Media,
News, Newspapers, Publishing, Broadcasting, Advertising,
Brands, Marketing: Australia and World
All
The News That's Fit To Publish/Print Edition
Past,
Present And Future
Media
Man Watercooler
News
How
to make AFR your preferred news source on Google
Google
has launched a preferred news source feature, allowing
you to view articles from The Australian Financial
Review more prominently in your search results.
By
selecting the Financial Review, you send Google a
clear signal that this is a publisher you trust and
want at the top of your results for major topics and
breaking news.
Make
the AFR a preferred source by clicking this link.
The
Australian Newspaper: Michael Miller Writes ...
For
the first time in 14 years, we are removing the paywall
at The Australian.
This is an invitation to experience the professional
craft, rigorous reporting and incisive analysis that
defines our national masthead. Our teams are currently
delivering some of the most vital reporting in the
country: from Liam Mendes' reporting on ISIS brides
and Penny Timms' ‘Cosmetic Cowboys’ investigation,
to Yoni Bashan's essential coverage of antisemitism.
You will also find Louise Bryant's moving work on
the dementia crisis and John Stensholt's exclusive
previews of the Richest 250. You also get added depth
from our partners at The Wall Street Journal and The
Times. Whether your interest lies in social issues,
global news, or business leadership, I invite you
to explore it all for free this weekend. www.theaustralian.com.au
(Credit:
Michael Miller, The Australian)
News
Media/Advertising
(Australia)
Advertising
expectations and experience: Australians have their
say
New
national research conducted by Roy Morgan for Australia's
advertising regulator Ad Standards reveals a gap between
what Australians expect from advertising and what
they currently experience - particularly online. The
community sentiment tracking study found that 88%
of Australians believe that advertising should reflect
community standards and values, yet only 37% say the
advertising they encounter meets those expectations.
The research highlights the high expectations Australians
have of advertising and the importance of aligning
with community standards to maintain trust. When it
comes to platforms, social media attracts the highest
levels of concern (62%). The expectations gap presents
a clear commercial risk for brands, with 67% of Australians
saying they avoid brands that use inappropriate or
offensive advertising; this increases to 83% among
Australians aged 65+. (RMS)
News
Feature
Pop
Culture/Netflix
Dynasty:
The Murdochs (2026)
Follows
the Murdoch family's behind-the-scenes succession
battle as Rupert's adult children compete for control
of his media empire, based on thousands of documents,
emails and text messages.
A
high-profile Netflix docuseries scheduled to premiere
on 13 March 2026. Directed by Liz Garbus, the four-part
series explores the real-life "Succession"
drama within the Murdoch family as Rupert Murdoch’s
children battle for control of his global media empire.
Key
Real-World Developments (as of March 2026)
The
documentary arrives following a definitive shift in
the Murdoch family power structure:
Lachlan
Murdoch's Succession: In September 2025, a long-running
legal battle over the Murdoch Family Trust concluded
with Lachlan Murdoch cementing total control.
The
Settlement: His siblings—Prudence, Elisabeth,
and James—agreed to a $3.3 billion settlement
(approx. $1.1 billion each) to cash out of the trust.
Under a long-term "standstill agreement,"
they now have no further share or involvement in the
family's core companies, Fox Corporation and News
Corp.
Rupert
Murdoch's Status: Now 94, Rupert remains Chairman
Emeritus of both News Corp and Fox Corp, while Lachlan
serves as the sole Chair of News Corp and Executive
Chair/CEO of Fox Corp.
Netflix
Docuseries Overview
The
series is a deep dive into how the empire was built
and the subsequent internal fracturing:
Focus:
It uses thousands of pages of leaked documents, emails,
and text messages to expose the private machinations
between the siblings.
Themes:
It explores the intersection of family and business,
questioning whether a dynasty can remain a family
when power and politics are involved.
Featured
Experts: Includes interviews with prominent media
figures like David Folkenflik, Kara Swisher, and Paddy
Manning (Lachlan Murdoch's biographer).
Media
Oher
documentaries or series about the family, the following
are available:
The
Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty (2020): A three-part BBC/72
Films documentary charting Rupert's influence on British
society and the closure of News of the World.
Succession
(HBO): While fictional, this acclaimed drama series
was widely inspired by the Murdoch family's real-world
dynamics.
News
Biz/Brands
(Australia)
Bunnings
is Australia's most trusted brand; Telecommunications,
led by Optus, is the most distrusted industry
Bunnings
is the most trusted brand in the 12 months to December
2025, a ninth consecutive quarterly victory for the
leading hardware retailer. Discount supermarket Aldi
is in second place, and discount department store
Kmart is third; the top three places have remained
unchanged for an eighth straight quarter. Meanwhile,
Woolworths remains Australia's most distrusted brand,
while Optus deteriorated two places to be the second
most distrusted brand in the 12 months to December;
in fact, Optus was the single most distrusted brand
in Australia during the month of December, following
its fatal triple-zero outage in September. Roy Morgan's
latest data on trust and distrust reveals a remarkable
relationship between highly regulated industries and
trust. The financial services sector provides clear
evidence that greater regulation and stricter rules
have helped shape public perception for the better.
On the flipside, sectors like Telecommunications and
Supermarkets have relatively low regulation and suffer
deep distrust; they currently face severe regulatory
headwinds as the public demands better accountability
and a fair go. (Roy Morgan)
News
News
and Pop Culture Flashback
World
News
Headlines
on X (11 February 2026)
Super
Bowl Analysis: X's Brand Ranx system reported 8 million
posts and 3 billion impressions for Super Bowl LX,
highlighting top-performing ads.
Media
Presence: The platform's official News account recently
announced that its Head of News has taken a seat in
the White House Brady Briefing Room to represent independent
and citizen journalists.
Breaking
News: Major outlets continue to use X for instant
updates, such as Sky News reporting on UK criminal
convictions and Reuters covering Prince William's
visit to Saudi Arabia.
To
see live breaking news right now, you can visit the
X Explore page.
News
Flashback
Brand
Bowl
"Brand
Bowl" typically refers to the various informal
competitions and analyses that evaluate the effectiveness,
creativity, and public reception of the high-profile
commercials aired during the Super Bowl.
The
event itself is the Super Bowl, and the "Brand
Bowl" is the subsequent media and public discourse
surrounding the success of its advertisers.
Super
Bowl Advertising Analysis
Every
year, numerous organisations, from media outlets to
research firms, conduct their own "Brand Bowl"
analyses to determine which advertisers "won"
the event. These evaluations use different metrics,
including:
Consumer
Sentiment: Measuring public opinion and emotional
response through live focus groups and social media
listening.
Brand
Recall & Lift: Quantifying how well audiences
remember the ad and if it positively impacts brand
perception.
Social
Media Engagement: Tracking mentions, shares, and overall
online conversation volume during and after the game.
Expert
Jurors: Panels of advertising and marketing professionals
judge the ads based on strategic effectiveness, creativity,
and execution.
Brands
invest heavily in these commercials, often spending
millions for a 30-second slot plus production costs,
making the "Brand Bowl" a significant post-event
discussion in the marketing world.
Recent
"Brand Bowl" Highlights
The
conversation around recent Super Bowl ads often highlights
key themes and successful campaigns:
Nostalgia
& Celebrity: Many brands use celebrities and throwbacks
to the 1990s and 2000s to quickly grab attention and
connect with millennial and Gen X audiences. Examples
include Dunkin' with Ben Affleck and Jennifer Aniston,
and spots from T-Mobile and Xfinity.
Emotional
Storytelling: Ads that create a genuine emotional
connection often perform well. For instance, Budweiser's
2026 ad, featuring a heartwarming friendship between
a Clydesdale and a bald eagle, was a crowd favorite.
Humor:
Outright funny ads remain a staple. The 2026 Uber
Eats 'Foodspiracy' ad and the 2024 State Farm ad with
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito were noted
for their humor.
Innovation:
Brands like Anthropic's AI, Claude, and tech companies
like Verizon and Peacock, leveraged their ad time
to demonstrate their products or align with the main
event in unique ways, often generating significant
online chatter.
News
Pop
Culture Flashback
Musk
vs Zuck
Feb
1, 2024
Social
Media Wars Heat Up
Meta
Gets Grilled By U.S Congress
Meta
and Facebook can't stay out of the news We didn't
get Zuck vs Musk in an UFC Octagon, or even via backyard
broadcast via X, but we do get Zuck vs Congress and
indi news media across the world is pleased to share
it... Mark Zuckerberg’s apology doesn't impress
New Mexico AG! Mr Zuckerberg has apologised to the
parents of online child sexual abuse victims during
a senate probe, but the apology was flatly dismissed
by one of the state attorney generals suing the big
tech bully boy who made his name for rating dorm girls
on the web. Ah, the foundation of some of these big
tech firms, and you wondered why some of the tech
biz firms are so screwed up. Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg’s
stunning apology to the parents of online child sex
abuse victims during a Senate hearing was “too
little, too late,” according to one of the state
attorney generals currently suing the embattled social
media giant. New Mexico attorney general Raúl
"The Terminator" (our term, not hers) Torrez,
whose office has sued Meta for exposing kids to adult
sex content and alleged child predators, was on Capitol
Hill on this past Wednesday as a "Zoo" (meme
from the www) Zuckerberg told parents he was “sorry
for everything you have all been through.” “Mr.
Zuckerberg has appeared before Congress numerous in
the past, and its not because he's going a good or
great job. He has given assurances on the safety of
his platforms many times before,” Torrez told
The Post. “It seems that once the spotlight fades,
they go right back to doing business as usual.”
Senate Republicans, including Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz
and Lindsey Graham, each dismissed Meta’s pitched
safety measures as ineffective during harsh exchanges
and barbs with Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg, who surprised
the hearing’s attendees by standing up from his
podium and speaking directly to the audience, told
parents that “no one should go through the things
that your families have suffered.” Earlier, Zuckerberg
testified that his company had spent $5 billion on
safety last year. ZB shows that throwing money at
some problems doesn't always work.
News
Flashback
Musk
vs Zuck
The
long-simmering rivalry between tech titans Elon Musk
and Mark Zuckerberg has evolved from corporate competition
into a public feud that famously peaked with talks
of a literal cage match.
The
Potential "Cage Match"
While
the hype reached a fever pitch in 2023, the physical
fight remains unconfirmed and is widely considered
unlikely to happen.
Status:
Zuckerberg essentially "called off" the
bout in August 2023, stating Musk "wasn't serious"
after Musk suggested a practice round in Zuckerberg's
backyard and claimed he needed surgery first.
The
Matchup: Mark Zuckerberg: Trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
(BJJ), he has medaled in amateur tournaments and is
significantly younger (39) and more active.
Elon
Musk: Relies on his significant size and weight advantage
(6'1" vs. Zuck's 5'7") and has joked about
his "Walrus" move (lying on top of the opponent).
Corporate
& Personal Rivalry
The
"Musk vs. Zuck" conflict spans nearly a
decade, rooted in business failures and clashing ideologies.
Origins
(2016): The feud ignited when a SpaceX rocket explosion
destroyed a $200 million Facebook satellite. Zuckerberg
publicly stated he was "deeply disappointed"
by the failure.
AI
Debate: The two have clashed over the future of artificial
intelligence. Musk views AI as an existential threat
to humanity, while Zuckerberg has dismissed Musk’s
"doomsday scenarios" as "irresponsible."
Platform
Wars: After Musk acquired Twitter (now X), Meta launched
Threads in July 2023 as a direct competitor. Musk
responded by calling Zuckerberg a "copycat"
and threatening a lawsuit over trade secrets. (A.I
News)
News
Flashback
WWE
Super Bowl Ad/WWE Super Bowl
During
Super Bowl LX, which took place on 8 February 2026,
WWE maintained a high-profile presence through athlete
appearances and broadcast partnerships, though it
did not run a standalone corporate brand commercial
like its "infamous" 1999 ad.
2026
Super Bowl Commercials & Broadcasts
'
to promote the weekly show. Netflix x WWE Raw: Following
their transition to the streaming platform, Netflix
aired a 20-second commercial during the Super Bowl
broadcast titled 'WWE Monday Night RAW
SummerSlam
2026: A dedicated 60-second spot aired during the
weekend festivities to promote the upcoming SummerSlam
2026 event.
WWE
Stars in Other Ads: Retired pro wrestler Danielle
Moinet (Summer Rae) was featured in promotional content
for the Madden Bowl leading up to the game.
WWE
Presence at Super Bowl LX
The
most significant WWE connection to the 2026 Super
Bowl was the Halftime Show, headlined by music superstar
and part-time WWE wrestler Bad Bunny.
Bad
Bunny Halftime Show: His performance included 11 songs
and was praised by fellow WWE stars like Seth Rollins,
who referred to him as his "colleague" and
"fellow WWE superstar" during post-game
media appearances.
Attending
Superstars: Several WWE athletes were spotted in attendance
at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, including Becky
Lynch, Seth Rollins, Kofi Kingston, Damian Priest,
and Lola Vice.
Crossover
Moments: A viral moment occurred on "Radio Row"
before the game when WWE’s Seth Rollins and AEW
World Champion MJF had a public interaction, shaking
hands and hugging for the cameras.
Historical
Context: The "Infamous" WWE Super Bowl Ad
For
those searching for the classic WWE (then WWF) Super
Bowl ad, it refers to the 1999 "WWF Attitude"
commercial for Super Bowl XXXIII. That commercial
featured stars like The Rock, Mankind, and Stone Cold
Steve Austin in a corporate setting, ironically claiming
the company was a "non-violent form of entertainment".
While
fans often call for a return to this style of advertising,
WWE has primarily focused on promoting specific events
or platform partnerships (like Netflix) in recent
years. (A.I News)
News
Pro
Wrestling/WWE/Pop Culture
Wrestling
With News And Sports Entertainment
WrestleMania
Season Hits Australia And World
March
13, 2026
Drew
McIntyre Quits WWE SmackDown Then Returns with Vengeance
On
the March 13 SmackDown at Footprint Center, McIntyre
opened with a fiery promo venting frustration over
losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes
the week before. After a confrontation with GM Nick
Aldis and Bloodline enforcer Jacob Fatu, he tossed
the mic and walked out, echoing a similar 2024 stunt.
He resurfaced during Fatu's match against Trick Williams,
blindsiding Fatu to hand Williams the upset win and
stay in the WrestleMania 42 spotlight.
News
Randy
Orton Brutally Turns on Cody Rhodes at SmackDown Contract
Signing
During
the WrestleMania 42 contract signing on SmackDown
in Phoenix, Randy Orton shockingly attacked Undisputed
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, busting him open after years
of brotherhood from their Legacy days. Orton delivered
a low blow, hurled Rhodes over the announce desk,
and posed with the title belt amid the chaos at the
sold-out arena. The betrayal ignited their hottest
feud heading into WrestleMania 42, with other highlights
including Jelly Roll's wild Miz TV appearance, the
Bella Twins' return to challenge for titles, and Jade
Cargill eyeing Rhea Ripley.
News
Danhausen
Curses Miz Before Jelly Roll's Wild Haymaker on SmackDown
Danhausen
stole the show on Friday Night SmackDown in Phoenix,
handing out merch to ecstatic fans he called his 'stanhausens'
and delivering his signature curse on The Miz during
a tense Miz TV segment with Jelly Roll. Tensions escalated
when Kit Wilson interrupted, prompting Jelly Roll
to swing wildly—missing Wilson and knocking out
Miz instead. Backstage sources noted Danhausen's strong
recovery from a shaky WWE debut, with fans raving
about his chaotic energy and speculating on WrestleMania
matchups like Danhausen teaming with Jelly Roll.
News
Danhausen
Cracks Up Bella Twins with Clone Joke on SmackDown
On
March 13 SmackDown in Philadelphia, WWE's new signing
Danhausen met Nikki and Brie Garcia for the first
time backstage, delivering his signature comedy that
had everyone in stitches. The 32-second clip, captioned
'TWINHAUSEN' by WWE, drew thousands of likes as Danhausen
himself tweeted about the 'multiplicity.' Fresh off
earning his multi-year contract by beating Brian Johnson
at Elimination Chamber, Danhausen also handed out
T-shirts, cursed The Miz, and amped up the show's
chaos ahead of WrestleMania 42.
News
WWE
2K26 Launches with CM Punk on Cover Amid Monetization
Debate
WWE
2K26 released March 13 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series
X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, with premium editions
available early from March 6. CM Punk headlines the
standard edition and a 2K Showcase mode mixing his
career highlights with fantasy matches, joined by
a roster of over 400 superstars, refined gameplay,
and new types like I Quit. Early reviews score around
80 on Metacritic for its polish, but the Ringside
Pass battle pass system—for Season 1 DLC like
lucha libre stars—sparks backlash over grinding
or paying extra, contrasting simpler unlocks in older
games like 2011's SmackDown vs. Raw.
News
Pop
Culture/Streaming
Marvel
Teases Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 with Gritty
Trailers and Posters
The
eight-episode season streams on Disney+ starting March
24, showcasing Matt Murdock in his red suit facing
armored foes marked 'AVTF' and tense street confrontations.
Kingpin, played by Vincent D'Onofrio, commands the
city skyline in a new poster hinting at his mayor-like
influence, while teases include a shirtless, ripped
Charlie Cox and returning faces like James Wesley
in a likely flashback and Detective Brett Mahoney
on rainy streets. Fans lit up over the intense action
and comic nods, with Cox set to discuss favorite Daredevil
runs in a mini-series dropping March 17.
News
Motorsport
Russell
Wins Shanghai Sprint, Extends F1 Lead Over Ferrari
Charge
Starting
from pole, Mercedes' Russell dominated the Shanghai
Sprint, finishing 1.2 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Leclerc
with teammate Lewis Hamilton third after a razor-close
fight for second. The victory gives Russell 25 Drivers'
Championship points, ahead of Kimi Antonelli on 18
and Leclerc on 15, while Max Verstappen slumped to
19th after a poor launch in his Red Bull. Ferrari's
double podium keeps them competitive in Constructors',
though drivers gripe about the wide, battery-focused
2026 cars limiting action.
News
YouTube
News
Feature
YouTube
is a global online video-sharing platform owned by
Google. It is currently the second-most-visited website
in the world.
Key
Features and Services
Core
Platform: Users can watch, upload, and share a vast
array of content, including music videos, educational
tutorials, and live streams.
YouTube
Premium: A paid subscription that removes advertisements
and enables background play and offline downloads.
YouTube
Music: A dedicated service for streaming millions
of songs and music videos.
YouTube
TV: A streaming television service that provides live
TV from major broadcast and cable networks.
YouTube
Shorts: A feature for creating and viewing short-form
vertical videos.
Recent
Developments (2026)
Premium
Lite Update: In early 2026, YouTube announced that
Background Play and Downloads are being added to the
Premium Lite subscription tier.
AI
Integration: The YouTube Labs program is testing new
AI features, such as Beyond the Beat (AI hosts for
music) and VibeCheck (AI coaching for Shorts).
Economic
Impact: By late 2025, YouTube's annual revenue exceeded
US$60 billion, driven by both advertising and its
growing subscription services.
News
Awards
X
wins Media Man 'Platform Of The Month; Runner-ups:
YouTube and LinkedIn
Netflix
wins Media Man 'Streaming Service Of The Month' award
WWE
wins Media Man 'Wrestling Promotion Of The Month'
award
UFC
wins Media Man 'Combat Sports Promotion Of The Month'
award; Runner-up: MVP aka Most Valuable Promotions
Markets,
Cryptos and Pop Culture
Culture
In Biz Series Edition
December
To Remember
Dec
15
Sydney, Australia
Dec
14
Wall Street, New York Groove
Cryptos
Struggling; All That Glitters
TKO To Naysayers Again! Thank You Cena!
Road To Royal Rumble
World Streaming Wars
Crypto Wolf Of Wall Street Works Weekends And Xmas
Online Media vs Legacy Media: Disruptors
Media
Pop Culture Theme: "Another Brick In The Wall"
aka "We Don't Need No Education" (Pink Floyd)
"Schools Out" (Alice Cooper)
Silicon Valley theme: "Stretch Your Face"
(Tobacco)
"The Social Network" (score album for film)
"Hall of Fame" (The Script)
"Eight Days a Week" (The Beatles)
"The Wolf of Wall Street" ("Mercy,
Mercy, Mercy" (Cannonball Adderley)
"Friday On My Mind" (The Easybeats)
December
15, 2025
Sin
City Sydney, Australia
ASX
futures down 51 points/0.6%, to 8659
Wall
Street:
S&P
500 -1.1%
Dow Jones: -0.5%
Nasdaq -1.7%
Europe:
Stoxx
50 -0.6%
FTSE -0.6%
DAX -0.5%
CAC -0.2%
Australian
dollar at US66.43 cents
Bitcoin
$88,689.56 -1.83%
Gold
+0.5% to $US4299.63 per ounce
US oil -0.3% to $US57.44 a barrel
Brent crude -0.3% to $US61.12
Iron ore -1% to $US100.45 per ton
10-year
yield:
US 4.18% Australia
4.72% Germany 2.86%
Bitcoin
Bitcoin:
(Near Live) $88,689.56 -1.83%
News
Update: (Near Live)
News
New
York/Wall St via Mr Wolf!
December To Remember!
Dec
14
Before The Bell; Bells To Be Rung
NYC!
Cryptos
Today: (Near Live)
Cryptos
tarnished again!
Bitcoin
$88,689.56 -1.83%
Market
ups and downs! Mood: Medium: Still picking up a little.
Play the long game?! Hardcores keep dream, as always!
Media
Man Favs:
(Near
Live)
Bells
Rung by Mr Wolf!
TKO hulks up Again! Going for submission on competitors?!
Christmas Grinch vs Santa.
Miners on hunt. Gamers full speed instead of socials.
Gaming Awards: Tomb Raider: Atlantis!
Tech heads and grapplers watch streaming wars!
NYSE Bell Ringers With Trees! Prep for new Season's
Beatings!
TKO kicks out again. Saturday Night's Main Event aftermath
heading to WWE RAW and Road To Royal Rumble In UAE
Wall
St, New York
TKO
Group Holdings Inc $208.42 +4.12 +2.02%
NVIDIA Corp $208.42 +4.12 +2.02%
Formula One Group Series $86.41 -0.25 -0.29%
Alphabet Inc Class A $309.29 -3.14 -1.01%
News Corp Class A $26.22 +0.12 +0.46%
Netflix Inc $95.19 +1.10 +1.17%
Caterpillar Inc $597.89 -27.72 -4.43%
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp $10.65 -0.26
-2.38%
Tesla Inc $458.96 +12.09 +2.71%
Walt Disney Co $111.60 +0.14 +0.13%
Wynn Resorts Ltd $123.66 -1.19 -0.95%
Meta Platforms Inc $644.23 -8.48 -1.30%
Elders ADR $19.73 (US) (NYSE)
Mercedes Benz Group ADR $18.03 +0.12 +0.67%
Rio Tinto Ltd $96.29 +5.70 +6.29%
Paramount Skydance Corp $13.74 -0.38 -2.69%
Red Light Holland Corp $0.020 -0.00018 -0.87%
Volvo ADR (parent/owner of Muck Trucks) $31.94 -0.12
-0.37%
Porsche Automobile Holding SE Unsponsored Germany
ADR $4.75 -0.030 -0.63%
Microsoft $478.53 -4.94 -1.02%
News
Global
Markets React to Central Bank Decisions and Policy
Outlooks
Stock
indices
The
Fed managed to please the American stock market by
easing its policy and forecasting an increase in GDP
from 1.8% to 2.3%, as well as a slowdown in inflation
from 3% to 2.5% in 2026, while also discussing the
positive impact of AI on productivity. As a result,
the S&P500 experienced its most dramatic reaction
to an FOMC meeting since March, and the Russell 2000
set a new record. A strong economy and inflation heading
towards the 2% target present a prime opportunity
for stocks. Along with increased productivity, this
indicates that S&P500 companies may see growth
in corporate earnings. Historical episodes in which
the Fed cut rates and markets were near their peaks
have shown higher levels 12 months later in every
case.
However,
expectations for the next rate cut have now shifted
to April, removing the indexes safety buffer. There
may be renewed talk of a tech giant bubble, as evidenced
by Oracle's shares plunging sharply after the company
reported disappointing earnings.
According
to Yardeni Research, investors should diversify away
from the "Magnificent Seven" and seek opportunities
in other issuers, as artificial intelligence is transforming
nearly every company into a technology firm.
What
is ahead
The
key events of the third week of December will be the
release of US labour market data for October and November,
as well as central bank meetings. The ECB, the Bank
of England and the Bank of Japan will have their say.
Investors will also pay attention to European business
activity data for December.
Jerome
Powell says that FOMC officials have similar views
on the US economy but differ in their assessment of
its risks. Hawks are concerned about high inflation,
while doves are worried about the cooling labour market.
If employment figures disappoint, derivatives will
shift expectations of monetary policy easing from
April to March, and possibly even January. This will
weaken the dollar. On the other hand, a pleasant surprise
from non-farm payrolls will allow the USD to recoup
some of its losses. While no changes are expected
from the ECB, the Bank of England is 90% likely to
cut its repo rate to 3.75%. However, the negative
is already priced into the pound, and in the event
of hawkish comments, the pound could strengthen. The
fate of the yen will depend on the outlook for the
Bank of Japan's leadership. Few doubt that the overnight
rate will be raised, but what next? (FxPro)
News
'I
love solving puzzles': How AFP's crypto sleuth tracks
ill-gotten gains
Abigail
Gibson is the Australian Federal Police's only cryptocurrency
forensic accountant, a role she has held since 2022,
after she first joined the AFP as a forensic accountant
in 2017. Gibson uses blockchains to look for clues
that might be able to connect individuals to money
laundering, scams or sales of illicit goods and services
on the dark web, and she says that "cryptocurrency
is a well-established method for criminals to attempt
to hide their wealth and transfer assets". Her
work includes aiding the AFP's Criminal Asset Confiscation
Taskforce, which has frozen $65 million in cryptocurrency
assets since July. (AFR)
News
Miners
lift ASX after Fed; Oracle hits tech
The
Australian sharemarket posted a small gain on Thursday,
with the S&P/ASX 200 adding 0.2 per cent to close
at 8,592. The resources sector was bolstered by a
rise in the gold price after the US Federal Reserve's
decision to reduce the cash rate for a third time;
Ramelius Resources advanced 6.7 per cent to $3.81
and Rio Tinto was up 1.8 per cent at $140.01. However,
a sharp fall in Oracle's share price weighed on local
technology stocks, with WiseTech Global shedding 2.2
per cent to end the session at $70.99. (AFR/Roy Morgan
Summary)
News
Flashback
Dec
11
Bitcoin
attempts to break the short uptrend
Market
Overview
The
crypto market cap has been in a see-saw pattern over
the past three weeks, exhibiting a gentle uptrend
that has returned to the $3.08 trillion level during
a consolidation phase. With no clear trend, crypto
traders have reduced their activity in altcoins, waiting
for the trend to recover in the first cryptocurrency
and key stock indices.
Bitcoin
jumped to $94.5K on Wednesday evening in response
to the Fed's announcement of a bond-buying programme
and a key rate cut. But this link to stocks played
a cruel joke. The fall in Oracle shares dragged the
Nasdaq-100 to eight-day lows, and BTC rolled back
to $90K. The market is testing the strength of the
modest uptrend that has been forming since 21 November.
A drop below $88K would break this trend, bolster
bearish sentiment and confirm the end of the recovery
rally.
News
Background
Public
and private companies have increased their Bitcoin
reserves by 448% since the beginning of the year to
1.08 million BTC, according to Glassnode. The corporate
sector remains a key driver of demand for digital
gold.
ARK
Invest CEO Cathie Wood believes that large companies
buying cryptocurrency for long-term storage could
prevent BTC from falling 75-90% as it has in the past.
Strategy
founder Michael Saylor announced the company's plans
to acquire as much Bitcoin as possible. Mayside Partners
believes that such plans are economically unsound.
This is not innovation, but cascading leverage on
speculative collateral — a model that has failed
time and time again.
The
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has called on
the US Senate to withdraw the cryptocurrency bill
on ‘responsible financial innovation,’ which
will be considered next week. The organisation pointed
to the risks to pension savings and the country's
economy.
Twenty
One Capital, a big Bitcoin holder, has entered the
stock market. The company's shares fell 20% on their
first day of trading on the NYSE. The firm ranks third
among public holders of the first cryptocurrency with
42,000 BTC (~$3.9 billion). (FxPro)
News
Crypto
market awaits the final battle of the year
Market
Overview
The
crypto market lost just over 1% in 24 hours to $3.08T,
falling back to the consolidation levels of late November.
Attempts to shake up the market at the beginning of
this month were unsuccessful for both bulls and bears.
Excluding this impulse, the market has been treading
water for almost two weeks, hovering around the 23.6%
correction rebound line from the October-November
decline. Such a shallow rebound could be a sign of
a strong bear market, but this will only be confirmed
if November's lows of $2.73T are updated.
Bitcoin
is trading near $90K, having crossed this level for
the fifth consecutive day. An upward trend line can
be drawn through the lows of late November, but BTC
is now trading dangerously close to this line. At
the same time, horizontal resistance has formed in
the $92K area, bringing the positions of bulls and
bears closer together over time and promising a decisive
battle by the end of this week. It could not only
be the last significant battle of the year but also
determine the trend for the coming months.
News
Background
Short
positions on Bitcoin have recorded their largest outflow
since March 2025, when the price of BTC was near its
lows. Investors likely believe that the current surge
in negative sentiment has bottomed out, according
to CoinShares.
According
to Glassnode, the reserves of long-term Bitcoin holders
fell to a cyclical low in November. This marks the
end of the spot sell-offs that have hindered market
growth throughout 2025.
Ethereum
exchange reserves have fallen to record lows, which
could signal an imminent supply crisis, according
to CryptoQuant. Since July 2025, the indicator has
fallen by about 20%.
The
largest American investment company, BlackRock, has
applied with the SEC to register an ETF that will
allow investors to earn income from staking Ethereum
without directly owning the cryptocurrency.
Strategy
has increased its weekly Bitcoin purchases to their
highest level since July. The company bought 10,624
BTC ($963 million) last week at an average price of
$90,615 per coin. Strategy now owns 660,624 BTC, purchased
for $49.3 billion at an average price of $74,696 per
Bitcoin. (FxPro)
News
Streaming
Wars: Netflix vs Paramount (for Warner Bros) aka WBD.
What's Up Doc?!
Paramount
makes hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
Dec
9
Paramount
Skydance has directly approached Warner Bros Discovery's
shareholders with a takeover offer; it has opted to
bypass the rival media group's board, contending that
Warner's directors have backed an "inferior proposal".
Paramount has proposed a cash offer of $US30 per share,
valuing its bid for the entire company at about $US108bn.
It is seeking to trump Netflix's deal to acquire some
of Warner's assets for around $US83bn, which has been
approved by the boards of both companies. Warner has
rejected Paramount's claims that its sale process
had favoured a single bidder.
*Developing
news story "The Streaming Wars"
News
Australia
- USA Connection
World
Leaders Condemn Bondi Beach Attack
Many
Small Crypto Bears Sell Out; Tests Patience To Often;
Bulls Controlling Market For Long Haul
News
56
hours ago +
Developing
Story
The
crypto market tries to form an uptrend
Market
Overview
The
crypto market soared by almost 7% over the past day,
reaching a capitalisation of $3.15T and forming a
higher local peak compared to Sunday. The mood on
the crypto market was buoyed by moves from institutional
giants Vanguard and Bank of America to open access
to digital assets for their clients. Combined with
the fact that the low point on December 1st is higher
than the lows on November 21st, we are seeing a series
of vital signs of an upward trend forming. However,
a conservative view suggests that fluctuations below
$3.38T are a correction from the previous decline.
Bitcoin
approached $94K on Wednesday morning, recovering half
of its losses from the sell-off between November 11th
and 21st. Considering the entire decline from its
October peak, BTCUSD remains trading below $ 98K as
part of the correction. The $98-100K range contains
three psychologically significant levels: the 50-day
average, early November support, and 61.8% of the
decline from the peak. Consolidation above this level
could convince buyers that crypto winter has not arrived.
News
Background
Vanguard,
the world's second-largest investment company by assets,
will open access to crypto ETF trading for its clients
on December 2nd. The company had previously stated
that it would avoid Bitcoin funds because cryptocurrency
is an “immature asset class” and does not
fit with the company's philosophy.
Bank
of America, one of the largest banks in the United
States, has recommended that its institutional clients
allocate 1% to 4% of their portfolios to cryptocurrencies.
Previously, investors were unable to access cryptocurrencies
because advisors were prohibited from recommending
such instruments.
The
four-year cycle theory has ceased to work, so Bitcoin
has a chance to reach new highs in 2026, according
to Grayscale. Analysts believe there are already some
signs that Bitcoin has likely bottomed out.
News
(from Friday: Sydney)
ASX
up as tech stocks rally, WiseTech gains
The
Australian sharemarket posted a modest gain on Thursday,
with lower trading volumes ahead of Wall Street's
closure for Thanksgiving Day; the S&P/ASX 200
added 0.1 per cent to close at 8,617.3 points. WiseTech
Global was up 6.9 per cent at $69.72, Bellevue Gold
rose 3.2 per cent to $1.29 and Reece advanced four
per cent to $12.73. However, DroneShield was down
7.8 per cent at $2 and Santos fell 1.8 per cent to
end the session at $6.44. (RMS)
News
The
Dollar's new edge: from shield to sword
The
dollar is losing its safe-haven status. • The
scale of the Fed's rate cuts has been overestimated.
• The yen is the main favourite for 2026.
BoJ
may not raise rates until March. If the US dollar
was previously a shield, it is now turning into a
sword. (FxPro)
News
Pop
Culture News
Dream
Matches: Fantasy Booking/Sports; Media Man Group Dream
Match Series; Crack The Code!
Million
Dollar Man vs IRS
Michael Wall Street vs Billionaire Ted
Mr X vs Mr BTC
Mr Green vs Mr Cash
VKM vs Easy E
Vinnie Vegas vs Mr Corbin
Mr Corp Merch vs Mr Freelance
Masked Superstar vs John McAfee
Sid Justice vs Mr Blood Diamond
Mr Bluey Chipper vs Street Fighter - King Of The Streets
Mr Dotcom vs Mr Wiki
Mr Gold vs Mr Green - Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Khan vs Khan - Winner Take All Match
Mr Wolff vs The Cleaner
Mr News vs Mr Vice - U.S Market Footprint Stipulation
Mr Paramount vs Mr Netflix
Mr ESPN vs Mr Fox
Mr Kross vs Mr Cardona
Cesaro vs Rollins
Dirty Dom vs Mr AAA
Punks vs Egos
Kross vs H
Murdoch Title vs Title
Mr Black Coffee vs Mr Claudio's Cafe Blend
Mr Warner vs Mr Netflix: Broadway draw thus far! Re-match!
Winner take all?!
TMZ vs Riddle
UFC vs PFL
The Oracle vs Cincinnati, Ohio
Mr X vs Hollyweird
Succession vs Billions
Mouse House vs Art House
NFL vs UFL
ABC vs Mainstream Aussies
Reigns vs Blanka
Cody Rhodes vs Joe
E. Honda vs NJPW
Capcom vs Warner
Cena vs ACME
Combat Sports Players vs Father Time
NXT vs TNA Wrestling (Showdown, not Invasion)!
Alpha vs Meta
TED X vs The Others
WWE's Solo vs NYC and Western Australia
UFC Predator vs MMA Predator
UFC Legal vs UFC Bad Egg Betting Disruptors
Bulls vs Bears
Logan Paul vs WWE babyfaces
Santa's Helper vs Grinch
John McAfee vs FBI + + +, Running .... Netflix Wins
again!
Killer Kross vs Matt Riddle - Shoot Fight/Wrestling
(MLW)! Holliday working web?! Most Marketable?!
VKM vs Numerous!
MLW vs The World
The Big Event vs US Promoters
Storm vs WWE Locker Room. Lash Legend on side!
NXT Gold Rush: Page & Green vs Hendry & Hail
Baszler vs Itoh - HOG Superclash - Nov 15
MSG, NY winning with WWE and UFC in Nov
The Vision vs WWE Lockerroom
John Cena vs Dirty Dom
Miz vs Management
Jericho vs Internet Marks
Mr Gold vs Mr Fool's Gold
Neo vs Mr Smith
PBR vs Others. No Bull?!
Aus Gvt vs Big Tech
Banks vs Cryptos
NVIDIA vs World
White House vs Wokes
Packer vs Devil D
Lucha Bros vs AAA Heels
WWE Black Scorpion/Masked Man vs Babyfaces
CM Punk vs The Hood
Starks vs Oba Femi - NXT Deadline
TNA Wrestling vs Dirtsheets
TKO vs Naysayers
John Cena vs Gunther: SNME
Chris Jericho and Mr X vs IWC
Mr Netflix vs Mr Paramount
Triple H vs (many) Washington Cena Fans!
News
Crypto
Movies/Docos
The
Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014)
Follows early Bitcoin adopter Daniel Mross, exploring
Bitcoin’s origins, its volatile rise, and the
community behind it. Great for understanding Bitcoin’s
early days and its potential to disrupt finance.
Banking
on Bitcoin (2016)
Examines Bitcoin’s history, ideological roots,
and impact on global financial systems through interviews
with pioneers and experts. A solid primer for newcomers.
Cryptopia:
Bitcoin, Blockchains, and the Future of the Internet
(2020)
Directed by Torsten Hoffmann, this documentary dives
into blockchain’s broader applications beyond
cryptocurrency, addressing scalability and regulatory
challenges. Ideal for those interested in blockchain’s
transformative potential.
Trust
Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018) Narrated by
Rosario Dawson, it explores blockchain’s societal
impact, from financial inclusion to voting systems.
A comprehensive look at real-world applications.
Bitcoin:
The End of Money as We Know It (2015)
Traces the history of money and introduces Bitcoin
as a decentralized alternative, critiquing centralized
financial systems. Features interviews with crypto
experts.
Deep
Web (2015) Narrated by Keanu Reeves, this documentary
focuses on the Silk Road marketplace and its creator,
Ross Ulbricht, highlighting Bitcoin’s role in
dark web transactions.
Bitconned
(2024) Explores the Centra Tech crypto scam, detailing
how three individuals defrauded investors during the
2010s crypto boom. A cautionary tale about unregulated
markets.
Feature
Films
Crypto
(2019)
A crime thriller starring Beau Knapp, Luke Hemsworth,
and Kurt Russell. It follows a young anti-money laundering
agent investigating corruption and cryptocurrency
in his hometown. Critics note its exaggerated portrayal
but praise its entertainment value.
Silk
Road (2021)
A dramatization of Ross Ulbricht’s creation of
the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace using Bitcoin.
It explores his rise and fall, blending crime and
drama.
Dope
(2015) A coming-of-age comedy-drama featuring Bitcoin
as a plot device. High schooler Malcolm uses Bitcoin
for a dark web transaction, reflecting its early association
with illicit activities.
Bonus
Mentions
Life
on Bitcoin (2014): Follows a couple attempting to
live solely on Bitcoin for 100 days, showcasing early
adoption challenges.
Bitcoin
Heist (2016): A Vietnamese action-comedy about hackers
chasing a crypto criminal, blending humor and thrills.
Notes
Documentaries are generally more educational, focusing
on Bitcoin’s history, blockchain technology,
and real-world implications. They’re great for
beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Feature
films often dramatize crypto’s association with
crime or scams, sometimes oversimplifying or exaggerating
for effect. They prioritize entertainment over accuracy.
For a deeper dive, check streaming platforms like
Prime Video, Fandango at Home, or YouTube, where many
of these are available.
News
Wall
Street (Movie)
Wall Street (1987), directed by Oliver Stone, is a
drama about ambition and greed in the 1980s financial
world. It follows Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), a young
stockbroker desperate to succeed, who gets entangled
with Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), a ruthless corporate
raider. Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is good,”
drives the story as Bud is lured into insider trading
and unethical deals, compromising his morals for wealth
and power.
The
film explores themes of capitalism, loyalty, and betrayal,
with Bud navigating pressures from Gekko, his father
(Martin Sheen), and his own conscience.
Key
Details: Cast: Michael Douglas (Gordon Gekko), Charlie
Sheen (Bud Fox), Daryl Hannah (Darien Taylor), Martin
Sheen (Carl Fox).
Runtime: 2h 6m.
Genre: Drama/Crime.
Rating: R. Box Office: ~$44 million (US).
Awards:
Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Notable
Aspects:
Gekko’s
“Greed is good” speech is iconic, reflecting
1980s excess. Inspired by real-life figures like Ivan
Boesky and Michael Milken.
A
sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), continued
the story.
Where
to Watch (as of 2025):
Streaming: Available on platforms like Peacock or
rentable on Amazon, YouTube, or Apple TV (check current
availability).
Physical: DVD/Blu-ray via retailers like Amazon.
News
Best
Quotes
An
investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
— Benjamin Franklin
"Bottoms
in the investment world don't end with four-year lows;
they end with 10- or 15-year lows." — Jim
Rogers
Be
fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when
others are fearful." — Warren Buffett
Media
Man "Bullish is a mindset"
News,
Markets, Biz, Politics, Mining, Media, Marketing,
Culture: Australia and World
Futures
pricing suggests that Australian equities will gain
about 0.1 per cent when the market opens on Monday,
following a positive lead from Wall Street. The release
of GDP data for the September quarter is set to be
a key focus for local investors in the coming week,
as they seek guidance on the outlook for official
interest rates. Inflation data released last week
has heightened speculation that the next rate move
may be up rather than down. The S&P/ASX 200 shed
0.37 per cent to close at 8,614.1 points on Friday,
and it fell by three per cent in November. (RMS)
News
Nov
28
Gold
may have doubled, but miners a gamble
Factors
such as its 'safe haven' staus and record buying by
central banks have seen the price of gold rise by
more than 50 per cent so far in 2025. The share prices
of Australian-listed gold producers have also rallied
during 2025, and some have posted solid returns over
the last decade. However, analysis shows that just
100 of the 172 listed gold miners in 2015 are still
in business now. Meanwhile, about 40 per cent of the
survivors have posted a negative return over the last
10 years. (RMS)
News
'Bloodbath':
Black Friday deals pose a dilemma for small business
Australians
are expected to spend nearly $7bn over the four days
of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, and up
to $39bn over the month of November. Indeed, Black
Friday has evolved to essentially become a one-month
sales event, and there is a growing expectation among
consumers that every store will offer big discounts.
However, Black Friday is challenging for many small
businesses, which simply cannot match the deep discounts
of large retailers. This is highlighted by research
from the Council of Small Business Organisations;
it found that 60 per cent of small business owners
do not pay themselves at least occasionally, while
25 per cent have used their personal savings to stay
afloat. (RMS)
News
Australia's
Most Trusted and Distrusted Brands + The Retail Landscape
Join
Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine to discover Australia's
most Trusted and Distrusted brands; how traditional
retail brands are being impacted by Temu, Shein, and
AliExpress; how the dramatic shift to low prices is
affecting discount department stores like Kmart and
Big W; whether Amazon has finally become the digital
category killer, impacting Myer, JB Hi-Fi and Harvey
Norman; whether Coles and Woolworths are finally showing
real signs of reputational recovery; and whether the
retail sector seeing a rise in distrust amid all the
upheaval. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Media
and Marketing
Sport
keeps TV afloat as Seven pips Nine
The
Seven Network has become Australia's top-rating commercial
free-to-air broadcaster for a fifth consecutive year.
Seven's national audience share across the 2025 rating
year was 41.6 per cent, ahead of the Nine Network
on 40.5 per cent. Seven's total audience share across
all five free-to-air networks was 29.4 per cent, followed
by Nine (28.7 per cent), the ABC (21.5 per cent),
Ten (12.6 per cent) and SBS (7.7 per cent). Nine's
live coverage of the NRL Grand Final was the highest-rating
program for the year, with a record 4.56 million viewers;
the AFL Grand Final attracted a total audience of
4.18 million. (RMS)
News
The
Age misses mark on AFL deal
A
spokesman for DAZN says the UK-based sports-focused
streaming company "categorically refutes"
a recent media report which suggested that it could
seek to renegotiate Foxtel's current seven-year AFL
broadcasting rights deal. The Age reported last week
that unnamed sources had claimed that DAZN believes
it is paying too much for the AFL rights. Foxtel was
acquired by DAZN earlier in 2025, in a deal that is
said to have been worth about $3.4bn. (RMS)
News
News
media eyes $600m yearly boost
Google,
Meta, Microsoft, TikTok and Apple are estimated to
have had combined revenue of $41bn in Australia during
fiscal 2024. They could potentially pay local news
publishers about $610m a year via the federal government's
News Bargaining Incentive, which will penalise technology
companies that fail to secure content deals with the
nation's news publishers; based on the revenue of
the 'big five', the financial penalty for not striking
such deals could be around $920m a year. The NBI would
apply to all digital platforms that operate "significant"
social media or search services, even if they do not
feature any news content. (RMS)
News
Magazine
stable faces carve-up
Private
equity firm Mercury Capital still hopes to sell the
whole of Are Media to a single buyer. However, sources
at Are have said there is speculation within the publisher
that several potential suitors have expressed interest
in selectively buying some magazine titles, and shunning
the less profitable ones. Mining magnate Andrew Forrest
is said to have been approached about buying the flagship
Australian Women's Weekly via his family company,
Tattarang, which already owns the RM Williams magazine.
(Roy Morgan Summary)
News
AI
threat slashes billions from classifieds giants
Jarden
analyst Tom Beadle has downplayed the risks that online
classified advertising groups are facing due to the
growing use of artificial intelligence platforms.
He contends that AI companies are unlikely to develop
a 'killer application' that will disrupt the business
of Real Estate Dotcom Dot Au http://realestate.com.au
owner REA Group in the near term. However, REA Group's
market capitalisation has fallen by nearly $9bn since
August, while CAR Group - which owns Car Sales http://carsales.com.au
- has shed 16 per cent of its value. Nevertheless,
there are fears that AI platforms will be increasingly
used to directly search for jobs, homes or cars. (RMS)
News
Nov
28
Free
entry gets museum record-breaking visitors
Analysis
of the annual reports of museums in Australia shows
that consumers continued to embrace the nation's cultural
institutions in 2024-25. Museums Victoria had the
highest patronage, with 1.93 million visitors during
the financial year; however, this was 13 per cent
lower than previously. Meanwhile, Western Australia
Museum was the nation's second-most-visited museum,
with visits to its three sites rising by 21 per cent
year-on-year to 1.2 million. WA Museum chair Sheila
McHale notes that visitor numbers were boosted by
the state government's decision to waive entry fees
during the 2024-25 summer. (RMS)
News
Mining/Resources/Energy
Nov
28
Inside
the battle for BHP's future
There
is growing speculation that BHP's CEO Mike Henry is
preparing to step down after six years in the role.
However, BHP's merger talks with Anglo American last
week showed that Henry is still deeply engaged in
high-stakes strategic endeavours, rather than easing
into retirement. Potential internal candidates to
succeed Henry when he eventually steps down include
Geraldine Slattery, Rag Udd, Vandita Pant and Catherine
Raw. Meanwhile, some BHP directors believe that the
resources group should simplify its commodities portfolio
by exiting the coal sector and focusing on copper;
indeed, analysis shows that both BHP and Rio Tinto
have underperformed those of pure-play copper mines
in recent years. (RMS)
News
Nov
28
Bitcoin
stalled at a critical resistance
Market
Overview
The
crypto market cap corrected by 0.4% to $3.10T, pausing
the cautious rebound from last Friday. Yet we can’t
talk about the rebound running out of steam, as there
was strong growth the day before. But we do not see
any increase in optimism, as just about one in seven
coins has gained in the last 24 hours, compared to
a decline for most.
The
sentiment index rose to 25, the threshold for exiting
the territory of extreme fear, despite the latest
round of weakness. The index’s dynamics are likely
to attract buyers who were eager to enter the market
but were waiting for a discount after the highs were
set in early October.
Bitcoin
has fallen below $ 91K, stabilising near the 61.8%
Fibonacci retracement level of the decline since November
11th. The area near $90K was significant for the market
about a year ago, serving as support for the correction
after the growth momentum in early November. There
is some risk that it will now act as resistance, reinforcing
the bearish signal of a possible end to the rebound.
A rise above $95K would signal a victory for the bulls
and a return to a bull market, while a decline below
$87K could open the way to $80K, driving the market
into a depression.
News
Background
Kronos
Research describes the current dynamics as a classic
rebound from oversold conditions. The market has cleared
out excess long positions, creating room for growth,
according to Presto Research.
Futures
and options data point to a return of bullish sentiment.
The market is ‘ready for growth’ after speculative
longs were closed over the past two weeks, according
to GSR.
According
to CryptoQuant, in November, the Binance crypto exchange
increased its stablecoin reserves to a record $51.1
billion. The growth of this indicator can be seen
as a positive factor for the crypto market.
The
potential exclusion of Strategy from the S&P 500
index and continued outflows from spot crypto ETFs
could bring back bearish sentiment and trigger sell-offs,
warns QCP Capital.
Bolivia
will include cryptocurrencies and stablecoins in its
national financial system to modernise it.
Cryptocurrencies
will be allowed to be used as a means of payment,
savings accounts, credit products and loans. The authorities’
decision is a result of the country’s challenging
economic situation. (FxPro)
News
Heavy
Industry News
Mack
Trucks wins Media Man 'Truck Manufacturer Of The Month'
award
Caterpillar
wins Media Man 'Heavy Equipment Manufacturer Of The
Month' award
Bingo
Industries wins Media Man 'Construction Brand Of The
Month' award
Elders
wins Media Man 'Agribusiness Of The Month' award
Landman
wins Media Man 'Streaming Series Of The Month' award
(Oil/mining industry based story via Paramount Plus)
Jim's
Mowing wins Media Man 'Franchise Of The Month' award
News
Pop
Culture Flashback
Citizen
Kane (1941)
Directed
by Orson Welles | Written by Orson Welles & Herman
J. Mankiewicz | Cinematography by Gregg Toland
Why
it’s considered one of the greatest films ever
made:
Revolutionary
storytelling: Non-linear structure jumping through
multiple perspectives and timelines — decades
before it became common.
Iconic
moments/lines:
“Rosebud…”
The
campaign speech with the giant Kane poster
The
slow push-in on young Charlie playing in the snow
as his future is decided
“Old
age… it’s the only disease, Mr. Thompson,
that you don’t look forward to being cured of.”
(Bernstein)
News
Salt
of the Earth (1954
Mexican
workers at a zinc mine call a general strike. It is
only through the solidarity of the workers, and importantly
the indomitable resolve of their wives, mothers, and
daughters, that they eventually triumph.
Best
Quotes
The
best and biggest gold mine is in between your ears."
"You
are a gold mine of potential power. You have to dig
to find it and make it real."
"Your
mind is like a gold mine, if you dig deep you will
find something golden."
"Don't
die without mining the gold in your mind."
"We're
like goldfields. Until we dig deep to find what's
inside us, our true potentials may be hidden forever."
"If
you want to find gold, you've got to love the process
of digging."
"Even
if you're sitting on a gold mine, you still have to
dig."
"Develop
men the same way gold is mined"
"Don't
go into the mine looking for dirt; instead, go in
looking for the gold."
"A
prospector's job is to remove dirt as quickly as possible"
"A
prospector who analyses every speck of dirt won't
find much gold"
"The
world is sitting on a gold mine but knows it not."
"Make new friends, but keep the old; Those are
silver, these are gold."
"All
that is gold does not glitter."
"Gold
is forever. It is beautiful, useful, and never wears
out"
"Gold
is the money of kings"
"Mining
is the art of exploiting mineral deposits at a profit.
An unprofitable mine is fit only for the sepulcher
of a dead mule."
"Anyone
can find the dirt in someone. Be the one that finds
the gold."
"True
gold fears no fire."
"The
desire of gold is not for gold. It is for the means
of freedom and benefit."
"Make
new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these
are gold."
"When
taken for granted, gold in one's hand is sometimes
considered like cheap copper – so are people."
Media
Man
Roy
Morgan wins Media Man 'News Services Provider Of The
Month' award; Runner-ups: X, Google News, Yahoo! Finance
News,
Markets, Biz, Politics, Mining, Media, Marketing,
Culture: Australia and World
Futures
pricing suggests that Australian equities will gain
about 0.1 per cent when the market opens on Monday,
following a positive lead from Wall Street. The release
of GDP data for the September quarter is set to be
a key focus for local investors in the coming week,
as they seek guidance on the outlook for official
interest rates. Inflation data released last week
has heightened speculation that the next rate move
may be up rather than down. The S&P/ASX 200 shed
0.37 per cent to close at 8,614.1 points on Friday,
and it fell by three per cent in November. (RMS)
News
Nov
28
Gold
may have doubled, but miners a gamble
Factors
such as its 'safe haven' staus and record buying by
central banks have seen the price of gold rise by
more than 50 per cent so far in 2025. The share prices
of Australian-listed gold producers have also rallied
during 2025, and some have posted solid returns over
the last decade. However, analysis shows that just
100 of the 172 listed gold miners in 2015 are still
in business now. Meanwhile, about 40 per cent of the
survivors have posted a negative return over the last
10 years. (RMS)
News
'Bloodbath':
Black Friday deals pose a dilemma for small business
Australians
are expected to spend nearly $7bn over the four days
of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, and up
to $39bn over the month of November. Indeed, Black
Friday has evolved to essentially become a one-month
sales event, and there is a growing expectation among
consumers that every store will offer big discounts.
However, Black Friday is challenging for many small
businesses, which simply cannot match the deep discounts
of large retailers. This is highlighted by research
from the Council of Small Business Organisations;
it found that 60 per cent of small business owners
do not pay themselves at least occasionally, while
25 per cent have used their personal savings to stay
afloat. (RMS)
News
Australia's
Most Trusted and Distrusted Brands + The Retail Landscape
Join
Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine to discover Australia's
most Trusted and Distrusted brands; how traditional
retail brands are being impacted by Temu, Shein, and
AliExpress; how the dramatic shift to low prices is
affecting discount department stores like Kmart and
Big W; whether Amazon has finally become the digital
category killer, impacting Myer, JB Hi-Fi and Harvey
Norman; whether Coles and Woolworths are finally showing
real signs of reputational recovery; and whether the
retail sector seeing a rise in distrust amid all the
upheaval. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Media
and Marketing
Sport
keeps TV afloat as Seven pips Nine
The
Seven Network has become Australia's top-rating commercial
free-to-air broadcaster for a fifth consecutive year.
Seven's national audience share across the 2025 rating
year was 41.6 per cent, ahead of the Nine Network
on 40.5 per cent. Seven's total audience share across
all five free-to-air networks was 29.4 per cent, followed
by Nine (28.7 per cent), the ABC (21.5 per cent),
Ten (12.6 per cent) and SBS (7.7 per cent). Nine's
live coverage of the NRL Grand Final was the highest-rating
program for the year, with a record 4.56 million viewers;
the AFL Grand Final attracted a total audience of
4.18 million. (RMS)
News
The
Age misses mark on AFL deal
A
spokesman for DAZN says the UK-based sports-focused
streaming company "categorically refutes"
a recent media report which suggested that it could
seek to renegotiate Foxtel's current seven-year AFL
broadcasting rights deal. The Age reported last week
that unnamed sources had claimed that DAZN believes
it is paying too much for the AFL rights. Foxtel was
acquired by DAZN earlier in 2025, in a deal that is
said to have been worth about $3.4bn. (RMS)
News
News
media eyes $600m yearly boost
Google,
Meta, Microsoft, TikTok and Apple are estimated to
have had combined revenue of $41bn in Australia during
fiscal 2024. They could potentially pay local news
publishers about $610m a year via the federal government's
News Bargaining Incentive, which will penalise technology
companies that fail to secure content deals with the
nation's news publishers; based on the revenue of
the 'big five', the financial penalty for not striking
such deals could be around $920m a year. The NBI would
apply to all digital platforms that operate "significant"
social media or search services, even if they do not
feature any news content. (RMS)
News
Magazine
stable faces carve-up
Private
equity firm Mercury Capital still hopes to sell the
whole of Are Media to a single buyer. However, sources
at Are have said there is speculation within the publisher
that several potential suitors have expressed interest
in selectively buying some magazine titles, and shunning
the less profitable ones. Mining magnate Andrew Forrest
is said to have been approached about buying the flagship
Australian Women's Weekly via his family company,
Tattarang, which already owns the RM Williams magazine.
(Roy Morgan Summary)
News
AI
threat slashes billions from classifieds giants
Jarden
analyst Tom Beadle has downplayed the risks that online
classified advertising groups are facing due to the
growing use of artificial intelligence platforms.
He contends that AI companies are unlikely to develop
a 'killer application' that will disrupt the business
of Real Estate Dotcom Dot Au http://realestate.com.au
owner REA Group in the near term. However, REA Group's
market capitalisation has fallen by nearly $9bn since
August, while CAR Group - which owns Car Sales http://carsales.com.au
- has shed 16 per cent of its value. Nevertheless,
there are fears that AI platforms will be increasingly
used to directly search for jobs, homes or cars. (RMS)
News
Nov
28
Free
entry gets museum record-breaking visitors
Analysis
of the annual reports of museums in Australia shows
that consumers continued to embrace the nation's cultural
institutions in 2024-25. Museums Victoria had the
highest patronage, with 1.93 million visitors during
the financial year; however, this was 13 per cent
lower than previously. Meanwhile, Western Australia
Museum was the nation's second-most-visited museum,
with visits to its three sites rising by 21 per cent
year-on-year to 1.2 million. WA Museum chair Sheila
McHale notes that visitor numbers were boosted by
the state government's decision to waive entry fees
during the 2024-25 summer. (RMS)
News
Mining/Resources/Energy
Nov
28
Inside
the battle for BHP's future
There
is growing speculation that BHP's CEO Mike Henry is
preparing to step down after six years in the role.
However, BHP's merger talks with Anglo American last
week showed that Henry is still deeply engaged in
high-stakes strategic endeavours, rather than easing
into retirement. Potential internal candidates to
succeed Henry when he eventually steps down include
Geraldine Slattery, Rag Udd, Vandita Pant and Catherine
Raw. Meanwhile, some BHP directors believe that the
resources group should simplify its commodities portfolio
by exiting the coal sector and focusing on copper;
indeed, analysis shows that both BHP and Rio Tinto
have underperformed those of pure-play copper mines
in recent years. (RMS)
News
Nov
28
Bitcoin
stalled at a critical resistance
Market
Overview
The
crypto market cap corrected by 0.4% to $3.10T, pausing
the cautious rebound from last Friday. Yet we can’t
talk about the rebound running out of steam, as there
was strong growth the day before. But we do not see
any increase in optimism, as just about one in seven
coins has gained in the last 24 hours, compared to
a decline for most.
The
sentiment index rose to 25, the threshold for exiting
the territory of extreme fear, despite the latest
round of weakness. The index’s dynamics are likely
to attract buyers who were eager to enter the market
but were waiting for a discount after the highs were
set in early October.
Bitcoin
has fallen below $ 91K, stabilising near the 61.8%
Fibonacci retracement level of the decline since November
11th. The area near $90K was significant for the market
about a year ago, serving as support for the correction
after the growth momentum in early November. There
is some risk that it will now act as resistance, reinforcing
the bearish signal of a possible end to the rebound.
A rise above $95K would signal a victory for the bulls
and a return to a bull market, while a decline below
$87K could open the way to $80K, driving the market
into a depression.
News
Background
Kronos
Research describes the current dynamics as a classic
rebound from oversold conditions. The market has cleared
out excess long positions, creating room for growth,
according to Presto Research.
Futures
and options data point to a return of bullish sentiment.
The market is ‘ready for growth’ after speculative
longs were closed over the past two weeks, according
to GSR.
According
to CryptoQuant, in November, the Binance crypto exchange
increased its stablecoin reserves to a record $51.1
billion. The growth of this indicator can be seen
as a positive factor for the crypto market.
The
potential exclusion of Strategy from the S&P 500
index and continued outflows from spot crypto ETFs
could bring back bearish sentiment and trigger sell-offs,
warns QCP Capital.
Bolivia
will include cryptocurrencies and stablecoins in its
national financial system to modernise it.
Cryptocurrencies
will be allowed to be used as a means of payment,
savings accounts, credit products and loans. The authorities’
decision is a result of the country’s challenging
economic situation. (FxPro)
News
Heavy
Industry News
Mack
Trucks wins Media Man 'Truck Manufacturer Of The Month'
award
Caterpillar
wins Media Man 'Heavy Equipment Manufacturer Of The
Month' award
Bingo
Industries wins Media Man 'Construction Brand Of The
Month' award
Elders
wins Media Man 'Agribusiness Of The Month' award
Landman
wins Media Man 'Streaming Series Of The Month' award
(Oil/mining industry based story via Paramount Plus)
Jim's
Mowing wins Media Man 'Franchise Of The Month' award
News
Pop
Culture Flashback
Citizen
Kane (1941)
Directed
by Orson Welles | Written by Orson Welles & Herman
J. Mankiewicz | Cinematography by Gregg Toland
Why
it’s considered one of the greatest films ever
made:
Revolutionary
storytelling: Non-linear structure jumping through
multiple perspectives and timelines — decades
before it became common.
Iconic
moments/lines:
“Rosebud…”
The
campaign speech with the giant Kane poster
The
slow push-in on young Charlie playing in the snow
as his future is decided
“Old
age… it’s the only disease, Mr. Thompson,
that you don’t look forward to being cured of.”
(Bernstein)
News
Salt
of the Earth (1954
Mexican
workers at a zinc mine call a general strike. It is
only through the solidarity of the workers, and importantly
the indomitable resolve of their wives, mothers, and
daughters, that they eventually triumph.
Best
Quotes
The
best and biggest gold mine is in between your ears."
"You
are a gold mine of potential power. You have to dig
to find it and make it real."
"Your
mind is like a gold mine, if you dig deep you will
find something golden."
"Don't
die without mining the gold in your mind."
"We're
like goldfields. Until we dig deep to find what's
inside us, our true potentials may be hidden forever."
"If
you want to find gold, you've got to love the process
of digging."
"Even
if you're sitting on a gold mine, you still have to
dig."
"Develop
men the same way gold is mined"
"Don't
go into the mine looking for dirt; instead, go in
looking for the gold."
"A
prospector's job is to remove dirt as quickly as possible"
"A
prospector who analyses every speck of dirt won't
find much gold"
"The
world is sitting on a gold mine but knows it not."
"Make new friends, but keep the old; Those are
silver, these are gold."
"All
that is gold does not glitter."
"Gold
is forever. It is beautiful, useful, and never wears
out"
"Gold
is the money of kings"
"Mining
is the art of exploiting mineral deposits at a profit.
An unprofitable mine is fit only for the sepulcher
of a dead mule."
"Anyone
can find the dirt in someone. Be the one that finds
the gold."
"True
gold fears no fire."
"The
desire of gold is not for gold. It is for the means
of freedom and benefit."
"Make
new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these
are gold."
"When
taken for granted, gold in one's hand is sometimes
considered like cheap copper – so are people."
Media
Man
Roy
Morgan wins Media Man 'News Services Provider Of The
Month' award; Runner-ups: X, Google News, Yahoo! Finance
Markets,
Crypto and Culture
Cryptos
Struggle again, Medium Bull Update: Round 1! Bloody
Noses and Black Eyes Cont! Red And Black Attack! All
That Glitters. Bells To Be Rung! Aussie - US Connection
Market
scares! Mood: Medium:; Picking up for some in traditional
sectors! Hardcores keep dream! Many bears selling
out!
Media
Man Favs:
(Near
Live)
Bells
Rung by Mr Wolf! TKO kicks out. Comeback! Christmas
Grinch Comes Early for some! Santa gives little for
miners, gamers, some tech heads and grapplers!
Wall
St, New York
TKO
Group Holdings Inc $178.17 +1.680.95%
NVIDIA Corp $178.88 -1.76 -0.97%
Formula One Group Series A $85.18 -0.72 -0.84%
Alphabet Inc Class A $299.66 +10.21 +3.53%
News Corp Class A $25.69 +0.89 +3.59%
Netflix Inc $104.31 -1.36 -1.29%
Caterpillar Inc $550.43 +4.30 +0.79%
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp $10.33
-0.020 -0.19%
Tesla Inc $391.09 -3.96 -1.00%
Walt Disney Co $104.28 +1.58 +1.54%
Wynn Resorts Ltd $119.60 +2.46 +2.10%
Meta Platforms Inc $594.25 +5.03 +0.85%
Elders ADR $19.73 (US) 53.08 +0.50 +0.95% (NYSE)
Mercedes Benz Group ADR $16.45 +0.32 +1.98%
Elders ADR $19.73 (US)
Rio Tinto Ltd $84.00 -1.00 - 1.18% (US)
Paramount Skydance Corp $15.89 +0.21 +1.34%
Red Light Holland Corp $0.018 -0.0013 -6.84%
News
The
Dollar's new edge: from shield to sword
•
The dollar is losing its safe-haven status. •
The scale of the Fed's rate cuts has been overestimated.
• The yen is the main favourite for 2026. •
BoJ may not raise rates until March. If the US dollar
was previously a shield, it is now turning into a
sword. (FxPro)
News
Crypto
market accelerates decline
Market
Overview
The
crypto market is experiencing a sharp decline, losing
another 4% over the past 24 hours and falling back
to $3.07 trillion, its lowest level since early May.
The decline is accelerating relative to the trend
observed since 10 October. At this stage, the market
is being dragged down by major coins — Bitcoin,
Ethereum, XRP — which are losing more than 5%,
while some altcoins remain in the shadows. It is unlikely
that this should be considered a sign of strength
for coins such as Monero (+2.7%), Tron (-1.8%) or
Bitcoin Cash (-2.4%). It would be more accurate to
say that the bears have not yet reached them.
Bitcoin
fell below $90K, trading at its lowest levels since
the end of April. As expected, the dip below the 50-week
moving average at the end of last week triggered sellers,
confirming the breakdown of the bullish trend that
had lasted for the previous two years. Now, the working
scenario appears to be a chance for BTC to dip to
its 200-week moving average. In 2022, this path took
9 weeks, and over 30 weeks to form the bottom.
Ethereum
fell below $3,000, following Bitcoin, which rolled
back below its 50-week moving average. In this case,
the 200-week average (approximately $2,300) will deter
sellers, and we are considering a decline to $1,700
as a working pessimistic scenario.
News
Background
According
to CoinShares, global investment in crypto funds declined
by $2.036 billion last week, marking the third consecutive
week of outflows. Investments in Bitcoin fell by $1.378
billion, in Ethereum by $689 million, in XRP by $16
million, and in Solana by $8 million. Investments
in Sui rose by $6 million, in Litecoin by $3 million,
and in ETFs with multiple crypto assets by $31 million.
The
fall of Bitcoin from its record highs in October was
triggered by the capitulation of short-term holders,
rather than the distribution of coins by long-term
investors, according to XWIN Research.
Ethereum
is entering a Supercycle phase like the one that brought
Bitcoin a hundredfold increase since 2017, said BitMine
CEO Tom Lee. In his opinion, the market decline is
attributed to issues with several large market makers
attempting to provoke liquidations in Bitcoin.
The
inflow of stablecoins to Binance reached $9 billion
in 30 days. The indicator is close to historical peaks,
which previously preceded strong market movements,
notes CryptoOnchain analyst. In his opinion, capital
in standby mode can quickly change the market dynamics
in favour of the ‘bulls’.
Strategy's
business model is entirely dependent on funds buying
its shares and is built on ‘fraud,’ said
Peter Schiff, a well-known cryptocurrency critic and
gold advocate. Since July, Strategy's shares have
fallen by more than 50%, and recently, its capitalisation
has fallen below the value of its assets. (FxPro)
News
The
crypto is set for a short-term rebound, not a full
recovery
Market
Overview
The
crypto market cap has lost 9.5% over the past seven
days. The decline took place on weekdays last week,
with the level stabilising around $3.25 trillion over
the weekend. Among altcoins, the standout is the unsinkable
Zcash at $700, nearing its highs, and weak Solana
and Ethereum, which have lost 45% and 40% from their
August and September highs, respectively.
The
crypto sentiment index recorded values of 10 on Saturday
and Sunday, marking a return to the lows of late February
this year. Although this was a good point to buy on
the rebound in the following days, the downward trend
continued for almost a month and a half. Market dynamics
since the beginning of October have been reminiscent
of those seen at the end of January. This is good
news for short-term buyers but may cause medium-term
buyers to stay on the sidelines for a while.
Bitcoin
slipped below $93K during illiquid trading early in
the day, but found impressive buyer interest there,
rising to $95.6K. Whether this is a short-term rebound
or the beginning of a recovery can only be determined
after it consolidates above $100,000. There is a high
chance that the strategy of selling on rebounds will
remain prevalent.
News
Background
Outflows
from spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US continue for the
third week in a row. According to SoSoValue, net outflows
from spot BTC ETFs totalled $1.11 billion last week,
slightly lower than the previous week's outflows,
resulting in a total inflow of $58.85 billion into
these products since January 2024.
Net
outflows from spot Ethereum ETFs in the US continue
for the second week in a row, amounting to $728.6
million. The cumulative net inflow since the launch
of ETFs in July 2024 has fallen to $13.13 billion.
Inflows
into the recently launched Solana spot ETFs in the
US have continued for the third consecutive week,
totalling $382.1 million. However, during this time,
the price has fallen by a third, reinforcing the idea
that entering traditional financial markets does not
necessarily promise price growth.
Long-term
Ethereum holders have increased their sales to 45,000
ETH per day, the highest level since February 2021,
according to Glassnode. Long-term Bitcoin holders
are also actively selling their holdings. According
to CryptoQuant, they have dumped 815,000 BTC on the
market over the past month.
Miner
Bitfarms has announced a gradual phase-out of Bitcoin
mining and a transition to developing infrastructure
for artificial intelligence. The company reported
a net loss of $46 million in its third-quarter report.
(FxPro)
News
Gold
stabilised at $4,000, but the upward trend has already
broken down Gold has stabilised around the $4,000
mark over the last ten days, ending the week at roughly
the same level as it started. Attempts by sellers
to push the price below $3,900 are meeting with impressive
buying interest.
This
is facilitated by the Supreme Court, which is considering
the illegality of US tariffs. If Donald Trump is defeated,
the money will have to be returned. As a result, the
budget deficit and public debt will increase, leading
to chaos in the financial markets. Concerns about
this are prompting investors to seek refuge in safe-haven
assets. However, this all appears to be an attempt
to play the old card, which can only delay the inevitable.
According
to estimates by the World Gold Council, central bank
purchases of bullion in 2025 are expected to amount
to 750-900 tonnes. In each of the previous three years,
the figure exceeded 1,000 tonnes. China's cancellation
of VAT credits for precious metal retailers will increase
prices for the jewellery industry and lead to a decline
in demand. ETF stocks are falling.
HSBC,
Bank of America and Societe Generale continue to stick
to their forecasts of $5,000 per ounce. However, the
gold rally has broken down. Selling on the rise is
becoming relevant. (FxPro)
News
Crypto
bulls fail to maintain momentum
Market
Overview
The
crypto market has gained 1% over the past 24 hours,
the first increase after four days of decline. The
market is stabilising at levels just above $3.4 trillion,
close to May's local highs. The situation currently
resembles a pause in the decline rather than a serious
reversal, due to somewhat cautious sentiment in the
stock markets and the strengthening of the dollar
since the second half of September. Ironically, this
reversal coincides with the resumption of the easing
cycle of monetary policy. The sentiment index has
emerged from the zone of extreme fear, which also
coincided with a market rebound. According to the
creators of such an index, now is the right time for
bulls. Still, traders should be cautious with such
an interpretation, as the previous rebound from extreme
fear was not long-lasting, and the market is now 5%
below the local low of 17 Oct, when sentiment last
recovered from extreme anxiety. Bitcoin is trading
near $103,000, pausing its rebound but remaining far
from its recent lows. The bulls managed to bring the
coin back above the 50-week moving average, but there
is still a lot of time left until the end of the week,
and for now, time is on the bears' side. On intraday
charts, it looks as if the rebound has run out of
steam and sellers are ready to seize the initiative
again.
News
Background
Cryptocurrencies
are under pressure from general risk aversion in global
markets. Among the factors are concerns about the
Fed's interest rate and the situation in the credit
sector, according to Hashdex. Wintermute attributes
the worst performance of cryptocurrencies among all
other asset classes to the redistribution of cash
flows to other markets. Short-term Bitcoin holders
continue to sell cryptocurrencies at a loss, using
any rebound as an opportunity to sell, notes analyst
Darkfost. However, accumulator addresses — wallets
that only buy and never sell — have acquired
a record 375,000 BTC over the past month. Amid the
asset's decline, French company Sequans Communications,
which accumulates Bitcoin, was forced to sell 970
BTC to partially repay its convertible debt. The company's
reserves fell from 3,234 to 2,264 BTC. Japanese company
Metaplanet, on the other hand, is raising funds to
purchase bitcoins. On 31 October, the company received
a $100 million loan secured by its reserves. Ripple
announced that it had raised $500 million in strategic
investments (with a valuation of $40 billion) from
major institutional players. Zcash (ZEC) could become
an alternative to Bitcoin among those who fear the
centralisation of BTC due to Wall Street and are concerned
about the tracking of on-chain transactions, according
to Galaxy Digital. Supporters of the private coin
refer to it as ‘encrypted Bitcoin’ and a
return to the principles of the cypherpunks. (FxPro)
News
Lead Up
Price
Movements and Market Outlook
Spot
Gold Dips Slightly: Gold traded at $4,068.70 per troy
ounce on November 17, down 0.36% from the previous
day. This extends a two-day losing streak amid fading
bets for a December Fed rate cut, with the probability
dropping below 50%. However, the metal remains up
55.75% year-over-year, supported by broader safe-haven
demand.
Recent
Rally: Prices surged nearly 3% earlier in the week
to a two-week high, driven by soft U.S. economic indicators
that bolstered rate-cut hopes and lifted non-yielding
assets like gold.
Forecast:
Analysts see potential upside if gold sustains above
$4,100, targeting $4,140–$4,145, and possibly
$4,200. A break below $4,000 could accelerate declines
toward $3,900. A weaker USD and softer risk sentiment
are keeping a floor under prices, amid concerns over
the ongoing U.S. government shutdown impacting economic
momentum.
Global
Demand and Regional Updates
India
and China Cooling: Physical demand in India stayed
subdued due to volatile prices, leading to steep discounts
for the first time in seven weeks post-festivals.
In China, a state bank halted new retail gold accounts
after tax exemptions were tweaked, likely curbing
demand in the world's top consumer market. Premiums
rose in other Asian hubs as global rates eased.
Investment
Trends: First-time gold investing hit its strongest
levels since the Global Financial Crisis, per recent
surveys, signaling renewed interest amid uncertainty.
Buzz
on X (Recent Posts) Social discussions highlight gold's
role as a hedge against crypto volatility and inflation:
Users are buying gold amid Bitcoin's dip into the
$80Ks, viewing it as a tangible alternative to "digital
tulips."
News
Gold:
correction is not over yet
The
strengthening of the US dollar and higher Treasury
yields have brought the gold price back below $4000.
Yellow
metal is gradually losing its wild cards. It managed
to reach a record high thanks to devaluation trading,
expectations of aggressive monetary expansion by the
Fed, Donald Trump's threats of 100% tariffs against
China, geopolitics, pessimistic forecasts for the
global economy, and active purchases of bullion by
central banks.
However,
the White House is no longer attacking the Fed as
aggressively as before. The US and China have found
common ground. The Middle East conflict has been resolved,
and the global economy is proving resilient in the
face of tariffs. The Fed is cautious about lowering
rates, and central bank activity in the bullion market
is declining.
The
other two examples of similar velocity of gold rose
were 1979 and 2011. The experience of those years
shows that the surge and collapse were followed by
long periods of consolidation. In other words, after
a period of retreat from the top, the precious metal
will find its trading range and settle within it.
But for the weeks ahead, we continue to see more risks
of further decline. (FxPro)
News
Flashback
Oil
Holds Strong Despite Bearish Fundamentals
Weekly
data from the EIA noted that the US returned to record
oil production rates last week, supplying an average
of 13.6 million barrels per day to the market, according
to the latest EIA data. The trend towards increased
supply began in August, but producers have only now
returned to the peak levels recorded at the end of
last year. Despite a 5.5-million-barrel increase in
US commercial inventories over the past two weeks,
inventories stay at the lower end of the range seen
over the past decade, leaving considerable room for
growth. The same can be said for the strategic reserve,
which holds nearly 40% less oil than it did five years
ago, before the start of the active sell-off. It is
an interesting game in which, on the one hand, the
US (the largest oil producer) is increasing supplies,
while OPEC+ is increasing quotas on a monthly basis.
This extremely bearish combination of factors did
not cause oil prices to collapse; it was only because
of global trade in currency depreciation that caused
precious metals, stock indices, and cryptocurrencies
to rise. Oil prices have not peaked in recent weeks
.. To be cont .. (FxPro)
News
Gold
hits new highs due to political turmoil
Gold
is outside the realm of politics.
While
currencies and securities depend on the actions of
presidents and governments, precious metals do not.
Therefore, political turmoil forces investors to use
them as safe-haven assets.
The
impressive 52% rally in gold started in April with
the introduction of tariffs on America's Liberation
Day. It continued due to the US government shutdown,
the political crisis in France, and the change of
leadership in Japan. he rise of gold above 4,000 dollars
per ounce is not only the result of the weakness of
fiat currencies. There are tectonic shifts in the
structure of investment portfolios and fears of financial
crises due to government recklessness.
The
share of precious metals is growing both in speculators'
assets and in the gold and foreign exchange reserves
of central banks. The indicator has already exceeded
the share of the euro. According to Eurizon Capital,
if it equals the share of the US dollar, the price
per ounce will soar to 8,500 dollars. The Supreme
Court's abolition of tariffs will inflate the US budget
deficit. France does not intend to reduce it, and
Japan plans to increase bond issuance. All this creates
a tailwind for commodity assets. (FxPro)
News
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Culture News
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Kross vs H
Murdoch Title vs Title
Mr Black Coffee vs Mr Claudio's Cafe Blend
Mr Warner vs Mr Netflix: Broadway draw thus far! Re-match!
Winner take all?!
TMZ vs Riddle UFC vs PFL
The Oracle vs Cincinnati, Ohio
Mr X vs Hollyweird
Succession vs Billions
Mouse House vs Art House
NFL vs UFL
ABC vs Mainstream Aussies
Reigns vs Blanka
Cody Rhodes vs Joe
E. Honda vs NJPW
Capcom vs Warner
Cena vs ACME
Combat Sports Players vs Father Time
NXT vs TNA Wrestling (Showdown, not Invasion)!
Alpha vs Meta
TED X vs The Others
WWE's Solo vs NYC and Western Australia
UFC Predator vs MMA Predator
UFC Legal vs UFC Bad Egg Betting Disruptors
Bulls vs Bears
Logan Paul vs WWE babyfaces
Santa's Helper vs Grinch
John McAfee vs FBI + + +, Running .... Netflix Wins
again!
Killer Kross vs Matt Riddle - Shoot Fight/Wrestling
(MLW)!
VKM vs Numerous!
MLW vs The World
The Big Event vs US Promoters
Storm vs WWE Locker Room. Lash Legend on side!
NXT Gold Rush: Page & Green vs Hendry & Hail
Baszler vs Itoh - HOG Superclash - Nov 15
MSG, NY winning with WWE and UFC in Nov
The Vision vs WWE Lockerroom
John Cena vs Dirty Dom
Miz vs Management
Jericho vs Internet Marks
Mr Gold vs Mr Fool's Gold
Neo vs Mr Smith
PBR vs Others. No Bull?!
Aus Gvt vs Big Tech
Banks vs Cryptos
NVIDIA vs World
White House vs Wokes
Packer vs Devil D
Lucha Bros vs AAA Heels
News
Cryptocurrency
Movies
Docos
The
Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014)
Follows early Bitcoin adopter Daniel Mross, exploring
Bitcoin’s origins, its volatile rise, and the
community behind it. Great for understanding Bitcoin’s
early days and its potential to disrupt finance.
Banking
on Bitcoin (2016)
Examines Bitcoin’s history, ideological roots,
and impact on global financial systems through interviews
with pioneers and experts. A solid primer for newcomers.
Cryptopia:
Bitcoin, Blockchains, and the Future of the Internet
(2020)
Directed by Torsten Hoffmann, this documentary dives
into blockchain’s broader applications beyond
cryptocurrency, addressing scalability and regulatory
challenges. Ideal for those interested in blockchain’s
transformative potential.
Trust
Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018) Narrated by
Rosario Dawson, it explores blockchain’s societal
impact, from financial inclusion to voting systems.
A comprehensive look at real-world applications.
Bitcoin:
The End of Money as We Know It (2015)
Traces the history of money and introduces Bitcoin
as a decentralized alternative, critiquing centralized
financial systems. Features interviews with crypto
experts.
Deep
Web (2015) Narrated by Keanu Reeves, this documentary
focuses on the Silk Road marketplace and its creator,
Ross Ulbricht, highlighting Bitcoin’s role in
dark web transactions.
Bitconned
(2024) Explores the Centra Tech crypto scam, detailing
how three individuals defrauded investors during the
2010s crypto boom. A cautionary tale about unregulated
markets.
Feature
Films
Crypto
(2019)
A crime thriller starring Beau Knapp, Luke Hemsworth,
and Kurt Russell. It follows a young anti-money laundering
agent investigating corruption and cryptocurrency
in his hometown. Critics note its exaggerated portrayal
but praise its entertainment value.
Silk
Road (2021)
A dramatization of Ross Ulbricht’s creation of
the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace using Bitcoin.
It explores his rise and fall, blending crime and
drama.
Dope
(2015) A coming-of-age comedy-drama featuring Bitcoin
as a plot device. High schooler Malcolm uses Bitcoin
for a dark web transaction, reflecting its early association
with illicit activities.
Bonus
Mentions
Life
on Bitcoin (2014): Follows a couple attempting to
live solely on Bitcoin for 100 days, showcasing early
adoption challenges.
Bitcoin
Heist (2016): A Vietnamese action-comedy about hackers
chasing a crypto criminal, blending humor and thrills.
Notes
Documentaries are generally more educational, focusing
on Bitcoin’s history, blockchain technology,
and real-world implications. They’re great for
beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Feature
films often dramatize crypto’s association with
crime or scams, sometimes oversimplifying or exaggerating
for effect. They prioritize entertainment over accuracy.
For a deeper dive, check streaming platforms like
Prime Video, Fandango at Home, or YouTube, where many
of these are available.
News
Wall
Street (Movie)
Wall Street (1987), directed by Oliver Stone, is a
drama about ambition and greed in the 1980s financial
world. It follows Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), a young
stockbroker desperate to succeed, who gets entangled
with Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), a ruthless corporate
raider. Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is good,”
drives the story as Bud is lured into insider trading
and unethical deals, compromising his morals for wealth
and power.
The
film explores themes of capitalism, loyalty, and betrayal,
with Bud navigating pressures from Gekko, his father
(Martin Sheen), and his own conscience.
Key
Details: Cast: Michael Douglas (Gordon Gekko), Charlie
Sheen (Bud Fox), Daryl Hannah (Darien Taylor), Martin
Sheen (Carl Fox).
Runtime: 2h 6m.
Genre: Drama/Crime.
Rating: R. Box Office: ~$44 million (US).
Awards:
Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Notable
Aspects:
Gekko’s
“Greed is good” speech is iconic, reflecting
1980s excess. Inspired by real-life figures like Ivan
Boesky and Michael Milken.
A
sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), continued
the story.
Where
to Watch (as of 2025):
Streaming: Available on platforms like Peacock or
rentable on Amazon, YouTube, or Apple TV (check current
availability).
Physical: DVD/Blu-ray via retailers like Amazon.
News
Best
Quotes
An
investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
— Benjamin Franklin
"Bottoms
in the investment world don't end with four-year lows;
they end with 10- or 15-year lows." — Jim
Rogers
Be
fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when
others are fearful." — Warren Buffett
Media
Man "Bullish is a mindset"
Markets,
Crypto and Culture
Bulls
Still Running Show; Cryptos Struggle, Medium Bull
Update: Round 1! Bloody Noses and Black Eyes Cont!
Red And Black Attack! All That Glitters. Bells Getting
Rung! Aussie - US Connection
Market
scares! Mood: Still somber-like for many; picking
up for some in traditional sectors! Regaining smiles
in selected cases! Hardcores keep dream! Many bears
sell out!
Media
Man Favs:
(Near
Live). Bells Rung by Mr Wolf! TKO kicks out, winning
again today! Christmas Grinch Comes Early for some!
Live ticket sales a talking point. Santa gives little
for miners, gamers, some tech heads and grapplers!
Wall
St, New York
TKO
Group Holdings Inc $184.09 +1.45 +0.79%
NVIDIA Corp $190.17 +3.31 +1.77%
Formula One Group Series A $90.12 -1.58 -1.72%
Alphabet Inc Class A $276.41 -2.16 -0.78%
News Corp Class A $26.15 -0.12 -0.46%
Netflix Inc $1,112.17 -42.06 -3.64%
Caterpillar Inc $554.03 +0.48 +0.087%
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp $11.07 -0.96
-7.98%
Tesla Inc $404.35 +2.36 +0.59%
Walt Disney Co $105.80 -1.81 -1.68%
Wynn Resorts Ltd $120.73 -2.28 -1.85%
Meta Platforms Inc $609.46 -0.43 -0.071%
BHP Group Ltd (NYSE) $55.23 -0.72 -1.29% (NYSE)
Mercedes Benz Group ADR $17.17 -0.11 -0.64%
Elders ADR $19.73 (US)
Rio Tinto Ltd $87.00 +0.53 +0.61% (US)
Paramount Skydance Corp $15.68 +0.31 +2.02%
Red Light Holland Corp $0.024 +0.0012 +5.38%
News
Good
news for Crypto bargain hunters
Market
Overview
The
cryptocurrency market jumped 4.5% in the last 24 hours,
following reports of progress in ending the US government
shutdown and promises by the US president to distribute
$2,000 checks to families, with the funds received
from tariffs. The positive effect of this news has
been amplified by the fact that a more than 20% pullback
from the peak has fuelled greed. Among the top coins,
Ethereum (+5.8%) and XRP (+8%) are growing steadily,
outperforming Bitcoin, which is up 4.5%.
Bitcoin
surpassed the $106K mark, breaking out of the $99–$
104K consolidation zone, where it spent most of last
week. At the same time, the first cryptocurrency is
trading below its 50- and 200-day moving averages.
Moreover,
a death cross is forming there, as the first of these
averages is about to fall below the latter.
The
technical picture for Ethereum is more favourable,
as the bulls did not allow the coin to consolidate
below the 200-day MA and pushed it up on the latest
positive news. From current levels near $3,600, the
nearest target for buyers appears to be $4,000, which
promises to be an important signal of market health.
News
Background
Following
the market crash on October 10-11, whales sold 32,500
BTC, while small investors actively bought on the
dips. This is an alarming sign for Bitcoin, as historically,
prices tend to follow the direction of whales, according
to Santiment.
Bitcoin's
deleveraging phase is ‘largely complete’
after the sell-off. The first cryptocurrency could
rise to $170,000 over the next 6-12 months, according
to JPMorgan's forecast.
The
‘sluggish dynamics’ of the crypto market
are linked to the rebalancing of hodlers' portfolios.
This may have a negative impact in the short term,
but is beneficial in the medium and long term, said
Galaxy Digital founder Mike Novogratz.
ARK
Invest CEO Cathie Wood said she was forced to revise
her long-term forecast for Bitcoin for 2030 from $1.5
million to $1.2 million. She cited the rapid growth
of stablecoins, which are displacing BTC among investors
in emerging markets.
According
to a survey by the Alternative Investment Management
Association (AIMA) and PwC, 55% of traditional hedge
funds owned cryptocurrencies in 2025. Last year, the
figure was 47%.
Ripple
denied plans to hold an IPO. The company does not
intend to go public in the near future, following
the example of several participants in the cryptocurrency
industry. (FxPro)
News
Gold
stabilised at $4,000, but the upward trend has already
broken down Gold has stabilised around the $4,000
mark over the last ten days, ending the week at roughly
the same level as it started. Attempts by sellers
to push the price below $3,900 are meeting with impressive
buying interest.
This
is facilitated by the Supreme Court, which is considering
the illegality of US tariffs. If Donald Trump is defeated,
the money will have to be returned. As a result, the
budget deficit and public debt will increase, leading
to chaos in the financial markets. Concerns about
this are prompting investors to seek refuge in safe-haven
assets. However, this all appears to be an attempt
to play the old card, which can only delay the inevitable.
According
to estimates by the World Gold Council, central bank
purchases of bullion in 2025 are expected to amount
to 750-900 tonnes. In each of the previous three years,
the figure exceeded 1,000 tonnes. China's cancellation
of VAT credits for precious metal retailers will increase
prices for the jewellery industry and lead to a decline
in demand. ETF stocks are falling.
HSBC,
Bank of America and Societe Generale continue to stick
to their forecasts of $5,000 per ounce. However, the
gold rally has broken down. Selling on the rise is
becoming relevant. (FxPro)
News
Crypto
bulls fail to maintain momentum
Market
Overview
The
crypto market has gained 1% over the past 24 hours,
the first increase after four days of decline. The
market is stabilising at levels just above $3.4 trillion,
close to May's local highs. The situation currently
resembles a pause in the decline rather than a serious
reversal, due to somewhat cautious sentiment in the
stock markets and the strengthening of the dollar
since the second half of September. Ironically, this
reversal coincides with the resumption of the easing
cycle of monetary policy. The sentiment index has
emerged from the zone of extreme fear, which also
coincided with a market rebound. According to the
creators of such an index, now is the right time for
bulls. Still, traders should be cautious with such
an interpretation, as the previous rebound from extreme
fear was not long-lasting, and the market is now 5%
below the local low of 17 Oct, when sentiment last
recovered from extreme anxiety. Bitcoin is trading
near $103,000, pausing its rebound but remaining far
from its recent lows. The bulls managed to bring the
coin back above the 50-week moving average, but there
is still a lot of time left until the end of the week,
and for now, time is on the bears' side. On intraday
charts, it looks as if the rebound has run out of
steam and sellers are ready to seize the initiative
again.
News
Background
Cryptocurrencies
are under pressure from general risk aversion in global
markets. Among the factors are concerns about the
Fed's interest rate and the situation in the credit
sector, according to Hashdex. Wintermute attributes
the worst performance of cryptocurrencies among all
other asset classes to the redistribution of cash
flows to other markets. Short-term Bitcoin holders
continue to sell cryptocurrencies at a loss, using
any rebound as an opportunity to sell, notes analyst
Darkfost. However, accumulator addresses — wallets
that only buy and never sell — have acquired
a record 375,000 BTC over the past month. Amid the
asset's decline, French company Sequans Communications,
which accumulates Bitcoin, was forced to sell 970
BTC to partially repay its convertible debt. The company's
reserves fell from 3,234 to 2,264 BTC. Japanese company
Metaplanet, on the other hand, is raising funds to
purchase bitcoins. On 31 October, the company received
a $100 million loan secured by its reserves. Ripple
announced that it had raised $500 million in strategic
investments (with a valuation of $40 billion) from
major institutional players. Zcash (ZEC) could become
an alternative to Bitcoin among those who fear the
centralisation of BTC due to Wall Street and are concerned
about the tracking of on-chain transactions, according
to Galaxy Digital. Supporters of the private coin
refer to it as ‘encrypted Bitcoin’ and a
return to the principles of the cypherpunks. (FxPro)
Newsfeed
If
the 4-year cycles are still alive, BTC faces a pullback
to $70K
Market
Overview
The
crypto market continues its impressive decline, losing
another 2.4% over the past 24 hours. Having fallen
to a low of $3.3 trillion, the market is now at its
lowest point since early July. A steady move below
the 200-day moving average and a drop of more than
20% from its peak are sure signs of a bear market.
Perhaps crypto enthusiasts are confident that this
is a temporary decline, similar to the one seen in
March and April.
However,
we would prefer not to rule out the possibility of
another bear market starting in the coming years.
At a time when many have buried the 4-year cycles,
we still see that they have only lost amplitude but
have generally retained their influence. According
to these patterns, the market is close to or has already
passed its peak for the next couple of years, which
explains the intense selling pressure since Oct.
Bitcoin
fell to five-digit price levels overnight, touching
lows just below $99,000 twice. BTC traded steadily
below these levels from February to May. And then
there was a psychologically significant consolidation
period in December and January. The market is now
undergoing a critical test. Another step down will
open the way to the $60,000-$70,000 range. However,
there is a theoretical chance that BTC will quickly
rebound by the end of the week from the 50-week moving
average, which has served as a global support since
the first half of 2023.
News
Background
Early
investors continue to sell off cryptocurrency. Over
the past 30 days, long-term holders have sold 400,000
BTC — about 2% of the total supply of the asset,
according to WeRate. Additional pressure is coming
from continued outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs.
The
US government shutdown, now in its second month, is
also putting pressure on Bitcoin. Another factor is
the Coinbase premium, which remains in negative territory,
according to CryptoQuant. This indicates sustained
pressure from US sellers.
At
the same time, there has been a record outflow of
stablecoins from exchanges, indicating a shift of
capital from risky assets to safe-haven dollar instruments.
Demand for Bitcoin from institutional investors has
declined, according to Capriole. For the first time
in seven months, net purchases have fallen below the
daily issuance of the asset.
Bitcoin
has lost significant growth potential due to the influence
of large financial institutions and government structures,
according to Peter Thiel, the former PayPal CEO and
billionaire.
Strategy
intends to conduct its initial public offering on
the European stock market, issuing 3.5 million preferred
shares denominated in euros. The funds will be used
to purchase bitcoins and replenish working capital.
(FxPro)
News
Gold:
correction is not over yet
The
strengthening of the US dollar and higher Treasury
yields have brought the gold price back below $4000.
Yellow
metal is gradually losing its wild cards. It managed
to reach a record high thanks to devaluation trading,
expectations of aggressive monetary expansion by the
Fed, Donald Trump's threats of 100% tariffs against
China, geopolitics, pessimistic forecasts for the
global economy, and active purchases of bullion by
central banks.
However,
the White House is no longer attacking the Fed as
aggressively as before. The US and China have found
common ground. The Middle East conflict has been resolved,
and the global economy is proving resilient in the
face of tariffs. The Fed is cautious about lowering
rates, and central bank activity in the bullion market
is declining.
The
other two examples of similar velocity of gold rose
were 1979 and 2011. The experience of those years
shows that the surge and collapse were followed by
long periods of consolidation. In other words, after
a period of retreat from the top, the precious metal
will find its trading range and settle within it.
But for the weeks ahead, we continue to see more risks
of further decline. (FxPro)
News
Crypto
is on the verge of a bear market
Market
Overview
The
crypto market cap has fallen to $3.47 trillion. This
is 4% lower than the previous day and 19% off from
the global peak set just four weeks ago. Sellers are
pushing cryptocurrencies into bear market territory
(unofficially, this occurs when there is a 20% decline
from the peak) in the hope that the sell-off will
be self-sustaining near this point. However, we are
also seeing signs of a similar accelerated sell-off
at the start of the week, following a lull from Friday
to Sun.
The
sentiment index has fallen to 21, the lowest level
since 9 April, indicating extreme fear. Last month,
entering this territory triggered a rebound, but the
market has already fallen below those levels. As we
previously suggested, the initial surge of extreme
fear levels is only the beginning of a prolonged period
of volatility in this territory. This period is also
characterised by an even more substantial decline
in altcoins compared to the first cryptocurrency.
Bitcoin
plummeted below $ 105K, shedding nearly 3% in the
past 24 hours. Excluding short-term slips last month,
BTC has not traded lower since June. By and large,
it is now testing levels that served as resistance
last December and Jan.
News
Background
According
to CoinShares, global investment in crypto funds declined
by $360 million last week, following inflows the week
before. Only investments in Bitcoin declined, by $946
million. Investments in altcoins increased, with notable
gains in Ethereum by $58 million, in Solana by $421
million, in XRP by $43 million, and in Sui by $9 million.
QCP
Capital recorded large transfers of Bitcoin to the
Kraken exchange by early investors. According to analysts,
the current consolidation resembles the period before
the breakthrough in 2024. Otherwise, it could signal
the beginning of a crypto winter.
Bitcoin
is not showing growth as early investors pass the
baton to long-term holders. The recovery of the first
cryptocurrency is only possible after the ETF and
Strategy resume large-scale purchases, according to
CryptoQuant.
Strategy
bought 397 bitcoins last week at an average price
of $114,771. Strategy now owns 641,205 BTC worth $47.49
billion at an average purchase price of $74,057 per
coin. The company's weekly BTC purchase volumes remain
close to record lows.
Another
record was set in October by the Ethereum network,
with stablecoin transactions reaching $2.8 trillion
last month. Circle's USDC was the leader, accounting
for $1.6 trillion of the total turnover. (FxPro)
News
Flashback
Oil
Holds Strong Despite Bearish Fundamentals
Weekly
data from the EIA noted that the US returned to record
oil production rates last week, supplying an average
of 13.6 million barrels per day to the market, according
to the latest EIA data. The trend towards increased
supply began in August, but producers have only now
returned to the peak levels recorded at the end of
last year. Despite a 5.5-million-barrel increase in
US commercial inventories over the past two weeks,
inventories stay at the lower end of the range seen
over the past decade, leaving considerable room for
growth. The same can be said for the strategic reserve,
which holds nearly 40% less oil than it did five years
ago, before the start of the active sell-off. It is
an interesting game in which, on the one hand, the
US (the largest oil producer) is increasing supplies,
while OPEC+ is increasing quotas on a monthly basis.
This extremely bearish combination of factors did
not cause oil prices to collapse; it was only because
of global trade in currency depreciation that caused
precious metals, stock indices, and cryptocurrencies
to rise. Oil prices have not peaked in recent weeks
.. To be cont .. (FxPro)
News
Gold
hits new highs due to political turmoil
Gold
is outside the realm of politics.
While
currencies and securities depend on the actions of
presidents and governments, precious metals do not.
Therefore, political turmoil forces investors to use
them as safe-haven assets.
The
impressive 52% rally in gold started in April with
the introduction of tariffs on America's Liberation
Day. It continued due to the US government shutdown,
the political crisis in France, and the change of
leadership in Japan. he rise of gold above 4,000 dollars
per ounce is not only the result of the weakness of
fiat currencies. There are tectonic shifts in the
structure of investment portfolios and fears of financial
crises due to government recklessness.
The
share of precious metals is growing both in speculators'
assets and in the gold and foreign exchange reserves
of central banks. The indicator has already exceeded
the share of the euro. According to Eurizon Capital,
if it equals the share of the US dollar, the price
per ounce will soar to 8,500 dollars. The Supreme
Court's abolition of tariffs will inflate the US budget
deficit. France does not intend to reduce it, and
Japan plans to increase bond issuance. All this creates
a tailwind for commodity assets. (FxPro)
News
Pop
Culture News
Dream
Matches: Fantasy Booking/Sports; Media Man Group Dream
Match Series; Crack The Code!
Million
Dollar Man vs IRS
Michael Wall Street vs Billionaire Ted
Mr X vs Mr BTC
Mr Green vs Mr Cash
VKM vs Easy E
Vinnie Vegas vs Mr Corbin
Mr Corp Merch vs Mr Freelance
Masked Superstar vs John McAfee
Sid Justice vs Mr Blood Diamond
Mr Bluey Chipper vs Street Fighter - King Of The Streets
Mr Dotcom vs Mr Wiki
Mr Gold vs Mr Green - Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Khan vs Khan - Winner Take All Match
Mr Wolff vs The Cleaner
Mr News vs Mr Vice - U.S Market Footprint Stipulation
Mr Paramount vs Mr Netflix
Mr ESPN vs Mr Fox
Mr Kross vs Mr H
Cesaro vs Rollins
Dirty Dom vs Mr AAA
Punks vs Egos
Kross vs H
Murdoch Title vs Title
Mr Black Coffee vs Mr Claudio's Cafe Blend
Mr Warner vs Mr Netflix: Broadway draw thus far! Re-match!
Winner take all?!
TMZ vs Riddle UFC vs PFL
The Oracle vs Cincinnati, Ohio
Mr X vs Hollyweird
Succession vs Billions
Mouse House vs Art House
NFL vs UFL
ABC vs Mainstream Aussies
Reigns vs Blanka
Cody Rhodes vs Joe
E. Honda vs NJPW
Capcom vs Warner
Cena vs ACME
Combat Sports Players vs Father Time
NXT vs TNA Wrestling (Showdown, not Invasion)!
Alpha vs Meta
TED X vs The Others
WWE's Solo vs Western Australia
UFC Predator vs MMA Predator
UFC Legal vs UFC Bad Egg Betting Disruptors
Bulls vs Bears
Logan Paul vs WWE babyfaces
Santa's Helper vs Grinch
John McAfee vs FBI + + +, Running .... Netflix Wins
again!
Killer Kross vs Matt Riddle - Shoot Fight/Wrestling
(MLW)!
VKM vs Numerous!
MLW vs The World
The Big Event vs US Promoters
Storm vs WWE Locker Room. Lash Legend on side!
NXT Gold Rush: Page & Green vs Hendry & Hail
Baszler vs Itoh - HOG Superclash - Nov 15
MSG, NY winning with WWE and UFC in Nov
News
Cryptocurrency
Movies
Docos
The
Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014)
Follows early Bitcoin adopter Daniel Mross, exploring
Bitcoin’s origins, its volatile rise, and the
community behind it. Great for understanding Bitcoin’s
early days and its potential to disrupt finance.
Banking
on Bitcoin (2016)
Examines Bitcoin’s history, ideological roots,
and impact on global financial systems through interviews
with pioneers and experts. A solid primer for newcomers.
Cryptopia:
Bitcoin, Blockchains, and the Future of the Internet
(2020)
Directed by Torsten Hoffmann, this documentary dives
into blockchain’s broader applications beyond
cryptocurrency, addressing scalability and regulatory
challenges. Ideal for those interested in blockchain’s
transformative potential.
Trust
Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018) Narrated by
Rosario Dawson, it explores blockchain’s societal
impact, from financial inclusion to voting systems.
A comprehensive look at real-world applications.
Bitcoin:
The End of Money as We Know It (2015)
Traces the history of money and introduces Bitcoin
as a decentralized alternative, critiquing centralized
financial systems. Features interviews with crypto
experts.
Deep
Web (2015) Narrated by Keanu Reeves, this documentary
focuses on the Silk Road marketplace and its creator,
Ross Ulbricht, highlighting Bitcoin’s role in
dark web transactions.
Bitconned
(2024) Explores the Centra Tech crypto scam, detailing
how three individuals defrauded investors during the
2010s crypto boom. A cautionary tale about unregulated
markets.
Feature
Films
Crypto
(2019)
A crime thriller starring Beau Knapp, Luke Hemsworth,
and Kurt Russell. It follows a young anti-money laundering
agent investigating corruption and cryptocurrency
in his hometown. Critics note its exaggerated portrayal
but praise its entertainment value.
Silk
Road (2021)
A dramatization of Ross Ulbricht’s creation of
the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace using Bitcoin.
It explores his rise and fall, blending crime and
drama.
Dope
(2015) A coming-of-age comedy-drama featuring Bitcoin
as a plot device. High schooler Malcolm uses Bitcoin
for a dark web transaction, reflecting its early association
with illicit activities.
Bonus
Mentions
Life
on Bitcoin (2014): Follows a couple attempting to
live solely on Bitcoin for 100 days, showcasing early
adoption challenges.
Bitcoin
Heist (2016): A Vietnamese action-comedy about hackers
chasing a crypto criminal, blending humor and thrills.
Notes
Documentaries are generally more educational, focusing
on Bitcoin’s history, blockchain technology,
and real-world implications. They’re great for
beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Feature
films often dramatize crypto’s association with
crime or scams, sometimes oversimplifying or exaggerating
for effect. They prioritize entertainment over accuracy.
For a deeper dive, check streaming platforms like
Prime Video, Fandango at Home, or YouTube, where many
of these are available.
News
Wall
Street (Movie)
Wall Street (1987), directed by Oliver Stone, is a
drama about ambition and greed in the 1980s financial
world. It follows Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), a young
stockbroker desperate to succeed, who gets entangled
with Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), a ruthless corporate
raider. Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is good,”
drives the story as Bud is lured into insider trading
and unethical deals, compromising his morals for wealth
and power.
The
film explores themes of capitalism, loyalty, and betrayal,
with Bud navigating pressures from Gekko, his father
(Martin Sheen), and his own conscience.
Key
Details: Cast: Michael Douglas (Gordon Gekko), Charlie
Sheen (Bud Fox), Daryl Hannah (Darien Taylor), Martin
Sheen (Carl Fox).
Runtime: 2h 6m.
Genre: Drama/Crime.
Rating: R. Box Office: ~$44 million (US).
Awards:
Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Notable
Aspects:
Gekko’s
“Greed is good” speech is iconic, reflecting
1980s excess. Inspired by real-life figures like Ivan
Boesky and Michael Milken.
A
sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), continued
the story.
Where
to Watch (as of 2025):
Streaming: Available on platforms like Peacock or
rentable on Amazon, YouTube, or Apple TV (check current
availability).
Physical: DVD/Blu-ray via retailers like Amazon.
News
Best
Quotes
An
investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
— Benjamin Franklin
"Bottoms
in the investment world don't end with four-year lows;
they end with 10- or 15-year lows." — Jim
Rogers
Be
fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when
others are fearful." — Warren Buffett
Media
Man "Bullish is a mindset"
Markets,
Crypto and Culture
Super
Bulls Running Show; Cryptos Still Hurting; Medium
Bull Update: Round 5! Bloody Noses and Black Eyes!
Red And Black Attack! Black Friday! All That Glitters
... Elon Smiles Again!
November
10, 2025
Sin
City Sydney, Australia
Mad Monday!
ASX
futures up 23 points or 0.3% to 8794
Wall Street:
S&P 500 +0.1%
Dow Jones: +0.2%
Nasdaq -0.2%
Market
part corrective! Mood: Still somber-like for many
but picking up! Upswing again! Suspicious! Regaining
smiles in selected cases! Hardcores keep the dream!
Media
Man Favs:
(Near
Live). Bells Rung by Mr Wolf! TKO kicks out and winning
again today! Christmas Grinch Comes Early for some!
Wall
St, New York
TKO
Group Holdings Inc $182.56 +1.59 +0.88%
NVIDIA Corp $188.15 +0.070 +0.037%
Formula One Group Series A $92.25 -1.46 -1.56%
Alphabet Inc Class A $278.83 -5.92 -2.08%
News Corp Class A $26.72 +1.64 +6.54%
Netflix Inc $1,103.66 +6.64 +0.61%
Caterpillar Inc $563.10 -6.68 -1.17%
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp $13.10 -0.23
-1.73%
Tesla Inc $429.52 -16.39 -3.68%
Walt Disney Co $110.74 +0.25 +0.23%
Wynn Resorts Ltd $126.14 +3.60 +2.94%
Meta Platforms Inc $621.71 +2.77 +0.45%
BHP Group Ltd (NYSE) $55.16 -0.45 - 0.81% (NYSE)
Mercedes Benz Group ADR $16.92 +0.22 +1.32%
Elders Ltd $6.69 -0.100 -1.47%
Rio Tinto Ltd $82.03 -2.012.39% (US)
News
Gold
stabilised at $4,000, but the upward trend has already
broken down
Gold
has stabilised around the $4,000 mark over the last
ten days, ending the week at roughly the same level
as it started. Attempts by sellers to push the price
below $3,900 are meeting with impressive buying interest.
This
is facilitated by the Supreme Court, which is considering
the illegality of US tariffs. If Donald Trump is defeated,
the money will have to be returned. As a result, the
budget deficit and public debt will increase, leading
to chaos in the financial markets. Concerns about
this are prompting investors to seek refuge in safe-haven
assets. However, this all appears to be an attempt
to play the old card, which can only delay the inevitable.
According
to estimates by the World Gold Council, central bank
purchases of bullion in 2025 are expected to amount
to 750-900 tonnes. In each of the previous three years,
the figure exceeded 1,000 tonnes. China's cancellation
of VAT credits for precious metal retailers will increase
prices for the jewellery industry and lead to a decline
in demand. ETF stocks are falling.
HSBC,
Bank of America and Societe Generale continue to stick
to their forecasts of $5,000 per ounce. However, the
gold rally has broken down. Selling on the rise is
becoming relevant. (FxPro)
News
Crypto
bulls fail to maintain momentum
Market
Overview
The
crypto market has gained 1% over the past 24 hours,
the first increase after four days of decline. The
market is stabilising at levels just above $3.4 trillion,
close to May's local highs. The situation currently
resembles a pause in the decline rather than a serious
reversal, due to somewhat cautious sentiment in the
stock markets and the strengthening of the dollar
since the second half of September. Ironically, this
reversal coincides with the resumption of the easing
cycle of monetary policy. The sentiment index has
emerged from the zone of extreme fear, which also
coincided with a market rebound. According to the
creators of such an index, now is the right time for
bulls. Still, traders should be cautious with such
an interpretation, as the previous rebound from extreme
fear was not long-lasting, and the market is now 5%
below the local low of 17 October, when sentiment
last recovered from extreme anxiety. Bitcoin is trading
near $103,000, pausing its rebound but remaining far
from its recent lows. The bulls managed to bring the
coin back above the 50-week moving average, but there
is still a lot of time left until the end of the week,
and for now, time is on the bears' side. On intraday
charts, it looks as if the rebound has run out of
steam and sellers are ready to seize the initiative
again.
News
Background
Cryptocurrencies
are under pressure from general risk aversion in global
markets. Among the factors are concerns about the
Fed's interest rate and the situation in the credit
sector, according to Hashdex. Wintermute attributes
the worst performance of cryptocurrencies among all
other asset classes to the redistribution of cash
flows to other markets. Short-term Bitcoin holders
continue to sell cryptocurrencies at a loss, using
any rebound as an opportunity to sell, notes analyst
Darkfost. However, accumulator addresses — wallets
that only buy and never sell — have acquired
a record 375,000 BTC over the past month. Amid the
asset's decline, French company Sequans Communications,
which accumulates Bitcoin, was forced to sell 970
BTC to partially repay its convertible debt. The company's
reserves fell from 3,234 to 2,264 BTC. Japanese company
Metaplanet, on the other hand, is raising funds to
purchase bitcoins. On 31 October, the company received
a $100 million loan secured by its reserves. Ripple
announced that it had raised $500 million in strategic
investments (with a valuation of $40 billion) from
major institutional players. Zcash (ZEC) could become
an alternative to Bitcoin among those who fear the
centralisation of BTC due to Wall Street and are concerned
about the tracking of on-chain transactions, according
to Galaxy Digital. Supporters of the private coin
refer to it as ‘encrypted Bitcoin’ and a
return to the principles of the cypherpunks. (FxPro)
Newsfeed
If
the 4-year cycles are still alive, BTC faces a pullback
to $70K
Market
Overview
The
crypto market continues its impressive decline, losing
another 2.4% over the past 24 hours. Having fallen
to a low of $3.3 trillion, the market is now at its
lowest point since early July. A steady move below
the 200-day moving average and a drop of more than
20% from its peak are sure signs of a bear market.
Perhaps crypto enthusiasts are confident that this
is a temporary decline, similar to the one seen in
March and April.
However,
we would prefer not to rule out the possibility of
another bear market starting in the coming years.
At a time when many have buried the 4-year cycles,
we still see that they have only lost amplitude but
have generally retained their influence. According
to these patterns, the market is close to or has already
passed its peak for the next couple of years, which
explains the intense selling pressure since October.
Bitcoin
fell to five-digit price levels overnight, touching
lows just below $99,000 twice. BTC traded steadily
below these levels from February to May. And then
there was a psychologically significant consolidation
period in December and January. The market is now
undergoing a critical test. Another step down will
open the way to the $60,000-$70,000 range. However,
there is a theoretical chance that BTC will quickly
rebound by the end of the week from the 50-week moving
average, which has served as a global support since
the first half of 2023.
News
Background
Early
investors continue to sell off cryptocurrency. Over
the past 30 days, long-term holders have sold 400,000
BTC — about 2% of the total supply of the asset,
according to WeRate. Additional pressure is coming
from continued outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs.
The
US government shutdown, now in its second month, is
also putting pressure on Bitcoin. Another factor is
the Coinbase premium, which remains in negative territory,
according to CryptoQuant. This indicates sustained
pressure from US sellers.
At
the same time, there has been a record outflow of
stablecoins from exchanges, indicating a shift of
capital from risky assets to safe-haven dollar instruments.
Demand for Bitcoin from institutional investors has
declined, according to Capriole. For the first time
in seven months, net purchases have fallen below the
daily issuance of the asset.
Bitcoin
has lost significant growth potential due to the influence
of large financial institutions and government structures,
according to Peter Thiel, the former PayPal CEO and
billionaire.
Strategy
intends to conduct its initial public offering on
the European stock market, issuing 3.5 million preferred
shares denominated in euros. The funds will be used
to purchase bitcoins and replenish working capital.
(FxPro)
News
Gold:
correction is not over yet
The
strengthening of the US dollar and higher Treasury
yields have brought the gold price back below $4000.
Yellow
metal is gradually losing its wild cards. It managed
to reach a record high thanks to devaluation trading,
expectations of aggressive monetary expansion by the
Fed, Donald Trump's threats of 100% tariffs against
China, geopolitics, pessimistic forecasts for the
global economy, and active purchases of bullion by
central banks.
However,
the White House is no longer attacking the Fed as
aggressively as before. The US and China have found
common ground. The Middle East conflict has been resolved,
and the global economy is proving resilient in the
face of tariffs. The Fed is cautious about lowering
rates, and central bank activity in the bullion market
is declining.
The
other two examples of similar velocity of gold rose
were 1979 and 2011. The experience of those years
shows that the surge and collapse were followed by
long periods of consolidation. In other words, after
a period of retreat from the top, the precious metal
will find its trading range and settle within it.
But for the weeks ahead, we continue to see more risks
of further decline. (FxPro)
News
Crypto
is on the verge of a bear market
Market
Overview
The
crypto market cap has fallen to $3.47 trillion. This
is 4% lower than the previous day and 19% off from
the global peak set just four weeks ago. Sellers are
pushing cryptocurrencies into bear market territory
(unofficially, this occurs when there is a 20% decline
from the peak) in the hope that the sell-off will
be self-sustaining near this point. However, we are
also seeing signs of a similar accelerated sell-off
at the start of the week, following a lull from Friday
to Sunday.
The
sentiment index has fallen to 21, the lowest level
since 9 April, indicating extreme fear. Last month,
entering this territory triggered a rebound, but the
market has already fallen below those levels. As we
previously suggested, the initial surge of extreme
fear levels is only the beginning of a prolonged period
of volatility in this territory. This period is also
characterised by an even more substantial decline
in altcoins compared to the first cryptocurrency.
Bitcoin
plummeted below $ 105K, shedding nearly 3% in the
past 24 hours. Excluding short-term slips last month,
BTC has not traded lower since June. By and large,
it is now testing levels that served as resistance
last December and January.
News
Background
According
to CoinShares, global investment in crypto funds declined
by $360 million last week, following inflows the week
before. Only investments in Bitcoin declined, by $946
million. Investments in altcoins increased, with notable
gains in Ethereum by $58 million, in Solana by $421
million, in XRP by $43 million, and in Sui by $9 million.
QCP
Capital recorded large transfers of Bitcoin to the
Kraken exchange by early investors. According to analysts,
the current consolidation resembles the period before
the breakthrough in 2024. Otherwise, it could signal
the beginning of a crypto winter.
Bitcoin
is not showing growth as early investors pass the
baton to long-term holders. The recovery of the first
cryptocurrency is only possible after the ETF and
Strategy resume large-scale purchases, according to
CryptoQuant.
Strategy
bought 397 bitcoins last week at an average price
of $114,771. Strategy now owns 641,205 BTC worth $47.49
billion at an average purchase price of $74,057 per
coin. The company's weekly BTC purchase volumes remain
close to record lows.
Another
record was set in October by the Ethereum network,
with stablecoin transactions reaching $2.8 trillion
last month. Circle's USDC was the leader, accounting
for $1.6 trillion of the total turnover. (FxPro)
News
Flashback
Oil
Holds Strong Despite Bearish Fundamentals
Weekly
data from the EIA noted that the US returned to record
oil production rates last week, supplying an average
of 13.6 million barrels per day to the market, according
to the latest EIA data. The trend towards increased
supply began in August, but producers have only now
returned to the peak levels recorded at the end of
last year. Despite a 5.5-million-barrel increase in
US commercial inventories over the past two weeks,
inventories stay at the lower end of the range seen
over the past decade, leaving considerable room for
growth. The same can be said for the strategic reserve,
which holds nearly 40% less oil than it did five years
ago, before the start of the active sell-off. It is
an interesting game in which, on the one hand, the
US (the largest oil producer) is increasing supplies,
while OPEC+ is increasing quotas on a monthly basis.
This extremely bearish combination of factors did
not cause oil prices to collapse; it was only because
of global trade in currency depreciation that caused
precious metals, stock indices, and cryptocurrencies
to rise. Oil prices have not peaked in recent weeks
.. To be cont .. (FxPro)
News
Gold
hits new highs due to political turmoil
Gold
is outside the realm of politics.
While
currencies and securities depend on the actions of
presidents and governments, precious metals do not.
Therefore, political turmoil forces investors to use
them as safe-haven assets.
The
impressive 52% rally in gold started in April with
the introduction of tariffs on America's Liberation
Day. It continued due to the US government shutdown,
the political crisis in France, and the change of
leadership in Japan. he rise of gold above 4,000 dollars
per ounce is not only the result of the weakness of
fiat currencies. There are tectonic shifts in the
structure of investment portfolios and fears of financial
crises due to government recklessness.
The
share of precious metals is growing both in speculators'
assets and in the gold and foreign exchange reserves
of central banks. The indicator has already exceeded
the share of the euro. According to Eurizon Capital,
if it equals the share of the US dollar, the price
per ounce will soar to 8,500 dollars. The Supreme
Court's abolition of tariffs will inflate the US budget
deficit. France does not intend to reduce it, and
Japan plans to increase bond issuance. All this creates
a tailwind for commodity assets. (FxPro)
News
Pop
Culture News
Dream
Matches: Fantasy Booking/Sports; Media Man Group Dream
Match Series; Crack The Code!
Million
Dollar Man vs IRS
Michael Wall Street vs Billionaire Ted
Mr X vs Mr BTC
Mr Green vs Mr Cash
VKM vs Easy E
Vinnie Vegas vs Mr Corbin
Mr Corp Merch vs Mr Freelance
Masked Superstar vs John McAfee
Sid Justice vs Mr Blood Diamond
Mr Bluey Chipper vs Street Fighter - King Of The Streets
Mr Dotcom vs Mr Wiki
Mr Gold vs Mr Green - Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Khan vs Khan - Winner Take All Match
Mr Wolff vs The Cleaner
Mr News vs Mr Vice - U.S Market Footprint Stipulation
Mr Paramount vs Mr Netflix
Mr ESPN vs Mr Fox
Mr Kross vs Mr H
Cesaro vs Rollins
Dirty Dom vs Mr AAA
Punks vs Egos
Kross vs H
Murdoch Title vs Title
Mr Black Coffee vs Mr Claudio's Cafe Blend
Mr Warner vs Mr Netflix: Broadway draw thus far! Re-match!
Winner take all?!
TMZ vs Riddle UFC vs PFL
The Oracle vs Cincinnati, Ohio
Mr X vs Hollyweird
Succession vs Billions
Mouse House vs Art House
NFL vs UFL
ABC vs Mainstream Aussies
Reigns vs Blanka
Cody Rhodes vs Joe
E. Honda vs NJPW
Capcom vs Warner
Cena vs ACME
Combat Sports Players vs Father Time
NXT vs TNA Wrestling (Showdown, not Invasion)!
Alpha vs Meta
TED X vs The Others
WWE's Solo vs Western Australia
UFC Predator vs MMA Predator
UFC Legal vs UFC Bad Egg Betting Disruptors
Bulls vs Bears
Logan Paul vs WWE babyfaces
Santa's Helper vs Grinch
John McAfee vs FBI + + +, Running .... Netflix Wins
again!
Killer Kross vs Matt Riddle - Shoot Fight/Wrestling
(MLW)!
VKM vs Numerous!
MLW vs The World
The Big Event vs US Promoters
Storm vs WWE Locker Room. Lash Legend on side!
News
Cryptocurrency
Movies
Documentaries
The
Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014)
Follows early Bitcoin adopter Daniel Mross, exploring
Bitcoin’s origins, its volatile rise, and the
community behind it. Great for understanding Bitcoin’s
early days and its potential to disrupt finance.
Banking
on Bitcoin (2016)
Examines Bitcoin’s history, ideological roots,
and impact on global financial systems through interviews
with pioneers and experts. A solid primer for newcomers.
Cryptopia:
Bitcoin, Blockchains, and the Future of the Internet
(2020)
Directed by Torsten Hoffmann, this documentary dives
into blockchain’s broader applications beyond
cryptocurrency, addressing scalability and regulatory
challenges. Ideal for those interested in blockchain’s
transformative potential.
Trust
Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018) Narrated by
Rosario Dawson, it explores blockchain’s societal
impact, from financial inclusion to voting systems.
A comprehensive look at real-world applications.
Bitcoin:
The End of Money as We Know It (2015)
Traces the history of money and introduces Bitcoin
as a decentralized alternative, critiquing centralized
financial systems. Features interviews with crypto
experts.
Deep
Web (2015) Narrated by Keanu Reeves, this documentary
focuses on the Silk Road marketplace and its creator,
Ross Ulbricht, highlighting Bitcoin’s role in
dark web transactions.
Bitconned
(2024) Explores the Centra Tech crypto scam, detailing
how three individuals defrauded investors during the
2010s crypto boom. A cautionary tale about unregulated
markets.
Feature
Films
Crypto
(2019)
A crime thriller starring Beau Knapp, Luke Hemsworth,
and Kurt Russell. It follows a young anti-money laundering
agent investigating corruption and cryptocurrency
in his hometown. Critics note its exaggerated portrayal
but praise its entertainment value.
Silk
Road (2021)
A dramatization of Ross Ulbricht’s creation of
the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace using Bitcoin.
It explores his rise and fall, blending crime and
drama.
Dope
(2015) A coming-of-age comedy-drama featuring Bitcoin
as a plot device. High schooler Malcolm uses Bitcoin
for a dark web transaction, reflecting its early association
with illicit activities.
Bonus
Mentions
Life
on Bitcoin (2014): Follows a couple attempting to
live solely on Bitcoin for 100 days, showcasing early
adoption challenges.
Bitcoin
Heist (2016): A Vietnamese action-comedy about hackers
chasing a crypto criminal, blending humor and thrills.
Notes
Documentaries are generally more educational, focusing
on Bitcoin’s history, blockchain technology,
and real-world implications. They’re great for
beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Feature
films often dramatize crypto’s association with
crime or scams, sometimes oversimplifying or exaggerating
for effect. They prioritize entertainment over accuracy.
For a deeper dive, check streaming platforms like
Prime Video, Fandango at Home, or YouTube, where many
of these are available.
News
Wall
Street (Movie)
Wall Street (1987), directed by Oliver Stone, is a
drama about ambition and greed in the 1980s financial
world. It follows Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), a young
stockbroker desperate to succeed, who gets entangled
with Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), a ruthless corporate
raider. Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is good,”
drives the story as Bud is lured into insider trading
and unethical deals, compromising his morals for wealth
and power.
The
film explores themes of capitalism, loyalty, and betrayal,
with Bud navigating pressures from Gekko, his father
(Martin Sheen), and his own conscience.
Key
Details: Cast: Michael Douglas (Gordon Gekko), Charlie
Sheen (Bud Fox), Daryl Hannah (Darien Taylor), Martin
Sheen (Carl Fox).
Runtime: 2h 6m.
Genre: Drama/Crime.
Rating: R. Box Office: ~$44 million (US).
Awards:
Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Notable
Aspects:
Gekko’s
“Greed is good” speech is iconic, reflecting
1980s excess. Inspired by real-life figures like Ivan
Boesky and Michael Milken.
A
sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), continued
the story.
Where
to Watch (as of 2025):
Streaming: Available on platforms like Peacock or
rentable on Amazon, YouTube, or Apple TV (check current
availability).
Physical: DVD/Blu-ray via retailers like Amazon.
News
Best
Quotes
An
investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
— Benjamin Franklin
"Bottoms
in the investment world don't end with four-year lows;
they end with 10- or 15-year lows." — Jim
Rogers
Be
fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when
others are fearful." — Warren Buffett
Gold
-0.3% to $US4113.05 per ounce
US oil -0.5% to $US61.50 a barrel
Brent crude -0.1% to $US65.94 a barrel
Iron ore -0.2% to $US104.45 per ton
10-year
yield:
US 4.00%
Australia 4.14%
Germany 2.62%
News
Update: (Near Live)
Bitcoin:
New
York/Wall St via Mr Wolf!
Oct 26
Cryptos
Today:
(Near Live) Moody: Part Corrective! Up Again! Salty.
Smiles returning again! Right Chess Move?! Trump Trade
Done solid! All That Glitters Not Digital Gold?!
Market
part corrective again! Mood: Suspicious! Regaining
smiles a little! Hardcores keep the dream! Never give
up! Pivot if required!
Media
Man Favs:
(Near
Live)
Wall St, New York
TKO
Group Holdings Inc $186.85
NVIDIA Corp $186.26 +4.10 +2.25%
Formula One Group Series C $94.65 -2.37 -2.44%
Alphabet Inc Class A $259.92 +6.84 +2.70%
News Corp Class A $26.32 -0.080 -0.30%
Netflix Inc $1,094.69 -18.90 -1.70%
Caterpillar Inc $522.73 +2.23 +0.43%
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp
$26.32 -0.080 -0.30% Tesla Inc $433.72
-15.26 +3.40%
Walt Disney Co $111.68 -1.35 -1.19%
Wynn Resorts Ltd $125.57 +0.17 +0.14%
Meta Platforms Inc $738.36 +4.36 +0.59%
BHP Group Ltd $43.34 +0.095 +0.22%
Mercedes Benz Group ADR $15.51 +0.094 +0.61%
Elders Ltd $7.43
Rio Tinto Ltd $132.43 +0.61 0.46%
News
Lead Up
Oct
21
Crypto’s
sell-the-growth mode
Market
Overview
The
crypto market cap changed slightly over the past day,
remaining at $3.65 trillion, completing a full circle
with a 5% increase and a return. Relatively small
coins such as Zcash (+6.6%), Dash (+3%) and Tezos
(+2.7%) performed slightly better than the market,
remaining unaffected by the fluctuations in risk appetite
among large institutions selling top coins on the
rise. Such fluctuations do not contribute to improving
the mood of crypto investors. On the contrary, the
corresponding index fell to 25, on the verge of extreme
fear territory. At current levels, the rule of ‘buy
when everyone is afraid’ may work, or there may
be a switch to a more intense sell-off after three
months of stagnation.
Bitcoin rose to $114K on Tuesday, touching the 50-day
moving average, but this only fuelled sellers. Bitcoin
has been balancing the 50- and 200-day MA for the
last eleven days. The latter curve is pointing upwards,
reducing the space for free fluctuations and bringing
the moment when the market will have to choose a direction
closer.
News
Background
Bitcoin's
bullish phase is not over yet, according to the creator
of the S2F model and analyst Plan B. The fundamentals
point to continued growth, and there are no key technical
signals indicating a final bull market phase. According
to BTSE COO Jeff May, market volatility will continue.
TD Cowen remains positive about BTC and forecasts
the asset to grow to $141,000 by December. Analyst
Willy Woo believes that the next bear market in the
crypto cycle will differ from previous ones. It could
be triggered by economic crises, such as those in
2001 and 2008, which the crypto market has not yet
experienced. Polygon co-founder Sandip Nailwal criticised
the Ethereum network's leadership and emphasised that
its community has ‘turned into a circus.’
The success of projects on the ETH network depends
on a few venture capital funds and proximity to a
small circle of people around Vitalik Buterin, said
Geth client developer Peter Szilagyi. According to
Lookonchain, Elon Musk's company SpaceX has moved
$257 million worth of Bitcoin for the first time since
July. The company did not comment on the reasons for
the transfers. According to Arkham, SpaceX owns 5,790
BTC.
News
Japanese
bulls went to recharge
For
the first time in Japan, a woman has become prime
minister. Although this result was largely anticipated,
lingering risks led to a noticeable market response.
However, the overall effect so far has been to sell
Japanese assets, from the yen to stocks.
Takaichi’s
position (stimulating the economy and lowering interest
rates) has led to speculative buying in Japanese stocks.
From its lows in early October, the Nikkei 225 has
risen by almost 13% and on Tuesday morning was on
the verge of reaching 50,000. As it approached this
psychologically important round level, a wave of profit-taking
pushed the index down to 49,000 during the day. However,
this technical sell-off has not yet changed the long-term
positive outlook for the market. Takaichi is expected
to intensify efforts to stimulate economic growth,
focusing less on the budget balance and accumulated
public debt.
On
weekly timeframes, the Nikkei225 is close to, but
has not yet entered, the overbought zone on the RSI.
Over the past 10 years, powerful corrections after
rallies have occurred when the index was close to
80, and now it is at 75. Overall, these are relatively
high values, but in such cases, rallies often become
extreme, knocking out the positions of early sellers.
To be cont (FxPro)
News
Oil
prices could fall another 15% by the end of the year
Crude
oil prices fell 0.7% on Monday after three consecutive
weeks of decline. Global production is growing while
global economic growth is slowing, putting pressure
on prices. In addition, the risk premium on signing
the gas agreement and intensifying efforts to resolve
the Ukrainian conflict has begun to decline. At the
same time, oil prices are far from oversold, leaving
room for further decline in the coming months. Baker
Hughes reported on Friday that 418 oil rigs are operating
in the US, the same as a week earlier, undermining
the recovery trend seen since August. However, America
is increasing production efficiency, extracting more
oil from each well.
Bloomberg
noted that there are now nearly 1.2 billion barrels
of oil at sea, a record since the peak in 2020, when
US production was at historic highs and Saudi Arabia
and Russia were fighting for market share, boasting
of their potential.
The
current situation strongly resonates with what happened
more than five years ago. The latest weekly data showed
a record high in daily production in the US, with
supplies of 13.64 million barrels per day.
Inventory
figures are a stabilising factor. Commercial inventories
in the US are at the lower end of the range for the
last decade, but they were about the same in January
2020, and six months later, this figure set a new
record. However, without a collapse in consumption,
such rapid growth should not be expected. The US government
may also move to more actively rebuild the strategic
petroleum reserve sold off in 2022.
The
price of oil has been in a downward channel for just
over three years, and at the end of September, it
accelerated its decline as it approached the 50-week
moving average and the upper limit of the range. The
lower limit of this range is now close to $53 per
barrel of Brent, with a decline towards the end of
the year closer to $50.50 against the current $61.00.
The
main scenario for oil is a decline towards $50 in
the next 2-4 months. At the same time, the potential
for an increase in US inventories is a potential stabilising
factor. We assume that the situation with inventories
is roughly similar worldwide, excluding the abundance
of oil at sea. (FxPro)
News
Flashback
Oil
Holds Strong Despite Bearish Fundamentals
Weekly
data from the EIA noted that the US returned to record
oil production rates last week, supplying an average
of 13.6 million barrels per day to the market, according
to the latest EIA data. The trend towards increased
supply began in August, but producers have only now
returned to the peak levels recorded at the end of
last year. Despite a 5.5-million-barrel increase in
US commercial inventories over the past two weeks,
inventories stay at the lower end of the range seen
over the past decade, leaving considerable room for
growth. The same can be said for the strategic reserve,
which holds nearly 40% less oil than it did five years
ago, before the start of the active sell-off. It is
an interesting game in which, on the one hand, the
US (the largest oil producer) is increasing supplies,
while OPEC+ is increasing quotas on a monthly basis.
This extremely bearish combination of factors did
not cause oil prices to collapse; it was only because
of global trade in currency depreciation that caused
precious metals, stock indices, and cryptocurrencies
to rise. Oil prices have not peaked in recent weeks
.. To be cont .. (FxPro)
News
Gold
hits new highs due to political turmoil
Gold
is outside the realm of politics.
While
currencies and securities depend on the actions of
presidents and governments, precious metals do not.
Therefore, political turmoil forces investors to use
them as safe-haven assets.
The
impressive 52% rally in gold started in April with
the introduction of tariffs on America's Liberation
Day. It continued due to the US government shutdown,
the political crisis in France, and the change of
leadership in Japan. he rise of gold above 4,000 dollars
per ounce is not only the result of the weakness of
fiat currencies. There are tectonic shifts in the
structure of investment portfolios and fears of financial
crises due to government recklessness.
The
share of precious metals is growing both in speculators'
assets and in the gold and foreign exchange reserves
of central banks. The indicator has already exceeded
the share of the euro. According to Eurizon Capital,
if it equals the share of the US dollar, the price
per ounce will soar to 8,500 dollars. The Supreme
Court's abolition of tariffs will inflate the US budget
deficit. France does not intend to reduce it, and
Japan plans to increase bond issuance. All this creates
a tailwind for commodity assets. (FxPro)
News
Politics
remains the main driver of FX
The
US government shutdown did not have a noticeable impact
on the dollar's performance last week. However, it
did help the stock market to grow slightly by strengthening
expectations of monetary policy easing. However, these
events pale in comparison to the change in Japan's
ruling elite and the resignation of the French prime
minister less than a day after the formation of the
government in terms of their impact on the currency
market. In Japan, Sanae Takaichi was chosen head of
the Liberal Democratic Party over the weekend and
is on track to become the country's first female prime
minister. This event caused the yen to fall 2% to
150.49 from Friday's level before correcting to 149.80
at the time of writing. Takaichi is considered a supporter
of aggressive government spending, structural reforms,
and soft monetary policy, echoing the basic principles
of Shinzo Abe. Overall, she has a more right-wing
approach to national policy and is also a supporter
of revising Japan's pacifist constitution. The market
reaction clearly shows that they are considering Takaichi
to be the new prime minister. If she does not change
her political views (and she has softened them recently
to win the party elections), we should be prepared
for a further weakening of the yen, which reached
its highest level since 1991 in the EURJPY pair, exceeding
176. However, the single currency is also facing uncertainty
today due to a new political crisis in France. Prime
Minister Lecornu, who had been trying to form a government
for a month, resigned the day after he finally presented
his new cabinet. His appointments drew criticism from
both left-wing and right-wing allies. The EURUSD fell
to 1.1650 at its lowest point on Monday, losing a
full cent against Friday's levels. Unlike Japan, where
a 2% drop in the JPY was accompanied by a 5% jump
in the Nikkei225 index, France's CAC40 lost more than
2% intraday, paring its losses to 1.2% towards the
end of the trading day in Europe. The EURUSD stopped
its climb in July and has been hovering around 1.1700
all this time, not least because of the political
crisis in France. Without it, the single currency
would have had a much better chance of exploiting
political divisions in the US to its advantage. It
would be an exaggeration to call the situation in
Japan and France a drama. Still, these events once
again emphasise that as soon as the dollar's throne
begin.
News
Pop
Culture News
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Matches: Fantasy Booking/Sports; Media Man Group Dream
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Million
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Mr Bluey Chipper vs Street Fighter - King Of The Streets
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Khan vs Khan - Winner Take All Match
Mr Wolff vs The Cleaner
Mr News vs Mr Vice - U.S Market Footprint Stipulation
Mr Paramount vs Mr Netflix
Mr ESPN vs Mr Fox
Mr Kross vs Mr H
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Dirty Dom vs Mr AAA
Punks vs Egos
Kross vs H
Murdoch Title vs Title
Mr Black Coffee vs Mr Claudio's Cafe Blend
Mr Warner vs Mr Netflix: Broadway draw thus far! Re-match!
Winner take all?!
TMZ vs Riddle UFC vs PFL
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Succession vs Billions
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Alpha vs Meta
TED X vs The Others
WWE's Solo vs Western Australia
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Bulls vs Bears
News
Cryptocurrency
Movies
Documentaries
The
Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014)
Follows early Bitcoin adopter Daniel Mross, exploring
Bitcoin’s origins, its volatile rise, and the
community behind it. Great for understanding Bitcoin’s
early days and its potential to disrupt finance.
Banking
on Bitcoin (2016)
Examines Bitcoin’s history, ideological roots,
and impact on global financial systems through interviews
with pioneers and experts. A solid primer for newcomers.
Cryptopia:
Bitcoin, Blockchains, and the Future of the Internet
(2020)
Directed by Torsten Hoffmann, this documentary dives
into blockchain’s broader applications beyond
cryptocurrency, addressing scalability and regulatory
challenges. Ideal for those interested in blockchain’s
transformative potential.
Trust
Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018) Narrated by
Rosario Dawson, it explores blockchain’s societal
impact, from financial inclusion to voting systems.
A comprehensive look at real-world applications.
Bitcoin:
The End of Money as We Know It (2015)
Traces the history of money and introduces Bitcoin
as a decentralized alternative, critiquing centralized
financial systems. Features interviews with crypto
experts.
Deep
Web (2015) Narrated by Keanu Reeves, this documentary
focuses on the Silk Road marketplace and its creator,
Ross Ulbricht, highlighting Bitcoin’s role in
dark web transactions.
Bitconned
(2024) Explores the Centra Tech crypto scam, detailing
how three individuals defrauded investors during the
2010s crypto boom. A cautionary tale about unregulated
markets.
Feature
Films
Crypto
(2019)
A crime thriller starring Beau Knapp, Luke Hemsworth,
and Kurt Russell. It follows a young anti-money laundering
agent investigating corruption and cryptocurrency
in his hometown. Critics note its exaggerated portrayal
but praise its entertainment value.
Silk
Road (2021)
A dramatization of Ross Ulbricht’s creation of
the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace using Bitcoin.
It explores his rise and fall, blending crime and
drama.
Dope
(2015) A coming-of-age comedy-drama featuring Bitcoin
as a plot device. High schooler Malcolm uses Bitcoin
for a dark web transaction, reflecting its early association
with illicit activities.
Bonus
Mentions
Life
on Bitcoin (2014): Follows a couple attempting to
live solely on Bitcoin for 100 days, showcasing early
adoption challenges.
Bitcoin
Heist (2016): A Vietnamese action-comedy about hackers
chasing a crypto criminal, blending humor and thrills.
Notes
Documentaries are generally more educational, focusing
on Bitcoin’s history, blockchain technology,
and real-world implications. They’re great for
beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Feature
films often dramatize crypto’s association with
crime or scams, sometimes oversimplifying or exaggerating
for effect. They prioritize entertainment over accuracy.
For a deeper dive, check streaming platforms like
Prime Video, Fandango at Home, or YouTube, where many
of these are available.
News
Wall
Street (Movie)
Wall Street (1987), directed by Oliver Stone, is a
drama about ambition and greed in the 1980s financial
world. It follows Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), a young
stockbroker desperate to succeed, who gets entangled
with Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), a ruthless corporate
raider. Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is good,”
drives the story as Bud is lured into insider trading
and unethical deals, compromising his morals for wealth
and power.
The
film explores themes of capitalism, loyalty, and betrayal,
with Bud navigating pressures from Gekko, his father
(Martin Sheen), and his own conscience.
Key
Details: Cast: Michael Douglas (Gordon Gekko), Charlie
Sheen (Bud Fox), Daryl Hannah (Darien Taylor), Martin
Sheen (Carl Fox).
Runtime: 2h 6m.
Genre: Drama/Crime.
Rating: R. Box Office: ~$44 million (US).
Awards:
Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Notable
Aspects:
Gekko’s
“Greed is good” speech is iconic, reflecting
1980s excess. Inspired by real-life figures like Ivan
Boesky and Michael Milken.
A
sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), continued
the story.
Where
to Watch (as of 2025):
Streaming: Available on platforms like Peacock or
rentable on Amazon, YouTube, or Apple TV (check current
availability).
Physical: DVD/Blu-ray via retailers like Amazon.
News
Flashback
Gold,
copper, & silver:
How
metals are moving this year
Metal
futures have made some pretty dramatic moves lately
from safe haven gold to tariff sensitive copper. So
let's take a look at the longer term trends. I'm Jared
Blikre, host of Stocks in Translation. And I'm going
to start by charting some of the moves in Dr. Copper
because this is where we have the most zig and zags
over the last 25 years. So this goes back to the beginning
of the century and we can see right now, we're at
$5.51 per pound. That is a record high. But if we
go back to the beginning of the century, guess what?
Uh we had a little bit of a slump in the wake of the
dot com boom and then bust, but starting in 2003,
we saw a big rise there. And that was as China actually
joined the World Trade Organization or the WTO. That
lasted into the global financial crisis. Then we had
a pretty big bust in in Dr. Copper, and then we had
another rise. And that rise was due to unprecedented
stimulus, not only from the Chinese government, but
also from the United States government, QE was in
force, and then we saw kind of a strong dollar play.
That weighed on this metal all the way into the beginning
of 2016. The entire world, most of the world indices
went through a bear market in 2015, and then 2016,
we found the footing. And that was actually the year
that Trump won, began his first presidency. And from
there, we saw some zig and zags, and then we saw a
shock into the pandemic. A couple of, a couple of
years of deflation or a semi-deflation, disinflation,
that caught up with it in 2022, but then it was off
to the races again. And especially with the Trump
tariffs now on copper, threatening to be threatening
to be 50% on August 1st, we're seeing a lot of front
running in this trade. Now, I also want to show you
gold futures and I'm going to show you silver as well.
And they follow a very similar pattern. We're not
seeing the dramatic zig and zags that we did in copper,
but we did see the same pattern of China joining the
WTO, contributing to that huge rise in price to 1800,
almost $2,000 an ounce by the beginning of the global
financial crisis. So a little bit of a meltdown there.
But in 2016 into 2018, we saw a bit of a rise into
the pandemic, a little bit of a whipsaw there, and
consolidation over a few years. Again, that 2022 bare
market in US stocks that contributed to some deflation
and disinflation globally, supply chain chain shocks
came into force again, and then we saw this huge rise
beginning in late 2023, and we are now at 3353. We've
seen a high of as much as $3,500 per ounce. And gold
is kind of unique among the precious metals and also
the industrial metals, and this is because central
banks have been a huge determining force in their
buying of it. This is a bar chart that shows central
bank buying in tons going back all the way to 2010.
And what you notice here is the last three years,
2022, 2023, 2024, all of those had gold being bought
by central banks of in the amount of over 1,000 tons.
And so that's a pretty big dramatic increase from
the prior years. And this has to do with the ongoing
dedollarization in China, as well as Russia, but also
a host of other countries, even some in western and
eastern Europe. So this is a trend that we want to
follow. Uh, I want to close out here with silver,
and I'm going to just chart the price action. Again,
very similar chart to gold and copper in terms of
the big movements here. We saw a big price spike into
almost $50 per ounce, and that was just as the global
financial crisis was getting underway. And then the
QE area in 2011, that's when we saw that high. Then
we saw a dramatic, dramatic crash into 2016, kind
of found its footing, saw a big squeeze in the early
pandemic, 2020 was a great year for silver, but then
we saw a little bit of a fallout. And again, silver
is on the rise here at $38. It's still off of that
$50 record high, but it is increasing very quickly.
To round out the conversation, I want to just put
on a table here. I have all three medals and just
kind of grouping them together. I want to display
how they are moving with their specific patterns with
a trigger, and then to tell you which one of these
is featured in these specific criteria. So here, under
the pattern, we have acceleration. So that would be
an economic acceleration. The trigger would be liquidity.
And when that happens, we see all metals benefiting
from that. And then when there's a safe haven scare,
and that trigger would be a crisis of some sorts,
you're going to see gold and silver outperforming
the most, kind of leaving Dr. Copper behind. And then
here's a bearish one, industrial drags, that affects
copper disproportionately here, and the trigger there
is typically a stronger US dollar because the US dollar
surges when global global industrials tend to drag,
and that's because the US is the least dirty shirt
in the laundry basket of the world. And then finally
here, we have a policy shock. This will affect all
three medals, but especially copper and gold here.
Um, arguably, the biggest reason is tariffs and debt,
and we've seen both of those contribute to silver
rising. So we could put all three in that basket as
well. But when you put it all together, we have the
perfect explosive mix for all three of these metals,
including palladium and also platinum, which we didn't
get to have time for, but all of these are experiencing
huge thrust in 2025. And we'll have to see how these
tariffs play out, especially on Dr. Copper with respect
to that August 1st deadline. Remember, 50% there.
So tune into Stocks in Translation for more jargon
busting deep dives, new episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays
on Yahoo Finances website, or wherever you find your
podcast. (Transcript from Yahoo! Finance podcast)
News
Best
Quotes
An
investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
— Benjamin Franklin
"Bottoms
in the investment world don't end with four-year lows;
they end with 10- or 15-year lows." — Jim
Rogers
Be
fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when
others are fearful." — Warren Buffett
Media
Man "Bullish is a mindset"
Markets,
Crypto and Culture
September
15, 2025
Sydney,
Australia
Markets
ASX
futures down 59 points/0.7% to 8804
Wall Street:
S&P 500 -0.1%
Dow Jones -0.6%
Nasdaq +0.4%
Europe:
Stoxx 50 +0.1%
FTSE -0.2%
DAX flat
CAC flat
Bitcoin
-0.1% to $US115,849
Gold
+0.3% to $US3643.14 per ounce
Oil +0.5% to $US62.69 a barrel
Brent crude oil +0.9% to $US66.99 a barrel
Iron ore +0.4% to $US105.90 per ton
10-year yield:
US 4.06%
Australia 4.21%
Germany 2.71%
Mining/Energy/Resources/Culture/Digital
Gold: Australia and World
September
2025
Newsfeed
Sept
5
MinRes
drivers 'asked to fill out false timesheets'
A
former employee of Mineral Resources has told Western
Australia's WorkSafe that the iron ore miner is not
complying with safety rules on its 148km private haulage
road. The ex-employee contends that truck drivers
are being asked to work 12-hour shifts in order to
meet Mineral Resources' targets for transporting iron
ore from the Ken's Bore mine in the Pilbara to its
export facility. It has also been alleged that drivers
have been "coerced" into falsifying their
timesheets. The company has spent more than $200m
on repairing the road, while there have been a number
of truck crashes and rollovers since the road opened.
(RMS)
News
Shell
plots exit from North West Shelf
Sources
have indicated that energy giant Shell is considering
the sale of its 16.67 per cent stake in the North
West Shelf LNG project. Shell previously decided to
withdraw from the $US30bn ($46bn) Browse LNG project,
which is likely to supply gas to the processing plant
at Karratha in Western Australia to replace the declining
NWS gas fields. Woodside Energy has a 50 per cent
stake in the NWS project, and Shell's potential exit
would allow it to either increase its own stake or
bring new partners into the venture. (RMS)
News
LNG
export blow as US, Qatar to flood market
Investment
bank Goldman Sachs has forecast that the LNG price
willl fall $US7.35 per million British thermal units
in calendar 2027. This is 42 per cent lower than in
the current quarter. Goldman Sachs notes that global
LNG supply is expected to rise by 50 per cent to a
record 200 million tonnes by the end of this decade,
amid increased production in the US and Qatar. Australia
currently exports about 81 million tonnes of LNG a
year, but the US appears to be on track to ship about
110 million tonnes in 2025; Qatar is aiming to ramp
its LNG output to a similar level. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Bass
Strait partners Mitsui, Woodside, ExxonMobil in $300m
feud
The
Federal Court is to hear a dispute involving Mitsui,
Woodside Energy and ExxonMobil. It involves Mitsui
being asked for a payment of $156.3 million from ExxonMobil
and $141.6 million from Woodside. The latter two companies
are of the view that Mitsui should make a greater
contribution to the petroleum resource rent tax payable
to the federal government for gas extracted from the
Kipper gas field in Bass Strait. The dispute is linked
to a demand from the Australian Taxation Office for
greater payments of the tax for the period between
2013 and 2017. Mitsui, which acquired Santos's 35
per cent stake in the Kipper field in 2016, does not
believe it should be liable for those debts. (RMS)
News
Sept
3
High-grade
threat to Australian iron ore
Australia
exported about $120 billion worth of iron ore from
the Pilbara during 2024-25. However, Vale executive
Rogerio Nogueira contends that Brazil has a key advantage
over Australia because its iron ore is better suited
to beneficiation; this process removes contaminants
such as silicon or alumina to produce the higher-grade
ore that will be needed to make steel using natural
gas or hyrogen instead of coal. Australia's iron ore
miners are already facing the problem of decline ore
grades in the Pilbara. (RMS)
South32
chief in blast over green tape
Diversified
miner South32 battled the bureaucracy for more than
seven years to secure approval to continue operating
its Worley bauxite and alumina business in Western
Australia. Meanwhile, difficulty in gaining approval
for an extension to the Dendrobium coal mine in the
Illawarra region of NSW prompted South32 to sell the
asset in 2024. South32 CEO Graham Kerr says the Trump
administration has made it much easier to gain environmental
approval for US mining projects compared with Australia.
The company is on track to gain all approvals for
its Hermosa critical minerals project in less than
four years; it was the first project to be added to
the FAST-41 list. (RMS)
News
Flashback
September
3, 2025
Medals/Rare
Earths News
Gold
may be targeting $4,500, silver $50 Precious metals
have returned to active growth, pushing the spot price
of gold to $3,490—just $10 below its historic
high of 22 April. Meanwhile, silver has decisively
moved above $40, its highest level in 14 years.
The
news agenda continues to favour metals, with reports
that India is now actively selling US government bonds,
building up its gold reserves. China did the same
before, and Russia even earlier. However, this may
turn out to be nothing more than a glimpse into the
past, cleverly picked up by the global media. It should
also be remembered that years of net sales of gold
reserves did not initially prevent gold from rallying.
This could also work in the opposite direction: the
actions of finance ministers and central banks may
not have a very noticeable long-term effect.
The
lack of progress on a peaceful settlement between
Russia and Ukraine also helps gold. After months of
virtually empty promises, hopes are gradually fading.
A
more visible but at the same time short-term factor
is the growing expectation of a Fed key rate cut in
September from 75% on 21 August (before Powell's speech)
to 87% now. This leaves room for the rate to rise
by another 10-13 percentage points, which is negative
for the dollar and positive for commodities.
However,
we recommend paying more attention to the technical
picture now. The gold market has been in a prolonged
sideways trend since reaching highs in April. At the
same time, the bullish scenario is supported by sluggish
resistance from bears in recent days and a series
of higher local lows.
Silver
has been under less pressure from local profit-taking,
gaining in each of the last four months. Platinum
and palladium seem to be ending their corrective decline,
having risen sharply in early September. This behaviour
of precious metals indicates that traders are serious
about this direction, sharply increasing the chances
of new historical highs soon.
Nevertheless,
we urge caution when joining the gold rally in the
coming days. First, reaching historic highs could
trigger widespread selling in gold, as we saw in April
and as is happening with Bitcoin.
If
the breakout above $3,500 does not trigger a sell-off,
as was the case earlier this year, the potential target
is $4,500, close to which the 161.8% Fibonacci extension
level is located.
In
silver, it appears that the bulls are targeting the
area of historical highs near $50.
Platinum
also looks rested and ready to renew its multi-year
highs after a corrective pullback. Its technical growth
potential suggests a rise above $1,800, to the highs
of 2011. However, such ambitious growth will only
become the main scenario if the recent highs are exceeded
and the price rises above $1,500. (FxPro)
News
Gold
News
August
29, 2025
Gold
approached the upper limit of the 4-month trading
range Gold is trading above $3,400 again at the end
of the week. The upper limit of the trading range,
within which the price has been fluctuating since
April, is close to $3,430. Jerome Powell's signals
about a rate cut, unprecedented pressure from the
White House on the Fed, and the continuing high level
of geopolitical risks have brought the price back
to this level.
Washington's
introduction of 50% tariffs against India risks further
deepening the divide between the West and the East,
as well as the associated processes of de-dollarisation
and diversification of gold and foreign exchange reserves
by central banks in favour of precious metals.
For
the first time since 1996, central banks hold more
gold (about 25%) than US government bonds (about 20%)
in their gold and foreign exchange reserves. For comparison,
between 2008 and 2015, this ratio fluctuated between
10% and 30%, respectively.
Gold bulls are drawing strength from the dynamics
of the US yield curve. Yields on 2- and 10-year Treasuries
are falling. The market is painting a stagflationary
backdrop, which is the best food for gold bugs.
Gold's
ability to break through the resistance zone above
$3,430 will be an important signal of the market's
readiness to return to a rally after four months of
tug-of-war. But it is worth being cautious with early
bullish bets at these levels. Formally, there is now
a greater chance of another pullback to the lower
end of the range at $3,300-3,315.
At
the same time, investors should remember that whichever
way the breakout occurs, the subsequent movement could
be very strong, given how long the gold market has
been gathering strength while remaining in a sideways
trend. (FxPro)
News
Australian
Mining: Overview
Economic
Impact: Mining accounts for around 13.6% of Australia's
GDP (2023) and nearly 70% of total export revenue.
It generated $356.6 billion in company tax and royalties
over the past decade. Iron ore, coal, lithium, gold,
and bauxite are among the top exports, with Australia
being the world’s largest producer of lithium,
iron ore, and bauxite, and a top-five producer of
gold, lead, zinc, and nickel.
Key
Regions and Resources:
Western
Australia (WA): The epicenter of Australian mining,
hosting major iron ore, gold, lithium, and nickel
projects. It employed 134,871 full-time-equivalent
workers in 2023-24, with iron ore (62,950 FTEs), gold
(31,884 FTEs), and lithium (11,386 FTEs) leading employment.
Queensland
(QLD): Contributes $75 billion annually to the economy
and employs over 50,000 people, with high-grade graphite
and rhenium deposits.
New South Wales (NSW): Rich in coal, gold, and copper,
with the Cowal gold mine as the largest. It provides
40,000 jobs and nearly $2 billion in royalties.
Northern
Territory (NT): Home to the world’s largest manganese
mine and one-third of Australia’s uranium reserves,
valued at over $4 billion.
Victoria
(VIC): Known for gold, antimony, and brown coal, with
a strong mining equipment and technology sector.
Tasmania
(TAS): A century-long mineral producer with diverse
geology.
Critical
Minerals and Innovation: Australia is a global leader
in critical minerals like lithium, rare earths, and
manganese, essential for renewable energy and defense.
The industry is adopting automation (e.g., driverless
trucks), AI, and blue hydrogen to improve efficiency
and reduce emissions. The government’s $1 billion
Value-Adding in Resources Fund aims to enhance domestic
processing.
Environmental
and Social Challenges: Mining faces scrutiny for environmental
impacts, including land destruction, water pollution,
and carbon emissions from fossil fuel production.
ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) concerns and
commodity price uncertainty are top risks for 2024.
The industry is criticized for low tax contributions
relative to profits (6% of federal revenue) and benefits
from subsidies like the $3.5 billion Fuel Tax Credit
Scheme.
Employment
and Ownership: The sector employs about 229,500 people
(2% of the workforce), with high median earnings ($2,649/week).
However, it’s 86% foreign-owned, with major players
like BHP (76% foreign-owned) and Rio Tinto (83% foreign-owned)
dominating.
Future
Outlook: With 80% of Australia’s mineral potential
unexplored, the industry is poised for growth, particularly
in critical minerals for electric vehicles and renewable
energy. However, regulatory changes, climate goals,
and community expectations for fairer taxation and
environmental stewardship pose challenges. (Grok)
News
Flashback
September
1, 2025
BHP
call to voters in coal tax fight
BHP's
BMA coking coal joint venture in Queensland paid an
effective tax rate of about 67 per cent in 2024-25.
BHP CEO Mike Henry has warned that some of the joint
venture's mines may need to be shut down due to the
impact of low coal prices and the state's coal royalty
regime. Meanwhile, BMA's head of operations Mariette
Bylsma says Queensland has one of the world's highest
coal royalty regimes, which is making the state less
competitive and less predictable for investment. Bylsma
adds that the "unsustainable" coal tax is
having a real impact on regional jobs and communities,
and she has urged the general public to raise the
issue with their local MP. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
MinRes
takeover of miner run by Ellison's brother faces backlash
Resource
Development Group's administrator McGrathNicol recently
advised that it had received seven non-binding offers
to acquire the failed garnet miner. However, the firm
decided to recommend the offer from RDG's majority
shareholder, Mineral Resources, as it would result
in the highest return to shareholders. However, minority
investors in RDG claim that they are not being treated
fairly, and allege that Mineral Resources is hastening
the takeover without allowing time for other bids
to emerge. RDG's former MD Andrew Ellison is the brother
of Mineral Resources' founder and MD Chris Ellison.
(RMS)
News
Sunday
truck crash adds to MinRes woes
Mineral
Resources is under renewed scrutiny following another
incident on the private road that is used to transport
iron ore to port facilities at Onslow in Western Australia.
There has been a rear-end collision between one of
the company's road trains and a truck that was being
driven by a contractor; it is believed that nobody
was injured in yesterday's incident and both trucks
sustained only minor damage. However, there have been
a series of incidents on the 150km road since it was
opened in 2024, including a road train rollover last
week. Mineral Resources has also spent $230m on repairing
damage to the road caused by cyclones in early 2025.
(RMS)
News
Gas
industry frays over future of LNG as lobbying intensifies
Australia's
east gas market is facing a supply crisis that could
hit NSW and Victoria as early as 2029, with the nation's
$90 billion liquefied natural gas sector at odds as
to which of its participants should face the burden
of addressing the looming crisis. With the federal
government having announced a review of the LNG sector
earlier in the year, Australia Pacific LNG and Santos,
which is the operator of the Gladstone LNG project,
are both actively lobbying the federal government
as to their views as to how the two ventures believe
the sector should be reformed. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Bitcoin
Mining News
Industry
Challenges and Hashrate Records: Bitcoin mining difficulty
recently hit an all-time high of 126.9 trillion on
May 31, 2025, before slightly dropping to 126.4 trillion.
The network hashrate crossed 1 zetahash per second
(ZH/s) in April 2025, reflecting intense competition.
Miners face financial pressures from the April 2024
halving, which reduced block rewards, coupled with
rising operational costs. Despite this, companies
like MARA (mined 950 BTC in May 2025, holding 49,179
BTC) and CleanSpark (mined 694 BTC, holding 12,502
BTC) are expanding and retaining BTC as a treasury
asset.
Shift
to AI and Energy Competition: Bitcoin miners are increasingly
competing with AI data centers for cheap energy, prompting
some to pivot into AI infrastructure. For instance,
Bitmain plans to open a U.S.-based BTC mining hardware
facility by late 2025, and TeraWulf has secured Google
as its largest shareholder, validating its AI-integrated
strategy. This shift is driven by the need to monetize
power, with executives noting that energy, not just
hashrate, is now the critical factor.
Environmental
and Regulatory Concerns: A Harvard study revealed
that Bitcoin mining exposes 1.9 million Americans
to harmful PM2.5 air pollution, primarily from fossil
fuel-powered plants. The study highlights a "cross-state
domino effect," urging federal regulation. Meanwhile,
rural U.S. communities, like Dresden, NY, report noise
pollution from mining operations, sparking local backlash
despite support from some pro-crypto policies under
the current administration.
Centralization
Risks: Posts on X have raised alarms about mining
centralization, with two pools controlling over 51%
of the network’s hash power, potentially enabling
a 51% attack. This has sparked debate about Bitcoin’s
decentralization, though these claims remain inconclusive
without further evidence.
Innovations
and Expansions: Companies like Cipher Mining launched
a 150MW Bitcoin mining site in Texas (Black Pearl),
aiming for 300MW, and BitFuFu reported a record 34.1
EH/s hashrate, mining 400 BTC in May 2025. Block introduced
Proto Rig, a modular, repairable miner, and Proto
Fleet, an open-source software to enhance mining efficiency.
Profitability
Struggles: Mining a single Bitcoin now costs approximately
$137,000 in electricity, exceeding its market value
of around $95,000-$104,000, rendering traditional
mining unprofitable for many. Miners are adapting
by holding BTC or diversifying into other cryptocurrencies
like Ethereum.
Song
Welcome
To The Blockchain (Song lyrics)
We're
now standing on the precipice of a global revolution
Of
economics, of politics, and government
Welcome
to the blockchain
verse
Power
corrupts, money is power
The
power to control the money is one that is now
In
the hands of those who pretend we can't function without
them
So
how can we do something about it? (Huh?)
Working
hard to get a raise, lifting that wage up
Inflation
takes it like a hidden taxation
Manipulated
interest rates to give the banks
A
way to create money with the loans that they're giving
out daily (yup)
That
means our money is debt
That
we gotta pay back more than a hundred percent
No
wonder then why the middle class is going under
When
the one's above them gotta cover and come to collect
And
many have no access to banking
Making
payments, or saving, so more fees are taken
And
every day the gatekeepers are trying to stop change
We
can not wait, welcome to the blockchain
chorus
Welcome
to the blockchain
Things
are about to change
Open
up the gates
Systems
get replaced
Bitcoin
Decentralize
the trust
Security,
transparency
The
network's run by us
Bitcoin
verse
Bitcoin
is a decentralized ledger
And
the currency is its first enterprise ever
Secured
by the worldwide incentivized network
Can't
be stolen or controlled by any sized effort
You
can send it anywhere and instantly
No
one can intervene, no third party in between
There's
no counterfeiting
Algorithms
control the outer limits of how many coins can get
released
Programmable
money, no government can seize it
Payments
can be customized by sender and receiver
Contracts
can be written cementing your agreements
With
terms that can't be bent once you consent then it
completes it
Autonomous
businesses are possible
Where
profit is distributed amongst those adopting it
Paradigm
shift we must adjust to the ending
With
the blockchain, bitcoin is just the beginning
chorus
Welcome
to the blockchain
Things
are about to change
Open
up the gates
Systems
get replaced
Bitcoin
Decentralize
the trust
Security,
transparency
The
network's run by us
Bitcoin
bridge
Now
that we got control
We're
not gonna let it go
My
people all around the globe
We
gotta keep building, building, building
Now
that we got control
We're
not gonna let it go
My
people all around the globe
We
gotta keep building, building, building
chorus
Welcome
to the blockchain
Things
are about to change
Open
up the gates
Systems
get replaced
Bitcoin
Decentralize
the trust
Security,
transparency
The
network's run by us
Bitcoin
By
di DECAP, Toby / Toby Ganger
News
Working
Man: Sony Lyrics
It's
a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any
length of time I can hold it in my mind I never again
will go down under ground
At
the age of sixteen years Oh, he quarrels with his
peers Who vowed they'd never see another one In the
dark recess of the mines Where you age before your
time And the coal dust lies heavy on your lungs
It's
a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any
length of time I can hold it in my mind I never again
will go down under ground
At
the age of sixty four Oh, he'll greet you at the door
And he'll gently lead you by the arm
Through
the dark recess of the mines
Oh,
he'll take you back in time And he'll tell you of
the hardships that were had
It's
a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And
I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any length
of time I can hold it in my mind I never again will
go down under ground
It's
a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And
I swear to God if l ever see the sun Or for any length
of time I can hold it in my mind I never again will
go down under ground
It's
a working man l am And I've been down under ground
And
I swear to God if l ever see the sun
Or
for any length of time I can hold it in my mind I
never again will go down under ground
God,
I never again will go down under ground
By
Rita Macneil
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day
The
best and biggest gold mine is in between your ears."
"You
are a gold mine of potential power. You have to dig
to find it and make it real."
"Your
mind is like a gold mine, if you dig deep you will
find something golden."
"Don't
die without mining the gold in your mind."
"We're
like goldfields. Until we dig deep to find what's
inside us, our true potentials may be hidden forever."
"If
you want to find gold, you've got to love the process
of digging."
"Even
if you're sitting on a gold mine, you still have to
dig."
"Develop
men the same way gold is mined"
"Don't
go into the mine looking for dirt; instead, go in
looking for the gold."
"A
prospector's job is to remove dirt as quickly as possible"
"A
prospector who analyses every speck of dirt won't
find much gold"
"The
world is sitting on a gold mine but knows it not."
"Make new friends, but keep the old; Those are
silver, these are gold."
"All
that is gold does not glitter."
"Gold
is forever. It is beautiful, useful, and never wears
out"
"Gold
is the money of kings"
"Mining
is the art of exploiting mineral deposits at a profit.
An unprofitable mine is fit only for the sepulcher
of a dead mule."
"Anyone
can find the dirt in someone. Be the one that finds
the gold."
"True
gold fears no fire."
"The
desire of gold is not for gold. It is for the means
of freedom and benefit."
"Make
new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these
are gold."
"When
taken for granted, gold in one's hand is sometimes
considered like cheap copper – so are people."
Markets,
Crypto and Culture
August
18, 2025
Sydney,
Australia
Markets
ASX
futures down 53 points or 0.6% to 8843
Australian
dollar +0.1% to 65.10 US cents
Wall
Street:
S&P 500 -0.3%
Dow Jones +0.1%
Nasdaq -0.4%
The
crypto market cap rose to $4.20 trillion on Thursday
morning before dropping back down somewhat to $4.14
trillion. But even with the correction, the daily
gain is close to 2%, led by Bitcoin's slide to a new
peak of $124.5K. Among the major coins, Cardano (+18%),
Near Protocol (+6.2%) and Trump (+5.9%) were the leaders.
The
sentiment index rose to 75, ready to move into the
extreme greed zone. It was previously held at this
level throughout the second half of July, but the
entire crypto market was in a range at that time.
(FxPro)
News
Flashback
Summer
Break for the Crypto Market
Market
Overview
The
cryptocurrency market began August with a relatively
narrow range of $3.6-3.8 trillion, ending Wednesday
at $3.72 trillion. The support received in the area
of previous peaks set in December and January suggests
that this is a temporary pause to lock in profits
and gain liquidity before a new surge. At the same
time, however, such sluggishness is turning away the
most active traders, who are used to seeing multiple
rallies. Now they have moved on to very small projects.
On
Tuesday, Bitcoin was again approaching its 50-day
moving average. Such frequent testing of the medium-term
trend signal line indicates accumulated fatigue in
the first cryptocurrency. For comparison, the crypto
market's total capitalisation is still moving significantly
above its 50-day average, which is currently around
$3.57 trillion.
News
Background
Institutional
investors are actively buying up Ethereum, while retail
traders remain on the sidelines. SharpLink bought
83,561 ETH ($264.5 million) last week at an average
price of $3,634. The company's reserves amount to
almost 522,000 ETH (~$1.9 billion). However, Bitmine
Immersion Tech remains the leader, with 833 coins
worth over $3 billion. A total of 64 corporations
now own 2.96 million ETH ($10.81 billion) or 2.45%
of the total Ethereum supply.
Large
companies continue to buy Bitcoin, adding 26,700 BTC
to their reserves in July. Strategy bought 21,021
BTC for $2.46 billion last week. According to BitcoinTreasuries,
public and private companies now hold 1.35 million
BTC ($155 billion) on their balance sheets —
more than 6% of the total digital gold supply.
US
regulators have proposed new rules for the crypto
industry. The CFTC has launched an initiative to legalise
spot trading of cryptocurrencies on registered exchanges,
and the SEC has updated its guidance on stablecoin
accounting rules.
USDe
from Ethena Labs has become the third-largest stablecoin.
Since mid-July, its capitalisation has grown by 75%
to $9.5 billion. Demand for the asset may have been
spurred by high yields ranging from 10% to 19% per
annum. The total capitalisation of all stablecoins
has been growing for the seventh month in a row and
is approaching $275 billion. (FxPro)
News
S&P500’s
buy-the-dip sentiment helped Bitcoin
The
sell-off of Bitcoin following Congress's passage of
a law regulating the circulation of stablecoins and
the retreat of US stock indices from record highs
allowed Bitcoin bears to push prices below the lower
boundary of the $116k—$120k consolidation range.
When it looked like a severe correction was coming,
US stocks stepped in again. Investors bought up the
S&P 500 dip, and Bitcoin immediately bounced back.
Changes
in global risk appetite continue to be the main driver
of cryptocurrency prices. July saw a series of record
highs for the S&P 500, making it a successful
month for Bitcoin. Meanwhile, Bitcoin-focused ETFs
attracted $6 billion, the third-best result in the
history of specialised exchange-traded funds. Ether
ETFs were not far behind, with a record inflow of
$5.4 billion.
The
situation changed dramatically at the turn of July
and August. Interest in digital assets began to cool.
Coinbase's Bitcoin premium fell into the red for the
first time since May, indicating a decline in demand
from US investors. Open interest in Bitcoin and Ether
futures contracts fell by 13% and 21%, respectively,
compared to Bitcoin's record high. According to Coinglass,
on the last day of July, $800 million in long positions
across all cryptocurrencies were liquidated.
Speculators
doubt the rally's continuation, while crypto treasuries
are buying Bitcoin under any conditions. On pullbacks
or at market prices, ‘Strategy’ acquired
more than 21,000 coins worth $2.46 billion during
the week of July 28th to August 3rd. This is the third-largest
cryptocurrency purchase by Michael Saylor's company
since records began. The average price is the second
highest in history. As a result, Strategy's reserves
have grown to more than $71 billion.
The
future dynamics of Bitcoin will depend on the fate
of US stock indices and capital flows into ETFs. If
the S&P 500's successes are temporary, Bitcoin
will be forced to undergo a deep correction. If its
quotes remain below the middle of the previous consolidation
range of $116k—$120k, the bears are in control.
News
Bitcoin
tests support at 50-day MA
Market
Picture
The
crypto market rolled back at the end of last week
following a reduction in risk appetite in the financial
markets. However, on Sunday, sentiment changed with
the return of active buyers near the total capitalisation
of $3.60 trillion. At the time of writing, the market
is at $3.73 trillion (+3.6%). Less than 10% of the
top 100 coins show gains over 7 days, among which
the largest are TRON (+2.2%) and TON (+4.5%).
The
crypto market sentiment index fell to 53 by Sunday
morning, a six-week low, but recovered to 64 on Monday,
reflecting a resurgence of bullish sentiment. However,
another impressive upward move will be needed to confirm
a local victory for the bulls.
On
Saturday and Sunday, Bitcoin received support from
buyers on declines below $112K near the 50-day moving
average - the fourth touch of this curve since April.
On the “buy the dip” sentiment, the first
cryptocurrency recovered to $115K on Monday morning.
The rebound from support is a bullish signal for the
next couple of days, but the fact that it has been
tested frequently raises concerns for the medium term.
News Background
According
to SoSoValue, net outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs
in the US amounted to $812.3 million on August 1,
the highest since February 25. As a result, the weekly
outflow from BTC ETFs amounted to $643 million, a
record high for the past 16 weeks.
The
net outflow from spot Ethereum ETFs in the US on Friday
amounted to $152.3 million. However, inflows in the
previous days of the week managed to keep the indicator
in positive territory (+$154.3 million). The positive
trend has continued for 12 consecutive weeks.
Analyst
Ali Martinez says that over the past two days, Bitcoin
whales have bought 30,000 BTC. According to Santiment,
over the past four months, whales with balances ranging
from 10 to 10,000 BTC have accumulated 0.9% of the
total coin supply.
According
to The Block, trading volume on centralised crypto
exchanges exceeded $1.7 trillion in July (the highest
since February 2025), and trading volume on decentralised
exchanges (DEX) also reached its highest level since
January.
Galaxy
Digital warned of risks in the public company sector,
which accumulates cryptocurrencies by issuing shares.
The model creates systemic vulnerability and could
lead to a cascade collapse.
US
SEC Chairman Paul Atkins announced Project Crypto.
The project’s key objective is to establish clear
rules for cryptocurrencies and turn the US into the
“world’s crypto capital.” (FxPro)
News
Flashback
Three
blows to oil in three days
Oil
has been under triple pressure since the end of last
week, losing more than 7% per barrel of WTI since
31 July, reaching the important psychological level
of $65.
The
latest wave of oil sell-offs began with the realisation
that US trade tariffs from August will be higher than
initially expected, as higher tariffs are associated
with an economic slowdown and weaker demand for energy.
Fears of an economic slowdown intensified after the
release of unexpectedly weak US employment data on
Friday. Over the weekend, concerns were heightened
by OPEC+'s increase in production quotas, which was
reflected in the markets on Monday.
After
its latest meeting, OPEC+ announced that it would
increase production quotas for eight countries by
547,000 barrels per day starting in September.
Considering
the quota increases since April, the entire voluntarily
reduced volume of 2.2 million barrels per day will
return to the market. This is a rather bold decision,
given the growing fear that the global economy is
slowing down.
Some
link such steps by the cartel to the risks of supply
disruptions due to potential sanctions from the US
and the EU. In our opinion, it is also worth considering
the cartel's intention to regain its market share
from the US in this way.
Oil
producers in the US are very sensitive to price, sharply
cutting investment when prices fall. At the beginning
of April, there were 489 oil rigs in operation, but
according to data published on Friday, this number
has fallen to 410. In the long term, a gradual increase
in production efficiency should be considered, but
at intervals of six months, it is unlikely that there
will be any sharp progress. Therefore, we can expect
some US production reduction and a gradual recovery
in the share of traditional oil producers such as
Saudi Arabia, Russia and the UAE.
The
price of WTI crude oil, which rose to close to $70
at its peak last week, has returned to the lower end
of the range since early June at $65. Closing the
day below 66 will mark a failure below the 200- and
50-day moving averages, increasing the potential for
further declines.
If
OPEC+ really plans to increase its share of the oil
market, it may not oppose further price declines.
The intensification of negative trends in the global
and US economies could bring the price back to this
year's lows of $55 by the end of September and to
the lower end of the downward corridor of $50 by the
end of the year. However, further trends will depend
heavily on the reaction of monetary authorities and
oil producers. (FxPro)
News
Flashback
July
29, 2025
Ethereum
continues attempt to climb above $4,000
Market
Picture
The
crypto market lost 1%, falling back to a capitalisation
of $3.9 trillion. This was a natural pullback against
the backdrop of the dollar's impressive strengthening
the day before. However, on Tuesday, the bulls were
back in charge, bringing the market back to a level
above Monday's opening but not yet reaching its peak.
Bitcoin
is trading near $118.7K, unable to break through the
resistance at $120K. This indecision to break out
of the range is likely to continue until the market
sees the Fed's key rate decision on Wednesday evening.
Ethereum
rose to $3,930 at the end of the day, fell back to
$3,700 on Monday, where it found interest from new
buyers and rose to $3,830 at the time of writing.
The last seven days have seen a fairly sharp upward
trend, and if this trend continues, the price will
rise above 4,000 by the end of this week.
News
Background
According
to CoinShares, global investment inflows into crypto
funds last week amounted to $1.908 billion. Investments
in Ethereum increased by $1.595 billion, Solana by
a significant $312 million, XRP by $190 million, and
Sui by $8 million. Investments in Bitcoin decreased
by $175 million.
Japan's
Metaplanet announced the acquisition of 780 BTC ($92.5
million) at an average price of $118,600. The company's
total reserves now amount to 17,132 BTC, worth over
$2 billion.
According
to Blockware, Bitcoin will no longer show ‘parabolic’
rallies or ‘devastating’ bear cycles, as
institutional investors have changed the market dynamics
and reduced volatility.
According
to Strategic ETH Reserve, the volume of the second
cryptocurrency on the balance sheets of public companies
has reached 2.32 million ETH (~$9.11 billion) —
1.92% of the total Ethereum supply. Bitmine Immersion
Tech, associated with Fundstrat founder Tom Lee, pursues
the most aggressive strategy. The company has ~566,800
ETH ($2.23 billion) on its balance sheet.
BNB,
the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by capitalisation,
updated its historical high above $860 on Monday.
Against this background, Binance founder Changpeng
Zhao's estimated fortune exceeded $76 billion. According
to Forbes, Zhao owns 64% of the BNB supply —
about 89.1 million tokens. (FxPro)
News
Pop
Culture News
Dream
Matches: Fantasy Booking/Sports; Media Man Group Dream
Match Series
Million
Dollar Man vs IRS
Michael Wall Street vs Billionaire Ted
Mr X vs Mr BTC
Mr Green vs Mr Cash
VKM vs Easy E
Vinnie Vegas vs Mr Corbin
Mr Corp Merch vs Mr Freelance
Masked Superstar vs John McAfee
Sid Justice vs Mr Blood Diamond
Mr Bluey Chipper vs Street Fighter - King Of The Streets
Stipulation
Mr Dotcom vs Mr Wiki
Mr Gold vs Mr Green - Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Khan vs Khan - Winner Take All Match
Mr Wolff vs The Cleaner
Mr News vs Mr Vice - U.S Market Footprint Stipulation
Mr Paramount vs Mr Netflix
Mr ESPN vs Mr Fox
Mr Kross vs Mr H
News
Cryptocurrency
Movies
Documentaries
The
Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014) Follows early Bitcoin
adopter Daniel Mross, exploring Bitcoin’s origins,
its volatile rise, and the community behind it. Great
for understanding Bitcoin’s early days and its
potential to disrupt finance.
Banking
on Bitcoin (2016) Examines Bitcoin’s history,
ideological roots, and impact on global financial
systems through interviews with pioneers and experts.
A solid primer for newcomers.
Cryptopia:
Bitcoin, Blockchains, and the Future of the Internet
(2020)
Directed
by Torsten Hoffmann, this documentary dives into blockchain’s
broader applications beyond cryptocurrency, addressing
scalability and regulatory challenges. Ideal for those
interested in blockchain’s transformative potential.
Trust
Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018) Narrated by
Rosario Dawson, it explores blockchain’s societal
impact, from financial inclusion to voting systems.
A comprehensive look at real-world applications.
Bitcoin:
The End of Money as We Know It (2015) Traces the history
of money and introduces Bitcoin as a decentralized
alternative, critiquing centralized financial systems.
Features interviews with crypto experts.
Deep
Web (2015) Narrated by Keanu Reeves, this documentary
focuses on the Silk Road marketplace and its creator,
Ross Ulbricht, highlighting Bitcoin’s role in
dark web transactions.
Bitconned
(2024) Explores the Centra Tech crypto scam, detailing
how three individuals defrauded investors during the
2010s crypto boom. A cautionary tale about unregulated
markets.
Feature
Films
Crypto
(2019) A crime thriller starring Beau Knapp, Luke
Hemsworth, and Kurt Russell. It follows a young anti-money
laundering agent investigating corruption and cryptocurrency
in his hometown. Critics note its exaggerated portrayal
but praise its entertainment value.
Silk
Road (2021) A dramatization of Ross Ulbricht’s
creation of the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace
using Bitcoin. It explores his rise and fall, blending
crime and drama.
Dope
(2015) A coming-of-age comedy-drama featuring Bitcoin
as a plot device. High schooler Malcolm uses Bitcoin
for a dark web transaction, reflecting its early association
with illicit activities.
Bonus
Mentions
Life
on Bitcoin (2014): Follows a couple attempting to
live solely on Bitcoin for 100 days, showcasing early
adoption challenges.
Bitcoin
Heist (2016): A Vietnamese action-comedy about hackers
chasing a crypto criminal, blending humor and thrills.
Notes
Documentaries
are generally more educational, focusing on Bitcoin’s
history, blockchain technology, and real-world implications.
They’re great for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Feature
films often dramatize crypto’s association with
crime or scams, sometimes oversimplifying or exaggerating
for effect. They prioritize entertainment over accuracy.
For
a deeper dive, check streaming platforms like Prime
Video, Fandango at Home, or YouTube, where many of
these are available.
News
Wall
Street (Movie)
Wall
Street (1987), directed by Oliver Stone, is a drama
about ambition and greed in the 1980s financial world.
It follows Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), a young stockbroker
desperate to succeed, who gets entangled with Gordon
Gekko (Michael Douglas), a ruthless corporate raider.
Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is good,” drives
the story as Bud is lured into insider trading and
unethical deals, compromising his morals for wealth
and power. The film explores themes of capitalism,
loyalty, and betrayal, with Bud navigating pressures
from Gekko, his father (Martin Sheen), and his own
conscience.
Key
Details:
Cast:
Michael Douglas (Gordon Gekko), Charlie Sheen (Bud
Fox), Daryl Hannah (Darien Taylor), Martin Sheen (Carl
Fox). Runtime: 2h 6m. Genre: Drama/Crime. Rating:
R. Box Office: ~$44 million (US).
Awards:
Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Notable
Aspects:
Gekko’s
“Greed is good” speech is iconic, reflecting
1980s excess.
Inspired
by real-life figures like Ivan Boesky and Michael
Milken.
A
sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), continued
the story.
Where
to Watch (as of 2025):
Streaming:
Available on platforms like Peacock or rentable on
Amazon, YouTube, or Apple TV (check current availability).
Physical: DVD/Blu-ray via retailers like Amazon.
News
Gold,
copper, & silver: How metals are moving this year
Metal
futures have made some pretty dramatic moves lately
from safe haven gold to tariff sensitive copper. So
let's take a look at the longer term trends. I'm Jared
Blikre, host of Stocks in Translation. And I'm going
to start by charting some of the moves in Dr. Copper
because this is where we have the most zig and zags
over the last 25 years. So this goes back to the beginning
of the century and we can see right now, we're at
$5.51 per pound. That is a record high. But if we
go back to the beginning of the century, guess what?
Uh we had a little bit of a slump in the wake of the
dot com boom and then bust, but starting in 2003,
we saw a big rise there. And that was as China actually
joined the World Trade Organization or the WTO. That
lasted into the global financial crisis. Then we had
a pretty big bust in in Dr. Copper, and then we had
another rise. And that rise was due to unprecedented
stimulus, not only from the Chinese government, but
also from the United States government, QE was in
force, and then we saw kind of a strong dollar play.
That weighed on this metal all the way into the beginning
of 2016. The entire world, most of the world indices
went through a bear market in 2015, and then 2016,
we found the footing. And that was actually the year
that Trump won, began his first presidency. And from
there, we saw some zig and zags, and then we saw a
shock into the pandemic. A couple of, a couple of
years of deflation or a semi-deflation, disinflation,
that caught up with it in 2022, but then it was off
to the races again. And especially with the Trump
tariffs now on copper, threatening to be threatening
to be 50% on August 1st, we're seeing a lot of front
running in this trade. Now, I also want to show you
gold futures and I'm going to show you silver as well.
And they follow a very similar pattern. We're not
seeing the dramatic zig and zags that we did in copper,
but we did see the same pattern of China joining the
WTO, contributing to that huge rise in price to 1800,
almost $2,000 an ounce by the beginning of the global
financial crisis. So a little bit of a meltdown there.
But in 2016 into 2018, we saw a bit of a rise into
the pandemic, a little bit of a whipsaw there, and
consolidation over a few years. Again, that 2022 bare
market in US stocks that contributed to some deflation
and disinflation globally, supply chain chain shocks
came into force again, and then we saw this huge rise
beginning in late 2023, and we are now at 3353. We've
seen a high of as much as $3,500 per ounce. And gold
is kind of unique among the precious metals and also
the industrial metals, and this is because central
banks have been a huge determining force in their
buying of it. This is a bar chart that shows central
bank buying in tons going back all the way to 2010.
And what you notice here is the last three years,
2022, 2023, 2024, all of those had gold being bought
by central banks of in the amount of over 1,000 tons.
And so that's a pretty big dramatic increase from
the prior years. And this has to do with the ongoing
dedollarization in China, as well as Russia, but also
a host of other countries, even some in western and
eastern Europe. So this is a trend that we want to
follow. Uh, I want to close out here with silver,
and I'm going to just chart the price action. Again,
very similar chart to gold and copper in terms of
the big movements here. We saw a big price spike into
almost $50 per ounce, and that was just as the global
financial crisis was getting underway. And then the
QE area in 2011, that's when we saw that high. Then
we saw a dramatic, dramatic crash into 2016, kind
of found its footing, saw a big squeeze in the early
pandemic, 2020 was a great year for silver, but then
we saw a little bit of a fallout. And again, silver
is on the rise here at $38. It's still off of that
$50 record high, but it is increasing very quickly.
To round out the conversation, I want to just put
on a table here. I have all three medals and just
kind of grouping them together. I want to display
how they are moving with their specific patterns with
a trigger, and then to tell you which one of these
is featured in these specific criteria. So here, under
the pattern, we have acceleration. So that would be
an economic acceleration. The trigger would be liquidity.
And when that happens, we see all metals benefiting
from that. And then when there's a safe haven scare,
and that trigger would be a crisis of some sorts,
you're going to see gold and silver outperforming
the most, kind of leaving Dr. Copper behind. And then
here's a bearish one, industrial drags, that affects
copper disproportionately here, and the trigger there
is typically a stronger US dollar because the US dollar
surges when global global industrials tend to drag,
and that's because the US is the least dirty shirt
in the laundry basket of the world. And then finally
here, we have a policy shock. This will affect all
three medals, but especially copper and gold here.
Um, arguably, the biggest reason is tariffs and debt,
and we've seen both of those contribute to silver
rising. So we could put all three in that basket as
well. But when you put it all together, we have the
perfect explosive mix for all three of these metals,
including palladium and also platinum, which we didn't
get to have time for, but all of these are experiencing
huge thrust in 2025. And we'll have to see how these
tariffs play out, especially on Dr. Copper with respect
to that August 1st deadline. Remember, 50% there.
So tune into Stocks in Translation for more jargon
busting deep dives, new episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays
on Yahoo Finances website, or wherever you find your
podcast. (Transcript from Yahoo! Finance podcast)
News
Best
Quotes
An
investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
— Benjamin Franklin
"Bottoms
in the investment world don't end with four-year lows;
they end with 10- or 15-year lows." — Jim
Rogers
Be
fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when
others are fearful." — Warren Buffett
Media
Man
"Everything
is a gamble" Greg Tingle, Media Man Group
Markets,
Crypto and Culture
August
11, 2025
Sydney,
Australia
Markets
ASX
futures up 5 points or 0.1% to 8768
Australian
dollar at 65.24 US cents
Wall
Street:
S&P 500 +0.8%
Dow Jones +0.5%
Nasdaq +1%
The
cryptocurrency market began August with a relatively
narrow range of $3.6-3.8 trillion, ending Wednesday
at $3.72 trillion. The support received in the area
of previous peaks set in December and January suggests
that this is a temporary pause to lock in profits
and gain liquidity before a new surge. At the same
time, however, such sluggishness is turning away the
most active traders, who are used to seeing multiple
rallies. Now they have moved on to very small projects.
On
Tuesday, Bitcoin was again approaching its 50-day
moving average. Such frequent testing of the medium-term
trend signal line indicates accumulated fatigue in
the first cryptocurrency. For comparison, the crypto
market's total capitalisation is still moving significantly
above its 50-day average, which is currently around
$3.57 trillion.
News
Background
Institutional
investors are actively buying up Ethereum, while retail
traders remain on the sidelines. SharpLink bought
83,561 ETH ($264.5 million) last week at an average
price of $3,634. The company's reserves amount to
almost 522,000 ETH (~$1.9 billion). However, Bitmine
Immersion Tech remains the leader, with 833 coins
worth over $3 billion. A total of 64 corporations
now own 2.96 million ETH ($10.81 billion) or 2.45%
of the total Ethereum supply.
Large
companies continue to buy Bitcoin, adding 26,700 BTC
to their reserves in July. Strategy bought 21,021
BTC for $2.46 billion last week. According to BitcoinTreasuries,
public and private companies now hold 1.35 million
BTC ($155 billion) on their balance sheets —
more than 6% of the total digital gold supply.
US
regulators have proposed new rules for the crypto
industry. The CFTC has launched an initiative to legalise
spot trading of cryptocurrencies on registered exchanges,
and the SEC has updated its guidance on stablecoin
accounting rules.
USDe
from Ethena Labs has become the third-largest stablecoin.
Since mid-July, its capitalisation has grown by 75%
to $9.5 billion. Demand for the asset may have been
spurred by high yields ranging from 10% to 19% per
annum. The total capitalisation of all stablecoins
has been growing for the seventh month in a row and
is approaching $275 billion. (FxPro)
News
S&P500’s
buy-the-dip sentiment helped Bitcoin
The
sell-off of Bitcoin following Congress's passage of
a law regulating the circulation of stablecoins and
the retreat of US stock indices from record highs
allowed Bitcoin bears to push prices below the lower
boundary of the $116k—$120k consolidation range.
When it looked like a severe correction was coming,
US stocks stepped in again. Investors bought up the
S&P 500 dip, and Bitcoin immediately bounced back.
Changes
in global risk appetite continue to be the main driver
of cryptocurrency prices. July saw a series of record
highs for the S&P 500, making it a successful
month for Bitcoin. Meanwhile, Bitcoin-focused ETFs
attracted $6 billion, the third-best result in the
history of specialised exchange-traded funds. Ether
ETFs were not far behind, with a record inflow of
$5.4 billion.
The
situation changed dramatically at the turn of July
and August. Interest in digital assets began to cool.
Coinbase's Bitcoin premium fell into the red for the
first time since May, indicating a decline in demand
from US investors. Open interest in Bitcoin and Ether
futures contracts fell by 13% and 21%, respectively,
compared to Bitcoin's record high. According to Coinglass,
on the last day of July, $800 million in long positions
across all cryptocurrencies were liquidated.
Speculators
doubt the rally's continuation, while crypto treasuries
are buying Bitcoin under any conditions. On pullbacks
or at market prices, ‘Strategy’ acquired
more than 21,000 coins worth $2.46 billion during
the week of July 28th to August 3rd. This is the third-largest
cryptocurrency purchase by Michael Saylor's company
since records began. The average price is the second
highest in history. As a result, Strategy's reserves
have grown to more than $71 billion.
The
future dynamics of Bitcoin will depend on the fate
of US stock indices and capital flows into ETFs. If
the S&P 500's successes are temporary, Bitcoin
will be forced to undergo a deep correction. If its
quotes remain below the middle of the previous consolidation
range of $116k—$120k, the bears are in control.
News
Bitcoin
tests support at 50-day MA
Market
Picture
The
crypto market rolled back at the end of last week
following a reduction in risk appetite in the financial
markets. However, on Sunday, sentiment changed with
the return of active buyers near the total capitalisation
of $3.60 trillion. At the time of writing, the market
is at $3.73 trillion (+3.6%). Less than 10% of the
top 100 coins show gains over 7 days, among which
the largest are TRON (+2.2%) and TON (+4.5%).
The
crypto market sentiment index fell to 53 by Sunday
morning, a six-week low, but recovered to 64 on Monday,
reflecting a resurgence of bullish sentiment. However,
another impressive upward move will be needed to confirm
a local victory for the bulls.
On
Saturday and Sunday, Bitcoin received support from
buyers on declines below $112K near the 50-day moving
average - the fourth touch of this curve since April.
On the “buy the dip” sentiment, the first
cryptocurrency recovered to $115K on Monday morning.
The rebound from support is a bullish signal for the
next couple of days, but the fact that it has been
tested frequently raises concerns for the medium term.
News Background
According
to SoSoValue, net outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs
in the US amounted to $812.3 million on August 1,
the highest since February 25. As a result, the weekly
outflow from BTC ETFs amounted to $643 million, a
record high for the past 16 weeks.
The
net outflow from spot Ethereum ETFs in the US on Friday
amounted to $152.3 million. However, inflows in the
previous days of the week managed to keep the indicator
in positive territory (+$154.3 million). The positive
trend has continued for 12 consecutive weeks.
Analyst
Ali Martinez says that over the past two days, Bitcoin
whales have bought 30,000 BTC. According to Santiment,
over the past four months, whales with balances ranging
from 10 to 10,000 BTC have accumulated 0.9% of the
total coin supply.
According
to The Block, trading volume on centralised crypto
exchanges exceeded $1.7 trillion in July (the highest
since February 2025), and trading volume on decentralised
exchanges (DEX) also reached its highest level since
January.
Galaxy
Digital warned of risks in the public company sector,
which accumulates cryptocurrencies by issuing shares.
The model creates systemic vulnerability and could
lead to a cascade collapse.
US
SEC Chairman Paul Atkins announced Project Crypto.
The project’s key objective is to establish clear
rules for cryptocurrencies and turn the US into the
“world’s crypto capital.” (FxPro)
News
Flashback
Three
blows to oil in three days
Oil
has been under triple pressure since the end of last
week, losing more than 7% per barrel of WTI since
31 July, reaching the important psychological level
of $65.
The
latest wave of oil sell-offs began with the realisation
that US trade tariffs from August will be higher than
initially expected, as higher tariffs are associated
with an economic slowdown and weaker demand for energy.
Fears of an economic slowdown intensified after the
release of unexpectedly weak US employment data on
Friday. Over the weekend, concerns were heightened
by OPEC+'s increase in production quotas, which was
reflected in the markets on Monday.
After
its latest meeting, OPEC+ announced that it would
increase production quotas for eight countries by
547,000 barrels per day starting in September.
Considering
the quota increases since April, the entire voluntarily
reduced volume of 2.2 million barrels per day will
return to the market. This is a rather bold decision,
given the growing fear that the global economy is
slowing down.
Some
link such steps by the cartel to the risks of supply
disruptions due to potential sanctions from the US
and the EU. In our opinion, it is also worth considering
the cartel's intention to regain its market share
from the US in this way.
Oil
producers in the US are very sensitive to price, sharply
cutting investment when prices fall. At the beginning
of April, there were 489 oil rigs in operation, but
according to data published on Friday, this number
has fallen to 410. In the long term, a gradual increase
in production efficiency should be considered, but
at intervals of six months, it is unlikely that there
will be any sharp progress. Therefore, we can expect
some US production reduction and a gradual recovery
in the share of traditional oil producers such as
Saudi Arabia, Russia and the UAE.
The
price of WTI crude oil, which rose to close to $70
at its peak last week, has returned to the lower end
of the range since early June at $65. Closing the
day below 66 will mark a failure below the 200- and
50-day moving averages, increasing the potential for
further declines.
If
OPEC+ really plans to increase its share of the oil
market, it may not oppose further price declines.
The intensification of negative trends in the global
and US economies could bring the price back to this
year's lows of $55 by the end of September and to
the lower end of the downward corridor of $50 by the
end of the year. However, further trends will depend
heavily on the reaction of monetary authorities and
oil producers. (FxPro)
News
Flashback
July
29, 2025
Ethereum
continues attempt to climb above $4,000
Market
Picture
The
crypto market lost 1%, falling back to a capitalisation
of $3.9 trillion. This was a natural pullback against
the backdrop of the dollar's impressive strengthening
the day before. However, on Tuesday, the bulls were
back in charge, bringing the market back to a level
above Monday's opening but not yet reaching its peak.
Bitcoin
is trading near $118.7K, unable to break through the
resistance at $120K. This indecision to break out
of the range is likely to continue until the market
sees the Fed's key rate decision on Wednesday evening.
Ethereum
rose to $3,930 at the end of the day, fell back to
$3,700 on Monday, where it found interest from new
buyers and rose to $3,830 at the time of writing.
The last seven days have seen a fairly sharp upward
trend, and if this trend continues, the price will
rise above 4,000 by the end of this week.
News
Background
According
to CoinShares, global investment inflows into crypto
funds last week amounted to $1.908 billion. Investments
in Ethereum increased by $1.595 billion, Solana by
a significant $312 million, XRP by $190 million, and
Sui by $8 million. Investments in Bitcoin decreased
by $175 million.
Japan's
Metaplanet announced the acquisition of 780 BTC ($92.5
million) at an average price of $118,600. The company's
total reserves now amount to 17,132 BTC, worth over
$2 billion.
According
to Blockware, Bitcoin will no longer show ‘parabolic’
rallies or ‘devastating’ bear cycles, as
institutional investors have changed the market dynamics
and reduced volatility.
According
to Strategic ETH Reserve, the volume of the second
cryptocurrency on the balance sheets of public companies
has reached 2.32 million ETH (~$9.11 billion) —
1.92% of the total Ethereum supply. Bitmine Immersion
Tech, associated with Fundstrat founder Tom Lee, pursues
the most aggressive strategy. The company has ~566,800
ETH ($2.23 billion) on its balance sheet.
BNB,
the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by capitalisation,
updated its historical high above $860 on Monday.
Against this background, Binance founder Changpeng
Zhao's estimated fortune exceeded $76 billion. According
to Forbes, Zhao owns 64% of the BNB supply —
about 89.1 million tokens. (FxPro)
News
Pop
Culture News
Dream
Matches: Fantasy Booking/Sports; Media Man Group Dream
Match Series
Million
Dollar Man vs IRS
Michael Wall Street vs Billionaire Ted
Mr X vs Mr BTC
Mr Green vs Mr Cash
VKM vs Easy E
Vinnie Vegas vs Mr Corbin
Mr Corp Merch vs Mr Freelance
Masked Superstar vs John McAfee
Sid Justice vs Mr Blood Diamond
Mr Bluey Chipper vs Street Fighter - King Of The Street
Stipulation
Mr Dotcom vs Mr Wiki
Mr Gold vs Mr Green - Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Khan vs Khan - Winner Take All Match
Mr Wolff vs The Cleaner
Mr News vs Mr Vice - U.S Market Footprint Stipulation
News
Cryptocurrency
Movies
Documentaries
The
Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014) Follows early Bitcoin
adopter Daniel Mross, exploring Bitcoin’s origins,
its volatile rise, and the community behind it. Great
for understanding Bitcoin’s early days and its
potential to disrupt finance.
Banking
on Bitcoin (2016) Examines Bitcoin’s history,
ideological roots, and impact on global financial
systems through interviews with pioneers and experts.
A solid primer for newcomers.
Cryptopia:
Bitcoin, Blockchains, and the Future of the Internet
(2020)
Directed
by Torsten Hoffmann, this documentary dives into blockchain’s
broader applications beyond cryptocurrency, addressing
scalability and regulatory challenges. Ideal for those
interested in blockchain’s transformative potential.
Trust
Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018) Narrated by
Rosario Dawson, it explores blockchain’s societal
impact, from financial inclusion to voting systems.
A comprehensive look at real-world applications.
Bitcoin:
The End of Money as We Know It (2015) Traces the history
of money and introduces Bitcoin as a decentralized
alternative, critiquing centralized financial systems.
Features interviews with crypto experts.
Deep
Web (2015) Narrated by Keanu Reeves, this documentary
focuses on the Silk Road marketplace and its creator,
Ross Ulbricht, highlighting Bitcoin’s role in
dark web transactions.
Bitconned
(2024) Explores the Centra Tech crypto scam, detailing
how three individuals defrauded investors during the
2010s crypto boom. A cautionary tale about unregulated
markets.
Feature
Films
Crypto
(2019) A crime thriller starring Beau Knapp, Luke
Hemsworth, and Kurt Russell. It follows a young anti-money
laundering agent investigating corruption and cryptocurrency
in his hometown. Critics note its exaggerated portrayal
but praise its entertainment value.
Silk
Road (2021) A dramatization of Ross Ulbricht’s
creation of the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace
using Bitcoin. It explores his rise and fall, blending
crime and drama.
Dope
(2015) A coming-of-age comedy-drama featuring Bitcoin
as a plot device. High schooler Malcolm uses Bitcoin
for a dark web transaction, reflecting its early association
with illicit activities.
Bonus
Mentions
Life
on Bitcoin (2014): Follows a couple attempting to
live solely on Bitcoin for 100 days, showcasing early
adoption challenges.
Bitcoin
Heist (2016): A Vietnamese action-comedy about hackers
chasing a crypto criminal, blending humor and thrills.
Notes
Documentaries
are generally more educational, focusing on Bitcoin’s
history, blockchain technology, and real-world implications.
They’re great for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Feature
films often dramatize crypto’s association with
crime or scams, sometimes oversimplifying or exaggerating
for effect. They prioritize entertainment over accuracy.
For
a deeper dive, check streaming platforms like Prime
Video, Fandango at Home, or YouTube, where many of
these are available.
News
Wall
Street (Movie)
Wall
Street (1987), directed by Oliver Stone, is a drama
about ambition and greed in the 1980s financial world.
It follows Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), a young stockbroker
desperate to succeed, who gets entangled with Gordon
Gekko (Michael Douglas), a ruthless corporate raider.
Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is good,” drives
the story as Bud is lured into insider trading and
unethical deals, compromising his morals for wealth
and power. The film explores themes of capitalism,
loyalty, and betrayal, with Bud navigating pressures
from Gekko, his father (Martin Sheen), and his own
conscience.
Key
Details:
Cast:
Michael Douglas (Gordon Gekko), Charlie Sheen (Bud
Fox), Daryl Hannah (Darien Taylor), Martin Sheen (Carl
Fox). Runtime: 2h 6m. Genre: Drama/Crime. Rating:
R. Box Office: ~$44 million (US).
Awards:
Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Notable
Aspects:
Gekko’s
“Greed is good” speech is iconic, reflecting
1980s excess.
Inspired
by real-life figures like Ivan Boesky and Michael
Milken.
A
sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), continued
the story.
Where
to Watch (as of 2025):
Streaming:
Available on platforms like Peacock or rentable on
Amazon, YouTube, or Apple TV (check current availability).
Physical: DVD/Blu-ray via retailers like Amazon.
News
Gold,
copper, & silver: How metals are moving this year
Metal
futures have made some pretty dramatic moves lately
from safe haven gold to tariff sensitive copper. So
let's take a look at the longer term trends. I'm Jared
Blikre, host of Stocks in Translation. And I'm going
to start by charting some of the moves in Dr. Copper
because this is where we have the most zig and zags
over the last 25 years. So this goes back to the beginning
of the century and we can see right now, we're at
$5.51 per pound. That is a record high. But if we
go back to the beginning of the century, guess what?
Uh we had a little bit of a slump in the wake of the
dot com boom and then bust, but starting in 2003,
we saw a big rise there. And that was as China actually
joined the World Trade Organization or the WTO. That
lasted into the global financial crisis. Then we had
a pretty big bust in in Dr. Copper, and then we had
another rise. And that rise was due to unprecedented
stimulus, not only from the Chinese government, but
also from the United States government, QE was in
force, and then we saw kind of a strong dollar play.
That weighed on this metal all the way into the beginning
of 2016. The entire world, most of the world indices
went through a bear market in 2015, and then 2016,
we found the footing. And that was actually the year
that Trump won, began his first presidency. And from
there, we saw some zig and zags, and then we saw a
shock into the pandemic. A couple of, a couple of
years of deflation or a semi-deflation, disinflation,
that caught up with it in 2022, but then it was off
to the races again. And especially with the Trump
tariffs now on copper, threatening to be threatening
to be 50% on August 1st, we're seeing a lot of front
running in this trade. Now, I also want to show you
gold futures and I'm going to show you silver as well.
And they follow a very similar pattern. We're not
seeing the dramatic zig and zags that we did in copper,
but we did see the same pattern of China joining the
WTO, contributing to that huge rise in price to 1800,
almost $2,000 an ounce by the beginning of the global
financial crisis. So a little bit of a meltdown there.
But in 2016 into 2018, we saw a bit of a rise into
the pandemic, a little bit of a whipsaw there, and
consolidation over a few years. Again, that 2022 bare
market in US stocks that contributed to some deflation
and disinflation globally, supply chain chain shocks
came into force again, and then we saw this huge rise
beginning in late 2023, and we are now at 3353. We've
seen a high of as much as $3,500 per ounce. And gold
is kind of unique among the precious metals and also
the industrial metals, and this is because central
banks have been a huge determining force in their
buying of it. This is a bar chart that shows central
bank buying in tons going back all the way to 2010.
And what you notice here is the last three years,
2022, 2023, 2024, all of those had gold being bought
by central banks of in the amount of over 1,000 tons.
And so that's a pretty big dramatic increase from
the prior years. And this has to do with the ongoing
dedollarization in China, as well as Russia, but also
a host of other countries, even some in western and
eastern Europe. So this is a trend that we want to
follow. Uh, I want to close out here with silver,
and I'm going to just chart the price action. Again,
very similar chart to gold and copper in terms of
the big movements here. We saw a big price spike into
almost $50 per ounce, and that was just as the global
financial crisis was getting underway. And then the
QE area in 2011, that's when we saw that high. Then
we saw a dramatic, dramatic crash into 2016, kind
of found its footing, saw a big squeeze in the early
pandemic, 2020 was a great year for silver, but then
we saw a little bit of a fallout. And again, silver
is on the rise here at $38. It's still off of that
$50 record high, but it is increasing very quickly.
To round out the conversation, I want to just put
on a table here. I have all three medals and just
kind of grouping them together. I want to display
how they are moving with their specific patterns with
a trigger, and then to tell you which one of these
is featured in these specific criteria. So here, under
the pattern, we have acceleration. So that would be
an economic acceleration. The trigger would be liquidity.
And when that happens, we see all metals benefiting
from that. And then when there's a safe haven scare,
and that trigger would be a crisis of some sorts,
you're going to see gold and silver outperforming
the most, kind of leaving Dr. Copper behind. And then
here's a bearish one, industrial drags, that affects
copper disproportionately here, and the trigger there
is typically a stronger US dollar because the US dollar
surges when global global industrials tend to drag,
and that's because the US is the least dirty shirt
in the laundry basket of the world. And then finally
here, we have a policy shock. This will affect all
three medals, but especially copper and gold here.
Um, arguably, the biggest reason is tariffs and debt,
and we've seen both of those contribute to silver
rising. So we could put all three in that basket as
well. But when you put it all together, we have the
perfect explosive mix for all three of these metals,
including palladium and also platinum, which we didn't
get to have time for, but all of these are experiencing
huge thrust in 2025. And we'll have to see how these
tariffs play out, especially on Dr. Copper with respect
to that August 1st deadline. Remember, 50% there.
So tune into Stocks in Translation for more jargon
busting deep dives, new episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays
on Yahoo Finances website, or wherever you find your
podcast. (Transcript from Yahoo! Finance podcast)
News
Best
Quotes
An
investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
— Benjamin Franklin
"Bottoms
in the investment world don't end with four-year lows;
they end with 10- or 15-year lows." — Jim
Rogers
Be
fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when
others are fearful." — Warren Buffett
Media
Man
"Everything
is a gamble" Greg Tingle, Media Man Group
Streaming
Media Industry Disruptions Continue
Additional
Mergers And Acquisitions Forecast
Live
Sport Major Draw As Per Netflix
Compelling
Storylines And Series Keeps Audience Coming Back For
More As Per WWE
Combat
Sports Storytelling And Talent Elevation As Per Dana
Whites Contenders Series
Free
Services With Ads Supported Has Taken Some Audience
As Per Tubi
YouTube
Cemented As Major Challenge To Netflix
Paramount's
Quality And Iconic Movies Keep Them Valuable Commodity,
Despite Bottom Line Loss
X
Corp's X Platform One To Watch For Major Industry
Disruption; WWE Speed Deal With WWE Just A Minor Preview
Of What's On The Cards
Mining,
Resources, Energy, Markets,News: Australia and World
June
30, 2025
War,
tariffs, growth slump take $33bn toll on miners
The
Department of Industry, Science & Resources has
forecast that Australia's resources export earnings
will fall to $369bn in 2025-26, compared with an estimated
$385bn in the current financial year. The quarterly
resources and energy report also forecasts that the
sector's export earnings will fall to $352bn in 2026-27.
The report notes a number of risks for the sector,
including geopolitical tensions, the Trump administration's
tariffs regime and slowing global economic growth.
The report forecasts that iron ore export earnings
will fall by $11bn to $104.8bn in 2025-26; however,
gold shipments are expected to rise by $10bn to $56bn,
and become the nation's third-biggest resources export
in 2025-26. (RMS)
News
Iran
could resume uranium enrichment 'in a matter of months',
UN nuclear watchdog says
International
Atomic Energy Agency director-general Rafael Grossi
says Iran might be able to resume uranium enrichment
'in a matter of months', despite the US and Israeli
attacks on several of its nuclear facilities. There
have also been questions as to whether Iran was able
to relocate some or all of its estimated 408.6-kilogram
(900-pound) stockpile of highly enriched uranium before
the attacks, with Grossi admitting to CBS News that
"we don't know where this material could be".
Iran has decided to suspend co-operation with the
IAEA, and has Grossi's request for a visit to the
damaged facilities. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Rio
Tinto puts hunt for CEO on fast-track
Sources
have indicated that Rio Tinto is likely to announce
the successor to CEO Jakob Stausholm after its half-year
results are released on 30 July. The resources group
has commenced the process of interviewing and assessing
the shortlisted candidates for the role; the leading
internal contenders include chief commercial officer
Bold Baatar and the head of iron ore, Simon Trott.
Stausholm revealed plans to step down in May, prompting
speculation that he had been pushed out. Rival BHP
is said to be preparing for the eventual departure
of CEO Mike Henry. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Beach
touted as Narrabri buyer
Citi
has stated that regulators might require Santos to
divest its undeveloped Narrabri gas field in NSW in
order for them to approve its $30 billion takeover
by Abu Dhabi's XRG consortium. It comes as XRG was
given an exclusive four-week period of due diligence
on Friday to progress its bid for Santos, while the
Kerry Stokes-backed Beach Energy is seen as a potential
buyer for the Narrabri gas field, which contains an
estimated 1,500 petajoules of gas. Potential daily
production of 200 terajoules is equivalent to half
of NSW's current gas consumption. (RMS)
News
June
26, 2025
Australia
sues China-linked rare earths investors
Treasurer
Jim Chalmers has lodged Federal Court action against
Indian Ocean International Shipping & Service
for breaching Australian foreign investment laws;
action is also being taken against a former unnamed
associate of the firm. The company is one of five
foreign investors with links to China that Chalmers
ordered in 2024 to divest their shares in rare earth
miner Northern Minerals due to national interest concerns,
with Chalmers' legal action against Indian Ocean International
Shipping & Service said to be the first of its
kind. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day
The
best and biggest gold mine is in between your ears."
"You
are a gold mine of potential power. You have to dig
to find it and make it real."
"Your
mind is like a gold mine, if you dig deep you will
find something golden."
"Don't
die without mining the gold in your mind."
"We're
like goldfields. Until we dig deep to find what's
inside us, our true potentials may be hidden forever."
"If
you want to find gold, you've got to love the process
of digging."
"Even
if you're sitting on a gold mine, you still have to
dig."
"Develop
men the same way gold is mined"
"Don't
go into the mine looking for dirt; instead, go in
looking for the gold."
"A
prospector's job is to remove dirt as quickly as possible"
"A
prospector who analyzes every speck of dirt won't
find much gold"
"The
world is sitting on a gold mine but knows it not."
"Make
new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these
are gold."
"All
that is gold does not glitter."
"Gold
is forever. It is beautiful, useful, and never wears
out"
"Gold
is the money of kings"
"Mining
is the art of exploiting mineral deposits at a profit.
An unprofitable mine is fit only for the sepulcher
of a dead mule."
"Anyone
can find the dirt in someone. Be the one that finds
the gold."
"True
gold fears no fire."
"The
desire of gold is not for gold. It is for the means
of freedom and benefit."
"Make
new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these
are gold."
"When
taken for granted, gold in one's hand is sometimes
considered like cheap copper – so are people."
News
Gold
holds decline as ceasefire saps haven demand
Gold
held a decline as a shaky Iran-Israel ceasefire appeared
to hold, reducing demand for haven assets. Bullion
was near $US3330 an ounce, after closing down 1.3
per cent on Tuesday. The truce between Israel and
Iran continued after US President Donald Trump lashed
out at both sides for early breaches. Geopolitical
uncertainties, along with Trump’s aggressive
trade policy and central bank buying, have spurred
a 27 per cent advance in gold this year. The rally
has lost momentum over the last couple of months,
however, with bullion mostly trading between $US3300
and $US3400 an ounce. Spot gold rose 0.2 per cent
to $US3330.85 an ounce in Asian trading. The Bloomberg
Dollar Spot Index was flat. Silver was steady, while
platinum and dipped.
News
Bonus
Gold
by Spandau Ballet
Producers:
Steve Jolley & Tony Swain
Music
Video: Gold
https://youtube.com/watch?v=VQ4qrcHyYj4
[Verse
1]
Thank
you for coming home
Sorry that the chairs are all worn
I left them here I could have sworn
These are my salad days
Slowly being eaten away
Just another play for today
Oh, but I'm proud of you, but I'm proud of you
Nothing left to make me feel small
Luck has left me standing so tall
[Chorus]
Gold (gold)
Always
believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible, always believing
You are gold (gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
There's something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing
[Verse
2]
After
the rush has gone I hope you find a little more time
Remember we were partners in crime
It's only two years ago
The man with the suit and the face
You knew that he was there on the case
Now he's in love with you, he's in love with you
And love is like a high prison wall
And you could leave me standing so tall
[Chorus]
Gold
(gold) Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know You're indestructible,
always believing
You are gold (gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing
[Bridge]
Love
is like a high prison wall
You could leave me standing so tall
[Chorus]
Gold
(gold) Always believe in your soul
You
got the power to know You're indestructible, always
believing
You are gold (gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing (You are,
gold)
Always believe in your soul You've got the power to
know
You're indestructible, always believing 'Cause you
are gold (gold)
I'm glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing (gold)
[Verse
1]
Thank
you for coming home
Sorry that the chairs are all worn
I left them here I could have sworn
These are my salad days
Slowly being eaten away
Just another play for today
Oh, but I'm proud of you, but I'm proud of you
Nothing left to make me feel small
Luck has left me standing so tall
[Chorus]
Gold
(gold) Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible, always believing
You are gold (gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
There's something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing
[Verse
2]
After
the rush has gone I hope you find a little more time
Remember we were partners in crime
It's only two years ago
The man with the suit and the face
You knew that he was there on the case
Now he's in love with you, he's in love with you
And love is like a high prison wall
And you could leave me standing so tall
Gold
$US3329.90 an ounce at 6.41am AEDT
US oil +0.5% to $US62.26 a barrel at 8.42am AEDT
Brent Crude Oil +0.1% to $US67.78 a barrel
Iron ore -1% at $US94.52 a ton
10-year yield: US 4.24% Australia 4.1% Germany 2.57%
News
Gold
once again approaches a cliff edge
The
Israel and Iran ceasefire has reduced demand for gold
as a safe-haven asset. The precious metal failed to
break out of the medium-term consolidation range of
$3,100 to $3,400 per troy ounce and resume its upward
trend. This signals weakness among bulls and allows
Citigroup to predict a fall in prices below $3,000
in 2026. According to the bank, thanks to Donald Trump's
‘big and beautiful’ tax bill, the acceleration
of the US economy will push gold prices down. The
decrease in geopolitical risks will also contribute
to gold's decline.
Goldman
Sachs, on the other hand, maintains its forecast for
the precious metal to rise to $4,000. It cites the
insatiable appetite of central banks, the weakening
dollar, and the fall in US Treasury bond yields. Indeed,
the White House is keen on lower debt market rates
and a weaker currency. A recent survey by the World
Gold Council shows that 43% of central banks plan
to increase their bullion purchases over the next
12 months, up from just 29% a year ago.
The
recent de-escalation has once again tested gold's
support at its uptrend, marked by the 50-day moving
average. On Friday, sellers pushed the price below
this level, which passes through 3324, and are even
attempting to stabilise below 3300. In May, a sharp
movement managed to push the price back above this
line. However, this metric is now turning downward,
reflecting over two months of consolidation after
reaching recent highs.
All
signs indicate a potential repeat of the consolidation
seen in November-December last year, which laid the
groundwork for the subsequent rally. However, there
is also a high probability that the failure to break
through the $3500 level over the past two months signals
a global trend reversal. We await whether this will
mirror 2020, with a 20% correction in the next six
months and a two-year sideways movement or resemble
the nearly halving in gold prices from 2011 to 2015.
(FxPro)
News
ASX
dips on tech sell-off; lithium stocks rally
The
Australian sharemarket drifted lower on Thursday,
with the S&P/ASX 200 easing 0.1 per cent to close
at 8,550.8 points. Northern Star Resources fell 2.3
per cent to $18.84, Xero was down 5.3 per cent at
$184 and the Commonwealth Bank finished 0.4 per cent
lower at $190.71. However, Mineral Resources was up
3.6 per cent at $20.90 and DroneShield added 11.7
per cent to end the session at $2.39. (RMS)
News
'Not
the moment' for abandoned rare earths mega-merger,
says Lynas boss
A
merger of Lynas Rare Earths with MP Materials would
create a monopoly of rare earths in the Western world,
and the idea that they should merge has been previously
flagged. Lynas CEO Amanda Lacaze said on Wednesday
that she had been of the view that a merger of the
two was a good idea, but that for a "variety
of reasons, it didn't happen". Speaking on the
sidelines of a talk for the Western Australian Mining
Club, she said that there were no discussions between
Lynas and MP Materials about a merger at present.
She said that deals often have their moment, "and
now is not the moment, unfortunately", in terms
of one between the two companies. (Roy Morgan Summary)
News
Best
Quotes Of The Day
"The
best and biggest gold mine is in between your ears.
To find the gold, think deeply and think better."
"You
are a gold mine of potential power. You have to dig
to find it and make it real."
"Don't
die without mining the gold in your mind."
"We're
like goldfields. Until we dig deep to find what's
inside us, our true potentials may be hidden forever."
"Even
if you're sitting on a gold mine, you still have to
dig." Broadway Mining
"There's
a gold mine in you that must be exploited"
The
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings
Haikyuu!!
The Dumpster Battle
In
a Violent Nature
Ezra
Sight
*
Correct at time of publication
Movie
Box Office (North America)
August
18, 2024
1.
Alien: Romulus - $41.5m
2.
Deadpool & Wolverine - $29m
3.
It Ends with Us - $24m
4.
Twisters - $9.8m
5.
Coraline - $8.4m
6.
Despicable Me 4 - $6m
7.
Trap - $3.4m
8.
Inside Out 2 - $3.2m
9.
Stree 2 - $2.6m
10.
Borderlands - $2.4m
others...
Harold
and the Purple Crayon
Cuckoo
Longlegs
The
Firing Squad
A
Quiet Place: Day One
Bad
Boys: Ride or Die
The
Fabulous Four
Fly
Me to the Moon
Raayan
Bad
Newz
MaXXXine
The
Bikeriders
Sound
of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot
Horizon:
An American Saga
The
Lion King
Kalki
2898 AD
Kinds
of Kindness
The
Garfield Movie
Kingdom
of the Planet of the Apes
Jatt
& Juliet 3
Blue
Lock Thee Movie - Episode Nagi
Daddio
Janet
Planet
The
Watchers
IF
The
Exorcism
Thelma
GHOST
Rite Here Rite Now
Furiosa:
A Mad Max Story
The
Fall Guy
The
Strangers: Chapter 1
The
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings
Haikyuu!!
The Dumpster Battle
In
a Violent Nature
Ezra
Sight
*
Correct at time of publication
Movie
Box Office (North America)
August
4, 2024
1.
Deadpool & Wolverine - $97m
2.
Twisters - $22.7m
3.
Trap - $15.6m
4.
Despicable Me 4 - $11.3
5.
Inside Out 2 - $6.7m
6.
Harold and the Purple Crayon - $6m
7.
Longlegs - $4.1m
8.
The Firing Squad - $1.6m
9.
A Quiet Place: Day One - $1.4m
10.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die - $601,000
others...
The
Fabulous Four
Fly
Me to the Moon
Raayan
Bad
Newz
MaXXXine
The
Bikeriders
Sound
of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot
Horizon:
An American Saga
The
Lion King
Kalki
2898 AD
Kinds
of Kindness
The
Garfield Movie
Kingdom
of the Planet of the Apes
Jatt
& Juliet 3
Blue
Lock Thee Movie - Episode Nagi
Daddio
Janet
Planet
The
Watchers
IF
The
Exorcism
Thelma
GHOST
Rite Here Rite Now
Furiosa:
A Mad Max Story
The
Fall Guy
The
Strangers: Chapter 1
The
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings
Haikyuu!!
The Dumpster Battle
In
a Violent Nature
Ezra
Sight
*
Correct at time of publication
News
Box
office numbers down approx 70 percent from last year
(References:
Wikipedia, Box Office Mojo, IMDb, Deadline and The
Hollywood Reporter)
Elon
Musk’s X Files Antitrust Suit Against Global
Advertising Alliance
August
6, 2024
Elon
Musk’s social media platform X has launched a
significant antitrust lawsuit against the Global Alliance
for Responsible Media (GARM) and several of its member
companies, alleging an illegal ad boycott that targeted
the platform. The lawsuit, filed in Texas, is aimed
at GARM, its parent firm World Federation of Advertisers
(WFA), and members including CVS Health, Mars, Orsted
and Unilever.
In
an open letter to advertisers, X CEO Linda Yaccarino
highlighted the reasons behind the lawsuit, stating
that it was a direct response to GARM’s actions
which allegedly cost the company billions of dollars.
“This is not a decision we took lightly, but
it is a direct consequence of their actions,”
Yaccarino wrote. “The illegal behavior of these
organizations and their executives cost X billions
of dollars” per The New York Post.
The
lawsuit is seeking trebled compensatory damages and
injunctive relief, according to a complaint viewed
by The New York Post. GARM, led by Robert Rakowitz,
is an initiative of the WFA, which represents many
of the world’s largest companies and ad organizations,
including Disney and Coca-Cola. Its members control
90% of global marketing spending, nearly $1 trillion
per year.
Yaccarino
emphasized that the issue extends beyond financial
damages. “This case is about more than damages
— we have to fix a broken ecosystem that allows
this illegal activity to occur,” she added.
According
to The New York Post, the suit argues that the boycott
undermined the marketplace of ideas by financially
harming certain viewpoints over others. (Credit: PYMNTS)
PYMNTS
is a former Media Man 'Business News Outlet Of The
Month' award winner and finalist
News
Elon
Musk takes GARM, several companies to court over alleged
advertising boycott of X outlined in bombshell report
August
7, 2024
Tech
billionaire Elon Musk has taken several companies
and an advertising alliance to court over allegations
of a "boycott" of X.
Elon
Musk has waged “war” against advertisers
as his social media platform X filed an antitrust
lawsuit against a global ad alliance and several major
companies, accusing them of illegally boycotting the
site.
X
filed a suit in a federal court in Texas against the
World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), the Global
Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) and its members
CVS Health, Mars, Orsted and Unilever.
The
suit comes after a report from the US House of Representatives
Judiciary Committee found GARM and its members “directly
organised boycotts” and employed other indirect
tactics to target disfavoured “platforms, content
creators” and news organisations to demonetise
them.
It
alleges that GARM’s boycott led advertisers to
pull money from X under the guise of “brand safety”
concerns.
X’s
CEO Linda Yaccarino argued this tactic hindered users
on the social media platform from accessing a wide
breadth of ideas by funding alternative viewpoints.
“The
consequence - perhaps the intent - of this boycott
was to seek to deprive X’s users, be they sports
fans, gamers, journalists, activists, parents or political
and corporate leaders, of the Global Town Square,”
she wrote.
“To
put it simply, people are hurt when the marketplace
of ideas is undermined and some viewpoints are not
funded over others as part of an illegal boycott.”
Mr
Musk shared his colleague’s statement to the
platform and boldly declared: “We tried peace
for 2 years, now it is war.”
He
later encouraged “any company who has been systematically
boycotted” to file a suit.
Following
his post, video sharing platform Rumble joined Mr
Musk’s lawsuit, claiming it has also been impacted
towards GARM’s alleged skew away from right wing
voices and ideologies.
The
platform announced its move on X where it accused
GARM of being “a conspiracy to perpetrate an
advertiser boycott of Rumble and others, and that's
illegal”.
Since
Musk took over the social media platform in October
2022, X has suffered a serious dive in ad dollars
with the platform taking in US$2.5 billion in 2023,
according to Bloomberg.
This
was down from the US$1bn it was bringing in every
quarter of 2022.
Musk
triggered controversy again in November 2023 when
he endorsed an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that
Jewish communities push “hatred against whites”.
The
X owner responded: “You have said the actual
truth,” sparking an advertiser exodus that was
reported to have lost the company as much as $75m,
per The New York Times.
He
made headlines again in the same month after blasting
advertisers boycotting the social media platform,
boldly declaring: “Go f**k yourself”.
“If
somebody is going to try to blackmail me with advertising,
blackmail me with money, go f**k yourself. Go f**k
yourself. Is that clear? I hope it is,” he said.
(Sky News Australia)
Bitcoin:
$56,485.71 USD (up 3.10% in last 24 hours)
Dow
Jones: 38,997.66 at 5.02pm NY time (up 294.39 points
on yesterday's close)
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
News
Media
The
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Casino
Movie; Bruno Mars in Casino
Gonzo
Casino 'N Gaming Edition
Art
Imitates Life and Visa Versa
Everything
Is A Gamble
Casino
was my last good role, says iconic actress Sharon
Stone
Sharon
Stone has said she never got a good part again after
1995's Casino and described herself as "the invisible
actress".
The
Basic Instinct star, now a stunning 66, has since
appeared in films such as Catwoman, Lovelace and Basic
Instinct 2.
Stone
was passed over on snatching an Oscar for Martin Scorsese's
crime thriller Casino to Susan Sarandon in Dead Man
Walking.
Speaking
on high profile Louis Theroux Podcast, Stone disclosed
The Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola warned
her in advance that this would be the case.
She
said: "Francis put his hand on my shoulder and
he said: 'I need to talk to you.'
"He
said: 'You're not going to win the Oscar.'
'I
want you to feel like you're going to cry now. I don't
want you to cry in the room, and that's why I'm doing
this, and it feels so mean right now.
"'But
I didn't win for The Godfather and Marty didn't win
for Raging Bull, and you're not going to win for Casino."
Coppola
said none of them won because the Academy couldn't
"hear opera", she remembered.
"'This
is not the level of films they want," she remembers
him saying.
Discussing
attending the Oscars when she knew she was going to
lose, she said: "You have to pretend it's fantastic
and it's not fantastic.
"And
then I didn't get any good parts ever again for the
rest of my entire life."
When
Theroux replied: "That can't be true. I'm sure
there were other movies you did that were good,"
she replied: "No, and guess what? I hate it."
She
continued: "It's easier to say: 'She's cold',
or: 'I don't like her', or: 'She's difficult', or:
'She must be sick', or: 'She's too old', or that 'she's
hard to cast', or: 'We don't know what to do with
her.'
Stone
also touched on her experiences with disgraced and
vulgar producer Harvey Weinstein, who is in the clink
(jail) for sex offences and with whom she she crossed
paths at events for the Aids charity Amfar.
She
said: "I had a long time of dealing with Harvey
and I'm really glad that he's in prison and I think
he should stay there with the rest of the people who
are like him. Harvey's a pig. He's an octopus and
you're just always getting one of his tentacles off
you."
Asked
if she was too powerful for him to try to coerce into
sex, she said: "He would say things to me like:
'You know, you think you're such a princess, Sharon,'
as I would unwind him off me.
"And
I'd say: 'Yeah, I think I'm the queen of France. F***
off.'
"But
he was certainly comfortable with throwing me across
the room. He was physically violent to me on more
than one occasion because he was so angry at me because
I wouldn't do what he wanted me to do."
News
Work
Life Balancing Act For Mr Mars via MGM
News
Travels Fast Via Vegas Casinos, Cafe and Dance Floor
Bruno
Mars' shocking $50 million gambling debt report sparks
wild fan jokes: 'He is high on…'
Bruno
Mars owes millions to MGM casino for hefty poker debts,
risking long-term partnership
Bruno
Mars is renowned for lighting up the stage, but recent
reports alleging a staggering $50 million gambling
debt at the MGM Grand have fans buzzing for a different
reason.
In
2016, the singer-songwriter announced a 'multi-year
residency deal' with MGM Grand in Las Vegas. However,
the recent report suggests that the collaboration
between Mars and the gaming come hospitality and live
entertainment hybrid brand has gone south somewhat
due to mounting and almost unbelievable debt.
Bruno
Mars reportedly in $50 million debt to MGM Grand
On
March 16th, it was reported that Bruno Mars now owes
millions of dollars to the MGM casino after reportedly
accumulating hefty poker debts. The Talking to the
Moon singer had a multi-year residency agreement with
Park MGM in Las Vegas, where he performed on a regular
basis.
Citing
that MGM “basically owns him,” they continued,
“He earns $90 million a year from the casino
deal, but then he has to pay back his debt... after
taxes (Mars earns $1.5 million per night).”
What’s
going on between Bruno Mars and MGM Grand...
In
2016, it was announced that the hospitality industry
had entered into a long-term partnership with Mars,
which will feature his exclusive performances across
an extensive portfolio of world-class entertainment
venues. The president of MGM Grand delivered a statement
claiming, “Bruno is among the most talented performers
in the world and we are excited to start a long-term
relationship with him.” Now, the once mutual
relationship appears to have evolved into a feud due
to piled-up casino debts.
Bruno
Mars’ casino debt sparks meme frenzy
While
the 24K Magic singer has never shied away from admitting
that he supported himself by playing poker before
pursuing music, fans are shocked that news of his
casino debt has made its way onto the top of headlines.
“Bruno
Mars having $50 million gambling debt lets me know
his next album gonna be a classic, real degenerate.”
A user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Others chimed
in too, “Bruno Mars needs a movie about his life
cause ik my mans be wylin…
50
MILLION DOLLARS in GAMBLING DEBT?”,
“Bruno
Mars walking through MGM casino undercover trying
to avoid that $50m gambling debt”, “He is
high on debt”, “Bruno mars when the dealer
gets blackjack.”
Another
famous entertainer used to sing something about "Know
when to walk away; know when to run".. Was Bruno
listening, partying away, both or neither?
Life
in the fast lane. Everything is a risk - especially
in showbiz circles in a casino no less.
Casino,
Entertainment And Internet Rumors
Casino
And Entertainment Giant MGM Denies Claims Bruno Mars
Has Debt With Casino
‘Any
Speculation Otherwise Is Completely False’
MGM
Resorts came to Bruno Mars’ defense on Monday
after rumors circulated about the Grammy winner’s
debt with the casino.
In
the last week, a report from NewsNation made claims
and the rounds that Mr. Mars had racked up over $50
million in gambling debt at MGM. They cited an anonymous
source close to the situation that said Mars allegedly
made $90 million a year through his residencies at
MGM but was using a large chunk of that profit to
pay off his gambling debt. “[He will] only make
$1.5 million per night after taxes,” the report
claimed. (“MGM) basically own him,” they
added.
A
"spokesperson" for MGM Resorts International
told entertainment news staple Variety that these
allegations are “completely false” as Mars
has “no debt with MGM.”
“We’re
proud of our relationship with Bruno Mars, one of
the world’s most thrilling and dynamic performers,”
they wrote in a statement. “From his shows at
Dolby Live at Park MGM to the new Pinky Ring lounge
at Bellagio, Bruno’s brand of entertainment attracts
visitors from around the globe. MGM and Bruno’s
partnership is longstanding and rooted in mutual respect.
Any speculation otherwise is completely false; he
has no debt with MGM. Together, we are excited to
continue creating unforgettable experiences for our
guests.”
Representatives
for Mars declined Variety‘s request for comment
and redirected the inquiry to MGM’s previous
statement.
Mars
has been performing for Las Vegas residencies since
2016 and has a multi-year partnership with MGM Resorts.
In addition, Mars and the casino recently partnered
to launch the Pinky Ring cocktail bar and entertainment
lounge inside the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. The venue
features live performances, all curated by Mars.
The
chart-topping artiste’s last solo project was
24K Magic in 2016, which included hits such as That’s
What I Like and Versace On The Floor.
The
crypto market has been enjoying an influx of buyers
since Saturday, with a visible acceleration on Monday.
Over the past 24 hours, capitalisation has risen 3.6%
to $2.33 trillion. Last week’s drop in the crypto
sentiment index to 30 (fear zone) reversed the price
twice, showing that the market is dominated by a ‘buy
the dip’ pattern.
Bitcoin
is trading near $63.3K, adding 5% since Saturday morning
and reaffirming the importance of support at 61.8%
of the Jan-March rally. From another perspective,
Bitcoin is adding and bouncing off the lower boundary
of the downward channel. Likely, the price is now
moving towards the upper boundary at $67K. However,
cautious buyers may prefer to wait for confirmation
with the price rising above $72-73K - the pivot area
of the last four months - which would be confirmation
of the start of a new impulsive wave of growth.
Bitcoin
ended June down 8.5% to $61.9K. In terms of seasonality,
July is considered quite successful for BTC, adding
eight times (22.3% on average) out of the last 13
and declining on five occasions (-7.8% on average).
News
background
In
terms of on-chain analysis, quotes have crossed the
realised price level of short-term holders at $62,000,
which historically can act as support during corrections
in bull markets.
According
to Arkham data, German authorities sent another 595
BTC worth ~$36.6 million to crypto exchanges on 26
June. Authorities began actively moving the cryptocurrency
on 19 June, when some of it first hit the Kraken and
Bitstamp exchanges.
Bitwise
forecasts net inflows into spot ETH-ETFs in the US
of $15bn in the first 18 months. Bloomberg expects
trading in the new product to start on 2 July.
Solana
Foundation has launched tools that enable it to turn
any website or app into a gateway for cryptocurrency
payments and other blockchain transactions.
On
26 June, the Blast development team completed the
first phase of an airdrop, distributing 17 billion
BLAST tokens (17% of the total issuance). Blast is
an Ethereum-based layer 2 (L2) network that was launched
in November 2023 by Blur founder under the pseudonym
Pacman. In terms of blockchain value locked (TVL),
the Blast ecosystem is ranked sixth in the DeFi Llama
ranking with a value of $1.58bn.
9.
The American Society of Magical Negroes - $1.3 million
10.
Ordinary Angels - $1 million
Cryptocurrency
News via FxPro and Media Man - arch
18, 2024
Crypto
market deepens correction
Market
picture
The
crypto market lost 6% in 24 hours to $2.42 trillion.
Solana reversed Tuesday's decline, losing 9% in 24
hours - the last of the major altcoins to fall into
a correction.
Bitcoin
is down 5% after falling to $64.4K. That's its lowest
level in two weeks and 13.5% below its high. A close
below $65.5K would signal a move to a deeper level
– the classic 61.8% retracement of the rally
with a potential target near $60K.
Solana
had been above $210, reaching highs not seen since
late 2021 before following the general corrective
mood of the markets. A classic retracement pattern
suggests a downside potential of $168. However, if
this level is approached, one needs to look at bitcoin
sentiment and global risk appetite to understand whether
this support will be strong enough.
Ethereum
is under selling pressure and has already pulled back
to $3300, erasing all gains since early March. Having
fallen below the 61.8% retracement of the rise from
the January lows, ETHUSD can only hope for support
in the form of the 50-day average ($3080) and $3000
(previous consolidation, plus the round level).
News
background
According
to CoinShares, crypto fund investments rose by a record
$2.916B last week, surpassing the previous record
set the week before ($2.685B) and continuing significant
inflows for the seventh consecutive week. Bitcoin
investments increased by $2.896B; Ethereum decreased
by $14M, and Solana decreased by $2.7M. Investments
in funds that allow shorting Bitcoin increased by
$26M.
Bitcoin
is in a bullish phase of a cycle like December 2020-January
2021. The current correction is "healthy"
and removes some of the leverage in the system, said
http://Crypto.com CEO Chris Marszalek.
Rekt
Capital warned of a "danger zone" ahead
of the upcoming halving in April. Historically, bitcoin
has fallen weeks before the event. The depth of the
correction was 20% in 2020 and 40% in 2016.
According
to new data from Bitcointreasuries, 93.6% of total
bitcoins (19,656,760 BTC) have already been mined
as of mid-March 2024. Miners have only 1.34 million
BTC left to mine, significantly limiting the future
supply of the asset.
Ethereum
issuance fell to its lowest level since August 2022
following the activation of the crucial Dencun update
on 13 March, CryptoQuant noted. According to The Block,
the ETH network has reached annual highs in the number
of active and new addresses, daily transactions, and
transaction volume.
The
buzz around meme coins has boosted the token rate
of the networks on which they are issued. The Solana
(SOL) and Avalanche (AVAX) cryptocurrencies updated
local highs. In pre-selling, users send network tokens
to a wallet address in exchange for a corresponding
number of coins when the meme token is launched. Solana
has once again become the trendiest crypto asset among
traders, with new Meme tokens appearing almost every
minute, according to ContentFi Labs.
(Source:
FxPro) with Media Man and Bitcoin News Media
News
Media
Showbiz
News from Hollywood; Screenwriters reach tentative
deal with studios to end strike
The
show must go on - eventually, anyway! With or without
a dash of AI et al.
The
Writers Guild of America, which represents thousands
of Hollywood writers, advised Sunday PM that it has
reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with
the major entertainment studios, paving the way to
end the 146-day strike that has brought television
and film production to a standstill. That's right
- 146 days! That's some kind of record.
"The
WGA and [Alliance of Motion Picture and Television
Produces] have reached a tentative agreement,"
according to an online WGA statement that discloses
that more details will follow after the contract language
has been finalized...ink had dried, you know the drum.
Though
the AMPTP trade alliance of major film and television
producers has yet to comment on the development, WGA
described the contract to members in a letter as "exceptional."
It contains "meaningful gains and protections
for writers in every sector of the membership,"
it said.
The
roughly 11,000 writers were demanding "economic
fairness," streaming-service residuals and regulation
on the use of AI (artificial intelligence) - take
that, you bots!
"What
we have won in this contract ... is due to the willingness
of this membership to exercise its power, to demonstrate
its solidarity, to walk side-by-side, to endure the
pain and uncertainty of the past 146 days. It is the
leverage generated by your strike, in concert with
the extraordinary support of our union siblings, that
finally brought the companies back to the table to
make a deal," it said.
The
language of the contract was being finalized, it said,
with guild members to vote on whether to accept it
in the coming days.
Union
members are being advised that "no one is to
return to work" unless specifically authorized
by the guild.
"We
are still on strike until then," it said, though
it was suspending picketing.
The
Hollywood writers went on strike early May after negotiations
with the studios and streaming services fell through,
following six weeks of talks, which brought a halt
to television productions.
Many
insiders as well as regular consumers of streaming
media shows and other had noticed a dive in overall
quality.
In
mid-July, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation
of Television and Radio Artists joined the movement,
shutting down any active studio productions.
The
deal announced late Sunday does not mean the resumption
of Hollywood productions, as SAG-AFTRA members remain
on the picket lines, and WAG is encouraging its members
to join in the actors' fight.
SAG-AFTRA
issued a statement congratulating WGA on the deal
it said it would review.
"We
remain on strike in our TV/Theatrical contract and
continue to urge the studio and streamer CEOs and
the AMPTP to return to the table and make the fair
deal that our members deserve and demand," it
said.
The
agreement was reached following a recent breach in
a stalemate in negotiations, which began about mid-August.
The
two sides were quiet until Sept. 14, when they said
they had agreed to return to the negotiating table,
and they have been hashing out a deal since Wednesday.
"After
a nearly five-month long strike, I am grateful that
the Writers Guild of American and the Alliance of
Motion Picture and Television Producers have reached
a fair agreement and I'm hopeful that the same can
happen soon with the Screen Actors Guild," Los
Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement.
"Now,
we must focus on getting the entertainment industry,
and all the small businesses that depend on it, back
on their feet and stronger than every before."
The
strike, which has waylaid productions for months,
has hurt the bottom line of studios, with Warner Bros.
Discovery telling the Securities and Exchange Commission
earlier this month in a filing that the strikes have
"negatively impacted" the company by a cost
of up to $500 million. Some folks in and around the
biz are pleased that that likes of a somewhat "woke
and broken" Disney had lost so much money.
Under
the watercooler Media heard, "More about fairness,
distribution of funds, and a fair days pay for a fair
days work. We showed the world and this script kind
of wrote itself"!
If
99pc of start-ups fail, how do AirTree and Blackbird
make money?
Starting
an ambitious technology company is undeniably hard,
but fresh data suggests failure rates aren’t
as high as parts of the industry say.
On
a darkened screen, a line of text lays out the stakes
for The New Hustle, a 2017 documentary series: “Over
92 per cent of start-ups fail. What separates those
who don’t?”
Six
years later, the production company behind that feature,
Founder Films, was back with a new documentary series
called Founder on the same topic. This time, the odds
seemed to be stacked even higher against start-up
founders. “Ninety-nine per cent of start-ups
fail,” the on-screen text from the documentary
reads.
Apparently,
those six years were a grim time for start-ups, whose
founders were portrayed as valorous figures surmounting
almost impossible odds. Yet between 2017 and early
2022, start-up funding soared in Australia, giving
even questionable firms war chests of cash to sustain
their dreams for years.
Statistics
requested by The Australian Financial Review from
the country’s biggest tech venture investors
suggest many more start-up companies are staying afloat
than the most heightened founder mythology suggests.
The
disparate figures reflect an industry that does not
have a uniform definition of failure even as commentators
contend that failure is discussed too harshly, or
too much, or not enough. And they show how failure
rates are deployed to either showcase investment performance
or valorise founders.
Startmate,
the long-running accelerator, has reported that 63
per cent of the more than 230 companies it has a stake
in are still active. AirTree Ventures, the large Sydney-based
fund that was founded in 2014, said its failure rate
– defined using the fairly common rule of investments
where it has got back less than it invested –
is lower than 20 per cent. Company closures in its
portfolio are even lower, at less than 3 per cent.
Blackbird
Ventures, meanwhile provided data from its first fund,
raised in 2013, where 25 per cent of the companies
have closed down, compared with the same number of
exits and 10 that are still operating. Square Peg,
the third major Australian venture fund, did not make
any data available.
Better
than regular businesses
Those
start-up failure rates compare fairly favourably to
the economy as a whole. For the past four years, failure
rates for all Australian businesses with staff have
hovered around 8 per cent, according to data from
the Bureau of Statistics.
But
unlike small-business investors who want to preserve
capital and grow slowly, venture capitalists bet on
a host of companies hoping a small percentage will
become enormously valuable in the knowledge many will
fail.
That
has led some start-up industry figures such as Finder
founder Fred Schebesta to argue some high-profile
failures should be celebrated to avoid discouraging
founders.
James
Alexander, a partner at early-stage investor Galileo
Ventures, said he did not support the idea of “celebrating”
failure, though he acknowledged that founding a business,
whether small business or start-up, was very hard.
“Do
I think failure is positive? No, I don’t,”
Mr Alexander said. “I don’t think [failures]
are positive, but I don’t think they’re
anywhere near as bad as people make them out to be.”
Mr
Alexander’s portfolio has four failures, defined
as firms shut down or sold that returned less than
invested capital, out of 18 bets. But he said that
if one of those surviving companies became a super
valuable firm akin to Google, “No one’s
going to mind if we lose money on five, 25 or 30 per
cent of the investments or even more.”
Founder
Films, owned by the founder of $2.7 billion start-up
SafetyCulture Luke Annear, declined to comment on
its figures, but a spokesman pointed to a 2012 Wall
Street Journal article reporting Harvard research
that 95 per cent of start-ups fail to hit projected
figures. The 92 per cent failure rate number is also
all over the internet, with the figure derived from
a 2011 report by an organisation called Startup Genome
that no longer appears online.
Mr
Alexander said that high failure rate figures were
a reflection of the way venture firms sought out exceptional
results.
“When
people throw out these things like ‘90per cent
of businesses fail’, I think usually they mean
90 per cent of businesses never become big,”
Mr Alexander said.
Murray
Hurps, who runs the industry survey project Startup
Muster, did not provide data on failure rates because
the varying definitions make it hard to collect. But
he said that average failure levels were not as useful
as understanding the proposition of investing or building
an individual firm.
“There
are many kinds of lower risk, technology-enabled entrepreneurial
pursuits that entrepreneurs should be considering,
and more today than there ever were before,”
Mr Hurps said.
What
Lachlan Murdoch told fundies in Sydney two weeks ago
- September 23, 2023
Lachlan
Murdoch’s been in and around Australian business
circles for most of his working life, but had little
to do with the country’s big investors. Until
a few weeks ago.
A
couple of weeks ago, Lachlan Murdoch, 52, broke cover
with Australia’s investor ranks.
Not
one to normally front Australia’s fund managers
on roadshows, Murdoch was the headline attraction
at a small and private dinner held only a few kilometres
from his home in Sydney’s inner-east.
The
small crowd were all fund managers – big name
stock pickers from the larger institutional equities
shops in Sydney – most of who had little to do
with Murdoch or his father Rupert over the years,
and some of who had never met him despite him being
in and out of Australian business circles his whole
working life.
Murdoch
spoke off the cuff. There were no notes or powerpoint
slides, no script and no minders, just an update on
the family’s two businesses News Corporation
and Fox Corporation, and where he wanted to take them.
Perhaps
playing to the small crowd, he repeatedly stressed
he was 100 per cent focused on creating shareholder
value, according to those at the dinner. It was a
friendly crowd; money is the name of the game in funds
management, and fund managers tend to bow down to
billionaires. He was valued at $3.35 billion on this
year’s AFR Rich List.
He
was clearly proud some of the investments he had overseen
– high growth and conviction bets like News Corp’s
$13 billion stake in REA Group, student loans business
Credible and streaming business Tubi Corporation for
example – and gave the impression of a hands-on
and pretty passionate senior executive.
He
travels back to US head office every second week from
his home in Sydney, where his children go to school.
When he’s in Sydney, he tends to work New York
hours. That’s the sort of stuff that top Sydney
money managers are glad they do not have to worry
about.
There
were no hints about what was to come and fund managers
left the dinner not knowing that only a few weeks
later, Murdoch would finally get the keys to his father
Rupert’s News Corporation.
He
was announced as News Corp’s executive chairman
on Thursday night, the same role he holds at sister
company Fox Corporation, while his 92-year-old father
would step off the board and become chairman emeritus
of both companies.
Changing
of the guard
Lachlan
Murdoch’s succession may end a tumultuous 12
months for the family’s two companies. This time
last year, the Murdochs were planning to reunite their
News Corp and Fox businesses, calling it the next
logical step of the strategy that led the media billionaires
to sell entertainment giant 21st Century Fox to Disney
in 2017 for $US52 billion.
It
was about bringing together live sport and news, two
things that consumers want immediately and are arguably
less discretionary than TV entertainment and movies
– but the deal was off a few months later called
“not optimal for shareholders of News Corp and
Fox at this time”.
In
reality, it also faced considerable backlash from
investors including Sydney-based Airlie Funds Management,
who didn’t want to see News Corp combined with
Fox. News Corp owns the company’s stake in REA
and Move in the United States, Foxtel in Australia,
Dow Jones and HarperCollins, among other businesses,
and trades at a significant discount to its asset
backing.
Soon
after, it also abandoned talks to sell its US digital
real estate business Move for about $US3 billion ($4.4
billion).
Murdoch’s
comments from the dinner were ringing through those
fund managers’ heads on Friday, as they tried
to work out what it meant for the future of the family’s
media empire.
It
was a timely introduction to a man who’s well
known in media circles – there are plenty of
former News Corp executives who’ll give their
two cents worth and recount fronting him when they
hadn’t made budget or wanted money for something
– but less in local markets.
Those
close to him say he’s been fronting investors
in the US for a while, just not Australia. Fox Corp
isn’t listed in Australia, while News’ ASX-listing
is small.
One
thing that stuck in the Australian fund managers’
heads were Murdoch’s remarks about M&A.
He
said large media sector deals were hard to get past
the antitrust regulator in the United States –
which is similar to deals in every concentrated sector
(banking, energy, tollroads) in Australia.
So,
investors are thinking there is unlikely to be any
giant strategic pivot in the near to medium term,
at least, although are fully aware that deals (big
and small) have been a big part of the family business
under Rupert Murdoch and Lachlan has been at the table
for plenty of them.
“Evolution
not revolution” is how his backers were putting
it on Friday, pointing out that he’s done a long
apprenticeship under his father at News Corp and has
been Fox executive chairman since 2105 (it was 21st
Century Fox before a $US50 billion sale of its film
production business to Disney) . It is still all about
news, sport and digital, and looking forwards not
backwards.
Closing
the gap in value
The
ASX-listed shares were up 1.9 per cent to $32.25 in
Friday afternoon trade.
Murdoch
junior’s most notable was paying about $10 million
for a 44 per cent stake in realestate.com.au (later
REA Group), following a direct approach from Sydney
real estate agent and company director John McGrath,
while others for the company include Credible, where
loans are up three-times since News Corp’s acquisition,
Tubi, which has tripled subscribers.
Of
course, it has not been all winners. He’s still
remembered for One.Tel, a telecommunications company
that collapsed in 2001, and Channel Ten owner Ten
Network Holdings, which went into administration in
2017. News Corp’s betting play is also in trouble.
One
of his loudest supporters in Australian markets is
Sydney stockbroker Angus Aitken, who is known for
backing family-led businesses and was quick to tell
clients that News Corp was in good hands.
“Lachlan
Murdoch has the same entrepreneurial genes as his
Dad and has zero to prove, he already has proved himself
in spades,” he said in a 1400 word note to fund
managers that hit inboxes as the sun rose over Sydney
Harbour.
“Anyone
who has heard Lachlan talk about these businesses
knows he knows these businesses inside out and knows
how to allocate capital and back people within these
firms with that capital for the long term.”
He
said Rupert Murdoch had turned a three-paper tiddler
into $US100 billion of assets, if you add the market
capitalisations of News and Fox (about $US30 billion)
and some of the big asset sales (c$US70 billion).
“It is hard to think of anyone who will replicate
that in life.”
Lachlan
Murdoch will likely struggle to create anywhere near
that much value, but he also doesn’t have to.
Investors will be happy enough if he can close the
discount between New Corp’s share price and asset
value – which funds like Melbourne’s L1
Capital have talked about for years. That discount
was so glaring that stockbroker UBS for a while was
putting out a regulator News Corp note, pointing out
the difference between the sum of its parts and share
price.
The
bigger news on Friday was the end of the Rupert Murdoch-era,
after a career stretching seven decades. Lachlan’s
ascension to the top of both companies was telegraphed
by his father in the past few years. Second son James
moved to the fringes of the family business after
the Fox/Disney deal in 2019.
'Take
it over’: Perth lands WWE’s first Aussie
event in six years - September 23
One
of the world’s biggest sporting organisations
is coming back to Australia for the first time since
taking over the MCG in 2018.
The
WWE will return to Australian shores for the first
time since 2018 in February after the Elimination
Chamber event was announced for Perth’s Optus
Stadium.
After
months of speculation, the sports entertainment behemoth
announced that the 60,000 seat stadium would host
the live event on Saturday February 24.
Stream
Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. Join
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The
last time the WWE came down under was in 2018 when
the Super-Show Down took over the MCG with Ronda Rousey
stunning a packed house before Triple H pinned The
Undertaker.
In
the meantime, Aussie Rhea Ripley has become one of
the sports’ biggest names and is expected to
star as the WWE comes back to Australia, while Grayson
Walker is also a near certainty to fight.
While
the schedule has not yet been released, it will culminate
in at least one six-man cage match with some of the
promotion’s biggest names set to visit just one
month out from WrestleMania 40.
Wrestlers
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods joined WA Premier Roger
Cook for the announcement.
“These
are set to be the hottest tickets in town and fans
can pre-register and secure their spot from today,”
Cook said.
“We
expect the premium live event at Optus Stadium will
be a sellout with thousands of east coast and international
fans flocking to Perth, Western Australia to witness
this exclusive show.”
The
show is expected to reach an audience of one billion
people worldwide and Kingston, who is one of the members
of The New Day alongside Woods and Big E, said the
Elimination Chamber could “totally change the
trajectory of whatever is going on in the WWE landscape”.
“Two
combatants enter and there are four pods with the
other combatants within them,” Woods added.
“As
time passes, one of those pods will open until all
of their combatants are inside of the ring.
“And
then the match officially begins and you lose by pinfall
or submission until there is one combatant standing
and they are the winner.
“And
the reason that this is so intense is because you
are waiting for people to get into this match.”
The
wrestlers involved are expected to have community
activations and meet-and-greets with fans, and Kingston
said they “really come into a town and take it
over”.
The
WWE has recently merged with the UFC, which had a
massive show earlier this year in Perth when Alexander
Volkanovski lost a controversial bout to Islam Makhachev
for the lightweight title.
Expend4bles
A
new generation of stars join the world's top action
stars for an adrenaline-fueled adventure in Expend4bles.
Reuniting as the team of elite mercenaries, Jason
Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, and Sylvester
Stallone are joined for the first time by Curtis "50
Cent" Jackson, Megan Fox, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais,
Jacob Scipio, Levy Tran, and Andy Garcia. Armed with
every weapon they can get their hands on and the skills
to use them, The Expendables are the world's last
line of defense and the team that gets called when
all other options are off the table. But new team
members with new styles and tactics are going to give
"new blood" a whole new meaning.—Lionsgate
The
Unbreakable Bunch
An
Alien Force Came To Conquer - They Had No Idea This
Bunch Was In Town.
Producers
Ray “Glacier” Lloyd and Steve Luther Wilson,
aka “Big Sexy” Luther Biggs, trained at
the Power Plant and broke into the business about
the same time. A decade ago, the two started talking
about a movie.
“We
had this idea,” says Lloyd, “What if a bunch
of pro wrestlers had to step out of their wrestling
world and into a fantasy world where they have to
battle aliens?”
“We’re
both big fans of The Magnificent Seven, The Wild Bunch,
The Dirty Dozen, and The Professionals. They were
all ensemble casts, and most of them were somewhat
diverse. We thought, ‘What if we could make a
movie like that and celebrate the wrestling business?’”
Most
wrestling movies either focus on the dark side, or
they go for the campy humor,” says Lloyd. “They
make movies like The Wrestler, which was very good
and yes, that is how some guys turn out. Or they make
fun of wrestling and wrestling fans. We wanted to
celebrate what’s great about being a wrestling
fan and what’s fun about the business without
making fun of it. We didn’t think that anyone
else was going to make a movie like that, and even
if they did, they probably wouldn’t get it right.”
“The
story changed a lot from that first draft, but we
tried to stay true to the essence of the characters
and what they stood for,” explains Lloyd.
Ernest
“The Cat” Miller
Stan
Hansen
Tonga
Uli’uli Fifita, aka Haku, aka Meng
Larry
Zbyszko
Diamond
Dallas Page
David
“Gangrel” Heath.
“An
ensemble cast like this has never been done in a wrestling
film.” says Lloyd. “We also worked with
some great actors we cast in the non-wrestling roles.
Nicholas Logan did a tremendous job in our movie,
and he’s had some great roles before and after
The Unbreakable Bunch. I’m excited to see where
his career goes.”
“These
are men like us who have their life together,”
says Lloyd. “They have good jobs, a nice home.
You also see how these guys come together to put on
a show. It’s a team effort, whether it’s
for one night or a tour. Then they all go their separate
ways. That’s something we’ve never seen
in a movie about wrestling, and we wanted to portray
that.”
“Wrestling
is at its best when everyone can enjoy it,” says
Lloyd. “A lot of the fans I meet at shows and
convention are grown ups who were kids when I was
first on TV. Now they’re bringing their kids
because they want the next generation to enjoy wrestling
like they did. There’s definitely some action,
but we kept it to a PG or PG-13 level. We really want
families to enjoy this picture, even if they don’t
watch wrestling.”
“We
want this movie to be something that wrestlers and
wrestling fans will be proud to recommend to people,”
says Lloyd. “At the end of the day, it’s
about camaraderie, loyalty, friendship. It’s
about the noble side of professional wrestling.”
WWE
Hall of Famer Larry Zbyszko via aQ&A on AdFreeShows.com.
In addition to taking fan questions, he also talked
about the movie, “The Unbreakable Bunch”
that Ernest Miller, himself, and several other wrestlers
are in:
"Ray
Lloyd, Luther Biggs, had been working their butts
off for some years to get this movie going. They wrote
it, and then they had to get financed. At the end
of 2009, we filmed it and it really came out great.
I mean, it's a movie about wrestlers saving a town
from aliens, but it's not a wrestling movie. It's
kind of a science fiction action movie with emotion
and you'll find yourself laughing when you don't expect
to. I mean, it was really well done. It's a family
friendly movie. Nothing dirty, nothing raunchy. I
mean, if you're not a wrestling fan, you're gonna
love it too because it's not about wrestling. But
it was really well done. I've been dying to see it.
As soon as we finished it, like at the end of 2019
right before Christmas, a couple of months later this
stupid COVID hit and slowed it down a little bit with
the editing, but there was the guy alone editing in
the booth. So it's finally all done with the editing
and the sound and the music and the special effects,
and I hear it's going to come out October 13th. I
can't wait to see it."
Zbyszko
talking about two movies he should have been in:
"I
should have been in two big movies. I'll tell you
a story quickly. Alright, 1976 or something I was
wrestling in California a little bit. I was wrestling
a man and I got a message to talk to some producer
in the audience. So after the match, I went to talk
to this guy. He said, 'Hey, I'm making my first movie.
It's a low budget movie, but I'd like to have you
in it because I like the way you look and move.' So
I said, 'Okay.' So I went down to his office which
turned out to be a crap hole and got a script and
read it and I'm going, oh my God. Three weeks in the
desert shooting this movie for hardly any money for
the guy's independent little movie. It's eating babies
and stuff. I said, 'Oh God.' So I nicely told the
guy I couldn't do it. I was busy. It turned out the
guy's name was West Craven and it was his first movie,
'The Hills Have Eyes.' It became a classic and I'm
supposed to be it."
"Then
some years ago in like the mid 80s or something. I
got a message at the NWA office to call Jerry Reed.
I'm thinking Jerry Reed? The only Jerry Reed I know
is the country western singer, unless it's Jerry Reed
the IRS guide. So I call this number and it's Jerry
Reed the singer. He says, 'Son, you're my favorite
guy.' We talked and he wanted me to be in the last
Smokey and the Bandit movie they were going to make
because Jackie Gleason just died and they wanted me
to play the part of a young a**hole sheriff after
the bandit in the last movie. But right when they
were going to do the last movie, that's when Burt
Reynolds went off the deep end taking all the Halcyon
pills and getting divorced from Loni and getting wiped
out, so they never made the movie. So I was supposed
to be in the Hills Have Eyes and the last Smokey and
the Bandit never happened, but The Unbreakable Bunch,
I'm in like the whole movie and I can't wait to see
the thing."
AEW
WrestleDream - October 1, 2023
Broadcast
into Australia via FITE
Bryan
Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Hangman
Page vs. Swerve Strickland
AEW
Tag Team Champions FTR defend against Aussie Open
ROH
Tag Team Champions Adam Cole & MJF defend against
The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch)
NJPW
Strong & ROH World Champion Eddie Kingston defends
both titles against ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata
TNT
Champion Christian Cage defends against Darby Allin
in a two out of three falls match
TBS
Champion Kris Statlander defends against Julia Hart
Will
Ospreay, Konosuke Takeshita, and Sammy Guevara vs.
Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, and Chris Jericho
Additional
matches have been added to next Sunday's AEW WrestleDream
card.
Don
Callis on Saturday’s Collision revealed that
Will Ospreay will team with Konosuke Takeshita and
his newest family member Sammy Guevara against Kenny
Omega, Chris Jericho, and Kota Ibushi. This stems
from events that took place on Friday’s Ramapge,
where Omega made the save for Jericho after Guevara
and Takeshita jumped Jericho.
In
addition, Christian Cage will defend the TNT title
in a two out of three falls match against Darby Allin.
On Saturday’s Collision, Allin had a three-way
title match won between himself, Cage, and Luchasaurus
when Cage posted Allin, allowing himself to pin Luchasaurus.
In a backstage interview, Tony Schiavone told Cage
he would be defending the title at WrestleDream.
Eddie
Kingston in a promo revealed that he will be putting
up both the ROH and New Japan Strong titles against
Katsuyori Shibata at WrestleDream, saying that he
wanted a match that would honor Antonio Inoki.
WWE
PPVs
Saturday,
Oct. 7
WWE
Fastlane
Indianapolis
WWE
Crown Jewel 2023
November 4, 2023
Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia
Saturday,
Nov. 25
WWE
Survivor Series
Chicago
WWE
Survivor Series 2023
November 25, 2023
Rosemont,
Illinois (Chicago) - Allstate Arena
Lachlan
Murdoch inherits a daunting to-do list. Observers
are divided over how he will cope = 23rd September
2023
First
among equals is how media mogul Rupert Murdoch once
described his eldest son Lachlan, when asked about
the succession plan at his global media empire. Now
with Rupert’s retirement this week from the boards
of Fox Corporation and News Corporation, Lachlan’s
position at the top of the family-controlled empire
is cemented.
However,
52-year-old Lachlan inherits a daunting task. He takes
control of the global newspaper and television businesses
as both face major challenges. He becomes head of
one of the most influential American media companies
as the US goes into perhaps its most important presidential
election in recent history. And, his every step will
be measured against his father’s legacy.
Former
News Corporation executive John Cowley has no doubt
that Lachlan is up to the task. “He was trained
by the best. His father would have rubbed off on him,
but he’s also his own man. He will do a good
job,” Cowley said.
Lachlan’s
first real job in the Murdoch empire was working for
Cowley. It was three decades ago, when at the age
of 22, he joined Queensland Newspapers as its general
manager. Fresh from having studied philosophy at Princeton
University, the young Murdoch would walk the newsroom
floor with his shirt sleeves rolled up – exposing
a tribal tattoo on his left arm – discussing
stories with journalists, much as his father had once
done.
Over
seven decades, Rupert Murdoch, 92, built a global
media empire from a single Australian newspaper. As
his business expanded so did his influence and he
became one of the world’s most powerful, polarising
and right-wing businessmen, owning outlets such as
Fox News, the Wall Street Journal, The Times, and
The Australian.
R?upert
pitted ?Lachlan from an early age against two of his
siblings, older sister Elisabeth and younger brother
James, to take over the family empire. ?
Lachlan,
Elisabeth and James would come and go from the family
business, vying for their father’s affection
and at times falling out with him. But it would be
Lachlan who would return to the fold and stay.?
The
Murdoch family governs News Corporation and Fox Corporation
through a family trust. Rupert has six children from
three wives. The family trust owns almost 40 per cent
of the voting shares in both companies.
Each
of Murdoch’s children know how difficult it is
being the progeny of a successful parent. Put simply,
if the adult children of successful parents make good,
it’s because of what their parents left them.
If they don’t, people ask what’s wrong with
them.?
This
is what Lachlan is up against, even in his middle
age.
Billionaire
James Packer can sympathise, as he spent most of the
first half of his life being compared against his
father – the late media tycoon Kerry Packer.
James
multiplied the wealth he inherited from his father.
But then his publicly listed Crown casino business
became embroiled in a Chinese money-laundering scandal.
It was fined, and he sold it, and since then, has
focused on private investments.
“Lachlan
will do very well. He’s following in a legend’s
footsteps, one of the biggest, being Rupert, and that’s
never easy,” says Packer, who has been friends
with Lachlan for more than three decades. “But
I think Lachlan’s ready, and he’s the right
man for the job.”
Not
everyone agrees.
Rod
Tiffen is an emeritus professor at the University
of Sydney, who has published books on the news media,
including about Rupert Murdoch. He’s critical
of Lachlan’s rise to the top of News Corporation
and Fox Corporation.
“The
idea that a position like that should go by heredity
belongs more in the age of Jane Austen than of the
contemporary corporate world,” Tiffen says. “It
might be okay for the corner store to pass from father
to son, but a global corporation should be based on
some sort of merit, and not just having the same surname.”
Lachlan
becomes chair of News Corporation, which owns newspaper
and real estate assets, and also the chair and chief
executive of Fox Corporation, which owns Fox News
and Fox broadcasting.
In
2019, Fox sold its $US71.3 billion film and television
business to Walt Disney, predicting the streaming
war that is now playing out, and which has cost companies
such as Disney, Netflix and Amazon billions. It was
a clever move hailed as Rupert’s crowning achievement.
However,
it has left Fox much smaller than many of its peers,
with a focus on news and sport. The broadcast and
cable TV outlets in the US are declining, and Fox
is also competing against bigger players such as Amazon,
Netflix, Comcast, Disney and Warner Brothers in securing
sporting rights.
The
embattled news arm was also sued after broadcasting
conspiracy theories and claims of vote rigging promoted
by Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Earlier this
year, Fox settled a defamation lawsuit with Dominion
Voting systems for $US787.5 million ($1.2 billion).
It is now facing another lawsuit from a voting machine
manufacturer, Smartmatic, which is likely to be at
the top of Lachlan’s to-do list to resolve.
?Another
problem for Lachlan is that Donald Trump is shaping
up as the most likely Republican candidate for the
2024 election, if he’s able to overcome the legal
cases that he is facing.
However,
it would be hard for Fox News to back him given Rupert
has publicly criticised Trump and disowned him.? And
yet, much of the Fox News audience are Trump supporters.
Fox News will risk alienating its audience more if
Trump becomes the Republican candidate, and it doesn’t
back him.
News
Corporation has real estate assets such as REA Group
and owns newspapers such as The Times, The Australian
and the Wall Street Journal. The print assets are
declining while the digital side of those newspapers
has been growing, particularly the Dow Jones group
in the US.
Matt
Williams is head of Australian equities at Airlie
Funds Management. It owns 2 per cent of the voting
shares in News Corporation, which he argues remains
undervalued. “Over the last ten years management
have done a very good job with the Dow Jones business
in re-aligning the business from being reliant on
advertising to much more now a subscription-based
business.”
He
says Lachlan has been a good steward of News Corporation,
and expects the strategy of that group to remain unchanged.
However,
Tiffen expects there will be pressure to shut print
newspapers when Rupert dies. “Everyone rightly
goes on about what a terrific global media empire
Rupert Murdoch has built. On the other hand, if you
were writing his obituary now, you would say that
he’s lost more money on newspapers than anyone
else in history. And chances are that won’t continue
after he dies.”
Tiffen
expects that Lachlan will not make any significant
changes to either Fox Corporation or News Corporation’s
strategy while his father remains alive. “It’s
much more likely that any changes will have to be
after Rupert’s death, and then it’s quite
unpredictable.”
The
unpredictability is over whether Lachlan’s siblings
who have voting rights in the trust – Prudence,
Elisabeth and James – will be happy with his
leadership of Fox Corporation and News Corporation,
and the right-wing agendas they have pursued.
“In
the short term, while Rupert’s alive, the other
three children are going to be respectful,” says
Tiffen. “But after he dies, then Lachlan’s
relations with his other siblings will be much more
difficult to predict.”
(SMH)
Rear
Window - September 14, 1999
Kostya,
TAB go down fighting
It
had more celebrities than a Saturday night in Atlantic
City. In one corner, "Break Even" Bill Mordey;
in the other, Russian-born dynamo Kostya Tszyu and
a gaggle of heavy-hitters including Packer confidant
Theo Onisforou and Jeff Fenech.
Mordey
won round one when NSW Supreme Court Justice Russell
Bainton last year ordered Tszyu to pay $7.3 million
to Mordey's Fightvision Pty Ltd for breach of contract,
in the process describing the Russian-born boxer as
a "spoiled brat".
Yesterday,
round two ended with a TKO to Break Even, who managed
to deliver a haymaker to TAB boss Warren Wilson. Having
bought Sky Channel from Packer's Publishing &
Broadcasting and Rupert Murdoch's News Corp last year,
TAB will now have to partially foot a $7.3 million
damages bill after three appeal judges found Sky Channel
had induced Tszyu to breach his contract with Mordey.
Sky
Channel will have to pay the costs of Fightvision's
original claim against Sky Channel and its appeal
in a result Wilson said was disappointing. TAB is
considering whether it has any further legal avenues.
The
stoush began when Tsyzu appealed against last year's
decision, claiming the damages awarded against him
were excessive. That prompted Mordey's counterpunch,
appealing against the cases he lost to the other five
defendants: Fenech, Sky Channel, Onisforou, Tszyu's
new promoter, Vlad Warton, and Tszyu's company, Tszyu
Enterprises.
The
NSW Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed Tszyu's appeal.
Mordey had a victory against Sky Channel, Warton and
Tszyu Enterprises, but struck out against Onisforou
and Fenech. Warton and Tszyu Enterprises will be back
for a third round after the court ordered a new trial
in relation to Mordey's claims.
Mordey
and Fightvision had sought compensation from Tszyu
for lost promotion revenue after the fighter breached
his contract in early 1995 by agreeing to give Optus
Vision or Sky Channel exclusive rights to broadcast
his bouts.
In
his judgement, Justice Bainton found Tszyu entered
into a binding three-year contract with Mordey's Classic
Promotions in 1992 and that contract contained an
option of renewal for two years. The company wound
up in 1993 and Fightvision took over its promotions.
Justice
Bainton found that the renewal option in Tszyu's contract
had been effectively exercised in January 1995, and
that the boxer had broken that contract almost immediately.
Fightvision
was entitled to recover from Tszyu profits it would
have made from promoting his fights from January 1995
to January 1997 in total $7.3 million.
Room
with a view? Er, I'll settle for the ground floor,
thanks all the same
While
travelling always presents its challenges, Rear Window's
Tasmanian tourism operative appears to have struck
an unusual problem while cycling through the Apple
Isle.
During
a bracing journey down the Midland Highway from Launceston
to Hobart, our peleton wanabee sought refuge at a
cosy bed and breakfast in the hamlet of Campbell Town,
where the civic motto is: "Reaching out across
the land, over the sea, through the air, towards the
stars, Campbell Town is reaching out to you."
Noting
the prominent "Vacancy" sign, our operative
entered, only to be told by the landlady: "Sorry,
we have no vacancies."
But
what about the sign? "We haven't got around to
making a `No Vacancy' sign yet. Getting the floors
fixed comes a long way ahead of a `No Vacancy' sign
in our priorities."
We'd
advise getting a room on the ground floor.
Rupert
shows UK interest but his ratings keep falling
Not
content with wading into the murky world of Chinese-Tibetan
relations, Rupert Murdoch has turned his hand to matters
economic.
Murdoch
has attacked the Bank of England in the wake of last
week's surprise decision to lift British interest
rates, expressing dismay that the central bank should
be worried about the United Kingdom's 1.5 per cent
economic growth when "the US economy is charging
along at 4 per cent with no sign of inflation".
In
an interview with London's Sunday Business newspaper,
Murdoch also attacked UK Chancellor of the Exchequer
Gordon Brown, claiming Brown was "wrong"
to give the BoE the power to determine interest rate
policy one of the central tenets of central bank indepence
worldwide.
"We
elect governments to govern, not to give up power
to faceless bankers," Murdoch reportedly said,
highlighting his growing schism with the government
of Tony Blair, who only a few years ago attended News
Corp's Hayman Island executive love-fest.
Just
last week, Murdoch was kowtowing to the Chinese Government,
claiming he had heard cynics say the Dalai Lama was
"a very political old monk shuffling around in
Gucci shoes" and questioning whether Tibet a
"terrible old, autocratic society out of the
Middle Ages" had any culture before China invaded.
It
is all reminiscent of Murdoch's comments at News Corp's
1995 annual general meeting in Adelaide, where he
blasted the Australian economy as "a disgrace"
as he offered an opinion on all manner of non-media
topics.
By
1997, a chastised Murdoch said son Lachlan had told
him he was "not allowed" to talk about Australian
politics. "I'm now under very strong instructions
from my son to keep my mouth shut because I can go
back to America and he has to live with what I have
said," the elder Murdoch said.
The
Sun King might be better off worrying about the performance
of his News Corp empire, which recently suffered a
hefty drop in profitability and has kicked off the
latest United States television season in unspectacular
fashion.
Ratings
for News Corp's core Fox group are down an average
6 per cent, with not even the 10th series of its old
standby, Beverly Hills 90210, improving the situation.
Guess
who's late for dinner?
Here's
hoping the 2000 Olympics are better organised than
Rear Window, which battled the gremlins in yesterday's
paper only to have an item about tomorrow night's
glamour Australian Olympic Committee 1999 Countdown
Dinner run about two weeks too late. Times have changed
since the AOC first sought a plug for the function:
the dinner is now sold out, with 1,000 people each
paying $1,000 to raise a more than $700,000 for the
Australian team. A number of team members will be
there on the night, with dual gold medallist Kieren
Perkins one of the 100 past and present Olympians
who will each sit at the tables snapped up by companies
including Telstra, CUB and Westfield. Major Olympic
sponsor Westpac is holding its own function.
(AFR)
High
Stakes: The ‘life-or-death’ battle over
a company name
Two
stars of Australia’s new economy – the similarly
named share trading platform Stake and online cryptocurrency
casino juggernaut stake.com – are locked in a
life-or-death court battle over naming rights amid
growing concerns the gambling outfit has major plans
for its home country.
Stake
the share platform launched legal action in the Federal
Court in August seeking to enforce its trademarks
and stop stake.com, a multibillion-dollar enterprise,
from using that name for its business in Australia.
The
fast-growing Sydney-based share trading platform,
the third-largest broker in the country, alleges that
the casino group stake.com has been breaking Australian
consumer law and has misled consumers through the
use of its brand in Australia and its marketing, including
its sponsorship of the Alfa Romeo team and the sale
of apparel.
Stake
the share trading platform, which owns the URL stake.com.au,
alleges stake.com’s use of the name in Australia
has potentially led to consumers believing the two
brands are related when they are not.
The
share trading platform Stake, founded in 2017 by entrepreneurs
Dan Silver and Matt Leibowitz, alleges there is a
threat that more consumers could be misled if stake.com
is allowed to continue with its plans to grow its
business significantly in Australia under the brand
name Stake.
The
casino group, led by Melbourne-based twenty-somethings
billionaires Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, is expected
to seek to have the matter summarily dismissed.
A
spokesperson for stake.com said: “We are aware
of a frivolous claim lodged in the Federal Court by
Stakeshop, which in part claims that our global Formula
One team sponsorship impinges on their ability to
sell trucker hats.”
“We
are proud of the global stake.com brand. As a group,
we abide by the laws of the countries in which we
operate, and do not offer our stake.com platform to
Australian customers. We believe the claim has no
legal merit and will vigorously defend our rights.”
The
court case has shed new light on stake.com’s
expansion plans for Australia, where it remains blocked
to Australian users.
Court
documents reveal the casino group has sought to buy
the stake.com.au website from the sharemarket trading
platform business. According to the court documents,
the casino group has also registered several Australian
website domains for its Australian expansion and applied
to register a slew of trademarks including Stake Australia,
Stake Bet and Stake Casino.
The
Federal Court action comes after years of simmering
tensions between the two groups over the use of stake.com’s
name in Australia.
Stake.com
was established in 2017 but flew under the radar in
Australia until late 2021, when this masthead revealed
the local origins of the business that had grown to
be one of world’s largest online casinos, processing
hundreds of billions of bets on sports, virtual table
games and online slot machines.
In
early 2022, stake.com signed hip-hop megastar Drake
as its lead ambassador. Later in 2022 it signed a
multi-year deal to become lead jersey sponsor for
English Premier League team Everton FC as well as
its sponsorship of Alfa Romeo’s F1 team.
The
significant increase in stake.com’s marketing
and media presence was noticed at the share trading
platform group that built its user base during the
COVID-inspired boom in Gen Y and Gen Z investors,
thanks in part to its ultra-low cost brokerage fee
model, savvy marketing and the broadening into other
financial services including a superannuation product.
A
spokesman for Stake the share trading platform said
that since the group was founded in Australia it had
built a client base of more than 500,000 and more
than $2.5 billion in assets under management.
“Over
the past six years, we have established a trusted
and culturally relevant Australian brand that reflects
our dedication to meeting customer needs. It permeates
all parts of our business, spanning products, content,
internal culture, customer interactions and much more,
making it our most valuable asset. We are committed
to protecting the Stake brand and the high level of
consumer trust associated with it,” the spokesman
said.
“We
are concerned by the threatened use of the Stake brand
in Australia by stake.com in relation to gambling,
casino and sports betting services, due to the potential
for customer confusion and damage to our brand and
reputation.”
Stake.com
is not available in Australia but according to court
documents, the group is already making arrangements
for a major expansion in this country and is seeking
a sports betting licence.
In
October 2022, stake.com casino executive Brais Pena
Sanchez contacted Stake share trading founder Silver
on LinkedIn and arranged a video conference meeting
where the pair discussed Stake the share platform
selling its Australian URL, stake.com.au, to the Curacao-registered,
Australian-operated casino group.
During
those discussions, Sanchez – the casino group’s
chief strategy officer – informed Silver that
stake.com planned to launch in Australia under the
name Stakebet, or similar, according to court documents.
A deal never ensued and the website remains owned
by the share trading platform.
Tensions
flared again in early 2023 after stake.com the casino
was announced as the new team sponsor for Formula
1 team Alfa Romeo, sparking a flurry of legal letters
between the two groups ahead of the Melbourne race.
According
to the court documents, the casino group’s lawyers
assured the share trading Stake that it would not
use its logo in conjunction with the Melbourne Grand
Prix and did not intend to display the name on any
vehicles or uniforms or as part of the Alfa Romeo
team name.
However,
the share trading Stake alleges that during the four
days of the Grand Prix, Stake casino logos appeared
on banners for official team merchandise, the team
display and on signs at the event and in the race
program.
In
May, Stake.com was applying to register a large number
of new trademarks for goods and services. This included
Stake Australia, Stake Bookie, Stake Betting, Stake
Gaming, Stake Esports, Stake Casino, Stake Sportsbook,
Stake Bet, Stake Punt, Stake Sports, Stake Pokes and
Stake Slots.
The
casino group has also registered a series of Australian
website names under the “.au” domain including
stakebet.au; stakecasino.au, stakesports.au and playstake.au.
The
case continues.
Crown
to launch digital self-exclusion scheme for casinos
- July 2023
People
with gambling problems will be able to ban themselves
from Crown casinos over the internet instead of having
to do so in person, as part of a wider overhaul of
the group’s approach to harm minimisation.
Crown
Resorts’ new safer gambling program also includes
the establishment of a dedicated gambling policy team,
which will monitor customer playing behaviour and
create interventions to better prevent gambling harm
from occurring.
Crown
boss Ciaran Carruthers joined the business last year
following an overhaul of Crown’s management,
after a series of bruising inquiries into the company.
Carruthers, who has led other global casino groups
including Wynn Macau, said the new leadership of Crown
was committed to making gambling safer, even if it
meant less turnover in its casinos.
“I
have been in this business for 34 years and I can
tell you – no one does this,” Carruthers
said.
“It
is critically important to me that when I look at
the long-term viability of this business that people
see our resorts as entertainment to enjoy safely.”
Under
the changes, customers will be able to block themselves
from entering a Crown casino through a new digital
self-exclusion portal. Those who wanted to ban themselves
from Crown venues were previously required to visit,
in person, a designated responsible gambling centre
run by the group.
The
group has also moved to cashless gaming at Crown Melbourne
and Crown Sydney – a condition of its temporary
gaming licences in NSW and Victoria– as well
as introducing $10 maximum bet limits on poker machines
at Crown Perth. The technological overhaul required
to facilitate the changes has so far cost the business
$13 million.
Carruthers
pointed to changes Crown has already made which go
beyond government regulation, such as encouraging
customers to take breaks every three hours, as an
indicator of its commitment to shifting problem gambling
patterns.
The
group said it wanted to establish advisory panels
to work with state regulators and community groups
to improve gambling harm education and share its research.
Carruthers
conceded some aspects of its new approach to harm
minimisation, called Crown PlaySafe, would not be
welcomed by heavy gamblers. But he argued the changes
would make the casinos more appealing to the general
public.
Crown’s
new head of gambling policy research, Dr Jamie Wiebe,
said the most critical shift in the groups gambling
policy was a move away from harm minimisation to prevention.
“We
want to prevent a problem from ever happening,”
she said.
The
new program was unveiled just weeks after the Federal
Court determined Crown will pay one of the biggest
penalties in Australian corporate history to the financial
crimes watchdog, after past anti-money laundering
and counter-terrorism failings in its Perth and Melbourne
casinos.
The
$450 million fine is about five per cent of Crown’s
last listed market capitalisation before it was taken
private by Blackstone Capital for $8.9 billion in
May last year.
In
2019, an investigation by this masthead and 60 Minutes
revealed Crown had been infiltrated by international
criminal syndicates and money launderers.
Crown
was forced to overhaul its board, management and procedures
to satisfy the regulators, who approved a conditional
licence for Crown to operate its Barangaroo casino
in June 2022. The conditional licence is valid until
the end of this year.
Carruthers
said the integrated hospitality offerings at Crown
meant the casino could afford to embrace the shift.
“I
want people to enjoy the experience of our casinos
whether they’re coming for dining, casino or
retail. I’m fairly agnostic across which one
of those experience or how many of those experiences
you want to enjoy,” he said.
Reclusive Sydney gambling mogul emerges as kingmaker
in South Africa -
September 2023
Reclusive
online gambling mogul Martin Moshal is playing an
increasingly influential role in a push to oust the
South African government.
Mr
Moshal, who lives on the exclusive Sydney Harbour
row of Camp Cove alongside shopping centre billionaire
Steven Lowy, is not on many rich lists but has made
a fortune from online casino technology.
Herman
Mashaba is the leader of ActionSA, one of a handful
of opposition parties Mr Moshal has backed in the
lead up to the 2024 South African national election.
Mr Mashaba, known for taking a tough line on immigration
and endorsing hard labour for prisoners, is hoping
the gambling tycoon will continue his support.
“I
wish he won’t give up on us and help us democratically
remove the [incumbent African National Congress] and
bring about a peaceful transition... please help ActionSA,”
Mr Mashaba said in an interview with The Australian
Financial Review.
“I
have been lucky to have known Martin long before I
went into politics,” he added. “I approached
him and he was willing to back me up because he knows
me as a capitalist... Martin was one of the first
to come to the party.”
President
Cyril Ramaphosa’s social democratic African National
Congress party is set to come under pressure next
year amid South Africa’s dire economic troubles.
A senior party official has warned the country could
become a failed state.
Mr
Moshal is the largest individual political donor in
South Africa in the last two years. He has given 46.5
million rand ($3.8 million), according to electoral
records analysed by My Vote Counts, a non-profit advocating
for more transparency in politics.
“Given
the amounts donated it has become clear to us he now
has a large stake in our politics,” said Robyn
Pasensie, a researcher at the organisation.
The
size of Mr Moshal’s wealth is unknown. He is
extremely private and only admitted to his ownership
of online gambling giant Betway after UK journalists
traced his ownership back to offshore trusts. Mr Moshal
did not respond to a request for comment.
Aside
from ActionSA, Mr Moshal has donated to the Democratic
Alliance (DA), Build One South Africa and said he
also intends to support the Inkatha Freedom Party.
Mr Moshal is ActionSA’s biggest backer. The Australian
Financial Review is not suggesting Mr Moshal supports
the party’s policies.
“I’m
not saying these parties are all perfect, but we shouldn’t
let perfect be the enemy of good... They are all far
better than the government we have today,” Mr
Moshal told The Jewish Report earlier this year.
“Pirkei
Avot was my late dad – John Moshal’s –
favourite part of the Talmud within which Rabbi Tarfon
is quoted as saying, ‘It’s not up to you
to finish the task, but you aren’t free to avoid
it’.”
Mr
Moshal said he believed South Africa needed a new
government and was on its way to becoming a failed
state.
“[This
is a] government that’s corrupt, cannot provide
basic security and opportunity to its citizens...
we need the change of government and leadership that
these parties can provide.”
ActionSA
is known for advocating for life sentences and hard
labour for serious offenders and also wants to repeal
the ANC’s Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment
(B-BBEE) policy, a form of affirmative action introduced
post-apartheid.
“Martin
knows my views on racial policies and how dangerous
they are,” said Mr Mashaba, who started off in
business and was the founder of African hair care
brand, Black Like Me.
ActionSA
has also been vocal on immigration, views labelled
as “xenophobic” by some critics and politicians.
“We
recognise that South Africa was built... on the back
of migrants,” said Mr Mashaba. “But they
must come here legally... you break our laws, we will
send you back to your country, the country where you
came from.”
One
of South Africa’s main economic problems is mismanagement
and corruption inside the country’s electricity
utility Eskom. The utility has been forced to implement
rolling blackouts, which have further stymied economic
growth.
“If
Eskom cannot run on a commercial basis then it must
die a natural death,” Mr Mashaba said, adding
changes were needed to give other companies the opportunity
to compete.
Mr
Moshal’s Entrée Capital is one of Israel’s
most active funds in the Israeli VC space. He is the
beneficiary of a trust which is the largest individual
shareholder in Super Group, which became the parent
of Betway and online casino brand Spin after a 2022
listing. The group reported net gaming revenue of
€1.3 billion ($2.1 billion) in 2022.
“Moshal
is one of the least visible betting entrepreneurs
in the world,” Guardian reporter Rob Davis wrote
in his book Jackpot: How Gambling Conquered Britain.
“Moshal
made much of his fortune from his home in Durban where
he patented a series of technological solutions for
the online gambling world and developed them via his
company Microgaming. The company has since become
one of the industry’s leading software players”
A
philanthropist, he sits on the capital management
advisory committee of Sydney’s Moriah College,
alongside Steven Lowy and former Babcock & Brown
chief executive Phil Green. He is also a life trustee
of the Moriah Foundation and previously donated to
Israel’s SpaceIL project attempting to land spacecraft
on the moon.
SkyCity
puts aside $45m for potential AUSTRAC penalty - August
2023
SkyCity
Entertainment set aside $45 million for a penalty
if it is convicted of breaches of anti-money laundering
and counterterrorism laws.
The
financial crimes watchdog, AUSTRAC, lodged proceedings
against SkyCity in December over alleged serious and
systemic non-compliance with the laws at its Adelaide
casino.
SkyCity
said on Monday it was difficult to determine the size
and timing of the penalty, given the proceedings are
in the early stages. But it decided to lodge a $45
million provision on the basis that each breach attracts
a maximum civil penalty of between $18 million and
$22.2 million.
“Estimating
the potential exposure to penalties with any degree
of accuracy at this stage of that ongoing process
remains challenging, particularly given the outcome
is highly dependent on a range of factors which are
not yet known,” a statement said.
AUSTRAC
has alleged “serious noncompliance” with
anti-money laundering laws against SkyCity, claiming
the company allowed 59 suspicious patrons to churn
more than $4 billion in dirty cash through its Adelaide
casino. The independent review is on hold because
of the Federal Court action.
The
company cut full-year earnings expectations at an
investor day in May, with a slowdown in revenue from
the international business and rising legal and compliance
costs related to a crackdown on money laundering weighing
on its bottom line. Analysts have provisioned about
$50 million for the AUSTRAC fine, but there is no
guarantee that will be enough.
In
late May, SkyCity announced it would hire an independent
expert to review its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism
programs. It is still waiting for South Australia’s
investigation into whether it should hold a casino
licence to recommence.
“Judgements
in civil penalty proceedings bought by AUSTRAC to
date demonstrate that the Court’s determination
of the appropriate penalty ... is very specific to
the fact in each case and that the Court will have
regard to a broad range of factors,” SkyCity
said.
SkyCity’s
provision announcement coincided with a $45.6 million
write-down of the Adelaide casino licence, which was
attributed to the value and timing of future discounted
cash flows.
The
company said the impairment and provision were non-cash
and would not affect earnings for fiscal year 2023.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation
remain in line with guidance of $NZ300 million ($276.6
million) to $NZ310 million.
SkyCity’s
provision comes a month after the federal court agreed
on rival casino operator Crown’s $450 million
fine for breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism
laws. The fine is being paid over a two-year period
without interest.
Shares
closed on Friday at $2.09.
Hotel
room rates plummet for F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend
- September 2023
Hotel
room rates for Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend have fallen
by nearly 60 percent in some cases since they were
first posted last fall. But an industry expert says
that does not necessarily mean interest in the event
is failing to meet expectation.
When
select Las Vegas resorts in November 2022 opened their
booking schedules for race weekend, listed prices
were as high as they have been seen in the city’s
history. While still at higher than normal rates,
a major decrease has occurred.
When
a drop in booking pace occurs, it automatically triggers
revenue management systems to suggest the lowering
of room rates, according to Dr. Mehmet Erdem, professor
of hotel operations and technology at UNLV’s
William F. Harrah College of Hospitality.
Pennsylvania
online casinos cross $5 billion in lifetime revenue
- September 2023
Business
is booming in Pennsylvania. The Keystone State is
the clear market leader when it comes to online casino
revenue within the US. After August’s total of
$171.9 million, Pennsylvania surpassed the $5 billion
threshold for lifetime revenue.
Pennsylvania
online casinos are constantly upgrading and adding
new content, and customers are responding. It doesn’t
appear the market will be slowing down anytime soon,
either.
Pennsylvania
has set the US online casino revenue record four times
over the last 11 months, and almost did so again.
August’s revenue total of $171.9 million came
second to March’s figure of $181.5 million. It
was the second-best month of all time for any state
with legal online casinos.
Atlantic
City: Five-year turnaround of Ocean Casino Resort
among city’s greatest successes - September 2023
In
the winter of 2019, if any New Jersey sportsbook had
tried to offer odds on the Atlantic City casino hotel
then known as Ocean Resort Casino making it through
another summer, no gambler in their right mind would
have taken the bet.
Fast
forward to the end of summer 2023, and the property
now called Ocean Casino Resort is one of the city’s
best performers. In fact, an argument can be made
that Ocean’s rise to the upper echelon of the
Atlantic City casino market is the most remarkable
turnaround of any gambling parlor in history.
From
its failed origins as Revel Casino Hotel to its seemingly
doomed trajectory in February 2019, the $2.4 billion
casino at the north end of the AC Boardwalk felt almost
cursed (if you believe in that kind of stuff). But,
apparently, the gambling gods decided Ocean was deserving
of a better fate.
Once
shunned by casino operators, responsible gaming campaign
turns 25
At
a time when problem gambling matters were rarely mentioned
in gaming company boardrooms, Harrah’s Entertainment
decided the issue needed to be raised on casino floors.
But
it wasn’t just rival corporate executives that
looked askance at the idea of employees learning how
to spot signs that a customer might have a gambling
problem.
“Our
own lawyers tried to block it,” recalled Jan
Jones Blackhurst, who was then a Harrah’s senior
vice president. With the support of company CEO Phil
Satre, she led Harrah’s launch of the casino
industry’s first responsible gaming initiative
in the mid-1990s.
“We
had employees that wanted to be educated on the subject.
They wanted to be able to help,” said Jones Blackhurst,
who completed two terms as Las Vegas mayor before
joining Harrah’s. “Maybe because I came
out of politics. You have a responsibility to your
communities, your customers and your employees. We
believed it was the right thing to do.”
Sportsbooks
ratchet up targeted advertising at start of NFL season
Shortly
after the NFL forged authorized gaming partnerships
with a host of leading sportsbooks in the 2021 offseason,
operators began flooding the airwaves with a series
of humorous spots that featured celebrities hawking
their products.
Caesars
Sportsbook spent lavishly on an ad package starring
the Manning Brothers and actor J.B. Smoove as the
eponymous emperor. During Super Bowl LVII last February,
Kevin Hart expressed his displeasure for “taking
the under” in a DraftKings spot while standing
mere feet from WWE wrestler The Undertaker. Another
commercial from FanDuel featured a live field goal
attempt by former New England Patriots tight end Rob
Gronkowski, one that drifted wide left of the upright
at the last second.
Former
lieutenant governor calls for Nevada Gaming Commission
cyber briefing after MGM and Caesars hacks - September
2023
In
light of cyberattacks on MGM Resorts International
and Caesars Entertainment, former Nevada Lt. Gov.
Brian Krolicki, now a Nevada Gaming Commission member,
called for a briefing on the hacking incident to shed
more light on what happened and how it can be prevented
in the future.
The
suggestion comes the same day the Massachusetts Gaming
Commission met in executive session “to consider
information related to an MGM cybersecurity issue.”
It held a similar closed meeting on Monday.
After
it returned to the public session on Thursday, the
Commission entered into an executive session regarding
security at MGM Springfield, according to the Commission
agenda.
Krolicki
made his comments at the end of Thursday’s five-hour
meeting of the Nevada Gaming Commission. Since it
was made during the public comment session, the commission
could not take up the matter, but it’s likely
the issue will return to the Commission and the Nevada
Gaming Control Board at some point.
In
the latest cyberattack that started being felt Sept.
10 and went into this week, hackers knocked slot machines
out of commission and created havoc with ATMs and
computer systems. MGM, which is reported by a Wall
Street analyst to have lost between $4.2 million and
$8.4 million a day with the hack, said its systems
were operating normally across their properties nationwide
as of Wednesday. Caesars reported it was hacked in
late August and had customer information stolen but
paid a $15 million ransom that avoided any shutdowns.
In
December, the Commission approved cybersecurity regulations
for the state’s gaming industry to protect operators’
information systems from attacks that could shutter
casinos and compromise customer data. The rules went
into effect Jan. 1. That approval came right after
BetMGM reported that its customers’ personal
information – including Social Security numbers
– was obtained in an unauthorized manner and
included information on their transactions.
In
the regulations, casinos were required to do a risk
assessment of their systems by the end of 2023 and
take any necessary steps on an ongoing basis to ward
off an attack. If any breach was successful that compromised
player data, credit card information and other records,
including that of employees, properties would be required
to report it to gaming regulators within 72 hours.
“It
would be important and enlightening given the recent
events of the past week regarding cyber security and
ransomware in particular at MGM and our friends at
Caesars and look at how it impacts our world and regulatory
responsibilities,” Krolicki said, later adding,
“I think at some point in time when there’s
the energy and understanding of what just happened
if we could get some kind of briefing of what transpired
that’s appropriate for public record and perhaps
policies going forward of how do we avoid these things
and if they do happen whether the reporting schemes
on whether it was immediately reported to the Gaming
Control Board. There are a lot of questions and a
lot of publicity. It’s a global story, and I
just think it would behoove all of us to get a good
handle on what just happened.”
The
Nevada Gaming Control Board released a statement on
Sept. 13 saying Gov. Joe Lombardo and the board “are
monitoring the cybersecurity incident with MGM Resorts
and are in communication with company executives.
Additionally, the Nevada Gaming Control Board remains
in communication with other law enforcement agencies.”
Casino
consultant Brendan Bussmann, managing partner of B
Global, which tracks gaming boards and commissions,
said the Massachusetts hearing won’t be the last
and expects states across the country to hold similar
sessions wanting to hear from MGM executives.
“Nevada
is the second regulator that I know has raised their
hand on this after Massachusetts,” Bussmann said.
“It should be about what happened and how it
happened, which should be considered confidential
information. This is going to be a question that every
regulator for both commercial gaming and tribal gaming
is going to be concerned about. Since we’re still
trying to figure out what happened, then we can see
what tools we need as an industry to beef up our efforts
on cyber-related events.”
While
everyone is focused today on MGM and Caesars, this
is not the first cyber attack, Bussmann said.
“This
can go back to the Las Vegas Sands attacks in 2014
from the Iranians and any other data breaches that
happened between then and now,” Bussmann said.
“I would expect every state at a minimum has
MGM and Caesars in it to at least say what happened
and what can we do regulatory to help this and what
can we do with testing and what can we do IT and host
of things.”
Bussmann
said the regulators can’t be reactionary but
instead should get evidence on how it happened and
use the best resources outside of the casino industry,
such as security firms, to do it right.
“There’s
no one better suited to regulate Nevada on this issue
than the Gaming Control Board in working with law
enforcement partners across the country,” Bussmann
said.
Pop
Culture, Streaming, Wrestling, MMA, Combat Sports,
Movies, Sports Business...
Netflix
finally reveals how much it makes from Australians
- 1st June 2023
Netflix
made more than $1 billion from Australians last year,
a figure the company reported for the first time after
deciding no longer to funnel revenues through a Netherlands-based
subsidiary.
Accounts
lodged by the streaming giant show Netflix Australia
made $1.06 billion in 2022, up from $30.7 million
the year before.
The
increase in reported revenue came after the company’s
local subsidiary changed how it bills. It now describes
itself as a “distributor of access” to Netflix
Service as opposed to a provider of services for its
parent company.
It
was previously estimated that Netflix made between
$790 million and $1.4 billion from Australians, but
customers were billed by Netflix International BV.
But from January 1 last year, customers were billed
by Netflix Australia, meaning subscription revenue
was recognised and taxed locally.
The
accounts, filed with the Australian Securities and
Investments Commission, show Netflix Australia paid
$966 million to the Netflix Group in distribution
fees and other costs, meaning it made just $22.7 million
from total revenues of $1.06 billion.
After
paying $6.9 million in income tax, it reported $15.8
million profit for the year.
“As
Netflix continues to grow and invest in Australia,
we want our corporate structure to reflect our business
activities here,” a spokesman for Netflix said
last year when The Australian Financial Review reported
the structural change.
In
2021, Netflix Australia reported $30.7 million in
revenue, $2.4 million in profit pre-tax, and $1.5
million in profit after its $868,000 income tax bill.
Netflix
does not disclose subscriber numbers for Australia,
but the revenue figures included in its latest accounts
implies the service has around five million customers
locally, if its standard plan, $16.99 per month, is
used as a guide. It has four monthly price tiers including
a new, cheaper one that now adds some advertising.
According
to the Australian Communications and Media Authority,
streaming services made a combined $2.49 billion in
Australia in 2021.
The
disclosure of Netflix’s true Australian revenue
comes as the federal government considers introducing
quotas that would force streaming companies to spend
a certain amount making shows locally.
Some
suggestions have been forcing them to spend between
10 and 20 per cent of local revenue on Australian
shows, meaning Netflix would be required to spend,
depending on the rate, between $100 million to $200
million.
ACMA
estimates streaming providers spend $335.1 million
on Australian content in the 12 months to the end
of June last year, up from $178.9 million the year
before.
Netflix
has been contacted for comment.
News
Mistakes
and miscalculations: How the Murdochs and Fox got
it so wrong - 30th May 2023
In
August 2021, the Fox Corp. board of directors gathered
in Los Angeles. Among the topics on the agenda: Dominion
Voting Systems’ $US1.6 billion ($2.5 billion)
defamation lawsuit against its cable news network,
Fox News.
The
suit posed a threat to the company’s finances
and reputation. But Fox’s chief legal officer,
Viet Dinh, reassured the board: Even if the company
lost at trial, it would ultimately prevail. The First
Amendment was on Fox’s side, he explained, even
if proving so could require going to the Supreme Court.
That
determination informed a series of missteps and miscalculations
over the next 20 months, according to a New York Times
review of court and business records, and interviews
with roughly a dozen people directly involved in or
briefed on the company’s decision-making.
The
case resulted in one of the biggest legal and business
debacles in the history of Rupert Murdoch’s media
empire: an avalanche of embarrassing disclosures from
internal messages released in court filings; the largest
known settlement in a defamation suit, $US787.5 million;
two shareholder lawsuits; and the benching of Fox’s
top prime-time star, Tucker Carlson.
And
for all of that, Fox still faces a lawsuit seeking
even more in damages, $US2.7 billion, filed by another
subject of the stolen election theory, voting software
company Smartmatic.
Caught
flat-footed
Repeatedly,
Fox executives overlooked warning signs about the
damage they and their network would sustain, the Times
found. They also failed to recognise how far their
cable news networks, Fox News and Fox Business, had
strayed into defamatory territory by promoting President
Donald Trump’s election conspiracy theories —
the central issue in the case. (Fox maintains it did
not defame Dominion.)
When
pretrial rulings went against the company, Fox did
not pursue a settlement in any real way. Executives
were then caught flat-footed as Dominion’s court
filings included internal Fox messages that made clear
how the company chased a Trump-loving audience that
preferred his election lies to the truth.
It
was only in February that Murdoch and his son with
whom he runs the company, Lachlan Murdoch, began seriously
considering settling. Yet they made no major attempt
to do so until the eve of the trial in April, after
still more damaging public disclosures.
At
the centre of the action was Dinh and his overly rosy
scenario.
Dinh,
a high-level Justice Department official under President
George W. Bush, declined several requests for comment,
and the company declined to respond to questions about
his performance or his legal decisions. “Discussions
of specific legal strategy are privileged and confidential,”
a company representative said in a statement.
The
second half of 2020 brought Fox News to a crisis point.
The Fox audience had come to expect favourable news
about Trump. But Fox could not provide that on election
night, when its decision desk team was first to declare
that Trump had lost the critical state of Arizona.
In
the days after, Trump’s fans switched off in
droves.
The
Fox host who was the first to find a way to draw the
audience back was Maria Bartiromo. Five days after
the election, she invited a guest, Trump-aligned lawyer
Sidney Powell, to share details about the false accusations
that Dominion, an elections technology company, had
switched votes from Trump to Joe Biden.
Soon,
wild claims about Dominion appeared elsewhere on Fox,
including references to the election company’s
supposed (but imagined) ties to the Smartmatic election
software company; Hugo Chávez, the Venezuelan
dictator who died in 2013; George Soros, the billionaire
investor and Democratic donor; and China.
‘Fox
News did its job, and this is what the First Amendment
protects. I’m not at all concerned about such
lawsuits, real or imagined.’
Fox’s
chief legal officer Viet Dinh
On
November 12, a Dominion spokesperson complained to
Fox News Media chief executive Suzanne Scott and Fox
News Media executive editor Jay Wallace, begging them
to make it stop. “We really weren’t thinking
about building a litigation record as much as we were
trying to stop the bleeding,” said Thomas A.
Clare, one of Dominion’s lawyers.
As
Fox noted in its court papers, its hosts did begin
including company denials. But as they continued to
give oxygen to the false allegations, Dominion sent
a letter to Fox News general counsel Lily Fu Claffee,
demanding that Fox cease and correct the record. “Dominion
is prepared to do what is necessary to protect its
reputation and the safety of its employees,”
the letter warned.
Fox,
however, did not respond to the Dominion letter or
comply with its requests — now a key issue in
a shareholder suit filed in April, which maintains
that doing so would have “materially mitigated”
Fox’s legal exposure.
Three
months after the election, another voting technology
company tied to the Dominion conspiracy, Smartmatic,
filed its own defamation suit against Fox, seeking
$US2.7 billion in damages. Dominion told reporters
that it was preparing to file one, too.
Dinh
was publicly dismissive.
“The
newsworthy nature of the contested presidential election
deserved full and fair coverage from all journalists.
Fox News did its job, and this is what the First Amendment
protects,” Dinh said at the time. “I’m
not at all concerned about such lawsuits, real or
imagined.”
The
Fox legal team based much of the defence on a doctrine
known as the neutral reportage privilege. It holds
that news organisations cannot be held financially
liable for damages when reporting on false allegations
made by major public figures as long as they don’t
embrace or endorse them.
An
early warning came in late 2021. The judge in the
case, Eric M. Davis, rejected Fox’s attempt to
use the neutral reportage defence to get the suit
thrown out, determining that it was not recognised
under New York law, which he was applying to the case.
Even if it was recognised, Fox would have to show
it reported on the allegations “accurately and
dispassionately”, and Dominion had made a strong
argument that Fox’s reporting was neither, the
judge wrote in a ruling.
That
ruling meant that Dominion could have access to Fox’s
internal communications in discovery.
That
was a natural time to settle. But Fox stuck with its
defence and its plan.
Treasure
trove
At
nearly every step, the court overruled Fox’s
attempts to limit Dominion’s access to private
communications exchanged among hosts, producers and
executives. The biggest blow came mid-last year, after
a ruling stating that Dominion could review messages
from the personal phones of Fox employees, including
both Murdochs.
The
result was a treasure trove of evidence for Dominion:
text messages and emails that revealed the doubts
that Rupert Murdoch had about the coverage airing
on his network, and assertions by many inside Fox,
including Carlson, that fraud could not have made
a material difference in the election.
The
messages led to even more damaging revelations during
depositions. After Dominion’s lawyers confronted
Rupert Murdoch with his own messages showing he knew
Trump’s stolen election claims were false, he
admitted that some Fox hosts appeared to have endorsed
stolen election claims.
During
Carlson’s deposition last year, Dominion’s
lawyers asked about his use of a crude word to describe
women — including a ranking Fox executive. They
also mentioned a text in which he discussed watching
a group of men, who he said were Trump supporters,
attack “an Antifa kid”. He lamented in the
text, “It’s not how white men fight,”
and shared a momentary wish that the group would kill
the person. He then said he regretted that instinct.
There
is no indication that Carlson’s texts tripped
alarms at the top of Fox at that point.
The
alarms rang in February, when reams of other internal
Fox communications became public. The public’s
reaction was so negative that some people at the company
believed that a jury could award Dominion more than
$US1 billion. Yet the company made no serious bid
to settle.
All
along, the Fox board had been taking a wait-and-see
approach.
But
the judge’s pretrial decisions began to change
the board’s thinking. Also, in those final days
before the trial, Fox was hit with new lawsuits. One,
from former Fox producer Abby Grossberg, accused Carlson
of promoting a hostile work environment. Another,
filed by a shareholder, accused the Murdochs and several
directors of failing to stop the practices that made
Fox vulnerable to legal claims.
The
weekend before the trial was to begin, the board asked
Fox to see the internal Fox communications that were
not yet public but that could still come out in the
courtroom.
The
board learned for the first time of the Carlson text
that referred to “how white men fight”.
Dinh did not know about the message until that weekend,
according to two people familiar with the matter.
By
the time the board learned of the message, the Murdochs
had already determined that a trial loss could be
far more damaging than they were initially told to
expect. A substantial jury award could weigh on the
company’s stock for years as the appeals process
played out.
“The
distraction to our company, the distraction to our
growth plans — our management — would have
been extraordinarily costly, which is why we decided
to settle,” Lachlan Murdoch said at an investment
conference this month.
The
text also helped lead to the Murdochs’ decision
to abruptly pull Carlson off the air. Their view had
hardened that their top-rated star wasn’t worth
all the downsides he brought with him.
Still
pending is the Smartmatic suit. In April, Fox agreed
to hand over additional internal documents relating
to several executives, including the Murdochs and
Dinh. In a statement reminiscent of Dinh’s early
view of the Dominion case, the network said that Fox
was protected by the First Amendment.
“We
will be ready to defend this case surrounding extremely
newsworthy events when it goes to trial, likely in
2025,” the statement said.
News
Lachlan
Murdoch explains $1.2b settlement, says Fox News won’t
change ‘successful strategy’ - 10th May
2023
Fox
News paid $US787 million ($1.16 billion) to settle
a recent lawsuit on its reporting after the 2020 election
to avoid a divisive trial and lengthy appeals process,
its parent company’s chief executive said.
Lachlan
Murdoch, executive chairman and CEO of Fox Corp.,
also noted that a Delaware judge “severely limited”
Fox’s defences against Dominion Voting Systems,
which said the network defamed it by airing bogus
charges of election fraud that it knew was untrue.
Fox
Corp announced that it had lost $US50 million the
previous three months, which it attributed to the
lawsuit settlement. Murdoch, who answered questions
from financial analysts, was speaking in public for
the first time since the case ended and Fox fired
its most popular anchor, Tucker Carlson. Carlson has
just announced he is launching a new show on Twitter.
Murdoch
said viewers, and investors, should expect no change
in direction from Fox News.
“We
made the business decision to resolve this dispute
and avoid the acrimony of a divisive trial and multi-year
appeal process, a decision clearly in the best interests
of the company and its shareholders,” he said.
Fox
still believes it was properly exercising its First
Amendment rights to report on newsworthy fraud allegations
made by former President Donald Trump, even though
that defence was shot down in a pre-trial court ruling
in the Dominion case, Murdoch said.
That’s
important, since Murdoch said Fox intends to use the
same defence against a similar lawsuit by another
elections technology company, Smartmatic. That case
is not expected to go to trial until at least 2025,
he said.
Despite
being asked directly about Carlson’s exit, Murdoch
didn’t mention the former prime-time host’s
name and referred to his reign obliquely. Fox has
not explained why it cut ties with Carlson.
“There’s
no change in programming strategy at Fox News,”
he said. “It’s obviously a successful strategy.
As always, we are adjusting our programming and our
lineup and that’s what we continue to do.”
Although
hurt by the Carlson exit, Fox News remains the leading
cable news network.
Fox
has lost viewers following Carlson’s firing.
Last week’s substitute host, Lawrence Jones,
reached between 1.28 million and 1.7 million last
week in a time slot where Carlson usually drew around
3 million, the Nielsen company said.
Yet
Fox has gained more than 40 new advertisers in that
hour, the network said, confirming a report in Variety.
Advertisers like Gillette, Scott’s Miracle Gro
and Secret deodorant that had considered Carlson’s
show a toxic environment have signed on.
(AP)
News
Jesse
Armstrong on the roots of Succession: ‘Would
it have landed the same way without the mad bum-rush
of Trump’s presidency?’ - 27th May 2023
It
has been the TV drama of our time – a brutal,
hilarious unpicking of how power works. As the series
comes to an end, its creator looks back at its origin
and the unholy trinity of men who helped inspire Logan
Roy
My
first vivid memory of the project that would develop
into Succession was trying to get out of it. It was
about 2008 and I was on location for the filming of
Peep Show, the UK sitcom my longtime writing partner
Sam Bain and I wrote together. Between that show and
my work on The Thick of It and In the Loop, and a
bunch of other things, I was feeling overcommitted.
That particular day we were pretending a very normal
field in Hertfordshire was a safari park. I sloped
off from set and, hiding from imaginary lions, tried
to elegantly step away from the project.
I
failed. And in the following months as I wrote, slowly,
I became certain the script was a dud. It was stodgy
and odd. The original idea, a faux-documentary laying
out Rupert Murdoch’s business secrets, with them
delivered straight to camera, evolved as I worked
into a sort of TV play, set at the media owner’s
80th birthday party. Channel 4 were supportive, but
it was an odd form, this docudrama/TV-play, and difficult
to make happen. Around 2011, after a read-through
in London where John Hurt played Rupert, the project
essentially died.
My
US agent was the first person I recall suggesting
a totally different approach. A fictional family,
a multi-series US show. For five years or so, I dismissed
the idea, certain that a portrayal of a fictional
family would never have the power of a real one. Four
works changed my mind: HBO’s excellent Robert
Durst documentary, The Jinx; Sumner Redstone’s
grimly business-focused autobiography, A Passion to
Win; James B Stewart’s propulsive DisneyWar;
and Tom Bower’s fascinating Robert Maxwell biography
Maxwell: The Final Verdict. These turned the idea
of doing a media-family drama without a singular real-life
model from a terrible betrayal of reality into a tantalising
chance to harvest all the best stories. Here was an
opportunity to explore all the most fascinating family
dynamics within a propitiously balanced fictional
hybrid media conglomerate. I took a long, deep dive
into rich-family and media-business research.
I
talked about this, as-yet-unwritten, idea in half-ironised
terms as ‘Festen-meets-Dallas’
When
Sam and I decided to bring things to a close on Peep
Show, I flew out to pitch this media show around LA.
I had a clear idea of where I wanted to develop it,
but my agent persuaded me appetites would be whetted
if we had a number of potential homes. So I spent
three days doing a round of pitch meetings where I
talked about this as-yet-unwritten idea in half-ironised
terms as “Festen-meets-Dallas”. No stars,
Dogme 95 camerawork. Scared of driving on the five-lane
highways, I bumped around town in the back of a Honda
Civic while a nice young man from my US agent’s
mailroom ferried me between rooms stocked with identical
tiny bottles of water and executives of vastly varying
degrees of interest.
Eventually,
I got to HBO, the place I most wanted the show to
land, home to The Sopranos and Six Feet Under. I knew
they might be receptive. Frank Rich – once known
as the “Butcher of Broadway” for his theatre
criticism, but now an in-house consigliere –
had championed my work there to the boss, Richard
Plepler, and I’d previously developed a show
with them. So, out the back of a French-style bistro
on a three-cappuccino high, I pitched it to their
head of drama and comedy, Casey Bloys.
Sometimes
a pitch stretches thin and threadbare, the fabric
renting as you go, the other party peeping grimly
through the holes. Other times, the air thickens,
and you can feel the atmosphere in the room turn oxygen-rich
as the enthusiasm you are trying to project transforms
into an enthusiasm you are actually feeling.
By
the time I left LA, HBO had made an offer and Adam
McKay, fresh from The Big Short, had said he would
be interested in directing. I’d written another
Succession forerunner, a script about the US political
strategist Lee Atwater, for Adam and his producing
partner Kevin Messick. It had been one of the few
LA experiences I’d had where the excitement expressed
at the start of the project sustained through the
writing and attempts to get it made.
This
was 2016 and, once back in the UK, I wrote the pilot
through the spring and summer in a one-room flat I
rented on Brixton Hill, south London, walking across
Brockwell Park each morning, listening to podcasts
and reading news about the Brexit referendum. Scotland
had recently voted by a narrow majority to stay inside
the UK and the abiding sense right before the Brexit
vote was, yeah, change looms, it glistens, menacingly,
promisingly, but it doesn’t happen. Not really.
Really, everything stays the same.
But
then it did happen. And across the Atlantic, the Trump
campaign was igniting – even if initially his
candidacy felt like a slightly amusing, slightly too-vivid
flash in the pan. Into early autumn, in fact, all
serious people were still explaining to one another
that Trump couldn’t happen. Although I suppose,
looking back, there was a notable lack of detail in
terms of the mechanism by which he would be stopped.
I
think a lot of the better films and TV shows I’ve
been involved with have at their heart a quite simple
impulse around which the more subtle layers are spun.
In the Loop’s spark was anger at the Iraq war.
Chris Morris’s Four Lions I think was driven
by his gut feeling that something was very wrong with
the way we understood jihadi terrorism in the UK.
Peep Show was about oddball male friendship, perhaps
even “masculinity”.
I
guess the simple things at the heart of Succession
ended up being Brexit and Trump. The way the UK press
had primed the EU debate for decades. The way the
US media’s conservative outriders prepared the
way for Trump, hovered at the brink of support and
then dived in. The British press of Rothermere, Maxwell,
Murdoch and the Barclay brothers, and the US news
environment of Fox and Breitbart.
The
Sun doesn’t run the UK, nor does Fox entirely
set the media agenda in the US, but it was hard not
to feel, at the time the show was coming together,
the particular impact of one man, of one family, on
the lives of so many. Rightwing populism was on the
march across the globe. But in the fine margins of
the Brexit vote and Trump’s eventual electoral
college victory, one couldn’t help but think
about the influence of the years of anti-EU stories
and comment in the UK press, the years of Fox dancing
with its audience, sometimes leading, sometimes following,
as the wine got stronger, the music madder. It was
politically alarming and creatively appealing: to
imagine the mixture of business imperatives and political
instinct that exist within a media operation; to consider
what happens when something as important as the flow
of information in a democracy hits the reductive brutality
of the profit calculation inside such a company. How
those elements might rebound emotionally and psychologically
inside a family as it considered the question of corporate
succession.
For
Logan Roy, Murdoch, Redstone and Maxwell were my holy
trinity of models. But Conrad Black, Brian L Roberts
of Comcast, Robert Mercer of Breitbart, Julian Sinclair
Smith of Sinclair, Tiny Rowland, Rothermere, Beaverbrook
and Hearst all fed in. The three central models were
wildly different, of course: the self-made refugee
Maxwell and the already-rich Murdoch, a scion of Australian
journalistic royalty, both so different from the tough
Boston lawyer Redstone who started with a couple of
his father’s drive-in cinemas.
But
they were connected by a strong interest in a few
things: a refusal to think about mortality (Redstone
and Murdoch both used to make the same joke about
their succession plan: not dying); desire for control;
manic deal-making energy; love of gossip and power-connection;
a certain ruthlessness about hirings and firings.
And most of all, an instinct for forward motion, with
a notable lack of introspection.
Perhaps
the best part of Redstone’s autobiography for
a casual reader is the opening, where he recounts
clinging by one hand to a hotel balcony through a
fire. Despite suffering third-degree burns over half
his body, years of rehabilitation, excruciatingly
painful skin grafts, he says this event, after which
he made all his biggest business plays, had no impact
whatsoever on the trajectory of his life.
Whether
due to all this grist, or the aligning of the political
planets (in)auspiciously, the pilot came unnervingly
easily. Getting names in a script to feel real can
be hard for me – they’re a tell-tale sign
of whether I’m living inside it. Kendall, Shiv,
Roman, Connor. They all felt right straight off the
bat. Their inspirations, I suppose, were the children
of these magnates: three of the Maxwell kids, the
ones closest to the business (the boys, Ian and Kevin)
and to their father (Ghislaine). Brent and Shari Redstone,
with whom Sumner played a tough and complicated game
of bait-and-switch over CBS-Paramount succession.
And the Murdoch children, Prudence, Lachlan, James,
Elisabeth, Chloe and Grace.
But
getting those names for the Roy children made them
feel like their own individuals to me. It allowed
me to pour in just what I wanted from the real world,
fill each with all the faults they might have inherited,
while giving me room to add some extra, just for them.
Greg
and Tom came fast, too. Tom from two roots. One was
thinking about the sort of lunks I’ve occasionally
seen powerful women choose as partners. Plausible,
manly men with big watches and a soothing affable
manner. That mixed with the deadly courtier, a more
18th-century figure, minutely attuned to shifts in
power and influence, an invisible deadly gas that
occurs in certain confined places and rises to kill
anyone unwise enough not to take precautions. A hanger-on
sustained by some Fitzgeraldian illusions about the
world, a sense that perhaps the rich really are different
from us and a romantic ambition to make it in New
York City.
Greg,
I guess, was a distant relative of the sort of political
adviser I had myself briefly been. Gormless, clueless,
out of place and gauche. But not without an eye for
a deal. And, I hope, a little more wheedling and insinuating
than I ever was.
The
scenes flowed. I put all research aside and followed
my nose and wrote pretty much exactly what I wanted
The
charge between these two semi-outsiders struck me
from the start as toxic and comic. Tom, the interloper,
is like an organism that has found a precarious but
rewarding perch above some deep oceanic vent and adapted
itself to conditions perfectly. He is not pleased
at all to see a similar creature scuttling along hoping
to share the same cramped evolutionary niche. That
first half-bullying, half-provocative exchange they
share in the outfield at a softball game in the pilot
landed them right in the middle of a stew they’ve
been cooking in ever since.
The
scenes flowed. I had eaten a very large amount of
research, but once I was writing I put it all aside
and followed my nose and wrote pretty much exactly
what I wanted. It felt funny but odd and broken-ended,
fragmentary, abrupt, oblique and slightly brutal.
When I emailed it off, I had the familiar feeling
that Adam, Frank and HBO might email back to say not
only was it not good, it wasn’t even actually,
technically, a script. But their response was frighteningly
positive. Almost as though the script was finished,
after what was, I thought, a quick first draft. I
think every other episode of Succession has gone to
at least 30 drafts – usually 50. The pilot barely
hit 15.
We
had our read-through in New York on US election day
2016. Before we started, I made the sort of joke lots
of people made that day, assuming the polls were right
and Hillary Clinton was going to squeeze it. That
night we gathered in Adam McKay’s apartment to
watch the results roll in. Much later, I walked a
long walk back from Soho to where I was staying near
the United Nations looking at the electoral college
numbers projected on to the Empire State Building.
We
started filming the next day.
I
still wonder whether Succession would have landed
in the same way without the mad bum-rush of news and
sensation Trump’s chaotic presidency provided.
Trump wasn’t the firebombing of German civilians,
and nor is Succession Slaughterhouse-Five, but I do
sometimes think about Vonnegut saying no one in the
world profited from the firebombing of Dresden, except
himself.
This
is an edited extract from Succession: The Complete
Scripts – Seasons One, Two and Three (Faber &
Faber), out now at £20 each. To support the
Guardian and Observer, order your copies for £17.60
each from guardianbookshop.com.
The
final episode of Succession airs in the UK on Sky
Atlantic/Now on Monday. Jesse Armstrong donated the
fee for this article to the Writers Guild of America
strike assistance fund.
News
LIV
Golf announces new pay-per-view option - 26th May
2023
"The
hope for LIV is to grow off the success first seen
on YouTube in 2022, where the league attracted tournament
audiences of several hundred-thousand views in the
U.S. and abroad."
Going
forward, LIV Golf Series events will be available
via a pay-per-view option on YouTube.
The
new deal was detailed by James Colgan of Golf.com.
“Less
than six months after signing a media rights agreement
with the CW, LIV announced Friday that it has created
a new, pay-per-view broadcast option to run on YouTube,”
Colgan reported. “The PPV broadcast will cost
$3 per tournament day, LIV said in a release announcing
the decision, and will run in addition to the league’s
agreement with the CW.”
Colgan
also detailed that “A LIV source indicated that
the CW is aware of the decision to introduce a pay-per-view
model, and that the decision does not violate any
of the league’s preexisting broadcast agreements.”
“The
hope for LIV is to grow off the success first seen
on YouTube in 2022, where the league attracted tournament
audiences of several hundred-thousand views in the
U.S. and abroad. The league already has its own direct-to-consumer
subscription platform, LIV Golf Plus, which the PPV
channel will run counter to. LIV broadcasts will continue
to be streamed for free on the CW app.”
This
announcement comes less than two weeks after a rather
embarrassing moment for the tour. One week before
LIV’s Brooks Koepka triumphed at the PGA Championship,
the Saudi-backed golf series was in Tulsa.
On
one hand, it was a perfect showcase event for LIV.
Two of its most high-profile players, Dustin Johnson
and Cam Smith, went to a three-way playoff (along
with Branden Grace). But most of the people watching
did not get to see Johnson’s eventual triumph.
The
CW, the league’s primary broadcast partner, went
away from coverage in the vast majority of its markets,
showing “regularly scheduled programming.”
Jim Nantz was quick to make a joke at LIV’s expense
on the matter at the PGA Championship. The CW also
announced a change, saying that all events will be
shown to their conclusions going forward.
[Golf.com]
News
WWE
Night Of Champions Reportedly Earned Highest Viewership
Of Any Saudi Arabia Show - 31st May 2023
According
to a report from Fightful Select, Saturday's Night
of Champions PLE scored WWE the highest viewership
out of any of the company's Saudi Arabia events since
the partnership between the two began in 2013. The
report states that Night of Champions brought in an
18% increase in viewership compared to last year's
Crown Jewel event, and the company is reportedly quite
happy with its holiday weekend results.
Night
of Champions was headlined by Kevin Owens and Sami
Zayn successfully defending the Undisputed WWE Tag
Team Championship against Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa
of The Bloodline, with a major angle taking place
on the show that saw The Usos turn on Reigns after
more than a year of build-up and tension.This marks
the second time a tag team match has served as the
main event of a major WWE show in recent months. Additional
matches on the show included Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles
to decide the first WWE World Heavyweight Champion,
a singles match between Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus,
and a Backlash rematch pitting Brock Lesnar against
Cody Rhodes, among others.
To
date, WWE has held nine PPVs and PLEs in Saudi Arabia,
along with three house shows. Back in 2019, WWE announced
that they had "expanded their partnership"
with Saudi Arabia, and that they would be hosting
two major events per year in the Middle Eastern nation
through at least 2027. Though it hasn't been announced
yet, WWE will likely return to Saudi Arabia for another
Crown Jewel event later this year.
News
Pat
McAfee Comments On Empty Seats At AEW Double Or Nothing
- 31st May 2023
All
Elite Wrestling's Double or Nothing pay-per-view took
place this past weekend at the T-Mobile Arena in Las
Vegas, Nevada. During the event, Wrestlenomics' Brandon
Thurston tweeted images of empty seats inside the
venue. Wrestling Observer's Bryan Alvarez also posted
a photo from his ringside position, which showed many
unoccupied places behind Orange Cassidy after he retained
the AEW International Championship in a Blackjack
Battle Royal. Former "WWE SmackDown" commentator
Pat McAfee has weighed in with his thoughts.
"Anytime
you get a shot away from hard cam, you know what I
mean, you can really see a lot of things," McAfee
said on "The Pat McAfee Show." "AEW
found out this weekend or whatever at one of their
events, it's like three quarters of an arena completely
empty. They don't want that photo out anywhere."
Ahead
of the pay-per-view going live on Sunday night, WrestleTix
revealed 10,229 tickets had been distributed for an
11,641 setup inside the T-Mobile Arena, leaving 1,412
tickets available. An Anarchy in the Arena match headlined
the show, with Blackpool Combat Club's Bryan Danielson,
Jon Moxley, reigning ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli,
and Wheeler Yuta picking up the win in that bout against
The Elite's Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson,
and "Hangman" Adam Page.
AEW's
next major standalone show, All In, which will take
place on August 27 at Wembley Stadium in London, England,
has currently sold over 65,000 tickets and has a gate
of over $8 million. No matches have been announced
for AEW's first event across the pond as of this writing.
Ticket sales for All In have slowed following an initial
surge.
News
WWE-UFC
merged company to be called ‘TKO Group Holdings’
- 16th May 2023
A
name has emerged for the group.
Coming
out of WrestleMania, it was announced by Endeavor
that an agreement had been reached with WWE and the
company would be merging with UFC to form a new sports
and entertainment company.
The
deal has not been formally finalized but a name for
the merged group has been revealed. CNBC’s Alex
Sherman and Mike Calia published a story and an Endeavor
spokesperson confirmed to the outlet that the new
group is going to be called ‘TKO Group Holdings’.
It
will trade under the New York Stock Exchange as ‘TKO’.
The
merger between WWE and UFC is being valued at $20
billion. Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel will be the CEO
of TKO Group and Vince McMahon is going to serve as
Executive Chairman.
News
Nick
Khan Says WWE In Talks With International Cities For
2024 PLEs
It
sounds as though WWE will continue expanding its PLEs
into international markets next year. Speaking at
the JP Morgan Global Technology, Media & Communications
Conference, WWE CEO Nick Khan stated that the company
was discussing the potential for additional overseas
shows in 2024.
"We're
in conversations now with a lot of international cities
about doing 2024 shows there," Khan said. "Also,
part of the intent is to match those up with our media
rights, even if they're not up to over-deliver for
incumbent partners who can then invite their partners
in the international city to the event, and host them.
It's good for our overall business." Khan's comments
came as part of a conversation about countries offering
subsidies to WWE for bringing shows there, as the
company brings a great deal of revenue to the city
for major events. Khan cited recent events in Puerto
Rico as well as the Dallas, Texas area as examples.
Previous
rumors pointed toward Australia as a potential location
for a future international WWE PLE. However, it's
unknown if negotiations with the country have progressed
in the months since.
WWE
has steadily ramped up its major international shows
over the last five years, with the company holding
several yearly events in Saudi Arabia, as well as
last year's Clash at the Castle and the upcoming Money
in the Bank both being held in the United Kingdom.
It seems fans around the world should stay on the
lookout for upcoming announcements regarding WWE's
international schedule in 2024.
News
“We
Let People Go”: Months After $21.4 Billion UFC-WWE
Deal, Endeavor CEO Recalls “Horrible” Time
for Organization - 2nd June 2023
The
year 2020 brought unprecedented challenges for individuals
and organizations alike, and the UFC was no exception.
The promotional frontman Dana White has reflected
on those uncertain times and shared the struggles
the organization faced in keeping things going. Despite
the pandemic, White was determined to keep the show
running and provide entertainment for fight fans worldwide.
While the rest of the world was shut down, the UFC
managed to organize consistent events, albeit on a
smaller scale. However, this arduous journey was not
without its fair share of hardships.
Ari
Emanuel, the CEO of Endeavor, the parent company of
the UFC and William Morris Endeavor talent agency,
revealed the significant challenges they encountered
during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though Endeavor
recently secured a massive $21.4 billion deal to acquire
the WWE, during the COVID-19 days, the company found
itself at rock bottom struggling to stay afloat.
When
Covid-19 posed a threat to the UFC
In
an interview on the “Freakonomics Radio”
podcast, Emanuel shared how the pandemic affected
the company financially. During the interview, podcast
host Stephen Dubner asked Emanuel, “Did you think
COVID might kill Endeavor?”. Reflecting on this,
the 62-year-old CEO replied, “It was bad,”
He continued, “I’d never had to fire that
many people.”
Emanuel
mentioned that the continuation of UFC fights during
the pandemic played a crucial role in saving the company,
accounting for approximately 70% of their revenue
that year. Further talking about the struggles to
keep the organization alive during the pandemic, the
Endeavor CEO stated, “We had our ESPN deal. We
then started making deals for writers. So we stored
all the cash. We didn’t let anything out. We
let people go, which was horrible, or furloughed them.”
Through
the storm, Endeavor’s leadership team, led by
Emanuel, proved to be the lighthouse that guided them
to safer shores. The UFC’s resilience and the
implementation of innovative strategies, such as the
‘Fight Island’ events, not only salvaged
the company but also became a beacon of hope for other
professional sports leagues.
News
“Very,
Very Easy for Jon Jones”: Ex-UFC Star Ruthlessly
Shuts Down Tyson Fury Days After Boxer’s Callout
of UFC Champ in Ugly Public Feud - 1st June 2023
The
claim made by Joe Rogan that Tyson Fury would stand
no chance against Jon Jones has sparked an intense
and never-ending debate. Recently, another prominent
figure from the UFC, the world of mixed martial arts,
has jumped into this heated discussion. However, ‘The
Gypsy King’ himself strongly opposed the take
of the UFC commentator and didn’t hold back in
expressing his views. In fact, he went as far as bashing
Rogan and proudly proclaimed himself to be ‘the
baddest man on the planet’.
As
the back and forth continued between Fury and Rogan,
UFC president Dana White has stepped in, proposing
a potential fight between Fury and Jones. However,
the WBC heavyweight champion firmly refused to step
into the octagon, dismissing the idea altogether.
This decision faced an immediate backlash from fans
who had eagerly anticipated the materialization of
this debate inside the fighting arena.
Despite
the disappointment felt by fans, it becomes evident
that the 34-year-old boxer has no intention of venturing
into the octagon. On the contrary, a former UFC welterweight
challenger believes that Fury would fare well in the
realm of mixed martial arts. However, he warns that
there may be unforeseen challenges along the way.
Tyson
Fury will have a Jon Jones threat in MMA
During
a recent interview, the former UFC fighter Dan Hardy
shared his reflections on the latest happenings in
the combat sports world, ranging from boxing to MMA.
However, it was the Tyson Fury-Jon Jones debate that
took center stage.
The
41-year-old Hardy began by heaping praise on ‘The
Gypsy King’ for his potential in MMA, stating,
“Tyson Fury doesn’t come from a boxing background.
He comes from a fighting man background. Tyson Fury
sees himself as a fighter first that boxes, and I
think he looks at mixed martial arts and sees lots
of ways he can capitalize on the changing of the rules.”
Continuing
his analysis, Hardy mentioned Fury’s collaboration
with Tom Aspinall and how he has showcased proficient
elbows and knees in the videos shared with him. ‘The
Outlaw’ confidently stated, “I feel like
Tyson Fury would be really good if he crossed over
to mixed martial arts. Of course, there’d be
a lot for him to learn. The main issue would be, he’d
be very, very easy for Jon Jones to take down. And
I think that’s something that Tyson has not experienced
and has not and has not really quite comprehended.”
Meanwhile,
Jon Jones recently made a strong statement in his
heavyweight debut, securing a first-round victory
against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 after returning from
a three-year-long hiatus.
This
certainly explains Dan Hardy’s warning to Tyson
Fury. How do you think ‘The Gypsy King’
would fare in MMA?
News
Dwayne
Johnson to Return as Luke Hobbs in New ‘Fast
and Furious’ Standalone Film - 7th June 2023
Dwayne
Johnson is returning to the “Fast and Furious”
universe with a new standalone film, reprising his
franchise role as Luke Hobbs.
Universal
Pictures announced the project on Thursday. Longtime
“Fast and Furious” collaborator Chris Morgan
wrote the untitled film’s script. Plot details
were not available, though individuals familiar with
the deal said the new movie will bridge between the
events of the just-released “Fast X” and
the upcoming “Fast X: Part II,” which is
expected in 2025. Johnson just appeared as Hobbs,
a diplomatic security service agent, in a credits
scene for “Fast X.”
Johnson
will produce the film with Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia
for their Seven Bucks Productions, along with Vin
Diesel and Samantha Vincent via their One Race Films.
Additional producers include Chris Morgan for his
Chris Morgan Productions, Jeff Kirschenbaum for Roth/Kirschenbaum
Films and Neal Moritz for Original Film.
Screenwriter
Morgan wrote and produced “Fast and Furious Presents:
Hobbs & Shaw” and “The Fate of the Furious.”
He’s also scripted and executive produced the
fifth, sixth and seventh entries in the franchise.
Directed by Louis Leterrier, “Fast X” opened
at No. 1 around the world in May with $320 million
and became the second-biggest global opening of 2023.
Johnson
announced Hobbs’ return with a video posted to
social media with the caption: “Your reactions
around the world to Hobbs’ return in ‘Fast
X’ have blown us away. The next ‘Fast &
Furious’ film you’ll see the legendary lawman
in will be the Hobbs movie that will serve as a fresh,
new chapter & set up for ‘Fast X: Part II.'”
“Last
summer Vin Diesel and I put all the past behind us,”
Johnson added. “We’ll lead with brotherhood
and resolve – and always take care of the franchise,
characters & fans that we love. I’ve built
my career on an ‘audience first’ mentality
and that will always serve as my north star.”
Johnson
is repped by WME, lawyers Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown
& Passman, Inc. and The Lede Company.
Seven
Bucks has co-produced films like Disney’s “Jungle
Cruise” and the DC Studios entires “Black
Adam” and “DC League of Super-Pets.”
Original series include NBC’s “Young Rock”
and “The Titan Games.” Johnson will next
produce and star in “Red One” at Amazon
Studios and Disney’s live-action “Moana.”
News
13
States Comment On Possibility Of Allowing Gambling
On WWE Matches
In
March 2023, CNBC reported that WWE was working toward
legalizing gambling on wrestling matches, enlisting
the services of accounting firm Ernst & Young,
with Michigan, Colorado, and Indiana mentioned as
the initial targets. As of now, betting on WWE matches
is only available at offshore sportsbooks like BetOnline.ag,
based out of Antigua, and Bovada, based out of Latvia.
Betting on matches in America would open up new streams
of revenue for WWE and add some mainstream legitimacy
to the sports entertainment powerhouse.
Since
that report broke, however, it's been nothing bad
news for WWE in the gambling department. Dave Meltzer
has reported that WWE's efforts aren't going well
— Colorado denied talking to WWE and said that
"By statute, wagers on events with fixed or predicted
outcomes ... are strictly prohibited in Colorado."
Indiana told Casino.org that it had "no interest
in approving wagering on scripted events," and
Michigan also denied any recent talks with WWE, while
New Hampshire Lottery Commission executive director
Charlie McIntyre deemed it "very unlikely"
betting on WWE gets approved in New Hampshire.
In
light of this, Wrestling Inc. reached out to multiple
states about the possibility of legalized betting
on WWE matches. Each gambling commission was asked
1) how likely WWE would be to succeed if they pitched
gambling on matches to them, and 2) if there were
any regulations, laws, or statutes that barred betting
on something with predetermined outcomes. 13 states
-– Arizona, Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio,
Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington -– responded.
While their responses varied slightly, overall, they
paint a picture of increasingly fewer opportunities,
and increasingly more obstacles, for legal gambling
on WWE matches to get approved.
At
least three states say they wouldn't allow gambling
on WWE as a matter of policy, even if there are no
explicit laws against it.
Kerry
Hemphill, Manager of Sports Betting Product at the
Oregon Lottery, made it clear that gambling on WWE
wouldn't be allowed as a matter of policy in the Beaver
State: "Although there is no law or statute that
forbids it, Oregon Lottery sports betting policy is
to not accept wagers on scripted events with predicted
outcomes."
Seth
Elkin, Assistant Director of Communications for Public
Affairs for Maryland Lottery and Gaming, also told
us his state had made a determination on the matter.
"Maryland's sports wagering law and regulations
prohibit forms of wagering that are contrary to public
policy or unfair to bettors," he said. "We've
determined that it is unfair to bettors, and therefore
not in the public's interest, to accept wagers on
sports entertainment events that have predetermined
outcomes, like professional wrestling."
Meanwhile,
a representative from the South Dakota Department
of Revenue simply said, "WWE wrestling matches
would not be eligible for sports wagering in South
Dakota."
Iowa
and Ohio say no to betting on predetermined events
Two
more states said that predetermined events weren't
permitted, but made a point to highlight policy and
procedure. Brian J. Ohorilko, Administrator of the
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, also shot down
gambling on wrestling for the time being.
"Predetermined
events are not permitted in the State of Iowa,"
he told Wrestling Inc. "Iowa law defines and
permits professional sporting events and sports-related
events; however, fixed or predetermined outcomes are
not explicitly permitted. As such, and for other integrity
concerns, the commission has not permitted predetermined
events in any of the approved wagering markets."
Ohorilko
also brought up the process that would be required
for any kind of legalization: "From a practical
standpoint, any request would need to come with a
legal opinion as to how this would be permitted under
Iowa law," he said. "It would need to go
through legal review with consultation from the AG
office. If legal review passes, the commission would
still need to review policy and integrity concerns
with respect to the activity having predetermined
outcomes. Approval would be needed before this type
of wagering activity could take place."
Ohio
tells a similar story. Jessica Franks, Director of
Communications for the Ohio Casino Control Commission,
pointed us towards Rule 3775-11-01 of the Ohio Administrative
Code — the process for adding to Ohio's catalog
of wagers and events. She said the Commission's review
of such requests includes, but is not limited to,
the following criteria:
The
quality of the governing body's documented integrity
program.
The
general availability of information related to the
governing body.
The
professional or skill level status of athletes.
The
history of integrity related to events sanctioned
by the governing body.
This
already puts the WWE in shaky territory, but it's
seemingly locked out for good with the following consideration:
"Please note that the Commission will not approve
requests for wagers/events involving 'Events which
are pre-recorded or in which the outcome has been
otherwise previously determined.'"
Arizona
and Connecticut have laws against betting on fixed
outcomes
At
least two states have laws in place that would ban
gambling on WWE matches.
Max
Hartgraves, Public Information Officer at the Arizona
Department of Gaming, provided a straightforward statement:
"Arizona statute prohibits gambling on fixed
events."
Meanwhile,
when asked how likely WWE would be to garner approval
for gambling on matches, Kaitlyn Krasselt, Communications
Director at Connecticut Department of Consumer Protections,
said "I cannot speculate on that." That
said, she did inform Wrestling Inc. about state regulations
on gambling: "Connecticut law only allows wagering
on sporting or athletic events. WWE is sports entertainment.
The 'matches' are predetermined by the company and
are scripted. There is no regulation body for professional
wrestling, and WWE is one of several companies that
offers this type of entertainment. With a predetermined
outcome, this would not be considered a sport. It
is considered entertainment. Wagering on the Oscars,
for example, is also not permitted in Connecticut."
That
last part is significant, since CNBC's report mentioned
that WWE executives were using Oscar betting as an
example for regulators.
Maine
and Montana agree with most of their colleagues
Two
states specifically cited the statements from Colorado,
Indiana, Michigan, and New Hampshire in their responses.
After hearing that four other states had expressed
skepticism over betting on WWE, Maine Gambling Control
Unit Executive Director Milton Champion said, "On
the surface, without looking into the matter, I would
concur with my colleagues. Operators will submit with
their application events that they want to take wagers
on, and I shall approve them."
Daniel
Iverson, Content Manager for the Montana Lottery,
said something similar. "Montana does not intend
to add WWE markets, for the same reasons our counterparts
cited," he advised, before directing any questions
on state law to the Montana Department of Justice
Gambling Control Division.
New
Jersey and Massachusetts punted, for now
Two
states we contacted declined to comment on the matter,
not wanting to address issues that haven't come before
them yet. Thomas Mills, Communications Division Chief
of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, said, "I
appreciate your question, but am unable to speculate
on a hypothetical action the Commission may or may
not take."
Dan
Prochilo, Public Information Officer at the New Jersey
Attorney General's Office, responded that "The
Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) cannot comment
on any hypothetical discussion with an operator or
league about future sports betting opportunities."
He added that "In New Jersey, an entity seeking
permission for a contest to be authorized for wagering
on a sports event is required to submit its proposal
to DGE for evaluation and approval pursuant to state
law and regulations."
Prochilo
also provided the state's legal definition of a "sports
event" for the purposes of gambling. Notably,
it includes the phrase "A 'sports event' shall
include any live competition or talent contest, including
awards competitions[.]"
New
Jersey and Massachusetts are two of the only states
that allow betting on the Oscars, with New Jersey
okaying it in 2019 (the first state to do so) and
Massachusetts greenlighting it in 2023. It's unknown
if WWE will approach either state or how each state
would respond, but at bare minimum, WWE's argument
to treat wrestling like the Oscars for betting purposes
might carry some weight.
Washington
and New Mexico illustrate the challenges of Tribal
gaming
Washington
is unique among the states who responded to us, in
that sports wagering is only available on Tribal lands
yet still regulated by the state. Sports wagering
was legalized, subject to terms of Tribal/State Compacts,
on Tribal lands in 2020. All wagering, even online
betting, must take place on Tribal lands, and each
casino decides bets within certain limitations. The
Angel of the Winds Casino and Resort and the ilani
Casino Resort, for example, don't 100% overlap on
sports offered for betting.
But
WWE, or any wrestling, won't be joining those offering
under current rules and regulations. Dan Wegenast,
Agent In Charge for the Tribal Gaming Unit of the
Washington State Gambling Commission, pointed Wrestling
Inc. towards the Tribal/State Compacts for sports
wagering. He also stated that "Washington State
law and the Tribal/State Compacts for sports wagering
... prohibit wagers on events with known outcomes."
To
further illustrate the complications of garnering
approval for gaming on Tribal lands, a representative
from the New Mexican Gaming Control Board told Wrestling
Inc. that sports betting is illegal in their state,
but legal with some Tribes. That said, New Mexico
does not regulate Tribal gaming, meaning that approval
would likely have to be worked out with each Tribe
individually.
There
are other obstacles, too
It's
worth noting that gambling laws are constantly changing.
Many states without gambling –- such as North
Carolina -– have spent years hammering out legislation
that would approve gambling off Tribal lands. Additionally,
for states with legalized gambling, internal policies
are not inherently laws, and can be subject to change
under the right circumstances.
That
said, even if WWE manages to get gambling on matches
approved anywhere, that's only one part of the battle:
They still need casinos and/or sportsbooks to be willing
to accept wagers at all, and there's resistance in
this field, as well, as demonstrated in subsequent
coverage from CNBC. FanDuel deems it unlikely that
they'd ever accept bets on WWE, noting that the Academy
Awards –- which held once per year -– are
vastly different than dealing with WWE's weekly programming.
Additionally, when BetCEO Adam Greenblatt was asked
if he had any interesting in accepting bets on WWE,
he responded "NFW."
Between
the overwhelming majority opinions of the 13 states
who responded to Wrestling Inc., the states that have
already responded, and the reluctance of sportsbooks
to include anything that looks less than credible,
WWE faces an increasingly uphill battle if they want
to make betting on wrestling matches legal anywhere
in the United States.
News
News.com.au
holds number one news traffic ranking in April for
fourth consecutive month - May 22, 2023
News.com.au
has retained the number one news website traffic ranking
for the fourth month in a row, reaching 12.71 million
Australians in April.
The
latest Ipsos Iris report showed the news website has
resolidified its market-leading stance, although there
was a three per cent dip month-on-month in unique
audience. Average time on site per person, sitting
at 29 minutes and 55 seconds, also slipped modestly
compared to March.
Oliver
Murray, news.com.au editor, pointed out April was
a month when many should’ve switched off to enjoy
Easter and the school holidays.
“It’s
testament to our team that we kept serving up news
they needed to read,” he said.
That
content offering drew in the largest and most engaged
audience in the news category, he pointed out –
six in 10 online Australians.
“We
saw a 17 per cent month-on-month increase in our sports
audience to become the number one sports brand, driven
by our NRL and AFL coverage,” Murray said.
“Australians
also turned to us for travel news, reaching an audience
of 2.541 million and leading the travel news category.”
The
gap between news.com.au and rival ABC News, sitting
in second spot, is sizeable. The national broadcaster’s
web offering attracted the eyeballs of 11.14 million
Aussies.
Rounding
out the top five was nine.com.au with 10.73 million
unique viewers, 7news.com.au on 10.06 million, and
Daily Mail Australia on 8.35 million.
The
Ipsos Iris report found 20.2 million people used a
news website or app in April, with engagement increasing
by 1.2% to almost six hours per person, per month.
Major
news events ranging from the death of comedian Barry
Humphries to the arrest of former US President Donald
Trump and the federal budget helped fuel the increase,
it said.
The
report called out travel-related browsing in the month,
given Easter and the school holidays, with 16.9 million
Aussies aged 14 and above visiting a travel website
or app in April.
Those
in the 55-plus age bracket spent the most time browsing
– 33% more than those under 55 – while women
were more likely to use travel sites and apps than
men. People aged 25 to 39 are the largest cohort engaging
with travel content online.
Sydney
Morning Herald is the country’s best-read masthead
May 22, 2023
The
Sydney Morning Herald has retained its position
as Australia’s top masthead, with more readers
across all platforms than any other over the 12 months
to March this year.
Total
News figures from the industry’s official data
provider, Roy Morgan, showed 7.7 million people, or
about one in three Australians, read the masthead.
It puts the Herald ahead of its traditional NSW rival,
the News Corp-owned Daily Telegraph, which has 3.98
million readers.
The
Herald’s sister paper, The Age, cemented its
place as the most-read Victorian masthead with 5.2
million readers, and the outlets’ Good Weekend
magazine was the premier Saturday insert. It had an
average print readership of 754,000 people, up 4 per
cent for the quarter.
Print
was a particular bright spot for this masthead, with
the Monday to Friday newspaper recording 17 per cent
growth year over year and quarterly growth of 4 per
cent, taking its average readership per edition to
417,000. It marks the sixth consecutive quarter of
growth for the physical newspaper, while the Sun Herald’s
Sunday print edition was steady, up 1 per cent, to
a readership of 423,000. In the last four weeks, an
average of almost 1.9 million people read the printed
paper.
The
Herald and Age’s Good Food and Traveller titles
had audiences of 1.49 million and 1.56 million, respectively,
each month. Sunday Life had an average issue print
readership of 419,000, and Domain defied a softening
real estate market, seeing annual growth of 7 per
cent and quarterly growth of 5 per cent, to record
an average issue print readership of 537,000.
“I
am proud of our team for achieving such a strong result,
particularly given the challenging environment all
publishers are finding themselves in right now,”
Herald editor Bevan Shields said.
“The
Herald continues to set the benchmark for quality
journalism in Australia and I want to thank our subscribers
and readers for their continued support for what we
do.”
Roy
Morgan’s data covers all news brands and digital
news websites and tracks audiences on Apple News and
Google News.
Financial
Review most-read business masthead. By Sam Buckingham-Jones
- May 22, 2023
The
Australian Financial Review is the country’s
most-read premium business masthead, reaching a print
and digital audience of 3.5 million people, figures
released by Roy Morgan show.
More
than 1.1 million people read the print edition of
the Financial Review over the past four weeks, and
the masthead reported its third consecutive quarter
of growth and a year-on-year increase of 6 per cent.
The Australian suffered an annual drop of 17 per cent
in print readership for the same period.
The
Financial Review’s combined print and digital
audience fell slightly from last quarter, from 3.6
million to 3.5 million, but the decline was smaller
than rivals.
The
AFR Weekend print edition readership grew 59 per cent,
on the Roy Morgan figures, and 11 per cent in the
last quarter. The weekend and weekday print editions
have recorded their highest quarterly result since
2018.
The
Australian Financial Review Magazine recorded a print
readership of 481,000, after quarter-on-quarter growth
of 12 per cent and annual growth of 14 per cent. This
is AFR Magazine’s highest quarterly result since
2018.
“After
the hit from COVID-19, it’s encouraging to see
readers return to the newspaper edition of the nation’s
premium business, finance and political publication,”
said the masthead’s editor-in-chief, Michael
Stutchbury.
“That’s
an endorsement of the newsroom’s journalism,
including our breaking and ongoing pursuit of the
PwC tax scandal.
“At
the same time, the Financial Review continues to hold
the most digitally focused readership of any newspaper
brand as we increase our share of that national market.”
Nine’s
total publishing assets – including the Financial
Review, nine.com.au, The Sydney Morning Herald, The
Age, WA Today, Domain Digital and more, reach a de-duplicated
audience of 16.6 million Australians across print
and digital.
ThinkNewsBrands,
a group representing news publishers, says 16.5 million
Australians read news each week and 20.6 million or
96 per cent of Australians read news each month.
The
Total News readership figures are produced each quarter
by Roy Morgan for ThinkNewsBrands.
Bikini
besties Tash Oakley and Devin Brugman make waves on
Bondi - 7th March 2016
Published
on 29 Mar 2016
Natasha Oakley and Devin Brugman talk fitness and
their new activewear line, Monday Active with E! news
host Ksenjia on Bondi Beach.
On
a Web site, a blog, a short form for weblog, is a
personal journal that is frequently updated and intended
for general public consumption. Blogs generally represent
the personality of the author or the Web site and
its purpose. Topics sometimes include brief philosophical
musings, commentary on Internet and other social issues,
and links to other sites the author favors. The essential
characteristics of the blog are its journal form,
typically a new entry each day, and its informal style.
The author of a blog is often referred to as a blogger.
People who post new journal entries to their blog
may often say they blogged today, they blogged it
to their site, or that they still have to blog.
