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☆ Wu-Tang Clan: Fans can finally get a chance to listen to the band’s one copy album… but there’s a catch
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Wu-Tang Clan first announced in March 2014 that it would produce one copy of “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin” to be sold to the highest bidder. The album came in a hand-carved box with a leather-bound book of parchment paper containing lyrics and its backstory. The Wu-Tang Clan originated as a group of rappers from Staten Island, New York in the 1990s. In 2015, notorious “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli bagged the album for about $2 million – making it the world’s most expensive music album ever sold at the time. In 2021, the US Justice Department then sold the album without disclosing the buyer.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Wu, Jarrod Rawlins, “, ” Rawlins, Tang, ” Wu, Robert “ RZA ” Diggs, Forbes, RZA, Tang Clan, Bob Berg, Pharma Bro ” Martin Shkreli, Shkreli, Jon Lynn, PleasrDAO Organizations: CNN, Museum, Mona, Tang Clan, Pharma, America ”, Turing Pharmaceuticals, US Justice Department, DoJ, New Art Digital, New York Times Locations: Tang, Tasmania, Staten Island , New York, Shkreli, America

☆ Crypto.com's Exchange, Sponsorships, and Commercials, Explained
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Emily Stewart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

(That's not a knock on the company — for a lot of crypto exchanges, the Empire State is a tough nut to crack.) Crypto.com's primary business is its cryptocurrency exchange, which works as a middleman for people buying and selling crypto, but it also offers other products, including crypto Visa cards. To be sure, the casino thing could be said about most crypto exchanges — and sports-betting apps, and many regular trading apps. It's a good reminder that, whatever the company, it's better to use exchanges only for trading your crypto assets, not for storing them. Or maybe in five years we'll be looking back at this moment and saying: "Remember that one crypto company?

Persons: Eminem, Sam Bankman, Crypto.com doesn't, Jojo Siwa, it's, He'd, Nic Carter, Crypto.com, Kris Marszalek, Foris DAX Asia, It's, Matt Damon, Steven Kalifowitz, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, FTX, hasn't, Marszalek, wasn't, Alex Gladstein, Emily Stewart Organizations: NBA, Los Angeles Lakers, It's, UFC, NASCAR, Lakers, Castle, Ventures, Staples Center, Miami Heat's, Binance's, Forbes, Financial Times, Securities and Exchange Commission, Bloomberg, PayPal, JPMorgan doesn't, Human Rights Foundation, Business Locations: New York, America, Singapore, Nigeria, Bulgaria, Monaco, Hong Kong, Polish, Los Angeles, Bahamas, Netherlands, Asia, Americas

☆ Top FTX Executive Sentenced to Seven and a Half Years in Prison
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( David Yaffe-Bellany | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Ryan Salame, a top executive at the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison on Tuesday, making him the first of Sam Bankman-Fried’s circle of advisers at FTX to receive prison time. Mr. Salame, 30, a trusted lieutenant of Mr. Bankman-Fried, the exchange’s founder, pleaded guilty last year to a campaign finance law violation and a charge of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. He is one of four top deputies in the FTX empire who have pleaded guilty to crimes since the company imploded in November 2022. Mr. Salame’s sentence exceeded the five to seven years that prosecutors had recommended. Judge Kaplan called Mr. Salame’s crimes “astonishing.”

Persons: Ryan Salame, Sam Bankman, Salame, Judge Lewis A, Kaplan, Judge Kaplan Organizations: Defense Locations: U.S, Manhattan

☆ Med tech stock Semler Scientific takes bitcoin play from MicroStrategy's book, surges 30%
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"Our bitcoin treasury strategy and purchase of bitcoin underscore our belief that bitcoin is a reliable store of value and a compelling investment," Eric Semler, Semler's chairman, said in a statement. The stock soared 30% Tuesday, while bitcoin traded lower by about 2%, according to Coin Metrics. Semler, which has a market capitalization of about $210 million, is down more than 30% this year. Semler Scientific , a little-known medical technology company, saw its shares surge Tuesday after it said it has adopted bitcoin as its primary treasury reserve asset, taking a page out of MicroStrategy's playbook. This February, the company said it would shift its company focus and brand to bitcoin development.

Persons: Eric Semler, bitcoin, MicroStrategy, Semler Organizations: Metrics, Semler

☆ Dollar firm ahead of global inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The dollar made a steady start to the week, as investors were focused on U.S., European and Japanese inflation data to guide the global interest rate outlook. The euro , which gained 0.9% on the dollar last week, was in the middle of a range it has held for more than a year at $1.0846. German inflation on Wednesday and euro zone readings on Friday will be watched for confirmation of a European rate cut that traders have priced for next week. The dollar had fallen back after data showed a slowdown in consumer price rises in April and disappointing retail sales, before strengthening last week thanks to better-than-expected PMI survey data. China's yuan finished last week weaker than 7.24 per dollar, its lowest level since early May.

Persons: Sterling, Bob Savage, BNY, China's, Scott Gold, would've, Justin D'Anethan Organizations: New, U.S, Federal, Swiss, Tokyo CPI Locations: Britain, United States, U.S, Asia, New York

☆ SEC embrace of ether ETFs highlights cryptocurrency's shifting political fortunes
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The newly opened door to ether ETFs is part of a larger story that dominated cryptocurrency markets last week: the industry's political tides appear to be shifting in its favor. Expectations of an approval were low as the week began, but flipped completely and suddenly last Monday — sending ether up 20% . Many are hailing FIT 21 as a landmark victory for the industry. "I'd be surprised if FIT 21 or something like it actually becomes law this year," said Thorn. It does portend a sweeping change in [the] Democratic leadership approach to this industry, and that can only help crypto."

Persons: Biden, Donald Trump, Rachel Lin, Oppenheimer, Owen Lau, Lau, Alex Thorn, didn't, Kirsten Gillibrand, Cynthia Lummis, I'd Organizations: Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Representatives, SAB, Innovation, Technology, Futures Trading Commission, CNBC, Galaxy Digital, Senate, Gillibrand, Democratic

☆ Americans are expected to splurge on travel this summer — again
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-26 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Analysts are expecting the Memorial Day weekend to usher in yet another summer of strong consumer spending on travel and other leisure activities. “We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years,” Paula Twidale, senior vice president at AAA Travel, said in a release. Spending this summer will likely be a little softer than last year’s, they said, but still strong. The bank’s consumer travel survey showed that 72% of people said they’re planning to travel, with 36% saying they’ve already planned their trip. Even among respondents making less than $75,000 a year, more than 60% said they’re planning to travel this summer.

Persons: ” Paula Twidale, Royal Caribbean’s, ” David Tinsley, they’ve, Joelle, aren’t, Dogecoin, Shiba Inu “, Atsuko Sato, ”, Sato, ” Kabosu, Kabosu, Shiba, Loretta Mester, Neel Kashkari, Lisa Cook, Robin, John Williams, Raphael Bostic, Lorie Logan Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, Washington CNN —, Transportation Security Administration, AAA, AAA Travel, Bank of America Institute, Bank of America, Japan, Europe, New York Fed, Public Policy Research, Mizuho Financial, Federal, Global, Index, Board, HP, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Abercrombie, Fitch, Eagle Outfitters, Costco, Dell, Dollar, Hormel, US Commerce Department, US Labor Department, National Association of Realtors, China’s National Bureau of Statistics, Atlanta Fed Locations: Washington, Caribbean, South Korea, Switzerland, Colombia, Costa Rica, Canada, Mexico, Domestically , California, Florida, California, “, Sakura, CAVA, Chewy, Burlington, Birkenstock, Nordstrom, Kohl’s

☆ He taught cops how to fight crypto crime. Now he's accused of running a $100 million dark web drug market.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Lin Rui-siang stands accused of running a $100 million dark web drug market, attempting to blackmail its users, and instructing others on how to evade anti-money-laundering investigators. Federal prosecutors say that he owned and operated Incognito Market, a dark web drug market selling heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, and other illicit substances. The DoJ said Lin used the pseudonyms "Pharoah" and "faro." The indictment claims that Lin closed the drug marketplace in or around March, and that he refused to return money stored in the "bank" to vendors and customers. The outlet said that "Pharoah" posted on a dark web market forum that its aim was to help users evade anti-money-laundering investigators.

Persons: —, Lin Rui, siang, Lin, John F, Lucia, Edward A, Caban Organizations: Service, Business, Department of Justice, Kennedy, WIRED, St, Lucia Police, Lucia Police Force, DoJ, Justice Department, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Food, Drug, Criminal Investigations, New York Police Department, NYPD Locations: Royal, faro

☆ Chinese Billionaire Accused of Fraud Didn’t Need the Money, Lawyers Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Michael Forsythe | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Lawyers for Guo Wengui, an exiled Chinese billionaire charged with defrauding investors of more than $1 billion, portrayed him on Friday as the dedicated leader of an anti-Communist movement who did not need the money he is accused of stealing. That is “not just illogical, it defies common sense,” Ms. Shroff said. Mr. Guo, who is also known as Miles Kwok or Miles Guo, has been in a federal detention center in Brooklyn since March 2023, when he was arrested at his $68-million Manhattan apartment and charged with fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors say Mr. Guo promised investors shares in his media company, or in cryptocurrency, but instead the money was used to finance his luxurious lifestyle. Among his purchases were a yacht, a $4 million Bugatti sports car and a 50,000-square-foot mansion in New Jersey that cost $26 million.

Persons: Guo Wengui, Sabrina Shroff, Guo, Ms, Shroff, Miles Kwok, Miles Guo Organizations: Communist, Chinese Communist Party Locations: Manhattan, Brooklyn, cryptocurrency, New Jersey

☆ Ether slips after SEC opens the door to ether ETFs, still heads for best week in more than a year
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

It's holding on to its weekly gain of 20%, and is on pace for its best week in more than a year. Earlier this week surged more than 20% over two days, as expectations of an SEC approval of ether ETF applications changed abruptly. By contrast, in the weeks leading up to approvals for bitcoin ETFs, the SEC was reported to be engaging actively with fund issuers. Coinbase , which may be a beneficiary of ether ETFs, was more than 1% in premarket trading, while Robinhood nearly 1%. Cryptocurrency prices, including ether's, may also be tempered by the Thursday afternoon stock market sell-off.

Persons: Rachel Lin, Ether, Alex Saleh, Coinbase, bitcoin Organizations: Metrics, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Workday, Lucid, Toast, Deckers and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Pia Singh | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ross Stores posted earnings of $1.46 per share on $4.86 billion in revenue. Revenue came out at $2.77 billion, slightly higher than analysts' forecast of $2.72 billion. Intuit forecast adjusted earnings of $1.80 per share to $1.85 per share, while analysts polled by FactSet expected $1.92 per share. Toast — Shares of the financial tech company, which specializes in point-of-sale products for restaurants, gained nearly 1%. Workday forecast subscription revenue of $1.895 billion, while the consensus forecast called for $1.9 billion, per StreetAccount.

Persons: Booz Allen Hamilton, Booz Allen, Robinhood, FactSet, Moshe Katri, Katri, LSEG, —, Jesse Pound, Tanaya Macheel, Alex Harring, Samantha Subin Organizations: Ross Stores, Ross, LSEG, Revenue, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Intuit —, Intuit, Food and Drug Administration

☆ Kabosu, Shiba Inu Who Helped Define the Doge Meme, Dies at 18
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Isabella Kwai | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Kabosu, a Shiba Inu whose “much wow” face helped launch one of the defining memes of the last decade and inspired the cryptocurrency Dogecoin, died on Friday. She was 18 years old. She “crossed the rainbow bridge” on Friday, her owner Atsuko Sato said on social media, adding that she died without suffering, and as Ms. Sato was petting her. She died at home in Sakura, a city east of Tokyo, Ms. Sato said in an email on Friday. Ms. Sato began posting photos of Kabosu enjoying her life and playing at home on her blog.

Persons: Shiba, Dogecoin, “, Atsuko Sato, Sato, ”, Kabosu Locations: Sakura, Tokyo

☆ Kabosu: The dog who inspired Dogecoin has died
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —Kabosu, the dog that launched a thousand “doge” memes, has died, her owner announced Friday. The Japanese shiba inu “fell into a deep sleep” on Friday morning at 18 years of age, Atsuko Sato wrote in a blogpost. As I was touching her, she gently passed away,” wrote Sato, a kindergarten teacher in the Japanese city of Sakura. The popularity of “doge” memes was cemented in December 2013, when Kabosu became the face of alternative cryptocurrency Dogecoin — a tongue-in-cheek response to Bitcoin that reflected the internet’s love of animal memes. An X post by Dogecoin Friday called Kabosu the community’s “inspiration.” “The impact this one dog has made across the world is immeasurable,” the post read.

Persons: London CNN — Kabosu, shiba inu “, Atsuko Sato, ”, Sato, ” Kabosu, Kabosu, shiba, Tesla, cryptocurrencies, Mai Nishiyama Organizations: London CNN, Elon, Twitter, Dogecoin Locations: “, Sakura

☆ Jim Cramer runs through 4 stock movers and why he owns and believes in cryptocurrency ether
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Matthew J. Belvedere | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Workday : The HR software company cut its subscription revenue outlook, and the stock was being punished Friday, down 13.5%. "Everybody in the country is trying to scale back" human resources, Jim Cramer said Friday, adding that's the problem. The stock Wednesday finished well off the highs for the session and then went down and up Thursday and Friday. Cramer said "Deckers is very well run company" but warned that footwear and apparel "can be fickle." Cramer said he owns ether in his personal portfolio.

Persons: Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Cramer, UGGs Organizations: CNBC, Club, HR, Ross Stores, Ross, Intuit, SEC, U.S . Locations: Maxx

☆ Friday's rapid-fire: Workday, Ross Stores, Deckers, Intuit and Ether
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailFriday's rapid-fire: Workday, Ross Stores, Deckers, Intuit and EtherJim Cramer runs through four stocks and a cryptocurrency that are outside the CNBC Investing Club portfolio.

Persons: Jim Cramer Organizations: Ross Stores, Intuit, CNBC, Club

☆ Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's net worth swells from $3 billion to $90 billion in five years
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Jensen Huang, co-founder and CEO of Nvidia, during the Nvidia GPU Technology Conference in San Jose, California, on March 19, 2024. Five years ago, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang owned a stake in his chipmaker worth roughly $3 billion. After Thursday's rally, which pushed the stock to a record, his holdings now stand at more than $90 billion. Nvidia shares have more than doubled this year after tripling in 2023. OpenAI does most of its AI development on Nvidia GPUs.

Persons: Jensen Huang, Huang, OpenAI Organizations: Nvidia, Technology, Microsoft, Google, Meta Locations: San Jose , California

☆ RIP Kabosu, the celebrity canine who became the face of Dogecoin
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Kabosu, the Shiba Inu who became the face of Dogecoin, has died at the age of 18. Her quizzical expression went viral in 2010 and was later used as the cryptocurrency mascot. Elon Musk was one of Dogecoin's biggest fans, and Kabosu briefly became the Twitter logo in 2023. AdvertisementA diminutive Japanese dog who became the face of Dogecoin has died. The billionaire joked about Dogecoin on "SNL" and even briefly changed the Twitter home button to an image of Kabosu after buying the site in 2022.

Persons: Shiba Inu, Elon Musk, Kabosu, —, Dogecoin, Kabosu —, Atsuko Sato, Sato, Billy Markus, Jackson Palmer, Shiba Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Japan

☆ I quit my job at Goldman Sachs to risk it all on a crypto startup. Then the industry crashed.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Lauren Crosmedlicott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Luckily, Goldman hadn't filled the role, so I started working for them in November 2018. Working at Goldman Sachs would always be limitingI liked working as a trader at Goldman, but it wasn't fulfilling. I slowly realized that working for Goldman or any company, the end goal is limited to possibly being a partner. At the same time all this was happening, Luna Crypto, followed by the crypto market, crashed. AdvertisementThe crypto industry had been decimated, and I'd lost around two-thirds of my savings in cryptocurrency.

Persons: —, Hong, Goldman Sachs, wasn't, Goldman hadn't, There's, I'd, Matthew, Aaron, He'd, Aron, Goldman, Luna Crypto, I, FTX, We're Organizations: Service, Credit Suisse, Business, Amazon, Goldman Locations: Hong Kong, Canada, Barcelona, Singapore, cryptocurrency

☆ U.S. Approves Investment Product Tied to Popular Cryptocurrency Ether
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( David Yaffe-Bellany | More About David Yaffe-Bellany | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Federal regulators on Thursday approved an investment product tied to the cryptocurrency Ether, the most valuable digital asset after Bitcoin, in a major boost for the crypto industry. The Securities and Exchange Commission said a group of exchanges could begin listing investment products known as exchange-traded funds, or E.T.F.s, linked to the price of Ether. approved similar products that track the price of Bitcoin, leading to a flurry of new investment that helped propel Bitcoin’s price to a record high. Before the exchanges can start offering Ether E.T.F.s, the S.E.C. must also approve a separate set of applications from companies that want to issue them, including from major financial firms like BlackRock and Franklin Templeton.

Persons: Franklin Templeton Organizations: Securities, Exchange Commission Locations: BlackRock

☆ House passes first crypto bill: Here's what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHouse passes first crypto bill: Here's what you need to knowRep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the House of Representatives' latest passage of a first-of-its-kind cryptocurrency bill, the odds of the bill's passage in the Senate, and more.

Persons: Patrick McHenry Organizations: Email House, Senate

☆ 36% of Americans say real estate is the best long-term investment—financial pros say they may be wrong
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

For years, Gallup has asked investors exactly that question, and since 2013 the most popular answer has been the same: real estate. It's tough to say what the best long-term investing option is without knowing the desired outcome." You can invest in real estate via real estate investment trusts, which trade like stocks, or ETFs that hold them. As you pay down your mortgage, you build equity in a piece of real estate that also appreciates in value. Among Americans making less than $40,000 per year, 33% choose real estate as their No.

Persons: Gallup, Stocks, Nick Foulks, Andrew Briggs, Briggs, Gold Organizations: cryptocurrency, Great Waters, National, Advisory, presto

The SEC has approved a rule change Thursday that would pave the way for ETFs that buy and hold ether , one of the world's largest cryptocurrencies. The decision comes less than six months after the Securities and Exchange Commission approved bitcoin ETFs. Many of the companies that sponsor bitcoin ETFs — including BlackRock, Bitwise and Galaxy Digital — have also started the process of the launching an ether fund. Specifically, the SEC's order approves applications from various exchanges to list eight different ether funds. Ether ETFs are expected to be smaller, at least initially, than their bitcoin counterparts.

Persons: FactSet, Richard Kerr, Kerr, Ethereum, Steven Lubka, Swan, Lubka Organizations: SEC, Securities and Exchange Commission, Galaxy, Swan Locations: BlackRock, Bitwise, U.S

☆ Dollar hovers near highest in a week after hawkish Fed minutes
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The yen l anguished just above a three-week low despite the continued threat of intervention by Japanese officials. The dollar index, which tracks the currency against six major rivals including the euro , sterling and yen, was little changed at 104.89 after gaining 0.28% overnight. The dollar was little changed at 156.77 yen after rising to 156.85 overnight, the highest since May 1. Traders and analysts suspect Japan's Ministry of Finance intervened several times to support the yen following its plunge to a 34-year low of 160.245 per dollar on April 29. Bigger rival bitcoin was little changed at $69,491 after reaching $71,957 on Tuesday for the first time since April 9.

Persons: Sterling, Ether, James Kniveton, Japan's, Rishi Sunak, bitcoin Organizations: Bank of Japan, Reserve, Federal, Traders, of Finance, Bank of England, Conservatives, Labour Party, Labour, Securities

☆ Ether could surge 60% after ETFs are approved, trading firm says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The price of ether could rise 60% if spot ETFs are approved, QCP Capital wrote. The previous success of spot bitcoin ETFs serves as an example of potential upside. Eyes are currently on the second-biggest cryptocurrency as US regulators are deciding on whether to approve the first ether spot ETFs in the country. That token's stellar run was set off in mid-January when the SEC similarly greenlit spot bitcoin ETFs. What's more, head of FX Research Geoff Kendrick wrote that the spot ether ETFs are unlikely to stumble on the same issues that tormented bitcoin, such as heavy inflow volatility.

Persons: —, bitcoin, QCP, Geoff Kendrick Organizations: QCP, SEC, Service, BlackRock, [ Depository Trust, Clearing Corporation, Chartered, FX

☆ Founder and CEO Mike Novogratz: The best way to learn about crypto is to put 'a little money on the line'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Emmie Martin | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Even some bulls say to start small if you're interested in investing in cryptocurrency. Billionaire Mike Novogratz, founder and CEO of Galaxy Digital, a digital asset and blockchain company, recommended starting with 2% to 5% of your overall portfolio during CNBC's Financial Advisor Summit on Wednesday. If you want to learn about crypto, you should at least "get off zero," Novogratz said, because doing so will get you engaged. "You learn about things by putting a little money on the line. As an industry insider, it makes sense for Novogratz to encourage as many people as possible to learn more about and invest in crypto.

Persons: Mike Novogratz, Novogratz, Brian Vendig Organizations: cryptocurrency, Galaxy Digital, CNBC's, MJP Wealth, CNBC Locations: Westport , Connecticut

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