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BGP Acquisition Corp. (OTCQX: BGPPF) (OTCQX: BGPAF) (NEO:BGP.U) (NEO:BGP.WT.U) and Craft 1861 Global, Inc., have entered into a definitive business combination agreement, which is intended to constitute

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Leading executives of the blockchain-based company Ripple Labs met with President-elect Donald Trump, displaying strong bonhomie and potential cooperation for the future.
What happened: On Tuesday, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse posted a photo of himself and the firm's Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, with Trump on X.
"Great dinner last night with Donald Trump &amp; Stuart Alderoty," Garlinghouse wrote. "Strong start to 2025!" Trump was seen giving a thumbs-up in the photo.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Great dinner last night with <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/s_alderoty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@s_alderoty</a>. Strong start to 2025! <a href="https://t.co/UjM6lahUG4">pic.twitter.com/UjM6lahUG4</a>
&mdash; Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/bgarlinghouse/status/1876783603603939438?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Alderoty reshared the post, saying, &#8220;And to top it off, the beef bourguignon was really good."
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42835979/ethereum-co-founder-vitalik-buterin-offloads-nearly-a-million-in-memecoins-to-benefit-charitiesdogecoins-sister-coin-neiro-plunges-3-after-sale">Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin Offloads Nearly A Million In Memecoins To Benefit Charities — Dogecoin&#8217;s Sister Coin NEIRO Plunges 3% After Sale</a>
Why It Matters: The camaraderie comes on the heels of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42808375/ripple-ceo-celebrates-trumps-impact-on-crypto-industry-says-34th-of-companys-new-hires-us-based">recent disclosure</a> by Garlinghouse that the company's hiring and business deals have become U.S.-focused since Trump's win in the November elections.
He said that about 75% of open roles are now based in the U.S., contrasting with the last four years when the majority of the hires were from outside.
That's not all. Since the elections, XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>), a cryptocurrency strongly tied to Ripple's operations, has soared 363% in value.
The coin's Open Interest has ballooned from $690 million just before the elections to $4.25 billion as of this writing, <a href="https://www.coinglass.com/BitcoinOpenInterest">according </a>to Coinglass, reflecting a 515% surge. A jump in Open Interest implies strong speculative interest.
Some of XRP's technical indicators were also supportive. The Bull Bear Power indicator, used for measuring the strength of buyers and sellers in the market, flashed a &#8220;Buy&#8221; signal for the coin, according to TradingView.
Most moving average indicators also showed a "Buy" reading, indicating that the asset was in an uptrend.
Price Action: At the time of writing, XRP was exchanging hands at $2.33, down 2.98% in the last 24 hours, 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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Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

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Trump Meets Top Ripple Executives — CEO Says 'Strong Start To 2025' As Technicals Favor XRP Bulls

Tencent Holdings Ltd. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TCEHY#OTC">TCEHY</a>) and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited, two of China&#8217;s leading technology companies, are preparing legal challenges after being added to the U.S. Department of Defense&#8217;s list of Chinese Military Companies on Wednesday.
What Happened: The designation, which primarily affects U.S. defense procurement, triggered significant market reactions. Tencent&#8217;s shares fell 7.8% in Hong Kong trading on Tuesday, while CATL&#8217;s stock dropped 6% in Shenzhen. Both companies strongly denied any military connections and announced plans to engage with U.S. authorities.
Tencent, a major gaming and social media conglomerate, stated in a regulatory filing that it is &#8220;neither a Chinese military company nor a military-civil fusion contributor.&#8221; The company, led by Chairman Ma Huateng, emphasized that the listing wouldn&#8217;t affect its broader business operations or securities trading.
Tencent owns Riot Games, and Supercell, and has stakes in Reddit, Snap, and Epic Games.
CATL, a key supplier to Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), similarly rejected the designation, stating it has &#8220;never engaged in any military-related business or activities.&#8221; The company assured shareholders that the listing would not substantially impact its operations.
Both Tencent and CATL have initiated reconsideration processes and indicated their willingness to pursue legal action if necessary.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42860759/10-best-stock-traders-in-congress-in-2024-where-do-nancy-pelosi-pete-sessions-susan-collins-marjorie-taylor-greene-rank">Top 10 Stock Traders In Congress For 2024: How Nancy Pelosi, Pete Sessions, Susan Collins, Marjorie Taylor Greene Rank</a>
Why It Matters: This development comes amid escalating <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/05/39057312/chinese-firms-blacklisted-in-us-rebrand-themselves-as-american-to-avoid-sanctions-imposed-by-biden-a">U.S.-China trade tensions</a>. China&#8217;s Ministry of Commerce recently imposed new trade controls, adding 28 U.S. companies to an export control list and restricting major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>) and Boeing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) from operating in China.
Despite these challenges, Tencent continues to show <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/25/01/42827152/tencent-strengthens-video-leadership-showcases-revenue-growth-potential-analyst">strong business fundamentals</a>. Goldman Sachs recently maintained a Buy rating on the company, citing its leadership in video entertainment and artificial intelligence development. The company&#8217;s WeChat ecosystem remains robust, with users accessing the app 40-50 times daily.
The Pentagon&#8217;s designation specifically relates to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/42838053/us-adds-tencent-tesla-supplier-catl-to-chinese-military-blacklist-shares-tumble">Section 1260H list compliance</a>, which serves as a warning mechanism for U.S. entities but does not prohibit general business dealings or securities transactions with listed companies. 
Price Action: Tencent&#8217;s stock is trading at HK$ 373.60 ($48.04) on Wednesday, down 1.58% for the day. Over the past year, the stock has gained 29.51%. 
CATL&#8217;s stock is currently trading at CNY 246.28 ($33.59) on Wednesday, down 1.27% for the day. Over the past year, the stock has surged 64.09%.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/25/01/42860583/trump-floats-canada-as-51st-us-state-says-hes-ready-to-use-economic-force-to-achieve-it">Trump Floats Canada As 51st US State, Says He&#8217;s Ready To Use &#8216;Economic Force&#8217; To Achieve It</a></li>
</ul>
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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Tesla Supplier CATL, Riot Games Owner Tencent Plan Legal Action Over Pentagon Blacklist, Deny Military Ties

Leading cryptocurrencies nosedived, on Tuesday, as the latest economic data poured cold water on interest rate-cut expectations.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:15 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>-4.76%</td>
<td>$97,056.00</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>-7.59%</td>
<td>$3,402.50</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>-9.40%</td>
<td>$0.3507</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin fell to $96,200 late afternoon before dip-buying propelled the leading cryptocurrency up a few notches. This comes a day after it hit $100,000 after a gap of more than two weeks.
Ethereum's decline was steeper as the second-largest cryptocurrency lost nearly 8% of its value in 24 hours, plunging to $3,880.
Cryptocurrency liquidations hit $559 million in the last 24 hours, the highest since Dec. 20. More than $500 million in long liquidations was witnessed.
Top traders on Binance seemed to be buying the dip, as over 63% of them were long on Bitcoin, compared to 36% shorting the cryptocurrency.&nbsp;
About $555 million in short positions risked liquidation if Bitcoin rebounds to $100,000.&nbsp;
The slump cooled the sentiment from "Extreme Greed" to "Greed," according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index.
Top Losers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Losses </td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:15 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>dYdX (DYDX)</td>
<td>12.33%</td>
<td>$1.43</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pudgy Penguins (PENGU)</td>
<td>11.88%</td>
<td>$0.03761</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lido DAO (LDO)</td>
<td>11.85%</td>
<td>$1.78</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization slumped 5.29% to $3.39 trillion in the last 24 hours.
Stocks faced heavy sell-offs on Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 178.20 points, or 0.42%, to close at 42,528.36. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite slipped 1.89%, ending at 19,489.68, while the S&amp;P 500 fell 1.11% to 5,909.03.
The decline followed a report revealing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/42850914/us-services-sector-growth-tops-forecasts-but-price-pressures-tariff-concerns-cloud-outlook">stronger-than-expected U.S. services sector growth</a>, but a steep increase in the Prices Index stoked fears about inflationary pressures.
According to the CME FedWatch tool, traders priced in a 95% chance that the current interest rate range of 4.25%-4.50% would remain unchanged, up from 91% the day before.
While the equities sold off, yields on risk-free debt rose. The benchmark Treasury yield hit 4.69, its highest since late April.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Popular cryptocurrency analyst Michaël van de Poppe weighed in on Bitcoin's latest correction.
"Couldn&#8217;t hold above $98-100,000 and we&#8217;re dropping down. Likely this is going to give a period of consolidation," the analyst predicted.
However, he added that once the correction ends, the entire market will rally, with altcoins witnessing the "strongest bounces."
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The chop on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> continues. Couldn&#39;t hold above $98-100K and we&#39;re dropping down. Likely this is going to give a period of consolidation. Correction over? Bounce on the entire markets, strongest <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Altcoins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Altcoins</a> have the strongest bounces.
&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1876702282533757386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Ali Martinez, a widely followed cryptocurrency expert,&nbsp; highlighted the significance of $97,000 as support for Bitcoin.
"If this support holds, BTC may rebound. A break below $97,000, however, could open the door for a dip to $92,000," Martinez projected.
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<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The TD Sequential indicator flashes a buy signal on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> hourly chart, right above the setup trend line and the 200-hour MA, near $97,000. If this support holds, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BTC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BTC</a> may rebound. A break below $97,000, however, could open the door for a dip to $92,000. <a href="https://t.co/jevgNgKyEf">pic.twitter.com/jevgNgKyEf</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1876684037416186305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Photo by CMP_NZ on Shutterstock
Read Next:    
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42815711/bitcoin-is-the-the-grand-daddy-and-outshines-wall-street-anthony-pompliano-says">Bitcoin Is The &#8216;The Grand Daddy&#8217; And Outshines Wall Street, Anthony Pompliano Says</a></li>
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Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Join Equities In Sell-Offs As Economic Data Pours Cold Water On Rate Cut Hopes: $97K Holds Significance For BTC — Here's Why

The U.S. stock market experienced a downturn on Tuesday, with the Nasdaq Composite falling by 1.9% and the S&amp;P 500 dropping by 1.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also declined by 0.4%.
These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day:
Nvidia Corporation&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)
Nvidia&#8217;s stock dropped by 6.22%, closing at $140.14. The stock reached an intraday high of $153.13 and a low of $140.01, with a 52-week high of $153.13. During the CES 2025 keynote, CEO Jensen Huang <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42835923/jensen-huang-unveils-monster-gpus-nvidias-rtx-5000-series-starting-at-549">unveiled the RTX 5000 series GPUs</a>, capturing significant market interest.
Palantir Technologies Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>)
Palantir&#8217;s shares fell by 7.81%, closing at $69.99. The day&#8217;s high was $75.39, with a low of $69.75, and a 52-week high of $75.39. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42835519/cathie-woods-monday-moves-dumps-15m-worth-of-hot-stock-palantir-loads-up-amazon-com">Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest</a> sold $15 million worth of Palantir shares on Monday and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42865484/cathie-woods-tuesday-double-dump-ark-invest-trims-both-palantir-and-bitcoin-etf-holdings">continued selling shares</a> on Tuesday, reflecting mixed analyst ratings.
IonQ Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IONQ#NYSE">IONQ</a>)
IonQ&#8217;s stock decreased by 2.90%, closing at $49.59. The stock hit a high of $54.74 and a low of $48.73, with a 52-week high of $54.74. The company announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/01/42825776/ionq-expands-quantum-edge-with-qubitekk-acquisition-stock-soars">acquisition of Qubitekk</a>, enhancing its quantum computing capabilities.
Moderna Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>)
Moderna shares surged by 11.65%, closing at $47.53. The stock&#8217;s intraday high was $48.92, with a low of $42.86, and a 52-week high of $170.47. The rise follows reports of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/01/42854890/us-records-first-human-bird-flu-death-high-levels-of-respiratory-illnesses-vaccine-stocks-rally">first U.S. human bird flu death</a>, boosting vaccine stocks.
Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)
Tesla&#8217;s stock fell by 4.06%, closing at $394.36. The stock&#8217;s high was $414.33, with a low of $390, and a 52-week high of $488.54. Despite a recent downgrade by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/42856115/tesla-analyst-on-high-stakes-future-optimus-robotaxi-fsd-have-potential-but-execution-risks-loom">Bank of America</a>, investors remain focused on long-term prospects like FSD and robotaxis.
Image via Shutterstock
Prepare for the day&#8217;s trading <a href="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-admin/Premarket%20Movers%20&amp;%20News">with top premarket movers and news</a> by Benzinga.
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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>

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Nvidia, Palantir, Ionq, Novavax, And Tesla: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Today

On Tuesday, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) announced plans to invest $11 billion in Georgia through its cloud division, Amazon Web Services.
What Happened: This investment aims to bolster infrastructure for cloud computing and artificial intelligence technologies.
With the investment in Butts and Douglas counties, "we expect to create more than 550 well-paying jobs," said Roger Wehner, vice president of economic development at AWS.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/42818961/jeff-bezos-urged-his-brother-and-sister-to-invest-10000-in-amazon-the-stake-grew-15499900-and-its-now-potentially-worth-1-5-billion">Jeff Bezos Urged His Brother And Sister To Invest $10,000 In Amazon – The Stake Grew 15,499,900% And It&#8217;s Now Potentially Worth $1.5 Billion</a>
The expansion of AI and cloud computing has also led to increased electricity consumption in the U.S.
The Electric Power Research Institute projects that by 2030, data centers could account for as much as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/08/40599343/amazon-microsoft-and-other-us-tech-giants-compete-with-bitcoin-miners-over-scarce-energy-s">9% of the electricity produced</a> in the U.S., more than twice their current usage.
Amazon has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/40969515/amazon-going-nuclear-hiring-plans-indicate-company-may-be-eyeing-nuclear-to-meet-energy-needs">secured agreements</a> with U.S. utilities, including Talen Energy in Pennsylvania and Entergy Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETR#NYSE">ETR</a>) in Mississippi, to power its data centers across the country.
Why It Matters: Amazon's initiative is part of a larger trend among tech giants to invest heavily in AI. Earlier this month, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) announced an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42801720/microsoft-to-invest-80-billion-in-ai-data-centers-for-fiscal-2025">$80 billion investment</a> for fiscal 2025 to train AI models and deploy cloud applications.
In 2024, Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) CEO Jensen Huang also identified a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/08/40617133/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-identifies-1-trillion-opportunity-amid-generative-ai-shift-data-centers-">$1 trillion opportunity</a>.
"The world builds about $1 trillion worth of data centers. In a few years, $1 trillion worth of data centers will be all accelerated computing," he said during Nvidia's second-quarter earning call.
In December 2024, Amazon also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/12/42356920/amazon-halts-inferentia-ai-chip-development-to-take-on-nvidia-how-trainium-is-shaping-up-to-be-the-new-weapon-in-ai-chip-wars">decided to halt the development</a> of its Inferentia AI chip, focusing instead on the Trainium chip to improve cost performance in AI model training.
Price Action: Amazon's stock fell 2.42% on Tuesday, closing at $222.11. However, it recovered slightly with a 0.11% gain in after-hours trading, according to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag">Benzinga Pro data</a>. 
Photo by Sundry Photography via Shutterstock
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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AMZN

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Amazon AWS To Invest $11 Billion In Georgia To Boost AI And Cloud Infrastructure: 'Expect To Create More Than 550 Well-Paying Jobs'

On Tuesday, Cathie Wood-led Ark Invest made some significant adjustments to its portfolio. The most notable of these was the sale of shares in Palantir Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) across multiple ETFs, coupled with a substantial sale of ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKB#BATS">ARKB</a>).
The Palantir Trade
Ark Invest&#8217;s decision to offload Palantir shares may come as a surprise to many, given the company&#8217;s impressive 355% surge over the past 12 months. The investment firm continued to dump shares of the hot stock. On Tuesday, it offloaded 4,890 shares valued at $342,251 through ARK Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKK#NYSE">ARKK</a>), ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKW#NYSE">ARKW</a>) and Ark Fintech Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKF#NYSE">ARKF</a>). Palantir stock ended the day sharply lower by 7.8% at $69.99. Tuesday&#8217;s sale follows Ark&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/25/01/42843542/palantir-stock-the-ark-is-rocking-as-palantirs-rally-hits-resistance">disposal of shares</a> worth roughly $15 million on Monday. Despite the sale, Wood remains a long-time supporter of tech disruptors. However, this move underscores growing concerns about Palantir's valuation, especially following Morgan Stanley&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/42835613/jim-cramer-predicts-palantir-buying-surge-tonight-after-morgan-stanleys-underweight-rating-unless-another-analyst-starts-with-a-sell">recent downgrade</a> to "underweight," setting a $60 price target on the stock.
The ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF Trade
On the same day, Ark Invest also made a significant sale of its Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) ETF. The firm sold 18,239 ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF units from ARKW. On Tuesday ARKB ended the day 5.8% lower at $96.19. Bitcoin was seen trading 5.2% lower at $96,728.42 at the time of writing. Significantly lower than the psychologically important $100K mark.
This trade comes amidst a favorable environment for crypto gains. Former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes predicted Bitcoin&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42854789/bitcoin-could-peak-by-late-march-arthur-hayes-says-heres-why">price could peak</a> in late March 2025 due to increased dollar liquidity. He highlighted liquidity injections from the Fed&#8217;s Reverse Repo Facility and Treasury&#8217;s General Account, cautioning the positive trend may reverse with debt ceiling pressures.
Other Key Trades:
<ul>
<li>Ark Purchased shares of Gitlab. and Illumina.</li>
<li>The firm loaded up on shares of Pacific Biosciences of California </li>
<li>Ark sold shares of Archer Aviation, Cloudflare and Adaptive Biotechnologies.</li>
</ul>
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/01/42857121/southwest-airlines-cashes-in-on-sale-and-leaseback-of-36-aircraft-details">Southwest Airlines Cashes In On Sale And Leaseback Of 36 Aircraft: Details</a></li>
</ul>
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>

ETFs

ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF

ARKB

ARKF

ARKK

ARKW

Cathie Wood's Tuesday Double Dump: Ark Invest Trims Both Palantir And Bitcoin ETF Holdings

The U.S. financial markets will observe an extraordinary trading pause on Thursday, to honor former President Jimmy Carter&#8216;s state funeral, marking only the fourth such closure for a presidential <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/movers-shakers/24/12/42716329/jimmy-carter-the-39th-us-president-who-championed-human-rights-and-peace-in-the-middle-east-had-died">remembrance in modern market history</a>. 
What Happened: The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will suspend all trading operations, while the bond market will see a shortened session closing at 2 p.m. ET, as recommended by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. 
This follows President Joe Biden&#8216;s executive order declaring Jan. 9 a national day of mourning for Carter, who died on Dec 29 at age 100.
While U.S. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42725647/markets-will-close-for-president-jimmy-carters-state-funeral-what-you-need-to-know">financial markets and post offices will close</a>, most banks will maintain regular operations as the day is not designated as a federal holiday. 
The market closure has sparked debate within the financial community. Notably, Pershing Square CEO Bill Ackman <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/12/42737155/bill-ackman-questions-stock-market-closure-to-honor-jimmy-carter-calls-it-shutting-down-commerce">questioned the practice</a>, arguing on social media platform X that &#8220;closing the market is synonymous with shutting down commerce.&#8221; However, NYSE Group President Lynn Martin defended the decision, emphasizing Carter&#8217;s public service legacy.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/42865028/jim-cramer-predicts-palantir-buying-surge-tonight-after-morgan-stanleys-underweight-rating-unless-an">Jim Cramer Predicts Palantir Buying Surge Tonight After Morgan Stanley&#8217;s Underweight Rating: &#8216;Unless Another Analyst Starts With A Sell&#8230;&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Carter&#8217;s presidential tenure (1977-1981) was marked by significant economic challenges, including peak inflation of 13.5%. His appointment of Paul Volcker as Federal Reserve chairman proved pivotal in establishing monetary policies that would later tame inflation, though these measures <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/politics/24/12/42734155/jimmy-carters-complex-economic-legacy-high-inflation-but-effective-hawkish-fed-under-volcker">contributed to his re-election defeat</a>.
For modern investors, Carter&#8217;s economic legacy includes the successful $1.5 billion government-backed rescue of Chrysler Corporation in 1980, which established a precedent for major corporate interventions. The automaker, now part of Stellantis N.V., ultimately repaid $12.5 billion in government loans.
The temporary market closure follows similar observances for former Presidents George H.W. Bush in 2018 and Gerald R. Ford in 2007.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/42836870/warren-buffetts-berkshire-hathaway-subsidiary-sued-over-unaffordable-loans-2008-style-predatory-loan-approval-tactics">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Berkshire Hathaway Subsidiary Sued Over Unaffordable Loans, 2008-Style Predatory Loan Approval Tactics</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock 
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Jimmy Carter's Funeral: Markets And Post Offices Closed, Banks Stay Open On Jan. 9

Elon Musk, on Tuesday, predicted a potential drop in prices of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) if dollar inflation is addressed.
What Happened: The Tesla and Space X CEO expressed his views on how cryptocurrencies would benefit if inflation and government overspending were curbed
&#8220;If dollar inflation is solved, the price in dollars to buy cryptocurrency will actually drop, other things being equal,&#8221; Musk wrote in an X post. &#8220;What matters is the ratio of dollars to cryptocurrency.&#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">If dollar inflation is solved, the price in dollars to buy cryptocurrency will actually drop, other things being equal. What matters is the ratio of dollars to crypto.
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1876567714594169283?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The remark was in response to a post by Garry Tan, CEO of Y Combinator, who predicted Dogecoin&#8217;s price would go up if Musk&#8217;s upcoming Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, achieves its goal of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41927289/trump-appoints-elon-musk-and-vivek-ramaswamy-to-lead-doge-targeting-bureaucracy-and-65-trillion-federal-spending-we-will-not-go-gently">reducing government spending</a>.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42835979/ethereum-co-founder-vitalik-buterin-offloads-nearly-a-million-in-memecoins-to-benefit-charitiesdogecoins-sister-coin-neiro-plunges-3-after-sale">Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin Offloads Nearly A Million In Memecoins To Benefit Charities — Dogecoin&#8217;s Sister Coin NEIRO Plunges 3% After Sale</a>
Why It Matters: Musk&#8217;s comments come in the wake of reports that the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42806463/elon-musks-push-for-crypto-powered-everything-app-reflected-in-x-money-leak-as-bitcoin-hovers-around-100k">tech titan was planning to introduce a new Bitcoin and cryptocurrency feature</a> called &#8220;X Money&#8221; on X. 
According to a leak reported by influencer Alex Finn and MacRumors contributing researcher Aaron Perris, &#8220;X Money&#8221; might launch without needing approval from all 50 states.&nbsp;
Musk has been a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/01/42794433/if-you-invested-1000-in-dogecoin-when-elon-musk-acquired-twitter-heres-how-much-youd-have-now">passionate supporter of DOGE meme coin</a>, and the acronym for his upcoming government department is based on the dog-themed cryptocurrency.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $96,967.23, down 4.81% in the past 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. DOGE was priced at $0.3515, crashing 9.41%.
Image via Flickr
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42836019/odds-of-trump-buying-greenland-hit-21-on-betting-platform-kalshi-amid-reports-of-donald-trump-jrs-visit-to-arctic-region">Trump&#8217;s Greenland Gambit: Kalshi Bettors See 21% Chance He&#8217;ll Seal The Deal Before This Date</a></li>
</ul>

Elon Musk Foresees Drop In Bitcoin, Dogecoin Prices If Dollar Inflation Solved: 'What Matters Is The Ratio…'

Sony Group Corp's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SONY#NYSE">SONY</a>) co-founder Akio Morita once in an interview delivered a scathing critique of corporate leaders who prioritize quarterly profits over the long-term health of their companies.
What Happened:&nbsp; He spoke about the common practice of treating businesses as commodities rather than communities of people.
"A company is just like a family, like a home. We are working together, and this group of people working in the same direction should not be treated just like a commodity," he stated.
The legendary co-founder expressed concern over how executives often make drastic cuts during economic downturns, such as mass layoffs, to protect profits.
"Recession was not caused by these employees," he said, adding, "Yet, these employees are fired, losing business, still management stays to keep its profit. I am wondering, where are the human rights of these employees?"
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42381024/apple-eyes-sony-partnership-for-game-changing-vision-pro-upgrade">Apple Eyes Sony Partnership For Game-Changing Vision Pro Upgrade</a>
Morita also criticized the practice of new management writing off previous losses to make themselves look good while avoiding investments in the company's long-term future.
<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">Sony co-founder Akio Morita on managment who run companies for the short term:<a href="https://t.co/QqeXY8M94J">pic.twitter.com/QqeXY8M94J</a>
&mdash; Jon Erlichman (@JonErlichman) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonErlichman/status/1829255676859953173?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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Why It Matters: Morita&#8217;s passing in 1999 marked the end of an era for Sony Corp. and the Japanese business community.
A Harris <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/04/business/akio-morita-co-founder-of-sony-and-japanese-business-leader-dies-at-78.html">poll</a> conducted a year before his passing, revealed that Sony ranked as the top brand among American consumers, surpassing iconic U.S. companies such as General Electric and Coca-Cola.
Under Morita's leadership, Sony made history as the first Japanese company to list its stock in the U.S. in 1961 and became a trailblazer again in 1972 by establishing one of the first Japanese-owned factories on American soil.
Sony currently has a market cap of $126.28 billion, making it the world's 127th most valuable company. The company&#8217;s stock experienced a 13.1% increase in 2024, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Japanese corporate culture values lifetime employment. Companies prioritize job security and employee loyalty to ensure stability. This contrasts with the U.S., where flexibility and frequent job changes are common.
Japanese firms also avoid mergers and acquisitions. Instead, they focus on organic growth and long-term relationships over quick profits.
Here is a table summarizing some of the largest tech layoffs over the past five years, including notable companies and the number of employees affected:
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Company</td>
<td>Year</td>
<td>Number of Layoffs</td>
<td>Notes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>)</td>
<td>2022</td>
<td>10,000</td>
<td>Multiple rounds of layoffs in late 2022.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)</td>
<td>2022</td>
<td>11,000</td>
<td>First major round announced in November 2022.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Twitter (now called X)</td>
<td>2022</td>
<td>6,000+</td>
<td>Approximately 80% reduction under Elon Musk&#8217;s ownership.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>)</td>
<td>2024</td>
<td>15,000</td>
<td>Planned reduction of 15% of workforce.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)</td>
<td>2024</td>
<td>1,900</td>
<td>Cuts primarily in the gaming division.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alphabet Inc. (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>)</td>
<td>2023</td>
<td>12,000</td>
<td>Announced significant layoffs in January.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Last year, Sony Interactive Entertainment also announced plans to reduce its PlayStation workforce by approximately 900 employees, representing 8% of its global staff.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;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/emerging-markets/24/12/42552200/sony-semiconductor-hits-20-billion-image-sensor-shipments-plans-expansion">Sony Semiconductor Hits 20 Billion Image Sensor Shipments, Plans Expansion</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

GOOG

GOOGL

INTC

SONY

Sony Was The First Japanese Company To List On US Markets, Co-Founder Akio Morita Championed 'Workers As Family' Philosophy — Does His Vision Still Resonate Today?

President-elect Donald Trump spotlighted artificial intelligence and drilling expansion as pillars of his economic vision Tuesday, pledging to foster AI-driven innovation while slashing energy<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/regulations"> costs through expanded deregulation.</a>
During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump outlined plans to accelerate America's leadership in artificial intelligence by supporting private investments in data centers and energy infrastructure.
"A lot of people don&#8217;t realize that AI is going to be a big thing but you'll need double the electricity at least that we have right now," Trump said, hinting at the plan to markedly raise U.S. energy production to meet fast-growing AI demands.
He indicated that expanding access to oil and gas is critical to keeping energy costs low and powering future industry.
Calling Biden's offshore drilling ban "a crime" against America's economic potential, Trump pledged to overturn the policy immediately upon taking office. "We're going to be drilling, and energy costs are going to come way down," he said.
According to Trump, reversing Biden&#8217;s offshore drilling ban would unlock 625 million acres of offshore reserves valued at $50 to $60 trillion.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Trump Pledges Faster Permits</h1>
Trump contrasted the U.S. permitting delays with China's rapid expansion of energy infrastructure, which he said is fueling its artificial intelligence sector. 
He called out the U.S. permitting system as a major barrier to economic progress, particularly in the energy sector.
"China is already building massive electric facilities, and you know how they're being fired up? With coal," Trump said. 
The tycoon pledged to streamline environmental permitting for large-scale projects, promising expedited reviews for companies investing $1 billion or more in the U.S. economy. 
"We're going to move them quickly through the environmental process," Trump said, referencing delays that have sometimes lasted more than a decade. 
"I've seen plants in Louisiana where I got it approved in literally a week after they spent 14 and a half years trying to get it done."
Trump framed this regulatory overhaul as essential for keeping America competitive, particularly in energy and artificial intelligence. 
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reactions</h1>
U.S. oil and gas stocks outperformed on Tuesday, with the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) up by 1%, yet trimming session gains in afternoon trading.
The broader energy sector&#8217;s price action showed little sign of bullish momentum after Trump&#8217;s remarks.
Among individual names, Devon Energy Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DVN#NYSE">DVN</a>) gained 2.8%, Texas Pacific Land Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TPL#NYSE">TPL</a>) rose 2.7%, and Hess Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HES#NYSE">HES</a>) advanced 2%, leading the pack of Tuesday&#8217;s top-performing, large-cap energy stocks.
The technology-heavy AI sector lagged significantly, with the Global X Artificial Intelligence &amp; Technology ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AIQ#NYSE">AIQ</a>) closing nearly 2% lower. The decline in AI sector came as NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) tumbled 6% and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) fell 4.1%.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/25/01/42860583/trump-floats-canada-as-51st-us-state-says-hes-ready-to-use-economic-force-to-achieve-it">Trump Floats Canada As 51st US State, Says He&#8217;s Ready To Use &#8216;Economic Force&#8217; To Achieve It</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Lukasz Z via Shutterstock

Government

Large Cap

Regulations

Sector ETFs

Commodities

Contracts

Econ #s

Trump Vows To Power AI Boom With Expanded Oil Drilling: 'Need Double The Electricity At Least That We Have Right Now'

Trading Halt: Halted at 7:50:00 p.m. ET - Trading Halt: Halt News Pending

CEROW

CERO

On Tuesday, Pierre Poilievre, the leader of Canada&#8217;s Conservative Party, has publicly denounced the idea proposed by President-elect Trump of making Canada the 51st state of the United States. 
What Happened: Poilievre took to social media platform X to voice his disagreement with Trump&#8217;s proposition. He asserted, &#8220;Canada will never be the 51st state. Period. We are a great and independent country.&#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">Canada will never be the 51st state. Period. We are a great and independent country. We are the best friend to the U.S. We spent billions of dollars and hundreds of lives helping Americans retaliate against Al-Qaeda's 9/11 attacks. We supply the U.S. with billions of dollars of…
&mdash; Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) <a href="https://twitter.com/PierrePoilievre/status/1876737709332738534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Trump has been mulling over the idea of integrating Canada into the United States for several weeks. He clarified on Tuesday that he <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/25/01/42860583/trump-floats-canada-as-51st-us-state-says-hes-ready-to-use-economic-force-to-achieve-it">does not intend to employ military force</a>, but rather &#8220;economic force&#8221; against the close U.S. ally.
Seizing this opportunity, Poilievre, who is a potential candidate for the next Prime Minister, criticized the current NDP-Liberal government and pledged to &#8220;fight for Canada.&#8221;
He outlined his vision for Canada, stating, &#8220;When&nbsp;I am Prime Minister, we&nbsp;will rebuild our military and&nbsp;take back control of the&nbsp;border to secure both Canada&nbsp;and the U.S. We will&nbsp;take back control of our&nbsp;Arctic to keep Russia and&nbsp;China out. We will axe&nbsp;taxes, slash red tape and&nbsp;rapidly green-light massive resource projects&nbsp;to bring home paycheques and&nbsp;production to our country.&#8221;
He concluded by saying, &#8220;In other words, we will put Canada First.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42851889/meta-ditches-fact-checking-for-community-notes-zuckerberg-says-opportunity-to-restore-free-expression">Meta Drops Fact-Checking For Community Notes: Zuckerberg Sees &#8216;Opportunity To Restore Free Expression&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: This development follows a series of events that have strained U.S.-Canada relations. In December, Trump <a href="http://I will fight for Canada.">humorously referred</a> to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as &#8220;Governor&#8221; of Canada, hinting at his idea of making Canada the 51st state of America. This was followed by reports that Canada might <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42475000/if-trump-starts-a-trade-war-canada-could-impose-export-taxes-on-oil-uranium-report">impose export taxes</a> on goods like oil and uranium if Trump initiated a trade war.
This month, Trudeau <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42823979/canadas-pm-justin-trudeau-steps-down-amid-internal-conflict-and-tension-over-trump-tariffs">announced his resignation</a> amid internal conflict and tension over Trump&#8217;s tariffs. The following day, Trump suggested that Canada could <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/25/01/42860583/trump-floats-canada-as-51st-us-state-says-hes-ready-to-use-economic-force-to-achieve-it">become the 51st U.S. state</a>, criticizing trade imbalances and subsidies.
Photo Courtesy: Eli Unger On Shutterstock.com
Did You Know?
<ul>
<li>Congress Is Making Huge Investments. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades">Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool</a></li>
</ul>
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>

General

'Canada will never be the 51st state. Period': Pierre Poilievre Slams Trump's Push For Annexation

President-elect Donald Trump told reporters at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday that he cannot rule out the use of military force in his quest for U.S. control of Greenland and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/25/01/42860583/trump-floats-canada-as-51st-us-state-says-hes-ready-to-use-economic-force-to-achieve-it">the Panama Canal.&nbsp;</a>
What To Know: A reporter asked if Trump could assure the American public that he would not use military force in an attempt to gain control of Greenland and the Panama Canal. Trump responded that he cannot make that assurance.&nbsp;
"No, I can't assure you on either of those two, but I can say this, we need them for economic security," Trump responded.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/01/42834240/kevin-oleary-joins-the-peoples-bid-for-tiktok-as-pending-ban-looms">Kevin O&#8217;Leary Joins The People&#8217;s Bid For TikTok As Pending Ban Looms</a>&nbsp;
Greenland: Trump has previously expressed a desire to acquire the Danish territory of Greenland during his first term as president and again following the 2024 election. His son Donald Trump Jr. made <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/42857403/trump-sends-don-jr-on-mission-to-get-the-deal-done-and-make-greenland-part-of-our-nation">a short visit</a> to Greenland on Tuesday, arriving in Nuuk, Greenland's capital and home to approximately 57,000 residents, where he spent at least five hours.
Trump also stated that the U.S. needs Greenland for national security purposes during the same press conference on Tuesday.&nbsp;
"You have approximately 45,000 people there. People really don't even know that Denmark has any legal right to it, but if they do, they should give it up because we need it for national security," Trump said.&nbsp;
He said that the U.S. could impose tariffs on Denmark &#8220;a very high level&#8221; if it stood in the way of Greenland choosing independence or to join the U.S. 
Panama Canal: Trump shared similar ideas for taking control of the Panama Canal which he has said the U.S. gave as a gift to Panama. He has also expressed the belief that Panama has given control of the canal to China and the U.S. could take it back. 
"The Panama Canal is vital to our country. It's being operated by China. China! We gave the Panama Canal to Panama, we didn't give it to China. And they abused that gift," he added. 
Read More:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42768507/china-slaps-export-restrictions-on-dozens-of-us-companies-boeing-lockheed-martin-general-dynamics-raytheon-affected">China&#8217;s Export Crackdown Hits Boeing, Lockheed Martin And More&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Global

Trump Does Not Rule Out Military Force To Acquire Panama Canal, Greenland: 'We Need Them For Economic Security'

Automaker Toyota Motor Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TM#NYSE">TM</a>) made its presence at the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42775636/ces-2025-preview-nvidia-amd-in-spotlight-other-trends-and-stocks-to-watch">2025 CES conference</a> felt announcing new plans for the space sector and an update on its city for inventors.
From Cars to Rockets: Toyota might be following in the footsteps of Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk by also getting into the space sector, which was one of the hottest areas for<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/01/42828631/exclusive-rocket-lab-intuitive-machines-redwire-or-ast-spacemobile-33-of-readers-pick-this-space-stock-for-2025"> investors in 2024.</a>
Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda said the company is looking to the space sector as one of its examples of "invention by multiplication," while speaking at CES.
"When it comes to what's possible when you work together, the sky's the limit. And speaking of the sky, we're exploring rockets, too," Toyoda said, as <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/06/toyota-is-exploring-rockets-made-first-investment-interstellar-technologies/">reported </a>by TechCrunch.
While Toyota's interest in space and rockets could put the company head-to-head with Musk and SpaceX, Toyoda may have amplified the future battle with a comment.
"The future of mobility shouldn't be limited to just Earth, or just one car company."
Toyota's presentation included a rendering of a rocket designed by Japanese spaceflight company Interstellar Technologies.
The Toyota chairman said the company is working with Interstellar Technologies on telecommunications to support its prototype Woven City in Japan.
Toyota confirmed to TechCrunch that Woven by Toyota invested around $44.3 million in Interstellar Technologies. Woven by Toyota is the company's mobility subsidiary working on items such as automated driving, vehicle operating systems and Woven City.
While Toyota didn't provide many details on its space ambitions, a tease of a rocket, announcing an investment in a spaceflight company and more could signal the company's desire to grow in this segment for the future.
Toyota is a competitor with Tesla as one of the largest automakers by production annually. Toyota has focused more on hybrid vehicles than battery electric vehicles in recent years.
While Toyota is a competitor to Tesla, the launch of a space division or heavier investment in the sector would also put the company in direct competition with SpaceX. While Tesla and SpaceX are separate companies, they are both led by Musk and this could create quite the battle against the world's richest man.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42791975/toyota-2024-sales-surge-37-hits-milestone-with-over-a-million-electrified-vehicles-sold">Toyota 2024 US Sales Surge 3.7%, Hits Milestone With Over A Million Electrified Vehicles Sold</a>
Woven City Takes Shape: Toyota <a href="https://woven.toyota/en/our-latest/20250107-01">shared </a>its plan for Woven City back at CES 2020 and now the launch is set for this year.
Located in Japan, Woven City is called a city for inventors and will serve as a test course for mobility for Toyota and other partner companies.
"Woven City is a test course for mobility where ‘inventors' who share a commitment for working ‘for someone other than themselves' can develop, test and validate innovative products and services," the company said.
The list of partners includes some Toyota Group companies, external companies, startups and individual entrepreneurs. Partners include Daikin Industries, UCC Japan and Nissin Food Products.
Construction for Phase 1 buildings was completed in October 2024 with the official launch coming later this year. Site preparation work is also underway for Phase 2.
Around 100 residents, primarily Toyota Group staff and their families, will be part of Phase 1's initial launch with a total of 360 residents expected in the entire Phase 1 wave. Phase 2 and other phases will take Woven City to a population of around 2,000 inventors.
In the future, co-creation activities and visitors will also be welcomed to Woven City to visit and participate.
Woven City is part of Woven by Toyota's plan to expand mobility "from land, sea, and air to space."
The company has invested billions of dollars into the concept with the hope that combining inventors and providing the tools could help unlock autonomous vehicle technology on a built-in test course and also bring in inventions in the areas of AI, energy, space and more, as <a href="https://insideevs.com/news/746348/toyota-woven-city-ces/">reported </a>by InsideEVs.
Woven City members will need residence status in Japan to live there for one to two years, the company said. Applications and scholarships will open later this year for potential residency in Woven City.
While new technologies that generate revenue for Toyota could come out of Woven City, Toyota shareholders might not like the chairman's overall vision.
"At Woven City, we are trying to have a project that will never be completed," Toyoda told media at CES. "That's because we are trying to create the future. The purpose of this project is not to make money."
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42836673/toyotas-next-gen-vehicles-to-use-nvidia-supercomputer-operating-system">Nvidia Supercomputer, Operating System To Power Toyota&#8217;s Next-Gen Vehicles</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: josefkubes via Shutterstock

SPACE

Topics

Toyota 'Exploring Rockets,' Kicks Off Inventor City: Automaker Ready To Take On Elon Musk

Liberty Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LBRT#NYSE">LBRT</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 3.61% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 16.02%. Currently, Liberty Energy has a market capitalization of $3.57 billion. 
Buying $1000 In LBRT: If an investor had bought $1000 of LBRT stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $2,015.86 today based on a price of $21.87 for LBRT at the time of writing.
<h3>Liberty Energy's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1736293520_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.

LBRT

If You Invested $1000 In This Stock 5 Years Ago, You Would Have This Much Today

AbbVie (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 3.09% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 15.5%. Currently, AbbVie has a market capitalization of $317.41 billion. 
Buying $1000 In ABBV: If an investor had bought $1000 of ABBV stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $2,015.83 today based on a price of $179.75 for ABBV at the time of writing.
<h3>AbbVie's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1736291720_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.

ABBV

Here's How Much $1000 Invested In AbbVie 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

Investment bank Jefferies has upgraded Royal Gold Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RGLD#NASDAQ">RGLD</a>) to a Buy rating, boosting its price target by 16%, from $154 to $178. The bank sees compelling growth potential from the streaming and royalty business leader for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/gold">precious metals</a>.
According to Jefferies analysts, Royal Gold could see a 10% hike in year-over-year sales, accompanied by growth from mines across the Americas. The largest contributions come from North America (40% of total revenue), followed by South America (35%) and Africa (25%). Royal Gold's unique business model ensures growth without substantial capital expenditures, as operator-funded expansions increase production.
Key growth catalysts include optimization and expansion at major mining operations. Highlights include increased throughput at the Mount Milligan mine in Canada and the ongoing ramp-up at the Barrick Gold's Pueblo Viejo mine in the Dominican Republic. Both projects could significantly increase the firm's long-term revenue growth.
Royal Gold also benefits from a healthy balance sheet, allowing it to pursue new deals and further optimize its portfolio. With minimal exposure to inflationary cost pressures due to its fixed-cost streaming agreements, the company is well-positioned for the current environment.
Interestingly, Jeffries forecasts an average of $2,658 per ounce in 2025, barely above gold's opening price for the year, $2,625. Although inflation fears have subsided and gold-backed BRICS currency hasn't materialized, central bank purchases provide support, reflecting the demand for gold as a safe-haven asset.
Even Goldman Sachs, which had a more optimistic $3,000 price target for 2025, recently moved the goalpost, seeing the price <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42810847/goldman-sachs-delays-3000-gold-forecast-sees-fewer-rate-cuts-in-2025">reach that level in mid-2026</a>. They pointed at fewer than anticipated interest rate cuts as the main catalyst for the outlook.
Still, beyond the commodity&#8217;s price, which constitutes the largest part of its portfolio (75% in 2025), Royal Gold has more tools for generating value for its shareholders. 
The firm recently announced a 12.5% increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it to $0.45 per share and giving it a forward yield of 1.4%. The payments have steadily risen over the last decade, and with a low 27% cash payout ratio, the firm has plenty of leeway to continue the practice.
Read Next: • <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/guidance/25/01/42840568/chiles-codelco-targets-turnaround-with-modest-copper-output-increase-and-strategic-lithium-ventures">Chile&#8217;s Codelco Targets Turnaround with Modest Copper Output Increase and Strategic Lithium Ventures</a>
Photo: Shutterstock

Upgrades

Analyst Ratings

RGLD

Jefferies Upgrades Royal Gold For Compelling Growth Potential

McDonald's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 3.4% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 11.76%. Currently, McDonald's has a market capitalization of $208.39 billion. 
Buying $100 In MCD: If an investor had bought $100 of MCD stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $936.68 today based on a price of $289.15 for MCD at the time of writing.
<h3>McDonald's's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1736290810_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.

Here's How Much $100 Invested In McDonald's 20 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

CRAFT 1861 Glb Hldgs

BGP Acquisition Corp. (OTCQX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BGPPF#OTCQX">BGPPF</a>) (OTCQX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BGPAF#OTCQX">BGPAF</a>) (NEO:BGP.U) (NEO:BGP.WT.U) , a special purpose acquisition company which has entered into a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/22/10/29345336/cannabis-company-craft-global-to-go-public-through-merger-with-bgp">definitive agreement </a>to combine with Craft 1861 Global, Inc., a U.S.-based health and wellness company within the cannabinoid space, is updating the progress of the business combination.

To facilitate the closing of the business combination, the holders of BGP&#39;s class A restricted voting shares have approved an extension of BGP&#39;s permitted timeline to complete a qualifying transaction to February 28, 2023 by the affirmative vote of 100% of the votes at the special meeting of shareholders to approve the extension. The extension will become effective upon approval of BGP&#39;s board of directors, which is expected to occur in the coming days.

In connection with meeting, BGP provided shareholders with the opportunity to deposit their class A restricted voting shares for redemption. Approximately 327,495 class A restricted voting shares were deposited for redemption in connection with the extension. BGP expects that each class A restricted voting shares that was deposited for redemption in connection with the extension will be redeemed for $10.04.

Get your daily dose of <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/cannabis" target="_blank">cannabis news</a> on Benzinga Cannabis. Don&rsquo;t miss out on any important developments in the industry.

Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@fortheloveofsmoke?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Jeff W</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/r19PtSh4m7A?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a> 

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

BGP Acquisition Corp. (OTCQX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BGPPF#OTCQX">BGPPF</a>) (OTCQX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BGPAF#OTCQX">BGPAF</a>) (NEO:BGP.U) (NEO:BGP.WT.U) and Craft 1861 Global, Inc., have entered into a definitive business combination agreement, which is intended to constitute the corporation&#39;s qualifying transaction.

Craft Global Highlights

<ul>
	<li>
	Craft Global has entered into exclusive long-term strategic licensing rights partnerships for all cannabinoids with global organizations including the World Boxing Council, Moto GP, Maserati Venturi/Formula E, Premiere League football teams and a collegiate intellectual property agency, with a significant pipeline of additional sporting, celebrity and corporate partnership opportunities in negotiation.
	</li>
	<li>
	A $100 million equity investment, which is a condition to closing of the business combination is expected to provide sufficient liquidity for operations. Craft Global is also in negotiations with the investor to provide a $100 million committed credit facility.
	</li>
	<li>
	Craft Global expects over $201 million of revenue and $72 million of EBITDA in 2023 as their partnerships are launched, and over $542 million of revenues and $314 million in EBITDA in 2024, the first year when all partnerships will be live for 12 months.
	</li>
</ul>

Transaction Highlights

<ul>
	<li>
	BGP will issue 430,000 proportionate voting shares to Craft Global shareholders in upfront equity consideration, complemented by an earn-out of an additional 100,000 proportionate voting shares based on certain trading price milestones.
	</li>
	<li>
	New Craft will be fully-funded for its business plan at closing, with over $167.8 million in cash and a committed and undrawn credit line for $100 million.
	</li>
	<li>
	Craft Global shareholders are rolling 100% of their equity, resulting in a pro forma market capitalization of approximately $580 million.
	</li>
</ul>

Pursuant to the terms of the business combination agreement, the transaction will be structured between BGP, BGP Merger Sub Inc., Craft Global, and BGP Acquisition Sponsor LP, whereby, among other things, BGP will indirectly acquire all of the outstanding shares of Craft Global in exchange for $430 million of proportionate voting shares.

Following closing, BGP will continue to operate the business of Craft Global and intends to rename itself CRAFT 1861 Global Holdings (&quot;New Craft&quot;), which will remain a reporting issuer under Canadian securities laws. BGP has reserved the symbols &quot;HUMN&quot; and &quot;HUMN.WT&quot; for the subordinate voting shares and BGP warrants, respectively. Completion of the business combination is currently expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Management Team and Board of Directors

Following closing of the business combination, Robert Aranda will continue to serve as New Craft&#39;s CEO. Upon closing, New Craft&#39;s board of directors is expected to include:

<ul>
	<li>
	Robert Aranda, New Mexico, United States &ndash; CEO of Craft Global.
	</li>
	<li>
	Ruth Epstein, California, United States &ndash; CEO of BGP.
	</li>
	<li>
	Shelly Lombard, New York, New York &ndash; Wall Street veteran.
	</li>
	<li>
	Ryan Boone, Tennessee, United States &ndash; technology leader.
	</li>
	<li>
	Harvey Schiller, New York, New York &ndash; American sports executive.
	</li>
	<li>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@timberfoster?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Tim Foster</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/cannabis?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a> </li>
</ul>

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