Stablecoins as the future, plus a dissection of AMC's options frenzy

Hello and welcome to Insider Investing. I'm Joe Ciolli, and I'm here to guide you through the current market and investing landscape. Here's what's on the docket:

• Bitcoin, which set out to replace cash and credit cards, has proven far too volatile to work as money in the real world - at least so far. We explore why stablecoins could instead become a leading form of currency as investors flock.
• AMC's wild stock odyssey has been driven in no small part by risky options trades that offer huge payouts. Veteran options trader Steve Sosnick tells us how they've contributed to a 2,200% surge this year - and offers his outlook for the stock.
• Keith Parker says buying stocks with strong pricing power is a smart response to rising inflation. He breaks down the 4 different ways investors can employ that investing strategy.

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Have thoughts on the newsletter? Just want to talk markets? Feel free to drop me a line at jciolli@insider.com or on Twitter @JoeCiolli.

Stablecoins as the future of money

Bitcoin, which set out to replace cash and credit cards, has proven far too volatile to work as money in the real world. But a new form of crypto known as stablecoins could become a leading form of currency. Investors are flocking to stablecoins, and governments around the world are creating their own versions.

Read the full story here:

Forget bitcoin and other hypervolatile cryptocurrencies. For everyday transactions, the future of money is stablecoins.

AMC options frenzy

We chatted with Steve Sosnick, an options expert who's also the chief strategist at Interactive Brokers and the head trader at Timber Hill. He broke down 3 potential drivers of AMC's almost 2,500% surge this year, and discussed how long the retail-fueled rally might last amid frenetic options activity.

Read the full story here:

A veteran options trader breaks down 3 potential drivers of AMC's 2,500% surge this year - and shares how long the retail-fueled rally might last

A 4-part inflation playbook

Keith Parker at UBS says investors broadly hedging against rising inflation are missing out. He instead recommends a more proactive approach that involves buying stocks with strong pricing power. Parker breaks down the 4 different ways investors can employ a pricing-power investment strategy.

Read the full story here:

UBS says this 4-part inflation playbook will help investors profit now and in the market's next phase - and shares how to track the threat of higher prices in real time

YOU'RE INVITED: A Millennial Guide to Home Ownership

Join us and learn how to navigate the complicated process of buying a home in today's hot market on Tuesday, June 22 at 12 p.m. ET - during a free, hour-long virtual event presented by Fidelity.

Register here.

Stock pick central

Seeking experts who are willing to name names? Look no further:

• UBS handpicks 7 real estate stocks to own in the post-pandemic world as they benefit from major changes brought on by the ongoing economic reopening
• Goldman Sachs says these 40 popular stocks can be used to play the meme trade as surging retail volumes create huge money-making opportunities for investors who know when to get out
• Credit Suisse says buy these 14 stocks that represent its analysts' highest-conviction picks for June - and that Wall Street is severely underrating
• Jefferies nails down the stock-picking criteria that are helping active fund managers crush their benchmarks this year - and shares 21 names to buy for continued outperformance
• Morningstar lays out the 10 highest-conviction bets being made by US stock-pickers right now - and shares 4 Big Tech names that look cheap
• An award-winning software analyst of nearly 20 years breaks down why these 4 beaten-down stocks are set to soar in the months ahead - including 1 with 163% upside
• The CEO of investment-research firm Fintel shares 20 heavily shorted stocks primed for a squeeze, based on an explorer he built to help retail investors identify opportunities