Peter Thiel of Thiel Macro LLC has sold off his entire Nvidia holding (Wikipedia Creative Commons).
Added to that, billionaire Peter Thiel has dumped his entire Nvidia
holding, according to newly released regulatory filings, as anxiety over an
AI-driven tech bubble continues to swirl. Fresh 13F disclosures from Thiel
Macro LLC reveal that the fund exited all 537,742 Nvidia shares it owned in the
July to September period. The stake had previously made up about 40% of the
fund’s entire portfolio.
NVIDIA $NVDA reports earnings this week, I don’t mean to be dramatic but if they don’t beat and raise we are ALL FINISHED… 😱 pic.twitter.com/5ntcyT7mtp
So yes: “AI bubble” is not just clickbait any more—it’s how some
investors are literally positioning.
Nvidia’s Role: Why its Earnings Matter So Much
Enter Nvidia. Wall Street is treating the company’s upcoming quarterly
results (after market close on November 19) as more than just a single blip, it’s
a litmus test for the broader AI boom. There’s a good chance that Nvidia’s
report could well tell us how the market will move in the very near future.
Why? Because Nvidia is the biggest beneficiary of the infrastructure
build-out: the chips, servers and software that power generative AI,
large-scale models and data centers. Investors are watching ahead of its
earnings, and according
to analysts, firms expect it to report sales of about $56.8 billion versus
$54.6 billion consensus. So far, so good for bubble watchers.
WATCH: Nvidia, the world's first $5 trillion semiconductor company, will report earnings results next week, with investors watching for AI forecasts that could sway global tech markets and ease bubble concerns. Here is the top business news for next week https://t.co/RGzin6AMK9pic.twitter.com/YidJoitx53
In other words: if Nvidia delivers strongly, you could see the hype
cycle re-accelerate; if not, you might see the bubble pop.
What the Optimistic Case Looks Like
Imagine that Nvidia reports better-than-expected numbers, perhaps
raises forward guidance, convinces investors that AI infrastructure spending is
not only real but accelerating. There’s a good chance of this happening, 40
out of 47 analysists quizzed by Yahoo called Nvidia a “strong buy”, with
only 1 calling it a “strong sell”. Why the positivity? Q2 2026 revenue growth
of 56% year-on-year and earnings growth of 61%.
Plus, many analysts are bullish: per Yahoo Finance, Nvidia shares are
already priced for big growth and some analysts have raised targets
accordingly.
In that scenario: hype returns, valuations push higher, and the
“bubble” becomes less of a scary word and more of a bullish label.
But the flip side is very real. As Investopedia warned, investors are
worried that tech firms might be spending too fast on AI for returns that may
come much later, or possibly not at all. Interviews
with a series of AI CEOs indicate that they’re aware of the issue, but
optimistic.
If Nvidia misses expectations, or gives conservative guidance, two
things could happen: (1) A big chunk of the AI infrastructure narrative gets
questioned. (2) Broad AI-related valuations, already steep, come under
pressure. Given how many stocks ride the same wave, any pullback could be
sharp.
Also worth noting: speculative momentum is baked in here. Nvidia is
already pushing expectations and setting incredible numbers. It has been for a
while. With this comes high expectations. When you’re expected to execute
perfection, anything else can feel like failure. We’ve seen this before, but then
Nvidia continues to grow. Just see our reporting from
October of last year.
The overall sentiment appears to be: You don’t need Nvidia to prove the
AI boom exists, but you do need it to show the boom is sustainable. Without
that, the narrative weakens.
What Are Investors Watching For?
Here are key metrics and signals:
·
Revenue for the quarter
meeting or beating expectations.
·
Guidance for the next
quarter or year that points to continued growth in data-centre, AI-server
business.
·
Margin trends and cost
pressures: infrastructure is expensive and margins matter.
·
Any commentary on “power
wall” or infrastructure bottlenecks; will investments outrun the revenue curve?
Bubble Revival or Cautionary Flag?
If Nvidia hits and raises, we may see a fresh wave of AI hype in one
swoop. AI valuations could get a second wind, chip stocks surge and investors
shift back into “growth at any price” mode.
But if Nvidia guides cautiously, misses, or signals slower momentum,
the “bubble” label could go from metaphor to warning. AI-related stocks may
tumble, valuations compress, and investors rethink the timing of the mega
investments.
Given the stakes, November 19 is less “earnings day” and more “market
direction decision point.” Prepare accordingly.
With Nvidia about to report, the question isn’t just about growth, it’s whether
the AI boom is due for a second act or a sharp deflation.
Peter Thiel of Thiel Macro LLC has sold off his entire Nvidia holding (Wikipedia Creative Commons).
Added to that, billionaire Peter Thiel has dumped his entire Nvidia
holding, according to newly released regulatory filings, as anxiety over an
AI-driven tech bubble continues to swirl. Fresh 13F disclosures from Thiel
Macro LLC reveal that the fund exited all 537,742 Nvidia shares it owned in the
July to September period. The stake had previously made up about 40% of the
fund’s entire portfolio.
NVIDIA $NVDA reports earnings this week, I don’t mean to be dramatic but if they don’t beat and raise we are ALL FINISHED… 😱 pic.twitter.com/5ntcyT7mtp
So yes: “AI bubble” is not just clickbait any more—it’s how some
investors are literally positioning.
Nvidia’s Role: Why its Earnings Matter So Much
Enter Nvidia. Wall Street is treating the company’s upcoming quarterly
results (after market close on November 19) as more than just a single blip, it’s
a litmus test for the broader AI boom. There’s a good chance that Nvidia’s
report could well tell us how the market will move in the very near future.
Why? Because Nvidia is the biggest beneficiary of the infrastructure
build-out: the chips, servers and software that power generative AI,
large-scale models and data centers. Investors are watching ahead of its
earnings, and according
to analysts, firms expect it to report sales of about $56.8 billion versus
$54.6 billion consensus. So far, so good for bubble watchers.
WATCH: Nvidia, the world's first $5 trillion semiconductor company, will report earnings results next week, with investors watching for AI forecasts that could sway global tech markets and ease bubble concerns. Here is the top business news for next week https://t.co/RGzin6AMK9pic.twitter.com/YidJoitx53
In other words: if Nvidia delivers strongly, you could see the hype
cycle re-accelerate; if not, you might see the bubble pop.
What the Optimistic Case Looks Like
Imagine that Nvidia reports better-than-expected numbers, perhaps
raises forward guidance, convinces investors that AI infrastructure spending is
not only real but accelerating. There’s a good chance of this happening, 40
out of 47 analysists quizzed by Yahoo called Nvidia a “strong buy”, with
only 1 calling it a “strong sell”. Why the positivity? Q2 2026 revenue growth
of 56% year-on-year and earnings growth of 61%.
Plus, many analysts are bullish: per Yahoo Finance, Nvidia shares are
already priced for big growth and some analysts have raised targets
accordingly.
In that scenario: hype returns, valuations push higher, and the
“bubble” becomes less of a scary word and more of a bullish label.
But the flip side is very real. As Investopedia warned, investors are
worried that tech firms might be spending too fast on AI for returns that may
come much later, or possibly not at all. Interviews
with a series of AI CEOs indicate that they’re aware of the issue, but
optimistic.
If Nvidia misses expectations, or gives conservative guidance, two
things could happen: (1) A big chunk of the AI infrastructure narrative gets
questioned. (2) Broad AI-related valuations, already steep, come under
pressure. Given how many stocks ride the same wave, any pullback could be
sharp.
Also worth noting: speculative momentum is baked in here. Nvidia is
already pushing expectations and setting incredible numbers. It has been for a
while. With this comes high expectations. When you’re expected to execute
perfection, anything else can feel like failure. We’ve seen this before, but then
Nvidia continues to grow. Just see our reporting from
October of last year.
The overall sentiment appears to be: You don’t need Nvidia to prove the
AI boom exists, but you do need it to show the boom is sustainable. Without
that, the narrative weakens.
What Are Investors Watching For?
Here are key metrics and signals:
·
Revenue for the quarter
meeting or beating expectations.
·
Guidance for the next
quarter or year that points to continued growth in data-centre, AI-server
business.
·
Margin trends and cost
pressures: infrastructure is expensive and margins matter.
·
Any commentary on “power
wall” or infrastructure bottlenecks; will investments outrun the revenue curve?
Bubble Revival or Cautionary Flag?
If Nvidia hits and raises, we may see a fresh wave of AI hype in one
swoop. AI valuations could get a second wind, chip stocks surge and investors
shift back into “growth at any price” mode.
But if Nvidia guides cautiously, misses, or signals slower momentum,
the “bubble” label could go from metaphor to warning. AI-related stocks may
tumble, valuations compress, and investors rethink the timing of the mega
investments.
Given the stakes, November 19 is less “earnings day” and more “market
direction decision point.” Prepare accordingly.
Louis Parks has lived and worked in and around the Middle East for much of his professional career. He writes about the meeting of the tech and finance worlds.
Will Bitcoin Price Fall Below $50K? BTC Drops to 4-Month Low Near $61,300 in a 13% Three-Day Slide
Featured Videos
FM Daily Brief – 9 June 2026
FM Daily Brief – 9 June 2026
FM Daily Brief – 9 June 2026
FM Daily Brief – 9 June 2026
Today’s Tuesday, the 9th of June 2026, and these are our main stories: eToro’s customer assets climbed back above $20 billion, Prop trading model in prediction markets, and Leverate launched a new AI assistant for brokers and traders.
Today’s Tuesday, the 9th of June 2026, and these are our main stories: eToro’s customer assets climbed back above $20 billion, Prop trading model in prediction markets, and Leverate launched a new AI assistant for brokers and traders.
Today’s Tuesday, the 9th of June 2026, and these are our main stories: eToro’s customer assets climbed back above $20 billion, Prop trading model in prediction markets, and Leverate launched a new AI assistant for brokers and traders.
Today’s Tuesday, the 9th of June 2026, and these are our main stories: eToro’s customer assets climbed back above $20 billion, Prop trading model in prediction markets, and Leverate launched a new AI assistant for brokers and traders.
War Stories: Lessons from 20 Years in Markets (the pain, the pitfalls and the profits)
War Stories: Lessons from 20 Years in Markets (the pain, the pitfalls and the profits)
War Stories: Lessons from 20 Years in Markets (the pain, the pitfalls and the profits)
War Stories: Lessons from 20 Years in Markets (the pain, the pitfalls and the profits)
War Stories: Lessons from 20 Years in Markets (the pain, the pitfalls and the profits)
War Stories: Lessons from 20 Years in Markets (the pain, the pitfalls and the profits)
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The Engine and the Fuel: How AI & Data Drives African Future
The Engine and the Fuel: How AI & Data Drives African Future
The Engine and the Fuel: How AI & Data Drives African Future
The Engine and the Fuel: How AI & Data Drives African Future
The Engine and the Fuel: How AI & Data Drives African Future
The Engine and the Fuel: How AI & Data Drives African Future
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
Inside My Best Trade with Jimmy Moyaha
Inside My Best Trade with Jimmy Moyaha
Inside My Best Trade with Jimmy Moyaha
Inside My Best Trade with Jimmy Moyaha
Inside My Best Trade with Jimmy Moyaha
Inside My Best Trade with Jimmy Moyaha
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Agentic Inequality: Democratizing Financial Access Through AI & Blockchain
Agentic Inequality: Democratizing Financial Access Through AI & Blockchain
Agentic Inequality: Democratizing Financial Access Through AI & Blockchain
Agentic Inequality: Democratizing Financial Access Through AI & Blockchain
Agentic Inequality: Democratizing Financial Access Through AI & Blockchain
Agentic Inequality: Democratizing Financial Access Through AI & Blockchain
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy