Maxim Levoshin

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ru_RU Russian

Category: Business

  • Europe backs wealth tax to fund healthcare and fairness

    Wealth taxation is becoming a hot topic in Europe

    Across the EU, citizens are increasingly calling for new taxes on the ultra-wealthy — supposedly to fund healthcare, education, and other public services.

    Where is support the strongest?

    Italy leads the pack: 94% of Italians support taxing the ultra-rich to improve the healthcare system.

    Spain follows with 91%, then France (90%), the UK (89%), and Germany (85%).

    What does the Eurobarometer say?

    80% of EU citizens believe multinational corporations should pay a minimum tax in every country. And 65% support imposing taxes on the wealthiest individuals.

    Support is especially high in Hungary (78%) and in Balkan countries like Bulgaria and Croatia (71% each).

    Why do these ideas resonate?

    Respondents want tax loopholes closed so more funding can go toward public services. That idea is backed by 94% in Italy, 91% in the UK, 90% in Spain and France, and 86% in Germany.

    What gets less support?

    Investing tax revenue into renewable energy gets a bit less enthusiasm — supported by 75–88%, with up to 18% of Germans opposed.

    Even fewer people support funding for home insulation, with Germans particularly skeptical (only 28% in favor), and 20–22% against in other countries.

    Are wealth taxes already in place?

    Only Norway, Spain, and Switzerland currently tax net wealth.

    France, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands tax specific types of assets.

    What’s happening globally?

    The G20 is discussing a potential global minimum wealth tax — 2% annually on assets over $1 billion.

    Europe's direction: fairness or punishment for success?

    Europe seems to be leaning toward punishing those who build capital (sound familiar?), instead of encouraging investment and growth.

  • Where Millionaires Are Moving in 2025

    Where Millionaires Are Moving in 2025

    Millionaires on the Move: Where the Rich Live Now

    In 2025, the world has finally made up its mind on where the rich belong.
    Spoiler: it’s not London.

    Why the Wealthy Are Flocking to the UAE and US

    The UAE is gaining nearly 10,000 millionaires this year. The old formula of "no taxes, lots of sun" still works. The US is also attracting wealthy newcomers—apparently offering not just taxes, but Netflix in its original version. Italy isn’t luring people with low rates, but more likely with pasta and Tuscan views.

    London Leads the Rich Exodus: Down 16,500

    The UK is topping a much less glamorous chart: it’s losing 16,500 millionaires. That’s not a slow leak—it’s a full-on evacuation. China (-7.8K) and India (-3.5K) are also high on the list of departures, likely in search of Dubai’s sunshine and Switzerland’s chocolate.

    Global Migration of Wealth: A New Map

    If millionaires are a flock of birds, then London, Delhi, and Beijing have become the skies to escape from. And Dubai? The juiciest, shiniest bird feeder on the planet.

  • Crisis Mode: Why Speed Beats Innovation in Industrial Capitalism

    In crisis, speed of sale beats quality of product

    When systemic crisis hits, the winners aren’t those with the best products—but those who can sell fast to whoever needs it most.

    How overpriced semiconductors launched the Big Tech era

    Back in the 1960s, the U.S. paid 30 times the market price for semiconductors—because the Minuteman missile program couldn’t wait. That’s how the industry that feeds today’s Big Tech was born.

    Big Tech’s nuclear bet isn’t about the planet

    Today, Big Tech is the urgent buyer.

    Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta are pouring money into nuclear energy. Not because they love the planet—but because without it, they can’t run AGI. And without AGI, they’re just expensive hardware.

    The West’s defense sector is too hollow to fight

    Western defense is so degraded that in a real conflict with China, the missiles would run out in days.

    Global supply chain panic: rare earths, infrastructure gaps, no fallback

    China controls 87% of rare earths. The U.S. has no fallback. Europe faces a €250 billion annual deficit in equipment and infrastructure.

    Not a startup game—this is DEFCON 2 industrial capitalism

    The world is turning into a chain of emergency purchases: from modular reactors and Atlantic cables to hurricane-predicting AIs in the Gulf.

    Governments are throwing in trillions. Infrastructure is crumbling. Old corporations can’t keep up. The winner is whoever can build and deliver right now.

    This isn’t a startup sandbox. This is industrial capitalism in DEFCON 2 mode.

  • Burford vs. Argentina: The $16B Legal Battle over YPF

    YPF’s Nationalization: Where It All Began

    This story deserves a movie. And like all great dramas, it starts with national pride and ends at the doors of a U.S. courthouse.

    In 2012, President Cristina Kirchner’s government nationalized the oil company YPF. Argentina bought the controlling stake from Spain’s Repsol—but conveniently “forgot” about other shareholders, particularly the Petersen Group, linked to the Eskenazi family. Losing the chance to sell their 25% stake, they didn’t fight alone.

    Burford Capital: When Lawsuits Become Investments

    Enter Burford Capital—a litigation finance firm that invests in lawsuits. In 2015, it bought the claims from Petersen and Eton Park, hired lawyers, and launched a legal battle against Argentina in New York. After 10 years, the court ruled in their favor: Argentina had violated shareholder rights. The damages? $16.1 billion.

    The Verdict: $16 Billion and 51% of YPF

    Today, a federal judge in Manhattan ordered Argentina to hand over 51% of YPF shares to comply with the ruling. Those shares are valued at $6–8 billion. And if Argentina doesn’t hand them over voluntarily? Burford and the court are ready to act—the shares are held in a U.S. depository.

    A Legal Thriller with Global Stakes

    YPF shares dropped 6%. Burford’s surged 22%. A perfect example of legal strategy turned hedge fund tactic.

    This isn’t just about fairness. It’s a reminder: not even sovereign states are immune to commercial law—especially when their assets are parked in New York.

    And yes, if Netflix turned this into a series, it would have it all—oil, politics, Wall Street lawyers, an aging Argentine dynasty, a judge in a black robe, and headlines worth billions.

  • Bezos, Taxes, and Venice: Protesters Miss the Point

    Bezos, Taxes, and Venice: Protesters Miss the Point

    Venice Protests: Bezos Rents a City, Activists React

    n Venice, protests erupted after Jeff Bezos reportedly rented out large parts of the city for his wedding. Italian Greenpeace took to the streets with signs reading: "If you can rent Venice, you can pay more tax." But the real question is: does he actually pay less?

    How Billionaires Like Bezos Minimize Their Taxes

    And how?

    1. A Symbolic Salary, Wealth in Stocks

    Bezos officially earns a modest annual salary (around $80,000). But his real wealth lies in Amazon stock. These shares increase in value over time, but that growth isn’t taxed until he sells them—which he rarely does.

    2. Loans Against Stock: Spending Without Selling

    Instead of cashing out stocks, Bezos borrows against them. These loans aren’t taxed because they aren’t considered income. He can fund his lifestyle without triggering a taxable event.

    3. Moving States to Cut Taxes

    In early 2024, Bezos relocated from Washington (which introduced a 7% capital gains tax) to Florida—a state with no income or capital gains tax. This move likely saved him $400–600 million during stock sales.

    4. Philanthropy as a Tax Strategy

    Bezos donates billions through entities like the Bezos Earth Fund and various trusts. These donations reduce his taxable base while boosting his public image.

    5. Family Offices and Trust Structures

    His family office, Bezos Expeditions, manages personal investments and uses trusts for estate planning and tax optimization—common tools for preserving ultra-high-net-worth wealth.

    Capitalism, Clearly Explained

    Bezos follows a classic ultra-wealthy playbook: keep wealth in appreciating assets, avoid taxable events, live in tax-friendly states, donate strategically, and plan legacy through trusts. Meanwhile, protesters chant in the streets rather than try to understand the mechanisms of capitalism or find ways to improve their own financial situation.

    The Wedding Was Moved—But Taxes? Unchanged.

    Eventually, the wedding location was shifted due to the protests.

    But did that result in more taxes paid? Of course not.

    So was this a win for protesters—or just noise, as usual?

  • Why Social Intelligence Beats Degrees and Hard Skills

    While everyone’s busy chasing new skills and diplomas, true winners are betting on social intelligence — the ability to understand others, sense boundaries, spread positive emotions, and build relationships that actually work.

    What science says about human connection

    I recently read Daniel Goleman’s “Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships” — and came away with one simple truth:

    Without people, you’re nobody. And even with people, if you can’t relate to them — you’re still in trouble.

    What really stuck with me

    - Empathy isn’t about being nice — it’s a core superpower

    - A colleague’s mood can literally impact your immune system

    - One toxic coworker = slow-acting poison

    - Your childhood attachments shape your relationship patterns for decades

    Communication isn’t a soft skill— it’s one of life’s hardest skills

    Bottom line

    Want success, happiness, and a healthy mind?

    Train not just your brain — but your ability to connect with other brains.

  • Musk–Trump Feud Wipes $152B Off Tesla’s Value

    Musk–Trump Feud Wipes $152B Off Tesla’s Value

    Today’s business headlines feel like playground drama: Donald Trump and Elon Musk engaged in a public spat that has already caused Tesla shares to plummet 14%, wiping out $152 billion in market value.

    How the feud unfolded

    Musk called Trump’s proposed bill an “utter abomination,”prompting Trump to threaten to cancel all federal contracts with Musk’s companies.

    The cherry on top: Musk accused Trump of hiding documents related to the Epstein case.

    The business takeaway

    Мораль? Не позволяйте личным амбициям и эмоциям разрушать деловые отношения. Иначе рискуете потерять не только деньги, но и репутацию.

  • AI Is Exploding: Why It’s the New Internet and You Can’t Miss It

    Mary Meeker has released her annual trends report — this time focused on AI. And the numbers are staggering.

    The fastest tech growth in human history

    ChatGPT reached 800 million users in just 17 months. For comparison, it took the internet 23 years to hit the same milestone. This is the fastest technological adoption in human history.

    Costs are dropping, capabilities are skyrocketing

    The cost of processing an AI token is approaching zero, while the costs of training new models are growing exponentially.

    AI is already smarter than humans

    AI is working faster and smarter than humans. GPT-4.5 is already fooling Turing test judges — 73% mistook it for a human. Visual models are generating images indistinguishable from real photos.

    How AI is transforming work and education

    AI is reshaping education and the job market. In the U.S., AI-related job postings are up 448%, while traditional IT jobs are down 9%.

    People spend more time in ChatGPT than Instagram

    Users now spend more time in ChatGPT than on Instagram. Usage time has surged 202% over the past 21 months.

    Tech giants are burning billions

    Tech giants are investing billions. The Big Six (Apple, NVIDIA, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta) have increased capital expenditures by 63% in one year — reaching $212 billion.

    China is catching up fast

    China is closing the gap. Usage of Chinese language models is surging, and the country is deploying industrial robots faster than the U.S.

    AI is entering the real world

    AI is going beyond screens: autonomous taxis, AI chefs at Yum! Brands, banking assistants, and even FDA-approved doctor bots in the U.S.

    The next frontier: Artificial General Intelligence

    The next target is Artificial General Intelligence. OpenAI now believes it knows how to build it. And this is no longer science fiction.

    Bottom line: AI is the new internet

    AI isn’t just a trend. It’s the new internet — only faster, cheaper, and much smarter. If you’re not already in the game, you’re falling behind. Но как и во всём- будьте осторожны!

  • 4 Smart Ways to Skip Passport Control Lines

    I used to think the only way to skip passport control lines was to be a citizen or have fast-track access. But it turns out there are a few more ways to move like a VIP and save hours of waiting:

    1. The right passport + Global Entry = fast entry into the U.S.

    If you’ve ever landed in the U.S., you know the dreaded immigration lines. But there’s a hack: Global Entry — a program for “trusted travelers.” You register your passport, pass a background check once, and after that, no more lines — just head to the kiosk.

    Eligible passports: Argentina, India, Colombia, Germany, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, UK, Brazil, Taiwan, Croatia, +Mexico, +Canada.

    Bonus: expedited TSA screening on domestic U.S. flights.

    2. eGates in Italy

    Major Italian airports (Rome, Milan, Venice, Naples, and others) offer automated eGates for passport control. Eligible travelers include citizens of: the U.S., EU, UK, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Argentina, South Korea, Japan, Israel, UAE, Taiwan, New Zealand, Singapore.

    Tourists queue up, but you’re already sipping your cappuccino at the café. Available for travelers aged 12+.

    3. France & PARAFE gates

    Paris, Nice, and Lyon airports have PARAFE gates. Scan your passport, look at the camera — and you’re through.

    Eligible travelers: citizens of the EU, EEA, Switzerland, UK, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, South Korea, USA.

    You need a biometric passport and must be 18+.

    4. APEC Business Travel Card — business-class lanes without the ticket

    Frequent traveler in Asia? This is a game changer.

    The APEC Business Travel Card gives entrepreneurs from APEC countries:

    — Visa-free entry to 19 countries
    — My favorite perk: access to diplomatic/fast lanes at border control. Personally tested — it’s a joy.

    You can get this card even with a Russian passport — valid for 5 years. A huge time-saver if you travel around Asia and Australia.

    Bottom line: more documents = shorter lines

    Чем больше у тебя паспортов, видов на жительство и правильных карт — тем короче твои очереди. Путешествие — это не только куда, но и как 😎

  • How Marcos Galperin Built Latin America’s Top Tech Giant

    How Marcos Galperin Built Latin America’s Top Tech Giant

    The Stanford Grad Who Built Latin America's Most Valuable Company

    After 25 years, Marcos Galperin is stepping down as CEO of Mercado Libre — the tech titan that:

    — Creates a new job every 3 minutes across Latin America
    — Serves over 150 million customers
    — Grows faster than Amazon on steroids
    — Just hit an all-time stock high despite a falling NASDAQ

    Starting in 2026, Ariel Szarfsztejn — former banker, strategist, Stanford MBA, and current Chief Commercial Officer — will take over as CEO.

    Galperin will stay on the board, focusing on culture, strategy, and AI.

    Why Mercado Libre became a powerhouse

    — Because 19 out of 20 of Galperin’s classmates didn’t believe in his idea
    — Because he pitched an investor at the foot of an airplane staircase
    — Because he solved real problems instead of building fancy slides

    What drives Galperin: conviction, curiosity, and action

    He believes in Bitcoin. Reads Gabriel García Márquez. Tells his kids to "learn how to learn."
    And while others talk about crises, he builds the future.

    That’s a real entrepreneur.