Coinbase Global Inc. is making its initial public offering of stock Wednesday with cryptocurrency chatter seemingly everywhere, even at the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Coinbase made a rousing debut on Wall Street Wednesday, with the digital currency exchange’s rising as high as $429, briefly giving it a market value over $100 billion.

Coinbase Global Inc.‘s initial public offering comes with cryptocurrency chatter seemingly everywhere, even at the U.S. Federal Reserve. Digital currencies are being incorporated into business plans and accepted by major corporations like Tesla, PayPal and Visa.

The San Francisco-based company’s listing on a public stock exchange is seen by some as an inflection point for digital currencies, as Coinbase’s fortunes are closely tied to Bitcoin, the most popular cryptocurrency. Bitcoin’s price has topped $63,000, up from $29,000 at the start of the year, and Coinbase said recently that first-quarter revenue should total around $1.8 billion, exceeding its revenue for all of 2020.

Shares of Coinbase are listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker “COIN,” and were trading around $376 after about 40 minutes of trading, putting its market value around $98.2 billion.

That market value makes Coinbase one of the biggest publicly traded U.S. companies — just 83 companies in the S&P 500 index have market values above $100 billion. Coinbase’s value is greater than the combined market value of Nasdaq Inc., which runs the Nasdaq Stock Market, and Intercontinental Exchange, which owns the New York Stock Exchange.

Founded in 2012, Coinbase became popular among cryptocurrency fans by providing them with an easier way to exchange shares of Bitcoin and other digital currencies.

Coinbase said it had 56 million verified users as of March 31, with 6.1 million making transactions monthly. Trading volume in the first quarter was $335 million.

Coinbase earns 0.5% of the value of every transaction that goes through its system. So if someone buys $100 in Bitcoin, Coinbase earns 50 cents. If Bitcoin or Etherium prices drop, the commissions Coinbase earns drop as well, giving it some exposure to the digital currencies’ rise and fall.

Instead of using a traditional IPO, Coinbase went public through a public listing. That means it avoided the typical agreements with big banks that would buy thousands of shares and promote them. A direct listing allows insiders and early investors to convert their stakes in the company into publicly traded stock.

Other recent direct listings include the music streaming service Spotify in 2018, the messaging service Slack in 2019 and the data-mining company Palantir Technologies in 2020.

Shares of Coinbase should attract investors who want to get into the cryptocurrency space in addition to, or without buying any coins at all, said Lule Demmissie, president of Ally Invest.

“It could also be a less volatile security than the coins themselves,” Demmissie says.

Still, not everyone is buying into the Coinbase hype. David Trainer, CEO of investment research firm New Constructs, said Coinbase has “little-to-no-chance of meeting the future profit expectations that are baked into its ridiculously high valuation.”

Trainer last week put a valuation on Coinbase closer to $18.9 billion, arguing it will face more competition as the cryptocurrency market matures.

However Dan Ives, of Wedbush, sees Coinbase as a window into the future.

“Coinbase is a foundational piece of the crypto ecosystem and is a barometer for the growing mainstream adoption of Bitcoin and crypto for the coming years,” Ives said.

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President Joe Biden announced last week that his administration would publish model legislation in the next 60 days to encourage more states to pass red flag laws.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — President Joe Biden faces an uphill battle as he tries to revive a push for more state laws that would allow authorities to temporarily disarm people who are considered a danger to themselves or others.

The political circumstances surrounding this year’s effort are drastically different than they were three years ago, when state lawmakers, governors of both parties and former President Donald Trump embraced the extreme-risk protection orders after the 2018 mass shooting that killed 17 people at a high school in Parkland, Florida.

Officials in Florida and several other states quickly adopted so-called red flag laws, hailing the court-ordered removal of guns from people judged to be dangerous as a way to prevent suicides, domestic violence and mass shootings. Trump’s commission on school shootings in December 2018 recommended that other states follow suit.

But momentum for the legislation has stalled after intense pushback from gun rights activists, increasing opposition from rank-and-file Republicans and key defeats for Democratic supporters of gun control in the November elections. Critics argue the laws can strip people of their right to bear arms based on unproven accusations, even as evidence mounts that they save lives.

Biden announced last week that his administration would publish model legislation in the next 60 days to encourage more states to pass red flag laws. His administration also is urging Congress to approve legislation giving states incentives to pass them, which could include millions of dollars in grant funding for implementation.

Still, advocates say they do not expect many, if any, of the 31 states without those laws to adopt them this year.

“We are now pushing against somewhat of a wall. The easier targets have been done,” said Josh Horwitz, executive director of the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, which has played a key role in modeling the laws after domestic violence restraining orders. “But we’re in it for the long haul. I’m confident that in 20 years, this will be almost everywhere.”

Horwitz said the laws in many states are still new, and he is working to educate local officials on how to use them. He said a federal grant program to incentivize implementation would be a great step, and he is urging lawmakers not to wait for tragedies to act.

The measures typically allow police and family members to petition courts for civil orders to temporarily strip the gun rights of those who are exhibiting warning signs of violence. Emergency orders that last days can be issued immediately. Judges later determine whether to extend them up to a year, based on evidence presented at a hearing. Respondents can surrender their firearms or have them removed by police, and are barred from purchasing weapons as long as the order remains in effect.

Nineteen states have versions of the laws in place, and research suggests they can reduce suicides and prevent other forms of gun violence. Supporters say they allow people to work through mental health, substance abuse or other crises while unarmed. Thousands of orders have been granted to disarm suicidal, threatening or other unstable people, from California to Connecticut to Florida, although their use has been uneven based on the discretion of local officials.

Bills have been introduced in at least 14 states this year to adopt red flag laws, but have had no success advancing.

“It’s going to be a tougher fight in a lot of the remaining states,” said Allison Anderman, senior counsel with the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

On March 31, a Tennessee House subcommittee voted down a bill sponsored by Democratic Rep. Gloria Johnson, who said the orders were “all about keeping people safe.” Republican Rep. John Gillespie said he worried the law “could be abused very, very quickly” because it would allow ex-spouses to file petitions. Another Republican said it would be worse than doing nothing because police could be put in harm’s way if forced to seize weapons.

Virginia was the last state to adopt the orders a year ago, after Democrats took over the General Assembly.

Biden said states with them have seen drops in suicides and that they can have a “significant effect in protecting women” from violence and disarming would-be mass shooters: “It’s time to put these laws on the books and protect even more people,” Biden said.

Horwitz said states do not need model legislation because that already exists. A research consortium in October published detailed recommendations for adopting the laws, including key provisions such as who can petition for the orders and how long they should last.

He said he was hopeful that more federal money might win over some state lawmakers. Congress is expected to consider creating a grant program that would help states pay for training court officials and police, collecting data, developing procedures and forms, and raising public awareness about the orders.

In Minnesota, the Republican-controlled Senate narrowly retained its majority in the November election after blocking a red flag proposal approved by the Democratic-controlled House and supported by Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat. So far, the Senate hasn’t held a committee hearing on a new bill introduced by Democrats in February.

In New Hampshire, Republican Gov. Chris Sununu vetoed a red flag bill last August, saying it would “weaken the constitutional rights of law-abiding New Hampshire citizens.” With Sununu easily winning reelection and Republicans flipping both houses of the Legislature in the 2020 election, the momentum for the policy is dead.

National Rifle Association spokeswoman Amy Hunter said the state-by-state push has stalled due to “significant public opposition.” She said the laws can deny due process, allow false and malicious claims and do not provide mental health services for those who need them.

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Kmet is an unproven up-and-comer and Graham seems to be winding down his career. After that, the Bears have minimal help at a vital position.

The Bears did what everyone wanted them to do a year ago and used their top draft pick, No. 43 overall, to take the best tight end in the draft in Cole Kmet. They hoped that would solve an ongoing problem, but it’s still unknown whether Kmet will grow into a dependable threat in the passing attack.

They’ll go into this season betting on Kmet taking the next step — tight ends usually need a full season to adapt to the NFL — and 34-year-old Jimmy Graham duplicating the decent production he gave them last season. With limited picks and other more pressing needs, tight end will be on the back burner in the draft.

But the Bears still need somebody, so they’ll probably go fishing in the late rounds for an athletic, pass-catching tight end with the potential to develop into a nice complement to Kmet’s abilities.

Kmet progressed throughout his rookie season, so it’s reasonable to expect that trajectory to continue. After the bye week, he played at least 70% of the snaps every game, though his production was modest. Kmet had just three games with more than two catches and never hit 50 yards receiving in a game. He looks like he’ll be a solid player for the Bears, but might not be the game-changing pass catcher they need.

With the win-or-get-fired scenario general manager Ryan Pace seems to face this season, he’ll be looking to find instant starters in the first three rounds at Nos. 20, 52 and 83 overall. The Bears need help on the offensive line, at cornerback, possibly at wide receiver and could use a safety. And that’s assuming they don’t bite on a quarterback after likely getting shut out in the first round.

That leaves Pace a fifth-rounder and four picks in the sixth to search for a tight end with a selection that’s really geared more toward 2022 and beyond. The best candidates who could be available that late are BYU’s Matt Bushman, Jacksonville State’s Trae Barry and SMU’s Kylen Granson. All of them are long shots at that point and will be long-term investments for the Bears.

TIGHT END

Grading the Bears’ need: Medium to low. Proceeding with Kmet and Graham isn’t a terrible plan for 2021, and it’d be hard to justify taking a tight end early one year after drafting Kmet in the second round. The Bears probably need one more season to see if he truly has the potential to be a big-time receiver. Until then, it’s a smart time to take on a project late in the draft.

On the roster: Cole Kmet, Jimmy Graham, J.P. Holtz, Darion Clark, Jesper Horsted.

The five best prospects: Florida’s Kyle Pitts, Miami’s Brevin Jordan, Notre Dame’s Tommy Tremble, Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth and Boston College’s Hunter Long.

Keep an eye on: BYU’s Matt Bushman. There was a lot of interest in him heading into last season, but he tore his Achilles before it began. That could slide him to the sixth round, which would line up nicely for the Bears at No. 204, 208, 221 or 228. He’s an athletic receiver at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds and had 688 yards and four touchdowns as a junior.

Close to home: Notre Dame’s Tommy Tremble had a modest college career, but has shot up draft boards lately thanks to a strong pro day in which he clocked a 4.59 in the 40-yard dash — exceptional for a tight end.

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The second-degree manslaughter charge against former Brooklyn Center police Officer Kim Potter was filed three days after Daunte Wright was killed during a traffic stop.

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. — A prosecutor said Wednesday that he charged a white former suburban Minneapolis police officer with second-degree manslaughter for killing 20-year-old Black motorist Daunte Wright in a shooting that ignited days of unrest and clashes between protesters and police.

The charge against former Brooklyn Center police Officer Kim Potter was filed Wednesday, three days after Wright was killed during a traffic stop and as the nearby murder trial progresses for the ex-officer charged with killing George Floyd last May, Washington County Attorney Pete Orput said.

The former Brooklyn Center police chief has said that Potter, a 26-year veteran and training officer, intended to use her Taser on Wright but fired her handgun instead. However, protesters and Wright’s family members say there’s no excuse for the shooting and that it shows how the justice system is tilted against Blacks, noting Wright was stopped for expired car registration and ended up dead.

“Certain occupations carry an immense responsibility and none more so than a sworn police officer,” Imran Ali, Washington County assistant criminal division chief, said in a statement announcing the charge. “(Potter’s) action caused the unlawful killing of Mr. Wright and she must be held accountable.”

Ali said he and Orput met with Wright’s family and assured them that no resources would be spared in prosecuting the case.

Intent isn’t a necessary component of second-degree manslaughter in Minnesota. The charge — which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison — can be applied in circumstances where a person is suspected of causing a death by “culpable negligence” that creates an unreasonable risk or consciously takes chances to cause the death of a person.

Potter, 48, was arrested Wednesday morning at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in St. Paul. Her attorney did not immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press.

Potter and Police Chief Tim Gannon both resigned Tuesday.

Concrete barricades and tall metal fencing had been set up around Potter’s home in Champlin, north of Brooklyn Center, with police cars guarding the driveway. After Floyd’s death last year, protesters demonstrated several times at the home of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis officer now on trial in Floyd’s death.

AP

Police say Wright was pulled over for expired tags on Sunday, but they sought to arrest him after discovering he had an outstanding warrant. The warrant was for his failure to appear in court on charges that he fled from officers and possessed a gun without a permit during an encounter with Minneapolis police in June.

Body camera video that Gannon released Monday shows Potter approaching Wright as he stands outside of his car as another officer is arresting him.

As Wright struggles with police, Potter shouts, “I’ll Tase you! I’ll Tase you! Taser! Taser! Taser!” before firing a single shot from a handgun in her right hand.

The news release announcing the charge noted that Potter holstered her handgun on the right side and her Taser on the left. The handles of each weapon faced to Potter’s rear. The Taser is yellow with a black grip and would require Potter to remove it from her holster with her left hand, the county attorney’s statement said.

Wright family attorney Ben Crump said the family appreciates the criminal case, but he again disputed that the shooting was accidental, arguing that an experienced officer knows the difference between a Taser and a handgun.

“Kim Potter executed Daunte for what amounts to no more than a minor traffic infraction and a misdemeanor warrant,” he said.

Experts say cases of officers mistakenly firing their gun instead of a Taser are rare, usually less than once a year nationwide.

Transit officer Johannes Mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to two years in prison after responding to a fight at a train station in Oakland, California, killing 22-year-old Oscar Grant in 2009. Mehserle testified at trial that he mistakenly pulled his .40-caliber handgun instead of his stun gun.

In Oklahoma, a white volunteer sheriff’s deputy for Tulsa County, Robert Bates, was convicted of second-degree manslaughter after accidentally firing his handgun when he meant to deploy his stun gun on Eric Harris, a Black man who was being held down by other officers in 2015.

Potter was an instructor with Brooklyn Center police, according to the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association. She was training two other officers when they stopped Wright, the association’s leader, Brian Peters, told the Star Tribune.

On Tuesday night, hundreds of demonstrators again gathered at Brooklyn Center’s heavily guarded police headquarters, now ringed by concrete barriers and a tall metal fence, and where police in riot gear and National Guard soldiers stood watch.

About 90 minutes before a 10 p.m. curfew, state police announced over a loudspeaker that the gathering had been declared unlawful and ordered the crowds to disperse. Protesters launched fireworks toward the station and threw objects at officers, who launched flashbangs and gas grenades, then marched in a line to force back the crowd. The number of protesters plummeted over the next hour, until only a few remained. Police also ordered all media to leave.

Brooklyn Center, a suburb just north of Minneapolis, has seen its racial demographics shift dramatically in recent years. In 2000, more than 70% of the city was white. Today, a majority of residents are Black, Asian or Hispanic.

Mayor Mike Elliot t said Tuesday that he didn’t have at hand information on the police force’s racial diversity but that “we have very few people of color in our department.”

___

Bauer contributed from Madison, Wisconsin. Associated Press writers Doug Glass and Mohamed Ibrahim in Minneapolis; Tim Sullivan in Brooklyn Center; and Stephen Groves in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, contributed to this report.

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The Chicago Bulls defense is costing them games and it could consequentially leave them out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. It’s no question that the Bulls’ defense is bad. This season, they are the 20th ranked defense in the NBA — allowing 113.5 points per game. But, how bad is it? Take the Bulls’ […]

The Chicago Bulls Defense: A breakdown of mishaps and fixes – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & More

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Authorities had considered for months whether criminal charges were appropriate for the Capitol Police officer who fatally shot Ashli Babbitt. The Justice Department’s decision, though expected, officially closes out the investigation.

WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors will not charge a police officer who shot and killed a woman as she climbed through the broken part of a door during the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

Authorities had considered for months whether criminal charges were appropriate for the Capitol Police officer who fatally shot Ashli Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran from San Diego. The Justice Department’s decision, though expected, officially closes out the investigation.

Prosecutors said they had reviewed video of the shooting, along with statements from the officer involved and other officers and witnesses, examined physical evidence from the scene and reviewed the autopsy results.

“Based on that investigation, officials determined that there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution,” the department said in a statement.

Video clips posted online depict Babbitt, wearing a stars and stripes backpack, stepping up and beginning to go through the waist-high opening of an area of the Capitol known as the Speaker’s Lobby when a gunshot is heard. She falls backward. Another video shows other unidentified people attempting to lift Babbitt up. She can be seen slumping back to the ground.

Prosecutors said Babbitt was part of the mob that was trying to get into the House as Capitol Police officers were evacuating members of Congress from the chamber. The officers used furniture to try to barricade the glass doors separating the hallway from the Speaker’s Lobby to try to stave off the rioters, who kept trying to break through those doors, smashing the glass with flagpoles, helmets and other objects.

At the same time, Babbitt tried climbing through one of the doors where the glass was broken out. A Capitol Police officer inside the Speaker’s Lobby then fired a single round from his service weapon, striking Babbitt in the shoulder, prosecutors said.

She fell to the ground before a police tactical team rushed into the area and gave first aid. Babbitt was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Babbitt is one of five people who died in or outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, including a police officer. Three other people died of medical emergencies.

The Justice Department does not bring criminal charges in most police shootings it investigates in part because of the high burden for prosecution. Criminal charges were not expected in this case because videos of the shooting show Babbitt encroaching into a prohibited space, and second-guessing the actions of an officer during the violent and chaotic day would have been a challenge.

“Specifically, the investigation revealed no evidence to establish that, at the time the officer fired a single shot at Ms. Babbitt, the officer did not reasonably believe that it was necessary to do so in self-defense or in defense of the Members of Congress and others evacuating the House Chamber,” prosecutors said.

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The survey of Chicago Fire Department personnel included 45 women, and 28 of them — 62% — reported being sexually harassed.

The Chicago Fire Department has a long and documented history of discrimination and racial hijinks that has triggered a parade of lawsuits, multi-million-dollar settlements, policy changes and back pay.

To this day, CFD is 90% male and 66% white with an entrenched culture that can be openly hostile to Blacks, Hispanics and women.

On Wednesday, Inspector General Joe Ferguson shined a glaring spotlight on the white male bastion of city government and demanded immediate changes — in policy, training and protecting from retaliation firefighters and paramedics who complain about sexual and racial discrimination.

The audit was accompanied by a survey that showed that 73 of all 285 respondents, both male and female — that’s 26% — reported having experienced sexual harassment “at least once” at CFD.

Even more troubling was the rate of sexual harassment of women. There were 45 female survey respondents, and 28 of them — 62% — reported being sexually harassed at CFD.

The harassment included sexually suggestive remarks, open display of sexually suggestive material, aggressive leering or staring.

“Firefighters and paramedics live together while on duty, spend 24-hour shifts with each other and work in a high-risk, high-stress environment where their lives and the lives of others depend on members’ cooperation and mutual trust. These conditions require a thoughtful and tailored approach that goes beyond adoption of the blanket policy that covers all city employees,” Ferguson was quoted as saying.

“We recommend that the department address these challenges sooner rather than later and make a firm commitment to improving workplace conditions and culture.”

Ferguson acknowledged existing CFD policies comply with federal, state and local laws. But he branded the policies, complaint process and training used to enforce and promote those policies “insufficient to meet the environmental challenges” posed by the department’s “command-and-control-service operations.”

He also concluded the department’s culture and workplace environment “may make some members vulnerable to discrimination and/or sexual harassment.”

The audit also showed CFD’s process for scheduling interviews with members who made formal complaints “placed them at risk of retaliation and potentially discouraged them from reporting misconduct.”

To change the culture, Ferguson proposed:

• Training for all 5,000 CFD employees “tailored specifically to CFD’s unique workplace environment.”

• Written guidance and training to Internal Affairs staffers on how to handle complaints of discrimination and sexual harassment in a “trauma-informed manner.”

• Appointing a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer.

• Developing a specific strategy to protect reporting members and victim from potential retaliation.

The Fire Department responded with a promise to create written guidelines, increase training and work to create the new position in the 2022 budget.

But CFD argued that developing a “strategic approach” to the issues highlighted in the audit would have to wait until a new fire commissioner is appointed to replace now-retired Fire Commissioner Richard C. Ford II.

The survey results were troubling, but not surprising given the department’s recent history of discrimination.

In 2013, Chicago spent nearly $2 million — and $1.7 million more in legal fees — to compensate dozens of women denied firefighter jobs because of a discriminatory test of upper body strength that City Hall has now scrapped.

Three years later, a dozen women accused the Chicago Fire Department of devising two new physical agility tests that were equally biased against women.

In 2014, a payroll auditor for CFD filed a federal lawsuit against the city — armed with a finding of discrimination by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that upheld her sexual harassment charge against former Fire Commissioner John Brooks.

Four years later, five female paramedics filed a federal lawsuit accusing their superiors of sexual harassment and alleging the fire department “directly encourages” the illegal behavior by failing to “discipline, supervise and control” its officers.”

Allegations of sexual discrimination also forced CFD change its policy impacting pregnant employees and nursing mothers.

Even with that history, quotes attributed to survey respondents were troubling.

One female employee complained: “Women are treated like garbage. Period. I see it every single day at work and this survey is going to get buried and nothing will get done.”

Another respondent wrote: “It is tough on this job being a minority, especially when there are some in ranks who have influence on discipline and day-to-day operations that show their discriminatory actions in a subtle manner.

One respondent reported being forced to endure “racist photos and language at predominately white” firehouses.

“Early on in my career, I had a lieutenant who would call me … crybaby minority. On other occasions I was called the affirmative action employee. Countless times have I heard the N-word,” the respondent said.

Also in the report: instances of men relieving themselves with the door open; sleeping arrangements where women were sent to undesirable areas of the firehouse; and a refusal to assist with equipment and moving victims.

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He can do things with a basketball that very few people on the planet can do. And yet the answer to the question is that it’s hard to know if he’s what ails the team.

Most of us are pretty good at suppressing our natural tendency toward greed. We might covet our neighbor’s five-bedroom, five-bathroom house, the one with the indoor basketball court and the bowling alley, which are a nice touch, but not as nice as the state-of-the-art kitchen and the 20-seat theater, both of them great places to be if you’re not outside at the private lake. But we realize we’re better than that. Much, much better than that. We look around at what we have and know it’s enough.

Except when it comes to sports. We always want more. And by that I mean, really, Bulls? This is all there is?

Heading into their game against Orlando on Wednesday night, the Bulls had gone 3-7 since the blockbuster trade that brought them All-Star center Nikola Vučević. I’m not here to argue that they were dumb to give up Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr. and two draft picks for Vučević and Al-Farouq Aminu. Or that they were silly to move Daniel Gafford and Chandler Hutchison to the Wizards for Troy Brown Jr. and Moe Wagner, whom they immediately shipped to the Celtics for Daniel Theis.

It was clear that the previous version of the Bulls wasn’t going to work.

But this is the version we get? Really?

This is a franchise that makes you come back for more of the same. You keep pounding your hand on the bottom of the ketchup bottle and nothing comes out. You stick a dinner knife in its mouth to loosen things up. Still nothing. That’s how this feels.

If the Bulls were really serious about dramatic change to their roster and their so-called culture, they should have traded Zach LaVine. Former vice president John Paxson and general manager Gar Forman couldn’t build around LaVine, and the small sample size of the past 10 games sends a shiver up the spine that current VP Arturas Karnišovas — or anyone — might not be able to build around him, either.

Is LaVine the problem? It’s hard to ask that about someone so talented. He can do things with a basketball that very few people on the planet can do. And yet the answer to the question is that I don’t know. I don’t know if he’s what ails the Bulls. That’s where the selfish part of me kicks in, the part that would love to know if another team can win with him as a major player. He’s a wonderful one-on-one player, so mesmerizing at times that people have been known to stop and stare. The problem is that some of those people are his supporting cast.

He’s more than a little like James Harden in that regard, another supremely talented player whose game might not be suited to winning basketball. If Harden can’t win a championship with fellow Nets superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving this season, he can’t win a championship.

LaVine hasn’t played on teams as talented as Brooklyn is, not even close, and it feels a little unfair to make him the center of our discussion. But you watch him play and something doesn’t feel right. That’s not analytics. That’s not even the eye test. It’s the feel test, and it’s admittedly vague.

And with Lauri Markkanen still in the throes of a two-year floundering, it might seem like we’re taking aim at the wrong person. I’d argue that we’ve simply given up on Markkanen, to the point that while trying to diagnose what’s wrong with the team, he doesn’t even register.

So maybe Karnišovas should have started over and gotten some big-time draft picks or big-time players or both in exchange for LaVine. It would have been asking a lot from a fan base that already has been through a rebuild. But do these pieces fit? And what’s the hope for the future?

There’s still a lot of time for the latest model of the Bulls to blossom, but remember those heady days – all of three weeks ago – when Karnišovas’ bold moves were going to make the team an instant postseason contender? The Bulls are 11^th in the conference playoff picture, three teams behind for the final spot.

Vučević will get his 25 points and 10 rebounds a night, and LaVine will get his 25, 5 and 5. But can they play together? And can everybody else on the roster play with them?

We spent an inordinate amount of time this season fretting over whether LaVine would take his rightful place on the Eastern Conference All-Star team. He eventually did, but the navel-gazing summed up the state of the Bulls. Still does. All eyes are on their star and, meanwhile, try not to pay attention to a team that can lose to any team on any given night.

LaVine scored 50 points in a recent loss, 39 in the first half, a reminder of just how gifted he is. And, yet, we want something else. We want more. More, as in victories. We’re greedy that way.

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There are few things in this world better than Summertime Chicago, and a huge contributor to that is the city’s vast selection of outdoor patio and rooftop dining options. As the weather turns from spring, to fake summer, back to spring, to official summer, more and more of your favorite rooftop and patio dining establishments are opening their doors again to welcome back customers. With that being said, you need to know where to go. And UrbanMatter has you covered. Here are just a few of the hottest Chicagoland patios, rooftop decks and outdoor dining spaces set to re-open for business in 2021.

Offshore

The world’s largest rooftop deck and one of Chicago’s most exciting hotspots located at Navy Pier is reopening their doors to the public on Thursday, April 22. Boasting over 56,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space with spectacular views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan, this year-round rooftop destination will again offer locals a truly unique opportunity to enjoy Chicago’s upcoming warm months, safely. Signature, Instagrammable drinks include a lychee-style cocktail, a fruit-forward cocktail served in a bag, and much more. Parking for Offshore is available in the East Garage located on the North Dock of Navy Pier. For more information, please visit www.drinkoffshore.com.

Kennedy Rooftop

Located at 1551 W. North Ave., the Kennedy Rooftop is currently serving up specialty drinks and delicious dishes Thursday through Sunday on their spacious deck in Wicker Park. Known for iconic views of the complete city skyline from the John Hancock to the Willis Tower, Kennedy Rooftop is open Thursday from 5 pm -9 pm, Friday/Saturday 4 pm -10 pm and Sunday for Brunch from 11 am – 4 pm. Seating is first come, first served. For more information, please visit www.kennedyrooftop.com.

City Cruises

Hornblower Group, a global leader in world-class experiences and transportation, announced today the launch of its Chicago cruising operations as City Cruises under City Experiences, the new brand name for the company’s water- and land-based portfolio of offerings. Locals and travelers alike are invited back on City Cruises’ luxurious yachts including the Odyssey Lake Michigan, Spirit of Chicago, Chicago Elite, and their newest vessel to join the fleet, Odyssey Chicago River, to enjoy specialty curated cocktails and cuisines, all while taking in the unmatched views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline from the Chicago River. City Cruises offers plated brunch and dinner cruises featuring delicious cuisine alongside a sophisticated selection of award-winning wines, craft beers and specialty cocktails, all while enjoying the spectacular views of Chicago and Lake Michigan.  Cruise prices start from $86.90 for brunch or $99.90 for dinner (prices per person, excl. fees & taxes).

Geja’s Café

The renowned “Restaurant of Romance” located at 340 W. Armitage, is open for indoor dine in service as well as outside on their patio under their Pergolas seven days a week. Reservations are very limited outside on their recently installed Pergolas, and can be made by calling 773-281-9101 or clicking here.

Replay Lincoln Park

Chicago’s favorite pop-up bar, Replay Lincoln Park, 2833 N. Sheffield, is bringing back its fan favorite pop-up so everyone can celebrate with their favorite coworkers at “Dunder Mifflin”. As we wrote this week, the wildly popular ‘Back to The Office’ pop-up will return beginning Friday, April 9, and run through Sunday, May 16. Replay Lincoln Park will transform all 9,000 square feet of their space, including their outdoor patio, into iconic spots inspired by the show, and will offer an exclusive selection of Michael Scott-inspired cocktails and a themed food menu for guests to indulge in during their experience. Tickets are now available, and reservations are highly encouraged. Covid-19 restrictions will be practiced and protocols will be strictly observed to ensure the safety of patrons and employees. Replay Lincoln Park invites guests for great fun from 5 p.m. – 2 a.m. Monday – Thursday, Friday 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., 12 p.m. – 3 a.m. Saturday, and 12 p.m. – 2 a.m. Sunday. For more information, please visit https://replaylincolnpark.com.

Thorn Restaurant & Lounge

Led by Executive Chef Nicholas Malloy, Thorn Restaurant & Lounge,  located in The Rose Hotel Chicago O’Hare, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton and closest off-airport hotel to O’Hare, offers hotel guests and patrons alike a chic oasis for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as brunch and late-night cocktails, and includes comfort food favorites, signature Rose items, and Chef’s daily specials. For the upcoming holiday, Thorn will be offering an exclusive Mother’s Day High Tea on Sunday, May 9 with two seating’s available at 11 a.m., and 2 p.m. which includes complimentary parking, live music from Dina Bach, and a curated menu to set the scene of an elevated high tea. The Thorn lounge features plush, comfortable seating areas for those looking to dine in, as well as a patio area for those interested in sitting outside. They can also accommodate various social gatherings, family functions, upcoming meetings, and more. For more information visit thornrestaurant.com or call 847-260-4774.

Water’s Edge

Water’s Edge, located within The Hyatt Lodge, 2815 Jorie Boulevard in Oakbrook, offers upscale café items including fresh, innovative salads, classic sandwiches, soups and entrees for both breakfast and lunch. Guests also have the opportunity to experience complete relaxation in the Hearth Lounge’s intimate, cozy atmosphere. During the summer months, guests can enjoy meals al fresco on the relaxing and serene patio. Hearth Lounge’s menu includes superb cocktails as well as gourmet soups and sandwiches, fresh salads, hearty appetizers and delicious desserts. Both venues boast gorgeous views of the property’s private lakes and pristine landscaping restaurant and Hearth Lounge are the perfect place to sip cocktails or enjoy lunch and dinner. Patrons can also opt to book Hyatt’s Lakeside Private Parties which can cater to up to 40 guests. For more information, please call 630-568-1234 or visit their website by clicking here.

Fulton Market Kitchen

With new Executive Chef, Jonathan Harootunian, Fulton Market Kitchen is set to reopen with a brand-new menu on April 8. Located in the vibrant Fulton Market District, guests can enjoy either outdoor or indoor dining at the part restaurant part art gallery crossover, and try 4-Star Rated Chef Harootunian’s seasonal menu, in addition to locally-sourced cocktails. Chef Harootunian’s focus is to provide a variety of refined, seasonal dishes utilizing ingredients sourced from regional farms, local markets and neighbors along Fulton Market Street. Located at 311 N. Sangamon, FMK is open Thursday through Sunday, and offers a delicious brunch menu on the weekends. To learn more about FMK or to make a reservation, please visit www.fultonmarketkitchen.com.

Pacino’s

Sicily meets South Loop, the authentic Italian eatery located within Roosevelt Collection Shops at 1010 S. Delano Ct. Led by Executive Chef Michael Serratore, Pacino’s offers a wide range of classically-inspired antipasti, pizza, salads, seafood, fresh pastas and more. Enjoy signature cocktails or a glass of vino at the full bar indoors or pull up a seat under the outdoor pergola for an amazing outdoor dining experience. Pacino’s is open for dinner Tuesday-Sunday from 5 pm-10 pm. To make a reservation or place an order, diners can visit their website.

AIRE

Known as one of the hottest rooftop spots in Chicago, AIRE features 360-views from the 24^th floor of Hyatt Centric the Loop Chicago. This rooftop deck serves as the perfect urban atmosphere for both Chicago residents and tourists alike to enjoy. AIRE has made its mark on the Chicago dining and drinking scene. The regular food menu at AIRE carries an array of flatbreads, appetizers, and salads. The beverage program at AIRE serves up a variety of specialty- crafted cocktails, craft beer, draft beer, and wine. This outdoor area features fire pits, cabanas, couches and an outdoor bar with an unmatched urban feel. AIRE is open Monday – Wednesday 3:30 p.m. – 11 p.m., Thursday – Saturday 3:30 p.m. – 12 a.m, Sunday – Closed. To learn more please visit their website.

Featured Image Credit: Offshore

The post Chicagoland’s Hottest Rooftops, Bars, and Restaurants Reopen Just in Time for Patio Season appeared first on UrbanMatter.

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Wall Street is still waiting on the first trade for Coinbase, as the digital currency exchange makes its highly-anticipated debut on the stock market.

Coinbase Global Inc. is making its initial public offering of stock Wednesday with cryptocurrency chatter seemingly everywhere, even at the U.S. Federal Reserve. Digital currencies are being incorporated into business plans and accepted by major corporations like Tesla, PayPal and Visa.

“The Coinbase IPO is potentially a watershed event for the crypto industry and will be something the Street will be laser focused on to gauge investor appetite,'” Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives wrote this week.

There were 43 million verified Coinbase users in 2020, with 2.8 million making transactions monthly. Its revenue more than doubled to $1.14 billion last year and the company swung to a profit of $322.3 million after losing tens of millions in 2019. It recently estimated that revenue rose to $1.8 billion and net income increased to between $730 million and $800 million in the first quarter of 2021.

Coinbase’s fortunes are closely tied to Bitcoin, the biggest digital currency, and Etherium, another popular cryptocurrency. That relationship has been very positive lately: Bitcoin soared above $63,000 on Tuesday after starting the year around $29,000.

Coinbase earns 0.5% of the value of every transaction that goes through its system. So if someone buys $100 in Bitcoin, Coinbase earns 50 cents. If Bitcoin or Etherium prices drop, the commissions Coinbase earns drop as well, giving it some exposure to the digital currencies’ rise and fall.

In some ways, Coinbase may be dealing with seemingly exotic assets but it’s business model is particularly vanilla.

An organization that deals in cryptocurrency, which is often used as away around institutional monetary systems and control, is an odd fit for a publicly traded company, which must file quarterly reports with regulators.

However, when Coinbase filed papers with U.S. regulators this year to go public, it said it would do so through a direct listing. That means it has avoided the typical agreements with big banks that would typically buy thousands of shares and promote them.

A direct listing allows insiders and early investors to convert their stakes in the company into publicly traded stock, which will hit the market Wednesday with no set price, as is the norm when an IPO is handled by big banks.

That could mean wild price swings when the stock starts trading. This week, Nasdaq gave the company’s stock a $250 reference price. That is unlikely to stick.

Other recent direct listings include the music streaming service Spotify in 2018, the messaging service Slack in 2019 and the data-mining company Palantir Technologies in 2020.

Shares of Coinbase, which will be traded on the Nasdaq under the ticker “COIN,’ will attract investors who want to get into the cryptocurrency space in addition to, or without buying any coins at all, said Lule Demmissie, president of Ally Invest.

“It could also be a less volatile security than the coins themselves,” Demmissie says.

Some Wall Street analysts project that Coinbase Global Inc. could be valued at $100 billion, based on private transactions of its shares.

That would make it one of the top 100 biggest publicly traded U.S. companies and far larger than Nasdaq Inc., which runs the Nasdaq Stock Market, and Intercontinental Exchange, which owns the New York Stock Exchange.

Still, not everyone is buying into the Coinbase hype. David Trainer, CEO of investment research firm New Constructs, said Coinbase has “little-to-no-chance of meeting the future profit expectations that are baked into its ridiculously high valuation.”

Trainer last week put a valuation on Coinbase closer to $18.9 billion, arguing it will face more competition as the cryptocurrency market matures.

However Ives, of Wedbush, sees Coinbase as a window into the future.

“Coinbase is a foundational piece of the crypto ecosystem and is a barometer for the growing mainstream adoption of Bitcoin and crypto for the coming years,” Ives said.

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