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On Land and Space, the Future is Shaking
From land to space, we have news that reflect the point our civilization is at. While war is happening on Earth we are exploring the space and creating programs to get to know more about Mars and retrieve samples from it. Our markets have been shaking too, especially the crypto market that is in the middle of several events that affect the fear and greed, for example, the upcoming halving. These and more on the text that follows.
We got a kind of service that has been blooming recently, Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) fintech platforms that allows customers to make purchases and spread their payments, in the case of "Four" over four months. Aimed at easing the financial burden of shopping, Four supports both online and in-store purchases, offering a seamless checkout experience with multiple payment options including Google Pay, Apple Pay, and traditional credit or debit cards. Additionally, Four provides a mobile app for easier access and management of purchases and loans. Retailers can also benefit from partnering with Four by tapping into its user base, improving sales, and receiving immediate payment for purchases, while Four handles the loan repayments. The platform is highly rated on Trustpilot and integrates with major shopping platforms like Shopify, enhancing the user experience and trustworthiness. This is a promising options, especially when other similar services only give a 1 or 2 month long credit, Fours seems to actually be an option even for people with lower incomes.
Crypto is susceptible, as the rest of the economy, to political news, some times even more, since fear is one of its components. We saw a drop recently and it has to be with news on Israel. The recent military exchange between Iran and Israel has significantly heightened tensions in the Middle East, sparking fears of a wider regional conflict that could draw in international powers and escalate uncontrollably. This escalation follows an Israeli attack on a consulate in Damascus that killed several Iranian generals, prompting a massive retaliatory strike by Iran involving missiles, drones, and cruise missiles targeting strategic locations within Israel. The attack, notable for its scale and coordination, was largely intercepted with the help of international forces, including the United States and the Royal Air Force. The global community, particularly the G7 nations, has expressed serious concerns about the potential for regional escalation. The incident has placed immense pressure on Israeli leadership and has significant political and military implications, with calls for deescalation being urged by world leaders to avoid further violence and work towards a lasting peace.
Robots started stealing other robots jobs now. Boston Dynamics, a leader in humanoid robotics and now under Hyundai's ownership, has decided to retire its hydraulic robot, Atlas, after a decade of impressive technological advancements and demonstrations, including parkour abilities. The decision was made due to the dated nature of its hydraulic systems compared to the more modern electric systems used by competitors. Almost immediately after announcing the retirement, Boston Dynamics introduced an all-new electric version of Atlas, redesigned with a more streamlined, cable-free look, and enhanced with high-powered actuators for better and more unconventional movements. This new Atlas is designed to adapt to human environments more effectively, with capabilities like getting up from falls independently, which could greatly improve productivity in various settings, especially factories. This shift marks a significant step in the evolution of humanoid robots, aiming for more practical and advanced applications in real-world environments.
With the help of robots we have even gotten out of Earth and exploring the space. Advances in technology have allowed us to venture into space, with Mars now the focal point of ambitious missions like the Mars Sample Return. This mission, aiming to collect and return Martian samples to Earth, faces significant challenges including a projected 15-year timeline and an $11 billion budget. NASA's Bill Nelson has highlighted concerns over the costs and timeline, leading to a strategic pivot towards partnering with space companies to leverage cutting-edge technology and potentially accelerate the mission's timeline to as early as 2030. These partnerships could involve companies like Intuitive Machines, which has experience in lunar landings, and could also stir competition among heavy launch vehicle manufacturers like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Rocket Lab. As the industry evolves, these collaborative efforts may not only streamline the mission but also bolster the reputations of the companies involved, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space exploration.
Since the beginning of April, the crypto market has faced a significant downturn, primarily due to escalating global tensions and diminishing hopes for early interest rate cuts by major central banks, expected no earlier than the third quarter of 2024. Despite previous optimism that the Federal Reserve (FED) might reduce rates, high core CPI data and jobless claims have made them hesitant to lower rates, impacting investment in cryptocurrencies negatively. As a result, Bitcoin plummeted from a high of $73K to $60, with similar losses seen across various altcoins. This current environment offers potential buying opportunities, as lower prices could benefit new investors looking to acquire assets at a discount during what might be seen as an opportune "good drop"
in the market.
We have to be open when seeing the market movements, it can be discouraging if you are expecting all greens, but read the room, do your research on the assets and how they behave, because often, those drops are opportunities we regret not have taken, or worse, we end up buying high and selling low.
These are sensitive times, many factors affect the market in a positive and negative way at the same time. Will the halving be as lucrative has it have been on previous times?
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