__No crying in the Clubhouse...__ Well, maybe a few tears. Yesterday, __[Spotify](https://robinhood.com/stocks/SPOT)__ [launched](https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/16/22535214/spotify-greenroom-locker-room-live-audio-app) its Clubhouse competitor "Greenroom." The social audio app is a Spotify-branded revamp of Locker Room, a sports-talk app that Spotify bought in March. Greenroom expands beyond Sunday football, to convos about music, culture, and Q&As with artists and podcasters. 

- __Testing, testing:__ Some features of Greenroom could be integrated into the actual Spotify app. For now, Spotify wants to see how (and if) people use it. 
- __Beyond Wrapped:__ Spotify loves designing cool stories for your Insta (your Top Song of 2020 is crucial info). But Greenroom is its first real stab at a social platform.  

__Two parties on the same night...__ Claaassic high-school conundrum. To lure people to yours, you might throw in Taco Bell and even a DJ. Spotify does things a little differently. In its quest to steal ears from __[Apple](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AAPL)__, Spotify has spent nearly [$1B](https://www.fool.com/investing/2021/01/21/did-spotify-waste-1-billion-on-podcasts/#:~:text=Overall%2C%20Spotify%20spent%20close%20to,is%20getting%20its%20money's%20worth.) on pod-related acquisitions — including The Ringer, Gimlet, and Parcast. Now it's beefing up the VIP list.

- __Alex Cooper will be there.__ Spotify just [snagged](https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/spotify-call-her-daddy-alex-cooper-exclusive-1234996840/) exclusive rights for top podcast "Call Her Daddy" (reportedly for $60M+). 
- __Joe Rogan's already sipping the green punch.__ Spotify brought "The Joe Rogan Experience" into its gated garden party (reportedly for $100M+). 
- __It's working:__ Spotify’s US podcast listenership is [expected](https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/02/spotify-podcast-listeners-to-top-apples-for-the-first-time-in-2021-forecast-claims/) to surpass Apple Podcasts for the first time this year.


_Spotify when the whole grade shows up [Flashpop/DigitalVision via GettyImages]_

Partay

__A great party requires great hosts...__ That's why "Greenroom" isn't really about guests — *it's about creators*. Right now, podcasters and musicians don't really care whether you listen on Spotify or Apple. Spotify is trying to lure creators by giving them a platform where they can connect with fans. Think: a host-led AMA session right after your favorite pod. By going social, Spotify can take its party to another level. We’ll see if Apple takes the hint. 

Spotify launches a Clubhouse rival on its quest to throw the coolest pod party 

__June 19, 1865…__ More than two years after the [Emancipation Proclamation](https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured-documents/emancipation-proclamation/transcript.html), federal troops marched into Texas to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people were freed. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the US — and the US government just made it a federal holiday. Beyond this recognition, lawmakers have been discussing how to make amends. Amid a national reckoning over racial injustice, more attention is being paid to reparations. 

- __Reparations__ = The US government compensating descendants of Black American slaves for their labor, an idea that dates back to the Civil War.
- __$3B:__ The value [assigned](https://www.brookings.edu/policy2020/bigideas/why-we-need-reparations-for-black-americans/) to Black American slaves’ labor in 1860. Academics have struggled to agree on a total value for reparations, with estimates [ranging](https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/15/us/slavery-reparations-explanation-trnd/index.html) from as low as $17B to as high as $97T. 

__150+ years later…__ The economic effects of slavery are still being felt. Even after Emancipation, Black Americans were denied land ownership, home loans, and capital, while segregation affected educational and job opportunities. That all led to the [racial wealth gap](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/bg6FaCgu8qc8z1Zllmofx/articles/3ZVsKmCRQNLUOSaAVHfNJi/): the typical white family has 8X the wealth of the typical Black family. 

__Reparations could take many forms…__ Including: individual payments, college tuition, student loan forgiveness, and housing grants. Since 2019, cities and states have been making moves toward their own reparations: 

- __In March, Evanston, IL__ became the first US city to offer reparations to Black residents. Each qualifying household would receive $25K for home repairs, down payments, and interest or late fees on city property. 
- __A handful of cities__, including Detroit, Providence, RI, and  Asheville, NC, have also either approved their own programs or are considering proposals. 


__Reparations could help close the racial wealth gap…__ which would improve racial equity, and support broader US economic growth. Pew predicts that the racial wealth gap will drain at least [$1T](https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/wharton-prof-discusses-economics-racism) out of the US economy annually over the next decade. In April, House lawmakers [voted](https://www.npr.org/2021/04/14/986853285/house-lawmakers-advance-historic-bill-to-form-reparations-commission) to advance a historic bill that would establish a committee to develop reparations proposals. That could help more cities and states take action. 

As the nation recognizes Juneteenth, we’re looking at the future of reparations 

Dow Jones

S&P 500

Nasdaq

Bitcoin

🎈 Spotify's Clubhouse-style party

__Can't be a backseat driver...__ when there's no frontseat driver. __Waymo__ is the self-driving vehicle startup that was born out of __[Google](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GOOGL)__'s "moonshot factory." Google’s most successful moonshot is still a money-loser — but not when it comes to venture cash:

- __Waymo just raised a massive $2.5B__ to advance its self-driving tech. It [calls](https://waymo.com/waymo-driver/) its system "The World's Most Experienced Driver," which no other company can say (because Waymo trademarked the phrase).
- __Billions in the rearview:__ Explains the déjà vu. In March last year, Waymo [raised](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/4AwsSxWJqQcb7mwqnA5uyv/articles/3vkok7loiBq6ya9zowTxlB/) $2.2B in its first external fundraise (read: not just Google $$$). 

__Waymo money...__ still problems. Waymo has driven millions of miles on public roads across the US. But Waymo and other self-driving companies have been criticized for moving slower than expected with commercialization. __[GM](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GM)__'s Cruise, __[Tesla](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TSLA)__, and even Apple are all working on fully self-driving vehicles — in 2019, Elon [said](https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a32159871/tesla-robo-taxis-still-coming-2020/) that self-driving robotaxis would be ready... last year. As of this month, Waymo has a big wheel up over the competition: 

-  __Waymo One:__ Waymo's *fully* driverless taxi service can now be [accessed](https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/03/waymos-driverless-taxi-service-can-now-be-accessed-on-google-maps/) through Google Maps, the same way you get routed to Uber’s app from Maps to book a ride. Think: distance, wait time, etc. 
- __Far from Uber status:__ The service is only available in Phoenix, where the bulk of Waymo’s 600 robotaxis are running. Good luck finding One. 


_Don't try to backseat drive on this one [Westend61 via GettyImages]_

Drive

__Niche products need mainstream roads...__ Waymo has something that its biggest competitor Cruise doesn’t: a maps app with [1B+](https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/21/google-maps-is-turning-its-over-a-billion-users-into-editors/) users. By integrating Waymo into Maps alongside providers like Uber, __[Lyft](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TSLA)__, and __Lime__, Google can "mainstream-ify" robotaxis. It could compete on pricing with OG rides, and even integrate Waymo One directly into Maps to reduce friction (cue: potential antitrust issues). It could also weave Waymo into other parts of its biz — like: Google Pay and Google Home for seamless booking.


Google’s Waymo self-drives its way to a $2.5B fundraise — and it's putting itself on the Map

__An Apple a day...__ keeps the Apple doctor close. Since 2016, __[Apple](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AAPL)__ has been secretly working on an ambitious healthcare project (code name: Casper). In 2019, CEO Tim Cook predicted that Apple’s greatest contribution to mankind “will be about health.” People were like: "????." Now it (kind of) makes sense. [According](https://www.wsj.com/articles/apple-struggles-in-push-to-make-healthcare-greatest-legacy-11623832200?mod=rss_Technology) to the WSJ:

- __Apple__ has been trying to offer its own primary-care service with Apple-employed doctors at its own clinics. 
- __Imagine:__ Health data from your Apple Watch and iPhone being monitored by docs. Apple employees were the first to test the app, called HealthHabit. 

__Spoiler...__ It's not going great. Besides allowing you to track your steps, the Fruit's  health efforts have mostly flopped so far. It's not the only tech giant racing into the $4T healthcare industry — and others are facing hurdles, too: 

- __[Amazon](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AMZN)__ is dabbling in telehealth and even launched a pharmacy, but it’s effort to lower healthcare costs fell apart. 
- __[Google](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GOOGL)__ has spun off its own biotechs like __Verily__, but its Google Health branch flopped and has been thwarted by privacy concerns.


__Apple wants to make the next big platform…__ *for our bodies*. But that could take a while. With iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks, Apple built an ecosystem for our minds (reality: endless TikTok scrolling). Watch is Apple’s big bet on an always-on platform for tracking your health. Getting the data is Step 1. If Apple can track it reliably and put it to good use, it could snag its next massive opportunity.

Apple faces roadblocks on its boldest (long-term) plan: platform-ifying healthcare

🤖 Waymo's self-driving billions

__Fewer scented candles...__ more candlelit dinners. Retail sales *fell* 1.3% last month, but it's not a bad sign for recovery. Spending is shifting from physical goods to "revenge experiences," as Americans swap TV menus for cocktail menus: 

- __Down:__ Spending on furniture, electronics, and appliances fell — because we've already spent enough on our biodomes. 
- __Up:__ Restaurant spending jumped 1.8%, and clothing sales jumped 3% (for all those date night fits). But restaurants are still [struggling](https://www.forbes.com/sites/aaroncolby/2021/06/14/labor-shortage-forcing-restaurants-to-get-creative-and-remain-complaint/?sh=6fba7edc2eb8) to fill job openings (#LaborShortage). 

__Hold my beer garden...__ __[Yelp](https://robinhood.com/stocks/YELP)__'s latest data blows those retail numbers out of the iced tap water. Last month, Yelp seated a record 3.7M diners in the US — up 48% from May 2019.  Yelp bookings surged past pre-pandemic levels in almost every US state, minus NY.  

- __In Texas and Florida,__ where Covid restrictions have been lifted longer, Yelp diners *more than doubled* last month compared to two years earlier.
- __In California,__ which lifted its mask mandate and restrictions yesterday, diners were already back to pre-Covid levels in May.  
- It *could* be that restaurants added more pandemic seating areas (hence: extra booking space). But we think something else is going on...


Dine

__Yelp’s data confirms the digital transformation...__ The 2019 numbers and the 2021 numbers are apples and digital oranges. What these comparisons really reflect: *the number of restaurants and diners that moved online*. During the pandemic, restaurant owners flocked to tech platforms to secure takeout orders, set up digital menus, and add contactless payments. And it appears they're staying digital. This shift bodes well for restaurant tech providers like Yelp, __OpenTable__, __Toast__, __Square__, and __Resy__. 


Yelp's new data tells us about the reopening — but it’s really a window into the digital economy

__50 new fits...__ for 50 new TikTok vids. Amazon's feeling more like MySpace right now. After 152 days as the #1 ecomm app in the US, the 'Zon has lost the top spot to __Shein__. The Chinese online apparel retailer is a Gen Z favorite, thanks to low prices and a *massive* offering of on-trend clothing. Shein adopted the fast-fashion model pioneered by Forever 21, H&M, and Zara — *then turbocharged it*:

- __Quick fits:__ Shein spots a halter top that's trending on social. Two weeks later, it’s on Shein's virtual shelves for $10 less than the original. Shein added 5.2K new items yesterday alone.
- __Quick hits:__ TikTok and Insta influencers are key to its marketing, along with virtual concerts from celebs like Katy Perry and Lil Nas X. 
- __Tight lips:__ Shein is still super secretive about its business, suppliers, factory conditions, and management.

__We do know one thing...__ Shein is raking in the big bucks. Sales [reportedly](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-14/online-fashion-giant-shein-emerged-from-china-thanks-to-donald-trump-s-trade-war?srnd=premium&sref=q3KSFp38) more than tripled to $10B last year — well above Zara's online sales. Shein's US success is partly thanks to a loophole: Trump's 2018 China tariffs only applied to packages over $800 (very rare for a Shein order). Then China effectively waived export taxes for D2C companies, adding more fuel to Shein's US growth.  


_More daily views than daily new Shein items [Nick David/Stone via GettyImages]_

__Welcome to "real-time fashion"...__ In the TikTok era, trends change so fast it's hard to keep up. Fast fashion retailers are struggling as Zillenials opt for second-hand Levi's over H&M florals. By sharing app search data with suppliers, Shein can react to new trends almost instantly. If peacock patterns are trending on Monday, Shein can tell Chinese factories to have peacock crops/shorts/earrings ready for shipping by next Wednesday — much faster than even fast fashion. One big downside: real-time fashion could result in even more waste and enviro-harm. 

Chinese shopping app Shein overtakes Amazon by going ultra-fast fashion 

🌮 The Yelp economy

__Hold the hard seltzers...__ Summer isn't starting off well for __[Lordstown Motors](https://robinhood.com/stocks/RIDE)__. The e-truck startup went public via SPAC merger in October, and has been teasing its much-hyped "Endurance" electric pickup since last June. Those were better days for Lordstown.

- __Last week:__ Lordstown said it doesn’t have enough cash to start commercial production (it hasn't sold a truck yet), and [warned](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/08/electric-truck-maker-lordstown-warns-of-going-concern-risk-shares-tank.html) it has “substantial doubt” about its ability to survive the next year. 
- __Yesterday:__ Lordstown's CEO and CFO resigned (not encouraging), and the stock plunged 19%. 

__The "I told you so" award goes to...__ __Hindenburg Research__. It's the same short-selling firm that [dropped](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/dwPOufsBBQ4JnjSiVXZ9Q/articles/3raWsLXrWrHZhkC11zCnoM/) a 67-page report accusing __[Nikola](https://robinhood.com/stocks/NKLA)__ of exaggerating the readiness of its e-truck tech, calling it "an intricate fraud" ([see](https://arstechnica.com/cars/2020/09/nikola-admits-prototype-was-rolling-downhill-in-promotional-video/): truck-rolling-down-a-hill commercial). Nikola's CEO resigned soon after, and the stock has fallen 40% since. 

- __In March,__ Hindenburg released a [report](https://hindenburgresearch.com/lordstown/) alleging Lordstown misled investors by exaggerating its production readiness and biz potential.
- __In January,__ Lordstown said the Endurance pickup already had 100K nonbinding preorders. Hindenburg did some digging and concluded those were “largely fictitious.” For example: Hindenburg found that companies without commercial fleets had preordered 1K trucks.
- __The TLDR:__ Hindenburg believes Lordstown used “fake” orders to raise cash, and said its pickup was years away from production. Lordstown still says that it could start production by September. 


_Hindenburg checking the e-truck receipts [PeopleImages/E+ via GettyImages]_

Swerve

__Short sellers can operate like investigative journalists…__ *but with major conflicts of interest*. A new report partially confirms Hindenburgs findings about the preorders. Now the SEC is investigating the allegations. Short sellers can sometimes have a corrective effect on markets by exposing overvalued companies, as Hindenburg may have done. Buuuut: Hindenburg also has a short position in the stock — aka: it would profit from Lordstown falling. Short sellers can make companies more transparent – but they're driven by their own financial incentives.


Lordstown, unjuiced: the buzzy e-truck startup runs into a truckload of trouble

__Friends Reunion vibes...__ G7 countries have been getting cozy lately. The Group of Seven = the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. This month, G7 leaders schmoozed over tea at a London summit — and [agreed](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1vHKAgE3hJdaCFv0cdJNIm/articles/6v5vQpqDdzXIWNmx3Oc9VL/) on backing a 15% global minimum corporate tax rate. France decided to [ship](https://www.abc6.com/france-is-sending-a-second-statue-of-liberty-to-the-us/) another Statue of Liberty to the US as a gift of friendship (#aw). Now, the G7 is bonding over a global infrastructure initiative:

- __Build Back Better World:__ Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. The G7 announced the initiative on Sunday, inspired by Biden’s "Build Back Better" plan for the US. 
- __Global ambitions:__ You can tell by the addition of "World" at the end. G7 nations would help finance infrastructure projects in developing countries. Think: roads, bridges, and clean energy infrastructure.
- __German Chancellor Angela Merkel:__ "For countries in need of development, only concrete projects count.” Pun intended?

__Rare bipartisan support topics ...__ Extra vacation days, *and countering China’s power* (it's a theme). With Build Back Better World, the G7 [hopes](https://en.mercopress.com/2021/06/14/g7-announces-build-back-better-world-to-counter-china-s-belt-and-road-initiative) to rival China's multi-trillion-dollar "Belt and Road" initiative. China’s ambitious program aims to build physical and digital infrastructure connecting hundreds of countries. It's a way for China to expand its global influence. BBBW is a way for the US and friends to counter that.  


Build

__The real winners could be companies...__ When the US took on Russia during the Cold War, American military contractors made big profits. Today’s tension with China is less about weapons, more about tech power. This month, the Senate [approved](https://www.wsj.com/articles/senate-approves-250-billion-bill-to-boost-tech-research-11623192584) a $250B bill to boost government spending on tech R&D to keep the US competitive against China (think: more US-made chips). This global infrastructure initiative could benefit American tech, telecom, and energy companies, too. 

Build Back Better, world edition: G7 countries want to fund global infrastructure to rival China

🚙 Lordstown Motors, unjuiced

__*Lupin* Season 2 just dropped...__ Next up: *Lupin* pillows ($60 each). Last week, __[Netflix](https://robinhood.com/stocks/NFLX)__ launched [Netflix.shop](https://www.netflix.shop/), an ecommerce site for flix-branded merch. Think: caps, hoodies, jewelry, and even furniture related to your favorite shows. The shop [will](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/10/business/media/netflix-shop.html) sell exclusive, limited-edition merch for shows like *Stranger Things*, *Money Heist*, and *The Witcher*.

- __Old flix:__ Netflix already [has](https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/netflix-online-store-exclusive-products-1234993759/) licensing deals with retailers for apparel based on its original shows (think: "Hawkins Lifeguard" tee at H&M). 
- __New flix:__ This is Netflix's first owned-and-operated retail shop to sell products *directly* to flixers. It could become a top destination for super fans. 

__Trying to beat the DPF blues...__ DPF = demand pulled forward. Netflix saw explosive growth last year, as we hibernated with laptops and ramen. But that led to subscription saturation (#subscripturation) — *and slowing growth*: Netflix added less than 4M subs last quarter, compared to nearly *16M* in the same quarter of 2020. And Unlike Hulu, HBO Max, and others that show commercials, Netflix relies almost purely on subscription bucks.

- __Merch__ is a new way to boost sales in the face of slowing growth — *and growing rivals*. Disney+ has already crossed 100M subs (half a Netflix). 
- __Merch potential:__ Global sales of licensed products tied to shows, movies, and characters were $128B in 2019 — and $49B in the US alone. The merch master = __[Disney](https://robinhood.com/stocks/DIS)__. 


_Waiting for a "Stranger Things" themed ride [kali9/E+ via GettyImages]_

Merch

__This is Netflix’s 1st step in Disney-fication...__ because it may have hit peak streaming. Disney makes $$$ off its characters in movies, Disney+ series, and spin-offs — *and* through merch, theme parks, and toys (Elsa-themed everything). Netflix could benefit from a similarly self-reinforcing IP ecosystem. After merch, a next step [could](https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/24/22452173/netflix-gaming-subscription-service-executive-2022) be show-themed video games or even *Stranger Things* theme park rides. __[Nintendo](https://robinhood.com/stocks/NTDOY)__, which hit [peak console](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/4qCtq5EPF4KGmccb2Bizgb/articles/1sG5vjessASL0Hh3D8Kwmt/) during the pandemic, is Disney-fying itself with the upcoming Super Nintendo World theme park in Japan.

Netflix launches an online merch shop — here's why it could be pulling a Disney


__Diaper cakes FTW...__ Jessica Alba's __[Honest Company](https://robinhood.com/stocks/HNST)__ drops its first earnings report as a public company on Wednesday. Honest sells "clean" baby, beauty, and household products ([including](https://www.honest.com/baby-products/diapers/diaper-cakes/honest-diaper-cakes.html): cakes made of diapers). Total sales grew 28% last year, with "Household and Wellness" sales more than doubling (think: prenatal vitamins, refillable cleaning kits). Buuut: the ten-year-old company is still unprofitable.  Honest shares have dropped 20% since last month's IPO. 

__Earnings on Aisle 5...__ Grocery giant __[Kroger](https://robinhood.com/stocks/KR)__ delivers earnings on Thursday. Kroger and other grocers thrived last year as we swapped menu meals for pantry classics. Since then, Americans have been swapping grocery bags for doggy bags: restaurant sales [reached](https://www.fsrmagazine.com/consumer-trends/restaurant-sales-reach-new-pandemic-peak) a new pandemic peak in May. Meanwhile, packaged food prices are [rising](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/eto2AkKAyWnKqhapU8qK1/articles/62H1VZQ7fErOkYBzrT8WvO/) (#inflation), and workers are in short supply. Now, Kroger [plans](https://www.fox6now.com/news/kroger-hosting-hiring-event-thursday-seeking-10k-new-workers) to raise wages. TBD if these factors hit its earnings last quarter. 


Events

Coming up this week...

__Crypto's tender moment...__ Last week, El Salvador became the first country to [approve](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1ExFruUiLLc3sM39AgchDw/articles/1W2c6WnMGNOPU4Dj6ZMTS2/) Bitcoin as legal tender. Businesses there will be required to accept __[Bitcoin](https://robinhood.com/crypto/BTC)__ as payment, and Salvadorans will be able to pay taxes and bank loans in BTC. This could be a valuable experiment for developing countries considering crypto as legal tender, since it can be a cheaper way to move $$$ across borders. But analysts worry about the economic risks posed by BTC’s extreme volatility.

__Big vax headlines...__ The US will [donate](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/09/us/politics/biden-pfizer-vaccine-doses.html) 500M doses of __[Pfizer](https://robinhood.com/stocks/PFE)__'s Covid vaccine to 100 countries, in an effort to stem the pandemic. Globally, Covid deaths this year have already exceeded 2020’s toll, as cases surge in poor and developing countries (see: [The Great Divide](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/64VKtgKZkaaZZmAmaD67OM/articles/4D1D5CUdIwzesT1nTfvvJM/)). Meanwhile, the US halted new shipments of __[J&J](https://robinhood.com/stocks/JNJ)__'s one-shot Covid vaccine as states deal with too many expiring doses. Developed nations are on track to vaccinate 72% of their citizens this year, versus ~30% for developing nations. 


Zoom Out

Stories we're watching...


- __[BNPL](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1TtUXZyHvZ2SETOZOaUYq7/articles/2wpby5ZPzAfks9OlK1Syl/):__ "Buy now, pay later" is booming — Europe's biggest private fintech __Klarna__ just hit a $46B valuation.
-  __[Historic](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1vHKAgE3hJdaCFv0cdJNIm/articles/6v5vQpqDdzXIWNmx3Oc9VL/):__ The G7 agreed that multinational companies should pay a minimum tax rate of at least 15% in each country in which they operate. 
- __[Un-ransomed](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1OGX2SxRlMqhAffcNdq8SN/articles/3bGR8UcE6cLGCm5DBw9eR/):__ Crypto prices dropped after US officials recovered a large chunk of Bitcoin that was paid as ransom to the Colonial Pipeline hackers. 


ICYMI

Highlights from last week...

🧢  Netflix pulls a Disney 

__Love the AllSaints biker jacket...__ *don't* love the $500 price tag. __Klarna__ helps you sport that leather now, and pay for it *later* by spreading out payments as interest-free monthly installments. The Swedish company just [raised](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/10/klarna-softbank-funding-round.html) $640M at a huge $46B valuation, becoming Earth's second most valuable private fintech after __Stripe__. Quick Klarna stats:

- __Numbers:__  90M+ global active users, with 2M transactions  per day. 
- __$$$:__ Klarna posted record annual revenue of $1.2B last year on fees from merchants, but its loss grew. 
- __Investors:__ Backers include Softbank, Snoop Dogg, and A$AP Rocky. 

__Speaking of ASAP...__ People want retail therapy immediately, but want to pay for it ASLP (as late as possible). Klarna is one of the buy-now-pay-later firms — like __[Affirm](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AFRM)__ and __Afterpay__ — that have been thriving since the pandemic began. __[PayPal](https://robinhood.com/stocks/PYPL)__ also intro'd a BNPL checkout option last year. Money was tight,  and spending moved online. It took Klarna eight years to [hit](https://www.reuters.com/article/klarna-fundraising/update-1-payments-firm-klarnas-valuation-rises-to-46-billion-after-fundraising-idUSL2N2NS1FF) a $1B valuation, but *less than 12 months* to go from  $5.5B to $46B. It could go public this year.   

ASAP

__BNPL eases the "mental accounting" burden...__ It can help rationalize large purchases by breaking them into smaller chunks in our minds. With a credit card, you have to fully pay off purchases at the end of the month to avoid interest. With BNPL, that $3K Peloton suddenly seems "affordable" at $50/month. Hence: merchants often see a boost in sales after offering Klarna's service. But that easy accounting could also come with financial consequences for some. 

"Buy now, pay later" is booming:  Europe's biggest fintech Klarna hits a $46B valuation

__Can't skip the pants on this one...__ Holograms are [getting closer](https://www.wsj.com/articles/tech-companies-want-to-make-holograms-part-of-routine-office-life-11623232800) to becoming a workday reality. Think: hologram colleagues giving speeches at all-hands (already [happened](https://www.wsj.com/articles/tech-companies-want-to-make-holograms-part-of-routine-office-life-11623232800)), and team meetings where you can see everyone's shoes. 

__Do it for the gram...__ Holo style. As tech companies move to hybrid WFH models, they're investing in holo-tech to fight Zoom fatigue blues. But holograms aren't just for employees — they're a bet on the future of remote communications. In the last few months:

- __[Google](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GOOGL)__ unveiled Project Starline, an effort to create a video-chat system that gives participants 3D depth (it [looks](https://blog.google/technology/research/project-starline/) like a trippy mirror... straight out of *Black Mirror*).
- __WeWork__ is partnering with a holo tech company to bring holograms to 100 WeWorks around the globe. The program kicks off this month.
- __[Microsoft](https://robinhood.com/stocks/MSFT)__ intro'd Microsoft Mesh, a "mixed-reality" service that displays life-size 3D avatars and content through smart glasses. 

_The holo colleagues are coming [Paper Boat Creative/Stone via GettyImages]_

Holo

__Holograms could be the second coming of Zoom...__ and companies could pay big bucks for them. WeWork is already charging $2.5K for holograms to be displayed on one standard HoloPod. Holograms could offer the best of both worlds in a hybrid future: the flexibility to WFH, paired with the bonding benefits of an in-office experience. But holo tech is also complex, expensive, and likely years away from being adopted. And pants are definitely required. 


The holograms are coming: tech companies' big bet on the future of remote work

 🛍 "Buy now, pay later" billions

__Return of the coin...__ Earlier this week, crypto prices fell after US officials [recovered](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/1OGX2SxRlMqhAffcNdq8SN/articles/3bGR8UcE6cLGCm5DBw9eR/) $2.3M in Bitcoin ransom. *Yesterday*, Bitcoin surged 9% after El Salvador became the first country to approve the cryptocurrency as legal tender. El Salvador currently uses the US dollar as its official currency. Expect some cryptic changes:

- __1.__ Businesses will have to accept Bitcoin as payment. 
- __2.__ Salvadorans will be able to pay taxes and bank loans in BTC.
- __3.__ Salvadorans who convert BTC to other currencies won't pay capital gains tax.

__A new idea indeed...__ El Salvador's President and his New Ideas party say the move will improve financial inclusion among the 70% of Salvadorans who *don’t* have access to traditional financial services. Introducing BTC as legal tender could also ease the "remittance fee" burden:

- __One in four__ Salvadorans live abroad, mostly in the US. Extreme poverty and criminal violence has caused mass migration from the country, home to 6.5M. 
- __Nearly three of every 10 dollars__ in El Salvador's economy come from remittances — aka: money that family living abroad sends back home. 
- __$6B:__ Remittances sent to El Salvador hit a record last year. But money transfer through banks often comes with fees that can add up quickly.  BTC is often cheaper and easier to transfer. 


Again

__This could be a valuable experiment...__ for developing countries considering crypto as legal tender. But analysts are worried about the economic risks posed by BTC’s extreme volatility. El Salvador is one of Central America's poorest countries, and has struggled to manage its finances. It could benefit by converting BTC to $$$ when the crypto's price is high, to help cover its huge deficit. On the flip side, things could go sour if BTC moves the other way, as it has over the past month. 

Making crypto history: El Salvador becomes the first country to approve Bitcoin as legal tender

__Bombshell...__  The nonprofit publication __ProPublica__ dropped an investigation revealing how the 25 richest people in the US pay little to no income taxes compared to their net  worth. The story is causing a stir, partly since leaking tax returns is a federal crime. ProPublica says it obtained IRS data from an anonymous source. The data = tax returns of thousands of America's wealthiest, spanning 15+ years. The Treasury Department is [investigating](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/09/us-investigates-disclosure-of-tax-records-on-rich-americans.html) the leak. From 2014 to 2018:

- __Warren Buffett__ paid $24M in taxes on $125M of reported income, while his wealth grew by $24B thanks to investments. His "true tax rate" = 0.10%.
- __Jeff Bezos__ paid nearly $1B in taxes on $4B+ income, while his wealth grew by $99B. True tax rate: 0.98%.
- __Elon__... Musk we say it? Elon shelled out $455M in taxes on $1.5B reported income, while his wealth grew $14B. True tax rate: 3.27%.

__Here's how...__ In the US, income is taxed – net worth *isn't.* So while Elon's wealth grew by billions as Tesla stock rose, he wasn't taxed on investments that he didn't sell (aka: unrealized gains).  ProPublica calculated “true tax rate” — taxes paid as a percentage of total wealth gains.

- __Still,__ ProPublica [says](https://www.propublica.org/article/you-may-be-paying-a-higher-tax-rate-than-a-billionaire?campaign_id=4&emc=edit_dk_20210609&instance_id=32555&nl=dealbook&regi_id=83712167&segment_id=60208&te=1&user_id=05114d149fce45660cf01aea64f5af7e) that the 25 richest Americans paid an average personal federal income tax of only 16% from 2014 to 2018 — less than many "regular" people pay. 
- __How:__ Billionaires avoid forms of income like wages, that are taxed at 37% for their income bracket. Also: accounting gymnastics. 


__This scandal could help fuel Biden's policy...__ Many Americans are shocked to see billionaires' ultra-low tax rates. President Biden is [seeking](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/2FGYY02td4t3rp9KjKvLQM/articles/1d7eiIZp8iwgUI9aKXGIQZ/) tax increases on the wealthy to fund proposed spending on infrastructure and social programs, including nearly doubling the capital gains tax rate to 39.6% for Americans earning $1M per year or more. 

The Big IRS Leak: from Elon to Warren Buffett, the US' richest pay little to no income taxes

_Bitcoin's tender embrace [Linda Raymond/Moment via GettyImages]_

💴  Bitcoin's legal tender moment 

__Bite your coin...__ and your nails. Bitcoin fell to its lowest level in months yesterday — its crypto buddies Ether and Dogecoin fell, too. The dip happened after US officials recovered $2.3M in crypto that was paid as ransom to the Colonial Pipeline hackers. ICYMI: the US' largest fuel pipeline got [hacked](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/4G8N3WpBgRoMSpXHAML44t/articles/v7Ixe754ezFPvMk4gSHBw/) last month. Colonial [paid](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/08/colonial-pipeline-ceo-testifies-on-first-hours-of-ransomware-attack.html) the hackers $4.4M in Bitcoin to reclaim its systems. 

- __Bye bye, Bitcoin:__ Investigators accessed the password for one of the hackers’ Bitcoin wallets, and managed to seize more than half of the ransom. 
- __Hello, Feds:__ The $$$ was recovered by the newly launched Ransomware and Digital Extortion Task Force, which was created as part of the government's response to surging cyberattacks.

__Bitcoin for hostage...__ The ransomware surge has been putting a negative spotlight on Bitcoin. One cyber expert [called](https://www.npr.org/2021/06/08/1004223000/how-a-new-team-of-feds-hacked-the-hackers-and-got-colonial-pipelines-bitcoin-bac) BTC the "oxygen that fuels this ransomware fire." Now, the US government is getting involved as hackers are increasingly targeting critical infrastructure. Experts believe Russia is funding this "[ransomware plague](https://www.axios.com/ransomware-industry-jbs-colonial-1c7594e5-31e5-4c05-b74c-45a040413cb2.html)." 

- __This month,__ Earth's largest meat producer got hit. And Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm [said](https://www.axios.com/cyber-attacks-energy-secretary-power-grid-granholm-d3868010-ce1a-4c23-b15d-89b131eeb728.html) that bad actors are likely trying to shut down the US power grid "as we speak." 

__The Feds pulled back the curtain...__ Hackers who hijack computer systems demand payment in BTC, because it's hard to trace — but yesterday's ransom recovery proved it's *not impossible*. It's a big win for the government, because ransomware is [rarely](https://www.npr.org/2021/06/08/1004223000/how-a-new-team-of-feds-hacked-the-hackers-and-got-colonial-pipelines-bitcoin-bac) recovered. But it may have raised concerns over the security and anonymity of Bitcoin. Another potential reason behind the crypto drop: fear that a regulatory clampdown is coming for the crypto space. 

Crypto prices drop after US officials recover $2.3M in Bitcoin ransom

__503 Service Unavailable...__  The internet had a bad day. Dozens of websites, including the NYT and the UK government's portal, went dark for nearly an hour yesterday. Reddit's and Amazon's sites were also affected. Blame an internal glitch at cloud-service provider __Fastly__. 

- __Fastly is a "stoxygen" company...__ You don't see it, but it's kind of everywhere. Companies use it to speed up their webpages and get things to your screen *faster* (hence, Fastly).
- __Fastly hosts content__ (think: news articles) and delivers them to your screen from a server near you, reducing the time it takes for info to reach users. 

__Fastly was down...__ *but its stock wasn't.* Fastly shares *jumped* 11% yesterday (awkward), despite the outage. Shares of rival content delivery networks, like __Cloudflare__ and __Akamai__, were also up. 

Down

__Investors noticed the flattering details...__ within the not-so-flattering headlines. The outage highlighted how many of the world’s websites rely on Fastly and other content delivery networks. While reading the outage news, investors may have noticed that Fastly has 336 enterprise clients — including big names like Amazon, NYT, Stripe, Shopify, and even a government. The bad news generated some big buzz for Fastly.

CNN, PayPal, and the UK government's website were all down because of one company 

_Fastly's content (un)delivery moment [Pauline St. Denis/Corbis/VCG via GettyImages]_

💰  Bitcoin, un-ransomed 

__Fly like a G7...__ and drop bad news on Big Tech. The Group of Seven = the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. The G7 met in London over the weekend — and left with some tea to spill: the countries [agreed](https://www.wsj.com/articles/g-7-nations-agree-on-new-rules-for-taxing-global-companies-11622893415?mod=searchresults_pos5&page=1) that multinational companies should pay a minimum tax rate of at least 15% in each country in which they operate. 

- __For a long time,__ companies like __[Google](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GOOGL)__ and __[Amazon](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AMZN)__ have been plopping their international headquarters in countries with low corporate tax rates. 
- __Think:__ Ireland, which has a 12.5% tax rate, hosts the European HQs of many tech and pharma giants. That's created beef with Germany, France, and other EU countries where these companies *also* operate (they want more tax money).

__The luck of the Irish...__ may end. The deal marks a big step toward potentially adopting a 15% global minimum corporate-tax rate. That Dublin office = not so clutch anymore. Companies would have to pay the minimum rate *regardless* of where they're based. The agreement aims to stop large multinationals from seeking out tax havens —  and force them to pay more of their income to governments. But it still has to go through the G20, which includes China, India, and other developing economies.


_The mood at Dublin tech pubs [mihailomilovanovic/E+ via GettyImages]_

Taxy

__This could level the playing field...__ and end the "race to the bottom." For decades, countries have been competing with each other to attract corporate investment for economic growth. The main way to do that: *lower companies' taxes*. In 2000, more than [55](https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/03/15/yellen-pushes-global-minimum-tax-white-house-eyes-new-spending-plan/) countries had corporate tax rates above 30% — now, fewer than 20 do. President Biden wants to raise corporate taxes in the US to [fund](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/2FGYY02td4t3rp9KjKvLQM/articles/1d7eiIZp8iwgUI9aKXGIQZ/) government programs. The admin is backing  a 15% global minimum to help keep the US competitive.

The G7's historic global tax agreement: corporate giants should pay at least 15% 

__Not vax-related...__ for once. The Food and Drug Administration has made headlines for another reason. Yesterday, the FDA approved __[Biogen's](https://robinhood.com/stocks/BIIB)__ Alzheimer’s drug aducanumab (rolls off the tongue). Biogen shares soared 38% on the news. It's a big deal — so big that the Nasdaq [halted](https://www.investors.com/market-trend/stock-market-today/dow-jones-falls-3-key-stocks-in-buy-range-biogen-rallies-ahead-of-fda-decision/) trading of Biogen shares ahead of the FDA's decision.

- __#1:__ It's the first new therapy for Alzheimer's in *20 years*. It's also the first FDA-approved drug to slow mental decline in people living with Alzheimer’s.
- __6M__ people are affected by Alzheimer's in the US, where the disease is the sixth-leading cause of death. 
- __$56K:__ The drug's list price *per year*. It's expected to generate billions in sales for Biogen. 

__There's a catch...__ The FDA approved it on the condition that Biogen conduct *another* clinical trial. Many Alzheimer’s experts aren't happy with the approval and its mixed supporting data. Some aren't convinced the clinical trial data was enough to prove the drug works.


Drugs

__Drug stocks depend on drug pops...__ Which is why Biogen's five-year stock chart looks like a rollercoaster. In March 2015, Biogen stock was trading even higher than it was yesterday after it [dropped](https://investors.biogen.com/news-releases/news-release-details/biogen-idec-presents-positive-interim-results-phase-1b-study) positive early-stage data from an aducanumab trial (yep, the same Alzheimer's drug). Then in July 2015,  Biogen released additional data about the trial that disappointed investors — and lost $20B in market value as its stock plunged.  The results of Biogen’s next aducanumab trial could impact the stock again. 

Biogen's Alzheimer's breakthrough: shares soar nearly 40% after FDA approval

💰 The Big Tech tax 

__Dream on...__ This month marks the 90th anniversary of the American Dream — or at least, when the term was first [coined](https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/happy-anniversary-american-dream). Historian James Truslow Adams described it as "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement." Ninety years later, thousands of Snackers told us whether they think the American Dream is still alive. 

- __The TLDR:__ It was 50-50. Most of you think the American Dream is  alive, but some think it's dying — and some think it's dead, but could return.
- __The core of the Dream:__ 26% said  financial freedom, 17% said  equal opportunity, and 40% said  a combo of those plus material ownership and racial equity.
- __Key to achieving the Dream:__ 40% said hard work, and 43% said a combo of hard work, luck, and privilege.

__Lay down the stats...__ Generations of Americans have climbed the economic ladder for [decades](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/09/social-mobility-upwards-decline-usa-us-america-economics/#:~:text=For%20decades%2C%20a%20majority%20of,harder%20to%20make%20this%20ascent.), but there are signs that economic mobility is waning. The fraction of Americans who earn more than their parents has shrunk from 90% of those born in the 1940s to 50% of those born in the 1980s. Income inequality in the US has been rising for decades, and is [wider](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/bg6FaCgu8qc8z1Zllmofx/articles/3ZVsKmCRQNLUOSaAVHfNJi/) between Black and white Americans.  

__In your words...__ We asked what the American Dream means to you today:

- *“The ability to move above the station you were born in life through hard work and perseverance.”*
- *"To fail and have continuous opportunity to get back on our feet regardless of discrimination."*
- *“Filling up my gas tank without checking my bank balance first.”*
- *"Exists because people are still willing to do anything to get to America."*


_What Snackers said the American Dream means to them_

__The dream is what you make of it...__ For some, it aligns with Adams' first description: *opportunity* to succeed, regardless of your background.  For others, it's a lie. And for some, it's changing: thanks to stimulus spending, US households have saved [$2T](https://www.wsj.com/articles/consumer-spending-personal-income-april-2021-11622154969) more than they would have normally. In April, US household income was [11%](https://www.wsj.com/articles/consumer-spending-personal-income-april-2021-11622154969) higher than *pre*-pandemic levels. Biden's presidency could further shape this trajectory, with trillions in proposed spending on social initiatives. 

Is the American Dream still alive? We're diving into your answers

__What do you meme?...__ __[GameStop](https://robinhood.com/stocks/GME)__ reports on Wednesday. ICYMI: GameStop shares have soared 1,400% this year as retail traders [rallied](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/6jwYdiy4al8n5v0GOdIik/articles/3BaPiKzHQyiMoyxvpIyqNG/) around the money-losing video game company. Some are bullish about its new, ecomm-savvy board. But annual sales have fallen each year since 2017. In April, GameStop raised $551M by [selling](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/26/gamestop-shares-jump-after-the-reddit-favorite-raises-more-than-500-million-in-stock-sales.html) new shares and said its CEO is stepping down. Investors will likely be watching for signs of ecommerce progress.

__After Cream of Mushroom Monday...__ and Tomato Bisque Tuesday: __[Campbell Soup](https://robinhood.com/stocks/CPB)__ serves up earnings on Wednesday. The canned soup legend [thrived](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/7oqsnC8zl2TBCc1NByeQF1/articles/3CS1ynDs6oVhxFPNtQOv9I/) early in the pandemic, as people stocked up on Campbell classics like Snyder's pretzels and Goldfish. After nearly a decade of falling sales, Campbell's soup sales started *growing* again. But growth has slowed as we return to a lifestyle that involves *less* can-hoarding. Campbell is trying to keep momentum going with Millennial-friendly recipes — we'll see if it's succeeding.


__Recovery is chugging along...__ Jobless claims [fell](https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-stock-markets-dow-update-05-27-2021-11622100790?mod=markets_lead_pos1) to a new pandemic low, and wages are [growing](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/03/business/economy/wage-growth-pandemic.html).  On the flip side: prices are rising faster than expected as the US economy revs up and shortages abound. Prime example: Ubers are getting [pricier](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/7E0Xgqi9nVw0CWQRdC3lvE/articles/4mDChkIDEAYryjE2WU9OBa/) (and they're always 24 minutes away). Companies are struggling to bring workers back, since  42% of people on enhanced unemployment earn more than they did at their jobs. 

__Crypto ransoms intensify...__ Cyber attacks are continuing to target critical infrastructure. Last week, Earth's largest meat producer was [forced](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/5UsR9CJqj5w4UCSqDJZdp7/articles/4fnXenwFLWyEzrp3u1OJl0/) to shut beef plants after a ransomware attack. Last month, the US' largest fuel pipeline was also [hit](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/4G8N3WpBgRoMSpXHAML44t/articles/v7Ixe754ezFPvMk4gSHBw/)  — and paid $4.4M in Bitcoin to reclaim its systems. Experts believe Russia is funding "[the ransomware plague](https://www.axios.com/ransomware-industry-jbs-colonial-1c7594e5-31e5-4c05-b74c-45a040413cb2.html)." We'll be looking to see if the US government takes a stronger stance. President Biden meets with Russian president Putin next week.



- __[Popcorn](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/5UsR9CJqj5w4UCSqDJZdp7/articles/7dL53WKkpyqfvZJO0amHD9/):__ __[AMC](https://robinhood.com/stocks/AMC)__ debuted a loyalty program for individual investors (feat. free popcorn), as shares soared. It's catering to the retail investor.
- __[Blue](https://snacks.robinhood.com/newsletters/jF3LIog2WHKh7zqo33DuG/articles/2QKrMaJaf3KxzRpKyGkYbA/):__ __[Twitter](https://robinhood.com/stocks/TWTR)__ launched its first subscription service,  "Twitter Blue," for ~$3/month — but will people pay for social?


🎈 Spotify's Clubhouse-style party

🤖 Waymo's self-driving billions

🌮 The Yelp economy

🚙 Lordstown Motors, unjuiced

🧢 Netflix pulls a Disney

🛍 "Buy now, pay later" billions

💴 Bitcoin's legal tender moment

💰 Bitcoin, un-ransomed

💰 The Big Tech tax

🇺🇸 Is the American Dream still alive?