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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

The tech sector continues to ride the AI wave, with TSMC reaching a staggering $1 trillion market cap, dwarfing Intel by 6.5 times. While TSMC soars, "AI laggard" stocks like Intel and AMD may see a boost in the latter half of the year. The S&P 500's diversity is declining, raising concerns about market concentration and potential risks.

In the chip manufacturing arena, Micron is pushing forward with the construction of the largest chip fab in U.S. history, despite challenges from a China ban and smartphone market slump. Meanwhile, Tesla's dominance in the U.S. EV market has slipped below 50% for the first time, signaling increased competition in the sector.

The AI boom is not without its environmental concerns, as evidenced by Microsoft and Occidental's carbon credit deal to offset the energy surge from AI operations. In South Korea, Samsung workers have extended their strike indefinitely, potentially impacting the global tech supply chain.

On the economic front, U.S. inflation has fallen to 3% in June, but Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warns that housing prices may take more time to decrease. Interestingly, a UBS study finds that Americans grew wealthier last year despite inflation, though the Fed's high interest rates are working to cool the economy.

The debate over price stability continues, with Americans desiring falling prices while the Federal Reserve aims for a more nuanced approach. As minimum wage increases loom, businesses may respond with pay raises, layoffs, or increased AI adoption, further complicating the economic landscape.

1. TSMC Hits $1 Trillion in Market Value on Relentless AI Rally - Read more

2. Why 'AI Laggard' Stocks Intel and AMD Could Get a Boost in the Second Half - Read more

3. Digital Déjà Vu - Read more

4. The S&P 500 Isn’t as Diverse as It Used to Be. Here’s Why That Matters. - Read more

5. How Useful is Historical Data in Predicting Future Returns? - Read more

6. Are the Federal Reserve's High Interest Rates Working as Intended? - Read more

7. TSMC's market cap is on track to reach $1 trillion — 6.5 times larger than Intel - Read more

8. How Micron is building the biggest chip fab in U.S. history despite a China ban and smartphone slump - Read more

9. Tesla's Share of EV Market in US Drops Below 50% For First Time - Read more

10. AWS, Advertising Trends Can Lift Amazon Stock, Analysts Say - Read more

11. Microsoft and Occidental sign carbon credit deal to help offset AI energy surge - Read more

12. Samsung Workers Extend Strike 'Indefinitely' - Read more

13. US Treasury Secretary Says Housing Prices May Take More Time to Fall - Read more

14. Americans Grew Wealthier Last Year Despite Inflation, New UBS Study Finds - Read more

15. Americans Want Prices to Fall—The Fed Doesn't Want That to Happen - Read more

16. Minimum Wage Increases Could Result in Pay Raises, Layoffs, AI Adoption - Read more

17. US inflation falls to 3% in June - Read more

18. Nearly Half of Gen Z Adults Say They're Getting Family Financial Help - Read more

Crypto News

The cryptocurrency landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with significant developments in institutional adoption, regulatory frameworks, and market dynamics. VanEck and 21Shares have confirmed plans for a Solana ETF in a Cboe filing, signaling growing institutional interest in alternative cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.

BlackRock's tokenized treasury fund, BUIDL, has reached a milestone of $500 million in assets, highlighting the increasing convergence of traditional finance and blockchain technology. This trend is further evidenced by the surge in staked Ethereum, which now accounts for 27% of the total supply as the potential start of ETF trading looms.

In a surprising move, Germany expedited its Bitcoin selloff, moving $900 million worth of the cryptocurrency in just 8 hours, leaving less than $1 billion in Bitcoin in its possession. Meanwhile, Nigeria is exploring the development of its own blockchain, dubbed 'Nigerium', in a bid to leverage blockchain technology for national interests.

The darker side of the crypto world persists, with stolen crypto doubling to $1.38 billion in the first half of 2024, according to a research firm. On a more positive note, Circle has launched its euro-backed EURC on the Base network, enabling layer-2 forex trades and potentially enhancing the efficiency of cross-border transactions.

In the realm of crypto payments, startup Kulipa has partnered with Mastercard and Argent to launch a debit card, further bridging the gap between cryptocurrencies and everyday financial transactions. Political adoption continues as well, with Senator Marsha Blackburn now accepting Bitcoin donations, following in the footsteps of former President Trump.

Lastly, a court ruling has confirmed Bitcoin and Ethereum as commodities, providing some regulatory clarity in the ongoing debate over crypto asset classification. This decision could have far-reaching implications for the treatment of these assets in the financial and legal systems.

1. VanEck, 21Shares Solana ETF Plan Confirmed in Cboe Filing - Read more

2. BlackRock tokenized treasury fund BUIDL reaches $500M - Read more

3. Germany Speedruns Bitcoin Selloff, Moves $900 Million in Just 8 Hours - Read more

4. Staked Ethereum Hits 27% of Supply as ETF Trading Start Looms - Read more

5. Nigeria Explores Building Its Own ‘Nigerium’ Blockchain - Read more

6. BlackRock's BUIDL Fund Tops $500M as Tokenized Treasury Market Soars - Read more

7. Stolen crypto doubled to $1.38 billion in the first half of 2024, research firm says - Read more

8. Circle launches euro-backed EURC on Base, enabling layer-2 forex trades - Read more

9. Crypto payment startup Kulipa partners with Mastercard and Argent on debit card - Read more

10. Senator Marsha Blackburn Now Accepting Bitcoin Donations, Following Trump - Read more

11. Germany Has Less Than $1 Billion in Bitcoin Left to Sell - Read more

12. Bitcoin Holder MicroStrategy Joins Stock Split Bandwagon - Read more

13. Court Confirms Bitcoin and Ethereum as Commodities - Read more

Artificial Intelligence

The AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with significant developments in various sectors. A recent study assessing the quality of code generation by ChatGPT suggests that AI might soon replace basic coding tasks, while Morehouse College plans to implement AI teaching assistants this fall, potentially revolutionizing education.

Global AI competition intensifies as Chinese tech giants SenseTime and Alibaba showcase their progress at an AI exhibition. Meanwhile, Elon Musk announces plans to build a supercomputer with 350,000 Nvidia GPUs, aiming to create an unparalleled AI machine.

Despite the AI race, a poll reveals that U.S. voters prioritize safe AI development over competing with China. However, some market experts warn of an AI stock bubble, comparing current valuations to the dot-com era and cautioning about potential overvaluation of companies like Nvidia.

In scientific advancements, ex-Meta scientists have unveiled a gigantic AI protein design model, while a startling study shows that 94% of AI-written college exams go undetected, raising concerns about academic integrity. Japan's Defense Ministry has introduced its first basic policy on AI use, highlighting the technology's growing importance in national security.

The corporate world continues to embrace AI, with Microsoft's stock price target being rebooted due to its AI transformation, and AMD expanding its reach by acquiring Silo AI, Europe's largest private AI lab. AWS and Scale are partnering to bring generative AI to enterprises and public sector customers, further accelerating AI adoption.

On the medical front, AI shows promise in alleviating the stress of cancer diagnoses, while Amazon's Bedrock now allows fine-tuning of Claude 3 Haiku. Lastly, a study finds that AI chatbots can pass certified ethical hacking exams, raising both excitement and concerns about the future of cybersecurity.

1. No Need to Lift a Finger Anymore? Assessing the Quality of Code Generation by ChatGPT - Read more

2. Morehouse to use AI teaching assistants this fall - Read more

3. China’s AI competition deepens as SenseTime, Alibaba claim progress at AI show - Read more

4. Supercomputer with 350,000 Nvidia GPUs: Musk to build unmatched AI machine - Read more

5. Exclusive: U.S. Voters Value Safe AI Development Over Racing Against China, Poll Shows - Read more

6. AI stocks are in a costly bubble — and Nvidia may wither like a dot-com darling, markets guru says - Read more

7. Ex-Meta scientists debut gigantic AI protein design model - Read more

8. CheatGPT: 94 percent of AI-written college exams go undetected in startling study - Read more

9. Japan’s Defense Ministry unveils first basic policy on use of AI - Read more

10. Analysts reboot Microsoft stock price target on AI transformation - Read more

11. Will AI Soon Help Animals Talk To Us? - Read more

12. AMD Expands Its Reach by Buying Silo AI, Europe's Largest Private AI Lab - Read more

13. AWS + Scale Partner to Bring Generative AI to Enterprises and Public Sector Customers - Read more

14. How AI Can Help Alleviate the Stress of a Cancer Diagnosis - Read more

15. Fine-tune Claude 3 Haiku in Amazon Bedrock - Read more

16. AI chatbots can pass certified ethical hacking exams, study finds - Read more

Top Article Picks this week

This week's articles delve into a diverse range of topics, challenging our preconceptions and offering fresh perspectives on everyday life. An examination of six common misconceptions about romantic love invites us to reconsider our understanding of relationships, while fitness experts weigh in on whether 30 minutes of daily walking is sufficient exercise on its own.

For those battling brain fog, trainers recommend ten specific yoga poses to help clear the mind. In a world increasingly dependent on technology, learning how to survive without a cell phone signal becomes a valuable skill. Our feline friends' communication habits are also under scrutiny, as researchers explore why cats meow more at humans than at each other.

The quest for true randomness in our digital world reveals the complex systems underlying everyday technologies. In a startling trend, some wealthy individuals are pursuing cryonic preservation in hopes of extending their affluence indefinitely. For those with culinary aspirations, a chef shares the nine most crucial lessons learned in cooking school, while another article offers a starting point for absolute beginners in the kitchen.

Fashion enthusiasts ponder whether 'core' trends are eroding our sense of personal style, and a shocking exposé uncovers a Ponzi scheme at Harvard Business School. The paradoxical nature of adoption is explored, challenging our assumptions about family dynamics. For students and lifelong learners, eight tips for studying smarter challenge the effectiveness of simple re-reading.

On a more philosophical note, an article examines the nature of humility and how to recognize it in oneself. Finally, a thought-provoking piece asks us to consider the mind-bending possibility that absolutely everything might be conscious, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of awareness and existence.

1. Six Misconceptions We Have About Romantic Love (Reading time: 12 min) - Read here

2. The 10 Best Yoga Poses For Brain Fog, According To Trainers (Reading time: 6 min) - Read here

3. How to Survive Without a Cell Phone Signal (Reading time: 4 min) - Read here

4. Why Cats Meow at Humans More Than Each Other (Reading time: 3 min) - Read here

5. Is 30 Minutes of Walking a Day Really Enough Exercise on Its Own? We Ask the Experts (Reading time: 3 min) - Read here

6. The search for the random numbers that run our lives (Reading time: 12 min) - Read here

7. Rich People Are Freezing Themselves to Stay Wealthy Forever (Reading time: 5 min) - Read here

8. The 9 Most Important Things I Learned in Cooking School (Reading time: 6 min) - Read here

9. Are ‘Core Trends Destroying Our Sense of Personal Style? (Reading time: 7 min) - Read here

10. Inside the Harvard Business School Ponzi Scheme (Reading time: 18 min) - Read here

11. The adoption paradox (Reading time: 16 min) - Read here

12. Re-Reading Is Inefficient. Here Are 8 Tips for Studying Smarter. (Reading time: 8 min) - Read here

13. If You Literally Never Cook, Start Here (Reading time: 12 min) - Read here

14. How Do You Know if You’re Actually Humble? (Reading time: 8 min) - Read here

15. What if absolutely everything is conscious? (Reading time: 22 min) - Read here

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Book of the week

"Made to Stick" offers a compelling exploration of why certain ideas capture our attention and endure while others fade away. The Heath brothers skillfully dissect the anatomy of sticky ideas, presenting six key principles that make concepts memorable and impactful. Through a blend of engaging anecdotes, scientific research, and practical examples, the authors illuminate the power of simplicity, unexpectedness, concreteness, credibility, emotions, and stories in crafting messages that resonate.

Their analysis spans various fields, from urban legends to successful marketing campaigns, providing readers with a versatile toolkit for effective communication. The book's accessible writing style and real-world applications make it invaluable for anyone seeking to convey ideas more persuasively, whether in business, education, or personal life. Particularly noteworthy is the authors' emphasis on the "Curse of Knowledge" and how to overcome it, ensuring that complex ideas can be transmitted without losing their essence.

While some concepts may seem intuitive, the Heath brothers' systematic approach and memorable acronym SUCCESs (Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, Stories) provide a structured framework for implementation. The book not only explains why ideas stick but also offers practical strategies for creating stickier messages, making it a valuable resource for communicators at all levels.

"Made to Stick" stands out for its ability to practice what it preaches, embodying the very principles it advocates and thus reinforcing its lessons through its own structure and presentation. Ultimately, this book challenges readers to rethink their approach to communication, offering insights that can transform how ideas are shared and remembered in an increasingly crowded information landscape.

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