Finance

Amid Financial Chaos? Here Are 4 Ways to Regain Peace of Mind

The year 2025 has already been a whirlwind, with events in the United States causing widespread concern, particularly regarding financial stability. From devastating fires in Los Angeles to a tumultuous political climate under President Trump’s administration, the uncertainty has sent shockwaves through the economy. Stock markets have been volatile, gold prices are soaring, and consumer confidence is waning, leaving many wondering if the U.S. is heading into a recession or stagflation. In the face of this chaos, managing financial anxiety is essential. While external events are beyond your control, you can take charge of your financial future by focusing on things within your power—like saving, investing wisely, and reviewing your contingency plans and insurance coverage. By maintaining perspective and staying proactive, you can weather the storm and safeguard your financial well-being.

TECH

Is Creativity Dying in the Tech Industry?

The tech industry, once a breeding ground for innovation, is now bogged down in a cycle of repetitive, uninspired work. Over the years, I’ve watched creativity in tech dwindle, replaced by a focus on bloated features and AI-driven products that no one truly needs. The industry’s obsession with a “flywheel” approach to production—spinning out features for profit—has overshadowed the spark of genuine creativity. While efficiency can lead to short-term success, it cannot sustain a business without creative problem-solving. Unfortunately, the tech world has come to believe that creativity can be scheduled or compartmentalized into specific roles, like a chief creative officer, but it doesn’t work that way. Without true creativity, the industry risks stagnation, even as it relies more heavily on AI to fill the gaps. Creativity needs balance, but right now, it’s being lost in the shuffle.

CRYPTO

Ripple Triumphs: Crypto's Long-Running Battle with the SEC Finally Ends

The SEC's years-long battle with the crypto industry has come to an end.

On Wednesday, Ripple announced that the SEC had dropped its four-year-old lawsuit, which accused the company of raising $1.3 billion through the unregistered sale of its XRP token. Ripple celebrated the win, marking a significant moment in the ongoing battle between crypto and regulators.

Ripple's Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, emphasized the importance of the case, stating that Ripple's victory disrupted the SEC's plans to stifle crypto in the U.S. XRP, created in 2012, surged 11% following the announcement.

Ripple's $150 million legal battle culminated in a federal judge ruling in 2023 that XRP is "not necessarily a security," undermining the SEC's case. The outcome also signaled a shift in the broader crypto landscape, with renewed momentum for the industry, especially following Donald Trump's return to office and a change in the SEC's regulatory approach.

The SEC has since signaled a new, less adversarial stance on crypto regulation, hosting a roundtable and rescinding an anti-crypto rule. Despite this victory, Alderoty warned that the fight for clear crypto regulation is far from over.