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At best, most Americans are skeptical about cryptocurrency (Pew recently reported that 63% of Americans have little confidence in crypto’s reliability and safety). But that hasn’t stopped crypto from becoming a staple in the investing world, with the global market value of cryptocurrency leaping 36% in 2024. So, if you’re hoping to join the ranks of the 562 million people who are crypto owners worldwide, it helps to go into your investment with eyes wide open to scams and risks. And one of the biggest of all? Rug pulls.

Here, Spokeo digs into what rug pulls are, how they affect the sector at large, and what you can do to avoid falling victim to one.

What Is a Crypto Rug Pull?

Since it first broke into the mainstream in 2018 (it’s been available since around 2009), crypto has become central to the online scam artist’s repertoire, especially in popular grifts like online and over-the-phone phishing, catphishing, and identity theft. Scammers like to target crypto as it’s difficult to trace; there’s no centralized banking authority to flag suspicious transactions, and unlike most bank transfers, crypto transfers can’t be reversed. And the problem is so widespread that consumers around the world reportedly lost $2.2 billion to crypto scams in 2024, 21% more than they did in 2021.

Despite their popularity, those day-to-day scams aren’t crypto rug pulls, but rug pulls rely on many of the same elements — namely, crypto’s lack of traceability and centralized accountability.

In a crypto rug pull, a person or group accrues assets from the public by selling a token (that’s crypto’s digital representation of assets — the “currency” in cryptocurrency), commonly promising a big return on investment, or even exclusive rewards and other incentives for investing. Once they’ve scooped up tons of assets from those token investments, they suddenly shut the project down entirely and often “coincidentally” disappear from public view at the same time. This, of course, leaves them holding a great big bag of money while their victims have nothing to show for it but piles of worthless tokens. The rug has been pulled out from under them in one swift motion.

Types of Crypto Rug Pulls

Crypto rug pulls generally follow the same cadence of “gather assets and unceremoniously bail,” but they do vary in terms of execution. Crypto rug pulls typically fall into one of these categories:

• The team exit is probably the most well-known type of crypto rug pull. Here, the team behind the coin drums up support and investment, and then falls off the map, leaving investors with a worthless token.
• Similarly, some crypto rug pulls revolve around completely fake projects that never even co

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When Carol Kolseth got her biopsy results back after a routine mammogram in October of 2024, she knew treatments for the cancerous lump in her breast would have to be scheduled around lapses in her health insurance, they told The Daily Yonder.

That’s because Carol and her husband — two alfalfa, soybean, and wheat farmers from the small town of Plummer, Minnesota — were about to lose their state-administered insurance plan. Their income had risen above the plan’s eligibility mark, which is for people whose income is 200% below the federal poverty line.

That left the Kolseths with two options: Go uninsured, or enroll in an individual health insurance plan through a marketplace administered by the Affordable Care Act.

Given Carol’s cancer diagnosis, they went with the second option, signing up for a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan at the silver level that provided them a $4,000 annual deductible. Their income qualified them for an enhanced premium tax credit, which knocked several hundred dollars off their monthly premium.

But now those credits are set to expire at the end of 2025, as Congress did not pass an extension before Dec. 15, the deadline to enroll in individual health coverage for 2026. The Kolseths face a similar dilemma as they did last year: to continue with their health insurance plan — which is set to increase from $1,603 per month to $1,972 without those tax credits — or go uninsured, hoping that Carol’s cancer doesn’t come back.

The Kolseths are just two of 25.2 million Americans enrolled in an individual marketplace plan who are grappling with a potential hike in their monthly premiums. These plans are available to people who do not get employer-sponsored health insurance. Many enrollees are self-employed or own a small business, like a farm.

The vast majority of these individual marketplace enrollees get coverage through a plan administered by the Affordable Care Act, which is what the enhanced premium tax credits apply to. In 2023, 93% of enrollees with an Affordable Care Act plan received a credit that lowered their monthly premium costs.

The enhanced premium tax credits were first enacted in 2021 by the American Rescue Plan Act. Their goal was to expand the affordability of health coverage options for people who are under the age of 64 and whose incomes are above 100% of the federal poverty line. The credits also apply to people whose incomes are too high to qualify them for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP). The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 extended the tax credits to the end of 2025.

Over the four years they have been in place, the enhanced premium tax credits saw record enroll

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Cold showers do more than jolt you awake in the morning. Research suggests they can support your overall health in surprising ways. For starters, cold exposure can boost circulation and help reduce inflammation, which makes it a potential ally for sore muscles and recovery after exercise, according to Health’s 2025 report on cold shower benefits.

Cold showers can also have a positive impact on your mental health. The sudden cold triggers a rush of endorphins, which helps to elevate your mood, sharpen focus, and reduce feelings of stress or anxiety, according to Health. In this article, Dove examines the numerous health benefits of cold showering.

Cold showers for fitness gains

For fitness enthusiasts, cold showers can be a game-changer. They support post-workout recovery by reducing muscle soreness and inflammation. The cold water constricts blood vessels, which helps flush out lactic acid and reduce swelling. Some research even suggests that cold showers may contribute to fat burning over time, according to a 2023 Healthline report on cold exposure and body fat.

The truth about testosterone and cold water

There’s a lot of buzz around cold showers and testosterone levels, according to Hims 2025 analysis. While some claim that cold exposure can boost testosterone, the research is still inconclusive. While cold showers might not directly increase testosterone, they can improve overall well-being, which indirectly supports hormonal balance. It’s important to separate myths from facts and recognize that more research is needed in this area.

Cold showers and skin clarity

Looking for clearer skin? Cold showers can help there too. Unlike hot water, which can strip away natural oils and irritate sensitive skin, cold water helps tighten pores, balance oil production, and calm inflammation. This can be especially useful for men who deal with breakouts or oily skin. For best results, pair your cold shower with a gentle cleanser to leave your skin fresh and clean without over-drying.

How to start cold showers without hating life

Ready to take the plunge? Start with contrast showers: Alternate between 30 seconds of cold water and one minute of warm water. This method helps your body gradually adapt to the cold. Focus on deep breathing to manage the initial shock, and over time, you might find yourself enjoying the invigorating experience.

When to skip the cold shower

Cold showers aren’t for everyone, and there are times when you should choose warm or lukewarm water instead. If you’re sick, sensitive to cold, or already stressed, a cold shower might do more harm than good. Listen to your body and choose what feels best for you.

Are cold showers right for you?

Cold showers can do more than just wake you

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In recent decades, researchers have identified a dramatic nationwide shift: The American middle-class family is struggling.

The middle class is a social group that is defined mainly by income. A 2024 report based on 2022 data released by Pew Research Center describes an American middle-class family as one that makes about $45,200 to $135,600 for every three members. That’s about two-thirds to double the size of the median household income.

And although they make up 52% of the population, the average middle-class family’s access to “the good life” is more limited than ever before. As the cost of living rises, wages have stayed the same. This stagnation has had a broadly negative impact on the middle class. Balancing the best short-term and long-term financial decisions leaves many families constantly worried about the present and the future. With limited information on how to plan for both, it’s hard to make decisions without sacrificing the welfare of their families.

But, there are pockets of the country where middle-class families seem to be bucking the trends.

For middle-class families, where they choose to live is a big decision. The socioeconomic factors can significantly impact those who live there, and these factors are even more critical for a family unit.

Living in an urban environment can present many advantages for a family, but it also comes with risks. Urban areas tend to have higher crime rates than rural ones, and specific neighborhoods can be less safe than others. Families from all income levels should consider these factors before they decide on where they want to live.

Researchers at CreditNinja have identified some U.S. cities that have ideal economic conditions for middle-class families. According to the numbers, these cities can offer today’s middle-class family an opportunity to thrive.

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In face-to-face communication, you’re constantly sending subconscious signals to another person without even realizing it. Whether it’s a nod, facial reactions, or short reaction murmurs, they indicate understanding and active listening. Text messaging and digital communications have developed their own equivalents over the years with the use of emojis. AnyWho put together the top mini responses used over text that have become the digital equivalent of “ok,” symbols that serve as lightweight acknowledgments. 

The top 20 message emojis and reactions guide

While you may certainly use different reactions amongst friends as inside jokes, the following 20 message reactions are among the most common: 

1. Thumbs up

Use for: A quick agreement or acknowledgement of a message. 

Avoid when: The subject is a sensitive topic that requires a nuanced response and emotional consideration.  

Cross-app equivalents: Slack – “+1”, Teams – “”, Instagram – “”

2. Heart/love

Use for: Expressing warmth, support, or gratitude. When speaking with friends, family, or loved ones, this can also be used in a romantic or congratulatory context. 

Avoid when: Speaking in a work thread, as it may feel too personal or informal; it can also flatten the tone in conflict. 

Cross-app equivalents: Messenger – “”, Slack – “:heart”

3. Laughing/tears of joy

Use for: Lightening the mood or acknowledging a funny joke that someone shared. 

Avoid when: The message isn’t funny or you may accidentally undermine the seriousness of a conversation with its use. 

Cross-app equivalents: Slack – “:joy”, Instagram – “”

4.

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