Yearly Archives: 2013

Lamassu: Bitcoin ATM Machine

"This is the Bitcoin Machine. Here's how it works: 1. Scan your Bitcoin QR code. 2. Insert cash. 3. You have bitcoins! Buy yourself something pretty. [..] Do I require a license or permit to operate the Bitcoin Machine? Some jurisdictions may have regulatory requirements (such as KYC/AML). We would advise to consult with an attorney prior to operating these machines. If you are located in the US, we require a signed due diligence questionnaire prior to shipping." Continue reading →

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Vancouver businesses jump on the Bitcoin bandwagon

"A new and innovative payment system has a number of Vancouver business owners intrigued. A slew of local businesses, from coffee shops to moving companies, are adopting Bitcoin – a new currency that many believe will revolutionize the way we think about money. Bitcoin is a digital currency, meaning it has no paper trace and lives entirely online. 'Bitcoin was really born out of banking bailouts,' says Michael Bliss with Vancouver Bitcoin Co-op. 'It is the future of money, no doubt.' The Bitcoin Co-op that Bliss co-founded is a local network for people interested in Bitcoins — traders, investors and merchants." Continue reading →

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Crypto-currency for NSA leaker: Snowden fund accepts Bitcoin

"US fugitive Edward Snowden’s defense fund, launched recently by WikiLeaks to raise money for the legal protection of the NSA leaker, has announced it now accepts donations in virtual currency Bitcoin. The Journalistic Source Protection Defence Fund (JSPD) was set up on August 9 with the goal to provide legal as well as campaign aid to journalistic sources. Snowden, who is behind the biggest intelligence leak in the history of the US National Security Agency (NSA), has been selected the first such source." Continue reading →

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The Myth of the Free-Market American Health Care System [2012]

"In 2009, according to these statistics, which come mostly from the OECD, U.S. government entities spent $3,795 per person on health care, compared to $3,100 per person in France. Note that these stats are for government expenditures; they exclude private-sector health spending. If anything, the U.S. figures understate government health spending, because they exclude the $300 billion a year we 'spend' through the tax code by making the purchase of employer-sponsored health insurance tax-exempt. So: if we measure by the dollar amount of government involvement in health spending, the French system is actually meaningfully freer." Continue reading →

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Why Are So Many People Choosing To Leave The United States Permanently?

"Traditionally, the American people have been some of the most patriotic people on the face of the planet. So why are we now seeing such an increase in the number of people choosing to leave the United States permanently? Well, the truth is that there are a whole host of reasons why people are losing faith in this country and are deciding to leave..." Continue reading →

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Life-saving transplant denied, health insurance canceled over 26-cent shortfall

"There was never any written notification that the payment was short. The Brancos weren’t told of the cancellation in writing until they received a letter dated July 2. Some time later, Paychex returned the $518 payment. Sergio Branco’s doctor also pleaded for help on their behalf. He advised the companies that Branco 'will most certainly die in the very near future if he does not proceed to transplant; therefore I am writing to request that every effort be made to reinstate his health care insurance coverage.' That didn’t help. Russell Reid and Paychex did nothing." Continue reading →

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Critics question IRS cash-reporting initiative targeting small businesses

"Small business owners across the country are receiving letters from the IRS questioning if they are reporting all of their cash income, in a new push by the agency some are saying could unnecessarily create fear in the small business community. The Wall Street Journal reports the initiative is an attempt to respond to what the agency feels is a widespread failure by small businesses to report all their cash sales. The agency says the letters are not the same as an audit, and it is simply seeking more tax information from the businesses. However, some lawmakers and business owners who received the letters say the initiative is alarming." Continue reading →

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A Recovery Where You’d Least Expect It

"It was three years ago that Peter first made the case for Dubai. The economy then was 'in tatters and investors’ dreams in shreds. Remember the cartoons of heavily indebted Arabs begging for money? It was not so far from the truth. Dubai real estate had fallen 60% from the peak, and the stock market was a disaster area.' Those are, of course, the times to pay attention. It was during such time that Peter advised building positions in Dubai stocks for the inevitable recovery. This year, patience paid off. Dubai’s stock market is up 63% for the year. But it is still 75% off its high and a compelling bargain on the numbers." Continue reading →

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Cash in on the Secret Sigma Strategy

"Sigma consists of three different phases of growth. It starts with a modest and shallow growth. After a certain point, growth accelerates rapidly. Then growth starts to decline and the cycle reaches a mature stage, where there is little to no growth. In short, the pattern is this sequence of three different speeds of growth: slow-fast-slow. Growth in earnings and sales also follow that same predictable pattern. The sales of products, for example, will eventually slow down and reach a plateau after potential buyers have bought what they wanted. The key to making money in the financial markets with Sigma is to find companies that are just beginning to experience rapid growth." Continue reading →

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Mining Finance Drops 56% In June Quarter

"Mining companies continue to struggle to raise capital as a new report shows mining finance dropped 56% in the second quarter. Falling metal prices, nervous banks and risk-averse investors are the main reasons behind the lack of capital, said IntierreRMG. The company said that second quarter finance figures totalled $2.28 billion compared to $5.16 billion in the first quarter of 2013 and $6.12 billion in last year’s comparative quarter. The report stated that producers were the hardest hit with the fall of almost 65% from the largest companies; they saw financing drop from $3.71 billion to $1.24 billion." Continue reading →

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