LONDON: Bitcoin popped back above $50,000 in Asian trade on Thursday, clawing back some of the 17 percent plunge that followed Elon Musk’s tweet that Tesla Inc. would stop accepting the digital tokens as payment for its cars.
The price of the world’s largest cryptocurrency dropped from around $54,819 to $45,700, its lowest since March 1, in just under two hours following the tweet shortly after 2200 GMT. It recovered about half of that drop early in the Asian session, and last traded about $51,099.
Ether, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency, followed a similar pattern, dropping 14 percent to touch a low of $3,550, before bouncing back above $4,000.
“We are concerned about rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and transactions, especially coal, which has the worst emissions of any fuel,” Musk wrote.
Tesla’s announcement on Feb. 8 that it had bought $1.5 billion of bitcoin and that it would accept it as payment for cars has been one factor behind the digital token’s surging price this year.
As a result, Musk’s comments roiled markets even though he said Tesla would not sell any bitcoin and would resume accepting the cryptocurrency as soon as mining transitioned to more sustainable energy.
The digital currency is still 30 percent higher than before Tesla’s February announcement.
At current rates, bitcoin mining devours about the same amount of energy annually as the Netherlands did in 2019, data from the University of Cambridge and the International Energy Agency showed.
“The issue (of huge energy use by bitcoin miners) has been long known so it’s nothing new, but taken together with Musk’s recent comments about dogecoin, his latest comments seems to suggest his passion for cryptocurrencies may be waning,” said Makoto Sakuma, researcher at NLI Research Institute in Tokyo.
Cryptocurrency dogecoin lost more than a third of its price on Sunday after Musk, whose tweets had stoked demand for the token earlier this year, called it a “hustle” on the “Saturday Night Live” comedy show. On Tuesday, however, he was asking his followers on Twitter if they wanted Tesla to accept dogecoin.
A broader selling of risk assets in traditional markets was another factor in the plunge, said Jeffrey Wang, Vancouver-based head of Americas at Amber Group, a cryptocurrency service provider.
“I don’t think everything is selling off just because of this news. This was kind of the straw that broke the camel’s back in terms of adding to the risk sell-off,” he said.
On Wednesday, the S&P 500 dropped 2.1 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite lost 2.7 percent.
Smaller cryptocurrencies were less affected by the news.
“Interestingly enough, altcoins are performing well,” said Justin d’Anethan, sales manager at Hong Kong-based head of exchange sales at Diginex, a digital asset company.
“The reason given in the tweet is fossil fuel use for the mining of BTC, but most cryptocurrencies have already found more efficient ways to do that and therefore outperformed.”
Bitcoin has struggled since hitting a record $64,895.22 in mid-April, dropping to the cusp of $47,000 just 11 days later before hovering around $58,000 since the start of May.
By contrast, ether soared to a record $4,180.12 on Wednesday, and, even with the current pullback, is up 435 percent in 2021, eclipsing bitcoin’s 75 percent rise. Its popularity stems in part from the ethereum network’s growing number of uses, including non-fungible tokens, which are used to certify unique ownership of things like online artwork.
The bitcoin dominance index, a ratio of bitcoin’s share of the total market cap of all cryptocurrencies, dropped to 42 percent, its lowest since June 2018.
“The trade we’ve been pushing for a while now is short bitcoin, long ether, and that trade has been a thing of beauty,” said Chris Weston, head of research at broker Pepperstone in Melbourne.
“The question everyone is asking is at what stage will ether have a bigger market cap than bitcoin, and I think that day will come personally.”
Bitcoin recoups some losses after Musk-triggered tumble
https://arab.news/w8bh2
Bitcoin recoups some losses after Musk-triggered tumble
- Tesla will retain bitcoin holdings
- Musk reiterates faith in crypto
Fortune Global Forum to be held in Riyadh in 2025
RIYADH: The Saudi capital will welcome world business elites next year as the Fortune Global Forum makes its first appearance in Riyadh.
The forum, which is organized by Fortune magazine, brings together top business leaders from across the globe on the dynamic frontiers of global enterprise.
Fahd bin Abdulmohsan Al-Rasheed, the chairman of the Saudi Convention and Exhibitions General Authority, said the forum has in the past 30 years brought together “the titans of industry around the world to the forefront of economic development.”
“And that forefront today is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Al-Rasheed told the forum in New York, where delegates have been taking part in the three-day gathering, which concluded on Tuesday.
He urged delegates to come to the Kingdom’s business epicenter to engage and explore what Saudi Arabia has to offer.
Saudi Arabia launches company to transform Asir into global tourism hub
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Asir region has launched a new tourism venture through a partnership with the aim of creating a holding company to transform the area into a global tourist destination.
The collaboration between Aseer Investment Co., a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, and Rikaz Real Estate, aligns with the goal of transforming Asir into a world-class tourist destination that combines authentic heritage with sustainable development, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The holding company seeks to contribute to enhancing a tourism environment that enriches guests’ experiences with unique offerings, connecting visitors to local culture and community traditions, SPA reported.
It is also committed to promoting sustainable tourism by protecting the environment, developing local communities, and collaborating with artisans and local businesses to preserve the authenticity of Asir’s heritage.
In October, the Kingdom’s Abha city secured a new investment partnership to boost tourism by developing culturally rich dining and retail experiences.
PIF firm Aseer Investment Co. signed the deal with Nimr Real Estate and the National Co. for Tourism, or Syahya, to propel the project, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
This aligns with the objectives of developing Abha, which will offer a range of benefits, including retail stores that reflect the cultural heritage of the Asir region.
The partnership also seeks to be a model for multiple collaborations with private sector investors and create more regional job opportunities.
Investments in the region are expected to create between 14,000 and 18,000 job prospects and contribute to up to 6 percent of the non-oil gross domestic product within 10 years, as outlined by AIC Chief Executive Osama Al-Othman in February.
Saudi Arabia emerged as a leader in tourism growth among G20 nations, experiencing a 73 percent increase in international visitors in the first seven months of 2024 compared to 2019.
According to the UN World Tourism Barometer report in September, the Kingdom welcomed 17.5 million international tourists during this timeframe, showcasing its growing allure as a global travel destination.
This surge is part of the nation’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil revenues.
“Saudi Arabia cements its global leadership and takes the first spot among G20 countries in international tourist arrivals growth, with a 73 percent increase in the first seven months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2019,” stated the Saudi Tourism Ministry on X.
Under the National Tourism Strategy, the Kingdom aims to attract 150 million visitors by 2030 and increase the sector’s contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product from 6 percent to 10 percent.
These goals reflect the country’s commitment to strengthening its tourism sector and enhancing its global appeal.
IMF, Saudi Arabia announce new annual conference tackling global economic challenges
RIYADH: The International Monetary Fund and Saudi Arabia will jointly organize a high-level annual conference in AlUla to discuss global economic challenges, it has been announced.
The AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies will bring together a select group of finance ministers, central bank governors, and policymakers, along with leaders from the public and private sectors, representatives from international institutions, and members of academia.
According to a joint statement by Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of IMF and the Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan, the first edition of this series will be held from Feb. 16-17, 2025.
“The world is confronting deeper and more frequent shocks, including from conflicts, geoeconomic fragmentation, pandemics, climate change, food insecurity, and the digital divide,” according to the statement.
They continued: “If not addressed adequately, these shocks put at risk emerging market economies’ hard-won improvements in living standards. Such setbacks would affect large segments of the world population and put at risk global growth and macro-financial stability.”
The gathering will offer a platform to exchange views on domestic, regional, and global economic developments and discuss policies and reforms to spur inclusive prosperity and build resilience supported by international cooperation.
Recent economic issues affecting the global landscape include rising inflation rates, driven by supply chain disruptions and increased demand for goods post-pandemic.
Supply chain delays continue to impact the availability of essential products, causing bottlenecks in manufacturing and increasing costs.
Additionally, geopolitical conflicts, such as the war in Gaza, have disrupted energy supplies and food exports, leading to global food insecurity and fuel price volatility.
Concerns over the using the Red Sea shipping lane increased dramatically at the end of 2023, when Houthi militants stepped up attacks on vessels in the wake of the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The effects of these challenges pose significant risks to economic stability, especially for emerging markets that are more vulnerable to such global shocks.
The AlUla conference is the latest example of the growing relationship between Saudi Arabia and the IMF, with the organization in April establishing its first office in the Middle East and North Africa region in Riyadh.
The facility was launched during the Joint Regional Conference on Industrial Policy for Diversification, jointly organized by the IMF and the Ministry of Finance, on April 24.
The new office aims to strengthen capacity building, regional surveillance, and outreach to foster stability, growth, and integration, thereby promoting partnerships in the Middle East and beyond, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The work hub will promote closer collaboration between the IMF and regional institutions, governments, and other stakeholders, according to the SPA report.
The IMF also expressed its gratitude to the Kingdom for its financial contribution aimed at supporting capacity development in member countries, including fragile states.
Closing Bell: Saudi Arabia’s TASI ends in the red, trading volume hits $2.95bn
RIYADH: The Tadawul All Share Index concluded the last session of the week at 11,791.18 points, down by 139.27 points or 1.17 percent.
The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index also saw a decline, dropping 19.18 points to close at 1,481.36, reflecting a 1.28 percent loss. In contrast, the parallel market Nomu finished Thursday’s trading at 29,467.71 points, up 262.18 points or 0.90 percent.
TASI reported a trading volume of SR11.10 billion ($2.95 billion), with 51 stocks advancing and 182 declining. The top performer of the day was Saudi Cable Co., which saw its share price surge by 5.10 percent to SR92.70.
Other strong performers included Shatirah House Restaurant Co., which gained 3.75 percent to reach SR21, and Arabian Mills for Food Products Co., which rose by 3.08 percent to SR53.60. Naseej International Trading Co. and Saudi Real Estate Co. also posted notable gains.
The worst performer was Saudi Real Estate Co., which dropped 4.94 percent to close at SR10. Alkhaleej Training and Education Co. and Red Sea International Co. also suffered significant losses, with their share prices falling by 4.90 percent to SR29.10 and 4.84 percent to SR68.80, respectively. Astra Industrial Group and Al-Omran Industrial Trading Co. were also among the day’s largest decliners.
On the parallel market, Nomu, Alqemam for Computer Systems Co. was the top gainer, rising by 9.57 percent to SR103. Other gainers included Dar Almarkabah for Renting Cars Co., which climbed 9.10 percent to SR42.55, and Horizon Educational Co., which rose by 7.58 percent to SR79.50. Mulkia Investment Co. and Knowledge Tower Trading Co. also saw significant increases.
On the losing side of Nomu, WSM for Information Technology Co. recorded the largest drop, with its share price falling by 6.18 percent to SR44. Osool and Bakheet Investment Co. and Natural Gas Distribution Co. also experienced notable declines, with their shares dropping by 5.37 percent to SR37.85 and 5 percent to SR57, respectively.
Leaders stress urgent need for climate finance at COP29 ministerial dialogue
RIYADH: Global climate finance continues to fall short of expectations, as leaders gathered at the COP29 Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Finance to address ongoing challenges and map out next steps.
The meeting, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, underscored the urgent need for increased and more effective funding mechanisms. COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev emphasized that climate finance plays a central role in the broader negotiations.
“The urgency of the situation is evident,” Babayev remarked, pointing to the severe impacts of climate change observed over the past year. “Recently, we witnessed catastrophic flooding in Spain, and in the Pacific region, island communities are faced with the possibility of being wiped out entirely. We must act now; failure to do so will have grave human and economic costs.”
The president stressed the importance of fulfilling the $100 billion-per-year commitment made in Copenhagen and reiterated in Paris, urging leaders to reflect on lessons learned and consider the quality and allocation of financial resources.
Developing countries once again voiced the need for tangible action, with Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad highlighting the importance of aligning climate finance with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
“This is a ‘put your money where your mouth is’ moment,” Prasad said. “The 1.5°C temperature goal and the Paris Agreement itself will not be deliverable from both an economic and scientific perspective if we do not invest right. The New Collective Quantified Goal is critical for aligning our priorities and addressing major inconsistencies,” he added.
The EU reaffirmed its commitment to climate finance, noting that the $100 billion goal was first collectively met in 2022, with contributions reaching $115.9 billion.
“The EU and its member states contributed €28.5 billion, or around $30 billion, in climate finance from public sources,” a representative said. “Almost half of the public funding came in the form of grants, with a significant portion provided on concessional terms. We need to make further efforts to facilitate the mobilization of private funding, as it remains a key source of climate finance,” the representative added.
Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, emphasized the critical juncture at which the global community now finds itself.
“The huge opportunities we have and the terrible risks we face are real,” Stiell said. “It’s time to take action to bridge gaps, solve problems, and come together to ensure climate finance and climate action benefit everyone.”
Sweden also announced a significant new contribution, with Ministerial representatives unveiling an $8 billion Swedish krona ($723.6 million) pledge to the second replenishment of the Green Climate Fund.
“This makes Sweden the largest per capita donor to the GCF among the larger donors,” the Swedish representative noted.
As discussions progressed, leaders acknowledged the widening gap between current financial commitments and the funds required to meet the 1.5°C target. There were calls for more robust mobilization of both public and private finance.
The COP29 president concluded: “Delivering the climate fairness that developing countries need is one of the main metrics of shared success. We can learn from past efforts to inform the road ahead, but significant determination and leadership from all parties are required to bridge these critical gaps.”
