WhatsApp’s Next Chapter, Oil’s Whiplash, and China’s Surprise Surge

Money Masters' Market Kickoff Week 25

June 16, 2025

In partnership with

Dear Money Master,

This week kicks off with explosive headlines—literally and financially. 🧨 Oil markets went on a wild ride as Israel targeted Iranian energy sites, only for prices to crash again amid surprise peace overtures. Meanwhile, China delivered a retail surprise with a sharp sales rebound, even as its property sector keeps dragging. Over in the tech world, Meta just flipped the switch on WhatsApp’s business model, introducing ads for the first time in the app’s 11-year post-acquisition history. It's a bold pivot—and a long-awaited one.

In today’s Article of the Day, we take you back to where it all began: the rebellious roots of WhatsApp, how it grew into a global titan, and why Zuckerberg bet $19 billion on it. As WhatsApp’s next chapter begins, it's the perfect time to revisit its origin story.

📰 Your Daily Financial Digest - June 16th, 2025

🌍 Economics & Finance:

  1. Oil Prices Whipsaw as Israel-Iran Conflict Heats Up 🔥
    Crude oil initially surged after Israel targeted Iran’s gas facilities but fell after Iran signaled its willingness to resume nuclear talks. U.S. crude is back under $70 per barrel, with Rystad Energy saying a price surge above $80 remains unlikely. Read More

  2. China’s Retail Surprise Lifts Sentiment, But Risks Remain 🛒
    Retail sales grew 6.4% in May, the fastest pace in 6 months, boosted by subsidies and travel. However, slumping property investment and continued deflation signal a fragile recovery needing policy support. Read More

  3. Trump Greenlights U.S. Steel-Nippon Deal with ‘Golden Share’ 🛠️
    U.S. Steel surged after Trump approved its acquisition by Nippon Steel. The U.S. government now holds a “golden share” granting veto power over HQ relocation, job transfers, and plant closures, ensuring national interests remain protected. Read More

💻 Technology:

  1. Meta Launches Ads on WhatsApp After 11 Years 📱
    Ads will appear in the app’s “Updates” tab while Meta also adds monetization to Channels. The move aligns with Zuckerberg’s goal to make WhatsApp central to Meta’s growth, tapping into its 3B+ user base. Read More

  2. Taiwan Blacklists Huawei and SMIC in Tech Crackdown 🔒
    Aligning closer with U.S. trade policy, Taiwan added Huawei and SMIC to its high-tech blacklist. This symbolic move could intensify export controls and reshape semiconductor supply chains. Read More

  3. 23andMe Co-Founder Buys Back Company for $305M 🧬
    Anne Wojcicki’s nonprofit TTAM outbid Regeneron to reclaim 23andMe’s assets, including its DNA testing and telehealth units. The company, once valued at $6B, filed for bankruptcy earlier this year. Read More

💹Earnings:

  1. RH Stock Soars on Surprise Profit and Tariff Strategy 🛋️
    Luxury furniture brand RH beat EPS expectations and kept its 2025 outlook. It plans to reduce dependence on Chinese production and is expanding internationally, including a Paris flagship store. Read More

  2. Kering Shares Jump Amid CEO Change Hopes 👜
    Luca de Meo, credited for turning around Renault, is expected to be named CEO. Investors hope his brand strategy expertise can revitalize struggling Gucci and Saint Laurent. Read More

  3. J.Jill Crashes as Sales Disappoint, Outlook Pulled 👗
    The women's retailer reported worse-than-expected comparable sales and suspended full-year guidance amid macro uncertainty and leadership change. The stock is down over 60% YoY. Read More

🔍 The Article of the Day: The Story of WhatsApp – From Founders’ Vision to Meta’s Acquisition

Meta’s big move to monetize WhatsApp with ads marks a turning point for the app once fiercely opposed to advertising. To understand the gravity of this shift, we’re diving into WhatsApp’s origin story—how two ex-Yahoo engineers built it into the world’s most used messaging platform and why Meta shelled out $19 billion to buy it.

TLDR: WhatsApp started as a simple, ad-free messaging app focused on privacy and user experience. It exploded in global popularity by 2014, catching the eye of Mark Zuckerberg. Despite its founders’ resistance to ads, Meta’s long-term vision has always been to turn it into a commercial ecosystem. Now, over a decade later, that vision is becoming reality.

👉 Read the full story now on our app!

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DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for any losses incurred as a result of actions taken based on the information provided. Always conduct your own research or consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.