Crypto in the capitol(s)… While the federal government debates how to regulate cryptocurrencies, lobbyists are taking a state-by-state approach. Pro-crypto lawmakers in states like Florida have passed bills that make it easier for the industry to operate. Already this year 150+ crypto-related bills have been proposed in 40 states. But on the federal level, the Biden admin thinks stablecoins (pegged to currencies like the USD) could be the real jumping-off point for digital-currency regulation.
The new silver and gold… are lithium and cobalt, the crown jewels of the electric-vehicle biz. The metals are essential to EV batteries, and their prices are soaring: In the past decade cobalt prices have 3X’d and lithium prices have 18X’d. Now carmakers are securing supply. Last week, Ford reportedly bagged a deal with extraction startup Lake Resources to pull lithium from Argentina, while GM teamed up with mining giant Glencore to nab cobalt from Australia. But supplies are still so low that Tesla’s considering mining its own metals.