“Gone Fishin’!”

Hi There! If resilience had a face, it would look like me. If discipline could walk, it’d step in my shoes. And if perseverance had a heartbeat, it would match the rhythm of mine. It hasn’t been an easy road, but I am writing this introduction with a story of grit, gratitude, and determination.

After six long years, I competed in a full, raw powerlifting meet: squat, bench, and deadlift. This comeback was about defying the odds. For years, I lived with back issues so severe that I was told I’d never powerlift again. Squats and deadlifts were no longer options for me at competitions. Hearing that about something you love deeply can be crushing, but I knew deep down there had to be a way forward.

Rebuilding wasn’t easy. Rehab was a constant cycle of progress and setbacks, moments of joy and frustration. But I kept showing up to train, even on the toughest days, when my mind wasn’t right.

It all paid off! Over the weekend, I completed nine flawless lifts, hitting every single attempt. I walked away with two medals: 1st place in the Bench Only category, setting a personal and competition record, and 2nd place in my weight class for the combined lifts.

I did not do it alone. My coach, my incredible teammates, my nutritionist, my recovery/mobility team, and cheerleaders all played a part. Their belief in me, support, and expertise carried me through.

The lessons: No matter how heavy life gets, keep showing up. Having a community that stand with me every step of the way is powerful!

Life of a powerlifter! 

Alright, let’s dig in!

Last Week’s Market Overview (January 5 - January 11, 2025)

The first full trading week of 2025 brought mixed sentiments across global markets. The U.S. labour market continued to show remarkable strength, with December’s nonfarm payrolls (NFP) smashing expectations. However, this "good news" triggered a wave of risk-off sentiment, as markets recalibrated Federal Reserve rate-cut expectations. Oil prices surged following U.S. sanctions on Russia’s energy sector, and Treasury yields climbed, reflecting fiscal and inflationary concerns. While European equities gained momentum, Asian markets grappled with weak Chinese data.

U.S. Markets Recap

Equities: Major indices posted their second consecutive weekly decline despite starting the week on a positive note. The Dow dropped 1.1%, the S&P 500 fell 0.7%, and the Nasdaq slid 0.6%. Value stocks outperformed growth, while small caps underperformed significantly, with a 3.5% weekly loss.

Highlights:

• NVIDIA (NVDA) headlined the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with announcements of AI-driven innovations, briefly lifting tech stocks.

• Early quarterly earnings reports saw Delta Airlines (DAL) and Walgreens (WBA) beat expectations, offering a glimmer of optimism for the upcoming earnings season.

Fixed Income:

Treasury yields rose sharply amid strong jobs data:

• The 10-year yield increased 17 basis points to 4.77%, while the 30-year yield reached 4.96%, briefly crossing the 5% mark.

• U.S. and global bond markets faced upward pressure, reflecting concerns over inflation and sovereign debt issuance.

Commodities:

• Oil: WTI crude climbed 4.1%, supported by U.S. sanctions on Russia and reduced stockpiles.

• Gold: The yellow metal advanced despite rising yields and a stronger dollar, signaling investor caution.

• Metals: Silver and copper saw significant gains, while soft commodities remained stable.

Currencies:

The dollar strengthened, gaining 0.6% for the week:

• EUR/USD and GBP/USD declined as the greenback benefited from strong U.S. economic data.

• USD/JPY ended the week up 0.27%, reflecting relative monetary policy divergence.

U.S. Economic Recap (January 5 - January 11, 2025)

December Jobs Report

• Nonfarm payrolls grew by 256,000, far surpassing expectations.

• The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%, while average hourly earnings rose 3.9% year-over-year.

Fed Minutes

The December meeting minutes highlighted pervasive uncertainty regarding growth, inflation, and fiscal policy. Despite steady disinflation, the Fed remains cautious about inflation pressures, signaling no immediate rate changes.

Global Markets Recap (January 5 - January 11, 2025)

Europe: European equities advanced despite U.S. tariff concerns and higher bond yields. Key updates:

• Euro-area inflation rose to 2.4%, in line with ECB projections.

• U.K. markets underperformed, facing heightened government bond volatility.

Asia: Asian markets struggled, weighed down by disappointing Chinese economic data.

• Inflation in China fell further, complicating stimulus efforts.

• Japan saw modest growth in its service sector and record wage increases, fueling speculation of a potential Bank of Japan rate hike.

Crypto Recap (January 5 - January 11, 2025)

Cryptos faced a challenging week:

• Bitcoin fell 4.1%, ending below $100K.

• The total crypto market cap declined by 5.25%, closing at $3.372T.

• Spot Bitcoin ETFs continued to dominate the ETF landscape, with BlackRock’s IBIT emerging as the top performer among 740 ETFs launched in 2024, amassing $53 billion in assets. Analysts project Bitcoin ETF inflows to surpass $70 billion in 2025, driven by institutional adoption and a crypto-friendly Congress.

• Political shifts favouring crypto were underscored by newly elected pro-crypto lawmakers, hinting at potential legislation to streamline the crypto market structure and stablecoins.

• Despite the market’s challenges, institutional interest in Bitcoin ETFs and blockchain innovations remain key drivers for 2025.

• Last week’s top crypto gainers: DEEP, AIOZ, SWARMS

Here are other key highlights from last week:

• Canada can elect the next Bitcoin world leader.

• Ethereum’s coming Pectra upgrade will boost the $440B network.

• US court approves sale of $6.5b silk road Bitcoin.

• Ronin (RON) inks partnership to simplify NFT and Crypto purchases.

• StealthSDK partners with ai16z to integrate Eliza into one of their Roblox games.

This week is packed with high-impact news!

Key U.S. Economic Releases So Far:

1. PPI Inflation (Tuesday): December PPI inflation rose 3.3% year-over-year, below expectations of 3.5%. Core PPI inflation increased 3.5%, compared to forecasts of 3.8%, signaling cooling inflationary pressures.

2. CPI Inflation (Wednesday): December CPI inflation matched expectations at 2.9% year-over-year, reinforcing a gradual disinflation trend.

3. NY Fed Manufacturing Index (Wednesday): The January Empire State Manufacturing Survey reported a sharp decline, with the general business conditions index dropping 15 points to -12.6, indicating a contraction in manufacturing activity.

4. Beige Book (Wednesday): The Fed reported slight to moderate economic growth in late November and December, driven by robust holiday sales. Employment saw modest gains, though businesses expressed concerns about finding skilled workers. Prices rose modestly overall, with some sectors noting potential tariff-driven cost pressures.

Other Key Events to Watch This Week:

• Retail Sales (Thursday)

• Housing Data (Friday)

• JP Morgan Healthcare Conference (Jan 13-16) in San Francisco, focusing on AI, telemedicine, and biotech innovations.

• ICR Retail Conference (Jan 13-15) in Orlando, highlighting consumer trends.

Fed speakers this week:

• Fed Speakers: Comments from FOMC members revealed varied perspectives on monetary policy. Schmid highlighted that monetary policy is nearing neutrality with inflation near target and growth steady, while emphasizing the need for a smaller balance sheet. Williams avoided direct monetary policy commentary in one speech but later stated the Fed's positioning is appropriate, with disinflation expected to continue. Barkin expressed optimism about inflation moving toward 2% and noted solid, but not booming, demand. Kashkari discussed complexities in tariff-induced inflation, and Goolsbee shared cautious optimism for a soft landing in 2025 while acknowledging mixed signals in the CPI report.

• Upcoming Speeches:

  • Thursday: FOMC Member Williams is also scheduled to speak about the economic outlook at Thursday's Connecticut Business & Industry Association Economic Summit in Hartford.

Earnings: The fourth-quarter earnings season ramps up this week, with major banks like JPMorgan, Citi, and BlackRock leading the charge. As earnings reports accelerate, their results will set the tone for the broader financial sector. Key releases to pay attention to are outlined in red below.

Global Economic Events This Week:

• Monday (1/13/2025): China Loans

• Wednesday (1/15/2025): UK CPI, Australia Unemployment Rate

• Thursday (1/16/2025): China GDP, Industrial Production, & Retail Sales; UK GDP

• Friday (1/10/2025): UK Retail Sales

Trading Tip:

“In a post-election year, particularly following a Republican sweep, the Energy sector often performs well due to expectations of favourable regulatory changes and policies that support energy production and infrastructure!”

Week 1/05/25 - 1/11/25 Recap

Special Tools and Strategies

 Your Essential Guide to VPNs for Crypto Investors

I cannot stressed this enough: protecting your crypto and digital assets is paramount. If you’re buying, selling, and/or trading crypto, your online security and privacy should be non-negotiable. In Issue #113, I explored the fundamentals of crypto security and mentioned VPNs. This week, I will explain Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which is a must-have tool for safeguarding your crypto activities, especially when trading on decentralized platforms or accessing restricted sites.

If you’ve ever tried accessing platforms like Rollbit or BingX from certain regions without success, or worried about hackers intercepting sensitive data, this guide is for you. A VPN is a simple yet powerful solution to ensure your crypto trading remains private, secure, and unrestricted.

What is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is affordable software that encrypts your internet connection, creating a secure tunnel between your device and the web. This encryption masks your online activity, making it invisible to hackers, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and other prying eyes. Think of it as a digital shield that hides your identity and protects your data.

For crypto investors, this means:

• Keeping your wallet addresses and transactions private.

• Preventing unauthorized access to your trading accounts.

• Bypassing geo-restrictions on crypto platforms.

Why VPNs are Essential for Crypto Trading

In the crypto space, security breaches can result in irreversible losses. A VPN helps mitigate these risks by addressing critical vulnerabilities:

1. Data Protection: VPNs encrypt sensitive data, preventing hackers from intercepting wallet credentials or transaction details.

2. Anonymity: VPNs hide your IP address, making it harder to trace your crypto activities back to you.

3. Bypassing Restrictions: VPNs enable access to blocked or region-restricted crypto trading platforms.

4. Public Wi-Fi Security: Safeguard your connection when trading on public networks, which are notoriously vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a VPN for Crypto

Not all VPNs are created equal. Here’s what you should prioritize for crypto trading:

• Encryption: Look for AES-256 encryption, the gold standard for data protection.

• Protocols: Opt for VPNs using secure protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard, ensuring both speed and safety.

• Kill Switch: Ensure your VPN has a kill switch to immediately disconnect your internet if the VPN fails, preventing accidental exposure of your activity.

• Server Locations: A broad server network ensures better speed and access to region-specific platforms.

• No-Log Policy: Choose a VPN with a strict no-log policy to guarantee your data isn’t stored or shared.

• Speed and Reliability: High-speed connections are critical for seamless trading without lag.

• Ease of Use: Look for intuitive apps that make VPN configuration and server selection simple.

How to Set Up and Use a VPN for Crypto Trading

1. Choose a Reliable VPN: Research and select a VPN that meets the criteria above. Popular options include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and ProtonVPN.

2. Install the VPN App: Download the app on your device (desktop and/or mobile) and follow the setup instructions.

3. Select a Server Location: Connect to a server that aligns with your trading needs, such as a region where your platform is accessible.

4. Enable Security Features: Activate the kill switch, multihop, or camouflage mode for added protection.

5. Test Before Trading: Verify your VPN connection and test access to your desired trading platform.

In the crypto world, security is everything. With no way to recover stolen funds, you can’t afford to take risks with your online activity. A VPN is an essential tool for any crypto investor, offering anonymity, data protection, and unrestricted access to platforms.

Pro Tip: Combine your VPN with other security measures like two-factor authentication, secure wallets, and strong passwords to create a robust defense.

Remember, protecting your investments begins with smart security choices. Equip yourself with the right VPN, and trade confidently in the fast-evolving crypto landscape.

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Disclaimer: This newsletter is strictly educational. The information this report provides does not constitute investment, financial, trading, or any other advice. You should not treat any of the report’s content as such. Please be careful and do your research.