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.
Nick Hanigan, Executive Director & Development Manager at Paspaley Pearls Properties, joins Cheddar News' Hena Doba on a Walk and Talk to check out The Wall Street Hotel's latest innovations in the heart of the historic financial district.
Wall Street closed higher as traders made their final moves in anticipation of a report that could show whether inflation is cooling in the right way or setting the market up for worse pain.
It's tax season and while some Americans are looking to get a jump on filing months ahead of the April 18 deadline, the IRS is suggesting that some people hold off.
Peacock will launch a new interactive feature that allows fans to livestream episodes while actors from the shows provide real-time reactions and provide commentary and a Q&A.
