Gold Holds Steady as Investors Await US Economic Data

Gold Holds Steady as Investors Await US Economic Data

othifinance.com   June 25, 2025   Comment  

Gold prices were steady on Wednesday as market participants remained cautious ahead of key U.S. economic data, while the ceasefire between Iran and Israel weighed on safe-haven demand. Spot gold was up 0.1% at $3,326.96 per ounce at 1219 p.m. EDT (1619 GMT) after prices hit their lowest in over two weeks in the previous session.

U.S. gold futures rose 0.2% to $3,340.80.

With all the momentum and potential in the markets, the factors that typically drive gold never pushed it to new highs, said Daniel Pavilonis, senior market strategist at RJO Futures

"So, I think the path is now more to the downside; it may hit $2,900 if things don't escalate in the Middle East."

U.S. President Donald Trump revelled in the swift end to war between Iran and Israel, saying he now expected a relationship with Tehran that would preclude rebuilding its nuclear programme.

Wall Street's S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes rose on Wednesday, hovering near a record peak.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell in his second day of congressional testimony reiterated that the central bank doesn't need to be in a rush to cut interest rates due to uncertainty over the impact of the still-unresolved tariff debate.

In May, Trump paused his sweeping trade tariffs until July 9 to allow Washington to negotiate compromises with multiple countries.

However, Powell added, "I think if it turns out that inflation pressures remain contained, we will get to a place where we cut rates sooner than later."

The market currently sees an over 85% chance of a rate cut in September.

Bullion tends to do well during periods of uncertainty and in a low-interest-rate environment.

Traders are also awaiting U.S. GDP and jobs data due on Thursday, and the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) data on Friday to gauge the Fed's future policy path.

Elsewhere, spot silver gained 0.4% to $36.04, platinum rose 0.9% to $1,328.67, while palladium fell 0.6% to $1,060.00.

Related topics: Gold, Gold prices, U.S. President, Donald Trump

Crypto Market Shakeup: Bitcoin Leads, Ethereum Retreats, XRP Overtakes Solana

Crypto Market Shakeup: Bitcoin Leads, Ethereum Retreats, XRP Overtakes Solana

othifinance.com   June 25, 2025   Comment  

Bitcoin has maintained its top position in the digital asset space, gaining ground as U.S. regulations loosen and institutional interest picks up. This movement has also been supported by the rollout of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which have driven more structured investment into the asset.

Bitcoin Extends Lead as Institutional Focus Shifts

Bybit reports that investors now hold Bitcoin in roughly one out of every three crypto positions, with its share of total portfolios climbing to 30.95% in May 2025, up from 25.4% in November 2024.

This significant rise reflects how major players are repositioning, with a clear tilt towards Bitcoin as a core digital asset. CoinGecko data reinforces this, showing that Bitcoin’s dominance across the broader crypto market has surpassed 62%.

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Ethereum Allocation Contracts as Focus Centres on BTC

While Bitcoin is tightening up its hold on the market, Ethereum is slowly losing ground in investor portfolios. The latest figures reveal a clear shift in sentiment, with institutions leaning further into Bitcoin and stepping back from ETH. The contrast between the two assets is becoming harder to ignore.

Here’s what the latest data shows about this turning tide:

• As at May 2025, the ETH-to-BTC holding ratio hit 0.27, with Bitcoin outweighing Ether four to one in portfolios
• 245 institutional players now include BTC in their treasury holdings
• Combined corporate and ETF holdings exceed 3.45M BTC, a growing chunk of total supply
• Retail investors have pulled back, with holdings down 37% since November 2024

While Ethereum’s share has dipped, it has seen signs of recovery. Between April and May 2025, ETH holdings rebounded from a low of 3.89%, almost doubling in a month.

However, it remains below the November 2024 peak of 11.12%, showing that Ethereum’s position is still under pressure relative to Bitcoin.

XRP Overtakes Solana as Expectations Rise

Meanwhile, XRP has climbed the ranks to become the third largest non-stablecoin crypto asset by holdings, overtaking Solana. This shift is being fuelled by expectations surrounding an XRP spot ETF. With investor sentiment favouring regulatory approval, capital has begun to rotate into the token.

Bloomberg analysts have maintained a 95% probability for XRP’s spot ETF approval, reflecting strong confidence in its prospects. Meanwhile, Polymarket’s odds have declined to 75% at the time of writing.

Despite the slight downgrade, the asset remains a frontrunner in market discussions, particularly when compared to other alternative tokens. Bybit wrote:

With its bullish price movement, XRP has come out as a winner among altcoins, its holding percentage surging from 1.29% in November 2024 to 2.42% in May 2025.

Bybit observed that interest in Solana has softened significantly. Since October 2024, the percentage of investor holdings in SOL has declined by 35%. Though prospects for a Solana ETF remain, confidence appears to be lower in the near term.

Market participants widely expect that Ripple’s ETF will be given regulatory clearance ahead of Solana’s. This belief has led to a visible shift in asset allocation. Some institutional funds have reduced their exposure to Solana, reallocating into XRP in anticipation of more immediate ETF approval. This rotation of capital has helped XRP edge ahead in the rankings.

Related topics: Crypto Market, Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana

Alan Alda, Mike Farrell Among Those Paying Tribute to Loretta Swit: “A Supremely Talented Actor”

Alan Alda, Mike Farrell Among Those Paying Tribute to Loretta Swit: “A Supremely Talented Actor”

othifinance.com   June 01, 2025   Comment  

Foto: Loretta Swit, Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images for Bideawee

“She deserved all her 10 Emmy nominations and her 2 wins. But more than acting her part, she created it,” Swit’s ‘M*A*S*H’ co-star Ada said of her time on the sitcom.

Hollywood is paying tribute to Loretta Swit after news of her death was announced Friday.

According to a police report, the M*A*S*H star died of suspected natural causes at her home in New York City, her publicist, Harlan Boll, announced.

Swit appeared in all but 11 episodes of M*A*S*H during its 11-season run, earning two Emmys for her portrayal of Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan. Notably, she was nominated for 10 Emmys, one for every season she appeared in except season one. After her tenure in the medical war drama, she went on to star in several films, including Freebie and the Bean (1974), Race With the Devil (1975), S.O.B. (1981) and BoardHeads (1998).

Alan Alda, Swit’s longtime M*A*S*H co-star, paid tribute to her on X. “Loretta was a supremely talented actor. She deserved all her 10 EMMY nominations and her 2 wins. But more than acting her part, she created it,” he wrote on Friday. “She worked hard in showing the writing staff how they could turn the character from a one joke sexist stereotype into a real person — with real feelings and ambitions. We celebrated the day the script came out, listing her character not as Hot Lips but as Margaret. Loretta made the most of her time here.”

Mike Farrell, who joined the series in season four, shared a photo of the late actress on Instagram, writing, “Loretta… 1937-2025.”

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Jamie Farr, who portrayed Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger in M*A*S*H, said, “Our dear Loretta was so talented, beautiful and an exceptional friend. There is a void in my life now and I shall always have a very special place for her in my heart. May her memory be eternal.”

Also in a statement to THR, Journey Gunderson, the executive director of the National Comedy Center, said, “Loretta Swit’s portrayal of Margaret ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan was groundbreaking – bringing heart, humor, and strength to one of television comedy’s most enduring roles. Her talent extended well beyond that iconic character, with acclaimed work on both stage and screen that showcased her intelligence, versatility, and passion. That legacy endures through the cultural impact of MASH, which is proudly represented in the National Comedy Center.”

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Airbus Racer Hybrid Aircraft Combining Airplane and Helicopter Features

Airbus Racer Hybrid Aircraft Combining Airplane and Helicopter Features

othifinance.com   May 31, 2025   Comment  

Foto: Illustration of the Airbus Racer hybrid aircraft combining airplane and helicopter features. Image generated by AI.

“Airbus Breaks the Rules of Flight”: The Racer Hybrid Aircraft-Helicopter Unleashes Speed and Efficiency Never Seen Before.

In a groundbreaking development poised to redefine the aviation industry, Airbus has unveiled the Racer, a revolutionary hybrid aircraft that combines the speed of a plane with the agility of a helicopter, promising unprecedented performance and efficiency.

In the ever-evolving world of aviation, Airbus has introduced a groundbreaking aircraft known as the Racer. This innovative technology demonstrator combines the best features of both airplanes and helicopters, promising to revolutionize the industry with its unparalleled speed and efficiency. By utilizing a hybrid architecture and lateral engines, the Racer not only surpasses existing performance benchmarks but also significantly reduces fuel consumption. As we delve deeper into its unique design and potential applications, it’s clear that this aircraft could be a game-changer in both civil and military aviation.

The Hybrid Design That Disrupts Standards

The Airbus Racer stands as a testament to modern engineering, designed to push the speed limits traditionally associated with helicopters. Unlike conventional models, the Racer merges the features of an airplane and a helicopter to enhance both speed and stability. At the heart of this hybrid concept lies an innovative architecture featuring a main rotor complemented by two lateral beams that function as wings. Each of these beams houses an Aneto-1X engine developed by Safran Helicopter Engines, eliminating the need for a tail rotor. This configuration is further supported by a dual vertical stabilizer reminiscent of an airplane’s tail.

This ingenious design allows the Racer to overcome the physical limitations that have long constrained helicopter performance. Typically, the rotational behavior of helicopter blades limits their speed due to the risk of lift loss and stalling at high velocities. The Racer ingeniously addresses this by slightly reducing the speed of its main rotor when transitioning to airplane mode, allowing the lateral engines to take over propulsion duties. By doing so, it achieves greater speeds while maintaining control and safety.

Impressive Performance Validated in Flight

The initial flight tests of the Airbus Racer have validated its exceptional capabilities. During the Airbus Summit 2025, engineers showcased the aircraft’s ability to reach a speed of 260 miles per hour, a significant leap beyond the 248 miles per hour initially projected. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given that traditional helicopters rarely exceed 186 miles per hour. Consequently, the Racer offers a nearly 50% increase in speed compared to conventional models.

Beyond its speed, the Racer’s hybrid technology also optimizes fuel consumption. According to Airbus engineers, the aircraft can reduce fuel usage by up to 20% due to the lift generated by its lateral wings and the selective activation of its lateral engines. This efficiency could prove crucial for long-distance missions or rescue operations requiring extended range. These impressive performances are built upon the technological advancements of Airbus Helicopters’ X3 model, which set a record speed of 293 miles per hour in 2013. However, the Racer goes beyond mere performance improvements, representing a new design optimized for future applications.

The Future of Airbus Racer

While the Airbus Racer is currently a technological demonstrator, its potential applications are vast. Airbus executives hinted during the summit that sectors such as emergency services and the military could benefit greatly from this aircraft. With its increased speed and reduced fuel consumption, the Racer could enable faster interventions, particularly in medical evacuations or search and rescue missions.

The Racer’s capabilities have also piqued the interest of military forces, which could utilize a hybrid aircraft capable of rapid interventions while retaining the maneuverability of a helicopter. This versatility makes it an ideal candidate for missions requiring both speed and precision. Additionally, Airbus plans to adapt the Racer’s technology for civilian applications, including passenger transport or freight delivery over medium distances. Although still in testing, recent improvements in rotor fairing and optimized landing gear doors suggest a bright future for this hybrid aircraft.

Ultimately, the Airbus Racer is more than just a technological demonstrator; it could pave the way for a new generation of hybrid aircraft that combine the advantages of airplanes and helicopters for a wide range of uses, both civilian and military.

With the Racer, Airbus is not just pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in aviation; it’s setting new standards for the future.

Related topics: Airbus, Aviation Innovation, Hybrid Technology, Airbus Breaks the Rules of Flight

CrossCountry Mortgage and Blend Introduce Joint Solutions to Simplify Loan Origination

CrossCountry Mortgage and Blend Introduce Joint Solutions to Simplify Loan Origination

othifinance.com   May 30, 2025   Comment  

SAN FRANCISCO - CrossCountry Mortgage, the nation’s number one distributed retail mortgage lender, and Blend, a leading origination platform for digital banking solutions, today announced an expanded partnership aimed at driving innovation for independent mortgage banks (IMBs).

As part of this collaboration, the two companies are introducing new solutions that enhance the Blend experience for all IMBs.

"We’re proud to partner with Blend to develop purpose-built solutions and advanced tools that empower our loan officers to better serve borrowers," said Jennifer Stracensky, Chief Operating Officer, CrossCountry Mortgage. "By working together to develop solutions like branch-level configurability and seamless disclosures within Blend, we’re not just optimizing our own operations—we’re helping set a new standard for the home lending process, making it easier and more accessible for borrowers and communities across the U.S."

These tailored solutions reinforce Blend’s commitment to empowering IMBs with purpose-built technology that support their need to compete and thrive in an evolving mortgage landscape, ultimately benefiting home buyers with faster, more efficient services.

Blend Strengths Support for IMBs with A Seasoned Leader & Dedicated Business Unit

As part of Blend’s initiative to better serve the unique needs of IMBs, the company has launched a dedicated business unit focused on delivering tailored technology and support.

Leading this effort is Justin Venhousen, a mortgage industry veteran and newly appointed General Manager of Blend’s IMB Division. Prior to joining Blend, he spent more than 12 years at Compass Mortgage as Chief Operating Officer, where he experienced firsthand the challenges IMBs face, from operational pressures to the need for greater branch-level flexibility.

“Having spent more than a decade at a mortgage lender, I’ve experienced the challenges our customers face firsthand,” said Venhousen. “I understand the operational pressures and the importance of supporting branch-level efficiency within a compliant framework. That perspective helps guide our approach as we design technology solutions that are adaptable, scalable, and built to support the way IMBs operate—while maintaining consistency and control across the organization.”

Blend’s IMB-Focused Enhancements in Partnership with CrossCountry Mortgage

Newly developed enhancements—some already live at CrossCountry Mortgage and others launching in early 2025—include:

• Branch-Level Configurations – New branch- and LO-level configurations allow CrossCountry to tailor workflows, branding, and operational settings at the branch level, while maintaining consistency across their 7,000 employees and more than 700 branches nationwide.
• Increased Disclosure Functionality for Loan Officers - Enables loan officers to generate Loan Estimate disclosure packages directly within Blend’s interface, streamlining workflows and reducing the need to use multiple systems or manual processes.
• Enhanced Hybrid Closings – New safeguards ensure borrowers complete all eligible paperwork digitally, reducing reliance on wet signatures. Improved eSign document visibility and a one-click download feature simplify retrieval, accelerating closing times and minimizing administrative work.
• Rapid Refi / Home Equity - A highly personalized, automated experience that turns refinance opportunities into funded loans faster by leveraging connected data and pre-approved offers for a seamless, one-session process.

A Leader in Digital Origination

In 2024, Blend powered nearly $1.2 trillion in loan applications across hundreds of banks, credit unions, and independent mortgage banks (IMBs). According to 2023 HMDA data, 18 of the top 50 U.S. mortgage originators by loan volume rely on Blend. In addition, 7 of the top 10 home equity lenders use the Blend platform to improve the digital customer experience across their home equity products.

About CrossCountry Mortgage

CrossCountry Mortgage (CCM) is the nation’s number one distributed retail mortgage lender with more than 7,000 employees operating over 700 branches and servicing loans across all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Our company has been recognized ten times on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private businesses and has received many awards for our standout culture. We offer more than 120 mortgage, refinance and home equity solutions — ranging from conventional and jumbo mortgages to government-insured programs from FHA and programs for Veterans and rural homebuyers — and we are a direct lender and approved seller and servicer by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and Ginnie Mae (NMLS #3029). Through our dedication to getting it done, we make every mortgage feel like a win.

About Blend

Blend Labs Inc., (NYSE: BLND) is the leading origination platform for digital banking solutions. Financial providers— from large banks, fintechs, and credit unions to community and independent mortgage banks—use Blend’s platform to transform banking experiences for their customers. Better banking starts on Blend. To learn more, visit blend.com.

Related topics: crosscountry mortgage, cross country mortgage payment, crosscountry mortgage careers

Elon Musk Contradicts Telegram’s $300M xAI Partnership Announcement: ‘No Deal has Been Signed’

Elon Musk Contradicts Telegram’s $300M xAI Partnership Announcement: ‘No Deal has Been Signed’

othifinance.com   May 30, 2025   Comment  

Foto : Elon Musk, Shuttertstock/Frederic Legrand

American billionaire entrepreneur and Tesla boss Elon Musk stated that no formal agreement has been signed between his AI venture, xAI, and messaging platform Telegram regarding the integration of Grok AI on the private messaging app, contradicting earlier remarks from Telegram CEO Pavel Durov.

On Wednesday, Durov announced that Telegram would integrate Grok, xAI’s chatbot, across its social platform and receive a share of the revenue. He said the partnership included a $300 million cash-and-equity package and 50% of xAI subscription sales made through Telegram.

“No deal has been signed,” Musk replied to Durov’s post on X. Telegram’s chief later confirmed Musk's statement, claiming that the agreement was reached in principle pending final documentation.

Following a wave of positive developments, Toncoin, the network’s native token, surged 18.7% to $3.55 on Wednesday, before pulling back to $3.35 after Musk’s clarification, per The Block’s price page.

Durov shared the announcement shortly after news of Telegram’s plans to raise $1.5 billion through a new bond issuance. Telegram will repurchase debt issued in 2021 using the fresh cash. The sale, reported by The Wall Street Journal, would allow participation from new investors, such as Citadel, and existing backers, including BlackRock and Abu Dhabi-owned investment firm Mubadala.

What is Stargate Finance? Stargate STG Explained

What is Stargate Finance? Stargate STG Explained

othifinance.com   May 29, 2025   Comment  

Stargate Finance Introducing

Stargate Finance is a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol that was launched in 2022 to address the challenges of interoperability and liquidity fragmentation across various blockchain ecosystems. The core objective of Stargate is to create a unified, cross-chain liquidity pool that enables efficient and cost-effective token transfers between different blockchain networks.

The need for cross-chain interoperability has become increasingly evident as the cryptocurrency and DeFi landscapes have continued to diversify, with numerous blockchains, such as Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, and Polygon, each offering their own unique features and use cases. However, the lack of seamless integration between these blockchain networks has resulted in fragmented liquidity, higher transaction costs, and friction for users who need to move their assets across different chains.

Stargate Finance aims to address these challenges by providing a robust and scalable solution for cross-chain asset transfers and liquidity management. By leveraging advanced cryptographic techniques and a decentralized architecture, Stargate seeks to create a more connected and efficient DeFi ecosystem, where users can seamlessly access liquidity and move their digital assets between different blockchain networks.

Key Features and Functionalities of Stargate Finance

Cross-Chain Liquidity Pools: At the core of Stargate Finance is the concept of cross-chain liquidity pools. These pools aggregate liquidity from various blockchain networks, allowing users to swap tokens between different chains with low slippage and minimal transaction fees. The initial version of Stargate supports transfers between Ethereum, Avalanche, Polygon, Optimism, and Arbitrum, with plans to expand to additional chains in the future.

Instant and Secure Token Transfers: Stargate's cross-chain token transfer functionality enables users to move their digital assets between supported blockchains quickly and securely. Unlike traditional cross-chain bridges, which can involve lengthy waiting periods and higher risks, Stargate's instant token transfers are facilitated through a combination of advanced cryptographic techniques, including Optimistic Rollups and Turing-complete smart contracts.

Unified Liquidity Management: Stargate's cross-chain liquidity pools provide a unified interface for managing liquidity across multiple blockchain networks. Users can contribute liquidity to these pools, earning trading fees and other rewards in the process. The protocol's liquidity management system is designed to be efficient, scalable, and resilient, ensuring that liquidity is always available for users to access.

Decentralized Governance and Incentives: Stargate Finance is built on a decentralized governance model, where the protocol's key decisions and upgrades are made by the community of STG token holders. The STG token serves as the governance token and also enables users to participate in the protocol's liquidity mining and staking programs, earning rewards for their contribution to the network.

Composability and DeFi Integrations: Stargate Finance is designed to be highly composable, allowing it to integrate seamlessly with other DeFi protocols and applications across different blockchain networks. This enables users to leverage Stargate's cross-chain liquidity and transfer capabilities within their existing DeFi workflows, unlocking new opportunities for cross-chain collaboration and innovation.

What Does the Future Hold for Stargate Finance?

As they say, impersonation is the best blandishment. Stargate Finance has no deficiency of copycats, like Stargate Finance or on the other hand Stargate Finance DEX. All things considered, Stargate Finance 's open-source code is not difficult to duplicate and somewhat change. Nonetheless, later beginning commitments of higher liquidity yields, they collapsed while Stargate Finance remained steadfast.

Unfortunately, Stargate Finance's principal hindrance came from Ethereum itself. The greatest shrewd agreement stage with more than $109B TVL is going through a change itself, from evidence of-work to completely verification of-stake agreement with the forthcoming Guide Chain consolidation. Accordingly, Ethereum gas charges have not been reasonable, to say the least.

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