The Kingdom of Bhutan announced the world’s largest Bitcoin pledge to support its new economic zone called the Gelephu Mindfulness City. The South Asian country, with a population of just under 800,000, pledged up to 10,000 BTC, valued at $1 billion, to develop its new economic hub, according to an official press release on Dec. 17. Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck added that “every Bhutanese is a custodian, stakeholder, and beneficiary of GMC.” Notably, the country sold 512 BTC in mid-July ...

Core Viewpoint - The President has ordered a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, aiming to enforce existing sanctions and curb illicit oil trade [1] Group 1: Sanctions and Blockade - The blockade targets oil tankers that are under U.S. sanctions, which is part of a broader strategy to limit Venezuela's oil exports [1] - This action is expected to impact Venezuela's already struggling oil industry, which has seen a significant decline in production and revenue [1] Group 2: Industry Implications - The oil industry in Venezuela has been heavily affected by sanctions, leading to a drop in production from approximately 3 million barrels per day in 2015 to around 600,000 barrels per day in recent months [1] - The blockade may further exacerbate the economic crisis in Venezuela, as oil exports are a critical source of revenue for the country [1]

Core Viewpoint - The market is skeptical about Netflix's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming assets and film studios, fearing it may become a financial burden due to the high cost and potential debt involved [1][4][5] Financial Implications - Netflix plans to finance the $72 billion acquisition primarily through cash, despite having less than $9 billion in free cash flow over the past year, raising concerns about its financial stability [4] - The acquisition could necessitate a price increase for subscriptions, potentially leading to subscriber losses [7] Market Concerns - Investors are worried that Netflix's first large acquisition may be beyond its expertise, given the historical challenges of Hollywood mergers that often do not yield profitable outcomes [5][6] - The traditional film studio model, which relies on high-cost productions, contrasts with Netflix's successful subscription-based model, raising questions about operational integration [6] Management's Perspective - Netflix management believes the acquisition will enhance viewer experience by providing more content and potentially better value compared to separate subscriptions [10] - The company envisions leveraging its innovative approach to disrupt traditional media frameworks, aiming for cost efficiencies by combining fixed costs from both companies [11][12] Historical Context - Netflix has previously faced skepticism from investors but has consistently proven them wrong, maintaining its position as a leader in the streaming industry despite increased competition [13] - The outcome of this acquisition remains uncertain, with potential for both significant risks and rewards for shareholders [14]

Core Viewpoint - The outlook for the next year remains positive, driven by strong corporate earnings and the normalization of monetary policy, particularly in the US [1] Group 1: Technology Sector - The technology sector is expected to lead in performance next year due to anticipated strong earnings growth, which is a key driver for relative market performance [4][5] - Despite high valuations, technology stocks are projected to grow rapidly, making them attractive to investors compared to other sectors with slower earnings growth [5][6] - Companies that provide infrastructure for AI, such as Nvidia, Microsoft, and Google, are seen as clear beneficiaries of capital expenditures in AI, with a more transparent path to monetization [10][11] Group 2: Healthcare Sector - The healthcare sector has seen a significant shift, moving from being heavily underweighted by institutional investors to becoming the best-performing sector in Q4, driven by position adjustments and increased M&A activity [7][8] - Although fundamental challenges remain, the sector's recent performance is attributed to a short squeeze and unwinding of underweight positions, creating momentum for further price increases [8] Group 3: Market Dynamics - The overall market dynamics suggest that sectors with stronger earnings growth will continue to attract investor support, reinforcing the positive outlook for technology and healthcare [5][6]

THETA has returned to price levels last seen in 2020 after erasing gains from multiple bull market rallies along the way. The long-term weekly chart shows a clear distribution structure, with each recovery attempt capped by a descending trendline stretching back from the 2021 peak. Despite brief rallies between late 2020 and early 2022, THETA continues to trade at $0.3278, down 97.95% from its all-time high seen above $15, according to CoinMarketCap. The altcoin is down a massive 21% in the past 30 days. ...

As Nike Inc. (NYSE:NKE) prepares to report second-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings on Dec. 18, CEO Elliott Hill has cautioned that the “journey back to greatness” will not be linear, a sentiment reflecting the mixed reality facing investors.While Nike's “Win Now” strategy is sparking life in key categories, second-quarter financials are expected to dip as the company battles significant headwinds.Check out NKE’s stock price here.The ‘Win Now’ PivotNike's ‘Win Now’ strategy—a prioritized focus on Running, North ...

ROME, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Stablecoins continue to advance from a niche instrument to a core settlement layer. In the first seven months of 2025, stablecoin transaction volumes surpassed $4 trillion, up 83% year-on-year, and now sit alongside traditional networks in terms of scale. Regulators are moving in parallel: the SEC has opened the door to multiple spot Bitcoin ETFs, and major custodians such as BNY Mellon, State Street, and DBS are broadening their digital-asset operations. Continue Read ...

REGENSBURG, Germany, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- numares Health ("numares"), the transformative metabolomics company pioneering multidimensional biomarker insights that deliver clinical pathways for optimal patient care, today announces the expansion of its global footprint into the ASEAN region having received regulatory approval in Malaysia and subsequently securing its first contract for the AXINON® LDLp Test System ("AXINON") with BioD Medica, who specialise in introducing medical devices and healthca ...

Registrations OPEN thrd India's first of-its-kind, 6 Annual Summit on Biopharmaceutical Product Development in conjunction with the 3 edition of the International Conference on Advances in 3D Cell Culture. Date & Venue: January 22-23, 2026, | Novotel Dona Sylvia Resort, Goa, India MUMBAI, India and GOA, India, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mumbai Biocluster, in association with the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, proudly announces Biologics X 3DCC Summit 2026 — a landmark unified summit that m ...

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway bought stock in Google-parent Alphabet during the third quarter.Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A 1.29%) (BRK.B 1.17%) had about $267 billion invested across 41 U.S. stocks as of the third quarter. Those totals changed very little from the previous quarter, but Buffett (and his fellow investment managers) made some trades worth exploring:Berkshire sold 41.7 million shares of Apple (AAPL +0.34%). it remains the largest holding at 21% of the portfolio, but Buffett ...