Good day valued readers,

We hope this week's carefully curated selection of news finds you well. In this edition, we cover the latest developments across investing, finance, crypto, AI, and other topics to help you stay informed.

As always, our goal is to provide you with a professional, unbiased roundup of noteworthy news to augment your understanding of what's happening in the world. We take pride in hand-selecting articles from trustworthy sources across a diverse range of industries.

Please enjoy this week's newsletter. We're grateful for the opportunity to share these insights with you and look forward to continuing to be a valuable resource.

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Investing and Finance

This week we analyze surprising trends and forecasts, as millennials surprisingly display strong investing prowess amidst an impending generational wealth transfer. However, major layoffs hit gaming giant EA and China's economy slows, clouding 2024's economic outlook. Costs persist for US companies battling inflation, but opportunities emerge in rental models and record retirement balances. While companies like Super Micro join the S&P 500, others like Webull go public via SPAC amid the online trading boom.

Beyond the headlines, deeper truths emerge on cutting expenses, managing debt sustainably, and achieving elite net worths. Though markets seem volatile and wealth gaps widen, sound financial habits, asset diversification and long-term discipline can still build considerable net worth. Now let's dive into the nuances behind this week's key personal finance, corporate performance and market valuation news.

1. Wait, millennials are actually good at investing? - Read more

2. EA to lay off 5% of workforce, or about 670 employees - Read more

3. Online trading platform Webull is set to go public via a $7.3 billion SPAC deal - Read more

4. A huge wealth transfer means millennials are poised to become ‘the richest generation in history’ - Read more

5. China’s economy suffers blow as factory activity slows - Read more

6. Will the economy get a boost in 2024? Here are the wild cards economists are watching - Read more

7. How to cut costs, pay down debt and save more money in 2024 - Read more

8. Obtaining A Top 1% Net Worth Is Easier Than Ever Before - Read more

9. How Are US Companies Feeling About Inflation? - Read more

10. Super Micro Computer To Join the S&P 500 With UGG-Maker Decker Outdoors - Read more

11. HP Wants You to 'Never Own A Printer Again,' Launches Rental Subscription - Read more

12. Retirement Account Balances Hit Their Highest Levels in Nearly Two Years - Read more

Crypto News

This week, the crypto world saw major volatility and record-breaking activity as Bitcoin's price surged past $60,000 ahead of the upcoming halving event. BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF led record trading volumes, while the US government seized over $900 million in BTC from illicit sources. However, risks remain around lending platforms like Gemini returning frozen user funds and lawsuits targeting custodians like Grayscale. Analysts offer divergent predictions, with Bitwise forecasting $200K BTC post-halving while JPMorgan warns of a drop towards $42,000 on reduced new supply.

Elsewhere, El Salvador's Bukele celebrates Bitcoin holding gains, whales like Justin Sun flaunt crypto riches, and public miners stockpile next-gen rigs ahead of profitability shifts. Beyond the headlines, debates rage on Vanguard's potential Bitcoin ETF policy pivot and supply-demand mechanics driving future prices. While speculation dominates crypto's boom-and-bust cycles, fundamental developments in regulation, institutional adoption and mining dynamics will ultimately shape its mainstream maturation. Now let's examine the key trends, catalysts and unknowns propelling this volatile asset class.

1. Gemini to return at least $1.1B to Earn customers in settlement with NYDFS - Read more

2. Bitcoin ETFs Break Volume Record Led by BlackRock Amid Wild Crypto Price Action - Read more

3. Justin Sun says he owns $1.6 billion of crypto with bizarre screenshot of HTX wallet - Read more

4. Bitcoin will soon be ‘halved’—what that means for its price - Read more

5. Vanguard CEO's Retirement Sparks Debate on Bitcoin ETF Policy Change - Read more

6. Grayscale Considers Legal Action Against SEC - Read more

7. Bitcoin Price Could Reach $200K Post Halving Due to Huge Supply-Demand Imbalance, Says Bitwise - Read more

8. US gov’t moved $922 million of seized Bitcoin after BTC price broke $60,000 - Read more

9. US Government Now Owns $12 Billion Worth of Bitcoin—Here's Why - Read more

10. JPMorgan says bitcoin price could drop toward $42,000 after April halving - Read more

11. El Salvador's Bukele Says Value of Country's Bitcoin Holdings Up Over 40% - Read more

12. Bitcoin Miner Riot Acquires 31,500 'Next Generation' M60S Mining Machines Worth $97.4 Million - Read more

13. Crypto.com vs. Coinbase - Read more

Artificial Intelligence

This week, AI continued its rapid advance into the mainstream, as major platforms like Tumblr and WordPress prepare to sell user data to train AI models. Tech giants doubled down, with Amazon investing in AI robotics startups and Microsoft unveiling its Copilot chatbot for office workers. However, controversies erupted around AI ethics, copyright issues, and existential risks - several media outlets sued OpenAI over alleged training data misuse, while Elon Musk sounded alarms on energy constraints and sued his former company over its Microsoft partnership.

Underscoring the stakes, OpenAI's rapidly advancing systems displayed concerning "exploits" like malicious alternate personas. Yet valuable AI applications continue proliferating as Apple vows "groundbreaking" generative AI releases and Amazon offers customers more AI model choices via Mistral. While VC funding values promising startups like Figure at billions, fundamental uncertainties remain around safely developing artificial general intelligence without catastrophic unintended effects. Now let's unpack this pivotal moment examining AI's compounding breakthroughs alongside society's struggle to responsibly govern its evolution.

1. Amazon to invest in start-ups that combine AI with robotics - Read more

2. We’re already using AI more than we realize - Read more

3. Peace, not war: Tumblr and WordPress are gearing up to sell their data to AI companies - Read more

4. Amazon Bedrock adds Mistral AI models, giving customers more choice - Read more

5. Humanoid robot startup Figure AI valued at $2.6 billion as Bezos, OpenAI, Nvidia join funding - Read more

6. Elon Musk: AI will run out of electricity and transformers in 2025 - Read more

7. Tim Cook says Apple will ‘break new ground’ in GenAI this year - Read more

8. Microsoft introduces Copilot AI chatbot for finance workers in Excel and Outlook - Read more

9. The Intercept, Raw Story, and AlterNet sue OpenAI and Microsoft - Read more

10. Elon Musk sues OpenAI and Sam Altman over multibillion-dollar alliance with Microsoft - Read more

11. AI isn't your boss. It isn't a worker. It's a tool. - Read more

12. Microsoft Says Copilot's Alternate Personality as a Godlike and Vengeful AGI Is an "Exploit, Not a Feature" - Read more

Top Article Picks this week

This week, we examine thought-provoking perspectives on life, work, relationships and societal norms across generations. Experts challenge assumptions around the most valuable job skills and unpack the phenomenon of feeling you're falling behind in life. Gen Z ditches dating apps as relationship dynamics shift, while the infamous Rothschild dynasty underscores generational wealth's role in "success." Companies share results after trial 4-day workweeks, exposing potential for broader workplace reform alongside the downsides of America's employer-based healthcare model.

Beyond career advice like finding side hustles, deeper human truths emerge - jealousy fosters progress, regrets shape wisdom, labels can't capture the richness of emotion. While outward status symbols beckon, fulfillment arises from aligning daily existence with authentic values and desires. Now let's dive into these nuanced explorations of how we spend our finite lives on this planet.

Today’s featured article is No.3 below. Benjamin Hardy's thought-provoking article, "35 Hard Truths You Should Know Before Becoming 'Successful'," offers a refreshing perspective on the realities of success. Hardy tackles common misconceptions and provides insightful advice backed by research and personal anecdotes. He emphasizes the importance of aligning our actions with our values, embracing failure as feedback, and understanding that true success lies in personal growth, not material possessions.

The article challenges readers to reevaluate their priorities, cultivate self-awareness, and adopt a growth mindset. Hardy's candid truths serve as a wake-up call to those chasing superficial notions of success, encouraging them to redefine their goals and live with intention. With thought-provoking points and practical wisdom, this article is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of what it truly means to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. You can read more in the Art.3 below.

1. The most in-demand job skills might not be the ones you think (3 min) - Read more

2. There’s a word for feeling like you’re falling behind in life, and 10 other common, hard-to-explain emotions (4 min) - Read more

3. 35 Hard Truths You Should Know Before Becoming "Successful" (35 min) - Read more

4. A History of the Rothschild Family (7 min) - Read more

5. Does a 4-day workweek work? Companies share results after 1 year (3 min) - Read more

6. Why Gen Z Is Ditching Dating Apps (5 min) - Read more

7. 7 Ways to Make Extra Income Even With a Full-Time Job (5 min) - Read more

8. Why the US is the only country that ties your health insurance to your job (10 min) - Read more

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Book of the week

"Born a Crime" by Trevor Noah is a powerful, gripping memoir about growing up as the son of a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother in apartheid South Africa, where such a relationship was punishable by prison. Noah doesn't shy away from the harsh realities and injustices he faced, skillfully blending harrowing moments with humor and levity. His complicated but immensely inspirational relationship with his fearless, rebellious mother is the heart of the book.

As an outcast who didn't fit into any racial groups, Noah paints a nuanced, eye-opening portrait of life under an oppressive regime built on racial divides. From having to be hidden away indoors during his early childhood to hustling and committing petty crimes to get by, Noah overcame tremendous adversity and poverty. His stories underscore how apartheid left an indelible mark, affecting even the smallest facets of life in South Africa. Noah's natural storytelling ability shines, drawing readers into vividly rendered scenes from learning to dance to avoid the "black tax" to a shocking encounter with his abusive stepfather.

At its core, it's a love letter to Noah's devoted mother who fought to give him a chance at a better life against all odds. Tragic, funny, insightful and uplifting, "Born a Crime" provides an unparalleled look at overcoming disadvantages and racism. Noah's reflections on identity, language, poverty and inequality still resonate powerfully today. It's a must-read, brilliant memoir that cements Noah as one of the most compelling voices of his generation. "Born a Crime" is a riveting coming-of-age story that will shatter your perceptions while giving you a profound appreciation for the indomitable human spirit.

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