Economics And Finance

The Prospect of Using Bitcoin To Build A New International Monetary System Is Getting Real

When world leaders gather in Davos next week, they’ll confront an essential question: Can they seize the opportunity generated by years of innovative blockchain development to reshape the global economic order in a way that creates wealth and value for people around the world? The Prospect of Using Bitcoin To…

Former Senior Fincen Employee Pleads Guilty To Conspiring To Unlawfully Disclose Suspicious Activity Reports

Natalie Mayflower Sours Edwards Illegally Repeatedly Transmitted SARs and Other Sensitive Government Information To A Reporter Resulting In Approximately 12 News Articles Over 1-Year Period. Former Senior Fincen Employee Pleads Guilty To Conspiring To Unlawfully Disclose Suspicious Activity Reports Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District…

The Era of Fed Power Is Over. Prepare For A More Perilous Road Ahead

Central banks have long exercised influence over booms and busts, but their ability is shrinking. The Era of Fed Power Is Over. Prepare For A More Perilous Road Ahead The Federal Reserve and other central banks have long been the unchallenged drivers of financial markets and the business cycle. “Don’t…

How The U.S. And China Settled On A Trade Deal Neither Wanted (#GotBitcoin?)

The world’s two largest economies will sign a compromise Wednesday that calms their trade war—here’s the back story. How The U.S. And China Settled On A Trade Deal Neither Wanted U.S. talks with China to complete a first-stage trade deal had hit an impasse around Thanksgiving, raising fears a nascent…

Should Robots Pay Taxes?

In all likelihood, your co-workers pay taxes. But what happens if your boss replaces them with sophisticated software or dexterous machines—ones that perform the same tasks for less money (at least over the long run) and contribute nothing in payroll taxes? Should Robots Pay Taxes? [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dtuGyksOIM&list=PLU1KxUVqGmaOf_3P9eVxRAVQMSfU8-SNi[/embed] One seemingly flip answer…

Trump Inc. Explores Buyout of Conservative News Channel

Hicks Equity Partners, a firm tied to Republican National Committee co-chair Thomas Hicks Jr., is pitching GOP donors on buyout of One America News Network. Trump Inc. Explores Buyout of Conservative Channel Seeking To Control News Narrative (#GotBitcoin?) Allies of President Trump are pursuing an effort to acquire right-leaning news…

Can You Say “Federal Bailout”? (#GotBitcoin?)

Federal Reserve Sent Lower Remittances To U.S. Treasury in 2019.Can You Say "Federal Bailout"? (#GotBitcoin?)   The Fed paid $10 billion less to the government last year after repurchase activities drove up costs.   Federal Reserve payments to the U.S. Treasury declined in 2019 to a decade low, as the…

Targeted Tax Breaks Used To Attract Companies Often Backfire

States pay $30 billion a year to lure firms, but study finds incentives don’t seem to drive wider job growth. Targeted Tax Breaks Used To Attract Companies Often Backfire State and local governments across the U.S. spend at least $30 billion a year to attract and keep companies, but the…

S&P 500 Versus The Fed’s Balance Sheet (#GotBitcoin?)

I know You all have heard the phrase, “QE to Infinity”. Here in pictorial form is the reason for this. S&P 500 Versus The Fed’s Balance Sheet (#GotBitcoin?) Dear Friends, Please note carefully the chart I have created here detailing the growth in the Federal Reserve Balance Sheet in comparison…

Big Gains Did Little To Boost Corporate Pension Plans

Decline in interest rates caused plan obligations to grow and offset return on assets. Big Gains Did Little To Boost Corporate Pension Plans U.S. companies reaped their biggest return on pension plan assets in 16 years last year, but the decline in interest rates caused their pension debt to grow—wiping…

Chargeback Fraud And The Failure of Chargeback Protections (#GotBitcoin?)

Chargebacks were originally designed to protect consumers. Today, it’s ironic that merchants often need protection against this very system put in place to protect consumers. Chargeback Fraud And The Failure of Chargeback Protections (#GotBitcoin?) A chargeback is the return of funds to the consumer, by the bank, to settle a…

Lessons The US Can Learn From Japan’s ‘Lost Decades’

A record-long U.S. bull market hasn’t stopped investors from asking: Is Japanification coming this way, too? Lessons The US Can Learn From Japan’s ‘Lost Decades’ The S&P 500 has soared 800% over the past 30 years, overcoming bear markets and a financial crisis. It almost seems as if stocks can’t…