Crypto, through the tulips

Wed, 17 Mar 2021

Let’s get envy out of the way.I am, of course, jealous of the bitcoin billionaires who turned sprinklings of digital fairy-dust into life-changing real money.If only I’d bought bucket-loads of the so-called ‘crypto-currency’ at 9 cents (US, mind) in 2009 instead of making fun of it in print for a few lousy dollars (NZ).Who’s laughing now, right? I could be cruising in my Lambo past all the no-coiners scurrying through the filthy streets to their dead-end paid-in-fiat currency jobs.Papal steerBut I now have charity,...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Technology

Sock-sorting vacuum shows robots are in their early stages

The industry is preparing for even more advanced robots.

The Washington Post 5:00am

World Opinion

If Kilmar Abrego García is doomed, all Americans are

What we have learned from this case is that whoopsies happen.

The Washington Post 20 Apr 2025

If Kilmar Abrego García is doomed, all Americans are

World

Young women are starting to recession-proof their lives

America’s biggest consumer spenders are skipping manicures and Ubers.

The Wall Street Journal 20 Apr 2025

Young women are starting to recession-proof their lives

Sponsored

Bayleys Total Property Issue 3 out now

Backed by Bayleys’ national strength and global reach

Bayleys

Sponsored

Go beyond reporting zero emissions

Clean energy that helps businesses and communities thrive

Meridian Energy

More Finance

Finance

FNZ extends controversial catch-up offer

Fintech FNZ has extended its deadline for “catch-up” equity offers, as employee shareholders say discontent grows.In March, the global fintech offered its class B shareholders a “catch-up” offer after it revealed their holdings could be massively diluted following its August capi...

Victoria Young 16 Apr 2025