Opto Sessions – Invest in the Next Big Idea

Get Opto’s best content every day by subscribing to our FREE Newsletter: www.cmcmarkets.com/en/opto/newsletterEmerging markets offer unique opportunities and challenges for investors, and understanding the key themes driving these markets is crucial. In this compilation episode, different experts from companies such as BlackRock, JPMorgan and Pzena Investment Management highlight both the challenges and the great potential they offer. The rise of the consumer class, driven by the emergence of the middle class, especially in Asian markets, presents a powerful secular trend. Innovation and technology, including blockchain and digital payments, are revolutionising financial inclusion and unlocking new avenues for economic development. Geopolitical factors, though uncertain, also offer opportunities for value investors who can navigate these complex landscapes.While concerns and fears may exist, our conversations reveal that there is substantial room for growth and opportunity in emerging markets. Enjoy!Want further Opto insights? Check out our daily newsletter: https://www.cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/opto/newsletter------------------Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.CMC Markets is an execution-only service provider. The material (whether or not it states any opinions) is for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by CMC Markets or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although we are not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, we do not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination.CMC Markets does not endorse or offer opinions on the trading strategies used by the author. Their trading strategies do not guarantee any return and CMC Markets shall not be held responsible for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein.-----The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments may lose value, including the loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing. The information provided is not an endorsement of this product and is for information and/or educational purposes only.

Get Opto’s best content every day by subscribing to our FREE Newsletter: www.cmcmarkets.com/en/opto/newsletterToday, we are pleased to introduce Larry Cermak, CEO of The Block, a news and research company for the crypto industry.In this episode, Larry discusses the significance of Tether's recent announcement to invest 15% of its profits in Bitcoin and explains how Tether generates its revenue, highlighting its position as the largest stablecoin and the potential long-term benefits of this strategy.The conversation then shifts to the overall health of the blockchain industry, addressing regulatory concerns, compliance, and the recent slowdown. Larry touches on the various use cases in the blockchain industry, including financial products, NFTs, data storage, and layer one and layer two solutions. He expresses excitement about layer twos and roll-ups, highlighting prominent solutions like zkSync, Scroll, Polygon, and StarkNet, emphasising the potential of these technologies to scale blockchains while maintaining security and decentralisation.Before becoming CEO, Larry served as Head of Research and Data and, previously, as VP of Research at The Block, where he played a crucial role in analysing market trends, further solidifying his reputation as a trusted authority in the crypto space. Enjoy!Thanks to Cofruition for consulting on and producing the podcast. Want further Opto insights? Check out our daily newsletter: https://www.cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/opto/newsletter------------------Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.CMC Markets is an execution-only service provider. The material (whether or not it states any opinions) is for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by CMC Markets or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although we are not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, we do not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination.CMC Markets does not endorse or offer opinions on the trading strategies used by the author. Their trading strategies do not guarantee any return and CMC Markets shall not be held responsible for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein.-----The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments may lose value, including the loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing. The information provided is not an endorsement of this product and is for information and/or educational purposes only.

Get Opto’s best content every day by subscribing to our FREE Newsletter: www.cmcmarkets.com/en/opto/newsletterToday, we sit down with Michael Venuto, CIO and Co-Founder of the Tidal Financial Group, Portfolio Manager of the Amplify Transformational Data Sharing ETF [BLOK], and an expert in blockchain and cryptocurrency investments.Michael explores the challenges and opportunities in cryptocurrencies and blockchain applications and how they can potentially enhance the financial sector, particularly in mitigating moments of chaos such as banking crises. He delves into the industry's current state, discussing how regulatory inaction on Bitcoin has hindered innovation and created setbacks, triggering the need for greater clarity. Michael also shares why Bitcoin miners are starting to emerge from a long crypto winter that saw major bankruptcies and fire sales, exploring the potential macro risks that lie ahead and the interplay between inflation, interest rates, and Bitcoin as a hedge.Before Tidal, Michael was Head of Investments at Global X, providing portfolio optimisation services to institutional clients. Before that, Michael was Senior Vice President at Horizon Kinetics, a New York-based investment adviser. Enjoy!Listen to our previous episode featuring Michael Venuto: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/136-michael-venuto-redefining-esg-thematic-funds-the/id1504694129?i=1000581766221Thanks to Cofruition for consulting on and producing the podcast. Want further Opto insights? Check out our daily newsletter: https://www.cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/opto/newsletter------------------Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.CMC Markets is an execution-only service provider. The material (whether or not it states any opinions) is for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by CMC Markets or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although we are not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, we do not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination.CMC Markets does not endorse or offer opinions on the trading strategies used by the author. Their trading strategies do not guarantee any return and CMC Markets shall not be held responsible for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein.-----The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments may lose value, including the loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing. The information provided is not an endorsement of this product and is for information and/or educational purposes only.

Get Opto’s best content every day by subscribing to our FREE Newsletter: www.cmcmarkets.com/en/opto/newsletterToday, we have the pleasure of hosting Christie Obiaya, the CEO of Heliogen. As a leading provider of AI-enabled concentrated solar energy, Heliogen has set out on a mission to significantly reduce the impact of climate change, which Christie identifies as the "single greatest threat to humanity."During our conversation, she explains how Heliogen uses artificial intelligence in its products to ensure maximum solar thermal energy capture. She also discusses HelioFuel, which involves green hydrogen production using only concentrated solar power and water, resulting in a fuel that can replace fossil fuels in transportation, heavy equipment, and other applications. Christie shares insights into the advantages of solar thermal solutions compared to different types of renewables and a potential time horizon for the clean energy transition, highlighting why investors should consider taking part in this mission sooner rather than later and seize the opportunity to help shape a sustainable future for our planet.Christie served as CFO of Heliogen from March 2021 to February 2023, when she was named CEO, replacing company founder Bill Gross. Before joining Heliogen, she was the CFO of Bechtel Corporation between 2018 and 2021. Her earlier experience includes working on renewable energy projects in Kenya and India and serving as Senior Product Manager/Senior Engineer at Procter & Gamble. She holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and an MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management. Enjoy!Thanks to Cofruition for consulting on and producing the podcast. Want further Opto insights? Check out our daily newsletter: https://www.cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/opto/newsletter------------------Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.CMC Markets is an execution-only service provider. The material (whether or not it states any opinions) is for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by CMC Markets or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although we are not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, we do not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination.CMC Markets does not endorse or offer opinions on the trading strategies used by the author. Their trading strategies do not guarantee any return and CMC Markets shall not be held responsible for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein.-----The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments may lose value, including the loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing. The information provided is not an endorsement of this product and is for information and/or educational purposes only.

Get Opto’s best content every day by subscribing to our FREE Newsletter: www.cmcmarkets.com/en/opto/newsletterAs ChatGPT continues to take the world by storm, the debate surrounding artificial intelligence research is intensifying, with leaders like Elon Musk calling for a pause.Today, we are thrilled to cover this highly debated topic as we are joined by Brandon Deer, Chief Strategy Officer at UiPath, a leading provider of enterprise automation software.Brandon discusses the company's robotic process automation (RPA) technology, its competitive advantages, and how it can help businesses save time, energy, and costs. He also shares his insights on how AI and automation can streamline workflows and take on mundane tasks without displacing human jobs in the long term. Finally, Brandon walks us through three layers of UiPath's AI-practice-oriented processes and third-party integrations that differentiate the company from its competitors, revealing UiPath's business case and competitive moat based on its deep expertise in automation and experience working with heavily regulated industries such as banking and healthcare.Brandon is also a co-founder and General Partner at Crew Capital, a venture capital firm investing in entrepreneurs building category-defining technology companies. He has been a prolific angel investor and has supported dozens of companies, including Expensify, BetterUp, Cedar and Chainalysis, to name a few. Enjoy!Thanks to Cofruition for consulting on and producing the podcast. Want further Opto insights? Check out our daily newsletter: https://www.cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/opto/newsletter------------------Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.CMC Markets is an execution-only service provider. The material (whether or not it states any opinions) is for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by CMC Markets or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although we are not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, we do not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination.CMC Markets does not endorse or offer opinions on the trading strategies used by the author. Their trading strategies do not guarantee any return and CMC Markets shall not be held responsible for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein.-----The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments may lose value, including the loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing. The information provided is not an endorsement of this product and is for information and/or educational purposes only.

Get Opto’s best content every day by subscribing to our FREE Newsletter: www.cmcmarkets.com/en/opto/newsletterToday, Kevin T. Carter, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of EMQQ Global, comes back to Opto Sessions to discuss his India Internet & E-Commerce ETF [INQQ], how it captures exposure to Indian companies emerging in these sectors, and the overall potential for growth in South Asia.Kevin points to the region's large and young middle-class population, becoming increasingly tech-savvy and eager to adopt new digital services and participate in a thriving start-up ecosystem.In this episode, Kevin also walks us through his recent trip to South Asia. He visited several companies in Dhaka, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi and Lahore - some of which are held in the current ETF portfolio. We conclude the episode by identifying other exciting themes developing in the region, including digital payments. Enjoy!Listen to our previous interviews with Kevin here:Learn about EMQQ: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/83-kevin-t-carter-the-biggest-opportunity-in-the/id1504694129?i=1000537073684Learn about FMQQ: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/109-kevin-t-carter-fmqq-investing-in-frontier-markets/id1504694129?i=1000555793862Thanks to Cofruition for consulting on and producing the podcast. Want further Opto insights? Check out our daily newsletter: https://www.cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/opto/newsletter------------------Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.CMC Markets is an execution-only service provider. The material (whether or not it states any opinions) is for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by CMC Markets or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although we are not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, we do not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination.CMC Markets does not endorse or offer opinions on the trading strategies used by the author. Their trading strategies do not guarantee any return and CMC Markets shall not be held responsible for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein.-----The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments may lose value, including the loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing. The information provided is not an endorsement of this product and is for information and/or educational purposes only.

Get Opto’s best content every day by subscribing to our FREE Newsletter: www.cmcmarkets.com/en/opto/newsletterToday, we are pleased to introduce Rakesh Bordia, Principal and Portfolio Manager at Pzena Investment Management, an American firm with recognised expertise in deep value investing.In this episode, Rakesh brings his understanding of emerging markets to the forefront, shedding light on Pzena's value approach to investing. He delves into the opportunities and challenges of investing in EM, sharing valuable insights on the crucial valuation metrics that Pzena considers. Rakesh also emphasises the significance of a long-term horizon in EM value investing, providing strategic perspectives on stocks like Alibaba and JD.com and their potential impact on value investors in 2023.Before joining Pzena in 2007, Rakesh served as a Principal at Booz Allen Hamilton, focusing on innovation and growth strategies. Enjoy!Thanks to Cofruition for consulting on and producing the podcast. Want further Opto insights? Check out our daily newsletter: https://www.cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/opto/newsletter------------------Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.CMC Markets is an execution-only service provider. The material (whether or not it states any opinions) is for general information purposes only, and does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by CMC Markets or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although we are not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, we do not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination.CMC Markets does not endorse or offer opinion on the trading strategies used by the author. Their trading strategies do not guarantee any return and CMC Markets shall not be held responsible for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein.for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein.-----The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments may lose value, including the loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing. The information provided is not an endorsement of this product and is for information and/or educational purposes only.

Get Opto’s best content every day by subscribing to our FREE Newsletter: www.cmcmarkets.com/en/opto/newsletterToday, we have the pleasure of introducing Tim Seymour, a renowned expert in the cannabis industry, portfolio manager of the Amplify Seymour Cannabis ETF [CNBS] and founder and Chief Investment Officer of Seymour Asset Management. In this episode, Tim discusses the importance of understanding the cannabis industry as it evolves, the unique opportunities it presents for investors, and the impact of legislation on the market. Tim also shares his thoughts on big Canadian and U.S. cannabis companies, highlighting tips on how to evaluate them, manage risk, and optimise investment portfolios in this evolving market. With over 25 years of experience in global and emerging markets, Tim is a recognised voice within the investment community as a trader and market strategist. For the past decade, he co-hosted CNBC's Fast Money. Tim is often cited as one of the top finance professionals on Twitter, including in The Wall Street Journal's "Top Tweets For Your Money".Enjoy!Thanks to Cofruition for consulting on and producing the podcast. Want further Opto insights? Check out our daily newsletter: https://www.cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/opto/newsletter------------------Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.CMC Markets is an execution-only service provider. The material (whether or not it states any opinions) is for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by CMC Markets or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although we are not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, we do not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination.CMC Markets does not endorse or offer opinions on the trading strategies used by the author. Their trading strategies do not guarantee any return and CMC Markets shall not be held responsible for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein.-----The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments may lose value, including the loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing. The information provided is not an endorsement of this product and is for information and/or educational purposes only.

Get Opto’s best content every day by subscribing to our FREE Newsletter: www.cmcmarkets.com/en/opto/newsletterMichael Kantrowitz, Chief Investment Strategist and Managing Director at Piper Sandler, a leading US investment bank, joins Opto Sessions to discuss market cycles and how changes in interest rates affect the economy. As a seasoned expert in macroeconomic research and investment strategy, Michael explains he created a framework called HOPE - which tracks and stands for housing, orders, profits, and employment - to navigate periods between the beginning of an easing or a tightening cycle and understand how the economy responds to changes in rates.  In this episode, we also explore the underperformance of housing stocks and Michael's thoughts on the future of the real estate market and the global economy in the next five years. Previously, Michael worked as Managing Director and Portfolio Strategist at Wolfe Research, LLC from 2010 to 2013 and at International Strategy and Investment Group (ISI) from 2007 to 2010.   Enjoy!Thanks to Cofruition for consulting on and producing the podcast. Want further Opto insights? Check out our daily newsletter: https://www.cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/opto/newsletter------------------Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.CMC Markets is an execution-only service provider. The material (whether or not it states any opinions) is for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by CMC Markets or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although we are not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, we do not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination.CMC Markets does not endorse or offer opinions on the trading strategies used by the author. Their trading strategies do not guarantee any return and CMC Markets shall not be held responsible for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein.-----The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments may lose value, including the loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing. The information provided is not an endorsement of this product and is for information and/or educational purposes only.

Get Opto’s best content every day by subscribing to our FREE Newsletter: www.cmcmarkets.com/en/opto/newsletterYou’re listening to the second part of our latest compilation episode. This two-part episode concerns the topic of thematic investing.In the first part, published on March 21st, we heard from leading investors from Global X, ARK Invest and BlackRock, who told us how they invest in long-term, secular growth trends.Today, we’ll hear directly from thematic experts, those investors or business leaders working or directly investing in a particular theme or industry. Enjoy!Want further Opto insights? Check out our daily newsletter: https://www.cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/opto/newsletter------------------Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.CMC Markets is an execution-only service provider. The material (whether or not it states any opinions) is for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by CMC Markets or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although we are not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, we do not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination.CMC Markets does not endorse or offer opinions on the trading strategies used by the author. Their trading strategies do not guarantee any return and CMC Markets shall not be held responsible for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein.-----The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only. Opto Markets LLC does not recommend any specific securities or investment strategies. Investing involves risk & investments may lose value, including the loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing. The information provided is not an endorsement of this product and is for information and/or educational purposes only.