Money Moves Monthly – August 2025: 7 Smart Things You Missed

1. Crypto: Ethereum Breaks $4,000, Sparks Altcoin Rally

What happened: Ethereum surged above $4,000 in August for the first time since December, lifting altcoins across the board.
Simply put: It’s not just Bitcoin anymore; the wider crypto market is alive again.
Lesson: Altseason can mean opportunity, but it also means volatility.
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2. Property: Asking Prices Slip, But Sale Values Keep Rising

What happened: Rightmove reported asking prices down 1.3% in August, yet Halifax stated that actual sale prices increased by 0.3% to a record average of £299,331.
Simply put: Sellers are trimming to tempt buyers, but homes are still selling higher.
Lesson: Buyer leverage exists, but don’t expect a fire sale.
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3. Stocks: FTSE 100 Breaks Records on Mining Mega-Merger

What happened: Anglo American’s $53bn merger with Teck Resources drove the FTSE 100 to close at a record 9,321.40 on 22 August.
Simply put: Mining muscle is pulling the index higher, even as the wider UK economy wobbles.
Lesson: Sectors can drive markets; watch where momentum concentrates.
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4. Forex: Pound Steadies After BoE Split Vote

What happened: The pound held around $1.32 after the Bank of England cut rates to 4% in a split 5–4 vote, while inflation ticked up to 3.8%.
Simply put: Sterling isn’t rallying, but it’s no longer sliding.
Lesson: For businesses or travellers, stable doesn’t mean safe forever; hedging still matters.
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5. Collectables / Art: Fairs Bring Buyers Back

What happened: UBS reports 74% of collectors purchased art at fairs in 2022, rising demand into 2023–25 as in-person events bounce back.
Simply put: Seeing art live is driving confidence again.
Lesson: If you want to collect, attend fairs; they’re where trust and deals happen.
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6. Alternative: Wine Prices Edge Lower, Market Nears a Bottom

What happened: The Liv-ex Fine Wine 100 index slipped 0.3% in August, extending a year of declines, though Bordeaux 2022 remained highly traded.
Simply put: The fine wine bubble is cooling, but classic Bordeaux still shines.
Lesson: Alternatives need patience, pick proven vintages, not hype.
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7. Savings: Millions Face Bigger Tax Bills on Interest

What happened: Nearly 3 million savers will pay more tax on interest this year, averaging £2,300 each, as HMRC claws back on higher rates.
Simply put: High interest rates sound great — until the taxman comes calling.
Lesson: Protect savings with ISAs or tax-efficient accounts.
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