Money

Crypto funding surge following Bitcoin’s strong performance

Published

1 year ago

February 16, 2024

Ahron Young

After enduring a prolonged period of volatility and uncertainty, the crypto industry witnessed a resurgence in venture funding in the fourth quarter of 2023, marking the first uptick since the onset of the “crypto winter” nearly two years ago.

According to data from PitchBook released on Thursday, venture funding for crypto-related companies reached $1.9 billion in the final quarter of 2023, representing a 2.5% increase compared to the previous quarter.

This positive trend comes as a relief for crypto entrepreneurs who have struggled amidst the challenging fundraising landscape in recent years.

The “crypto winter,” characterized by a downturn in investor sentiment and heightened regulatory scrutiny, dampened the fundraising efforts of crypto startups throughout 2022.

Tesla deliveries expected to fall

Rising interest rates from major central banks further exacerbated the situation, prompting investors to retreat from riskier assets including cryptocurrencies.

Crypto winter

Compounding the challenges were high-profile collapses of crypto firms such as Do Kwon’s Terra and Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX, leading to significant losses for major venture funds like Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital.

However, with a resurgence in crypto asset prices and improved public market valuations for companies like Coinbase and MicroStrategy, investor confidence has begun to rebound. Over the past year, bitcoin has more than doubled in price, surpassing $52,000 per coin, while Coinbase stock has surged nearly 140%.

“We’re starting to see a correlation between investments in private markets and the public markets,” says a spokesperson from PitchBook in an interview with CNBC.

“The uptrend in publicly-traded crypto companies is now being reflected in private investments as well.”

Capital flowing

While the total number of deals declined slightly in the fourth quarter, PitchBook suggests that capital is flowing towards stronger startups within the crypto space.

This concentration of investment is evident in notable fundraises such as those for Swan Bitcoin and Blockchain.com, which raised $165 million and $100 million, respectively.

Money

Markets surge as Fed hints at July cut

Fed’s Waller hints at July rate cut, boosting investor sentiment; Trump imposes 50% tariff on Brazil, provoking minimal market response.

Published

2 days ago

July 11, 2025

ticker NEWS

Fed’s Waller hints at July rate cut, boosting investor sentiment; Trump imposes 50% tariff on Brazil, provoking minimal market response.

Fed Governor Christopher Waller, tipped as a possible next Chair, signalled a July rate cut is on the table, calling current policy “too tight.” That’s been enough to supercharge investor sentiment.

Meanwhile, Trump has slapped a surprise 50% tariff on Brazil, sparking political tension. Brazil’s President responded with tough talk on “sovereignty,” but markets barely blinked, the Brazilian real dropped just 1%.

#StockMarket #FederalReserve #Bitcoin #AUD #TrumpTariffs #TickerNews

Money

Trump’s copper tariff shakes global markets

Trump’s 50% copper import tariff aims to strengthen U.S. manufacturing, impacting global supply chains and Chile significantly.

Published

3 days ago

July 10, 2025

ticker NEWS

Trump’s 50% copper import tariff aims to strengthen U.S. manufacturing, impacting global supply chains and Chile significantly.

President Donald Trump has unveiled plans to impose a 50% tariff on copper imports, a move set to rattle global supply chains and redraw the industrial map.

The tariff will hit within weeks, with Chile, the world’s largest copper exporter, expected to bear the brunt.

While Australia’s direct copper trade with the US is limited, analysts say the real message is strategic: the US is reinforcing its domestic manufacturing power.

#CopperTariff #DonaldTrump #TradeWar #GlobalMarkets #TickerNews

Money

RBA unexpectedly keeps interest rates steady at 3.85%

RBA surprises with decision to maintain interest rates at 3.85%, impacting economic forecasts and housing market activity.

Published

5 days ago

July 8, 2025

Ahron Young

RBA surprises with decision to maintain interest rates at 3.85%, impacting economic forecasts and housing market activity.

In Short:
The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept its cash rate at 3.85% despite concerns from the Housing Industry Association about its impact on new home construction. Although inflation is within target and there’s some market confidence, households are under financial strain amidst economic uncertainties.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has decided to maintain the cash rate at 3.85% following a split vote of six to three. This unexpected decision comes as the Housing Industry Association warns that these rates remain restrictive, potentially hindering new home building.

Senior economist Tom Devitt stated that the rates will delay necessary building activity but noted improved market confidence following previous rate cuts.

Current inflation data shows the RBA’s preferred measure has been declining and remains within the target range. However, household spending is under strain, with Australia experiencing a per capita recession since mid-2022.

Labour costs

The RBA’s decision was influenced by concerns over productivity growth and high unit labour costs, affecting its inflation outlook. While some economists anticipated a rate cut, the RBA opted for caution due to economic uncertainties, both domestically and internationally.

The bank acknowledged gradual recovery in private demand and household incomes but highlighted ongoing challenges in passing cost increases to final prices.

Despite the hold on rates, price rises in essentials like petrol continue to impact Australian households. The RBA emphasized the need for ongoing assessment before making future rate changes, suggesting a careful approach in response to evolving economic conditions.