Finance News

The French rental market is going through an exceptionally severe crisis, threatening access to housing for many households. Despite a slight recovery in the real estate sector, rentals remain under intense pressure, with a plummeting supply and prices that continue to rise. According to the National Federation of Real Estate (Fnaim), structural problems and poorly adjusted regulatory choices are exacerbating this situation. With the rise of short-term rental platforms and new constraints related to energy renovation, challenges are piling up, highlighting the urgency to act. This crisis, beyond the numbers, involves major social and economic issues for both tenants and investors.

The United States is facing a historic budget deficit, reaching $711 billion in just three months, an increase of 39% compared to the previous year. This explosion in public spending, coupled with a decline in tax revenues, is straining federal finances. Donald Trump, poised to return to the White House, will have to reconcile his promises of tax cuts with the necessity of controlling the debt. To assist him, Elon Musk has been appointed to lead a commission dedicated to government efficiency. His ambition: to reduce federal spending by $2 trillion, even if a halfway goal would already be a "super result." Between budgetary discipline and economic imperatives, the future administration finds itself faced with a perilous equation, where each decision could redefine the country's financial stability.

While the American economy soars like a star, Europe gets lost in a maze of rules and bitter regrets.

Global economic relations are evolving under the influence of geopolitical tensions and the strategic repositioning of major powers. In this context, China and Russia are strengthening their trade partnership, which is set to reach a historical record of 240 billion euros in 2024. This growth illustrates a strategic rapprochement bolstered by Western sanctions against Moscow and Beijing's desire to expand its influence. More than just an economic alliance, this cooperation sends a clear signal to the United States and the European Union, which aim to limit their dominance on the global stage. Thus, the surge in trade flows, increased use of the yuan in transactions, and the restructuring of international financial circuits now raise the question of the long-term consequences of this Sino-Russian agreement.

The global economic landscape, long dominated by Western powers and supported by the preeminence of the dollar, seems on the brink of change. In the face of a financial system centralized around the United States and Europe, many nations are expressing a growing desire to turn to alternatives. This trend is accelerating with the recent announcement: more than twenty countries from several continents have officially submitted their candidacy to join BRICS in 2025. If this project comes to fruition, the expansion of the formed bloc could enhance its economic weight but also redefine the balance of power on a global scale.

Amid revolutionary announcements, technological advancements, and regulatory turbulence, the crypto ecosystem continues to prove that it is both a territory of limitless innovations and a battleground for regulatory and economic conflicts. Here is a summary of the most significant news from the past week concerning Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance, Solana, and Ripple.

Under the darkened skies of the budget, the Medef proposes a sharp reform: to withdraw retirees' valuable tax allowance. An idea where the economy dialogues with injustice.

Bitcoin has risen by 120% in 2024, significantly outperforming other major asset classes. 2025 is shaping up to be another exceptional year.

A few days before Donald Trump's inauguration, the outgoing American administration is tightening its sanctions against Russian oil, pushing Brent prices above $80. This new offensive directly targets two Russian giants in the sector and a fleet of nearly 200 ships.

Financial markets hate uncertainty, yet the global economy is entering a period of instability. As we approach 2025, fears of economic slowdown, inflationary pressures, and political uncertainties are multiplying. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), warns of "headwinds" and "divergences" that threaten global economic balance. Europe is struggling, the United States is surprising with its resilience, China is facing deflationary pressure, and Brazil is battling inflation. Behind these disparities, another concerning factor is the erosion of investments in education, which hampers innovation and long-term growth. As the IMF prepares to release its updated report, one question remains: do these economic fractures create an irreversible divide, or do they foreshadow a new world order?

For several years, the BRICS have been seeking to reduce their dependence on the US dollar by developing a monetary alternative. However, at the beginning of 2025, the reality of the foreign exchange market is slipping away from them. The dollar is asserting itself more than ever and reaching new heights while the currencies of the bloc are collapsing. The Indian rupee has plummeted to a historic low of 85.93, the Chinese yuan is weakening, and other local currencies are struggling to hold on. Despite the BRICS' efforts to counter the hegemony of the greenback, the current dynamics expose the limits of their dedollarization strategy and raise the question of the viability of a credible alternative.

The American Federal Reserve (FED) may slow down its interest rate cut cycle in 2025, according to recent statements from its officials. An announcement that sparked panic on Wall Street, where stock indices fell sharply on Friday, shaken by robust economic data! This reinforces the idea that the FED could curb its monetary easing sooner than expected.

The Chinese economy is wavering between stagnation and decline, revealing lasting structural flaws. In December, the consumer price index only increased by 0.1% year-on-year, confirming intensifying deflationary pressure despite the government's repeated attempts to revive growth. The drop in food prices (-0.5%) and consumer goods (-0.2%) illustrates the lack of dynamism in domestic demand, as households remain cautious and businesses hesitate to invest. Thus, the real estate crisis, coupled with the ineffectiveness of previous stimulus measures, fuels uncertainties. This slowdown goes beyond a cyclical phase. It calls into question the resilience of the Chinese economic model and its short-term outlook.

The housing credit market in France is undergoing a significant shift. After a period marked by high interest rates, which hindered access to property ownership, the trend is reversing. François Villeroy de Galhau, governor of the Bank of France, announced that mortgage rates fell below 3.4% in November 2024, down from 4% in January. This drop is attributed to a slowdown in inflation, which is expected to reach 1.5% in 2025, after having weighed on the economy in recent years. This development is a relief for borrowers, but its implications go beyond the real estate sector. A relaxation of credit costs generally promotes economic recovery, restoring purchasing power to households and encouraging investment. This dynamic could also impact other asset classes, particularly cryptocurrencies. A more stable economy and smoother access to financing prompt some investors to reassess their strategies. With this drop in rates and the anticipation of possible monetary easing by the European Central Bank (ECB), the real estate market could regain a more favorable dynamic.

Trade tensions between the European Union and China are reaching new heights. Indeed, for several months, Brussels has been targeting Chinese companies accused of benefiting from public subsidies, which distorts competition. Under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR), the EU has launched several investigations, particularly against CRRC, the Chinese giant in railway equipment, and manufacturers of solar panels involved in European projects. In response to these investigations, Beijing has reacted strongly and denounced discriminatory practices. This standoff, which reflects deep divergences over the rules of international trade, could redefine the balance of power between the two economic powers. While the EU seeks to protect its market, China is concerned about a tightening of regulations that would hinder the expansion of its industrial champions. In this context, investors and companies are preparing for a significant climate of uncertainty, where every political decision can influence the dynamics of exchanges between Europe and the world's second-largest economy.

The evolution of the price of bitcoin in 2025 will depend on three main parameters: macroeconomics, geopolitics, and bitcoin's ability to attract investors.

The American stock market plunged into the red this Wednesday, as Donald Trump considers declaring a national economic emergency to impose universal tariffs. This prospect reignites fears of a new trade war, overshadowing mixed data on American employment.

The yuan stumbles, the Middle Kingdom sways. The shadow of Trump, armed with taxes, looms and revives old economic demons.

When a country imports more than it exports, its economy weakens and its dependence on external markets increases. In November 2024, France's trade deficit stood at 7.3 billion euros, which represents an improvement of 0.3 billion euros compared to the previous month. This slight reduction in the deficit is primarily explained by an increase in energy exports, which grew faster than imports. However, this improvement does not call into question the structural fragility of French foreign trade. Despite this temporary improvement, the imbalance between exports and imports remains critical. The domestic industry struggles to compete with international competition, and the trade balance remains largely in deficit. This situation raises questions about the competitiveness of French companies and their ability to sustainably establish themselves in foreign markets. Thus, the evolution of the deficit in the coming months will largely depend on the energy situation and the economic policies implemented to rectify the trade balance.

A few statements are enough to shake the markets, and Donald Trump has once again demonstrated this. An article in the Washington Post suggested that his team was exploring a more nuanced approach to tariff policy. This single premise was enough to push stock indices higher, with investors betting on a relaxation of trade tensions. However, the former president was quick to respond. In a message posted on social media, he firmly denied this information, calling it yet another attempt at media manipulation. This sudden about-face triggered a shockwave in the financial markets.

After two years of noticeable decline, the real estate market appears to have reached a turning point. According to Charles Marinakis, president of Century 21 France, the correction in prices is nearing its end, paving the way for stabilization, or even a slight rebound in 2025. In Paris, the price per square meter has dropped by nearly 10% over two years, a similar decline observed throughout Île-de-France. This correction, exacerbated by rising interest rates, has allowed sales to gradually restart. However, the market's evolution will depend on several factors, including the continued decrease in credit rates and the ability of sellers to adjust their prices to match the new expectations of buyers.

The convergence between artificial intelligence (AI) and asset tokenization is set to redefine the global financial landscape in 2025, according to Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise. This major transformation should particularly benefit small businesses, paving the way for a new "long-tail capital market."

Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, officially joined the BRICS bloc in January 2025, marking a major turning point in the reconfiguration of global economic alliances. This membership significantly strengthens the group's weight, which now represents over 51% of the world's population and 40% of global GDP.

The French state is preparing to face a year of high tension in the financial markets. With 300 billion euros to borrow in 2025, an unprecedented level of debt, Bercy must maneuver in a particularly unstable environment. The French Treasury Agency (AFT), responsible for debt issuance, faces a double challenge: ensuring the financing of the country without destabilizing the markets and reassuring increasingly cautious investors. Indeed, political uncertainty further complicates the situation. Since the fall of the Barnier government, France has been operating without an approved budget, which strengthens doubts about the country’s budgetary trajectory. A special law adopted in emergency allows for the maintenance of borrowing, but this temporary solution is not enough to dispel the concerns. In the markets, signs of instability are multiplying. The spread between French and German rates, a key indicator of investor confidence, has doubled in a year to exceed 80 basis points. This signal reflects a riskier perception of French debt and could increase the cost of financing. In this climate of uncertainty, Bercy must find the right balance. Will the AFT’s strategy, based on predictability, regularity, and flexibility, be enough to avoid an excessive rise in interest rates? With only a few days until the first auctions, pressure is mounting on financial officials, while investors are waiting for guarantees on the country’s budgetary stability.

Bernard Arnault's fortune, the French luxury magnate and CEO of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, took a heavy hit in 2024, losing $31.9 billion in a single year due to the drop in stock prices.

Between a provocative Trump and an inflexible Fed, the economy wobbles. Interest rates rise, prices soar, and nerves fray.

Amid revolutionary announcements, technological developments, and regulatory upheavals, the crypto ecosystem continues to prove that it is both a territory of limitless innovations and a battleground of regulatory and economic conflicts. Here is a summary of the most notable news from the past week regarding Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance, Solana, and Ripple.

Taiwanese youth are enjoying life as if nothing were happening. Yet, the threat of a Chinese invasion has never been more present. And when the Chinese Communist Party launches the offensive, we will officially enter a 3rd world war.