General Discussion and Whimsical Banter

Malthusian

joep2 said:

With Bitcoin spot ETF about to enter the US market

The SEC has rejected every previous attempt to launch a spot Bitcoin ETF in the US. There is little reason to think this time is any different other than wishful thinking by crypto sellers desperately looking for good news.
I'm not saying the SEC won't approve it as I have no idea; just correcting your suggestion that it is a done deal.

are there any similar options available to UK investors? It’ll be good to get some exposure to Crypto via ISA / Pension wrappers. 

The FCA banned the sale of crypto derivatives to retail investors in 2020. There is no sign that it is about to change its mind any time soon.  
You could just take it out of the ISA or pension and buy crypto with it. Not your keys not your coins bro. The ISA and pension wrappers exist to encourage investment. The government gives tax breaks to savers and investors in the hope that it will reduce the likelihood that they end up dependent on the state during retirement and short-term periods of financial difficulty. Allowing crypto in ISAs and pensions would be contradictory to their purpose. 

Thumbs_Up

UK inflation expecting to be under 5% from tomorrow.

ircE

dealyboy said:

No idea ... but excellent thread ircE ... sorry it's caused by a bumpy top ... expectation by the markets of drops in interest rates in the next few months.

Thanks @dealyboy . Silly me for thinking that some of the many armchair economists who are so quick and assured in passing judgement of the MPC for their interest rate decisions would be willing to offer up their erudite knowledge on a question around how interest rates actually operate in the economy. 

ircE

Thumbs_Up said:

UK inflation expecting to be under 5% from tomorrow.

Yep, headline CPI has come in at 4.6% for October 2023. Per the FT, the swaps market "is pricing the first interest rate cut in June next year and three 0.25 percentage point reductions in 2024."

BlackthornU

I've opened a Skipton Base Rate Tracker as well!
Who cares? Nobody.
Just a reminder where pointless banter should go if you must post it.

mebu60

BlackthornU said:

I've opened a Skipton Base Rate Tracker as well!
Who cares? Nobody.
Just a reminder where pointless banter should go if you must post it.

The discussion in the EA Discussion thread inspired some folks to open one who weren't going to given the almost nil cost may have some benefit in the next two years. So I'd say it wasn't pointless.

Although I only had £1 in the BR Issue 3, there was >£1k interest which has been added to the Single Access and now getting 5.15% instead of nothing. £1 in BR Issue 5. 

Zaul22

What do people think the chances are Hunt will actually increase the PSA in the autumn statement?

ColdIron

Slim to none

masonic

The only tax cuts likely to be seen will be those that benefit a small number of people. Fiscal drag will need to pay for any cuts made, so expect the average taxpayer to be worse off over the next 12 months.

Wheres_My_Cashback

I'd like him to either increase the yearly ISA allowance or max Premium Bond Holding, but neither of those is likely, particularly with 'talk' about limiting ISA holdings.