CoinTalk

Ready to learn more about trading strategies and crypto fundamentals? Check out BYDFi for expert guidance on navigating the world of digital assets.

This credit is designed to appeal to streaming fans in the U.S., where services like Hulu, Disney+, and Peacock dominate entertainment. With the rise of cord-cutting and the increasing cost of streaming subscriptions, this perk can significantly offset the Platinum card’s hefty annual fee, making it a game-changer for savvy cardholders.

Which Streaming Services Does Amex Platinum Cover?

One of the most common questions is, “What streaming services does Amex Platinum cover?” The Amex digital entertainment credit applies to a curated list of services, but it’s not an open-ended benefit for all streaming platforms. Here’s the current lineup of eligible services as of July 2025:

1- Disney+: Perfect for Marvel, Star Wars, and family-friendly content.

2- Hulu: Offers award-winning originals like The Bear and Only Murders in the Building.

3- ESPN+: Ideal for sports fans craving live events and exclusive shows.

4- The Disney Bundle: Combines Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for maximum value.

5- Peacock: NBC’s streaming service with sitcoms, live sports, and movies.

6- The New York Times: Includes news, recipes, and games like Wordle.

7- The Wall Street Journal: Offers business news, audio articles, and puzzles.

Important Note: Does Amex Platinum cover Netflix? Unfortunately, Netflix is not currently eligible for the Amex Platinum streaming credit. Similarly, services like Spotify, HBO Max (Max), and Apple Music are not covered unless added through an eligible platform like Hulu. This limitation frustrates some cardholders, but there are workarounds we’ll explore later.

How to Use the Amex Digital Entertainment Credit: A Step-by-Step Guide

Wondering how to use the Amex digital entertainment credit? It’s straightforward but requires a few key steps to ensure you get the full $20 monthly credit. Follow this guide to avoid missing out:

1- Enroll Your Card: Log in to your American Express account online or via the Amex app. Navigate to the “Rewards & Benefits” section, find the $240 Digital Entertainment Credit, and click “Get Started” to enroll. Missing this step means no credits, so don’t skip it

2- Choose Eligible Services: Select one or more of the approved services (e.g., Hulu, Disney+, or The New York Times). Ensure you subscribe directly through the provider’s website (e.g., disneyplus.com or hulu.com), not via third parties like Apple or Amazon, as those won’t trigger the credit.

3- Pay with Your Amex Platinum: Set your Platinum Card as the payment method for your subscription. The credit applies to monthly recurring charges, not annual subscriptions or gift cards.

4- Monitor Your Statement: Credits typically appear within a few business days but can take up to 6–8 weeks. Check your Amex statement to confirm the $20 credit posts correctly.

Pro Tip: To maximize the credit, aim for subscriptions totaling close to $20 per month. For example, the Disney Bundle Duo Premium Disney+ and Hulu, no ads) costs $19.99, nearly fully utilizing the credit with minimal out-of-pocket cost.

Maximizing Your Amex Platinum Streaming Credit: Insider Tips

To get the most value from the Amex streaming credit, you need to be strategic. Here are expert tips to stretch your $20 monthly credit:

1. Opt for the Disney Bundle for Maximum Value

The Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+) is a top choice for many cardholders. The Duo Premium Bundle ($19.99/month, ad-free Disney+ and Hulu) fully utilizes the $20 credit, leaving you with just pennies in taxes out of pocket. If you’re a sports fan, the Trio Basic Bundle ($14.99/month, with ads) leaves room to stack another service like Peacock Premium ($7.99/month).

2- Stack Services for Households with Multiple Platinum Cards

If you and a partner have separate Amex Platinum cards, you can double up on credits. For example:

1- Card 1: Disney Bundle Duo Basic ($12.99) + Peacock Premium ($7.99) = $20.98

2- Card 2: The New York Times ($4/month, promotional rate) + The Wall Street Journal ($4/month, promotional rate) = $8, leaving room for another service.

3. Take Advantage of Promotional Rates

Services like Hulu and The New York Times often offer Black Friday or holiday discounts. For instance, Hulu has offered $1.99/month (with ads) during sales, allowing you to stack additional services like Max (billed through Hulu) to stay under the $20 cap.

4. Add Premium Add-Ons Through Hulu

While Max isn’t directly eligible, you can add it as a Hulu add-on ($15.99/month). This charges through Hulu, qualifying for the credit. For example:

1- Hulu (with ads, $7.99) + Max ($15.99) = $23.98, with $20 credited back, leaving just $3.98 out of pocket. Avoid Common Pitfalls

2- Don’t Use Third-Party Billing: Subscriptions through Apple, Amazon, or T-Mobile won’t qualify.

3- Skip Gift Cards: Purchases like Disney+ or Hulu gift cards don’t trigger the credit.

4- Check Tax Implications: Some states add sales tax, which isn’t covered by the credit, so factor this into your budget.

Does Amex Platinum Cover Netflix? Exploring Workarounds

The absence of Netflix as an eligible service is a pain point for many cardholders, especially since it’s one of the most popular streaming platforms in the U.S. While Netflix isn’t covered directly, here are some alternatives to maximize your streaming budget:

Use Another Card for Netflix: The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers 6% cash back on select streaming services, including Netflix, making it a great complement to the Platinum card.

Leverage Other Perks: If you have a T-Mobile plan or other carrier benefits, you may get Netflix for free, freeing up your Amex credit for Hulu or Disney+.

Evaluate Your Subscriptions: If you’re set on Netflix, consider whether you can swap it for a covered service like Hulu, especially if you’re already paying for multiple platforms.

Is the Amex Platinum Streaming Credit Worth It?

The Amex Platinum streaming credit is a fantastic perk if you already subscribe to eligible services or are open to trying them. For U.S. cardholders, the $240 annual credit can nearly offset a third of the card’s $695 annual fee, especially when paired with other perks like the $200 Uber credit or $200 airline fee credit. However, the credit’s value depends on your habits:

1- Streaming Enthusiasts: If you love Hulu, Disney+, or ESPN+, this credit is a no-brainer.

2- News Buffs: Subscriptions to The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal make this perk valuable for professionals or avid readers.

3- Minimal Streamers: If you only use Netflix or Spotify, you may struggle to use the full $20 monthly credit, reducing its value.

Final Thoughts: Make the Amex Platinum Streaming Credit Work for You

The Amex Platinum streaming credit is a powerful tool to save on entertainment, but it requires strategic planning to maximize. By enrolling your card, choosing the right services like the Disney Bundle or Hulu, and stacking promotional offers, you can enjoy premium streaming and news subscriptions for nearly free. While it’s disappointing that Netflix isn’t covered, creative workarounds like Hulu add-ons or complementary cards like the Blue Cash Preferred can fill the gap.

Introduction: The Mystery of China’s Bitcoin Stance

Late at night, scrolling through X or crypto forums, you’ve likely seen heated debates about China’s grip on Bitcoin. From dominating mining to imposing sweeping bans, China’s actions ripple across the global crypto market, leaving traders and enthusiasts wondering: Why does China keep banning Bitcoin, and what does it mean for your investments? Whether you’re a newbie in the U.S. or a seasoned trader in Singapore, understanding China’s complex relationship with Bitcoin is key to navigating the crypto rollercoaster. Let’s dive into this saga, tracing China’s moves and their impact on the world’s top cryptocurrency.

The Story: From Mining Giant to Crypto Crackdowns

Picture the early 2010s: China is the heart of Bitcoin’s universe. Its cheap electricity and tech prowess make it a mining powerhouse, controlling over 70% of the global hash rate by 2017. Chinese investors and miners amass hundreds of thousands of BTC, fueling speculation about massive reserves. But the government, wary of fraud and capital flight, starts tightening the screws. In 2013, it bans financial institutions from handling Bitcoin. By 2017, crypto exchanges face shutdowns. The 2021 ban is the big one—outlawing mining and trading entirely. Miners flee to the U.S., Kazakhstan, and beyond, slashing China’s hash rate share to under 20%. Bitcoin’s price swings wildly, dropping 30% after the 2021 crackdown, shaking global markets.

Fast forward to May 2025: China’s stance hasn’t softened. The government’s focus is on the digital yuan, its central bank digital currency (CBDC), which offers control that decentralized Bitcoin can’t. While some local governments dabble in blockchain for supply chains, Bitcoin trading and mining remain banned. Rumors of an unbanning swirl on X, but no official moves suggest a policy shift. China’s Bitcoin holdings, though hard to pin down, likely remain substantial, tied to relocated miners and private investors. The saga continues to spark volatility—when China sneezes, the crypto market catches a cold.

The Resolution: Lessons from China’s Bitcoin Grip

China’s journey with Bitcoin teaches us its outsized influence. Its bans reshaped mining, pushing it global and boosting decentralization, but also triggered price dips that savvy traders capitalized on. The focus on the digital yuan signals that decentralized cryptos like Bitcoin may stay sidelined, keeping markets on edge. For investors, China’s moves highlight the need to stay agile—watching policy news can help you anticipate price swings or mining shifts. Whether you’re trading in permissive markets like the U.S. or navigating restrictions elsewhere, understanding China’s role is a strategic edge.

Conclusion: Stay Ahead of China’s Crypto Curve

China’s Bitcoin story is one of power, control, and global ripples. From mining dominance to strict bans, its policies shape prices, mining, and market sentiment. As of May 2025, don’t expect an unbanning soon, but keep an eye on X and news for shifts. Stay informed, diversify your portfolio, and trade smartly to ride the waves China creates. Ready to master Bitcoin trading?

Check out BYDFi for guides, tools, and insights to navigate the global crypto market with confidence.

DEGEN (DEGEN) is an Ethereum utility and meme token that was originally created as a reward mechanism on decentralized social protocol Farcaster. Originally launched in early 2024, DEGEN quickly emerged as a staple currency in Farcaster's /degen channel , a community of crypto builders, content creators, and meme insiders, where it was used for tipping, rewarding contributions, and spurring community activity.

Unlike traditional meme coins, the function of DEGEN is to combine humor with true utility  providing both creative proof-of-concepts and real decentralized finance (DeFi) applications in existence by being in emerging ecosystems.

As it evolved, the use of DEGEN was pulled into the greater Ethereum and Layer 3 (L3) blockchain ecosystem, particularly with the launch of the DEGEN Chain, a fast, low-cost, and app-optimized L3 built with Arbitrum Orbit technology.

DEGEN's community-centric spirit is supported by the involvement of prominent builders in the Farcaster and DeFi spaces, with a philosophy emphasizing open experimentation, mutual participation, and meme-driven innovation.

Now, DEGEN is a symbol of the disruptive shift towards social-fi (social finance), capturing the spirit of creativity and

what does degen mean in crypto?

In the cryptocurrency world, a degen is someone who makes high-risk, high-reward investments, often with little research and lots of hype.  Think of the person who apes into a new degen coin minutes after launch, based on a tweet or meme, hoping for a 100x return before it crashes.

How to Use DEGEN

To interact with DEGEN:

- Acquire DEGEN: Purchase on exchanges like BYDFi , Crypto.com, or DEXs on Ethereum/Base/Degen Chain.

- Store DEGEN: Use Ethereum-compatible wallets (e.g., MetaMask) to hold and manage tokens.

- Participate in Farcaster: Join the /degen channel to tip, earn rewards, or engage with the community.

- Explore DeFi: Stake, farm, or provide liquidity on Degen Chain dApps to earn yields.

- Monitor Risks: Conduct due diligence, as DEGEN’s volatility and experimental nature require careful risk management.

Degen (DEGEN) Tokenomics

A transparent and equitable approach to tokenomics has been a cornerstone of DEGEN’s community credibility.

-  Total Supply: 36.9 billion DEGEN

-  Circulating Supply: 14.17 billion DEGEN

-  Maximum Supply: 36.9 billion DEGEN (fixed, with no plans for inflationary increases)

Token Distribution:

-  Community Airdrops: A significant percentage was allocated to early Farcaster contributors and active community members, ensuring a broad and fair initial distribution.

-  Ecosystem Development: Tokens are reserved for ongoing community incentives, development grants, and partnerships to sustain growth.

-  Team and Advisors: Vesting schedules for core contributors ensure long-term alignment, but with no outsized founder allocation.

-  Liquidity and Listings: A portion of tokens is reserved for providing decentralized exchange (DEX) and centralized exchange (CEX) liquidity.

How Degen (DEGEN) Works

At its core, the DEGEN token is an ERC-20 asset on Ethereum, making it compatible with the most widely used wallets and decentralized exchanges.  Its initial use was as a micro-reward for valuable interactions within Farcaster, but as the DEGEN community grew, the token’s functionality expanded into several areas:

-  Social Incentivization: DEGEN is used to tip or reward users for content creation, community moderation, and contributing code or memes in various social and developer channels.  This model helps foster more organic, engaging crypto communities.

-  DeFi Use Cases: Through DeFi protocols built on the DEGEN Chain and partnered L3s, users can provide liquidity, farm yields, or stake tokens to earn passive income, much like established platforms on Ethereum and Arbitrum.

-  Low-Cost Transactions: The DEGEN Chain, powered by Arbitrum Orbit, provides high throughput and near-zero fees, enabling a scalable environment for microtransactions , essential for user-driven social and gaming applications.

-  Creator Tools & NFT Integration: Developers are exploring NFT drops, DAO governance, and creator engagement mechanisms that use DEGEN as a payment and rewards layer. DEGEN’s unique blend of meme appeal, practical on-chain use, and community engagement has differentiated it from typical meme coins, positioning it as a foundational currency within web3 social ecosystems.

Conclusion

Degen (DEGEN) works as a community-driven token that blends meme coin appeal with practical utility in social-fi and DeFi.  By leveraging Farcaster’s decentralized social platform and the Degen Chain’s low-cost infrastructure, DEGEN incentivizes engagement, rewards creativity, and supports innovative blockchain applications.

However, its high volatility, experimental status, and reliance on community adoption make it a risky investment. For those interested in DEGEN, participating in its ecosystem requires balancing enthusiasm with caution, aligning with the “degen” ethos of embracing uncertainty for potential rewards.

Final Thought
In the ever-evolving world of crypto, being a degen isn't just about reckless bets, it's about daring to explore the edge of innovation, where memes meet markets and communities build value from creativity.  DEGEN represents more than a token; it’s a cultural movement fueled by experimentation, humor, and decentralized collaboration.

Whether you're here for the fun or the future of financejust remember: in the land of degens, fortune favors the bold—but only the wise survive.

Ready to learn more about trading strategies and crypto fundamentals? Check out BYDFi for expert guidance on navigating the world of digital assets.

1. Visit Plastiq ’s website and create a free account.
2. Complete your Plastiq login and add your credit or debit card.
3. Add your payees with their payment details.
4. Choose the payment amount and method (check, ACH, wire).
5. Review the fees and confirm your payment.

You’ll receive confirmations and can track your payments through the dashboard.

Plastiq is a handy tool if you want to pay bills with a credit card that normally wouldn’t accept one. It’s legit and secure but comes with fees that you should weigh against the benefits. If you’re looking to earn rewards or need short-term cash flow flexibility, Plastiq might be worth a try.

Ready to take control of your payments? Head to Plastiq , complete your login, and start making your payments work for you today!