More stories

  • in

    Bitcoin Depot expands with 940 new kiosks in stores

    Brandon Mintz, Bitcoin Depot’s Founder and CEO, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, which aligns with one of the company’s largest retail partners to date. Mintz highlighted the partnership’s potential to expand Bitcoin Depot’s reach alongside a brand that shares its commitment to providing accessible Bitcoin services.Bitcoin Depot’s kiosks offer a user-friendly process for converting cash into Bitcoin, enabling customers to engage with the digital financial system. In addition to its ATMs, available in 48 states, the company also offers BDCheckout, a service that allows customers to fund their wallets with cash at participating retail outlets in 28 states.With this expansion, Bitcoin Depot aims to consolidate its market presence. As of September 30, 2023, the company operates around 6,400 kiosk locations and holds the largest market share in North America.The information in this article is based on a press release statement.This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C. More

  • in

    JPMorgan CEO remains skeptical about Bitcoin as price dips

    Dimon’s latest comments echo his long-held skepticism towards Bitcoin, which he conveyed during his appearance on the network. Following his remarks, Bitcoin experienced a price drop, falling to $42,400. The decline underscores the influence that prominent financial figures can have on the volatile cryptocurrency markets.However, Dimon did acknowledge the potential of blockchain technology, the underlying system for Bitcoin, in certain applications. This nod to the technology’s utility indicates a recognition of the growing role digital ledgers play in modern finance, even as he casts doubt on the cryptocurrency itself.While Dimon’s views may not align with the enthusiasm of cryptocurrency advocates, the continued inflow of billions into Bitcoin spot ETFs suggests that many investors remain bullish on the future of digital assets.This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C. More

  • in

    Workers view work-life balance as more important than pay, study finds

    The annual study found that 57% of workers would not accept a job that would negatively affect their work-life balance, including flexibility like working from home, while 55% would decline if they were not offered significantly higher pay.Overall, also taking into consideration current roles, work-life balance ranks as highly as pay on workers’ list of priorities, with both appearing in 93% of the lists.AI adoption, which has displaced some jobs and put others at risk, is pushing workers to re-skill. Nearly three quarters of respondents said they valued in-work training, including in potential roles, with workers in industrial sectors that have been harder hit by automation valuing it more.”If your job would by and large disappear, because AI is taking over 80% of it, then employee and employer need to work on where there is still demand for skills,” CEO Sander van’t Noordende said in an interview.He predicted there would still be demand for jobs involving “people working with people” such as in healthcare, hospitality, or public transport. An ageing population in some countries means there will be demand for nurses, he said.The survey – which covers 27,000 workers across Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas – showed that 39% of respondents don’t want to progress their careers because they’re happy in their roles. “Talent is rethinking what ambition means, putting work-life balance, flexibility, equity and skilling at the heart of career decisions,” van’t Noordende said in the report.While 37% of respondents would consider quitting if asked to spend more time in the office, the state of the economy is making some of them cautious about switching jobs.”You have to listen, and you have to navigate as a company, because you can’t afford to lose a third of your people,” van’t Noordende said, While 54% of respondents considered their employer’s stance and actions on social and political issues important, 40% of the younger “Gen Z” generation feels their generation is misunderstood by their employer, the study found. More

  • in

    Yellen says U.S. economic performance ‘vindicates’ heavy COVID-era spending

    Yellen said in remarks to the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington that what was the most dangerous back then “was in going too small” with recovery spending.”Many had argued that this Rescue Plan wasn’t needed. But I believe seeing where we are today vindicates the approach we took,” Yellen said in excerpts of her remarks. “GDP growth is strong and inflation has declined significantly. There are four million more jobs than before the pandemic.”Unemployment has remained below 4% for the longest period in 50 years and wage gains have been broadly shared, including by younger and less-educated workers, she added.By contrast, the recovery after the 2008-2009 financial crisis was slow and painful, with higher unemployment.”Workers and families faced unemployment and economic hardship for too long, and it created scarring for a generation of American workers,” Yellen said. More