Author: Sam Allcock

Oman has regained its investment-grade credit status after nearly seven years, as Standard & Poor’s (S&P) raised the country’s rating to ‘BBB-’ from ‘BB+’ with a stable outlook. The upgrade reflects significant improvements in Oman’s financial performance, driven by a combination of economic reforms and higher oil prices. S&P praised the government’s efforts to restore balance in its finances, noting that reforms and restructuring initiatives had helped address the fiscal challenges exacerbated by the sharp drop in oil prices and the COVID-19 pandemic. The medium-term financial plan, which focused on reducing public spending and increasing revenues, has resulted in financial…

In a strategic move reflecting the growing importance of technology in the legal sector, Nicola Foulston, former chief executive of RBG Holdings, has acquired a majority stake in a pioneering platform that utilises artificial intelligence to aid law firms in pricing their services.Nicola Foulston, through her company Velocity Venture Capital, has made a significant investment in Virtual Pricing Director (VPD). The undisclosed investment, intended to be adaptable over time, establishes her company as the majority shareholder. The move comes in response to a robust demand for the platform, particularly from large law firms.Foulston, who is expected to assume the role…

Shiba Inu remains an iconic token within the meme coin sector. Despite its past success, reaching a new all-time high seems elusive.Currently, SHIB’s value is significantly below its peak, raising questions about its future potential in the cryptocurrency market.The years 2020 and 2021 marked significant growth for Shiba Inu. Early investors reaped substantial rewards, with gains reaching over 7 million percent. Such unprecedented growth spurred more investors to expect similar outcomes during future bull markets.Despite the optimism, SHIB’s path to its previous high is fraught with challenges. While 2024 has been good for many cryptocurrencies, meme coins have not matched…

Bitwise, a prominent crypto index fund manager, has officially entered the race to launch a spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF). This move marks a significant step in the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency investment, following recent favourable developments for XRP.The decision to file for an XRP ETF comes on the heels of Ripple Labs’ settlement with the SEC, offering a glimmer of hope to investors looking for diversification in crypto portfolios. Bitwise’s strategic move could potentially pave the way for new opportunities in the digital asset market.The Strategic Filing for a Spot XRP ETFThe official filing by Bitwise for a spot…

Changpeng Zhao, the influential founder of Binance, is setting his sights on a new future following his release from prison.After serving a sentence related to anti-money laundering violations, Zhao is ready to focus on upcoming projects and personal endeavours.As the crypto world eagerly awaited his words, Changpeng Zhao has opened up about his time in prison. His recent conviction stemmed from the U.S. Department of Justice’s investigation into Binance’s violations of anti-money laundering regulations. Despite the challenges experienced, Zhao has emerged reflecting on the past, which he claims offers valuable lessons for the future.Education and charity will play a significant…

The cryptocurrency landscape is witnessing a remarkable shift as Solana (SOL) outperforms its major competitors, Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC).With a significant price increase in Q3 2024, Solana has captured investors’ attention with its robust performance and rising potential, setting the stage for further growth.Solana has demonstrated significant resilience in the third quarter of 2024, outperforming Bitcoin and Ethereum. Despite its drop from $193 in early August, SOL has steadily risen. It closed Q3 with a notable price gain of 6%, dwarfing Bitcoin’s 1.55% increase and contrasting sharply with Ethereum’s 23% loss. This performance reflects a robust underlying confidence in…

Choosing the right internet provider is crucial for any household or business. Among the top contenders are Google Fiber and Spectrum, each offering unique benefits. Understanding their differences can help consumers make an informed decision.Internet access is vital in today’s digital age, and the choice between Google Fiber and Spectrum can significantly impact connectivity and satisfaction. This overview explores their pricing, availability, and technological differences to provide a clear comparison.Pricing and Plan StructuresGoogle Fiber relies on fiber-optic technology, offering impressive speeds ranging from 1 Gbps to 8 Gbps. Their pricing starts at £70 per month for the 1 Gbps plan,…

In the UK and beyond, a silent crisis is escalating that could see us returning to a time when minor infections were deadly. The culprit? Antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As this growing threat looms, experts warn that the world is at risk of losing one of the greatest achievements of modern medicine—antibiotics. The Crisis of Antimicrobial Resistance Imagine cutting yourself while preparing dinner. Normally, a plaster and some antiseptic would be enough, but what if the wound became infected and no antibiotics could help? This isn’t a far-fetched scenario; it’s one that could soon become a grim reality due to AMR.…

In the third quarter of 2024, the cryptocurrency sector suffered losses exceeding $750 million due to hacking incidents.This marks a 9.5% increase in the value of stolen assets from the same period last year, despite a decrease in the total number of hacks.While the total number of cryptocurrency hacks decreased to 155 in Q3 2024, the financial losses from these incidents surged dramatically, further highlighting security vulnerabilities within the digital currency arena.These figures, derived from CertiK’s comprehensive report, underscore an urgent need for enhanced security measures as the disparity between the number of hacks and the value stolen continues to…

The Paradox of Recession: Why the Rich Get Richer When economies contract and markets plummet, a curious phenomenon emerges: while many struggle, a select group of investors often manages to grow wealthier. The key? These savvy individuals recognize that economic downturns offer opportunities to acquire assets at steep discounts. Far from being random, this wealth-building strategy is rooted in a time-tested approach. For seasoned investors, recessions are fertile ground, creating ideal conditions to buy undervalued assets and secure long-term financial gains. In times of high inflation and rising interest rates, the availability of distressed assets increases, offering unprecedented chances for…