The QE Dystopia Driving Corporate Bitcoin Adoption November 11, 2020 Requiem for a Dream is a film about the drug-induced utopias of four Coney Island people, although these utopias are shattered when their addictions begin to run deep. Sometimes, it now feels like Requiem for a Dream “monetary policy” version is now upon us, the drug of quantitative easing (QE) is now wearing off and [...]
The most extraordinary hampers in the world. All wrapped up. From Harrods, with love. November 11, 2020 As an exceptional year draws to a close, finding an impactful way to say“thank-you” is more important to companies than ever. With the festive season more likely to be celebrated at home, what better way to recognise the contribution of colleagues and show appreciation to loyal clients than with a Harrods Christmas Hamper. Harrods Corporate [...]
Dutch bank ABN Amro beats profit expectations after smaller rise in bad loans November 11, 2020 ABN Amro reported expectation-beating results, despite posting a 46 per cent drop in third quarter profit as losses on bad loans due to the Covid-19 pandemic rose less than expected. The Dutch lender posted a net profit of €301m (£268m) for the three months to September, beating bank-compiled analyst forecasts of €111m, but almost half [...]
Leaders in Lockdown: Eyes on the road ahead, there’s no going back November 11, 2020 The hope this week of a Covid-19 vaccine has already got people talking of “going back to normal” — perhaps even by spring. But there will be no going back for British business. The events of the last eight months have changed things forever. In March, as Covid spread from mainland Europe to the City [...]
Darktrace boss Poppy Gustafsson scoops up top innovation award November 10, 2020 Darktrace chief executive Poppy Gustafsson has scooped up the top prize for innovation at this year’s Women of the Year Awards. Gustafsson, who co-founded the cybersecurity unicorn in 2013, was handed the award at a virtual ceremony this afternoon. Organisers cited the cyber boss’ ability to steer Darktrace through critical levels of threats during the [...]
Bitcoin’s Price Surpasses $15,000 to 3-Year High as Corporate Support Grows November 10, 2020 This week CryptoCompare data shows the price of Bitcoin (BTC) moved up from around $13,500 to break its resistance at $14,000 and keep moving up. The flagship cryptocurrency’s price hit $15,5000 before enduring a correction to $14,700 and moving back up to $15,450 at press time. Ether (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, moved [...]
Softbank ‘considers moving Vision Fund’ from London to Abu Dhabi November 10, 2020 Japanese tech investment giant Softbank is reportedly considering moving the unit that manages its $100bn (£75.6bn) Vision Fund from London to Abu Dhabi. The move has been under discussion for several weeks, the Financial Times reported, citing people with knowledge of the talks. The relocation of Softbank Investment Advisors, which manages the Vision Fund, is [...]
FRC: Auditors must challenge management view of firm implications of climate change November 10, 2020 Audit watchdog the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has said auditors should test and challenge board and management’s assessment of the implications of climate change outlined in financial statements. Following a major review of how companies and auditors report on the impact of climate change, the FRC determined that boards and companies, auditors, professional associations, regulators [...]
BBC licence fee negotiations kick off as ministers ramp up pressure over funding November 10, 2020 The government today kicked off negotiations with the BBC over how much the TV licence will cost in the future, dialling up the pressure on the embattled public service broadcaster. The talks will determine the level of the licence fee, which is currently set at £157.50, for at least five years from 2022. Culture secretary [...]
Cronyism and incompetence: The government is undermining trust in the private sector November 10, 2020 It should surprise no one that a Conservative government turns to the private sector for the efficient delivery of services. Private enterprise is agile, responsive, innovative and provides good value for money (or at least, it can do), and public money should always be spent in the most effective way possible. This is the ideology [...]