Mountain Crest (OTC:MCAGU) Stock, Quote.Headers.trade-ideas

Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp V is a blank check company.

Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp V Units (1 Ordinary Shares, 1 Rights)

Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp V

WIIM

IDAI

T Stamp shares are trading lower. The company announced it will implement a 1-for-15 reverse stock split.

Quantum Computing Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QUBT#NASDAQ">QUBT</a>) shares are trading higher by 7.31% to $17.79 during Thursday&#8217;s session amid strength in quantum computing-related companies. The sector has recently seen increased interest.
The stock&#8217;s upward momentum, gaining some 190% over the trailing month, may also be attributed to the company&#8217;s December announcement of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42533581/quantum-computing-stock-is-rising-tuesday-heres-why">securing a prime contract</a> with NASA to leverage Dirac-3 for advanced imaging and data processing support.
What To Know: The contract, awarded by NASA&#8217;s Goddard Space Flight Center, involves using Quantum Computing's entropy quantum optimization machine, Dirac-3, to tackle advanced imaging challenges. The technology is expected to provide innovative solutions in the realm of quantum computing.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42768870/whats-going-on-with-rigetti-computing-rgti-stock">What&#8217;s Going On With Rigetti Computing Stock?</a>
The company says Dirac-3 will address a complex phase unwrapping issue for reconstructing images and extracting radar-generated interferometric data, aiming to enhance data quality and accuracy.
CEO William McGann meanwhile expressed pride in supporting NASA's mission. The project will compare Dirac-3's quantum optimization capabilities with classical algorithms, potentially demonstrating the tangible advantages of quantum approaches in data processing.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/01/42766117/tesla-stock-tumbles-on-q4-deliveries-whats-going-on">Tesla Stock Tumbles On Q4 Deliveries: What&#8217;s Going On?</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How To Buy QUBT Stock</h2>
Besides going to a brokerage platform to purchase a share &#8211; or fractional share &#8211; of stock, you can also gain access to shares either by buying an exchange traded fund (ETF) that holds the stock itself, or by allocating yourself to a strategy in your 401(k) that would seek to acquire shares in a mutual fund or other instrument. 
For example, in Quantum Computing&#8217;s case, it is in the Information Technology sector. An ETF will likely hold shares in many liquid and large companies that help track that sector, allowing an investor to gain exposure to the trends within that segment.
According to data from&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>, QUBT has a 52-week high of $27.15 and a 52-week low of $0.35.

News

QUBT

What's Going On With Quantum Computing (QUBT) Stock?

Cryptocurrency holders interacting with centralized finance, or CeFi, exchanges in 2025 are benefitting from more flexible accounting methods in a temporary relief notice <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42486061/always-pay-the-tax-man-bitcoin-investor-sentenced-to-two-years-for-tax-evasion-on-crypto-gains">issued by the IRS</a>.
What Happened: A <a href="https://x.com/TheCryptoCPA/status/1874184460507496788">thread</a> on X by &#8216;TheCryptoCPA&#8217; Shehan, Head of Tax at CoinTracker, outlines the change in regulations that took effect on Jan. 1.
The IRS has recognized and addressed a practical problem with the previously finalized Sec. 6045 custodial broker regulations. 
These regulations would have required crypto assets held with CeFi brokers to be sold under the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) method if no preferred accounting method was chosen.
Almost all centralized exchanges were not ready to support this rule. The IRS subsequently issued <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-25-07.pdf">Notice 2025-7</a> to provide temporary transition relief.
Cryptocurrency holders are no longer locked into the FIFO method but can document tax liabilities using their own books, records or crypto tax software.
The temporary relief affects sales on centralized exchanges in the calendar year 2025.
Following this period, users will have to select an accounting method for assets held on CeFi platforms.
Shehan advised his followers, &#8220;Make sure to pick your accounting method at your CeFi exchange on 1/1/26. If you don&#8217;t pick one, you will most likely default to FIFO.&#8221;
This relief is automatically applied and doesn&#8217;t require any specific action from taxpayers. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-tax-software">Best Crypto Tax Software in 2024</a>
Why It Matters: Shehan emphasizes the importance of using reputable crypto tax software or maintaining reliable records for those who wish to sell CeFi assets under methods other than FIFO during 2025.
The temporary relief aims to provide crypto holders with more flexibility and potentially better tax outcomes during the transition period, especially in a bull market environment where FIFO could lead to higher capital gains.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/cryptocurrency-tax-guide">Beginner's Guide: How to File Crypto Taxes in 2024</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

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

Cryptocurrency

Did The IRS Really Just Delay Crypto Tax Reporting Requirements?

SPCB

SuperCom shares are trading higher after the company announced two contracts with agencies in Kentucky.

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bearish move on Booking Holdings. Our analysis of options history for Booking Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BKNG#NASDAQ">BKNG</a>) revealed 57 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 35% of traders were bullish, while 47% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 15 were puts, with a value of $1,107,648, and 42 were calls, valued at $1,932,789.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $3400.0 to $5950.0 for Booking Holdings over the recent three months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Booking Holdings's options for a given strike price. Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Booking Holdings's whale trades within a strike price range from $3400.0 to $5950.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Booking Holdings Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1735847138_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th align="right">Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>BKNG</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$770.9</td>
<td>$747.1</td>
<td>$767.1</td>
<td>$5700.00</td>
<td>$230.1K</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BKNG</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$1611.4</td>
<td>$1591.4</td>
<td>$1591.4</td>
<td>$3400.00</td>
<td>$159.1K</td>
<td align="right">103</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BKNG</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$137.9</td>
<td>$130.2</td>
<td>$130.2</td>
<td>$3800.00</td>
<td>$130.2K</td>
<td align="right">36</td>
<td align="right">10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BKNG</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/03/25</td>
<td>$62.0</td>
<td>$56.0</td>
<td>$56.0</td>
<td>$4950.00</td>
<td>$112.0K</td>
<td align="right">28</td>
<td align="right">33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BKNG</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/03/25</td>
<td>$105.0</td>
<td>$94.7</td>
<td>$105.0</td>
<td>$5000.00</td>
<td>$105.0K</td>
<td align="right">66</td>
<td align="right">27</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Booking Holdings</h3>
Booking is the world's largest online travel agency by sales, offering booking and payment services for hotel and alternative accommodation rooms, airline tickets, rental cars, restaurant reservations, cruises, experiences, and other vacation packages. The company operates several branded travel booking sites, including Booking.com, Agoda, OpenTable, and Rentalcars.com, and has expanded into travel media with the acquisitions of Kayak and Momondo. Transaction fees for online bookings account for the bulk of revenue and profits.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Booking Holdings, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Where Is Booking Holdings Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 78,007, the price of BKNG is down 0.0% at $4968.42. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 49 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Booking Holdings</h3>
Over the past month, 5 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $5804.4.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from JMP Securities persists with their Market Outperform rating on Booking Holdings, maintaining a target price of $6100. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Oppenheimer continues to hold a Outperform rating for Booking Holdings, targeting a price of $6000. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Mizuho continues to hold a Outperform rating for Booking Holdings, targeting a price of $6000. 
&#x2A; An analyst from JMP Securities has revised its rating downward to Market Outperform, adjusting the price target to $5400. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from B of A Securities keeps a Neutral rating on Booking Holdings with a target price of $5522. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Booking Holdings, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Options

Markets

BKNG

What the Options Market Tells Us About Booking Holdings

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bullish stance on Verizon Communications.
Looking at options history for Verizon Communications (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VZ#NYSE">VZ</a>) we detected 12 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 66% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 25% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 2 are puts, for a total amount of $61,275 and 10, calls, for a total amount of $553,762.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $35.0 to $42.0 for Verizon Communications during the past quarter. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Verizon Communications's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Verizon Communications's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $35.0 to $42.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>Verizon Communications Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1735847133_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>VZ</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$2.28</td>
<td>$2.17</td>
<td>$2.28</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
<td>$134.1K</td>
<td>3.8K</td>
<td>650</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VZ</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$1.14</td>
<td>$1.12</td>
<td>$1.14</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$73.8K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
<td>721</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VZ</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$4.05</td>
<td>$3.95</td>
<td>$3.95</td>
<td>$37.00</td>
<td>$63.5K</td>
<td>3.2K</td>
<td>289</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VZ</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$1.09</td>
<td>$1.05</td>
<td>$1.09</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$54.5K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VZ</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$4.0</td>
<td>$3.9</td>
<td>$3.9</td>
<td>$37.00</td>
<td>$49.1K</td>
<td>3.2K</td>
<td>416</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Verizon Communications</h3>
Wireless services account for about 70% of Verizon Communications' total service revenue and nearly all of its operating income. The firm serves about 93 million postpaid and 20 million prepaid phone customers via its nationwide network, making it the largest US wireless carrier. Fixed-line telecom operations include local networks in the Northeast, which reach about 30 million homes and businesses and serve about 8 million broadband customers. Verizon also provides telecom services nationwide to enterprise customers, often using a mixture of its own and other carriers' networks. Verizon agreed to acquire Frontier Communications in September 2024.
In light of the recent options history for Verizon Communications, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Where Is Verizon Communications Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 12,643,555, the price of VZ is up 0.33% at $40.12. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 22 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Verizon Communications</h3>
A total of 1 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $45.0.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from UBS persists with their Neutral rating on Verizon Communications, maintaining a target price of $45. 
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Verizon Communications with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Verizon Communications Unusual Options Activity For January 02

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on Adobe.
Looking at options history for Adobe (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADBE#NASDAQ">ADBE</a>) we detected 91 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 29% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 59% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 57 are puts, for a total amount of $3,005,071 and 34, calls, for a total amount of $2,783,364.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $300.0 to $930.0 for Adobe over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is an insightful way to conduct due diligence on a stock.
This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Adobe's options for a given strike price.
Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Adobe's whale activity within a strike price range from $300.0 to $930.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Adobe 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1735847128_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th align="right">Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>ADBE</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$95.65</td>
<td>$93.4</td>
<td>$94.5</td>
<td>$360.00</td>
<td>$349.6K</td>
<td align="right">51</td>
<td align="right">8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ADBE</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$25.85</td>
<td>$25.5</td>
<td>$25.5</td>
<td>$455.00</td>
<td>$186.1K</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ADBE</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/03/25</td>
<td>$48.0</td>
<td>$44.65</td>
<td>$48.0</td>
<td>$400.00</td>
<td>$144.0K</td>
<td align="right">258</td>
<td align="right">51</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ADBE</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$48.6</td>
<td>$47.3</td>
<td>$47.95</td>
<td>$440.00</td>
<td>$119.8K</td>
<td align="right">211</td>
<td align="right">20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ADBE</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$30.1</td>
<td>$27.6</td>
<td>$29.0</td>
<td>$700.00</td>
<td>$116.0K</td>
<td align="right">115</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Adobe</h3>
Adobe provides content creation, document management, and digital marketing and advertising software and services to creative professionals and marketers for creating, managing, delivering, measuring, optimizing, and engaging with compelling content multiple operating systems, devices, and media. The company operates with three segments: digital media content creation, digital experience for marketing solutions, and publishing for legacy products (less than 5% of revenue).
Having examined the options trading patterns of Adobe, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Present Market Standing of Adobe</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 1,553,952, the price of ADBE is down by -0.6%, reaching $442.01.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 70 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Adobe</h3>
A total of 5 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $605.4.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Citigroup continues to hold a Neutral rating for Adobe, targeting a price of $590. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from B of A Securities continues to hold a Buy rating for Adobe, targeting a price of $605. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from DA Davidson keeps a Buy rating on Adobe with a target price of $625. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Bernstein keeps a Outperform rating on Adobe with a target price of $587. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Mizuho has decided to maintain their Outperform rating on Adobe, which currently sits at a price target of $620. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Adobe, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

ADBE

Smart Money Is Betting Big In ADBE Options

In November 2017, the Big Bang Theory, a popular U.S. sitcom, featured Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) in a humorous conversation. The value of the apex crypto <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42486744/the-top-statistics-of-bitcoins-100000-monumental-milestone">has since skyrocketed</a>.
What Happened: Sheldon Cooper, one of the show's main characters, in one episode asked a DVD store clerk if they accepted Bitcoin as payment. 
The clerk, unfamiliar with the concept, replied it wasn't in the cash register.
Sheldon explained Bitcoin as &#8220;a new online currency&#8221; that operates like money but exists digitally, can't be physically held and can be mined by solving complex mathematical problems. 
He also warned his friends about potential tax implications if they adopted Bitcoin early.
Why It Matters: The year 2024 has ushered in a new era for Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency markets, marked by significant milestones that have reshaped the industry&#8217;s trajectory. 
Bitcoin and Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) achieved a historic breakthrough with the approval of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-spot-bitcoin-etfs">first spot ETFs</a>.
This milestone represents a critical step toward regulatory acceptance, paving the way for broader institutional participation and advancing the likelihood of these digital assets evolving into global currencies.
Adding to the momentum, President-elect Donald Trump has outlined bold plans to position the United States as the global leader <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42690488/are-donald-trumps-ambitious-bitcoin-goals-feasible">in cryptocurrency innovation</a>. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/12/42749281/if-you-invested-1000-in-pepe-coin-when-elon-musk-shared-a-meme-earlier-this-year-heres-how-much-youd-have-today">If You Invested $1,000 In Pepe Coin When Elon Musk Shared A Meme Earlier This Year, Here&#8217;s How Much You&#8217;d Have Today</a>
Investing $1,000 in Bitcoin: Investors who would have watched and known the show Big Bang Theory may have wanted to find out more about the leading cryptocurrency themselves and make a small investment.
Bitcoin traded at $10,233.60 on Nov 30, 2017, when Sheldon Cooper mentioned about it.
A $1,000 investment in the leading cryptocurrency could have purchased 0.097717 BTC at the time. 
The $1,000 investment would be worth $9,449.48 today based on a price of $96,702.17 for Bitcoin at the time of writing.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42758665/peter-thiels-bubble-theory-gains-relevance-as-bitcoin-hovers-around-95k-extremely-hard-to-define">Peter Thiel&#8217;s Bubble Theory Gains Relevance As Bitcoin Hovers Around $95K: &#8216;Extremely Hard To Define&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

$BTC

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If You Invested $1,000 In Bitcoin When The Big Bang Theory Sitcoim Mentioned It In 2017, Here's How Much You'd Have Now

FUFU

BitFuFu shares are trading higher after the company announced it signed a two-year framework agreement with BITMAIN to purchase 80,000 S-series miners.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://thearorareport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-01-02_08h31_20.png" alt="" /></figure>
To gain an edge, this is what you need to know today.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">New Year Mantra</h4>
An enlarged chart of SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust which represents the benchmark stock market index S&amp;P 500 (SPX).
Note the following:
<ul>
<li>On the first day of trading in 2025, the chart shows that the stock market has pulled back close to the breakout line.</li>
<li>The chart shows the micro resistance zone and the support zone.</li>
<li>RSI on the chart shows that the stock market is neither overbought nor oversold.&nbsp; It is poised to go either way.</li>
<li>Wall Street machines are ready to jump on whichever direction the stock market starts moving.</li>
<li>In the early trade, the momo crowd and meme crowd are buying extremely aggressively.</li>
<li>At the start of 2025, the sentiment is extremely positive.&nbsp; The Arora Report has been sharing with readers, extreme positive sentiment is a contrary signal.&nbsp; In plain English, it means sell.&nbsp; Keep in mind, sentiment is not a precise timing indicator.&nbsp; Further, sentiment is only one of many indicators.&nbsp; Prudent investors should follow a 360 degree analysis from a proven system such as the adaptive <a href="https://thearorareport.com/ALLOCATION%2BMODELS.htm">ZYX Allocation Model </a>with inputs in ten categories.</li>
<li>The last time sentiment was this positive at the start of a new year was in 2000. In 2000, after five years of internet frenzy, the market crashed.&nbsp; Those who were primarily invested in speculative stocks lost 90% &#8211; 95% of the value of their portfolios.</li>
<li>As the market enters 2025, the AI frenzy has been going for only two years versus five years of internet frenzy before the market crashed in 2000.</li>
<li>With extreme hopium, here is the mantra the stock market is following for 2025:
<ul>
<li>Trump will fix everything.&nbsp; At The Arora Report, we would like nothing more than to see Trump succeed.&nbsp; However, the market may face a rude awakening when hopium meets reality.</li>
<li>As a Magic 8 Ball solution, the market believes bitcoin is the solution to budget deficits, $36T of national debt, and maintaining the dollar as the world's reserve currency.&nbsp; Trump is apparently planning a one million bitcoin U.S. strategic reserve.&nbsp; The biggest U.S. based bitcoin whale is advocating for a six to seven million bitcoin reserve.&nbsp; In The Arora Report analysis, while it is not impossible for bitcoin to fix these issues, the probability of it working out the way bitcoin bulls are promoting is low.&nbsp;</li>
<li>The stock market is believing that the AI frenzy will continue for a third year, taking the stock market to new highs.&nbsp; In The Arora Report analysis, AI will become smarter and more pervasive in 2025, leading to large productivity gains.&nbsp; However, AI will also be disruptive.&nbsp; Even though the stock market thinks there will only be winners from AI, the reality is there will also be many losers.&nbsp; Further in The Arora Report analysis, money will flow out of some of the present day AI favorites to more software companies and other companies that are users of AI.</li>
<li>Quantum computing is the latest buzz word that is spreading like wildfire.&nbsp; In The Arora Report analysis, quantum computing has the potential to be bigger than the internet and AI.&nbsp; The emphasis here is on the word "potential." &nbsp; Further in The Arora Report analysis, know-nothing pumpers are in fantasy land regarding quantum computing.&nbsp; Although there are significant advances in the science, reality is nowhere near the fantasy that is spreading like wildfire.&nbsp; Expect many in the momo crowd to become bag holders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The stock market is hoping that the Fed will continue to cut rates under pressure from Trump even when the data may not support rate cuts.&nbsp; In The Arora Report analysis, in 2018 in the face of opposition from Trump, Powell did not have the spine to continue with rate cuts and he reversed.&nbsp; Market hopium regarding the Fed may work, unless inflation heats up.&nbsp; In The Arora Report analysis, there is better than 50% probability of inflation heating up depending upon how Trump executes his policies.</li>
<li>Initial jobless claims came at 211K vs. 224K consensus.&nbsp; This indicates that the jobs picture remains strong, especially at the low end.&nbsp; If the data continues this strong, the Fed will have difficulty cutting rates further.</li>
<li>As of this writing, some of the extreme optimism from early this morning is dissipating on the data that Tesla Inc deliveries came at 495K vs. 504K consensus.   TSLA stock has been a major gainer after Trump&#8217;s re-election.  As full disclosure, TSLA is in The Arora Report&#8217;s ZYX Buy Core Model Portfolio.</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Europe</h4>
After 57 years, Russian gas has stopped flowing to Europe through Ukraine.&nbsp; Natural gas prices are rising.&nbsp; Two beneficiaries of rising natural gas prices in The Arora Report&#8217;s ZYX Buy Core Model Portfolio are Shell PLC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHEL#NYSE">SHEL</a>) and EOG Resources Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EOG#NYSE">EOG</a>).&nbsp; Other stocks benefiting from rising natural gas prices are Expand Energy Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXE#NASDAQ">EXE</a>), EQT Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EQT#NYSE">EQT</a>), and Range Resources Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RRC#NYSE">RRC</a>) – as full disclosure, these stocks are in the portfolio that surrounds The Arora Report&#8217;s Model Portfolio in ZYX Buy.&nbsp; As full disclosure, natural gas stock Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DVN#NYSE">DVN</a>) is in the January Effect list.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">China</h4>
Chinese stocks have started the new year on a sour note on concerns about Trump tariffs.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Magnificent Seven Money Flows</h4>
In the early trade, money flows are positive in Amazon.com, Inc., Alphabet Inc Class C , Meta Platforms Inc, Microsoft Corp, NVIDIA Corp, and TSLA.
In the early trade, money flows are negative in Apple Inc .
In the early trade, money flows are positive in S&amp;P 500 ETF (SPY) and Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Momo Crowd And Smart Money In Stocks</h4>
Investors can gain an edge by knowing money flows in SPY and QQQ.  Investors can get a bigger edge by knowing when smart money is buying stocks, gold, and oil.  The most popular ETF for gold is SPDR Gold Trust.  The most popular ETF for silver is iShares Silver Trust.  The most popular ETF for oil is United States Oil ETF.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Bitcoin</h4>
Bitcoin is seeing buying.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Protection Band And What To Do Now</h4>
It is important for investors to look ahead and not in the rearview mirror.&nbsp; The proprietary protection band from The Arora Report is very popular.&nbsp; The protection band puts all of the data, all of the indicators, all of the news, all of the crosscurrents, all of the models, and all of the analysis in an analytical framework that is easily actionable by investors.
Consider continuing to hold good, very long term, existing positions. Based on individual risk preference, consider a protection band consisting of cash or Treasury bills or short-term tactical trades as well as short to medium term hedges and short term hedges. This is a good way to protect yourself and participate in the upside at the same time.
You can determine your protection bands by adding cash to hedges.&nbsp; The high band of the protection is appropriate for those who are older or conservative. The low band of the protection is appropriate for those who are younger or aggressive.&nbsp; If you do not hedge, the total cash level should be more than stated above but significantly less than cash plus hedges.
A protection band of 0% would be very bullish and would indicate full investment with 0% in cash.&nbsp; A protection band of 100% would be very bearish and would indicate a need for aggressive protection with cash and hedges or aggressive short selling.
It is worth reminding that you cannot take advantage of new upcoming opportunities if you are not holding enough cash.&nbsp; When adjusting hedge levels, consider adjusting partial stop quantities for stock positions (non ETF); consider using wider stops on remaining quantities and also allowing more room for high beta stocks.&nbsp; High beta stocks are the ones that move more than the market.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Traditional 60/40 Portfolio</h4>
Probability based risk reward adjusted for inflation does not favor long duration strategic bond allocation at this time.
Those who want to stick to traditional 60% allocation to stocks and 40% to bonds may consider focusing on only high quality bonds and bonds of five year duration or less.&nbsp; Those willing to bring sophistication to their investing may consider using bond ETFs as tactical positions and not strategic positions at this time.
The Arora Report is known for its accurate calls. The Arora Report correctly called the big artificial intelligence rally before anyone else, the new bull market of 2023, the bear market of 2022, new stock market highs right after the virus low in 2020, the virus drop in 2020, the DJIA rally to 30,000 when it was trading at 16,000, the start of a mega bull market in 2009, and the financial crash of 2008. Please click here to sign up for a free forever <a href="https://thearorareport.com/generate-wealth-newsletter-benzinga">Generate Wealth Newsletter</a>.

Trading Ideas

SHEL

Stock Market's New Year Mantra - Trump, Bitcoin, AI, And Quantum Will Fix Everything

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on Lowe's Companies.
Looking at options history for Lowe's Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LOW#NYSE">LOW</a>) we detected 8 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 12% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 75% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 6 are puts, for a total amount of $825,230 and 2, calls, for a total amount of $80,025.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $195.0 to $250.0 for Lowe's Companies during the past quarter. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for Lowe's Companies's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across Lowe's Companies's significant trades, within a strike price range of $195.0 to $250.0, over the past month.
<h3>Lowe's Companies Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1735846231_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th align="right">Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>LOW</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$16.85</td>
<td>$16.5</td>
<td>$16.75</td>
<td>$250.00</td>
<td>$670.0K</td>
<td align="right">387</td>
<td align="right">402</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LOW</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/10/25</td>
<td>$15.0</td>
<td>$15.0</td>
<td>$15.0</td>
<td>$235.00</td>
<td>$52.5K</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">35</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LOW</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$12.25</td>
<td>$11.65</td>
<td>$12.25</td>
<td>$220.00</td>
<td>$31.8K</td>
<td align="right">843</td>
<td align="right">60</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LOW</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$12.3</td>
<td>$11.8</td>
<td>$12.15</td>
<td>$220.00</td>
<td>$31.5K</td>
<td align="right">843</td>
<td align="right">137</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LOW</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$12.3</td>
<td>$11.75</td>
<td>$12.1</td>
<td>$220.00</td>
<td>$31.4K</td>
<td align="right">843</td>
<td align="right">60</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Lowe's Companies</h3>
Lowe's is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world, operating more than 1,700 stores in the United States, after the 2023 divestiture of its Canadian locations (RONA, Lowe's Canada, Réno-Dépôt, and Dick's Lumber). The firm's stores offer products and services for home decorating, maintenance, repair, and remodeling, with maintenance and repair accounting for two thirds of products sold. Lowe's primarily targets retail do-it-yourself (around 70% of sales in 2024) and do-it-for-me customers, but has expanded its commercial and professional business clients to 30% from less than 20% in the past six years. We estimate Lowe's captures a high-single-digit share of the domestic home improvement market, based on US Census data and management's market size estimates.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Lowe's Companies, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Lowe's Companies</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 929,740, the LOW's price is down by -0.34%, now at $245.95. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be oversold.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 54 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Lowe's Companies</h3>
In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $287.4.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Telsey Advisory Group keeps a Outperform rating on Lowe's Companies with a target price of $305. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Stifel continues to hold a Hold rating for Lowe's Companies, targeting a price of $270. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Truist Securities keeps a Buy rating on Lowe's Companies with a target price of $307. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Mizuho has decided to maintain their Outperform rating on Lowe's Companies, which currently sits at a price target of $305. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Wedbush downgraded its action to Neutral with a price target of $250. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Lowe's Companies options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Decoding Lowe's Companies's Options Activity: What's the Big Picture?

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on Apollo Global Management.
Looking at options history for Apollo Global Management (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APO#NYSE">APO</a>) we detected 9 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 33% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 44% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 3 are puts, for a total amount of $825,320 and 6, calls, for a total amount of $391,791.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $120.0 to $175.0 for Apollo Global Management over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is an insightful way to conduct due diligence on a stock.
This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Apollo Global Management's options for a given strike price.
Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Apollo Global Management's whale activity within a strike price range from $120.0 to $175.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Apollo Global Management Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1735846226_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>APO</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/31/25</td>
<td>$6.3</td>
<td>$5.6</td>
<td>$5.9</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
<td>$708.0K</td>
<td>464</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>APO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$45.9</td>
<td>$43.8</td>
<td>$45.9</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
<td>$137.7K</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>APO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/10/25</td>
<td>$1.35</td>
<td>$1.1</td>
<td>$1.23</td>
<td>$170.00</td>
<td>$86.5K</td>
<td>68</td>
<td align="right">701</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>APO</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$7.8</td>
<td>$7.6</td>
<td>$7.8</td>
<td>$170.00</td>
<td>$73.3K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td align="right">61</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>APO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$4.7</td>
<td>$3.6</td>
<td>$4.5</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
<td>$54.0K</td>
<td>1.9K</td>
<td align="right">125</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Apollo Global Management</h3>
Apollo Global Management Inc is an alternative investment manager. It serves various sectors such as chemicals, manufacturing and industrial, natural resources, consumer and retail, consumer services, business services, financial services, leisure, and media and telecom and technology. The company operates in three business segments that are Asset Management, Retirement Services, and Principal Investing. It generates maximum revenue from the Retirement Services segment.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Apollo Global Management</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 1,627,620, the price of APO is down by -0.61%, reaching $164.15.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 33 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Apollo Global Management</h3>
A total of 5 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $201.8.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods persists with their Outperform rating on Apollo Global Management, maintaining a target price of $196. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from BMO Capital keeps a Outperform rating on Apollo Global Management with a target price of $186. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Wells Fargo has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on Apollo Global Management, which currently sits at a price target of $197. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Barclays keeps a Overweight rating on Apollo Global Management with a target price of $200. 
&#x2A; An analyst from TD Cowen persists with their Buy rating on Apollo Global Management, maintaining a target price of $230. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Apollo Global Management options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Market Whales and Their Recent Bets on APO Options

High-rolling investors have positioned themselves bearish on TeraWulf (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WULF#NASDAQ">WULF</a>), and it's important for retail traders to take note. 
\This activity came to our attention today through Benzinga's tracking of publicly available options data. The identities of these investors are uncertain, but such a significant move in WULF often signals that someone has privileged information.
Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted 12 options trades for TeraWulf. This is not a typical pattern.
The sentiment among these major traders is split, with 41% bullish and 58% bearish. Among all the options we identified, there was one put, amounting to $56,550, and 11 calls, totaling $945,479.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $2.5 and $10.0 for TeraWulf, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in TeraWulf's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to TeraWulf's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $2.5 to $10.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>TeraWulf Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1735846221_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>WULF</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$3.5</td>
<td>$3.4</td>
<td>$3.5</td>
<td>$2.50</td>
<td>$350.0K</td>
<td>3.5K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WULF</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$3.2</td>
<td>$3.2</td>
<td>$3.2</td>
<td>$4.00</td>
<td>$160.0K</td>
<td>12.3K</td>
<td>510</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WULF</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$2.65</td>
<td>$2.57</td>
<td>$2.63</td>
<td>$5.50</td>
<td>$76.2K</td>
<td>5.8K</td>
<td>301</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WULF</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$0.52</td>
<td>$0.5</td>
<td>$0.5</td>
<td>$9.00</td>
<td>$57.7K</td>
<td>4.8K</td>
<td>4.9K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WULF</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$0.5</td>
<td>$0.47</td>
<td>$0.5</td>
<td>$9.00</td>
<td>$57.7K</td>
<td>4.8K</td>
<td>3.2K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About TeraWulf</h3>
TeraWulf Inc is a digital asset technology company that is engaged in digital infrastructure and sustainable energy development. The company's primary focus is supporting environmentally conscious bitcoin mining operations by developing and operating facilities within the United States. The company's bitcoin mining facilities are powered by clean, affordable, and reliable energy sources. The company's primary source of revenue stems from the mining of bitcoin conducted at the company's mining facility sites. Additionally, the company occasionally generates revenue through the provision of miner hosting services to third-party entities.
In light of the recent options history for TeraWulf, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of TeraWulf</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 27,941,210, with WULF's price down by -5.39%, positioned at $5.36.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 75 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About TeraWulf</h3>
A total of 4 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $10.25.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Rosenblatt persists with their Buy rating on TeraWulf, maintaining a target price of $10. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Northland Capital Markets continues to hold a Outperform rating for TeraWulf, targeting a price of $10. 
&#x2A; An analyst from B. Riley Securities has decided to maintain their Buy rating on TeraWulf, which currently sits at a price target of $10. 
&#x2A; Reflecting concerns, an analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald lowers its rating to Overweight with a new price target of $11.
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for TeraWulf with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

WULF

Unpacking the Latest Options Trading Trends in TeraWulf

<a href="https://x.com/nickclegg/status/1874891832653443269" title="https://x.com/nickclegg/status/1874891832653443269">https://x.com/nickclegg/status/1874891832653443269</a>

Management

Meta President Of Global Affairs Nick Clegg To Depart

H. B. Fuller shares are trading lower after the company issued preliminary FY24 guidance below estimates.

<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="561" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02082944/Top-Image-1-1024x561.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4387" srcset="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02082944/Top-Image-1-1024x561.jpg 1024w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02082944/Top-Image-1-300x164.jpg 300w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02082944/Top-Image-1-768x420.jpg 768w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02082944/Top-Image-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Timely Suggestion To Hedge&nbsp;</h2>
On November 20th, we congratulated&nbsp;MicroStrategy, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) shareholders for their recent gains and suggested it was time to hedge. In the same X post, we included a TikTok video showing an optimal collar hedge for the stock.
<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">&#x26a1;&#xFE0F;Congratulations, MicroStrategy longs—you've been killing it.&#x26a1;&#xFE0F; Consider hedging now though, to lock in most of your gains. Here's a way you can get paid (collect a net credit) to hedge your <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24MSTR&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$MSTR</a> shares out to February. <a href="https://t.co/y57T0lZ6h0">pic.twitter.com/y57T0lZ6h0</a>
&mdash; Portfolio Armor (@PortfolioArmor) <a href="https://twitter.com/PortfolioArmor/status/1859365873326158284?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
It turned out that our timing on that call was impeccable, as November 20th was when the stock peaked. Since then, MSTR shares have plummeted nearly 40%.&nbsp;
Let&#8217;s look at the optimal collar our app presented for MSTR then, and how it has protected MSTR longs since.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Our November 20th Optimal Collar On MSTR</h2>
This was the optimal collar, as of November 20th&#8217;s close, to hedge 100 shares of MSTR against a &gt;18% decline over the next two months, while not capping your upside at less than 40%.&nbsp;
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="607" height="821" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02083315/1-Collar.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4389" srcset="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02083315/1-Collar.jpg 607w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02083315/1-Collar-222x300.jpg 222w" sizes="(max-width: 607px) 100vw, 607px" /></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="611" height="557" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02083334/2-Hedge.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4390" srcset="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02083334/2-Hedge.jpg 611w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02083334/2-Hedge-300x273.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 611px) 100vw, 611px" /></figure>
If you opened that collar on November 20th, your net position value (stock + hedge) would have been this:&nbsp;
$47,383 in stock + $10,600 in put options -$11,050 in call options = $46,933.&nbsp;
Let&#8217;s take a look at the prices of those options as of Tuesday&#8217;s close and see what your net position value would have been then.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Those Options Prices As Of Year-End</h2>
As of Tuesday&#8217;s close, the price of that put was $122.33, at the midpoint of the spread. That means your put leg was worth $12,233.&nbsp;
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="539" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02083422/MSTR-Put-Quote-1024x539.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4391" srcset="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02083422/MSTR-Put-Quote-1024x539.jpg 1024w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02083422/MSTR-Put-Quote-300x158.jpg 300w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02083422/MSTR-Put-Quote-768x404.jpg 768w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02083422/MSTR-Put-Quote.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
At the same time, the price of that call was $2.74, meaning your call leg was worth $274.&nbsp;
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="538" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02083916/MSTR-Call-Quote-1024x538.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4392" srcset="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02083916/MSTR-Call-Quote-1024x538.jpg 1024w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02083916/MSTR-Call-Quote-300x158.jpg 300w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02083916/MSTR-Call-Quote-768x404.jpg 768w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02083916/MSTR-Call-Quote.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How That Optimal Hedge Protected You</h2>
Recall that your net position value, if you hedged 100 shares of MSTR with that optimal collar on 11/20/2024 was $46,933. This was your net position value as of 12/31/2024:
$28,962 in MSTR shares + $12,233 in puts &#8211; $274 in calls = $40,921.&nbsp;
$40,921 represents a 12.8% drop from $40,933.&nbsp;
So, although the hedge was only designed to protect against a &gt;18% decline, and the stock dropped by 40%, you were only down 12.8% if you opened this hedge on November 12th.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Now?&nbsp;</h2>
That depends on your outlook for MSTR shares:&nbsp;
<ol>
<li>If you&#8217;re bearish, you could exit your shares and close out that hedge for a 12.8% loss.&nbsp;</li>
<li>If you&#8217;re neutral or moderately bullish, you could buy-to-close the call leg of your hedge for $274, so your upside would be uncapped if MSTR rallies.&nbsp;</li>
<li>If you&#8217;re really bullish, you could close out the hedge, and use your profits from selling your appreciated puts to buy more MSTR shares.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
Hedging gives you the space to decide, knowing your downside is strictly limited.&nbsp;
Do you think it&#8217;s time to hedge your top holding now? If so,&nbsp;you can download our optimal hedging app by aiming your iPhone camera at the QR code below (or by&nbsp;<a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/portfolio-armor/id394951144">tapping here</a>, if you&#8217;re reading this on your phone).
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/portfolio-armor/id394951144"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="200" height="197" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02084007/QR-Code.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4393" /></a></figure>
And if you want a heads up when we place our next trade, you can sign up for our trading Substack/occasional email list below.&nbsp;
If you&#8217;d like to stay in touch
You can scan for optimal hedges for individual securities, find our current top ten names, and create hedged portfolios on <a href="https://portfolioarmor.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">our website</a>. You can also follow Portfolio Armor on X <a href="https://twitter.com/portfolioarmor">here</a>, or become a free subscriber to our trading Substack using the link below (we&#8217;re using that for our occasional emails now).
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://portfolioarmor.substack.com/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="602" height="418" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02084215/Widget.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4394" srcset="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02084215/Widget.jpg 602w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/02084215/Widget-300x208.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px" /></a></figure>

MSTR

Hedging Comes In Handy For MicroStrategy Longs

Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) shares are trading lower Thursday following reports indicating the tech giant is offering discounts on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42760822/ubs-cuts-iphone-sales-forecast-for-december-as-apple-faces-stiff-competition-from-other-players">several iPhone models in China</a>.
What Happened: Apple is running a four-day promotional period, discounting iPhone 16 models in China by up to 500 yuan ($68.50) from Jan. 4 to Jan. 7, according to Reuters. 
The report indicates that the discounts apply to multiple iPhone models and are available for customers using specific payment methods like WeChat Pay and Alipay. 
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models will be discounted by 500 yuan, while the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models will be discounted by 400 yuan. Apple will also offer discounts of 200 to 300 yuan on older iPhone models and other device categories. 
Related Link: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42764418/apple-edge-ai-jpmorgans-bold-tech-predictions-for-2025">Tech Predictions 2025: Apple&#8217;s Edge AI Drive, M&amp;A Heat, Cloud Hardware Shift</a>
Apple is reportedly battling market share declines as local competition intensifies in China, which is the world&#8217;s biggest smartphone market. 
Chinese tech giant Huawei is one of the companies taking share from Apple in the region since it launched a premium challenger in August 2023. Huawei also reportedly slashed prices on phones and other high-end tech devices by as much as 3,000 yuan this past weekend. 
Apple&#8217;s China sales fell 0.3% year-over-year in the third quarter, while Huawei sales jumped 42%, the report states, citing research firm IDC. 
UBS analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42760822/ubs-cuts-iphone-sales-forecast-for-december-as-apple-faces-stiff-competition-from-other-players">lowered their iPhone sales outlook</a> for December on Thursday due to declining market share in China. The firm maintained a Neutral rating and price target of $236 after cutting revenue estimates for the quarter by about 2%.
The selloff in Apple shares on Thursday may also be partly due to profit taking given that the stock rallied roughly 35% to all-time highs in 2024. Some investors may have been waiting until January to take profits for tax purposes. 
AAPL Price Action: <a href="http://benzinga.com/quote/aapl">Apple shares</a> were down 3.13% at $242.55 at the time of publication Thursday, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Photo: courtesy of Apple.

Global

Movers

Tech

AAPL

Some Investors Are Selling Apple Stock Thursday: Here's Why

Donald Trump&#8216;s election victory and the Republican control of Congress may be setting the stage for what many in the sector believe will be a golden era of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42701446/crypto-industry-anticipates-policy-overhaul-under-trump-administration">lighter regulation and wider adoption</a>.
What Happened: The crypto industry, which felt vilified under the Biden administration, is now anticipating a more hands-off approach to digital currencies, according to a <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/af23fffc-e560-42eb-84a0-f25ca8d693c0">report</a> by The Financial Times on Thursday.
Industry participants and people close to the President-elect have been upbeat about the prospects of Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and the wider digital asset sector.
Eric Trump, speaking at the Bitcoin Mena 2024 conference in Abu Dhabi in December, assured the audience that his father would keep his promises to be &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42499633/exclusive-eric-trump-declares-bitcoin-the-future-details-tax-free-crypto-goals-for-trump-presidency">the most pro-crypto president</a>&#8221; yet. 
He drew parallels between the crypto industry and the Trump family, stating, &#8220;I saw them come after you. I saw them strip your bank accounts.&#8221;
President-elect Trump has promised to create a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42720168/will-trump-administration-sell-gold-to-buy-bitcoin-for-strategic-reserve-in-2025-analyst-says-american-public-wont-tolerate-that">strategic Bitcoin stockpile</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42356067/venture-capitalist-david-sacks-appointed-as-white-house-ai-crypto-czar-by-trump">install a crypto advisory council.</a>
His nomination of Paul Atkins, a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42323248/trump-nominates-paul-atkins-as-sec-chair-emphasizing-digital-assets-as-key-to-making-america-greater">pro-crypto businessman</a>, to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission has been celebrated by industry executives. T
The price of Bitcoin <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42339670/youre-welcomedonald-trump-congratulates-bitcoins-100000-milestone-as-el-salvadors-president-nayib-bukele-takes-victory-lap">breaking through the $100,000 level</a> post-election has further fueled optimism.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42720351/ethereum-to-outperform-bitcoin-in-q1-2025-for-these-3-reasons-whale-trader-says" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ethereum To Outperform Bitcoin In Q1 2025 For These 3 Reasons, Whale Trader Says</a>
Why It Matters: This potential embrace of crypto by Washington and Wall Street raises concerns about increased risks for investors. 
Eswar Prasad, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, warned in The Financial Times, &#8220;The combination of greater legitimacy and light regulation is what I really worry about.&#8221; 
He added that broader adoption at both retail and institutional levels could pose significant risks.
The crypto industry has invested heavily in lobbying efforts, with groups like <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/42200248/ripple-donates-25-million-more-to-crypto-super-pac-fairshake">Fairshake spending millions</a> to support pro-crypto politicians. 
Josh Vlasto, spokesperson for Fairshake, stated their work would have &#8220;a clear and immediate impact&#8221; on Congress&#8217;s ability to approve favorable crypto regulation.
As the industry looks forward to friendlier regulations and potential mainstream acceptance, some experts caution about the systemic risks this could introduce to the traditional financial system. 
Hilary Allen, professor at American University Washington College of Law, noted the irony in an industry born out of desire for an alternative financial system now seeking <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42464720/could-bitcoin-safeguard-americas-financial-future-a-bold-proposal-sparks-debate">acceptance from the U.S. government</a>.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/eurozone/24/12/42724073/european-central-bank-should-consider-bitcoin-reserve-former-german-finance-minister-says">European Central Bank Should Consider Bitcoin Reserve, Former German Finance Minister Says</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Government

Trump Taking Office Could Spell Golden Crypto Era, Industry Hopes

OMEX

13G Shows Capital Latinoamericano, S.A. de C.V. Discloses 8.53 % Stake In Odyssey Marine Exploration

Cango, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CANG#NYSE">CANG</a>) shares are trading higher on Thursday after the company released its December 2024 Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42760006">production update</a>. 
The Details: The company reported that it produced 569.9 Bitcoin in December compared to 363.9 Bitcoin in November. This averages out to 18.4 Bitcoin and 18.9 Bitcoin respectively. 
Furthermore, Cango announced an increased average operating hash rate of 30.4 EH/s in December. In November, the company achieved an average operating hash rate of 29.8 EH/s.
The company had a deployed hash rate of 32 EH/s in both November and December.
How To Buy Cango Shares
By now you're likely curious about how to participate in the market for Cango &#8211; be it to purchase shares, or even attempt to bet against the company.
Buying shares is typically done through a brokerage account. You can find a list of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-stock-trading-platforms">possible trading platforms here.</a> Many will allow you to buy ‘fractional shares,' which allows you to own portions of stock without buying an entire share. For example, some stock, like Berkshire Hathaway, can cost thousands of dollars to own just one share. However, if you only want to invest a fraction of that, brokerages will allow you to do so.
In the case of Cango, which is trading at $5.06 as of publishing time, $100 would buy you 19.76 shares of stock.
If you're looking to bet against a company, the process is more complex. You'll need access to an options trading platform, or a broker who will allow you to ‘go short' a share of stock by lending you the shares to sell. The process of shorting a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock">stock can be found at this resource.</a> Otherwise, if your broker allows you to trade options, you can either buy a put option, or sell a call option at a strike price above where shares are currently trading &#8211; either way it allows you to profit off of the share price decline.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/01/42771235/spotify-empowers-creators-with-new-partner-program-whats-on-the-cards">Spotify Empowers Creators With New Partner Program &#8211; What&#8217;s On The Cards?</a>
CANG Price Action: At the time of writing, Cango stock is trading 14.8% higher at $5.05, according to data from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Image: Image via Shutterstock

CANG

What's Going On With Cango Stock Thursday?

Press Releases

CUBEBIO Co., Ltd. entered into terms relating to a potential business combination with Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp. V

Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp. V Receives Notification of Deficiency from Nasdaq Related to Delayed Filing of Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

Contracts

CUBEBIO Announces Business Combination Agreement With Mountain Crest V to Become Publicly Listed

Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp. V Receives Notification of Deficiency from Nasdaq Related to Delayed Filing of Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Makes Progress Towards Regaining Compliance

Comments

Mountain Crest

Mountain Crest (MCAGU) Forecast

Mountain Crest (OTC:MCAGU) Stock, Quote.Headers.trade-ideas

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