By Kirstin Ridley LONDON (Reuters) -Crypto firms in Britain could be exempted from rules that ensure financial services companies act with integrity and in the interests of customers, under new proposals outlined by the Financial Conduct Authority on Wednesday. The move comes after Britain signalled in April it would cooperate on the best approach towards digital assets with the United States, which has embraced the crypto industry and vowed to roll back regulatory curbs under President Donald Trump. Pu ...

Citigroup has set a year-end price target of $4,300 for ether, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency, citing investor demand and growing interest in ethereum-based use cases such as stablecoins an... ...

Core Insights - A cryptocurrency downturn raises concerns about safety and long-term growth, emphasizing the importance of asset selection during this period [1] - Investors tend to shift funds into safer assets like bitcoin and ethereum, as well as stablecoins, to mitigate losses [1][3] Stable Assets During Crypto Downturn - Bitcoin and ethereum are highlighted as the most resilient and liquid assets, benefiting from institutional participation [3] - Regulated stablecoins such as USDC and tokenized treasuries are gaining traction as low-volatility, yield-generating options [3] Non-Crypto Investments - Diversification beyond crypto is crucial during downturns, with corporate bonds and certain real estate investment trusts (REITs) recommended for income and capital preservation [4] - Dividend-paying stocks are also suggested as a stable investment option [4] Gold as a Hedge - Gold is recognized for its role as a hedge against inflation and currency risk, maintaining a low correlation with digital assets [5] Emerging Blockchain Sectors - The focus has shifted from speculative altcoins to cash flow and real users, with emerging blockchain sectors like DePIN projects showing promise [6] - These projects are supported by real-world revenue, even during downturns [6] Diversification Strategy - A "core-satellite model" is proposed for effective diversification, allocating 60% to core blue-chip assets like bitcoin and ethereum, 30% to satellite diversifiers, and 10% to stablecoins and tokenized yield products [7]

Core Insights - Kevin O'Leary made a record-breaking purchase of a Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan dual-logoman collectible trading card for $12.9 million, highlighting the financial potential of rare collectibles [3][8][9] - O'Leary views collectibles as alternative investments comparable to gold and bitcoin, emphasizing their rarity and appreciation potential [3][4][10] Investment Perspective - The purchase is part of a broader trend where collectibles are seen as viable investment assets, similar to traditional alternative investments like gold and cryptocurrency [4][10] - O'Leary's interest in collectibles was sparked by his collaboration with Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, who acquired Topps Trading Cards, leading him to explore high-value trading cards [2][4] Market Dynamics - The collectible card market is gaining traction, with O'Leary noting that the emotional connection and uniqueness of items drive their value, akin to fine art [10][11] - The card purchased is described as the "finest modern basketball card in the world," indicating a growing recognition of the collectible market's value [8][10] Collectibles as an Asset Class - O'Leary's strategy includes forming a "collector advisory board" and potentially launching a fund related to Secure Collectibles, which focuses on lending, sourcing, and private sales of collectibles [1][3] - The emotional and generational appeal of collecting is highlighted as a key factor in the market's growth, with O'Leary suggesting that it fosters entrepreneurial skills [9][10]