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Tag: Analysis

  • Bitcoin in Peril? Is BTC ‘Fighting Crucial Levels’ or Winning?

    Bitcoin in Peril? Is BTC ‘Fighting Crucial Levels’ or Winning?

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    Bitcoin (BTC) analyst Michaël Van de Poppe suggests potential paths for the world’s leading cryptocurrency as it grapples with significant price levels. Van de Poppe, a prominent figure in the crypto trading world known for his insightful market analyses, emphasized the critical nature of BTC’s current struggle. 

    Taking to X, the renowned social media platform, he stated that BTC is currently engaged in a battle at crucial levels, hinting at the possibility of a downward retest around $27,700. 

    Concurrently, the precious metal Gold continues its ascent, adding a layer of complexity to the current market dynamics.

    BTC’s Crucial Battle: Michaël Van de Poppe’s Insights

    Consolidation might not be as detrimental as some investors fear, according to van de Poppe. The trader expressed a preference for a period of BTC consolidation before any major movements, indicating the possibility of a short-term pullback to levels around $27,600-$27,800. 

    Van de Poppe’s analysis pinpointed both $27,700 and $27,300 as crucial support regions that could influence BTC’s short-term trajectory.

    Meanwhile, at the time of writing, BTC’s price on CoinGecko stands at $29,741.09, reflecting a 24-hour surge of 4.8% and a seven-day increase of 11.0%. This surge comes at a time when the cryptocurrency market has been facing significant turbulence, with a myriad of factors influencing its valuation.

    Total crypto market cap currently at $1.10 trillion. Chart: TradingView.com

    Spot Bitcoin ETF Approval on the Horizon

    The potential approval of a spot-based Bitcoin exchange-traded fund has emerged as a significant source of hope and enthusiasm for the cryptocurrency market. Industry heavyweight Mike Novogratz, CEO of Galaxy Digital, recently shared his optimism about the imminent approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF in the United States during a recent interview. 

    Novogratz’s sentiments were echoed by the active involvement of financial giants like BlackRock, who are actively pursuing their ETF applications. With BlackRock’s massive $10 trillion in assets under management, the anticipation around the ETF approval process has reached a fever pitch in the financial world.

    According to various industry experts, the anticipated approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF is expected to materialize either in late 2023 or early 2024. The implications of such an approval are far-reaching, as it could potentially reshape the landscape of crypto investment, drawing in a fresh wave of institutional and retail investors keen to leverage the new investment avenue.

    As the market eagerly awaits the resolution of BTC’s current battle at crucial price levels and the potential for a new era with the introduction of a spot Bitcoin ETF, industry stakeholders are bracing themselves for what could be a transformative period in the cryptocurrency realm.

    Featured image from Getty Images

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    Christian Encila

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  • Good Friday Agreement & AEH: An Analysis in Biden’s UK & Ireland Visit and its Relevance to Solitary Confinement Reforms – World News Report – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    Good Friday Agreement & AEH: An Analysis in Biden’s UK & Ireland Visit and its Relevance to Solitary Confinement Reforms – World News Report – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

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    Support the Agreement to End Hostilities, 2012, former prison artist Michael D. Russell

    Image depicts the signing of the Good Friday Agreement

    Prime Minister Tony Blair and his Irish counterpart Bertie Ahern sign the Good Friday Agreement on 10 April 1998

    Image depicts the Angela Davis, MinisterKingXPyeface, and others

    MinisterKingXPyeface putting his arm around fellow prison abolitionist Angela Davis.

    Image depicts self portrait of prison artist C-Note

    Self portrait of prison artist C-Note

    Image depicts MinisterKingXPyeface standing in front of an indoors Hamilton play marquee sign

    MinisterKingXPyeface contemplating on his dream to go from the KAGE to the STAGE.

    The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 and the California Prisoner Racial Groups Agreement to End Hostilities of 2012 are examples of successful conflict resolution.

    SILICON VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, April 8, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — On April 11-12, 2023, US President Joe Biden will travel to the UK and Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday accord. The Good Friday Agreement (GFA), was signed a quarter century ago, as a US brokered agreement to help end decades of deadly sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.

    Last year, in 2012, marked the 10 year anniversary of the Agreement to End Hostilities (AEH). The AEH was an agreement amongst California prisoners being housed in the most extreme form of long-term solitary confinement, Pelican Bay State Prison’s Short Corridor.

    The AEH was an agreement between the various ethnic groups in the Short Corridor to end racial violence amongst California’s General population housed prisoners,…

    Original Author Link click here to read complete story..

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    MMP News Author

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  • Insightful Finance – Releasing the potential of data to power decision-supporting insights – Banking blog

    Insightful Finance – Releasing the potential of data to power decision-supporting insights – Banking blog

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    In our previous article, we made the case for Finance to take stewardship of enterprise data. The benefits are compelling. Data is the raw material of Finance. Quality assured enterprise datasets managed under the proven stewardship of Finance can be used to generate insights to inform and energise business decision making.

    So how does Finance build and operate such a capability? Here we define four pillars that a Finance data strategy should consider, and define the steps needed to realise the benefits across the bank.

    In a minute

    Trends and innovations in banking

    In Switzerland and throughout Europe, banks are going through the most innovative times anyone can remember. Increasingly, consumers are embracing the convenience of digital channels. Digital innovation generates opportunity − customers leave an electronic trace of all their interactions with their bank. The immense volumes of available data are a never-before-seen resource with which to build fresh insights into customers’ financial behaviour and tailor new personalised products and offerings.

    The economic winds are changing. After a decade of benign inflation and low or negative interest rates both are now rising. Customers are responding by adapting their financial behaviour, and for bank Finance teams forecasting has become harder. Experience and instinct continue to play their part, but for smart banks the data trails of their customers reveal tell-tale signs of where they are heading and inform the bank’s response.

    The traditional skills of Finance in data stewardship mean that it is in the best position to capture the benefits for their organisation of the advances in data analytics. And the opportunity extends beyond existing business lines into new markets in data. We see five main areas of opportunity:

    Figure 1: Finance data leveraging opportunities

    Fig1 Finance data leveraging opportunities

    Realising this opportunity requires a structured approach. A Finance data strategy is the roadmap to becoming an insightful bank.

    The four pillars of Finance data strategy

    We believe there are four key pillars for the design of a successful Finance data strategy:

    • The scope of products and services for which insights can add most value

    • The stakeholders operating along the data value chain

    • The data architecture

    • The enabling technologies

    Figure 2: Four pillars of a Finance data strategy

    Fig2 four pillars

    What insights are key

    Don’t drive blind. Decide from the outset the decision-support insights that Finance needs to generate. Collaborate across the  business to identify where fresh data-driven insights could yield the highest return.

    The list of insights can be extensive. For example:

    • Is there an untapped revenue stream in our product offering?

    • Can we learn more about our clients?

    • Can we monetise our data by collaborating with fintechs?

    • What insights can further inform our AML capabilities?

    We have identified multiple use cases which, taken together, could form the scope of a Finance data strategy:

    Figure 3: Finance data strategy use cases

    Figure 3 Finance data strategy use cases

    Determining which insights are needed shapes the design of the remaining three pillars of the strategy.

    How do we empower stakeholders

    Three key factors are needed to support data stakeholders in delivering the outcomes of a winning Finance data strategy:

    • a well-defined process framework along the data value chain

    • data-centric governance

    • a strong data culture

    Well-defined process framework

    Acquire, integrate, analyse. Each step in this process requires a distinct skillset. The acquire-and-integrate phase depends on the attention to detail which is a hallmark of financial stewardship and underpins accuracy. Analysis requires a mindset of questioning and curiosity to hunt for fresh insights and apply a storytelling skill to convey them to decision-makers. Technology has a role − interactive, connected planning dashboards are an example of how Finance is able to rapidly adjust its projections of the bank’s performance. However the real step forward is in the new skill of the Finance team to bring the numbers to life for the business and to provide insights for taking action, for client reach-out or more precise planning.

    Data-centric governance

    People along the entire data value chain should be given clear responsibilities. From identification to publication, actors must understand the processes within data management, communicate their importance to executing teams, and close gaps that could lead to inaccurate or incomplete data.

    Strong data culture

    In an insightful Finance team, data management skills are at a premium. Prowess in data management will be a hallmark of the successful finance teams of tomorrow. A sustained focus on data management as a key Finance capability is needed to nurture these skills.

    How is data structured and organised

    Appropriate data architecture is a foundation for capturing and integrating data from multiple sources. The challenge often lies in the sheer scale of the architecture required to manage enterprise-wide volumes of information. Whilst different design options are available, rigorous analysis is needed to avoid potentially costly mistakes in selecting the wrong architecture, tool decommissioning, process redefinition and governance redesign.

    We identify three distinct architectural models which would enable banks to consolidate enterprise-wide data into usable resources and to scale their analytical capability.

    Figure 4: Finance data architecture models

    Fig 4

    What tools work best
    Technology is a key enabler of insightful Finance, and the pace of innovation accelerates, the focus must shift from finding any technology to finding the right technology. Banks which invest resources into finding the right tools to analyse, identify and deliver insights will build a competitive edge over their peers.

    A list of all the available technology would be too long to include here.  We can narrow the scope to key areas relevant to data analytics which fit in with the mission of insightful Finance. Powerful tools can be found along the entire data value chain, with advanced innovation particularly in the areas of predictive planning and AI-enabled data visualisation.

    Figure 5: Examples of Finance data technology

    Fig5 data tech

    The four pillars of a winning Finance data strategy are interconnected parts of the same strategy. A decision in one area will impact the others, and a comprehensive approach is needed to maximise the chances of success.

    We can help you assess your data needs and define a solution that best fits your vision for Finance. We can assist you in implementing a data strategy which transforms your Finance function into an insights-driven partner for the business.

    In a one-day Data Strategy Lab, we can help you define the insights that you would like to build, and in a four-week Data Strategy Assessment, we can assess your current state and define your transformation path to an insightful finance function.

    The goal of an insight-generating Finance capability is nearer than you might think.

    How to get started

    Markus zorn

    Markus Zorn, Partner, Consulting

    Markus leads the Swiss Finance & Performance practice of Deloitte Switzerland. He has been advising CFOs for over 20 years on their most challenging Finance transformation and digitalization endeavours.

    Email | LinkedIn

    Tobias kern

    Tobias Kern, Director, Consulting    

    Tobias has an extensive experience focusing on large and complex Finance transformation programs leveraging ERP, mainly SAP. Tobias leads the banking offering of the Swiss Finance & Performance team

    Email | LinkedIn

    Daniele sacerdoti

    Daniele Sacerdoti, Manager, Consulting

    Daniele is a passionate consultant with extensive track record for development and execution of Finance transformation programs in Europe. Daniele leads the Insightful Finance offering within the Swiss Finance & Performance team

    Email | LinkedIn

    Lorenzo olivi

    Lorenzo Olivi, Consultant, Consulting

    Lorenzo is a consultant in the Swiss Finance & Performance team with a strong focus on the banking sector. He helps our clients understand the true power of data in creating business value.

    Email | LinkedIn

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    Lena Woodward

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  • Do We Have Yet To See The Bottom For The Bitcoin Price?

    Do We Have Yet To See The Bottom For The Bitcoin Price?

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    This is a transcribed excerpt of the “Bitcoin Magazine Podcast,” hosted by P and Q. In this episode, they are joined by Dr. Jeff Ross to discuss how current macro events are affecting bitcoin and what to expect from the bitcoin price.

    Watch This Episode On YouTube Or Rumble

    Listen To The Episode Here:

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    Bitcoin Magazine

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  • The Changing Nature Of The Trade Landscape Calls For Open-Source Intelligence

    The Changing Nature Of The Trade Landscape Calls For Open-Source Intelligence

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    The Russian invasion of Ukraine has made Chinese military action against Taiwan seem less abstract and heightened interest in the potential economic fallout of a war in the South China Sea. Traditional methods in the economist’s toolkit — computational general equilibrium (CGE) models and econometric analysis — are the gold standard for analyzing trade deals and even sanctions. But they are often inadequate to anticipate the enormity of an unusual events or major conflict.

    Helpfully, necessity is the mother of invention, and the growing availability of big data, including open-source intelligence, offers new facets of study.

    The current economic analytical toolkit largely revolves around CGE models and econometric analysis. These tools presume we have many precedents and plenty of data representing them and are relatively precise with small deviations from the status quo. But what happens when we face international economic and trade policy questions that we haven’t fully faced before?

    For the past few decades, arguably since the end of the Cold War, we have been living in a one-model world. The nature of international trade and economic questions have largely revolved around the themes of liberalization and deregulation. When it comes to those “standard” issues, CGE models have been especially good for contemplating hypotheticals and econometrics for understanding the past.

    CGE modeling, a tool of choice for U.S. trade policy analysis, is usually used for ex ante (“before the event” in Latin) questions; that is, the potential effects of a proposed policy. The U.S. International Trade Commission, which is a go-to for independent trade and economic analysis by the House Ways and Means Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and the U.S. Trade Representative, has used CGE since the early 1990s. They have tackled such questions as “What are the the potential economic effects of a US-UK free trade agreement?” and “What is the likely impact of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement?” As computational power has increased over the years, these models have gotten more detailed, and can drill down to activity across hundreds of sectors and countries, and even at the subnational (e.g., state) level.

    For ex post (“after the event”) questions, econometrics is the most popular approach. The method is used to look back and examine a whole host of events and policy changes, like the long-run labor market effects of the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, the productivity effects of increased foreign direct investment in Mexico, the effects of a natural disaster on global value chains, and trade and inequality.

    Each tool has its limitations, even in the one-model world. There are entire chapters in trade agreements such as digital trade, electronic commerce, state-owned enterprises, and competition policy which are hard to capture in CGE models. Even among the most sophisticated econometric analysis, it can sometimes be hard to disentangle correlation from causation.

    But the one-model world seems to have passed. New geopolitical conflicts, a pandemic, the Ukraine war, Brexit, rising populism and unilateral trade actions, and now China’s increasingly aggressive posture in the Indo-Pacific all have implications for international economic policy. It is hard to characterize any of these disruptions, or potential disruptions, as small deviations from the status quo. We are dealing with unusual events more often these days, and the current toolkit is lacking.

    The changing nature of the policy landscape makes this a good time to add something new to the toolbox. That’s where open-source intelligence and big data come in. (Big data include data that are conventional and unconventional, such as text, satellite images, videos, multimedia files, audios, etc.) I think economists interested in the empirical international trade analysis of large disruptions should take note.

    Consider a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Where does one even begin to assess its potential economic impact? Much of that depends on what the invasion looks like and which parts of the global economy are vulnerable to a kinetic conflict in the Taiwan Strait and nearby waters.

    In a recent policy brief, my colleague Weifeng Zhong and I attempt to address some of that using an unusual open-source data set: a collection of points of interest in Taiwan with detailed coordinates, curated by a malicious Chinese entity. The data suggest that the kind of military planning China may have for Taiwan potentially includes transportation facilities like seaports and information and communications technology facilities like submarine cable landing stations, where subsea cables, the backbone of the world wide web, come to shore.

    We argue that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would not only severely disrupt container shipments in the Taiwan Strait and nearby waters, but also could also knock the island off-grid in the digital economy and break critical links in global value chains, putting high-tech sectors like semiconductor manufacturing in jeopardy. If addressing the scenario with standard CGE modeling, one might see a more formalized look at tariff equivalents or negative productivity shocks — but the real-world version would likely be so upending that even the effects of the most punishing tariffs or productivity strikes would be no match for those of invasion.

    The further we wade into uncertain times, the more frequently economists will be called upon to provide information and analysis around rare events. Sometimes, the questions are less about how big the economic effects will be, and more about what the nature of the shock will be. This is where new methods like open-source intelligence and big data are most needed.

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    Christine McDaniel, Contributor

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  • Why Royal Caribbean and Carnival Stock Will Recover

    Why Royal Caribbean and Carnival Stock Will Recover

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    For the past two years, since the covid pandemic hit in late-February 2020, the cruise industry has taken one punch after another. And, while the situation has improved from the extended period when cruises were not allowed to sail from United States ports, that does not mean that it’s back to 2019 for Royal Caribbean International (RCL) , Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) , and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) .

    The industry has done a remarkable job bringing operations back to near-normal. All three cruise lines not only have put all their ships back in service, they’re also still moving forward with plans for new ships and other investments including improvements to private islands, and developing new ports.

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  • What are the Hottest iGaming Trends for 2023? SOFTSWISS shares expert industry report | Yogonet International

    What are the Hottest iGaming Trends for 2023? SOFTSWISS shares expert industry report | Yogonet International

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    Local regulation, metaverse gaming and data privacy as a priority – these are some crucial industry trends for the current year, according to the latest column by iGaming tech provider SOFTSWISS. The company, which has10+ years of expertise in the field, has analyzed the results and market changes in 2022 to share a data-driven report on the Hottest iGaming Trends for 2023.

    The report covers the trends related to payments and licensing, player behaviour, operations, gamification, and security. The insights are based on the data from 600+ SOFTSWISS clients, expertise of the key company specialists, and industry experts survey results.  

    PAYMENTS AND LICENSING 

    60% of the third-party experts surveyed by SOFTSWISS named Payments and Licensing as the most crucial category influencing the iGaming industry. 

    In 2023, more markets worldwide are expected to become locally regulated. This trend is strengthening as certain countries, including Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands, are withdrawing from their registrations with international gaming authorities.

    In terms of payments, operators need to ensure:

    • Abundance of well-established payment options

    • Localisation of financial modules 

    The integration of Apple Pay and Google Play could serve as a sound springboard to boost an online gambling business on the go.

    As for digital coins, even non-pro crypto adopters are expected to continue to offer them as a payment option to tap into new audiences and attract crypto-oriented gamblers. On the whole, cryptocurrencies see wider recognition, as many countries are beginning to recognise and integrate them into their financial systems. The latest example is Ukraine launching e-hryvnia issued by the NBU. 

    Andrey Starovoitov, Co-CEO at SOFTSWISS, comments on the future of crypto:

    “The SOFTSWISS Crypto Casino Solution statistics demonstrate that Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin remain the most demanded among crypto players. We also expect USDT to be an upcoming trend in the next few years. Despite the fact that the crypto market is going through turbulent times, operators recognise the importance of crypto payments and their influence on the project attractiveness for the audience and the final casino choice. That explains why in 2023 operators will seek to integrate alternative currencies and reinforce their portfolio with new digital coins.”

    PLAYER BEHAVIOUR

    When it comes to player behaviour trends, operators are predicted to shift their focus from product-centric to user-centric business models. The commitment and effort to solve players’ issues will pay off through improved player retention metrics and increased loyalty.

    Another sage move is launching mobile and smartwatch versions of casino and sports betting projects to win over new audiences seeking easy and quick access to online gaming functionality. 

    One more player trend outlined based on the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform clients’ data is the increasing popularity of live dealer games with crypto users. The market will give preference to this type of games, considering it a more valuable proposition.

    As for sports betting projects, the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook statistics demonstrate that 66% of bets are placed during live events against 34% of those placed in advance. This adds weight to the technical sustainability of platforms and drives the need for high-quality live broadcasts.

    OPERATIONS

    The data-driven decision-making approach will make operators seek ready-made software products offering real-time access to clear and transparent data on their projects.

    In 2023, operators will redirect their attention from such exclusively financial KPIs as the first deposit, GGR, and NGR towards the game session length and bet count metrics. Prudent operators will invest to diversify their game portfolio, integrate new bonuses and use free-to-play games to improve loyalty, increase conversions, and establish long-term relationships with players.

    Max Trafimovich, Chief Commercial Officer at SOFTSWISS, comments: “To run a profitable iGaming business operators need to know what their target audience is concerned about: be it integration of top-performing titles and new game mechanics to diversify their content portfolio, or availability and seamless performance of different payment methods including crypto, or technical sustainability of web and mobile project versions. At SOFTSWISS, we develop technologies allowing our clients to stay one step ahead and keep track of their project progress 24/7 in great detail. To achieve these goals, in 2022 we launched three Business Intelligence tools housed by the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform – BM3, Event Streaming and iGAP.”

    GAMIFICATION 

    In 2023, gamification, being one of the main player engagement growth directions, will continue to proliferate in the industry, bringing in a number of related trends.

    Cryptocurrency and NFT are expected to underpin the financial systems in meta-casinos to simplify withdrawing and depositing from different countries. At the same time, the market will be limited to crypto users.

    This year, operators are expected to rely more on jackpot campaigns to attract, reactivate and motivate players to engage in the desired type of gameplay. According to the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator’s clients,  49.6% of jackpot players increased their average bet sum in response to a global jackpot campaign, boosting the operator revenue.

    Besides being a player engagement booster, in 2023 bonuses will also find their use in regulating at-risk gambling activities and protecting overspending players. To achieve these, operators will opt for new innovative bonuses with flexible mechanics meeting various player needs. Overall, casino and sports betting projects will have to leverage different engagement tools to deliver outstanding results.

    Max Trafimovich, Chief Commercial Officer at SOFTSWISS, adds: “However, it is not the innovative technologies only that are capable of engaging the audience.  The inclusion of retention and reactivation practices in project operations also affects the growth of key casino metrics. By treating each player as a VIP bettor, we not only maximise the player LTV, but also increase the overall audience loyalty. For example, in 2022 the SOFTSWISS Reactivation team discovered that their outgoing interactions reduced player churn rate by 50%. ”

    SECURITY

    Following the iGaming industry growth, players want to understand what data operators are collecting about them, and how it will be used.

    In the context of GDPR and data security, the main Data Privacy as a priority trend will develop in several sub-trends further detailed in the report. 

    In 2023, the emphasis will also be laid on Responsible Gambling practices. Preventing affective behaviour, dealing with already problematic players, and managing marketing activities will allow having a healthy gaming experience free of economic and social risks or traumas. 

    In addition to the player care security trends, 2023 will see improved fraud prevention with advanced ML-powered tools. The SOFTSWISS Anti-Fraud department, which saved 15+ bln EUR for the company clients in 2022, shares that the most widespread types of fraud look like:

    • Bonus abuse – 69.9%

    • Money laundering – 9.9%

    • Payment system fraud – 5.9%

    In 2023 operators will be protecting their reputation and income by strengthening the verification quality with the help of additional analytical tools and services for checking documents and identifying destructive patterns.

    Andrey Starovoitov, Co-CEO at SOFTSWISS summarises the report trends: “The fast-growing iGaming market generates plenty of trends stemming from various business areas. And it’s rather a challenge to monitor and follow each of them. To be a leading casino or sports betting operator, we suggest leveraging all existing business opportunities. In 2023, that starts with the integration of innovative solutions for deep project analytics, and player engagement tools. Another thing is to choose a reliable software provider who offers deep data-driven market expertise, flexible products, top-level service, and is capable of ensuring security.”

    SOFTSWISS will be showcasing at ICE London 2023 on 7–9 February. Visitors are encouraged to meet with the company experts and Business Development Managers at stand N8-231, where they will be presenting SOFTSWISS technology solutions and product updates.

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