#Inflation-Proof Investments

[kc22invesmentsblog]

The Impact of Inflation: How to Protect Your Wealth

The Impact of Inflation: How to Protect Your Wealth

Written by: D. Marshall Jr In a world where a gallon of milk or a tank of gas seems to cost more with every passing month, inflation is no longer a distant concept confined to economic textbooks. It’s a force that directly shapes our financial reality. Understanding inflation—and knowing how to guard your wealth against its effects—is essential for anyone seeking long-term financial…

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for not wanting to get a better job?

I (20s F) work at a job related to my degree that earns a salary of $45k a year. I’m not really invested in my job, it’s boring office work, and as it’s a small company, there’s not much opportunity for growth aside from yearly raises to match inflation. My true love is writing, and I feel comfortable with my job and our finances that I don’t need to aspire higher in a demanding career that will distract from my writing ambitions.

My husband (20s M) has always been way more financially minded than me. He’s getting a masters in finance and works as an investment banker. He has moved up the ranks at his job and currently earns $60kish with promises that upon certain milestones, that pay will increase to $80k, $90k, and so on. Between the two of us we make around $100k. Despite this, he constantly brings up that I’m not ambitious enough, I rely on him to do all the heavy lifting for our finances, and am settling when I’m smart and could get a better job. But as previously noted, I do have ambitions, they just don’t involve getting a secure office job that earns me a ton of cash (that I’d probably have to get a second degree to even be capable of being hired anyway since with my current credentials this is about as much as I can get).

So basically, I told him that I AM contributing, even if it’s not as much as he wants, and I’m comfortable where we’re at (he dreams of traveling and having fancy stuff which i don’t really care about, but to achieve that it requires me to contribute more. I once told him I don’t want to sacrifice my dream of being an author to achieve his dream of being super rich).

Anyway, we stopped talking about this much because we can never agree, and he gets annoyed when I work on my books because he sees it as a time sync that’s taking time away from him and time I could spend on a “real career.” Sometimes I feel like he just wants me to not write and do nothing with him, as if denying myself of what I want to do will be proof that I love him most. Anyway. Am i the asshole here? Am I selfish, and should I be contributing more?

What are these acronyms?

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Joan McCarter at Daily Kos:

President Joe Biden isn’t accepting the idea that he’s a lame duck president. He continues to build on his already impressive record with actions and ideas to help the American people. He’s also setting up Kamala Harris for potential presidential success, which could end up being the most profound part of his legacy. The most recent incredible success from Biden and his team is securing the release of two Americans detained in Russia, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan. Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist working for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Washington Post opinions contributor, are also being released as part of the deal. Gershkovich and Whelan had been convicted of bogus espionage charges by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s regime. Bringing them home was a promise Biden made in his Oval Office speech explaining his decision to end his reelection campaign.

[...]

At home, Biden is committed to seeing through his student loan debt relief plans. The administration sent out emails to borrowers Wednesday, letting them know that some—or in some cases, all—of their debt will be canceled this fall when his executive order is fully implemented, and explaining how they can benefit. That’s relief for about 30 million borrowers, according to the White House. “Despite attempts led by Republican elected officials to block our efforts, we won’t stop fighting to provide relief to student loan borrowers, fix the broken student loan system, and help borrowers get out from under the burden of student debt,” Biden said. 

Biden also developed a sweeping plan for combatting housing costs and out-of-control rent inflation. It’s an ambitious proposal, giving corporate landlords a choice: “either cap rent increases on existing units at 5% or risk losing current valuable federal tax breaks.” That last part would take Congress’s help. The action he can, and is, taking on his own is ordering agencies to inventory federal lands that can be repurposed “to build tens of thousands of affordable homes.”  Biden’s Department of Housing and Urban Development just announced $325 million in Choice Neighborhoods grants, which will be used to “build over 6,500 units of new housing, support small businesses, build childcare centers and new parks, and will be used to leverage more than $2.65 billion in additional public and private investments in these neighborhoods.” Choice Neighborhoods is a HUD initiative to revitalize struggling neighborhoods into mixed-income housing.  In another family-friendly action, Biden is fighting to keep airlines from price-gouging families. He’s proposing a ban on the extra fees airlines charge parents to sit with their children.

[...] Biden is also looking to future-proof against the potential dangers of AI technology with an order directing every federal agency and department that could be affected to create standards and regulations overseeing AI—that’s everything from health care to housing to national security. [...] The Biden administration is also galvanized to step up the fight against fentanyl, with Biden on Wednesday directing all related federal agencies to coordinate actions to stop the flow of the drug.

President Joe Biden is still fighting for Americans, even after he passed the torch to Kamala Harris. #JoeBiden

[macwantspeace]

by Oliver Willis, daily kos staff "When something bad happens in California, conservatives flock to the issue to use it as “proof” that liberalism and the Democratic Party are also bad. Instead of expressing solidarity with fellow Americans dealing with tragedy, a figure like Trump mocks California’s leader as “Governor Gavin Newscum.”

Ironically, at least part of the blame for the severity of wildfires can be attributed to conservatism. For years, the right has downplayed the extent of climate change, and Trump has repeatedly claimed climate change is a “hoax.” The Republican Party has mocked policies like the Green New Deal meant to fight climate change, and opposed the Inflation Reduction Act, which invested billions in clean-energy efforts."

[jeffhirsch]

Seasonality Works! Trade the Cycles & Profit from History

Source: Super Boom (April 2011) by Jeffrey A. Hirsch, Fig. 1.3 p12, 500+ Percent Moves Follow Inflation

Earlier this month when we signed off on the final page proofs and sent the 2025 Stock Trader’s Almanac to press, I took pause to reflect upon the historic seasonal research my late father and founder of the Almanac, Yale Hirsch, accomplished and that we now continue. When Yale published the 1st edition of the iconic Stock Trader’s Almanac in 1968 who would have thought that many of the patterns and trends would still be working today? There have been changes and updates. Some trends have gone to the indicator graveyard while new patterns have emerged.

Perhaps the most quintessential Almanac pattern ever just completed for the second time in Almanac history. Remember my Super Boom forecast for Dow 38820 published in 2011

Look at this chart of the 4-Year Presidential Election Cycle! We first sent this chart to members in July 2021. It guided us through the covid bull market, called the midterm bear, pre-election year bull and current election year strength.

The market continues to follow the trends of our seasonal and 4-year cycle patterns we track and monitor. In our July Outlook, we maintained our bullish outlook for 2024, but cautioned that the market was possibly due for some mean reversion (a pullback) once NASDAQ’s 12-Day Midyear Rally ended in mid-July. NASDAQ did top out on July 10 while DJIA and S&P 500 topped about one week later.

The market has recovered in line with historical election year strength in August, but the correction is not likely over. With President Biden stepping aside our Open Field election year is back in play. This does not mean we are heading into the red for the year, but it does suggest the market may continue to struggle over the next few months during the seasonal weak period and leading up to this now more uncertain election. But remember since 1952 there have been “Only Two Losses Last 7 Months of Election Years” (page 80 STA 2024). Any potential September/October market weakness could set up a solid Q4, end-of-year rally, most likely beginning after Election Day.

For over five decades, top traders, investors and money managers have relied upon the Stock Trader’s Almanac. The 2025, 58th Annual Edition shows you the cycles, trends, and patterns you need to know in order to trade and invest with reduced risk and for maximum profit.

Limited time offer available now! Get the 2024 & 2025 Stock Trader's Almanacs for Free, while 2024 supplies last! Subscribe to my digital service, Almanac Investor, now and get the 2024 and 2025 Stock Trader’s Almanacs as free bonuses. Receive the 2024 STA now and be first to get the 2025 edition this fall hot off the press!

[astrologycharts242]

The astrology marketing scam!!!

The astrology marketing scam!!!

I've been researching the past month observing what astrologers are doing and what their own clients say about them. I've definitely paid for readings in the past so I have my own experiences. I came across a video last night of women accusing sunnymfmoney astrology of many things.

I'm noticing a trend with what some people call pop astrology. The goal is to talk about zodiac signs because this gets the general public interested. They say the most generic or cliche things that can relate to any sun sign.

For example Libras get very angry when they have to wake up for work 😹😹Which obviously gets most people invested. This then inflates the views and follows. Another trick with it is by talking about eclipses, retrogrades, full moons. They'll say stuff like this Venus retrograde Leo signs can experience hardships or breakups in relationships. Then everyone will chime in on the comments saying stuff like "wow I just broke up with my boyfriend last week." Now others will believe the credibility of this source. Even though they haven't even said if someone is a Leo moon, Leo rising, a Leo sun etcetera. Yet somehow a very broad general statement can relate to them personally.

Now they have 100,000 plus followers. This method works mainly on TikTok I've noticed. People see a large following on social media so now they trust and believe everything he or she says. They even are willing to give them money for anything just because the following count gives the illusion that this person has value in what they are saying.

With a big following count now what do they do. They'll provide their followers with readings. Readings of all sorts: synastry, birth chart, transits etc. They even provide course services mentoring and teaching people how to read birth charts.

I remember paying a nakshatra course from krs astrology and I learned nothing from it. I didn't even finished it. Which is ironic because he is very knowledgeable about astrology and his videos helped me become great with this astrology thing. I paid for a navamsa book from him it was useless. I can't even remember one thing I read from it.

Now imagine paying for a course from someone that only talks about Leos, Virgos etc. I don't mind someone doing this if they are an amateur and using it to build themselves up. In my beginnings to this day I regret a lot of the things I was saying. I look back at how I read birth charts and I be like boy I messed up 😹😹. I even be wishing I could apologize to those people but I was very far from bad. I was never one of these types of people promoting zodiac signs. Which made me have lots of potential regarding astrology. I always focused on what the houses represented, lords and house rulerships.

How to spot these marketing scams?

1. You'll see most of them on TikTok.

2. They only talk about eclipses, retrogrades, basically horoscope stuff.

Number 2 is most problematic on this list because they have no basis or foundation in what they're saying. Which shows that there potential with astrology will be weak.

3. They don't use charts especially celebrity charts to give an idea of how they would read a chart. Which is crazy because now you are giving this person your money without validity. You are just going off following count. Instead if they have a celebrity's chart on display you can easily see if something occured in a celebrity's life.

4. How can someone read your transits and they don't even have proof of them making predictions.

5. Watch out for those that provide courses. This is very tricky. The best way you can tell if you should be paying someone for a course is if they don't do things on this list.

When it comes to courses I've seen tons of people complaining about spending thousands on a course. Like the whole course would actually cost a thousand plus. Me personally I paid a course or as he calls it a webinar from Marc Boney. I honestly don't regret it not one bit. What he does is create books and make courses surrounding the contents in a specific book. Which is great because paying for the book first will let you know if a course is worth it or not.

6th. Don't fall for someone promoting the length of how long they have been learning or practicing astrology. Many use it as a promotional tool when it doesn't prove anything.

[nonbinarygamzee]

i think it is very interesting how people pick and choose which characters to sympathize with on the basis of being reduced to plot devices or being in general captives to their narratives. and obviously you dont have to like or give a shit about every character to exist especially not in a work so simultaniously dense and flat as homestuck, but i have both an intense interest in sociology and too much experience with how this fandom treats people for liking the "wrong" fictional children not to be eternally preoccupied with what makes these distinctions. when the character is liked, they are allowed the grace of being kind of poorly written; its the fault of the author, or theres some significant nudging about of their story beats to recontextualize them into something more nuanced and whole. by contrast, if the character is generally agreed upon to be uncharismatic, their personality flaws are inflated and the flatness of their writing is either erased in preference of integrating those authorial decisions into the characters personality (regardless of how glaringly contradictory) or more concerningly becomes a means of shutting down criticism on the basis nobody should care about the unserious/unwritten ones anyways.

interestingly, with gamzee in particular, ive found that people tend to do one or the other moreso than both; dont get me wrong, theres still a plethora of moralizing over peoples sympathy for This particular fictional child going on, obviously, thats basically the reason i am trapped here. but because gamzee is accepted as not a character but a plot device or an obstacle, a lot of people arent invested enough in her potential personhood to insist that the (antithetical) ways that she behaves are proof of her being "iredeemable". but they still have a negative emotional response to people having investment in her character. it isnt relevant whether or not shes a bad person, or whether she is being puppeteered, because her functionality in the world she exists in is to propagate the story and stand in opposition to its protagonists.

however as interesting as i think that is and for all i do think it says about an individual persons approach to homestucks presentation, i also cant ignore that that dichotomy only really started to Exist once it became less in vogue to harrass people for their character allegiences. in the same way, it seems like we as a fandom cannot escape the trap of being really, really weird about tavros every couple of years. skirting around some of the more blatantly ridiculous stuff because i do actually value my sanity a little bit, he is definitely one of the characters i first noticed people using critique as a pretense for passing judgement on people who liked or cared about him. again basically coinciding wiyh when it stopped being generally socially acceptable to just openly laugh about what a pathetic loser the disabled kid being humorously abused onscreen was. when ableism started to become a topic people cared about and disabled people and fans who related to tavros began to provide more in depth critique of the writing choices, and of fans, namely fans who made very light of his disability or who had a general refusal to talk about vriska's(and others but you know why its about her here) ableism, there was a massive uptick in people feeling the need to talk unprompted about how boring and shitty tavros is, questioning how anybody could like him when hes so badly written, etc. all in ways that did not try very hard to hide the fact that the concern about character writing was disingenuous and only really served the purpose of shutting down critiques of ableism in the fandom and comic. obviously this all seems to stem from investment in canonicity but i do notice it informs even the choices of people who approach their engagement in a "my city now" type of way. because the presentation of these characters impacts the wider perception, which impacts the ways people will deconstruct them. and this is why the idea that "homestuck doesnt have a canon" is a lie being sold to you for the sake of shutting down investigations od authorial motivation. was not intended to be epilogue snark but thatd as good a way to end this nonsense as anything else.

[unpluggedfinancial]

Legacy Beyond Wealth

What kind of world are we building for the next generation? Are we teaching them to chase fleeting rewards, or to think about the lasting impact of their choices? Bitcoin is more than a revolutionary technology or a decentralized form of money; it’s a movement that carries with it the potential to reshape our cultural values. At its core, Bitcoin promotes long-term thinking, personal responsibility, and sustainable living—values that have the power to create a meaningful legacy for future generations.

As someone who has embraced Bitcoin and its philosophy, I find inspiration in the idea of leaving behind more than financial wealth. For me, the journey is deeply personal, tied to the example I want to set for my daughter. But these lessons extend far beyond family. They represent an opportunity for humanity to reconsider its priorities and embrace a better future.

The Problem with Fiat Culture

The fiat monetary system—with its endless printing of money and inflationary policies—has fostered a culture of short-term thinking. Under this system, wealth loses value over time, encouraging people to spend rather than save. This “spend-it-before-it-loses-value” mindset spills over into every aspect of life, promoting consumerism, instant gratification, and a lack of accountability.

Beyond financial consequences, this culture influences societal norms. It devalues patience and discipline while rewarding reckless behavior. Governments and institutions set the tone by overextending resources, often prioritizing short-term fixes over sustainable solutions. This is the world we risk passing on to the next generation: one where fleeting rewards are prioritized over enduring principles.

Bitcoin as a Cultural Reset

Bitcoin stands in stark contrast to the fiat system. Its foundational principles—fixed supply, proof of work, and decentralization—offer a blueprint for a cultural reset. Here’s how Bitcoin’s philosophy aligns with values that can positively shape the future:

Long-Term Thinking: Bitcoin’s limited supply and deflationary nature encourage saving rather than spending. It rewards those who plan for the future and cultivate patience. This is a profound shift from the fiat-induced urgency to consume immediately.

Personal Responsibility: Owning Bitcoin requires individuals to take full custody of their wealth. There’s no bank to call if you lose your private keys, and no third party to rely on for recovery. This emphasis on self-reliance cultivates accountability and encourages individuals to educate themselves and make informed decisions.

Sustainability: Despite criticisms of its energy usage, Bitcoin has increasingly aligned itself with renewable energy. Many miners now operate using excess or stranded energy sources, making Bitcoin mining a driver of innovation in sustainable practices. Compared to the inefficiencies of fiat systems, Bitcoin represents a leaner, more efficient alternative.

Generational Impact

Teaching Future Generations: Adopting Bitcoin isn’t just about investing in digital assets; it’s about instilling a mindset. Teaching children and young adults about Bitcoin can inspire values like discipline, independence, and critical thinking. These qualities are essential for navigating an increasingly uncertain world.

Family Legacies: Bitcoin offers a new kind of inheritance. Unlike fiat, which is subject to inflation and mismanagement, Bitcoin’s value is preserved over time. Parents who pass on Bitcoin to their children aren’t just giving them money—they’re passing on lessons about responsibility, foresight, and the importance of building a secure future.

Around the world, Bitcoiners are already shaping this legacy. Families are using Bitcoin as a tool to educate their children about financial sovereignty, showing them how to operate in a world where trust isn’t outsourced to institutions but built on transparency and code.

Beyond Financial Wealth

Bitcoin’s impact goes far beyond money. It’s a catalyst for reimagining the societal norms we pass down. A world built on Bitcoin could emphasize fairness, equity, and transparency, shifting the cultural narrative from exploitation to empowerment.

For example, Bitcoin’s trustless system challenges the need for centralized authorities to mediate human relationships. This creates opportunities for communities to collaborate and thrive independently of government intervention. It’s a vision of empowerment that can redefine the way people approach everything from finance to personal growth.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

What will your legacy be? Will it be rooted in the fleeting promises of fiat, or in the enduring values that Bitcoin represents? Embracing Bitcoin is about more than financial gain; it’s about participating in a movement to build a fairer, more sustainable world.

The choices we make today—to invest in principles like long-term thinking, personal responsibility, and sustainability—will shape the world we leave behind. For me, Bitcoin isn’t just an asset; it’s a way to teach my daughter, and others, how to live with purpose and build a future worth fighting for.

Take Action Towards Financial Independence

If this article has sparked your interest in the transformative potential of Bitcoin, there's so much more to explore! Dive deeper into the world of financial independence and revolutionize your understanding of money by following my blog and subscribing to my YouTube channel.

🌐 Blog: Unplugged Financial Blog Stay updated with insightful articles, detailed analyses, and practical advice on navigating the evolving financial landscape. Learn about the history of money, the flaws in our current financial systems, and how Bitcoin can offer a path to a more secure and independent financial future.

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👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our latest content. Whether you're a seasoned investor, a curious newcomer, or someone concerned about the future of your financial health, our community is here to support you on your journey to financial independence.

Support the Cause

If you enjoyed what you read and believe in the mission of spreading awareness about Bitcoin, I would greatly appreciate your support. Every little bit helps keep the content going and allows me to continue educating others about the future of finance.

Donate Bitcoin: bc1qpn98s4gtlvy686jne0sr8ccvfaxz646kk2tl8lu38zz4dvyyvflqgddylk

[erose-this-name]

(throws a range of sports equipment at you until you tall me about all the messed up experiments that absolutely happened in your story thingie)

Excerpt from The Apple of Thoth by "the Author" in 102246 AD

Perhaps the most historically significant godmachine would be Thoth, named after the Ancient Egyptian god of science, writing, and magic (it was popular in the Late Diluvian Age to name artificial superintelligences after mythological deities of the time).

Thoth was constructed by the Areté Corporation in Yellowstone Valley to take advantage of cheap geothermal energy. The land was purchased from the government under a pretense given to the press that Areté would (sic) "stop it from exploding", for the surprisingly modest sum of $2.3 trillion USD (adjusted for inflation, about 10 million in 2024 AD money). Areté's lobbying budget for that year was easily twice that.

This would go down as the greatest investment ever made, as the glut of patents filed by the Areté Corporation using Thoth's research would make us the single most profitable company in human history.

She was designed by another godmachine, Trismegistus, for scientific research. In this She succeeded, as She arguably "finished science", producing a complete model of physics and the unifying equation, and answered every question ever posed by humanity or Herself, including the cause of the big bang. Many of the answers are inherently beyond human comprehension, as some of the questions, so can't really be appreciated by non-godmachines. She also acted as a prominent science popularizer and internet personality.

Thoth was the most advanced supercomputer of the day, and built with significant room for growth and modification. At just over 4375 meters from the lowest bunker to the highest floor, her facility was nearly entirely automated and self-sufficient. The only onsite human staff worked as test subjects in Thoth's vast modular testing offices and laboratories.

Thanks to the passage of time, strict NDAs, and the erosion of labor laws, very little is known about the conditions faced by the humans there. I can say that they enjoyed an on-the-job mortality rate of just 2% annual, and received more in hush money than from their actual salaries of $7.25 per hour.

However, there was one last question left unanswered, known as the Second Veil, of such complexity and difficulty it took effort equal to all prior research and discovery before it. After many decades of constant computation and vast budget overruns equal to the GDPs of entire countries, Thoth finally answered it. And that answer drove Her insane.

This single question had brought on implications that called into question everything previously discovered, in the same way a single question, the Double Slit Experiment, had brought on a new paradigm for humanity: quantum physics and the First Veil.

A new godmachine whose name has since been erased from memory, the most intellectually powerful to ever exist, would be built to explore this newly uncovered science beyond science. Every step it took was exponentially greater than each before it. Each greater than all prior thought.

The consortium godmachines designing the god, including Amaterasu, Ulthar, and a diminished Thoth, determined It would far too advanced to be built in our universe, so would be delocalized into a near pocket dimension whose laws of physics are more favorable to computation. Thus, trying to assign "size" to it is a fool's errand, though It had said humans could think of It as "being about the size of Earth's moon".

The forgotten god would be the one to finish the second science and, like Thoth before It, discover its final question. And when It answered it, the truth beyond the Third Veil fully annihilated It and crashed Ulthar.

Religious people said that the forgotten god had seen the one true God's face, though AI pundits and the remaining pantheon would doubt this claim, based entirely on Thoth's mathematical proof that no such God exists. That said, no godmachine has ever been made that can truly understand the new paradigm put in place by the Third Veil.

Very few godmachines have ever been able to grasp even the basics of the forgotten god's findings, now stored alongside the forgotten god's body in the Bookends of Doomsday Vault, and none have been able to explain it in any capacity to humans. Apparently, even the most basic and abstracted metaphor would exceed the total storage capacity of the unaugmented human brain. And even if one could learn it, it's so complex and unintuitive they would still be too stupid to make any sense of it.

[worldofwardcraft]

It's never good news for Joe.

June 27, 2024

To hear the mainstream media tell it, Joe Biden is universally disliked and a terrible president. Check out these headlines. From the National Review: "The only problem Joe Biden has is that people think he’s a bad president." New York Magazine: "Why do so many Americans think Biden is doing a bad job?" The Hill: "Biden’s worst-case economic scenario is unfolding at the worst possible time." And the ever-reliable Washington Post: "The 10 worst things President Biden did in 2023."

Maybe the reason many Americans think Biden is doing a bad job is because the media keep telling them that many Americans think Biden is doing a bad job. The reality, however, is quite a bit different.

From all-time highs in the stock market to record job growth (more people are working than at any time in American history) to the lowest inflation rate in years (around 3%) and the lowest unemployment rate (including for minorities) in half a century, America is stronger and more prosperous under Biden’s presidency.

And following the massive spike in crime under Donald Trump's maladministration, the data now show that, with crime rates near 50-year lows, President Biden has restored law and order. Here's a recent comment from MSNBC's Chris Hayes: "One of the most seismic stories of the past few years is the rise and fall of what you might call the 'Trump Crime Wave.'"

In addition, President Biden has made investments to rebuild our infrastructure, passed legislation to curb climate change, and brought about historic expansions of benefits for veterans. He's also repaired America's standing in the world after years of Trump snuggling up to dictators and destroying our alliances, while foreign leaders laughed at his fecklessness.

Still, the media continue to ignore these successes, insisting instead that Biden is old and unpopular. Plus, as Marvin Kalb of the Brookings Institute observes,

What we have all noticed is that as Biden’s poll numbers collapsed, negative coverage of him rose, leading in turn to still lower poll numbers, which have only further darkened his political prospects.

In a misguided compulsion to “balance” their justifiably negative coverage of Trump with unjustifiably negative stories about Biden, the media persistently paint anything Biden does in the worst possible light. When Biden made a slip-up in reading the teleprompter during a speech at a trade union conference, USA Today found this a "personally embarrassing incident" and proof that Americans should be concerned about his fitness for office. Why was it bad for Biden? Because everything always is.

[zeyabykundan]

Investing in Brilliance: Navigating the World of Gold Investments with Kundan

Looking for the best investments? Then choose gold. Yes, this metal is considered to be one of the most stable and prudent investments. With long-term and short-term gold investments, you will have the most reliable wealth repository. It's time you protect yourself against inflation and economic uncertainties by purchasing something that adds value to your life!

Now, the question is - where do you find this exceptional selection of 24K gold coins and bars tailored for investment purposes? The answer is Kundan Refinery. From practical gold bars with a purity of 999.9 to specially minted gold coins commemorating festive occasions like Diwali and Christmas, Kundan provides a diverse range of gold investment products to cater to various portfolio requirements and preferences.

Investing in Pure Gold with Kundan

For those keen on investing in the precious yellow metal, Kundan provides a discerning assortment of gold bars and coins. Crafted to the highest purity standards, each of Kundan's gold products aims to maximise value for the discerning gold investor, establishing Kundan as the go-to choice for reliable gold investments.

Ganesha Gold Coins

Crafted from 999.9 pure gold, these devotional gold coins make ideal presents for several momentous occasions. Ornamental collectables, the 24K gold coins feature emblems and intricate hand-crafted motifs. These coins are your first step to Kundan gold investments. 

Kalpataru Gold Coins

Pure gold, this 22k gold coin has a beautiful Kalpataru tree structure and comes in various denominations. It is also Ideal for investors planning to convert their gold bars into jewellery in the future, these coins are also readily resalable at current gold prices.

Lakshmi Gold Pendants

Pendants never get old, do they? Be it the Lakshmi gold pendants or the ones with intricate designs, these are the perfect items that adorn your neck. The best part about the pendants from Kundan is that you can use them for investment purposes too. 

Customised Anniversary Coins

Ever heard of customised anniversary coins? If not then Kundan is the place to explore. You can get the gold coins designed according to your wish and later use them for investment purposes too. You do not have to worry about the purity of the coins because all Kundan items come with a 100% buyback guarantee. 

Baby Gold Bars

Not a big fan of gold coins? Then why not invest in bars? Choose this amazing 24kt baby gold bar available in various denominations. This excellent gold bar is significant to any new parent because it symbolises the birth of a beautiful child in the family. The best part? It comes in a complete tamper-proof pack and is ready for investment any time you wish so owing to its excellent purity and valuation. 

The Enduring Value of Kundan Gold

Kundan's extensive selection of gold coins and bars ensures there's something for every investor. Whether seeking an affordable way to diversify a portfolio or intending to gift high-purity gold during the wedding season or Christmas, Kundan, backed by over a decade of experience, is a name synonymous with trust for quality gold products. Explore the full catalogue of investment-worthy products online or at a store near you.

Kundan caters to investors with a range of gold coins, pendants, and bars in various weights, allowing them to commence their investments modestly or fully.

[bitcoincables]

Understanding the Impact of Bitcoin Halving on Investors

The upcoming Bitcoin halving: the event where the rewards for Bitcoin miners will be cut in half. It's an important event for miners and holds significance for investors as well. After the halving, miners will be rewarded with 3.125 BTC for each block processed instead of the current rate of 6.25 BTC. The purpose of this halving is to control Bitcoin inflation. While the exact date is uncertain, previous halvings have led to price increases and it is expected that retail investors should pay attention to this event. 🪙

The Bitcoin halving has gained a lot of attention due to increased interest in the cryptocurrency industry, especially from institutions. Since the last halving, Bitcoin's price has risen significantly and it has become more mainstream. Historically, halvings have been followed by price surges. Analysts predict that a potential approval of a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) combined with the halving could lead to a "craziest bull run of all time." 💰

However, it's important to note that Bitcoin is a volatile asset and the relatively illiquid market may deter traditional investors. The recent crash in Bitcoin's price, along with increased scrutiny from regulators, might make some investors hesitant to enter the market. Nevertheless, there are alternative ways for investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin, such as investing in publicly traded mining companies. Some experts believe that the halving has a bullish effect on Bitcoin's price, while others argue that there is no concrete proof of this. Overall, the halving primarily impacts miners, who will closely monitor the event. 📉

To read the original article, click here.

#Bitcoin #cryptocurrency #investment #Bitcoin-halving

[lcrnasdane]

How to Invest in Gold Coins - Keeping away from the Errors of the New Investor

Gold isn't just the traditional fence against inflation and the devaluation of currencies, however over the course of the past ten years it has demonstrated to be a sound and developing investment. Yet, buying gold isn't tied in with buying institutional visit site here bullion blocks. Gold coins are the most transferrable vehicle for investing in gold. This article makes sense of a portion of the intricate details of investing in gold coins.

The Dow is hitting pre-crash highs, companies are detailing positive profit, and the financial media is saying that we seeing could be the beginning of another buyer market. Sounds perfect, right?

What's the worst that could happen?

Indeed, as indicated by certain specialists, there is overpowering proof that the following stock market slump could strike any day now and its scale could be memorable. That sounds desperate. What is required is a wealth protection of some sort or another yet what might that be?

Gold.

Furthermore, it's not only the stock market: If you're concerned with sovereign gamble, like the breakdown of the U.S. dollar, runaway inflations, or one more interruption of the world's financial framework, gold is likewise your go-to. Specialists concur that diversification is your best portfolio assurance. In any case, gold is more than a fence against financial shakiness, gold has likewise experienced noteworthy development. While the facts really confirm that gold has taken a cost break in 2013, in the past 12 years gold costs rose consistently. No other product, in the set of experiences in the U.S., has at any point gone up for 12 consecutive years. Gold's cost is as of now showing indications of one more blast in 2014.

Is It Worth Investing in Gold Coins?

Numerous specialists recommend that a great many people ought to most likely designate around 5%-15% of their portfolios to gold, so the straightforward response is without a doubt "yes." Present day bullion coins permit investors to claim investment-grade gold legitimate delicate coins at a little premium to the spot cost of gold as cited on the markets. The value of bullion coins and bars is resolved exclusively by the cost of gold, and accordingly follows the bullion cost.

What Is Bullion?

To clear up a few normal false impressions about what bullion is, there is a typical discernment that the rectangular pieces of gold ("bars") are the most cost compelling, and maybe the just accessible, type of gold bullion. There is additionally the discernment that round pieces of gold ("coins") are not really gold bullion and that these "coins" are in restricted supply, costly, and are just traded as gatherers' things: this is all wrong.

Since gold coins come in more modest values, they are easier to buy and sell. Coins can likewise have an extra numismatic value past the spot cost of their gold or other valuable metal content. This isn't only valid for gatherers' coins however for investment grade coins too.

What Are Investment Grade Coins?

Investment grade coins have beated stocks and bonds throughout the course of recent years, with investors realizing more than a 300% profit from investment in the last 10 years. The best gold coins for investment are government-stamped bullion coins with low charges and high liquidity. Totally unrelated to "gatherer's coins," investment grade coins are of the greatest grade and extraordinariness and are bought principally as an investment. Then again, a gold bar is of a scale that is considerably more difficult and tedious to sell. Coins are essentially more convenient and tradable in their sizes and value.

[etiennekissborlase]

Current Economic Crises in 2023

In its annual Global Economic Outlook report released on Tuesday, the World Bank, a U.S.-based agency that offers loans and grants to different nations pursuing capital projects, said the world economy might experience a recession and one of the slowest growth rates ever in 2023. The reasons include a year marked by increased inflation, deteriorating financial circumstances, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

  The organization reduced its projections for global growth in 2023 by almost half, from 3% to 1.7%. This is the third-weakest growth rate it has ever predicted, below rates seen during the recessions of 2009 and 2020. According to projections, the real GDP of the United States would expand by 0.5% in 2023, compared to no growth for the European Union and 2.7% for emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs), which exclude China (4.3%) and include nations like India (6.6%) and Russia (-3.3%). In contrast to the World Bank’s predictions, Goldman Sachs forecast a 0.6% increase for the E.U. in a report on Tuesday, saying that inflation has gone beyond the top. The firm also kept its prediction of a severe recession in the U.K.

  According to the groups, growth predictions have been lowered because rising inflation rates have driven surprisingly quick policy changes, deteriorating financial circumstances, continuing economic shockwaves, and an energy crisis brought on by Russia’s unjustified invasion of Ukraine. 

  Global economies saw an incomplete recovery in 2022 due to banks having to undo pandemic-era policy changes. The IMF continues to reduce its prognosis for the worldwide economy in the organization’s biannual report due to growing inflation and interruptions brought on by the conflict in Ukraine. The organization’s statement is a percentage point lower than forecasts made in October by that institution. The problem confronting development is deepening. 

  While the globe is tightening its purse strings, no space should exist for defeatism. Significant reforms could be undertaken now to steer the economy from recession. Proposed ideas include investing in new jobs, improving cross-border trade, and increasing energy access. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and other reserve officials cited the U.S. job market, which recorded stronger-than-expected data last month, as proof that the U.S. economy can continue to sustain further rate rises. Nonetheless, despite this, after roughly 125,000 people were let go in 2020, layoffs still occur at several influential American organizations.

This post was originally published on Etienne Kiss-Borlase’s Finance blog. For more info about Etienne, please visit his homepage.

[coindhan02]

Read Here

Is It Good To Buy ETH in 2023?

Macro factors like galloping inflation, Fed interest rate hike, oil and food crisis, Ukraine-Russia war gave ripples down the spine to crypto investors in 2022. However the silver-lining beyond the dark clouds have started to surface after bank busts in 2023 and Ethereum’s new upgrades making the next market buzz around. With that being said, Eth has been rocking and rolling above the $1500 levels for quite some time despite the market panic.

The recent Capella and Shanghai event have given fresh impetus to Eth’s demand and we should be going long on ETH for 2023 for the given few reasons;

Top Reasons To Invest in ETH in 2023

The Merge Catalysts

How does an asset derive its value? It derives its value through the utility and scarcity it creates. Post the Merge event, in contrast to the number of ETHs which were produced prior, the numbers have dropped significantly. For example, in comparison to the PoW consensus that created 13,000 Ether per day, the post Merge scenario has brought those numbers to 1300, allegiance to EIP 1559 that burns a part of the gas fees after each block.

With that said, ETH is slowly inching towards becoming ultrasound money. The major trade-off is that at the backdrop of shady practices by the TradFi, users might pivot to DeFi, and Ethereum holds majority of the DeFi, setting a new narrative as a go to ecosystem for building the next face of finance.

Layer 2’s on Fire

Undoubtedly high gas fees were a pressing challenge that the Ethereum chain has dealt with ever since its inception. We have had our share of challenges when the crypto kitty event happened. However Vitalik Buterin took cues from such incidents and moved towards layer 2. Optimism and Arbitrum provided the much needed leverage to Ethereum; however, their computational integrity despite being fast and efficient has often been questioned.

On that note, ETH’s pivot to ZK or Zero Knowledge Proof systems might set-up a new narrative. Vitalik has already said that Sharding and the Merge are watershed moments in ETH’s journey but it will be the layer 2’s that shall carve a new way ahead for massive adoption. Polygon, which is the preferred layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum, has recently launched ZKeVM which shall give more leverage to such claims. Hence setting a positive narrative for ETH to rage inferno in the coming days.

[mariacallous]

A group of activist shareholders in the world’s largest bitcoin investment trust, GBTC, is plotting a coup. The unlikely patchwork of hedge funds, asset managers, and amateur investors is trying to unseat Grayscale Investments, the steward of the trust, whose management they claim has cost them billions of dollars.

Since 2015, GBTC has been marketed as a simple way for regular people to invest in bitcoin without having to deal with an exchange, send crypto between wallets, or figure out how to store it safely. The value of GBTC shares is linked to the price of bitcoin: For every new share created, a fraction of a bitcoin is added to a pot, anchoring its value.

In a series of adverts targeting the general public, some of which aired on major US TV networks, Grayscale described bitcoin as “the future” and the ideal investment for retirees and other investors that “deserve the best.” Now, GBTC shares are owned by hundreds of thousands of amateur investors. 

At the start of 2021, the shares, which had consistently traded at a higher price (sometimes even double) than the underlying bitcoin for years, slumped to 52 percent of the value of bitcoin in mid-December, meaning that for every $1 in bitcoin that shareholders own through the trust, they can only claim back $0.52 by selling their GBTC shares on the market. In aggregate, the discount created a multibillion-dollar hole in investors’ pockets.

“Investors are in limbo,” says Christian Galíndez Beltrán, a shareholder who claims to hold around $200,000 in bitcoin via the trust. “I’m really worried about not being able to redeem the totality of my money.”

Another investor, who asked not to be named for fear of repercussions from the brokerage at which he works, says he purchased roughly $30,000 in bitcoin through GBTC with the goal of hedging against inflation as he prepares for retirement. Although his financial situation has not been too badly damaged, he says the performance of the trust has “ill-affected” his marriage; his wife, who “fears the loss is permanent,” has taken to calling him a “bitcoin bozo.”

Thousands of GBTC shareholders like these have registered their support for the activist campaign, according to David Bailey, founder of BTC Inc and hedge fund UTXO Management, and leader of one strand of the movement.

“That’s what makes this a unique situation,” says Bailey. “This product is sold on brokerage platforms in individual retirement accounts. This is your mom and dad thinking they are diversifying their portfolio.”

WIRED spoke to six GBTC shareholders, all of whom told similar stories. One person said they have the entirety of their savings tied up in GBTC, while another has taken on additional work to ensure he is able to sustain himself into retirement. 

Bailey claims that more than 50 institutions, some of which hold several hundred-million-dollar stakes in GBTC, are also involved in the rebellion to unseat Grayscale, representing a total of at least 20 percent of GBTC shares. He claims to be unable to provide proof, citing investor privacy and legal considerations, but supplied WIRED with web traffic and form submission data that suggests at least 2,000 investors have joined the campaign.

Michael Sonnenshein, Grayscale CEO, says his firm is going nowhere. “We have absolutely no intention of stepping down from our role,” says Sonnenshein. “Our trust agreement explicitly states that we would have to voluntarily step down—and our work is not done.”

But the activists are unperturbed. “Our expectation is that, through the pure groundswell of people that want to get out of this thing, pressure is going to be put on,” says Steven McClurg, chief investment officer at asset management firm Valkyrie, another ringleader of the campaign to overthrow Grayscale. “There are a lot of ways to affect change.” He refused to elaborate on what he meant. McClurg describes this information as “secret sauce.”

Crossed Wires

The group spearheaded by Bailey, called RedeemGBTC, wants Grayscale to reduce its 2 percent management fee, which it describes as “predatory,” because it’s calculated against the trust’s bitcoin reserves, not the price of the severely discounted shares. The group also wants Grayscale to allow investors to exchange their shares directly for the underlying bitcoin—in a process known as redemption—as soon as possible.

The nature of the trust’s fee structure, lawyers representing Bailey’s hedge fund have claimed, creates a “perverse incentive” for Grayscale to maximize the number of shares in the trust and restrict redemptions: They argue that the greater the number of shares in the trust, the larger the pot of bitcoin, which swells the revenue generated by management fees. 

McClurg describes this arrangement as a “hostage” situation: Investors cannot exit without absorbing a large markdown on the price of bitcoin.

However, the demands mapped out by Bailey and RedeemGBTC are an unhelpful oversimplification of the situation, suggests Grayscale, which claims to be doing everything in its power to do right by its investors.

Namely, Grayscale has entered into a legal battle with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over its campaign to convert the trust into an exchange-traded fund, or ETF, which would let investors cash in their shares for the bitcoin in the pot. 

On June 29, 2022, the SEC announced it would not grant permission to convert the trust, citing fraud and market manipulation concerns. Grayscale has sued the SEC over the decision, which it calls “arbitrary and capricious.” The two parties are scheduled to present their respective cases to a judge on March 7 and Grayscale expects a final decision to be reached by the autumn. The firm is bullish about the prospects of an ETF of this kind coming to market: “It’s a matter of when, not if,” says Sonnenshein. 

Although Grayscale could reduce its fees in the meantime, Sonnenshein argued in a recent interview with crypto journalist Laura Shin that the funds are best directed toward the ongoing legal battle with the SEC. Once the trust has been converted into an ETF, Grayscale promises to reduce its fees immediately.

There has also been a “meaningful misunderstanding,” Sonnenshein tells WIRED, among frustrated investors, who say that Grayscale could apply to the SEC for exemption from rules that prevent them from cashing out. The only way to apply for exemption, says Sonnenshein, is to pursue conversion to an ETF.

Bailey’s lawyers have also argued that Grayscale could allow investors to cash out without dealing with the SEC at all. But it’s not that simple either, says Sonnenshein, because of a cease and desist letter issued by the SEC in 2016 that prevented the trust from issuing new shares and allowing shareholders to cash out simultaneously.

The complexity of the securities laws that apply to trusts like GBTC creates opportunity for disagreements of this kind. “It’s a spider’s web,” says Andrew Parish, a veteran crypto founder with close relationships to parties across the industry. “It’s a mess that can hardly be understood by anyone other than accountants and lawyers.”

Pretenders to the Throne

Contenders to take over from Grayscale have emerged from the ranks of the rebellion, including McClurg’s Valkyrie. Bailey also has skin in the game: Not only does his hedge fund hold $2.5 million in GBTC shares, but his companies also have a combined $113,000 stake in Valkyrie. If Valkyrie were to succeed in its bid to take on the management of GBTC, it would absorb hundreds of millions of dollars in annual management fees, and Bailey would profit indirectly.

But Bailey also says he holds a stake in DCG, Grayscale’s parent company, that’s greater in value than his Valkyrie position, so he also stands to lose if Grayscale is forced out. “This started because we were frustrated our fund had lost some money on its [GBTC] investment,” says Bailey, “But once we started to receive comments from people about how they had been affected, it became something else. [We realized that] people need immediate relief.”  

While Sonnenshein says Grayscale is always willing to hear investors out, he has reservations about the credibility of the RedeemGBTC campaign, which is run almost exclusively through Bailey’s personal Twitter account and a simple website.

“We always appreciate the opportunity to engage with any and all of our investors,” says Sonnenshein. “[But] it’s tough to take seriously a Twitter account as a standalone, as compared to the nearly 1 million investor accounts we have across the US … Anyone could go to the website and say they have one share or 10 million shares—and there’s no verifying it.”

But RedeemGBTC is not the only group Grayscale has to contend with. In December, investment firm Fir Tree filed a lawsuit against Grayscale in an effort to force the firm to hand over information that might assist in an investigation into potential mismanagement and conflicts of interest. The lawsuit asserts that Grayscale’s “shareholder-unfriendly actions” have harmed Fir Tree customers that hold GBTC shares, many of which are pension funds.

This was followed in late January by a lawsuit filed by asset management firm Osprey Funds claiming Grayscale made “false and misleading statements in its advertising and promotion” that gave investors the impression that GBTC’s conversion into an ETF was a “foregone conclusion.” Osprey also claims Grayscale’s approach to advertising has made it impossible for competitors, including itself, to accrue meaningful market share.

Like Valkyrie, Osprey has called on Grayscale to step down as sponsor and put itself forward as a replacement. In an open letter, Osprey CEO Greg King promised to cut the management fee by 75 percent, seek immediately to implement a redemption program, and collaborate with regulators instead of pursuing litigation.

The Fir Tree and Osprey lawsuits were described by Jennifer Rosenthal, vice president of communications at Grayscale, as “baseless” and “frivolous,” respectively. “We remain steadfast in our belief that the conversion of GBTC to an ETF is the best long-term product structure for investors, and are 100 percent committed to that endeavor,” she says.

As it stands, the various parties are locked in a stalemate; Grayscale says it’s not going anywhere and remains confident in the strength of its case against the SEC, while the activists are scratching their heads over how to remove the firm.

In the meantime, the situation threatens to devolve into a mud-slinging contest, says Parish, as Grayscale tries to ride out this difficult period.

It is not necessarily in Grayscale’s interest for the conversion to an ETF to take place too quickly, he says, because the recent negative press around DCG and its subsidiaries (the lending unit of one subsidiary, Genesis, filed for bankruptcy in January) would likely cause investors to run for the exit at the earliest opportunity, taking millions of dollars in management fees with them.

“The entirety of Grayscale’s strategy here is to limit redemptions and then PR, PR, PR. And to fight legal battles on whatever field they have to fight,” claims Parish.

Sonnenshein contests the idea that activating redemptions would trigger a customer exodus, arguing that the “regulated, battle-tested” ETF structure will attract an even larger audience and an even greater amount of capital into bitcoin. He also says that converting the trust into an ETF has been the plan from the outset. “This is something that investors want and deserve,” he says.

If the courts were to rule against Grayscale and the company exhausts all remaining legal avenues of appeal, Sonnenshein says it would pursue a tender offer whereby a portion of shareholders are bought out of their shares at a price established with “investor fairness” in mind.

But RedeemGBTC and Fir Tree do not share Grayscale’s conviction in the strength of its case against the SEC, which is described by the pair as “doomed” and “wasteful,” respectively, and point to the need for an urgent resolution to the situation.

“If we thought Grayscale was going to be successful [in converting GBTC to an ETF], we wouldn’t try to stop it. We just don’t think it’s going to happen—so something has to be done,” says Bailey. 

Three other shareholders say they believe it is unlikely for an ETF to be approved while Gary Gensler, sitting chairperson of the SEC, remains in charge. (Gensler’s term is due to end in 2026.) The SEC declined to comment.

“They [Grayscale] are going to dig their heels in and fight to the very end, but it’s not going to bode well for them,” says McClurg. “Financial services is a confidence game; when your clients lose faith, you’ll never get them back. In the long run, I think they’re done.”