Archive April 2025

Russia, an influential member of the BRICS bloc, has just crossed a historic monetary milestone: in February, more than half of its imports were settled in rubles. This strategic advancement, confirmed by the Central Bank, is part of a clear break with the dollar-dominated system. As tensions with the West escalate, Moscow is redirecting its trade towards partners deemed "friendly," thus redefining global financial balances and accelerating its trajectory towards strengthened economic autonomy.

As the crypto market undergoes a phase of consolidation, major bitcoin holders – commonly referred to as "whales" – are significantly strengthening their positions, constituting one of the many bullish signals emerging at the end of April 2025.

As Bitcoin hovers around 85,000 dollars, Strategy, the company led by Michael Saylor, continues its ambitious accumulation strategy. In one week, the company invested over 550 million dollars to bolster its already colossal position in the queen of cryptos.

The possible removal of the 10% tax allowance on retirement pensions is stirring public debate. Announced in a government note, the measure is as concerning as it is divisive. What was once just a budgetary avenue has now become a strong social marker, crystallizing tensions around taxation and the treatment of retirees. In a pressured economic climate, this potential reform raises a central question: how far can the State go without breaking the balance between generations?

In January 2025, the crypto industry made massive donations to Trump's investment fund. A month later, the SEC miraculously dropped its lawsuits against those same donors. Coincidence or monetized political influence? The line between financial support and regulatory favoritism has never seemed so blurred.

The tide is turning for traditional banks. According to a recent report, Deutsche Bank and Standard Chartered are currently exploring expansion opportunities in the crypto sector in the United States. This information, although not confirmed by those involved, is set against a backdrop of rapid transformation of the American regulatory environment, increasingly favorable to digital assets.

What if saying "thank you" to an artificial intelligence cost millions? Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, reveals that polite phrases in requests made to ChatGPT weigh heavily on operational costs. Behind these seemingly innocuous human interactions lies an unexpected tension between friendliness and technical performance. This paradox raises critical questions about the design of AIs, their everyday uses, and the economic sustainability of an expanding model.

Bitcoin ETFs based in the United States have recorded their largest daily inflows since January, as the crypto market regains its strength after a tough period.