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The Bank of England recently forecast the UK GDP will grow by only 0.75% in 2025 – just half the 1.5% it had forecast in November. Could this lead to the government investing in bitcoin?

Bitcoin’s movements this year

2025 has already been a historic year for bitcoin. Donald Trump’s support for cryptocurrencies saw the Bitcoin price rise above $100,000 in January. Its price has since dipped slightly, reportedly due to two factors: Trump’s tariffs on goods from China, Canada, and Mexico, and the reluctance of his crypto task force to commit to establishing a Bitcoin reserve. Still, at the time of writing, Bitcoin has not dipped below $82k in March.

Yahoo Finance reported that “worries about the growth of the UK economy” were mounting and that one solution may be to sell Bitcoin to raise money. 

UK finances

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the interest rate cut is “welcome news” and would help ease the “cost of living pressures felt by families across the country” and make it easier for businesses to “borrow to grow”. She was “still not satisfied with the growth rate” and promised to “kickstart economic growth” and “put more money in working people’s pockets”. 

The national debt stands at about £2.6 trillion, more than double the debt from the 1980s through to 2008’s recession. 

UK’s Bitcoin

Yahoo reports that while it is not known how much Bitcoin the UK government owns, data analytics firm Arkham has suggested the government holds over 60,000 Bitcoin. This is “thought to be largely as a result of the seizure from international money launderer Jian Wen”.

The government has generally been quiet about Bitcoin, but the Labour peer Lord Spencer Livermore has said the treasury has “no plans to adopt a strategic Bitcoin reserve”.

How does this contrast with the US?

Donald Trump built his campaign last year partially in support of crypto. He promised to make the US the “crypto capital of the planet” and to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve.

Trump’s crypto task force, led by crypto czar David Sacks, has not yet established that Bitcoin reserve. Sacks told CNBC that the task force was evaluating “the feasibility of a Bitcoin reserve” and that they “haven’t committed yet to doing it”. 

The Securities and Exchange Commission

Trump’s administration, though, has affected Bitcoin in other ways. The New York Times recently reported on “one of the first concrete steps” in reducing crypto regulation. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was scaling back its special unit dedicated to crypto enforcement actions.

There were reportedly over 100 crypto-related actions during Joe Biden’s time in office. The SEC sued crypto companies, including Kraken and Coinbase for apparently breaking SEC rules, an allegation the companies denied. Reuters reported that they argued it was unclear when a crypto token would qualify as a security and therefore be subject to SEC oversight. 

Trump nominated Paul Atkins, a lawyer known for advocating for reduced regulation, as the new SEC chair. According to Yahoo Finance senior reporter David Hollerith, the crypto industry views the appointments of Atkins and Sacks as “good signs”. 

By March, there may be a Solana ETF, depending on the SEC’s decision.

Bitcoin demand in Japan

Bloomberg reported that Trump’s support for crypto was fueling Bitcoin demand in Japan. Shares of Metaplanet Inc. have gone up 4,800% over the last 12 months. Metaplanet, Bloomberg says, is planning to emulate the success of MicroStrategy (now simply Strategy with a ‘B’ in a logo reflecting its interest in Bitcoin). 

Remixpoint Inc., also in Japan, announced its intention to buy “¥1.2 billion in Bitcoin last September, and has seen its stock grow over 300% since.” 

The Japanese government’s Nippon Individual Savings Account (NISA) tax-free investment program was launched last year. It “encourage[s] citizens to invest their savings for long-term growth and retirement.” Bloomberg quoted a robotics student from Tokyo, Getto Hagiya, as saying, “I believe Bitcoin will be an indispensable asset in the future”. Hagiya had made his first investment in Metaplanet shares. 

Direct Bitcoin purchases are subject to high taxes in Japan, so investing in Metaplanet shares is a cheaper alternative.

Could Bitcoin break $200,000?

In a recent article shared on Yahoo Finance, The Motley Fool’s Dominic Basulto reported that there “is no shortage of investment and financial firms predicting that Bitcoin will hit the $200,000 mark” this year. 

Standard Chartered has predicted Bitcoin will rise to $200,000 by the end of 2025 and $500,000 before 2029. 

Basulto says that Bitcoin’s growth will depend on how much new money flows into the currency this year. The more money, the stronger the money multiplier effect and the higher the price. 

The money multiplier effect says that for every $1 of new money into Bitcoin, there can be a $2.50 to $6.73 market cap gain.

There is no guarantee of Bitcoin hitting $200,000 and Basulto says that the market “might be wildly overestimating” its growth this year.

Bitdeer’s Jeff LaBerge recently said on Roundtable, “I think we will be up this year… but a lot of things go into it.” Host Rob Nelson said, “Over the next year, while it may go up, down, up, down, it only ends up, up by the end of the year”.

Conclusion

While Bitcoin’s future remains uncertain, its growing influence on global economies is undeniable. The UK government has yet to signal any serious intent to invest in Bitcoin, in stark contrast to the pro-crypto stance emerging in the U.S. and Japan. With mounting national debt and sluggish economic growth, the question isn’t just whether the UK will invest in Bitcoin, but whether it can afford to ignore it.

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As a GED instructor, I’ve spent years helping students prepare for their exams. I know how overwhelming it can be to find the right study materials, especially with so many options available. I’ve tested multiple GED prep courses, searching for the best resources to help my students succeed. Some were too complicated, others lacked realistic practice tests, and many didn’t offer the support students truly need. Then I found Onsego—and everything changed.

A User-Friendly Course That Delivers Results

From the moment I explored Onsego’s GED prep course, I knew it was different. The lessons are structured in a way that makes learning simple and stress-free. Instead of long, confusing explanations, Onsego breaks down GED topics into short, easy-to-understand video lessons. Each lesson is followed by a quiz to reinforce learning, helping students retain information better.

One of my biggest concerns when choosing a GED prep course is whether it truly prepares students for the real test. Many programs claim they do, but their practice tests are either too easy or don’t resemble the actual GED exam. Onsego’s practice tests, on the other hand, are spot-on. They mirror the real GED test in both content and difficulty, which means students get a true sense of what to expect on test day.

Quick Support and an All-Inclusive Price

Another standout feature of Onsego is the level of support. Studying for the GED can be tough, and sometimes students need extra help. Onsego provides quick and reliable support, ensuring that no one feels lost or stuck during their prep.

What really surprised me was how much Onsego includes for the price. Many other courses charge extra for essential features like practice tests or calculator training, but Onsego bundles everything into its Advantage Plans. These plans don’t just cover all four GED subjects—they also include the TI-30XS calculator course, confidence-boosting lessons, and even GED Ready® practice test vouchers. That’s a deal you won’t find anywhere else.

The Best GED Prep for Students Who Want to Pass Fast

Many of my students juggle work, family, and other responsibilities while preparing for the GED. They need a course that fits into their schedule, not one that adds extra stress. Onsego makes studying flexible—students can learn at their own pace, from anywhere, without pressure. The lessons are designed to help students grasp key concepts quickly, so they can be test-ready in less time.

After years of trying different programs, I can confidently say that Onsego is the best GED course available. It’s user-friendly, includes realistic practice tests, offers quick support, and provides an incredible amount of value for the price. If you’re looking for an affordable and effective way to pass the GED, Onsego is the way to go.

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During her testimony before the Senate Special Committee on Aging in 2011, the late Rosalynn Carter once said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.”

In many cases, our loved ones fall into the last category, and as their needs grow, so does our responsibility to ensure they get the best in-home care possible.

Maybe they’re getting older, dealing with an illness, or recovering from surgery. You want them to be safe and comfortable, but you cannot do it alone. You’ll need help from an experienced caregiver.

So, how do you find the right caregiving agency to help? This blog will walk you through everything you need to know, step by step, so you can feel good about your choice.

Why Choose Independent Care for Your Loved One?

Many families choose in-home care because it allows their seniors to stay in the comfort and safety of their own homes. 

This can be especially important for seniors who have spent years or even decades in their homes and find comfort in familiar surroundings.

This means your dad or mom can maintain their daily routines and stay in control of their life. They can eat when they want, sleep when they want, and enjoy their favorite activities without having to follow someone else’s schedule.

And unlike nursing homes where staff members care for many people at once, in-home caregivers focus solely on your loved one during their time together.

Home Health Care vs. Home Care

You might hear terms like “home health care” and “home care” used interchangeably, but they are not the same.

Home Health Care is offered by trained medical professionals like nurses, physical therapists, or occupational therapists. This type of care might include:

• Giving medications and monitoring health conditions
• Helping with recovery after surgery or illness
• Teaching about managing health conditions
• Physical therapy or wound care

Home care, on the other hand, is more about everyday stuff. This could be help with bathing, getting dressed, cooking meals, or even just keeping your loved one company. 

It’s less about medical tasks and more about making daily life easier. Some agencies offer both types of care, while others specialize in just one. Knowing the difference will help you in your research. 

What are the Main Types of Caregivers?

There are ‘Registered Nurses (RNs)’ trained to handle medical needs—like giving shots, managing medicines, or watching for health changes. They’re great if your loved one has a serious condition.

Then there are Home Health Aides (HHAs) who focus on personal care, like helping with baths, dressing, or eating. They might also do light cleaning or cook meals.

You might also hear about a personal care assistant. They’re similar to home health aides but might help with shopping or driving to appointments.

Some families also hire companions to keep their loved ones company, chat with them, play games, etc.

What Is the Cost of In-Home Care?

In-home care costs vary widely depending on:

• Where you live
• The type of care needed
• How many hours of care are required
• The caregiver’s qualifications

On average, in-home senior care can cost between $20 and $50 per hour. A registered nurse might charge more because of their medical skills—sometimes $25 to $50 an hour.

A home health aide or personal assistant might cost $15 to $30 an hour. If you only need a companion, it could be a bit less, like $12 to $20 an hour. The total adds up based on how many hours they work—part-time could be a few hundred dollars a week, while full-time might be thousands a month.

How to Find a Caregiver

You can hire a caregiver in two ways: through a company or on your own through recommendation.

A company (called an agency) finds caregivers for you. They handle hiring, training, and paperwork, which makes things easier. If the caregiver can’t come one day, the agency sends someone else.

Hiring someone yourself—like a neighbor or friend of a friend—can save money, but you’ll need to do more background checks to make sure they’re trustworthy.

Irrespective of how you choose to hire your caregiver, be sure to follow these tips:

Decide What Services Your Loved One Needs

Think about what your loved one needs help with. Do they need a nurse for medical stuff? Or just someone to help with chores and baths? Maybe they need both. 

Write down everything—like “help with dressing” or “cooking dinner”—so you know exactly what to look for.

Run a Background Check

If you use an agency, they usually conduct background checks for their employees, so you don’t have to worry about it (except when you feel like it).

But if you hire independently, you’ll need to do it. Ask for their ID and check if they’ve ever been in trouble with the law. You can also call people they worked for before to ask, “Were they reliable? Did they do a good job?”

Prioritize Cultural Sensitivity and Compatibility

Your loved one will spend much time with this person, so they should get along. Does your family speak a certain language? 

Does your loved one have traditions or foods they love? Find someone who understands and respects that. For example, if your mom only speaks Spanish, a caregiver who speaks it too will make her feel more comfortable.

Inquire About Care Management Procedures

According to Vivian Frazier, a caregiver with over a decade in service, “Caregiving is a constant learning experience,” and this is true for the person you’re about to hire.

You must ascertain that they are able to adapt to your home and the unique characteristics of your loved one. Can they make sure everything goes well?

Ask how they plan the day—do they write down what needs to be done? If something goes wrong, like your loved one falls, what do they do? Good caregivers keep track of what they’re doing and let you know how things are going.

Wrapping Up

Choosing the right caregiver will keep your loved one safe, healthy, and happy. But picking the wrong person—someone who’s late, careless, or doesn’t listen—could cause problems.

So please, take well the advice from this post and apply it in your research and hiring process.