The New Power Players: AI, Markets & The Next Wealth Shift

Economic cycles are inevitable. The players, however, change.

Right now, AI is reshaping industries, institutions are shifting capital, and geopolitical fractures are creating new winners and losers (USA/EU).

The question is: Are you positioned to capitalize on this transition?

What’s Happening in the World

1) Apple Unveils iPhone 16e, With In-House Chip That Cost Billions

Apple launched on Wednesday/today a budget-minded phone with artificial intelligence, the iPhone 16e, designed to win back mid-market customers at home and in crucial growth markets China and India.

The 16e will cost $599, a $170 boost from the previous entry level phone, the SE, although its features are closer to Apple's flagships and include a powerful chip to run Apple Intelligence, a set of features with access to ChatGPT. Aside from having no wide-angle camera lens, one missing button and a slightly different display, the 16e looks much like its pricier siblings.

2) Trump Calls Zelensky Dictator in Escalating Row Over Ukraine Peace Talks

The feud between President Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky escalated rapidly on Wednesday, with Trump calling him a “Dictator without Elections” and Zelensky accusing Trump of repeating Russian propaganda.

3) Musk weighs $5,000 DOGE checks for Americans, but says deficit is priority.

Elon Musk entertained the idea of a DOGE dividend, which would give $5,000 checks to American taxpayers, funded by savings from government waste reduction. The checks could be distributed in summer 2026, but Musk stresses that balancing the federal budget is DOGE’s top priority.

DOGE has already saved $55 billion and aims to cut $1 trillion from the national deficit, which the Congressional Budget Office projects will reach $1.9 trillion in 2025.

4) India commits to doubling trade with US after meeting with Trump

India and the U.S. will double trade over the next five years, according to a commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The announcement came after Modi and President Donald Trump met in Washington.

5) Nikola Files for Bankruptcy Amid EV Industry Struggles

Nikola Corporation, once a prominent player in the electric vehicle industry, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid financial struggles exacerbated by tepid demand, rapid cash burn, and funding challenges.

The company plans to auction its assets, valued between $500 million and $1 billion, to maximize value for stakeholders while continuing limited operations through March. Nikola's downfall mirrors a broader trend of EV startups, including Fisker and Lordstown Motors, facing similar challenges due to high interest rates and competition from affordable Chinese EVs.

6) DOGE Uncovers $4.7 Trillion in Untraceable Treasury Payments

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) revealed on Monday that it has discovered approximately $4.7 trillion in US Treasury payments lacking a critical tracking code, making it “almost impossible” to determine where these payments went.

7) Last week, I had the privilege of being at the Investor Summit 2025 in Bilbao — where Startup Wise Guys turned the city into the epicenter of European venture capital.

Deals were made, strategies were challenged, and the conversation centered on what truly matters — #tech & #ai, #defence, #cybersecurity, and the #resilience of #startups in an unpredictable world.

Words to Ponder: Wealth

The word wealth traces its roots to the Old English weal, meaning well-being or prosperity. By the 13th century, it evolved into its modern meaning: an abundance of valuable assets or resources.

True wealth, however, is not just financial — it’s about control, positioning, and leverage.

History shows that during economic shifts, those who adapt early capture outsized gains. The future of wealth will be determined by those who understand AI, digital assets, and shifting geopolitical power structures.

Massive Wealth Shift — A New Era?

I Legacy to Digital

Baby boomers built their fortunes with brick-and-mortar empires — but the game's changed. As they strategically offload their companies, the new generation is redefining wealth with digital agility and tech-driven investments.

II AI & Energy

The future is where cutting-edge AI meets renewable energy. Investors are backing technologies that drive efficiency and sustainability, sparking a revolution that not only powers industries but also supercharges portfolios.

III Defence

In an unpredictable world, security is the ultimate asset. Savvy players are channeling capital into defence — spanning cybersecurity to next-gen military tech — transforming geopolitical uncertainty into a robust growth engine.

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Poll: The Next Wealth Shift

Where do you see the biggest opportunities in the evolving financial landscape?

A) AI & Automation – The next trillion?dollar empires will be built on smart tech.

B) Energy & Resources – Control of power and critical minerals will define the future.

C) Decentralized Finance – Blockchain and tokenization will transform traditional finance.

D) Geopolitical Power Shifts – Emerging markets will forge new centers of financial gravity.

Book Recommendation: "The Changing World Order" by Ray Dalio

In this insightful read, billionaire investor Ray Dalio explains how wealth cycles work, why superpowers rise and fall, and what historical patterns tell us about our future.

Key Takeaway: Without understanding macro cycles, you’re navigating the financial landscape blind.

Case Study: The Great Wealth Shift – Baby Boomers’ Exit & The Next Generation’s Playbook

Background:

In 2024, an estimated $84 trillion in wealth is beginning to change hands as Baby Boomers retire and exit their businesses. But here’s the catch — many of them don’t know how to sell effectively, leading to distressed sales, undervaluation, and missed opportunities.

Meanwhile, Gen X, Millennials, and institutional investors are stepping in — not to run these businesses the old way, but to acquire, restructure, and optimize for AI, energy, and defense-driven markets.

The Challenge:

Boomers built their wealth through ownership & longevity — long-term business growth, real estate, and traditional investments. The next generation, however, doesn’t play by the same rules. They’re leveraging:

• Private equity & roll-ups instead of single-company ownership.
• AI-powered automation to slash operational costs.
• New capital markets (crypto, alternative assets, defense contracts) to hedge against economic uncertainty.

But 80% of small to mid-sized business owners have no formal exit plan — which means wealth is either lost in bad deals or transferred at below-market valuations.

Key Players:

• Boomer Entrepreneurs: Facing forced exits due to age, market shifts, or lack of succession plans.
• Gen X & Millennials: Not inheriting businesses the old way; instead, acquiring and transforming them into modern asset classes.
• Private Equity & Investors: Scooping up undervalued companies, injecting AI, automation, and vertical integration for massive returns.

Opportunities & Risks:

Opportunities:

• Acquisition Arbitrage: Buy distressed boomer businesses, modernize with AI, resell at premium valuations.
• Defense & Energy Shift: Strategic investors redirecting capital into government-backed contracts and infrastructure.
• Decentralized Finance (DeFi) & Alternative Wealth Creation: Younger generations prioritizing digital assets, venture capital, and high-growth sectors over traditional investments.

Risks:

• Illiquid Legacy Assets: Many boomers hold wealth in real estate and traditional businesses that are hard to offload.
• Market Correction Threats: As businesses change hands, valuation mismatches could lead to significant devaluation.
• Regulatory Uncertainty: Shifts in government policies could impact buyouts, taxation, and capital access.

Conclusion:

This isn’t just a wealth transfer — it’s a wealth transformation. Boomers are cashing out, but the next generation isn’t inheriting in the old-fashioned way. They’re acquiring, innovating, and shifting capital into sectors that will dominate the next decade.

The question is: Are you playing the old game or the new one?

Two Executive Strategies

I Strategic Acquisition & Wealth Optimization Strategy

Objective:

Capitalize on the Baby Boomer business sell-off by acquiring undervalued companies, restructuring them with AI, automation, and vertical integration, and flipping them for premium valuations.

• Identify distressed or legacy businesses ripe for acquisition, particularly in traditional sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and B2B services.
• Deploy AI and automation to streamline operations, cut inefficiencies, and boost margins.
• Leverage private equity, SPVs, and seller financing to minimize upfront capital requirements and maximize returns.
• Exit via M&A roll-ups or strategic sales to corporations looking for turnkey modernized assets.

Possible Outcomes:

A) Increased deal flow in acquiring underpriced, high-value businesses.

B) Enhanced operational efficiency through AI, leading to better EBITDA multiples.

C) Higher exit valuations via strategic roll-ups or private equity-backed acquisitions.

II Defense & Energy Capital Reallocation Strategy

Objective:

Shift investment focus toward defense, AI, and energy sectors, capitalizing on government-backed contracts and geopolitical tailwinds.

• Acquire defense-adjacent companies in logistics, cybersecurity, AI surveillance, and advanced manufacturing as global military budgets expand.
• Invest in next-generation energy infrastructure such as small nuclear reactors, green hydrogen, and grid-scale batteries as traditional fossil fuel reliance declines.
• Tap into government funding and incentives driving technological innovation in critical industries.

Possible Outcomes:

A) Access to high-growth industries with guaranteed demand.

B) Long-term stability through government-backed contracts.

C) Stronger geopolitical positioning as supply chains and energy independence become national priorities.

Are you positioning yourself to own the next era of wealth?

A Question for You

If you had +10 million to allocate/deploy today, which avenue would you choose?

I AI?Driven Hedge Funds – Let advanced algorithms work for you.

II Alternative Energy & Metals – Invest in the raw materials powering tomorrow’s tech.

III Decentralized Finance (DeFi) – Step outside traditional banking frameworks.

IV Luxury Real Estate in Emerging Markets – Secure assets in regions with growth potential.

A Captivating Video

The world has always been captivated by the allure of wealth, but how do the elite truly get there? Is it about knowing something the rest of us don’t? In this video, the author dive deep into the secretive world of search funds — a powerful yet lesser-known strategy that ambitious graduates use to make millions.

This newsletter is for those who refuse to settle.

P.S. Make sure to hit that notification bell ?? as well, I look forward to connecting with you in next week's issue.

Stay ahead ??

- Chris