Good Morning. What happens when an asset marketed as inflation-proof drops 30% in one week? Bitcoin investors are finding out.
Plus, Winter Olympic hopefuls, anchor rituals, and new evidence on Jeffrey’s Epstein alleged suicide (forwarded this email? Join 523K readers here).
TOP STORY TODAY
Bitcoin Plummets
Bitcoin dropped 15% Thursday, briefly falling below $61,000 as selling intensified. The cryptocurrency has declined nearly 30% this week, breaking through the $70,000 threshold. Bitcoin last traded at $62,448 Thursday evening.
The digital asset peaked above $126,000 in early October. Investors are reassessing bitcoin's utility as a hedge against inflation and alternative to traditional safe-havens like gold. The decline coincides with a broader sell-off in U.S. tech stocks.
Bitcoin's current price approaches pre-election levels. The asset, once promoted as "digital gold" and a store of value, faces growing skepticism from investors about its practical applications and long-term stability.
Venezuela Oil Gamble
The Trump administration seeks $100 billion in foreign investment for Venezuela's oil industry, requiring companies to partner with state-owned PdVSA. The company faces sanctions and corruption allegations, including embezzlement and drug trafficking accusations from Trump's first term.
Venezuela holds the world's largest proven crude reserves. Production dropped from 3 million barrels daily to 300,000 under Maduro, now recovering to 900,000. New legislation allows private companies operational control while PdVSA maintains majority ownership in joint ventures.
Major oil executives remain skeptical. Exxon's CEO called Venezuela "uninvestable," while Chevron, currently operating there, says expansion requires "the right changes." Analysts predict gradual output increases at best.
Winter Olympics Return
The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics feature two cauldrons for the first time, reflecting the five-hour distance between Milan's urban venues and Cortina's mountain events. New sports include ski mountaineering, dual moguls, and mixed-team skeleton.
Figure skater Ilia Malinin, 21, enters as favorite after landing seven quads at December's Grand Prix Final, including his signature quadruple axel. Mikaela Shiffrin returns after injury setbacks, having won six of her last seven slalom races this season.
Lindsey Vonn withdrew from two events after completely rupturing her ACL last Saturday but plans to race Sunday's downhill at age 41. American women's figure skating seeks its first individual medal since 2006, with Alysa Liu and Amber Glenn competing.
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One Ritual that Anchors Your Day
Most days unravel quietly. Rushed mornings, scattered attention, no transitions. A daily ritual gives your day a center of gravity.
Keep it simple: Coffee made the same way. A short walk. Repetition creates weight.
Do it without multitasking: No emails with coffee. Presence trains your nervous system.
One is enough: A single habit creates continuity when life gets noisy. Small practices carry surprising weight.
TRENDING
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▲ Iran seizes two foreign oil tankers in Persian Gulf carrying 6,300 barrels, detaining 15 crew members
▲ Epstein surveillance footage shows orange figure entering jail tier at 10:39 p.m., contradicting official death accounts
▲ Older Americans unretire as 7% re-enter workforce in six months, citing financial necessity amid rising costs
▲ Federal workforce rule strips 50,000 senior career officials of job protections, enabling easier discipline and termination
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