Author: Lucas

What Exactly Are CBDCs?A Central Bank Digital Currency is a digital currency that is issued by a country’s central bank directly. It is not similar to Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other stateless digital currencies since CBDCs are fiat currency-linked and state-backed, e.g., dollar, euro, or rupee. Thus, it is also distinct from stablecoins, which are privately issued but fiat currency-linked. Source link

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.The rapid advances in artificial intelligence since the launch of ChatGPT have taken place deep inside the leading AI labs, out of sight to most people. By contrast, the stock market lurches that come as investors wake up to the disruptive potential of all this new technology can be all too visible.The devastation of software stocks over the past month is a case in point. AI agents — software tools that can take actions on behalf of a user — have long…

Monitor and close your position When you decide to close a position, click on the ‘Positions’ tab on the left menu. Select ‘Close position’ and set the number of contracts you’d like to close. Alternatively, open the market’s deal ticket and take the opposite position to one you have open – for example, if you bought CFDs to open, you’d now sell, and vice versa. Trading CFDs on cryptocurrencies: ether example After completing a thorough analysis on ether price movements, you believe the market will trend upwards from its current level of 3200. Consequently, you decide to take a long…

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.Landsec, one of the UK’s largest listed landlords, plans to sell £2bn worth of office buildings and scale back office developments over five years as it pivots towards residential property. The FTSE 100 group, a major London office landlord with large holdings around Victoria, wants to reduce offices from about 65 per cent of its nearly £10bn portfolio to closer to a third by 2030, while boosting retail and housing to roughly a third each. The strategic shift by one of Britain’s…

Financial compatibility might not sound like the sexiest part of a relationship, but it could be one of the most important.  Two-thirds of couples say different money communication styles cause conflict in their relationship, according to research by Starling Bank.  Two-thirds also say it causes them to delay major life goals like buying a home or having children. But Britons still find talking about money with their partner or potential partner taboo, with around a quarter saying conversations about money on a first date would give them the ick. Understanding your money language can be the key to avoiding ending up in a financially incompatible relationship,…

Despite the Bitcoin bloodbath, major banks and corporates are showing renewed interest in the digital asset. While JPMorgan recently said Bitcoin looks more appealing than gold, Strategy’s Michael Saylor reiterated his long-term BTC accumulation plan.’We’re not going to be selling. We’re going to be buying Bitcoin. I expect we’ll be buying Bitcoin every quarter, forever,’ Saylor said in a recent interview with CNBC, despite the value of Strategy’s Bitcoin treasury hovering below its total acquisition cost.He also shrugged off talks that Strategy will be compelled to offload Bitcoin amid declining prices, and described the narrative as ‘an unfounded concern.’In recent…

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.Goldman Sachs has unveiled a Blackstone-like alternative investments group, previewing a key element of the strategic plan to be presented at the company’s much-anticipated investor day next month.  In a memo to staff on Monday, David Solomon, Goldman’s chief executive, and his two top lieutenants described the Alternatives Capital Markets and Strategy Group as a “unique opportunity” to attract more funds from outside investors. The alternatives platform will cover everything from the private equity, infrastructure and debt investments offered by Goldman’s merchant bank…

Key PointsThis company is in the midst of a major turnaround, but results have remained sluggish.Headwinds may subside this year, leading to strong earnings-per-share growth.The stock looks very attractive at its current valuation.After years of seeing growth stocks dominate the market, many analysts are predicting a shift toward value stocks in 2026. The best value stock opportunities are typically companies with wide competitive moats that may be facing temporary setbacks. One such opportunity is Nike (NYSE: NKE).The company is currently in the midst of a turnaround effort, and it’s seen a sizable impact from the Trump administration’s tariff policies over…

While banks can serve as financial intermediaries for countless transactions, their role in the precious metals market differs. SonerCdem/Getty Images With inflation pressures still impacting purchasing power and economic uncertainty prompting investors to reassess their portfolios, precious metals have resurged as a popular hedge strategy. And, while gold has been having a moment over the past year, silver prices have climbed notably in tandem, outpacing gold’s upward trajectory and attracting both seasoned investors and newcomers looking to diversify beyond traditional stocks and bonds. For many investors exploring this asset class, a seemingly logical first stop would be their local bank…

The price of gold has risen above $5,000 (£3,659) an ounce for the first time ever, extending a historic rally that saw the precious metal jump by more than 60% last year. Gold’s value has soared as … Source link