ThreeHornBlasts

The Essence of APR: A Simple but Limited Indicator
Returns in cryptocurrency investments are primarily represented by two metrics: APR and APY. APR refers to the annual simple interest rate and does not include the effects of compounding. This metric is commonly seen in staking, lending, and liquidity provision activities, but accurately understanding what this number signifies is the first step toward maximizing your earnings.
APR is a concept borrowed from traditional financial products, indicating the linear return on principal over one year. It is particularly useful as a comparison metric in scenarios where compounding is not applied or frequent withdrawals are expected. However, behind this advantage lies an important pitfall.

On-chain data platform Glassnode indicates that the market is showing persistent bear market signals, with long-term holders accelerating the realization of loss positions, and capital inflows slowing down, suggesting a shift in investor sentiment. The simultaneous display of a wait-and-see attitude and stop-loss behaviors reflects a weakening of market participants' patience. These are typical symptoms of a bear market, indicating that prices may remain subdued for an extended period.

2026 is poised to be a turning point for Japan's financial industry. Last November, the three megabanks—Mitsui Sumitomo Bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, and Mizuho Bank—jointly announced their stablecoin initiative, which is not just about developing a new product but symbolizes the integration of the existing financial system with blockchain technology. The regulatory transition to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA) is also accelerating, bringing about a phase where bank subsidiaries' cryptocurrency businesses are becoming a reality.
Isao Keio, Executive Managing Director (Group CDIO) of Mitsui Sumitomo Financial Group, is at the forefront of these developments as a promoter of digitalization and financial innovation. What emerges from his statements is how traditional financial institutions are responding to technological innovation and...

As shown by the latest data from DefiLlama, real-world asset (RWA) protocols have made remarkable progress over the past few months. They have surpassed decentralized exchanges (DEX) and climbed to the 5th position in total value locked (TVL) within the decentralized finance sector. This phenomenon, which has grown to a scale comparable to lending, liquid staking, bridging, and re-staking, symbolizes the increasing interest from institutional investors.
Of particular note is the fact that RWA TVL has rapidly expanded from $12 billion in Q4 2024 to approximately $17 billion. According to DefiLlama, at the beginning of the year, RWA was not even in the top 10 categories.

Warren Buffett's departure from Berkshire Hathaway marks the end of an era in investing. His remarkable achievements outshine market trends, while successor Greg Abel aims to uphold Buffett’s principles. Amidst market concerns about overvaluation and the rise of AI, the future of investment direction remains uncertain.

2026 is expected to be a pivotal year for Japan's financial system. The full-scale development of a joint stablecoin plan by three mega banks, the transition of regulatory oversight to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (金商法), which will allow bank subsidiaries to engage in cryptocurrency asset operations, and the trends of asset tokenization and on-chainization are fundamentally transforming traditional banking functions.
Mr. Kieo Iso, Group CDIO of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, speaks about the future of finance, including digital transformation, stablecoins, and even quantum computing, positioning himself as a leading figure in these changes. During a conference last summer, he mentioned the stablecoin concept with the words, "Let's work together."

The Japanese exchange rate market has recently experienced intense fluctuations, with the USD/JPY rapidly falling from high levels to below 156. Driven by a shift towards a more hawkish official policy stance and rising expectations of interest rate hikes, the long-term trend of yen depreciation has temporarily paused, but the future direction remains uncertain.
Policy Signal Shift: Japanese Authorities Turn Hawkish
In late November, Japanese government officials publicly stated that they would strengthen monitoring of exchange rate fluctuations and indicated readiness to take appropriate measures for market intervention at any time. This statement quickly heightened market vigilance, prompting market participants to reassess the possible policy direction of the Bank of Japan.
According to informed sources, the Bank of Japan is fully preparing for a possible rate hike as early as December. As hawkish expectations intensify, the USD/JPY exchange rate has responded with a correction, and market sentiment has experienced a noticeable shift.
The True Decider of Japan's Interest Rate Decision: The Federal Reserve
The upcoming Bank of Japan meeting scheduled for December 19...

On September 18th, the Federal Reserve announced a 50 basis point cut in the federal funds rate to the 4.75%-5.00% range, marking the first rate cut since March 2020. The market was buzzing—some are hopeful for a new bull market, while others worry about a recession. So the question is: is a rate cut good news or a trap for the stock market? How will stocks in different industries perform?
Why cut rates now?
Basically, it’s because the economy is a bit weak. The unemployment rate has risen from 3.80% in March this year to 4.30% in July, triggering a "recession warning." Manufacturing PMI has been in contraction for five consecutive months, and the Federal Reserve even downgraded this year's GDP forecast from 2.1% to 2.0%.
The core logic of rate cuts boils down to five points: economic slowdown needs stimulation, deflation needs to be hedged, financial market instability requires liquidity, external pressures need buffering, and emergency situations (pandemics, disasters) need urgent relief. This time, the Federal Reserve

Yen and US Dollar, should you buy both? Check the exchange rate first before deciding
As of December 10, 2025, the Taiwan dollar to Japanese Yen is approximately 4.85, and to US Dollar is about 32.5. Many Taiwanese investors face the same dilemma: is it more profitable to exchange for Yen or US Dollars now? The answer to this question actually depends on your investment goals, risk tolerance, and your judgment of the global economic trend.
Since the beginning of the year, the Yen has appreciated about 8.7% against the Taiwan dollar, and the US Dollar has appreciated about 6.2%. Both have performed well, but the underlying logic is completely different.
The Japanese Yen has long been considered one of the three major safe-haven currencies (the other two are the US Dollar and Swiss Franc). When global markets are turbulent, funds tend to flow into Yen. During the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, the Yen appreciated 8% in one week, while the stock market fell 10%. This demonstrates the power of safe-haven assets. Now, with increased volatility in the Taiwan stock market, exchanging for Yen has become an option for many investors to hedge risks.
The US Dollar is a hard currency and the primary choice for global settlements.

What is a Moving Average? What are the classification methods? How to correctly set up and use MA for trading? This article will delve into the principles, calculation methods, parameter selection, and practical application techniques of moving averages, helping traders master this fundamental yet powerful technical tool.
1. Definition and Core Concepts of Moving Averages
The Moving Average (MA) is also called the "均線" (average line). It is obtained by summing the closing prices over a specific period and then dividing by the number of days in that period. Its calculation logic is very intuitive:
Calculation formula: N-day Moving Average = Sum of closing prices over N days ÷ N
For example, a 5-day moving average is the arithmetic mean of the closing prices of the past 5 trading days. As time progresses, each time a new trading day occurs, the oldest data is discarded, and the new day's data is added, and so on. Connecting these continuous averages with a line,

In the cyclical evolution of the capital markets, "bull markets" and "bear markets" cycle back and forth like tides, and are inevitable market phenomena that investors must face. Many investors enjoy the prosperity of bull markets but reveal strategic vulnerabilities during bear market tests. Understanding the essence of bear markets and how to respond is a key topic in an investment career.
Bear Market Definition and Classification
A bear market (Bear Market) refers to a market condition where the price of the underlying asset drops more than 20% from its high point. This downward trend can last from several months to several years. Conversely, when prices rise more than 20% from a low point, it is called a bull market (Bull Market).
The U.S. stock market in 2022 is a typical example: the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell from 36,952.65 points on January 5 to below 29,562.12 in mid-September, and finally closed at 29,260.81 on September 26, marking the official entry into a bear market zone.

As the world's second-largest trading currency, the euro has not had a peaceful day since it officially entered circulation in 2002. The 2008 financial crisis, the Eurozone debt crisis, the Russia-Ukraine war... each major event has left a deep mark on the trend of the US dollar exchange rate. Want to buy the euro at a low? First, understand what has happened in these 20 years to see the profit opportunities in the next 5 years clearly.
The three most chaotic moments: A 20-year overview of the euro's market
The great crash of 2008: the historical high of 1.6038
In July 2008, the euro soared to 1.6038 against the dollar, then plummeted rapidly. This was no coincidence—the US subprime mortgage crisis spread from Wall Street to all of Europe.
What happened at that time? Major financial institutions suffered losses one after another, and the pressure on the European banking system increased sharply. After Lehman's bankruptcy, counterparty risk became the most terrifying term in the financial world, and global credit froze. Companies and consumers couldn't borrow money, and the economy further declined.

When it comes to technical analysis, many people's first reaction is to think of all kinds of colorful lines. But actually, the most practical one is often the simplest — the moving average line.
Why use moving averages? Understand this first.
Many beginners think that moving averages are useless, but that's because they're using them incorrectly. The core function of a moving average is simple: to help you see the trend direction clearly and find suitable entry and exit points.
Rather than saying that the moving average is a forecasting tool, it's better to say that it is a price "smoother." It sums up the closing prices of the past N trading days and divides by N. What's the benefit of doing this? It can eliminate short-term noise and help you see the true trend.
For example, a 10-day moving average is the sum of the closing prices of the past 10 trading days divided by 10. This average updates daily, and when connected, it forms the line we see.
You should know: there are actually three types of moving averages.
Many people get confused here. Moving

Current US Stock Dividend Environment Scan
The US stock market in 2024 is experiencing a strong rally, but this has also led to a phenomenon—the dividend yield has actually contracted. The average yield of the S&P 500 index is now only 1.2%, approaching a 20-year low, which is not friendly for investors who rely on dividends as their main income source.
However, the market is not without opportunities. There are still some undervalued value stocks that offer an annual dividend yield of over 5%, even approaching 7%. These stocks are spread across traditional defensive sectors such as energy, real estate investment trusts, and telecommunications. According to the latest data (as of January 23, 2025), we have selected 10 high-yield targets, among which the most outstanding include:
| Stock Name | Code | Expected Annual Dividend Yield | Performance in the Last Five Years |
|---------|------|-----------------|----

Amid escalating geopolitical conflicts and persistent inflationary pressures, gold continues to attract investors as a classic safe-haven asset. In 2024, international gold prices have broken new historical highs, with global central banks net purchasing 1,045 tons of gold, directly supporting the gold price to surpass the $2,700 mark. Many investors are beginning to ask—how can I buy gold in the most cost-effective way?
In addition to traditional physical gold, modern gold investment has evolved into various efficient methods. This article will compare the risks, costs, and returns of five major gold investment channels in depth, helping you find the most suitable trading plan.
Gold Price Fluctuations: Is Now Still a Good Time to Enter?
The gold price trends over the past three years provide ample reference for investors.
Between 2022 and 2023, gold prices experienced significant volatility—dropping from a high of $2,000 to below $1,700, mainly due to geopolitical conflicts and the dual pressure of US Federal Reserve rate hikes. By 2024, the situation

Snoop Dogg's NFT series launched on the Telegram Gifts platform sold out quickly, generating $12 million in sales and driving a 7.75% increase in global NFT trading volume. This event demonstrates his influence in the digital asset space, while the market performance of the Telegram Gifts platform has also been impressive, attracting numerous fans and collectors.

DOT token, as the mainnet token of the Polkadot blockchain network, demonstrates excellent cross-chain interoperability and low transaction costs. Its multi-chain architecture and NPoS consensus mechanism give it a technical edge over Ethereum. However, so far, Polkadot's ecosystem development still lags behind Ethereum. As the ecosystem expands and investors' risk appetite increases, the future potential of DOT token is worth paying attention to.