Why you keep hearing about canceling medical debt

In this week's "Make Me Smart" newsletter, we explore the rise of medical debt forgiveness and how crypto is influencing the 2024 elections.
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Crypto firms emerge as top spenders this election

Aug 23, 2024
Crypto companies have spent more than $119 million so far, almost half of corporate money given during elections this year.
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What is the bitcoin "halving"?

Apr 19, 2024
Bitcoin halving happens approximately every four years, and it's a big deal for the philosophical premise of the cryptocurrency.
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Bitcoin devotees are rejoicing after the latest crypto thaw

Mar 1, 2024
The cryptocurrency's price is up about 40 percent this year, inching closer to its pandemic-era high of nearly $69,000 per coin, and vindicating those who held on through recent lows.
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Is it RIP for the NFT?

Dec 22, 2023
After the meteoric rise of NFTs, the fall has hammered the market. Can we call curtains for the digital art market?
A Times Square billboard reads "I hate NFTs!" during the fourth annual NFT.NYC conference in June 2022. Nearly all NFTs are currently worthless.
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What we learned from Nishad Singh's testimony in the SBF trial

Oct 19, 2023
Nishad Singh, former head of engineering at FTX, took the stand this week in the fraud and conspiracy trial against Sam Bankman-Fried.
Nishad Singh, former head of engineering at FTX, took the stand this week and detailed the lavish spending habits of FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried, seen above.
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What to know about the Sam Bankman-Fried trial

The founder of bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX faces fraud allegations in New York.
Above, Sam Bankman-Fried after a court appearance on June 15 in New York City.
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For public good, not for profit.

Despite EU crypto sanctions, Russians are still using digital currencies

Sep 25, 2023
Crypto sanctions have caused headaches for many anti-war Russians who fled abroad, but crypto use within Russia is still common.
The goal of the the European Union's crypto restrictions is to stop sanctioned Russians from finding loopholes to move money out of Russia.
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Regulate crypto? Sure. But how? 

Jul 14, 2023
Both regulators and crypto bros cheer a ruling on Ripple Labs. Many call the regulatory framework governing digital assets outmoded.
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Crypto giant Binance in hot water with U.S. regulators. What's next?

Jun 6, 2023
The world’s largest crypto exchange is being sued by the SEC. What does that mean for crypto?
The world's largest crypto exchange platform has been sued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over allegations of financial misconduct.
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