Alternative Credit Investor magazine is hosting the Alternative Credit Investor COO Summit 2025 on 15-16 May. 

This is an exclusive annual event for senior operational executives from leading private credit firms, held at a luxury five-star hotel that is easily accessible from London.

The overnight event will enable COOs and CFOs to connect and share valuable insights, through a mix of panel discussions, interactive roundtables and networking activities.

The Summit will tackle all the key topics affecting the sector, including navigating new LP requirements, the opportunities presented by AI and macroeconomic challenges.

“I’m delighted to announce that we are hosting a dedicated event for senior operational leaders from alternative credit fund managers,” said founder and editor-in-chief Suzie Neuwirth.

“This will be a fantastic opportunity for the most influential people in the industry to gather together for essential insights, gaining valuable market knowledge in a relaxed environment for useful networking.”

You can access more information about the event at alternativecreditsummit.com.

The event is complimentary for senior operational leaders from alternative credit fund managers, including the overnight stay. Please email Suzie Neuwirth at [email protected] to request your place.

For sponsorship opportunities, please email sales and marketing manager Tehmeena Khan at [email protected].

Pump.fun, the Solana-based meme coin launchpad, deposited 65,122 SOL ($11M) adding to its substantial exchange activity. 

According to a Feb. 20 X post by on-chain analytics firm Lookonchain, the platform has now transferred 2.35 million Solana (SOL) ($473 million) to Kraken and sold 264,373 SOL for $41.64 million USDC, while its total earnings stand at 2.93 million SOL ($515 million).

Pump.fun’s daily trading volume fell 52% from its monthly high of $243 million on Feb. 11, averaging 122 million on Feb. 19, according to a Dune dashboard.

This drop follows the LIBRA token controversy involving Argentine President Javier Milei. Milei’s endorsement of the Solana-based token triggered a frenzy, only for the token to plummet shortly after. 

The incident has heightened worries about market manipulation, insider advantages, and how platforms like Pump.fun contribute to excessive speculation. Critics argue that the platform has become a high-stakes gambling casino where bots and insiders rule and ordinary traders are left to absorb the risk.

Some have compared its impact to FTX, claiming it prioritizes spectacle over sustainability and profits at the expense of market integrity. Despite the slowdown, Pump.fun continues to generate substantial fees, bringing in $17 million in the last 7 days, according to data from Dune analytics.

On February 15, Pump.fun launched its iOS and Android apps in an attempt to boost momentum. The app facilitates user interaction with the Solana memecoin ecosystem by providing features like watchlists, portfolio management, and fast token creation. 

In the coming months, the platform’s capacity to handle growing regulatory scrutiny will determine its future, as well as the larger memecoin trend that continues to dominate the market.

Where is the Chase lounge at Philadelphia International Airport?

How to get into the Chase Sapphire Lounge PHL

Design

Game room

Food and drinks

Facial treatments

Rest pods

Showers

Phone rooms

Family-friendly spaces

Is the Chase Sapphire Lounge PHL worth it?

Outfit your place, save money, and no one will ever know you bought it from Ikea.

Ikea has always been a go-to for young people setting up their spaces. But it used to be pretty obvious when something was from Ikea. These days, though, you can find well-designed, modern home pieces at solid prices. On a recent walk through my local store, I spotted some great finds—and I’m also featuring a few pieces I’ve had for a while that have held up well. Like something you see? Let’s talk in the comments!

This nickel-plated table lamp with a smoky gray glass shade has a retro-futuristic vibe, like something out of a stylish sci-fi lounge. Classy with some interesting personality, it’s compact and moody, and great for a side table, desk or nightstand.

A full-length mirror with a slim black aluminum frame that leans modern and minimal. Large mirrors are surprisingly pricey, but this one keeps it budget-friendly while making a room feel more open. Placing it where natural light hits is key—good lighting lets you proof your outfits properly, catching details like fit, color balance, and texture that bad lighting can hide.

Plant pots get weirdly expensive, especially as you size up, but this one keeps it reasonable. It has a terracotta-like color, a simple shape, and—unlike many IKEA pots—comes with both drainage holes and a saucer, so your plants actually have a chance.

Also known as a snake plant, this low-maintenance plant that thrives on neglect, making it ideal if you’re not exactly a green thumb. Mine is proof, the one in the photo has to be about 9 years old. Tall, structured leaves add some life to a space without demanding much in return—just an occasional watering.

Rodalm Art Frame, $30

A simple, sleek frame at large 27 ½×39 ¼” for $30 is almost unheard of, making this the best option at this size for the price. Frames are notoriously overpriced, often running over $100 (and usually way more) for anything comparable. This updated design improves on an older IKEA frame that I also loved and have many of, by adding an adjustable insert, letting you choose whether your artwork sits flush or inset, creating a depth effect usually only found in higher-end framing.

Valet trays keep your everyday carry—keys, wallet, watch, sunglasses—from ending up all over the place, making it easy to grab what you need on your way out. The minimalist white lid from the Kuggis storage box line works surprisingly well as a dirt-cheap option for this, giving you a clean, modern spot to drop your essentials for just $2.

If you have more of an industrial preference, this metal cabinet would work great. Alternatively, if you’ve got a hefty whiskey collection, this would make a nice, functional way to store it.

The best bigger items are transitional: This wooden coffee table would look great when paired with mid-century, boho, or farmhouse decor, allowing you to continue using it long after your style preferences change.

Speaking of modern, a dirt cheap way to upgrade that ugly 90s towel rack in the bathroom is with this black $7 rail.

These handsome matte black bathroom sink items will do wonders for elevating a messy bathroom.

Whether you use it as a bar cart, a workstation, a prep table, storage, or an actual tool cart, the utility aesthetic will fit in with all types of interior decor styles.

This clothing rack offers room for boxes or up to four pairs of shoes on the bottom rack, while the clothes rail doubles as hooks on both ends for hanging longer garments or bags. It’s a practical, stylish solution for keeping your space organized and clutter-free.

$1800 may not sound “affordable” until you consider how much this full-sized design would cost from other living room sofa retailers.

A simple, classic lounge chair that’s minimalist and masculine.

This LED floor lamp has a space-age design and it’s small form is ideal for less-roomy spaces.

One of the ugliest and most outdated parts of rentals is usually the light fixtures. You don’t have to spend a ton to replace them with something a little more modern.

Lightweight and easy to move, this rattan ottoman is a breeze to assemble – simply screw in the legs.

This storage table is perfect for keeping everything from throws to newspapers and hobby items within reach. Use it with or without the fabric bag, depending on whether you want to keep your items visible or hidden for a cleaner, less cluttered look.

This versatile table quickly transforms from a higher side table to a lower coffee table, perfect for any activity around the sofa. The fabric pouch underneath provides handy storage for small items, and the table’s sleek, industrial look fits seamlessly into most décors.

Also read:

Get away from the go-to black or industrial TV stand and add a pop of modern. The Besta platform offers multiple configurations and you can even design your own. I’ve had this stand for a couple of years now and still dig it. It’s moved from the living room to my bedroom as additional clothing storage that also houses the tv.

An easy way to give yourself some functional storage for books and decorations that won’t eat up the floor plan in a clean, modern design that let’s the contents be the focal point.

If your style is rugged, what could be more so than this floor lamp in the spirit of a giant drafting light?

Sure, every guy wants a leather chair – but good ones cost a lot of money. That doesn’t mean you have to settle for something without personality.

Having “lots of things” only looks bad when those things don’t have a proper place. Use stylish but affordable bins like this to give your gear a home.

One of the more expensive items on the list – that also looks the least like it came from Ikea. You could use a side board like this for a lot of uses, from a bar stand to a TV stand to a record player console. Not only that, it could be a star player in most interior decor aesthetics, from mid-century modern, industrial, boho, seaside–you name it.

Imagine a modernist designer retires to an old farm and takes up woodworking. This is is the beautiful table he would make.

This lamp looks like it’s straight from the future. It features a unique smoked glass top connect by a wood shaft to a hefty marble base.

Give that patio space some function with an outdoor shelving unit like the Kolbjorn.

Some guys can have a hard time introducing color into their home decor – the Tobias is a tastefully subtle and modern way to do it. Surround it with wood, white, or black and it will look amazing.

Bronze is an awesome metal to incorporate: It has a vintage vibe and doesn’t have the baggage gold can come with.

Ikea remains one of the best in the game for providing affordable wood hangers, which help protect and preserve the shape and condition of your clothes.

This adaptable storage solution lets you mix and match open and closed spaces to fit your needs. The sleek long legs add a stylish touch, and adjustable feet ensure it sits perfectly on any floor. I installed a configuration in my loft that didn’t have a normal closet.

Or, if you just need some additional drawers for t-shirts or workbench gear you can grab the shorter Jonaxel frame.

Don’t have much in the way of closet space, or need something for your coats and shoes by the door? This freestanding clothing rack has a decent amount of space for its smaller footprint.

Give your closet additional space on the floor for storage with this mega budget-friendly shoe rack.

This wardrobe works as a great room divider, with a fixed wall on one side and a sliding door on the other for some privacy. You can easily access your clothes by sliding the door from either side, and the shelves are perfect for showing off your favorite items or keeping things organized.

This gaming shelf is made to keep your gear organized and easy to reach, with adjustable dividers and a side compartment for smaller items or games. It keeps everything cool with ventilation holes and lets you roll it around with ease, locking the wheels when you’re ready to settle in for a session.

Part of the Nytillverkad collection, this swivel armchair has a fresh look while keeping the relaxed comfort that made it a classic. Originally launched in 1967 as the MILA, it now features a 5-leg base for extra stability, so you can unwind without worrying about tipping over. Available in orange, green, and black.

(Reuters) -Coach parent Tapestry will sell its Stuart Weitzman brand to Dr Scholl’s footwear owner Caleres for $105 million in cash, the companies said on Wednesday.

The divestment comes months after Tapestry said it was focused on driving growth for its organic business and had “significant runway ahead” following a derailed $8.5 billion merger deal with Michael Kors-owner Capri.

While Tapestry witnessed strong demand for Coach’s Tabby handbags in the holiday quarter, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman struggled due to weak luxury spending in North America and China.

Stuart Weitzman, which made up about 3.6% of the company’s total annual revenue, reported an increase in full-year loss to $21.2 million from $6.7 million a year earlier.

“Stuart Weitzman will be a lead brand for Caleres, and with this combination the brand portfolio segment will generate nearly half of our total revenue and will continue to generate over half of our operating profit,” said Caleres CEO Jay Schmidt.

The brand is expected to operate profitably following its integration into the company, Schmidt added.

Caleres also houses luxury footwear brands Sam Edelman and Vince, and operates nearly 1,000 retail stores in the United States.

The deal is expected to close in the summer of 2025, with Caleres aiming to fund it through the company’s revolving credit agreement, it said.

BofA Securities is serving as Caleres’s financial advisor, and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is working for Tapestry.

(Reporting by Savyata Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Shinjini Ganguli)

---

With Apple finally killing the Home button in today’s iPhone 16e announcement, the company’s phones have now all adopted the same general look: boring. Apple’s latest budget phone might have a bigger battery and surprising power for a follow-up to the iPhone SE, but anyone looking for something that breaks the mold will have to wait for the iPhone 17. 

That’s because Apple’s next lineup of phones finally seems to be doing something different with the iPhone’s design. For the first time since the Dynamic Island was introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro, it looks like you might finally be able to tell if someone has a new iPhone from a simple glance.

Is the iPhone 17 getting a camera bar?

According to leaks from YouTuber Jon Prosser, the iPhone 17 might be taking cues from Google, making for a significant change to its design. Notably, it’ll supposedly be ditching its camera bump for a full-on camera bar.

In a video posted to YouTube over the weekend, the leaker posted renders of what the iPhone 17 Pro might look like, based on information from a number of unnamed sources, as well as a model he has supposedly seen. 

In the render, the iPhone’s camera lenses appear to be laid out in a similar triangular fashion as on current iPhones, but the bump housing them is now extended across almost the entire phone’s back. The flash, LiDAR, and mic are also now sitting opposite the lenses, on the other side of the extended bump.

If true, the new iPhone would definitely need a new case, but it would also be aping Google’s Pixel series of phones, which adopted a “camera bar” back in 2021 that looks suspiciously similar to this leak.

Reviews, including my own, haven’t always been kind to the camera bar, which can stick out of an otherwise slick looking phone like a sore thumb, so it’s not clear at first why Apple would make this change. Some social media users have speculated that Apple might use the camera bar’s extra space to add a small display to the phone’s back to aid in taking selfies or seeing information from widgets, but these are just guesses for now.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Granted, that’s the nature of leaks in general. While Prosser claims to have seen the phone, other sources are more split on the camera bar idea. Most notably, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has his own sources within Apple, insinuated that Prosser’s renders appear to be based on a fake CAD design from January. Leaker Majin Bu had already shown this CAD to designers, who said it was likely not real.

Prosser, however, isn’t the only one predicting a camera bar for the iPhone 17. Both supply chain analysis from technology publication The Information and assertions from Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station have hinted at a pill-shaped camera bump, which would be similar in design to the Pixel camera bar.

Both rumors have issues, though, which has led to doubt from other known leakers including Instant Digital and Ice Universe. Most notably, a pill-shaped camera bar would interfere with how the iPhone currently captures spatial video, while Prosser’s design would put the flash and LiDAR far away from the camera lenses, which could impact their usefulness.

Whatever camera layout the iPhone 17 gets, there is more to be excited about with this phone, even if it may not be as immediately visually interesting.

The iPhone 17 Air

Alongside its base iPhone 17 and two iPhone 17 Pro models (the typical Pro and Pro Max), the iPhone 17 is rumored to introduce a new, lighter version of the phone called the iPhone 17 Air. The new model would take the place of an iPhone 17 Plus, although it wouldn’t be directly comparable.

Rumors of an iPhone 17 Air started in November with Korean social media account yeux1122 and have since been repeated by Apple analyst Jeff Pu (via MacRumors), The Information, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

Supposedly, the phone would roughly be between 5mm and 6mm thick, depending on which source you go with, which would still make it far thinner than Apple’s current thinnest phone, the 6.9mm iPhone 6. As for how big the phone would be, despite it not having the “Plus” branding, it will supposedly be a little taller than the 17 Pro and a little shorter than the Pro Max, with specifics again depending on which rumor you go with.

The Information also claimed a camera bar will be present on the Air, reporting it will be pill-shaped with a centered camera. It’s possible this is where the iPhone 17 line’s camera bar rumors began, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Pro models skip the camera bar while the Air has one, but nobody seems to know for sure. It would make sense, though, as a way for the Air to save some thickness. Additionally, Prosser also has a render of an Air with a pill-shaped camera bar, although his model places the lens closer to the edge of the phone, once again far away from the flash and microphone.

The standard iPhone 17

While the iPhone 17 Pro and Air models might bring some new excitement to Apple’s traditional candy bar layout, current rumors put the base iPhone 17 about where you’d expect based on the past few models. No camera bar is currently rumored for this phone, although MacRumors is speculating, based on the iPhone 17 Pro’s expected size, that it might get a slightly bigger screen at 6.3-inches as opposed to 6.1-inches. Instant Digital also claims that the base iPhone 17 will get an improved OLED panel, which will allow it to hit higher frame rates using Apple’s ProMotion feature.

The usual improvements

In addition to new design quirks, the iPhone 17 series is also expected to get the usual lineup of improvements. The Pro models will likely upgrade from the A18 chip to an A19 chip, while the base model will possibly stick with the A18 chip instead. Similarly, we might see camera specs increase, with Jeff Pu (via MacRumors) expecting all iPhone 17 models to have a 24MP selfie camera, up from 12MP across the iPhone 16 line. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is also expecting the iPhone 17’s Pro models to upgrade all lenses to 48MP next year, which would improve the 12MP telephoto lenses from the current batch.

A report from The Information also points to a potential mechanical aperture on at least one model, which would let users control how much light their lens sees, while Chinese site MyDrivers speculates that the entire lineup will use a vapor chamber for improved cooling. These would indicate entirely new directions for Apple, and should probably be taken with a grain of salt.

There’s also one potential downgrade in store, with The Information’s analysis pointing to the possibility that Apple might return to an aluminum frame for its Pro models rather than the current titanium frame. This could reduce cost, but might also make the phones slightly heavier.

Price and release date

A report from the Wall Street Journal estimates that Apple will price the iPhone 17 Air somewhere between the base 17 and the 17 Pro models, but aside from that, cost is still up in the air. The base iPhone 16 costs $799 while the Pro costs $999 and the Pro Max costs $1,199, so expect to pay at least as much for these upgrades—although with tariffs inbound for Chinese parts manufacturers, there could be a slight price bump.

As for a release date, Apple usually launches new iPhone series in September, so expect the iPhone 17 line to debut sometime this fall.

The Money Marketing and BWD Salary Census is back for 2024/25.

For over a decade, the annual census has grown in both prominence and popularity, becoming the industry benchmark for salary and remuneration data across financial services.

The depth of insight captured and the trends identified have made the survey a trusted resource, widely valued for its accuracy.

This year’s census dives deeper than ever before, exploring how factors such as qualifications, employment status, location, gender, ethnicity and job title influence salaries and bonuses across the financial services sector.

Key roles include:

• Financial advisers/planners
• Business development managers (BDMs)
• Compliance professionals
• Paraplanners
• Investment managers
• Private bankers

As a thank you, once you have completed the survey, you will be entered into a prize draw to win £250 in Amazon vouchers or choose to make a charitable donation of the same value.

You will also receive an exclusive, complimentary copy of the 2024/25 salary census before it is publicly released, giving you an early opportunity to see how your remuneration compares to your peers.

The world’s first fund finance platform Bridge has launched a new software solution for the net asset value (NAV) loan market, which will allow lenders and borrowers to arrange facilities in real time.

Bridge has projected that the solution will cut costs for both parties, and will reduce the usual transaction time by six weeks.

The Sigma software connects borrowing requests and lenders in seconds, placing the counterparties into a live, single-view environment. Borrowers can manage the deal process on one screen where all parties can communicate and refine terms directly. Meanwhile, lenders can benefit from an informed client relationship origination engine.

Read more: NAV finance market to deploy $145bn by 2030

“Despite surging demand for NAV loans, borrowers and lenders are often hamstrung by cumbersome, manual processes for arranging facilities,” said Andrew Frazer Smith, founder of Bridge.

“We’re in a digital age, but the market still relies on analogue systems. Securely tech-enabling our clients to expedite the process will help free up capital, meaning it can be invested by funds faster so that returns are enjoyed sooner by both parties.”

NAV loans have a projected compound annual growth rate between 2022 and 2030 of 30 per cent. Bridge said that this market represents a natural expansion for the firm, which already has GPs with a combined $1.1tn (£0.87tn) assets under management signed up to its sub-line capability.

Read more: Macfarlanes: NAV financing is “hot topic” in fund finance

“Bridge has quickly grown in the sub-line market since it was launched in November 2023,” added Frazer Smith.

“Expanding into NAV, which represents a significant chunk of the capital invested by alternative investment funds, and an increasingly important liquidity tool for all parties, was a logical next step.

“We’ve already got some of the market’s biggest borrowers and lenders using our software for sub-lines, so we are looking forward to working with all types of lenders and fund finance borrowers from across the global NAV landscape.”

Read more: Funds begin using unsecured NAV financing

Key Takeaways

• The SEC has started reviewing CoinShares’ application for a Litecoin ETF.
• The ETF aims to provide regulated exposure to Litecoin through Nasdaq’s platform.

Share this article

The SEC began its formal review of CoinShares’ Litecoin ETF application, following Nasdaq’s filing today.

The proposed ETF, structured as a Delaware Statutory Trust, aims to track Litecoin’s performance via the Compass Crypto Reference Index Litecoin – 4pm NY Time, minus fees and expenses.

The trust would exclusively hold Litecoin and cash, with shares representing fractional undivided beneficial interests. Authorized Participants could create and redeem shares in 5,000-block increments.

The SEC’s review period lasts 45 days, extendable to 90 days or more. Regulators will assess market surveillance, investor protections, and compliance measures.

Nasdaq has a surveillance-sharing agreement with Coinbase Derivatives, and the fund will use a qualified custodian for Litecoin storage per SEC standards.

If approved, the ETF would provide regulated Litecoin exposure without direct custody.

The trust’s website will offer daily NAV per share, official closing prices, premium/discount data, historical trends, and the prospectus.

In January, a wave of crypto ETF filings introduced Litecoin, XRP, and Solana funds, with market optimism fueled by potential US leadership changes.

Earlier this month, Bloomberg analysts projected Litecoin as the frontrunner for spot crypto ETF approval, ahead of Solana, XRP, and Dogecoin.

Share this article