Matthew Valencia, The Economist's Deputy Business Affairs Editor and cryptocurrency market expert, delves into the controversial stablecoin Tether and its regulatory challenges, exploring its impact on Bitcoin volatility. The discussion also sheds light on the financial struggles faced by Ugandan parliamentarians as they strive to meet public service needs, alongside a fascinating examination of China's push for better physical education in schools in response to rising youth obesity and cultural perceptions of masculinity.
The notionally dollar-pegged “stablecoin” quietly underpins many crypto-market moves. We ask what the currency issuer’s clash with New York authorities means for the wider crypto craze. In many African countries, parliamentarians are asked to fill public-service gaps—at great personal cost. We examine moves toward a fairer forking out of funds. And why physical-education exams are popping up in China.