Bank of Canada Governor Warns of ‘Sharp Correction’ Risks in Markets and ‘System-Wide Stress’

In his speech on the release of the Financial Stability Report, Tiff Macklem, Governor of the Bank of Canada, sought to emphasize the purported strength of Canada’s financial system while cautioning against ongoing risks that could precipitate a “sharp correction” in markets, potentially leading to widespread financial strain. “Some indicators of financial stress have risen,” … Read more

Microstrategy’s Bitcoin Holdings Reach 140,000 BTC After Acquiring 1,045 More Bitcoins

Nine days after publicly listed company Microstrategy purchased 6,455 bitcoins, the firm’s CEO, Michael Saylor, announced the purchase of an additional 1,045 bitcoins. The business intelligence (BI) company now holds a total of 140,000 bitcoins, worth $3.97 billion. Microstrategy Buys Another Batch of Bitcoins Microstrategy has begun acquiring bitcoin (BTC) again, after purchasing 6,455 bitcoins … Read more

Bitcoin Millionaire Tim Draper Advises Startups to Keep Bitcoin as a Hedge Against a ‘Domino’ Run on the Banks

Tim Draper, a venture capitalist and bitcoin millionaire, has included bitcoin as part of a series of cash management recommendations offered to startup founders. Draper recommended having at least two payrolls worth of cash in bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies to avoid being affected by bank failures like the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). Tim … Read more

Biden Administration’s Economic Report Deems Crypto Assets ‘Mostly Speculative Investment Vehicles’

On Monday, U.S. president Joe Biden published the administration’s economic report and addressed the subject of cryptocurrencies. The section titled “The Perceived Appeal of Crypto Assets” describes the currencies as “mostly speculative investment vehicles” that are “unbacked” and “traded without fundamental anchors.” The White House insists that crypto assets do not deliver on their promises … Read more

UBS Considers Acquiring Credit Suisse, Requests Government Backstop in Deal

After Credit Suisse Group AG announced it would borrow 50 billion Swiss francs from the Swiss National Bank, UBS Group AG is reportedly considering acquiring the banking giant. However, UBS is requesting that the government issue a backstop to protect against any losses if it purchases Credit Suisse. According to unnamed sources familiar with the … Read more

British Bank Natwest Implements New Limits on Cryptocurrency Payments to Combat UK Crypto Scams

On March 14, 2023, the U.K.-based bank Natwest Group announced new limits on cryptocurrency payments, citing crypto scams that cost U.K. consumers £329 million annually. The limit imposed on crypto exchanges is £1,000 daily ($1,215), with a 30-day limit of £5,000 ($6,077). Natwest’s Cautious Approach Towards Crypto Assets Prompts Another Transfer Limit Amid the banking … Read more

Silicon Valley Bank Failure Highlights Dangers of Fractional-Reserve Banking

After the failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a great deal of Americans are starting to realize the dangers of fractional-reserve banking. Reports show that SVB suffered a significant bank run after customers attempted to withdraw $42 billion from the bank on Thursday. The following is a look at what fractional-reserve banking is and why … Read more