Finance

KOSPI settles above 4,500 for first time, third straight record close

South Korea’s KOSPI climbed for a third straight day on Jan. 6 and broke above the 4,500 mark for the first time. The benchmark index ended 67.96 points higher at 4,525.48. After first topping 4,300 on Jan. 2 and surpassing 4,400 a day earlier, it cleared 4,500 within a day. The KOSPI opened lower and briefly fell below 4,400 before turning higher. The Kosdaq fell 1.53 points to 955.97.

Crypto

Bitcoin mining: Misconceptions and facts over energy use

As institutional adoption of Bitcoin expands in 2025, a claim has emerged that perceptions of Bitcoin mining’s environmental impact differ widely from actual data. ESG specialist Daniel Batten said nine major criticisms of mining are incorrect. He cited peer-reviewed studies to argue transaction growth does not necessarily increase energy use, and said mining can help stabilise power grids in places such as Texas. He also disputed claims about power prices and carbon emissions.