Market Mondays Episode #287 – Summary & Key Insights

Podcast: Market Mondays
Network: EYL
Episode Title: Crypto Panic, Real Estate Slowdown, 2026 Market Warning Signs & Quarter Zip Movement w/ Jason Gyamfi
Release Date: December 2, 2025

Overview

In Episode 287 of Market Mondays, hosts Rashad Bilal, Troy Millings, and Ian Dunlap (“Ian Troy”) dive deep into the shifting tides of the 2025 financial landscape. The episode covers the recent real estate slowdown, turbulence in crypto markets, critical warning signs for the 2026 market, and the viral “Quarter Zip Movement” with guest Jason Gyamfi. The team dissects investment strategies for "any circumstance," discusses generational wealth-building, and reflects on the future of tech, stocks, and market resilience.

Key Segments & Timestamps

1. Market Recap, Black Friday Spending & Real Estate Crisis
   [08:51–15:40]
2. Trading Tips, Risk-Taking & Emotional Intelligence in Investing
   [15:40–19:00]
3. Tech Stock Analysis: Apple, Google, Nvidia & ETFs
   [20:58–36:47]
4. Crypto Crash: Bitcoin’s Cycle & MicroStrategy’s Gamble
   [36:36–50:00]
5. Business Lessons, Monetization, & The Quarter Zip Movement (Jason Gyamfi Interview)
   [61:22–83:56]
6. Market Warnings: 2026 Signals, Missing Economic Reports & Accumulation Seasons
   [90:30–109:09]
7. Final Segment: Audience Q&A & Investing Lessons
   [109:36–110:53]

1. Market Recap, Black Friday Spending & Real Estate Crisis

[08:51–15:40]

Real Estate Downturn – Alarming Stats

• Rashad highlights a "disturbing" cooling in the US real estate market:
  • 33% of Manhattan condos sold in the past year at a loss ([09:10])
  • 57% of all US homes sold had at least one price cut; average homes on market = 73 days; 70% of listings 60+ days unsold ([09:17])
  • Home value appreciation has essentially stalled, at just 1.3% YoY ([09:49])
  • “People aren’t selling homes…they can’t afford to buy a new one.” – Host 2/Rashad ([13:36])

Key Insights

• Affordability Crisis: The market’s biggest issue is that “people can’t afford to buy houses” ([11:27]), driven by high inflation, stagnating wages, and rising interest rates.
• Lack of Turnover: Homeowners with low 2020–21 mortgage rates aren’t selling: “Why would I get a new home or refinance at 7%? I’ll just stay in the 2%” ([14:04]).
• The Dubai Factor: The exodus of wealth to Dubai is reshaping US real estate; "Dubai has emerged...as the new global wealth hub" ([14:59]).

2. Trading Tips, Risk-Taking & Emotional Intelligence

[15:40–19:00]

Trading Advice

• Ian encourages futures traders to "have less fear and more kahunas."
  • “A target I love is 33 contracts—go for 42 ticks on the S&P 500…over $17k per trade.” ([15:48])
• Emotional intelligence is essential: “How are you reacting when you see your account go down? … Have emotional discipline. When you do your research, have conviction in it.” ([17:27])

Key Quotes

• “You can’t play the 1–4 contract game forever...you’ll miss your window for real money.” – Ian ([16:46])
• “Trust your research, trust what you did…If it draws down 20–40%, get back in.” – Host 1/Troy ([18:41])

3. Tech Stock Analysis: Apple, Google, Nvidia & ETFs

[20:58–36:47]

Apple: Quiet Resurgence

• Apple hits a 52-week high even as the market dips: “The rumors of its decline have been greatly overrated” ([20:58])
• Apple positioned as a new ‘safe haven’ as "no one wants our American debt anymore,” with projected annual returns up to 33% ([21:49–22:48])

Big Tech Themes

• Elon Musk’s Picks: If he invested in stocks, it’d be “Google and Nvidia” – top AI, data, and infrastructure plays ([28:23])
• Data Centers in Space: Google and SpaceX potentially collaborating to power next-generation data infrastructure outside Earth ([32:36])

ETFs: The Power of Broad Tech Exposure

• “$10k in Nvidia 10 years ago: $10.3 million today. But $10k in QQQ is still $43k—ETFs matter!” ([35:14–35:49])

4. Crypto Crash: Bitcoin’s Cycle & MicroStrategy’s Gamble

[36:36–50:00]

Bitcoin Volatility

• “If you love Bitcoin at $100k, why hate it at $86k? If it falls to $74k, you have to love it.”
  • Emphasis on long-term conviction and dollar-cost averaging—don't try to time the bottom ([39:47–41:30])
• Institutional players now dominate market cycles: “When we look at the typical cycle…these aren’t regular cycles anymore” ([43:32])

MicroStrategy’s Exposure

• Recent moves raise red flags: “They raised $1.4B to cover 21 months of interest payments; not confidence-inspiring.” – Host 1 ([47:14–47:58])
• “The price at which you acquire the asset matters more than the asset’s quality.” – Ian ([48:33])
• “Five years from now, it’s either triple or delisted; there’s no middle ground with MicroStrategy” ([46:31])

5. Business Lessons, Monetization, & The Quarter Zip Movement (w/ Jason Gyamfi)

[61:22–83:56]

The Movement

• Viral sensation Jason Gyamfi (21, Bronx) on popularizing the "Quarter Zip” as a symbol of elevated self-presentation, especially for young Black men.
• “When you look good, you feel good, you do good…If you got something, you gotta go with it” ([62:01],[64:13])
• Over 70 million views for his content ([81:40])

Monetizing Virality

• Gyamfi is approached by major brands, cautious of predatory offers: “Don’t let them just give you free merch as your endorsement” – Rashad ([69:24])
• Movement is about “expanding palettes…there’s more to the world than sweatsuits” ([75:18])
• On impact: “It’s cool to do your own thing…prioritizing your education, that’s gonna get you far” ([72:53])
• Gyamfi is invited by the hosts to visit Nvidia’s campus and open an investment account with their guidance ([79:52–80:56])

Community Support & Representation

• “If you really think about it…this [Nvidia tour] would be like walking through Apple 10 years ago.” – Rashad ([56:57])

6. Market Warnings: 2026 Signals, Missing Economic Reports & Accumulation

[90:30–109:09]

Signs of Trouble Ahead

• Missing Job Reports: U.S. Department of Labor cancels October jobs report for the first time in history ([93:44–94:09])
• “When you start lying about the numbers, and now you’re not even reporting the numbers, that’s not a good sign.” – Ian ([96:50])
• Federal Reserve liquidity injections: $13.5B pumped into US banking—a COVID-level move ([60:39])

Investment Guidance for Uncertain Times

• “December’s a window into 2026—expect the first quarter to be great, summer rough, but if you’re holding for five years, it does not matter. Accumulate through the winter.” – Ian ([90:41])
• “Only need 4–6 great stocks to have massive wealth” ([94:48])
• Core advice: Stay faithful to simple strategies. “Don’t swap stocks out because something is ‘cuter’ this year” ([99:37])

7. Final Segment: Audience Q&A & Investing Lessons

[109:36–110:53]

Lessons of the Year

• “The price at which you accumulate the asset matters more than anything…get that cost basis down.” – Ian ([101:27])
• Future Outlook: Continued bullish on AI, memory chips (Micron), and companies benefiting from the American business ecosystem ([102:42–105:19])

Standout Moments & Quotes

• “The market...it returns favors, takes back, shakes out the fakes.” – Host 1/Troy ([03:58])
• “Black Friday spending was at all-time highs, but most of the spending is by wealthy people, not the average person.” – Rashad ([12:00])
• “If you’re entrepreneur, are you better than Tim Cook, Elon Musk?...If you’re not, you have to invest.” – Ian ([29:32])
• “Nothing wrong with the Nike tech…but it did get a little weird for a minute…” – Rashad (on youth fashion, [70:35])
• “If you love it at $100k, you have to love it at $86k.”—Ian, on Bitcoin ([40:09])
• “Support people. That’s a major cheat code to life.” – Rashad ([87:47])
• “They trick us into thinking you have to be a nerd to know how money moves.” – Ian ([36:20])

Actionable Takeaways

• Stay Long-Term Focused: Volatility and short-term weirdness are inevitable—accumulate, dollar-cost average, and commit to the five-to-ten-year horizon.
• Real Estate Patience: High rates and low affordability signal caution, but long-term appreciation in prime markets remains likely.
• Tech Still Dominates: Apple, Nvidia, Google remain the best-in-class for steady compounding wealth; ETFs like QQQ are a powerful alternative for those uncertain about single stocks.
• Community Amplifies Wealth: Support, share, and collaborate—monetize your movement, don’t just let brands “use” you.
• Watch the Signs: Institutional behavior (Fed injections, missing reports), political maneuvers (Fed Chair shakeups), and global debt demand shifts are leading indicators for turbulence.

Jason Gyamfi & Quarter Zip: Cultural and Investment Symbol

Jason’s story is an inspirational highlight: rapid viral fame leveraged into a message of educational attainment, versatility, and empowerment for young Black men. The hosts use the interview to show how influence, branding, and market presence can be as powerful as financial trades—and how community support can create life-changing opportunities (Nvidia tour, venture into investing).

Closing Words

Market Mondays #287 is a masterclass in reading between the lines of economic reports, playing the long game, and leveraging social/cultural capital for generational impact. The episode balances market pragmatism with optimism about wealth-building, technology, and the enduring value of community.

Listen for:

• Real-world examples of compounding, risk management, and strategic confidence.
• Candid breakdowns of current and future economic risks—especially key as the US enters a potentially unprecedented market phase.
• Powerful reminders that the “how” and “when” of investing matter as much as “what” you invest in.

Original Episode Language: Conversational, candid, and often humorous, reinforcing the importance of accessibility and relatability in financial education.