Option chain shows key data for Aequus Pharmaceuticals's stock options at various strike prices and expiration dates. Traders use this information to analyze potential trades and assess market sentiment for Aequus Pharmaceuticals.

Aequus Pharmaceuticals (OTC:AQSZF) Stock, Option Chain

Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc is a Canada-based specialty pharmaceutical company. The firm's operating segments are the Commercial platform and Development pipeline. It generates a majority of its revenue from the Commercial platform segment. The Company earns revenues from the sale of dry eye products and by providing promotional services to sell third-party-owned products, namely Tacrolimus IR and Vistitan.

News

Movers & Shakers

Intraday Update

Markets

Movers

Trading Ideas

General

ADWPF

AGFAF

AHNMF

ALOT

AMSC

APRN

AQSZF

ASIX

ATIF

AXVEF

BCCEF

BMSN

CEIX

CNONF

CONN

CORE

CTDT

CTRC

CTRM

DRWN

DTGI

EUTLF

FDMSF

FEERF

GPOR

GRSO

GTCH

HRTG

HRVOF

HSHL

JTBK

KOTMY

MLGAF

MMJJF

MNILY

MOGLF

NXXGF

ONCX

OZSC

PRPM

PSRVF

PTLA

QOIL

QRON

RAIL

RIGH

RMBL

SADMF

SCIE

SCNNF

SEEK

SHUNF

SNES

STARTMONDAY TECHNOLOGY CO by StartMonday Technology Corp.

STMDF

SURJF

SYNNF

TBEV

TPT GLOBAL TECH INC by TPT Global Tech, Inc.

TPTW

VCTY

VGTL

VIBI

VLGEA

VET ONLINE SUPPLY INC by Vet Online Supply Inc

VTNL

WETF

YGYI

ZNGYQ

YCBD

ENSV

Stocks That Hit 52-Week Lows On Friday

ABML

AEXFF

AFTM

AGTK

AMNL

ANDR

APPZ

APYP

ARST

ATNP

AXREF

BIEI

BORMF

BYYLF

BYZN

CGUD

CLCI

CNAB

COSM

CTMUF

CTXDF

CWMZF

DKAM

DMHI

DRSV

FDEI

FFLO

FITX

FLES

FNEC

FTEG

GABRIELLAS KITCHEN INC by Gabriella's Kitchen Inc.

GABLF

GARB

GASNF

GELT

GERFF

HCTI

HESG

HHSRF

HIMR

IGOI

INCT

IXSBF

KEGX

KGHI

KPIFF

LATF

LKSD

LVLV

LXRP

MCCX

MSNVF

MTLI

MWTCF

MYDX

MYMMF

NABIF

NEOM

NLBIF

NOHO

NORX

NSANF

ONDS

OTEL

OWRDF

PLPRF

PLYZ

PETROTEQ ENERGY INC by Petroteq Energy Inc.

PQEFF

PURE GLOBAL CANNABIS INC by Pure Global Cannabis Inc.

PRCNF

PTNUF

QILFF

QRTEA

RDWD

RNSFF

RIGHT ON BRANDS INC by Right On Brands, Inc.

RTON

SEDO

SFIV

SHLO

Stocks That Hit 52-Week Lows On Thursday

AEQUUS PHARMACEUTICAL INC by Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc

Investor and author Robert Kiyosaki, has predicted a &#8220;giant crash&#8221; in the market. Despite this, he is confident that Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43423389/robert-kiyosaki-predicts-gold-silver-bitcoin-crash-over-trumps-tariffs-says-its-a-buying-moment">will be the first to recover</a>.
What Happened: In a post on X on Friday, Kiyosaki anticipates a significant market crash that will impact all major assets, including&nbsp;stocks, bonds, real estate, gold,&nbsp;silver, and Bitcoin. However, he strongly believes in Bitcoin&#8217;s resilience, asserting that it&nbsp;will be the fastest to&nbsp;recover and hit new highs.
In the post Kiyosaki revealed his post-crash strategy on buying more Bitcoin. He said, despite the impending crash, he has no plans to sell his &#8220;digital gold.&#8221; Instead, he intends to &#8220;back up the truck and&nbsp;buy more&#8221; if Bitcoin&#8217;s price plummets.
<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">GIANT CRASH???? If there is a giant crash…. Of the often times called "the EVERYTHING BUBBLE," stocks and bonds, real estate, gold and silver and Bitcoin will crash with it. Q: If it crashes will I sell my Bitcoin? A: NO If the price of Bitcoin crashes I will back up the…
&mdash; Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) <a href="https://twitter.com/theRealKiyosaki/status/1892686186495524973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Kiyosaki&#8217;s confidence in Bitcoin is apparent in his social media posts. Earlier this month, he encouraged his followers to start accumulating gold, silver, and Bitcoin, while criticizing the U.S. dollar as &#8220;fake.&#8221; 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43759418/robert-kiyosaki-predicts-wall-street-crash-and-layoffs-prepare-for-market-crash-depression-and-war">Robert Kiyosaki Predicts Wall Street Crash and Layoffs: &#8216;Prepare for Market Crash, Depression and War&#8217;</a>
He argues that owning gold and Bitcoin is a smarter and safer strategy than saving dollars.
As of the time of writing, Bitcoin has rebounded by 1.65% in the past 24 hours, moving from $96,870 to $98,540.
Why It Matters: Kiyosaki&#8217;s prediction comes at a time when Bitcoin&#8217;s volatility has been a cause for concern among investors. 
His faith in Bitcoin&#8217;s resilience and potential for recovery, however, could bolster confidence among other investors. His strategy of buying more Bitcoin in the event of a crash could also influence others to consider similar strategies. 
Despite the potential risks, Kiyosaki&#8217;s stance underscores the growing acceptance of Bitcoin as a viable investment asset.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42804530/robert-kiyosaki-predicts-massive-market-crash-save-gold-silver-bitcoin-crash-is-here" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Kiyosaki Predicts Massive Market Crash: ‘Save Gold, Silver, &amp; Bitcoin, Crash Is Here'</a>
Image: Shutterstock

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

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

Robert Kiyosaki Says 'Everything Bubble' Will Cause Historic Market Crash, Bitcoin Will Be Fastest To Recover

Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has a warning for workers across America: If Elon Musk can fire hundreds of thousands of federal employees without cause, private sector workers could be next.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Billionaire Power and Its Consequences</h2>
In a recent <a href="https://x.com/BernieSanders/status/1890894754423910412">post on X</a>, Sanders put it bluntly: &#8220;Today, it's federal workers. Tomorrow, it's &#x2A;your&#x2A; job. That's what oligarchy is about.&#8221;
Sanders has long criticized the growing influence of billionaires in politics and the economy, but he says Musk has made it clearer than ever. In an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txe2Zu3QbNU">interview</a> with Brian Tyler Cohen, Sanders argued that Musk's power goes beyond business—he's now shaping government itself.
Don't Miss:
<ul>
<li>Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
<li>‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.</a></li>
</ul>
&#8220;Everybody has got to understand this is the wealthiest guy in the world right now, worth over $400 billion,&#8221; Sanders said. &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43582376/not-a-bad-return-on-his-investment-bernie-sanders-says-elon-musk-spent-277-million-to-elect-trump-and-made-154-billion-since-election-day">Musk put over $270 million</a> into Trump&#8217;s campaign and guess what? He's now the most important person in government. What does that sound like to you? Does that sound like a democracy&#8230; or is it really an oligarchy doing the bidding of the very richest people?&#8221;
Sanders pointed to Trump's budget priorities, which include massive tax cuts for the wealthy while <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43718712/floridas-medicaid-disaster-1-3-million-cut-from-coverage-one-of-the-highest-disenrollment-rates-in-the-u-s">slashing programs like Medicaid</a>, student aid, and other critical support for working families. He sees it as part of a larger strategy where billionaires get richer while everyday Americans struggle.
&#8220;The end goal of oligarchy is to make the richest people who are already phenomenally rich even richer,&#8221; Sanders explained. &#8220;How do you do that? You give them <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43774882/donald-trumps-tax-cut-could-add-46-trillion-to-deficit-says-robert-reich-emphasizing-48-billion-relief-for-top-100-us-firms-via-corporate-tax-cuts">massive tax breaks</a>. And where do you get the money? You cut programs that working people need.&#8221;
Trending: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?
Musk's influence extends far beyond government decisions. Sanders argues that billionaires like Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43072236/biden-warns-of-musk-bezos-zuckerberg-oligarchy-but-is-he-to-blame-mark-cuban-says-president-pushed-t">control not just politics</a> but also the media landscape. &#8220;They will use their enormous media operations they own to deflect attention away from the impact of their policies while they entertain us to death,&#8221; Sanders said in a <a href="https://x.com/BernieSanders/status/1889341118556274924">video</a> posted on X.
And for those who think these billionaires care about workers? Sanders doesn't buy it. &#8220;Do you think for one second that the oligarchs give a damn about working people? Trust me, they don't.&#8221;
He pointed to Musk's role in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43781034/bill-gates-hopes-elon-musk-will-rethink-slashing-usaid-their-work-is-something-every-taxpayer-would-be-proud-of">dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development</a>, a move that he says will leave thousands of people around the world without food and healthcare. &#8220;They will sacrifice, without hesitation, the well-being of working people to protect their interests.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elon-musk-told-the-u-n-if-they-could-show-a-plan-for-ending-world-hunger-hed-donate-6-billion-i-will-sell-tesla-stock-right-now-and-do-it">Elon Musk Told The U.N. If They Could Show A Plan For Ending World Hunger He'd Donate $6 Billion – ‘I Will Sell Tesla Stock Right Now And Do It'</a>
So what's the solution? Sanders calls for unity among workers of all backgrounds—Black, white, Latino, urban, rural, young, old—to fight back against billionaire control. &#8220;The oligarchs' nightmare is that we will not allow ourselves to be divided up&#8230; and that we'll together have the courage to take them on.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mass Firings Shake Federal Workforce</h2>
Sanders' warning comes as the Trump administration, with Musk's influence, has begun a sweeping purge of federal employees. More than 9,500 workers across departments like Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Interior, Health and Human Services, and Energy have been fired. Another <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43801494/fork-in-the-road-75000-federal-workers-took-musks-offer-but-was-it-enough">75,000 have taken a buyout</a>, representing 3% of the 2.3 million civilian workforce. Many of the job cuts have targeted probationary employees with fewer protections.
The Trump administration claims these cuts are necessary to curb government waste, but Democrats argue they overstep Congress's authority on federal spending.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>
<li>Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they&#8217;re on pace —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-do-i-calculate-my-retirement-income-adv"> here&#8217;s a breakdown on what&#8217;s behind this formula.</a></li>
</ul>

Bernie Sanders Warns: If Elon Musk Can Fire Hundreds Of Thousands Of Federal Employees, Imagine What He'll Do To Private Sector Workers

In his latest annual letter to shareholders, Warren Buffett celebrated 60 years of steering the ship at Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>). He also expressed confidence in the company&#8217;s future under the leadership of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43769996/what-does-warren-buffett-know-that-we-dont-investors-are-paying-attention">chosen successor Greg Abel</a>.
What Happened: Buffett&#8217;s <a href="https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/letters/2024ltr.pdf">letter</a>, which was released on Saturday, chronicled the journey of Berkshire Hathaway from a floundering textile company to a powerful conglomerate. While he admitted to past errors, he assured shareholders that his choice of Abel as his successor was not one of them.
&#8220;Sometimes I've made mistakes in assessing the future economics of a business I've purchased for Berkshire – each a case of capital allocation gone wrong. That happens with both judgments about marketable equities – we view these as partial ownership of businesses – and the 100% acquisitions of companies. At other times, I've made mistakes when assessing the abilities or fidelity of the managers Berkshire is hiring. The fidelity disappointments can hurt beyond their financial impact, a pain that can approach that of a failed marriage,&#8221; Buffett wrote. 
&#8220;A decent batting average in personnel decisions is all that can be hoped for. The cardinal sin is delaying the correction of mistakes or what Charlie Munger called &#8216;thumb-sucking.&#8217; Problems, he would tell me, cannot be wished away. They require action, however uncomfortable that may be,&#8221; Buffett mentioned in the letter.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43900955/berkshire-hathaways-q4-profits-soar-71-warren-buffett-says-his-firm-has-paid-more-taxes-than-tech-titans-in-trillions">Berkshire Hathaway Q4 Profits Soar 71%, Buffett Says Firm Pays More Taxes Than &#8216;Tech Titans&#8217; With Market Value in &#8216;Trillions&#8217;</a>
Buffett praised Abel for his knack for identifying significant investment opportunities. He also pointed out that Berkshire Hathaway now boasts a cash reserve of $334.201 billion, nearly twice the $167.6 billion it had a year ago. 
&#8220;At 94, it won't be long before Greg Abel replaces me as CEO and will be writing the annual letters. Greg shares the Berkshire creed that a "report" is what a Berkshire CEO annually owes to owners. And he also understands that if you start fooling your shareholders, you will soon believe your own baloney and be fooling yourself as well,&#8221; he wrote in the letter. 
"We are impartial in our choice of equity vehicles, investing in either variety based upon where we can best deploy your (and my family's) savings. Often, nothing looks compelling; very infrequently we find ourselves knee-deep in opportunities. Greg has vividly shown his ability to act at such times," Buffett added.
Despite recent challenges in finding major acquisitions, Buffett confirmed that he has no intention of offering a dividend. He also revealed that this year&#8217;s shareholder meeting in May will be shorter than usual, with Buffett and Berkshire&#8217;s two vice chairmen fielding&nbsp;questions from 8 a.m. until&nbsp;1 p.m.
Why It Matters: Buffett&#8217;s 60-year tenure at Berkshire Hathaway has seen the company transform into a global powerhouse. His endorsement of Abel as his successor is a testament to Abel&#8217;s capabilities and the company&#8217;s robust succession plan. 
The significant cash reserves and strategic investments underscore Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s financial strength and its ability to seize investment opportunities. Despite the challenges in finding major acquisitions, Buffett&#8217;s decision not to offer a dividend reflects his confidence in the company&#8217;s growth prospects. 
The upcoming shareholder meeting will provide further insights into the company&#8217;s future direction under Abel&#8217;s leadership.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43766008/berkshire-hathaways-13f-filing-suggests-a-buffett-style-bash-pizza-beer-and-fine-wine">Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s 13F Filing Suggests a Buffett-Style Bash — Pizza, Beer and Fine Wine</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Earnings

Success Stories

Buffett Reflects on 60 Years at Berkshire Helm: 'Cardinal Sin Is Delaying the Correction of Mistakes'

Big changes could be coming for government benefits. House Republicans just unveiled a budget plan that includes massive spending cuts—<a href="https://docs.house.gov/meetings/BU/BU00/20250213/117894/BILLS-119NAih.pdf">$880 billion</a> from Medicaid over the next decade.
Social Security? Safe. Medicare? Also safe. But Medicaid? Not so much.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trump Draws The Line</h2>
President Donald Trump has been clear: No cuts to Social Security or Medicare. They're not touching it. But Medicaid? That's another story.
The House Budget Committee is looking to slash spending by $2 trillion. That includes deep Medicaid cuts, with some proposals pushing for over $2 trillion in reductions. The idea is to balance those cuts with $4.5 trillion in tax cuts.
Don't Miss:
<ul>
<li>How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/tax-deferring-adv"> Tax deferring is their number one strategy</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich-2">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.</li>
</ul>
For millions of Americans, this could mean losing healthcare coverage. <a href="https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/program-information/medicaid-and-chip-enrollment-data/report-highlights/index.html">Over 72 million people</a> rely on Medicaid, including 7.25 million children enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program. In some states, <a href="https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/10-things-to-know-about-medicaid/">over 30% of the population</a> depends on Medicaid for healthcare.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Would These Cuts Look Like?</h2>
The budget draft calls for changes in how Medicaid is funded. Some Republicans want to lower Federal Medical Assistance Percentages—the amount the federal government pays to states for Medicaid. Others want per-capita spending caps, which could cut up to $900 billion in funding.
Trending: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mark-cubans-advice-for-lotto-winners">Many are surprised by Mark Cuban's advice for lotto winners: Cash or annuity?</a>
What does that mean? States would either have to cut Medicaid services or find another way to make up the shortfall. For many, that could mean fewer benefits, tougher eligibility requirements, or higher costs.
Critics argue that Medicaid isn't efficient. Some believe many recipients could get healthcare through work or other means. But research has shown that Medicaid expansions <a href="https://www.nber.org/papers/w26081">reduce rates of mortality,</a> <a href="https://www.kff.org/medicaid/report/the-effects-of-medicaid-expansion-under-the-aca-updated-findings-from-a-literature-review/#:~:text=Access%20to%20care%20and%20related%20measures%3A">improve access to care</a>, and even boost local economies.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What's Next?</h2>
The budget fight is just getting started. Senate Republicans, led by Lindsey Graham (R-SC), are working on <a href="https://www.budget.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/chairmans_mark_-_fy25_budget_resolution.pdf">their own budget plan</a>. That one focuses more on border security and defense spending.
See Also: Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.
Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, meaning they could push through a budget with a simple majority vote. The House has a much tighter margin—218-215—so every vote will count.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), is already throwing cold water on Graham's plan, telling reporters it was a "nonstarter," <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/medicaid-trump-republicans-house-budget-social-security-medicare-musk-doge-2025-2">Business Insider reported</a>. But the House and Senate need to agree on something if they want Trump to sign off.
For now, Social Security stays untouched. But Medicaid? It's on the chopping block, and millions of Americans could feel the impact soon.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li>The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?</li>
<li>The average 401(k) balance soars to a record-breaking high – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/average-401k-balances-soars-to-record-high">Here's how to know if your nest egg is keeping pace.</a></li>
</ul>

Personal Finance

Medicaid Faces $880 Billion Cuts — But Trump Says Social Security Is Safe

In a recent interview, billionaire investor Ray Dalio offered fresh insights on successful investing, emphasizing the importance of diversification and patience in investment strategies.
What Happened:&nbsp;Dalio, who boasts five decades of market experience, urged investors to diversify their portfolios&nbsp;by investing in 10 to&nbsp;15 "good, uncorrelated return streams&nbsp;that are risk balanced." 
He labeled this strategy as&nbsp;his "holy grail and mantra in investing," and assured that adhering to this mantra could result in substantial wealth.
Speaking <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ray-dalios-debt-warnings-big-economic-insights-for/id1749109417?i=1000685223078">with</a> Yahoo Finance, Dalio underscored the significance of patience in investment strategies, warning that the nature of loss necessitates investors to earn double the lost amount to recover.
"Everybody's thinking about what is the best debt. They don't realize that with diversification, the first three diversified, relatively uncorrelated assets will reduce the risk almost in half. That means you double your return-to-risk ratio," Dalio said. 
Dalio further advised investors to differentiate&nbsp;between an investment that has&nbsp;increased in value and one that has performed well, cautioning against the assumption that recent good returns indicate a better investment.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43756938/ray-dalio-warns-of-looming-us-debt-crisis-says-america-faces-economic-heart-attack-without-fiscal-cuts">Ray Dalio Warns of Looming US Debt Crisis, Says America Faces &#8216;Economic Heart Attack&#8217; Without Fiscal Cuts</a>
"The game is played on not getting out. The nature of loss [is], you lose 50%, you have to make 100% to get it back," he further added. 
"Get away from the notion that investments which have done well recently are better investments, rather than more expensive. You have to know the difference between an investment that has gone up a lot and done well. Don't assume that because it felt good recently and gave you good returns, it's a better investment," he said. 
Why It Matters: Dalio&#8217;s advice comes at a time when investors are seeking guidance in an increasingly volatile market. 
His emphasis on diversification and patience reflects his long-standing investment philosophy, which has guided Bridgewater Associates to become one of the world&#8217;s largest hedge funds. 
Dalio&#8217;s&nbsp;latest book, &#8220;How Countries Go&nbsp;Broke: Principles for Navigating the&nbsp;Big Debt Cycle, Where We&nbsp;Are Headed, and What We&nbsp;Should Do,&#8221; scheduled for release in September, is expected to provide further insights into his unique investment principles.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/42805138/ray-dalios-timeless-advice-if-you-dont-own-gold-you-know-neither-history-nor-economics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ray Dalio's Timeless Advice: ‘If You Don't Own Gold, You Know Neither History Nor Economics'</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Ray Dalio's 'Holy Grail' Investment Strategy: Why 10-15 Diversified Investments Could Make You a Fortune

In the aftermath of a $1.4 billion Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) heist, cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has launched a recovery bounty program, offering a reward of up to 10% of the recovered funds to ethical cyber and network security experts who actively contribute to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43890188/bybit-founder-says-14b-eth-hack-may-stem-from-safe-wallet-compromise">retrieving the stolen assets</a>.
This translates to a potential bounty of up to $140 million, making it one of the largest crypto recovery efforts in history.
"Within 24 hours of the event, we were overwhelmed with support from some of the best people and organizations in the industry, and we do not take it for granted. We have shared in a dark moment of crypto history, and we've proven we are better than the malicious actors," said Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit.
The security breach, confirmed by Zhou on Friday evening, resulted in 401,347 ETH ($1.12 billion), 90,376 stETH ($253 million), 15,000 cmETH ($44 million), and 8,000 mETH ($23 million) being stolen from Bybit's Ethereum cold wallet. 
The attack was initially suspected to have exploited Safe's multisig wallet infrastructure, misleading Bybit's team into signing a transaction that granted the attacker control over the cold wallet's smart contract logic.
&#8220;It was a normal URL. I double-checked. It was the Safe URL from the official Safe website,&#8221; Zhou explained in a live stream following the incident. 
&#8220;The hacker changed that transaction into upgrading or changing the Safe smart contract logic so that he gained control over the entire Ethereum cold wallet.&#8221;
Bybit has already received assistance from major exchanges including Binance and MEXC, which are helping monitor and prevent the stolen funds from being laundered. 
Zhou expressed gratitude for the industry&#8217;s response, saying, &#8220;Within 24 hours of the event, we were overwhelmed with support from some of the best people and organizations in the industry.&#8221;
Individuals or groups with expertise in blockchain forensics, security analysis, and fund recovery can participate in the bounty program by contacting Bybit via <a>bounty_program@bybit.com</a>.
Despite the scale of the attack, Bybit continues processing withdrawals, securing liquidity through a bridge loan covering 80% of the stolen Ethereum to ensure customers&#8217; funds remain safe. 
The company has also emphasized its commitment to improving security infrastructure and preventing similar incidents in the future.
Bybit's full forensic investigation is ongoing, working closely with law enforcement, cybersecurity experts, and Safe's development team to determine whether the attack stemmed from a Safe multisig vulnerability or a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43886224/bybit-founder-confirms-1-4-billion-ethereum-hack-blames-masked-transaction">broader infrastructure breach</a>.
Image: Shutterstock

$ETH

Bybit Offers $140M Bounty In Wake of $1.4B ETH Hack, Investigation Focuses On Safe

Benzinga examined the prospects for <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas">many investors' favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here's a look at some of our top stories.
This week, Wall Street retreated from record highs, influenced by Walmart's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) cautious profit outlook and the Federal Reserve's emphasis on persistent inflation risks. Walmart's stock declined by 6.5% after its profit forecast fell short of analysts&#8217; expectations, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/25/02/43895372/walmarts-warning-fed-highlights-inflation-risks-chinese-stocks-surge-this-week-in-markets">raising concerns about consumer spending</a> amid ongoing inflation and trade uncertainties.
The Federal Reserve, in its latest meeting minutes, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43829352/fomc-minutes">highlighted the need for more evidence of cooling inflation</a> before considering rate cuts. Officials also pointed to potential inflationary pressures from possible shifts in trade and immigration policies, as well as supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical tensions.
In contrast, Chinese technology stocks experienced a surge, with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) rising 8.1% following strong earnings and optimistic guidance. This rally was bolstered by speculation of potential monetary policy easing by China&#8217;s central bank and anticipated fiscal stimulus measures from policymakers.
Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week's most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.
The Bulls
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/43812953/super-micro-computer-stock-continues-to-climb-whats-going-on">"Super Micro Computer Stock Continues To Climb: What's Going On?"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Super Micro Computer Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>) shares surged 16.5% after the company announced strong preliminary first-quarter results and reassured investors by confirming it will file delayed financial reports by the Feb. 25 deadline, addressing governance concerns.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/43787535/archer-aviation-stock-is-rising-tuesday-whats-going-on">"Archer Aviation Stock Is Rising Tuesday: What's Going On?"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACHR#NYSE">ACHR</a>) shares climbed 8.16% after the company secured FAA certification to launch its pilot training academy, a key milestone in its goal to begin electric air taxi operations in 2025, with only one more regulatory approval remaining.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43819990/jetai-targets-ai-infrastructure-growth-with-new-data-center-in-nevada-stock-skyrockets">"Jet.AI Targets AI Infrastructure Growth With New Data Center In Nevada, Stock Skyrockets"</a>, by Shivani Kumaresan, reports that Jet.AI Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JTAI#NASDAQ">JTAI</a>) shares soared 69% after the company unveiled plans for a 50-megawatt AI data center in Nevada, aiming for a full gigawatt capacity, as it seeks to capitalize on the surging demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure.
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43825695/xrp-rallies-5-on-etf-news-what-is-going-on">XRP Rallies 5% On ETF News: What Is Going On?</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/02/43855319/apple-stock-set-for-streaming-lift-severance-breaks-record-after-x-ads-tim-cook-promo">Apple Stock Set For Streaming Lift? ‘Severance' Breaks Record After X Ads, Tim Cook Promo</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/02/43816112/hedge-fund-shake-up-tiger-appaloosa-soros-outperform-buffett-icahn-ackman">Hedge Fund Shake-Up: Tiger, Appaloosa, Soros Outperform Buffett, Icahn, Ackman</a>
The Bears
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/02/43857040/palantir-stock-tanks-10-as-ceo-sell-plan-defense-budget-cuts-spark-sell-off">"Palantir Stock Tanks 10% As CEO Sell Plan, Defense Budget Cuts Spark Sell-Off"</a>, by Surbhi Jain, reports that Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) shares plunged 10% after CEO Alex Karp announced plans to sell nearly 10 million shares, raising investor concerns, while potential U.S. defense budget cuts threaten the company's lucrative government contracts, intensifying the sell-off.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43799173/occidental-petroleum-q4">"Occidental Petroleum Shares Slide After Mixed Q4 Results: EPS Beat, Revenues Miss"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that Occidental Petroleum Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OXY#NYSE">OXY</a>) posted fourth-quarter earnings of 80 cents per share, surpassing analyst expectations of 70 cents, while revenue fell to $6.83 billion, missing the projected $7.05 billion.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43868719/dropbox-stock-falls-after-q4-report-arr-slips-paying-users-decrease">"Dropbox Stock Falls After Q4 Report: ARR Slips, Paying Users Decrease"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that Dropbox Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DBX#NASDAQ">DBX</a>) shares fell 8.6% after the company announced a slight decrease in annual recurring revenue and a reduction of 15,000 paying users in the fourth quarter, despite exceeding earnings and revenue expectations.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/02/43884153/us-services-drop-sharply-darkening-picture-of-high-prices-uncertainty-economist-says">US Services Drop Sharply: ‘Darkening Picture' Of High Prices, Uncertainty, Economist Says</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/02/43795095/viking-bails-on-apple-tesla-and-trims-nvidia-is-this-a-big-tech-rethink">Viking Bails On Apple, Tesla And Trims Nvidia: Is This A Big Tech Rethink?</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43869433/walmart-expects-slower-growth-in-an-uncertain-time-cfo-says-on-earnings-call">Walmart Expects Slower Growth In ‘An Uncertain Time,' CFO Says On Earnings Call</a>
Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following<a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga"> Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga"> on Twitter</a>.
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Market Summary

Federal Reserve

ACHR

BABA

JTAI

PLTR

SMCI

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: SMCI, Jet.AI, Palantir, OXY And Wall Street Retreats From Record Highs

The annual report of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) was released on Saturday morning, shedding light on the company&#8217;s robust performance in the insurance sector with a whopping 71% increase in operating earnings for the fourth quarter.
What Happened: According to Berkshire&#8217;s report, the Nebraska-based conglomerate, under the leadership of Warren Buffett, attributed this surge to the rise in interest rates that amplified its investment income and an uplift in its insurance business. The company&#8217;s operating earnings for the quarter were recorded at $14.5 billion.
A significant portion of the earnings increase was due to a 48% increase in insurance investment income, which amounted to $4.1 billion. The firm&#8217;s insurance underwriting business also experienced a strong recovery, with operating earnings multiplying fourfold to $3.4 billion.
GEICO, a major contributor to Berkshire&#8217;s insurance results, more than doubled its pretax underwriting earnings&nbsp;to $7.8 billion in 2024.&nbsp;This was achieved by reversing a years-long downward trend and adding new clients in the latter half of the year.
However, despite these positive results, Berkshire&nbsp;expects pretax losses of approximately&nbsp;$1.3 billion due to the wildfires that ravaged&nbsp;parts of Los Angeles last&nbsp;month. Furthermore, Buffett&#8217;s cash reserves increased&nbsp;to a record $334.2 billion&nbsp;at the end of 2024,&nbsp;marking the 10th consecutive quarter of growth.
In his <a href="https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/letters/2024ltr.pdf">letter</a> to shareholders, Warren Buffett revealed the company&#8217;s performance exceeded his expectations. He also noted that the company paid more taxes than tech giants with trillion-dollar valuations.
&#8220;Berkshire Hathaway – paid far more in corporate income tax than the U.S. government had ever received from any company – even the American tech titans that commanded market values in the trillions. To be precise, Berkshire last year made four payments to the IRS that totaled $26.8 billion. That's about 5% of what all of corporate America paid. In addition, we paid sizable amounts for income taxes to foreign governments and to 44 states,&#8221; he mentioned in the letter. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43874883/warren-buffets-berkshire-hathaway-further-trims-its-stake-in-davita-by-2-sells-additional-shares-worth-116-million">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Berkshire Hathaway Sells $116M Shares Of Dialysis Giant DaVita, Cuts Stake By 2%</a>
Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s property-casualty (P/C) insurance remains its core business. The company distinguishes itself&nbsp;in the insurance industry by&nbsp;taking on risks that other private insurers shy away from, while maintaining a disciplined approach to avoid underpriced policies.
Why It Matters: The substantial increase in Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s Q4 operating profits signifies a strong recovery and growth in its insurance and investment sectors. The rise in interest rates played a crucial role in boosting the company&#8217;s investment income, contributing to the overall surge in earnings.
The robust recovery of the firm&#8217;s insurance underwriting business and the significant contribution from GEICO also played a pivotal role in the earnings increase. 
The growth of P/C insurance is directly linked to increasing economic risks.&nbsp;Berkshire Hathaway believes one-year risk&nbsp;assumptions are generally manageable but&nbsp;remains flexible to adapt policies&nbsp;as needed. This strategic approach has allowed the company to stay ahead in the industry and ensure its continued growth.
Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s investment strategy is also noteworthy. The company&nbsp;remains committed to investing the&nbsp;majority of shareholder funds in&nbsp;equities, primarily American companies with&nbsp;significant international operations. 
This strategy of prioritizing&nbsp;ownership in strong businesses over&nbsp;holding cash-equivalent assets ensures&nbsp;long-term growth and value for&nbsp;its investors.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43769996/what-does-warren-buffett-know-that-we-dont-investors-are-paying-attention">What Does Warren Buffett Know That We Don&#8217;t? Investors Are Paying Attention</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Earnings Misses

Berkshire Hathaway Q4 Profits Soar 71%, Buffett Says Firm Pays More Taxes Than 'Tech Titans' With Market Value in 'Trillions'

The U.S. government has reportedly issued a diplomatic questionnaire to European leaders. The questionnaire seeks to understand their position on Ukraine&#8217;s security and their readiness to defend <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42935659/mary-trump-blasts-uncle-over-wildfire-comments-if-donald-trump-can-profit-from-your-death-he-will-facilitate-it">Ukraine without U.S. leadership</a>.
What Happened: The questionnaire is seen as a measure of European leaders&#8217; determination amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict. It included questions like, &#8220;Are&nbsp;there any countries you believe&nbsp;would be indispensable, like maybe&nbsp;the United States of America?&#8221; and &#8220;Specifically,&nbsp;what short-term and long-term resources&nbsp;do you think will be&nbsp;required from the United States?&#8221;
According to Mary Trump, President Donald Trump's estranged niece, some have found these questions offensive, suggesting that the US is reconsidering its role in the conflict. This change in stance is believed to be due to&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and his administration aligning with&nbsp;Vladimir Putin&#8216;s Moscow agenda.
&#8220;Why suddenly is the United States riddled with such uncertainty about its role in the conflict? That's simple: it's because Donald Trump and his corrupt fascist regime are aligned with the agenda of Vladimir Putin and Moscow. This is a travesty. And it's a travesty that the people in charge, including those at the State Department, care nothing and know nothing about diplomacy and statecraft,&#8221; Mary Trump wrote in her latest blog <a href="https://www.marytrump.org/p/at-the-fulcrum-of-history">post</a>. 
In response, European leaders are escalating their efforts to counteract US foreign policy. An emergency summit was convened in Paris last week, attended by France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark, along with top EU and NATO officials, to devise a response to these developments.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43581792/mary-trump-slams-uncle-says-president-isnt-just-destroying-democracy-hes-handing-unchecked-power-to-people-like-elon-musk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mary Trump Slams Uncle, Says President ‘Isn't Just Destroying Democracy, He's Handing Unchecked Power to People Like Elon Musk'</a>
The U.S. seems to be shifting its responsibilities onto its allies, waiting to see who will stand for it. This change in U.S. policy has created increasing&nbsp;uncertainty about its role in&nbsp;the conflict, leaving&nbsp;European leaders scrambling to respond.
&#8220;Donald's increasingly hostile stance towards Ukraine and continuing appeasement of Putin has European leaders scrambling to respond to yet another reckless move by the United States,&#8221; she added in the post. 
Mary Trump mentioned that President Volodomyr Zelensky has remained clear himself as to&nbsp;Ukraine&#8217;s&nbsp;position on what the future of Ukraine looks like.
&#8220;Donald is calling this the grotesque display that occurred in Saudi Arabia a "peace negotiation," but Zelensky very properly is calling bullshit. He originally had scheduled a visit Saudi Arabia but canceled it when he realized that the United States and Russia planned to meet without giving Ukraine, the aggrieved party, a seat at the negotiating table,&#8221; she said. 
Why It Matters: The US&#8217;s shift in stance towards the Ukraine conflict is a significant development. The questionnaire, seen as a test of European resolve, has implications for the global balance of power and the future of international diplomacy. 
The response of European leaders to this questionnaire and the subsequent actions will be crucial in shaping the course of the Ukraine conflict and the role of the US in global conflicts.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43758634/mary-trump-warns-dni-gabbard-could-lead-to-catastrophic-outcome-a-known-russian-asset-defender-of-murderous-dictator-assad">Mary Trump Warns DNI Gabbard Could Lead To &#8216;Catastrophic Outcome&#8217;: &#8216;A Known Russian Asset,&#8217; Defender of &#8216;Murderous Dictator&#8217; Assad</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Politics

Mary Trump Slams Uncle: 'Trump and His Corrupt Fascist Regime Are Aligned With the Agenda of Vladimir Putin and Moscow'

Comments

Aequus Pharmaceuticals

Aequus Pharmaceuticals (AQSZF) Options

No option chain data available. Please try again later

Popular Channels

Tools & Features

Partners & Contributors

About Benzinga