The New Rules

Exploring the policies, people, and ideas reshaping the global economy

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An illustration showing a bank-vault door branded as bitcoin
Illustration by Jonelle Afurong / The Atlantic. Sources: Tipp Howell / Getty; Francesco Carta Fotografo / Getty.

The Strategic Crypto Swindle

A bitcoin reserve would be a government-backed grift.

Illustration of a man in a suit buried up to his knees in snow
Illustration by Nicolas Ortega

The Job Market Is Frozen

Unemployment is low, but workers aren’t quitting and businesses aren’t hiring. What’s going on?

Red scissors cutting a $100 bill
Illustration by The Atlantic. Source: Getty.

DOGE Is Failing on Its Own Terms

The Trump administration’s cuts to university research grants will make America sicker and poorer in the long run.