CBX Daily 5/16/2025

Author

Claire Moraa
May 16, 2025

Today, FemTech women are cutting through ice, but let’s start with how young women are making strength from vice…

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How Young Women Are Turning Tough Times Into Triumph

CBX Vibe

We're living in unprecedent times and young women know this all too well. Financial success is slowly slipping away from the hands of the young generation and instead of enjoying now, they have been forced to savor for tough times ahead. In fact, 73% of Gen Zs admit to adjust their spending habits downwards due to the high inflation rate and if this isn't a recession indicator, I don't know what is. 

FemTech’s Future Is Female, Funded, and Ripe for Disruption  

CBX Vibe:

FemTech is not just about periods and pregnancy, it's about data sovereignty, community health, and economic power. The term encompasses software, diagnostics, products, and services focused on women’s health, and is on the rise with a global market expected to surpass $103 billion by 2030, according to a Deloitte report. Funds like 100KM Ventures are continuing to invest in the future of work and health, knowing that game changing FemTech entrepreneurs like Arion Long, CEO of Femly, the world’s first smart touchless pad and tampon vending machine are poised to gain a fair share of this market. 

Klarna Backs Out & Markets Catch IPO Cold

CBX Vibe:

Major tech-based corporations like Klarna and StubHub are putting their public debut plans on ice, and investors are taking notice. Klarna, once Europe’s most valuable fintech with a $45.6 billion valuation, has officially paused its IPO plans. StubHub, the popular ticket resale platform, backed out of IPO plans this year as well. Why? Market volatility has scarred even the most bullish investors, and thanks to rising global tariffs and shaky interest rates, liquidity events are looking like a further-off dream. 

Tune-in Tuesdays!

The U.S. and China have reached a temporary tariff truce. Given how the trade war started, Is this a sincere reset in global economics or just a pause in an ongoing power play for both parties to re-strategize?

A. “Hard Place” by H.E.R. – Both countries feel stuck between economic pain and political pride so this truce isn’t about love or trust — it’s about choosing the lesser evil in a tough moment
B. “The Man” by Aloe Blacc – This agreement could be about asserting control as each side wants to look like the rational leader on the world stage, but beneath it, there’s resentment over who holds the real power in the system
C. “Only For A Moment” by Lola Marsh – The short-term relief feels good, but there's danger beneath the surface due to unresolved tensions and mutual mistrust that could bring the pain back

What are your thoughts on this? Tune in next Tuesday to see which jam captures the prevailing sentiment!

A  |  B  |  C

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Last week’s results are in and it seems people think Rwanda may be taking in more than ‘Dirty Laundry’ by housing U.S. deportees

The $200K Illusion: Americans Redefine What It Means To Live Comfortably

CBX Vibe:

“Financially comfortable,” the meaning is unreachable for many, especially when you consider Americans feel they need more than three times the median U.S. household income of about $71,000 a year to feel financially secure. A Bankrate survey found U.S. citizens want to earn over $200,000 a year to be financially comfortable. Considering the median household income for Black U.S. households in 2021 was $46,400 and more than 450,000 job cuts during the first half of 2023, the expectation of being financially secure feels out of reach for many. 

China’s Retreat On Bonds Could Push U.S. Mortgage Rates Higher

CBX Vibe:

Foreign investment particularly from China has played a stabilizing role in the U.S. housing finance system by propping up demand for mortgage-backed securities (MBS) issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae. But recent shifts suggest Beijing may be pulling back. Early indicators point to China reallocating capital into hard assets like gold and decentralized stores of value like Bitcoin. With China holding a significant amount of an estimated $1.3 trillion in U.S. MBS, this potential sell-off could have massive ripple effects on American mortgage rates and housing affordability at a time when the market is already strained. 

Vibes of the Week

Young women are turning tough times into “ The Blacker The Berry” the sweeter the juice, as Kendrick Lamar tells it in our CBX Vibes!