After threatening to put bitcoin in a corner for months, Chinese regulators banned all cryptocurrency-related transactions in the country yesterday. Yep, it’s illegal to buy a Bored Ape NFT in China now.

The backstory: Chinese authorities have been squeezing crypto’s influence in the country since Kendall Jenner’s Pepsi commercial. In 2017, they outlawed cryptocurrency exchanges from operating within China’s borders, and major platforms like Huobi were forced to stop, drop, and relocate within months of the announcement. And this June, China imposed restrictions on mining—a process that involves a network of energy-glugging servers creating new crypto tokens.

But China’s crypto crackdown had several, well, cracks that yesterday’s statement sealed up:

• Chinese residents can no longer trade crypto on peer-to-peer platforms like WeChat Pay and AliPay (the Venmo and Zelle of China).
• Mining cryptocurrency is now completely illegal.
• The order reiterated a pre-existing ban on overseas exchanges conducting transactions within China.

Why is China’s government so bearish about crypto?

China’s main grievance is that cryptocurrencies are unregulated by any higher authority. Some argue that this facilitates illegal activities like money laundering and allows money to leak out of the country without documentation.

• Plus, China’s not exactly known for its laissez faire governing style. It’s been on a regulation spree this year, from limiting kids’ online gaming to kicking ride-hailing company Didi off app stores.

Not to mention, the country’s central bank has been testing its own digital currency, the digital yuan. Having an official digital currency will allow China to better monitor citizens’ economic activity, and enforce rules accordingly.

Zoom out: This ban is not unexpected. Crypto-related companies and mining operations were already moving out of the country as the Chinese government, over the years, has become less welcoming to them than a restaurant 15 minutes before closing time.—JW

Like the Super Mario Bros. movie casting, the US’ booster shot rollout has been kind of a hot mess. Late Thursday, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky included frontline workers in the group eligible for Pfizer boosters, a group the CDC’s advisors left out of their guidelines but the FDA did include in its recommendation.

What happened: After outside advisors to the CDC recommended that older Americans and those with underlying health conditions be eligible for boosters, Walensky made a rare “my house, my rules” move and included frontline health care workers, teachers, and others who face higher risk of infection because of their jobs or living conditions.

• Walensky explained that she didn’t “overrule” the advisors’ decision, just that it was “a scientific close call” that was ultimately hers to make.

Everything you need to know about boosters

• No matter what, to get a booster you must have received two Pfizer shots at least six months ago. Sorry, Moderna and J&J crew, it’s not your time yet.
• If you are a) 65+, a nursing home resident, or an assisted living facility resident or b) 50–64 with health risks like cancer, diabetes, asthma, HIV infection, or heart disease, the CDC says you should get a booster.
• And if you are 18–49 with health risks or 18–64 with a risky job/living situation, you can get a booster if you want. There’s no official recommendation for you yet, though.

Looking ahead...CVS and Walgreens both announced that eligible individuals can start making their booster appointments this weekend.—MM

Supply chain problems continue to be the canker sores companies just can’t get rid of. In earnings calls this week, both Costco and Nike execs focused on debilitating logistical issues.

Some of the headwinds Costco faces include “port delays, container shortages, Covid disruptions, shortages of various components, raw materials and ingredients, labor cost pressures, and truck and driver shortages,” the company’s CFO Richard Galanti said, likely not in one breath.

• Costco is capping the amount of toilet paper and other cleaning supplies customers can buy, not because there’s a mad scramble for them, but because it’s having trouble getting those products to its stores (see above).

Nike said 80% of its shoe factories in Vietnam are closed and so are nearly 50% of its apparel factories. Shares slid 6.3% yesterday after the retailer cut its revenue forecast and warned of delays during the holiday season. For instance, products that took 40 days to ship across the world are now taking 80 days.

Bottom line: “It’s a lot of fun right now,” Costco’s Galanti said.—NF

Stat: Turns out your college roommate was onto something—the US now has more legal cannabis workers than dentists, paramedics, or electrical engineers, according to the Washington Post. 321,000 Americans now work in the industry, a 32% bump from last year, a new report estimates.

• Related: Why three CBD marketers pivoted to pot.

Quote: “We are semi-separated but still love each other, see each other frequently, and are on great terms.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said he and Canadian singer Grimes have broken up after three years together. They’ll still co-parent their 1-year-old son, X Æ A-Xii Musk.

Read: The digital death of collecting. (Kyle Chayka)

During an episode of The View yesterday, host Sunny Hostin and guest host Ana Navarro were asked to leave the set after testing positive for Covid-19, just moments before VP Kamala Harris was supposed to walk on for an interview.

That’s live TV in the Covid era. Viewers watched in confusion as Hostin and Navarro (who were fully vaccinated) walked off. Later in the show, host Joy Behar explained the positive results and interviewed Harris via video.—MM

Exceptional grapes. That’s what you get from WSJwine. They specialize in smaller scale wines handcrafted by artisan winemakers. And now you can get their Top 12 wines with 2 bonus bottles and 2 stemless glasses for $69.99 plus S&T. Find better wine today.*

Howdy there, future of farming. By 2050, farmers will need to increase food production by up to 70%. Luckily, Future Acres’ robotic farming companion Carry is designed to transport crops for an estimated 30% farm efficiency increase. Get in on this fertile investment opportunity before 10/8.*

Weekend Conversation Starters:

Best screensaver of all time?
Would you live in Montserrat for two months?
Is the worst of Covid over?
What are the most hated brands in every country?

^{*This is sponsored advertising content}

Every other week, Brew’s Bookshelf brings you a few of our favorite reads.

1. That “1-click” checkout button won’t look the same after reading Arriving Today, a deep dive by WSJ columnist Christopher Mims into the logistics networks that have transformed the way we shop.
2. Male entitlement explains a lot, argues author and Cornell philosopher Kate Manne. Her book Entitled looks at everything from mansplaining to toxic masculinity and the very real effects it has on our culture.
3. TikTok’s obsession with the Gabby Petito case exposed a lot about our often-misguided fascination with true crime. Rachel Monroe explored this obsession in Savage Appetites.