How the AI layoff shock is triggering the greatest wealth transfer in history. It was the largest workforce reduction, as a share of total headcount, in S&P 500 history. Earlier this year, financial services company Block cut 40% of its workforce in a single round of layoffs. It escaped many people's attention because it happened just two days before the outbreak of the Iran war, which overshadowed it. Here's the key part of Block CEO Jack Dorsey's announcement: "We're not making this decision because we're in trouble. Our business is strong, gross profit continues to grow. But something has changed. We're already seeing that the intelligence tools we're creating and using paired with smaller and flatter teams are enabling a new way of working, which fundamentally changes what it means to build and run a company. And that's accelerating rapidly." It was an astonishing example of how the artificial intelligence (AI) productivity shock is already here... and accelerating faster than most people can comprehend. Block is using AI to become radically more productive... doing more with less and increasing its margins as a result. Dorsey could have made the cuts gradually, but that would have demoralized the remaining employees and caused the company to act inefficiently, upsetting shareholders. Instead, he chose to make the cuts all at once rather than stretch the process out. The markets seemed to agree with Dorsey, as Block shares surged nearly 25% after the shock announcement. Block was just the beginning. PayPal, Meta, and Coinbase have all announced significant AI-related workforce reductions following Block's announcement. * PayPal plans to cut 20% of its workforce - nearly 4,800 employees. * Meta is laying off 10% of its staff, around 8,000 employees, as it reallocates resources toward an "AI-first" structure. * Coinbase is reducing headcount by 14%, or approximately 700 employees. I think there's an excellent chance this trend snowballs from here. Financial Underground could soon see AI automate millions of white-collar jobs. What will happen to these people? How will it affect the political landscape? What is going to happen to their mortgages, car loans, credit card debt, student debt, and other liabilities? How will the US government deal with the lost tax revenue? All of this could have enormous consequences for financial markets and the debt-ridden fiat currency system. This is not some theoretical issue in the distant future. It is happening right now. AI and its effects have not escaped the notice of the Federal Reserve. Kevin Warsh is now the new Chair of the Fed. He is a major proponent of lower interest rates and monetary stimulus to counteract the effects of AI. In other words, Warsh is essentially signaling that he will debase the currency in a misguided effort to offset AI's deflationary effects. The problem is that the effects of AI are going to be so profound that the level of currency debasement Warsh would have to engage in would be staggering. I believe the gap between natural deflation from AI and other technology, and forced inflation from central banks, will produce the greatest wealth transfer in history. Wealth is not going to vanish. It is simply going to change hands... From those who do not understand what is happening... to those who do. In fact, this historic transfer of wealth is already underway, and for most people, it could be financially devastating. Consider that the US recently experienced the most severe bout of inflation in 40 years. That means the government has been printing so much money that even the most revolutionary technologies of recent years - the internet, smartphones, social media, advanced computing, and more - have not been enough to bring down the cost of goods and services in the face of rampant currency debasement. With AI, I believe Financial Underground is going to see this dynamic on steroids. Most people are going to be squeezed in a tightening vice - on one side by the most deflationary technology in human history, and on the other by the most severe currency debasement of their lifetimes. But for a small, prepared group who understand what is coming and take the proper actions, it could be the fortune-building opportunity of a lifetime. If most people are going to be squeezed between AI-driven disruption and relentless currency debasement, then simply hoping things go back to normal is not a plan. The key is to understand what is happening before the crowd does - and to take practical steps while there is still time. That's why I've prepared a special report called The Most Dangerous Economic Crisis in 100 Years... the Top 3 Strategies You Need Right Now. It explains the economic, political, technological, and cultural trends already unfolding... the risks they could pose to your money and personal freedom... and the three strategies I believe are most important right now. Until next time, Nick Giambruno Founder, Financial Underground Nick Giambruno is a renowned speculator and international investor. He's the Founder of the Financial Underground and Editor in Chief of its premium investment research publication Financial Underground: SPECULATOR. Nick travels the world hunting for lucrative investment opportunities in markets most investors ignore or misunderstand. He specializes in spotting Big Picture geopolitical and economic trends before the crowd - and uncovering smart speculations within those trends.

The Mother of Army Builders: solving the Warhammer stock crisis with precision procurement. Links may earn commission (at no cost to you) The independent tabletop retailer Loaded Dice, based in Barry, South Wales, has officially launched its Mother of Army Builders (MOAB) service. This specialised procurement system is designed to bypass the "stock-out frustration" common in the industry by offering hobbyists a direct pipeline to the entire available Warhammer 40,000 range. To celebrate the launch, Loaded Dice has announced a special promotion for April. Every MOAB purchase made during the month will be entered into a prize draw, with one winner receiving their entire army for free, up to a value of £300. This move marks a significant pivot for the retailer, moving from a traditional "on-the-shelf" model to a high-value concierge service for the wargaming community. The strategic wait: precision over proximity. The MOAB service addresses a growing issue within the hobby: the "fragmented basket." As Games Workshop continues to report record profits alongside supply chain volatility, hobbyists often find themselves shopping across multiple stores just to complete a single detachment. Loaded Dice has responded by creating a bespoke procurement hub. Items under the MOAB banner are not held in local stock but are ordered on demand specifically for the customer. While this introduces a delivery lead time of two to four weeks, it guarantees that the hobbyist gets exactly what they need rather than settling for what is "close enough." In an era of increasing price points for Warhammer 40,000 kits, the ability to build a list with expert precision ensures that no part of a hobby budget is wasted on placeholder units. How the MOAB process works. The process is designed to act as a "bundle builder" for both new recruits and veteran commanders. Users access the MOAB collection online, where the full range of available Warhammer 40,000 factions, from Space Marines to the latest Xenos threats, is laid out for selection. * Selection: Customers pick their specific units. Unlike traditional bundles, there is no minimum requirement; users can bundle multiple kits to save money or order a single elusive character. * Financial Buffer: At checkout, the "financial shock" of starting a new army is mitigated. Loaded Dice has integrated PayPal, Klarna, and Clearpay, allowing the cost of a £300 army to be spread over several months. This contrast effectively turns the four-week wait into a "budget-neutral" planning phase. * Procurement: Once the order is placed, the team in Barry, led by founder Graham Scutt, secures the kits directly. This bespoke model ensures that the retailer isn't restricted by shelf space, but by the actual availability of the manufacturer's global catalogue. * Flexible Fulfilment: Customers can choose "Split Delivery" to receive units as they arrive at the hub (for a small additional fee) or "One Delivery" to receive their entire force in a single shipment. From analytics to army building. The evolution of Loaded Dice into a service-oriented retailer reflects its founder's analytical background. Graham Scutt, an RAF veteran, has previously gained attention in the community for his data-driven approach to gaming, including research into "Argument Impact Scores" in board games and preparations for Warhammer 40,000 11th Edition. By acting as a dedicated intermediary, Loaded Dice is banking on the idea that the "perfect army" is worth the wait. With the added incentive of the April prize draw, the MOAB service is positioned as a strategic choice for those looking to build their next major project with both financial and tactical foresight.

PayPal has launched Payment Links directly within Canva, enabling the platform's 265 million monthly users to accept payments from their designs without external websites or complex e-commerce tools. The integration allows creators and small businesses to add PayPal checkout, including Venmo and PayPal Pay Later, to digital or printed content. The feature addresses growing demand for social commerce, projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2028. Users can generate payment links or QR codes, create customised checkout pages, and accept payments across approximately 200 markets in multiple currencies. The app is available globally through Canva Marketplace. PayPal will showcase the integration at Canva Create on 16 April 2026 in Los Angeles, where it serves as Official Payment Partner.