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Cathie Wood Predicts Bitcoin’s Price Could Reach $1.5M By 2030

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Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK Invest, has predicted Bitcoin could reach $1.5 million by 2030, driven by increasing institutional adoption, limited supply, and growing global demand for decentralized assets. Her bullish outlook aligns with ARK’s history of bold forecasts, though it assumes significant regulatory clarity and macroeconomic tailwinds. Skeptics argue this target is overly optimistic, citing volatility, regulatory risks, and competition from other cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin’s current price (as of May 2025) hovers around $100,000, requiring a roughly 20x increase in five years to hit Wood’s target. Historical data shows Bitcoin’s price grew from $1,000 to $69,000 between 2015 and 2021, but such exponential gains may face tougher hurdles in a maturing market.

If Bitcoin reaches $1.5 million, early investors and institutional holders could see massive wealth gains, potentially reshaping wealth distribution and increasing crypto’s economic influence. At $1.5 million per Bitcoin, with roughly 19.7 million BTC in circulation by 2030, Bitcoin’s market cap would approach $30 trillion, surpassing the GDP of most countries and rivaling major asset classes like gold ($16 trillion market cap in 2025).

Such a valuation could accelerate the shift toward decentralized finance (DeFi), challenging traditional banking and fiat currencies, especially in regions with unstable economies. A skyrocketing Bitcoin price could reinforce its “digital gold” narrative, attracting more capital during inflationary or unstable economic periods.

Wood’s prediction hinges on greater institutional investment (e.g., ETFs, corporate treasuries). A $1.5M price would likely require mainstream players like pension funds and sovereign wealth funds to allocate significant capital. Governments may respond with stricter regulations to control capital flows into crypto, combat tax evasion, or protect fiat systems. Conversely, clear, crypto-friendly regulations could fuel the price surge.

Countries embracing crypto (e.g., El Salvador, UAE) could benefit economically, while those imposing bans (e.g., China historically) might face capital flight or reduced financial influence. A $1.5M Bitcoin could spur investment in blockchain infrastructure, improving scalability (e.g., Lightning Network) and energy efficiency, addressing criticisms about Bitcoin’s transaction speed and environmental impact.

Retail investors missing the current price window may face a higher entry barrier, potentially widening the wealth gap between early adopters and latecomers. Mainstream acceptance of Bitcoin could normalize crypto as a store of value or payment method, influencing consumer behavior and corporate strategies.

Bitcoin’s fixed 21 million supply cap and halving events (next in 2028) reduce issuance, potentially driving prices higher as demand grows. Growing ETF approvals (e.g., U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2024) and corporate adoption (e.g., MicroStrategy’s $10B+ Bitcoin holdings) signal a tidal wave of institutional capital. Persistent inflation, currency devaluation, and distrust in centralized systems (e.g., post-COVID money printing) make Bitcoin a compelling alternative.

Increasing global adoption, especially in developing nations, could drive exponential demand, as seen in regions like Latin America and Africa. Bitcoin’s historical CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of ~100% from 2011-2021 suggests massive upside potential, though past performance isn’t guaranteed. ARK’s models project 20% of global investment portfolios allocating to crypto by 2030.

Bulls argue regulatory hurdles will ease as governments recognize blockchain’s inevitability, and volatility will decrease as market maturity reduces speculative trading. Governments could impose harsh restrictions or outright bans, as seen in India’s flirtations with crypto bans or U.S. scrutiny of stablecoins, stifling growth.

Bitcoin’s growth may slow as it competes with altcoins (e.g., Ethereum, Solana) and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), diluting its dominance. A global recession or deflationary environment could reduce risk appetite, crashing speculative assets like Bitcoin. Scalability issues and high energy consumption (Bitcoin’s network uses ~150 TWh annually, per 2025 estimates) could deter adoption unless resolved.

Bitcoin’s volatility remains high (30-50% annualized), and previous bubbles (e.g., 2017, 2021) led to 50-80% drawdowns. A $1.5M price implies unrealistic demand relative to global investable assets (~$400 trillion in 2025). Skeptics argue institutional adoption is overhyped, with only 0.1% of global pension funds currently in crypto. They also point to potential “black swan” events, like quantum computing breaking Bitcoin’s cryptography (though unlikely by 2030).

Bitcoin could grow significantly but fall short of $1.5M, perhaps reaching $200,000-$500,000 by 2030, driven by steady adoption and improving infrastructure, but tempered by regulatory and economic constraints. Wood’s $1.5M prediction underscores Bitcoin’s transformative potential but also its polarizing nature.

The implications—economic disruption, institutional shifts, and social change—depend on whether her bullish vision overcomes the bears’ concerns about regulation, competition, and practicality. The truth likely lies in a nuanced middle, where Bitcoin grows but faces growing pains in a complex global landscape. For now, the divide reflects uncertainty, with both sides betting on drastically different futures.

China Slaps up to 74.9% Anti-Dumping Duties on U.S., EU, Japan, and Taiwan Plastics Despite 90-Day Truce

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China has imposed sweeping anti-dumping duties on imports of polyformaldehyde (POM) copolymers—a high-performance engineering plastic—from the United States, the European Union, Japan, and Taiwan, concluding a trade investigation that further intensifies global economic friction.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced the tariffs on Sunday, May 19, saying it had found that producers from the four regions had dumped POM copolymers into the Chinese market, harming domestic manufacturers. The duties, effective immediately, range from 3.8% to as high as 74.9%, depending on the country and company involved.

U.S. Hit Hardest, Taiwan Firms Get Leniency

Among the countries targeted, the United States faces the steepest duties, up to 74.9%, on its exports of POM copolymers to China. European firms will be subject to 34.5% tariffs, while Japanese exporters will face 35.5%, although Asahi Kasei Corp was granted a reduced rate of 24.5%.

Taiwan’s overall duty rate was set at 32.6%, but two major Taiwanese manufacturers—Formosa Plastics and Polyplastics Taiwan—received significantly lower duties of 4% and 3.8%, respectively.

The ministry said the move follows the conclusion of an anti-dumping probe launched in May 2024, shortly after the Biden administration imposed sharp tariff hikes on Chinese electric vehicles, semiconductors, solar equipment, and other goods. The U.S. tariffs, which escalated tensions between Washington and Beijing, are widely seen as a trigger for China’s retaliatory investigation.

What Are POM Copolymers and Why Do They Matter?

POM copolymers, also known as acetal plastics, are widely used in industries ranging from automotive manufacturing to consumer electronics and medical devices. These plastics can partially replace metal components such as copper and zinc due to their high strength, rigidity, and resistance to wear and solvents. Their growing use in vehicle parts, precision instruments, and gear assemblies underscores their industrial importance.

In its statement, the Ministry of Commerce said: “The dumping of imported POM copolymers has caused substantial damage to the domestic industry, and the imposition of anti-dumping duties is in accordance with Chinese law and WTO regulations.”

The move is meant to protect domestic producers, several of whom had petitioned Beijing to investigate what they alleged were unfairly priced imports flooding the market.

Amid 90-Day Tariff Break

While the anti-dumping measures are framed as a domestic market protection strategy, the timing of the investigation and its conclusion align closely with rising trade hostilities between China and the United States.

The probe was initiated just days after the U.S. announced fresh tariffs on Chinese-made goods, reigniting a tit-for-tat tariff spiral. Beijing’s response now adds pressure on American chemical and plastic manufacturers at a time when the two countries are attempting to stabilize trade relations.

The announcement also comes mere days after Washington and Beijing agreed to a 90-day truce, aimed at reducing some of the punitive tariffs on each other’s goods. That ceasefire now appears fragile, with analysts warning that this latest move could provoke new retaliatory measures.

The tariffs on POM copolymers underscore China’s increasingly assertive use of trade defense instruments to counter what it views as politically motivated protectionism by the U.S. and its allies. The Ministry’s decision, though legally framed, carries strategic weight.

The Chinese statement emphasized that the investigation was conducted “in line with WTO principles,” and that duties would remain until further notice to “restore fair market conditions.” Six major Chinese companies from the plastic and chemical sectors were involved in the petition that triggered the probe.

China’s trade authorities said the investigation had been conducted with “fairness, transparency and adherence to international trade norms.”

Analysts suggest that the inclusion of multiple trading partners—especially U.S. allies like the EU and Japan—reflects Beijing’s effort to broaden its defensive posture amid growing Western coordination on China-related trade policy.

With duties of up to 74.9%, the new tariffs will significantly curtail the economic viability of shipping POM copolymers into China for many foreign producers. For U.S. exporters, in particular, the measure may represent an effective market block.

Beijing’s move is also likely to be read as a signal that China will not hesitate to retaliate with tariffs of its own, especially in sectors where its domestic supply base is considered strong or strategic.

Although the 90-day truce between the U.S. and China remains officially in place, this latest development shows that trade hostilities are far from resolved.

UBA Reclaims Ground in Nigeria’s PoS Market With 46,000 RedPay Terminal Launch

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United Bank for Africa (UBA) is staging a bold return to Nigeria’s high-stakes digital payments arena with the rollout of 46,000 smart PoS terminals under its new fintech arm, RedPay Africa.

This strategic move signals the bank’s intent to reclaim market share from dominant players like Moniepoint, OPay, and PalmPay fintech giants that have reshaped the payments landscape in recent years.

Once a major force in Nigeria’s PoS space, UBA had ceded ground as fintech startups surged ahead by building vast agent networks and wooing merchants with promises of instant settlements, faster devices, and streamlined onboarding. But now, through RedPay, UBA is engineering a comeback, one that blends the agility of fintech innovation with the credibility and trust of a licensed bank.

Since January 2025, over 6,000 RedPay PoS terminals have already been deployed, with an additional 40,000 units expected in the coming months. This aggressive rollout comes on the back of a payment boom.

According to data from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Nigeria’s PoS market processed ?79.5 trillion ($49.7 billion) in transactions in 2024, a staggering 3,356% growth from ?2.3 trillion ($1.44 billion) in 2018.

Fuelled by a protracted scarcity of cash at ATMs and the aggressive push in PoS deployments by fintech companies, the 2024 record represents a 69% increase when compared with the value of PoS transactions in 2023 at N10.7 trillion.

Several banks in Nigeria have been actively expanding their Point of Sale (PoS) services to capture a share of the growing digital payment market, driven by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) cashless policy and increasing demand for electronic transactions. While commercial banks had been the major drivers of PoS terminal availability in the past, the entrance of fintech into this space has seen the number of PoS devices in the market grow astronomically.

UBA’s RedPay strategy reflects a broader ambition. More than just chasing interchange fees, the platform is being positioned as a gateway into UBA’s broader suite of merchant solutions including microloans, working capital support, inventory management, business accounts with analytics and embedded insurance. For merchants, especially those weary of transaction failures and frozen funds that plague some fintech platforms, RedPay’s bank-backed assurance may prove compelling.

Though backed by UBA, RedPay Africa operates as a financial technology company, not a bank. It provides digital payments and financial services across Africa through partnerships with licensed banks in each country. The platform is engineered to meet Africa’s diverse needs, offering secure, modern, and user-friendly solutions for businesses and individuals alike.

RedPay’s value proposition lies in its vision for a more financially inclusive Africa. It aims to integrate fiat currencies, cryptocurrencies, and digital assets into a unified account experience. This enables users to seamlessly trade, transact, and manage payments regardless of geography.

Another core focus of RedPay Africa is cross-border payments. By streamlining international remittances and reducing associated costs, the platform seeks to unlock economic opportunities across the continent and foster regional prosperity.

At the heart of RedPay Africa is a team of seasoned professionals from leading African tech companies, all united by a shared commitment to innovation and inclusion. The company is also actively recruiting individuals passionate about driving impact in the fintech space.

UBA’s foray into this competitive pos territory is a clear signal that the battle for digital payment dominance in Africa is intensifying. With RedPay Africa, the bank is not just reentering the market, it is redefining the rules of engagement, combining financial trust with cutting-edge technology to build a future-ready payments ecosystem.

In Defense of AI Investments

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“99% of AI Startups Will Be Dead by 2026 — Here’s Why” – a Medium article declared, connecting the exuberance of modern AI with the dotcom era which ended up badly.

My Response: I am not sure this thesis is new: every technology evolution will have winners and category-kings. In 1907, US Steel was the most valuable company in America as steel was the core tech. In 1957, IBM was the king as the mainframe ran the show. By 1983, GE ruled and this era has so far been ruled by Apple and Microsoft on valuations.

But in the midst of those kings, there were many failed companies. At a time, there were dozens of car companies in Detroit with Ford, GM, and Chrysler. How many EV cars failed in the age of Tesla. And as Fairchild Semiconductor evolved with Shockley, semiconductor companies mushroomed but only winners like Intel survived. As I was researching my book – Nanotechnology and Microelectronics – which received the IGI Global 2010 Book of the Year award, I noticed one thing: men lost companies but all created Silicon Valley!

Yes, in the midst of the miry clay, technology empires rose and investors participated, and ego, owo, kudi and money were made. Nigeria did not participate and it is not better than America which did, and lost money in some and won in some. So, if someone will run away from AI because companies will fail, what is new about that? We have that in Africa where because of the fear of risk, we cannot even build boreholes in villages to avoid offending the gods of soil!

In the Igbo Nation, it takes the killing of one leopard to be called a killer of leopards. The deal is the power law of venture investing – the power law describes the principle that a small percentage of investments generate the majority of returns; this means that a few exceptional deals can drive the overall portfolio performance, often outweighing the returns from other, less successful investments –  and that is what most global investors are going after in AI.

AI is not the same as dotcom because AI companies are generating revenue. As YCombinator recently noted, these AI companies are the fastest growing companies on record, and the margins are the best ever. So, even if you agree that 99% will die, the fact is that you are seeing startups which have raised say $300k unlike in the dotcom era where $millions were required to buy HP 9000 server series before the cloud era. So, the collapse of most AI companies would be marginal because many are cheaply funded. Yes, the loss of 1,000 AI companies (not foundation model makers) will be less than just one of those dotcom era companies on financial impacts!

If you are investing in AI companies, look for those which cannot be automated out easily, by making sure they are solving meatspace-level frictions in the physical world. Or they are full-stack AI firms within industrial categories; AI company that offers insurance, banking, legal services, etc and not just selling tech to those sectors

Win big at your favorite casino games

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Casino games real money offer more than just entertainment — they present a real opportunity to change your life. It’s the perfect blend of excitement, strategy, and luck that attracts thrill-seekers. In these games, you can enjoy the action and earn real money at the same time. The winnings can be substantial if you choose the right casino and the right game. Experience it firsthand with Red Dog casino games real money. Think back to those thrilling moments when a winning spin or a successful bet brought you pure joy. That’s the essence of gambling — the chance to win at any moment!

Of course, you need to take into account that each game is unique. Choosing casino games real money, the player enters a world where it is important not only intuition and luck, but also knowledge of the rules. Do not think that everything depends solely on chance. A clear understanding of when and how to bet, can significantly increase the chances of success. So, which casino games can really bring you big wins?

From roulette to poker, blackjack to slots, there’s something for everyone. But what exactly should you choose to not only have fun, but also walk away with money? Let’s dive into the world of casino games and figure out where you can win big.

How to choose a casino game?

Choosing a casino game is probably one of the most important tasks for beginners. Here it is important to realize that each game has its own characteristics. If you prefer quick wins, look out for slots with low volatility. These games will bring you winnings more often, but small. But they will suit those who do not want to take risks, but like to spend time for an exciting game.

If your goal is to win really large sums, it is better to choose games with high volatility. For example, slots with a progressive jackpot or poker with more complex stakes. Of course, such games require higher stakes and more patience. Winnings are less frequent in them, but they can become very significant if luck is on your side.

But no matter how you choose to play, you should always consider the RTP – the percentage of return to the player. The higher this indicator, the more chances to win. By the way, it is worth remembering that high volatility does not always mean high risks. There are also games where the risk is justified – and each spin can lead to a real win.

The importance of strategy in casino games

Gambling is fun, of course, but if you want to win, you should realize that in casino games is not only important luck. Strategy plays a huge role. For example, in poker, the ability to read the cards and calculate your bets correctly is the key to success. In blackjack, it is worth considering when it is worth taking a card and when it is better to stop, so as not to overdo it.

Strategies can greatly increase your chances of winning, especially in card games. But, of course, you should not forget that the casino always has its advantage. However, if you manage your bankroll wisely and choose the right tactics, you can minimize that advantage. Ultimately, the right strategy is what makes the game interesting and exciting.

Roulette, for example, has its own special magic, where calculating possible bets and following certain schemes helps to increase the chances of winning. Of course, winning is not guaranteed, but who doesn’t like to try their hand, especially when the stakes are so good? After all, sometimes it’s the risk that makes the game exciting.

Bonuses and promotions: How to get more?

It’s no secret that many online casinos offer generous bonuses for their players. This not only attracts newcomers, but also gives them a chance for additional winnings. So what is behind these tempting offers? Bonuses can range from welcome bonuses to regular promotions. For example, a bonus on the first deposit or freespins for popular slots.

But of course, it’s important to remember that bonuses have their own terms and conditions. You shouldn’t think that a bonus is just free money. Every bonus has wagering requirements (wager) that must be met before you can withdraw the money. But even with these conditions, bonuses can be a great way to boost your bankroll and extend your game.

Sometimes casinos offer freespins as a reward for meeting certain conditions. This is a great opportunity to play for free, but with a chance of real winnings. The main thing is not to miss these offers and follow the updates of promotions on your favorite platforms. Free spins are a chance not only for beginners, but also for experienced players to try their luck and not spend their money.

Why play at online casinos?

Online casinos have their advantages, and the first one is accessibility. Why go to a real casino when you can do everything right from the comfort of your couch? You don’t have to wait in line, look for a free seat at the table or keep track of time. All you need is a device with internet, and you can enjoy your favorite games from the comfort of your own home.

Plus, online casinos always have a selection of games to choose from. From classic roulette and poker to the latest video slots with stunning graphics and exciting bonuses. And everyone will find something interesting for themselves. In a real casino is not always possible to try all kinds of games, but on the Internet, the choice is limited only by your desire.

Do not forget that many online casinos offer bonuses and promotions for beginners and regular players. These can be both deposit bonuses and freespins for popular games. Such generosity of casinos always attracts attention, because it is a great way to extend the game and increase the chances of winning. And many casinos also offer free versions of games that allow you to practice without risking your money.

Bankroll management: Your path to long-term success

Bankroll management is not just a word in the casino world, but a real tool that helps you save money and increase your chances of success. Sometimes it can be hard to stop in time, especially if luck is on your side, but it’s important not to forget to be strategic.

The first thing to do is to set limits. Determine in advance how much money you are willing to spend on the game and don’t go over that limit. This will help you avoid situations where emotions start to drive actions. Proper financial management is what separates players who win from those who lose money.

It is also important to choose the best bets. You shouldn’t bet all your money on one game, it’s better to spread it across multiple games or multiple bets. And if you feel that you have started losing more than winning, it is better to take a break. Casino games should bring joy and excitement, not frustration.

Enjoy the game while keeping caution in mind

Real money casino games are an exciting way to try your hand and win. But it is important to remember that excitement should not get out of control. Have fun, but always set reasonable goals and be ready to stop if luck is not on your side.

Don’t forget about bonuses and promotions, keep an eye out for offers and choose the right strategies. And, of course, play responsibly. Remember that casinos are first and foremost entertainment, and you should always enjoy the process, regardless of whether you win or not.