Amazon will be raising the cost of its popular Prime membership by $20 to a total of $99 per year, the company stated in an announcement Thursday. This will be the very first hike in the price since the program was launched in 2005. The online retail giant’s student subscription will … [Read more...]
Americans could spend in excess of 60 billion on pets in 2014
It costs a pretty penny to keep pets happy and healthy. In fact, households in the United States spent nearly $56 billion on their dogs, cats and other animals at home. This is a figure that shows Americans are spending more than ever on their pets. The American Pet Productions … [Read more...]
Thinking about leaving a tip for a Starbucks barista? There’s an app for that
If you’re a customer who usually leaves a tip for baristas at your local Starbucks shop now you can do so digitally. Due to surge in popularity over its mobile app, Starbucks will soon incorporate a mobile tipping option, which will allow patrons to tip 50 cents, $1 or $2 anytime … [Read more...]
Bitcoins or Bullion: Ignorance of one journalist shines through
This week, CNBC had a headline that read: "Bitcoin pits the gold bugs vs. the 'techno geeks.'" Both groups are avid proponents of sound money, oppose the actions of the Federal Reserve and most believe in competing currencies. One financial expert published an op-ed piece Thursday … [Read more...]
Singapore is regulating bitcoin exchanges, vendors and vending machines
Soon after the fall of Mt. Gox and Flexcoin, the central bank of Singapore confirmed Thursday that it will begin to regulate bitcoin "intermediaries," otherwise listed as exchanges and vending machines, in order to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. The Monetary … [Read more...]
Native American nation using bitcoin-like currency could set precedent
In order to establish its sovereignty and independence and urge its community members to become self-sufficient by understanding the power of money, a Native American nation has produced its very own cryptocurrency modeled after bitcoin named Mazacoin. The Mazacoin will become the … [Read more...]
OECD projects struggling emerging markets will hurt global recovery
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released a new report Tuesday that warned markets in the emerging countries could very well hurt global economic growth in the near-term. In addition, the Paris-based entity forecasted that the bad winter weather … [Read more...]
Texas oil company ordered to stop accepting bitcoin
An oil and gas company has been required by a Texas state securities regulator to stop accepting bitcoins as payment for investments in its Texas oil wells, according to a statement issued by the top watchdog in the Lone Star State. John Morgan, the Texas Securities Commissioner, … [Read more...]
Men’s Wearhouse to acquire Jos. A. Bank in $1.8 billion deal
It finally seems that after a long dispute between both parties, Men’s Wearhouse has acquired rival Jos. A. Bank for $1.8 billion. Men’s Wearhouse announced Tuesday that it will be paying $65 per share, a five percent premium to its competitor’s most recent closing price. It … [Read more...]
Poll: Governmental mayhem causing small business pessimism
Political uncertainty can usually be identified as the antithesis for market growth. This is confirmed in the latest study conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), which discovered that small businesses are less optimistic of the economy because of the … [Read more...]
Fed’s Dudley: U.S. economic prospects ‘reasonably favorable’
Although it has been a slow one, there have been some bright spots in the United States economic recovery, says New York Federal Reserve President William Dudley in a speech Friday. The central banker confirmed that it will not be walking away from an accommodative monetary policy … [Read more...]
FTC privacy complaint may nix $19 billion Facebook, WhatsApp deal
Last month, Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) generated headlines after it purchased WhatsApp, a mobile-messaging startup firm, for $19 billion in cash and stocks. The deal made WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum a billionaire overnight. However, that arrangement may come to an end after a complaint was … [Read more...]
EU urged to put bitcoin on agenda by French Minister
Digital currencies like bitcoin have proven to be quite troublesome for an array of countries all over the world. Central banks and federal governments have repeatedly issued statements and officials have either celebrated or decried the virtual currency. The latest is a minister from … [Read more...]
Big Fish collaborates with Coinbase to accept bitcoin payments
Are you a fan of both bitcoin and Big Fish Games? Now you can embrace both after it was announced in a press release that the American gaming website is partnering up with Coinbase to begin accepting the digital currency for games and in-app purchases. Big Fish is one of the … [Read more...]
Is using the hand of government for bitcoin thefts justified
With three bitcoin exchanges shutting down after experiencing thefts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, some in the bitcoin community are urging government regulation and intervention to protect consumers. It was reported Sunday that Mt. Gox, one of the world’s biggest exchange … [Read more...]
Omnicom deal sets Instagram up for big advertising profits
Instagram, a photo- and video-sharing website, has inked its very first advertising deal with an agency. Ad Age published a report Saturday that cited sources close to the situation saying Instagram signed a $100 million year-long deal with Omnicom. Both Omnicom and Facebook have … [Read more...]
IRS doles out 48 million refunds with $3,034 average
It’s that time again: tax season, a period of the year when millions of Americans pull their hair out, dig through old receipts and research endlessly on the Internet searching for tax deductions, tax exemptions and tax papers. It’s indeed a very busy time for everyone from coast to … [Read more...]
Nouriel Roubini: Bitcoin is a ‘ponzi scheme’ and ‘lousy’ store of value
One of the most renowned economists in the world, Nouriel Roubini, who is known very well for his bearish standpoint on financial markets across the globe, doesn't seem to be optimistic about bitcoin and the digital currency industry. Using Twitter as his platform to convey his … [Read more...]
Visa and MasterCard team up to combat credit card fraud with EMV technology
In the wake of the massive data breach at Target that compromised more than 110 million accounts, credit card companies MasterCard and Visa have decided to coalesce in order to establish a group that will enhance payment security for customers. The group will consist of various banks, … [Read more...]
Walmart expanding into India’s ecommerce marketplace
Is Walmart entering India’s immense ecommerce marketplace? That is the word on the street from various sources this week. Soon after eBay announced it will be investing $133 million in Snapdeal, Walmart has reportedly hired a team of more than a dozen industry professionals to start … [Read more...]
