Goldman Sachs breaks down the 15 most influential debates that defined 2025 and are set to continue rippling through 2026. From market dynamics to policy discussions, these debates are reshaping how we think about the financial landscape. Whether you're tracking emerging trends or positioning your portfolio, understanding these pivotal conversations is crucial for navigating what comes next.

The artificial intelligence arms race is reshaping the energy landscape in ways we haven't seen before. Power consumption is skyrocketing, and analysts are warning that demand in the US will accelerate dramatically—we're talking about 5 to 10 times faster growth over the coming decade compared to what we saw in the 2010s.
This isn't just about data centers and server farms anymore. The infrastructure requirements are massive, and the ripple effects are already being felt across industries. For those following blockchain and crypto markets, this energy crisis has real implications for mining op

Oil prices are showing signs of a technical recovery, which could have broader implications for risk appetite across markets. When crude rebounds on technical setups, it typically signals renewed confidence in global economic activity—a factor that historically influences how traders rotate between risk assets, including digital currencies.
This kind of commodity price movement matters. Oil serves as a barometer for investor sentiment about growth prospects. A technical recovery here could ease some inflation concerns and potentially support riskier assets. For crypto traders and portfolios he

Russia's mining policies are taking new steps. According to reports, the Russian government plans to implement a year-round permanent ban on crypto mining in the southern part of the Republic of Buryatia and the Trans-Baikal Territory, with the measures expected to take effect officially from 2026.
What does this mean? In the past, these two regions only imposed temporary restrictions during peak winter electricity usage periods. Now, they are moving toward a full-year ban. This escalation from seasonal regulation to an all-year prohibition reflects Russia's ongoing concern over the energy con

Here's something worth chewing on: pack more fundamentals into your thesis, and you're actually opening the door to more ways things can fall apart. More data points? More ammunition for the bearish crowd to work with.
But here's the catch—flying completely blind isn't the answer either. You need fundamentals, just not *all of them*.
The real sweet spot? Looking at *future* fundamentals instead. That's where the edge lives. Current metrics can trap you, but understanding what's coming down the pipeline? That's where smart money positions itself. Stop obsessing over today's numbers. Start askin

The holiday season is hitting different this year—and not in a good way. AI technology is making scammers smarter than ever, and the uptick in digital fraud during peak shopping months is impossible to ignore.
What's changing? Artificial intelligence is turbocharging phishing campaigns, deepfake scams, and fake customer service interactions. Attackers are deploying AI to craft highly personalized messages that feel eerily authentic. They're mimicking trusted brands, creating convincing imposter accounts, and automating social engineering at scale.
Crypto holders and digital asset investors fac

The latest escalation in US-Venezuela relations is heating up the geopolitical landscape. With increased pressure on sanctioned oil shipments, energy markets are feeling the pressure—and you know what that means for inflation expectations and broader asset correlations.
When crude supply tightens, inflation risks creep back into the conversation. And in this environment, smart traders are already positioning: some view this as a push toward alternative assets, others see it strengthening the case for inflation hedges. Commodities, energy stocks, even uncorrelated assets like crypto are back in

Machine orders at the heart of the Japanese economy in October reveal an interesting dynamic. The monthly change rate reached 7.0%, significantly surpassing market expectations which anticipated a decrease of 1.8%, compared to the previous growth of 4.2%. On an annual basis, the trend is even more pronounced with a 12.5% increase, also exceeding the forecast of 3.6% and confirming a slight acceleration compared to the 11.6% recorded the previous month. These figures suggest a sustained recovery of the Japanese manufacturing sector.

Spotted an interesting token movement on Base chain: BLM is gaining traction on Uniswap with some noteworthy activity over the past day. The numbers tell an interesting story—buy volume hit $15,188 while sell volume came in at $6,901, showing more aggressive buying pressure. Liquidity sitting at $20,691 supports decent trading depth, and current market cap stands at $36,562. The token contract (0x42FBC14879C66CE97D1FB53F74e61BE6974cd743) is live on the Base network. Whether you're tracking emerging tokens or doing due diligence, these metrics give you a snapshot of trading dynamics. The buy-to

U.S. lawmakers push for stronger action against AI-powered fraud schemes. According to recent statements, prominent senators have called on major tech companies to implement more rigorous safeguards and detection systems to prevent artificial intelligence from being weaponized in scam operations.
The concern centers on how bad actors are increasingly leveraging AI technology to execute sophisticated fraud campaigns—a trend that's become particularly relevant in the crypto and blockchain space. From deepfakes to automated phishing attacks, the vulnerability window continues to expand. These law

Tesla just hit a major stock milestone after nearly a year of buildup. The rally reflects broader sentiment in risk assets—something crypto traders have been watching closely as traditional equities and digital markets continue to show correlation patterns. When mega-cap tech stocks like this reach significant price levels, it often signals shifts in investor risk appetite that ripple across different asset classes. Worth monitoring how this development influences market dynamics in the coming weeks.

What can decades of market cycles teach us? A seasoned hedge fund manager recently broke down some crucial lessons from financial history that might reshape how you think about current market conditions.
Market patterns aren't random. They repeat—sometimes in obvious ways, sometimes disguised by different narratives. The fund manager highlighted how investor psychology, greed cycles, and fear spirals have shaped major market moves across decades. Today's volatile crypto markets? Same old playbook, different asset class.
The key takeaway: understanding historical precedent matters. Whether you'

When automated computing power can drive technological breakthroughs without human intervention, and most of the profits are reinvested into developing more powerful systems, the rate of wealth growth could reach unprecedented levels in history.
This logic is especially worth considering today. Imagine if the computing efficiency in key areas such as AI training, blockchain validation, and data processing continuously improves itself, with each cycle's profits used to build the next generation of more robust infrastructure, then the entire system's expansion would exhibit exponential growth. T

The latest data is turning heads: fund managers are sitting on the lowest cash levels in years, a move that perfectly captures the current market mood. This isn't just noise—sentiment has climbed to its highest point in four years.
What does this tell us? When institutions park less dry powder, it usually means two things. First, they've already committed capital into positions, betting that the upside justifies holding instead of hedging. Second, the psychological shift is real. Fear has taken a backseat.
For crypto investors and traders tracking macro correlations, this pattern matters. Whet

The labor market is showing cracks. Recent data points to a widening pool of unemployed Americans, and that's worth paying attention to if you're thinking about macro trends and asset allocation.
Here's why this matters: when unemployment ticks up, it typically signals economic slowdown. Consumers tighten spending, corporate earnings face pressure, and risk appetite takes a hit. We've seen this movie before.
Now, for crypto and Web3 specifically—economic stress doesn't always mean downside for digital assets. Sometimes it's the opposite. Inflation fears, currency debasement concerns, geopoliti

Fed officials continue to signal that inflation remains the primary concern heading forward. Bostic's recent remarks underscore how price pressures still represent a clearer and more pressing risk compared to other economic headwinds. This stance shapes market expectations around rate trajectories and liquidity conditions. For crypto participants monitoring macro trends, such policy signals matter—they influence capital flows, yield expectations, and risk appetite across digital asset markets. Keep an eye on how Fed communications evolve as economic data rolls in.

European authorities are currently investigating a potential cyber intrusion targeting computer systems aboard a vessel operated by MSC-Mediterranean Shipping Company SA—the globe's leading container shipping operator. Intelligence sources indicate Russian military-affiliated hackers may be behind the breach. The investigation underscores growing concerns about cyber threats targeting critical maritime infrastructure and global supply chains. Such incidents highlight vulnerabilities across essential sectors and their broader implications for international commerce and security resilience.

The race to pick the next Fed Chair is heating up, and Kevin Hassett, the White House's top economic adviser, was looking like the clear frontrunner to succeed Jerome Powell. But here's the twist—just when things seemed locked in, his candidacy hit some unexpected turbulence down the stretch. Market observers are watching closely to see how this shifts, since whoever lands the Fed's top job will shape monetary policy for years to come.

The wellness sector in China is experiencing remarkable momentum these days, standing out as one of the few growth engines in an otherwise challenging retail landscape. While traditional retail continues to face headwinds and consumer spending remains cautious across most sectors, the health and wellness industry is bucking the trend with strong momentum. This boom reflects shifting consumer priorities—people are increasingly willing to spend on health supplements, fitness, beauty tech, and preventative wellness products. The contrast is striking: as mainstream retail struggles with sluggish d

Oil's taking a real hit right now—prices have slumped to levels we haven't seen since early 2021, and there's more pressure building. The supply surplus everyone saw coming is finally materializing in a big way, which is weighing heavy on the commodities complex. On top of that, we're seeing some actual progress in Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations, which is easing geopolitical risk premiums that had been baked into energy costs.
When crude tumbles like this, it ripples through everything—inflation expectations ease up, and that typically flows into broader market sentiment. Worth watching if