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

Piraeus Finl Hldgs (OTC:BPIRF) Stock, Option Chain

Piraeus Financial Holdings SA is a universal banking group operating in Greece but with a presence in southeastern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. Its banking unit specializes in small to midsize enterprise banking, agricultural banking, consumer and mortgage credit, green banking, investment banking, as well as leasing and factoring. The bank has an extensive distribution network, both traditional and alternative, the majority of notably its e-banking platform Winbank. A majority of the bank's net revenue is net interest income, overwhelmingly derived from loans and advances to customers.

PIRAEUS FINL HLDGS SA by PIRAEUS FINL HLDGS S A

Piraeus Financial Holdings SA

Billionaire entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban recently divulged his top strategies for successful negotiation, emphasizing the significance of patience and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41196856/heres-how-mark-cubans-drunken-splurge-of-125-000-turned-into-a-profitable-investment">willingness to compromise</a>.
What Happened: Cuban shared that the most effective negotiators he has collaborated with demonstrate a readiness to compromise and exhibit patience, keeping their end goals in sight. 
He stressed that it isn&#8217;t necessary to emerge victorious on every point of a deal, and that conceding on some aspects to finalize the deal is perfectly acceptable.
Speaking <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/26/mark-cuban-top-strategies-best-negotiators-use-to-succeed.html">with</a> CNBC, Cuban said, &#8220;Expert dealmakers know not to rush or nitpick when bargaining. One: They're patient because they know what they're trying to accomplish. Two: They don't try to win every deal point. It's OK to give something in order to get the deal done."
As a judge on ABC&#8217;s &#8220;Shark Tank&#8221;, Cuban often employs a strategy of patient silence, enabling him to gather information before proposing investment offers. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/42027001/mark-cuban-swings-1m-to-golf-company-despite-hating-the-sport">Mark Cuban Swings $1M To Golf Company Despite Hating The Sport</a>
He asserts that active listening is a key component in negotiations, stating,&nbsp;&#8220;The more you pay attention&nbsp;and the more aware you&nbsp;are, the better opportunity you&nbsp;have to get what you&nbsp;want. Silence is money.&#8221;
In a particular &#8220;Shark Tank&#8221; episode, Cuban demonstrated his strategic patience by initially rejecting an investment offer, only to later join the bidding war and secure a deal. 
However, Cuban also confessed that he occasionally deviates from his usual approach, as evidenced by his immediate acquisition of the NBA&#8217;s Dallas Mavericks in 2000 without any negotiation.
"It was all about fun. That was like a dream, I didn't even negotiate, I was just like, ‘Yes, whatever,&#8221; Cuban said in a podcast before. 
Why It Matters: Mark Cuban&#8217;s negotiation strategies provide valuable insights for entrepreneurs and investors alike. 
His emphasis on patience, compromise, and active listening highlights the importance of these qualities in successful deal-making. 
Cuban&#8217;s approach, as demonstrated in his role on &#8220;Shark Tank&#8221; and his acquisition of the Dallas Mavericks, underscores the fact that flexibility and adaptability are also crucial in negotiations.
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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

News

Success Stories

Mark Cuban's For Negotiation Success: 'Silence Is Money'

A well-known crypto analyst who accurately predicted the market collapse of 2022 is now cautioning that Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) may be <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41869087/kiyosaki-aims-to-own-100-bitcoins-by-2025-i-wish-bitcoin-was-back-to-10-a-coin-but-wishing-has-never-made-poor-people-richer">nearing a local top</a>.
What Happened: Pseudonymous analyst Capo believes that certain indicators suggest Bitcoin could face a pullback in the near future. The analyst, recognized for their precise market calls, has shared their concerns about Bitcoin's current trajectory. 
In a recent <a href="https://t.me/CryptoCapoTG/933">post</a> on Telegram, the crypto expert pointed to factors like overextended bullish sentiment and waning momentum as signs that a correction might be imminent.
Bitcoin has recently experienced a significant recovery, climbing past $37,000 after a prolonged bear market. However, the analyst warns that the asset's strong rally could be losing steam, leaving it vulnerable to short-term declines. Capo argues that traders should exercise caution and prepare for potential volatility.
"I'm still out of the market for a few weeks now. At this point, it doesn't matter if Bitcoin reaches $98,000, $99,000, or if it goes above $100,000. The local top could occur at any moment, and this movement could be fully retraced," Capo said in the post. 
Capo outlines several reasons for his belief that a market correction is likely, including the fact that pro-crypto U.S. President-elect Donald Trump won't assume office until January 20th.
Capo shared some of the reasons why he is being cautious about the Bitcoin move. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/11/42154487/robert-kiyosaki-trump-will-make-america-richer-again-by-being-the-first-bitcoin-president">Robert Kiyosaki: &#8216;Trump Will Make America Richer Again By Being The First Bitcoin President&#8217;</a>
&#8220;Sentiment is extremely bullish here. Retail is piling in massively, aping into memecoins. The memecoin rally feels overextended, and that's unhealthy. A strong correction is overdue, and it will likely affect the entire market. Trump is still not in power. The Democrats are still governing the country, and despite saying the transfer of power would be ‘smooth and in a peaceful way,' they are already trying to provoke a big war. In my view, this is a desperate attempt to apply the martial law or/and leave Trump in a complicated position,&#8221; Capo said in the post. 
Capo added, &#8220;Also, the US government holds 208,109 BTC (currently $20.15 billion). They recently got approval to sell the Silk Road Bitcoin, likely through auctions or gradual sales. Honestly, it wouldn't be surprising if they timed it to tank BTC prices and make the next administration look bad – or just to make sure they don't leave those BTC behind for them to use.&#8221;
&#8220;Many altcoins are showing weakness and testing major levels as resistance. It's mostly a BTC and memecoins run, which is never a good sign. Not ruling out a few final altcoins pumps, but if my thesis is right, they could dump 60-80% over the next few weeks," the analyst concluded. 
Why It Matters: Despite the cautionary outlook, Bitcoin remains a dominant force in the cryptocurrency market, with proponents pointing to its long-term potential as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. Institutional adoption and favorable regulatory developments continue to support the broader bullish case.
For investors, this latest warning serves as a reminder of the inherent volatility in the crypto market. While Bitcoin has defied expectations before, understanding market dynamics and being prepared for fluctuations is essential for navigating the space.
Read Next
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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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

Cryptocurrency

Markets

$BTC

Crypto Expert Who Called 2022 Market Crash Warns About Bitcoin

Elon Musk&#8216;s net worth has reached an unprecedented $347.8 billion. This significant increase in wealth is attributed to a surge in the stock of Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and a successful funding round for his AI startup, xAI.
What Happened:&nbsp;Musk&#8217;s wealth has seen a substantial increase due&nbsp;to a 3.8% jump in&nbsp;Tesla stock&nbsp;and a new funding round&nbsp;for xAI, which now values the startup at $50 billion. 
This has led to Musk surpassing his previous wealth record of $340.4 billion set in 2021.
The Insider reports that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-net-worth-wealth-tesla-stock-trump-election-ev-2024-11">the </a>net worth of the Tesla and SpaceX CEO has increased&nbsp;by an unmatched $117.8 billion&nbsp;this year, placing him over&nbsp;$128 billion ahead of the&nbsp;second richest person, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Tesla&#8217;s stock has seen a surge following&nbsp;Donald Trump&#8216;s victory in the&nbsp;U.S. presidential election, closing on Friday at $352.56.
Mark Malek, the chief investment officer at Siebert, suggested that the stock&#8217;s increase is partly due to Musk&#8217;s public involvement in Trump&#8217;s campaign.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/11/42152918/i-knew-if-i-bought-a-sink-what-does-elon-musks-cryptic-tweet-mean">&#8220;I Knew If I Bought a Sink&#8221;: What Does Elon Musk&#8217;s Cryptic Tweet Mean?</a>
Musk&#8217;s 13% stake in Tesla has also seen a significant increase in value, with his personal fortune now exceeding Salesforce&#8217;s $327 billion.
Why It Matters: The surge in Musk&#8217;s wealth highlights the growing influence of tech entrepreneurs in the global economy. 
Musk&#8217;s companies, Tesla and SpaceX, have been at the forefront of technological innovation, driving advancements in electric vehicles and space travel. 
The successful funding round for xAI, Musk&#8217;s AI startup, also underscores the increasing importance of artificial intelligence in various sectors. 
This record-breaking increase in Musk&#8217;s wealth is a testament to the significant role these tech giants play in shaping the future of our world.
Read Next
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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image: Shutterstock

Tech

TSLA

Musk's Net Worth Tops One-Third of a Trillion Dollars

New data from Realtor.com shows a partisan divide in housing market sentiment after<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/11/42027218/could-trumps-housing-plans-reshape-the-real-estate-market"> Donald Trump&#8217;s presidential election victory</a>. Republicans have increased optimism, while Democrats are hesitant about home-buying plans.
Morning Consult&#8217;s survey in early November found that roughly 20% of Republicans report being more likely to purchase a home due to the election outcome. In contrast, nearly a quarter of Democrats indicate they&#8217;re now less likely to enter the housing market in the coming year.
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Independent voters remained largely unmoved by the election results, with 74% reporting no change in their home-buying intentions. The contrasting sentiments align with Trump&#8217;s proposed housing policies. Real estate experts anticipate market changes under his leadership, particularly around interest rates and development regulations. His platform, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/11/41968915/will-trumps-second-term-unlock-housing-lower-rates-more-development-on-the-table-experts-say">announced before the election</a>, called for removing construction barriers, including regulations that currently add over $90,000 to new home prices and for opening federal lands for housing development.
&#8220;Many in the real estate business are elated with a Trump victory and if the administration can live up to its campaign promises, rightfully so,&#8221; said Alex Beene, financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin. &#8220;For months, he has been advocating for lower interest rates, which have become one of the most significant barriers to homeownership in the post-pandemic years.&#8221;
See Also: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a>
However, Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale said the proposals present opportunities and challenges. While supply-side policies might boost housing inventory, proposed immigration restrictions could affect construction labor. Census Bureau data shows that up to one-third of residential construction relies on foreign-born workers. The survey polled 2,201 adults nationwide and highlighted demographic variations in housing market confidence.
Male respondents showed notably higher optimism, with 18% indicating an increased likelihood to buy compared to 10% of women. Generation Z emerged as the most optimistic age group, with 22% reporting enhanced home-buying prospects, followed by millennials at 19%, Generation X at 12% and baby boomers at 6%.
Economic outlook drives the responses. Republicans who expressed increased interest in home buying cited anticipated improvements in economic conditions and confidence in the new administration.&nbsp;
Trending: The global games market is projected to generate $272B by the end of the year —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/gameflip"> for $0.55/share, this VC-backed startup with a 7M+ userbase gives investors easy access to this asset market. </a>&#8220;I believe the interest rates will go down. Inflation will drop to affordable levels,&#8221; one respondent noted in the survey&#8217;s free-response section.
Democrats who expressed decreased home-buying interest pointed to economic concerns. &#8220;There is a very real possibility that the economy will tank and having my own home will be impossible,&#8221; one participant stated. Others specifically mentioned worries about inflation and tariff policies.
The housing sentiment split mirrors broader economic confidence trends. Morning Consult data cited by Realtor shows Republican consumer sentiment surged nearly 30% postelection, while Democratic sentiment declined 13% during the same period.
Current homeowners across party lines reported minimal impact on their selling intentions, though Democrats showed a slightly higher tendency to delay selling plans.
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<li>These five entrepreneurs are worth $223 billion –<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-homes-private-credit-fund"> they all believe in one platform that offers a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends</a></li>
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Real Estate

24% Of Democrats Say Trump's Election Made Them Less Likely To Buy A Home

A market analyst says Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>) could experience a massive rally, predicting gains exceeding 2,000%.
What Happened: The forecast has sparked excitement among the cryptocurrency's community as SHIB continues to gain traction as a leading meme coin.
Crypto analyst Austin Hilton, known for his bold predictions, shared his thoughts in a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_vGuPm_7FQ">post</a> on YouTube and suggested that favorable market conditions and strategic developments could push SHIB into a significant uptrend.
Hilton highlighted key catalysts, such as increased adoption and potential ecosystem upgrades, as reasons behind the bullish outlook.
Shiba Inu has already seen remarkable growth since its inception, fueled by its vibrant community and utility within the Shiba ecosystem, including decentralized exchanges and NFT marketplaces. The recent prediction has added momentum to the ongoing discussions about SHIB's long-term potential.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39127538/massive-shiba-inu-burn-ignites-hope-for-price-recovery-despite-market-downturn">Massive Shiba Inu Burn Ignites Hope For Price Recovery Despite Market Downturn</a>
At the time of writing, SHIB was trading at $0.00002478, down by 4% in the last 24 hours. 
Despite its current price hovering at fractions of a cent, the analyst believes that strategic milestones could propel SHIB's value. These include the expansion of ShibaSwap, further token burns to reduce supply, and adoption by mainstream businesses for payments.
However, experts have cautioned that such exponential growth is not guaranteed and remains highly speculative. The cryptocurrency market's volatility and reliance on broader economic conditions mean that predictions should be approached with caution. Investors are advised to conduct thorough research and assess risks before making decisions.
Read Next
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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

$SHIB

Crypto Analyst Sees Shiba Inu Surging More Than 2,000% In Coming Rally

Retired seniors in Nebraska recently posed a financial dilemma to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/11/42024498/it-sounds-like-a-relationship-issue-ramsey-show-hosts-on-fathers-100k-paycut-and-3000-mile-move">The Ramsey Show hosts</a> Rachel Cruze and George Kamel: Should they withdraw funds from their IRA to buy a house outright or use monthly distributions to manage a mortgage?&nbsp;
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The couple, with an annual income of $125,000 from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/10/41210847/do-former-u-s-presidents-really-collect-social-security-the-surprising-truth-about-their-retirem">Social Security and pensions</a>, has $200,000 in cash savings and over $500,000 in IRAs. Their goal is to purchase a $450,000 home and they're seeking advice from The Ramsey Show to help them determine the best option for their financial stability.
Kamel started by breaking down the couple's options.
He noted that the $200,000 cash would be a "serious down payment," which would be helpful; however, using their IRA to cover the balance in full would deplete a large portion of their retirement savings. "So they would have to live off of Social Security and pensions for the rest of their life."
Cruze added that the couple's income of $125,000 is above average, providing a solid foundation if they did decide to purchase the home outright from IRA funds. Ultimately, the hosts suggested <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/09/40754039/68-year-old-is-told-to-take-out-a-bigger-mortgage-for-bills-rather-than-tap-into-401-k-suze-orma">taking out a mortgage</a> might be the best option.
Kamel commented that the couple is already paying rent, implying they could handle a mortgage just fine now. "If times get tough, they have the money," he added. "And they could leave the money invested, let it continue to grow."
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Another perspective the hosts offered is that the couple could consider downsizing and purchasing something smaller than a $450,000 home if they didn't need a house with more than 1-2 bedrooms. That would allow them to pay the home off quicker and potentially immediately without tapping too much into their retirement accounts.&nbsp;
The median home price in Nebraska is $289,200 – substantially less than the $450,000 home being considered by this Nebraska couple.
This couple's situation reflects broader trends in home buying among retirees. According to the National Association of Realtors, baby boomers, who often purchase to downsize or relocate closer to family, represent a significant share of homebuyers. Additionally, retirees often prioritize maintaining liquidity and minimizing debt, aligning with Cruze and Kamel's advice to avoid fully depleting retirement accounts.
While there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, the couple has several options. Whether they choose to buy their $450,000 dream home with a mix of cash and a mortgage or downsize to a smaller property, Cruze and Kamel advise that their focus should remain on maintaining financial security and minimizing future debt.&nbsp;
If you're in a similar situation and considering purchasing a retirement home, try speaking with a trusted <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-online-financial-advisors">financial advisor</a>. They can help you understand your current financial situation and create a plan for buying a home that aligns with your long-term financial goals.&nbsp;
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Personal Finance

Retired Nebraska Couple Asks Ramsey Show Hosts: 'Should We Tap IRA For A House Or Use Monthly Distributions For The Mortgage?'

In a recent poll, more than half of Americans expressed their support for the plans and policies of President-elect Donald Trump as he <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/11/42027218/could-trumps-housing-plans-reshape-the-real-estate-market">gears up for his second term</a>.
What Happened: A Pew Research Center <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/11/22/public-narrowly-approves-of-trumps-plans-most-are-skeptical-he-will-unify-the-country/">poll</a> found that 53% of Americans are in favor of Trump&#8217;s agenda for his forthcoming term, which starts in less than two months. The poll showed a 46% disapproval rate for his plans.
The results fell along party lines, with 88% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents backing Trump&#8217;s agenda, while 82% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning individuals expressed disapproval.
Close to 60% of the respondents expressed confidence in Trump&#8217;s capability to make sound economic decisions. A majority of Americans also demonstrated confidence in Trump&#8217;s approach&nbsp;to law enforcement and criminal&nbsp;justice (54%), immigration (53%), and foreign policy (53%).
Post-election sentiments towards Trump have soared to an all-time high, with 43% offering him a &#8220;warm&#8221; or &#8220;very warm&#8221; rating on Pew&#8217;s &#8220;feeling thermometer.&#8221; This marks a notable increase from his 34% warm rating following the 2020 election.
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However, only 31% of respondents characterized Trump&#8217;s post-election unification efforts as &#8220;good&#8221; or &#8220;excellent.&#8221; Moreover, a mere 14% anticipate an improvement in partisan relations during Trump&#8217;s second term.
The poll was conducted from November 12 to 17, surveying 9,609 adults across the nation.
Why It Matters:&nbsp;The poll results provide a snapshot of the nation&#8217;s sentiment towards Trump&#8217;s second-term agenda. The data shows a clear partisan divide, reflecting the ongoing political polarization in the country. 
The high approval ratings for Trump&#8217;s economic decisions and approaches to law enforcement, immigration, and foreign policy indicate the areas where Americans have the most confidence in the President-elect. 
However, the low expectations for improved partisan relations and Trump&#8217;s unification efforts highlight the challenges that lie ahead in his second term.
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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Politics

Majority of Americans Approve of Trump's Second-Term Agenda

Billionaire Elon Musk, co-director of President-elect Donald Trump&#8216;s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been using his social media platform to criticize specific government departments and individuals.
What Happened: Musk, who has a following of 205 million on his platform, recently targeted Ashley Thomas, a director of climate diversification at the U.S. International Development Finance Corp. His post, which labeled her role as a &#8220;fake job,&#8221; led to a wave of online ridicule against Thomas.
<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">So many fake jobs <a href="https://t.co/aVH8QtMcLE">https://t.co/aVH8QtMcLE</a>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1858916546338590740?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Earlier this month, Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech-company founder, were appointed by Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency. 
The duo has since been vocal about their plans for &#8220;mass head-count reductions&#8221; across the federal bureaucracy.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/politics/24/11/42027102/trump-and-musk-want-to-sidestep-senate-floor-votes-on-key-confirmations">Trump And Musk Want To Sidestep Senate Floor Votes On Key Confirmations</a>
According to the report <a href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/musk-unleashes-online-army-on-federal-workers-a-tough-way-to-find-out-shes-losing-her-job-f57a2e94">by </a>The Wall Street Journal, Musk&#8217;s recent social media activities mark a return to his controversial practice of calling out individuals, a tactic he had previously employed on Twitter. 
His targets this week included Alexis Pelosi, a senior climate adviser at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and two other federal officials with climate-related roles.
Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, criticized Musk&#8217;s tactics, stating that they were intended to instill fear among federal employees, reports the outlet. 
Kelley argued that Musk should instead focus on federal contractors, who he claims cost the government far more than the civilian workforce.
Why It Matters: Musk&#8217;s recent actions on social media have raised concerns about the potential impact on the morale and productivity of federal employees. 
His targeting of specific individuals and departments could lead to a climate of fear and uncertainty, which could in turn affect the functioning of the federal bureaucracy. 
Furthermore, the controversy surrounding Musk&#8217;s tactics could potentially overshadow the work of the Department of Government Efficiency, and distract from its mission to streamline government operations and reduce costs.
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This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Elon Musk's Social Media Onslaught Targets Federal Employees

In a recent blog post, Mary Trump warned about the alleged influence of Russian President Vladimir Putin on her uncle, President-elect Donald Trump.
What Happened: Mary Trump expressed her apprehensions about&nbsp;her uncle&#8217;s admiration for Putin, suggesting it could negatively impact U.S. support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing Russian invasion.
She called Trump &#8220;Putin&#8217;s puppet&#8221; and cautioned that his actions could leave Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a vulnerable position.
In her <a href="https://www.marytrump.org/p/a-thousand-days?utm_campaign=post&amp;utm_medium=web">post</a>, Mary Trump also criticized her uncle&#8217;s admiration for Elon Musk, alleging that Musk has been in regular contact with Putin since 2022.
&#8220;Of all the unthinkable scenarios we&#8217;ve been forced to consider since Donald won the election on November 5th is the possibility that all of this will have been for nought,&#8221; Mary Trump wrote. &#8220;After all, the fate of Ukraine and Zelensky may rest with Donald Trump, Putin&#8217;s puppet, a man who is enamored of and beholden to the very autocrat who wants to destroy our ally.&#8221;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41869240/mary-trump-warns-of-tyranny-and-fascism-following-uncles-victory">Mary Trump Warns of &#8216;Tyranny&#8217; and &#8216;Fascism&#8217; Following Uncle&#8217;s Victory</a>
Meanwhile, Zelensky warned this week that Ukraine could lose the war if the U.S. cuts military aid. His comments followed the Biden administration&#8217;s announcement of a new $275 million military aid package for Ukraine.
Zelensky acknowledged the potential influence&nbsp;Donald Trump could have on&nbsp;ending the war, stating, &#8220;Yes,&nbsp;he can,&#8221; but said it&nbsp;would not be simple. He&nbsp;emphasized&nbsp;the importance of maintaining unity&nbsp;between Ukraine, Europe, and the&nbsp;United States, warning that a&nbsp;loss of this unity could&nbsp;have dangerous consequences.
Why It Matters: The allegations by Mary Trump underscore the complex and potentially precarious relationship between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine. 
The influence of Putin on Donald Trump, if true, could significantly alter U.S. foreign policy and its stance towards the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. 
Furthermore, the alleged contact between Elon Musk and Putin raises questions about the role of private sector leaders in international politics. This situation warrants close observation as it unfolds, given its potential to reshape geopolitical dynamics.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41703542/mary-trump-on-trumps-lack-of-empathy-why-is-it-that-the-more-awful-things-donald-does-the-less-it-se" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mary Trump On Trump's Lack Of Empathy: ‘Why Is It That The More Awful Things Donald Does, The Less It Seems To Matter?'</a>
This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Mary Trump Says Her Uncle Donald Is 'Putin's Puppet'

In 2014, during an interview with Charlie Rose at the TED Conference, Google cofounder Larry Page made headlines with an unusual revelation. Page didn't point to traditional charitable foundations or heirs when asked about his thoughts on legacy and philanthropy. Instead, he floated the idea of leaving his wealth to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/05/38942636/elon-musk-reportedly-bought-a-secret-mansion-shortly-after-selling-all-his-possessions-and-publicly">Elon Musk</a>, the tech visionary behind Tesla and SpaceX.
Page's reasoning? Musk's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/09/40778284/elon-musk-says-almost-anyone-can-afford-a-trip-to-mars-at-100-000-to-500-000-even-if-it-means-se">bold mission to colonize Mars</a> and "back up humanity." In the interview, Rose referenced past comments Page had made about this idea, asking for clarification.&nbsp;
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According to the transcript on the Charlie Rose site, Rose said: "You once said – actually, I think I've got this about right – that you might consider, rather than giving your money to a cause, simply giving it to Elon Musk because you had confidence he would change the future."
Larry Page replied: "He actually wanted to go to Mars – he wants to go to Mars to back up humanity." He elaborated, "It's a company and it's philanthropical. So I think, you know, we aim to do kind of similar things."
Page then shifted focus to Google's culture of innovation, adding, "We have a lot of employees at Google who've become pretty wealthy … A lot of people in there are pretty wealthy. You're working because you want to change the world and you want to make it better. So why isn't the company they work for worthy not just of your time, but your money as well?"
For Page, Musk's ambitious goals aligned with his belief that companies, when run effectively, could drive revolutionary change. He elaborated, saying, "Lots of companies don't succeed over time. They usually miss the future … I try to focus on that: What is the future really going to be? And how do we create it?"
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Page and Musk once shared a close friendship. Musk frequently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/03/37923084/elon-musk-used-to-email-ex-google-ceo-larry-page-when-he-was-kind-of-homeless-and-ask-can-i-come">stayed at Page's house</a> during visits to Silicon Valley and their shared passion for pushing technological boundaries made them natural allies. Their camaraderie landed them on Fortune's 2016 list of "Business Leaders You Didn't Know Were BFFs."&nbsp;
Musk even <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/02/36953481/elon-musk-almost-sold-tesla-to-google-for-11-billion-but-he-called-the-deal-off-when-he-no-longer-ne">attempted to sell Tesla to Google</a> for $11 billion, according to Ashlee Vance&#8217;s biography, &#8220;Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX and the Quest for a Fantastic Future.&#8221; The two friends actually both agreed to the deal via handshake, but called it off once Tesla "no longer needed a savior."
However, their relationship reportedly soured around 2013. Musk's growing concerns about the dangers of artificial intelligence clashed with Page's more optimistic outlook. At Musk's birthday party that year, the two had a heated debate about AI. Page allegedly called Musk a "speciesist" for prioritizing human interests over other forms of intelligence.
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The tension grew after Musk cofounded OpenAI, a nonprofit <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/04/38073344/mark-cuban-predicts-worlds-first-trillionaire-wont-be-musk-or-bezos-itll-be-someone-who-masters-ai-a">ensuring AI safety</a>, which was seen as a direct challenge to Google, which had acquired DeepMind, a leading AI company. Musk even tried to dissuade DeepMind's CEO from selling to Google, further straining their relationship.
But despite their falling out, Musk has recently desired to mend fences. In a 2023 podcast with Lex Fridman, Musk said, "I would like to be friends again with Larry. I haven't seen him in ages. We were friends for a very long time." However, he acknowledged that Page might not feel the same, noting, "He doesn't want to talk to me anymore."
Larry Page's 2014 remarks about leaving his fortune to Elon Musk reflect his belief that revolutionary change outweighs incremental progress. While the future of their friendship remains uncertain, both Page and Musk continue to be key players in shaping the future of technology – and maybe even humanity.
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Larry Page, Google Co-Founder, Said He'd Leave His Fortune To Elon Musk Over Charity Because Of His Plans 'To Go To Mars To Back Up Humanity'

Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea &#8220;Shaye&#8221; Moss have filed a motion in federal court demanding that Rudy Giuliani be held in civil contempt for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40666864/rudy-giulianis-legal-troubles-deepen-former-georgia-election-workers-seek-to-seize-assets" rel="noreferrer noopener">continuing to spread false claims about them</a>.
This request, submitted Wednesday, stems from Giuliani&#8217;s ongoing defamation despite a prior injunction forbidding him from making such statements, Forbes <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2024/11/20/georgia-election-workers-want-giuliani-sanctioned-for-defaming-them-again/" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.
A federal judge has ordered Giuliani to respond by December 2, with a hearing set for December 12.
On Thursday, Rudy Giuliani challenged the judge&#8217;s ruling from last month, which required him to hand over most of his assets to the two Georgia election workers, per a news <a href="https://thehill.com/video/giuliani-appeals-decision-ordering-him-to-turn-over-assets-to-election-workers/10242068/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a> by The Hill.
In May, Giuliani agreed to stop making false allegations related to the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/08/40165381/rudy-giulianis-bankruptcy-case-was-tossed-out-he-owes-152-million-and-lawyer-says-hell-join-rank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2020 election and its results</a>.
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Now, the election workers are seeking sanctions against Giuliani after he failed to honor the terms of this agreement, continuing to falsely accuse Freeman and Moss of wrongdoing, including baselessly claiming that they had &#8220;quadruple counted&#8221; ballots—a claim for which there is no evidence,
Giuliani allegedly doubled down on his false claims during his online show last week, defiantly shrugging off the threat of another lawsuit. He declared, &#8220;What am I going to do but tell the truth?&#8221; Forbes writes, quoting Giuliani.
These statements directly violate the court order he had previously agreed to.
As a result of Giuliani&#8217;s defamation, he was ordered to pay Freeman and Moss $148 million.
However, after declaring bankruptcy, he has been forced to begin turning over his assets to satisfy the judgment, including his car and New York City apartment.
Freeman and Moss are now asking the court to enforce penalties on Giuliani, potentially including further damages.
Giuliani&#8217;s spokesperson, Ted Goodman, has called the motion an attack on Giuliani&#8217;s First Amendment rights, insisting that he should be able to defend himself, Forbes adds.
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Media

General

Georgia Election Workers Demand Giuliani Be Held In Civil Contempt

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/warren-buffett">Warren Buffett</a>, the Oracle of Omaha, is at it again. He's proved he knows how to spot a great opportunity when he sees one. In his latest move, Buffett&#8217;s Berkshire Hathaway invested heavily in two surprising yet strategic companies. What are they? None other than Domino&#8217;s Pizza and Pool Corp.
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According to a <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1067983/000095012324011775/xslForm13F_X02/primary_doc.xml">recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission</a>, reported by TheStreet, Berkshire snapped up 1.28 million shares of Domino&#8217;s, which were valued at $550 million as of the end of the third quarter. The holding company also bought over 400,000 shares of Pool Corp., the largest distributor of swimming pool equipment and supplies in the U.S.
Both companies&#8217; shares jumped on the news as investors followed Buffett&#8217;s lead. Domino&#8217;s stock has risen 8.5% year-to-date and 20% over the past year. Pool Corp., though down 9% year-to-date, has seen a modest 3.5% annual increase.
Buffett has long <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/11/42011977/99-billion-bet-warren-buffett-invests-heavily-in-2-stocks-expected-to-jump-19-and-20-wall-street-analysts-predict">extolled the value of brands</a> as economic moats. That means they defend a company's market position from competitors. "A strong brand is potent stuff," Buffett famously said. Domino's and Pool Corp. both exemplify this.
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Domino&#8217;s has built an empire around its efficient delivery model and recognizable branding. It's the largest pizza chain in the U.S. for a reason. Despite missing revenue expectations in its third-quarter earnings, the company beat Wall Street&#8217;s forecasts for profitability and continues to show resilience. Analysts, such as those at Loop Capital, recently upgraded the stock. They see signs of accelerating same-store sales.
Pool Corp., on the other hand, benefits from its dominant market share in a niche yet essential industry. Even as discretionary spending on pool construction dips, the company continues seeing high demand for maintenance products, which drives its consistent revenues. Oppenheimer recently raised its price target for Pool Corp. after its quarterly earnings beat estimates.
"He doesn't invest – take a swing of the bat – unless the opportunity appears unbelievably good," Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates said of Buffett. These investments align perfectly with that approach. Domino&#8217;s and Pool Corp. demonstrate lasting appeal and consistent demand, which are key elements in Berkshire&#8217;s portfolio strategy.
The recent moves are classic Buffett, focusing on businesses with solid fundamentals and long-term growth potential. Whether it's pizza delivery or pool maintenance, Buffett has shown that even in the quirkiest corners of the market, there are &#8220;unbelievably good&#8221; opportunities.
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Why Warren Buffett Bought A $550 Million Stake In 'Unbelievably Good' Opportunities Domino's And Pool Corp

Investor and author Robert Kiyosaki has criticized the U.S. Federal Reserve and commended Michael Saylor, co-founder and executive chairman of MicroStrategy Inc. for his aggressive <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40869188/robert-kiyosaki-rings-alarm-bells-over-soaring-us-debt-the-dollar-is-trash">Bitcoin acquisition strategy</a>.
What Happened: Kiyosaki, known for his pro-cryptocurrency stance, took to social media X to voice his skepticism about the Fed's policies and inflation management. 
He labeled the central bank&#8217;s decisions as detrimental to the economy and suggested that Saylor&#8217;s Bitcoin strategy offers a viable hedge against these issues.
"Michael Saylor's bold Bitcoin purchasing strategy is not just investment; it's a fight against the Fed's reckless policies," Kiyosaki wrote in the post. 
The author has long been an advocate for Bitcoin and other alternative assets, frequently advising followers to invest in assets like gold, silver, and cryptocurrencies to protect themselves from what he sees as the erosion of purchasing power.
Saylor's MicroStrategy is recognized as one of the largest institutional Bitcoin holders, having spent billions acquiring the cryptocurrency. Saylor maintains that Bitcoin is the ultimate store of value in a world grappling with rising inflation and economic uncertainty.
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In his post Kiyosaki also praised President-elect Donald Trump and his position on Bitcoin. Kiyosaki highlighted his work with Trump and shared his belief that Trump could become the first "Bitcoin President," a reflection of Trump's supportive attitude toward cryptocurrency.
<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">BIG MOUTH no BALLS: Why dooes a certain loudmouth who sells gold…criticize MICHAEL SAYLOR for using his company MICROSTRATEGY's treasury and credit to buy Billions in BITCOIN….Making himself, his company, and investors like me….RICHER….buying billions in BITCOIN. Would Mr.…
&mdash; Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) <a href="https://twitter.com/theRealKiyosaki/status/1860158537936113938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
He wrote, &#8220;Let's make America and the world richer again with Bitcoin.&#8221;
Kiyosaki continued to criticize fiat currencies, describing them as tools of government control. 
Why It Matters: His statements reflect a broader sentiment within the crypto community that views Bitcoin as a decentralized alternative to traditional financial systems.
The debate over Bitcoin as a safeguard against inflation has intensified as governments worldwide grapple with economic challenges. Both Kiyosaki and Saylor remain prominent figures in this discourse, influencing retail and institutional investors alike.
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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image: Shutterstock

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MSTR

Robert Kiyosaki: 'Trump Will Make America Richer Again By Being The First Bitcoin President'

These mid-cap stocks were the best performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?
<ol>
<li>Lemonade, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMND#NYSE">LMND</a>) shares jumped 47.99% after the company&#8217;s Investor Day event. Several analysts raised <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/lmnd/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the price forecast on the stock</a>.</li>
<li>Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACHR#NYSE">ACHR</a>) shares escalated 46.96%.&nbsp;Needham analyst&nbsp;initiated coverage&nbsp;on Archer Aviation with a Buy rating and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/achr/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a price target of&nbsp;$11</a>.</li>
<li>C3.ai, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AI#NYSE">AI</a>) stock zoomed 43.98% after the company announced a strategic alliance with Microsoft Corp&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)&nbsp;and expanded <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42095812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">its partnership&nbsp;with&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42095812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Capgemini</a>.</li>
<li>Oklo Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OKLO#NYSE">OKLO</a>) stock rocketed 40%. The stock may have gained in response to its acquisition target Atomic Alchemy which signed an MOU with Zeno Power to provide fuel for commercial radioisotope power systems.</li>
<li>Applied Digital Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APLD#NASDAQ">APLD</a>) stock increased 36.24%.</li>
<li>Unity Software Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/U#NYSE">U</a>) shares rose 35.70%.</li>
<li>Nebius Group N.V. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NBIS#NASDAQ">NBIS</a>) shares were up 33.47% &nbsp;after the company announced an expansion to its AI infrastructure in the U.S. with the Kansas City GPU <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42059918" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cluster and three new offices</a>.</li>
<li>NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMR#NYSE">SMR</a>) stock surged 31.29%.</li>
<li>Hims &amp; Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HIMS#NYSE">HIMS</a>) shares jumped 31.11%. The company launched meal replacement bars and shakes to enhance <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42118299" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">personalized weight loss plans</a>.</li>
</ol>
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/11/42154355/super-micro-computer-snowflake-and-microstrategy-are-among-top-10-large-cap-gainers-last-week-nov-18-nov-22-are-the-others-in-your-portfolio">Super Micro Computer, Snowflake And MicroStrategy Are Among Top 10 Large-Cap Gainers Last Week (Nov 18-Nov 22): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>
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Image via Walmart

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Applied Digital And Hims & Hers Health Are Among Top 9 Mid-Cap Gainers Last Week (Nov 18-Nov 22): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

The TON Society acts as the primary organization driving support for the TON community, dedicated to providing developers, builders, and enthusiasts with the resources and opportunities needed to foster collaboration and growth within the ecosystem.
At a recent event, TON announced several significant updates, including improvements to Telegram's applications and the launch of Society DAO, a governance initiative introduced by the TON Foundation.
Benzinga recently caught up with Jack Booth, co-founder of the TON Society, to discuss the organization's efforts to amplify community goals, initiatives like the Open League, Hackers League bootcamps, and more. Here's an excerpt of the conversation.
What makes Telegram uniquely effective for onboarding new users to crypto?
The massive user base, for one. And the ability to create a Telegram mini app for two. So, Telegram mini-apps open in one tab from a Telegram channel. And that provides a totally unique experience because you don&#8217;t need to download a new app.
You normally don&#8217;t need to go through a registration process even to get started. And that is like a 10x better experience than having to go through like, you know, before you&#8217;d start using a crypto application, go through KYC, fund the account, send money from your bank account. Normally most projects on TON are free to get started, free to start using. And so that means it&#8217;s very easy to understand and begin to learn about the crypto application.
How does TON Society support and amplify the TON community's goals?
We are responsible for community engagement. So, our main metric is reach on the community&#8217;s projects and activities as well as getting people to engage in what the ecosystem is up to. So as part of that, we run all of the community channels. So, we see ourselves as almost as an ecosystem journalist reporting on the main stories of the ecosystem as they happen and also running all of the events.
We also run Hackers League as well, which is a more developer-focused event series. We&#8217;re doing this concurrently, so it&#8217;s just a crazy amount of work that we&#8217;ve put into this event plus the boot camps, 20 boot camps we&#8217;ve run over six weeks, each of them three days long over a weekend.
So, starting mid-October until mid-November, we&#8217;ve got these 20 boot camps happening all over the world. And it&#8217;s all in a way of bringing the community together to connect, help them understand how to build their projects, help them get in touch with core members who can help them reach the right people, get the right funding, get access to the right resources. And so, we provide a very important role, I believe, in the ecosystem.
Could you share more about the Open League and how it incentivizes community engagement?
The Open League is a competition between projects where the Open League this season will actually pay airdrops to the users of the projects. And in that way, that pushes people to go, oh, you know what, I want to participate in the Open League. And because we make it a big structure that all projects in the TON ecosystem can plug into, now everyone in the TON community knows about it. They know how to get involved, and there&#8217;s incentives involved. So now we&#8217;re incentivizing people to not only just get involved in the projects, but also to share those projects, to post about them.
It&#8217;s like a flywheel effect of like, projects come in, then they go into the Open League, then they get users, then those users get paid, then those users bring other users in. And so, it&#8217;s like a nice kind of flywheel effect, bringing more people in. In a competitive way, where we&#8217;re not like specifically supporting particular tokens over other tokens. It&#8217;s all fair and transparent.
What is the purpose of The Hackers League bootcamps, and what impact have they had globally?
The purpose is to get people from pitch stage all the way to prize-winning and hopefully fully funded VC-funded startup. This year, we closed $2.1 million of committed capital from different VCs, Mexi Ventures, KUKON Ventures, Gate Ventures, Kinetic Capital, TON Ventures. So, the idea is really to provide a platform that can actually deliver on that promise. You come with a pitch, you meet a load of community members in your boot camp, you do your pitch at the end of the boot camp, and then you apply with that pitch to the hackathon, and then your application gets reviewed and provided to all of these VCs who can then say if you win or not.
So, it&#8217;s a really proven model, like we did in the summer. It was fantastic. We got 1,000 applicants to the hackathon. The Hackers League is like an offline element, which is the three-day boot camps, and then the online hackathon, which all of the applications feed into. So, the one in the summer was 14 of those people from the boot camp actually became winners of the hackathon.
And now they are building projects on TON today.
Are there particular regions or demographics TON Society is focusing on to drive adoption?
Yes, the super app regions. So anywhere where there&#8217;s already an existing super app, we found to be very receptive to the vision of TON. Because they already use super apps.
They have super apps in their lives. There are also a lot of developers that are already building super app applications that are familiar with that type of experience of building within another app. And so, it just makes sense to focus there, where those people have already developed use cases and use, use cases that are valuable for them. So yeah, those are the places. Southeast Asia, CIS, Eastern Europe.
What key metrics or milestones does TON Society use to assess the success of initiatives like The Open League and Hackers League?
Well, there&#8217;s a big variation in different things. Like Open League is based on users, like acquiring new users into TON blockchains and activate wallets. Hackers League is based on applicants to the hackathon.
Generally, TON society is responsible for reach for all of the ecosystem. So, we want to provide different platforms that all the projects can plug into. They get them reach, get them discovered, get people seeing them.
Are there any upcoming programs or initiatives TON Society is planning to support TON's growth?
Yes, there is the TON Teleport launch. So, TON Teleport is a decentralized Bitcoin bridge. It uses the validators of TON network to actually secure the third-party keys.
And so, no one has access to the keys. And it&#8217;s a very secure bridge, extremely secure bridge to take Bitcoin over to TON and mint a wrapped asset called, we&#8217;re calling TG Bitcoin, Bitcoin in Telegram. There&#8217;s going to be a big testing period and then we&#8217;ll launch sometime in Q1. So, with Society DAO, we want to build a way where the community can debate on whatever&#8217;s going on within the ecosystem.
And that would look like a platform that people can come, share their opinion, achieve consensus of community opinion. And when you achieve consensus of community opinion, that can be used to create proposals, on-chain blockchain proposals. In governance generally, there&#8217;s a lot of things that happens before you actually get to a Bill passed, right? A lot of debate in parliaments and Congress and all those types of stuff. In order to actually get to a Bill, it&#8217;s gone through 26 different steps in the case of the UK government. So, we don&#8217;t actually have that in blockchain in general because the debates are so mixed up. There&#8217;s no signal or the noise of what exactly is the community opinion. And so, we want to build a platform that allows us to find consensus in community opinion. And that&#8217;s what we&#8217;re working on.

Interview

We Want To Build Platform That Allows Us To Find Consensus In Community Opinion, Says TON's Jack Booth

As your clients inevitably ask about portfolio positioning for Trump&#8217;s second term, new insights from the Charles Schwab Impact 2024 conference offer crucial talking points for managing expectations and avoiding common investment pitfalls, <a href="https://www.investmentnews.com/rias/expecting-small-cap-or-energy-boom-from-trump-dont-be-so-sure/258316">InvestmentNews reports</a>.
&#8220;Be really careful about extrapolation around election narratives,&#8221; warns Liz Ann Sonders, Schwab&#8217;s chief investment strategist, providing advisors with a powerful historical example: While many professionals confidently steered clients toward energy stocks during Trump&#8217;s first term, expecting sector-wide gains, energy actually plummeted over 40%, significantly underperforming all other sectors.
For advisors fielding questions about small-cap allocations—particularly given recent market enthusiasm—Sonders recommends a more nuanced client discussion. Rather than broad small-cap exposure, consider explaining to clients the stark reality that approximately 40% of Russell 2000 companies are unprofitable. Instead, suggest more selective approaches, such as funds tracking the S&amp;P SmallCap 600 Index, which applies stricter quality criteria.
When discussing Trump&#8217;s proposed policies with clients, Schwab&#8217;s chief global investment strategist Jeff Kleintop suggests framing the proposed 26% tariff rate as a negotiating position rather than a certainty. However, advisors should prepare clients for potential inflationary impacts if significant tariffs are implemented.
Fixed income discussions require particular attention, according to Kathy Jones, Schwab&#8217;s chief fixed income strategist. Consider warning clients that proposed immigration policies could reduce the labor force by 8% or more, potentially driving up labor costs and inflation. This may lead to higher-than-expected terminal rates—possibly 3.5% to 4% rather than the previously anticipated 2.75%.
Bottom line for advisors: Help clients avoid making investment decisions based on political headlines. Instead, focus client conversations on fundamental economic factors, detailed market analysis, and their long-term financial plans. Remember that during Trump&#8217;s first term, it was broader economic conditions, not policy predictions, that ultimately drove market performance.
Consider scheduling portfolio reviews with clients now to address these concerns proactively and adjust strategies as needed.

Financial Advisors

Why Trump-Era Investment Planning Will Be Different Than Expected

These large-cap stocks were the worst performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?
<ol start="1">
<li>Target Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) tumbled 17.83% after the company reported the third-quarter earnings miss, and analysts slashed the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/42117500" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price target on the stock</a>.</li>
<li>Temu parent PDD Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDD#NASDAQ">PDD</a>) plummeted 12.22% after the company reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/42111158" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">worse-than-expected financial results</a>. Analysts cut <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/pdd/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the price forecast on the stock</a>.</li>
<li>ZTO Express (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZTO#NYSE">ZTO</a>) stock fell 8.50% after the company reported third-quarter results and cut its FY24 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/42076268" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">guidance for parcel volume</a>.</li>
<li>Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/THC#NYSE">THC</a>) stock dipped 7.54% after Raymond James downgraded the stock <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/thc/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">from Strong Buy to Outperform</a>.</li>
<li>Ulta Beauty, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ULTA#NASDAQ">ULTA</a>) fell 7.34% after Berkshire Hathaway <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/42013172">cut its position</a> in the stock.</li>
<li>Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTU#NASDAQ">INTU</a>) declined 6.94% after the company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/42123997" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported second-quarter results</a>. Several analysts revised <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/intu/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the price forecasts on the stock</a>.</li>
<li>Nokia Corporation NYSE: NOK) stock decreased 6.28%. The company secured a multi-year, multi-billion USD contract extension <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/42089876" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">with </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/42089876" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bharti Airtel</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/42089876" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> in India</a>.</li>
<li>Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) shares were down 6.16%. The company plans to issue U.S. dollars and Chinese yuan bonds to raise capital, repay existing debt, and support <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/42032495" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">an ongoing stock buyback initiative</a>.</li>
<li>Banco Santander (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SAN#NYSE">SAN</a>) stock dipped 5.60%.</li>
<li>Incyte Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INCY#NASDAQ">INCY</a>) stock declined 5.47% after the company announced that data from its Phase 2 study evaluating MRGPRX4 (INCB000547) in cholestatic does not <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/42070590" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">support further development</a>.</li>
</ol>
Photo via Shutterstock

Large Cap

BABA

INCY

INTU

Citigourp Global Markets 2% Protected Notes Linked To The Djia

ULTA

Target, Alibaba And Temu Parent PDD Are Among Top 10 Large-Cap Losers Last Week (Nov 18-Nov 22): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

These large-cap stocks were the best performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?
<ol start="1">
<li>Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>) shares rocketed 78.42%. The company announced it submitted a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/42111748" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> compliance plan to Nasdaq</a>.</li>
<li>Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNOW#NYSE">SNOW</a>) stock jumped 32.93% after the company reported better-than-expected financial results for the third quarter and raised guidance. Several analysts raised price <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/42117057" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">targets following the print</a>.</li>
<li>Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WSM#NYSE">WSM</a>) stock escalated 31.63%  after the company reported better-than-expected third-quarter 2024 results, announced a new $1 billion buyback <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/42091624" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">program, and raised its outlook</a>. Analysts boosted <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/wsm/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the price target on the stock</a>.</li>
<li>Symbotic Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SYM#NASDAQ">SYM</a>) stock zoomed 31.52% after the company reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/42072077" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">better-than-expected financial results</a>.</li>
<li>Texas Pacific Land Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TPL#NYSE">TPL</a>) stock rose 27.21%.</li>
<li>Amer Sports, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AS#NYSE">AS</a>) stock rose 25.71% after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/42065028" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reporting third-quarter results</a>. Multiple analysts raised <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/as/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">their respective price targets</a>.</li>
<li>Elastic N.V. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ESTC#NYSE">ESTC</a>) shares upped 25.15% after the company reported second-quarter financial results and issued FY25<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/42123410" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> guidance above estimates</a>. Several analysts boosted the price <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/estc/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">target on the stock</a>.</li>
<li>MicroStrategy Incorporated (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) shares escalated 23.85%  after the company announced it completed its previously announced offering of its 0% <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/42138209" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">convertible senior notes due 2029</a>. </li>
<li>YPF Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YPF#NYSE">YPF</a>) shares increased 23.59%, probably on continued strength after the nation received a credit upgrade from Fitch over the weekend.</li>
<li>Datadog, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DDOG#NASDAQ">DDOG</a>) stock gained 23.59% last week in sympathy with Snowflake, which reported better-than-expected <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/42117057">third-quarter results</a>.</li>
</ol>
Photo by JOCA_PH on Shutterstock

DDOG

ESTC

SMCI

SNOW

Super Micro Computer, Snowflake And MicroStrategy Are Among Top 10 Large-Cap Gainers Last Week (Nov 18-Nov 22): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

The housing market continues its downturn as mortgage applications hit their lowest levels in three decades, according to data issued by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).
Nick Gerli, CEO of Reventure Consulting, pointed to the reality on X, formerly Twitter, noting that current mortgage demand has fallen about 50% compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. For sellers, the latest figures are a bad sign as they head into winter, with purchase applications down 49.7% from 2019 levels and 55.2% below 2020 numbers.
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The downturn continues despite favorable conditions that typically boost market activity. Despite<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/11/41820253/fed-cuts-interest-rates-to-lowest-since-february-2023-sticks-to-data-driven-path"> two Federal Reserve rate cuts – </a>one in September and another in early November – and the election&#8217;s conclusion, buyers remain hesitant to enter the market.
Behind the reluctance is historically poor homebuyer sentiment. The University of Michigan Sentiment Survey data showed that most Americans "believe that high interest rates are weighing down homebuying conditions."&nbsp;
According to Gerli, the core issue centers on housing prices. Current home valuations have reached unsustainable levels relative to inflation and income, exceeding the 2006 housing bubble peaks when adjusted for inflation. The disconnect between perceived value and listing prices drives potential buyers away.
&#8220;So buyers look for a home they think should be $350,000. And it costs $500,000,&#8221; Gerli said. &#8220;And they immediately give up. Because they know the home isn&#8217;t worth that amount.&#8221;
See Also: Invest in $20+ trillion home equity market today across cities like Austin, Miami, and Los Angeles through a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/nada-cityfunds">unique 5-year term fund targeting a 14-20% IRR with minimums as low as $2,500</a>
Recent MBA data supports Gerli's assessment. While overall mortgage application volume showed a minimal 0.5% increase last week – the first rise in seven weeks – the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage climbed to 6.86%, up from 6.81%. Refinancing applications dropped 2% to their lowest point since May despite being 43% higher than the previous year.
Joel Kan, MBA&#8217;s deputy chief economist, notes some bright spots in specific market segments. Applications for FHA and VA loans showed respective increases of 3% and 9%, with FHA rates notably declining against the broader trend.
The regional nature of the housing market <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/10/41541572/purely-supply-demand-imbalance-5-u-s-cities-with-homes-still-under-300k">means some areas may fare better than others</a>. Gerli noted the variations in price forecasts for 2025, particularly between markets like Florida and New York.
For sellers hoping to move properties this winter, the message appears clear – price adjustments may be necessary to attract buyers in the current market environment. Market dynamics suggest a shift in buyer behavior outside of typical seasonal slowdowns, pointing to deeper structural challenges in the housing market that might require price corrections to resolve.
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Home Sellers, 'Start Cutting Prices Or It's Going To Be A Long Winter,' Says Reventure CEO

Top executives from the U.S. telecom industry and national security officials gathered at the White House to address concerns over a Chinese cyber-espionage campaign targeting high-ranking U.S. political figures.
What Happened: Chinese hackers managed to breach&nbsp;major U.S. telecom providers to&nbsp;spy on phone calls and&nbsp;text messages. The meeting was an opportunity for telecom executives to propose ways the government could bolster its defenses against such advanced cyber-attacks, the White House stated.
According to the report <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/23/politics/chinese-cyber-espionage-telecom-execs/index.html">by</a> CNN, the cyber-attack is seen as one of the most significant challenges to cyber and national security for the upcoming Donald Trump administration. A classified briefing for all senators has been scheduled for December 4, after Congress reconvenes from its recess next month.
&#8220;This is by far the worst telecom hack in our nation&#8217;s history,&#8221; Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, told the outlet. The full scope of the hack, its implications, and the individuals affected are still being investigated.
According to Warner, the FBI has notified fewer than 150 victims, most in the Washington area. But all of those victims have likely called or sent texts to numerous people, meaning the number of records accessed by the hackers is likely far greater. The hackers could listen to the calls of specific targets for certain periods of time, said Warner.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38909612/possible-espionage-threat-us-officials-warn-of-chinese-interference-with-undersea-internet-cables-in">Possible Espionage Threat? US Officials Warn Of Chinese Interference With Undersea Internet Cables In Pacific</a>
US broadband and internet providers&nbsp;AT&amp;T&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/T#NYSE">T</a>),&nbsp;Verizon&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VZ#NYSE">VZ</a>), and&nbsp;Lumen&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LUMN#NYSE">LUMN</a>) have all been victims of this hacking campaign. The hackers also targeted&nbsp;phone communications of senior figures&nbsp;from&nbsp;both the Republican and Democratic&nbsp;parties.
China has refuted the hacking allegations. However, U.S. officials continue to express concern about China&#8217;s hacking program, which, according to FBI Director Christopher Wray, is larger&nbsp;than those of all other&nbsp;major countries combined.
Why It Matters: This incident underscores the growing threat of cyber-espionage and the need for robust cybersecurity measures. 
The implications of such attacks are far-reaching, affecting not just the telecom industry but also the political landscape. 
As the investigation continues, it remains crucial for the US to strengthen its defenses against such sophisticated cyber-attacks.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39956964/us-warns-tech-startups-of-espionage-threats-from-china-and-others-adversaries-via-foreign-investment">US Warns Tech Startups Of Espionage Threats From China And Others Adversaries Via Foreign Investments: &#8216;Can Directly Lead To The Failure Of These Companies&#8217;</a>
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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