"Turn Down for What!"

Issue #70

Hi There! For years, I proudly waved the flag of the insomnia squad, unknowingly letting sleep deprivation become the silent thief of my peace. It wasn't until I faced the harsh consequences of my poor-quality sleep—disrupted decision-making, a persistent lack of focus, increased inflammation leading to illnesses, and an unexpected hindrance to weight loss—that I truly understood the critical importance of sleep. Recognizing the need for change, I embarked on a personal mission to reclaim my nights. I developed a consistent sleep schedule, aiming for 7-8 hours of rest, started tracking my sleep patterns to understand my needs better, took short naps to refresh my mind during the day, and eliminated caffeine before bed. This journey towards improved sleep has been transformative, not just for my physical health, but for my mental well-being and overall quality of life. Let my experience be a reminder of the huge impact sleep has on our lives. So, make sleep a priority.

Alright, let’s dig in!

Last week, the stock market witnessed significant milestones, with the Nasdaq hitting an all-time high and the S&P 500 closing above 5,100 for the first time, marking a momentous occasion for investors. Leading the charge were tech stocks, particularly Nvidia (NVDA), which saw its market cap soar over the $2 trillion threshold, a testament to its growing influence in the market. The Nasdaq itself rose by 1.14%, finishing the week at 16,274.94, while the S&P 500 added 0.80%, reaching 5,137.08. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average also saw gains, adding around 91 points or 0.23%, to close at 39,087.38. This overall uptrend highlights the robust performance of tech stocks and the optimism pervading the market, setting an upbeat tone for investors.

Here are other key highlights from last week:

  • Oil climbed 2% ahead of OPEC+ decision

  • Ondo to use blockchains to trade traditional securities

  • Bored Ape Game “Dookey Dash: Unclogged” will pay out over $1M

  • Ethereum NFT card game “Gods Unchained” hits iOS and Android

  • Coinbase expands asset recovery tool to Polygon and BNB Chain

This week has been packed with Jobs reports:

  • ISM Services PMI:

    • Dropped to 52.6, indicating a slowdown in the services sector.

  • Jerome Powell's Testimony:

    • Indicated the Federal Reserve is not in a hurry to cut interest rates.

    • Highlighted that the Fed remains cautious about inflation risks and is reluctant to ease measures prematurely.

    • Reiterated that rate cuts are not anticipated until there is confidence inflation is heading sustainably towards the 2% target.

  • Federal Reserve Statements:

    • Fed Kashkari is contemplating two rate cuts, possibly one in 2024.

    • Fed Bowman is not ready for rate cuts and is open to further hikes if necessary.

  • Labor Market Reports:

    • ADP Payrolls showed an increase from the previous period.

    • JOLTs Job Openings decreased to 8.863 million, below the estimated figures.

  • Cryptocurrency:

    • Bitcoin (BTC) experienced a more than 5% drop after reaching an all-time high above $69,000.

  • Upcoming Data:

    • The Nonfarm Payrolls and Unemployment Rate are set to be released on Friday, offering further insights into the labor market's health.

The most anticipated earnings released this week are outlined in the chart below.

Trading Tip: Before applying a strategy, backtest it on historical data!

Week 2/25/24 - 3/02/24 Recap

Special Tools and Strategies

What are Crypto Narratives?

Crypto narratives are essentially the trending ideas, stories, or beliefs that influence how cryptocurrencies are perceived and valued. Understanding these narratives is crucial in the crypto space because they directly affect investor sentiment, market trends, and the adoption of new technologies. As narratives evolve, they reflect the collective understanding and expectations of the market, offering insights into future movements. From the influence of high-profile tweets on coin prices to the strategic anticipation of Bitcoin halving, narratives guide investors through the volatile landscape of cryptocurrency, highlighting opportunities and risks.

Why are Crypto Narratives Important?

The importance of crypto narratives cannot be overstated. They emerge from a mix of technological advancements, social and economic events, and the community's beliefs, gaining momentum through media, social platforms, and influencer endorsements. In 2024, significant narratives revolve around exploring blockchain capabilities, like Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) and Decentralized Science (DeSci), pointing towards a trend in leveraging blockchain technology beyond mere financial applications. These narratives shape public perception and market dynamics, offering a lens through which potential investments are analyzed. However, it's important to approach these narratives with a critical mind to avoid the pitfalls of misinformation and hype.

Here are some of the top crypto narratives for 2024 and their corresponding tokens:

  • AI: Highlighting the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and blockchain, with tokens like SingularityNET (AGIX) and Oraichain (ORAI) leading the charge in AI-driven blockchain projects.

  • Game-Fi: Combining gaming with DeFi and blockchain to create play-to-earn models, with tokens such as Decentraland (MANA) and The Sandbox (SAND) pioneering this space.

  • Liquid Staking Derivatives (LSDs): Offering liquidity solutions for staked cryptocurrencies, with Frax Share (FXS) and Stafi (FIS) providing innovative staking alternatives.

  • Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN): Utilizing blockchain to build and incentivize real-world infrastructure, with tokens like Storj (STORJ) and XYO Network (XYO) at the forefront.

  • Decentralized Science (DeSci): Aiming to democratize and open up the scientific research process using blockchain, with OriginTrail (TRAC) and Dynex (DNX) contributing to this field.

  • Account Abstraction: Simplifying user interaction with dApps by eliminating complex transaction management, with tokens such as Instadapp (INST) and Ambire Wallet (WALLET) facilitating this evolution.

Ultimately, staying up-to-date about the prevailing crypto narratives is key to navigating the market effectively. It's essential to critically assess each narrative's foundation and potential impact before making investment decisions, ensuring a more informed and strategic approach to cryptocurrency investing and trading.

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.