Ripple's XRP cryptocurrency soaring to new heights this week. Coindesk's Director of Research Nolan Bauerle and Fortune Staff Writer Robert Hackett explain factors driving altcoins up, and Bitcoin down.
"Bitcoin has an enviable problem of being so popular, and such strong brand name that it became hard to access," says Bauerle. "I think when people saw that surge hit in December they said well I'll try something else." Altcoins like Ripple's XRP, Ethereum, and Tron posted significant gains in the first week of 2018.
"Retail investors are gobbling it up," says Hackett on some companies adding the word "Blockchain" to their name. " On Thursday Ripple's co-founder Chris Larsen became one of the wealthiest Americans on paper with his shares of the cryptocurrency growing to more than $59 billion. But Hackett says its important to note these shares are hard to transfer to direct wealth. Even if he were able to cash out all of his fortune, the markets would not handle it well says Hackett.
Orlando, FL Mayor Buddy Dyer spoke with Cheddar News about what's in store this summer for his city as Memorial Day weekend kicks off next week and how his administration is navigating certain political challenges.
Teva Pharmaceuticals saw shares rise during Thursday's session after announcing its growth strategy. Richard Francis, president and CEO of Teva Pharmaceuticals, joined Cheddar News to discuss its pipeline of products that the company expects to help revenue.
Brian Jacobsen, chief economist with Annex Wealth Management, joined Cheddar News to discuss the positive sessions for the stock market as investors were optimistic of a debt ceiling deal ahead of the June 1 deadline.
The Walt Disney Co. says it's scrapping plans to build a new campus in central Florida and relocate 2,000 employees from Southern California to work in digital technology, finance and product development.
