BlackRock Adopts Real-Time Token Data

CRYPTO
BlackRock Adopts Real-Time Token Data

BNY Mellon has unveiled a new crypto tool that publishes real-time net asset value (NAV) data for tokenized funds directly on the blockchain. BlackRock, which operates the BUIDL money market fund, will be the first to use it. The move signals BNY’s deeper commitment to digital assets as regulatory conditions under President Trump’s pro-crypto administration have become more favorable.

Caroline Butler, BNY’s head of digital assets, told Fortune that this tool boosts transparency and creditworthiness by removing reliance on third-party NAV data providers. BNY had paused its crypto custody plans during the Biden-era SEC guidance, but a 2024 exemption allowed it to resume Bitcoin and Ethereum custody without balance-sheet liability. Now, BNY is expanding beyond custody into on-chain data infrastructure. Butler says the tool showcases how blockchain can improve transparency and efficiency across finance. BNY plans to expand this service to other tokenized funds depending on demand.

FINANCE
Buffett’s Market Timing Looks Genius

The stock market crash sparked by President Trump’s global tariffs has cast Warren Buffett’s recent investment moves in a new light. As markets plunged—losing over $6 trillion in value—Buffett's decisions to sell equities and amass cash now seem prescient. In 2024, Berkshire Hathaway sold $134 billion in stocks, including slashing its Apple stake by two-thirds, just before Apple’s 28% drop.

Buffett also offloaded shares in Bank of America and Citigroup, which are both down over 20%. Meanwhile, Berkshire ended the year with a record $334 billion in cash, much of it in short-term Treasurys that now offer better returns. Despite the broader downturn, Berkshire’s B shares are up 9% this year. Buffett’s cautious approach, rooted in his long-held view that valuations were too high, has paid off. His net worth has grown by $12.7 billion this year, placing him just behind Bill Gates on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

FINANCE
Tech Stocks Crash After Trump Tariffs

Silicon Valley’s early support for President Trump’s 2024 campaign is looking costly. Since Trump announced sweeping new tariffs, the Nasdaq dropped 10% in a week—its worst showing since early COVID. Big Tech has lost $1.8 trillion in market cap in just two days. Apple fell 14%, Tesla dropped 9.2%, and Amazon posted its ninth straight weekly loss. High-profile IPOs like Klarna and StubHub have been delayed, and CoreWeave’s $1 billion offering is already volatile.

Venture capitalists like Elon Musk, Marc Andreessen, and Keith Rabois backed Trump, expecting pro-tech policies. But economists warn that Trump’s tariffs could trigger a recession, with El-Erian pegging the odds at 50%. Meanwhile, China hit back with its own tariffs. Despite their backing, many tech execs are now silent or dodging questions. With market uncertainty rising, IPO windows are closing, and leadership is under pressure to calm nervous staff and chart cautious paths forward.

DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.