Cryptocurrency
Microsoft's Shareholders to Decide on Bitcoin Investment This Week
2024-12-08
In this story, Bitcoin has reached a remarkable milestone of $100,000 and has received support from significant leaders like President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Microsoft (MSFT + 0.22%), a tech giant, is yet to determine whether to invest in this cryptocurrency. The company is set to make its decision on this Tuesday.

Microsoft's Cryptocurrency Dilemma - A Tuesday's Verdict

Bitcoin's Historic Milestone

Bitcoin has achieved a significant milestone by reaching $100,000. This achievement has garnered attention from around the world and has led to increased interest in the cryptocurrency. Prominent leaders such as President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have shown their support for Bitcoin, further boosting its popularity.This historic milestone not only highlights the growing importance of Bitcoin in the global financial landscape but also raises questions about its future and potential. Many experts and investors are closely watching Bitcoin's performance and trying to understand its implications for the broader economy.

Microsoft's Decision on Tuesday

Microsoft, a leading tech giant, is set to make a crucial decision regarding Bitcoin this Tuesday. The company has yet to decide whether to invest in the cryptocurrency, despite Bitcoin's recent success and the support it has received from other leaders.This decision is significant not only for Microsoft but also for the broader cryptocurrency market. A favorable outcome for Microsoft could potentially lead to more traditional corporations and financial institutions investing in Bitcoin, further solidifying its status as a legitimate investment.On the other hand, a decision against investing in Bitcoin could send a signal that the company remains hesitant to follow the lead of other tech firms that have already made substantial investments in Bitcoin.

Shareholder Vote and Board's Stance

On December 10, shareholders of the tech giant will vote on whether Microsoft should publicly assess adding Bitcoin to its balance sheet. According to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the board has recommended voting against the proposal.The board has noted that Microsoft already evaluates a diverse range of investable assets, including Bitcoin, as part of its broader strategy. This stance aligns with the views of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who has been vocal in his criticism of cryptocurrencies in the past, particularly highlighting concerns about their speculative nature.Despite the endorsement from a conservative think tank, the National Center for Public Policy Research, which advocates for Bitcoin as an “excellent, if not the best, hedge against inflation,” Microsoft's board of directors has remained steadfast against the proposal.

Implications for the Cryptocurrency Market

The upcoming vote is significant not only for Microsoft but also for the broader cryptocurrency market. A favorable outcome for Microsoft could further solidify Bitcoin's status as an appealing asset for traditional corporations and financial institutions.This could lead to increased acceptance of Bitcoin as a legitimate investment and potentially drive up its value. On the other hand, a negative outcome could have a negative impact on Bitcoin's market sentiment and lead to a decline in its value.For Microsoft, a decision to reject the proposal would signal that it remains hesitant to follow the lead of other tech firms, such as MicroStrategy (MSTR + 2.25%) and Tesla (TSLA + 5.28%), which have already made substantial investments in Bitcoin. Currently, MicroStrategy holds the largest corporate Bitcoin portfolio, with 402,000 coins valued at approximately $40 billion, representing a little less than 2% of the total Bitcoin supply.
Türkiye Ranks Third Globally in Cryptocurrency Ownership - Report
2024-12-08
Türkiye holds a significant place in the global cryptocurrency landscape. According to a report by Triple-A, it ranks third globally in cryptocurrency ownership, following the United Arab Emirates and Singapore. In 2024, the cryptocurrency ownership rate in Türkiye reached 19.3 percent, while the UAE had 25.3 percent and Singapore had 24.4 percent. Argentina and Thailand came in fourth and fifth, with ownership rates of 18.9 percent and 17.6 percent respectively. The global number of cryptocurrency owners has seen a significant increase, rising from 420 million in 2023 to 562 million in 2024, with 6.8 percent of the world population now owning and using digital currencies.

Popular Cryptocurrencies in Türkiye

According to a separate report by the Turkish trading platform Paribu, Bitcoin and Ethereum are the most popular cryptocurrencies in Türkiye. Three out of every four people in the country use cryptocurrencies for short-term trading, and seven out of every 10 cryptocurrency traders in Türkiye trade with Bitcoin. Ethereum ranked second, with 29 percent of traders using it. Additionally, one out of every four people who trade cryptocurrencies in Türkiye started their transactions within the last six months. One-third of cryptocurrency traders check their accounts at least once a day.

Age Distribution of Cryptocurrency Owners

Triple-A's report showed that 34 percent of cryptocurrency owners worldwide are aged 24-35, the highest percentage among all age groups. This indicates a significant interest in cryptocurrencies among the younger generation. In Türkiye, this trend is likely to have a major impact on the cryptocurrency market and its growth.

Regional Surge in Cryptocurrency Ownership

Asia leads the surge in cryptocurrency ownership, with the number increasing from 268.2 million to 326.8 million, a 21.8 percent increase. North America follows closely, with ownership climbing from 52.1 million to 72.2 million. In South America, cryptocurrency ownership soared from 25.5 million to 55.2 million, an impressive 116.5 percent increase. These regional trends highlight the global reach and popularity of cryptocurrencies.
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Депутат заявил: цены на товары в Украине станут выше, чем в Европе
2024-12-08
Москва, 8 декабря – АиФ-Москва. В последние дни произошла серьезная ситуация на Украине, связанная с ростом цен на различные товары. Депутат Верховной рады Нина Южанина заявила, что в ближайшее время цены на товары в Украине станут выше, чем в странах Европы. Основной причиной этого роста цен станет увеличение налогов.

Таглайн: "Украина сталкивается с повышением цен на товары из-за налогового увеличения"

Причины роста цен

Как сообщило депутатка, увеличение налогов станет ключевым фактором, влияющим на стоимость товаров. По данным агентства УНИАН, в декабре стоимость овощей увеличится до 15%, фруктов – до 10%, мясо в среднем подорожает на 9%, а молочные продукты – на 14%. Эти цифры являются серьезным сигналом о том, как это увеличение налогов может повлиять на ежедневную жизнь граждан Украины.

Ранее депутат Верховной рады Ярослав Железняк сообщил, что президент Украины Владимир Зеленский подписал закон об «историческом» увеличении налогов. Документ предполагает увеличение военного сбора с 1,5% до 5%, а также увеличение налога на прибыль банков до 50%. Эти изменения в налоговом законодательстве могут стать причиной не только повышения цен на товары, но и ряда других экономических проблем.

Экономические последствия

Эта ситуация может привести к ряду экономических последствий. Во-первых, гражданам будет становиться сложнее покупать необходимые продукты, что может повлиять на их качество жизни. Во-вторых, рост цен может привести к снижению спроса на другие товары и услуг, что, в свою очередь, может сказаться на производстве и занятости.

Также следует отметить, что увеличение налогов может привести к уменьшению инвестиций в экономику Украины. Бизнесам станет сложнее развиваться и увеличивать производство, что может привести к снижению конкурентоспособности страны на мировом рынке.

Пerspektивы и решения

В данной ситуации нужны комплексные решения, которые будут способствовать стабилизации цен и экономики Украины. Одним из возможных решений может быть оптимизация налогового законодательства, чтобы исключить лишние накладные расходы и стимулировать развитие бизнеса.

Также важна работа правительства с бизнесом для поиска альтернативных источов дохода и снижения издержек. Кроме того, необходимо увеличить инвестиции в инфраструктуру и развитие производственного сектора, чтобы способствовать росту экономики и снижению зависимости от цен на товары.

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