SmarterMarkets™

Andy Home, Senior Metals Columnist at Thomson Reuters, delves into the tumultuous world of battery metals amidst the energy transition. He discusses the surprising downturn in the market and challenges faced by Western countries in establishing sustainable supply chains, especially with China's dominance. The conversation also covers evolving consumer preferences, the transformation of nickel trading, and the necessity for diverse pricing mechanisms. Home emphasizes the importance of hedging as the market shifts amidst uncertainties in demand and supply.

Dan McElduff, President of Abaxx Exchange, delves into the fast-evolving battery metals market, emphasizing the launch of futures contracts for nickel sulfate and lithium carbonate. He discusses the critical role of early adopters in ensuring market liquidity and the necessity of standardization for effective price discovery. The conversation also touches on the intertwined challenges of geopolitical factors and supply chain dynamics, alongside opportunities presented by the growing demand for electric vehicles and energy storage solutions.

In this engaging discussion, Josh Crumb, Founder & CEO of Abaxx Technologies, shares insights on enhancing commodities market infrastructure. Steve Lowe, an expert in institutional gold trading, dives into the dynamics of gold, from COVID-19 effects to geographical shifts in demand. David Gornall sheds light on battery metals, addressing arbitrage challenges and ESG issues in Europe. They emphasize the need for transparency and technological advancements to improve efficiency in both gold and battery material markets, setting the stage for a more reliable future.

In this festive discussion, Josh Crumb, CEO of Abaxx Technologies, shares insights on enhancing market infrastructure for today's commodities. Sacha Lifschitz, a seasoned metals trader, dives into the evolving world of battery metals and gold, highlighting their pivotal role in the energy sector. Meanwhile, Dave Reilly, Chief Economist, discusses innovative trading contracts aimed at improving risk management. They also explore the transformation of nickel markets and the vital importance of centralized logistics in modern trading.

Steve Zwick, host and producer of Bionic Planet, and Renat Heuberger, CEO of Terra Impact Ventures, dive into the intricate world of carbon markets. They discuss the paradoxes that challenge climate action, the disconnect between public perception and reality, and ethical considerations in carbon credit systems. Emphasizing the need for transparency, they advocate for a balanced dialogue to enhance understanding and effectiveness. The conversation also touches on the emotional and regulatory complexities of voluntary versus compliance markets, aiming for intelligent decision-making.

Join Dr. David Bray, a distinguished tech expert and CEO at the Stimson Center, as he discusses how technology shapes our relationships today. He delves into the balance between empowerment and the challenges of misinformation, urging critical thinking. Bray emphasizes the need for trust in our digital age and the importance of ethical standards, especially as AI evolves. He advocates for individuals' control over their data and promotes shared experiences, like meals, to foster understanding across diverse viewpoints.

Ben Hunt, author of Epsilon Theory and co-founder of Second Foundation Partners, shares insights on the intersection of language and AI. He discusses the critical need to restore empathy in digital communication, urging a shift back to smaller, trusted conversations. Hunt elaborates on how large language models are reshaping narrative structures and enhancing our understanding in various fields. He also addresses the cultural shift away from meaningful storytelling amidst modern materialism, highlighting the alienation present in today's society.

This holiday weekend on our Inside the Coffeehouse series, we welcome Arjun Murti and Jeff Currie back into the SmarterMarkets™ studio.   Arjun is Partner at Veriten and Publisher of "Super-Spiked" on Substack. Jeff Currie is Chief Strategy Officer of Energy Pathways at Carlyle.   David Greely sits down with Jeff and Arjun, reuniting these two former Goldman partners and colleagues to share their perspectives on the market, economic, and political forces shaping the future of our energy markets.

We continue our Inside the Coffeehouse series where we're introducing you to Coffeehouse, our new social media platform for advancing the conversation on energy, climate, markets, and technology.    We have two guests joining us today. Susan Sakmar is Visiting Professor at the University of Houston Law Center, Board Member at Flex LNG, and Author of Energy for the 21st Century: Opportunities and Challenges for LNG. And Eirik Wærness is Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at Equinor.   SmarterMarkets™ host David Greely sits down with Susan and Eirik for a transatlantic conversation on the future of energy following the US elections – and asks them to share their perspectives on what it may mean for the US oil and natural gas industry, LNG, and Europe.

In this fascinating conversation, Alasdair Were, Head of Environmental Markets at Abaxx Exchange, and Joe Raia, Chief Commercial Officer, dive into the complexities of carbon markets and the impact of the U.S. elections and COP29. They discuss the innovative environmental products needed for future market success and how new regulatory frameworks challenge traditional strategies. The duo also explores the intersection of technology and commodities trading, including how weather metrics are shaping risk management tools in the evolving energy landscape.