Bitcoin Bets, AI Bans & Inflation Games— Who’s Really in Control?

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Dear Money Master,

Welcome to this week’s market insights! 📈 Inflation in the Eurozone has finally hit the European Central Bank’s golden 2% target, suggesting smoother monetary sailing ahead, but uncertainty still lingers. Meanwhile, the luxury market is splitting in two: jewelry is sparkling with double-digit growth, while handbags and fashion take a backseat.

Over in tech, Cloudflare is igniting debate with a default ban on AI scrapers, threatening the open-web model that many AI firms rely on. At the same time, Elon Musk’s xAI is on an aggressive tear, raising a jaw-dropping $10 billion to power Grok and build one of the largest supercomputers ever. Is this innovation or AI warfare?

Bitcoin believers are doubling down. Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) has poured another $531 million into BTC, while public companies are now out-buying ETFs for the third straight quarter, signaling a new corporate crypto era.

And if all that wasn't enough, Home Depot just sealed a $4.3B acquisition to lock down the contractor market, while Constellation Brands struggles to maintain fizz amid weakening beer demand. 🪙💼

Article of the Day: Big Beautiful Bill" or a Big Budget Blowout? – Understanding Trump's Massive Spending Plan 💰🏛️

📰 Your Daily Financial Digest - July 2nd, 2025

🌍 Economics & Finance:

1. Eurozone Inflation Hits ECB’s 2% Target 📊
   Consumer prices in the eurozone rose 2% in June, aligning with the European Central Bank’s goal, easing speculation on future rate hikes. Core inflation held at 2.3%, while services inflation inched up to 3.3%. Read More

2. Corporate Bitcoin Buys Outpace ETFs Again 🪙
   Public companies snapped up 131,000 BTC in Q2—more than ETFs—for a third straight quarter. Treasuries see Bitcoin as a strategic asset for shareholder value, while ETF demand remains passive. Read More

3. Jewelry Defies Luxury Downturn 💎
   While most luxury segments struggled, high-end jewelry sales jumped 10.1% in May. Consumers view pieces as both sentimental and investment-worthy, especially with gold up 25% in 2025. Read More

💻 Technology:

1. Cloudflare to Block AI Crawlers by Default 🚫
   Web giant Cloudflare will now automatically block AI bots unless sites opt in, giving creators more control. A new “pay-per-crawl” model also opens revenue opportunities for publishers. Read More

2. Elon Musk’s xAI Raises $10B for Grok and Supercomputing 🤖
   Elon Musk’s AI firm secured $10 billion in funding—half from equity and half from debt—to scale up its Grok AI model and massive GPU infrastructure at the Colossus facility in Memphis. Read More

3. Online Retail Faces Worst Slowdown in a Decade 🛒
   New tariffs are reshaping consumer habits, causing double-digit sales drops in major e-commerce categories. Cosmetics, office supplies, and furniture all suffered, while 66% of shoppers now say they’ll favor domestic options if foreign goods get pricier. Read More

💹Earnings:

1. Home Depot Acquires GMS for $4.3B 🧱
   Through SRS Distribution, Home Depot will buy GMS to better serve contractors and professionals. The deal boosts its share in the pro market and shuts down a potential bidding war with QXO. Read More

2. Constellation Brands Misses Q1 Targets 🍺
   Sales fell 6% year-over-year and missed forecasts, as Corona and Modelo struggled amid weaker consumer demand. Still, full-year guidance remains unchanged, suggesting hopes for recovery later in 2025. Read More

🔍 Article of the Day: Big Beautiful Bill" or a Big Budget Blowout? – Understanding Trump's Massive Spending Plan 💰🏛️

Ever wonder how a single bill in Congress could change your taxes, healthcare, and even your grocery budget? President Trump's newly revived spending plan—called the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”—is making waves in Washington and could have massive effects on millions of Americans. From cutting Medicaid and food benefits to offering new tax breaks for things like tips and car loans, this bill packs a punch. But is it a game-changer for working families or a budget breaker for the nation?

Let’s break down what’s actually inside this bill and what it could mean for you.

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To your financial empowerment, The Money Masters Team

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