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Most coverage tells you what happened. Fintech Takes is the free newsletter that tells you why it matters. Each week, I break down the trends, deals, and regulatory shifts shaping the industry — minus the spin. Clear analysis, smart context, and a little humor so you actually enjoy reading it.
Readers,
Welcome to The Starting 5 Newsletter! The 30 Second Newsletter with stocks, motivation, and tunes! Hope you enjoy!
1. Stock Performance 📈
DIA: $462.63 ↑ 0.08%
NASDAQ Composite Index: 22,470.73 ↑ 0.94%
S&P 500 (SPY): $608.94 ↑ 0.06%
AMZN: $233.41 ↑ 0.50%
AAPL: $240.79 ↑ 1.22%
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2. Crypto Check-In 🪙
BTC: $116,418.70 ↓ 0.99%
ETH: $4,539.80 ↓ 1.77%
SOL: $242.50 ↓ 2.15%
LTC: $116.40 ↓ 0.04%
3. Motivation Of The Day 💭
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
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4. Term Of The Day 📚
Cost Basis
📖Definition: The original value of an asset for tax purposes (what you paid for it, plus any fees, commissions, and adjustments)
📊Why it matters: It determines how much profit or loss you recognize (and therefore how much tax you pay) when you sell an investment. Small changes in how cost basis is calculated (e.g. reinvestment of dividends, fees) can materially affect taxes
💡Example: If you bought 100 shares of a stock for $10 each and paid a $20 commission, your cost basis is $1,020. If you later sell those shares for $1,500, your taxable gain would be $480 ($1,500 − $1,020)
5. Song Of The Day 🎧
🎧Song: “Tears” by Sabrina Carpenter
Genre: Pop
Why it hits: Emotive vocals paired with pared-down production make it resonate—feels honest and raw, perfect for reflecting or winding down
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Fintech Takes is the free newsletter senior leaders actually read. Each week, we break down the trends, deals, and regulatory moves shaping the industry — and explain why they matter — in plain English.
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The Starting 5 Team
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