Links 1 February 2018

Global Macro / Markets / Investing:

• A little-known token may be fueling Bitcoin’s rise. Critics say it’s a scam. – Mashable
• Cyber Criminals Targeting Blockchain Technologies and Cryptocurrencies: How to Stay Safe – Cognosec
• Dow plunges 341 points as stocks sell-off continues – CNBC
• Daily: The Bond Bear Market – Credit Writedowns
• SEC Moves to Stop $600 Million Digital Coin Offering – WSJ
• Google Bets a Billion Dollars More Brains Can Help Take On Apple – Bloomberg
• Tight monetary policy is not the answer to weak productivity growth – VOX
• Carney Says Cryptocurrency Transactions Shouldn’t Be Anonymous – Bloomberg
• Market Euphoria May Turn to Despair If 10-Year Yield Jumps to 3% – Bloomberg

Americas:

• Most of the tax cut windfall will boost buybacks and dividends, not workers’ pockets, survey predicts – CNBC
• State of the Union – White House
• Read the full text of President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address – NewsWeek
• Trump’s State of the Union guest list — and what it says about his national agenda – VOX
• Mueller won’t indict Trump. But here’s what he can do. – Washington Post
• Trump Turns GOP Into a Conspiracy of Dunces – Daily Beast
• Homeownership Rate Rose in 2017 for First Time Since 2004 – WSJ
• Getting Your Own Place? Buying Is Now Outpacing Renting in U.S. – Bloomberg
• Trump’s Law Enforcement Purge Is Now Republican Policy – NY Mag
• Trump approval is over 50% in only 12 states – CNN
• Marijuana Mapped: the Price of Weed Across the U.S. – Bloomberg
• Wal-Mart has announced thousands of layoffs since publicizing bonuses and benefits expansion – MarketWatch
• Canadian oil exports by rail increasing – UPI
• Canada turned to the WTO because Trump has threatened NAFTA – Washington Post
• Leaving Nafta Would Cost $50 Billion a Year – WSJ

Europe:

• Global study names Switzerland as capital of bank secrecy – Reuters
• UK mass digital surveillance regime ruled unlawful – The Guardian
• Eurozone Economy Records Strongest Growth in a Decade – WSJ
• High-Level Task Force on Safe Assets – EU
• The Government’s Own Brexit Analysis Says The UK Will Be Worse Off In Every Scenario Outside the EU – BuzzFeed

Asia:

• Chinese editor Hu Shuli steps aside, not down – Yahoo
• New cryptocurrency rules just came into effect in South Korea – CNBC
• After Trump tariffs, Chinese solar company says it will build U.S. factory – CNN
• Financial risk facing China worse than in US before global crash, former finance minister says – SCMP
• China Could Target U.S. Firms if Trump Levies Tariffs, Group Warns – NY Times

Trans-Tasman:

• The Cabinet Files: Breach reveals governments’ deepest secrets – ABC
• Uber Eats, Foodora drivers push for minimum wage, superannuation – Daily Telegraph
• Coalition’s security laws ‘criminalise’ reporting, media companies warn – The Guardian
• Labor branches push for new environment act and independent watchdog – The Guardian
• Shorten seeks early lead with promises on corruption, wages, health – The SMH
• Private health insurance is too expensive and excludes too much, Bill Shorten argues – ABC
• Removing children from Indigenous communities ‘a national disaster’ – ABC
• Real estate rich list grows as Australia’s wealthiest reap property profits – The Guardian
• Shorten’s cost-of-living campaign plays to Labor’s strengths but lacks detail – ABC
• Australian government underwriting arms exports is ‘baffling’, expert says – The Guardian
• Economic growth and stalled wages: Dawn may break in fool’s paradise – The SMH
• Environmental groups launch pre-emptive strike on Labor’s David Feeney – The Age
• Former treasurer Wayne Swan tapped to run for top ALP role – The SMH
• Sell the car or go to camp? The cost of public schooling putting pressure on families – ABC
• State of the Nation day soured by the smell of blood – Interest.co.nz
• ‘Houses on ice’ – Interest.co.nz
• Property Institute predicts rising mortgage rates, flat house prices & more investors leaving the market – Interest.co.nz
• Advertisement

Other:

• Pizza is a healthier breakfast than most cereals – Chicago Tribune