News

The government is overhauling how it funds and manages AI and digital projects, aiming to cut wasteful spending, drive innovation, and deliver more efficient public services. This includes "staged funding" for new ideas, a renewed focus on outcomes, and an updated funding model for technology and cybersecurity.

The UK's official company register contracted for the first time in 2024, with experts citing a combination of stricter regulations, rising costs, and tax increases as key drivers behind the decline. This decrease reflects the challenging environment faced by British businesses, with many opting to remain sole traders or dissolve their companies due to the increased administrative and financial burdens.

Oracle's third-quarter revenue missed analyst expectations, but its cloud business continued to show strong growth, with cloud revenue increasing by 23% year-over-year. The company is optimistic about its prospects for further growth in the coming year, driven by its expanding cloud business and increasing customer demand.

The United States Natural Gas Fund LP (UNG) saw increased trading as natural gas prices climbed due to worries over stagnant U.S. production and potential disruptions in Canadian supply. Recent tariff developments, particularly involving Canada, contribute to market volatility and uncertainty regarding future energy supplies.

Crypto analyst Benjamin Cowen cautions that Bitcoin's recent weekly close below the bull market support band could indicate the peak of this cycle, highlighting the contrast with previous cycles. He suggests Bitcoin may test its earlier all-time high around $69,000, and warns that a deeper decline could confirm the end of the bull run.