Core Viewpoint - The Bank of Canada emphasizes the need for regulations on stablecoins to ensure they are backed by high-quality liquid assets and pegged one-to-one to a central bank currency [1][2]. Regulatory Framework - The Canadian government plans to introduce regulations for stablecoins in the upcoming year, aiming to align with practices in other advanced economies [1][3]. - The conditions for redeeming stablecoins must be fully disclosed, including timing and any applicable fees [3]. Financial System Modernization - The legislation aims to build trust in fiat-backed stablecoins, ensuring they are safe and secure for consumers and businesses [4]. - The central bank will act as the regulator for stablecoins, with the goal of enabling Canadians to safely leverage stablecoin innovations [4]. Future Innovations - By 2026, Canada is expected to see more innovations in its financial system, including the establishment of Real-Time Rail for instant settlements and an open banking system to facilitate easier bank comparisons and switching [4][5].

Group 1: Cannabis Industry - MSOX, which aims for 2x daily returns of the AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF, achieved a ~94% weekly return due to anticipation of a major policy change regarding marijuana reclassification by President Trump [1] Group 2: Natural Gas Market - KOLD, providing daily inverse leveraged exposure to natural gas, returned over 52% last week as U.S. natural gas prices fell due to milder winter weather forecasts and high production levels [2] Group 3: Gold Mining Sector - GDXU, a leveraged equity fund for gold miners, returned over 17% last week, driven by a 0.25% Federal Reserve rate cut and strong central bank purchasing [3] - JNUG, which seeks to return 200% of the daily performance of the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, ranked fourth with a ~14% return [4] - NUGT, aiming for 200% of the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index performance, also benefited from optimistic financial forecasts and strong central bank buying [5] Group 4: Banking Sector - DPST, providing 3x leveraged exposure to U.S. regional banking stocks, performed well following the Fed's quarter-point rate cut and anticipated balance sheet expansion [6] Group 5: Aerospace & Defense Industry - DFEN, which aims to triple the daily return of defense industry stocks, saw strong performance due to robust Q3 earnings from major companies and positive investor sentiment regarding proposed defense budgets for FY2026 [7] Group 6: Silver Market - AGQ, offering 2x daily long leverage to silver bullion, returned ~10%+ last week, driven by tightening inventories and sustained industrial demand [8] Group 7: Pharmaceutical Sector - PILL ETF, tracking pharmaceutical companies, returned over 9% last week, supported by reduced policy uncertainty and strong growth potential in innovative therapies [9] Group 8: Semiconductor Industry - SOXS, which inversely tracks the PHLX Semiconductor Index, achieved ~9%+ returns due to investor caution regarding valuations in AI-linked stocks following a drop in Broadcom's stock [10]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the long-standing belief of central banks regarding their gold reserves, suggesting that this belief may be based on an illusion that has persisted for a century [1] Group 1 - Central banks have operated under the assumption that they accurately know the amount of gold they hold [1]

Mortgage Rates Outlook - Mortgage rates are expected to decline slightly over the next year, influenced primarily by the 10-year U.S. Treasury market [1][2] - The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was reported at 6.19% as of December 4, down from 6.69% a year ago, but significant drops in rates are not anticipated for 2026 [3][2] - Predictions indicate that mortgage rates could average 6.3% in 2026, easing affordability pressures slightly while home prices are expected to rise by 2.2% [8] Federal Reserve Actions - The Federal Reserve cut short-term interest rates by a quarter percentage point, bringing the target range to 3.5% to 3.75% [6] - The Fed's decision to cut rates was not unanimous, with some members advocating for a more significant cut or no change at all [5] - Economists project that the Fed may implement two to three additional rate cuts in 2026, depending on job market conditions and inflation [16][19] Consumer Impact - The average rate for home equity lines of credit (HELOC) is currently 7.81%, down from 8.55% a year ago, indicating a trend of lower borrowing costs for consumers [4] - Credit card rates have also seen a decline, with the national average for new customers dropping from 20.12% to 19.83% following recent Fed rate cuts [23][24] - A K-shaped economy is emerging, where wealth disparities are increasing, benefiting higher-income households while lower-income households face financial struggles [25][26] Economic Conditions - Job gains have slowed, and the unemployment rate has slightly increased, contributing to a cautious economic outlook [6][7] - Inflation remains above the Fed's target of 2%, which could limit the extent of future rate cuts [13] - Consumer spending growth has been weak, with a reported increase of only 1.3% annualized in 2025, compared to a typical growth rate closer to 2% [27]

Core Insights - Soltage has successfully closed an $80 million syndicated development revolver facility to support its growth in solar and energy storage projects across the U.S. [1][2] - This financing marks Soltage's first major pre-notice-to-proceed (pre-NTP) financing vehicle, indicating a strengthened market reputation and expanded financial capacity [2][3] Company Overview - Soltage is a leading independent power producer focused on developing, financing, and operating distributed solar and energy storage assets for various customers across the U.S. [5] - The company has developed over 125 clean energy projects, totaling more than 500 MW of distributed generation capacity [4][5] Financing Details - The new multi-year revolver will finance development-stage expenditures, including interconnection deposits and equipment procurement, allowing for efficient capital deployment across Soltage's growth pipeline [2] - First Citizens Bank and EastWest Bank are the primary financial partners in this facility, highlighting their confidence in Soltage's business model [3] Market Impact - The financing will enable Soltage to enhance its development of solar and energy storage projects in key U.S. markets, contributing to the delivery of reliable and cost-effective clean energy solutions [3]

Historically, there has been little international demand for Russia’s ruble. But a stablecoin pegged to the country's currency is having a moment – and becoming a prominent fixture at conferences outside the Western sphere of influence. Although Russia is one of the world’s largest energy exporters, accounting for over 10% of the global oil supply, most of that trade is settled in dollars, euros, or, increasingly, China’s renminbi. The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) does not list any ruble curre ...

Recaps 2025 Activities and Outlines Roadmap for 2026 HOUSTON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / December 16, 2025 / AVVAA World Health Care Products, Inc. (OTCID:AVVH) / GoldQuest Capital, Inc (the "Company") is pleased to provide shareholders with an update of recent activity and its near-term plans going forward. The Company has started funding loans secured by real estate and is working with private investors and multiple banks to expand our available capital to grow our portfolio. ...

Core Insights - A concerning case of predatory lending was highlighted, where an elderly individual faced severe financial distress due to a 10-year auto loan with a 32% interest rate, leading to car repossession [1][2] - The total amount paid by the grandfather over eight years was over $62,000, with projections indicating that if the loan were completed, the total repayment would reach $77,400, raising alarms about the sustainability of such lending practices [4] Loan Terms and Concerns - The loan's terms were criticized as excessively high, with community members questioning the legitimacy of a 32% interest rate on a collateralized loan, likening it to loan shark practices [2][4] - There were significant concerns regarding the grandfather's cognitive health, with suggestions that his inability to manage payments could indicate potential dementia or cognitive decline, prompting discussions about financial guardianship [2] Community Reactions and Recommendations - The community was divided on how to proceed, with some suggesting to let the repossession stand and walk away from the loan, indicating a broader discussion on the implications of such financial burdens [5] - The situation has sparked a conversation about the need for better financial oversight for vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly, to prevent exploitation by predatory lenders [2][4]

Credit for images: Supplied photosWeFi’s co-founder and group CEO Maksym Sakharov has positioned himself at the centre of a financial shift that is starting to reshape how money moves, how value is stored, and who gets real control over their wealth. Leading the world’s first deobank, he sits at the intersection of traditional finance, blockchain, and global regulation, arguing that the next big leap in banking won’t come from sleeker apps or faster KYC, but from rebuilding the system on-chain. In this con ...

Bankers’ once privileged position as the financial aristocracy of the Republican Party looks shakier than ever before. Sharing that role with crypto-industry upstarts poses a long-term threat https://t.co/jJuFAOKHod ...