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    Brazil inflation picks up in mid-October with higher electricity costs

    Prices as measured by the IPCA-15 index rose 0.54% in the month to mid-October, up from 0.13% in the previous month, government statistics agency IBGE said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters were expecting a 0.50% rise.In the 12 months to mid-October, inflation stood at 4.47%, up from the 4.12% seen the month before and above the 4.43% forecast by economists.The main impact on inflation in the month to mid-October came from residential electricity prices, which rose 5.29%.Food prices also picked up, with a 0.87% increase on a monthly basis.Electricity costs had already pushed inflation higher in Brazil in September amid a major drought, reinforcing expectations of further interest rate hikes by the country’s central bank.The monetary authority’s rate-setting committee, known as Copom, kicked off an interest rate-hiking cycle last month with a 25 basis point increase and signaled more tightening ahead.”With comments from BCB (Banco Central do Brasil) policymakers warning about strong services inflation and unanchored inflation expectations, a step up in the pace of rate hikes from 25 bp to 50 bp is looking increasingly likely,” said Kimberley Sperrfechter, emerging markets economist at Capital Economics. More

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    Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury tracks ahead of FY24-25 expectations on fantasy-fiction demand

    The publisher, best known for picking up J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series in 1997, has managed to attract a broader readership with “A Court of Thorns and Roses” or ACOTAR series author Sarah J. Maas’s fantasy-fiction novels.The genre is gaining popularity among teenagers and adults alike through word-of-the-mouth recommendations on social media, including TikTok and Instagram.The company reported revenues of 179.8 million pounds ($232.4 million), compared to the 136.7 million pounds it reported last year.It expects to report revenues of 319.3 million pounds and pre-tax profit of 37.5 million pounds for the year ending Feb. 28, 2025.($1 = 0.7735 pounds) More

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    Blocksquare and Bitpanda Team Up to Bring Fractionalized Real Estate Investment to Europe

    Blocksquare today announced that its native token, BST, is now officially listed on Bitpanda, Europe’s leading and most regulated cryptocurrency platform. This listing marks a significant milestone for Blocksquare, providing expanded access to the BST token and bringing Blocksquare’s vision for democratized real estate investment to a wide audience, specifically within Europe, currently Blocksquare’s strongest market with 71 properties tokenized across the continent.The BST token powers Blocksquare’s blockchain-based real estate tokenization platform, which allows users to invest in fractionalized property assets. By enabling real estate to be divided into smaller, affordable tokens, Blocksquare aims to make property ownership more accessible for everyone, from first-time homebuyers to experienced investors. The listing on Bitpanda will now allow users to buy, trade, and hold BST on one of Europe’s most secure and trusted crypto-platforms.About BlocksquareBlocksquare offers SaaS solutions for blockchain-based real estate tokenization. Headquartered in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Blocksquare’s platform aims to power a global network of marketplaces, connecting investors to real estate opportunities in their region. Through its real estate tokenization protocol, anyone can digitize real estate assets at a fraction of the cost, while providing the quickest way to launch an online marketplace. Blocksquare’s Oceanpoint adds a DeFi layer to its established tokenization infrastructure to create borderless access to real estate financing, for anyone with an internet connection. Website | X | Telegram | Blog | Facebook (NASDAQ:META) | Reddit | LinkedIn | Token overview | About BitpandaBitpanda was founded in Vienna in 2014 and is the leading European crypto platform. With a selection of over 2,800 digital assets, including more than 450 crypto assets and numerous stocks*, ETFs*, precious metals and commodities, the Austrian fintech unicorn offers one of the most comprehensive ranges of digital assets available in Europe. Already trusted by over 5 million users, and dozens of institutional partners, Bitpanda holds licenses in several countries, and has a proven track record of working with local regulators to keep assets safe and secure. This makes Bitpanda one of the safest and most strictly regulated trading platforms in the industry. In addition to its headquarters in Vienna, Bitpanda has offices in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin and Bucharest.ContactCMOJulia [email protected] article was originally published on Chainwire More

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    BingX Restores Full Operations and Unveils “ShieldX” for Enhanced Security

    BingX, a global leading cryptocurrency exchange, has fully restored its operational capacity following a recent hot wallet incident, with all deposits and withdrawals back to normal. In response to the event, BingX is unveiling its new “ShieldX” initiative, a comprehensive plan aimed at enhancing the platform’s security infrastructure.”ShieldX” introduces an upgraded wallet firewall designed to provide advanced protection against external threats, further safeguarding user assets. BingX has also partnered with leading third-party security firms to implement extra round-the-clock monitoring and threat detection, ensuring any vulnerabilities are identified and addressed swiftly and proactively.In addition to enhanced firewalls and partnerships, BingX will undergo regular, rigorous security audits conducted by independent security agencies. The exchange is also rolling out a new hacker bounty program, offering rewards to security researchers who help identify potential vulnerabilities, reinforcing its dedication to continuous improvement.Utilizing its new cybersecurity initiative, BingX is reaffirming its position as a leader in the cryptocurrency space by putting user safety at the forefront. This initiative not only enhances security but also emphasizes the exchange’s long-term commitment to transparency, resilience, and innovation in the face of evolving cybersecurity challenges.Vivien Lin, Chief Product Officer at BingX, emphasized the importance of the platform’s swift recovery and ongoing commitment to user security. “We are pleased to confirm our platform has not only returned to standard operations but the platform has also been thoroughly enhanced to a higher performance level than before the incident. BingX’s quick response highlights our dedication to safeguarding user assets, with trust, efficiency, and transparency at the heart of our approach. The launch of ‘ShieldX’ marks a crucial step in proactively strengthening our platform’s defenses,” Lin said. “Our priority remains ensuring a secure environment for all users through continuous improvements and strategic partnerships. Furthermore, we are committed to collaborating with industry leaders to drive higher security standards across the crypto ecosystem.”About BingXFounded in 2018, BingX is a leading cryptocurrency exchange serving over 10 million users worldwide. BingX offers diversified products and services, including spot, derivatives, copy trading, and asset management – all designed for the evolving needs of users, from beginners to professionals. BingX is committed to providing a trustworthy platform that empowers users with innovative tools and features to elevate their trading proficiency. In 2024, BingX proudly became Chelsea FC’s principal partner, marking an exciting debut in the world of sports.For media inquiries, users can contact: [email protected] more information users can visit: https://bingx.com/ContactBingX [email protected] article was originally published on Chainwire More

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    Eurozone economic activity still in decline, PMI survey shows

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    ‘Bad numbers, bad mood’: recession hits Germany’s Mittelstand

    Save over 65%$99 for your first yearFT newspaper delivered Monday-Saturday, plus FT Digital Edition delivered to your device Monday-Saturday.What’s included Weekday Print EditionFT WeekendFT Digital EditionGlobal news & analysisExpert opinionSpecial featuresExclusive FT analysis More