On to 2025: sporting finale with the Poolder Team!
What a great evening to end 2024. During our end-of-year outing at Plaza Padel in Rijswijk, we were able to enjoy exciting rallies, hilarious misses and of course a cozy drink afterwards. This was a nice way to celebrate our highlights as a close team in an informal way. Here’s to an even better 2025!
BlackRock’s Bitcoin & Ethereum ETFs achieve record inflows
In the United States, Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs had a successful trading day last Tuesday. Among the various Bitcoin ETF funds, BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF saw record inflows of $741.4 million, continuing its positive fortnight of capital inflows. Ethereum ETFs also performed well, with BlackRock’s ETHA fund attracting $134.8 million, the seventeenth consecutive day of net inflows! Although both Bitcoin and Ethereum have fallen in value recently, the ETF funds offer opportunities for investors who embrace fluctuation.
ECB and Fed cut interest rates: crypto market benefits
Both the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Federal Reserve (Fed) recently cut interest rates. And that’s positive news for the crypto market. Lower interest rates make borrowing money cheaper and make riskier assets with higher returns, such as crypto, attractive to invest in. The ECB cut interest rates for the fourth time this year, indicating confidence in economic recovery. In turn, the Fed cut interest rates to 4.25%-4.50%. These interest rate cuts provide an opportunity for the cryptocurrency market to grow further, as investors show increasing interest in riskier assets.
Cryptocurrency conquers the luxury fashion world
More and more luxury brands are embracing cryptocurrency payments to attract a new generation of affluent customers. Printemps is the first European department store to accept Bitcoin and Ethereum in its French stores. Other luxury houses, such as Gucci, Balenciaga and S.T. Dupont, are following suit. This trend is driven by the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies among young people. Brands also see crypto payments as an opportunity to stay innovative. While most retailers are still converting crypto revenues to traditional currencies, the shift to crypto is evident in the luxury sector.
