Grow Smart Income - week 26, 2024

What happened this week?

In partnership with

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.

Read time: 7 minutes

Sign Up to this newsletter.

Image of the week

Quote of the week

Source: Entrepreneur

Enter to win a $25,000 business grant

If you’re an early-stage marketing and creative business struggling to break through to that next level of growth, this program is for you.

The Breakthrough Grant from HoneyBook provides $25,000 in cash, tools, resources, and training to help up-and-coming businesses unlock their potential.

Simply share why you started your business and what winning this grant would help you achieve for your chance to win!

Investing and Finance

This week's financial news covers a wide range of market trends and corporate developments. Revolut's ambitious pursuit of a $40+ billion valuation in an employee share sale signals confidence in the fintech sector's growth potential. Elon Musk faces serious allegations of insider trading at Tesla, potentially impacting investor confidence. A concerning report highlights Gen Xers' struggle to adequately prepare for retirement, underscoring broader societal challenges in financial planning.

Spotify introduces a new lower-priced subscription plan for U.S. subscribers, adapting to competitive pressures in the streaming market. The housing market presents a paradox with record-high home prices amid falling sales, reflecting complex economic factors. An inspiring rags-to-riches story of a former motel janitor becoming a billionaire offers a compelling narrative of entrepreneurial success. Fast-fashion giant Shein's reported filing for a London listing in early June indicates the company's global expansion ambitions.

Market analysts warn of a potential S&P 500 pullback due to narrowing market breadth, highlighting the importance of diversification. An educational piece explains the concept of net worth and its significance in personal finance. Lastly, concerns arise about France potentially triggering the next euro crisis, emphasizing ongoing economic vulnerabilities within the Eurozone.

  1. Revolut seeks more than $40bn valuation in employee share sale - Read more

  2. Elon Musk Accused of Massive Insider Trading at Tesla - Read more

  3. As retirement looms, many Gen Xers are still playing catch-up - Read more

  4. Spotify Adds a New Lower-Priced Subscription Plan for U.S. Subscribers - Read more

  5. Home Prices Reach Record High as Sales Fall - Read more

  6. One of the world’s richest self-made men started as a motel janitor - now he has a net worth of $1.2 billion - Read more

  7. Fast-fashion retailer Shein filed for London listing in early June, sources say - Read more

  8. Narrowing Market Breadth Raises Risk of S&P 500 Pullback - Read more

  9. What is net worth, and why is it important? - Read more

  10. France could trigger the next euro crisis - Read more

“I didn't get there by wishing for it or hoping for it, but by working for it.”

Estée Lauder

Crypto News

This week's crypto news highlights significant developments and market movements in the digital asset space. MicroStrategy continues its aggressive Bitcoin acquisition strategy, purchasing an additional 11,931 BTC for $786 million. Canada's 3iQ expands its crypto offerings by filing to list a Solana ETP in Toronto, potentially broadening investment options in the Canadian market. Web3 bug bounty platform Immunefi marks a milestone, surpassing $100 million in payouts to ethical hackers, underscoring the growing importance of cybersecurity in the blockchain industry.

The Winklevoss twins make headlines with a $2 million Bitcoin donation to Trump's campaign, framing it as support against Biden's perceived "war on crypto." A Twitter hack promoting a Solana meme coin under 50 Cent's account highlights ongoing security concerns in social media. Bitcoin ETFs experience significant net outflows of $900 million this week, indicating potential shifts in investor sentiment. Spot Ethereum ETF issuers provide updated fee and seed investment disclosures, moving closer to potential approval.

Elon Musk's X platform plans to launch its payments system without integrating Dogecoin or other cryptocurrencies, contrary to some expectations. MT Gox prepares for its next distribution of Bitcoin and altcoins, a long-awaited event for affected users. Lastly, the crypto market faces a sharp decline at the start of the week, prompting analysis of the factors behind this downturn.

  1. MicroStrategy buys additional 11,931 bitcoin for $786 million - Read more

  2. Canada's 3iQ Files to List Solana ETP in Toronto - Read more

  3. Web3 bug bounty platform Immunefi surpasses $100 million in ethical hacker payouts - Read more

  4. Winklevoss Twins Donate $2 Million in Bitcoin to Trump to Fight Biden's 'War on Crypto' - Read more

  5. 50 Cent's Twitter Hacked to Promote Solana Meme Coin - Read more

  6. Bitcoin ETFs Post $900M in Net Outflows This Week - Read more

  7. Spot Ethereum ETF issuers post fee and seed investment disclosures in latest wave of amended filings - Read more

  8. X's Payments Platform to Launch Without Dogecoin or Crypto Integration - Read more

  9. MT Gox to Distribute Next Week - Read more

  10. Bitcoin and Altcoins Started the New Week with a Sharp Fall! What is the reason for the decline? - Read more

“The leader has to be practical and a realist yet must talk the language of the visionary and the idealist.”

Eric Hoffer

Artificial Intelligence

This week's AI news showcases rapid advancements and diverse applications across various sectors. The potential societal impact of AI's widespread adoption is explored in an article examining the "unknown toll" of the AI takeover. Scientists have developed a new algorithm to detect AI "hallucinations," addressing a key challenge in AI reliability. Medical technology takes a leap forward with Endiatx's tiny robotic pill, capable of internal body examinations. A former Snap engineer launches Butterflies, an innovative social network where AIs and humans coexist, blurring the lines between digital and human interactions.

Poolside's substantial funding round at a $2 billion valuation highlights investor confidence in advanced coding assistance tools. Experts argue that CEOs could potentially be replaced by AI, sparking discussions about the future of corporate leadership. Concerns arise as neo-Nazi groups embrace AI technology, raising ethical questions about AI accessibility. PayPal's hiring of a Walmart executive as CTO underscores the growing importance of AI in fintech. Hollywood faces a new challenge with the arrival of the first AI-written film, prompting concerns about the future of creative industries.

Anthropic, backed by Amazon, debuts its most advanced version of the Claude chatbot, pushing the boundaries of conversational AI. Tech giants Apple and Meta have reportedly discussed a potential AI partnership, signaling possible collaborations in the competitive AI landscape. A breakthrough in Parkinson's diagnosis comes with the development of an AI-powered blood test for early detection. Lastly, Formula 1 and Amazon partner to create AI-powered personalized race viewing experiences, showcasing AI's potential in enhancing sports entertainment.

  1. The Unknown Toll Of The AI Takeover - Read more

  2. Scientists Develop New Algorithm to Spot AI ‘Hallucinations’ - Read more

  3. Swallow this robot: Endiatx’s tiny pill examines your body with cameras, sensors - Read more

  4. Former Snap engineer launches Butterflies, a social network where AIs and humans coexist - Read more

  5. Poolside is raising $400M+ at a $2B valuation to build a supercharged coding co-pilot - Read more

  6. CEOs Could Easily Be Replaced With AI, Experts Argue - Read more

  7. Neo-Nazis Are All-In on AI - Read more

  8. PayPal hires Walmart exec as chief technology officer in AI push - Read more

  9. The first film written by AI has arrived – and Hollywood is terrified - Read more

  10. Amazon-Backed Anthropic Debuts Most Advanced Version of Claude Chatbot - Read more

  11. Apple, Meta Have Discussed an AI Partnership - Read more

  12. Parkinson's blood test gives early-diagnosis hope - Read more

  13. Formula 1 and Amazon Aim for AI-Powered ‘Personalized’ Race Viewing - Read more

“It is the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) that those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.”

Charles Darwin

Top Article Picks this week

This week's diverse articles offer insights into psychology, sociology, and natural phenomena. A thought-provoking piece challenges the common notion that money buys happiness, suggesting instead that happiness leads to greater success in life. Political tensions in France are examined as concerns about the rise of populism grow. A deep dive into Europe's depopulating regions reveals hidden factors contributing to the rise of radical right-wing movements.

Scientists continue to grapple with the enduring mystery of how water freezes, highlighting ongoing questions in fundamental physics. A humorous take on millennials losing their "cool" status provides social commentary on generational shifts. An awe-inspiring exploration of the greatest daily migration on Earth, occurring under the cover of darkness, offers a glimpse into the wonders of nature. America's declining birth rate is analyzed through the lens of radical cultural shifts, shedding light on changing societal values.

The article distinguishing between narcissism and self-esteem provides valuable insights into personality psychology. The overjustification effect is examined as a possible explanation for exercise aversion, offering a new perspective on motivation. Lastly, the concept of "quiet compounding" is introduced, potentially exploring the power of small, consistent actions in personal growth or financial strategies.

  1. Money can’t buy happiness - it’s actually the other way around: Happy people ‘are more successful in life,’ expert says (Reading time: 2 min) - Read here

  2. Will France fall to populism? (Reading time: 5 min) - Read here

  3. The Hidden Catalyst Behind the Rise of the Radical Right in Europe’s Depopulating Regions (Reading time: 5 min) - Read here

  4. The Enduring Mystery of How Water Freezes (Reading time: 6 min) - Read here

  5. Millennials are losing their cool (Reading time: 12 min) - Read here

  6. Greatest Migration on Earth Happens under Darkness Every Day (Reading time: 12 min) - Read here

  7. The Radical Cultural Shift Behind America’s Declining Birth Rate (Reading time: 6 min) - Read here

  8. Narcissism and Self-Esteem Are Very Different (Reading time: 8 min) - Read here

  9. The Overjustification Effect Might Explain Why You Don’t Want to Exercise (Reading time: 3 min) - Read here

  10. Quiet Compounding (Reading time: 4 min) - Read here

Weekly YouTube videos

Investment Bonus

🎇 Welcome to the world of passive income!

❄ With Honeygain, you can make money by simply sharing your unused Internet. Join Honeygain and get $3 gift! Claim your $3 gift in 3 easy steps! Register to Honeygain. Install the app. Share your traffic and get ready for your first payout! Earn up to $30 a month.

Honeygain - Share your unused internet connection - Join Here!

“A year from now you may wish you had started today.”

Karen Lamb

Book of the week

Daniel Pink's "Drive" challenges conventional wisdom about human motivation, arguing that the traditional carrot-and-stick approach is outdated and ineffective. Drawing on four decades of scientific research, Pink presents a compelling case for a new paradigm of motivation based on three key elements: autonomy, mastery, and purpose. The book explores how these intrinsic motivators can lead to higher performance and greater satisfaction in various aspects of life, from work to education.

Pink's engaging writing style and use of real-world examples make complex psychological concepts accessible to a broad audience. He skillfully demonstrates how businesses, schools, and individuals can harness these principles to achieve better results and personal fulfillment. The author's insights are particularly relevant in today's rapidly changing work environment, where creativity and self-direction are increasingly valued. Pink offers practical strategies for implementing these ideas, making "Drive" not just a theoretical work but also a useful guide for leaders and individuals alike.

While some readers may find the core ideas repetitive at times, the overall message remains powerful and thought-provoking. "Drive" challenges readers to rethink their assumptions about what truly motivates people and provides a framework for creating more engaging and productive environments. This book is essential reading for managers, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the science of motivation and how to apply it in their lives or organizations.

“It is important to look at death because it is a part of life. It is a sad thing, melancholy but romantic at the same time. It is the end of a cycle - everything has to end. The cycle of life is positive because it gives room for new things.”

Alexander McQueen

And finally…

Do you want to get free shares worth up to €100?

Join Trading 212 Invest with this link, and we will both get FREE shares.

How would you rate this newsletter?

Your feedback helps us create better newsletter for you.

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Thanks for reading!

If you like what you read, forward it to your friends, so they can sign up here.