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UBS Explores Crypto Investing for Select Private Banking Clients, Report Says

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Swiss banking giant UBS is exploring plans to offer cryptocurrency investment services to select private banking clients, according to a report by Bloomberg News, citing people familiar with the matter.

Under the proposal, UBS would initially allow a limited group of its private banking clients in Switzerland to buy and sell major digital assets such as bitcoin and ether. The bank is said to be in the process of selecting external partners to support the crypto offering. Bloomberg reported that the service could later be expanded to other regions, including Asia-Pacific and the United States.

UBS declined to comment directly on the report, but said it continues to assess opportunities linked to digital assets. A spokesperson told Reuters that the bank actively monitors developments in line with client demand, regulatory frameworks, market trends and risk management considerations, while acknowledging the importance of blockchain technology that underpins cryptocurrencies.

The move reflects growing interest in digital assets among wealthy clients and forms part of a broader trend of institutional adoption. Other major banks have also moved cautiously into the space, as regulatory clarity improves in some markets. Analysts say UBS’s potential entry would mark another milestone in the mainstream acceptance of crypto investing within global wealth management.

Experts Divided Over Whether AI Boom Is the Next Big Bubble

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The record-breaking wave of artificial intelligence investments has sparked fierce debate across global markets, with opinions divided over whether the sector is inflating into a bubble reminiscent of the early 2000s dot-com frenzy.

According to Bank of America Global Research, 54% of surveyed fund managers now believe AI stocks are in a bubble, compared to 38% who disagree. The discussion has gained urgency as companies pour hundreds of billions into AI infrastructure, data centers, and startups, pushing valuations to new extremes.

The Bank of England warned that a sharp market correction tied to fading AI optimism could ripple through the global financial system. “The risk of a sharp market correction has increased,” its Financial Policy Committee said in an October update.

Singapore’s GIC investment chief Bryan Yeo also described “a little bit of a hype bubble” in the venture space, saying startups labeled as AI firms are being valued “at huge multiples” of modest revenue.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos offered a nuanced view, saying industrial bubbles often leave lasting benefits even if many investors lose money. “When the dust settles and you see who are the winners, society benefits from those inventions,” he said.

Others, such as Goldman Sachs economist Joseph Briggs and ABB CEO Morten Wierod, argue the AI investment surge remains justified given long-term potential — though both caution about bottlenecks in infrastructure and human resources.

By contrast, Michael Burry — famed for predicting the 2008 financial crisis — has bet against high-flying AI stocks like Nvidia and Palantir, warning that the boom mirrors past speculative manias.

IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas agreed that a correction could come but emphasized it would likely be contained. “This is not financed by debt,” he said, meaning any fallout would primarily hurt equity investors.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman echoed that sentiment, admitting that investors may be “overexcited” and predicting that “someone is going to lose a phenomenal amount of money.”

Yet, UBS strategists note that even among those who believe in an AI bubble, about 90% are still invested — a sign of the sector’s magnetic pull despite growing caution.

Experts divided over whether AI boom is a bubble or sustainable revolution

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The massive wave of investment in artificial intelligence has triggered debate across global markets over whether the surge mirrors the dot-com bubble or represents a sustainable technological revolution. Companies have poured hundreds of billions of dollars into AI infrastructure, fueling record valuations — but also investor caution.

A BofA Global Research survey showed that 54% of fund managers now believe AI stocks are in a bubble, compared with 38% who disagree, highlighting the growing divide between optimism and skepticism.

The Bank of England warned on October 8 that global markets could tumble if sentiment toward AI shifts, saying “the risk of a sharp market correction has increased.”

Other experts, however, see the AI boom as a long-term growth story. Goldman Sachs economist Joseph Briggs argued that the investment surge remains macroeconomically sustainable, though he noted that “the ultimate AI winners remain less clear.”

ABB CEO Morten Wierod echoed that sentiment, saying, “I don’t think there is a bubble, but we do see constraints in construction capacity,” adding that the industry is dealing with “trillions in investment” and limited human resources.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos said investor enthusiasm is not inherently negative: “When people get very excited … every experiment gets funded. Some will fail, but society benefits when the winners emerge.”

IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas compared the AI boom to the early 2000s tech frenzy but said it’s less likely to trigger a systemic crash because it’s not driven by debt.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman offered a more candid view: “Are investors overexcited about AI? Yes. Someone is going to lose a phenomenal amount of money — and others will make a phenomenal amount.”

Despite these warnings, UBS strategists found that 90% of investors who believe in an AI bubble remain heavily invested, suggesting confidence in the sector’s long-term potential even as valuations soar.