December Week 3 - 2023

MUSIC RESET
Diddy's Empire in Crisis As Brands Sever Ties Amidst Sexual Abuse Allegations

Sean Combs, renowned as P. Diddy, faces a severe downturn in his career as a slew of sexual abuse allegations has prompted him to step down from his chairman position at Revolt. The repercussions are rippling through his business ventures as 18 industry giants are cutting ties with the hip-hop icon.

The allegations stem from his ex-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie Ventura, who accused Diddy of sexual assault and physical violence, as reported by Rolling Stone. This has led 18 brands to disassociate themselves from the platform, emphasizing solidarity with victims and the gravity of the accusations.

Luxury fashion label House of Takura, founded by Annette Njau, voiced strong condemnation of the alleged activities, severing ties with Diddy. The fallout extends to Empower Global, a platform backed by Diddy with a $20 million investment. Despite the much-anticipated launch last July, the recent allegations have triggered an unexpected decline in support.

Rebecca Allen, founder of a high-end footwear company, had already planned to sever ties with Empower Global due to its lackluster performance. The recent allegations exacerbated the situation, prompting several brands to withdraw support from the platform.

Empower Global, operating similarly to Amazon with subscription fees and marketplace charges, faces challenges as brands scrutinize their association amid allegations. Some companies are holding on for now, citing various reasons, but remain vigilant, ready to cut ties if the situation worsens.

In response, Diddy issued a statement asserting his intent to defend himself, emphasizing a private settlement with Cassie without admitting guilt. Beyond his music career, Diddy's diverse business interests, from Sean John apparel to investments in AQUAhydrate water and partnerships with Diageo, are now under scrutiny. Reports suggest Diageo is attempting to prevent Diddy from featuring in DeLéon tequila ads using marketing funds, concerned about potential damage to the brand's reputation. As Diddy battles legal and reputational challenges, the future of his multifaceted empire hangs in the balance.

CRYPTO RESET
Can The Bitcoin Million Dollar Odyssey Happen In Days to Weeks?

As the cryptocurrency market heats up, a prophecy is stirring. According to Jan3 CEO Samson Mow, the elusive $1 million mark for Bitcoin might not be a distant dream. Instead, it could skyrocket in just "days or weeks" following the potential approval of a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF).

Mow attributes this surge to an impending avalanche of institutional capital, he likened it to a "torrent of money" coming after a limited Bitcoin supply on exchanges. This flood of capital could propel Bitcoin to unprecedented heights very quickly.

Mow gives us a vivid analogy: "Money printing is like boiling the water very slowly; it takes years for that to permeate the economy." However, with a spot Bitcoin ETF approval, he sees a rapid ascent to a $1 million dollar valuation.

While everyone seems to compare this coming rally to historical Bitcoin rallies, Mow make a very valid point, that unlike the leisurely nine-month surge in 2017, this impending rally could unfold in a hyper accelerated way. The catalyst? The approval of Bitcoin ETFs, expected to unleash a financial avalanche. In the past rallies 99% of the capital came from retail fomo, this rally will have the most amount of institutional capital bitcoin has ever experienced.

Let’s not forget, there are 2 million bitcoin left to be mined, and there are 22 million millionaires who will need to secure at least one bitcoin.

So as we await the regulatory nod for a spot Bitcoin ETF, the crypto world braces for a potential explosion in price, where Bitcoin's value could surge to unprecedented heights in the blink of eye. 😎🚀🏦💰

TECH RESET
Musk's Rollercoaster From Triumph to Turmoil

The Rise and Fall of Elon Musk's Empire

Elon Musk, the once-unstoppable force behind Tesla and SpaceX, now finds himself at the mercy of a turbulent financial storm. From 2019 to 2022, Musk's Midas touch seemed infallible. Tesla was consistently profitable, SpaceX garnered public fascination, and Musk himself was Time's 2021 Person of the Year.

However, the tide turned at The New York Times Dealbook Conference, where Musk displayed signs of trouble. In an interview, he clashed with key figures who hold Twitter's fate and struggled to answer pivotal questions about his companies' future. This erratic behavior signals a stark shift in Musk's fortunes.

A Trip Down 2018's Memory Lane

To comprehend Musk's recent downturn, we revisit 2018, a year of chaos for him. Tesla's future hinged on the Model 3, causing immense pressure. Musk's frustration surfaced during earnings calls, where he dismissed financial queries as "boring" and eventually pleaded with investors to sell Tesla stock.

Musk's erratic Twitter activity mirrored his professional challenges. He engaged in public spats, notably labeling a diver involved in a rescue mission a "pedo guy." Despite this turmoil, Tesla found an unexpected savior in the Chinese Communist Party, facilitating the swift construction of the Shanghai Gigafactory and salvaging the company.

Twitter: A Risky Gamble

Fast forward to 2022, Musk's audacious attempt to "fix" free speech led to his acquisition of Twitter. However, the platform's troubles now jeopardize Musk's interconnected empire. Twitter's mounting debt and Musk's cash-poor status put Tesla's fate at risk.

Musk's financial juggling act involves using Tesla stock to secure personal loans. If Tesla's stock falters, these loans could be called in, spelling financial disaster for Musk. Compounding the issue, Musk's borrowing from SpaceX and the changing economic landscape add complexity to his precarious situation.

Bleak Outlook for Musk's Reality

As global interest rates rise and Musk grapples with a shrinking EV market share for Tesla, his financial challenges intensify. Musk's ambitions to reshape free speech collide with the economic headwinds, making his reality vulnerable to collapse.

Despite Musk's historic ability to defy odds, the convergence of economic factors, Twitter's woes, and Tesla's challenges create a perfect storm. The only salvation for Musk's empire might be an acknowledgment of vulnerability and a strategic retreat from high-risk ventures. Wall Street awaits Musk's next move, and the future of his interconnected world hangs in the balance.

In Musk's tumultuous universe, where every business thread is woven together by money, the stakes have never been higher. Will Elon Musk's luck shift once more, or is this the beginning of a downfall for the famed entrepreneur?

DISCLAIMER:
This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions or investments. Please be careful and do your own research.