WanderLearn: Travel to Transform Your Mind & Life

2025 Predictions about Bitcoin, Trump, Ukraine, Unemployment, Economy, Stocks, & more


Listen Later

In my Annual Prediction Show, I review my horrible 2024 predictions before making my new predictions. I got 4 out of 10 points, my worst year ever! I hope to do better this year!

My 2025 predictions
Watch the Video

 

1. A global recession crushes the US economy.
  • In July 2022, the yield curve inverted and stayed inverted for 783 consecutive days, marking the longest period in U.S. history. In early September 2024, it un-inverted.
  • Usually, a recession occurs about 12 months after the un-inversion.
  • Admittedly, the recession can occur between 6 and 24 months after the un-inversion, so we could postpone it until 2026.
  • However, disaster will likely strike before October 2025.
  • 2. The US unemployment rate doubles.

    The US unemployment rate is 4.2% at the end of 2024 and will be 8.4% by 2025.

    3. Bitcoin loses more than half of its value.

    Although BTC may climb to $150,000, it will eventually be around $50,000 in 2025, surprising everyone.

    4. The S&P 500 drops at least 1,000 points.

    The S&P 500, which measures US stocks, will drop below 5,000 (it is beginning 2025 around 6,000).

    5. Ceasefire in Ukraine.

    Trump won't "end the war in 24 hours," but his administration will broker a deal because both sides are getting tired of fighting. Ukraine is running low on men. President Volodymyr Zelensky recently lowered the draft age from 27 to 25.

    Russia is running low on money. In mid-June, $1 bought 50 Russian rubles; in the last two months of 2024, $1 bought 100 rubles. Similarly, a barrel of petroleum has lost half of its value over the same period.

    6. Elon Musk & Donald Trump end their bromance.

    Two titanic personalities will struggle to share the spotlight.

    7. Trump will fail to fulfill five of his most wacky campaign promises.

    Although I dislike Trump, most of his critics never read his book The Art of the Deal, which explains his negotiating strategy: start with an absurd offer or demand, then negotiate down from there. 

    Trump is a dog that barks constantly but rarely bites.

    The Left squirms and takes his every word seriously, failing to see that it's just bluster, a negotiation tactic, or just a joke meant to offend the easily offended.

    Here are 5 campaign promises Donald Trump will fail to keep.

    1. Promise: Deporting 13 million people. Reality: he'll deport less than one million.
    2. Promise: Death Penalty for Drug Dealers. Reality: It won't happen; we struggle to execute mass murderers.
    3. Promise: 60% tariff on Chinese goods and up to 20% on all imports. Reality: At most, he'll get a 10% broad tariff and higher tariffs on targeted, symbolic goods (like Chinese cars).
    4. Promise: Abolishing the Department of Education. Reality: It won't happen, although the Department of Education will get cuts thanks to Musk's DOGE.
    5. Promise: Military Action Against Drug Cartels. Reality: It won't happen.
    6. 7. I'll finish The Unseen Africa.

      This book has been 10 years in the making, so it's due.

      To see my previous forecasts, check out my predictions for 201820192020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.

      More info

      You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

      If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! 

      On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • YouTube
      • Instagram
      • TikTok
      • LinkedIn
      • Pinterest
      • Tumblr
      • My Patrons sponsored this show!

        Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon

        Rewards start at just $2/month!

        Affiliate links

        Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in.

        Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!

        In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken

        Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!

        For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

        ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store

        WanderLearn: Travel to Transform Your Mind & LifeBy Francis Tapon

        • 4.1
        • 4.1
        • 4.1
        • 4.1
        • 4.1

        4.1

        34 ratings


        More shows like WanderLearn: Travel to Transform Your Mind & Life

        View all
        Travel with Rick Steves by Rick Steves

        Travel with Rick Steves

        2,381 Listeners

        Travel with Amateur Traveler Podcast by Chris Christensen

        Travel with Amateur Traveler Podcast

        1,040 Listeners

        This American Life by This American Life

        This American Life

        90,253 Listeners

        Fresh Air by NPR

        Fresh Air

        37,753 Listeners

        99% Invisible by Roman Mars

        99% Invisible

        26,082 Listeners

        Zero To Travel Podcast by Jason Moore

        Zero To Travel Podcast

        824 Listeners

        Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

        Hidden Brain

        43,295 Listeners

        The Gray Area with Sean Illing by Vox

        The Gray Area with Sean Illing

        10,635 Listeners

        The Daily by The New York Times

        The Daily

        112,319 Listeners

        Up First from NPR by NPR

        Up First from NPR

        55,988 Listeners

        Throughline by NPR

        Throughline

        15,728 Listeners

        The Journal. by The Wall Street Journal & Gimlet

        The Journal.

        5,821 Listeners

        The Next Big Idea by Next Big Idea Club

        The Next Big Idea

        1,290 Listeners

        Everything Everywhere Daily by Gary Arndt | Glassbox Media

        Everything Everywhere Daily

        1,857 Listeners

        The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

        The Ezra Klein Show

        14,612 Listeners