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According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), first-time homebuyers are now on average 38 years old, up three years from 2023 and nearly a decade older than buyers in the 1980s. The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/11/41876775/u-s-homebuyers-are-now-56-on-average-as-younger-generations-struggle-with-wildly-unaffordable-market-housing-expert-warns">median age for all homebuyers reached 56</a>, jumping seven years from 2023&#8217;s figure of 49.
Money talks in today&#8217;s market, with one-third of home purchases made in cash compared to one-fourth during the late 2010s. Existing homeowners tap their home equity for substantial down payments, outmaneuvering first-timers who must borrow at higher rates.
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The share of first-time buyers fell to 24% of the market – down from 32% last year and well below the pre-2008 level of 40%. A Redfin survey found 40% of current homeowners acknowledge they couldn&#8217;t afford their homes at today&#8217;s prices.
Location compounds the challenge. High-paying jobs cluster in cities like Boston, New York, San Francisco, San Jose and Los Angeles, where less than 10% of listed homes fall within reach of median-income households.
Family wealth shapes buying power. A Redfin-commissioned survey revealed over one-third of buyers under 30 planned to use family cash gifts for down payments. University of Chicago economists found children of homeowners face better odds of achieving homeownership themselves, according to HousingWire.
See Also: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/connect-invest-real-estate-notes-y2">These high-yield real estate notes that pay 7.5% &#8211; 9% make earning passive income easier than ever.</a>
&#8220;To reverse these trends, we must address the root causes of unaffordability. That means building starter homes, reforming zoning laws and creating pathways for economic mobility that don&#8217;t rely so heavily on homeownership,&#8221; HousingWire said.
Most new mortgage holders are young borrowers from diverse backgrounds. While they stand to gain from homeownership&#8217;s long-term benefits, many report working longer hours or postponing medical care to afford payments.
The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/09/41082529/its-not-a-housing-crisis-but-a-housing-policy-crisis-homebuilders-call-out-roadblocks-as-prices-surg">affordability and policy crisis hits hardest in major job markets</a>. Cities with strong employment opportunities show median home prices far exceeding what typical earners can afford, forcing extended rental periods while saving for down payments.
Trending: Unlock the hidden potential of commercial real estate —<a href="https://equitymultiple.com/benzinga?invite=benzinga&amp;utm_campaign=product-promotion-earn&amp;utm_source=yahooFinance&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_content=unlockboost-yahoo"> This platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today!</a>
Cash buyers dominate the landscape as existing homeowners leverage equity gains from recent years. First-time buyers face a triple threat: high prices, elevated interest rates and competition from buyers with ready cash.
The generational wealth gap widens as homeownership becomes more difficult for those without family assistance. Potential buyers lacking inherited wealth or homeowner parents face steeper climbs toward ownership.
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Real Estate

38 Years Old, 56 Years Old: America's Homebuyers Are Older – And Wealthier – Than Ever

In a recent forecast, Anthony Pompliano, founder of Morgan Creek Capital, anticipates a significant upswing for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42638493/crypto-analyst-2025-will-continue-to-be-a-great-year-for-bitcoin">broader crypto market in 2025</a>.
What Happened: Pompliano, a prominent crypto advocate, asserts that digital assets are gaining traction in the conventional finance sector, which will act as a key driver in 2025.
Recently <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bPxXF-34XE">on</a> Fox Business, Pompliano said, &#8220;I think the big story of 2025 is going to be that crypto has now grown up and is part of the traditional financial system.&#8221;
He further emphasized that Bitcoin will continue to dominate the crypto sphere, with the majority of capital influx from the traditional sector being directed towards Bitcoin.
&#8220;I think that Bitcoin is the king and will remain the king. Most of the capital flows from the traditional world are going into Bitcoin. There are going to be other assets that enter into the market, you obviously see the Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) ETF get approved and you'll probably see others get approved as well,&#8221; he said during the interview. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42380983/this-analyst-says-bitcoin-could-reach-200k-by-end-of-2025">This Analyst Says Bitcoin Could Reach $200K By End of 2025</a>
Pompliano also pointed out that the case for any crypto other than Bitcoin is essentially a technological one, drawing parallels to the choice between tech behemoths such as Google, Amazon and Facebook.
&#8220;The argument for anything other than Bitcoin is a very different one, it's a technology argument. It's no different than trying to pick between Google, Amazon, and Facebook. The Bitcoin argument is much more akin to ‘Do I want to protect my purchasing power?&#8217;"
Despite the recent declaration by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell that the U.S. is legally prohibited from holding BTC as a reserve asset, Pompliano maintains a positive outlook for Bitcoin&#8217;s future. At the time of the report, Bitcoin was trading at $94,108, reflecting a 2.1% drop on the day.
Why It Matters: Pompliano&#8217;s forecast comes at a time when cryptocurrencies are increasingly being recognized and adopted by traditional financial institutions. 
This growing acceptance, coupled with technological advancements in the crypto space, is expected to fuel the predicted surge in 2025. 
Despite regulatory hurdles, such as the recent statement by the Fed Chair, the optimism surrounding Bitcoin and other digital assets remains high, indicating a promising future for the crypto market.
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Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

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Analyst Says This Single Factor Could Propel Bitcoin And Crypto To New Heights In 2025

Ever wondered what it feels like to become a millionaire? Kevin O'Leary, aka &#8220;Mr. Wonderful&#8221; from Shark Tank, has an answer that might surprise you: He doesn't remember – and he doesn't care.
For many, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/11/42223593/70-of-millionaires-dont-think-theyre-rich-even-though-people-are-wealthier-than-ever-they-dont-feel-it">hitting the millionaire milestone feels like</a> the ultimate dream. But O'Leary says it's not about the money. "People ask me all the time, ‘What did it feel like to become a millionaire?' My answer? I don't remember," Kevin shared. "That's not why I did it. It's not about chasing money."
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">People always ask me, ‘What did it feel like to become a millionaire?' My answer? I don't remember—and I don't care. Chasing money isn't the goal. Solve big problems, and the money will come. But here's the real prize: personal freedom. That's what it's all about. Go solve… <a href="https://t.co/9BFYLGkP7f">pic.twitter.com/9BFYLGkP7f</a>
&mdash; Kevin O&#39;Leary aka Mr. Wonderful (@kevinolearytv) <a href="https://twitter.com/kevinolearytv/status/1870486863116636248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">It's About Solving Problems and Gaining Freedom</h2>
So, if it's not about the money, what is it about? According to Kevin, the real reward is personal freedom. "Solve big problems and the money will come," he explains. But it's freedom – being able to do what you love on your terms – that makes it all worthwhile.
Kevin believes that when you're passionate about solving problems, financial success naturally follows. But he also points out that the journey doesn't end when the bank account hits seven figures. In fact, for him, the work only got more exciting. "I woke up rich one day, but I didn't care. I work harder now than I ever did before."
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elon-musk-told-the-u-n-if-they-could-show-a-plan-for-ending-world-hunger-hed-donate-6-billion-i-will-sell-tesla-stock-right-now-and-do-it">Elon Musk Told The U.N. If They Could Show A Plan For Ending World Hunger He'd Donate $6 Billion – ‘I Will Sell Tesla Stock Right Now And Do It'</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Retiring Early: A Dream or a Dull Reality?</h2>
Still, what he said earlier this year tells a somewhat different story. In his mid-30s, he sold his first company, Softkey, for $4.2 billion and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/09/40776473/it-was-boring-kevin-oleary-explored-every-beach-on-earth-after-he-first-got-rich-but-the-highs-and-l">decided to retire and live the dream</a>. He spent three years traveling to stunning beaches and exploring the world, but instead of happiness, he found boredom.
"I thought, ‘Hey, I'm 36, I can retire now.' And that's exactly what I did. But after three years, I realized it was really boring," Kevin admitted.
He discovered that work isn't just about money – it's about having a purpose. "Work gives you social interaction, keeps you thinking and makes life more interesting," Kevin says. That realization brought him back into the game, this time as an investor.
Trending: The number of ‘401(k)' Millionaires is up 43% from last year —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/401k-millionaires"> Here are three ways to join the club.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why the F.I.R.E. Movement Misses the Mark</h2>
Kevin's experience puts him at odds with the popular F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement. While F.I.R.E. encourages people to save aggressively and retire young, Kevin says early retirement often results in a lack of fulfillment.
"This whole idea of Financial Independence, Retire Early <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/07/39938702/dave-ramsey-says-the-fire-movement-isnt-sustainable-to-caller-who-spent-5-years-working-3-jobs-t">doesn't work</a>," he explains. People think, &#8220;I'm going to retire early and life will be perfect,&#8221; but they're wrong. Staying engaged is how you stay sharp and healthy, according to O'Leary.
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What's The Feeling When You Become A Millionaire? Kevin O'Leary Shares His Take On The Defining Moment

President-elect Donald Trump&#8216;s estranged niece Mary Trump recently shared some of her most peculiar Christmas gift experiences with her uncle.
What Happened: Known for her vocal criticism of the President-elect, Mary Trump often uses online platforms to express her views.
In a recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u_K67M9WHw">video</a>, she reflected on some of the more unusual gifts she received from her uncle.
She recalled a &#8220;single shoe&#8221; filled with hard candy, which she suspects was a regifted &#8220;party favor&#8221; from a luncheon hosted by Donald Trump's first wife, Ivana Trump.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42635765/mary-trumps-warning-donald-trumps-second-term-already-is-more-dangerous-than-the-first">Mary Trump&#8217;s Warning: Donald Trump&#8217;s Second Term &#8216;Already Is More Dangerous Than the First&#8217;</a>
Mary also recounted a playful sibling rivalry with her brother over who could receive the &#8220;worst&#8221; gift — a competition sparked by a leather-bound calendar that was already two years outdated.
She also revealed that her first gift from Donald and Ivana Trump was a three-pack of underwear from Bloomingdales. &#8220;It was a very exciting&nbsp;moment, and it just kind&nbsp;of got weirder from there,&#8221; she said in the post.
Why It Matters: The revelations from Mary Trump come at a time when Donald Trump, who won the 2024 presidential election against Vice President Kamala Harris, is preparing to begin his second term in the White House in January. 
These personal anecdotes provide a unique insight into the private life of the once and future president, adding a humanizing layer to the often controversial figure.
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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Politics

Mary Trump Reveals the Worst Christmas Gift She Ever Received from Uncle Donald Trump

Benzinga examined the prospects for<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas"> many investors&#8217; favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here&#8217;s a look at some of our top stories.
Major U.S. indexes ended the week higher, with the Dow up 0.4%, S&amp;P 500 gaining 0.7%, and Nasdaq rising 0.8%, breaking a three-week decline streak. 
The S&amp;P 500&#8217;s strong Christmas Eve performance fueled hopes for a &#8220;Santa Rally,&#8221; a historical trend showing gains 64 out of 96 years during <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/12/42675763/santa-rally-serial-winners-10-stocks-historically-poised-for-big-year-end-gains">December&#8217;s final week. </a>Markets started recovering from the Fed&#8217;s hawkish rate cut signals but faced renewed volatility Friday, tempering Santa Rally expectations. 
Despite near-term uncertainty, 2024 remains exceptional, with the S&amp;P 500 matching last year&#8217;s 24% gain and U.S. stocks outperforming global markets by the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42711387/wall-streets-santa-rally-at-risk-palantir-dethrones-nvidia-consumer-confidence-pulls-back-this-week-in-the-markets">widest margin since 1997.</a>
Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week&#8217;s most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Bulls</h3>
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42657620/amd-and-micron-top-analyst-picks-for-ai-and-next-gen-tech-growth">AMD And Micron Are Top Analyst Picks For AI And Next-Gen Tech Growth</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/anusuya-lahiri-0">Anusuya Lahiri</a>, highlights Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) being a top 2025 analyst&#8217;s pick for CPU/GPU momentum and AI edge opportunities, and Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>) for its dominance in high-bandwidth memory.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42676474/dogecoin-whales-load-up-coins-worth-92-million-over-4-days-as-meme-king-outperforms-bitcoin-ethereum-in-2024">Dogecoin Whales Load Up Coins Worth $92 Million Over 4 Days As Meme King Outperforms Bitcoin, Ethereum In 2024</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>, reports that whale investors acquired 270 million Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>), worth $92 million, over four days, boosting DOGE's 274% YTD rally, far outpacing 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>) gains of 132% and 53%, respectively.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42698198/quantum-computing-stock-qubt-has-more-than-doubled-while-bitcoin-has-dropped-since-googles-willow-reveal-what-does-this-mean">Quantum Computing Stock QUBT Soars 157% While Bitcoin Drops Post Google's &#8216;Willow&#8217; Reveal</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/aniket-verma">Aniket Verma</a>, highlights Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QUBT#NASDAQ">QUBT</a>) surging after Google's &#8220;Willow&#8221; chip breakthrough, outperforming key indices, while Bitcoin faced a downturn amid concerns Willow&#8217;s quantum power could undermine cryptographic security.
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42678014/top-7-blue-chip-stocks-with-the-best-return-potential-going-into-2025">Top 7 Blue-Chip Stocks With The Best Return Potential Going Into 2025</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42666472/gms-60000-cadillac-lyriq-was-its-best-selling-ev-in-2024-as-of-q3-is-premium-the-way-to-go-for-ev-makers">GM&#8217;s $60,000 Cadillac Lyriq Was Its Best Selling EV In 2024 As Of Q3: Is Premium The Way To Go For EV Makers?</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/24/12/42672565/why-trumps-return-to-office-could-drive-gold-demand-in-2025">Why Trump&#8217;s Return To Office Could Drive Gold Demand In 2025</a>
The Bears
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42660092/microstrategy-sinks-after-nasdaq-100-inclusion-bitcoin-bet-under-fire">MicroStrategy Sinks After Nasdaq 100 Inclusion: Bitcoin Bet Under Fire</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/piero-cingari">Piero Cingari</a>, reports MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) shares dropping 8.5% after its Nasdaq 100 debut, as analysts question its $561 million Bitcoin purchase at a 12% premium to current levels, marking its smallest acquisition amid declining stock performance.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/12/42688941/are-us-vehicles-under-30000-a-thing-of-the-past-trumps-mexico-tariff-plans-could-change-auto-market">Are Sub-$30,000 Cars Disappearing? Trump&#8217;s Tariff Plans Could Reshape US Auto Market</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a>, explores Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, potentially pushing the price of vehicles like Ford Motor Co.&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) Maverick and Honda Motor Co.&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HMC#NYSE">HMC</a>) Civic above $30,000, with one-third of sub-$30,000 cars currently made in Mexico.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42665033/tesla-shorts-gordon-johnson-and-james-chanos-express-skepticism-on-robotaxi-potential-as-usage-data-sparks-debate">Tesla Shorts Gordon Johnson And James Chanos Skeptical Of Robotaxi Potential Amid Usage Data Debate</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/kaustubh-bagalkote">Kaustubh Bagalkote</a>, details criticism from Gordon Johnson of GLJ Research and short-seller James Chanos, who argue Tesla Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) robotaxi ambitions overpromise revenue potential, citing New York City ride-share data.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42676801/lyft-sues-san-francisco-over-100-million-tax-bill-citing-misclassification-of-driver-payments">Lyft Sues San Francisco Over $100 Million Tax Bill, Says Payments To Drivers By Passengers Misclassified</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42700098/us-markets-likely-headed-for-10-correction-says-jay-woods-trumps-tariff-plans-musk-co-led-doge-could-be-partially-to-blame">US Markets Likely Headed For 10% Correction, Says Jay Woods: Trump&#8217;s Tariff Plans, Musk&#8217;s DOGE Advocacy Among Contributing Factors</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42687945/zelle-became-a-gold-mine-for-fraudsters-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-lawsuit">&#8216;Zelle Became A Gold Mine For Fraudsters&#8217;: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Lawsuit</a>
Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following<a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga"> Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga"> on Twitter</a>.
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

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Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Quantum Computing, Tesla, AMD — And Whales Buy 270 Million Dogecoin Over 4 Days

A 25-year-old <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/10/41517544/timing-the-market-here-are-americas-next-10-boomtowns">South Carolina</a> YouTuber turned a $7,000 school bus into a two-story home, spending $50,000 on renovations to create a full-time living space with two bedrooms, an office and a full bathroom.
Chay Denne, known online as President Chay, documented the six-month transformation on his YouTube channel. The project began with removing 28 seats from the 40-foot bus, which Denne selected for its reliable engine condition.
The renovation&#8217;s centerpiece involved raising the roof four feet – something Denne says sets a YouTube record for school bus conversions. His father designed wooden jacks to lift the roof &#8220;safely and squarely,&#8221; allowing for 9-foot ceilings and two-story living space in the rear section.
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&#8220;Once everything was cut, it was time to try lifting it. It took many tries to get it right, but eventually, we raised it. You might be surprised to know that we went another foot higher,&#8221; Denne told viewers in his documentation series.
According to a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/12/42462666/plan-and-budget-for-the-mid-6-range-what-homebuyers-can-expect-in-2025-according-to-realtor-com">Realtor.com report</a>, the build required extensive weatherproofing. The team clamped and welded steel tubing to cut metal sections overnight to secure the shell before adding exterior siding. The finished structure stands 10 feet tall.
Interior work started with a multilayered floor system: thick plastic for water protection, 3-inch closed-cell foam for mold prevention and insulation, two-by-fours and a rigid subfloor. The team opted for a flat ceiling rather than the curved design common in bus conversions.
See Also: Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, and<a href="https://equitymultiple.com/benzinga?invite=benzinga&amp;utm_campaign=product-promotion-earn&amp;utm_source=yahooFinance&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_content=stockmarket-yahoo"> this platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000 offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today!</a>
The floor plan includes two bedrooms, an office and a full bathroom with working plumbing supported by built-in water tanks. The kitchen features a four-seat bar, while a 9-foot attic above the bathroom provides storage space. A dehumidifier prevents moisture buildup.
Denne&#8217;s girlfriend, Kelsey, assisted throughout the project. Upon completion, he proposed on the bus&#8217;s roof deck during a beach trip. &#8220;She has been my biggest supporter since Day 1, even helping with the first video on this channel,&#8221; Denne said.
The renovation serves as Denne&#8217;s solution to rising housing costs. His previous experience with smaller vehicle conversions and micro-campers led him to tackle the full-size bus project. &#8220;I decided I&#8217;d had it with rent and bought a full-size school bus,&#8221; he said. &#8220;This bus was going to make the perfect house because it ran beautifully and was super powerful.&#8221;
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'I'd Had It With Rent': Man Builds $57K Dream Home Out Of A 2-Story School Bus

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Sues Rocket Homes, Alleges Kickback Scheme</h2>
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued Rocket Homes, a division of Rocket Companies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RKT#NYSE">RKT</a>), on Monday in what it said is an action stop the company from providing incentives to real estate brokers and agents to steer homebuyers to Rocket Mortgage,<a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-files-lawsuit-to-stop-illegal-kickback-scheme-to-steer-borrowers-to-rocket-mortgage/"> LLC for loans</a>.
The CFPB alleged that Rocket Homes pressured real estate brokers and agents not to share information with clients concerning products which were not offered by Rocket Mortgage, including the availability of down payment assistance programs.&nbsp;
Read Next:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42687945/zelle-became-a-gold-mine-for-fraudsters-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-lawsuit"> &#8216;Zelle Became A Gold Mine For Fraudsters&#8217;: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Lawsuit</a>
"Rocket engaged in a kickback scheme that discouraged homebuyers from comparison shopping and getting the best deal," said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra.&nbsp;
"At a time when homeownership feels out of reach for so many, companies should not illegally block competition in ways that drive up the cost of housing," Chopra added.
The CFPB also sued Jason Mitchell and his real estate brokerage firm, JMG Holding Partners LLC, which does business as The Jason Mitchell Group, for allegedly participating in the kickback scheme.&nbsp;
Rocket Homes denied the allegations in a statement late Monday, calling the lawsuit "flimsy" and part of a "political agenda.&#8221;
"The CFPB's allegations are false and a distortion of reality. The accusation that homebuyers paid more when working with Rocket Homes is a lie. Additionally, the notion that Rocket Homes penalized real estate brokers or agents for helping clients compare rates and choose the best lender for them is also a lie," the statement said, per Yahoo Finance.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SEC Charges Tai Mo Shan With Misleading Investors About Terra USD</h2>
The Securities and Exchange Commission last Friday<a href="https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2024-212"> charged</a> Tai Mo Shan Ltd. with misleading investors about the stability of Terra USD, when UST dropped from its purportedly fixed exchange rate of 1 UST to $1, known as a peg.&nbsp;
The SEC also charged Tai Mo Shan with offering and selling securities in unregistered transactions by acting as a statutory underwriter with respect to certain of its offers and sales of LUNA (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/luna/usd">LUNA</a>), a crypto asset issued by Terraform and offered and sold as a security.&nbsp;
"This case reminds us that, too many times in the crypto markets, we've seen significant investor losses due to fraud," said SEC Chair Gary Gensler.&nbsp;
"Here, the impact reverberated throughout the crypto markets, eventually costing the savings of countless investors. Regardless of the labels, crypto market participants should comply with the securities laws where applicable and not deceive the public. Otherwise, investors get hurt," Gensler added.&nbsp;
Tai Mo Shan agreed to pay $73,452,756 in disgorgement, $12,916,153 in prejudgment interest, and a $36,726,378 civil penalty as part of the settlement. Tai Mo Shan also agreed to cease and desist from violations of the registration and fraud provisions it violated, without admitting or denying the SEC's findings.
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Fintech news covering the emerging Financial Technology services sector

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Legal

$LUNA

Financial Crime Weekly: SEC Charges Tai Mo Shan With Misleading Terra USD Investors, Rocket Companies Sued Over Alleged Kickback Scheme

Billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, advisers to President-elect Donald Trump on federal spending, are urging support for foreign tech workers &#8211; a stance that has ignited a Twitter firestorm among Trump's far-right base. 
The debate over immigration policy and the tech industry's reliance on skilled labor is at the core of the rift between Trump&#8217;s nationalist supporters and the Silicon Valley leaders backing his administration, underscoring potential challenges for Trump, who takes office on January 20, 2025.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Big Tech&#8217;s Reliance On Foreign Talent</h2>
The tech sector has long championed the H-1B visa program, which enables U.S. companies to hire thousands of foreign engineers and specialists annually, primarily from India and China. However, Trump's first administration restricted the program in 2020, arguing it displaced American workers with lower-paid foreign employees.
Musk, a former H-1B visa holder whose company Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) has utilized the program, defended the industry's position in a Dec. 25, <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1871956518213656728">post on X,</a> "There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent. It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley." 
Ramaswamy went further. "‘Normalcy' doesn't cut it in a hyper-competitive global market for technical talent. And if we pretend like it does, we'll have our asses handed to us by China," he wrote in a long <a href="https://x.com/VivekGRamaswamy/status/1872312139945234507">X post</a>.
"Our American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long (at least since the 90s and likely longer). That doesn't start in college, it starts YOUNG," he continued.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Laura Loomer Looms Over MAGA</h2>
Earlier in the week, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40867076/laura-loomer-faces-republican-wrath-over-racist-posts-is-donald-trump-defending-her">Laura Loomer</a>, a far-right activist known for racist and conspiratorial remarks, criticized Trump's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42639812/trump-taps-sriram-krishnan-as-senior-ai-advisor-to-work-closely-with-ai-and-crypto-czar-david-sacks">decision to name Sriram Krishnan</a> as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy. Krishnan supports bringing more skilled immigrants into the U.S., which Loomer called "not America First policy" and accused tech executives of self-enrichment.
Loomer&#8217;s comments provoked <a href="https://x.com/DavidSacks/status/1871731437906645421">commentary on X </a>from venture capitalist and former PayPal (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PYPL#NASDAQ">PYPL</a>) executive David Sacks, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42356067/venture-capitalist-david-sacks-appointed-as-white-house-ai-crypto-czar-by-trump">Trump's newly appointed</a> "White House A.I. &amp; Crypto Czar," who said on Wednesday that attacks against Krishnan &#8220;have become crude.&#8221;
Late Friday, <a href="https://x.com/LauraLoomer/status/1872846772630163604">Loomer tweeted</a> that Musk had censored her account &#8220;in retaliation for speaking out about Big Tech and immigration&#8221; And that &#8220;MAGA is under attack."
Nikki Haley, former U.N. Ambassador and 2024 presidential candidate, also took to X on Thursday to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42696536/nikki-haley-blasts-doge-co-head-vivek-ramaswamy-for-his-take-on-american-culture-all-you-have-to-do-is-look-at-the-border-and-see-how-many-want-what-we-have">blast Ramaswamy</a>. 
Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42696536/nikki-haley-blasts-doge-co-head-vivek-ramaswamy-for-his-take-on-american-culture-all-you-have-to-do-is-look-at-the-border-and-see-how-many-want-what-we-have">Nikki Haley Blasts DOGE Co-Head Vivek Ramaswamy For His Take On &#8216;American Culture&#8217; — &#8216;All You Have To Do Is Look At The Border And See How Many Want What We Have&#8217;</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Where Does Trump Stand?</h2>
While Trump has not yet weighed in on the intensifying Twitter squabble, his positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his threat of mass deportation, were central to his campaign
That said, the online feud reflects the challenges Trump could face in keeping his MAGA base and his Silicon Valley billionaires playing nice together. 
"It's a sign of future conflicts," <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/12/27/h-1b-visas-elon-musk-trump-immigration/">said</a> Samuel Hammond, a senior economist at the Foundation for American Innovation. "This is like the pregame."
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Biotech

Government

Regulations

PYPL

Musk And Ramaswamy Back Foreign Tech Workers, Sparking Rift In MAGA Trump Camp & Twitter Firestorm

This holiday season, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42676715/openai-ceo-sam-altman-crowdsources-2025-goals-sora-upgrades-top-user-wishlist">OpenAI</a>'s employees and former staff could experience an extraordinary financial windfall. A private stock sale orchestrated by the San Francisco-based leading AI company will allow approximately 400 eligible participants to cash in up to $10 million each, marking one of the most lucrative employee payouts in the tech industry.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Special Stock Sale</h2>
The opportunity comes via a tender offer from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42513807/trump-says-softbanks-100b-commitment-to-us-is-monumental-demonstration-of-confidence-in-americas-future">Japan's SoftBank Group</a>, which has agreed to purchase up to $1.6 billion of OpenAI stock at $210 per share. This price reflects OpenAI's valuation of $157 billion, which has doubled in just a year, according to Fortune. Eligible shareholders include current and former OpenAI employees who were issued restricted stock units more than two years ago.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who Benefits?</h2>
Current OpenAI employees will receive priority in this stock sale. Fortune reports they can cash out the maximum allowable amount of $10 million each. Former employees, while also eligible, may face limits depending on the level of participation. However, all participants are guaranteed to sell at least $2 million worth of stock, ensuring that everyone benefits from the opportunity.
The participation deadline was set for Dec. 24, so the resulting payout offers a timely holiday bonus for those involved. The eligible stock is reportedly valued at $2 billion, but some shares may remain unsold, with SoftBank purchasing $1.6 billion.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Growing Valuation</h2>
OpenAI's stock sale aligns with its dramatic growth. According to CNBC, since the launch of ChatGPT, the company has raised $13 billion, including $6.6 billion in its most recent fundraising round in October. SoftBank initially invested $500 million during this round and its latest tender offer represents an even greater stake in the AI leader. Other notable investors include <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42679515/microsoft-invested-nearly-14-billion-in-openai-but-now-its-reducing-its-dependence-on-the-chatgpt-pa">Microsoft</a> and chipmaker Nvidia.
See Also: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a>
Tender offers like this have become increasingly important in the tech industry, especially given a subdued IPO market. By allowing employees to sell shares, companies like OpenAI provide liquidity to their teams while avoiding the pressures of going public.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Policy Revisions</h2>
This tender offer also reflects OpenAI's evolving policies toward secondary share sales. Past restrictions limited participation and raised employee concerns, but the company has since introduced changes to create a more inclusive process. Now, current and former employees have equal access to annual tender offers, ensuring a fairer system.
According to CNBC, the policy shift has quelled shareholder tensions while positioning OpenAI to maintain its capital-intensive operations. With plans to facilitate more secondary sales in the future, the company is addressing the growing demand for liquidity among tech workers.
Trending: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $70 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Competition and Market Dynamics</h2>
OpenAI faces stiff competition from rivals such as Anthropic and tech giants like Google. Yet, the company's valuation and continued fundraising highlight its dominance in the rapidly expanding generative AI market. Bloomberg states it will generate $1 trillion in revenue within the next decade.
SoftBank's commitment to AI investments extends beyond OpenAI. The conglomerate has backed other startups, including Glean and Perplexity and recently announced plans with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42654769/tiktok-ban-under-trump-president-elect-wants-to-keep-months-after-pelosi-said-follow-the-money">President-elect Donald Trump</a> to allocate $100 billion toward projects in the U.S., according to The Associated Press.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Holiday Cheer for OpenAI Employees</h2>
This tender offer represents a rare opportunity for OpenAI's employees to turn their equity into tangible wealth. Whether they cash out partially or take full advantage of the $10 million cap, the payout is a testament to the company's success and commitment to rewarding its team.
OpenAI's stock sale reminds us of the financial opportunities available in the tech industry, especially for those working at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence.
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Startups

OpenAI's Big Holiday Payday: How 400 Employees Could Walk Away With $10 Million Each

Nine U.S. telecom firms have been hacked as part of a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/10/41299017/lawmakers-demand-answers-from-at-t-verizon-and-lumen-over-chinese-hack"> Chinese-linked hacking campaign dubbed Salt Typhoon</a> as of Friday, top White House official Anne Neuberger said.
What Happened: Earlier this month, the Biden administration said that at least eight telecommunication companies have been affected by the hacking campaign. However, a ninth company has now been attacked, Neuberger, the U.S. deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology,&nbsp;confirmed on Friday without revealing the name of the company. 
As per officials, the hackers gained access to the private communication of an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41556817/trump-vances-phone-data-reportedly-compromised-by-chinese-cyber-group">unknown number of Americans</a> as part of the campaign. A large number of affected individuals are in the Washington Virginia area, Neuberger said on Friday. 
&#8220;We believe it was the goal of identifying who those phones belong to and if they were government targets of interest for follow-on espionage and intelligence collection of communications, of texts, and phone calls on those particular phones,&#8221;&nbsp;she said. 
China, however, has previously denied responsibility for the hacking.
Why It Matters: &#8220;We wouldn't leave our homes, our offices unlocked, and yet our critical infrastructure — the private companies owning and operating our critical infrastructure often do not have the basic cybersecurity practices in place that would make our infrastructure riskier, costlier, and harder for countries and criminals to attack,&#8221; Neuberger said, while calling for defensible infrastructure. 
Voluntary cybersecurity practices, Neuberger said, are inadequate to protect against China Russia, and Iran&#8217;s hacking efforts.
The FCC has launched a notice of a public rule to ensure telecom companies are putting into place basic cybersecurity practices. It is now waiting for all commissioners to vote on the rule by Jan. 15.
&#8220;We really are eager to have the bipartisan support across the FCC to ensure that telecom companies must put in place those basic cybersecurity practices that would make it harder, riskier, and costlier for the Chinese to compromise those networks in the future,&#8221; Neuberger said on Friday.
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Tech

Telecom Industry Targeted: Salt Typhoon Hackers Breach Nine Companies

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet L Yellen reportedly said on Friday that the government has less than three weeks to raise its debt limit.
What Happened: Unless the government raises its debt limit, it will need to take &nbsp;"extraordinary measures" to sustain federal operations starting between Jan. 14 and Jan. 23, Yellen said in a letter to members of Congress, as <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/12/27/debt-ceiling-yellen/">reported</a> by The Washington Post.
The government is starting to run out of money to finance its debt obligations, she noted while urging Congress to act.
Why It Matters: The debt ceiling refers to the limit of how much the Treasury can borrow. Failing to raise it risks a government default, jeopardizing programs like Social Security, Medicaid, and housing assistance. A default could also spike interest rates, as the U.S. might lose its reputation as a creditworthy borrower.&nbsp;
Earlier this month, President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42635450/why-trump-wants-debt-ceiling-killed-before-he-takes-office">called for either raising or completely eliminating the borrowing limit</a>, a move that could resolve the issue before he assumes office and allow him to pursue his agenda without future debt-ceiling battles.
&#8220;Congress must get rid of, or extend out to, perhaps, 2029, the ridiculous Debt Ceiling,&#8221; Trump wrote in a Truth Social&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113683687655180611" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">post</a>. &#8220;Without this, we should never make a deal. Remember, the pressure is on whoever is President.&#8221;
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Photos courtesy: Shutterstock and Flickr

Economics

US Government Has Less Than 3 Weeks To Raise Debt Ceiling Before Resorting To 'Extraordinary Measures,' Says Treasury Secretary Yellen

The world&#8217;s richest man Elon Musk earlier this week admitted to using the weight loss drug Mounjaro. 
What Happened: Musk on Christmas posted a picture of himself donning the Santa Claus costume with the caption &#8220;Ozempic Santa.&#8221; 
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Ozempic Santa <a href="https://t.co/7YECSNpWoz">pic.twitter.com/7YECSNpWoz</a>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1872086971557761348?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The billionaire later clarified that he uses Mounjaro but chose to caption his picture otherwise as Mounjaro doesn&#8217;t have the same &#8220;ring&#8221; to it as Ozempic. 
Musk said that he chose Mounjaro produced by Eli Lilly (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) over Ozempic produced by&nbsp;Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) owing to seemingly fewer side effects. 
&#8220;High doses of Ozempic made me fart &amp; burp like Barney from the Simpson's. Mounjaro seems to have fewer side effects and be more effective,&#8221; he said. 
<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">High doses of Ozempic made me fart &amp; burp like Barney from the Simpson's &#x1f923; Mounjaro seems to have fewer side effects and be more effective.
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1872109586947428455?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Musk has previously voiced his support for weight loss drugs saying that the health benefits of reducing obesity far exceed the side effects of using the drugs.
&#8220;While no drug is without side effects, health problems associated with obesity almost certainly exceed the risks of GLP-1 agonists,&#8221; Musk said as early as Oct. 2023. GLP-1&nbsp;agonists are a class of medications that can help manage Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Why It Matters: While Musk, who was named by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, is all for weight-loss drugs, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/24/12/42607280/elon-musk-vs-rfk-jr-obesity-crisis-debate-sparks-struggle-for-trumps-influence">is not.</a>
 In November, Trump selected Kennedy Jr.,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42254495/trumps-hhs-pick-rfk-jr-has-a-long-history-of-challenging-global-health-policies">known for his outspoken skepticism about vaccines</a>, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services which oversees drug regulation, among other things. 
Kennedy Jr. has previously voiced criticism for Ozempic, terming it as a means of gladdening the wallets of distant Big Pharma execs. In September, he criticized a New York Times opinion piece on Ozempic saying that the piece failed to acknowledge the causes behind obesity such as &#8220;our sickening food system&#8221; and sedentary lifestyle. 
&#8220;According to the writer, obesity seems to be a matter of lack—a lack of bariatric surgeries and a lack of Ozempic courtesy of Novo Nordisk, a Danish multinational whose wealth is bigger than Denmark's entire economy. As this drug becomes more widely available, the journalist seems to suggest, &#8216;America's biggest health problem&#8217; will be under control,&#8221; he wrote about the piece on social media platform X.
&#8220;Instead of fixing our food system and addressing the obesity crisis at its root, the author focuses on a drug that may palliate the symptom – and gladden the wallets of distant Big Pharma execs.&#8221;
&#8220;When I'm working in the next administration, I will address our sick food system—and the corrupt government agencies—to help make our country healthy again,&#8221; Kennedy Jr. then said while also adding that people should consider kitchen gardens instead of sending money to Denmark.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The MSM cheerleading for Ozempic has begun! New op-ed in the NYT "Opinion &#x7C; Is Obesity a Disease? It's Complicated in the Age of Ozempic" does make a valid point: that weight-shaming is cruel and that obesity is not a failure of character (we are not, she rightly and humanely…
&mdash; Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1839286350626914756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Elon Musk Admits To Using Weight Loss Medication Criticized By RFK Jr, Says He Prefers Mounjaro Over Miracle Drug Ozempic

Cyberhaven, a data-loss prevention startup, has confirmed a security breach involving its Google Chrome <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/google-chrome">browser extension</a>. Hackers managed to release a malicious update capable of stealing user passwords and session tokens.
What Happened: The breach was confirmed by&nbsp;Cyberhaven&nbsp;on Friday, although specifics were not disclosed. The email, shared&nbsp;by security researcher Matt Johansen,&nbsp;revealed that a company account was compromised to release the malicious update on Dec. 25.
This update allowed sensitive data to be extracted to the attacker&#8217;s domain.
The company stated that its security team identified the breach on December 25 and removed the malicious extension from the Chrome Web Store, replacing it with a legitimate version, according <a href="https://www.vulnu.com/p/breaking-cyberhaven-chrome-extension-compromised">to</a> a report by Vulnerable U.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42677149/nvidia-ces-2025-keynote-how-to-watch-jensen-huang-unveil-the-rtx-5000-series-gpus?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nvidia CES 2025 Keynote: How To Watch Jensen Huang Unveil The RTX 5000 Series GPUs</a>
Cyberhaven&#8217;s email advised affected users to revoke and rotate passwords and review logs for suspicious activity.
The company has engaged an incident response firm and is cooperating with federal law enforcement.
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Why It Matters: This breach highlights ongoing security challenges related to browser extensions.
Earlier this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38031117/has-chrome-been-tracking-you-during-incognito-mode-the-answer-is-yes-and-now-google-says-it-will-del">Google faced scrutiny</a>&nbsp;over its Chrome browser&#8217;s privacy practices, particularly in &#8220;incognito&#8221; mode, where data collection was found to occur without user consent. This incident underscores the importance of robust security measures in browser extensions.
Amid these security concerns, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38684470/google-to-wield-ai-for-new-cybersecurity-tool-dubbed-threat-intelligence">Google has recently</a> integrated AI in its Threat Intelligence tool to enhance its cybersecurity posture. This tool aims to rapidly identify vulnerabilities, which could be crucial in preventing similar breaches.
The search giant also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41375089/google-urges-9th-circuit-to-halt-dangerous-epic-ruling-cites-substantial-new-security-risks">filed an appeal</a>&nbsp;against the Epic Games ruling, citing a higher risk of new security issues.
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Unsplash

Google Chrome Users Beware This Holiday Season: Cyber Security Firm's Browser Extension Hijacked By Attackers

Encode, a nonprofit organization, has joined forces with Elon Musk in a legal effort to prevent OpenAI <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42712683/openai-lays-out-its-for-profit-transition-plans-says-it-must-evolve-to-advance-its-agi-mission">from transitioning into a for-profit entity</a>. This move comes as Encode files a request to submit an amicus brief in support of Musk&#8217;s injunction.
What Happened: Encode has aligned with Musk to oppose OpenAI&#8217;s transition to a for-profit entity. Encode has filed a request to submit an amicus brief supporting Musk&#8217;s injunction.
The brief, submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, argues that OpenAI&#8217;s shift would compromise its mission to develop transformative technology safely. Encode claims that OpenAI&#8217;s conversion would prioritize financial returns over public safety and benefits.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42664762/after-investing-nearly-14-billion-in-openai-microsoft-reportedly-moves-to-reduce-its-dependence-on-chatgpt-parent?itm_source=parsely-api">Microsoft Invested Nearly $14 Billion In OpenAI But Now It&#8217;s Reducing Its Dependence On The ChatGPT-Parent</a>
OpenAI, originally a nonprofit, has evolved into a hybrid structure with a for-profit arm. It plans to transition into a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation, which has raised concerns among stakeholders.
Musk, an early OpenAI contributor, filed a lawsuit in November to stop this change, accusing OpenAI of straying from its original mission.
OpenAI has dismissed Musk&#8217;s allegations as unfounded. Meanwhile, Meta Platforms Inc. has also expressed opposition, warning of significant impacts on Silicon Valley.
Encode&#8217;s brief highlights the potential risks of OpenAI&#8217;s restructuring, emphasizing the need for a safety-focused nonprofit to maintain control over advanced AI developments.
Why It Matters: The legal battle over OpenAI&#8217;s transition to a for-profit model has significant implications for the future of artificial intelligence.
OpenAI, backed by Microsoft Corp., outlined its plans to evolve into a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42712683/openai-lays-out-its-for-profit-transition-plans-says-it-must-evolve-to-advance-its-agi-mission">Delaware Public Benefit Corporation</a>, aiming to balance shareholder and stakeholder interests while maintaining its mission of ensuring artificial general intelligence (AGI) benefits all humanity.
The restructuring could result in a substantial financial gain for CEO Sam Altman, with a potential <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41043358/sam-altman-poised-for-10-5b-payday-as-openai-transitions-to-for-profit-model-with-150b-valuation-on">$10.5 billion payday</a> as OpenAI seeks to attract more investors.
This move has raised concerns among stakeholders, including Musk, who filed for a court injunction in December to block the transition, citing a deviation from OpenAI&#8217;s original mission.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech"> following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Elon Musk's Legal Battle Against OpenAI's For-Profit Transition Joined By Non-Profit Encode

Chinese EV startup Li Auto&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LI#NASDAQ">LI</a>) founder and CEO Li Xiang on Friday reportedly backed the use of LiDAR technology in the company&#8217;s vehicles, saying it is necessary on the roads in China.
What Happened: "I believe that if Musk had ever driven on different highways in China deep in the night, he would have chosen to keep a LiDAR in the front as well," Li Xiang said at an AI talk event on Friday, as <a href="https://cnevpost.com/2024/12/27/tesla-would-use-lidar-if-musk-drove-on-china-highways-night/">reported</a> by CNEVPOST. The CEO was responding to a question on why Li Auto continues to use LiDAR when Tesla doesn&#8217;t.
"China is different from the US. If you regularly drive at night in China, you&#8217;ll see large trucks with broken taillights, and the large trucks with broken taillights maybe even parked right on the main road," the CEO said while adding that the company will continue to use the technology in future vehicle models. LiDAR, he said, helps ensure safety on the road. 
LiDAR, short for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances and create detailed three-dimensional representations of surfaces and objects.
Why It Matters: Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk has previously criticized LiDAR, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41699028/tesla-investor-says-ev-giant-will-admit-it-needs-lidar-despite-elon-musk-calling-it-a-crutch">terming it a &#8220;crutch</a>&#8220;. None of the company's sold vehicles have lidars. In 2022, the company also removed ultrasonic sensors from its vehicles to rely solely on cameras.
"Did my best to warn people that LiDAR isn&#8217;t optimal for cars. Roads are designed for biological neural nets &amp; eyes, so digital neural nets &amp; cameras will work best," Musk said in Aug. 2023.
Chinese EV maker XPeng also dropped of use of LiDAR in its new P7+ sedan launched last month.
However, not all are in agreement. 
&#8220;…you really do need significantly more hardware than Tesla is putting in the vehicles to build a robotaxi that&#8217;s not just as safe but especially safer than a human,&#8221;&nbsp;Zoox&nbsp;co-founder&nbsp;Jesse Levinson&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41645383/elon-musk-slams-zoox-co-founder-over-fsd-criticism-your-company-would-be-dead-already-if-not-for-ama">opined in October</a> while adding that there is a need for sensor data despite advancements in AI to protect against camera malfunctions and ensure fully safe rides.
Alphabet Inc.'s&nbsp;autonomous ride-hail company&nbsp;Waymo&nbsp;also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41676465/tesla-can-make-cybercab-for-the-same-money-it-takes-waymo-to-install-lidar-sensors-on-its-robotaxi-s">continues to use LiDAR</a> in its robotaxis.&nbsp;
Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Li Auto CEO Defends Use Of LiDAR Despite Tesla CEO Elon Musk's Criticism: 'If Musk Had Ever Driven On Different Highways In China...'

Honda&nbsp;Motor Co. Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HMC#NYSE">HMC</a>)&nbsp;CEO Toshihiro Mibe reportedly found it difficult to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42642773/honda-nissan-start-merger-talks">explain why its merger</a> with Nissan&nbsp;Motor Co. Ltd.&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSANY#OTC">NSANY</a>) is justified.
What Happened:&nbsp;Mibe encountered a challenging moment when asked to explain the reasoning behind a possible merger with&nbsp;Nissan.
When asked why the Honda-Nissan merger makes business sense, Mibe hesitated before replying, &#8220;That&#8217;s a difficult one,&#8221; which drew laughter from the journalists present, according <a href="https://insideevs.com/news/745625/honda-nissan-merger-struggling-reason/">to</a> a report by InsideEVs.
The merger discussions have generated both curiosity and skepticism worldwide, with many questioning the strategic advantages for the two automakers.&nbsp;Honda&nbsp;is grappling with challenges in the electric vehicle sector, particularly after its partnership with&nbsp;General Motors&nbsp;ended.
Despite the doubts,&nbsp;Julie Boote,&nbsp;an auto analyst with Pelham&nbsp;Smithers Associates, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-26/for-honda-a-nissan-rescue-comes-with-only-a-thin-silver-lining">told</a>&nbsp;Bloomberg&nbsp;that&nbsp;Honda&nbsp;must collaborate with another company to boost its EV and software capabilities.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42680075/tesla-exec-says-we-will-be-ready-to-efficiently-produce-autonomous-vehicles-as-shanghai-megafactory-nears-completion?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Exec Says &#8216;We Will Be Ready&#8217; To Efficiently Produce Autonomous Vehicles As Shanghai Megafactory Nears Completion</a>
Former&nbsp;Nissan&nbsp;CEO&nbsp;Carlos Ghosn&nbsp;criticized the merger, stating,&nbsp;"That means you're putting control&nbsp;above performance," according <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-20/ghosn-says-honda-deal-talks-indicate-nissan-is-in-panic-mode">to</a> a Bloomberg report.
Why It Matters: Honda and Nissan are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42642773/honda-nissan-start-merger-talks">planning to create a joint holding company</a>, which will be listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange by August 2026. This move could potentially lead to the delisting of both&nbsp;Honda&nbsp;and&nbsp;Nissan.
Earlier reports&nbsp;highlighted that the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42541842/japanese-auto-giants-nissan-honda-eye-merger-says-nikkei">merger could involve&nbsp;Mitsubishi Motors</a>, where&nbsp;Nissan&nbsp;holds a 24% stake.
If successful, the combined entity could achieve annual sales exceeding eight million vehicles, positioning it among the world&#8217;s largest automakers, though still trailing behind&nbsp;Toyota Motor Corp.&nbsp;and&nbsp;Volkswagen AG.
Following the merger talks,&nbsp;Nissan&#8216;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/12/42545185/nissan-soar-over-20-on-merger-talks-with-honda-eyeing-8-million-annual-vehicle-sales">stock surged over 20%</a>, while&nbsp;Honda&#8216;s stock saw a slight decline.
Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

NSANY

Honda CEO Struggles To Justify Potential Nissan Merger: 'That's A Difficult One'

Apple Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) has stopped selling its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/09/28783180/apple-event-recap-improved-iphone-14-features-high-end-apple-watch-emergency-satellite-communication">iPhone 14</a>, iPhone 14 Plus,&nbsp;and third-generation iPhone SE models across most European Union countries.
What Happened: Apple's decision is a response to new EU regulation requiring USB-C ports for&nbsp;smartphones with wired charging capabilities.
The affected iPhone models have been&nbsp;removed from Apple&#8217;s online store&nbsp;in several countries, including&nbsp;Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,&nbsp;Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands,&nbsp;Spain, and Sweden.
The regulation, effective Dec. 28, applies to any iPhone unit placed for sale after that date, even older models. While the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models comply with the regulation, the iPhone 14 and SE models do not.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42699730/steve-jobs-knew-what-macbook-should-be-like-in-1983-it-took-apple-25-years-to-bring-his-vision-to-life-with-aapl-stock-at-record-highs-heres-what-analysts-say">Steve Jobs Knew What MacBook Should Be Like In 1983 — It Took Apple 25 Years To Bring His Vision To Life: With AAPL Stock At Record Highs, Here&#8217;s What Analysts Say</a>
Although the UK is not impacted due to its exit from the EU, Northern Ireland remains affected as it&nbsp;participates in the EU&#8217;s single&nbsp;market.
Apple began phasing out&nbsp;these models last week, with in-store availability expected to vary as remaining inventory is sold out.
A&nbsp;fourth-generation iPhone SE with a&nbsp;USB-C port is anticipated in March, allowing for a quick return to the EU market.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: The EU&#8217;s mandate for USB-C ports has been a long time coming. Back in October 2022,&nbsp;Apple&nbsp;confirmed its compliance with the EU&#8217;s directive, which requires a standardized charger for consumer electronic devices starting in 2024.
Apple&#8217;s senior vice president, Greg Joswiak, acknowledged the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/10/29410006/apple-bows-to-fate-and-confirms-iphone-will-feature-usb-c-after-all">necessity to adhere to these regulations</a>.
In September 2023, Apple unveiled the iPhone 15 series, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/09/34501203/apple-iphone-15-series-with-usb-c-tetraprism-camera-announced-check-price-and-availability-details">featuring the much-anticipated USB-C port</a>, during its "Wonderlust" event. This move marked a significant shift for Apple, which had been a major contributor to the development of the USB-C port alongside industry giants like Intel.
Moreover, the EU&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/09/40943746/after-lightning-port-eu-targets-apples-iphone-and-ipad-systems-demands-greater-access-for-third-part">regulatory focus on Apple extends beyond hardware</a>. In September, the European Commission initiated proceedings to ensure Apple&#8217;s compliance with interoperability obligations under the Digital Markets Act. This includes granting greater access to third-party developers and businesses.
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Apple Halts iPhone 14, iPhone SE Sales In EU: Here's Why

On Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorized the first launch of Blue Origin&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40868010/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-names-new-glenn-1s-first-booster-so-youre-telling-me-theres-a-chance-heres-wh">New Glenn vehicle</a> after determining that the Jeff Bezos-owned company met all safety, environmental, and other licensing requirements. 
What Happened: The commercial space launch license, valid for five years, allows Blue Origin to conduct orbital missions from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida with the New Glenn. The first stage of the rocket will have to land on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean.
"By working closely with Blue Origin, the FAA issued this new launch license well in advance of the statutory deadline for the historic maiden flight of New Glenn," said the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation Kelvin B. Coleman.
Why It Matters: New Glenn is a reusable heavy-lift rocket named after&nbsp;John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth. The development of the vehicle, expected to compete with SpaceX&#8217;s Falcon launch vehicle, has been delayed for years.
New Glenn, unlike Blue Origin&#8217;s New Shepard vehicle, can reach the Earth&#8217;s orbit and beyond.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38909990/90-year-old-breaks-record-as-oldest-astronaut-with-blue-origins-launch" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Shepard</a>, meanwhile, can only reach the edge of space.
&#8220;A big thanks to the FAA for the partnership, especially over the holidays&#8230;we are really close, folks,&#8221; Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp wrote on social media platform X upon receiving the launch license. 
<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 big thanks to the FAA for the partnership, especially over the holidays. Here's to NG-1 &#8212; we are really close, folks. <a href="https://t.co/NImi0Lsn1o">https://t.co/NImi0Lsn1o</a>
&mdash; Dave Limp (@davill) <a href="https://twitter.com/davill/status/1872743150030340587?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The company also conducted a hotfire test of the integrated launch vehicle on Friday, marking the final major milestone ahead of its first flight. 
New Glenn&#8217;s first launch will mark the rocket's first National Security Space Launch certification flight. It will carry the company's Blue Ring Pathfinder &#8211; developed by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38909990/90-year-old-breaks-record-as-oldest-astronaut-with-blue-origins-launch">Blue Origin's</a> In-Space Systems business unit &#8211; as a payload.
Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
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Photo courtesy: Blue Origin

SPACE

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin Gets License From FAA For New Glenn's Maiden Launch As It Takes On Elon Musk's SpaceX Falcon

EV giant Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) is now offering free lifetime supercharging on the purchase of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/tesla-cybertruck">foundation series Cybertrucks</a> from its inventory in a bid to make it more enticing to potential buyers.
What Happened: Under the limited-period offer, customers who purchase the foundation series Cybertruck on or after Dec. 27 will be eligible for free supercharging during their ownership of the vehicle.
However, the vehicle owner will have to continue to pay supercharger fees like idle or congestion fees. While congestion fees refer to the charges to be paid by drivers who charge their electric vehicles beyond a certain level at &#8220;busy&#8221; supercharger stations, idle fees apply when vehicles stay connected to the charger post-full charging.
The offer cannot be transferred to another vehicle or person, the company noted on its website.
Earlier this month, Benzinga reported that Tesla is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42524912/teslas-99k-foundation-series-cybertrucks-still-available-a-sign-of-possible-demand-hurdles">continuing to sell its premium foundation series Cybertrucks in its inventory</a> in the U.S., implying that the company hasn't yet entirely sold out the units of the limited edition stainless steel truck it produced.
Why It Matters: Tesla's inventory in the U.S. now shows multiple new foundation series Cybertrucks, including the all-wheel drive variant and the more expensive Cyberbeast variant. While the foundation series all-wheel drive variant is priced at $99,990, the Cyberbeast is priced at $119,990.
The foundation series refers to a limited and pricier edition of the Cybertruck with laser-etched foundation series badges and premium accessories.
Tesla made only the foundation series Cybertrucks for the first few months of deliveries. Earlier this year, in October, Tesla started selling the regular version of Cybertruck priced about $20,000 lower than the foundation series. 
The foundation series trucks manufactured by the company for the U.S. market haven't seemingly been sold in totality, hinting at significant<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42501487/cybertruck-production-rate-was-reduced-even-before-decembers-production-pause-says-tesla-researcher"> demand challenges for the truck</a>.
Early in December, Tesla told its workers on the Cybertruck production line at Giga Texas that they need not report to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42283708/tesla-gives-cybertruck-production-line-workers-three-days-off-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work for three days from Dec. 3 to Dec. 5</a>, implying a brief pause in production.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Tesla Offers Free Lifetime Supercharging With Foundation Series Cybertruck As It Looks To Clear Inventory

Microsoft Corp.-backed (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) OpenAI&nbsp;has outlined its plans to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41043358/sam-altman-poised-for-10-5b-payday-as-openai-transitions-to-for-profit-model-with-150b-valuation-on">transition its for-profit entity</a>&nbsp;into a Delaware Public Benefit&nbsp;Corporation (PBC).
What Happened: Making the announcement, OpenAI said that it needs to evolve to align with&nbsp;its mission of ensuring artificial&nbsp;general intelligence (AGI) that benefits all humanity.
The company, currently structured with a nonprofit controlling a for-profit, intends to balance shareholder and stakeholder interests while maintaining its public benefit mission.
OpenAI&#8217;s existing nonprofit will receive shares in the new PBC, valued by independent financial advisors.
OpenAI&#8217;s blog <a href="https://openai.com/index/why-our-structure-must-evolve-to-advance-our-mission/">post</a> emphasized the need to evolve beyond a lab and startup to become an enduring company as the world builds new infrastructure for the 21st-century economy. The transition is expected to help OpenAI raise the necessary capital with conventional terms.
"As we enter 2025, we will have to become more than a lab and a startup — we have to become an enduring company," said OpenAI.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
"The world is moving to build out a new infrastructure of energy, land use, chips, datacenters, data, AI models, and AI systems for the 21st century economy. We seek to evolve in order to take the next step in our mission, helping to build the AGI economy and ensuring it benefits humanity."
However, the plan faces opposition. Billionaire&nbsp;and OpenAI co-founder Elon Musk&nbsp;has filed for an injunction&nbsp;to halt the transition, accusing OpenAI of straying from its original mission.
Additionally,&nbsp;Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)&nbsp;has also expressed concerns, arguing that the shift could have significant implications for Silicon Valley.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42682230/tech-bull-predicts-26-upside-for-apple-stock-sees-golden-era-of-growth-for-cupertino-due-to-multi-year-ai-driven-iphone-upgrade-cycle?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tech Bull Predicts 26% Upside For Apple Stock, Sees &#8216;Golden Era Of Growth&#8217; For Cupertino With AI-Driven iPhone Upgrade Cycle</a>
OpenAI&#8217;s current structure <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/11/35861275/the-reason-behind-sam-altmans-ouster-from-openai-could-be-something-elon-musk-has-been-complaining-a">led to the ousting</a> of CEO Sam Altman last November, causing investor dissatisfaction, particularly from Microsoft. The company continues to face challenges, including talent outflow and concerns about prioritizing commercial products over safety.
Why It Matters: The transition of OpenAI into a for-profit entity has sparked significant controversy, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42257564/musk-goes-to-court-to-block-openais-for-profit-transition">particularly from&nbsp;Musk</a>, who has taken legal action to block the move. Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI, has been vocal about his concerns, arguing that the transition could divert the company&#8217;s focus from its original mission.
Adding to the complexity,&nbsp;Mark Zuckerberg-led Meta&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42495758/elon-musk-finds-an-unlikely-ally-in-mark-zuckerbergs-meta-in-his-fight-against-sam-altmans-openai">has sided with Musk</a>, highlighting the potential misuse of assets developed under OpenAI&#8217;s nonprofit status. This alliance is notable given Musk&#8217;s recent public disagreements with Meta&#8217;s Mark Zuckerberg over AI advancements.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42712643/trump-asks-supreme-court-to-delay-tiktok-ban-as-he-pursues-a-political-resolution">Trump Asks Supreme Court to Delay TikTok Ban As He Pursues A &#8216;Political Resolution&#8217;</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

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