Key Points BlackRock's Larry Fink once believed Bitcoin was mainly used for nefarious purposes. Fink now sees a new reason investors turn to it: fear. Bitcoin's recent performance, however, doesn't suggest that it is a safe asset. 10 stocks we like better than Bitcoin › Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has been a popular investment with retail investors for many years. Although it has earned a reputation for being a risky and speculative investment that isn't suitable for most investors, over time, more peop ...

Igor Suka / Getty Images Experts warn that retirees who seek safety in bonds and cash may be overlooking the larger risks: inflation and the possibility of outliving their assets. Key Takeaways In a recent survey of over 1,000 investors, about 86% of high-risk retirees failed to meet a basic asset diversification benchmark. Financial experts caution against overly relying on cash and bonds to avoid market risk and instead recommend balancing cash, bonds, stocks, and other investments for long-term grow ...

Core Insights - BlackRock CEO Larry Fink describes cryptocurrency as "assets of fear," indicating that some investors are motivated by concerns over financial security and potential dollar collapse [1][3] - Fink's perspective contrasts with other experts who highlight a structural shift in institutional approaches to cryptocurrency, suggesting that motivations extend beyond fear [2][5] Group 1: Fink's Perspective - Fink believes that both cryptocurrency and gold serve as defensive hedges against uncertainty, particularly in light of the U.S. government's debt projected to reach 143% of GDP [3][4] - His recent comments mark a significant change from 2017, when he dismissed cryptocurrency entirely [4] Group 2: Alternative Views - Josip Rupena, CEO of Milo, partially agrees with Fink but emphasizes that factors such as inflation fears and geopolitical risks are important, alongside access through ETFs and compliance frameworks [5][6] - The establishment of financial infrastructure has shifted cryptocurrency from a speculative asset to a mainstream investment, with regulations like MiCA enhancing legitimacy [6] Group 3: Investment Dynamics - Many investors now view bitcoin as a low-correlation portfolio diversifier rather than solely a hedge, with significant inflows into gold and bitcoin ETFs as diversification tools [7] - The comparison between gold and cryptocurrency highlights differences in volatility and investor composition, with crypto being more volatile and attracting a different type of investor [8]

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. What could be better than a sumptuous Thanksgiving dinner? The roasted turkey, the delicious side dishes, the mouthwatering dessert, and some good old apple cider. But hosting the dinner might sting a little, with expenses rising year after year. Can Thanksgiving Costs Fuel Bitcoin Investment Choices? Thanksgiving is a widely celebrated holiday in the U.S., centered around giving thanks and sharing a larg ...

Economic Concerns - Economists warn that interference with the Federal Reserve's autonomy could lead to dangerously low interest rates, negatively impacting economic growth and potentially causing skyrocketing inflation and substantial stock market losses [1][3] - Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, has labeled Trump's attacks on the Fed's independence as a "very serious danger" to the global economy [1] Critique of Political Pressure - Ken Griffin, CEO of Citadel, argues that it is in Trump's best interest to allow the Fed to operate independently to make necessary decisions to control inflation, warning that undermining this independence could lead to severe economic damage and political repercussions for the GOP [3] - Griffin's critique highlights the potential consequences for senior voters who may suffer from diminished savings if inflation rises unchecked due to political pressure on the Fed [2][3] Inflation Data - The U.S. consumer price index has increased by 25% over the past five years, indicating a significant erosion of purchasing power [6] - Historical data shows that $100 in 2025 will only have the purchasing power equivalent to $12.05 in 1970, emphasizing the long-term impact of inflation [6] Gold as an Investment - Gold has historically been a reliable asset for preserving wealth, with its price surging by over 35% in the past 12 months, making it a popular choice among investors during economic uncertainty [8] - Ray Dalio emphasizes the importance of including gold in investment portfolios as a diversifier during challenging economic times [8] Real Estate as a Hedge - Real estate has proven to be a powerful hedge against inflation, with the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index rising by over 50% in the past five years due to strong demand and limited supply [11] - Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allow investors to gain exposure to real estate without the burdens of traditional property ownership, making it easier to invest in this asset class [12][13]

Core Insights - Lazard, Inc. reported a preliminary asset under management (AUM) of $267.8 billion as of October 31, 2025, marking a 1.2% increase from the previous month, driven by market appreciation of $6.9 billion, offset by foreign exchange depreciation of $2.2 billion and net outflows of $1.4 billion [1][10] AUM Growth and Performance - The company has shown steady AUM growth over the years, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.7% from 2016 to 2024, despite experiencing declines in AUM during 2022 and early 2025 due to global uncertainties [2] - In the first nine months of 2025, Lazard's AUM increased year over year, indicating a gradual recovery following a challenging first half [2] Asset Class Breakdown - In October 2025, Lazard's equity assets rose by 1.9% month over month to $212.6 billion, while other assets increased by 1.7% to $8.9 billion; however, fixed-income assets saw a decline of 2.2% to $46.1 billion [3] Strategic Initiatives - The acquisition of Truvvo Partners in March 2023 added $3.8 billion in assets, enhancing Lazard's wealth management capabilities and expanding its high-net-worth client base [4] - The partnership with Elaia Partners in Paris led to the establishment of Lazard Elaia Capital, strengthening the firm's exposure to private market investments, particularly in the technology sector [4] - These strategic initiatives aim to diversify Lazard's asset mix and capture growth opportunities across public and private markets, supporting long-term AUM expansion [4] Competitive Landscape - Lazard's peers, Franklin Resources, Inc. and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., have also experienced steady AUM growth, with Franklin reporting a preliminary AUM of $1.69 trillion (up 1.7% month over month) and T. Rowe Price at $1.79 trillion (up 1.3% month over month) [6][7][8] Market Performance - Over the past year, Lazard's shares have increased by 11.7%, contrasting with a 2.8% decline in the industry [9]

Economic Concerns - Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon warns that the U.S. is heading towards a "debt death spiral," where the government must borrow to pay interest, creating a vicious cycle that accelerates over time [1][2] - U.S. national debt has surged from $7 trillion to $38 trillion over the past 15 years, and refinancing it could push the total into the low $40 trillion range [4][5] - Solomon emphasizes that without stronger economic growth, a painful adjustment could follow, indicating that the current trajectory is unsustainable [3][4] Debt and Inflation - High levels of national debt can fuel inflation, eroding the dollar's purchasing power, with $100 in 2025 equivalent to $12.05 in 1970 [6] - The burden of debt increasingly shifts to American citizens if foreign appetite for U.S. debt fades, potentially crowding out investment and slowing growth [2][6] Investment Strategies - Ray Dalio suggests that investors should consider diversifying their portfolios with gold, which has historically been a safe haven during economic turmoil [7][9] - Gold prices have increased over 45% in the past year, and Dalio recommends allocating 10% to 15% of investment portfolios to gold [9][10] - Real estate is also highlighted as a protective asset during inflationary periods, with the S&P Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index rising by 47% over the past five years [12][13]

Core Insights - Ethereum (ETH) is currently trading around $4,000, with analyst Benjamin Cowen predicting a final push towards new all-time highs before a potential market downturn in 2026 [1][2] - Cowen identifies April 2025 as a pivotal moment for ETH, suggesting it will recover after a tight-money phase characterized by higher rates and quantitative tightening [2] - The ETH/BTC ratio is highlighted as a key indicator for alt-season, having peaked in mid-August 2025 alongside ETH's all-time high [2] Price Action and Predictions - Cowen notes that Ethereum has recently retested the 20/21-week moving average at approximately $3,800, indicating a correction of around 30% [3] - A rebound towards new highs is expected, but this may represent the final rally of the current cycle, likely peaking within three months [3] - For the ETH/BTC ratio, potential downside is projected between 0.031 and 0.034 before a rebound towards approximately 0.053 [3] Market Dynamics - A failure to maintain above the bull market support band would invalidate Cowen's bullish outlook on Ethereum [4] - Bitcoin dominance may increase to 63-64%, which could suppress Ethereum until a potential reversal in late Q4 [4]

Market Sentiment - Concerns about U.S. stock market valuations are rising, with 91% of fund managers believing stocks are overvalued, the highest since 2001 [1] - Veteran investor Jim Rogers has sold all his U.S. stocks, indicating a lack of confidence in the market [1] - Rob Anderson notes that record levels of stock ownership historically coincide with increased risk of downturns [2] Stock Market Performance - The S&P 500 has returned over 251% in the past decade, while the Nasdaq Composite has surged about 375% [2] - Current stock ownership among Americans has reached an all-time high, with 45% of household financial assets in stocks [2][3] - Economists warn that the high share of equities is a red flag, suggesting potential future downturns [3] Investment Strategies - Gold is highlighted as a safe haven during market downturns, with Ray Dalio emphasizing its importance in a resilient portfolio [5][6] - Historical data shows that gold prices surged nearly 25% during the 2008 financial crisis, reinforcing its role as a protective asset [7] - Gold IRAs are presented as a way to invest in gold while benefiting from tax advantages [8] Real Estate Investment - Real estate is noted for its ability to generate passive income even in downturns, making it a viable investment option [9] - Warren Buffett has expressed strong interest in real estate, indicating its value as a productive asset [10] - Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allow for easier access to real estate investments with minimal capital [11] Art Investment - Investing in art is becoming more accessible, with platforms like Masterworks allowing investment in shares of high-value artwork [15][16] - The art market has shown significant appreciation, with a notable collection selling for $1.5 billion [15] - Masterworks has successfully distributed approximately $61 million back to investors, highlighting the profitability of art investments [17]

Core Insights - The article discusses the poor financial advice generated by an AI chatbot, Grok, highlighting the risks of following such advice without expert consultation [1][2][3] Group 1: AI's Poor Financial Advice - Grok's worst financial advice includes liquidating all assets and investing in a single speculative penny stock based on social media tips [2] - Additional poor advice includes maxing out high-interest credit cards for unnecessary luxury goods and quitting a job to day-trade full-time without experience [3] Group 2: Expert Countermeasures - Financial experts emphasize the importance of diversification in investments to mitigate risks, suggesting a mix of equities, fixed income, and cash reserves [4][5] - Experts recommend maintaining an emergency fund of three to six months' worth of expenses to avoid selling investments during unfavorable market conditions [6]