"Gold and Bitcoin: Surging and Smashing Through Key Levels"

Bitcoin reached its highest level in over a year, surpassing $42,000, driven by hopes of a bitcoin exchange-traded fund and expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts. Meanwhile, spot gold prices hit a record high of $2,100 per ounce as investors sought the safe-haven asset. U.S. stock markets slipped, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average inching up 0.11% and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite dropping amid a selloff in Big Tech shares. Alaska Airlines' acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines may face regulatory hurdles, following the Justice Department's previous opposition to JetBlue Airways' acquisition of Spirit Airlines. Spotify and Twilio announced layoffs to reduce costs, while Banque Pictet admitted to conspiring with U.S. taxpayers to hide over $5.6 billion from the IRS and will pay $122.9 million in restitution and penalties.