Markets and healthcare providers are bracing for a potential policy shift that could pull cannabis deeper into the U.S. medical and financial system, as President Donald Trump prepares to sign an executive order that would significantly widen legal access to the drug.
Industry executives and analysts say the move could unlock new capital flows, reshape treatment options for seniors and redraw competitive lines between cannabis producers and major pharmaceutical companies. Investors have already begun positioning for change, betting that federal backing could lift valuations across the sector.
At the center of the proposal is a plan to reclassify marijuana under the Drug Enforcement Administration from Schedule I to Schedule III. That change would move cannabis out of the same category as heroin and LSD and place it alongside drugs such as Tylenol with codeine. Trump said on Monday he is “strongly” weighing the shift, arguing it would open the door to scientific research that has long been restricted.
The expected order would also launch a pilot program allowing Medicare to reimburse certain cannabis products for older Americans. According to industry lawyers, the coverage would focus on cannabidiol or CBD products marketed for conditions such as chronic pain and sleep disorders.
“I expect the executive order will make clear what kind of cannabinoids are covered, that they have to come from a federally legal source,” said Shawn Hauser, a partner at cannabis focused law firm Vicente LLP.
For the business community, the implications stretch far beyond consumer access. A Schedule III designation would ease banking restrictions and remove tax rules that prevent cannabis firms from deducting ordinary expenses. That alone could improve profitability and attract institutional investors who have avoided the sector because of federal illegality.
“The valuation of the sector will be worth a lot more because institutional investors will be allowed in, will have access and will have liquidity, and exchanges will trade them,” said Timothy Seymour, founder and chief investment officer of Seymour Asset Management. “That immediately could double or triple the sector.”
Optimism around federal action has already driven sharp stock moves. Shares of Tilray Brands and Canopy Growth surged late last week as speculation about rescheduling and Medicare coverage intensified.
The healthcare impact, however, remains contested. While CBD products have spread rapidly into mainstream retail, the Food and Drug Administration has approved only one cannabis based drug, Epidiolex, and only for rare forms of epilepsy. Critics warn that reimbursing seniors for largely unproven treatments could carry medical and financial risks.
“It’s not at all based on science. This is all based on money, and it’s egregious. That’s not the way we make medical decisions,” said Meg Haney, director of the Cannabis Research Laboratory at Columbia University.
Supporters counter that rescheduling is essential to build the very evidence regulators are demanding. “Medical research has effectively been under lock and key,” said Ryan Vandrey, a Johns Hopkins University professor who helps run its Cannabis Science Lab. “Schedule I makes large, placebo-controlled trials incredibly difficult.”
The Medicare proposal has also drawn political scrutiny. House Speaker Mike Johnson has raised concerns about cost and liability, while FDA officials argue that reimbursing treatments without full approval would be unprecedented. The White House has not commented on the expected order.
Behind the push is billionaire financier Howard Kessler, a longtime Trump ally whose Commonwealth Project advocates cannabis use in senior care. Advocates want a pilot program to collect real world data rather than waiting years for traditional clinical trials.
From a European business perspective, the debate highlights how regulatory decisions can rapidly reprice entire industries. The U.S. cannabis market grew sharply last year, and global sales of cannabis derived products are projected to reach $160 billion by 2032. Federal endorsement could accelerate consolidation, with larger pharmaceutical firms and well capitalized cannabis operators emerging as likely winners.
“You are going to see more consolidation in the sector,” Seymour said. “Smaller companies that have good businesses, that are profitable … are probably going to be seen as targets.”
Whether the executive order ultimately delivers on its promise remains uncertain. But for investors, healthcare leaders and policymakers alike, the decision signals that cannabis may be moving from the regulatory fringe toward the center of the U.S. economic and medical system.
Since early 2023, hundreds of thousands of Israelis have demonstrated against Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu and his cabinet, due to its proposed judicial reforms, the handling of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the Gaza genocide. So, why is he still in power?
Recently, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubled down on his request to President Isaac Herzog for a pardon amid his ongoing criminal trial, saying “there is no case there.”
To avoid prosecution for corruption, Netanyahu needs to hang onto power and keep the war activities going.
Indeed, Netanyahu is very much in the game of Israeli politics as he was in early 2023 when the huge Israeli mass demonstrations started against his far-right cabinet’s proposed “judicial reforms,” which seek to transform the secular democracy into a Jewish autocracy, and against the genocidal atrocities in Gaza, including the escalating ethnic cleansing in the West Bank.
The mass protests garnered hundreds of thousands of protesters, but could not fully halt the reforms. Little by little, Israeli democracy, which serves primarily its Jewish population, is crumbling.
To avoid prosecution for corruption, Netanyahu needs to hang onto power and keep the war activities going. How is this status quo even possible? The simple answer is: revisionist Zionism, U.S.-style neoconservatism, hard right politics, Big Money, dark donors and of course – corruption.
Revisionist Zionism
Born in Israel but growing up in Philadelphia, Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu (1949–) is the longest-serving prime minister in Israel’s history. He sees himself as an activist of Zion, like his grandfather Nathan Mileikowsky. While Netanyahu’s grandfather and father had a role in revisionist Zionism, he put himself into its center.
Mileikowsky, the Russian-born rabbi and early Zionist champion, was known for his advocacy against socialist Zionism and anti-Zionists. After migration to Israel, he raised funds abroad for the Yishuv, or the pre-state Israel, and cooperated with rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, the founding father of Religious Zionism. In turn, the rebbe’s son, rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook, is the revered spiritual father of Israel’s violent settlers and the Messianic far-right.
One of Mileikowsky’s sons was Benzion Mileikowsky (who later adopted his father’s pen name as his last name), a medieval historian and onetime deputy assistant to Ze’ev Jabotinsky, the pioneer of revisionist Zionism.
Benzion (“the son of Zion” in Hebrew) befriended extremist revisionists such as Abba Ahimeir, who wanted to create a fascist state in Palestine, promoted “Il Duce” salutes and was one of the likely assassins of the Zionist labor leader Haim Arlosoroff.
But instead of a revisionist Zionist revolution, Benzion eventually opted for an academic career in America, returning to Israel only in the ’70s.
Netanyahu’s Web of Revisionist Zionism
Source: Steinbock. 2024. The Fall of Israel. Clarity Press.
Building on his master treatise, Origins of the Inquisition in 15th Century Spain, Benzion saw Jewish history as a series of holocausts. He shunned the long period of Spanish history of Convivencia (Spanish, “living together”) from the Muslim Umayyad conquest of Hispania in the early 8th century until the expulsion of the Jews in 1492. In the Moorish Iberian kingdoms, the Muslims, Christians and Jews lived in relative peace.
This period of religious diversity and tolerance – captured wonderfully by Maria Rosa Menocal in The Ornament of the World: How Muslims, Jews and Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in Medieval Spain (2002) – differed drastically from the subsequent Spanish and Portuguese history when Catholicism became the sole religion in the Iberian Peninsula, following expulsions and forced conversions.
Benzion Netanyahu fully shared Jabotinsky’s insistence on the creation of an “Iron Wall” between Israel and its Arab neighbors. The Oslo Accords, Netanyahu’s aging father complained, were “the beginning of the end of the Jewish state.” So, after Israel’s disengagement from Gaza, he supported its reinvasion, “even if it brings us years of war.” And to the end of his long life, he stuck to the European orientalist bias:
The tendency to conflict is the essence of the Arab. He is an enemy by essence…. His existence is one of perpetual war.
Benjamin Netanyahu, his son, is the product of both American and Jewish worlds. But unlike the father, he had little interest in academic dreams. He saw himself as a revolutionary. He wanted to overthrow the Labor Zionists to realize a Greater Israel.
Israel didn’t need bleeding-heart socialists. Eretz Israel needed tough Jews. The country needed him.
Hard Right
Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu is his own man, but he was heavily influenced by his father. Like his older brother Yonatan who lost his life in the 1976 Entebbe raid to release Jewish hostages, Bibi served with distinction in Sayeret Matkal, an elite reconnaissance unit of the Israeli military.
After studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and working as a consultant for the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), his political career took off in the late 1980s, when he served as Israel’s permanent UN representative, at which time I met him in mid-Manhattan.
These were the formative years of the U.S. neoconservative movement, many of whose ideas he shared. Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., Moshe Arens, a scientist, veteran Likud politician and ex-Irgun operative, paved Netanyahu’s path to the corridors of power in Washington.
Seemingly unassuming, shrewd, fast and smart, and well-trained in American-style communications, Netanyahu was a natural to succeed Likud’s old guard; Menahem Begin, the former leader of the terrorist Irgun group, and Yitzhak Shamir, the ex-head of the terrorist Stern group.
With a giant ego and penchant for self-aggrandizement, he knew his moment had come, even if he would first have to overcome Likud dinosaurs like Shamir, and the Likud princelings: “The dinosaurs are dying out and the princes are too blue-blooded to fight for the crown. I’ll get there.”
Netanyahu’s leadership in Likud started in the aftermath of Rabin’s assassination, thanks in part to the incendiary political climate his campaign permitted to fester in 1995. Vocal critics of the Oslo Accords, Netanyahu and his party had participated in demonstrations where effigies of Rabin were displayed in Nazi uniforms and burned.
When Rabin was buried, his wife Leah was glad to meet PLO’s Yasser Arafat, but she kept a cold distance toward Netanyahu. She accused the young and ambitious opposition leader and his Likud party of the climate of incitement.
Setting aside the extreme political climate, there was also another reason to Netanyahu’s election win. He hired Arthur Finkelstein to run his campaign. The legendary Republican political operative had sold presidents Nixon and Reagan to America. He was known for his repetitive, hard-edged campaigns, which idolized his candidates by tarnishing their adversaries.
Like in the U.S., the scaremongering worked well in Israel.
Big money and US-Israeli neoconservatism
In Israel, Irving Moskowitz was among the major U.S. billionaires funding Jewish settlements in the occupied territories, Messianic religious schools and universities, Jewish far-right groups and paramilitary activities.
Moskowitz was not only Netanyahu’s donor and one of the many in his “millionaire list.” He was also an associate of the right-wing Ariel Center for Policy Research, a hardline advocacy group espousing the Likud line on Israeli security. In the United States, he was among the funders of major neoconservative think tanks promoting the War on Terror and hardline Israel-centric Middle East policies, including the Hudson Institute, the neoconservative American Enterprise Institute (AEI), and the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA).
Along with other pivotal financiers, Moskowitz contributed to the rise of neoconservatism in America, and the movement’s many Jewish leaders who shared the ideas of revisionist Zionism, including Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Perle, Robert Kagan, William Kristol, and so on.
Led by Kristol and Kagan, neoconservatives founded their think tank, Project for the New American Century (PNAC) with a view to sustaining America’s unipolar moment for decades to come. Whatever was in the interest of Israel, according to Netanyahu’s Likud, was in the national interest of America.
Other donors followed, including the casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson. For some two decades until his death in 2021, when Forbes estimated his net worth at $35 billion, Adelson was a major sponsor of Netanyahu and kingmaker among the Republicans who helped fund Trump’s drive to the White House.
Israeli neocon manifesto
Thanks to their commonalities, the neoconservatives in the U.S. and the Israeli hard-right Likud party cooperated in a policy document, A Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm, described as “a kind of U.S.-Israeli neoconservative manifesto.”
Published in 1996, the report called for a muscular U.S. Middle East policy to defend Israeli interests, including the removal of Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq (which ensued in 2003), a proxy war in Syria (which followed in 2011), rejection of any Israeli-Palestinian solution that would include a Palestinian state (one of the Trump administration’s motives for pursuing the 2020 Abraham Accords), among other things.
Membership in the neoconservative club had its benefits: it made Netanyahu rich. Despite his lofty legal fees, estimates of Netanyahu’s wealth amounted up to some $50 million, already a decade ago. But precise, verifiable sources are lacking, due to his political office, dark donors and extraordinarily opaque financial disclosures.
In the past decade, it is precisely this contested past that has been haunting him.
Bribery, fraud, and breach of trust
From the start, Netanyahu’s career has been overshadowed by dark money controversies. The corruption charges began in 1997, when police recommended his indictment on corruption charges for influence-peddling. Investigations into the murky dealings began in 2016, following a dozen debacles, three attorney generals and two state comptrollers.
After a three-year investigation, he was indicted. In 2020, trial started with 333 prosecution witnesses. The long list excludes many debacles by his wife Sara, infamous for her vocal temper and penchant for luxury, and his son Yair, who excels in far-right podcast populism.
In his position as PM in 2009–2016, Netanyahu made decisions that had significant implications for national security, yet without orderly decision-making process. These decisions allegedly enriched him. One involved the purchase of submarines and vessels from German shipbuilder Thyssenkrupp in a deal valued at $2 billion.
The problems went further. Since the start of his career, Netanyahu’s select aides had to be approved by his wife Sara, according to their loyalty rather than expertise. The highly controversial practice was later extended to some appointments involving even military and intelligence authorities.
In Netanyahu’s world, meritocracy is nice, but loyalty is everything.
The legal process began anew in December 2024 and remains ongoing. Netanyahu faces charges in three separate cases, including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He has consistently denied all wrongdoing, calling the prosecution a “witch-hunt”.
What next?
On November 30, 2025, Netanyahu submitted an official request to President Isaac Herzog for a pardon, asking that the trial be halted for the sake of “national unity”. This is an extraordinary request as pardons are typically granted only after a conviction and an admission of guilt.
President Herzog could offer a conditional pardon, potentially requiring a form of admission and an agreement to retire from politics, but Netanyahu has refused to commit to leaving politics. If any form of pardon is granted, it is highly likely that petitions would be filed to the High Court against the decision. Given the remaining stages of the trial and potential appeals, proceedings are expected to continue for several more years if the pardon is not granted.
As of late 2025, Netanyahu’s personal approval ratings are low, hovering around 40-45% favorability/trust, while a majority of Israelis express dissatisfaction with his government’s performance. Most Israelis do not trust their government.
Does it follow that the PM’s political career is over? Not necessarily.
Netanyahu’s political scenarios
If no single bloc by Netanyahu or the opposition can form a governing majority, Israel could face a period of political paralysis.
Despite his numerous controversies, some polls place Netanyahu ahead of rivals like Yair Lapid, the head of the centrist opposition, and former war cabinet member Benny Gantz, a center-right conservative ex-military chief. But setting aside real and perceived rivals, there are several scenarios for Netanyahu’s political future.
PM deja vu. Netanyahu remains Prime Minister in a new coalition by leveraging perceived military or diplomatic successes, such as new normalization agreements with Arab states.
Opposition hits a home run. Netanyahu is ousted as the opposition forms a cohesive majority government without relying on him or his hard-right Likud.
Political paralysis by repeat elections. If no single bloc by Netanyahu or the opposition can form a governing majority, Israel could face a period of political paralysis. That could mean repeat elections with Netanyahu as an interim PM.
Voluntary retirement. Given his age (76) in the 2026 election, recurring health issues and the immense pressure from ongoing corruption trials, intense public protests, and the political fallout of the October 7 attacks, Netanyahu health could eventually fail him.
So, what accounts for Netanyahu’s staying power?
In the long view, Israel’s shift to the right since the late 1970s, the Messianic doctrines seeking to legitimize occupation, the hardening of political divides after Rabin’s assassination and the subsequent crumbling of the peace process, Likud’s longstanding cooptation of Jews of Middle Eastern ancestry and religious Jews, and perhaps most importantly, Netanyahu’s longstanding cooperation with America’s leading neoconservatives and his ultra-rich political sponsors in the U.S. ranging from the late Las Vegas casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson to the Falic family, owners of a chain of 180 Duty Free Americas stores, Irving Moskowitz and many others in his “millionaire list.”
Those who believe that Netanyahu is about to disappear from Israel’s political map engage in wishful fantasies. He is determined to change the Israel. And he is almost there.
The original commentary was published by the Informed Comment (US) on December 15, 2025.
Santa Barbara’s unique blend of coastal beauty, cultural sophistication, and affluent demographics has attracted financial advisors across the spectrum of qualifications and business models. For residents seeking guidance with retirement planning or wealth management, understanding the difference between fiduciary and non-fiduciary advisors becomes essential. Yet many Santa Barbara investors remain unclear about what questions to ask when selecting a Fiduciary Financial Advisor Santa Barbara who truly serves their best interests.
The Fiduciary Standard Explained
At its core, the fiduciary standard requires advisors to act in their clients’ best interests at all times. This might sound obvious—wouldn’t all financial professionals prioritize client interests?—but the reality proves more complex.
Many financial professionals operate under a “suitability” standard, requiring only that recommendations be suitable for clients, not necessarily optimal or in their best interest. This lower standard permits conflicts of interest that a fiduciary relationship prohibits.
The distinction matters considerably. A non-fiduciary advisor might recommend a product earning them higher commissions even when a lower-cost alternative would serve you better. A fiduciary advisor is legally bound to recommend the lower-cost option, even if it means less income for them.
Why Santa Barbara Investors Should Care
Santa Barbara’s wealth concentration makes it an attractive market for financial services firms of all types. The city draws both genuine fiduciary advisors focused on comprehensive planning and commission-driven salespeople marketing themselves as advisors.
For residents managing substantial portfolios—often concentrated in real estate, business interests, or investment accounts—the difference between fiduciary and non-fiduciary advice compounds over time. Small differences in fees, investment selection, or tax planning can translate into hundreds of thousands of dollars across a multi-decade retirement.
Additionally, Santa Barbara’s retiree population creates demand for guidance on complex issues like Social Security optimization, Medicare planning, and required minimum distributions. The quality and objectivity of this advice directly impacts retirement security.
Red Flags to Watch For
Certain warning signs suggest an advisor may not operate in your best interest:
Pressure to make quick decisions. Legitimate financial planning rarely requires rushed choices. Pressure tactics often indicate commission-driven sales rather than thoughtful advice.
Emphasis on proprietary products. Some firms push their own mutual funds or insurance products. While these aren’t always problematic, advisors with broader access to investments have more flexibility to select optimal solutions.
Vague answers about compensation. Advisors operating transparently clearly explain how they earn money. Evasiveness suggests potential conflicts they’re uncomfortable disclosing.
Resistance to coordinating with other professionals. Comprehensive planning requires collaboration with CPAs, estate attorneys, and other specialists. Advisors who resist these relationships may be more focused on controlling the relationship than serving client interests.
Claims that seem too good to be true. Guaranteed returns, risk-free investments, or strategies to “beat the market” consistently should trigger skepticism. Fiduciary advisors communicate honestly about risks, trade-offs, and realistic expectations.
Relevant experience matters. An advisor who regularly works with situations similar to yours brings context and expertise that generic advice can’t match.
Credentials indicate specialization. Designations like CFP (Certified Financial Planner), CPA/PFS (Personal Financial Specialist), or CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) require rigorous training and continuing education.
Communication style affects outcomes. The best technical advice provides little value if communicated in ways you don’t understand or don’t address your actual concerns.
Local knowledge adds value. Understanding Santa Barbara’s real estate market, California tax environment, and regional economic dynamics enables more relevant guidance than advisors unfamiliar with the area can provide.
Making an Informed Choice
The financial services industry has historically obscured important distinctions between advisor types, making it challenging for investors to understand who operates in their best interest. Increased regulation and consumer awareness have improved transparency, but significant confusion remains.
For Santa Barbara residents with substantial assets at stake, understanding the fiduciary standard and asking the right questions separates advisors committed to serving client interests from those primarily focused on their own bottom line.
Fiduciary duty doesn’t guarantee perfect advice or optimal outcomes. However, it does ensure that the person guiding your financial decisions is legally bound to prioritize your interests—a meaningful distinction in an industry where conflicts of interest have historically been common and often obscured.
Taking time to find an advisor who operates as a true fiduciary, possesses relevant expertise, and communicates in ways that work for you provides a foundation for a productive long-term relationship that serves your financial goals throughout retirement and beyond.
Mark Henry serves as the CEO and founder of Alloy Wealth, which helps people prepare for retirement and thrive in the years after their careers end. A respected voice in the finance world for years, Mark Henry started Alloy Wealth to share his expertise and ensure that people have the necessary tools available to them to plan appropriately for the last few decades of their lives. Possessing decades of experience in wealth management and retirement planning, Mr. Henry emphasizes that one of his biggest contributions to financial stability is the creation of a written retirement plan that can help clients to gain a holistic, big picture perspective on their finances.
Mark Henry and his team at Alloy Wealth work with numerous clients every month and have taken note of a number of recent topics that have been trending with those who are retired or nearing retirement age. The following are four of the most common ones.
1. Magic Number
Most people think that there is a magic number at which they can retire—an amount of savings or net worth that means they’ve made it and are ready to stop working. But the reality is that there is no one magic number. Instead, each person’s situation—and number—is different. Some people have saved millions or even tens of millions of dollars, and may think that they are well-equipped for retirement. But if that money is all in taxable accounts, they are going to lose a lot more to taxes than they probably realize when they actually withdraw it. At the same time, most people will seek to maintain the same lifestyle and budget that they had when they were working—and even $10 million doesn’t last forever if you are pulling $400,000 out every year. This is particularly true if there is debt on the property to be covered. On the other hand, people who have only $500,000 in savings—but in tax-advantaged accounts—may be able to live very comfortably if their house is paid off and they are used to living on a relatively modest income. The trick is to find the number that is specific to the individual—and then build a customized plan that guarantees stable, sustainable monthly income for the rest of their life.
2. Policy and Legislation Changes
Laws are continuously being passed to help out retirees, and one that a lot of people are talking about involves enhanced catch-up opportunities. These are essentially special opportunities to contribute more to retirement accounts than is typically allowed. But this is not always the best option for everyone. For instance, if a person already has 80 percent or 90 percent of their savings in retirement accounts that are not tax-advantaged, then the better option might be to start paying into a Roth IRA or other tax-protected growth account. Or, if a person is disciplined with their savings, they might instead choose to take more direct income each year, but move the excess into a brokerage account or other investment vehicle. The point here is that there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy when planning for retirement.
3. Healthcare and Retiring Before Age 65
Another popular topic is whether or not it’s possible to retire before turning 65 and qualifying for Medicare—or even retiring with Medicare, but dealing with concerns about longevity risk. The reality is that having access to Medicare does not automatically mean a person’s retirement is secure. Some people live longer than others. Some have more medical expenses than others. Either way, people need retirement plans that take all variables into account, including adjustment for inflation (and that includes medical care inflation, which can be as high as 12 percent to 15 percent), the chance that they might live to 95 or older, and tax-advantaged accounts that protect your funds while preparing for potential medical care costs.
4. Smarter Investments
Finally, everyone seems to be talking about “smarter investments.” People want safe, no-risk investments, but the reality is that all investments inherently involve risk. And this is actually necessary. Investments without risk typically don’t lead to any growth. But a good retirement plan needs to have three buckets. First, you need income for the short-term. But you must also focus on long-term growth, and that comes from having the bulk of your wealth in risk assets such as stocks. This ensures that a retiree’s nest egg doesn’t run out after a few years. Finally, it’s a good idea to have a mid-term growth bucket—one that has less risk than the long-term growth account, but that still has some potential upside. By putting all of these buckets together into a diversified, holistic retirement plan, certified financial planners and fiduciary advisors can aim to provide a stable, sustainable retirement for their clients.
The crypto market can be exhilarating during bull runs. However, when prices start sliding, the real test of a trader’s skill begins. Bear markets and market dips often bring out two types of investors: those who panic-sell, and those who prepare. Counterintuitively, downturns can be some of the most profitable times in crypto if approached strategically, calmly, and with the right tools. In this guide, we’ll explore how to navigate bearish conditions with discipline and data-driven insights. This can be accomplished with the support of AI-powered tools like the Bella Signal Bot and LLM Research Bot, which can act as your 24/7 market allies in uncertain times.
Understanding the Bear: Why Downturns Happen
Before reacting to a market dip, it’s important to understand what’s causing it. Bear markets occur when fear outweighs greed. They can be triggered by macroeconomic events, regulatory news, or overextended valuations. These corrections are a natural part of any financial cycle and often cleanse the market of unsustainable speculation.
Many traders make the mistake of treating every dip as the end of crypto. In reality, the market operates in cycles, and bear phases are often opportunities to accumulate high-quality assets at lower valuations. By studying market structure and sentiment, traders can separate noise from meaningful signals and that’s a process that AI can now help automate.
Step One: Stay Data-Driven, Not Emotional
The first rule of surviving a bear market is to think like a scientist, not a gambler. Emotional decisions such as panic-selling or revenge-buying are the quickest route to losses. Instead, focus on the data. This is where Bella Signal Bot comes in. Powered by five advanced machine learning models, it analyzes market patterns across 27 trading pairs including BTC, ETH, SOL, and DOGE to deliver real-time long and short signals directly through Telegram. With over 260,000 users and 68,000+ signals generated, the bot gives traders reliable, algorithm-driven insights instead of guesswork.
Rather than reacting to Twitter hype or news headlines, traders can use Bella’s AI signals to validate entry and exit points objectively. It’s not about predicting the future but instead about increasing your probability of success by letting data lead the way.
Step Two: Strengthen Your Strategy with AI Research
In a bear market, knowledge compounds faster than capital. Staying ahead of emerging trends, on-chain movements, and whale activity can make the difference between catching a rebound early and being left behind. The Bella LLM Research Bot can become your secret weapon in this regard. Integrated into Telegram for ease of use, it operates as your personal AI research assistant by fetching real-time market insights, analyzing blockchain data, and even tracking top token holders and transaction histories.
Instead of manually reading through dozens of charts or news sources, you can simply ask our AI trading agent about what whales are buying right now, or what sectors are showing accumulation to receive contextualized answers in seconds.
During downturns, when volatility spikes and narratives shift quickly, these instant insights help investors adapt strategies efficiently and gain a major edge in markets that punish hesitation.
Step Three: Build a Defensive Yet Opportunistic Portfolio
Bear markets are not the time to ape into every dip. They’re a chance to re-evaluate portfolio allocations and ensure a balance between safety and opportunity.
Here’s a simple framework:
Core holdings (60%): Focus on established assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum that feature liquidity, history, and institutional adoption.
Growth positions (25%): Allocate to promising altcoins with strong fundamentals, active developer communities, and emerging use cases.
Speculative plays (15%): Keep a smaller allocation for high-risk, high-reward tokens. It’s recommended to always use stop losses or AI-based signals to limit downside.
The Bella Signal Bot can assist in this balancing act by highlighting short-term trade setups across perpetual pairs, helping you manage exposure dynamically.
Additionally, bear phases are ideal for yield generation activities like staking, farming, or using structured products that generate passive income even in sideways markets. Combining Bella’s tools with DeFi protocols allows you to keep your portfolio working while waiting for market momentum to return.
Step Four: Zoom Out
If history is any guide, every major crypto bull run was preceded by a brutal bear market. Traders who kept conviction, research discipline, and emotional control during downturns were the ones positioned for exponential gains once sentiment flipped.
For example:
The 2018 bear market crushed 80% of projects but it also birthed DeFi and Layer-1 ecosystems that defined 2020-2021.
The 2022 downturn tested conviction then and gave rise to AI, agentic trading, and verifiable computation narratives now leading 2025.
Bear markets are when signal matters more than noise. With Bella’s ecosystem of AI trading agents, including the Signal Bot for tactical trades and the LLM Research Bot for deep market understanding, retail traders can now access the kind of analytical precision once reserved for institutional desks.
Case Study: Turning a Dip into an Opportunity
Imagine an investor in early 2025 watching SOL drop 20% in a week due to a market correction. Instead of panic-selling, they turn to Bella’s AI product suite.
The Signal Bot identified that the pair SOL/USDT has reached an oversold zone, with a high-probability reversal setup forming. Simultaneously, the LLM Research Bot confirms that on-chain data shows increasing wallet accumulation which is a classic early bullish divergence.
Within days, the price stabilizes and begins to recover. The investor executes a low-risk, high-reward entry guided by AI signals rather than emotion. Over time, such disciplined decisions can compound into outsized returns.
Conclusion
Trading during a bear market doesn’t mean sitting idle, but it does mean you need to trade smarter. By leveraging tools like the Bella Signal Bot for precision entries and exits, and the LLM Research Bot for informed analysis, you can confidently navigate volatility and find opportunities in chaos.
The most successful crypto traders aren’t those who avoid dips but can aptly navigate them. So, whether you’re a seasoned trader or just starting your journey, remember that the bear market is not your enemy. With Bella’s AI-powered tools, it might just become your biggest ally.
The photo in the article is provided by the company(s) mentioned in the article and used with permission.
Australia’s long standing debate over public safety and firearms regulation has returned to the political and business agenda following a deadly shooting that has shaken Sydney and reverberated across the country’s economy and institutions.
Police said the death toll from the attack at Bondi Beach has risen to 15, with 38 people still receiving treatment in hospitals. Authorities confirmed the incident has been declared a terrorist attack and said it deliberately targeted Jewish Australians who had gathered to mark the first day of Hanukkah.
Among those killed was a Holocaust survivor who died while protecting his wife from gunfire, police said, a detail that has deepened national grief and renewed scrutiny of domestic security risks.
Investigators said officers shot and killed a 50 year old man at the scene. His 24 year old son was also involved and remains hospitalized. Police said the older suspect held a recreational hunting license. As part of the investigation, officers have raided a residential property in Sydney linked to the case.
The attack has intensified pressure on the federal government to revisit firearms policy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said stricter gun regulations would be placed on the Cabinet agenda, including tighter conditions and time limits on licenses.
From a business and policy perspective, the incident raises broader questions about risk management, public confidence and regulatory oversight. Australia’s strict gun laws, introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, have often been cited internationally as a benchmark. However, the Bondi shooting has exposed gaps that policymakers now face growing pressure to address.
Tourism operators, retailers and event organizers are also assessing the fallout. Bondi Beach is one of Australia’s most recognized destinations, drawing millions of visitors each year. Industry groups said violent incidents at high profile locations risk undermining consumer confidence and disrupting seasonal activity, particularly during major public holidays.
Jewish community leaders have called for stronger protections around public gatherings, while business owners in surrounding areas reported heightened security concerns following the attack. Analysts note that increased policing and regulatory changes could carry cost implications for local councils and private operators, especially those responsible for large events.
Albanese said the government would act decisively, signaling that further reforms could extend beyond licensing rules. While details have yet to be finalized, the move suggests a renewed willingness to tighten controls in response to emerging threats.
Police said the investigation remains active and urged the public to cooperate as authorities continue to examine evidence and potential motivations. For Australia’s leaders, the coming weeks will test how effectively security policy can balance civil liberties, community safety and economic stability in the wake of one of the country’s deadliest attacks in recent years.
From eating, shopping to commuting, traveling, and managing money, nearly everything we do each day depends on digital platforms. And these online experiences have never felt smoother. They are intuitive, beautifully structured, and remarkably responsive. But how do these seamless digital journeys come to life? What kind of effort lies behind every button, flow, or interaction that feels intuitive the moment you use it?
Behind those platforms are User Experience (UX) designers whose efforts often stay out of view. Among them is Franky Wang, a senior UX designer at JPMorgan Chase. With over 45 million users engaging with Chase’s credit card ecosystem, Wang has helped lead the redesign of the Ultimate Rewards dashboard and other high-impact features that have quietly transformed how people interact with their money.
Born in China, Wang started studying fine art at age eight, eventually earning a degree in Interaction Design from the Central Academy of Fine Arts—one of China’s most prestigious institutions. There, he developed a rigorous foundation in visual composition and design systems. Later, at Parsons School of Design in New York, he expanded that foundation into a global, tech-forward practice, earning a Master of Fine Arts in Design and Technology.
In 2023, Wang led the end-to-end UX redesign of the Chase Ultimate Rewards redemption dashboard. His focus was on streamlining the user journey, clarifying content, and directly addressing known pain points. The results were clear: A 20% increase in click-through rates and a 14% drop in customer service calls. The redesign touched tens of millions of users and made the redemption process easier, clearer, and more trustworthy.
While the process may look simple on the surface, delivering this kind of product requires far more than just visual polish—it demands deep UX expertise, careful listening, and thoughtful execution. Wang’s approach begins with real users. He spoke directly with a wide range of customers, from retirees and recent graduates to young children visiting with their parents. Such in-depth research often uncovers the real needs of users that go beyond what data alone can reveal.
Turning those insights into effective design takes precision. Wang is known for pixel-perfect execution, meticulous documentation, and inclusive collaboration across teams. He combines empathy with craft, and reflects that in both user-facing experiences and internal workflows. That balance is what makes his design solutions consistently strong. “These moments reminded me that inclusive design isn’t about checking boxes,” Wang reflects. “It’s about truly seeing the people you design for, and expanding your sense of who they are.”
Moreover, large-scale projects like this rarely unfold smoothly. Under tight timelines and with limited resources, Wang didn’t wait for conditions to improve. Instead, he proactively explored multiple design directions and personally led rapid user testing to validate decisions. The project launched on time and met expectations—a testament to his adaptive thinking and ability to lead through ambiguity.
“I see UX design as a meaningful bridge between technology and human experience,” Wang explains. “You begin with user needs, but you don’t ignore business goals or technical constraints. I treat those as design parameters, not obstacles.”
That mindset came into play during enhancements to the cash-back redemption flow on Chase’s platform. Faced with a common tension—users wanted a quick, simple process, while the business needed to manage operational costs—he proposed a solution that was both thoughtful and effective. He introduced a pause moment just before final redemption, encouraging users to consider higher-value alternatives such as gift cards or point transfers. Many users chose these options willingly, leading to higher satisfaction and better alignment with the company’s goals. It was a clear demonstration of how thoughtful UX design can create measurable value for both users and the business.
Franky Wang’s work may not come with a spotlight, but its impact is unmistakable. Every click, pause, and interaction he touches carries his quiet intent: that the design should serve the user, not the other way around. In a world increasingly defined by digital complexity, his mission remains refreshingly simple—to make the online world feel more human, one experience at a time.
Imagine a world where your organization not only keeps pace with technological disruption but actively shapes it. A world where innovation isn’t a buzzword but a daily practice, fueled by a relentless pursuit of new ideas. This isn’t science fiction; it’s the reality achievable by cultivating a culture of experimentation, especially when it comes to harnessing the transformative power of Generative AI (Gen AI).
Simply deploying Gen AI tools is like buying a high-performance sports car and leaving it in the garage. To truly unleash its potential, you need a culture that embraces risk management, overcomes challenges, celebrates learning, and relentlessly pushes the boundaries of what’s possible.
Why Gen AI Experimentation is the Engine of Success
Gen AI, with its ability to generate text, images, code, and more, is revolutionizing industries. Yet, realizing its full potential requires more than just adopting the latest algorithms. It demands a fundamental shift in how organizations operate.
Traditional, efficiency-driven models must give way to a mindset that prioritizes learning, discovery, and constant adaptation. Experimentation becomes the engine of this new approach, enabling organizations to navigate the inherent uncertainties of Gen AI and unlock its transformative power.
This necessitates a cultural transformation where experimentation isn’t merely tolerated but actively encouraged and woven into the fabric of the organization.
This necessitates a cultural transformation where experimentation isn’t merely tolerated but actively encouraged and woven into the fabric of the organization. It requires dismantling the pervasive fear of failure and replacing it with a growth mindset that embraces calculated risks as essential stepping stones to innovation.
Leadership is the linchpin of this cultural transformation. Leaders must not only endorse experimentation but actively champion it, signaling to every employee that creativity, curiosity, and the pursuit of new ideas are not just welcomed but essential for future success. This isn’t about issuing occasional memos about the importance of innovation; it requires a sustained commitment to embedding experimentation into daily operations.
Leaders must embody this behavior themselves, taking calculated risks in strategic decisions and openly acknowledging and learning from setbacks. This sends a powerful message that experimentation is a core value, not just a mandate for designated innovation teams. Leadership behaviors, communication, and decision-making processes must consistently reinforce the importance of experimentation in driving competitiveness and uncovering new opportunities.
Conquering the Fear of Failure in Gen AI Experimentation
One of the biggest obstacles to a culture of experimentation is the ingrained fear of failure. Many organizations operate under a risk-averse paradigm, where mistakes are viewed as costly errors rather than valuable learning experiences.
This mindset stifles innovation, particularly in the dynamic realm of Gen AI, where iterative development and continuous improvement are paramount.
To overcome this, leaders must actively reframe experimentation as a necessary pathway to growth. This involves creating a psychologically safe environment where employees feel empowered to test new ideas without fear of negative consequences. It also means celebrating both successes and failures, recognizing that even unsuccessful experiments provide invaluable insights that can inform future endeavors.
This iterative approach is especially crucial for Gen AI projects. These solutions often require multiple iterations, each yielding new data and learnings that refine models, processes, and even overall business strategies. By embracing iteration and viewing each experiment as a learning opportunity, organizations can maximize their Gen AI investments.
Simply encouraging experimentation in principle is insufficient. Organizations must establish tangible systems and processes to support it. This might include:
Dedicated innovation labs or sandboxes: Providing physical or virtual spaces for employees to experiment with Gen AI tools and technologies.
Formalized idea submission platforms: Creating clear channels for employees to submit their ideas and receive timely feedback.
Cross-functional innovation teams: Assembling diverse teams from different departments to collaborate on Gen AI projects and bring diverse perspectives to the table.
Internal hackathons or innovation challenges: Organizing events that encourage rapid prototyping and experimentation with Gen AI solutions.
Knowledge-sharing platforms: Establishing repositories for documenting experiments, sharing learnings, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
These systems should ensure that experimentation is accessible to all employees, regardless of their role or department. A truly innovative culture is one where ideas and experimentation are democratized.
The value of experimentation in Gen AI initiatives cannot be overstated. Gen AI technologies are inherently iterative: each test or trial generates new data points that can enhance the accuracy of algorithms, improve process efficiency, or reveal unexpected insights.
This iterative learning is the cornerstone of successful Gen AI implementation, continuously improving the technology’s capabilities and aligning it more closely with business objectives.
Furthermore, experimentation enables organizations to remain agile in the face of rapidly evolving Gen AI technology. With new tools, techniques, and algorithms constantly emerging, organizations with a culture of experimentation are better equipped to adapt, test, and integrate these advancements.
Client Case Study: Revitalizing a Mid-Sized Logistics Company
I recently consulted with a regional logistics company struggling to optimize its complex delivery routes and manage its large fleet of vehicles. The company was interested in exploring Gen AI for route optimization but lacked a culture of experimentation.
The company was interested in exploring Gen AI for route optimization but lacked a culture of experimentation.
Working closely with the company’s leadership, I helped them implement a structured approach to experimentation. We established a small, cross-functional team dedicated to exploring Gen AI solutions for route optimization. This team was given the freedom to experiment with different algorithms and data sets, with clear metrics for success and a safe space to learn from failures.
Within six months, the team developed a Gen AI-powered route optimization system that resulted in a 15% reduction in fuel costs, a 10% improvement in on-time deliveries, and a 5% decrease in overall delivery time.
More importantly, the company developed a more agile and innovative culture, better prepared to embrace future technological advancements. This success cascaded into other areas, with teams adopting more data-driven and experimental approaches to other business challenges.
Embracing the Future of Gen AI Experimentation
Cultivating a culture of experimentation is not just a desirable trait for organizations in the age of Gen AI; it’s a necessity. It requires a fundamental shift in mindset, driven by visionary leadership, a focus on mitigating risk, and a commitment to iterative learning.
By building the right infrastructure and empowering employees to experiment, organizations can unlock the transformative power of Gen AI and position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly competitive landscape. This is not just about adopting new technology; it’s about building a culture that thrives on innovation and embraces the future.
Reddit has launched a legal challenge against Australia’s new under-16 social media restrictions, arguing that the policy undermines free political expression and places broad obligations on platforms with global reach. The filing, submitted to the High Court on Friday, marks the second major attempt to overturn the law since it took effect on December 10.
In its application, Reddit described the measure as “invalid on the ground that it infringes the implied freedom of political communication,” according to the court document signed by lawyers Perry Herzfeld and Jackson Wherrett. The case names the Commonwealth of Australia and Communications Minister Anika Wells as defendants.
A spokesperson for Wells said the government would “stand firm to protect young Australians from experiencing harm on social media,” but declined to comment further as the case proceeds. Canberra has previously signaled that it is prepared to defend the legislation against any challenge.
Australia became the first country to enforce a legally binding age threshold for social media access, requiring platforms to keep out users under 16 or face penalties that can reach A$49.5 million. Major companies including Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Reddit contested the proposal for more than a year before ultimately agreeing to comply. Underage users and their guardians are not subject to fines.
Technology firms say they are relying on tools such as age inference, which assesses likely age based on online behavior, and age estimation using selfies, to meet the requirements. Yet Reddit warned in a public statement that the law “carries some serious privacy and political expression issues for everyone on the internet” and confirmed that it is seeking a full review by the High Court.
The 12 page filing argues that blocking users under 16 restricts their ability to participate in early political discussion, noting that “Australian citizens under the age of 16 will, within years if not months, become electors.” The company said those future voters need access to online forums to help shape their views before adulthood.
This action follows a separate challenge filed last month by two teenagers supported by a libertarian state lawmaker, with a hearing scheduled for February. A person familiar with Reddit’s case said the company has no plans to join other parties contesting the ban.
Short answer: it depends on your goal. If you value steady session time and predictable swings, sticking with one suitable game can help. If you’re chasing variety, features, or bonus timing, moving around can make sense. What doesn’t change is the underlying math – RTP and volatility – so pick games whose profiles match how you like to play.
At Canadian online casino sites like Zodiac Casino, Luxury Casino, Captain Cooks Casino, and Grand Mondial Casino, you’ll find both steady, low-to-medium volatility slots and high-volatility options. These fully licensed brands offer over 1000 titles, including Casino Rewards exclusives, and run the highest available RTP versions where multiple certified configurations exist.
How the math affects your choice
RTP (Return to Player): Higher RTP helps over the long run. Whether you stay or switch, the expected return is driven by each game’s RTP.
Volatility (variance): Low/medium volatility tends to deliver smaller, more frequent hits – good for longer sessions on one game. High volatility can mean long dry spells with occasional big pops – often better paired with moving around between attempts.
Streaks: Slots use certified RNGs; “hot” and “cold” streaks happen, but they aren’t predictable. Switching doesn’t reset odds; sticking doesn’t make a bonus “due.”
When staying on one slot makes sense
You like low-to-medium volatility and steady entertainment time.
You’ve learned the game’s features and bonus cadence, and you want to maximize those mechanics.
Example picks (steady, feature-forward):
Casino Rewards Hyper Star
Casino Rewards Gold Blitz Ultimate
Enchanted Oceans
Cash N’ Rewards – Megaways (feature variety with chain potential)
When moving around makes sense
You prefer high-volatility shots and want to sample different feature sets.
You’re targeting games with distinct bonus styles (hold-and-win, expanding symbols, Megaways).
Example rotation ideas (bigger swings, variety):
Mega Vault Millionaire
Casino Rewards Mega Money Wheel
Immortal Creatures
Massive Gold Rewards
A middle path: structured rotations
Set a session plan: pick one “anchor” slot for 60–70% of spins, then rotate 2–3 “satellite” games for the remainder. This gives you familiarity plus variety without constant hopping.
Sample rotation plans using Casino Rewards exclusives
Balanced session (moderate swings)
Anchor: Casino Rewards Hyper Strike
Satellites: Book of Rewards, 9 Max Rewards, Rewards City
Feature hunter (frequent bonus checks)
Anchor: Casino Rewards Gold Blitz Ultimate
Satellites: Casino Rewards Mega Money Wheel, Stellar Jewels Rewards Power Combo, Rising Casino Rewards
High-volatility chase (bigger but rarer peaks)
Anchor: Mega Vault Millionaire
Satellites: Roar of Thunder, Casino Rewards Midnight Assassin, Casino Rewards Millionaires Club
Choosing by mood and time available
Short sessions (under 20 minutes): Choose one familiar, medium-volatility game and stick with it (e.g., Hyper Star or Enchanted Oceans).
Long sessions: Start anchored on a steady title, then rotate to a high-feature slot to break up variance (e.g., Gold Blitz Ultimate → Cash N’ Rewards – Megaways).
Variety-first nights: Build a loop of four distinct mechanics (e.g., Mega Money Wheel → Immortal Creatures → Rewards City → Stellar Rewards 7’s).
Where to play
You can find these Casino Rewards exclusive titles at fully licensed Canadian brands like Zodiac Casino, Luxury Casino, Captain Cooks Casino, Grand Mondial Casino, Yukon Gold Casino, Casino Classic, and Golden Tiger Casino. These casinos run the highest available RTP versions where multiple certified configurations exist and support smooth mobile and desktop play.
Is it best to play the same slot machine or move around
Staying put is best for familiarity and steady pacing, especially on low/medium volatility titles.
Moving around suits players who want diverse features or higher-volatility shots.
A planned rotation blends both approaches and can make sessions feel more consistent without giving up variety.
Pick a style, match it to the volatility you enjoy, and favour games with strong feature sets from the list above to keep sessions engaging.
By Terence Tse
CFOs are evolving into AI-driven transformation orchestrators, balancing finance, technology, and strategy while upskilling teams, managing risks, and driving measurable business value.
A key insight from this year’s AI for CFOs event, organized...
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Author of 
Dr. Gleb Tsipursky PhD
