Crypto: Crypto saw $572M in net inflows after the U.S. government announced authorization of cryptocurrencies in US retirement plans, with Ethereum leading with $268M in inflows.

PopMart: Labubus are now the #1 collectibles release ever on resale platform StockX. PopMart shares have nearly tripled year to date, with the company's market value surpassing HK$310 billion for the first time. More about this the “caught my attention” section.

Palantir - The company topped earnings estimates, crossing $1 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time and hiking its full-year guidance. Their shares now trade at an astronomical 276x forward earnings, making it one of the most expensive stocks in the market. With the current geo-political tension, a company like this is sure to thrive, but the vibe is a little odd? Peak 2025 energy: A surveillance company with Tolkien vibes, and a valuation that defies physics.

FED: Markets are pricing in a September Fed rate cut, with more easing likely, after the softer CPI data pushed the US dollar to a two-week low. The combination of mixed inflation signals is keeping Fed policy expectations in flux.

On the topic of dopamine, let`s talk about screen time, and particularly social media. Summer is the time where I usually let my phone get some rest (lol), but this year i have already been intentional about screentime for a while. The benefits from introducing a digital detox are huge for most of us, and being online and consuming content all day, is just not that hot?

There is quite some literature (and tiktoks) on the topic but it does seem to be the consensus:

Step away completley from social media for 30 days. Here’s why: social media taps into the same dopamine-driven reward circuits in the brain as gambling, every notification or scroll is a hit that trains your brain to crave more. Over time, your baseline dopamine levels shift, you need more stimulation just to feel “normal.” That’s why boredom feels unbearable when you’re used to constant scrolling.

Without a true break, the cycle never resets. Those 30 days give your brain space to recalibrate, restore dopamine balance, and prove to yourself you don’t need the endless digital rewards.

Reintroduce only the tools that actually serve you. And when you use them, do it with intention. For example: I’m opening Instagram to send a DM to this person. Not just opening the app because your hand automatically reached for it. That small shift means your phone, and social media, doesn’t become the go-to outlet every time you feel a flicker of boredom. Give your mind a chance to breathe.

When we do find ourself with open pockets of time, try not to fill them with endless scrolling. Use them for high-quality offline activities, things that give something back to your body, mind, or skills. It’s not about rigid rules. It’s about choosing with intention, so the time you spend, online or offline, truly supports the life you want to live.

Last but not least boundaries. Like no phone in bed, scheduled screen use, personally i am downloading the social apps just on sundays to catch up with what i lost, and surprisingly, i barely loose out on anything valuable, even though i spent hours a day on these apps before i introduced the detox. And i frankly, just find spending time on the apps less attractive than ever before.

Digital minimalism isn’t a passing trend, but it’s more like a collective shift. More and more people are realising that constant SoMe consumption drains more than it gives. I’m curious to see how this evolves in the next few years, but for now, I’ll take the mental clarity.

Maybe i'm late to the party but this has to be brought up. THE hottest market story is how a Chinese toy company figured out that Gen Z will pay up for a mystery box if you make it cute enough. But really, PopMart cracked the code. They gave digital natives something physical to obsess over, make it unpredictable, and watch the masses choose dopamine hits over financial planning. It's peak Gen Z behavior monetized, and traditional companies are scrambling to catch up. PopMart's Labubus are sold in unmarked "blind boxes", scratching a undeniably human itch, unpredictability. Exactly the same factor that makes tiktok irresistable.

The cute monsters have become the #1 collectibles release ever on StockX, with average resale prices hitting $208. It's slot machine psychology wrapped in kawaii aesthetics, and Gen Z is absolutely obsessed.

.. and Disney Panics. They just launched "Urupochachan" their own mystery box line featuring Mickey and friends with the same "ugly-cute" vibe. When Disney starts copying a Chinese startup's homework, you know something seismic is happening.

And the markets are tagging along, PopMart's stock tripled this year with 350% profit growth expected. I checked out pop mart in BCN and the hype (and the line) is reeaal.