... tremendous resource expenditure. The first cryptocurrency was Bitcoin (BTC), launched in 2009 by a person or group under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin demonstrated that a digital asset could be created to serve as money without the involvement of governments and banks. Over more than a decade of its existence, the price of Bitcoin has experienced dramatic rises and falls, but the underlying principle of decentralized currency has gained widespread acceptance. Today, there are numerous other cryptocurrencies ...

... capacity, gas and even coal power plants are being reactivated in some cases. For instance, in certain regions of Europe last winter, there was a need to temporarily increase coal-fired generation during windless weather—despite the ecological costs. Governments of many countries are investing in developing energy storage systems (industrial batteries, pumped storage facilities) and “smart” grids that can flexibly manage load. These measures aim to improve the reliability of energy supply as the ...

... following a significant rise in 2021-2022, reaching 9.1% in 2022, and falling to approximately 2.9% by the end of 2024. However, many investors are concerned that fiscal policy could reignite price increases. In this context, Buffett emphasizes: “The government’s tendency is to devalue its currency over time” and reminds us that “if someone has the power to print money, they will do so.” In other words, the availability of quantitative easing tools incentivizes authorities to increase the ...

... contraction in manufacturing activity for the second consecutive month. Weak external demand and cautious consumer behavior are leading to a downturn in the manufacturing sector. In response, Beijing announced an additional package of stimulus measures: the government has announced tax cuts for small businesses, eased mortgage lending conditions, and new infrastructure projects for the second half of the year. The People’s Bank of China had already cut key rates earlier (a total of 0.25 percentage points ...

... impact gas station prices and the consumer market. The average price for a liter of gasoline in Moscow has increased by 3 rubles since the beginning of the year. Fuel prices are rising despite measures taken by the authorities. Earlier, the Russian government imposed a complete ban on gasoline exports until August 31. Will the increase in gasoline prices continue, and how might the situation change in the fall? Gasoline prices on the exchange have set new records. The price for 92-octane gasoline ...