A new report from Jeffries investment bank predicted that data centres would help push American electricity demand up by 25% by 2030 and by 78% by 2050, compared to 2023’s levels. Utility companies are predicted to spend a historic $212 billion this year, just to keep up with that rising need – 22% more than last year and over double what they spent a decade ago. A big chunk of the cash will go toward power plants and transmission lines, stemming years of underinvestment in the grid.

The US dollar recorded its worst first half of the year since 1973, dropping 11% against a basket of six other currencies, as investors reacted to America’s unpredictable trade policies, ballooning debt, and new concerns about the Federal Reserve’s independence. This pushed some investors to park their money in safe assets elsewhere, like the euro, gold, and German bonds. It also led big institutional investors to begin hedging their US dollar exposure. The sharp drop rattled traders – and some think the worst might not be over yet.

Robinhood announced plans to give European investors the chance to buy over 200 tokenised stocks, ETFs, even private equity – shares that are usually reserved for the world’s wealthiest – via its crypto platform. The digital coins, which will include token versions of private firms like SpaceX and OpenAI, will trade commission free and will be available around the clock on weekdays, beginning later this summer.

Japan wrapped up its annual wage talks with the biggest average pay bump in 34 years – a 5.2% raise that suggests the country’s finally shaking off its deflationary depression. This probably turned a few heads at the Bank of Japan as it weighs whether inflation’s here to stay – and whether rates need another nudge.