CBX Daily 7/24/2025

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July 24, 2025

Today, the tech space is benefiting from the HBCU grind, but let’s start with how BNPL could leave credit cards behind…

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Cultural Intelligence Download

Should You Swap Your Credit Card for Buy Now Pay Later?

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Buy now, pay later (BNPL) is popping up everywhere. An April 2025 LendingTree survey found that around half of Americans have used BNPL, and around 1 in 3 have used it more than once. Buyers aren’t just using it for essentials either, with a Billboard report finding that nearly 2 in 3 attendees at this year’s Coachella festival used BNPL to buy their tickets. Credit cards, the grandfather of deferred payment solutions, have been around since the 1950s, and more than 4 in 5 US adults have one, according to the Federal Reserve. Is it worth ditching high-interest plastic in favor of zero-interest cardless loans?  

HBCUs Are Shaping The Future Of Silicon Valley’s Tech Innovation

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For decades, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been cultural bedrocks, cultivating brilliance against the odds. Now, they’re redefining what it means to lead in tech. As the tech industry faces mounting pressure to diversify, HBCUs are emerging not just as pipelines, but as powerhouses of innovation.  

Culture Still Wants Luxury But It's Losing Buyers

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Luxury has always sold aspiration, but these days, aspiration looks a lot more like a $500 canvas bag than a $5,000 statement piece. As U.S. spending on luxury goods fell 6% year-over-year in 2024, the old playbook of exclusivity and extravagance is cracking under pressure. Brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton (LVMH +1.54%) have responded by releasing more “accessible” items from crossbody bags, logo belts to perfume sets all priced just under the psychological $500 mark.  

Tune-in Tuesdays!

The U.S. will soon charge a $250 ‘visa integrity fee’ to international visitors. Is this border control or brand control?

A. “Rich Bitch” by Gunna – The U.S. is curating its guest list with pride, power, and paranoia, and the dress code is wealth
B. “My House” by Beyoncé – The so-called land of opportunity is rewriting its welcome mat. The fee may be new, but the message isn’t: this house wasn’t built for everyone
C. “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar – For some, $250 may be a speed bump but the dream is still alive because they have nothing to hide and willing to cough a little extra

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 people think Bitcoin’s surge is a ‘Started From the Bottom’ story

Akon’s Billion Dollar Blockchain City Is No More

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It's lights out for Akon or 'Akoin' after five years in the making. The high-profile endeavor, known as Akon City, aimed to create a crypto-themed smart city with innovative features such as blockchain-based infrastructure and a digital currency economy worth $6 billion has been terminated. The decision to officially terminate the project comes after delays and a misalignment in realistic development goals in the region.  

What Shaquille O’Neal’s FTX Lawsuit Settlement Means for Your Crypto Portfolio

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Shaquille O’Neal may have dominated on the basketball court, but his off-court moves in crypto haven’t aged quite as gracefully. The NBA Hall of Famer recently agreed to a $1.8 million settlement in a class action lawsuit over his role promoting FTX, the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange. O’Neal, along with high-profile celebrities including Steph Curry, Tom Brady and others, were caught in the crosshairs when the $32 billion company collapsed, according to Bloomberg. As celebrity-backed crypto ventures fall under sharper scrutiny, the FTX fallout has become a cautionary tale with deep cultural implications, especially for vulnerable communities often targeted by influencer marketing.  

Vibes of the Week

Credit card vs. BNPL: which one is “Da Wizard" when it comes to spending? Travis Scott asks in our CBX Vibes!