Robert Mitchnick, head of digital assets at BlackRock, anticipates a new wave of investment into bitcoin ETFs, particularly from large financial entities such as sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, and endowment funds.
Mitchnick’s prediction comes despite a recent pause following consistent inflows into spot bitcoin ETFs for 71 days. Regardless, the BlackRock exec suggested, “The current lull is likely to be followed by a new wave from a different type of investor.”
In an interview, Mitchnick shared insights on the renewed dialogue around Bitcoin, saying, “Many of these interested firms – whether we’re talking about pensions, endowments, sovereign wealth funds, insurers, other asset managers, family offices – are having ongoing diligence and research conversations, and we’re playing a role from an education perspective.”
BlackRock’s Strategic Expansion into Digital Assets: Spotlight on Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs
Since their approval earlier this year, spot bitcoin ETFs have seen significant interest, with over $76 billion accrued across these products. BlackRock’s bitcoin ETF, IBIT, has notably amassed $17.2 billion in assets. This compares to Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust, now an ETF holding approximately $24.3 billion.
The increase in IBIT’s assets is partly due to transfers from Grayscale’s product, shifts from higher-priced ETFs in Canada and Europe, and conversions from bitcoin futures ETFs.
Nonetheless, Mitchnick emphasized that BlackRock is not solely focused on becoming the leading provider of spot bitcoin ETFs but prioritizes client education and comprehensive asset management. Moreover, the firm is expanding its digital asset initiatives, demonstrated by its recent application for an Ethereum ETF.
This move follows CEO Larry Fink’s hyping of the transformative potential of tokenization, which represents “traditional assets on blockchains.”
However, market experts argue that BlackRock’s potential introduction of an ether exchange-traded fund (ETF) prompts the need to educate clients about the Ethereum blockchain. Likewise, investors may question the need for another crypto ETF after adjusting their portfolio’s risk return through spot Bitcoin ETF’s Sharpe ratio.
Mitchnick emphasized that BlackRock views digital assets from three critical perspectives. These components are considered interconnected, each informing the firm’s strategies and insights into others. “When we think about this space, we see the potential for digital assets to benefit our clients and capital markets, with a focus in three areas: crypto assets, stablecoins, and tokenization. And these pillars, they’re all interrelated.” Mitchnick expressed.
This holistic approach aims to equip clients with a nuanced understanding of effectively incorporating digital assets into their investment portfolios.
DISCLAIMER The views expressed in the article are wholly those of the author and do not represent those of, nor should they be attributed to, ZyCrypto. This article is not meant to give financial advice. Please carry out your own research before investing in any of the various cryptocurrencies available.
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Change Your Mind and Transform Your Life: The Power of Shifting Your Perspective
All change starts with a change of mind. Whether it's a small habit you want to break or a big goal you want to achieve, the first step is to change the way you think about it. This is because our thoughts and beliefs shape our perceptions and emotions, which in turn influence our behaviour. Trying to change behavior without changing thinking is like treating the symptoms of a problem instead of the root cause. It may provide temporary relief, but it won't create long-term and lasting change.
Changing your thoughts and beliefs can be challenging, especially if they are deeply ingrained or have been reinforced by past experiences. However, it's not impossible. With practice and persistence, you can develop a growth mindset – a way of thinking that embraces challenges, sees failures as opportunities to learn, and believes in the power of effort and perseverance. By adopting a growth mindset, you can transform the way you approach change and increase your chances of success.
One way to change your mindset is to challenge your limiting beliefs. These are the thoughts that hold you back and make you feel stuck or powerless. For example, if you believe that you're not good enough or that change is too hard, you're less likely to take action and more likely to give up. By questioning these beliefs and replacing them with more empowering ones, you can shift your perspective and open up new possibilities. This can be done through self-reflection, journaling, or working with a coach or therapist.
THE POWER OF MINDSET
UNDERSTANDING MINDSETS
A mindset is a mental attitude that shapes how people perceive and respond to situations. It is a set of assumptions, beliefs, and values that influence how people think, feel, and behave. Mindsets can be either positive or negative, and they can have a profound impact on people's lives. Understanding the power of mindsets is essential to achieving success and happiness in life.
FIXED VS. GROWTH MINDSET
Carol Dweck, Ph.D., a Stanford researcher and professor, coined the terms “fixed” and “growth” mindsets. People with a fixed mindset believe that their abilities and talents are fixed and cannot be changed. They tend to avoid challenges and give up easily when faced with obstacles. In contrast, people with a growth mindset believe that their abilities and talents can be developed through hard work and dedication. They embrace challenges and persist in the face of setbacks.
CHANGING YOUR MINDSET
Changing your mindset is not easy, but it is possible. The first step is to become aware of your current mindset. Are you more fixed or growth-oriented? Once you understand your mindset, you can start to challenge your beliefs and assumptions. Replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations. Embrace challenges and view them as opportunities to learn and grow. Surround yourself with people who have a growth mindset and who will support and encourage you.
In conclusion, understanding the power of mindsets is essential to achieving success and happiness in life. By adopting a growth mindset, you can develop your abilities and talents and achieve your goals. Remember, all change starts with a change of mind.
PERCEPTION AND BELIEFS
INFLUENCE OF PERCEPTION
Perception is the way we interpret and make sense of the world around us. It is influenced by our past experiences, beliefs, and values. Our perception can shape the way we see things, and consequently, our thoughts and actions towards them. For example, if someone has had a bad experience with dogs in the past, they may perceive all dogs as dangerous and avoid them altogether. However, if they were to change their perception and see dogs as friendly and loyal companions, they may be more willing to interact with them.
SHAPING BELIEFS
Beliefs are the assumptions and convictions we hold to be true about ourselves, others, and the world. They are often formed through our experiences, upbringing, and cultural background. Our beliefs can shape our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. For instance, if someone believes that they are not good enough, they may shy away from opportunities that challenge them. However, if they were to change their belief and see themselves as capable and competent, they may be more willing to take on new challenges.
OVERCOMING LIMITING BELIEFS
Limiting beliefs are beliefs that hold us back from achieving our full potential. They are often negative and self-defeating. Examples of limiting beliefs include “I'm not smart enough,” “I'm not talented enough,” or “I'm too old to learn something new.” These beliefs can prevent us from taking risks, pursuing our goals, and living a fulfilling life. To overcome limiting beliefs, one must first identify them and challenge their validity. They can then replace them with positive and empowering beliefs that support their growth and development.
In conclusion, perception and beliefs play a crucial role in shaping our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By changing our perception and beliefs, we can transform our lives and achieve our full potential. It is important to be aware of our perception and beliefs and to challenge them when necessary to overcome limiting beliefs and achieve our goals.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND CONTROL
UNDERSTANDING EMOTIONAL REACTIONS
Emotional reactions are an inevitable part of life. It is important to understand that emotions are not good or bad, but rather a natural response to a situation. Emotional intelligence involves the ability to recognize, understand, and manage these emotions in a healthy and productive way.
Negative emotions such as anger, fear, and sadness can be overwhelming and difficult to manage. Emotional intelligence allows individuals to acknowledge and process these emotions, rather than suppressing or ignoring them. This can lead to a greater sense of control and a more positive outlook on life.
GAINING EMOTIONAL CONTROL
One of the key components of emotional intelligence is gaining control over one's emotions. This involves recognizing triggers that lead to negative emotional reactions and learning how to manage them in a healthy way. Stress is a common trigger for negative emotions, and learning stress management techniques can be helpful in gaining emotional control.
Breathing exercises, meditation, and physical exercise are all effective ways to reduce stress and gain emotional control. It is also important to practice self-care and take time for oneself. This can involve engaging in activities that bring joy and relaxation, such as reading, spending time with loved ones, or pursuing a hobby.
In conclusion, emotional intelligence and control are essential for personal growth and well-being. By understanding and managing emotional reactions, individuals can gain greater control over their lives and experience more positive outcomes.
BEHAVIOR AND HABIT FORMATION
THE ROLE OF BEHAVIOR
Behavior is a key factor in habit formation. Habits are formed through repetitive behaviors that become automatic and unconscious over time. When a behavior is repeated often enough, it becomes a habit, and the brain forms neural pathways that make the behavior easier and more automatic to perform.
Negative behaviors can be detrimental to one's well-being and can lead to negative thoughts and patterns. However, by changing negative behaviors to positive ones, individuals can create new neural pathways that lead to positive habits and routines.
CREATING POSITIVE HABITS
Creating positive habits is essential for long-term and lasting change. Positive habits can help individuals achieve their goals and improve their overall well-being. To create positive habits, individuals must first identify the behavior they want to change and set a specific goal.
According to Psychology Today, there are seven steps to habit formation. The first step is to define the target for change. The second step is to create a specific goal. The third step is to identify the cues or triggers that initiate the behavior. The fourth step is to create a routine that reinforces the behavior. The fifth step is to create a reward system that reinforces the behavior. The sixth step is to track progress and adjust the routine as necessary. The seventh step is to maintain the habit over time.
BREAKING NEGATIVE PATTERNS
Breaking negative patterns can be challenging, but it is possible with the right mindset and tools. Negative patterns are often formed through negative thoughts and behaviors that become habitual over time.
To break negative patterns, individuals must first identify the negative behavior or thought pattern they want to change. Then, they must replace the negative behavior or thought with a positive one. This can be done through mindfulness, positive self-talk, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
In conclusion, behavior and habit formation play a significant role in creating long-term and lasting change. By identifying negative behaviors and thought patterns and replacing them with positive ones, individuals can create positive habits and routines that lead to a happier and healthier life.
OVERCOMING PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS
Changing your mind is not always easy. It requires you to confront and overcome psychological barriers that can prevent you from making positive changes in your life. Here are some common psychological barriers that people face and some strategies for overcoming them.
DEALING WITH FEAR AND ANXIETY
Fear and anxiety can be powerful obstacles to change. They can make you feel paralyzed, preventing you from taking action. However, it is important to remember that fear and anxiety are normal emotions that everyone experiences. The key is to learn how to manage these emotions so that they do not control your behavior.
One strategy for dealing with fear and anxiety is to face your fears head-on. This may involve taking small steps towards your goal, such as practicing a new skill or talking to someone new. By gradually exposing yourself to the things that scare you, you can build up your confidence and reduce your anxiety.
Another strategy is to practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation. These techniques can help you calm your mind and reduce feelings of anxiety. Additionally, getting regular exercise and maintaining a healthy diet can help reduce stress and anxiety.
THE IMPACT OF STRESS AND NEGATIVITY
Stress and negativity can also be significant barriers to change. When you are stressed, it can be difficult to focus on anything else. Similarly, negative thoughts can prevent you from seeing the positive aspects of a situation.
One strategy for dealing with stress and negativity is to practice positive thinking. This involves focusing on the positive aspects of a situation, rather than dwelling on the negative. For example, if you are facing a difficult challenge, try to focus on the opportunities that the challenge presents, rather than the obstacles.
Another strategy is to practice self-care. This involves taking care of your physical and emotional needs, such as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and spending time with people who support you. By taking care of yourself, you can reduce your stress levels and improve your mood.
MOVING BEYOND COMFORT ZONES
Finally, comfort zones can be a significant barrier to change. When you are comfortable with your current situation, it can be difficult to take risks and try new things. However, it is important to remember that growth and change often require stepping outside of your comfort zone.
One strategy for moving beyond your comfort zone is to set small, achievable goals. By setting goals that are challenging but realistic, you can gradually build up your confidence and expand your comfort zone. Additionally, seeking out new experiences and opportunities can help you break out of your comfort zone and develop new skills and perspectives.
In conclusion, changing your mind is not always easy, but it is possible. By confronting and overcoming psychological barriers such as fear, stress, negativity, and comfort zones, you can make positive changes in your life and achieve your goals.
PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Personal growth and development is an ongoing process that involves changing your mindset, learning from failures, and setting expectations for success. By embracing change, individuals can experience personal growth and development, which can lead to a more fulfilling life.
EMBRACING CHANGE FOR GROWTH
Embracing change is the first step towards personal growth and development. Change can be difficult and uncomfortable, but it can also be an opportunity for growth. By changing your mindset and embracing new experiences, you can learn new skills and gain new perspectives. This can lead to personal growth and development, as well as a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment.
LEARNING FROM FAILURE
Failure is a natural part of the personal growth and development process. It is through failure that individuals can learn valuable lessons and gain new insights. By embracing failure and learning from it, individuals can develop resilience and perseverance. This can help them to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
SETTING EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS
Setting expectations for success is an important part of the personal growth and development process. By setting realistic and achievable goals, individuals can stay motivated and focused. This can help them to overcome obstacles and achieve their desired outcomes. It is important to remember that success is not always immediate or easy, but with persistence and determination, individuals can achieve their goals.
In summary, personal growth and development is an ongoing process that involves changing your mindset, learning from failures, and setting expectations for success. By embracing change, learning from failures, and setting realistic expectations, individuals can experience personal growth and development, which can lead to a more fulfilling life.
BUILDING SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS
Supportive relationships can be a key factor in achieving lasting change. Having a solid support system can provide encouragement, accountability, and motivation.
THE ROLE OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Friends and family can play a significant role in supporting change. They can offer emotional support, provide a listening ear, and offer practical help. It is important to communicate with them openly about your goals and how they can help.
Having a positive relationship with friends and family can also help to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. According to Harvard Health, “Strong social support can improve your overall health and increase your longevity.”
However, it is important to note that not all friends and family may be supportive of change. Some may be resistant to change or may not understand the importance of the change you are trying to make. In these cases, it may be necessary to seek support elsewhere.
SEEKING PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
In some cases, seeking professional support may be necessary to achieve lasting change. A therapist or counselor can provide guidance, support, and accountability. They can also offer tools and strategies to help manage stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges that may arise during the change process.
According to Psychology Today, “Therapists can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, set goals, and develop strategies for change.”
It is important to find a therapist who is a good fit and who specializes in the area of change you are seeking. They can work with you to develop a personalized plan for achieving your goals and provide ongoing support throughout the process.
In summary, building supportive relationships can be a crucial factor in achieving lasting change. Friends and family can offer emotional support and practical help, while a therapist can provide guidance and accountability. It is important to communicate openly with your support system and seek professional help when necessary.
PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR MINDSET CHANGE
Changing your mindset can be challenging, but it is possible with the right strategies. Here are some practical ways to change your mindset:
POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS AND THINKING
Positive affirmations and thinking can help reprogram your mind to focus on the good and shift your perspective. It involves repeating positive statements to yourself, such as “I am capable and worthy” or “I am deserving of love and success.” Writing down these affirmations and placing them where you can see them daily can help reinforce the positive message.
MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION TECHNIQUES
Mindfulness and meditation techniques can help you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions. Practicing mindfulness involves focusing on the present moment without judgment, while meditation involves training your mind to focus and calm down. Both techniques can help you become more centered and less reactive to negative thoughts and emotions.
INCORPORATING GRATITUDE AND EXERCISE
Incorporating gratitude and exercise into your daily routine can also help change your mindset. Gratitude involves focusing on the good in your life and being thankful for it. You can practice gratitude by keeping a gratitude journal or simply taking a few moments each day to reflect on what you are grateful for. Exercise releases endorphins, which can boost your mood and reduce stress. It can also help you feel more confident and in control of your life.
By incorporating these practical strategies into your daily routine, you can begin to change your mindset and create a more positive and fulfilling life. Remember, change starts with a change of mind, so be patient and persistent in your efforts.
MAINTAINING A POSITIVE OUTLOOK
Changing your mind is not always easy, but it is the first step to creating lasting change in your life. Maintaining a positive outlook is key to this process. By cultivating optimism and fostering resilience and flexibility, you can create a positive mindset that will help you achieve your goals.
CULTIVATING OPTIMISM
Optimists tend to view challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles. They focus on the positive aspects of a situation and believe that things will work out in the end. To cultivate optimism, it is important to practice gratitude and focus on the good things in your life. You can do this by keeping a gratitude journal or simply taking a few minutes each day to reflect on the things you are thankful for.
Another way to cultivate optimism is to reframe negative thoughts. Instead of dwelling on the negative aspects of a situation, try to focus on the positive. For example, if you are stuck in traffic, instead of getting frustrated, use the time to listen to your favorite music or catch up on your reading.
FOSTERING RESILIENCE AND FLEXIBILITY
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges. It is an important trait to have when trying to create lasting change in your life. To foster resilience, it is important to develop a growth mindset. This means viewing challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.
Flexibility is also important when trying to create lasting change. Being flexible means being open to new ideas and willing to adapt to changing circumstances. To foster flexibility, it is important to be open-minded and willing to try new things.
In conclusion, maintaining a positive outlook is key to creating lasting change in your life. By cultivating optimism and fostering resilience and flexibility, you can create a positive mindset that will help you achieve your goals. Remember to focus on the positive, reframe negative thoughts, and be open-minded and willing to try new things.
It hard not to get excited when you see a blockbuster deal like that' – Adam Lundin on mining M&A
'It hard not to get excited when you see a blockbuster deal like that'
Big mining deals are going to bring needed attention to the mining sector and build more enthusiasm, noted Adam Lundin, chair of Lundin Group.
This week Adam spoke to Kitco Mining.
Earlier this month BHP Group announced a surprise takeover bid for Anglo American valued at over $31 billion.
"When you see blockbuster news like that, it's hard not to get excited," said Lundin. "I think M&A can be good for the sector, and I think it [brings] a lot of attention to the space and gets more eyeballs on it. Let's stay tuned and see how it plays out."
The Lundin Group's Lundin Mining (TSE:LUN) is up 62% year to date this year with a market cap of 13.6 billion thanks to a run in copper and other metals. The company is expected to produce between 366,000 to 400,000 tonnes of copper and between 155,000 to 170,000 ounces of gold in 2024.
Ludin Mining has a healthy pipeline. The Lundin's Josemaria project is to be developed as a large-scale open pit mining operation. As currently envisaged, over 1 billion tonnes of ore will be mined at average diluted head grades of approximately 0.30% copper, 0.22 g/t gold and a strip ratio of 0.98 over a 19-year mine life.
‘Ethereum killer’ Solana has taken the blockchain ecosystem by storm after becoming the fastest blockchain in the world with record transaction speed. Research from CoinGecko shows that the network processed an astounding 95 million transactions in a single day. This achievement is not just a technological feat but also marks a huge milestone in the blockchain and crypto industry.
Solana Takes The Speed Crown
Solana has emerged as the cheetah of the cryptosphere thanks to its lightning-fast speed.
According to a recent research report by crypto data aggregator CoinGecko, Solana leads with the highest daily average transactions per second (TPS), clocking in at 1,053 TPS. This remarkable achievement in speed solidifies Solana’s status as a so-called “Ethereum killer,” which has long been questioned due to the constant network outages.
Sui comes in second at 854 TPS, followed by Binance Smart Chain (BSC) at 378 TPS, Polygon at 190 TPS, TON at 175 TPS, Tron at 159 TPS, Near at 117 TPS, and Avalanche at 89 TPS.
Meanwhile, established networks like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) have long struggled with transaction speed limitations. Ethereum recorded an average peak TPS of 22.8, while the world’s largest blockchain, Bitcoin, processed just 10.7 transactions per second.
CoinGecko analyzed the processing speed of the top 30 blockchains based on their total value locked (TVL) ranking on DefiLlama as of May 15, 2024, to ascertain the fastest blockchains. Processing speed was calculated using the actual or realized TPS metric, measured as a daily average, to ensure a uniform comparison across multiple blockchains.
Solana’s peak performance was awe-inspiring, attaining 1,504 TPS on April 6, 2023, owing to an upsurge in meme coin transactions. This performance makes Solana approximately 46 times faster than Ethereum and 5 times faster than Polygon — the fastest among Ethereum scaling solutions.
CoinGecko’s study noted that despite ranking as the fastest blockchain, Solana has only achieved 1.6% of its theoretical maximum TPS of 65,000.
Solana’s exceptional speed has not gone unnoticed in the cryptocurrency market. At press time, SOL changed hands for $173, representing a 2.7% gain on the day and an 18.2% increase on the weekly chart. This performance underscores the market’s confidence in Solana’s potential to revolutionize the digital transaction landscape.
Is Solana Truly An “Ethereum Killer?”
Solana started its mainnet operations in March 2020, with a claimed throughput of 50,000 transactions per second (TPS). The network sought to improve Ethereum’s scalability inefficiencies.
Unlike Ethereum, which relies on layer-2 scaling solutions to enhance scalability, Solana offers scalable solutions for a decentralized ecosystem. But Solana’s technique has been widely criticized following its previous repeated outages. In early April, soaring demand for meme coins caused roughly 76% of Solana transactions to fail.
Prior to that, block production on Solana halted for around five hours before developers and validators could build and test a release that contained remediation.
DISCLAIMER: None Of The Information You Read On ZyCrypto Should Be Regarded As Investment Advice. Cryptocurrencies Are Highly Volatile, Conduct Your Own Research Before Making Any Investment Decisions.
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Silver’s in the spotlight as prices rally nearly 6% Friday, but it’s still gold’s show
It has finally happened; silver is making a move and dragging precious metals higher heading into the weekend.
According to analysts, the white metal is clearly in the driver’s seat as it lagged during gold’s breakout rally in the first quarter of the year. Not only has silver rallied above $31 an ounce, but the price is trading at its highest level since February 2013. July silver last traded at $31.635 an ounce, up 4.65% on the day.
Along with its 11-year high, silver is up more than 10% for the week, its best performance since early April.
Meanwhile, gold has seen a solid push above initial resistance, with some analysts predicting that it will move back to record highs sooner than expected. June gold futures last traded at $2,414.60 an ounce, up 1.34% on the day. The yellow metal is seeing nearly a 2% gain for the week.
Ole Hansen, Head of Commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank, noted the entire precious metals complex is seeing broad-based gains. Platinum has pushed to a one-year high; July platinum futures last traded at $1,094 an ounce, up more than 2% on the day.
Traders and analysts wrapped up Platinum Week as the precious metal saw a 9% gain from last Friday. Platinum’s $90 move this week is its best gain since February 2021.
Hansen added that the rally in all three metals and a significant drop in the gold-silver ratio indicate robust bullish sentiment in the marketplace, an indication that this breakout could lead to sustainably higher prices.
“The gold-silver ratio is not a million miles from its long-term average, so silver strength could mean general precious metal strength,” Hansen said.
Fawad Razaqzada, Market Analyst with the StoneX Group and creator of Tradingcandles.com, said that he expects this is just the start of a new rally as the dam in the silver market has finally burst with no major catalyst.
“This breakout move has been building for days,” he said.
Razaqzada pointed out that there is a lot of pent-up sentiment in the silver markets, as prices have been range-bound for 3.5 years. He noted that it's not surprising that silver is finally outperforming, as it benefits both as a monetary metal and an industrial metal.
Silver’s breakout move comes as copper looks to end the week at record highs above $5.00 per pound.
“Judging by copper's bullish breakout that took place a few months ago and is still going, I reckon [silver’s] breakout can be sustained,” he said.
Although silver is stealing the spotlight right now, some analysts warn that this rally is still gold’s show.
Gold has consolidated in elevated territory, near record highs, as geopolitical uncertainty, central bank demand, and robust retail demand in Asia support prices.
Mike McGlone, senior market strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, said he still likes gold as a safe-haven asset, especially as the U.S. market looks overstretched and due for a correction.
McGlone added that the risk for silver is if investors start to take profits in copper. He explained that lower copper prices would weigh on the white metal.
“Copper managed money positions (hedge funds) are stretched a bit too much net-long to sustain much above $5 a pound and probably needs the S&P 500 to keep rising for buoyancy,” he said. “Silver is riding the coattails of copper and gold, in my view and the bottom line is China is buying gold but may be hoarding all metals.”
Julia Khandoshko, CEO at the European broker Mind Money, said she also sees more potential for gold in the current environment.
“The Federal Reserve's shift in rhetoric, particularly if it leads to a rate cut or a clear reduction plan, is expected to push gold prices upward. The escalation of the conflict in the Middle East will also support gold. As geopolitical risks grow, investors will buy even more gold, boosting the price,” she said.
Khandoshko added that she expects gold prices to resume their long-term uptrend as central banks continue to buy gold to diversify their foreign reserves.
“My estimates suggest that the accumulation pace is actually higher than what the IMF reports state,” she said.
Khandoshko said that silver will be sensitive to any data that highlights weak economic activity.
“Silver is just a commodity like copper, while gold is a hedging tool. Today, all metals, including silver, are growing for a simple reason—cautious sentiment on global economic growth. If we look at commodities charts, we can see they have a cyclical price trend: when there is an economic downturn, they are cheap; when the economy is recovering, they rise in price,” she said.
Philip Streible, Chief Market Strategist at Blue Line Futures, said that while he is bullish on gold and silver on this breakout move, a relatively quiet week could create some short-term profit-taking.
Some economists have said that the biggest risk for markets next week will be the plethora of Fed speakers. Six U.S. central bankers will speak at events on Monday and Tuesday.
The highlight of the week will be the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meeting that wrapped up May 1.
The economic reports on the docket next week are mostly second-tier, with some attention to home sales numbers and a preliminary sentiment survey in the manufacturing and service sectors.
The week ends with the release of May’s durable goods data.
Economic data to watch next week:
Wednesday: U.S. existing home sales, FOMC minutes from April/May monetary policy meeting
Thursday: S&P Flash Manufacturing and Service Sector PMIs, weekly jobless claims, U.S. new home sales
Simplified Automation of Free Marketing Automation Tools: Streamlining Your Strategy
Marketing automation has become an essential tool for businesses looking to streamline their marketing efforts, increase efficiency, and engage customers effectively. Such tools facilitate the orchestration of marketing campaigns, management of customer data, and tracking of the performance of marketing initiatives. With the advent of free marketing automation software, small businesses and entrepreneurs now have access to powerful capabilities that were once the preserve of larger organizations with substantial budgets.
The selection of the right marketing automation tool can have a significant impact on a company's marketing operations. Free tools offer a variety of features, such as email marketing, social media management, and user engagement tracking, all of which can contribute to enhanced customer engagement and better business outcomes. Understanding the scope and limitations of these tools is crucial for businesses aiming to implement automation without incurring high costs.
Key Takeaways
Effective marketing automation streamlines campaign management and data analytics.
Free tools bring advanced marketing capabilities to budget-conscious businesses.
Choosing the right tool impacts customer engagement and overall business success.
Exploring The Landscape Of Free Marketing Automation Tools
The landscape of free marketing automation tools is vibrant and dynamic, offering a variety of options to enhance the efficiency of marketing efforts for small businesses.
Defining Marketing Automation
Marketing automation refers to the software and technologies designed to effectively market on multiple channels online and automate repetitive tasks. These solutions help streamline sales and marketing organizations by replacing high-touch, repetitive manual processes with automated ones.
Key Features to Look For
When assessing marketing automation tools, look for the ability to create email marketing automation campaigns that allow for personalized communication, such as drip campaigns. Essential functionalities also include lead capture and audience segmentation, empowering businesses to target their customers effectively. Additionally, insightful analytics to track campaign performance is crucial for refining strategies.
Top Free Tools for Small Businesses
For small businesses looking to harness the power of automated marketing without incurring high costs, several free marketing automation tools stand out:
Mailchimp: Recognized for its generous free plan, Mailchimp supports up to 2,000 contacts and includes essential automation features such as email campaigns and basic analytics.
Simplified: This tool excels at easing the selection process for businesses by offering a user-friendly interface and AI-powered marketing automation, which can be a game-changer for resource-strapped entities.
To effectively navigate this landscape, small businesses should meticulously evaluate each tool's offerings against their specific marketing needs, considering factors like integration capabilities, user experience, and scalability.
Maximizing Efficiency with Automation
Automated marketing tools are crucial for enhancing efficiency in digital marketing strategies. They enable businesses to streamline operations, engage customers effectively, and integrate seamlessly with various ecommerce platforms.
Streamlining Marketing Workflows
Marketing workflows serve as the backbone of digital campaigns, and their optimization is crucial for operational efficiency. By utilizing free marketing automation tools, companies can automate routine tasks such as lead qualification, customer segmentation, and content distribution. For example, tools like Mailchimp automate the deployment of personalized emails, reducing manual effort and minimizing the scope for human error.
Leveraging Email and SMS Strategies
With the right email automation tools, businesses can schedule and send emails automatically, nurturing leads without constant oversight. SMS campaigns, on the other hand, offer immediate reach and high open rates. Integrating SMS with a marketing strategy, using services like Twilio, enhances the scope of direct and timely engagement, enriching customer communication channels.
Integrating with Ecommerce Platforms
For ecommerce ventures, integration between marketing automation tools and ecommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce can lead to increased conversion rates. This integration allows for personalized product recommendations and abandoned cart reminders via email and SMS, potentially boosting sales. Moreover, using these tools' APIs can afford deeper customization, syncing seamlessly with the existing tech stack of the business.
Enhancing Customer Engagement
Effective customer engagement is a critical factor in successful marketing. It revolves around the strategic use of data and tools to deliver personalized experiences, manage leads effectively, and create targeted advertising campaigns.
Personalizing Customer Experiences
Personalized marketing stands at the forefront of customer engagement. By leveraging data from CRM systems, companies can segment their audience and tailor the customer journey for each segment. Autoresponders, for instance, can be employed to send customized messages based on specific customer interactions, thereby increasing the relevance and effectiveness of communication.
Utilizing Lead Scoring and Management
Lead scoring enables businesses to rank prospects against a scale that represents the perceived value each lead represents to the organization. Criteria such as demographic information, engagement level, and behavioral data are used. This process, integral to lead management, ensures that sales teams focus their efforts on leads most likely to convert.
Creating Targeted Ads and Campaigns
Data-driven strategies are utilized to create effective Facebook ads and other targeted campaigns. By analyzing campaign performance, businesses can adjust their tactics in real-time, ensuring that the ads reach the appropriate customer segment. Behavioral targeting amplifies this effectiveness by catering to the specific actions and interests of users, thus enhancing the chances of engagement and sales conversion.
Understanding the Business Impact
When it comes to free marketing automation tools, businesses must measure the effectiveness of their campaigns against the costs—both apparent and hidden—associated with scaling operations. Recognizing the true value these tools provide and the potential complexities that arise with growth is essential.
Analyzing Marketing ROI
Return on investment (ROI) is a crucial metric for any marketing strategy. By utilizing analytics, businesses can track the performance of their automation efforts. For instance, the efficacy of a tool can be quantified in terms of lead generation and conversion rates. It's important to leverage detailed reporting and analytics features offered by platforms like Salesforce Pardot to gain insights into marketing performance and make data-driven decisions.
Key ROI Metrics:
Cost per lead
Conversion rate
Customer lifetime value
The insights garnered from these metrics can then be used to refine strategies, targeting those that yield the best returns and reducing or eliminating underperforming tactics.
Considering the Price of Scaling
Price and budget are significant for businesses, especially when determining the long-term viability of an automation solution. While initial costs might be low or even non-existent for some tools, scaling often introduces new expenses. The pricing plan of a tool can evolve from free to a substantial monthly fee as the needs of a business grow. It's particularly important for small businesses with limited budgets to understand the limitations of free plans and the potential costs associated with upgrading to enterprise solutions.
Pricing Concerns:
Number of users
Additional features
Support and training
Companies must consider whether the costs tied to advanced features will continue to align with their ROI as they scale up their operations. They should also assess whether the level of support provided at different pricing tiers fits the needs of their growing business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the right marketing automation tools can significantly improve the efficiency of business operations. It's crucial for small businesses to understand the tools available to them, how they can implement these tools effectively, and recognize the potential benefits and limitations.
What are the top free marketing automation tools available for small businesses?
Small businesses can leverage a variety of free marketing automation software, with popular choices including HubSpot for its comprehensive platform, and Systeme.io for its integrated sales funnel builder and email marketing capabilities.
How can a small business implement marketing automation without incurring costs?
Businesses can implement marketing automation without costs by utilizing free plans offered by software providers. They can take advantage of tools like Systeme.io which allows saving contacts and sending unlimited emails, thereby facilitating automated marketing with no initial investment.
What features should you look for in a free marketing automation tool?
One should look for essential features like lead capturing, email sequencing, and analytics in a free marketing automation tool. Additionally, the ability to scale with the business without significant cost increases is beneficial.
How does email automation integrate with free marketing automation tools?
Email automation is typically a core component of free marketing automation tools. It allows businesses to send trigger emails, perform email sequencing, and deliver personalized content, as seen in platforms like Systeme.io.
How can free marketing automation tools impact sales and customer engagement?
Free marketing automation tools can enhance customer engagement by delivering personalized experiences and timely responses. They aid in nurturing leads through automated processes which can contribute to increased sales and customer loyalty.
What are the limitations of using free marketing automation tools compared to paid versions?
Free marketing automation tools often come with limitations in features, scalability, and the extent of customer support available. They may also impose restrictions on the number of contacts or emails a business can manage, constraining growth as compared to more robust, paid versions.
Wall Street sees gold prices challenging $2,500 next week, Main Street sentiment is more restrained
The gold market had plenty of significant economic data and in-depth Fed speak to digest this week, and the result was one of the most dramatic moves for precious metals markets this year.
Spot gold kicked off the week trading at $2,361.17 and spent Sunday and Monday treading water while eagerly awaiting the key inflation data to come. Tuesday morning brought a mixed PPI report, but markets took comfort in comments from Fed chair Jerome Powell two hours later when he told the Foreign Bankers’ Association that he was confident the central bank would not need to hike again. Gold prices turned positive on the week early Wednesday morning, and when the April CPI report showed month-over-month improvement, that was all traders needed to begin pushing the yellow metal higher still.
Wednesday evening’s triple top at the $2,400 level stalled momentum in the near term, with spot gold trending steadily downwards through Thursday's session. But by the North American market open on Friday, the bulls had returned in force, and once they propelled gold decisively through $2,400 per ounce around 10:00 am EDT, they never looked back.
The latest Kitco News Weekly Gold Survey has the overwhelming majority of industry experts believing gold prices could reach or surpass their all-time highs, while retail traders are a little more restrained on the precious metal’s prospects.
“I am bullish on Gold for the coming week,” said Colin Cieszynski, Chief Market Strategist at SIA Wealth Management. “The US Dollar appears to be backing off a bit along with treasury yields. Also, if it does break out over $2400 resistance, technically that could open the door to a potential run at the $2,500 big round number.”
James Stanley, senior market strategist at Forex.com, also believes gold has further to fly in the near term.
“Bulls put on a show this week and the move was pretty clean for the most part,” he said. “That continued the breakout from the falling wedge/bull flag in the prior week, and this week was all higher-highs and lows with a really strong move on Friday morning.”
“Chasing fresh highs is always a challenge but the 2400 level has quite a bit of reference given the tests last month, and so far on Friday there’s been indications of acceptance above that price,” Stanley added. “This keeps the door open for a possible run up to $2500.”
“Unchanged,” said Adrian Day, President of Adrian Day Asset Management, who expects gold will have trouble holding Friday’s lofty highs. “We shall likely see another attempt to cross $2,400 and then a small retreat. But gold’s resilience has been impressive, and sooner rather than later it will breach that level.”
“Dip buyers showed up in a big way over the past week, and the buzz around gold is building,” said Adam Button, head of currency strategy at Forexlive.com. “There are signs the US economy is slowing; more of that would bring rate cuts forward.”
Button said that this recent move is a continuation of the broader rally, and it’s being driven by the same source.
“This rally started in China, and China continues to show up,” he said, adding that recent data show Turkey and much of the Middle East are also buying bullion.
Button pointed out that this week’s meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping is also very bullish for gold prices.
“If you're a gold bull, the picture of Xi and Putin hugging is as good as it gets,” he said. “They're trying to create a multipolar world, and you can't do that if you're relying on the dollar.”
This week, 14 Wall Street analysts participated in the Kitco News Gold Survey, and after Friday’s breakout, the bullish sentiment was as strong as it’s been this year. Eleven experts, representing 79%, expected to see gold prices climb higher still next week, with only two analysts, or 14%, predicting a price decline. One lone expert, representing 7% of the total, saw gold trending sideways during the coming week.
Meanwhile, 144 votes were cast in Kitco’s online poll, with Main Street investors positive but not to the same degree. 83 retail traders, or 58%, looked for gold to rise next week. Another 30, or 21%, predicted it would be lower, while 31 respondents, representing 21%, expect the precious metal to remain rangebound during the week ahead.
After this week’s inflation data drama, markets will get a bit of a break next week. Wednesday will see the release of U.S. existing home sales for April, along with the FOMC minutes from the April/May monetary policy meeting. On Thursday, markets will receive the S&P Flash Manufacturing and Service Sector PMIs, weekly jobless claims, and April new home sales, and Friday will feature the April durable goods report.
Marc Chandler, Managing Director at Bannockburn Global Forex, sees evidence that gold prices are a little too high after this week’s breakout.
“Gold reclaimed the $2400 level ahead of the weekend and is poised to post a record high close (spot market),” he said. “The momentum indicators give the yellow metal scope to challenge the intraday high from April 12 near $2431.50. A note of caution is from the Bollinger Band, set two standard deviations above the 20-day moving average. Gold is trading above it. Also, I suspect that the US rate adjustment (lower with the 2yr yield bottoming near 4.70%) and softer dollar (euro is up for five consecutive weeks) is over or nearly so.”
Darin Newsom, Senior Market Analyst at Barchart.com, thinks gold may give back some of its recent gains.
“Purely a technical read as June looks to be nearing a potential top of its 5-wave short-term uptrend,” he said. “Daily stochastics indicate the contract is sharply overbought. As of early Friday morning, I have a reversal pattern telling me the trend is set to change, but there is a lot of week left today. We’ll see what happens through Friday’s close or possibly early Monday morning.”
Sean Lusk, co-director of commercial hedging at Walsh Trading, was watching the entire commodity complex catch fire on Friday, with precious metals leading the way.
“We're at $2,410, we're back up to high,” he said. “Silver's caught fire here, copper's caught fire as an industrial metal, platinum. It's really been a hell of a ride.”
“You can make an argument that crude's underperformed, still up a little over 10 on the year, nothing crazy,” he added. “But if that gets going that's going to bring everything else up. We’ll probably get a real hot summer here.”
Lusk told Kitco News that the combination of high inflation, massive debt issuance, and runaway central bank currency printing is pushing market participants into precious metals and other commodities.
“We've just printed too much money, and now you see the result of it,” he said. “Where are they putting all the money? Aside from, buying dips in equities, big money is going into metals as an inflation hedge. And not just us, but even economies around the world are doing the same thing. They're increasing their holdings, and nobody knows where to be.”
Lusk said that he can’t imagine a better situation than the current one to drive gold prices higher.
“It's a perfect storm of bullishness,” he said. “You have geopolitical worries. You had the pandemic. And what does our government do right after that? Prints more for all these funding projects that really haven't started yet. Now you're in a campaign year, so all those things, as they relate to gold, just create more uncertainties on the back end, and that's why you continue to run here.”
“It just goes back to the old adage, any time we create more of something, it's worth less,” Lusk said.
“Gold is headed higher, likely to take out $2,448.8 in the days ahead,” said Michael Moor, Founder of Moor Analytics. “We held exhaustion at $2,288.5 with a $2,285.2 low and rallied $138.5. The break back above $2,302 (+1.6 per/hour) has brought in $121.7 of strength. We took out final exhaustion at $2,385.3.”
And Kitco Senior Analyst Jim Wyckoff sees further gains for gold prices next week. “Higher, as charts firmly bullish,” he said.
Popular cryptocurrency analyst and trader Michaël van de Poppe has liquidated his Bitcoin holdings. Van de Poppe, a prominent figure at the Amsterdam Stock Exchange known for his sharp market insights, announced this strategic move to his 718,100 followers on social media platform X on May 16.
Despite Bitcoin’s strong performance and institutional support, Van de Poppe clarified that his decision to liquidate was not due to losing confidence in Bitcoin’s future. Instead, he aims to strategically reallocate his investments into altcoins, where he anticipates greater potential returns later in the year. As such, this move is part of a broader strategy to capitalize on market dynamics and emerging opportunities for Van De Poppe.
Institutional Influx and Evolving Bitcoin Dynamics
Van de Poppe highlighted the increasing involvement of major institutional investors in the Bitcoin market, citing the recent approval of the Spot Bitcoin ETF as a significant milestone.
Institutions such as pension funds, insurance companies, and hedge funds are now heavily investing in Bitcoin, further legitimizing its role as a mature financial asset. Additionally, the potential introduction of spot Bitcoin trading by CME Group has reinforced Bitcoin’s standing in the financial ecosystem.
However, Van de Poppe pointed out that Bitcoin’s traditional four-year cycle, heavily influenced by halving events, is becoming less predictable. He explained, “That automatically means that the simplicity of the four-year cycle is going to diminish over time and that the halving will have a reduction in impact over the cycles, as institutions care more about risk appetite in their portfolio combined with macroeconomic events taking place.”
Van De Poppe Turns to Altcoins, Eyes Big Gains
Van de Poppe is confident that altcoins like Ether, XRP, Solana, Cardano, and Shiba Inu have the potential to higher returns than Bitcoin in the present market environment. Traditionally, there’s a market shift from Bitcoin to altcoins around the halving cycle. However, given Bitcoin’s persistent strength during this cycle, he expects an upcoming transition that could greatly benefit altcoins.
He also discussed the possible impacts of a spot Ethereum ETF getting the green light despite the existing regulatory challenges. Van de Poppe suggests that the market might be undervaluing the chances and timeline of this approval, which could trigger a significant market shift if it comes to fruition.
High Risks for Potential High Rewards
Acknowledging the high risks associated with his strategy, Van de Poppe expressed confidence in achieving substantial returns, ranging from 300-900% in Bitcoin value within the next 6-12 months. Additionally, he projected overall potential returns of 900-4500% over the next 12-24 months, provided Bitcoin stabilizes.
Additionally, Van de Poppe argued that altcoins have faced undue downward pressure recently, making their potential upside significant and undeniable. He emphasized that Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) and Real-World Assets (RWA) are poised for substantial growth. As more traditional companies transition into the Web 3.0 ecosystem.
DISCLAIMER: None Of The Information You Read On ZyCrypto Should Be Regarded As Investment Advice. Cryptocurrencies Are Highly Volatile, Conduct Your Own Research Before Making Any Investment Decisions.
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$2,500 gold is in play this week – Forex.com’s James Stanley
Gold prices have broken out of a near-term bearish technical pattern and the yellow metal is poised once again to surpass its all-time highs, according to James Stanley, Senior Strategist at Forex.com.
“Gold prices broke out of a falling wedge pattern in a very big way last week,” Stanley wrote. “Coming into April Gold prices were flying higher, eventually pushing weekly RSI into deeply overbought territory.”
He said that when gold prices failed to hold above the $2,400 per ounce level, it triggered a strong pullback that drove gold down $100 in relatively short order.
“But, just like Gold bulls failed to gain acceptance above the $2400 level, Gold bears struggled to gain acceptance below $2300,” Stanley said. “There was a single daily close below that price but in the days after, buyers returned to hold support above the level while also building in a backdrop of higher-lows.”
Stanley said this price action is what created the falling wedge pattern on the daily chart “as sellers were showing more aggression at highs or near resistance but suddenly showed passiveness near lows or at support.”
Turning to the price action seen this week, Stanley noted another technical pattern that he gleaned from the pullback: “a Fibonacci retracement that has continued to show inflections.”
“Taking the April high down to the May low produces a 61.8% Fibonacci retracement at $2372.68,” he said. “That’s what helped to hold the highs on Friday before a pullback appeared.”
Stanley said the pullback ran all the way down to the 38.2% retracement level. “That plots at $2336.31, and that price helped to hold the lows on Monday and into Tuesday, at which point bulls came back,” he said. “That then led to a run and a pause at the 61.8% level, followed by extension up to the 76.4% retracement at $2395.18, and that’s so far held the highs for this week.”
He added that the pullback from this level “has so far held support on a re-test of support at prior resistance, at the same 61.8% retracement of 2372.68.”
Moving forward, Stanley said “the big question is whether bulls have the drive to push a weekly close above the $2400 level,” something that XAU/USD has yet to achieve.
“The two instances that we did have of price testing over that level were met with fast pullbacks, with the second test also showing a lower-high,” he noted. “This provides some context should continuation show, and gold bulls holding the bid above the big figure would illustrate a strong response to the pullback that started a month ago.”
Above the 2400 level, Stanley pointed out the prior inflection points at the $2,417 and the $2,431 levels, after which there would be no prior barrier standing in the way of gold’s march to $2,500 per ounce.
“Given that price would be at fresh all-time highs beyond 2431, a degree of projection would be required to set shorter-term resistance levels,” he said. “[T]his could put focus on spots such as 2450 or 2475 before a test of 2500 could come into the picture.”
After forming a triple top pattern just below the $2,400 level shortly after 9 pm EDT Wednesday evening, gold prices have trended lower on Thursday. Spot gold last traded at $2,376.42, down 0.41% on the session at the time of writing.
On May 15, Bitcoin (BTC) recorded its largest single-day gain in nearly two months as weaker U.S. economic data raised the likelihood that the U.S. Federal Reserve will ease monetary policy with interest rate cuts in the coming months.
The price of the benchmark cryptocurrency soared to an intraday high of $66,567.91 during the last 24 hours. And according to prominent Bitcoin analyst Willy Woo, the bull cycle is only starting.
Woo Expects Bullish BTC Price Breakout Before October
Willy Woo, a popular on-chain Bitcoin strategist and managing partner at CMCC Crest, told his 1.1 million followers on the X platform that he envisions a Bitcoin price breakout before October 2024. Woo believes the subsequent Bitcoin rally in 2025 will be “one for the record books”.
The crypto guru says increased global liquidity, which normally bodes well with risk assets like Bitcoin, will spur the stratospheric BTC rally:
“Global liquidity forming a bullish ascending triangle.”
An ascending triangle is typically a bullish indicator that forms when an area of horizontal resistance is continuously tested while higher lows are successively created.
Woo Forecasts When Bitcoin Mining Pressure Will Ease
In a related post, Willy Woo noted that the Bitcoin price advances parabolically roughly two to five months post-halving. Bitcoin underwent its fourth halving event on April 19th.
In Woo’s view, inefficient miners are eliminated from the ecosystem after the halving. According to the analyst, they prefer to dump their Bitcoin holdings before dying. This leaves only the fittest miners to survive, operating “on fatter margins so don’t need to sell.” This dynamic is expected to push miner sell pressure out.
Fellow Bitcoin analyst PlanB agrees with Woo, stating that Bitcoin miner revenue “historically recovers 2-5 months after a halving, and after that bitcoin price goes vertical.”
DISCLAIMER The views expressed in the article are wholly those of the author and do not represent those of, nor should they be attributed to, ZyCrypto. This article is not meant to give financial advice. Please carry out your own research before investing in any of the various cryptocurrencies available.
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