In this week's wrap-up, we explore the fading relevance of the London Stock Exchange (LSE), Trump’s wild idea to buy Greenland, the economic impact of internet shutdowns, the implications of raising retirement ages, and the basics of blockchain, Bitcoin and cryptocurrency.

And in this week’s markets edition, we give you a simple explainer of the ongoing Stallion India Fluorochemicals IPO.

Click here to read the full markets story.

Now on to the recap of what we wrote over the week...

Is the London Stock Exchange losing its relevance?

Just a decade ago, the London Stock Exchange was an IPO powerhouse, attracting global companies and investors worldwide. But today, even smaller markets like Oman’s stock exchange—just 1% the size of the UK’s—are leaving it behind.

So, what changed? 

Well, the UK's economic fundamentals, especially its debt management practices, are scaring off investors. And debt, now over 100% of its GDP, isn’t the only issue because a quarter of it is now linked to inflation. That's the highest among major economies and it means that as inflation rises, the government’s debt obligations balloon.

But that’s not all. Several other factors are also chipping away at the relevance of the LSE and we break it all down in our Monday's story here.

Why does Trump want to buy Greenland?

Trump wants to buy the island of Greenland—now, isn’t that a wild idea?

But every bit of it is true.

Trump wants to make Greenland a part of the United States because of a whole lot of geopolitical and financial reasons. Most importantly, it's to keep China at bay as it increases its influence in the Arctic region.

But do you think the Greenlanders would yield to Trump’s demand?

You can find out more in our Tuesday story.

The economic costs of internet shutdowns

Governments often cut off internet access during volatile situations like communal riots or political unrest to curb misinformation and control chaos. But these blackouts cost the global economy $7.69 billion in 2024. And India alone contributed nearly $320 million to that figure!

But how do these shutdowns give rise to such colossal losses, you ask?

Just think about it. Industries like IT services, e-commerce and fintech thrive on uninterrupted internet access. And a sudden shutdown could bring their operations to a screeching halt. If such disruptions become frequent, they also create an unpredictable environment for foreign investors eyeing India as their investment destination.

So, what’s being done to address this problem? 

Check out our Wednesday’s newsletter to find out.

What raising the retirement age means for the economy

Cognizant just raised the retirement age for its Indian employees from 58 to 60. But that got us thinking—what if other tech companies follow suit? How could it reshape India’s economy?

You see, the idea of raising the retirement age isn’t new. Back in 1998, India increased the official retirement age from 58 to 60. Even countries like the US, Germany, and Japan have raised retirement ages to address workforce challenges.

In fact, the 2018-19 Economic Survey suggested that another hike could help us tap into the “silver dividend.” This simply means that India’s population growth is slowing, and if this continues, fewer young workers will replace the retiring workforce. In such a scenario, older employees could bridge the gap.

But wait… doesn’t this reduce opportunities for younger workers?

You can read our Thursday’s newsletter for all the insights!

What are blockchain and cryptocurrency anyway?!

This Friday, we kicked off the Finshots Cracks Crypto series with the basics!

We wrote about how blockchain technology is already shaking up industries with its decentralised, tamper-proof design. Meanwhile, Bitcoin, with its capped supply of 21 million coins, is taking things further by offering a borderless, deflationary alternative to traditional money.

But hey, we want you to decide if this is a groundbreaking innovation. So, we laid out all things basic about blockchain, cryptocurrency, and Bitcoin.

This story cracks open the core of blockchain. And it also dives into the first big use of blockchain tech – Bitcoin – and the features that position it as today’s top cryptocurrency.

It's not your usual short read, but we think you shouldn't miss this one.

Get the complete scoop in our Friday newsletter. 

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