Finance

The Postman Who Fought the Car Finance Giants—and Won

Dubbed the "Erin Brockovich of the Potteries" and described by the Court of Appeal as "a postman with a love for fast cars," Andrew Wrench has become a powerful force in the car finance industry. Although he’s not widely known yet, his persistence has certainly caught the attention of the multimillion-pound car-leasing sector. Wrench, 60, from Trentham, Staffordshire, is one of a handful of motorists who have potentially unlocked billions for UK consumers by challenging two finance companies in court.

Without any legal background, Wrench was driven to pursue his case after learning that car finance lenders had secretly paid commissions to dealerships where he had financed two cars—an Audi TT coupe and a BMW 3 Series—without his knowledge. Reflecting on the situation, he recalled the dealerships aggressively pushing their finance offers, unaware of any hidden commissions at the time.

In 2015, he purchased the Audi for his wife, Louise, for £8,995, with a £3,000 deposit and a 48-month financing plan for the remaining £5,995. Two years later, he bought a BMW for £9,750, putting down £1,000 and financing the balance of £8,750 over 48 months.

TECH

Race Against Time: Immigrant Tech Workers Rush to Secure Visas Before Trump Era Begins

Following Donald Trump's election victory, immigration attorneys are facing a surge of inquiries from foreign-born workers concerned about the impact of his proposed immigration policies. Many of these workers, particularly those in the tech sector, are anxious about the future of their visas and work authorizations. They’re seeking clarity on whether new restrictions could affect their residency, ability to renew visas, or prospects for long-term employment in the U.S. With Trump's campaign promises hinting at stricter immigration controls, there is a growing sense of urgency and uncertainty, prompting hundreds to consult legal experts to better understand what lies ahead and how to secure their status in an increasingly uncertain environment.

CRYPTO

Bitcoin Soars Past $82,000 as Trump Victory Fuels Crypto Market Frenzy

Bitcoin reached a new high on Monday as the cryptocurrency rally continued in the wake of Donald Trump’s election victory.

The leading cryptocurrency rose 3% to $81,854.98, according to Coin Metrics, after peaking at $82,526.33 earlier in the day. Meanwhile, Ether remained stable, following a 30% increase last week that brought it back over the $3,000 mark over the weekend.

Cardano’s DeFi token edged up by 1.7%, while XRP held steady. Dogecoin saw a nearly 8% jump.

Coinbase shares soared 15%, and MicroStrategy rose 12%, reflecting continued enthusiasm in crypto markets.