single-family housing starts and building permits also declined in April. More

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    Sui and Mesh Combine Forces to Bring Simplified Transactions Across the Sui Ecosystem

    With the addition of the Mesh platform, Sui Wallet will achieve product parity with the world’s largest self-custody wallets, while Mesh now natively supports the SUI tokenSui, the pioneering Layer 1 blockchain that offers industry-leading performance and nearly infinite horizontal scaling, and Mesh, the leading embedded finance solution for crypto, today announced the integration of Mesh’s seamless digital asset transfer and account aggregation technology with Sui Wallet and all other wallets within the Sui ecosystem that adopt the tooling.With the integration of Mesh, Sui Wallet users can see their aggregated asset balances across hundreds of exchanges and wallet platforms, and transfer those assets with a one-click experience, all without ever needing to leave the Sui Wallet interface. This unique integration adds a new layer of interoperability, on-ramping, asset management, and token swapping directly within wallets native to the Sui Network as Sui’s tech stack continues to separate itself from other blockchains. The wallet tooling is expected to go live this year. In the build-up to the wallet integration, Mesh now supports the SUI token across all of its products, facilitating seamless digital asset transfers, payments, account aggregation, and trading of the token across more than 300 leading crypto wallets and exchanges. Founded in 2020, Mesh has rapidly established itself as a leader in embedded finance. The company recently partnered with major platforms like CoinDCX and MetaMask, and is trusted by PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) Ventures, who made a strategic investment in the start-up using their PYUSD stablecoin. “Mesh’s tooling gives wallet providers across the Sui ecosystem a massive technological advantage and it gives the Sui community a native wallet experience that’s unmatched on other blockchains,” said Greg Siourounis, Managing Director of the Sui Foundation. “Native wallets are fundamental to increasing access and driving the growth and adoption of any network, and Sui now has a clear edge in this regard.”This latest collaboration with Mesh continues a trend of Sui offering developers and users unique implementations of technologies that make adoption easier and make the blockchain accessible to mainstream users, both at the enterprise and retail levels. For example, zkLogin is on-chain authorization, unique to Sui, that enables users to authenticate with decentralized applications using the traditional OAuth providers like Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Twitter that they have become accustomed to and removing the hurdle of managing wallet addresses and seed phrases. zkSend is an application exclusive to Sui that utilizes zkLogin to enable users to send and claim tokens by sharing or clicking a link. As with these innovations, with the Mesh integration, Sui is now able to offer one of the most advanced and seamless user experiences in the industry. “Our collaboration with Sui unlocks powerful tooling and interoperability for the millions of wallets on the Sui Network and represents a pivotal development in our mission to build a more connected and secure financial ecosystem,” said Bam Azizi, Co-Founder and CEO of Mesh. “This is our first direct integration with a Layer 1 blockchain’s flagship native wallet, and soon, wallets across the Sui ecosystem will be able to integrate with the Mesh platform, creating a much better experience for users across the globe.”ContactSui [email protected] article was originally published on Chainwire More

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    Plume Network, a RWA Layer-2, Raises $10M in Seed Funding from Haun Ventures, Galaxy Ventures, and Others

    Plume has already seen more than 80 RWA projects spanning collectibles, alternative assets, synthetics, luxury goods, real estate, DeFi and more all building on the network in testnet alone. Plume, the first modular EVM Layer-2 built to bring any real-world asset (RWA) on-chain, announces its $10M seed round led by Haun Ventures with participation from Galaxy Ventures, Superscrypt, A Capital, SV Angel, Portal Ventures, Reciprocal Ventures, and others. Notable angels include founders and executives of leading projects such as Anthony Ramirez of Wormhole Labs, Calvin Liu of EigenLayer, Zon of Initia, Andrew Kang of Mechanism, Jeff Feng & Jayendra Jog of Sei Network, Adam Lawrence of rwa.xyz, Austin King & Tyler Tarsi of Omni, Martin Quensel from Centrifuge, and more.The RWA industry is one of the fastest growing verticals in crypto today but there remains a critical gap — to date there has not been a permissionless blockchain equipped with full-stack RWA infrastructure to deploy any asset class compliantly. Plume was founded to solve this challenge of real-world asset integration by providing the necessary infrastructure for traditional financial participants to engage, while also offering innovative products that appeal to the crypto-native community. By integrating asset tokenization and compliance into its chain along with RWA specific chain level modifications, Plume simplifies the deployment process and offers a dynamic ecosystem for cross-investment and diversification. The robust DeFi ecosystem on Plume enables users to do everything with RWAs – from earning yield, borrowing/lending, trading, and speculating with leverage.In testnet alone, Plume has already seen rapid growth with more than 80 RWA and DeFi projects building on its private testnet with everything from collectibles, alternative assets, synthetics, luxury goods, real estate, borrow/lend protocols, perpetual DEXs, and more. For media inquiries, users can contact Phil LeRoy at (310) 260-7901 or phil(at)melrosepr(dot)com.About PlumePlume is the first modular EVM L2 blockchain dedicated for all real-world assets (RWAs) that integrates asset tokenization and compliance providers directly into the chain. Plume’s mission is to simplify the convoluted processes of RWA project deployment and offer investors a blockchain ecosystem to cross-pollinate and invest in various RWAs. In addition, Plume enables RWA composability through its thriving DeFi applications and provides access to high-quality buyers to increase liquidity for all tokenized RWAs. To learn more about Plume, visit https://www.plumenetwork.xyz/ContactsCEOChris YinPlume [email protected] LungPlume [email protected] article was originally published on Chainwire More

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    BLVD United Signs MOU with MeDoDo Coin: Pioneering a New Era in Fan Engagement and Biotech Innovation

    In an unprecedented fusion of innovative science and advanced technology, a leading biotech company has unveiled an ambitious project to bring back the extinct Dodo Bird. Embracing the spirit of this fearless and curious bird, the company is also introducing the MeDoDo Coin.Historically, the Dodo Bird was known for its fearless and inquisitive nature, often following humans out of sheer fascination. Inspired by this behavior, the MeDoDo Coin symbolizes the unwavering love and support fans offer their favorite artists, mirroring the Dodo Bird’s curious devotion. The MeDoDo Coin operates on the BEP-20 standard. This unique cryptocurrency aims to create a vibrant ecosystem where fans can connect with and support their beloved artists in ground-breaking ways.In an exciting development, MeDoDo is finalizing talks with “The Plu9,” the world’s most anticipated and largest hip-hop metaverse. Designed by the visionary behind the phenomenally successful “Grand Theft Auto 5” (GTA 5), which grossed over $10 billion for Sony (NYSE:SONY) PlayStation, “The Plu9” will serve as the launch platform for this new digital ecosystem.BLVD United, exclusively distributed by Universal Music Group (AS:UMG), led by Managing Partner Damuer H. Leffridge, is spearheading the project. Leffridge has a storied history of collaborating with superstars like Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa, YG, and Eric Bellinger. Notably, BLVD United was instrumental in the triumphant return of Billboard and Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award-winning multi-platinum group B2K, which achieved significant acclaim, including a nomination for Billboard Tour of the Year 2020.Additionally, Leffridge piloted the affiliate sales and marketing efforts of the Zondervan published Audie Award-winning audio Bible, “The Bible Experience.” The project features a constellation of stars, including three Oscar winners, five Golden Globe winners, seven Emmy winners, and twenty-three Grammy winners. Led by Academy Award-winning actors Forest Whitaker, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Denzel Washington, along with Angela Bassett, Blair Underwood, and Samuel L. Jackson, establishing Leffridge’s expertise and significant presence in the industry.Get ready to connect with music superstars, top producers, Hollywood icons, and your favorite industry legends from around the world in a groundbreaking way. The MeDoDo Coin and its exciting projects are poised to transform fan interaction and support, taking engagement to unprecedented levels.About BLVD UnitedDriven by innovative projects across various media platforms BLVD United stands at the vanguard of the entertainment industry and a cutting-edge entertainment powerhouse with deepened industry experience complimented with a proven track record of success. BLVD United features an award-winning creative team of comprising industry veterans and celebrated artists.ContactMedia RelationsQ. WilliamsBLVD [email protected] article was originally published on Chainwire More

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    EU Tax Observatory eyes broader G20 support for minimum tax on billionaires

    BRASILIA (Reuters) – A minimum tax on billionaires is likely to gain wider traction among the G20 group of the world’s largest economies as they get clarity on the proposal, French economist Gabriel Zucman of the independent European Union Tax Observatory said in an interview on Wednesday.Zucman, an architect of the proposal, is preparing a report for the G20 finance ministers in July at the request of Brazil, which is chairing this years’ meetings. He showed optimism about progress on the idea, presented by Brazil just three months ago.”The hope is to have a declaration (in July) by a number of countries, as many countries as possible, on taxation,” Zucman said ahead of a research symposium in Brasilia on Thursday to discuss proposals for the global minimum wealth tax.France, Spain, Colombia, Belgium and the African Union have expressed support for the idea, along with South Africa, which will assume the G20 presidency next year. “I am deeply moved to see how quickly this proposal has gained traction,” Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad told the symposium in Brasilia on Thursday. Zucman said studies have shown a 2% minimum annual tax on roughly 3,000 individuals with at least $1 billion in wealth could raise about $250 billion per year. His G20 report will include variations including other tax rates or a broader base of contributors, such as fortunes over $100 million.Zucman suggested a system akin to the global minimum tax on multinational corporate profits, allowing governments to levy extra taxes on companies from non-participating nations. With that framework, he said, the policy could be effective even without a specific minimum number of countries adopting it.U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen this week rejected the idea of a global arrangement for taxing billionaires and redistributing proceeds, according to the Wall Street Journal.However, Zucman said he was holding out hope that the United States would come around, noting that Yellen had specifically rejected the idea of a global redistribution of wealth, which is not central to his proposal. “What’s being discussed is creating a common standard, which is about the minimum taxation of the super-rich,” he said. More

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    Forget macro and micro, it’s mesoeconomics that matters

    Standard DigitalWeekend Print + Standard Digitalwasnow $85 per monthBilled Quarterly at $199. Complete digital access plus the FT newspaper delivered Monday-Saturday.What’s included Global news & analysisExpert opinionFT App on Android & iOSFT Edit appFirstFT: the day’s biggest stories20+ curated newslettersFollow topics & set alerts with myFTFT Videos & Podcasts20 monthly gift articles to shareLex: FT’s flagship investment column15+ Premium newsletters by leading expertsFT Digital Edition: our digitised print editionWeekday Print EditionFT WeekendFT Digital EditionGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionSpecial featuresExclusive FT analysisFT Digital EditionGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionSpecial featuresExclusive FT analysisGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionFT App on Android & iOSFT Edit appFirstFT: the day’s biggest stories20+ curated newslettersFollow topics & set alerts with myFTFT Videos & Podcasts10 monthly gift articles to shareGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionFT App on Android & iOSFT Edit appFirstFT: the day’s biggest stories20+ curated newslettersFollow topics & set alerts with myFTFT Videos & Podcasts20 monthly gift articles to shareLex: FT’s flagship investment column15+ Premium newsletters by leading expertsFT Digital Edition: our digitised print editionEverything in PrintWeekday Print EditionFT WeekendFT Digital EditionGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionSpecial featuresExclusive FT analysisPlusEverything in Premium DigitalEverything in Standard DigitalGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionSpecial featuresFirstFT newsletterVideos & PodcastsFT App on Android & iOSFT Edit app10 gift articles per monthExclusive FT analysisPremium newslettersFT Digital Edition10 additional gift articles per monthMake and share highlightsFT WorkspaceMarkets data widgetSubscription ManagerWorkflow integrationsOccasional readers go freeVolume discountFT Weekend Print deliveryPlusEverything in Standard DigitalFT Weekend Print deliveryPlusEverything in Premium Digital More

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    Mexico’s next leader faces gaping budget hole

    Standard DigitalWeekend Print + Standard Digitalwasnow $85 per monthBilled Quarterly at $199. Complete digital access plus the FT newspaper delivered Monday-Saturday.What’s included Global news & analysisExpert opinionFT App on Android & iOSFT Edit appFirstFT: the day’s biggest stories20+ curated newslettersFollow topics & set alerts with myFTFT Videos & Podcasts20 monthly gift articles to shareLex: FT’s flagship investment column15+ Premium newsletters by leading expertsFT Digital Edition: our digitised print editionWeekday Print EditionFT WeekendFT Digital EditionGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionSpecial featuresExclusive FT analysisFT Digital EditionGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionSpecial featuresExclusive FT analysisGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionFT App on Android & iOSFT Edit appFirstFT: the day’s biggest stories20+ curated newslettersFollow topics & set alerts with myFTFT Videos & Podcasts10 monthly gift articles to shareGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionFT App on Android & iOSFT Edit appFirstFT: the day’s biggest stories20+ curated newslettersFollow topics & set alerts with myFTFT Videos & Podcasts20 monthly gift articles to shareLex: FT’s flagship investment column15+ Premium newsletters by leading expertsFT Digital Edition: our digitised print editionEverything in PrintWeekday Print EditionFT WeekendFT Digital EditionGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionSpecial featuresExclusive FT analysisPlusEverything in Premium DigitalEverything in Standard DigitalGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionSpecial featuresFirstFT newsletterVideos & PodcastsFT App on Android & iOSFT Edit app10 gift articles per monthExclusive FT analysisPremium newslettersFT Digital Edition10 additional gift articles per monthMake and share highlightsFT WorkspaceMarkets data widgetSubscription ManagerWorkflow integrationsOccasional readers go freeVolume discountFT Weekend Print deliveryPlusEverything in Standard DigitalFT Weekend Print deliveryPlusEverything in Premium Digital More