Finance

Crypto’s Peer-to-Peer Exchanges Lose Ground in a Shrunken Market

3 min read

(Bloomberg) — Crypto exchanges that connect buyers and sellers directly without Wall Street-style middlemen are under pressure to improve their services amid a decline in market share.

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These so-called decentralized platforms facilitate trading via algorithmic, blockchain-based software known as smart contracts, with users retaining custody of tokens rather than handing them to an intermediary institution.

Crypto diehards predicted a golden period for peer-to-peer trading venues such as Uniswap and dYdX after last November’s collapse of the FTX exchange, which undermined trust in centralized platforms that take control of tokens.

But that hasn’t panned out: monthly spot

Finance

Alberta Finance Minister still eyeing the pension plan and tax collection

Finance Minister Nate Horner told Postmedia his objectives are about keeping a “steady hand on the wheel”

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Alberta’s premier is directing her finance minister to keep plugging away at

Finance

‘The Bear’ Season 2: Six Pressing Financial Questions

The Bears is not a show about crime, per se—it’s just one in which there happens to be a lot of it. A partial list of malfeasance in 2022’s debut season includes aggravated assault, a stabbing, drugging an entire birthday party’s worth of children with Xanax, selling cocaine, Explicitly directing an employee to keep selling cocaine, driving with a suspended license, failing to pay spousal support, and something loosely described as “gangster shit” perpetrated by characters named Crooked John and Mr. Carl. Also, a variety of shenanigans involving a handgun.

Then there are the financial misdeeds. As in its first

Finance

Finance barriers are hurting Global South’s climate transitions | Climate Crisis

In East Africa, start-up company Ampersand Solar has a plan to transition millions of “boda boda” taxi drivers to cheaper, cleaner electric motorcycles.

In Nigeria, energy company Phoenix Edison is ready to build the country’s first waste-to-energy project, reducing municipal waste and carbon emissions.

In Kenya, fertilizer maker Safi Organics is converting local biomass waste into fertilizers and is aiming to provide farmers with income from carbon credits.

These projects are proven and ready to grow. They will create jobs, reduce emissions and promote sustainable development. But they and many similar business ventures around the developing world are struggling to

Finance

Benefits of Eating Meat | Diabetic Mediterranean Diet

July 1, 2023 · 2:15 PM

Mucho protein, amigo

I found a review article at Animal Frontiers that makes the argument in favor of meat consumption. The authors admit little focus on the downsides of eating meat. I’ve been cutting back on my meat consumption out of sympathy for the animals. Here are some of the key points verbatim:

  • Aspects of human anatomy, digestion, and metabolism diverged from other primates, indicating evolutionary reliability on, and compatibility with, substantial meat intake. Implications of a disconnect from evolutionary dietary patterns may contribute to today’s burden of disease, increasing the risk for both
Finance

Finance tables report considering RRIF minimum withdrawal rates

The report examines the age at which RRSPs must be converted to RRIFs, and whether the assumptions underlying the minimum withdrawal rates — an age expectancy of 100.3% annual real return on an investment portfolio and 2% inflation — are still appropriate.

The report doesn’t offer recommendations, but states that “seniors deserve a recognized retirement free from worry.” It also confirmed two of the three assumptions used to set the withdrawal rates.

Under current rules, Canadians generally must transfer their RRSP savings to a RRIF by the end of the year they turn 71, and then begin making withdrawals according

Finance

Can Evelyn, 62, and Ezra, 70, afford to both travel and financially assist their son?

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Evelyn and Ezra want to ensure they have enough money to cover their living expenses plus a travel fund for the next 15 years.JENNIFER GAUTHIER/The Globe and Mail

Ezra and Evelyn are well-set financially, with a substantial portfolio, a big travel budget and a son they’d like to help financially now rather than after they’ve gone. How much can they give him without jeopardizing their retirement plans?

They’ve both retired from their full-time jobs and are doing some part-time contract work, Evelyn earning about $15,000 a year and Ezra $22,000. Evelyn is the age

Finance

French Government Aims to Save $11 Billion to Cut Budget Gap

(Bloomberg) — The French government said it has identified at least €10 billion ($10.9 billion) of savings as part of efforts to restore public finances after years of increased spending during the Covid pandemic and energy crisis.

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It is targeting a budget deficit of 4.9% of gross domestic product this year, dropping to 4.4% next year and falling below 3%, the limit set under European Union rules, by the end of Emmanuel Macron’s second term as president in 2027.

The first step would be to withdraw energy support for businesses and households. The shield for gas