Today, cryptocurrency markets attracted attention: Bitcoin set a new historical high, exceeding $124,000, while Ethereum approached a record level, trading near $4,780.
According to Reuters, Bitcoin reached a new all-time high of $124,002.49, driven by active institutional investment, expectations of monetary policy easing by the Federal Reserve, and favorable regulatory steps by the US administration.
Confirming this trend, MarketWatch reports that Bitcoin’s growth is supported by growing investor interest and has gone against the strengthening of the dollar, with the country taking a more loyal stance towards cryptocurrencies.
Meanwhile, Ethereum is also showing steady growth, trading at $4,780.04, approaching its record highs of 2021. According to Aldía News, Ethereum jumped from around $4,220 at the start of trading last week to highs of around $4,790, just shy of its all-time high of $4,866.
The cryptocurrency boom continues to accelerate: Bitcoin is up ~30% since the start of the year, consolidating above $124,000. Ethereum is keeping pace, almost reaching its all-time high.
Institutional investments, ETFs, favorable regulatory steps, and expectations of interest rate cuts are the main factors driving the current momentum.
The Italian government plans to restrict the presence of Chinese investors in key companies to avoid possible tensions in relations with the US, Bloomberg reports, citing informed sources.
The plans concern companies that the government considers strategic, both private and state-owned, the sources said. One of the most notable examples is Italian tire manufacturer Pirelli & C. SpA, 37% of which is owned by Chinese state-owned Sinochem International Corp.
Earlier this year, Pirelli stripped the Chinese investor of its management control after facing the threat of sales restrictions in the US, its main market. As reported, Washington has banned the import or sale in the country of connected cars that use Chinese equipment or software.
Sinochem insists that its investment in Pirelli is long-term, while Rome is considering options to pressure the Chinese investor to sell its stake, sources say.
The situation surrounding Pirelli shows the difficulties Europe faces in the new geopolitical reality. The region welcomed Chinese investors after the 2008 financial crisis, but now seeks to reduce its dependence on Beijing in order to protect strategic industries and maintain good relations with US President Donald Trump.
Among other companies from which Italy would like to oust Chinese investors is CDP Reti SpA, which controls the country’s power grids, sources say. A subsidiary of State Grid Corporation of China owns 35% of CDP Reti and has two seats on its board of directors.
Another example is power plant manufacturer Ansaldo Energia SpA. Although Shanghai Electric has already reduced its stake in the company from 0.5% to 40%, the very presence of a Chinese investor prevents the company from participating in a number of tenders and competitions in the US energy market, according to one of the sources.
In total, about 700 Italian companies have Chinese investors, but the government is mainly focused on large firms in strategic sectors, including energy, transport, technology, and finance.
According to a recently published report by Deutsche Bank, the highest increase in rents for three-room apartments in European city centers between 2020 and 2025 was recorded in Southern and Eastern Europe, reaching 206%. These figures are from a study covering 67 cities worldwide, including 28 in Europe.
According to Eurostat, housing prices in the EU rose by 27.3% quarter-on-quarter (from Q1 2020 to Q1 2025), while rents rose by 12.5% between June 2020 and June 2025. However, growth exceeded the average in central city areas.
The most expensive and cheapest cities in 2025:
The highest rental growth (2020–2025):
Overall, the findings show that Southern and Eastern Europe have lost their relative affordability in terms of housing rentals, while the major financial and political centers of Western and Northern Europe remain the most expensive, but affordability in Eastern Europe is declining rapidly.
In January-July of this year, Ukrainian metallurgical companies increased their revenues from exports of ferrous metals by 3.8% compared to the same period last year, to $1 billion 816.128 million.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Tuesday, ferrous metals accounted for 7.79% of total export revenues during this period, compared to 7.73% in January-July 2024.
In July, export revenues amounted to $277.615 million, compared to $275.767 million in the previous month.
At the same time, Ukraine increased imports of similar products by 9.1% to $954.486 million in January-July 2025. In July, products worth $144.918 million were imported.
In addition, in January-July 2025, Ukraine increased exports of metal products by 2.6% to $568.849 million. In July, exports amounted to $57.062 million.
Imports of metal products during this period increased by 7.7% to $658.076 million. In July, these products were imported for $137.568 million.
As reported, in 2024, Ukrainian metal companies increased their revenues from exports of ferrous metals by 16.9% compared to the previous year, to $3 billion 96.343 million. At the same time, Ukraine increased imports of similar products by 13.1% over the past year, to $1 billion 478.814 million.
In 2023, Ukraine reduced its revenues from exports of ferrous metals by 41.6% compared to 2022, to $2 billion 647.72 million, with ferrous metals accounting for 7.3% of total revenues from exports of goods during this period, while in 2022, the share was 10.3%. At the same time, Ukraine increased imports of similar products by 37% in 2023, to $1 billion 307.05 million.
In addition, in 2023, Ukraine reduced exports of metal products by 16.6% compared to 2022, to $877.92 million. At the same time, imports of metal products increased by 40.3%, to $902.57 million.
The pet products market in Ukraine grew by 20% in 2024, reaching UAH 45.4 billion, and according to optimistic forecasts, it will grow by another 20% in 2025, said Anastasia Rudavka, head of the communications and corporate social business development department at Suziria Group.
“The global pet products market is growing rapidly and approaching $84 billion. The domestic market, even despite the full-scale invasion, is showing annual growth. Last year, volumes grew by 20% to UAH 45.4 billion. This year, according to an optimistic scenario, growth will be 20-21%, and according to a pessimistic scenario, about 13-15%,“ she said during the presentation of the joint project ”Humane Education. Volunteering” by the UAnimals Charitable Foundation and Suziria Group on Wednesday.
According to Euromonitor 2025, there are 17.7 million pets in Ukraine, 66.5% of which are cats and dogs.
Rudavka emphasized the general trend toward a more conscious attitude toward pets. In particular, in 2024, the culture of responsible nutrition grew. The number of animals fed ready-made food increased by 14%; more than half of owners are willing to pay for eco-friendly products and food with alternative proteins, etc.
“We are also seeing a global trend toward humanization. Last year, MasterZoo sold 60,700 items of clothing for pets, 3,223 pairs of shoes and socks, and almost 2,000 perfumes. In the two weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day, we sold a thousand gift boxes. Another trend is minimizing stress for animals, which also speaks to the development of a culture of caring for pets. For example, mobile grooming and veterinary home visits, as well as taxis for animals, are appearing,” Rudavka noted.
Suziria Group is a Ukrainian family-owned group of companies that has been developing the pet products market for over 30 years. It includes Suziria Brands, Suziria Distribution, the MasterZoo pet store chain with 190 stores, and a chain of grooming salons. The company operates throughout Ukraine and abroad, exporting its own products under the Savory, Half&Half, Special One, Pet Fashion, Buddy Boo, Priroda, and Puramur brands.
In January-July 2025, Ukrainian enterprises increased exports of ferrous metal scrap by 66.4% compared to the same period last year, to 248,342 thousand tons from 149,229 thousand tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Tuesday, 44,842 thousand tons were exported in July, a record 47,691 thousand tons in June, 28.6 thousand tons in May, in April – 46,321 thousand tons, in March – 39,908 thousand tons, in February – 25,284 thousand tons, and in January – 15,696 thousand tons of scrap metal.
In monetary terms, scrap exports in January-July increased by 57.9% to $75.468 million from $47.801 million.
During this period, scrap exports were formally carried out mainly to Poland (82.17% of shipments in monetary terms), Greece (6.13%), and Italy (4.28%).
In the first seven months of the year, Ukraine imported 34 tons of scrap worth $12,000 from Poland (58.33%), the Seychelles (33.33%), and the British Virgin Islands (8.33%).
As reported, due to the sharp increase in exports of strategic raw materials from Ukraine, the Ministry of Economy initiated the introduction of a licensing and quota regime for scrap exports with a zero quota. A public discussion of the draft resolution is currently underway. Its implementation is expected to contribute to the smooth operation of Ukraine’s metallurgical and foundry industries, as well as to stabilize the situation with the supply of scrap on the domestic market of Ukraine.
In 2024, Ukraine’s scrap metal collection companies increased their exports of ferrous scrap by 60.7% compared to 2023, to 293,190 thousand tons from 182,465 thousand tons. In monetary terms, scrap exports for the year increased by 73.2% to $91.311 million from $52.723 million.
