Grow Smart Income - week 36, 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

For Those Who Seek Unbiased News.

Be informed with 1440! Join 3.5 million readers who enjoy our daily, factual news updates. We compile insights from over 100 sources, offering a comprehensive look at politics, global events, business, and culture in just 5 minutes. Free from bias and political spin, get your news straight.

Investing and Finance

The post-pandemic economic landscape in China has seen offices emptier than during the height of the Covid-19 crisis, reflecting a deepening slowdown. Meanwhile, Spain is offering digital nomads and tech workers up to $17,000 to relocate to its rural areas as part of an effort to revive local economies. On the housing front, you can now find Mediterranean mansions at the price of a modest studio apartment in New York, highlighting stark contrasts in global real estate.

August witnessed unprecedented volatility in the stock market, sparking curiosity about what September might bring for investors. In a shifting labor market, some Gen Zers are skipping traditional college paths to pursue blue-collar trades and entrepreneurial ventures, a decision that is gaining recognition. For those interested in AI, Nvidia may be a top pick, but there are other ways to invest in AI technology through ETFs.

With market uncertainties rising, ETFs are becoming a popular choice for investors seeking safer harbors. September is expected to be another turbulent month for stocks, as traders brace for potential market swings. On a more personal note, an article reflects on the financial advice some experts choose to ignore in favor of their own instincts. Finally, historical shifts in the auto industry may be on the horizon as Volkswagen considers closing plants in Germany for the first time in its history.

  1. Chinese offices emptier than during Covid pandemic as slowdown hits - Read more

  2. Spain will pay digital nomads and remote workers in tech up to $17,000 to move to a rural region: Here’s what to know - Read more

  3. You can buy mansions in these Mediterranean countries for the price of a studio in New York - Read more

  4. August Was the Most Volatile Month for Stocks in Years. What Does September Hold? - Read more

  5. Meet the Gen Zers skipping college to take blue-collar jobs and launch trade businesses: ‘One of the smartest decisions I ever made’ - Read more

  6. Nvidia isn’t the only way to invest in AI—how to choose an AI ETF - Read more

  7. Why investors turn to ETFs during times of market stress - Read more

  8. Stocks Slip as Traders Brace for September Swings: Markets Wrap - Read more

  9. Financial Voices I Ignore - Read more

  10. Volkswagen could close plants in Germany for the first time in history - Read more

"Connect deeply with others. Our humanity is the one thing that we all have in common."

Melinda Gates

Crypto News

The crypto space has seen a wave of cybercrime, with hackers stealing over $1.2 billion in 2024, according to Immunefi's reports. Amidst this, Crypto.com and Standard Chartered have teamed up to expand global fiat services, enhancing the integration between traditional finance and cryptocurrencies. In an incredible stroke of luck, a solo Bitcoin miner won a $200,000 lottery with just 0.012% of the network’s hashrate.

Legal battles in the industry are also making headlines, with Tesla and Elon Musk dodging a massive $258 billion Dogecoin lawsuit as a judge dismissed the case. On the flip side, bankrupt Bitcoin miner Rhodium has secured court approval for a loan in either BTC or USD. Coinbase’s Brian Armstrong has announced that the company's developer platform recently facilitated its first AI-to-AI crypto transaction, marking a new frontier for the industry. Meanwhile, Bitcoin developers are optimistic about reaching a major milestone with the Nakamoto upgrade.

However, despite such developments, Bitcoin’s price slid below $58,000 as the market saw a weekend slump. In Scotland, prosecutors seized 23.5 Bitcoin from a 2020 robbery case, demonstrating law enforcement’s increasing ability to track stolen funds. Finally, after Cardano’s hard fork, crypto whales sold off $326 million worth of ADA, suggesting large holders may be taking profits amid network upgrades.

  1. Crypto hackers surpass $1.2 billion stolen in 2024 - Read more

  2. Crypto.com, Standard Chartered partner for global fiat services - Read more

  3. Solo miner wins $200K Bitcoin lottery with just 0.012% of hashrate - Read more

  4. Tesla, Musk Dodge $258 Billion Dogecoin Lawsuit as Judge Dismisses Case - Read more

  5. Bankrupt Bitcoin miner Rhodium gets court approval for loan in BTC or USD - Read more

  6. Brian Armstrong Says Coinbase Developer Platform Has Had Its First AI-to-AI Crypto Transaction - Read more

  7. Bitcoin Network Stacks Devs 'Can See the Finish Line' With Nakamoto Upgrade - Read more

  8. Bitcoin slides below $58,000 as crypto market sees weekend slump - Read more

  9. Scottish Prosecutors Seize 23.5 Bitcoin from 2020 Robbery Case - Read more

  10. Crypto Whales Sell $326M in Cardano After Hard Fork - Read more

"Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe."

St. Augustine

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI and Anthropic are forging ahead with government collaborations, having signed deals with the US for AI research and testing. In the rapidly evolving AI sector, Llama has become a standout, driving innovation with 10x growth since 2023. Yale has committed $150 million to bolster its leadership in AI, signaling increased academic investment. Meanwhile, IBM Cloud will begin offering Intel's Gaudi 3 AI chips next year, further expanding AI infrastructure options.

Companies like Gilbane are leveraging AI tools to manage vast data, such as tracking 21,000 documents. OpenAI and Anthropic also plan to share their models with the US government, fostering stronger public-private cooperation in AI development. However, the regulatory landscape is changing as California passes a controversial bill focused on AI model training. Amazon is tapping into Anthropic's AI expertise to revamp Alexa, pushing boundaries in conversational AI.

On the healthcare front, Google and other companies are working on AI that can detect signs of sickness through sound, and Stanford Medicine has developed a customizable AI tool to assist pathologists in diagnosing diseases. Musicians are recognizing the benefits of AI, while the emergence of "Emotion AI" in business software raises concerns about potential ethical issues and misuses.

  1. OpenAI, Anthropic sign deals with US govt for AI research and testing - Read more

  2. With 10x growth since 2023, Llama is the leading engine of AI innovation - Read more

  3. Yale announces $150 million to support leadership in AI - Read more

  4. IBM Cloud to offer Intel’s Gaudi 3 AI chips next year - Read more

  5. How Gilbane used an AI tool to track 21,000 documents - Read more

  6. OpenAI and Anthropic will share their models with the US government - Read more

  7. California passes controversial bill regulating AI model training - Read more

  8. Ask Claude: Amazon turns to Anthropic's AI for Alexa revamp - Read more

  9. Google and Others Are Developing AI That Can Hear Signs of Sickness - Read more

  10. Customizable AI tool developed at Stanford Medicine helps pathologists identify diseased cells - Read more

  11. Why musicians are smart to embrace AI - Read more

  12. ‘Emotion AI’ may be the next trend for business software, and that could be problematic - Read more

"The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones."

Confucius

Top Article Picks this week

Engaging conversations often involve asking thought-provoking questions, with the most interesting people naturally gravitating toward five specific ones. Cultivating emotional intelligence through seven powerful habits can dramatically enhance personal and professional relationships. Reflecting on body image trends, it turns out staying slim in the 1980s was easier due to different lifestyles and eating habits. Parenting involves difficult but essential conversations that help foster resilience in children.

Unfortunately, young Americans under 30 are feeling increasingly miserable compared to older generations, with many seeing a bleak future ahead. To live a more purposeful life, asking yourself questions like "What does the world need from me?" can guide you toward fulfillment. In Finland, a revolutionary factory is making "food out of thin air" by using fermented bacteria to produce proteins—potentially signaling a future shift in global food production. At work, showing more authenticity can lead to greater satisfaction and stronger connections with colleagues.

Historically, the five-day workweek we know today has its roots in America’s labor movements. Despite affecting millions of women, there’s a health condition that goes largely untested by doctors in the U.S. The concept of daydreaming is making a curious resurgence, hinting at its deeper significance in modern life. Meanwhile, aging seems to happen in dramatic waves, particularly during our 40s and 60s, reshaping our bodies and perspectives.

  1. 5 Questions the Most Interesting People Will Always Ask in Conversations (Reading time: 5 min) - Read here

  2. 7 Powerful Habits of People With High Emotional Intelligence (Reading time: 10 min) - Read here

  3. Why It Was Easier to Be Skinny in the 1980s (Reading time: 3 min) - Read here

  4. Being Good Parents Means Having Hard Conversations (Reading time: 12 min) - Read here

  5. Americans under 30 are miserable compared to Boomers: ‘The future is looking pretty bleak’ (Reading time: 10 min) - Read here

  6. ‘What does the world need from me?’ and 3 more questions to ask yourself for a happy, purposeful life (Reading time: 2 min) - Read here

  7. Making ‘Food Out Of Thin Air’. On the outskirts of Helsinki, a pioneering factory is harvesting natural, scalable proteins all from fermented bacteria. Could this be the future of food? (Reading time: 20 min) - Read here

  8. How to Be More Authentic at Work (Reading time: 10 min) - Read here

  9. The Origins of the Five‑Day Work Week in America (Reading time: 6 min) - Read here

  10. Millions of American Women Have a Condition Doctors Rarely Test For (Reading time: 10 min) - Read here

  11. The Strange Rise of Daydreaming (Reading time: 8 min) - Read here

  12. Why Aging Comes in Dramatic Waves in Our 40s and 60s (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!

"The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese"

Steven Wright

Book of the week

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg is a highly acclaimed book that delves into the science behind habits and how they shape our lives. First published in 2014, it has gained widespread popularity, with over 3 million copies sold and a 4.6-star rating on platforms like Amazon. The book has been recognized as an essential manual for both personal and business transformation.

Duhigg, an award-winning journalist, uses a blend of scientific research, engaging storytelling, and real-world examples to explore how habits form, why they persist, and how they can be altered. He introduces readers to the concept of the "habit loop," which consists of a cue, routine, and reward. By understanding this loop, individuals can consciously break bad habits and establish new, positive ones.

The book offers insights from various fields, including psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science, and covers stories ranging from corporate success (e.g., Procter & Gamble) to social movements (e.g., civil rights). The book's central premise is that habits play a significant role in shaping our behaviors, decisions, and successes. By learning how habits work, readers can leverage this knowledge to improve their health, productivity, and relationships, and even enact large-scale societal change.

"The Power of Habit" not only provides practical strategies for change but also sheds light on the broader implications of habit formation in various contexts, making it a highly valuable resource for anyone looking to optimize their life or business practices. Whether you want to improve personal habits like exercise or productivity or are interested in understanding how habits drive business performance and societal movements, this book serves as a guide to unlocking the power of habits.

"The fastest way to change yourself is to hang out with people who are already the way you want to be."

Reid Hoffman

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.