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Amid the bustling holiday season, an Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) driver left 80 packages in a wooded area in Lakeville, Massachusetts. This incident occurred because the company faced intense pressure to meet delivery demands.
What Happened: A stressed Amazon driver abandoned 80 packages&nbsp;in a wooded area near&nbsp;Lakeville, Massachusetts, just days before Christmas.&nbsp;A Lakeville police sergeant discovered&nbsp;the&nbsp;packages during a routine patrol&nbsp;early Sunday morning, finding them scattered in three large totes near 63 Bedford Street, NBC News <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/stressed-amazon-driver-abandons-80-packages-mass-woods-holiday-shippin-rcna185343">reported</a> on Thursday.
The packages were not reported as stolen or missing. The police contacted a nearby&nbsp;Amazon distribution center in Middleborough&nbsp;to facilitate the return of the items. On Monday, the driver confessed to leaving the packages on the roadside Saturday evening "because they were stressed" and intended to inform their manager about the incident.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42664623/cathie-wood-led-ark-invests-monday-moves-dumps-tesla-palantir-stock-adds-amazon?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cathie Wood-Led Ark Invest&#8217;s Monday Moves: Dumps Tesla, Palantir Stock, Adds Amazon</a>
Lakeville Police Chief Matthew Perkins stated that no criminal charges would be pursued, considering the matter a human resources issue for Amazon. Chief Perkins praised the officers for handling the situation. The driver&#8217;s identity remains undisclosed, and the police department has closed the case without further action.
Amazon has yet to respond to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga</a>&#8216;s queries.
Why It Matters: The incident highlights the mounting pressure on Amazon during the holiday season, a critical period for retailers. The fourth quarter, which includes Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas shopping, can account for up to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42676608/will-amazon-dethrone-walmart-this-holiday-season-here-is-what-you-should-know">40% of annual sales </a>for retailers like Amazon and&nbsp;Walmart Inc. This period is a battleground for retail dominance, with consumers seeking both in-store and online bargains.
Additionally, Amazon&#8217;s operations have been<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42577506/amazon-shares-rise-as-company-says-operations-remain-unaffected-despite-workers-at-seven-us-facilities-going-on-strike-amid-peak-holiday-shopping"> tested by a strike</a> at seven U.S. facilities, part of a broader push for contract negotiations. Despite this, Amazon announced that its operations remain unaffected. The strike has been labeled the "largest" against Amazon by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42638862/kiyosaki-warns-of-global-financial-crisis-protect-your-wealth-by-investing-in-real-assets?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;Rich Dad Poor Dad&#8217; Author Robert Kiyosaki Warns Of Global Financial Crisis: &#8216;Invest In Real Assets To Protect Your Wealth by Investing in Real Assets&#8217;</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock

News

General

AMZN

'Stressed' Amazon Driver Dumps 80 Packages In Massachusetts Woods Amid Christmas Holiday Rush

The clock is ticking for TikTok as the Supreme Court of the United States or SCOTUS prepares to hear arguments that could determine the future of the app in America.
With the Jan. 19 deadline fast approaching, a potential nationwide could impact the app used by over 170 million users. Here&#8217;s everything you need to know about this high-stakes battle.
When Will SCOTUS Review The Ban
The Supreme Court will review TikTok&#8217;s arguments on Jan. 10, 2025. This urgent hearing comes after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the ban earlier this year.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42666163/iphone-17-pro-could-retain-iconic-triangular-camera-design-despite-rumors-of-a-radical-horizontal-layout?itm_source=parsely-api">iPhone 17 Pro To Retain Iconic &#8216;Triangular&#8217; Camera Layout Despite Rumors Of Radical Horizontal Layout</a>
What Is TikTok's Argument&nbsp;
TikTok is urging the Supreme Court to overturn the ruling by the appeals court. The platform argues that banning it violates First Amendment rights, while the government defends the ban as necessary for national security.
Who's Interested In Buying TikTok
Billionaire Frank McCourt has expressed interest in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/06/39457779/real-estate-billionaire-frank-mccourt-wants-to-buy-tiktok-to-transform-internets-influence-on-societ">acquiring TikTok's U.S. operations</a>, pledging up to $20 billion with a consortium of associates. However, any deal would exclude TikTok's algorithm.
Previously, former U.S. treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin and Canadian businessman Kevin O'Leary both <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/03/37886126/kevin-oleary-wants-to-buy-tiktok-and-is-scouting-for-investment-an-interesting-deal">announced plans to form</a> investor groups, with O'Leary proposing a $20–$30 billion bid.
Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski publicly offered to lead a consortium for a U.S. acquisition, while former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has reportedly been exploring partnerships for a bid.
Oracle and Walmart, which <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/20/09/17575532/tiktok-ban-averted-as-trump-gives-deal-with-oracle-walmart-his-blessing">nearly acquired</a> TikTok in 2020, and Microsoft, which pursued a deal that same year, have also been mentioned as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38358239/microsoft-and-oracle-could-be-tiktoks-likely-buyers-but-real-winners-would-be-mark-">potential contenders</a> this year. There were <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40866761/is-amazon-eyeing-tiktok-for-a-possible-acquisition">also speculations</a> about Amazon eyeing the TikTok acquisition.
Trump's Changing Stance In his last administration, President-elect Donald Trump targeted ByteDance but he has since expressed a softened view. Earlier this month, there were reports of a meeting between TikTok's CEO Shou Zi Chew and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/12/42522134/trump-meets-tiktok-ceo-shou-zi-chew-at-mar-a-lago-as-platform-urges-supreme-court-to-block-looming-ban">Trump at Mar-a-Lago</a>.
"We&#8217;ll take a look at TikTok," Trump stated earlier that day. "You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok."
Michael Walz, the NSA designate and a former congressman, has also in the past voiced strong opposition to TikTok. Now he has since aligned his views with the president-elect's evolving position.
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42677504/amid-donald-trumps-concerns-about-taiwans-rising-chip-business-jensen-huang-praises-tsmc-for-its-unquestionable-innovation-vows-nvidias-support-for-the-incoming-us-administration?itm_source=parsely-api">Amid Donald Trump&#8217;s Concerns About Taiwan&#8217;s Rising Chip Business, Jensen Huang Praises TSMC For Its Unquestionable Innovation — Vows Nvidia&#8217;s Support For The Incoming US Administration</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Social Media

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Tech

TikTok On Trial: Supreme Court Prepares To Weigh National Security Risks

Amid the global shift towards electric vehicles,&nbsp;Andy Palmer, often referred to as the &#8220;godfather of EVs,&#8221; has issued a cautionary note to automakers. He warns against prioritizing hybrid vehicles over fully electric models, a strategy he believes could leave them lagging behind Chinese competitors.
What Happened: Palmer, a former&nbsp;Aston Martin&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGDF#OTC">AMGDF</a>) CEO and&nbsp;Nissan&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSANY#OTC">NSANY</a>) executive, highlighted the rapid advancements made by Chinese automakers like&nbsp;BYD (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDY#OTC">BYDDY</a>)&nbsp;in the electric vehicle market. These companies have gained significant ground domestically by offering cost-effective and technologically advanced vehicles. 
&#8220;The Chinese cars are bloody good. The Chinese vehicles offer remarkable value for money for what they deliver,&#8221; Palmer said<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/godfather-of-evs-explains-why-china-is-winning-ev-race-2024-12"> to</a> Business Insider.
Palmer pointed out that Chinese brands excel in battery technology and software, providing exceptional value.
Palmer attributed China&#8217;s success in the EV sector to its strategic industrial policies, which have seen the government invest over $230 billion in subsidies since 2009. During his time at&nbsp;Dongfeng Motor Company, a joint venture with Nissan, he witnessed China&#8217;s aggressive EV strategy firsthand.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42642606/elon-musk-wants-to-raise-a-tesla-fleet-expert-estimates-vehicle-owners-can-make-40kyear-but-remains-doubtful?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Analyst Estimates Vehicle Owners Can Make $40,000 A Year By Renting EVs To Robotaxi Fleet That Elon&nbsp;Musk Likened To A Combination Of Airbnb And Uber, But Will It Take Off?</a>
In response to China&#8217;s rise, the U.S. and Europe have implemented tariffs to protect their industries. However, Palmer argued that such tariffs could stifle Western competitiveness.
&#8220;My experience with tariffs is it just makes your indigenous industry lazy. The gap becomes even bigger,&#8221; he said.
He urged automakers to prepare for fierce competition with Chinese firms, especially in Europe, where companies like BYD and Xpeng are expanding.
Why It Matters: The global electric vehicle landscape is rapidly evolving, with China leading the charge. According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/09/40886450/50-of-new-car-sales-in-china-are-electric-but-in-the-us-its-only-10-are-protectionist-policies-widen">repo</a>r<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/09/40886450/50-of-new-car-sales-in-china-are-electric-but-in-the-us-its-only-10-are-protectionist-policies-widen">t</a>&nbsp;from September, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/09/40886450/50-of-new-car-sales-in-china-are-electric-but-in-the-us-its-only-10-are-protectionist-policies-widen">50% of new car sales</a> in China are electric, compared to just 10% in the U.S. This disparity highlights the impact of protectionist policies, such as the Biden administration&#8217;s recent tariffs on Chinese goods, including a 100% tax on electric vehicles.
In November, China escalated its trade dispute with the European Union by<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41754367/china-escalates-trade-dispute-lodges-complaint-with-wto-over-european-ev-tariffs"> lodging a formal complaint</a> with the World Trade Organization over the EU&#8217;s tariffs on Chinese-made EVs. The EU&#8217;s decision to impose tariffs of up to 35% on Chinese EVs was seen as a response to perceived unfair business practices.
Meanwhile, BYD expects it would surpass Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39617169/byd-set-to-surpass-tesla-in-bev-sales-by-2024-as-china-leads-global-market-growth-report">BEV sales by 2024,</a> fueled by a 21% increase in EV sales and strong market projections in China.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42667044/teslas-valuation-could-exceed-all-transport-companies-but-spacex-ceo-elon-musk?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla&#8217;s Valuation Could Exceed All Transport Companies But SpaceX, Says CEO Elon Musk, But Notes It Will Take A &#8216;Lot Of Work And Good Ideas&#8217;</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock

AMGDF

BYDDY

NSANY

TSLA

'Godfather Of EVs' Warns Against Hybrid Focus As China Leads EV Race: 'Tariffs Just Make Indigenous Industry Lazy'

Japanese auto giant Toyota Motor Corp&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TM#NYSE">TM</a>) Toyota and Lexus brand vehicle sales in North America rose 4.1% year-on-year in November to 241,662 units even as production in the region was more or less flat as compared to the corresponding period last year.
What Happened: Toyota and Lexus vehicle sales in North America were up year-on-year due to the strong customer turnout at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/42254975/shoppers-spent-11-3m-per-minute-online-on-black-friday">stores on Black Friday</a> after the presidential election, the company said. 
Sales rose 4.8% to 207,226 units in the U.S., including Hawaii, and by about 16% in Mexico to make up for the 8% drop in sales in Canada. From the start of 2024, Toyota has sold nearly 2.5 million vehicles in North America as of November end, marking a growth of 5.4% as compared to the first 11 months of 2023. 
Vehicle production, however, dwindled around the same levels as in November last year.
172,867 Toyota and Lexus vehicles were produced in North America in November, marking a drop of 0.8% as compared to Nov. 2023. Production dropped by nearly 12% in the U.S. alone. 
Why It Matters: Worldwide sales of Toyota vehicles, including its Lexus brand, rose 1.7% to 920,569 units in November. The 3.2% rise in sales outside of Japan made up for the company&#8217;s 6.6% drop in sales within its home ground. 
438,261 of the company&#8217;s sales in November were electrified, meaning they were hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery electric vehicles, or mild hybrids. In North America alone, the company sold 114,831 electrified vehicles, marking a growth of 44% from November last year.
Overall vehicle production, however, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42678492/toyotas-global-output-slips-6-2-while-company-donates-1-million-to-trumps-inaugural-fund">dropped 6.2% year-on-year in November</a>, marking ten consecutive months of production drop. Production fell by a steep 9.3% in Japan and by 4.6% outside the country. 
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
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</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Toyota, Lexus See November Sales Soar Over 4% In North America, Boosted By Black Friday Frenzy

As Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) shares closed above the $140 level for the first time in 20 days on Tuesday, traders expect the stock to make new highs if it breaches $145 per share.
What Happened: Traders are bullish on Nvidia as its share price exceeded the 50-day simple moving average and moves above $140 apiece for the first time since Dec. 6, on Tuesday&#8217;s shortened trading session. According to a quant trader, Peter DiCarlo, the share price could reach $170 apiece in the first quarter if the stock moves beyond $145 per share.
However, he adds &#8220;If we reject and this is a trap, price will sell off to $120. That will then be the confirmed bottom before the next move up to $170 in Q2.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24NVDA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$NVDA</a> Must take out $145 in order to confirm this as the bottom. If that happens, we rally up to $170 in Q1 If we reject and this is a trap, price will sell off to $120. THAT will then be the confirmed bottom before the next move up to $170 in Q2 <a href="https://t.co/wlDoCqC5cn">pic.twitter.com/wlDoCqC5cn</a>
&mdash; Peter DiCarlo (@pdicarlotrader) <a href="https://twitter.com/pdicarlotrader/status/1871616914105254261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
According to a chart shared by the founder of The Rock Trading Group, the share price needs to breach the $141.87 price level to reach its $145 daily trendline.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24NVDA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$NVDA</a> 1 Hour rejection area of earlier Dec. The only shot to 145 daily trendline is knock out this wall. <a href="https://t.co/qAPhE6KgiJ">pic.twitter.com/qAPhE6KgiJ</a>
&mdash; John @ The Rock Trading Co. (@The_RockTrading) <a href="https://twitter.com/The_RockTrading/status/1871915363182817760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Steven Strazza, the director of research at All Star Charts, in an X post dated Dec. 17 reiterated this point and said, "Momentum not even close to oversold."
He added that semiconductors are getting back in gear and the magnificent seven are making new all-time highs. As per his analysis the stock has, "Very clean and clear support level holding."
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">There&#39;s no way this is a top This setup in <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24NVDA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$NVDA</a> is the ideal risk-reversal pattern Very clean and clear support level holding Momentum not even close to oversold Semis getting back in gear &amp; Mag 7 making new ATHs Only thing missing was a little shakeout, and we got it today <a href="https://t.co/LxZ3RiRONp">pic.twitter.com/LxZ3RiRONp</a>
&mdash; Steven Strazza (@sstrazza) <a href="https://twitter.com/sstrazza/status/1868748780860023148?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The technical analysis of daily moving averages indicates a strong bullish trend
The stock ended at $140.22 apiece on Tuesday. This was above its eight and 20-day simple moving averages, of $133.85 and $137.17, respectively. As per <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data, its current stock price was also higher than the 50-day moving average of $139.76 and its 200-day moving average of $116.91.
This implies that the stock is in an uptrend. On the other hand, the relative strength index of 54.12 suggests the stock&#8217;s movement is moderately strong and it is not yet in an overbought zone.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005037/Nvidia-Chhart--1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-707077" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005037/Nvidia-Chhart--1024x576.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005037/Nvidia-Chhart--300x169.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005037/Nvidia-Chhart--768x432.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005037/Nvidia-Chhart--1536x864.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005037/Nvidia-Chhart-.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42678014/top-7-blue-chip-stocks-with-the-best-return-potential-going-into-2025">Top 7 Blue-Chip Stocks With The Best Return Potential Going Into 2025</a>
Why It Matters: Earlier last week, Jim Cramer <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42527159/nvidia-technical-analysis-flashes-warning-as-nvda-stock-slips-below-key-moving-averages-but-analysts-still-see-18-11-upside-heres-more">warned</a> of a potential market correction for Nvidia on <a href="https://x.com/jimcramer/status/1868721912303829094">X</a>, citing its recent surge and lack of a &#8220;crescendo moment.&#8221; He predicted a &#8220;vicious&#8221; and &#8220;fast&#8221; reversal. This comes as Nvidia faces an antitrust investigation in China over its 2020 acquisition of Mellanox Technologies. 
TF Securities&nbsp;analyst&nbsp;Ming-Chi Kuo&nbsp;expects the investigation to remain unresolved in the near term, drawing parallels to&nbsp;Qualcomm Inc‘s&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>)&nbsp;15-month&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42404352/nvidia-china-antitrust-probe-may-remain-unsolved-in-near-term-says-top-analyst-investors-should-be-prepared-for-increased-scrutiny" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antitrust case in China</a>.
Price Action: Shares of Nvidia are up 4.84% over the last five days and 191.09% on a year-to-date basis, outperforming the Nasdaq 100, which was down 0.83% in the last five days and up 31.67% over the year.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com">Benzinga</a>, Nvidia has a consensus price target of $170.56 based on the ratings of 40 analysts. The highest price target out of all the analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NVDA/analyst-ratings">tracked </a>by Benzinga is $220 issued by Rosenblatt as of Nov. 21, 2024. The lowest target price is $120 issued by New Street Research on Aug. 6, 2024.
The average price target of $154.67 between DA Davidson, Phillip Securities, and Truist Securities implies a 10.67% upside for Nvidia.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NVDA/analyst-ratings"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="946" height="360" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005223/Nvidia-ANR-Analyst.png" alt="" class="wp-image-707081" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005223/Nvidia-ANR-Analyst.png 946w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005223/Nvidia-ANR-Analyst-300x114.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005223/Nvidia-ANR-Analyst-768x292.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 946px) 100vw, 946px" /></a></figure>
Image via Shutterstock
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NVDA

QCOM

NVDA Could Go Up To $170 In Q1 After Breaching $145 Level As Traders Turn Bullish On Jensen Huang's AI Giant

Stephen Chen, CEO of&nbsp;Phunware Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PHUN#NASDAQ">PHUN</a>), has outlined ambitious plans for the company&#8217;s global expansion, leveraging its established ties with President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump.
In an exclusive chat with <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga</a>, Chen spoke about the company&#8217;s ongoing relationship with President-elect Donald Trump.
Phunware&#8217;s stock has been notably volatile this year, largely influenced by Trump&#8217;s presidential campaign. The company has been linked to Trump since 2020 when it developed and managed his reelection campaign mobile app.
Chen expressed satisfaction with the partnership, noting that Phunware has been refining its products and is now prepared to support a variety of campaigns and advocacy projects.
He emphasized the company&#8217;s versatility, highlighting its voter engagement platform and potential benefits beyond the campaign trail.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42633881/elon-musk-shifts-gears-it-went-from-a-bill-that-weighed-pounds-to-one-that-weighed-ounces-applauding-speaker-johnsons-effort?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Changes Tone, Applauds Speaker Johnson: &#8216;It Went From A Bill That Weighed Pounds To One That Weighed Ounces&#8217;</a>
Looking ahead, Chen revealed plans to leverage Phunware&#8217;s engagement platform for local, regional, and international campaigns. 
He stated, &#8220;Helping elected figures and the&nbsp;public doesn&#8217;t end on election day, as there are local, regional, and even overseas campaigns we can help,&#8221; indicating a focus on expanding their technology&#8217;s application.
Regarding future collaborations with Trump or the Republican party, Chen remained non-committal but confident in Phunware&#8217;s ability to provide robust engagement solutions for political groups across the spectrum.
As per <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>, the year-to-date returns of PHUN have increased by 6.01%. It has a consensus price target of&nbsp;$10.75&nbsp;based on the ratings of&nbsp;four&nbsp;analysts. Ascendiant Capital, HC Wainwright &amp; Co., and HC Wainwright &amp; Co. have set a price target of&nbsp;$9.33 with an implied&nbsp;112.60%&nbsp;upside.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42635450/why-trump-wants-debt-ceiling-killed-before-he-takes-office?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Why Trump Wants Debt Ceiling Killed Before He Takes Office</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock

Politics

Exclusives

PHUN

Trump Linked Phunware CEO Charts 'Overseas' Plans As President Elect Makes White House Comeback: 'Helping Elected Figures… Doesn't End On Election Day'

Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) executive Tom Zhu on Wednesday said that the company&#8217;s &#8220;unique&#8221; strength lies in developing manufacturing capabilities at a ramped-up pace. 
What Happened: &#8220;Many people underestimate Tesla's unique strength: developing manufacturing capabilities optimized for the fast-evolving AI era,&#8221; Zhu said in a post on X. 
Zhu added that once the automotive industry transitions to fully autonomous driving, &#8220;real competition will center on how efficiently vehicles can be produced.&#8221; &#8220;We will be ready,&#8221; the Senior Vice President of Automotive at Tesla added.
Zhu&#8217;s comments refer to the speed of construction of Tesla&#8217;s megafactory in Shanghai. The company started official construction of the factory in May. The company is finishing construction fast to ship megapacks from it in Q1 2025.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Proud of the team! Many people underestimate Tesla's unique strength: developing manufacturing capabilities optimized for the fast-evolving AI era. Once the entire automotive industry transitions to full autonomous driving, the real competition will center on how efficiently… <a href="https://t.co/r9u8dJTsn9">https://t.co/r9u8dJTsn9</a>
&mdash; LaoZhu (@tomzhu_nz) <a href="https://twitter.com/tomzhu_nz/status/1871789857036755045?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Why It Matters: The Tesla Shanghai megafactory is the company's first factory dedicated to the production of energy storage products outside the U.S.&nbsp;Currently, Tesla has only one other factory dedicated to manufacturing megapacks, located in Lathrop, California. The Lathrop facility has the capability of producing 40 GWh of energy storage products.
Tesla also has another factory in China called Giga Shanghai which produces the company's popular Model 3 sedans and Model Y SUVs. The company began construction of the factory in January 2019 and it became operational by the end of the year. 
In the third quarter, which ended in September, Tesla manufactured 469,796 electric vehicles at its factories around the globe. The company is now planning to start production of its two-seater dedicated robotaxi product <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42548657/tesla-design-chief-says-ev-giant-was-looking-to-create-future-version-of-nycs-yellow-cabs-with-gold-cybercab-it-feels-right">called Cybercab &#8220;before 2027.&#8221;</a>
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42677803/tesla-cybertrucks-popularity-threatens-ford-f-150-lightning-sales-shows-data">Tesla Cybertruck&#8217;s Popularity Threatens Ford F-150 Lightning Sales, Shows Data</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Tesla

Tesla Exec Says 'We Will Be Ready' To Efficiently Produce Autonomous Vehicles As Shanghai Megafactory Nears Completion

EHang Collaborates With Beijing Fangshan District Government To Establish National Headquarters For Low-Altitude Emergency Rescue Solutions

Whether you&#8217;re curled up on the couch with family or hosting a low-key gathering with friends, Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) has a lineup of feel-good flicks that are perfect for Jan. 1, 2025.
Grab your snacks, cozy blankets, and get ready to dive into these five family-friendly titles this New Year's Day:&nbsp;
13 Going on 30 (2004)
This classic rom-com starring Jennifer Garner is the ultimate feel-good movie for anyone who&#8217;s ever wished for a second chance at life. The story follows Jenna Rink, a 13-year-old girl who wakes up as a 30-year-old woman, with a whole new life to figure out.&nbsp;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42675098/netflix-takes-vmware-to-court-over-patent-infringement-claims">Broadcom and Netflix Clash Over Patent Disputes Ahead of 2025 Trial</a>
Apollo 13 (1995)
Ready to go to space? Ron Howard's gripping retelling of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission is a dramatic and inspirational choice for your movie marathon. With an all-star cast including Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton, this film captures the tense, life-or-death struggle of the astronauts as they try to survive after a malfunction in space.
Inception (2010)
Christopher Nolan's Inception is a mind-bending thriller that you'll want to watch with a group so you can all try to figure it out together. Leonardo DiCaprio plays a thief who enters people&#8217;s dreams to steal their secrets. Sounds simple, right? Well, not quite. (This one will prompt intense discussion after the credit rolls, so keep enough popcorn.)
Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Schindler's List (1993)
While not your typical New Year's Day pick, Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List is a powerful historical epic that shouldn't be missed. Starring Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler, a businessman who saves over a thousand Jews during the Holocaust, this film is a reminder of the strength of the human spirit.
Dr. Seuss&#8217; The Lorax (2012)
After Schindler's List, you will need something lighthearted, and this animated gem based on Dr. Seuss&#8217; beloved book is a perfect pick for families. Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, and Danny DeVito (the voice of the Lorax) bring the whimsical world to life as a young boy learns the importance of saving the environment.&nbsp;
There you have it – five Netflix movies that are perfect for your Jan. 1 movie marathon.
Image via Shutterstock
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>. &nbsp;
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42666738/how-apples-upcoming-smart-doorbell-compares-to-amazons-ring?itm_source=parsely-api">How Apple's Upcoming Smart Doorbell Compares To Amazon's Ring</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Entertainment

NFLX

Netflix And Chill: Here's 5 Family-Friendly Titles Just Right For The Ultimate January 1 Movie Marathon

The cryptocurrency market roared back into momentum in 2024, with meme coins emerging as the hottest commodities in the bull cycle.
What happened: Meme coins, inspired by internet memes, popular animated characters, and trends, netted massive returns to their holders in the year. 
Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)-based SPX6900 was the most successful coin, skyrocketing a whopping 9695% year-to-date. 
SPX is basically a parody coin that calls for the creation of a new stock market index called SPX6900, challenging the hegemony of the S&amp;P 500. It has a maximum supply of 1 billion tokens.
Not far behind was the feline-themed cryptocurrency, Popcat, which gained 9374% since 2024 began. Like SPX6900, POPCAT was developed on the Solana blockchain.
Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)&#8211;based Mog Coin bagged the third spot, exploding 4746% over the year.&nbsp;
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>YTD Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 11:45 p.m. EDT)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPX6900 (SPX)</td>
<td>+9695%</td>
<td>$0.8135</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Popcat (POPCAT)</td>
<td>+9374%</td>
<td>$0.7682</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mog Coin (MOG)</td>
<td>+4746%</td>
<td>$0.000002423</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42665539/north-korean-hackers-suspected-presence-triggers-over-500-million-in-outflows-from-crypto-exchange">North Korean Hackers&#8217; Suspected Presence Triggers Over $500 Million In Outflows From Crypto Exchange</a>
Interestingly, all the top three meme coins had a market capitalization of less than $1 billion, reflecting the interest shown in lesser-known cryptocurrencies.
That said, market heavyweights didn't disappoint either. The biggest meme coin by market capitalization, Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>), soared 263% year-to-date, while Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>), another popular dog-themed token, rose 115%.
Frog-themed Pepe (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">PEPE</a>) was the best-performing large-cap meme coin, racking up gains of 1192% since 2024 began.
Solana-based dogwifhat (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">WIF</a>) also remained red hot, surging 1158% year-to-date.&nbsp;
Overall, around nine tokens logged gains of over 1000% during the year.
These astronomical gains refocused attention on the wealth-multiplying potential of meme currencies, many of which notorious for their excessive volatility and low utility.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/12/42665334/will-dogecoin-hit-the-widely-anticipated-1-target-in-q1-2025-probably-not-but-musk-led-doge-could-hold-the-key">Dogecoin &#8216;Parabolic Rally&#8217; In 2025 Foreseen By Popular Analyst If &#8216;History Repeats&#8217; Just Like In 2017, 2021</a></li>
</ul>

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

Cryptocurrency

Movers

$DOGE

$ETH

$PEPE

$SHIB

$SOL

$WIF

Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, Or Pepe? Which Was The Top-Performing Meme Coin In 2024? The Answer Might Surprise You

Israel&#8217;s securities regulator&nbsp;granted approval for six investment houses to launch hedge funds tracking Bitcoin&#8217;s (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) price on New Year&#8217;s Eve, local media reported Wednesday.
What Happened: The funds are all set to launch on Dec. 31, the last&nbsp;trading day of the year, after getting the regulatory go-ahead from the&nbsp;Israel Securities Authority, <a href="https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/h1mzzvkhyx">according </a>to financial news platform Calcalist and Globes.
Some funds will align with BlackRock&#8217;s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBIT#NASDAQ">IBIT</a>) while others will follow the index launched by S&amp;P&nbsp;or the Chicago Stock Exchange.&nbsp;One fund plans to adopt an active strategy, aiming to outperform Bitcoin&#8217;s price performance.
The funds will be offered by Ayalon, IBI, Meitav, More, Migdal Capital Markets, and Phoenix, with management fees in the range of 0.25%-1.25%.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42677932/russian-firms-adopt-bitcoin-for-global-trade-in-response-to-western-sanctions-should-be-expanded-and-developed-further">Russian Firms Adopt Bitcoin For Global Trade In Response To Western Sanctions: &#8216;Should Be Expanded And Developed Further&#8217;</a>
The launch of&nbsp;Bitcoin mutual funds and ETFs&nbsp;is a result of persistent lobbying and&nbsp;requests by investment houses to&nbsp;the Securities Authority over the&nbsp;past two years, the report mentioned. The regulator only granted final approval last week, on the condition that all investment houses launch the products simultaneously.
The Israel Securities authority didn&#8217;t immediately respond to Benzinga&#8217;s request for confirmation.
Why It Matters: The rise of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds has been reshaping institutional engagement with digital assets. Experts at the recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/digital-assets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Future of Digital Assets</a>&nbsp;conference expressed consensus that ETFs removed barriers that once deterred traditional investors from entering the cryptocurrency market. 
Furthermore, a leading Bloomberg analyst, Eric Balchunas, said that Blackrock's iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42666635/blackrocks-bitcoin-etf-could-outshine-sp-500-tracking-spy-to-become-top-investment-vehicle-but-it-will-take-a-long-time-says-prominent-analyst">had the potential </a>to surpass SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust to become the world's top exchange-traded fund.
According to SoSo Value, the 12 spot Bitcoin ETFs <a href="https://sosovalue.com/assets/etf/us-btc-spot">held </a>$110 billion, or 5.7% of the total supply, as of this writing, with Blackrock&#8217;s IBIT leading the pack with over $50 billion in assets under management.
Image via Wikimedia Commons
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/12/42679610/roaring-kittys-christmas-post-has-gamestop-rallying-7-in-overnight-trading-memecoin-connected-to-trader-also-surge">Roaring Kitty&#8217;s &#8216;Christmas&#8217; Post Has GameStop Rallying 7% In Overnight Trading — Memecoin Connected To Trader Also Surge</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"></a>

$BTC

IBIT

Bitcoin Hedge Funds Get Green Light In Israel: 6 Investment Houses Ready To Launch Before New Year

The Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>) ecosystem announced early access to their highly anticipated virtual space, Shib: The Metaverse, on Christmas, promising an immersive experience like never before.
What Happened: Lucie, Shiba Inu&#8217;s marketing lead, made the announcement via X, describing the metaverse as &#8220;a platform for creativity, connection, and ownership.&#8221;
The platform, built over Shibarium, Shiba Inu&#8217;s Layer-2 blockchain, is a fusion between real and virtual worlds, allowing people to engage through digital avatars. 
Think of it as digital real estate, where users can own and trade huge plots of land. Additionally, the metaverse gives access to a personal space, where they can build and manage their own virtual words based on their vision.
The land could be purchased using the SHIB token, potentially boosting the utility and demand of the popular dog-themed coin.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Step Into SHIB: The Metaverse – Where Imagination Meets Reality Welcome to SHIB: The Metaverse, a groundbreaking virtual world powered by Shibarium, Shiba Inu's Layer-2 blockchain. This is more than a digital space—it's a platform for creativity, connection, and ownership. &#x1f7ea;… <a href="https://t.co/ouu1TqVvhV">pic.twitter.com/ouu1TqVvhV</a>
&mdash; 
</blockquote></div></figure>

Shytoshi Celebrates As Shiba Inu Virtual World 'Shib The Metaverse' Goes Live On Christmas

Iran&#8217;s reformist government has lifted the ban on Meta Platforms, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) WhatsApp, and Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google Play.
What Happened: Iran&#8217;s reformist government, led by Masoud Pezeshkian, has lifted this ban, marking a significant move towards reducing internet restrictions, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/bb68c686-89d2-4305-bd1e-94452795809c">reported</a> the Financial Times.
This decision was made during a high-level meeting on Tuesday, overcoming resistance from hardline factions within the Islamic regime, the report noted, citing Iranian media.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42664762/after-investing-nearly-14-billion-in-openai-microsoft-reportedly-moves-to-reduce-its-dependence-on-chatgpt-parent?itm_source=parsely-api">Microsoft Invested Nearly $14 Billion In OpenAI But Now Its Reducing Its Dependence On The ChatGPT-Parent</a>
The move is part of a broader effort by Pezeshkian&#8217;s administration to ease pressures on civil society.
Sattar Hashemi, Iran's telecommunications minister, stated on X, &#8220;Today, we took the first step towards lifting internet restrictions by demonstrating unity,&#8221; adding, &#8220;This path will continue&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">امروز گام اول رفع محدودیت از اینترنت را با همدلی و وفاق برداشتیم. از پیگیری رییس‌جمهور و همراهی رسانه‌ها و فعالان ممنونم و بیش از پیش به این همراهی و همدلی نیازمندیم. این مسیر ادامه دارد…
&mdash; Sattar Hashemi (@HashemiSattar) <a href="https://twitter.com/HashemiSattar/status/1871552451247251913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Why It Matters: Despite restrictions, Iranians have accessed platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram through widely available VPNs.
Reformists accuse hardliners of hypocrisy, alleging they profit from VPN sales. They also argue that easing restrictions could alleviate public discontent.
Hardliners view the internet as a tool for adversaries like the U.S. and Israel to wage a &#8220;soft war&#8221; against Iran.
Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
According to Iranian Students Polling Agency surveys, WhatsApp usage rose steadily from 16.6% in December 2015 to 25% after Telegram&#8217;s ban, reaching 71.4% by August 2021.
Instagram usage grew from 25.5% in December 2015 to 53.1% by August 2021, establishing it as the second-most popular platform in the country.
The lifting of the ban also comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. Last month, Iran&#8217;s foreign ministry <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41869511/iran-calls-trump-assassination-plot-claims-completely-baseless">dismissed accusations</a> by the U.S. Department of Justice regarding an alleged plot to assassinate Donald Trump.
Image via Shutterstock
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>.&nbsp;
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42666738/how-apples-upcoming-smart-doorbell-compares-to-amazons-ring?itm_source=parsely-api">How Apple&#8217;s Upcoming Smart Doorbell Compares To Amazon&#8217;s Ring</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Media

GOOG

GOOGL

Iran Turning Soft? Reformist Government Lifts WhatsApp, Google Play Ban — Promises 'This Path Will Continue'

Leading cryptocurrencies remained rock steady on Christmas day, retaining advances made the day before.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>+1.08%</td>
<td>$99,024.30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+0.06%</td>
<td>$3,474.92</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-1.67%</td>
<td>$0.332</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin sailed to a one-week high of $99,800 during overnight trading, narrowly missing the crucial $100,000 milestone. The leading cryptocurrency hit $98,000 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/treasuries/24/12/42674886/santa-rally-kicks-off-on-wall-street-stocks-gain-tesla-soars-bitcoin-hits-98000">just a day earlier on Christmas Eve</a>, defying days of downward price action.&nbsp;
Ethereum witnessed a bumpy trajectory, wobbling between $3,440 and $3,510.&nbsp;Trading volumes for both blue-chip currencies were down significantly.
Over $200 million was liquidated from the market in the last 24 hours, with long liquidations accounting for $115 million.
Bitcoin's Open Interest rose marginally by 0.24% in the last 24 hours. The number of traders placing upside bets on the cryptocurrency declined vis-à-vis those betting against it, according to the Long/Short Ratio.
Funding rates rose on top exchanges, indicating that traders expected Bitcoin's price to rise.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Movement (MOVE)</td>
<td>+21.65%</td>
<td>$1.15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitget Token (BGB)</td>
<td>+15.37%</td>
<td>$5.77</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GateToken (GT)</td>
<td>+7.25%</td>
<td>$14.72</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.43 trillion, following a decrease of 0.11% in the last 24 hours.
Stock futures were broadly unchanged on Wednesday overnight. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures was down or 0.06%, as of 8:30 p.m. ET.&nbsp; Futures tied to the S&amp;P 500 gained 0.01%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures added 0.15%.
The stock market was closed for the Christmas holiday. The Japanese market opened higher, with the Nikkei 225 index gaining 0.44%, a day after a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/japan/japan-government-plans-record-730-bln-budget-next-fiscal-year-jiji-reports-2024-12-25/">report </a>said the country was compiling a record $735 billion budget for the next fiscal year.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Well-known cryptocurrency analyst and trader Ali Martinez deemed $97,300 the "most significant support" for Bitcoin, with over 1.5 million wallets accumulating 1.49 million BTCs around the level.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The most significant support level for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> is at $97,300, where 1.51 million wallets bought around 1.49 million <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a>. <a href="https://t.co/hDnBnhwMZw">pic.twitter.com/hDnBnhwMZw</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1872029000929047035?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Popular on-chain analytics firm Santiment revealed a positive crowd sentiment after Bitcoin's bullish Christmas rally, with many anticipating the asset to hit $110,000 next.
"Historically, we will see $110,000 Bitcoin only after the crowd doesn&#8217;t expect it," Santiment cautioned.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">&#x1f9d1;&#x200d;&#x1f384;&#x1f4c8; Bitcoin has jumped to as high as $99.8K on a bullish Christmas crypto performance. Traders are now swinging bullish once again, with speculation of $110K getting rampant. Historically, we will see $110K Bitcoin only after the crowd doesn&#39;t expect it, as this image shows. <a href="https://t.co/j4w3VQ4Zio">pic.twitter.com/j4w3VQ4Zio</a>
&mdash; Santiment (@santimentfeed) <a href="https://twitter.com/santimentfeed/status/1872090202673742217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Photo by SvetlanaParnikova on Shutterstock
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Bitcoin, Ethereum Rise, Dogecoin Slides Amid Positive Christmas Sentiment: Analyst Cautions $110K Target For BTC Possible Only When...

Elon Musk has shared a preview of the collaboration between McDonald&#8217;s Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) Japan and the iconic anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion.
What Happened: This partnership was first announced on Dec. 19, 2024. On Wednesday, McDonald Japan's official X, formerly Twitter, page posted a follow-up preview video featuring original voice actors.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">運命に導かれた3つのバーガーが マクドナルドに集結。 エヴァンゲリオンバーガー 1/6(月)発売 <a href="https://t.co/6S5JO3Mpi7">pic.twitter.com/6S5JO3Mpi7</a>
&mdash; マクドナルド (@McDonaldsJapan) <a href="https://twitter.com/McDonaldsJapan/status/1872047167419920837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42666738/how-apples-upcoming-smart-doorbell-compares-to-amazons-ring?itm_source=parsely-api">How Apple&#8217;s Upcoming Smart Doorbell Compares To Amazon&#8217;s Ring</a>
The collaboration&#8217;s highlight is the McDonald&#8217;s Evangelion Value Set, offering three unique transforming figurines.
These figures morph from McDonald&#8217;s items—a Big Mac, French fries, and McShake—into EVA units. The set is priced at 3,900 yen (about $24) and requires a lottery registration via the McDonald&#8217;s Japan app, running until Jan. 10.
Winners will be notified on Jan. 16, with collection available from Jan. 20 to 26.&nbsp;
Why It Matters: McDonald&#8217;s Japan is renowned for its anime-themed promotions. Considering Evangelion, which debuted nearly 30 years ago, remains a cultural phenomenon, this latest venture has captured massive attention.
Previously, Guillaume Huin, senior marketing director at McDonald's U.S., said on X that he was eagerly attempting to get his hands on a set.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">man I am trying to help myself already. Literally emailed the entire company to try to get a set.
&mdash; Guillaume Huin (@HuinGuillaume) <a href="https://twitter.com/HuinGuillaume/status/1869802393887748457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Musk has previously also interacted with McDonald&#8217;s. He once famously <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41148843/much-wow-how-elon-musk-went-from-promising-to-eat-a-happy-meal-if-mcdonalds-adopts-dogecoi">promised to eat a Happy Meal</a> on live television if the fast-food chain adopted Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) as a payment method.
This <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/01/25206297/elon-musk-says-hell-eat-a-happy-meal-on-tv-if-mcdonalds-accepts-dogecoin-is-there-somethin">playful challenge</a> sparked significant interest within the Dogecoin community.
Rumors of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/restaurants/24/10/41198120/elon-musk-vs-mcdonalds-tesla-fans-wanted-collaboration-instead-they-get-new-product-launch-co">potential collaboration</a> between McDonald&#8217;s and Tesla Inc. had circulated earlier in 2024, coinciding with the Robotaxi Day. However, these rumors did not materialize.
Price Action: McDonald&#8217;s stock has fallen 1.03% year-to-date, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag">according to Benzinga Pro data</a>. However, analyst reports from BofA Securities, Truist Securities, and BMO Capital have set an average price target of $333.67 for MCD, indicating a potential upside of 13.60%.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MCD/analyst-ratings"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/25210218/Screenshot-2024-12-26-at-7.32.09%E2%80%AFAM-1024x376.png" alt="" class="wp-image-706941" /></a></figure>
Image via Shutterstock
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Restaurants

McDonald's Evangelion Collaboration Advert Catches Elon Musk's Eye. Here's What The Techno King Shared

In the face of global and national political upheavals, the U.S. economy is projected to maintain its exceptional performance, surpassing other major economies in 2025, as per economist Mohamed El Erian.
What Happened: El Erian attributes the strength of the U.S. economy to its significant foreign capital attraction and large-scale investment in future productivity drivers, competitiveness, and growth, according to a Project Syndicate report shared by the economist on X Wednesday.
The former PIMCO CEO said the U.S. economy is &#8220;likely to continue outperforming other major economies in 2025."
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Given the amount of foreign capital the US is attracting, and the scale of its investment in the future drivers of productivity, competitiveness, and growth, it is likely to continue outperforming other major economies in 2025, predicts <a href="https://twitter.com/elerianm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elerianm</a>. <a href="https://t.co/tDJsIUHvXS">https://t.co/tDJsIUHvXS</a>
&mdash; Project Syndicate (@ProSyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProSyn/status/1871722539795505625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Despite political turmoil in many countries, including the collapse of governments in France and Germany and the political transition in the U.S. following Donald Trump&#8217;s victory, the economy has remained resilient. This resilience is also evident in the face of geopolitical challenges, such as the &#8220;axis of convenience&#8221; comprising China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, seeking to challenge the Western-dominated international order.
On the other hand, Europe and China are grappling with significant economic weaknesses, with Europe struggling&nbsp;with low growth and large&nbsp;budget deficits, and China facing the threat of &#8220;Japanification.&#8221;
Despite these challenges, the U.S. economy has not only remained stable but has also pulled further ahead. This trend is expected to continue in 2025, with the U.S. likely to continue outperforming other major economies.
However, El Erian warns that political and geopolitical upheaval poses a risk to the endurance of U.S. economic exceptionalism.
&#8220;My baseline scenario for the [U.S.] includes a somewhat lower immediate growth rate, even as the economy outperforms its peers, and sticky inflation,&#8221; wrote El Erian.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42635836/warren-buffetts-sons-90k-inheritance-would-be-worth-more-than-400-million-today-but-he-sold-his-berkshire-stock-47-years-ago-to-buy-something-infinitely-more-valuable?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Son&#8217;s $90K Inheritance Would Be Worth More Than $400 Million Today, But He Sold His Berk</a>
Why It Matters: The US economy&#8217;s performance in 2025 has been a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/11/42137929/2025-us-economy-outlook-cloudier-than-normal-jpmorgan-says-boom-bust-scenarios">topic of discussion</a> among experts. JPMorgan&#8217;s chief economist, Michael Feroli, previously outlined a divided economic outlook for 2025, influenced by the 2024 elections and the early policy indications from the incoming Trump administration.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/10/41461338/imf-upwardly-revises-us-economic-growth-but-warns-under-current-policies-the-us-public-debt-is-not-s">revised its forecast</a> for U.S. growth in 2025, projecting a 2.2% growth, which is 0.3 percentage point higher than previous estimates.
Moreover,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/11/42024472/goldman-sachs-us-to-dominate-2025-growth-with-2-5-gdp-boost-euro-area-will-struggle">Goldman Sachs Research</a>&nbsp;predicts a strong year for global economic growth in 2025, with the US expected to lead the way, significantly surpassing the consensus of 1.9%.
However, El Erian&#8217;s prediction of the US economy outperforming other major economies aligns with his earlier warning about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/24/12/42677086/treasury-yields-could-hit-5-in-2025-mohamed-el-erian-warns-will-next-year-bring-head-winds-for-surging-markets">U.S. Treasury yields potentially hitting 5% in 2025</a>, as markets digest the Federal Reserve's revised rate outlook and end-of-year dynamics.
Photo by International Monetary Fund on Flickr
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Economics

El Erian Explains Why US Economy Is 'Likely To Continue Outperforming Other Major Economies In 2025'

Cryptocurrencies and stocks associated with &#8220;Roaring Kitty&#8221; rose Wednesday following the famed trader&#8217;s apparent &#8216;Merry Christmas&#8217; wish.
What happened: Keith Gill, better known online as Roaring Kitty, became active on the special day after he posted a picture of a neatly wrapped gift.
The message conveyed his Christmas wish and wasn't as cryptic as some of his earlier social media posts.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://t.co/RLv8w97uPp">pic.twitter.com/RLv8w97uPp</a>
&mdash; Roaring Kitty (@TheRoaringKitty) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRoaringKitty/status/1871933930963693706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The frenzy took over immediately. Shares of GameStop Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>), connected to Roaring Kitty's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39799183/whats-going-on-with-gamestop-stock">historic 2021 short squeeze</a>, <a href="https://robinhood.com/us/en/stocks/GME/">jumped</a> 7.68% in Robinhood's overnight trading to $33.50.
Similarly, a meme coin of the same name, GmeStop (GME), rose 5% to a market capitalization of $31.26 million, <a href="https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/gme/">according </a>to CoinMarketCap. The Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)-based coin witnessed a 43% jump in trading volume in the last 24 hours,&nbsp;
Another coin, Kitty Inu (KITTY) surged 17.96% in the last 24 hours.&nbsp;
Note that these meme coins have no fundamental ties to GameStop or Roaring Kitty but are just playing on the speculations of a short squeeze of the meme stock and a possible repetition of the 2021 event.
Roaring Kitty's social posts have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/39807951/why-are-gamestop-and-kitty-themed-memecoins-trading-higher-today-read-on">drastically moved</a> the traditional and cryptocurrency markets in 2024, especially after his comeback in May.
The trader has shared position updates on Reddit and even <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/06/39231962/roaring-kitty-draws-600k-live-viewers-in-youtube-return-im-alive">hosted a livestream</a> on his YouTube channel during market hours.
Price Action: Shares of GameStop closed 0.78% higher at $31.14 during Tuesday&#8217;s regular trading session, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. 
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Roaring Kitty's 'Christmas' Post Has GameStop Rallying 7% In Overnight Trading — Memecoin Connected To Trader Also Surge

In response to US President-elect Donald Trump&#8217;s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, the Danish government has significantly ramped up defense spending for the Arctic territory. This announcement was made shortly after Trump&#8217;s statement.
What Happened: Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced a substantial investment in Greenland&#8217;s defense, amounting to a &#8220;double digit billion amount&#8221; in krone, equivalent to at least $1.5bn. The investment package includes the procurement of two inspection ships, long-range drones, and additional dog sled teams, as well as bolstering staffing at Arctic Command in Nuuk and an upgrade for one of Greenland&#8217;s main civilian airports, <a href="http://Denmark Ramps Up Greenland's Defense Budget Amid Trump's Renewed Acquisition Interest In response to US President-elect Donald Trump's renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, the Danish government has significantly ramped up defense spending for the Arctic territory. This announcement was made shortly after Trump's statement. What Happened: As reported by a BBC article on Thursday, Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced a substantial investment in Greenland's defense, amounting to a &quot;double digit billion amount&quot; in krone, equivalent to at least $1.5bn (£1.2bn). The investment package includes the procurement of two inspection ships, long-range drones, and additional dog sled teams, as well as increased staffing at Arctic Command in Nuuk and an upgrade for one of Greenland's main civilian airports. Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, holds strategic importance to the US due to its location on the shortest route from North America to Europe and its significant mineral reserves. The territory also houses a large US space facility. See Also: Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF Reverses In December: What's Going On? Trump expressed on his social media platform, Truth Social, that the &quot;ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity&quot; for the US. However, Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede responded, stating &quot;we are not for sale&quot;, but emphasized the importance of continued cooperation and trade. Analysts suggest that Denmark's defense boost has been under discussion for a while and should not be seen as a direct response to Trump's comments. If Denmark fails to protect the waters around Greenland from potential encroachments by China and Russia, US demands for greater control could increase. Why It Matters: Trump's controversial remarks about acquiring Greenland and reclaiming the Panama Canal have been seen as part of his &quot;America First&quot; agenda, which emphasizes asserting U.S. interests on the global stage. The idea of buying Greenland apparently came from cosmetics heir, Ronald Lauder, as revealed in an upcoming book. Trump's call to reclaim the Panama Canal has sparked backlash from Panama's President José Raúl Mulino, highlighting potential tensions that could affect maritime trade through the critical waterway. Read Next: Biden Dumps Student Loan Forgiveness Plans: What It Means For Borrowers, Loan Providers Like SoFi">reported</a> BBC on Wednesday.
Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, holds strategic importance to the U.S. due to its location on the shortest route from North America to Europe and its significant mineral reserves. The territory also houses a large U.S. space facility.
Trump expressed on Truth Social, that the &#8220;ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity&#8221; for the U.S. However, Greenland&#8217;s Prime Minister Mute Egede responded, stating &#8220;We are not for sale&#8221;, but emphasized the importance of continued cooperation and trade.
Analysts suggest that Denmark&#8217;s defense boost has been under discussion for a while and should not be viewed as a direct response to Trump&#8217;s comments. If Denmark fails to protect the waters around Greenland from potential encroachments by China and Russia, US demands for greater control could increase.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/12/42660458/schwab-us-dividend-equity-etf-reverses-in-december-whats-going-on?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF Reverses In December: What&#8217;s Going On?</a>
Why It Matters: Trump&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42678846/trumps-controversial-remarks-on-panama-canal-and-greenland-safeguarding-trade-and-security-or-grabbing-power">controversial remarks</a> about acquiring Greenland and reclaiming the Panama Canal have been seen as part of his &#8220;America First&#8221; agenda, which emphasizes asserting U.S. interests on the global stage. The idea of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/09/28875236/donald-trumps-said-greenland-purchase-was-his-idea-but-it-came-from-a-new-york-cosmetics-heir-reveal">buying Greenland</a> apparently came from cosmetics heir, Ronald Lauder, as revealed in an upcoming book. 
Trump&#8217;s call to reclaim the Panama Canal has also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42639737/trumps-call-to-reclaim-panama-canal-sparks-backlash-every-square-meter-belongs-to-panama-says-president-mulino">sparked backlash</a> from Panama's President José Raúl Mulino, highlighting potential tensions that could affect maritime trade through the critical waterway.
Image via Shutterstock
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Trump Effect? Denmark Boosts Greenland's Defense Budget Amid President-Elect's Renewed Acquisition Interest

Mark Cuban took to the Bluesky platform on Dec. 1 to issue a dire warning about the future of housing affordability. His message? It's not interest rates that will be the top challenge for homeowners in the next few years – it's home insurance.
Cuban said:
"Home insurance in areas hit by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41222716/as-florida-prepares-for-one-of-deadliest-hurricanes-here-are-some-potential-stock-winners-and-lo">repetitive disasters</a> will be the number one housing affordability issue over the next four years. And possibly going into the midterms. More so than interest rates.&nbsp;
Florida in particular is going to have huge problems."
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This comment wasn't made in a vacuum. Cuban was responding to a post by another Bluesky user, @AmyL, who painted a grim picture of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/04/38046445/florida-governor-ron-desantis-raises-alarm-by-calling-citizens-insurance-not-solvent-as-an-explosive">housing market in Florida</a>:
"Here in Florida we have a housing crisis of our own – developers are building affordable homes all around, but many are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/10/41353947/5-6-million-vacant-homes-in-america-are-we-misunderstanding-the-housing-crisis-experts-weigh-in">sitting empty</a> because people can't afford the necessary home insurance."
Cuban's concern is rooted in the growing number of natural disasters hitting regions like Florida, California and the Gulf Coast. Hurricanes, wildfires and flooding are becoming more frequent and severe, leading insurance companies to either raise premiums dramatically or pull out of these markets altogether.
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Take Florida, for example. Once a haven for retirees and snowbirds, the state faces skyrocketing insurance premiums due to its vulnerability to hurricanes. Some insurers have stopped offering coverage, forcing homeowners to rely on state-backed programs that aren't always sufficient.
This has created a vicious cycle:
• Homes in disaster-prone areas are becoming increasingly expensive to insure.
• Without insurance, many prospective buyers are priced out, even if the home is "affordable."
• Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/09/40837523/suze-orman-isnt-wasting-money-on-insurance-for-her-condo-im-not-paying-28-000-a-year-when-the-in">property damage risks</a> remain high, discouraging investment and leaving homes empty.
It's not just Florida. Here are some areas in the U.S. known for frequent natural disasters – and the ripple effects they're experiencing:
1. California: Wildfires have devastated entire communities, leading to billions in damages and skyrocketing premiums.
2. Texas: Hurricanes, flooding and hailstorms make parts of the state a high-risk zone for insurers.
3. Louisiana: Like Florida, Louisiana is particularly vulnerable to hurricanes and rising sea levels.
4. Oklahoma: Tornadoes regularly wreak havoc, increasing home repair costs and insurance premiums.
5. Midwest States: Flooding from rivers like the Mississippi and Missouri has made some areas nearly uninsurable.
Trending: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partnered with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target announces the deadline to invest this year is 12/20. – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Last Chance to get 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a>
Cuban's prediction that home insurance will become a political issue makes sense. As premiums rise and insurers retreat, state and federal governments may have to step in to prevent housing markets in disaster-prone areas from collapsing.
But it's not just about legislation. This crisis is a wake-up call for how we handle climate change, urban planning and disaster preparedness. Without serious reforms, homeowners in high-risk areas might face an impossible choice: pay unaffordable premiums, go without insurance or leave their communities entirely.
Mark Cuban's warning highlights an often-overlooked <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42572520/2025-housing-market-looks-like-a-year-of-struggle-for-states-like-builders-now-hold-record-inventory">aspect of the housing crisis</a>. While interest rates and rising home prices grab headlines, the real threat may come from something even harder to control: nature. For homeowners in places like Florida, the clock is ticking and the need for solutions has never been more urgent.
If you're considering buying property in a disaster-prone area, it's crucial to factor in the cost – and availability – of home insurance. But for savvy investors, this shifting landscape could be a unique opportunity. By focusing on rentals or REITs in safer regions, there's still a way to turn the challenges of today's housing market into a long-term advantage.
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<li>This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/bezos-landlord-100-dollars">become a landlord in just 10 minutes, with minimum investments as low as $100 for properties like the Byer House from Stranger Things.</a></li>
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Real Estate

'Florida, In Particular, Is Going To Have Huge Problems' – Mark Cuban Says #1 Housing Affordability Issue Is Insurance, Not Interest Rates

Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 15 years by 14.69% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 26.58%. Currently, Apple has a market capitalization of $3.90 trillion. 
Buying $100 In AAPL: If an investor had bought $100 of AAPL stock 15 years ago, it would be worth $3,415.99 today based on a price of $258.10 for AAPL at the time of writing.
<h3>Apple's Performance Over Last 15 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735166738_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

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