World Power, Money Moves, and Big Uncertainty
Fun Fact!
- Did you know that the global economy is so interconnected that an economic crisis in one major country can trigger a domino effect worldwide, impacting stock markets, trade, and employment across continents almost instantly?
- Tariffs, which are taxes on imported goods, were once the primary source of revenue for many governments, including the United States for much of its early history, long before income taxes were introduced!
🌎 Tariffs are taxes: A tariff is like an extra tax the government puts on things coming from other countries. This makes those items cost more for people buying them.
🛒 Prices go up: If a bicycle from Brazil costs $200, and a 50% tariff is added, it could now cost $300. That means people may have to pay more for clothes, electronics, and cars.
🏭 Helps local workers: Tariffs can make imported goods more expensive, so people might buy more from local businesses. This helps local workers keep their jobs.
💸 But it can hurt too: Tariffs can also make everyday items cost more, and other countries might add their own tariffs back, causing problems.
📈 Big changes now: The US added big new tariffs in August 2025. Everyone businesses, shoppers, and governments are watching to see what happens next.
🪙 The US made the GENIUS Act, and the EU has MiCA, both making rules for "stablecoins," a type of digital money.
🌍 These rules are similar, helping the US and EU work together so crypto companies follow the same safety rules.
💰Both laws make sure digital money is backed by real reserves and kept safe from bank risks.
⚖️ Crypto companies must follow rules about honesty, transparency, and anti-crime checks. Bad behavior can get punished.
🚫 Both the US and EU protect people from big tech trying to control money with "vanity coins."
Fun Fact!
The first ever purchase made with Bitcoin was two pizzas that cost 10,000 Bitcoins in 2010! Today, those same Bitcoins would be worth millions of dollars. That's probably the most expensive pizza in history!