Security and Accessibility
The company's platform offers the security that comes from safeguarding billions in cryptocurrency assets for institutions. It also provides retail customers with access to "secure, regulated custody" through cold and self-storage, trading, staking, lending, and wallet services. This ensures that retail investors can have peace of mind while engaging in digital asset activities. In addition, the company is offering a giveaway to American retail customers, giving them the chance to win a full bitcoin each quarter by signing up. This is an exciting opportunity for retail investors to get involved in the crypto space.Holiday Shopping and Crypto Payments
In other crypto news, PYMNTS last week explored the concept of shopping with digital currency. During the holiday shopping season, many consumers are interested in exploring what they can buy with crypto, while merchants and businesses are navigating the complexities of accepting it as a payment mechanism. Crypto payments are instant, which means no more pending transactions. For online marketplaces, these payments can help enable streamlined cross-border purchases. With regulations tightening and technology improving, observers are hopeful that crypto payments will go from being a novelty to a fixture of retail and online commerce.Adoption in B2B
As a sign of the shifting tides of commerce, crypto payments have begun making inroads in B2B. This is part of a bigger shift toward the digital transformation of payments. For example, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase recently acquired the Utopia Labs team to boost its onchain payments roadmap within Coinbase Wallet. Jesse Pollak, head of Base and Coinbase Wallet, said, "Together, we'll create a future where individuals and businesses large and small use onchain payments to make their lives better every day." And, at the beginning of November, payments acceptance provider Ingenico began a partnership with Crypto.com to bring cryptocurrency payments and merchant services to users of the Ingenico platform, allowing merchants worldwide to accept crypto payments.Unraveling the Mystery of Big Brother's Most Lovable Couple
Tucker and Rubina's Journey in the Big Brother House
Big Brother 26 was a remarkable experience for Tucker and Rubina. They entered the house with different intentions, not initially seeking a romantic relationship. However, the attraction between them was undeniable. As they navigated the challenges and drama of the game, their feelings grew stronger. Tucker's presence and Rubina's charm made them a fan favorite, and their love story unfolded before our eyes.In the house, they shared intimate moments and supported each other through thick and thin. Their connection was not just physical but also emotional. They became an integral part of each other's lives, and it was clear that their feelings were genuine.The Aftermath: Life Outside the Big Brother House
When Tucker was eliminated before the jury phase and Rubina made it to the Final Four, it added an extra layer of complexity to their relationship. But their love seemed to endure, as they reunited on finale night. Months later, their recent trip to New York City provided further evidence of their bond.Accompanied by T'Kor Clottey and Kimo Apaka, they had a romantic time. Rubina uploaded pictures and videos of their adventures, from attending a Pentatonix concert to hanging out backstage with the singers. It was a sight to behold, and it made us believe that their love was real.What They've Said About Their Relationship
Unlike some past Big Brother showmances, Tucker and Rubina were cautious about pursuing a romance initially, as they knew it could impact their games. But their feelings for each other were too strong to ignore. Tucker's statement to US Weekly at the 11th Annual Reality TV Awards, "It's alive and real, baby," confirmed their relationship. Rubina's confirmation added weight to their words, showing that they were an official item after the show.This is a heartwarming story that reminds us that sometimes, love can blossom in unexpected places. As Big Brother returns for Season 27 in 2025, we can only hope that Tucker and Rubina's love will continue to thrive. In the meantime, we can relive their journey on Paramount+ and be inspired by their story."Thanksgiving's Entertainment Extravaganza: Box Office and TV Hits"
Box Office Records on Thanksgiving
Just like in previous Thanksgivings, movie theaters witnessed a surge in attendance, setting a new box office record. On this special day, box office sales soared past $57 million, doubling last year's total of $22.7 million and tripling the 2022 figure of $17.7 million. It even surpassed the 2018 record of $41.9 million. Disney's Moana 2, released the day before, achieved a remarkable $28 million in ticket sales, surpassing Frozen II's previous record of $14.96 million in 2016. Universal's Wicked, in its second week, also outperformed Frozen II, generating $17.0 million. Paramount's Gladiator II, in its second week, recorded $6.7 million. These three movies from different studios gave moviegoers a compelling reason to leave their homes. Moreover, all three films received strong Rotten Tomatoes audience scores.
Over the five-day Thanksgiving weekend, even more box office records were set. A total of $412.8 million in tickets were sold, surpassing the previous high of $315.6 million in 2018. Comscore's senior media analyst, Paul Dergarabedian, pointed out that the planets aligned perfectly for movie theaters during this holiday, with the right films programmed to deliver massive box office revenue. AMC Theaters' CEO, Adam Aron, announced that over the Thanksgiving holiday (Wednesday through Sunday), more than 8.8 million people watched a movie at an AMC theater globally, setting a new high in its 104-year history. Moana 2 led the way, grossing $221 million in sales, surpassing the previous high of $204.6 million set by the Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023. It also became the top grossing Disney animated film during Thanksgiving weekend, surpassing Frozen II's 2019 gross of $125 million. Disney now holds seven of the top ten Thanksgiving weekend debuts.
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC and Peacock attracted a record high average audience of 31.3 million, an increase from last year's 28.5 million viewers. The live airing on NBC started at 8:30 a.m. (ET) and ended at 12 noon, averaging 23.6 million viewers, making it the most watched entertainment show since the 2020 Oscars. Peacock's viewing during the parade grew by +26% from 2023. NBC is renegotiating the broadcast rights, which could reach $60 million, a threefold increase from the current agreement. This year, NBC charged advertisers $900,000 for a :30 ad. After the parade, the National Dog Show aired and averaged 12.2 million viewers, the most since 2020.
NFL Thanksgiving Games
After the parade, CBS aired the first of three live NFL games at 12:30 p.m. Although CBS and Nielsen have not renewed their contract, Nielsen still measures the audience. No viewing data for this game is currently available. At 4:30 p.m. (ET), Fox televised the late afternoon Thanksgiving Day game featuring the NFC division rivals New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys. Despite both teams having losing records, the game averaged 38.5 million viewers on Fox, with a peak of 41.3 million viewers in the quarter-hour starting at 6 p.m. (ET). Fox Sports claims it was the most watched regular season game of the 2024 NFL season and the fourth most watched Thanksgiving Day game. However, it was the lowest rated Cowboys game on Thanksgiving since 2020, with a year-over-year viewership decrease of -8%. At prime time on NBC and Peacock, the Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins game averaged 26.6 million viewers, slightly below the previous game but an increase from 2022. According to Nielsen, last year, all three Thanksgiving telecasts and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade ranked among the 50 most watched telecasts.
For one day, streaming took a back seat as people flocked to theaters and watched live television. It was a throwback to a bygone era of shared entertainment experiences.