logo
Czech central bank adds Coinbase to portfolio, boosts Palantir holdings

Czech central bank adds Coinbase to portfolio, boosts Palantir holdings

Crypto Insight14-07-2025
The Czech National Bank adjusted its US investment portfolio in the second quarter by increasing its stake in Palantir Technologies and initiating a new position in cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase Global.
These moves were disclosed in a Form 13F filing, which is a quarterly report filed by investment managers to the Securities and Exchange Commission that discloses their US equity holdings.
The filing shows the bank has added 51,732 Coinbase shares, worth over $18 million. The Czech National Bank also added 49,135 Palantir shares in the second quarter of the year, bringing its total to 519,950 by the end of June.
Palantir, a data analytics firm, saw its stock surge 80% in the first half of 2025, outperforming the S&P 500's 5.5% gain. The company has benefited from strong earnings reports and growing investor interest in artificial intelligence. Coinbase joins S&P 500
Coinbase became the first crypto company to join the S&P 500 in May. The S&P 500 is a stock market index that tracks the performance of 500 of the largest, publicly traded companies in the US, representing a broad measure of the overall US stock market.
The company's stock rose 41% in the first half of 2025 and gained an additional 10% in the following weeks. The exchange's shares are also up by around 60% over the past month, according to data from Google Finance.
Meanwhile, Coinbase's total revenue dropped 10% quarter-over-quarter to $2 billion in Q1, missing industry expectations as trading activity slowed across the market. The company's net income plummeted 95% to $66 million, largely due to a $596 million paper loss on its crypto holdings.
Transaction revenue also declined 18.9% to $1.26 billion, with trading volumes down 10.5% to $393 billion, reflecting a shrinking crypto market partly impacted by tariffs under the Trump administration. Despite this, earnings per share of $1.94 surpassed analyst estimates. Coinbase expands crypto footprint
Coinbase has been expanding its market share in spot and derivatives trading with new acquisitions. In May, the firm announced that it had agreed to acquire the crypto options trading platform Deribit in a transaction worth $2.9 billion.
Earlier this month, the company purchased Liquifi, a token management platform specializing in early-stage tokenization projects. The move enhances Coinbase's token cap table management, vesting, and compliance capabilities, enabling it to support token creators earlier in their development.
Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/czech-central-bank-coinbase-portfolio-palantir-q2
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bank of England's long unwinding road: Mike Dolan
Bank of England's long unwinding road: Mike Dolan

Zawya

time29 minutes ago

  • Zawya

Bank of England's long unwinding road: Mike Dolan

(The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters) LONDON - An expected cut that will take the Bank of England's key interest rate to 4% this week will be merciful relief for an economy badly in need of a lift. But overwhelming caution and a split among policymakers mean the easing cycle is set to be one of the shallowest and most drawn out in modern history. The BoE, like its central bank peers, has had a torrid five years, but with numerous home-grown twists and turns to boot. With Brexit just kicking in, the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 - forcing massive BoE balance sheet support for government rescues during the lockdowns. A supply shock from the post-pandemic reboot combined with massive monetary and fiscal stimulus to sow the first double-digit UK inflation spike in over 40 years - exacerbated by soaring energy costs after Russia invaded Ukraine in March 2022 and complicated by a government-inspired bond market blowout later that year. The scramble to hike borrowing costs ensued as early as 2021 and the BoE has only slowly pared them back over the past year. And inflation is still not sustainably back to its 2% target, U.S. trade barriers are now rising sharply and policymakers and investors alike are struggling to determine exactly what the new normal is. Given this backdrop, the central bank's recent mantra of 'gradual and careful' seems reasonable. Deutsche Bank economists Sanjay Raja and Shreyas Gopal sought to quantify that caution this week by pointing out that the slow and shallow BoE easing cycle so far is already the third-longest since World War Two. If their forecast for the BoE's official bank rate - of four-quarter-percentage point cuts to 3.25% by next February - turns out correct, then this easing cycle will be the longest since 1945. What's more, they calculate that no rate-cut cycle that's lasted more than two quarters has delivered less easing than the current one. The Deutsche team reckon this is all consistent with the central bank's 'softly softly' guidance, but is also likely a "reflection of a very divided MPC (Monetary Policy Committee) following four years of above-target inflation." BoE policymakers broke three ways back in May when the central bank last cut rates - with votes for the majority decision, a deeper cut and no change - and some think that split could re-emerge this week. GROPING IN THE DARK Financial market pricing chimes with Deutsche's take and tentatively prices a "terminal rate" for the cycle at about 3.25%, paring back less than half the hikes that took the rate from the near-zero level to 5.25% during the 2021-2023 period. And that's a quarter-percentage-point higher than where markets think the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy rate will end up late next year. If the BoE policy rate does settle there, it would be a quarter percentage point above the average of the past 28 years of the central bank's operational independence - perhaps the clearest reflection of the big structural hit to both the domestic and global economies in recent years. But as the policymaker split is watched closely again on Thursday alongside the BoE's updated economic forecasts, some banks - such as Morgan Stanley - still assume the bank rate will eventually be eased much further to 2.75% by the end of 2026. To get there, the BoE will likely have to grope around in the dark a bit longer. In a speech last month, BoE policymaker Alan Taylor outlined his thoughts on the fabled "r-star" neutral real interest rate, the theoretical rate that neither spurs nor drags on economic activity and prices. His work suggested that a British r-star is now around 0.75%, which, after adding a 2% inflation rate, would imply that a BoE policy rate of 2.75% is indeed a reasonable landing point. That estimate hasn't changed much in 10 years, even though it's less than half of what it was on the eve of the 2007-2008 global banking crash. Indeed, Taylor underscored the very long-term trend of declining neutral rates in his presentation by highlighting a vast data set of interest rates from around the world clearly showing that interest rates had not just been falling steadily for the past 50 years, but the past 800 years. And yet even a BoE dove like Taylor knows how foggy it still is out there at the moment, especially given this year's expected UK inflation rebound and still punchy wage gains. "Optimism has faded and geoeconomic storms have blown in," he said before concluding on a philosophical note, "We know we will never see the end of the road, but we must always be looking for it." Central bankers everywhere may be trying to do just that, though few are likely seeing anything clearly right now. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters -- Enjoying this column? Check out Reuters Open Interest (ROI), your essential new source for global financial commentary. Follow ROI on LinkedIn. Plus, sign up for my weekday newsletter, Morning Bid U.S.

Qatar backs Syria's economic revival with strategic projects as a US $4bln foreign-investment deal is signed
Qatar backs Syria's economic revival with strategic projects as a US $4bln foreign-investment deal is signed

Zawya

time29 minutes ago

  • Zawya

Qatar backs Syria's economic revival with strategic projects as a US $4bln foreign-investment deal is signed

Damascus, Syria: With the support of Qatar and Under the patronage of His Excellency President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, the Syrian government has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with a consortium of five international companies led by UCC Holding to develop and expand Damascus International Airport, with a foreign investment valued at over USD 4 billion. The project represents a cornerstone of the nation's reconstruction efforts, aimed at enhancing global connectivity and contributing to the growth of the economy, trade, and tourism. It is considered a pivotal milestone in a series of major development projects being implemented in vital sectors such as energy, reconstruction, and infrastructure. This investment is one of the largest in Syria's infrastructure in decades, reflecting the country's drive to restore its regional and international standing. The project will be implemented by an international consortium led by Qatar's UCC Holding through its investment arm, UCC Concessions Investments LLC, and also includes Assets Investments USA LLC (USA), Cengiz İnşaat (Turkey), Kalyon İnşaat (Turkey), and TAV Tepe Akfen (Turkey). The signing ceremony took place in Damascus in the presence of Mr. Tom Barrack, the U.S. Special Envoy to Syria, representatives of the Qatari Embassy in Syria, senior official delegations, and a number of diplomats. The agreement was signed by Mr. Omar Al-Husari, Chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation – representing the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic – along with Mr. Mohammad Moataz Al-Khayyat, Chairman of UCC Holding; Mr. Sani Şener, Chairman of TAV; Mr. Anthony Salter, CEO of Assets Investments USA; Mr. Murat Ergonul, Board Member of Cengiz İnşaat; and Mr. Mustafa Kocar, CEO of Kalyon İnşaat. This investment aims to redevelop Damascus International Airport into an integrated regional hub capable of handling 31 million passengers annually upon completion of all phases, with world-class public facilities. The project will be executed under a Build–Operate–Transfer (BOT) model in five successive phases: increasing capacity to 6 million passengers in the first year, 16 million upon completion of the second phase, and ultimately reaching 31 million passengers annually at full capacity. The airport will be built to the highest international standards approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), featuring up to 32 gates equipped with modern passenger boarding bridges, a fully integrated air navigation service system, and a world-class duty-free area housing a wide selection of international restaurants, upscale cafés, and leading fashion brands—making it one of the most modern and advanced airports in the region. The project also includes the development of the main access road to the airport, stretching up to 50 km, in addition to USD 250 million in financing to purchase up to 10 Airbus A320 aircraft for Syrian Airlines, aimed at enhancing the fleet and increasing the competitiveness of the national carrier. Mr. Mohammad Moutaz Al-Khayyat, Chairman of UCC Holding, stated: 'This project embodies the outcome of a strategic partnership bringing together a select group of leading international companies with a unified goal: rebuilding one of Syria's most vital facilities in a way that reflects its future ambitions. At UCC Holding, we believe that the success of projects of this magnitude requires the integration of global expertise with a deep understanding of local market needs—a principle we aim to apply in every stage of implementation. We also wish to express our profound appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, may God protect him, for his unwavering support and guidance in enabling the Qatari private sector to contribute to building a new Syria and to undertake strategic projects that bolster the Syrian economy.' Mr. Ramez Al-Khayyat, President and Group CEO of UCC Holding, said: 'This project is not just about redeveloping Damascus International Airport; it is a strategic bridge carrying Syria toward a future of recovery and prosperity. We are investing in a sustainable development vision that enhances trade and tourism, connects Syria to the world at the highest standards, and stimulates economic growth and investment across all sectors. Leveraging Syria's strategic location and our extensive local and regional partnerships, Damascus International Airport will become a model for advanced, smart transportation projects in the region.' Mr. Sani Şener, Chairman of TAV, commented: 'We view this project as a strategic investment opportunity that goes beyond infrastructure development. It is a gateway to revitalizing the Syrian economy and reintegrating it into regional and global trade and investment flows. We bring to this investment our accumulated expertise in developing and operating major transportation projects to deliver a world-class airport that enhances the efficiency of the aviation sector, boosts the attractiveness of the Syrian market to global capital, and paves the way for a new era of growth and stability.' It is noteworthy that UCC Holding has previously worked on the development and execution of several landmark airports, including Hamad International Airport in Qatar, Rwanda International Airport, and Tripoli Airport in Libya, and now adds the redevelopment and operation of Damascus International Airport to its portfolio of major strategic projects in the region. The U.S. and Turkish consortium partners also have extensive experience in developing and operating major airports worldwide, having contributed to landmark projects such as Istanbul New Airport the largest airport project in the world today delivered through the İGA consortium led by Kalyon and Cengiz, as well as Ordu–Giresun Airport and Rize–Artvin Airport in Turkey, Istanbul Atatürk Airport, Ankara Esenboğa Airport, Gazipaşa–Alanya Airport, Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina, King Khalid International Airport – Terminal 5 in Riyadh, Tbilisi International Airport and Batumi International Airport in Georgia, Enfidha–Hammamet Airport in Tunisia, Skopje and Ohrid Airports in North Macedonia, and the Terminal 3 expansion at Cairo International Airport in Egypt. The project is expected to create more than 90,000 direct and indirect jobs, strengthen the local economy across multiple sectors, and enable Syria to return as an active player in the regional and international aviation network, becoming a leading strategic hub in the region.A Media Inquiries: Aladdin Idilbi Marketing & Communications Director, UCC Holding

Blowout South Korea stock rally on a knife-edge over tax plans
Blowout South Korea stock rally on a knife-edge over tax plans

Zawya

timean hour ago

  • Zawya

Blowout South Korea stock rally on a knife-edge over tax plans

SINGAPORE - South Korea's tax policies have thrown the outlook for Asia's best-performing major stock market into doubt, with investors assessing the impact of higher corporate tax and trading levies on the country's long-promised reforms. Foreign investment flows into South Korean equities totalled $4.52 billion in July, LSEG data showed - the fastest pace in almost a year and a half - as the prospect of corporate reforms and a trade deal with the Trump administration lured overseas money. However, the KOSPI index, which had risen 33.3% so far this year, leading gains across the region, experienced its sharpest one-day drop since April on Friday. The index slumped 3.9% following the announcement of tax measures. Foreign analysts are uncertain if the "Korea discount" - a steep valuation gap with other Asian markets - will narrow as the government begins to implement reforms, but some institutional investors regard the changes as positive in the long run. Many of the country's biggest multinationals, the family-owned conglomerates known as chaebols, tightly control voting power and lack independent boards to safeguard minority investor interests. "We've been victims of poor corporate governance in Korea for over a decade," said Jonathan Pines, head of Asia ex-Japan at Federated Hermes. "Even though the market is up significantly, we believe it has further to go," he said. "The news flow is likely to remain positive, and Korean market valuations are still among the cheapest in the world." Korean stocks trade at a 12-month forward price-to-earnings ratio of 10.1, the lowest of any major market in Asia, according to data from Goldman Sachs. The investment bank gives the country an "overweight" rating and a target level of 3,500 in the next year, implying a 9.4% gain from current levels. South Korean equities gained momentum after the Financial Services Commission introduced its Corporate Value-Up Programme in February last year, aimed at improving corporate governance standards. The rally last month culminated with the announcement of a trade deal between Seoul and Washington on July 31, with a summit planned this month to finalise the agreement. However, tax reforms last Friday prompted mixed reactions. The government raised the peak corporate tax rate to 25% from 24% and the securities transaction tax to 0.20% from 0.15%. "While in general we think that tax changes do not impact markets for very long, we do think these measures are 180 degrees opposed to the sentiment of the 'Korea Up' programme, which was meant to boost valuation," Citi said in a note dated August 3, cutting its allocation. "Given how important this programme was in the recent large KOSPI outperformance, we think more downside is likely." Since then, the index has recovered some ground, advancing 2.5% this week. The reforms "proved underwhelming for the market", J.P. Morgan analysts said in a note. "Positive news on reform implementation, additional earnings improvements or repatriation flows will be needed to further the re-rating." Others were more sanguine. The creation of a separate tax rate for dividend income could boost the payout ratio of Korean companies, Societe Generale analysts said. "While the taxation details came with some negative surprises, we view the tax reform as a win-some-lose-some event, and not entirely a lose-lose situation," they said. Activist investors and corporate governance advocates remain hopeful about reforms under President Lee Jae-myung. Manoj Jain, co-CIO of Hong Kong-based Maso Capital, remains cautiously optimistic. "In conversations with management teams, pleasingly, we have sensed a change in tone where boards are now more receptive to shareholder views and feedback," Jain said. "We are in the second inning in terms of corporate governance reform," said Namuh Rhee, chairman of the Korean Corporate Governance Forum. "The biggest headwind is strong lobbying by chaebol and their lobbying agencies." The government may yet amend its tax plans. Jung Chung-rae, the leader of the ruling Democratic Party, said on Monday the party will hold internal discussions over the proposed levies. Finance minister Koo Yun-cheol, facing a grilling from Korean opposition lawmakers in parliament on Wednesday, said he would listen to public opinion, including a suggestion from a lawmaker to revise the rules constituting "large shareholders" subject to capital gains taxes. (By Gregor Stuart Hunter in Singapore; Additional reporting by Youn Ah Moon and Jihoon Lee in Seoul; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store