About Bill Blain

ill Blain is a published author on financial markets, contributor and editor of the Morning Porridge. He is a well-known market commentor, and a practicing investment banker in the alternative private debt and equity sector. His day job combines his role as Strategist for Shard Capital, the leading investment management firm, and heading the firm’s Alternatives Group – financing Private debt and equity deals, and direct lending transactions. His clients include sovereign wealth funds, hedge funds, insurance and pension managers, credit funds and family offices.

The Conflabulation that is Bitcoin finally dies in a pool of disinterest.

Well, it was interesting while it lasted. Bitcoin has given me plenty to write about these last 15 years. Up, down, up, down, and shake it all about. This tumble feels different. No one is trying to seriously defend it. The walls are down and Bitcoin may be about to vanish in a puff of logic… or will it?

The Conflabulation that is Bitcoin finally dies in a pool of disinterest.2026-02-09T14:37:50+00:00

Fire Horses, UK Bond Risk, Conflict Risk, and Emperor’s New Clothes Risk!

The threat board is looking crowded this morning. From UK political risk, escalating conflict risks, a possible credit burp and what happens next in unsustainable narratives – who knows what further No-See-Ums lurk in the background. Yet markets party on. What can possibly go wrong…..?

Fire Horses, UK Bond Risk, Conflict Risk, and Emperor’s New Clothes Risk!2026-02-09T08:11:51+00:00

Is Epstein just the tip of the Iceberg?

We will likely never know the full truth about Epstein. It’s not a sex scandal – it’s a sordid tale of corruption, insider dealing, greed and arrogance dug deep into the highest echelons of business and society. It involves far more figures than the few who have been exposed. Some corruption is hidden. Increasingly much is in plain sight.

Is Epstein just the tip of the Iceberg?2026-02-04T08:27:36+00:00

We have to talk about Kevin…

The nomination of Kevin Warsh as next Fed Chair has been rationalised as positive for stability and managing Trump. But will a new name on the desk means certainty will return? Nothing really changed within the Administration – Trump remains Trump and has a massive War Chest to fight the coming bitter Midterms.

We have to talk about Kevin…2026-02-03T07:43:51+00:00

Skating on very thin ice…

Just how thick is the ice? Everything juddered last week – from AI to perceptions of Geopolitics. There are so many take aways. Are markets vulnerable to an AI/Credit Cascade event? How vulnerable are The Middle Nations (J-CAKE). China is a rising risk. Just how well will the USA handle a crisis? Is it time to exit Gold? But go where?

Skating on very thin ice…2026-02-02T09:04:32+00:00

It’s not about Trump, it’s about China and Europe

Gold surges through $5000 and markets remain distracted by the sturm et drang of words and events. The world is changing – but are we thinking about all the wrong things? The real issue for the future may be investment choices between authoritarian states vs nimble democratic nations.

It’s not about Trump, it’s about China and Europe2026-01-26T07:08:39+00:00

What A Disaster – That Was The End Of The American Century

Yesterday was a strategic disaster for America. Trump and his minions have destroyed the alliances that underpinned American exceptionalism. He revealed himself as weak and venal; an old man lost in rambling hatreds. America now faces a scrabble to save face and recover a modicum of respect. The medium-to-long term market implications are huge.

What A Disaster – That Was The End Of The American Century2026-01-22T08:11:03+00:00

Beware the Judder Moment in Bonds

Trump dominates the headlines but watch what’s happening in the bond markets. Yesterday Japan bond yields juddered a warning about political competency risks, but also how rising geopolitical and conflict risks are resetting investor expectations. When the bond market speaks, you ought to listen. Plus, Air Force One, Bitcoin and Howard Lutnick.

Beware the Judder Moment in Bonds2026-01-21T08:51:43+00:00

One Year of Trump – The World Has Changed For The Worse

It’s one year since Trump took office for a second time. It’s been dramatic. It’s been eventful – and it’s been destructive and destabilising. The winners are Putin and Xi. The losers are the West. But have we now reached peak-Trump? Europe is the key – the continent has to wake up to the coming opportunities.

One Year of Trump – The World Has Changed For The Worse2026-01-20T08:50:16+00:00
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