Freelancer Finance

Business

Amboss Launches RailsX: A Lightning-Native DEX Aiming to Bridge Bitcoin with Global Forex

At the PlanB Forum in El Salvador, Amboss Technologies unveiled RailsX, a novel decentralized exchange that operates entirely over the Lightning Network. The platform seeks to enable peer-to-peer trading of Bitcoin and stablecoins, potentially connecting to the vast foreign exchange market while mitigating custodial and cross-chain risks.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Lido Launches Customizable stVaults, Drawing Linea and Nansen as First Major Adopters

Ethereum's dominant liquid staking protocol, Lido, has launched its modular stVaults on mainnet, enabling protocols and institutions to create tailored staking solutions. Consensys's Linea and analytics firm Nansen were among the first to deploy, signaling a shift towards more flexible staking infrastructure.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Charles Schwab Elevates CIO to Helm Newly Formed Technology and Operations Division

Amid a broader leadership restructuring, financial giant Charles Schwab has appointed its CIO, Dennis Howard, to lead a consolidated unit overseeing technology, operations, and data, signaling a strategic shift to deepen the integration of IT with core business functions.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the Roth Hype: Why Traditional Retirement Accounts May Be the Smarter Tax Move for Many

While Roth accounts dominate the retirement planning conversation, a closer look at current tax laws and long-term income strategies reveals a compelling case for prioritizing pre-tax contributions. We examine the data with an expert and explore what gold's historical returns tell us about diversification.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

S&P Global and Goldman Sachs Boost Shareholder Returns with Latest Dividend Hikes

Two financial sector giants, S&P Global and Goldman Sachs, have announced increased quarterly payouts, signaling confidence in their financial health and future prospects amid a dynamic market environment.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

OpenAI's Reported 2026 IPO: A High-Stakes Test for the AI Investment Frenzy

Sources indicate OpenAI is accelerating plans for a late-2026 public listing, a move that would place its massive cash burn and long road to profitability under intense investor scrutiny, potentially defining the next phase of the AI boom.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Walker & Dunlop's Slide: Three Red Flags for Investors and a Safer Alternative

While the S&P 500 has climbed, Walker & Dunlop shares have tumbled over 14% in six months. We analyze the underlying weaknesses in its financials and highlight a more compelling opportunity for value-focused portfolios.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Standex Bolsters Grid Tech Portfolio with $462M Amran/Narayan Acquisition Amid Record Margins

Standex International reported resilient Q1 2025 earnings with record gross margins above 40%, while announcing a transformative $462 million acquisition of Amran/Narayan Group, a leader in instrument transformers, aiming to double its exposure to fast-growing electrical infrastructure markets.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Wall Street's Bearish Bets: One Undervalued Stock to Watch, Two to Sidestep

Analyst sell ratings are rare on Wall Street, making them noteworthy when they appear. We examine one such case where pessimism may have gone too far, creating a potential opportunity, alongside two stocks where the cautious outlook appears justified.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Value Traps: Three 'Bargain' Stocks That May Not Be Worth the Risk

While the allure of finding the next undervalued gem is strong, some stocks trading at low multiples may be cheap for a reason. We examine three companies where fundamental challenges could outweigh their seemingly attractive valuations.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Mixed Fortunes for Banking Giants: Citigroup Lags as Peers Navigate Q4 Headwinds

The fourth-quarter earnings season for diversified banks revealed a tale of divergence. While PNC Financial surprised to the upside, industry titan Citigroup fell short of expectations, highlighting the uneven pressures facing the sector.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Sales & Marketing Software Sector's Q3: Strong Results Meet Skeptical Market

While the sales and marketing software segment broadly exceeded revenue expectations in Q3, investor sentiment has turned sour, with most stocks falling post-earnings. We analyze the divergent performances of Upland Software, Sprinklr, DoubleVerify, PubMatic, and Sprout Social.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Heavy Industry's New Power Play: Rooftop Solar Emerges as Key Tool for Cost and Carbon Reduction

Driven by falling costs and strong incentives, heavy manufacturing is increasingly turning to on-site solar power. This shift is transforming large factory roofs from passive structures into strategic assets for cutting energy bills and emissions.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Visa, Mastercard Remain Skeptical of Stablecoins for Mainstream Payments, Despite Crypto's Promise

The world's largest payment networks are taking a measured approach to stablecoins for everyday consumer transactions, citing a lack of clear demand in developed markets and emphasizing their role as infrastructure providers rather than disruptors.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Brian Armstrong was snubbed by top executives from the biggest U.S. banks in Davos

Stablecoin rewards and the Clarity Act widen the divide between crypto and TradFi, according to people who spoke with the WSJ.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

New York Sees Uptick in Jobless Claims Amid Mixed National Picture

Weekly unemployment filings in New York state rose last week, contrasting with a slight national decline and highlighting regional economic disparities.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Nelnet's Dividend Pledge and Growth Trajectory Spark Investor Debate on Valuation

Nelnet (NNI) reaffirms its commitment to shareholders with a steady dividend, backed by strong historical revenue growth and share buybacks. Yet, a closer look reveals a complex valuation picture, with contrasting signals from its P/E ratio and discounted cash flow model, leaving analysts divided on the stock's true worth.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Diana Shipping (DSX) in the Spotlight: How Revised Analyst Targets Are Redefining the Investment Narrative

A wave of updated price targets from Wall Street analysts is prompting investors to reassess Diana Shipping Inc. The shifting forecasts reflect changing views on dry bulk shipping fundamentals and the company's strategic position, moving the stock's story beyond recent quarters.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Precious Metals Plunge: Gold Sees Worst Day in Decades, Silver Crashes 20% as Rally Unravels

A historic rally in gold and silver reversed violently on Friday, with gold futures plummeting over 10% in their sharpest decline since the 1980s and silver recording its largest single-day drop ever, amid a broader market sell-off.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

From Fitness App to Fuel Pumps: How Kayla Itsines' Gas Station Investment Outshines Her $400M Tech Exit

After selling her fitness platform Sweat for $400 million, entrepreneur Kayla Itsines reveals her most reliable cash flow comes from an unexpected asset: a petrol station. The self-made millionaire advocates for diversification beyond the digital realm.

Jan 30, 2026