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.

Bitcoin and Crypto Further Detach from Reality

Global Markets surge ahead. Bitcoin has been left behind. Yet again the crypto bubble has popped. All that’s holding it up is buy-the-dip greater fools, hope and belief – none of which are strategies for success. Time for a reassessment of what Bitcoin is and isn’t, and why it’s time to stop wasting energy on it!

Bitcoin and Crypto Further Detach from Reality2025-12-17T07:43:40+00:00

The New Economics and Investibility of Defence

Ukraine has demonstrated massive changes in how future wars will be fought. Yet, the military bureaucracies of Western Nations are mired in the procurement-treacle of 80 years of peacetime spending. It’s time for radical overhaul, and an explosion of private-funding to build a stronger Western economy through aggressive deterrence. 

The New Economics and Investibility of Defence2025-12-16T08:45:31+00:00

Some Big themes for 2026?

The Chinese curse about living in “interesting times” is a boon to anyone fascinated by markets. There is no shortage of excitement coming our way next year – everything from conflict threats, renewed inflation, the return of QE, to the Space X IPO. But the thing is… we really don’t know….. we never have!

Some Big themes for 2026?2025-12-15T07:54:40+00:00

Outlook 2026: Conflict or Trade?

2026 Outlooks contain rosy predictions for stock market upside, calmer bond markets, the triumph of AI, and even a few who still say Bitcoin will rule us all. But the major Macro risk will be global trade – what happens as China and the USA face off? Trump has fractured the Western Alliances even as China’s trade and military strength give it all the options. What will Emperor Xi choose to do?

Outlook 2026: Conflict or Trade?2025-12-12T08:21:31+00:00

The US economy, Potemkin Markets and QE

Y’day we had yet another Judder Moment for markets as the Fed surrendered to Trump and prepares to juice the markets with renewed QE. Have we learnt nothing? No, I guess we have not. Pretend and keep pretending as we enter the Potemkin Economy era. This will not end well.

The US economy, Potemkin Markets and QE2025-12-11T08:01:47+00:00

What does new US Security Strategy mean for Markets and Outlook?

The new US National Security Strategy (NSS) revealed last week confirms just how much the world has changed. It was a kick in the teeth for Europe and leaves the door ajar on Taiwan. It’s unlikely to foster stability. It increases the pressure on Europe to swiftly rearm, and unify its defence and deterrence capabilities. For America – it raises fundamental questions about its declining power, strength, might and economic outlook.

What does new US Security Strategy mean for Markets and Outlook?2025-12-09T08:25:55+00:00

Markets, The Global Economy and the ‘26 US Midterms.

This week will see the Fed ease rates, stocks will rally on happy retail buying any dip, and everyone will go into the holidays joyful… Except they won’t. There is so much still bubbling under the hood of the US economy that can go “bang”. Don’t watch the USA – watch China for clues.

Markets, The Global Economy and the ‘26 US Midterms.2025-12-08T07:26:47+00:00

Hans-Jeorg Rudloff could teach us much about markets…

This is not an obituary – but a story about markets. Hans-Jeorg Rudloff, who passed away earlier this week, was the dominant figure of the Eurobond market. His insights and vision were extraordinary – understanding how markets worked, how to dominate them, and setting the foundations for today’s $120 trillion global market!

Hans-Jeorg Rudloff could teach us much about markets…2025-12-04T08:12:06+00:00

Pantomime, King Rat, and Outrageous Predictions

What’s not to like about Panto? Saxo Bank’s excellent Outrageous Predictions for 2026 are out.. Lets dig into why Sir Keir Starmer might consider rejoining Europe to peeve Nigel Farage, how China will dominate trade through Tech and a gold-linked Yuan, and why SpaceX is unlikely to be the first $1 trillion IPO.

Pantomime, King Rat, and Outrageous Predictions2025-12-03T09:01:39+00:00
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