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NEAR Intents Debuts Crypto Super-App

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This week, NEAR Intents, the universal liquidity protocol for on-chain markets and tokenized assets, announced the launch of near.com, a new consumer super-app running on crypto rails. This announcement comes alongside the introduction of Confidential Intents, a confidentiality layer for cross-chain execution and the NEAR Intents fee switch, a programmatic revenue-sharing model that shares fees with partners routing transactions through NEAR Intents.

Built on NEAR Intents infrastructure, near.com unifies cross-chain activity into a single account, empowering users to swap assets, execute confidential transactions, and trade peer-to-peer across more than 35 blockchains. Built on infrastructure that has powered more than $13 billion in cross-chain volume for partners including Ledger, SwapKit, and RHEA Finance, near.com simplifies DeFi by eliminating manual gas management and bridging. Through intent-based execution, near.com allows users to define outcomes rather than transaction paths, delivering exchange-grade execution while maintaining user confidentiality and control.

As part of the near.com launch, NEAR Intents is also introducing Confidential Accounts, powered by a NEAR private shard and trusted execution environment (TEE) based architecture. Confidential Accounts provide restricted transaction visibility to help mitigate frontrunning and MEV while enabling compliance-aware execution for institutions.

This practical new confidentiality layer enables institutional players to manage cross-chain positions with control, allowing institutional capital to finally flow on-chain without sacrificing discretion. In addition, new Peer-to-Peer functionality allows users to negotiate and settle custom or large transactions directly with counterparties through smart contract enforcement, eliminating the need for intermediaries or escrow services.

Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of NEAR Protocol said,

“For the first time, you can transact confidentially with any asset, across all chains, with one wallet. near.com removes the complexity and fragmentation from on-chain finance by empowering users to focus on outcomes rather than infrastructure.”

Alex Shevchenko, general manager of NEAR Intents, added,

“The crypto economy today is scattered across dozens of different blockchains, and the user experience is incredibly fragmented and complex. The next phase of on-chain finance requires infrastructure that hides complexity without sacrificing performance, confidentiality, and control.

“With near.com, we are bringing that capability into a unified experience where users can define what they want to achieve while the infrastructure handles execution behind the scenes. This is not just a cross-chain swapping frontend but a super-app on crypto rails that will give users a wide world of features all in a single account.”



USAA CEO says Gen Z ‘are not going to be as well off’—they need to take ownership of their success

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USAA CEO says Gen Z ‘are not going to be as well off’—they need to take ownership of their success



“I think, unfortunately, our Gen Z’s are not going to be as well off as our boomers and Gen Xers were, for different reasons,” he tells Fortune. “You definitely see it among the Gen Z generation, both active duty as well as associate members [and] family.”

Andrade recognizes that many young workers are stuck in a “tough” situation, struggling to make do with rock-bottom salaries. And as it turns out, they really did get the short end of the stick. In the U.K. for example, the average inflation-adjusted salary for working-age graduates is 30% lower than it was a decade and a half ago, according to a 2025 analysis from Bloomberg.

Even landing a salaried job in the first place is harder. A 2025 Kickresume report found that 58% of students who finished college recently were still looking for their first job. Meanwhile, just 25% of graduates in previous years—including millennial and Gen Xers—struggled to land work after college. 

But stagnant paychecks and a lackluster labor market are only part of the squeeze. A shaky grasp on money and a fast-moving wave of AI disruption are compounding the pressure.

Gen Z’s other challenges: financial inexperience and AI automation 

Every generation knows what it’s like to be an entry-level worker scraping by paycheck to paycheck, but Gen Zers are in a particularly dire economic rut. Up against stubborn inflation, high interest rates, and stagnating salaries, they’re borrowing money just to reach baseline stability. And it’s severely damaging their financial wellbeing. 

Last year, Gen Z experienced the steepest annual drop in credit health of any age group since 2020, according to a FICO report. Their average FICO score slipped three points to 676—39 points lower than the national average of 715. Erin Stillwell, head of payments at Globant, told Fortune in 2025 that “Gen Z is the first cohort facing high inflation, digital credit, and social-media-driven consumption pressure simultaneously.”

Another underlying issue is young people are still decades behind Gen Xers and baby boomers in understanding financial literacy. Many Gen Zers are still in the dark, with nearly half saying they don’t know what affects their credit score, according to a 2025 USAA report. And around 62% are so anxious that they don’t check their scores at all. It’s become so fraught that some colleges and employers have already stepped up to supplement their money education; USAA is providing financial education and tools to its over 38,000 staffers and 14.3 million members as part of its $500 million Honor Through Action initiative. 

The USAA CEO also points to another problem brewing in the labor force: AI automation. It’s no secret that the advanced tech is seeping into every corner of every industry, and even leaders like Anthropic’s Dario Amodei and IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva forewarn of a jobs apocalypse. The bottom rung of the corporate ladder is already burning; entry-level opportunities have been stagnating or declining across most employers, leaving young fresh-faced talent out in the cold. The percent of Gen Z employees between the ages of 21 and 25 was even cut in half at technology companies within the span of two years, according to a 2025 analysis from Pave.

“[Gen Z’s finances] also depends on the jobs that they’re in too,” Andrade explains, referencing the impact of AI on the workforce. “There’s been a lot of layoffs already across the economy, and that certainly impacts people as well.”

Not all hope is lost: USAA’s CEO tells Gen Z to start running their careers

Stepping back and looking at the stats, Gen Z has every right to feel dejected. But not all hope is lost, the USAA leader says. Budding professionals have the best shot at successful careers once they take ownership of their own paths. 

“This is important to anybody that’s still young and coming up…Nobody cares more about your career than you do,” Andrade advises. “And to this day I remember that, because what that basically means is that this is up to you.”

“Other people can help open doors, but you’re the one that has to figure out what it is that you want to do with your life,” he continues. “What are you interested in? And don’t leave it for luck.”

The CEO received that critical advice while working at insurance giant American International Group (AIG). It was his first private-sector job after serving in several top U.S. government roles, and during the first five years post-career switch, Andrade says he approached work with “brute force.” He didn’t wait for a golden opportunity; taking matters into his own hands, Andrade succeeded by simply pouring all his energy into the job.

“I just had my head down, working hard…I never expected I’d be CEO of anything,” Andrade explains. “It was just doing my job right, and doing it well, and doors opened because of that.”

Nearly 40 years into his career across government, insurance, and financial services, the USAA CEO has witnessed how the jobs landscape has evolved. Namely, in the throes of the world’s newest labor market disruptor: AI. As tech continues to change the nature of work, Andrade says it’s more important than ever that Gen Zers interrogate what truly motivates them, and how they want to spend their careers. 

“I think now, particularly with the onset of artificial intelligence, it’s important for kids—particularly the ones still in college and about to graduate, or [are] thinking about different degrees,” he says.

Gen Z men are eating ‘boy kibble’, the human equivalent to dog food, to load up on protein cheaply

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Gen Z men are eating ‘boy kibble’, the human equivalent to dog food, to load up on protein cheaply



We’ve all been there: after a long day at work, you come home, realize you’ve skipped the supermarket again, and settle for a subpar dinner—a box of ramen, a bowl of buttered pasta, or even a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The meal is regrettable and adds only a little sustenance at best. You promise yourself you won’t stoop to that level again. But a viral trend is now touting that very simplicity, and the result is something akin to the human equivalent of dog food.

“Boy kibble” is one of the hottest food trends on social media today. Fitness influencers are cooking up a simple combination of ground beef and rice for a quick, low-calorie hit. But gen Z men aren’t cooking the meals out of laziness. Rather, they see it as a reliable source of protein.

Some men on social media admit to eating the meal up to seven times per week as a cheap way to build muscle. The trend is the male-coded equivalent of the 2023 “girl dinner” where women devised elaborate hodge podges of charcuterie-like plates, consisting of assorted meats, breads, cheeses, fruits, and leftovers. 

The simple and bland boy kibble diet is the newest entrant in the protein craze, which has motivated companies to capitalize on the demand.  Dunkin’ recently rolled out iced protein lattes. Doritos will soon release protein chips, with servings that include up to 10 grams of protein per bag. And it’s hard to miss a protein callout while walking down the food aisles of your supermarket. 

The Trump administration has added fuel to the frenzy. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released new nutritional guidelines in January urging American households to load up on protein, dairy, and healthy fats.

Meat proved hot in 2025, with sales of meat snacks up 6.6%. But the cost of beef has actually skyrocketed over the last year, despite President Donald Trump maintaining prices have come down. Ground beef hit $6.75 per pound in January, up 22% compared to $5.55 in January 2025, according to data from the Federal Reserve of St. Louis. Rice, too, is up to over a dollar per pound. But without vegetables, sauces, or for many, seasoning, the boy kibble lets some gen Z men skip what they think are unnecessary purchases.

The downsides of ‘proteinmaxxing’

While the trend offers a simple and cheap way to max out protein consumption, some dietitians are concerned it’s leaving out other nutrients. 

Abbey Sharp, a registered dietitian and author of diet book The Hunger Crushing Combo Method, said this “protein-obsessed, carnivore-style diet phase” is displacing beneficial fiber that 95% of North Americans aren’t getting enough of.

Other than fiber, Americans are also deficient in vitamin D, calcium, and potassium, according to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

To be sure, many devotees tout the trend with a half-joking air. Some TikTokers also include vegetables like kale and spinach, while others treat themselves to seasoning or hot sauce. 

But for many of those hopping onto the trend, it’s that blandness and simplicity that gives boy kibble its appeal.

Sharp, who has over 1 million followers on TikTok where she reviews user’s eating habits and popular dietary trends, warned that the commitment to the meal could slip into dangerous territory. 

“This kind of moralizing of food, or turning suffering through meals into a badge of honor,” she  said, “can map on to some kind of disordered eating patterns and risks, no different than, say, orthorexia,” or an obsession with food that one considers healthy.

How to Build Wealth in India With ₹1 Lakh a Month: Wealth Manager Secrets ft. Feroze Azeez | FWS 72

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How to Build Wealth in India With ₹1 Lakh a Month: Wealth Manager Secrets ft. Feroze Azeez | FWS 72



If you need help with your finances, fill out this short form:

—
This week on Finance With Sharan, we sat down with Feroze Azeez, joint CEO at Anand Rathi Wealth and one of India’s most grounded finance experts.
He’s the guy who manages crores for India’s elite but still explains money like he’s talking to you over chai.
In this episode, Feroze breaks down the uncomfortable truth about Indian investing, why people earning ₹1L/month still feel broke, why “safe” investments silently kill returns, and how most investors are rich on paper but poor in peace.
Feroze doesn’t sugarcoat.
He talks about building wealth like an engineer; with logic, not luck.
From tax traps to insurance scams to what a real ₹1 crore portfolio should actually look like, this episode is packed with insights every Indian earner needs to hear.
—
We talked about:
🏠 Renting till 45, getting mocked… then buying 4 floors with the money saved.
💭 Selling bad funds, owning up, and rebuilding trust.
💰 How ₹1L/month can still lead to financial freedom, with math, not miracles.
📉 Why most “35% CAGR” claims fall apart under real math.
💸 The trap behind “safe” returns and guaranteed plans.
📊 Building a portfolio that’s structured, not scattered.
🔒 Insurance ≠ Investment, knowing the difference.
⚖️ The peace-first approach to asset allocation.
—
Subscribe:
The 1% Club:
YouTube:
Instagram:
LinkedIn:
Sharan Hegde:
Instagram:
LinkedIn:
Twitter/X:
–
Timeline:
[00:00] Intro & highlights
[01:12] Why Indians fear equity but trust bad advice
[04:25] The ₹1 crore myth that keeps people stuck
[08:17] Are mutual funds overrated?
[12:44] What the wealthy actually do differently
[20:39] Debt, SIPs & insurance — what to keep, what to drop
[27:55] How to legally save tax with better structure
[34:23] Feroze’s personal investing framework
[42:10] The mindset shift that separates rich from comfortable
[50:41] Building long-term peace, not short-term profit
—
It’s not another “get rich” episode.
It’s the hard truth about money most people figure out after losing it.
If you’ve ever wondered why you’re earning more but still not getting ahead — this conversation is your mirror.
Sharan Hegde is a personal finance creator & founder of 1% Club, featured across India’s top finance media.
Subscribe for conversations that simplify money, markets, and the madness of the middle-class grind.
#Finance #Investing #Taxes #India #Wealth #PersonalFinance #1PercentClub

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Two mortgage veterans boost business growth with proactive referral partnerships

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Craig Andriulli (pictured top left) and Michael LiPari (pictured top right), managing partners of Fortress Mortgage Advisors, now want to share their knowledge with other mortgage bankers to help elevate their businesses.

“I can tell you what’s different, and what we focus on,” Andriulli told Mortgage Professional America. “It’s harder to get your rhythm, because the business operates in a similar way forever. So you’re bucking the trend to some degree. And so with the referral partners, I try to train these guys and say you don’t want to position yourself as a commodity.

“If I pay for just marketing, now we have a relationship because I’m paying for marketing. Well, technically, that’s not really a relationship. You’re sharing an expense, and it’s a byproduct of investing in that relationship.”

Building a partnership

Andriulli said he examined those relationships to understand what made some of them stand out over others.

“There are obviously lots of relationships where you are sharing expenses, and you’re doing marketing together to grow your business,” Andriulli said. “What I was focusing on was looking at those relationships that we’ve had for decades, whether it be real estate agents, CPAs, or financial advisors, and seeing what the difference was between those and all the other ones. That upper echelon relationships were partnerships, versus everything else we considered a relationship.

83% of College Students Link Money to Happiness, New CFP Report Finds

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83% of College Students Link Money to Happiness, New CFP Report Finds


Key Points

  • 83% of college students say financial well-being is important to their happiness and life satisfaction, and 44% rate it as “very important.”
  • 64% feel confident managing basic finances, yet most report concerns about jobs, housing costs and long-term stability.
  • Students trust financial planners, but many say they don’t know how to find one or believe they can’t afford professional advice.

A new survey of undergraduates suggests that today’s college students see money not just as a practical necessity, but as central to their long-term happiness.

The report, Dollars & Sense: A Report on College Students and Their Personal Finances, was published by the CFP Board Center for Financial Planning and is based on a fall 2025 survey of 2,025 undergraduate students. 

The findings offer a snapshot of how the next generation of workers, borrowers and investors thinks about financial well-being and where gaps in confidence and access to advice remain.

College Student Personal Finance Report Infographic. Source: CFP Board

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Financial Well Being As A Measure Of Happiness

According to the report, 83% of undergraduates rate financial well-being as important to their overall happiness and life satisfaction, including 44% who call it “very important.” Women are slightly more likely than men to say financial well-being plays a central role in life satisfaction (85% versus 80%).

Students tend to frame money in aspirational terms. Three in five view money as a path to independence (61%), long-term life goals (60%), and security and stability (58%).

Yet the emotional relationship with money is complicated. 40% say they see money as a source of stress and anxiety. Women are more likely than men to associate money with stress (43% versus 35%).

This mix of optimism and anxiety reflects a generation that has come of age amid rising student debt, volatile labor markets, and high housing costs.

Confidence Today, But Concerns About Tomorrow

While nearly two-thirds of students (64%) say they are confident in managing basic personal finances such as budgeting and saving, that confidence is not universal. Men report higher confidence than women (71% versus 60%).

Even among those who feel capable day to day, future concerns loom large. 66% worry about finding a stable job, and 64% cite affording large purchases like a home or car as a major concern. More than half worry about saving for emergencies or retirement (55%) and achieving long-term life goals (54%).

Student loans remain a priority but are not the only financial pressure point. 35% say paying off student loans is a top future concern.

When asked about priorities after graduation, 30% say student loan repayment would be their main financial goal, closely followed by building an emergency fund (28%). Smaller shares say they would prioritize investing for retirement (16%) or saving for a large purchase (16%).

Where Students Turn For Advice

93% of students say they seek financial advice or information. Two-thirds turn to family members, making relatives the most common source of guidance.

Financial planners rank high in trust for the future (55% say they would trust advice from financial planners) but only about one-in-five currently receive guidance from one.

However, 64% say not knowing where to find the right professional prevents them from seeking advice, and 56% say they are unsure what questions to ask. 40% say they cannot afford professional advice. Nearly half (47%) fear being judged for their financial decisions.

The report also notes disparities. Students whose parents have a college degree are more likely to rely on family for financial advice than first-generation college students (71% versus 57%). That gap may compound differences in financial knowledge and access to networks.

What This Means For Families

For households supporting a college student, the findings carry practical implications.

First, conversations about money matter. With family as the leading source of advice, parents and guardians often serve as de facto financial educators. Clear discussions about budgeting, credit use and debt repayment can shape habits early. Building these key life skills early can go a long way towards success.

Second, emergency savings is top of mind. Students’ emphasis on building an emergency fund suggests they understand the risks of living paycheck to paycheck. Families can reinforce this by encouraging small, consistent savings goals.

Third, access to professional advice remains uneven. Many students express trust in financial planners but lack information about cost structures, including fee-only models or limited-scope planning. 

Nearly two-thirds of students (65%) say they are interested in learning more about personal finance topics such as saving, investing and managing debt. Only 8% say they are not interested.

That appetite for education could shape curriculum decisions and workplace benefits programs in the coming years.

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The post 83% of College Students Link Money to Happiness, New CFP Report Finds appeared first on The College Investor.

Capital One VentureOne Card Bonus: Earn 40K Miles

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Capital One VentureOne Card Bonus: Earn 40K Miles


New Capital One VentureOne Card Bonus

🔃 Update: There’s a working link for 40,000 bonus points (without the $100 credit) which is better than the public offer for 20,000 points.

  • Earn 40,000 bonus miles if you spend at least $1,000 within 3 months of your rewards membership enrollment date.
  • DIRECT LINK

The Capital One VentureOne card has a new welcome bonus of 40,000 miles plus a $100 credit to use on flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. That’s a pretty good bonus for a no-fee credit card. Let’s see the details.

The Offer

  • Enjoy a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year.
  • Plus, earn 40,000 bonus miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • No Annual Fee
  • DIRECT LINK

Card Details

  • Earn unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.

  • Earn unlimited 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

  • Transfer miles to many popular travel loyalty programs.

  • No Foreign Transaction Fees

  • No Annual Fee

Guru’s Wrap-up

I believe this is the best ever welcome bonus on this card. You can a $100 Capital One Travel credit that must be used within 12 months and 40,000 bonus miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months.

However, it’s worth noting that this offer does not come with a 0% intro APR for 15 months.

Global gas markets face their biggest shock since 2022 on Iran conflict

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Global gas markets face their biggest shock since 2022 on Iran conflict

Best 3 Blue-Chip Stocks to Buy After This Week’s Market Pullback

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Best 3 Blue-Chip Stocks to Buy After This Week’s Market Pullback


February was a wild month for the stock market as pressure built on software stocks over fears of AI disruption, and stocks fell in the last week of the month as President Trump said he would raise global tariffs to 15% after the Supreme Court struck down his earlier round of tariffs.

Market pullbacks can be painful, but they do set up buying opportunities. Let’s take a look a few blue-chip dividend stocks worth buying right now.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Deere & Co.

Deere & Co. (DE +1.60%) dominates the market for agricultural machinery and related tools including software, and the company has experienced something of a renaissance this year as it’s rightfully being seen as a winner from AI.

Year-to-date, Deere & Co. stock is up 35% as the company is well positioned to capitalize on the AI boom. It’s investing in areas like autonomous tractors, AI-powered cameras that can identify weeds and spray herbicide, and predictive maintenance to monitor machinery and reduce downtime.

Deere & Company Stock Quote

Today’s Change

(1.60%) $9.94

Current Price

$629.40

By doing so, Deere is pivoting to technology while leveraging its brand advantage in a way that a typical software company can’t. Its reputation and reach with farmers also make it difficult to displace, as the technology comes with the equipment it sells.

Even after its strong performance this year, Deere & Co. still pulled back last week, losing 5% in part on tariff-related fears. Deere is expensive now at a price-to-earnings ratio of 34, but that valuation seems warranted given the company’s potential in AI.

2. GE Vernova

Energy consumption is expected to spike from the AI boom, which puts energy generators in a good position, and GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV) is a leader in the industry.

Like Deere, GE Vernova (GEV 0.33%) has surged this year, up 34% so far. The company manufactures power turbines using a wide range of energy sources, including gas, nuclear, hydro, and wind, making it a valuable partner for data centers and increasing demand for energy from AI.

GE Vernova Stock Quote

Today’s Change

(-0.33%) $-2.86

Current Price

$873.60

GE Vernova shares actually rose last week as it seemed to benefit from a well-circulated AI doomsday blog post, as the company stands to benefit from growth in AI.

GE Vernova has delivered mid-teens growth and is premium-priced at a P/E ratio of 50, but it’s in a unique position to capitalize on growing energy demand. The stock might not seem like a blue chip as it’s only been public since 2024, but its assets were part of the GE conglomerate, and it’s soared since GE broke up then.

3. Microsoft

Microsoft (MSFT 2.17%) has been one of the biggest victims of the AI-driven software sell-off at least on a market-cap basis, and it pulled back last week as well, falling 1% in a volatile week.

However, Microsoft continues to deliver strong growth, and even if you buy into the AI disruption narrative, the company is much more than just a software business. It has a fast-growing cloud infrastructure business in Azure, Windows, gaming, LinkedIn, and other products, giving it a lot of ways to grow and capitalize on AI. It also owns 27% of OpenAI, giving it a major stake in the most valuable AI start-up.

Microsoft Stock Quote

Today’s Change

(-2.17%) $-8.72

Current Price

$393.00

Microsoft is now down nearly 30% from its peak just a few months ago, setting up an attractive buying opportunity. Its P/E ratio has fallen to 24.5, making it both cheaper than the S&P 500 and one of the cheapest stocks in the “Magnificent Seven.”

Microsoft looks poised to continue delivering mid-teens growth, making the stock a good bet to outperform at the current valuation.

Research Shows Hiring Managers Are Pickier Than Ever. Here’s How to Win Them Over.

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Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Monster.

If your job search feels slower, more selective, or harder to break into right now, you are not imagining it. New Monster research suggests many employers are putting more energy into keeping the talent they already have than expanding headcount.

In Monster’s 2026 Hiring WorkWatch Report, a survey of 800 U.S.-based hiring decision-makers, 52% say retaining existing employees is their top workforce priority in 2026, compared with 45% who prioritize hiring new talent.

Employers also report that finding qualified candidates is still difficult: 64% say they struggle to do so. That helps explain why many organizations are investing more in internal development and skills-building.

So what does a retention-first year mean for you as a job seeker? It does not mean hiring is off. It means hiring can be more deliberate, and candidates may need to be more specific about the value they bring.

Hiring is still happening, but employers are being pickier

Even as retention leads the priority list, employers are still hiring. The process may feel slower and more selective as teams focus on fit, skills, and cost.

Monster’s research highlights several operational factors that can slow hiring, including:

  • Finding qualified candidates (64%)
  • Salary and benefit expectations (44%)
  • Addressing skills gaps (30%)
  • Competition from other employers (27%)
  • Meeting remote and hybrid expectations (24%)

What to do

Make your resume and LinkedIn profile highly specific to the roles you want. Lead with skills and results, not just responsibilities. Share what you improved, saved, shipped, or supported. If you are pivoting, translate your experience into the exact language of the job description.

Upskilling is a real employer strategy, especially around AI

Employers are not just talking about AI. They are investing in it:

  • 74% plan to invest in AI training or upskilling for employees in 2026
  • 41% already use AI in hiring or workforce management
  • 31% plan to adopt AI tools soon

What to do

Build practical AI fluency. Focus on how you use AI to do your work, not just general interest. Be ready to explain your approach to accuracy, verification, and judgment. If you have used AI tools for writing, analysis, customer support, project work, or productivity, describe the workflow and the outcome.

Return-to-office policies are affecting hiring and your options

Workplace policy is part of the hiring puzzle:

  • 54% of employers say return-to-office mandates have made hiring harder
  • 72% expect their current hybrid or on-site policies to remain unchanged
  • 22% plan to increase in-office requirements

What to do

Decide your non-negotiables early, such as remote, hybrid, or commute distance, then search accordingly. If you are open to hybrid or on-site roles, say so clearly. Flexibility can widen your opportunity set. If you prefer remote work, strengthen your candidacy with tight positioning, a skills match, and work samples.

Retention-first years can be leverage years for the right move

When employers prioritize keeping talent, internal advancement and development can matter more. For job seekers, that can cut two ways. Some roles may open more slowly. At the same time, employers may value candidates who can fill real gaps and ramp quickly, especially in mid-level roles.

What to do

If you are employed, consider asking about growth paths, training budgets, or internal mobility. If you are job searching, show how you will help solve immediate problems for the team.

Employers are worried about the economy, and that shapes decisions

When asked about top workforce concerns in 2026, hiring leaders most often pointed to:

  • Economic uncertainty (48%)
  • Retaining talent (41%)
  • Attracting qualified candidates (39%)
  • Pressure to raise wages (36%)
  • Skills gaps (29%)
  • Keeping pace with AI and automation (26%)

What to do

Expect more scrutiny on compensation. Be prepared with a clear range and rationale. Emphasize reliability, adaptability, and the ability to learn, especially if the company is navigating change.

Bottom line: Hiring has not stopped, it is becoming more intentional

The big signal from the data is that many employers are prioritizing stability in 2026. They are keeping strong employees, building skills internally, and adopting AI thoughtfully.

For job seekers, standing out will depend less on broad claims and more on specific proof: the skills you have, how you apply them, and the results you have delivered.

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NEAR Intents Debuts Crypto Super-App

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This week, NEAR Intents, the universal liquidity protocol...

USAA CEO says Gen Z ‘are not going to be as well off’—they need to take ownership of their success

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Gen Z men are eating ‘boy kibble’, the human equivalent to dog food, to load up on protein cheaply

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NEAR Intents Debuts Crypto Super-App

Credit Card 0
This week, NEAR Intents, the universal liquidity protocol...

USAA CEO says Gen Z ‘are not going to be as well off’—they need to take ownership of their success

Business 0
“I think, unfortunately, our Gen Z’s are not...

Gen Z men are eating ‘boy kibble’, the human equivalent to dog food, to load up on protein cheaply

Finance 0
We’ve all been there: after a long day...

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