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.
Over 140 CEOs sent President Joe Biden and Congressional leaders an open letter on the potential major devastation the economy could face if a debt ceiling agreement isn't reached. Josh Silverman, CEO of Etsy, spoke with Cheddar News to explain his reasoning why he joined in on the letter.
Uber unveiled some new features at its annual product showcase. Cheddar News discussed some of these products, most of which are geared toward families, along with group grocery orders and group rides.
Alex Morris, president and chief investment officer with F/M Investments, joined Cheddar News to discuss Wednesday's trading session as stocks climbed amid optimism over a potential debt ceiling deal just days ahead of a deadline.
A tiff over Taco Tuesday is heating up, with Taco Bell asking U.S. regulators to force a Wyoming-based fast-food chain to abandon its longstanding claim to “Taco Tuesday” as a trademark.
On this edition of Stretching Your Dollar, Bobbi Rebell, author of "Launching Financial Grownups: Live Your Richest Life by Helping Your (Almost) Adult Kids Become Everyday Money Smart," gives some tips on how to save a little extra each week.
