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Creatd Inc empowers creators, brands, and entrepreneurs through technology and partnership. The company has the following segments, namely Creatd Studios, Creatd Labs, Creatd Ventures, and Creatd Partners. Its flagship technology platform is Vocal, which provides creators of all shapes and sizes, from bloggers to podcasters, and more with storytelling tools, safe and curated communities, and the opportunity to monetize their content.

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a lawsuit against Patrick Orlando, the former CEO of Digital World Acquisition Corp, the company that facilitated the public listing of Donald Trump&#8216;s social media venture. The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, alleges Orlando of committing securities fraud.
What Happened: The SEC has accused Orlando of violating securities regulations by issuing misleading and false statements during his tenure at the special purpose acquisition company, reported Reuters on Thursday. 
The lawsuit claims that Orlando deceived investors by not disclosing the company&#8217;s plans to acquire Trump Media &amp; Technology Group Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DJT#NASDAQ">DJT</a>) before DWAC&#8217;s initial public offering.
Orlando&#8217;s company, Digital World, completed its merger with Trump Media &amp; Technology Group in March. This company owns Truth Social, a social media platform endorsed by Trump.
The SEC had previously charged DWAC with making &#8220;material misrepresentations&#8221; to investors in July last year. The company agreed to a cease-and-desist order and an $18 million penalty if the merger was finalized.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39811211/as-billionaire-boys-go-all-in-for-trump-anthony-scaramucci-has-word-of-caution-tonic-they-are-prescr?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">As &#8216;Billionaire Boys&#8217; Go All In For Trump, Anthony Scaramucci Has Word Of Caution: &#8216;Tonic They Are Prescribing Will Be Bad For America And The World&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: This lawsuit against Orlando comes amid a series of events surrounding Trump&#8217;s social media venture. In April, a board member of Trump Media was implicated in a hacking lawsuit, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38195241/trump-media-board-member-reportedly-hacked-truth-social-parent-executive-in-attempted-corporate-coup">alleging a corporate coup</a> aimed at removing Orlando, the original architect of the deal to take the social media company public.
Trump Media&#8217;s public debut was largely due to emergency <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38083681/mary-trump-says-uncle-donald-willing-to-do-business-with-anyone-after-reports-emerge-trump-media-was">loans received in 2022</a>, preventing a potential failure to merge with Digital World Acquisition Corporation. A securities investigation into the merger in 2021 led to the rapid depletion of Trump Media&#8217;s cash reserves while awaiting its stock market debut.
Amid these legal and financial challenges, Trump&#8217;s net worth surged, pushing him into the list of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37950053/trump-media-technology-groups-successful-listing-places-ex-president-among-the-worlds-500-richest-pe">world&#8217;s 500 wealthiest individuals</a> following the successful listing of Trump Media &amp; Technology Group in March.
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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/topic/Kaustubh-Bagalkote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaustubh Bagalkote</a>

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DWAC

Trump-Linked Digital World's Former CEO Sued By SEC For Securities Fraud

The semiconductor market was jolted on Wednesday as stocks of major players like NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>), and Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) took a sharp downturn. This came in the wake of reports suggesting that President Joe Biden is contemplating stricter trade restrictions with China and comments made by former President Donald Trump regarding Taiwan.
What Happened: During an interview with CNBC&#8217;s Closing Bell Overtime, Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon shared his insights on the situation. Rasgon pointed out that Trump&#8217;s comments on Taiwan seemed to suggest that he was not overly concerned about protecting Taiwan, possibly indicating that he expected something in return. 
Rasgon said that Trump &#8220;doesn&#8217;t sound as concerned about protecting Taiwan. It kind of suggests he doesn&#8217;t want to do it for free. I&#8217;m having flashbacks to when he was president.&#8221; 
Rasgon added, &#8220;I don&#8217;t think he was saying that protecting Taiwan is not important—it clearly is important—but it certainly did impact all of the semiconductor companies that depend on Taiwan.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Big moves in semis today with <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24NVDA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$NVDA</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24AMD&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$AMD</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24AVGO&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$AVGO</a> all closing sharply lower. The moves come after news reports that President Biden is considering harsher trade restrictions with China along with former President Trump&#39;s comments on Taiwan. <a href="https://twitter.com/Srasgon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Srasgon</a> joins with his thoughts. <a href="https://t.co/3zdkzqFtov">pic.twitter.com/3zdkzqFtov</a>
&mdash; CNBCOvertime (@CNBCOvertime) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNBCOvertime/status/1813675131924774933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
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This, according to Rasgon, had a significant impact on semiconductor companies that rely on Taiwan. He also noted that companies with a larger U.S. presence, such as Texas Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXN#NASDAQ">TXN</a>), fared better on Wednesday.
Rasgon also warned of potential increased volatility as the U.S. presidential election approaches.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39787824/as-trumps-chances-of-presidency-improve-analysts-say-his-return-to-white-house-could-boost-these-3-s?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">As Trump&#8217;s Chances Of Presidency Improve, Analysts Say His Return To White House Could Boost These 3 Sectors</a>
Why It Matters: Trump&#8217;s comments on Taiwan have been a source of concern for the semiconductor industry. This is not the first time that Trump&#8217;s remarks have impacted the market. His comments on Taiwan had also led to a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39807774/trump-says-taiwan-should-pay-us-for-defense-ex-presidents-remark-triggers-fall-in-tsmc-shares">decline in the shares</a> of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>).
The semiconductor sector has been under pressure due to the Biden administration&#8217;s potential <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/07/39821315/ai-earthquake-semiconductors-suffer-worst-selloff-in-years-on-stricter-us-chip-expo">tightening of regulatory restrictions</a> on chip exports to China. This has led to one of the worst trading days for the sector in years, with major ETFs like the iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOXX#NASDAQ">SOXX</a>) and the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMH#NASDAQ">SMH</a>) experiencing significant declines.
Trump&#8217;s comments on Taiwan are part of a broader pattern of criticism of the Biden administration&#8217;s China policies. This has led to concerns about China&#8217;s potential influence over the U.S. and the need for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39540840/china-is-going-to-own-us-trump-attacks-biden-over-tariffs-calls-him-the-manchurian-candidate">stronger measures against China</a>.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/07/39792248/jim-cramer-says-if-you-sell-this-chinese-ev-stock-now-some-clown-will-be-real-posit?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jim Cramer Says If You Sell This Chinese EV Stock Now, &#8216;Some Clown&#8217; Will Be &#8216;Real Positive About It,&#8217; Wait Until &#8216;All That Stuff Happens&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock 
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/topic/Kaustubh-Bagalkote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaustubh Bagalkote</a>

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SOXX

Trump's Taiwan Talk, Biden's Trade Restriction Plans Trigger Nvidia, AMD And Other Semiconductor Selloff: 'I'm Having Flashbacks,' Says Analyst

Two decades after implementing the &#8220;great firewall,&#8221; Xi Jinping-led Chinese government is reportedly testing artificial intelligence systems to ensure they align with socialist values. 
What Happened: The&nbsp;Cyberspace Administration of China&nbsp;is compelling tech giants and AI startups, including&nbsp;ByteDance,&nbsp;Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>),&nbsp;Moonshot, and&nbsp;01.AI to participate&nbsp;in a mandatory government review&nbsp;of their AI models, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/10975044-f194-4513-857b-e17491d2a9e9?shareType=nongift">reported</a>&nbsp;Financial Times&nbsp;on Wednesday, citing multiple people involved in the process.
It involves testing the AI&#8217;s responses to a range of questions, many related to China&#8217;s political sensitivities and President Xi. The CAC&#8217;s local branches are conducting the reviews, including examining the AI&#8217;s training data and safety procedures.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39742991/elon-musk-surprised-to-learn-tesla-influencer-earns-50-100-times-more-at-youtube-than-at-x-wow-you-r?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Surprised To Learn Tesla Influencer Earns 50-100 Times More At YouTube Than At X: &#8216;Wow, You Really Get So Much&#8230;&#8217;</a>
An employee at a Hangzhou-based AI company said that they didn&#8217;t pass CAC&#8217;s audit in the first round, but after months of &#8221; guessing and adjusting&#8221; they were able to fly through.
Chinese experts assert that TikTok-parent ByteDance has made the most significant progress in developing a large language model that effectively echoes Beijing&#8217;s official narratives, the report noted.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: According to China's operational guidance that was published in February, AI companies must collect thousands of sensitive&nbsp;keywords and questions that violate&nbsp;&#8220;core socialist values&#8221; and update them weekly.
As a result, most Chinese chatbots reject queries about sensitive topics. In May this year, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/05/38956682/chatgpt-meet-xigpt-china-unveils-new-ai-model-that-speaks-xi-jinpings-thoughts-spouts-official-party">China introduced a large language</a> model based on President Xi Jinping&#8217;s political philosophy.
Meanwhile, a&nbsp;survey&nbsp;conducted in July 2024 revealed that 83% of Chinese respondents are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39702149/china-dominates-global-generative-ai-adoption-as-local-startups-face-fierce-competition-from-the-lik">using generative AI</a>, significantly surpassing the global average of 54% and the 65% adoption rate in the U.S.
China has also surged ahead in the global race for generative AI patents. According to a UN report published earlier this month, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39613688/china-files-6x-more-generative-ai-patents-than-us-despite-nvidia-chip-export-ban-un-report">China has filed six times more</a> generative AI patents than the U.S.
Image made via photos on Shutterstock
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39701948/apple-registers-largest-growth-among-global-pc-makers-shipments-surge-20-8-report?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Registers Largest Growth Among Global PC Makers, Shipments Surge 20.8% — Report</a></li>
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

BABA

Xi Jinping's China Is Putting World's Most Stringent Regulations On AI — Tech Giants Alibaba, ByteDance Test Tech For Compliance With Socialist Values

Renowned statistician and pollster Nate Silver has been appointed as an advisor to the cryptocurrency-based prediction market, Polymarket. The move comes as the platform aims to broaden its forecasting around news events.
What Happened: Polymarket has enlisted Silver&#8217;s expertise to enhance its forecasts around news events, according to a <a href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/16/nate-silver-polymarket">report </a>by Axios. The decision aligns with the growing trend of Americans turning to prediction markets to navigate through turbulent news cycles, and the increasing reference to prediction odds by news outlets for the outcomes of news events, especially elections.
Nate Silver&nbsp;founded&nbsp;FiveThirtyEight, which has been used to predict the outcomes of&nbsp;several presidential elections.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/39781712/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-continue-their-green-streak-but-big-test-could-come-on-a-60k-ret?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Continue Their Green Streak, But &#8216;Big Test&#8217; Could Come On A $60K Retest</a>
Launched in 2020, Polymarket is a decentralized prediction market that allows users to bet on major global events using cryptocurrencies. Users can buy or sell outcome shares, which can be redeemed for $1 if the outcome is correct, and become worthless if it's incorrect.
The platform has rapidly emerged as one of the world&#8217;s top prediction markets for U.S. elections. However, it currently does not allow U.S. users to place trades based on its predictions.
Why It Matters: His appointment to Polymarket comes in the wake of his recent predictions about the 2024 elections. Last month, Silver <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39519001/donald-trump-could-secure-absolute-majority-in-2024-election-says-polling-expert-not-sure-biden-has">suggested that Donald Trump could secure an absolute majority in the 2024 election</a>. He noted that the reasons favoring Trump&#8217;s win have gradually become more compelling than those for Biden.
Meanwhile on Polymarket, the odds of President Joe Biden dropping out of the presidential race has soared from 33% to 66% in the last 24 hours, amid confirmation <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/07/39829417/biden-gets-covid-19-takes-a-fiesty-dig-at-tesla-ceo-im-sick-of-elon-musk-and-his-rich-buddies-trying">from the White House that he has tested positive for Covid-19</a>. Earlier today he said he&#8217;d consider dropping out if he had a &#8220;medical condition.&#8221;
Image via Shutterstock
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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Odds of Biden Dropping Out Of Race Surge To 66% — Pollster Nate Silver Joins Crypto-Based Prediction Market Polymarket

In the lead-up to a rally of former President Donald Trump, where a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39761846/trump-left-bloodied-after-shots-fired-at-pennsylvania-rally-evacuated-by-secret-service">shooting incident</a> took place, local law enforcement had reportedly cautioned the Secret Service about their inability to provide adequate security.
What Happened: Local police had informed the Secret Service about their lack of resources to station a patrol car outside a key building where the shooter later positioned himself and fired at Trump, as confirmed by local and federal law enforcement and Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/07/17/secret-service-trump-rally-shooting-homeland-security-investigation/">reported</a> The Washington Post.
Butler County, Pa., District Attorney Richard Goldinger stated that the Secret Service was notified that the local police department was short-staffed and couldn&#8217;t assist with securing the building. The building, the Agr International building complex, had a clear view of the rally stage less than 150 yards away, where Trump would later stand.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39764782/biden-vs-trump-post-debate-popularity-poll-reveals-unexpected-results-for-this-candidate?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biden Vs. Trump: Post-Debate Popularity Poll Reveals Unexpected Results For This Candidate</a>
Approximately 20 to 30 minutes before the shooting, local police inside the building warned the Secret Service security team via radio about a suspicious individual with a golf range finder and backpack. The shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, managed to reach the building&#8217;s roof.
The incident has raised concerns about the Secret Service&#8217;s planning and security provisions for the high-stakes presidential campaign visit. The security lapses are currently under multiple federal investigations, and there are calls for Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to step down.
Why It Matters: The shooting incident, which left Trump bloodied and was swiftly evacuated by the Secret Service, has been a source of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39779392/secret-service-failure-to-prevent-trump-shooting-under-scrutiny-by-democrats-republicans-we-cant-all">intense scrutiny</a> for the Secret Service.
Despite the criticism, Secret Service Director Cheatle has announced that she will not resign from her position. In an interview with ABC News, Cheatle acknowledged the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39784760/secret-service-director-kimberly-cheatle-says-the-buck-stops-with-me-on-trump-assassination-attempt">severity of the incident</a> and accepted responsibility, stating, &#8220;The buck stops with me.&#8221;
Image via Shutterstock
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39787824/as-trumps-chances-of-presidency-improve-analysts-say-his-return-to-white-house-could-boost-these-3-s?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">As Trump&#8217;s Chances Of Presidency Improve, Analysts Say His Return To White House Could Boost These 3 Sectors</a></li>
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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>

General

Trump Rally Security: Secret Service Was Informed Of Police Inability To Watch Sniper Location

The White House has confirmed that President Biden has tested positive for COVID-19. Despite experiencing mild symptoms, the President will continue to fulfill his duties while self-isolating in Delaware. Biden took the opportunity, however, to take a dig at Tesla CEO Elon Musk and other billionaires for &#8220;funding&#8221; Donald Trump&#8217;s campaign
What Happened: The president said on X, &#8220;I&#8217;m Sick&#8221; and then went on to add, &#8220;of Elon Musk and his rich buddies trying to buy this election.&#8221; He also added a donate link to his post to fundraise for his own campaign.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">of Elon Musk and his rich buddies trying to buy this election. And if you agree, pitch in here.<a href="https://t.co/V93cYUUFQu">https://t.co/V93cYUUFQu</a>
&mdash; Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1813716534499393678?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Biden developed upper respiratory symptoms, including a runny nose and a cough, which led to a COVID-19 test. His doctor confirmed the positive result and stated that Biden&#8217;s symptoms remain mild, with normal respiratory rate and temperature. PCR confirmation testing is pending, <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/4778560-biden-tests-positive-for-covid-19/">reported</a> The Hill.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39764047/trump-vs-biden-one-candidate-leaps-ahead-of-another-in-latest-survey?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Vs Biden: One Candidate Leaps Ahead Of Another In Latest Survey</a>
Why It Matters: This week, Musk reportedly committed to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39784950/elon-musk-to-pour-45m-monthly-in-pro-trump-super-pac-joined-by-palantirs-joe-lonsdale-winklevoss-twi">allocating $45 million per month</a> to a new pro-Trump PAC, but he reacted to the Wall Street Journal&#8217;s report by sharing an image labeled &#8220;Fake Gnus&#8221; on social media, without providing an official comment.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) also criticized Musk&#8217;s reported monthly donations to Trump&#8217;s campaign, emphasizing the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39807458/bernie-sanders-slams-elon-musks-reported-45m-donations-to-trump-campaign-we-need-a-government-that-r">need for public election funding</a>. Sanders stressed overturning Citizens United to prevent billionaires from dominating politics. 
Image via Shutterstock
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Biden Gets COVID-19, Takes A Fiesty Dig At Tesla CEO: 'I'm Sick …Of Elon Musk And His Rich Buddies Trying To Buy This Election'

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

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have intensified their oversight of the <a href="http://benzinga.com/cannabis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a> industry, issuing another round of warning letters to companies on Tuesday. The businesses are accused of selling products infused with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/01/36584043/real-weed-or-a-lab-high-delta-8-and-delta-9-thc-explained" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hemp-derived cannabinoids</a>, such as delta-8 THC, in packaging deceptively resembling popular children's snacks.
This move marks the second consecutive year of such actions, signaling a tightening grip on deceptive marketing practices.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">FTC Targets Deceptive THC Edibles Marketing</h3>
&#8220;Companies that market and sell edible THC products that are easily mistaken for snacks and candy are not only acting illegally, but they are also putting the health of young children at risk,&#8221; Samuel Levine, director of FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-ftc-continue-joint-effort-protect-consumers-against-companies-illegally-selling-copycat-delta-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> in a press release. As Hemp Today <a href="https://hemptoday.net/federal-ban-on-delta-8-other-hemp-derived-intoxicants-could-come-as-early-as-october/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">notes</a>, this regulatory spotlight aligns with concerns over delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, THC-O-acetate, HHC, THCP, and hemp-derived THCA &#8211; substances gaining notoriety for their psychoactive effects yet slipping through legislative cracks.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Today, the FDA and <a href="https://twitter.com/FTC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FTC</a> issued warning letters to five companies for illegally selling copycat food products containing Delta-8 THC and introducing them into the marketplace in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. These warnings serve as part of the FDA and… <a href="https://t.co/71cmdHNk3S">pic.twitter.com/71cmdHNk3S</a>
&mdash; U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) <a href="https://twitter.com/US_FDA/status/1813259864497434910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Real Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39783607/how-hemp-became-americas-loophole-for-legal-highs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How Hemp Became America&#8217;s Loophole For Legal Highs</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Congress Debates Hemp Cannabinoid Ban</h3>
Simultaneously, a heated debate is unfolding in Congress about the future legality of consumable hemp-based cannabinoid products. Proposals in recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39698531/gop-led-congressional-committee-passes-bill-to-block-cannabis-rescheduling-deny-state-protection" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">House-approved appropriations legislation</a> and the forthcoming Farm Bill <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/05/39006814/house-committee-approval-of-amendment-eliminating-90-of-hemp-dervied-products-could-drive-wedge-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hint at a potential nationwide ban</a>. These legislative actions are compounded by concerns over unregulated cannabis products that make unauthorized health claims.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Unknown Compounds From Hemp Conversion Found In Tests</h3>
Amidst this regulatory and legislative flux, a new concern arises from the discovery of numerous unknown compounds in marijuana testing samples, <a href="https://mjbizdaily.com/unknown-compounds-found-in-cannabis-testing-samples-lab-owners-say/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> by MJBizDaily. These compounds are believed to originate from the process of converting hemp-derived cannabinoids into delta-8 and delta-9 THC. &#8220;These are chemical side reactions,&#8221; explained Susan Audino, a chemist and independent consultant to chemical laboratories.
Josh Swider, CEO of Infinite Chemical Analysis Labs said, &#8220;You'll see 60 unknown compounds in there. Some of them get identified, but all of them are never found. That is telling you that you're now adding other compounds that we never found in cannabis, and now people are smoking it. It's a very common thing going on around the country.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">FDA Faces CBD Regulation Criticism</h3>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/04/31890021/house-committee-to-investigate-fda-inaction-on-cbd-regulation-gop-chair-warns-about-dangers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The FDA's ongoing failure to regulate CBD</a>, criticized by stakeholders and legislators alike, adds another layer of urgency to these discussions. In a House committee hearing earlier this year, FDA commissioner Robert Califf <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38226873/analyst-reacts-to-fda-commish-comments-medical-and-recreational-cannabis-could-have" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">addressed criticisms over the agency&#8217;s inaction</a>, suggesting that resolving these issues would require additional congressional support. This legislative backdrop sets the stage for potential sweeping reforms in how hemp-derived products are marketed and regulated.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39610764/intoxicating-hemp-products-face-regulatory-crackdown-across-multiple-states" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Intoxicating Hemp Products Face Regulatory Crackdown Across Multiple States</a></li>
</ul>
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
Cannabis rescheduling seems to be right around the corner. Want to understand what this means for the future of the industry? Hear directly for top executives, investors and policymakers at the 19th Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, coming to Chicago this Oct. 8-9. <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/benzinga-capital-conference-cannabis-fall-2024-tickets-858948065787?aff=oddtdtcreator" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get your tickets now</a> before prices surge by following <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/benzinga-capital-conference-cannabis-fall-2024-tickets-858948065787?aff=oddtdtcreator" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this link</a>.

Cannabis

Government

Regulations

CURALEAF HLDGS INC by Curaleaf Hldgs Inc.

CURLF

FDA Accuses Companies Of Marketing Cannabis Products To Children Amid Debate On Hemp Cannabinoids Ban

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is urging the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to ease <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39715542/biden-administration-give-us-more-insight-on-marijuana-rescheduling-decision-congressional-commi">restrictions on marijuana. </a>
In a recent letter addressed to DEA administrator Anne Milgram, Beshear advocated for the reclassification of cannabis from a Schedule I drug, which includes substances like heroin and LSD, to a Schedule III drug, where ketamine and anabolic steroids are listed, Cannabis Business Times <a href="https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/news/dea-reschedule-marijuana-schedule-iii-when-kentucky-governor-andy-beshear-controlled-substances/">reported.</a>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39277690/dea-vs-biden-fda-health-agency-over-cannabis-rescheduling-whats-up-with-that">DEA Vs. Biden, FDA &amp; Health Agency Over Cannabis Rescheduling: What&#8217;s Up With That?</a>
&#8220;The jury is no longer out on marijuana: It has medical uses and is currently being used for medical purposes,&#8221; Beshear wrote. &#8220;The recognition is overwhelming – and bipartisan. For example, I signed a medical marijuana law that passed with support from Republican legislative supermajorities and a Democratic Governor.&#8221;
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Medical Marijuana In Kentucky</h3>
Kentucky&#8217;s approach to medical marijuana has evolved significantly under Beshear&#8217;s administration. The governor signed a medical marijuana law that passed with bipartisan support, highlighting the broad acceptance of cannabis&#8217;s medicinal benefits.
Beshear&#8217;s letter comes at a crucial time, with the new medical cannabis program set to go into effect on January 1, 2025. This program aims to provide safe, regulated medical marijuana products to improve the lives of Kentuckians with significant medical conditions.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Case For Rescheduling Cannabis</h3>
The primary distinction between Schedule I and Schedule III drugs lies in their medical value and potential for abuse. Schedule I drugs are deemed to have no medical value and a high potential for abuse, whereas Schedule III drugs have accepted medical uses and a lower potential for abuse. 
According to DEA scheduling practices, marijuana is absurdly classified as more dangerous than fentanyl, oxycodone and methamphetamine. 
Beshear&#8217;s argument is bolstered by data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which estimated that 84,181 people died from opioid overdoses in 2022. In contrast, the DEA has not reported any deaths directly attributable to marijuana use.
However, a 2023 study from Florida Atlantic University highlighted that synthetic cannabinoids, which are often more potent and dangerous than natural cannabis, have been linked to 386 deaths between 2014 and 2020.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Benefits For Kentuckians</h3>
Beshear emphasized the potential benefits of rescheduling marijuana for Kentuckians, particularly as an alternative to opioids and a means to reduce crime and illicit drug use. &#8220;
As Governor, my job is to move our state forward,&#8221; Beshear stated. &#8220;Rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III is a significant, common-sense step forward for all Kentuckians, especially those with significant medical conditions.&#8221;
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Looking Ahead</h3>
Kentucky&#8217;s new medical cannabis program is set to launch in 2025, promising to bring relief to thousands of residents suffering from various medical conditions. 
&#8220;We look forward to seeing how safe medical marijuana products will reduce the suffering and improve the lives of tens of thousands of Kentuckians when our program launches,&#8221; Beshear wrote.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/05/39011156/exclusive-we-analyzed-4-000-dea-marijuana-rescheduling-comments-heres-what-americans-really-thin">EXCLUSIVE: We Analyzed 4,000+ DEA Marijuana Rescheduling Comments; Here&#8217;s What Americans Really Think</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39617358/dea-veteran-warns-bidens-plan-to-reclassify-marijuana-will-empower-mexican-chinese-cartels"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39537843/applications-open-kentucky-set-to-roll-out-medical-cannabis-in-2025">Applications Are Open: Kentucky Set To Roll Out Medical Cannabis In 2025</a></a></li>
</ul>
Government photo of Andy Beshear

Kentucky Gov Andy Beshear To DEA: Reschedule Cannabis 'Marijuana Products Will Reduce Suffering'

The facilities, reportedly functioning as fronts for the distribution of cannabis other substances were shut down early Wednesday in what officials describe as one of the largest busts seen by New York Police Dept. (NYPD) and Sheriff&#8217;s Office recently.
The raid comes as part of city-wide clean-up operation, known as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/05/38875243/nyc-mayor-adams-on-the-weed-warpath-6m-in-fines-75-closures-4000-illicit-shop-violations-in-firs">Operation Padlock</a>, which has been underway since May of this year.
It is believed that the total illicit cannabis selling shops functioning in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/new-york-cannabis">NYC</a> amounts to 3600. On ABC7&#8217;s Eyewitness, NYPD chief of patrol John Chell <a href="https://abc7ny.com/post/2-bronx-businesses-raided-nypd-new-york-city/15064172/">said</a> &#8220;we&#8217;ve shut down 18 percent of those stores in six weeks.&#8221;
Authorities raided a location on East Tremont Avenue where the NYPD uncovered 176 pounds of cannabis flower, 0.6 pounds of THC vape products and psilocybin mushroom edibles. The cannabis flower was hidden in various places including in compartments under a couch, covered by ceiling tiles, in filing cabinets, in luggage bags and some in plain view.
Chell said that the bust came after the police responded to a community complaint about a deli that ended up being a cover for an illegal drug distribution center.
Read Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/05/38875243/nyc-mayor-adams-on-the-weed-warpath-6m-in-fines-75-closures-4000-illicit-shop-violations-in-firs"> NYC Mayor Adams On The Weed Warpath: $6M In Fines, 75 Closures, 4000 Illicit Shop Violations In First Week Of &#8216;Operation Padlock To Protect&#8217;</a>
&#8220;Behind the back door it was like the Cesar&#8217;s palace of illegal marijuana, vapes, psychedelic mushrooms&#8230;&#8221;
&#8220;These are all mushroom bars, cereal milk, white chocolate, birthday cake, different flavors,&#8221; explained Lt. Francesca Rosa from the NYC Sheriff&#8217;s Office. &#8220;All of these products are unregulated, unlicensed, this location is unlicensed, they should not have any of this product here.&#8221;
Just blocks away, another establishment on East Tremont Avenue was allegedly functioning as a front for illicit cannabis storage and distribution.
Two workers were arrested during the raid. 
While NYC authorities are moving aggressively to close down unlicensed cannabis shops, the legal cannabis market has been limping along at a disappointedly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39777553/is-the-worst-over-for-new-yorks-beleaguered-weed-market-sales-projections-optimistic-though-cann">slow</a> rhythm. As a result, the gap between issued licenses and operational dispensaries continues to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39694320/licensed-but-closed-new-yorks-cannabis-dream-faces-bureaucratic-nightmare">widen</a>.
Out of 1,117 licenses issued by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), only about 141 dispensaries are operational. This is due mainly to bureaucratic and legal struggles. Additionally, the state&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/04/38230512/its-a-green-day-in-new-york-137-cannabis-licenses-granted-new-jersey-still-in-the-lead">social equity</a> licenses, meant to support those affected by past drug laws and impacted communities, lack sufficient funding and logistical support.
<ul>
<li>Read Next:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39322748/unlicensed-cannabis-sellers-fight-back-suing-nyc-for-unconstitutional-crackdowns"> Unlicensed Cannabis Sellers Fight Back, Suing NYC For &#8216;Unconstitutional&#8217; Crackdowns</a></li>
</ul>

NYC Cops Raid Two Bronx Cannabis Operations, One Was Like 'The Cesar's Palace Of Illegal Marijuana'

The Company is a closed-end, registered fund that will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker &quot;PDCC.&quot; The offering is expected to close on&nbsp;July 19, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.
The Company intends to use the proceeds from the capital raised to build a diversified portfolio of senior secured U.S. corporate loans through investments in equity tranches of collateralized loan obligations (CLOs).

IPOs

Pearl Diver Credit Company Reports Pricing Of Its Upsized IPO Of 2.2M Shares At $20 Per Share

Former President Donald Trump previously tried to ban TikTok, but had a reversal of opinion on the Chinese-owned app as a potential <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/06/39470496/joe-bidens-tiktok-ban-could-adversely-impact-oracles-revenue-and-profit-tech-giant-warns">U.S. ban is nearing.</a>
What Happened: In a recent interview, Trump said that big technology companies like Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)- owned Facebook and 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>)-owned Google and YouTube have become too big and too powerful, something that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/tiktok">supports having TikTok</a> around for competition.
"I think they're having a huge negative impact on especially young people," Trump said of big technology companies in an interview with <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2024-trump-interview-transcript/?embedded-checkout=true&amp;sref=TBDibEcD">Bloomberg</a>.
Trump said TikTok is "very powerful."
Asked about a reversal on wanting to ban TikTok, Trump shares his opinion on the need for competition to big technology companies.
"I'm for TikTok because you need competition. If you don't have TikTok, you have Facebook and Instagram, and that's, you know, that's Zuckerberg."
Trump recalled Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg banning him from Facebook and Instagram in the interview.
"I went from being No. 1 to having nobody."
Trump had a two-year ban from Facebook and Instagram after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol over concerns of civil unrest. Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/02/30848473/trumps-back-on-facebook-and-instagram-for-real">was welcomed back</a> to the platforms in 2023 and recently saw all restrictions lifted.
The former president has also been welcomed back on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. While Trump prefers to post on his own social media platform Truth Social, which is owned by Trump Media &amp; Technology Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DJT#NASDAQ">DJT</a>), he often uses Facebook to communicate with his followers.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39759624/meta-removes-heightened-penalties-on-donald-trumps-accounts-a-day-after-ex-president-threatens-to-pu">Meta Removes &#8216;Heightened Penalties&#8217; On Donald Trump&#8217;s Accounts A Day After Ex-President Threatens To Put Mark Zuckerberg In Jail</a>
Why It's Important: Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37572294/donald-trump-is-against-tiktok-ban-because-it-would-help-facebook-and-zuckerschmuck-double-their-bus">previously said he</a> is against a ban on TikTok in the U.S. as it could prove advantageous to Facebook and Zuckerberg.
"If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business," Trump previously said.
Trump said he doesn't want Facebook to do better as he alleged the company cheated in the 2020 election.
"They are a true Enemy of the People!"
Trump has shown strong opposition to Zuckerberg in recent months. The former president specifically named Zuckerberg as an "election fraudster" who he could<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39723781/trump-threatens-to-jail-metas-mark-zuckerberg-and-election-fraudsters-if-re-elected-dont-do-it-be-ca"> put in prison</a> if he is elected to the White House.
"They have no shame! All I can say is that if I'm elected President, we will pursue Election Fraudsters at levels never seen before, and they will be sent to prison for long periods of time."
Trump's negativity towards Zuckerberg dates <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/04/38152630/if-you-invested-1-000-in-meta-platforms-stock-when-donald-trump-said-facebook-was-always-ant">back several years</a> with the former president accusing Facebook of always being "anti-Trump."
In April, Congress and President Joe Biden signed legislation to force a sale of the U.S. arm of ByteDance-owned TikTok or see the app banned in America.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38368049/trump-reverses-tiktok-ban-stance-accuses-biden-of-favoring-zuckerbergs-meta-doing-it-to-help-faceboo">Trump Reverses TikTok Ban Stance, Accuses Biden Of Favoring Zuckerberg&#8217;s Meta: &#8216;Doing It To Help Facebook Friends Get Richer&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photos: Shutterstock

GOOG

GOOGL

Trump 'For TikTok,' Competition To Mark Zuckerberg: 'If You Don't Have TikTok, You Have Facebook And Instagram'

This expansion will add 1.3 million premium seats annually to mainline fleet,&nbsp;providing guests with even more opportunities to upgrade to a premium experience.

Alaska Airlines To Begin Rolling Out Additional First Class And Premium Class Seating Across More Than 200 Of Its Aircraft

Governor Ron DeSantis went there at the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/rnc"> Republican National Convention</a> (RNC) in Milwaukee on Wednesday: He used his platform to rail against Florida's upcoming vote to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/04/38034138/florida-supreme-court-approves-cannabis-legalization-proposal-for-november-election-in-blow-to-d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">legalize recreational marijuana</a> telling his comrades that if weed is legalized, people will be able to possess practically limitless amounts of the stuff.    
"It gives you a limitless constitutional right to possess and smoke. I think it's up to like, what, 40 joints, is that the three ounces would be 40? More than that, 80 joints. Something like that," he said. 
In fact, he noted that if the cannabis legalization ballot wins, marijuana rights will surpass the constitutional guarantees of the First and Second Amendments concerning free speech and gun ownership, respectively. And that&#8217;s a statement he&#8217;s already made in the past.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39492507/desantis-says-cannabis-legalization-amendment-will-protect-weed-rights-better-than-1st-2nd-amend">DeSantis Says Cannabis Legalization Amendment Will Protect Weed Rights Better Than 1st, 2nd Amendments Protect Free Speech, Gun Rights</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Counting Joints</h2>
The language in the legalization initiative, known as Amendment 3, would allow people to possess three ounces of flower or five grams of concentrate, which translates to roughly 27 joints per ounce according to the Governor's math.
"I think you're going to see people, you will be able to bring 20 joints to an elementary school. Is that really going to be good for the state of Florida? I don't think so," DeSantis <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39311053/desantis-blasts-cannabis-legalization-amendment-says-people-will-be-able-to-bring-20-joints-to-a">said</a> in June.
The governor has issued similar warnings about the dangers of cannabis legalization, but the number of joints he references seems to increase with each tirade, noted Florida Politics, which first <a href="https://floridapolitics.com/archives/684696-ron-desantis-now-says-weed-legalization-would-let-people-have-80-joints-at-a-time/">reported</a> this story from the RNC.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Smoky Restaurants</h2>
DeSantis went on to paint a scenario of unchecked public weed consumption, including in private businesses such as restaurants, which he claimed would be difficult to regulate due to the amendment&#8217;s broad language.
"I think you're talking about going downtown somewhere, going to restaurants, all this —you are going to see this. And law enforcement's not going to want to police it at all," he said. "I've had some restaurant guys [say], ‘Well, I won't let them use it in my restaurant,&#8217;" DeSantis continued. "Well, I'm not sure you're going to be able to do that, given how broad it is."
DeSantis also repeated a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39346531/desantis-cant-get-past-the-odor-of-weed-to-smell-the-flowers-specifically-430m-annually-in-canna">complaint</a> that seems to have become the bane of his existence: the smell.
"You go to places like Denver. It smells like marijuana," he told the crowd. "It's not been good for quality of life. So that's just the reality. We've seen in in practice in a lot of places. It hasn't delivered what they said it would deliver."
During his speech, DeSantis also linked marijuana legalization with another initiative, Amendment 2, on expanding abortion access. He called on Florida Republicans assembled in Milwaukee to oppose both measures in order to maintain conservative values. 
Now Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39760907/ron-desantis-floridas-gop-and-hemp-industry-pile-on-to-defeat-marijuana-legalization">Ron DeSantis, Florida&#8217;s GOP And Hemp Industry Pile On To Defeat Marijuana Legalization</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Benzinga edit with images by&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_DeSantis#/media/File:Ron_DeSantis-crop.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wikimedia Commons&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-cannabis-plant-7667883/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kindel Media</a>&nbsp;on Pexels

Events

LASE

Ron DeSantis Blasts Florida's Cannabis Legalization Ballot At RNC: It Would Allow '80 Joints' A Day, Affecting Free Speech And Gun Rights

Earnings

TIRX

TIAN RUIXIANG Holdings Reports FY23 EPS Of $(3.87) Vs $(9.03) Last Year; Revenue Decrease By 8.0% To $1.2M

Creatd

Market-Moving Exclusives

Exclusives

CRTD

CRTDW

EXCLUSIVE: 'Creator-Economy' Vocal App Comes to iOS Enabling Wider Token Economics For Brands

EXCLUSIVE: Creatd Extends Record Date For Its Premium-To-Market $40M Rights Offering, Further Pursuing Enforcement Of Reg SHO; Extends Previously-Announced Record Date For $40M Rights Offering From Jul. 29 To Aug. 4

UPDATE: Creatd Says It Is 'actively looking to engage an M&A banking group to facilitate the successful completion of a transaction related to the OG Collection'

EXCLUSIVE: Creatd Announces Creation Of Advisory Board For Its 'OG Collection' As Co. Prepares For Previously-Announced Web 3.0 Spinoff

Chairman Notes 
Today marks our most important financial offering as a company since our uplisting in 
September of 2020. With no debt on our balance sheet and a closing gap between 
revenue and operational expenses, Creatd&rsquo;s expansion has reached its moment of 
initiation. The $40 Million Rights Offering we announced today, available to all Creatd 
shareholders for participation, is&ndash;if fully subscribed&ndash;expected to yield between a 10x &ndash; 
20x increase in revenues over the next 12 to 18 months. If all of the Warrants 
underlying the Units were to be exercised in the future, the Company would receive an 
additional $180MM.

 
Over the last few years, I have observed our stock oscillate from as low as $0.65 a 
share to as high as $9.80, which effectively translates into a company valuation of 
between $15MM &ndash; $100MM. Today we stand at 20.1MM shares outstanding, at $XX 
price, for a market value of $XX MM as well as the ability to access authorized shares of 
up to $100MM in the future. We have kept a tight float in comparison to microcap stocks 
such as Remark Holdings (MARK) and Genius (GNUS), which trade at sub $1.00 with 
over $100MM and $250MM in outstanding shares, respectively.

 
During this few year period, we grew revenues from nothing to $4.3MM for Fiscal Year 
2021, and are on our way to reaching between $7MM - $10MM for Fiscal Year 2022, 
pre-expansion plan initiation. All the while, we maintained flat operating expenses, with 
the exception of one-time charges, as well as a decrease in our core platform, Vocal&rsquo;s, 
marketing spend over the past three quarters. Additionally, during this same period we 
grew Vocal&rsquo;s network to more than 1.4MM creators and an audience reach that exceeds 
75MM. And finally, during this same period, we implemented continuous product 
updates to Vocal&ndash;truly making it a best-in-class platform that today serves as a 
homebase and safe environment for diverse creators of all shapes, sizes and mediums. 
With private funding from friends and family as well as institutional shareholders, we 
never tapped into the venture capital space. Instead, we embarked in 2016 on a years- 
long journey to the Nasdaq&ndash;an audacious choice and a highly complex undertaking&ndash; 
and ultimately achieved that in September, 2020. Most importantly, we have since 
eliminated nearly all outstanding debt from our balance sheet, unlike small-cap 
companies such as Buzzfeed (BZFD), E-Sports Entertainment (GMBL), and Ipsidy 
(AUID), among the many other Nasdaq companies struggling with debt. As things stand 
today, we believe we are finally in a position to compete head-to-head with the multi- 
billion-dollar-valued platforms in our space, at a fraction of their internal headcount, and 
with far lower development costs.

As we speak, we are witnessing the transfer of value away from legacy social media 
companies, like Snap, Facebook and Twitter, toward subscription-based business 
models. We have also designed Vocal to withstand the current perceptions of these 
platforms, by employing an AI-assisted and human-led moderation system to cultivate a 
safe and secure platform for our creators and brands. Creatd&rsquo;s founders built the non-ad 
dependent Vocal platform upon the general thesis that a closed and safe ecosystem 
utilizing first-party data to increase efficiencies creates a sustainable and defensible 
business model. With this, Vocal is now set to seize the mantle from these companies. 
I encourage you all to read our Growth and Capital Expansion Plan and Rights Offering 
deck and look forward to communicating further in the future as well as hosting an 
investor day presentation in the middle of June.

The new Explansion&nbsp;Plan investor presentation is live on Creatd&#39;s site:&nbsp;<a href="https://creatd.com/presentation" target="_blank">https://creatd.com/presentation</a>&nbsp;

EXCLUSIVE: Creatd Chairman Issues Letter To Shareholders

NEW YORK, May XX, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Creatd, Inc. (Nasdaq CM: CRTD) 
(&amp;quot;Creatd&amp;quot; or the &amp;quot;Company&amp;quot; or &ldquo;Corporation&rdquo;), today announces that the Company&rsquo;s 
Board of Directors has approved a Rights Offering. The rights offering will allow 
Creatd&rsquo;s current and future holders of record of the Company&amp;#39;s Common stock and 
outstanding warrants to purchase units consisting of Common stock and warrants (the 
&ldquo;Unit&rdquo;), to be issued by Creatd under the terms described below as well as in the 
Company&rsquo;s Form S-1 registration statement filed today with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission (SEC).

 
Pursuant to the Rights Offering, the Company intends to distribute two subscription 
rights for each share of common stock, or share which may be acquired, via conversion 
or exercise of preferred stock, warrants or options. Each subscription right entitles the 
holder to purchase one Unit at a subscription price of $2.00 per Unit. It is anticipated 
(subject to final board approval) that each Unit will consist of: (i) one share of Common 
stock, (ii) one 5-year warrant exercisable for $3 per share, and (iii) one redeemable 5- 
year warrant exercisable for $6 per share.

 
The Company would like to remind all of its shareholders and warrant holders that they 
must own their securities as of the record date to be deemed a record holder in order to 
receive the dividend of the subscription rights when declared. Because the Company 
must register the rights offering with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the 
record date has not yet been set, but will be announced when available. Creatd will not 
process any subscriptions for the rights offering until the commencement of the 
subscription period.

 
If the rights offering is fully subscribed, the Company expects to receive gross proceeds 
of $40 million, before expenses related to the rights offering. If all of the Warrants 
underlying the Units were to be exercised in the future, the Company would receive an 
additional $180 million. There is no obligation of the right holders to exercise their rights 
and there will be no obligation of the Unit holders to exercise their warrants. 
The proposed rights offering will include an over-subscription privilege, which will entitle 
each rights holder that exercises its basic subscription privilege in full the right to

purchase additional Units that remain unsubscribed. The availability of basic 
subscription and over-subscription privilege will be subject to certain terms and 
conditions, including pro-rata adjustments (if any), to be set forth in the offering 
documents.

 
Creatd management, officers, directors, and employees (the &ldquo;Insiders&rdquo;) will have the 
right but not the obligation to participate in this rights offering on the same terms as the 
other equity holders, based on their respective ownership in the Company. Insiders 
shall also have the right but not the obligation to over-subscribe on the same terms as 
the other equity holders.

 
The offering shall be made pursuant to the Corporation&amp;#39;s registration statement on Form 
S-1 (File No. [XXX]), which has not yet been declared effective by the U.S. Securities 
and Exchange Commission. The prospectus relating to and describing the terms of the 
rights offering has been filed with the SEC on [XXXX], 2022, and is available on the 
SEC&amp;#39;s website at EDGAR Entity Landing Page (sec.gov). 
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy 
these securities, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or other 
jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. Any offer will be 
made only by means of a prospectus and prospectus supplement forming part of the 
registration statement.

 
The Company currently expects to use the proceeds from the offering to fund its 
expansion plan. Please visit Creatd&rsquo;s 2022 Growth Capital Expansion Plan &amp;amp; Rights 
Offering presentation for more information.

 
About Creatd 
Creatd, Inc. (Nasdaq CM: CRTD) is a creator-first technology holding company and the 
parent company of the Vocal platform. Our mission is to empower creators, 
entrepreneurs, and brands through technology and partnership. We accomplish this 
through Creatd&amp;#39;s four business pillars: Creatd Labs, Creatd Partners, Creatd Ventures, 
and Creatd Studios.

 
Creatd: <a href="https://creatd.com;" title="https://creatd.com;">https://creatd.com;</a> 
Creatd IR: <a href="https://investors.creatd.com;" title="https://investors.creatd.com;">https://investors.creatd.com;</a> 
Vocal Platform: <a href="https://vocal.media;" title="https://vocal.media;">https://vocal.media;</a> 
Investor Relations Contact: <a href="mailto:ir@creatd.com">ir@creatd.com</a>

Forward-Looking Statements 
Any statements that are not historical facts and that express, or involve discussions as 
to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance 
(often, but not always, indicated through the use of words or phrases such as &amp;quot;will likely 
result,&amp;quot; &amp;quot;are expected to,&amp;quot; &amp;quot;will continue,&amp;quot; &amp;quot;is anticipated,&amp;quot; &amp;quot;estimated,&amp;quot; &amp;quot;intends,&amp;quot; &amp;quot;plans,&amp;quot; 
&amp;quot;believes&amp;quot; and &amp;quot;projects&amp;quot;) may be forward-looking and may involve estimates and 
uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed 
in the forward-looking statements. We caution that the factors described herein could 
cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking 
statements we make and that investors should not place undue reliance on any such 
forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of 
the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update 
any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which 
such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated 
events or circumstances. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible 
for us to predict all of such factors. Further, we cannot assess the impact of each such 
factor on our results of operations or the extent to which any factor, or combination of 
factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any 
forward-looking statements. This press release is qualified in its entirety by the 
cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in our Securities and 
Exchange Commission filings.

EXCLUSIVE: Creatd Announces Up To $40M Rights Offering Priced At $2/Unit; Anticipates Each Unit Will Consist Of One Share Of Common Stock, One Redeemable 5-Yr Warrant Exercisable For $3/Share And One Redeemable 5-Yr Warrant Exercisable For $6/Share

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