Aurelia Butler

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  • 138 Shares169 Views

    in Cryptocurrency

    Steve Hanke Calls US Bitcoin Strategic Reserve ‘Stupidest Idea,’ Here’s Why

    Hanke is known as a vigorous Bitcoin opponent who frequently criticizes the world’s largest cryptocurrency on his X social media account.The prominent U.S. economist said that converting government savings into Bitcoin would put “a drag on the economy” since those savings would not be invested in “real capital assets that produce things.” He compared buying Bitcoin to buying paintings made by Old Masters. Such investment would not be invested in any bankable projects that actually produce anything, he said.“They would not increase productivity and so forth in the economy,” the expert stressed, while it is very important to increase productivity in order to improve standards of living and prosperity in any economy. Hanke underscored that he is “completely opposed” to a potential Bitcoin strategic reserve in the U.S., calling it “the stupidest idea.”And in the tweet that accompanies the video extract, Hanke wrote, emphasizing his thought again: “Savings funneled into Bitcoin aren’t building factories, creating jobs, or driving innovation.”The study claimed that cryptocurrency holders have low analytic and scientific thinking and they are “likelier to exhibit psychopathy than the general population,” Hanke summarized.For completing the study, the researches polled roughly 2,000 Americans. They revealed that crypto holders are inclined to display “dark” personality characteristics, also known as the “Dark Tetrad”: narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy and sadism.This article was originally published on U.Today More

  • 113 Shares99 Views

    in Economy

    UK long-term borrowing costs hit highest level since 1998

    $75 per monthComplete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders. Pay a year upfront and save 20%.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 edition More

  • 88 Shares159 Views

    in Cryptocurrency

    CZ Calls $100,000 Bitcoin ‘Boring’: What’s Next?

    The 26 EMA and 50 EMA are supporting a robust uptrend in recent charts, suggesting ongoing bullish momentum. The asset still has room for upward movement without being regarded as overbought, according to the RSI, which is currently at about 59. The volume has increased slightly, but not enough to indicate a euphoric blow-off top, which is frequently seen at the top of market cycles.Additionally, the increase in open interest in Bitcoin futures keeps the rally going as more and more leveraged traders fill positions. An examination of the 30 most important market indicators yields insightful information. It appears that the market is not yet overheating, because metrics like the Mayer Multiple and Bitcoin Pi Cycle Top are still well below their critical thresholds.The MVRV Z-Score, which is currently at 2.97, is significantly below the 5.0 threshold that traditionally denotes a market peak. At 59, the 22-day RSI is well below the 80-point overbought level. Far from the bubble territory above 80, the Bitcoin Bubble Index is currently at 13.48. Based on this data, it appears that the price action of Bitcoin may still be in the early to mid-stages of a larger bull run.More upside potential is suggested by historical precedent prior to notable corrections or an extended period of consolidation. The focus turns to important resistance levels at $110,000 and $120,000 as Bitcoin consolidates around $100,000. These goals might be reachable in the near future if Bitcoin keeps up its momentum and sees rising volumes.This article was originally published on U.Today More

  • 175 Shares139 Views

    in Cryptocurrency

    Bybit Officially Launches Physical Card for Brazilian Users, Offering 2% Cashback and Exclusive Perks

    Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has announced the official launch of its Bybit Physical Card, exclusively available to users in Brazil. This unlocks Bybit Card’s full capabilities for virtual and physical payments, better serving users in Brazil and furthering Bybit’s commitment to the market.The Bybit Physical Card allows Brazilian users to seamlessly integrate cryptocurrency into their daily lives, offering convenience for global spending. Empowering users to make the most of their digital assets, the card provides a 2% cashback reward and supports popular cryptocurrencies such as USDT, BTC, and ETH. Additionally, the card comes with exclusive benefits, including free issuance and delivery, no annual or monthly fees, and Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) Pay and Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Pay integrations. Cardholders may also potentially earn up to 8% APR on eligible balances.New users may still be entitled to the Welcome Offer in Brazil: Deposit 100 USDT, Unlock 150 BRL!#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk / #BybitCardAbout BybitBybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit PressFor media inquiries, please contact: [email protected] For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social MediaDiscord | Facebook (NASDAQ:META) | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | YoutubeContactHead of PRTony [email protected] article was originally published on Chainwire More

  • 125 Shares169 Views

    in Cryptocurrency

    Arcana Network Launches Chain Abstraction SDK to Unify Multi-Chain Experience

    Arcana Network has introduced its Chain Abstraction SDK, designed to streamline the multi-chain experience for developers and users alike. This innovative solution allows developers to integrate Chain Abstraction into their applications, enabling users to spend a unified balance across chains without the need for swapping, bridging, or managing gas.Simplifying Blockchain Complexity for Developers and UsersAs Web3 expands across Layer 1s, Layer 2s, Appchains, and Rollups, fragmented ecosystems have created significant barriers for developers and users alike. Arcana’s Chain Abstraction SDK abstracts these complexities with just a single integration, enabling seamless spending of assets across chains.Key Benefits of Arcana’s Chain Abstraction SDKA Milestone (WA:MMD) AchievedEarlier this year, Arcana’s Chain Abstraction protocol launched the Arcana Wallet, a Chrome extension that showcased a unified, chain-abstracted experience on popular decentralized apps such as Aave, Uniswap, CowSwap, Jumper, and Hyperliquid. With the launch of the Chain Abstraction SDK, Arcana is now enabling developers to integrate this seamless functionality directly into their applications.Getting Started with Arcana’s Chain Abstraction SDKArcana Network is a leading Chain Abstraction Protocol, powered by an Appchain, with the mission to transform the Web3 UX.Since its inception in 2021, Arcana Network has introduced products that make web3 effortless. The upcoming Chain Abstraction Protocol built on a Modular Appchain and powered by $XAR, is the next evolution in simplifying Web3.$XAR is the utility token that captures protocol fees, secures the network, incentivizes early adopters, and rewards resource providers.Arcana Network’s innovative technology is backed by prominent investors, including Balaji S., Polygon founders, John Lilic, and Santiago Roel, and investment funds such as Fenbushi, Republic, Woodstock, Polygon Ventures, DCG, LD Capital, and others.Website | Twitter | Telegram | YouTubeContactMarketing ManagerAndria EfstathiouArcana [email protected] article was originally published on Chainwire More

  • 138 Shares99 Views

    in Economy

    As Biden nears exit, US bans medical debt from credit reports

    Officials said the new regulation, adopted despite objections from the banking and consumer data industries, would remove $49 billion in medical bills from the credit reports of about 15 million Americans.The announcement from the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau came despite demands from Congressional Republicans that Biden’s financial regulators stop issuing new rules as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on Jan. 20, running the risk that Trump or conservative lawmakers may seek to reverse it.In a statement, Vice President Kamala Harris, who championed the initial policy proposal in June, said the move would be “life-changing for millions of families.””No one should be denied economic opportunity because they got sick or experienced a medical emergency,” Harris said.According to the CFPB, medical debt provides little indication of whether a borrower is likely to repay a loan and the change should result in an additional 22,000 low-cost mortgages per year and rising credit scores.The new rule will also prohibit lenders from considering medical information in making lending decisions and help prevent debt collectors from seeking to coerce consumers into paying erroneous medical debts they do not actually owe, the agency said in a statement.The change was endorsed by the American Medical (TASE:PMCN) Association.Trade groups representing banks and credit bureaus said the evidence did not support the CFPB’s decision, and the ban could leave them blind to important information about the risk financial institutions face from borrowers.The American Bankers Association said that could mean banks offer fewer loans. More

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    in Economy

    Euro area inflation aligns with forecasts, Deutsche sees more cuts from ECB

    Energy prices, which often influence inflation rates, contributed significantly to the rise. However, this impact is not expected to concern the European Central Bank (ECB). Service prices showed a stronger increase than anticipated at 4.0% year-over-year, while goods prices increased by 0.5%, slightly below expectations.At the country level, Germany reported a higher-than-expected inflation rate of 2.9% year-over-year. This was primarily due to a rise in core inflation, although changes in the calculation method for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in December make it challenging to discern clear trends. In contrast, the inflation data from Italy and the Netherlands did not meet expectations, balancing the overall inflation figures for the euro area. Deutsche Bank (ETR:DBKGn) analysts commented on the inflation data, indicating that the ECB’s approach to policy-making focuses on broader economic trends rather than individual data points. They noted that while the annual rate of services inflation has remained close to 4%, there has been a slowdown in the momentum of service price increases. Domestic inflation is still high but is beginning to decelerate, and wage growth is also moderating.Deutsche Bank maintains a positive outlook, anticipating that the slowing pace of service inflation will contribute to a return to lower overall inflation rates. They expect HICP inflation to drop below the ECB’s 2% target starting from February. If these projections hold, the ECB could potentially adopt sub-neutral policy rates in 2025. Today’s inflation figures, which did not show any significant negative surprises, support the prediction that a cautious easing of policy during the ECB’s January meeting remains the most likely course of action, the economists concluded.This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C. More

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    in Economy

    Spain to issue 60 billion euros in net debt in 2025

    He added that gross debt issuance would reach 278 billion euros, versus the 257 billion euros issued last year, which was equivalent to 17% of the country’s gross domestic product. Cuerpo told a news conference that the government was giving itself “enough flexibility to respond to the reconstruction needs” following devastating floods in southeastern Spain that killed 224 in October.In terms of debt-to-GDP ratio, Madrid expects it to stand at 101.4% by the end of 2025, down from 102.5% at end-2024. Spain’s GDP “kept pace” in the fourth quarter of 2024, Cuerpo added, outpacing other large economies in the European Union. The government estimates GDP growth for the whole of 2024 was 2.7%. It expects the economy to grow by 2.5% this year. ($1 = 0.9606 euros) More