Welcome to Nofinity

BlackRock and Goldman Sachs Are Quietly Undermining MicroStrategy

On June 16, 2024, BlackRock launched the Eyesshares Bitcoin Premium Income ETF (ticker: BIA), a product that pays monthly income by selling covered call options on 25-35% of its Bitcoin holdings. Target yield: 15-25% annualized, fee: 0.65%. Goldman Sachs is expected to follow around July 1 with an even more aggressive fund that writes calls on 40-100% of its portfolio, targeting high-net-worth clients.

The Impact on MicroStrategy (Strategy, ticker MSTR)

• MNAV premium (market value vs. Bitcoin holdings) collapsed from 3.89 to 0.88 – MSTR now trades at a discount to its Bitcoin.
• The preferred stock STRC fell to $89 (below $100 par), halting new issuance.
• In May, Strategy sold 32 Bitcoin for the first time since 2022 to fund dividends – breaking the 'never sell' principle.
• Issuing new shares at sub-1.22 MNAV dilutes existing shareholders.

Two Competing Narratives

Bullish: Wall Street validates Bitcoin by building permanent infrastructure. If BTC price recovers, MSTR premium could snap back. Bearish: Institutions are domesticating Bitcoin, converting its explosive upside into tame yield. MicroStrategy loses its role as the bridge and risks a 'death spiral' of selling Bitcoin or diluting to fund dividends.

Key Metrics to Watch

1. MNAV above 1.22 → flywheel positive
2. STRC back to par → capital raising reopens
3. Any further Bitcoin sales → spiral confirmed
4. Goldman's fund launch → income capital outflows from MSTR
5. Bitcoin price as the ultimate driver

What is Espresso?

Espresso is a brewing method where hot water is forced under pressure through a finely ground coffee puck. The definition has evolved: originally similar to a moka pot with lower pressure, today it involves higher pressure (typically 9 bar) and finer grinds for greater extraction.

Essential Variables

• Grind size: The main adjustment – finer increases resistance.
• Temperature: If adjustable, fine-tune; otherwise, not critical.
• Ratio: Classic 1:2 (e.g., 20 g coffee → 40 g espresso).
• Time: Traditionally 25–30 seconds as a guideline, but not set in stone.

Traditional Approach (1:2 in 25–30 seconds)

1. Dosing: Fill the basket as full as possible without touching the shower screen, level, and tamp firmly (until no further give). Leave about 1 cm headspace.
2. Adjust grind: If the shot runs too fast (<25 sec) → grind finer; too slow (>30 sec) → grind coarser.
3. Use a scale: Weigh the output and stop as soon as you reach the target ratio.
4. Taste: You might prefer a 15‑second shot or a 35‑second one – experiment.

Modern Approach for Light Roasts (Turbo Shots)

Light roasts are denser, less brittle, and produce fewer fines and less CO₂. Achieving a stable 9 bar at 1:2 in 25–30 seconds is difficult. Instead:

• Grind much coarser (similar to a dark roast for 9 bar).
• Extract quickly (11–16 seconds).
• Use a higher ratio (1:2.5 to 1:3).
• Ignore pressure – it will peak below 6 bar, which is perfectly fine.
• Benefits: More even extraction, fewer bitter compounds, better aroma retention (less time to volatilise).
• No crema, but the body feels full due to chemical texture.

Key Takeaways

• Pressure isn't critical: 9 bar isn't mandatory. 6–7 bar work well; the taste difference is negligible.
• Resistance drives pressure: It depends on grind size, roast freshness, basket geometry, and bed depth.
• Don't fear splatter from a naked portafilter: With light roasts and fast shots, splashing doesn't necessarily mean channelling.
• Taste rules: Don't obsess over numbers – adjust based on flavour.

What is the Early Start Pension?

• State subsidy: €10 per month for children aged 6 to 18 with a primary residence in Germany.
• The money is automatically invested in an old-age provision depot (standard depot) via funds or ETFs.
• Tax benefit: Gains are tax-free during the accumulation phase, but the entire withdrawal is taxed as income upon retirement.

Who receives the subsidy?

• Only children who turn 6 in 2026 or later – gradual introduction (starting with the 2026 cohort).
• No separate application needed; the subsidy is granted automatically when a standard depot is opened.
• If parents do not open a depot, the German Federal Bank invests the money collectively. Important: The subsidy expires if not claimed by the child's 25th birthday.

Calculation example: From €10 to €60,000?

• Contributions: €10/month × 12 years (ages 6–18) = €1,440.
• With 7% annual return: by age 18, roughly €2,300.
• If the money remains invested until age 67, it grows to €60,000–70,000 (before taxes).

Advantages and disadvantages at a glance

• Advantages:
  • Low monthly amount, but a long investment horizon creates strong compounding.
  • Backup solution via the Federal Bank prevents loss of money if parents take no action.
  • Costs in the standard depot are capped at 1% per year (including ETF costs and depot fees).
• Disadvantages:
  • Earmarked for retirement: Withdrawal only possible from age 65, with a payout plan until age 85.
  • Cannot be used for real estate, education, or driver's license.
  • Only the standard depot is eligible (not self-managed) – providers often choose more expensive ETFs.
  • Subsidy expires at age 25 if no depot is opened.

Current status and recommendation

• The law has been passed but not yet approved by parliament. Parents do not need to take action now.
• The old-age provision depot launches on January 1, 2027; retroactively for 2026, children will receive €120.
• Tip: Wait – the Federal Bank solution ensures no funds are lost, and hasty purchases of expensive products are avoided.

Background & Current Status

• The CLARITY Act (Digital Asset Market Clarity Act) failed to pass before the August recess, but is not dead. Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed a cloture motion on August 8, ensuring a vote on Tuesday, September 15 at 2:15 PM.
• This market structure bill determines SEC vs CFTC jurisdiction, affecting all US crypto exchanges, token issuers, DeFi protocols, custodians, and market makers.

Vote Prospects

• Cloture requires 60 votes (3/5 supermajority). Republicans hold 53 seats, so at least 7 Democrats needed assuming full GOP attendance. Reliable GOP count is about 50, requiring 7-9 Democrats.
• Potential Democratic supporters include Booker, Cortez Masto, Gallego, Hickenlooper, Warner, Warnock, etc. 78 House Democrats already voted for a version.

Time Challenges

• Senate returns September 14 but has only ~14 legislative days. Must address:
  • September 30 government funding cliff (must-pass)
  • Russia sanctions package
  • Attorney general nomination dispute
• CLARITY is not must-pass; leadership may push it aside if funding debate takes floor time. September is likely the only opportunity before midterms (50 days away).

Key Hurdle: Ethics Provisions

• Ethics is the major blocker. President Trump earned over $1.4 billion from crypto ventures in 2025, raising conflict-of-interest concerns.
• The July 22 merged text bars president, VP, and spouses from directly issuing digital assets in office, but sunset on Jan 20, 2029, enforcement only by DOJ (no state AG), existing holdings grandfathered, adult children exempt.
• Elizabeth Warren criticized it as insufficient. Gallego and Tillis proposed bipartisan compromise (divestment + state AG enforcement) but White House hasn't responded.

Market Pricing

• Polymarket shows 13%-21% probability of enactment by 2026 (down from 82% in February). But Kalshi shows 88% chance of procedural vote before October 1. Market is pricing different events.
• Bitcoin ~$64K, flat; Coinbase stock down 6.5% over 30 days. Analysts flag 15-30% downside risk if CLARITY fails, but current equity valuations already assume worst case.

Conclusion

• Regardless of outcome, September 15 will end ambiguity: if passed, US digital asset regulation becomes law; if not, every senator's position is recorded, giving industry a target list for 2027.

Market at All-Time High – Risks Are Even Higher

The stock market is hitting new highs, but warning signs are piling up. The speaker analyzes the situation from multiple angles:

The Hyperscaler Effect

• Credit markets are tightening, especially for hyperscalers (e.g., Microsoft, Meta, Alphabet).
• Without their massive spending, the U.S. economy would already be in a recession – similarly without huge government deficits (25% of revenue).
• Bond duration spreads for hyperscalers are widening (reminiscent of 2007 banks).

The Mismatch in AI Investments

• Warren Buffett warns about asset-liability duration mismatch: companies borrow short to invest long. For AI, the ROI is completely uncertain.
• Free cash flows of investing firms have dropped to less than a quarter of what they were two years ago – except Apple.
• AI capex is exploding: JP Morgan estimates $4.1 trillion out of $5.5 trillion will be debt-financed.

Chinese Competition & Market Sentiment

• Over 50% of token usage in AI models comes from China (Deepseek, ZAI, Quen, etc.) – at much lower spending.
• Yet Wall Street largely ignores China. "Buy the dip" continues to dominate.

Historical Lessons & Value Investing

• Examples like electrification, the internet, or railroads show: world-changing technologies often delivered terrible returns.
• The speaker cites Steve Eisman ("The Big Short"): the market might run for another 1–2 years – driven purely by greed.
• Value investing relies on a margin of safety: "If this happens, I win; if that happens, I win too." Michael Burry is fully hedged.

Conclusion

The speaker sticks to value investing and asks viewers: "Who is crazy here?" – those betting on the AI hype, or those who remain skeptical?

🚨 Crypto Panic vs. On-Chain Data: AI Eating Everything + Meme Supercycle 🧠💡

Key Adjustment: Bearish Summer Sentiment

• Summer is seasonally weak (low volumes, "summer doldrums").
• September is historically the weakest stock market month.
• The Crypto Fear & Greed Index is at 29 (Fear), but no longer in extreme fear.

💀 Avoid "Zombie Coins" at All Costs

• 99.8% of all cryptos will go to zero.
• 62% of top 100 tokens die within 5 years of inception.
• Examples of zombie chains: XRP (from $4 to $1), Cardano (a zombie chain), Litecoin (from $360 to $45).
• Grayscale withdrew ETF filings for Cardano, Polkadot, and Hedera.
• Hope is not a strategy – poor tokenomics lead to death.

🇺🇸 Macro & Stock Market: AI Hype vs. Bears

• Michael Burry is 66% short Palantir and 81% short AI. Analysts find this absurd (Nvidia: P/E 20, 80% margin, infinite demand).
• AI now generates 51.7% of all online articles – human content is the minority.
• Tip: Be authentic (people appreciate real personality).

📈 Good News: Strong Resilience

• Bitcoin has been hovering around $64,000 since February – an extremely strong floor.
• Weekly ETF inflows hit nearly $1 billion last week (strongest week since April 2026).
• All buyers of the last 90 days are break-even – a sign of a bottom.
• Altcoin season is beginning: Solana, Tron, Binance Coin, Litecoin, Doge, and Chainlink outperformed Bitcoin in the last 7 days.

⛓️ On-Chain Analysis: Solana Dominates

• Solana processes 65% of all on-chain activity but holds only 2% of market cap.
• Solana has led in app revenue for 26 consecutive months (43%).
• A fair valuation would see Solana at $590 (vs. $75), Ethereum at $43 (vs. $1,874).

🤖 AI & Tech Outlook

• AI spending is no bubble – the largest investors (BlackRock, Apollo, Nvidia) are demanding trillions to compete with China.
• Nvidia is building its own frontier model (1 trillion parameters), putting pressure on competitors.
• DRAM prices are exploding: 1 kg of DRAM costs $94,000 (the new gold).
• Tesla/Elon Musk plan to buy 30% of all Vera Rubin chip production.
• SpaceX is valued at $1 trillion by 2030.

📊 Investment Strategy & Market Cycles

• Bull stock markets last an average of 5.6 years – we are only 3 years into the current cycle.
• Be patient: Markets transfer wealth from the impatient to the patient.
• AI is the new gold: The demand for intelligence is infinite.

🏆 Key Takeaways

1. Avoid zombie coins – focus on real on-chain usage.
2. The bottom is in – $64,000 for Bitcoin is a strong floor.
3. Solana is eating the competition's lunch – massively undervalued.
4. AI is not a hype but an arms race with China – markets are giving the green light.
5. Be patient: Wealth takes time and dedication.

In this video, Mario Lochner explains the Core-Satellite Strategy to build the perfect portfolio. He reveals why most investors fail (overconfidence, impulsiveness) and how to achieve long-term success through automation and psychological tricks.

🧠 The Wealth Multiplier

• The earlier you start, the stronger the compound effect. Example: €1 at 10 % annual return grows to €647 by age 65 if you start at 0, but only €88 if you start at 20.

📉 Common Investor Mistakes

• A JP Morgan study shows the average investor earns only 1.9 % – worse than any asset class.
• Researcher Hendrik Bessenbänder found that only 2.4 % of all stocks create lasting net wealth. The rest underperform Treasury bills.

🎯 Alpha vs. Beta

• Beta = market return (systematic), e.g. via an ETF like the MSCI World.
• Alpha = excess return (unsystematic) through individual stocks, crypto, or targeted bets.

🛠️ The Core-Satellite Strategy

A solid core (70–85 % of the portfolio) of broadly diversified ETFs captures market returns. Around it orbit satellites (15–30 %) for alpha – e.g. single stocks, gold, or crypto. This calms your psychology and prevents decision errors.

🔍 Building the Perfect Core

• Define the capital’s purpose (wealth building, retirement, etc.).
• Four conditions: reflects the desired return source, broadly diversified, cost-efficient, crisis-proof.
• Simplest solution: 100 % all-world ETF (e.g. Vanguard FTSE All‑World or SPDR MSCI ACWI).
• Avoid fake diversification: MSCI World, S&P 500, and Nasdaq 100 overlap heavily (many identical top holdings).

🛰️ Using Satellites Correctly

Each satellite must have a clear thesis. Before buying, answer 5 questions:

1. Strategic or tactical?
2. Primary mission?
3. Neutral alternative?
4. How to measure success?
5. What disproves the thesis, and what is the maximum acceptable loss?

Example: Max satellite weight = acceptable portfolio damage (max 2 %) divided by conservative stress loss (50 %) → max 4 %.

🏦 Example Portfolio with €100,000

• Core (70 % = €70,000)
  • North America: €32,200
  • Japan: €6,300
  • Europe: €16,100
  • Emerging Markets & Pacific: €15,400
• Satellites (30 % = €30,000)
  • Bitcoin: €6,000
  • Individual stocks: €15,000
  • Gold: €9,000

📘 Bonus Material

Free eBook „10 ETF Mistakes“ and „50 Money Mistakes That Keep You Poor“ – link in the description.