Hi Reader, here's what you need to know for June 18th in 3:06 minutes.

👴 This ain’t your daddy’s 60/40 portfolio. Join EquityMultiple’s CFO for How To Diversify Beyond Stocks & Bonds on June 22nd, and find out how to break with traditional investments. Grab your ticket today.

Today's big stories

Digital payments company Wise announced plans to go public on the London Stock Exchange via a direct listing
There's a major disruption heading straight for cryptocurrencies, and it's not regulation – Read Now
China’s upping its efforts to tame a red-hot rally in commodity prices

Wanderlust For Life

What’s Going On Here?

Wise announced plans on Thursday to make its debut on the London Stock Exchange, and the payment transfer company is confident it’s going places.

What Does This Mean?

The artist formerly known as TransferWise is eyeing a direct listing, which – unlike an initial public offering (IPO) – cuts out investment banks (and their exorbitant fees) and lets the company list without raising cash. That route makes more sense for Wise: the company sees $7 billion in transfers every month, it’s been profitable since 2017, and it’s doubled its revenue in the past two years. In other words, it doesn’t need cash from investors.

The direct listing means we won’t know Wise’s valuation until investors set it on the day. But the company was last valued at $5 billion in a private fundraising round last year, and one report suggests it might’ve climbed to $12 billion (tweet this).

Why Should I Care?

For markets: Pros and cons.
Wise’s stock market debut will be the first direct listing of a tech company in London – a big win not just for the UK, but retail investors too. Direct listings, after all, don’t give institutional investors first dibs on shares like IPOs do. There is a drawback, mind you: no investment bank around means there’s no one to keep Wise’s share price from getting too volatile in the early days.

The bigger picture: Get excited.
Wise isn’t the only company getting investors hot under the collar this week: OnlyFans – which provided the bare skin everyone needed to get through lockdown – said it’s looking to raise money from private investors at a $1 billion valuation for the first time. The startup handled more than $2 billion in sales last year, with $400 million in revenue and a profit to boot. The new funding round isn’t just about keeping its regulars happy, either: OnlyFans is looking to erect a more mainstream media platform and – presumably – fall asleep straight after.

You might also like: How to tell if a stock market debut will be a hit or a flop.

Copy to share story: https://www.finimize.com/wp/news/wanderlust-for-life/

🙋 Ask a question

2. Analyst Take

The Next Big Disruption To The Crypto Industry

What’s Going On Here?

Everything’s cryptocurrency this, cryptocurrency that at the moment.

So it’s no surprise that 90% of the world’s central banks are exploring the idea of digital versions of their own currencies.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing: so-called “central bank digital currencies” – or CBDCs – could have plenty of advantages.

They could be used for instant and cheap money transfers, for one, or programmed in ways that would help boost countries’ economies.

And that means they could be the next big disruptive force for fintechs, big banks, cryptocurrencies, and – if you’re investing in any of them – your portfolio.

So that’s today’s Insight: how CBDCs will shake up the crypto market and finance industry, and how they could impact your investments.

Read or listen to the Insight here

Change is good

A lot has changed since Jupiter Asset Management launched its Global Sustainable Equities strategy in 2018.

After all, the world of sustainability, corporate responsibility, and fairer, more equitable business behaviors have quickly become mainstream investing considerations.

But one thing hasn’t changed: Jupiter’s unwavering belief that every investing decision needs to balance planet, people, and profit.

And now, Jupiter’s written a report looking at how companies are adapting to everything from gender equality to climate change response – and which of them are t he stand-outs.

Take a look at Jupiter’s report here .

Read The Report