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SpaceX's&nbsp;seventh test flight of its&nbsp;Starship&nbsp;launch vehicle is now slated for Thursday, after getting pushed back from Wednesday owing to unfavorable weather conditions. 
What Happened:&nbsp;The company said that it is currently preparing to launch Starship on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. CT. 
The launch was previously slated for Wednesday but the company had warned that it is keeping a close eye on weather and that the timeline could be pushed in case of adverse conditions. 
Starship's seventh flight test has already been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/01/42937833/elon-musks-spacex-delays-starship-7th-test-flight-to-wednesday" target="_blank" rel="noopener">postponed multiple ti</a>mes. In December, company CEO Elon Musk had pegged it for as early as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42891052/spacexs-starship-7th-flight-test-now-slated-for-monday" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jan. 10</a>.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Due to weather, we&#39;re now targeting Thursday, January 16 for Starship&#39;s seventh flight test. The 60-minute launch window opens at 4 p.m. CT. → <a href="https://t.co/QNCSPTewLA">https://t.co/QNCSPTewLA</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZV08pXeqbf">pic.twitter.com/ZV08pXeqbf</a>
&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1879549071276531906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Why It Matters: Starship, currently&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42718758/elon-musk-says-starship-will-get-fully-reusable-heat-shield-in-2025-i-am-confident" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">undergoing testing and development</a>, will launch from Starbase for its seventh test flight carrying 10 Starlink simulators which are similar in size and weight to the company's next-generation Starlink satellites in a bid to demonstrate its capabilities in the satellite launch segment.
For the upcoming flight, SpaceX is looking to catch the two-stage vehicle&#8217;s booster back at the launch pad at Starbase with the launch tower&#8217;s metallic arms like on its fifth test flight in October. However, in case of any safety concerns, the company will splash it down in the Gulf of Mexico, it said.
The spacecraft, meanwhile, is slated to be splashed down in the Indian Ocean for the upcoming test.
While SpaceX has conducted 6 test flights of its ambitious launch vehicle to date, none of them carried a payload. The last test flight of Starship was in November.
Starship is key to many big ambitions in the field of space exploration. While NASA is looking forward to landing humans back on the surface of the Moon after a gap of over 50 years with the help of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42108681/spacex-shows-off-conceptual-version-of-starship-which-will-help-humans-land-back-on-moon-in-over-50-yrs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">custom version of the Starship</a>, Musk dreams of taking&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40770222/elon-musk-sets-2026-for-starships-first-uncrewed-mars-mission-targeting-successful-landing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">humans to the planet Mars</a>&nbsp;aboard the&nbsp;vehicle.
Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
Photo via Shutterstock
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42995131/10-best-selling-evs-in-us-in-2024">Elon Musk&#8217;s Tesla Leads The Pack In Top-Selling EVs In US In 2024: Ford, GM Follow</a></li>
</ul>

News

SPACE

Tech

Starship's 7th Test Flight With Simulated Starlink Payload Delayed Until Thursday Due To Unfavorable Weather, Says SpaceX

Memecoins roared back into momentum on Wednesday amid a broader rally supported by encouraging inflation data and Donald Trump's pro-cryptocurrency moves.
What happened: The unconventional Fartcoin surged over 27% in the last 24 hours to emerge as the biggest meme coin gainer.&nbsp;
The Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)-based token amassed a market capitalization of $1.24 billion at the time of writing, with trading volumes jumping 26% in the last 24 hours.
Fartcoin was followed by dogwifhat, another popular community-driven Solana meme coin, based on a meme featuring a dog wearing a hat.
The billion-dollar-valued cryptocurrency pumped 11%, while its trading volume jumped 75%.
PENGU, the official coin of the popular non-fungible token collection Pudgy Penguins, gained 9.76% to a market capitalization of $2.16 billion.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 10:45 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fartcoin (FARTCOIN)</td>
<td>+27.22%</td>
<td>$1.25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>dogwifhat (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">WIF</a>)</td>
<td>+11.55%</td>
<td>$1.71</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pudgy Penguins (PENGU)</td>
<td>+9.76%</td>
<td>$0.03448</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally">Italy&#8217;s Largest Bank Leaps Into Bitcoin Trading With $1 Million &#8216;Test&#8217; Investment But CEO Says He Doesn&#8217;t Invest In BTC Personally</a>
Meme coin heavyweights like Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) and Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>) also gained momentum, rising 3.63% and 2.58%, respectively.
Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)-based frog-themed coin Pepe (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">PEPE</a>) jumped 6%, while cat-themed Popcat, one of 2024's biggest gainers, rallied 7.88% in the last 24 hours.
The total meme coin market capitalization rose 4.83% to $106.94 billion, while the overall volume surged 27.81% to $10.74 billion.
The upsurge followed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43019359/bitcoin-taps-100k-ethereum-dogecoin-rally-on-positive-inflation-data-trumps-pro-crypto-moves-analyst">slower-than-expected growth</a> in core inflation, seen as a net positive for risk-on assets. Additionally, a report raised hopes for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43008666/sec-under-trump-administration-to-revise-crypto-policies-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clear cryptocurrency regulations under new SEC leadership</a> in the Trump administration.
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42993521/michael-saylors-microstrategy-not-alone-in-bitcoin-acquisition-says-bitwise-chief-investment-officer-its-a-bona-fide-megatrend">Michael Saylor&#8217;s MicroStrategy Not Alone In Bitcoin Acquisition, Says Bitwise Chief Investment Officer: &#8216;It&#8217;s A Bona Fide Megatrend&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

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

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Trading Ideas

$DOGE

$ETH

$PEPE

$SHIB

$SOL

$WIF

Dogecoin, Shiba Inu Advance But Fartcoin, Pudgy Penguins Lead Memecoin Rally With Double-Digit Gains

Payments-focused cryptocurrency XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) surged past $3 for the first time in 7 years on Wednesday in anticipation of a cryptocurrency-friendly SEC under the incoming Donald Trump administration.
What happened: XRP leaped over 8% in the last 24 hours to a market capitalization of $174 billion, surpassing stablecoin Tether (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">USDT</a>) to become the third-most valued cryptocurrency.
To put things into perspective, XRP currently has a larger market valuation than Wall Street-listed software giant Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>).
The coin's trading volume soared 121% in the last 24 hours to $23.20 billion, becoming the fourth-most traded cryptocurrency after Tether and the heavyweights, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>).
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/01/43018482/if-you-invested-1000-in-xrp-token-10-years-ago-heres-how-much-youd-have-today">If You Invested $1,000 In XRP Token 10 Years Ago, Here&#8217;s How Much You&#8217;d Have Today</a>
XRP's searing rally got it <a href="https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=now%207-d&amp;q=XRP,bITCOIN&amp;hl=en">trending </a>over the internet. According to Google Trends, search interest for the coin hit 100, indicating peak popularity.
Speculative interest rose, with Open Interest in XRP futures jumping nearly 15% to $7.32 billion, <a href="https://www.coinglass.com/BitcoinOpenInterest">according </a>to Coinglass. The Open Interest has nearly tripled since 2025 began.
Why It Matters: The excitement stemmed from several bullish catalysts.
The<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43008666/sec-under-trump-administration-to-revise-crypto-policies-report"> expected pivot</a> of the SEC from a "hostile" to a more accommodating stance under Trump, the potential approval of XRP <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42878368/xrp-etf-very-soon-likely-next-after-bitcoin-and-ethereum-ripple-president-says">spot exchange-traded funds</a>, &nbsp;and the launch of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42783990/heres-how-ripples-rlusd-launch-has-affected-the-xrp-price">RLUSD stablecoin</a> by Ripple Labs.
Ripple Labs has been locked in a nearly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/08/40240559/xrp-outshines-bitcoin-ethereum-to-become-biggest-daily-gainer-after-judge-imposes-125m-pen">four-year-long legal battle</a> with the SEC over the status of XRP, and any change in the agency&#8217;s top leadership was viewed with optimism.
Meanwhile, the SEC formally <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/smffbtfkimb1hxxyqzfqt/SEC-Opening-Brief.pdf?rlkey=bql4heplqecwf5hvn7j041h7t&amp;e=2&amp;st=lg8w2b4b&amp;dl=0">filed </a>an appeal late Wednesday to overturn a 2023 ruling that Ripple's programmatic sales of XRP to retail clients through exchanges did not violate any securities laws, as claimed by the regulator.
Price Action: At the time of writing, XRP was exchanging hands at $3.02, up 8.64% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. Year-to-date, the coin was up 46.19%, compared to nearly 237% in gains in 2024.
Image via Shutterstock
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42993521/michael-saylors-microstrategy-not-alone-in-bitcoin-acquisition-says-bitwise-chief-investment-officer-its-a-bona-fide-megatrend">Michael Saylor&#8217;s MicroStrategy Not Alone In Bitcoin Acquisition, Says Bitwise Chief Investment Officer: &#8216;It&#8217;s A Bona Fide Megatrend&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

$BTC

$USDT

$XRP

PLTR

XRP Soars To 7-Year High, Becomes Third-Most Valued Crypto Even As SEC Challenges 2023 Verdict In Ripple Labs Case

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) investor Gary Black has expressed concerns about Elon Musk acquiring TikTok's U.S. operations.
What Happened: Following the report about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/42965533/elon-musk-emerges-as-potential-tiktok-us-buyer-as-ban-deadline-looms-company-terms-it-pure-fiction">Chinese officials considering</a> Musk as a potential buyer of TikTok, Black took to X, formerly Twitter, and said, "A purchase of TikTok will hurt $TSLA shares."
Black warned that Musk&#8217;s acquisition could negatively impact Tesla&#8217;s stock, as it might require selling billions in Tesla shares to fund the estimated $40-$50 billion deal.
He noted that a similar situation occurred after Musk&#8217;s Twitter purchase, leading to a significant drop in Tesla&#8217;s share value.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/42957741/tiktok-ban-deadline-ahead-what-will-happen-to-app-on-your-phone">TikTok Ban Deadline Ahead: What Will Happen To App On Your Phone?</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Bloomberg: Tesla CEO Elon Musk's Acquisition of TikTok US Being Evaluated as Potential Option Amid Impending Ban. My view is the same as I warned before Elon bought Twitter: A purchase of TikTok will hurt <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TSLA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TSLA</a> shares because Elon will have to sell $ billions of TSLA shares… <a href="https://t.co/oUmPsYmPks">pic.twitter.com/oUmPsYmPks</a>
&mdash; Gary Black (@garyblack00) <a href="https://twitter.com/garyblack00/status/1879565363286863907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives has suggested that Musk&#8217;s existing relationship with both the Donald Trump administration and Beijing could facilitate the deal.
In a note on Tuesday, Ives noted, "Given the strong and growing alliance between Trump and Musk this is not a total shock route as behind the scenes the Trump White House is looking at alternatives if the Supreme Court upholds the ban."
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">&#x203c;&#xFE0F;<a href="https://twitter.com/Tesla?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tesla</a> Bull, Dan Ives of Wedbush, weighed in on the potential of CEO Elon Musk buying social media platform <a href="https://twitter.com/tiktok?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tiktok</a>, which is set to be banned in the United States in less than a week. &#x1f525; There&#39;s speculating that Elon Musk could be an ideal buyer, as he has already purchased… <a href="https://t.co/MffoMKPTel">pic.twitter.com/MffoMKPTel</a>
&mdash; Brian Basson (@BassonBrain) <a href="https://twitter.com/BassonBrain/status/1879424052856512561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
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A TikTok spokesperson earlier countered Bloomberg's report about Musk's potential acquisition of TikTok saying, &nbsp;&#8220;We can&#8217;t be expected to comment on pure fiction.&#8221;
Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: TikTok users have been actively <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42931704/tiktok-users-call-on-trump-to-deliver-immediately-on-his-promise-to-save-app-from-us-ban-we-dont-need-the-supreme-court-to">campaigning to prevent the ban</a>, urging President-elect Trump to intervene. Earlier, it was reported that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43018125/trump-considers-executive-order-to-save-tiktok-from-being-banned-in-4-days">Trump is considering an executive order</a> to save TikTok from the impending ban.
Jimmy Donaldson, also known as MrBeast has also expressed interest in acquiring TikTok, engaging with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/42994923/mrbeast-discussing-buying-tiktok-with-billionaires-to-prevent-us-shutdown-lets-see-if-we-can-pull-this-off">several billionaires to explore</a> the feasibility of such a purchase.&nbsp;
Other potential buyers reportedly include Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) and Oracle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>), along with a group spearheaded by &#8220;Shark Tank&#8221; investor Kevin O&#8217;Leary.
If an agreement isn&#8217;t finalized by the deadline, TikTok will face removal from U.S. app stores on Sunday, Jan. 19.
Price Action: Tesla&#8217;s stock climbed 8.04% on Wednesday, closing at $428.22. However, in after-hours trading, it slipped 0.63% to $425.54, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>.
Image via Shutterstock
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43018848/those-are-air-bubbles-the-time-steve-jobs-rejected-the-first-ipod-prototype-and-pushed-apple-engineers-to-think-smaller">Steve Jobs Dropped The First iPod Prototype In A Fish Tank And It Wasn&#8217;t To Test If It Was Waterproof</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Social Media

MSFT

ORCL

TSLA

Elon Musk Buying TikTok Could Hurt Tesla Stock, Warns Gary Black — But Wedbush's Dan Ives Thinks It Makes Sense

Scott Bessent, the Treasury Secretary nominee for President-elect Donald Trump, has pledged to uphold the dollar&#8217;s status as the world&#8217;s reserve currency, aiming to usher in a &#8220;new economic golden age&#8221;.
What Happened: As reported by Reuters, Bessent, who is set to face the U.S. Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, underscored the significance of the dollar&#8217;s position in his prepared testimony. He suggested that the upcoming Trump administration should concentrate on productive investment to stimulate economic growth, rather than &#8220;wasteful spending that drives inflation.&#8221;
Bessent also emphasized the need to protect vulnerable supply chains from strategic competitors and advocated for the judicious use of sanctions as part of a comprehensive government strategy to meet national security needs. &#8220;And critically, we must ensure that the U.S. dollar remains the world&#8217;s reserve currency,&#8221; Bessent stated in his remarks.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43019094/bidens-farewell-address-targets-tech-oligarchy-in-trump-2-0-era-president-says-americans-face-avalanche-of-misinformation">Biden&#8217;s Farewell Address Targets Tech Oligarchy In Trump 2.0 Era: President Says Americans Face &#8216;Avalanche Of Misinformation&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Bessent&#8217;s commitment to maintaining the dollar&#8217;s global reserve status comes amidst a backdrop of investor confidence in the U.S. dollar during Trump&#8217;s second term, despite uncertainties surrounding his proposed economic policies. Currency traders have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/01/42897508/the-dollar-will-remain-mighty-investors-double-down-on-trumps-economic-gambit">steadily boosted</a> the dollar&#8217;s value against major international currencies since election night, signaling faith in American economic dominance.
Moreover, Trump&#8217;s recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42257504/trump-threatens-brics-nations-with-100-tariffs">stern warning</a> to the BRICS nations against shifting away from the U.S. dollar underscores the incoming administration&#8217;s commitment to maintaining the dollar&#8217;s dominance. This stance is further reinforced by Bessent&#8217;s remarks on securing vulnerable supply chains and using sanctions to meet national security needs.
However, the dollar&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42997019/asia-markets-mixed-europe-advances-gold-surges-1-dollar-dips-global-markets-today-while-us-slept">recent dip</a>, ahead of bank earnings reports, suggests that the path to maintaining the dollar&#8217;s global reserve status may not be without challenges.
The dollar index, a measure of the greenback&#8217;s strength against a basket of six other currencies, hit a 26-month high of 110.17 on Monday. The index saw a decline of 0.11% to 109.06 on Tuesday morning.
Did You Know?
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<li>Congress Is Making Huge Investments. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades">Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool</a></li>
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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>

Politics

Forex

Trump Treasury Nominee Pledges To Maintain Dollar's Global Reserve Status, Outlines Vision For 'New Economic Golden Age'

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) shares climbed more than 8% Wednesday amid optimistic forecasts from prominent investor Gary Black, who cited multiple growth catalysts for the electric vehicle maker in 2025.
What Happened: Black, managing partner of The Future Fund LLC, highlighted Tesla&#8217;s upcoming $30,000-$35,000 vehicle as a key driver for expanding the company&#8217;s total addressable market in the compact segment. The forecast comes as Tesla dominated U.S. electric vehicle sales in 2024, with its Model Y SUV capturing 28.6% market share.
&#8220;Tesla catalysts are the strongest collection I&#8217;ve seen in years,&#8221; Black wrote on X, pointing to potential regulatory tailwinds under the President-elect Donald Trump administration for autonomous driving approval and the Delaware Supreme Court&#8217;s recent decision on CEO Elon Musk&#8216;s compensation package.
The Future Fund projects Tesla&#8217;s earnings per share to reach $3.70 in fiscal 2025, surpassing the consensus estimate of $3.25. The firm maintains its $380 price target while noting potential upside if Federal Reserve interest rate cuts materialize.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TSLA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TSLA</a> catalysts are the strongest collection I've seen in years. From the $30-$35K vehicle which promises to expand TSLA TAM to the compact segment, to Trump streamlining the federal process so TSLA can obtain unsupervised autonomy licensure, to accelerated volume growth with… <a href="https://t.co/xxMbAVI9fD">pic.twitter.com/xxMbAVI9fD</a>
&mdash; Gary Black (@garyblack00) <a href="https://twitter.com/garyblack00/status/1879668320829419905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/43018900/from-adani-to-nikola-how-hindenburg-research-reshaped-short-selling-before-its-final-bow">From Adani To Nikola: How Hindenburg Research Reshaped Short-Selling Before Its Final Bow</a>
Why It Matters: Black dismissed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/42965533/elon-musk-emerges-as-potential-tiktok-us-buyer-as-ban-deadline-looms-company-terms-it-pure-fiction">speculation about X acquiring</a> TikTok&#8217;s U.S. operations but acknowledged risks to Tesla&#8217;s outlook, including possible changes to the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. When questioned about focusing on Tesla&#8217;s automotive business, Black defended his stance, noting it generates 85% of the company&#8217;s profits.
The bullish outlook comes as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42995131/10-best-selling-evs-in-us-in-2024">the broader EV market</a> shows signs of strength. Industry researcher Cox Automotive expects electric vehicles to comprise 10% of total U.S. auto sales in 2025, up from 8.1% in 2024, despite potential policy uncertainties under the incoming Trump administration.
Tesla&#8217;s stock surge coincided with RBC raising its price target to $440 from $313, contributing to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43011444/wall-street-rallies-as-treasury-yields-fall-banks-smash-q4-earnings-oil-hits-80-whats-driving-markets-wednesday">Wednesday&#8217;s broader market rally</a> that saw major indices climb more than 1.5% on cooling inflation data.
Price Action: Tesla&#8217;s stock closed at $428.22 on Wednesday, marking an 8.04% gain. In after-hours trading, the stock slightly dipped by 0.61%. Over the past year, Tesla shares have surged an impressive 94.73%, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
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Image Via Flickr 
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Equities

As Tesla Soars 8%, Gary Black Cites Trump Impact, Elon Musk Pay Package, And $30K Car As Key Catalysts For EV Maker In 2025

James Howells, who lost the legal bid to retrieve his $800 million Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) fortune, has now turned to Donald Trump for help, expressing hopes for intervention from the U.S. President-elect, according to a Wednesday report.
What Happened: Howells acknowledged that his chances of recovery are slim after a judge dismissed his request to excavate the landfill that has the discarded hard drive containing 8,000 BTC, as <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/01/15/world-news/man-who-threw-away-750-million-worth-of-bitcoin-says-its-game-over-if-trump-doesnt-intervene/">reported </a>by the New York Post.
"It feels like the end of the world for me. I am now stuck with it and can not escape it. I am stuck with it for life, &#8221; he was quoted as saying.
The Wales-based software engineer sought permission from the Newport City Council to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41308908/man-who-accidentally-threw-hard-drive-containing-8-000-bitcoins-worth-half-a-billion-dolla" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">excavate the site</a>&nbsp;to recover it, but the court rejected the plea, citing environmental concerns with excavation.
&#8220;Maybe Donald Trump could help&nbsp;make something happen. I would&nbsp;certainly cut Trump in on&nbsp;the deal if he could&nbsp;help,&#8221; Howells said.
While he admitted to being half-joking, he expressed a genuine desire for any assistance to resolve the situation, saying, &#8220;I&nbsp;am appealing to him and&nbsp;anyone else who can help&nbsp;sort this madness.&#8221;
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally">Italy&#8217;s Largest Bank Leaps Into Bitcoin Trading With $1 Million &#8216;Test&#8217; Investment But CEO Says He Doesn&#8217;t Invest In BTC Personally</a>
Why It Matters: The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/09/34417913/crypto-investor-threatens-lawsuit-over-lost-8-000-bitcoin-worth-557-million">incident dates back to 2013</a> when Howells unintentionally put a hard drive containing 8,000 BTCs in the trash while cleaning his office.
It was later revealed that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42232028/remember-james-howells-who-lost-his-hard-drive-with-8000-bitcoins-now-worth-760m-his-ex-girlfriend-reveals-it-was-she-who-threw-it-away">his ex-girlfriend threw the fortune away</a> after Howells asked her to dispose of some "unwanted belongings" in a black sack, which, unknown to both of them, included the hard drive.
The 8,000 Bitcoins would be worth $865 million at the all-time high price of $108,135 and $798.6 million at the current market price of $99,824.88.
Read Next:&nbsp;
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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.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"></a>

Man Who Accidentally Threw Away Bitcoin Worth $800 Million Looks To Trump For Help: 'I Am Appealing To Him'

The U.S. stock market experienced a robust session with the Nasdaq Composite climbing 2.45% to 19,511.23 and the S&amp;P 500 rising by 1.8% to 5,949.91. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also saw gains, increasing by 1.65% to 43,221.55. 
These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day:
Quantum Computing Inc.
Quantum Computing Inc. shares soared by 55.45%, closing at $11.55. The stock reached an intraday high of $11.60 and a low of $8.51, with a 52-week range of $27.15 to $0.35. The surge followed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43004816/whats-going-on-with-quantum-computing-stock-today">NVIDIA Corp.&#8217;s announcement</a> of its inaugural Quantum Day, scheduled for March 20 during the GTC 2025 event. This announcement comes shortly after CEO Jensen Huang mentioned that practical quantum computing might still be two decades away. Additionally, Microsoft Corporation&#8217;s plans to make its business clients &#8220;quantum-ready&#8221; by 2025 added to the excitement.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
Taiwan Semiconductor&#8217;s stock rose by 2.61%, closing at $206.80. The day&#8217;s trading saw a high of $209.04 and a low of $199.35, with a 52-week range of $222.20 to $100. The company is set to release its fourth-quarter financial results, with analysts expecting a fifth consecutive revenue beat. The anticipated revenue is $26.28 billion, up from $19.62 billion in the same quarter last year, driven by strong semiconductor demand and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43015316/taiwan-semiconductor-q4-earnings-preview-analysts-expect-fifth-straight-beat-will-investors-get-comments-on-trump-impact">potential benefits</a> from the new U.S. administration.
Meta Platforms Inc.
Meta Platforms saw a 3.85% increase, closing at $617.12. The stock hit an intraday high of $622.46 and a low of $606.50, with a 52-week range of $638.40 to $358.61. An internal memo revealed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/01/42995912/meta-plans-to-cut-5-of-staff-backfill-roles-in-2025-says-internal-memo">plans for performance-based job cuts</a>, aiming for a 10% &#8220;non-regrettable attrition&#8221; rate by the end of the current performance cycle. This strategy involves classifying employees into performance tiers based on their contributions over the past year.
Intuitive Surgical Inc.
Intuitive Surgical&#8217;s shares jumped by 7.65%, closing at $580.11. The stock reached an intraday high of $584.60 and a low of $549.17, with a 52-week range of $584.60 to $355.17. The increase followed the company&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/01/43007218/why-intuitive-surgical-shares-are-surging-wednesday">preliminary fourth-quarter results</a>, which showed expected revenue of approximately $2.41 billion, surpassing analyst estimates of $2.2 billion. The company also reported a significant growth in da Vinci procedures and system placements.
Tesla, Inc.
Tesla&#8217;s stock rose by 8.04%, closing at $428.22. The day&#8217;s trading saw a high of $429.80 and a low of $405.66, with a 52-week range of $488.54 to $138.80. The rise was influenced by recent data from Kelley Blue Book ranking Tesla&#8217;s Model Y and Model 3 as the top-selling electric vehicles. Despite selling about 37,000 fewer cars in 2024 compared to 2023, Tesla <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43014719/whats-going-on-with-tesla-shares-wednesday">maintained its lead</a> in the EV market, with increased competition noted as a factor.
Image via Shutterstock
Prepare for the day&#8217;s trading <a href="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-admin/Premarket%20Movers%20&amp;%20News">with top premarket movers and news</a> by Benzinga.
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

ISRG

QUBT

Quantum Computing, Taiwan Semiconductor, Meta, Intuitive Surgical, And Tesla: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Today

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is reportedly exploring new partnerships to take over from Goldman Sachs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>) as its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/10/41501333/apple-goldman-sachs-fined-89-million-over-apple-card-missteps-government-watchdog-orders-victim-comp">credit card partner</a>.
What Happened: The discussions with Barclays (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BCS#NYSE">BCS</a>) have been ongoing for several months, but a deal may still take time to finalize, reported Reuters.
Apple has also engaged Synchrony Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SYF#NYSE">SYF</a>) in discussions regarding the card partnership.
Apple, Barclays, and Synchrony did not immediately respond to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga's</a> request for comments.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42993561/is-openais-chatgpt-about-to-make-amazons-alexa-apples-siri-and-google-assistant-a-thing-of-the-past" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Siri, Alexa And Google Assistant May Become A Thing Of The Past Thanks To ChatGPT Tasks — Here's How To Use The New Feature</a>
JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) has also been in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40907844/jpmorgan-in-talks-to-take-over-apple-credit-card-what-investors-need-to-know">talks with Apple since last year</a>.
Why It Matters: This discussion comes as Goldman Sachs, which launched the credit card with Apple in 2019, has decided to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/10/35262321/goldman-sachs-wants-to-opt-out-of-consumer-lending-including-apple-card-general-motors-card">step back from its consumer finance</a> ambitions.&nbsp;
Goldman&#8217;s current credit card agreement with Apple is set to last until 2030, but it might conclude earlier.
Internal challenges and financial difficulties have prompted the bank to reevaluate its position in the consumer finance sector.
This strategic shift aligns with Goldman&#8217;s decision to transfer its General Motors credit card business to Barclays.
Several financial institutions are interested in partnering with Apple. However, some view the original deal terms as risky and unprofitable, the report noted.
Price Action: Apple&#8217;s shares rose 1.97% on Wednesday, closing at $237.87. In after-hours trading, they climbed an additional 0.31% to reach $238.60, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
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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.

Media

AAPL

Apple Eyes Barclays And Synchrony To Replace Goldman Sachs As Credit Card Partner: Report

Leading cryptocurrencies surged Wednesday amid softer-than-expected consumer inflation and a friendlier regulatory environment under Donald Trump.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 7:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>+3.08%</td>
<td>$99,743.07</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+5.46%</td>
<td>$3,394.95</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+5.54%</td>
<td>$0.3787</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin topped the $100,000 mark for the first time in nearly 10 days as the leading cryptocurrency reacted to key bullish developments. 
While the latest Consumer Price Index data showed hints of slowing inflation, a report raised hopes for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43008666/sec-under-trump-administration-to-revise-crypto-policies-report">clear cryptocurrency regulations under new SEC leadership</a>.&nbsp;
Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, reentered the $3.400 zone, hitting an intraday high of $3,465.
Over $350 million were liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours, with 63% accounting for downside bets.
The market was getting overleveraged, and nearly $1 billion in longs risked liquidation if Bitcoin reversed to $93,000.&nbsp;
About 53% of Binance traders expected Bitcoin to correct, as the Long/Short ratio fell below 1.
The "Greed" sentiment increased from 70 to 75 in the last 24 hours, according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index, indicating a surge in buying pressure.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 7:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL)</td>
<td>+24.02%</td>
<td>$3.70</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fartcoin (FARTCOIN)</td>
<td>+23.04%</td>
<td>$1.26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>XDC Network (XDC)</td>
<td>+19.26%</td>
<td>$0.1328</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.51 trillion, rising 4.37% in the last 24 hours.
Stocks lifted on Wednesday following the release of consumer inflation data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average popped 703.27 points, or 1.65%, to 43,221.55 The S&amp;P 500 lifted 1.83% to close at 5,949.91. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite erased losses from the previous day, surging 2.45% to 19,511.23.
December's Consumer Price Index report <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43001512/inflation-rises-to-29-in-december-core-slows-yet-rising-energy-costs-put-feds-target-at-risk">revealed core inflation grew slower than expected</a>, sparking excitement in the market and driving the stocks up. Notably, the headline Consumer Price Index matched analysts' expectations.
That said, investors expected the current interest rate range of 4.25%–4.50% to remain unchanged at the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting, <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">according </a>to the CME FedWatch tool.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Popular on-chain analytics firm CryptoQuant <a href="https://cryptoquant.com/insights/research/6786ce381001ca2735a9a73c-14-January-2025-2025-Bitcoin-Price-Outlook-Institutional-Flows-Could-Drive-Bitco">projected </a>Bitcoin to hit $145,000-$249,000 in 2025, spurred by substantial institutional capital flows.
A mixture of a positive regulatory environment under a pro-cryptocurrency Trump administration, "accommodative" monetary policy, and the fact that Bitcoin was in the most bullish phase of its 4-year cycle could accelerate momentum, according to the research firm.
Widely followed cryptocurrency trader Michaël van de Poppe predicted the market would shift from this point on as Bitcoin breaks $100,000 and Ethereum confirms a bullish divergence.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> above $100,000. Yields drop 3% on the day (15bps). <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> breaks back upwards and confirms the bullish divergence and higher low.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Altcoins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Altcoins</a> outperform Bitcoin. The rotation has started. <a href="https://t.co/Mvevi94sdX">pic.twitter.com/Mvevi94sdX</a>
&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1879623548534464876?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
"Dollar will become weaker, rates will go down, altcoins will go up," he remarked.&nbsp;
<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">Now we're getting into the stage where markets are turning, Dollar will become weaker, rates will go down, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Altcoins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Altcoins</a> will go up. And people won't believe it.
&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1879582423345959210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Photo by CMP_NZ on Shutterstock
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Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Rally On Positive Inflation Data, Trump's Pro-Crypto Moves: Analyst Projects BTC Could Top $200K Range In 2025

In his farewell address from the Oval Office Wednesday night, President Joe Biden raised concerns about an emerging tech oligarchy and social media&#8217;s impact on American democracy, signaling potential regulatory headwinds for the technology sector.
Biden, who announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race in July, warned that Americans face &#8220;an avalanche of misinformation&#8221; while social media platforms abandon fact-checking efforts. 
&#8220;I&#8217;m equally concerned about the potential rise of a tech industrial complex that could pose real dangers for our country,&#8221; Biden <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/">said</a>, suggesting increased scrutiny of social media companies may be forthcoming.
Biden highlighted his administration&#8217;s recent diplomatic achievement in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The deal, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/43013312/defense-stocks-fall-on-gaza-ceasefire-while-broader-market-rallies-whats-going-on">finalized earlier Wednesday</a>, includes provisions for releasing American hostages in its first phase.
The 81-year-old President endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party&#8217;s presidential candidate. However, Harris ultimately lost the election to President-elect Donald Trump. 
In his endorsement, Biden emphasized the critical importance of preserving American institutions as the foundation of a free and democratic society.
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Image Via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Biden's Farewell Address Targets Tech Oligarchy In Trump 2.0 Era: President Says Americans Face 'Avalanche Of Misinformation'

Hindenburg Research, the influential short-selling firm that rattled global markets with high-profile exposés of companies like Adani Group and Nikola Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKLA#NASDAQ">NKLA</a>), <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/01/43017547/hindenburg-research-is-closing-up-shop-we-shook-some-empires-that-we-felt-needed-shaking">announced its closure Wednesday</a> after a seven-year run that reshaped modern activist investing.
What Happened: Founder Nathan Anderson, who started Hindenburg in 2017, cited personal reasons for disbanding the 11-person firm, marking the end of an era that saw the boutique research shop take on corporate giants and billionaires worldwide.
The firm&#8217;s investigations led to nearly 100 civil and criminal charges against various executives and companies, according to Anderson&#8217;s farewell <a href="https://hindenburgresearch.com/gratitude/">note</a>. One of its most impactful reports targeted India&#8217;s Adani Group in 2023, wiping more than $100 billion in market value and eventually leading to U.S. prosecutors indicting founder Gautam Adani for alleged fraud.
Hindenburg&#8217;s methodical approach to exposing corporate misconduct first gained prominence in 2020 with its report on electric vehicle maker Nikola. The investigation revealed that the company had staged a video of its electric truck rolling downhill to appear self-powered, ultimately leading to founder Trevor Milton&#8216;s four-year prison sentence for fraud.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/43013312/defense-stocks-fall-on-gaza-ceasefire-while-broader-market-rallies-whats-going-on">Defense Stocks Fall On Gaza Ceasefire While Broader Market Rallies: What&#8217;s Going On?</a>
Why It Matters: The firm&#8217;s departure follows a broader trend of high-profile <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/jim-chanos">short-sellers stepping back</a>, including Jim Chanos, known for exposing Enron&#8216;s fraud, who closed his hedge fund in 2023. Unlike traditional investment firms, Hindenburg managed only its own capital while publishing detailed research that often triggered regulatory investigations and market selloffs.
Recent targets included Carl Icahn&#8216;s Icahn Enterprises LP (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IEP#NASDAQ">IEP</a>) and Block Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SQ#NYSE">SQ</a>), led by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. In its final report on Jan. 2, the firm accused Carvana Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVNA#NYSE">CVNA</a>) of accounting irregularities, though the company denied these allegations.
Anderson plans to spend the next six months documenting Hindenburg&#8217;s investigative methods, potentially enabling a new generation of market watchdogs. &#8220;My hope is that someone embraces the same passion, learns the craft, and finds the confidence to shed light on subjects that need it,&#8221; he wrote.
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Photo courtesy: Hindenburg Research
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) co-founder Steve Jobs once dramatically rejected the first iPod prototype by dropping it into an aquarium.
What Happened: This incident was recounted by former Apple employee Amit Chaudhary on Quora.&nbsp;
As per Chaudhary, during the initial presentation of the iPod prototype, Jobs examined the device and deemed it too large. Despite engineers&#8217; assertion that further miniaturization was impossible, Jobs remained unconvinced.
&#8220;Jobs was quiet for a moment. Finally, he stood, walked over to an aquarium, and dropped the iPod in the tank,&#8221; Chaudhary recounted.
He quoted Jobs saying, &#8220;Those are air bubbles … That means there&#8217;s space in there. Make it smaller.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42993561/is-openais-chatgpt-about-to-make-amazons-alexa-apples-siri-and-google-assistant-a-thing-of-the-past">Siri, Alexa And Google Assistant May Become A Thing Of The Past Thanks To ChatGPT Tasks — Here&#8217;s How To Use The New Feature</a>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/15192713/Screenshot-2025-01-16-at-5.57.07%E2%80%AFAM-1024x714.png" alt="" class="wp-image-735736" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Quora</figcaption></figure>
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Why It Matters: The iPod, released on Oct. 23, 2001, marked a pivotal moment for Apple, transforming the company and the personal electronics market.
The device&#8217;s launch was a significant milestone, leading to the development of various iterations, including the iPod Mini in 2004, the iPod Nano in 2006, and the iPod Touch in 2007.
The iPod&#8217;s success played a crucial role in Apple&#8217;s growth, contributing to its expansion into new business segments. The product&#8217;s influence extended beyond its lifecycle, laying the groundwork for future innovations like the iPhone and iPad.
Although Apple announced the discontinuation of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/05/27124846/apples-ipod-is-coming-to-an-end-but-the-music-lives-on">iPod in May 2022</a>, its legacy continues to impact the company&#8217;s trajectory and the broader technology landscape.
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42900737/stephen-king-slams-elon-musks-h-1b-visa-stance-musk-thinks-smart-immigrants-can-stay-the-rest-of-you-washing-dishes-get-lost">Stephen King Slams Elon Musk&#8217;s H-1B Visa Stance: ‘Musk Thinks Smart Immigrants Can Stay – The Rest of You Washing Dishes … Get Lost&#8217;</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Steve Jobs Dropped The First iPod Prototype In A Fish Tank And It Wasn't To Test If It Was Waterproof

MBIO

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

ALVR

UPDATE: MetLife Responds To Report On Cyberattack, Says "We are aware of a cyberattack impacting Ecuador-based Fondo Genesis. As Fondo Genesis operates separately from MetLife's enterprise systems, this incident has not impacted any other parts of the MetLife business. Fondo Genesis is a financial services company operating only in Ecuador that is owned by Chilean pension manager ProVida, a subsidiary of MetLife."

With a 432% gain over the last year, XRP Token (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) is one of the top gainers among <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42225289/heres-how-much-100-invested-in-xrp-token-today-will-be-worth-if-crypto-returns-to-all-time-highs">the largest cryptocurrencies.</a>
XRP has soared in recent months with new catalysts and optimism for the incoming White House administration. Here's a look at what's next and a look back to where the crypto traded 10 years ago.
What Happened: XRP token <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42998671/xrp-price-surges-another-7-5-what-is-going-on">soared higher on Wednesday, </a>with a 14.8% gain and a new one-month and one-year high of $3.06. The cryptocurrency is up 29% over the last month.
The cryptocurrency continues to draw attention with speculation of new XRP ETFs getting approved and large transactions of the cryptocurrency ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20.
Executives from Ripple Labs, the company behind XRP Token, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42865935/trump-meets-top-ripple-executives-ceo-says-strong-start-to-2025-as-technicals-favor-xrp-bulls">recently met with Trump</a> and shared a picture on social media platform X.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and Chief Legal Office Stuart Alderoty were in the picture with the post, which could hint at future cooperation and the end of legal challenges against Ripple.
While XRP has not returned to all-time highs set back in early 2018, the cryptocurrency is among the top gainers in the last year of the most valuable cryptocurrencies. XRP is currently the third most valuable crypto with a market capitalization of more than $175 billion at the time of writing.
Garlinghouse<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42808375/ripple-ceo-celebrates-trumps-impact-on-crypto-industry-says-34th-of-companys-new-hires-us-based" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> also recently disclosed</a> 75% of Ripple&#8217;s job openings are based in the U.S., a strong contrast to where the company&#8217;s hiring practices were over the past four years. The CEO also said that more U.S. deals had been signed in the past six weeks of 2024 than in the previous six months in the past year.
Ripple executives sound optimistic about the new White House administration and are letting investors and holders know that Trump could be good for the company and its token, with Garlinghouse labeling the &#8220;Trump bull market&#8221; as helping turn the cryptocurrency market around.
&#8220;Say what you want, but the ‘Trump effect&#8217; is already making crypto great again — through his campaign, and in the administration&#8217;s day one priorities.&#8221;
While Trump becoming president could be good for cryptocurrencies and also help end Ripple&#8217;s legal battles with the SEC, he&#8217;s not the first former president to show support for Ripple.
Jan. 15 marks the SEC's deadline for an opening brief in the appeal for its case against Ripple. In July 2023, Ripple received a favorable ruling on the case. The<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/11/42173824/if-you-invested-1000-in-xrp-token-when-sec-lawsuit-caused-mass-panic-heres-how-much-youd-have-today"> case brought by the SEC</a> dates back to Dec. 22, 2020 when charges were filed.
The case is one of many that could disappear under the new White House administration and could send the price of XRP even higher in the coming weeks.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42960104/congressman-who-wanted-airport-named-after-donald-trump-buys-bitcoin-solana-xrp-token-ahead-of-inauguration">Congressman Who Wanted Airport Named After Trump Buys Bitcoin, Solana, XRP Token Ahead Of Inauguration</a>
Investing $1,000 in XRP: Not all cryptocurrencies have been around for 10 years or more, but XRP is one of the cryptos that has shown a long history of price action.
XRP dates back to 2012, but for this hypothetical investment the price from 10 years ago is used.
XRP traded at a high of $0.01654 on Jan. 15, 2015. A $1,000 investment at the time could have purchased 60,459.49 XRP.
Today, that $1,000 investment would be worth a staggering $185,006.04. This represents a potential return of 18,400.6% over the past 10 years.
While it is less likely that XRP will gain the same 18,400.6% over the next 10 years, the hypothetical investment shows how a small investment in cryptocurrency can grow over time if the crypto remains relevant and has major use cases and adoption like XRP has.
Read Next: 
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Photo: Shutterstock

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If You Invested $1,000 In XRP Token 10 Years Ago, Here's How Much You'd Have Today

Safe &amp; Smart Florida, the group behind Florida&#8217;s failed attempt to legalize recreational cannabis in November 2024, has <a href="https://smartandsafeflorida.com/">launched a new initiative</a> to do it again in a 2026 ballot.
The "Adult Personal Use of Marijuana," initiative was filed on Tuesday, first <a href="https://floridapolitics.com/archives/715832-recreational-pot-supporters-launch-fresh-campaign-to-put-new-measure-on-the-ballot/">reported</a> by Florida Politics, noting that it was the first ballot petition filed in 2025.
The new initiative "Allows adults 21 and older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana for non-medical consumption. Establishes possession limits. Prohibits marketing and packaging attractive to children. Prohibits smoking and vaping in public. Maintains prohibition on driving under influence,&#8221; and more. 
Florida Politics pointed out that the campaign launched this new effort to put legal marijuana up for a vote just one day after Gov. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/ron-desantis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ron DeSantis</a> called a special session asking lawmakers to crackdown on &#8220;fraudulent signatures&#8221; to place amendments on the ballot. Leaders of the legislature, per the outlet, said they do not intend to allow DeSantis &#8220;to dictate what issues are ultimately considered by lawmakers.&#8221;
This past November, the ballot measure, known as Amendment 3, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/11/41763514/florida-rejects-cannabis-legalization-amendment-supported-by-trump-detested-by-desantis">fell short </a>of the 60% vote required to pass an amendment in Florida though it received nearly 57% support across the state. The amendment faced tough and sustained opposition from DeSantis&nbsp;and the Florida Republican Party.
Over the course of its efforts, Smart &amp; Safe&#8217;s legalization campaign pulled in at least $150 million, making it the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39565658/desantis-anti-cannabis-florida-freedom-fund-raises-barely-a-fraction-of-legalization-committees-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">best-funded cannabis legalization</a>&nbsp;initiative in U.S. history, with medical marijuana giant&nbsp;Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (OTC:&nbsp;TCNNF) contributing the bulk of it.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Cannabis Stocks Respond</h1>
Cannabis stocks, which had dropped slightly on news that the DEA hearings on rescheduling cannabis <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42972524/dea-judge-cancels-marijuana-rescheduling-hearing-amid-disturbing-allegations-of-improper-conduct">were put on hold</a> for three months, seemed to perk up a bit with the Florida initiative news.
ETFs such as AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSOS#NYSE">MSOS</a>) rose 0.29% and AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YOLO#NYSE">YOLO</a>) went up 0.87% at the close. Trulieve Cannabis ended down 2.23% while Green Thumb Industries (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GTBIF#OTC">GTBIF</a>) rose 0.28%. Tilray Brands (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLRY#NASDAQ">TLRY</a>) held steady. Other multi-state operators seemed unfazed by the news, at least for now.
Now Read:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42972524/dea-judge-cancels-marijuana-rescheduling-hearing-amid-disturbing-allegations-of-improper-conduct">DEA Judge Cancels Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing Amid &#8216;Disturbing&#8217; Allegations Of Improper Conduct</a></li>
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Photo: El Planteo

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Cannabis Legalization Headed For The Ballot Again In Florida: Advocates Launch New Amendment Initiative

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 15 years by 8.74% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 20.51%. Currently, UnitedHealth Group has a market capitalization of $500.10 billion. 
Buying $1000 In UNH: If an investor had bought $1000 of UNH stock 15 years ago, it would be worth $15,728.51 today based on a price of $543.42 for UNH at the time of writing.
<h3>UnitedHealth Group's Performance Over Last 15 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1736984708_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning UnitedHealth Group Stock In The Last 15 Years

President-elect Donald Trump is considering issuing an executive order aimed at rescuing TikTok from being banned from U.S. app<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42931704/tiktok-users-call-on-trump-to-deliver-immediately-on-his-promise-to-save-app-from-us-ban-we-dont-need-the-supreme-court-to"> stores in four days.&nbsp;</a>
What To Know: According to the Washington Post, sources familiar with the matter said Trump is brainstorming strategies to save TikTok from the law signed by President Joe Biden set to ban the app on Sunday. 
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/01/42979220/biden-announces-more-student-loan-forgiveness-bringing-debt-relief-to-nearly-5-million-borrowers">Biden Announces More Student Loan Forgiveness, Bringing Debt Relief To Nearly 5 Million Borrowers</a>
One of the strategies Trump is considering is an executive order that would suspend enforcement of the law for 60 to 90 days. One source said the president-elect would like to be seen "making a deal" to save the popular social media app. 
It is not clear whether an executive order would keep TikTok in U.S. app stores, overriding a law passed by Congress.&nbsp;
"TikTok will still be banned, and it will still be illegal for Apple and Google to do business with them. But it will make the president's intention not to enforce the law that much more official," Alan Rozenshtein, a former national security adviser to the Justice Department, told the Washington Post.&nbsp;
What Else: A Bloomberg report on Monday suggested that Elon Musk is in talks with Chinese officials regarding a potential scenario where Musk's X platform <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/42965533/elon-musk-emerges-as-potential-tiktok-us-buyer-as-ban-deadline-looms-company-terms-it-pure-fiction">could take over </a>TikTok's U.S. operations.&nbsp;
However, a TikTok spokesperson denied the report telling Benzinga, "We can't be expected to comment on pure fiction."
Other interested parties include Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) and Oracle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>), as well as a consortium led by the "Shark Tank" investor Kevin O'Leary.
If no deal is reached by the deadline, TikTok <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/42957741/tiktok-ban-deadline-ahead-what-will-happen-to-app-on-your-phone">will be banned</a> from app stores in the U.S. on Sunday, Jan. 19. 
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42919029/supreme-court-hears-tiktok-oral-arguments">Supreme Court Hears TikTok Arguments With App&#8217;s Ban Ahead: &#8216;Essentially, The Platform Shuts Down&#8217;&nbsp;</a></li>
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Photo: Shutterstock

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