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Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) is reportedly close to merging its South Korean operations with E-Mart Inc. in a deal valued at approximately $4 billion. This strategic move aims to bolster their position in South Korea&#8217;s competitive online retail market.
What Happened: The potential joint venture would combine the e-commerce assets of both companies, creating a stronger entity to challenge local competitors like Naver Corp. and Coupang Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CPNG#NYSE">CPNG</a>). Discussions are ongoing, and while an announcement could come as soon as this week, finalizing the agreement may take longer, Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-26/alibaba-is-said-to-near-4-billion-deal-with-korea-s-e-mart">reported</a> on Thursday.
The merger comes as Alibaba seeks to expand its international presence amid slowing growth in its core Chinese market. Meanwhile, E-Mart has been actively growing its e-commerce segment, notably acquiring a controlling interest in eBay Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EBAY#NASDAQ">EBAY</a>) South Korean marketplace in 2021 for roughly $3 billion.
Neither Alibaba nor E-Mart has commented on the matter yet to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga</a>.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42664623/cathie-wood-led-ark-invests-monday-moves-dumps-tesla-palantir-stock-adds-amazon?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cathie Wood-Led Ark Invest&#8217;s Monday Moves: Dumps Tesla, Palantir Stock, Adds Amazon</a>
This development occurs against a backdrop of declining consumer confidence in South Korea, impacted by political instability following President Yoon Suk Yeol&#8217;s&nbsp;declaration of martial law and&nbsp;subsequent impeachment.
Why It Matters: The potential merger between Alibaba and E-Mart is part of Alibaba&#8217;s broader strategy to refocus on its core e-commerce operations. Earlier this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/02/36912036/alibaba-plans-to-sell-off-grocery-and-retail-assets-doubles-down-on-e-commerce-core">Alibaba announced plans</a>&nbsp;to divest several consumer sector assets, including its grocery business Freshippo and retailer RT-Mart. This move aligns with the company&#8217;s strategic pivot under Chairman Joe Tsai and CEO Eddie Wu, aiming to shed non-essential and unprofitable units.
Moreover, Alibaba&#8217;s recent investment of $71.4 million in South Korean apparel brand Ably Corp has turned it into the country&#8217;s first unicorn of 2024, highlighting Alibaba&#8217;s growing interest in the South Korean market. This investment valued <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42260627/south-korea-gets-its-first-unicorn-of-2024-as-china-based-alibaba-invests-714m-in-ably-corp">Ably at over $1 billion</a>, marking a significant increase from its previous valuation.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock

News

General

BABA

CPNG

EBAY

Alibaba Nears $4B E-Commerce Merger With South Korea's E-Mart: Report

Peter Thiel, former CEO of PayPal, once shared his perspective on the evolving role of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on math skills.
What Happened: In April, earlier this year, speaking on the &#8220;Conversations with Tyler&#8221; podcast, Thiel suggested that AI&#8217;s rise could reduce the emphasis on math proficiency, as AI systems can solve complex mathematical problems.
The billionaire expressed concerns about Silicon Valley&#8217;s heavy focus on math, describing it as an unstable trend. He questioned the link between math skills and other fields, such as neurosurgery, and proposed that AI could lead to a societal transformation.&nbsp;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42666738/how-apples-upcoming-smart-doorbell-compares-to-amazons-ring?itm_source=parsely-api">How Apple&#8217;s Upcoming Smart Doorbell Compares To Amazon&#8217;s Ring</a>
Thiel likened this potential change to the impact of IBM&#8217;s Deep Blue defeating chess champion Garry Kasparov in 1997, which altered perceptions of chess skills.
&#8220;Isn&#8217;t that what&#8217;s going to happen to math and isn&#8217;t that a long overdue rebalancing of our society,&#8221; he stated.
His remarks suggest a possible rebalancing in society, where math may no longer be the primary measure of ability.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Peter Thiel on Political Theology &#x7C; Conversations with Tyler" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vfbndRTlsg4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
</figure>
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Why It Matters: The integration of AI into everyday tasks is already underway.
Acquired by Alphabet Inc.&#8217;s subsidiary Google a year ago, Photomath already helps users <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/03/37475397/solve-math-problems-easily-at-home-with-googles-ai-a-step-by-step-guide-to-using-photomath">solve complex math problems</a>, from basic arithmetic to advanced calculus.
Earlier this year, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd also made strides in AI with its Qwen2-Math models. These models reportedly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40311463/alibabas-new-math-ai-models-outshine-us-counterparts-report">outperformed U.S. counterparts</a> in mathematical tasks.
Last year in March, OpenAI&#8217;s ChatGPT, with the Wolfram plug-in, scored 96% on the U.K. A-level math exam, a key benchmark for university admissions. In comparison, ChatGPT alone scored just 43%.
Experts also remain skeptical that AI will replace mathematicians in the near future, according to a June 2023 <a href="https://www.scmp.com/video/technology/3223174/ai-better-maths-mathematicians">report</a> by the South China Morning Post.
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>. &nbsp;
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Wikimedia

Tech

Peter Thiel Once Said He Would Bet On The Reversal Of Silicon Valley's Math Bias As AI Continues To Rise: 'Isn't That A Long Overdue Rebalancing Of Our Society'

Chinese EV giant BYD Co Ltd (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDY#OTC">BYDDY</a>) overtook its American rival Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) in the fourth quarter of 2023 as the world&#8217;s biggest battery electric vehicle seller. Tesla, however, took back the title in the first quarter of this year and has been holding on to it since.
What Happened: In the last quarter of 2023, BYD sold 526,409 battery electric vehicles, effectively replacing Tesla as the world&#8217;s biggest seller of BEVs. Tesla in that quarter delivered just 484,507 units. 
Tesla regained its position as the world&#8217;s top seller of BEVs in the first quarter after selling 386,810 BEVs, 86,696 units more than BYD. Unlike Tesla which sells only battery electric vehicles, BYD also makes plug-in hybrids. 
Quarterly BEV Sales: Tesla Vs. BYD
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Period</td>
<td>Tesla </td>
<td>BYD</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Q4 2023</td>
<td>484,507</td>
<td>526,409</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Q1 2024</td>
<td>386,810</td>
<td>300,114</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Q2 2024</td>
<td>443,956</td>
<td>426,039</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Q3 2024</td>
<td>462,890</td>
<td>443,426</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Company Disclosures</figcaption></figure>
In Q2 and Q3 this year, Tesla kept its lead ahead of BYD in global BEV deliveries despite hardships. 
In <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42259569/chinese-ev-behemoth-and-tesla-rival-byd-marks-68-growth-in-november-sales-on-rising-popularity-of-plug-in-hybrid-evs">October and November</a>, BYD cumulatively sold 387,679 battery-electric vehicles. The company now needs to sell around 112,400 BEVs in December to cross 500,000 BEV sales in a quarter yet again. 
As for Tesla, it is unclear how many vehicles the company has sold thus far this quarter given it only releases sales data at the end of every three months.
For the full year 2023, Tesla delivered 1,808,581 vehicles around the globe. To mark a growth over last year, the company has to deliver at least 514,926 vehicles in the three months through the end of December. Tesla has not delivered over 500,000 vehicles in a quarter to date, making this an ambitious target. 
Furthermore, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), the company is faced with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42571913/tesla-registrations-drop-by-nearly-41-in-november-in-eu-dragging-down-optimism-for-over-500000-ev-deliveries-in-q4">demand challenges in the European Union</a> which might weigh heavily upon the company&#8217;s annual delivery target. 
Financials: 
For the third quarter between July and September, BYD's operating revenue rose 24% to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41647639/teslas-chinese-rival-byd-outshines-elon-musks-ev-giant-in-quarterly-revenue-for-first-time-since-202" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">201.12 billion yuan ($27.55 billion)</a>, the company said in a filing.
Tesla, meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41501607/tesla-q3-earnings-highlights-eps-beat-revenue-miss-shares-climb-on-2025-timeline-for-lower-cost-evs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported a total revenue</a>&nbsp;of only $25.18 billion in the same quarter, making it the first time since 2022 that BYD has trumped&nbsp;Elon Musk&#8217;s&nbsp;EV giant in quarterly revenue. BYD stopped making combustion engine vehicles in March 2022 to focus on electric vehicles.
Despite reporting higher revenue than Tesla in the third quarter, BYD&#8217;s net profit continued to trail behind<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41501607/tesla-q3-earnings-highlights-eps-beat-revenue-miss-shares-climb-on-2025-timeline-for-lower-cost-evs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;Tesla&#8217;s net income of $2.167 billion</a>. The company reported a diluted earnings per share of 4 yuan (55 cents) for the quarter, lower than Tesla&#8217;s adjusted earnings per share of 72 cents.
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: Tesla, courtesy Tesla Inc; BYD via Shutterstock

BYDDY

TSLA

Tesla Or BYD: Which EV Giant Will Sell More Battery Electric Vehicles In Q4?

Average total MAUs for the quarter were 29.12 million, an increase of 14.8% year-over-year from 25.36 million in the same period last year, primarily due to the effective execution of our user acquisition strategy and ongoing product innovation.

Earnings

iHuman's Q3 MAUs Rose 14.8% YoY To 29.12M

Given its confidence in the Company's business prospects, the board of directors (the "Board") has authorized an extension of the Company's existing share repurchase program, as authorized in December 2021 and extended to remain effective to the end of December 2024, by another twelve months through December 31, 2025.&nbsp;

Buybacks

iHuman Extends Share Buyback Program By Another 12 Months Through End of 2025

iHuman Q3 Adj EPADS $0.07 Down From $0.14 YoY, Sales $34.12M Down From $35.84M YoY

<h3>Companies Reporting Before The Bell</h3>
<h3>Companies Reporting After The Bell</h3>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Earnings Scheduled For December 26, 2024

Amid the bustling holiday season, an Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) driver left 80 packages in a wooded area in Lakeville, Massachusetts. This incident occurred because the company faced intense pressure to meet delivery demands.
What Happened: A stressed Amazon driver abandoned 80 packages&nbsp;in a wooded area near&nbsp;Lakeville, Massachusetts, just days before Christmas.&nbsp;A Lakeville police sergeant discovered&nbsp;the&nbsp;packages during a routine patrol&nbsp;early Sunday morning, finding them scattered in three large totes near 63 Bedford Street, NBC News <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/stressed-amazon-driver-abandons-80-packages-mass-woods-holiday-shippin-rcna185343">reported</a> on Thursday.
The packages were not reported as stolen or missing. The police contacted a nearby&nbsp;Amazon distribution center in Middleborough&nbsp;to facilitate the return of the items. On Monday, the driver confessed to leaving the packages on the roadside Saturday evening "because they were stressed" and intended to inform their manager about the incident.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42664623/cathie-wood-led-ark-invests-monday-moves-dumps-tesla-palantir-stock-adds-amazon?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cathie Wood-Led Ark Invest&#8217;s Monday Moves: Dumps Tesla, Palantir Stock, Adds Amazon</a>
Lakeville Police Chief Matthew Perkins stated that no criminal charges would be pursued, considering the matter a human resources issue for Amazon. Chief Perkins praised the officers for handling the situation. The driver&#8217;s identity remains undisclosed, and the police department has closed the case without further action.
Amazon has yet to respond to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga</a>&#8216;s queries.
Why It Matters: The incident highlights the mounting pressure on Amazon during the holiday season, a critical period for retailers. The fourth quarter, which includes Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas shopping, can account for up to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42676608/will-amazon-dethrone-walmart-this-holiday-season-here-is-what-you-should-know">40% of annual sales </a>for retailers like Amazon and&nbsp;Walmart Inc. This period is a battleground for retail dominance, with consumers seeking both in-store and online bargains.
Additionally, Amazon&#8217;s operations have been<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42577506/amazon-shares-rise-as-company-says-operations-remain-unaffected-despite-workers-at-seven-us-facilities-going-on-strike-amid-peak-holiday-shopping"> tested by a strike</a> at seven U.S. facilities, part of a broader push for contract negotiations. Despite this, Amazon announced that its operations remain unaffected. The strike has been labeled the "largest" against Amazon by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock

AMZN

'Stressed' Amazon Driver Dumps 80 Packages In Massachusetts Woods Amid Christmas Holiday Rush

The clock is ticking for TikTok as the Supreme Court of the United States or SCOTUS prepares to hear arguments that could determine the future of the app in America.
With the Jan. 19 deadline fast approaching, a potential nationwide could impact the app used by over 170 million users. Here&#8217;s everything you need to know about this high-stakes battle.
When Will SCOTUS Review The Ban
The Supreme Court will review TikTok&#8217;s arguments on Jan. 10, 2025. This urgent hearing comes after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the ban earlier this year.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42666163/iphone-17-pro-could-retain-iconic-triangular-camera-design-despite-rumors-of-a-radical-horizontal-layout?itm_source=parsely-api">iPhone 17 Pro To Retain Iconic &#8216;Triangular&#8217; Camera Layout Despite Rumors Of Radical Horizontal Layout</a>
What Is TikTok's Argument&nbsp;
TikTok is urging the Supreme Court to overturn the ruling by the appeals court. The platform argues that banning it violates First Amendment rights, while the government defends the ban as necessary for national security.
Who's Interested In Buying TikTok
Billionaire Frank McCourt has expressed interest in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/06/39457779/real-estate-billionaire-frank-mccourt-wants-to-buy-tiktok-to-transform-internets-influence-on-societ">acquiring TikTok's U.S. operations</a>, pledging up to $20 billion with a consortium of associates. However, any deal would exclude TikTok's algorithm.
Previously, former U.S. treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin and Canadian businessman Kevin O'Leary both <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/03/37886126/kevin-oleary-wants-to-buy-tiktok-and-is-scouting-for-investment-an-interesting-deal">announced plans to form</a> investor groups, with O'Leary proposing a $20–$30 billion bid.
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Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski publicly offered to lead a consortium for a U.S. acquisition, while former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has reportedly been exploring partnerships for a bid.
Oracle and Walmart, which <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/20/09/17575532/tiktok-ban-averted-as-trump-gives-deal-with-oracle-walmart-his-blessing">nearly acquired</a> TikTok in 2020, and Microsoft, which pursued a deal that same year, have also been mentioned as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38358239/microsoft-and-oracle-could-be-tiktoks-likely-buyers-but-real-winners-would-be-mark-">potential contenders</a> this year. There were <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40866761/is-amazon-eyeing-tiktok-for-a-possible-acquisition">also speculations</a> about Amazon eyeing the TikTok acquisition.
Trump's Changing Stance In his last administration, President-elect Donald Trump targeted ByteDance but he has since expressed a softened view. Earlier this month, there were reports of a meeting between TikTok's CEO Shou Zi Chew and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/12/42522134/trump-meets-tiktok-ceo-shou-zi-chew-at-mar-a-lago-as-platform-urges-supreme-court-to-block-looming-ban">Trump at Mar-a-Lago</a>.
"We&#8217;ll take a look at TikTok," Trump stated earlier that day. "You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok."
Michael Walz, the NSA designate and a former congressman, has also in the past voiced strong opposition to TikTok. Now he has since aligned his views with the president-elect's evolving position.
Check out more of Benzinga'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

Social Media

Legal

TikTok On Trial: Supreme Court Prepares To Weigh National Security Risks

Amid the global shift towards electric vehicles,&nbsp;Andy Palmer, often referred to as the &#8220;godfather of EVs,&#8221; has issued a cautionary note to automakers. He warns against prioritizing hybrid vehicles over fully electric models, a strategy he believes could leave them lagging behind Chinese competitors.
What Happened: Palmer, a former&nbsp;Aston Martin&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGDF#OTC">AMGDF</a>) CEO and&nbsp;Nissan&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSANY#OTC">NSANY</a>) executive, highlighted the rapid advancements made by Chinese automakers like&nbsp;BYD (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDY#OTC">BYDDY</a>)&nbsp;in the electric vehicle market. These companies have gained significant ground domestically by offering cost-effective and technologically advanced vehicles. 
&#8220;The Chinese cars are bloody good. The Chinese vehicles offer remarkable value for money for what they deliver,&#8221; Palmer said<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/godfather-of-evs-explains-why-china-is-winning-ev-race-2024-12"> to</a> Business Insider.
Palmer pointed out that Chinese brands excel in battery technology and software, providing exceptional value.
Palmer attributed China&#8217;s success in the EV sector to its strategic industrial policies, which have seen the government invest over $230 billion in subsidies since 2009. During his time at&nbsp;Dongfeng Motor Company, a joint venture with Nissan, he witnessed China&#8217;s aggressive EV strategy firsthand.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42642606/elon-musk-wants-to-raise-a-tesla-fleet-expert-estimates-vehicle-owners-can-make-40kyear-but-remains-doubtful?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Analyst Estimates Vehicle Owners Can Make $40,000 A Year By Renting EVs To Robotaxi Fleet That Elon&nbsp;Musk Likened To A Combination Of Airbnb And Uber, But Will It Take Off?</a>
In response to China&#8217;s rise, the U.S. and Europe have implemented tariffs to protect their industries. However, Palmer argued that such tariffs could stifle Western competitiveness.
&#8220;My experience with tariffs is it just makes your indigenous industry lazy. The gap becomes even bigger,&#8221; he said.
He urged automakers to prepare for fierce competition with Chinese firms, especially in Europe, where companies like BYD and Xpeng are expanding.
Why It Matters: The global electric vehicle landscape is rapidly evolving, with China leading the charge. According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/09/40886450/50-of-new-car-sales-in-china-are-electric-but-in-the-us-its-only-10-are-protectionist-policies-widen">repo</a>r<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/09/40886450/50-of-new-car-sales-in-china-are-electric-but-in-the-us-its-only-10-are-protectionist-policies-widen">t</a>&nbsp;from September, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/09/40886450/50-of-new-car-sales-in-china-are-electric-but-in-the-us-its-only-10-are-protectionist-policies-widen">50% of new car sales</a> in China are electric, compared to just 10% in the U.S. This disparity highlights the impact of protectionist policies, such as the Biden administration&#8217;s recent tariffs on Chinese goods, including a 100% tax on electric vehicles.
In November, China escalated its trade dispute with the European Union by<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41754367/china-escalates-trade-dispute-lodges-complaint-with-wto-over-european-ev-tariffs"> lodging a formal complaint</a> with the World Trade Organization over the EU&#8217;s tariffs on Chinese-made EVs. The EU&#8217;s decision to impose tariffs of up to 35% on Chinese EVs was seen as a response to perceived unfair business practices.
Meanwhile, BYD expects it would surpass Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39617169/byd-set-to-surpass-tesla-in-bev-sales-by-2024-as-china-leads-global-market-growth-report">BEV sales by 2024,</a> fueled by a 21% increase in EV sales and strong market projections in China.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock

AMGDF

NSANY

'Godfather Of EVs' Warns Against Hybrid Focus As China Leads EV Race: 'Tariffs Just Make Indigenous Industry Lazy'

Japanese auto giant Toyota Motor Corp&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TM#NYSE">TM</a>) Toyota and Lexus brand vehicle sales in North America rose 4.1% year-on-year in November to 241,662 units even as production in the region was more or less flat as compared to the corresponding period last year.
What Happened: Toyota and Lexus vehicle sales in North America were up year-on-year due to the strong customer turnout at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/42254975/shoppers-spent-11-3m-per-minute-online-on-black-friday">stores on Black Friday</a> after the presidential election, the company said. 
Sales rose 4.8% to 207,226 units in the U.S., including Hawaii, and by about 16% in Mexico to make up for the 8% drop in sales in Canada. From the start of 2024, Toyota has sold nearly 2.5 million vehicles in North America as of November end, marking a growth of 5.4% as compared to the first 11 months of 2023. 
Vehicle production, however, dwindled around the same levels as in November last year.
172,867 Toyota and Lexus vehicles were produced in North America in November, marking a drop of 0.8% as compared to Nov. 2023. Production dropped by nearly 12% in the U.S. alone. 
Why It Matters: Worldwide sales of Toyota vehicles, including its Lexus brand, rose 1.7% to 920,569 units in November. The 3.2% rise in sales outside of Japan made up for the company&#8217;s 6.6% drop in sales within its home ground. 
438,261 of the company&#8217;s sales in November were electrified, meaning they were hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery electric vehicles, or mild hybrids. In North America alone, the company sold 114,831 electrified vehicles, marking a growth of 44% from November last year.
Overall vehicle production, however, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42678492/toyotas-global-output-slips-6-2-while-company-donates-1-million-to-trumps-inaugural-fund">dropped 6.2% year-on-year in November</a>, marking ten consecutive months of production drop. Production fell by a steep 9.3% in Japan and by 4.6% outside the country. 
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>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42668333/tesla-model-x-lucid-gravity-or-rivian-r1s-which-three-row-electric-suv-is-a-better-buy">Tesla Model X, Lucid Gravity Or Rivian R1S: Which Three-Row Electric SUV Is A Better Buy?</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Toyota, Lexus See November Sales Soar Over 4% In North America, Boosted By Black Friday Frenzy

As Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) shares closed above the $140 level for the first time in 20 days on Tuesday, traders expect the stock to make new highs if it breaches $145 per share.
What Happened: Traders are bullish on Nvidia as its share price exceeded the 50-day simple moving average and moves above $140 apiece for the first time since Dec. 6, on Tuesday&#8217;s shortened trading session. According to a quant trader, Peter DiCarlo, the share price could reach $170 apiece in the first quarter if the stock moves beyond $145 per share.
However, he adds &#8220;If we reject and this is a trap, price will sell off to $120. That will then be the confirmed bottom before the next move up to $170 in Q2.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24NVDA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$NVDA</a> Must take out $145 in order to confirm this as the bottom. If that happens, we rally up to $170 in Q1 If we reject and this is a trap, price will sell off to $120. THAT will then be the confirmed bottom before the next move up to $170 in Q2 <a href="https://t.co/wlDoCqC5cn">pic.twitter.com/wlDoCqC5cn</a>
&mdash; Peter DiCarlo (@pdicarlotrader) <a href="https://twitter.com/pdicarlotrader/status/1871616914105254261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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</figure>
According to a chart shared by the founder of The Rock Trading Group, the share price needs to breach the $141.87 price level to reach its $145 daily trendline.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24NVDA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$NVDA</a> 1 Hour rejection area of earlier Dec. The only shot to 145 daily trendline is knock out this wall. <a href="https://t.co/qAPhE6KgiJ">pic.twitter.com/qAPhE6KgiJ</a>
&mdash; John @ The Rock Trading Co. (@The_RockTrading) <a href="https://twitter.com/The_RockTrading/status/1871915363182817760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Steven Strazza, the director of research at All Star Charts, in an X post dated Dec. 17 reiterated this point and said, "Momentum not even close to oversold."
He added that semiconductors are getting back in gear and the magnificent seven are making new all-time highs. As per his analysis the stock has, "Very clean and clear support level holding."
<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">There&#39;s no way this is a top This setup in <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24NVDA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$NVDA</a> is the ideal risk-reversal pattern Very clean and clear support level holding Momentum not even close to oversold Semis getting back in gear &amp; Mag 7 making new ATHs Only thing missing was a little shakeout, and we got it today <a href="https://t.co/LxZ3RiRONp">pic.twitter.com/LxZ3RiRONp</a>
&mdash; Steven Strazza (@sstrazza) <a href="https://twitter.com/sstrazza/status/1868748780860023148?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The technical analysis of daily moving averages indicates a strong bullish trend
The stock ended at $140.22 apiece on Tuesday. This was above its eight and 20-day simple moving averages, of $133.85 and $137.17, respectively. As per <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data, its current stock price was also higher than the 50-day moving average of $139.76 and its 200-day moving average of $116.91.
This implies that the stock is in an uptrend. On the other hand, the relative strength index of 54.12 suggests the stock&#8217;s movement is moderately strong and it is not yet in an overbought zone.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005037/Nvidia-Chhart--1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-707077" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005037/Nvidia-Chhart--1024x576.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005037/Nvidia-Chhart--300x169.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005037/Nvidia-Chhart--768x432.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005037/Nvidia-Chhart--1536x864.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005037/Nvidia-Chhart-.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
See Also: <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>
Why It Matters: Earlier last week, Jim Cramer <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42527159/nvidia-technical-analysis-flashes-warning-as-nvda-stock-slips-below-key-moving-averages-but-analysts-still-see-18-11-upside-heres-more">warned</a> of a potential market correction for Nvidia on <a href="https://x.com/jimcramer/status/1868721912303829094">X</a>, citing its recent surge and lack of a &#8220;crescendo moment.&#8221; He predicted a &#8220;vicious&#8221; and &#8220;fast&#8221; reversal. This comes as Nvidia faces an antitrust investigation in China over its 2020 acquisition of Mellanox Technologies. 
TF Securities&nbsp;analyst&nbsp;Ming-Chi Kuo&nbsp;expects the investigation to remain unresolved in the near term, drawing parallels to&nbsp;Qualcomm Inc‘s&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>)&nbsp;15-month&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42404352/nvidia-china-antitrust-probe-may-remain-unsolved-in-near-term-says-top-analyst-investors-should-be-prepared-for-increased-scrutiny" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antitrust case in China</a>.
Price Action: Shares of Nvidia are up 4.84% over the last five days and 191.09% on a year-to-date basis, outperforming the Nasdaq 100, which was down 0.83% in the last five days and up 31.67% over the year.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com">Benzinga</a>, Nvidia has a consensus price target of $170.56 based on the ratings of 40 analysts. The highest price target out of all the analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NVDA/analyst-ratings">tracked </a>by Benzinga is $220 issued by Rosenblatt as of Nov. 21, 2024. The lowest target price is $120 issued by New Street Research on Aug. 6, 2024.
The average price target of $154.67 between DA Davidson, Phillip Securities, and Truist Securities implies a 10.67% upside for Nvidia.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NVDA/analyst-ratings"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="946" height="360" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005223/Nvidia-ANR-Analyst.png" alt="" class="wp-image-707081" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005223/Nvidia-ANR-Analyst.png 946w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005223/Nvidia-ANR-Analyst-300x114.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/26005223/Nvidia-ANR-Analyst-768x292.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 946px) 100vw, 946px" /></a></figure>
Image via Shutterstock
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42678368/sp-500-hits-57-all-time-highs-in-record-breaking-2024-magnificent-7-drive-30-of-nasdaqs-surge">S&amp;P 500 Hits 57 All-Time Highs In Record-Breaking 2024: Magnificent 7 Drive 30% Of Nasdaq&#8217;s Surge</a></li>
</ul>

Equities

Market Summary

Technicals

Markets

Trading Ideas

NVDA

QCOM

NVDA Could Go Up To $170 In Q1 After Breaching $145 Level As Traders Turn Bullish On Jensen Huang's AI Giant

Stephen Chen, CEO of&nbsp;Phunware Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PHUN#NASDAQ">PHUN</a>), has outlined ambitious plans for the company&#8217;s global expansion, leveraging its established ties with President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump.
In an exclusive chat with <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga</a>, Chen spoke about the company&#8217;s ongoing relationship with President-elect Donald Trump.
Phunware&#8217;s stock has been notably volatile this year, largely influenced by Trump&#8217;s presidential campaign. The company has been linked to Trump since 2020 when it developed and managed his reelection campaign mobile app.
Chen expressed satisfaction with the partnership, noting that Phunware has been refining its products and is now prepared to support a variety of campaigns and advocacy projects.
He emphasized the company&#8217;s versatility, highlighting its voter engagement platform and potential benefits beyond the campaign trail.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42633881/elon-musk-shifts-gears-it-went-from-a-bill-that-weighed-pounds-to-one-that-weighed-ounces-applauding-speaker-johnsons-effort?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Changes Tone, Applauds Speaker Johnson: &#8216;It Went From A Bill That Weighed Pounds To One That Weighed Ounces&#8217;</a>
Looking ahead, Chen revealed plans to leverage Phunware&#8217;s engagement platform for local, regional, and international campaigns. 
He stated, &#8220;Helping elected figures and the&nbsp;public doesn&#8217;t end on election day, as there are local, regional, and even overseas campaigns we can help,&#8221; indicating a focus on expanding their technology&#8217;s application.
Regarding future collaborations with Trump or the Republican party, Chen remained non-committal but confident in Phunware&#8217;s ability to provide robust engagement solutions for political groups across the spectrum.
As per <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>, the year-to-date returns of PHUN have increased by 6.01%. It has a consensus price target of&nbsp;$10.75&nbsp;based on the ratings of&nbsp;four&nbsp;analysts. Ascendiant Capital, HC Wainwright &amp; Co., and HC Wainwright &amp; Co. have set a price target of&nbsp;$9.33 with an implied&nbsp;112.60%&nbsp;upside.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42635450/why-trump-wants-debt-ceiling-killed-before-he-takes-office?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Why Trump Wants Debt Ceiling Killed Before He Takes Office</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock

Politics

Exclusives

PHUN

Trump Linked Phunware CEO Charts 'Overseas' Plans As President Elect Makes White House Comeback: 'Helping Elected Figures… Doesn't End On Election Day'

Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) executive Tom Zhu on Wednesday said that the company&#8217;s &#8220;unique&#8221; strength lies in developing manufacturing capabilities at a ramped-up pace. 
What Happened: &#8220;Many people underestimate Tesla's unique strength: developing manufacturing capabilities optimized for the fast-evolving AI era,&#8221; Zhu said in a post on X. 
Zhu added that once the automotive industry transitions to fully autonomous driving, &#8220;real competition will center on how efficiently vehicles can be produced.&#8221; &#8220;We will be ready,&#8221; the Senior Vice President of Automotive at Tesla added.
Zhu&#8217;s comments refer to the speed of construction of Tesla&#8217;s megafactory in Shanghai. The company started official construction of the factory in May. The company is finishing construction fast to ship megapacks from it in Q1 2025.
<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">Proud of the team! Many people underestimate Tesla's unique strength: developing manufacturing capabilities optimized for the fast-evolving AI era. Once the entire automotive industry transitions to full autonomous driving, the real competition will center on how efficiently… <a href="https://t.co/r9u8dJTsn9">https://t.co/r9u8dJTsn9</a>
&mdash; LaoZhu (@tomzhu_nz) <a href="https://twitter.com/tomzhu_nz/status/1871789857036755045?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Why It Matters: The Tesla Shanghai megafactory is the company's first factory dedicated to the production of energy storage products outside the U.S.&nbsp;Currently, Tesla has only one other factory dedicated to manufacturing megapacks, located in Lathrop, California. The Lathrop facility has the capability of producing 40 GWh of energy storage products.
Tesla also has another factory in China called Giga Shanghai which produces the company's popular Model 3 sedans and Model Y SUVs. The company began construction of the factory in January 2019 and it became operational by the end of the year. 
In the third quarter, which ended in September, Tesla manufactured 469,796 electric vehicles at its factories around the globe. The company is now planning to start production of its two-seater dedicated robotaxi product <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42548657/tesla-design-chief-says-ev-giant-was-looking-to-create-future-version-of-nycs-yellow-cabs-with-gold-cybercab-it-feels-right">called Cybercab &#8220;before 2027.&#8221;</a>
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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</ul>
Photo courtesy: Tesla

Tesla Exec Says 'We Will Be Ready' To Efficiently Produce Autonomous Vehicles As Shanghai Megafactory Nears Completion

EHang Collaborates With Beijing Fangshan District Government To Establish National Headquarters For Low-Altitude Emergency Rescue Solutions

Whether you&#8217;re curled up on the couch with family or hosting a low-key gathering with friends, Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) has a lineup of feel-good flicks that are perfect for Jan. 1, 2025.
Grab your snacks, cozy blankets, and get ready to dive into these five family-friendly titles this New Year's Day:&nbsp;
13 Going on 30 (2004)
This classic rom-com starring Jennifer Garner is the ultimate feel-good movie for anyone who&#8217;s ever wished for a second chance at life. The story follows Jenna Rink, a 13-year-old girl who wakes up as a 30-year-old woman, with a whole new life to figure out.&nbsp;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42675098/netflix-takes-vmware-to-court-over-patent-infringement-claims">Broadcom and Netflix Clash Over Patent Disputes Ahead of 2025 Trial</a>
Apollo 13 (1995)
Ready to go to space? Ron Howard's gripping retelling of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission is a dramatic and inspirational choice for your movie marathon. With an all-star cast including Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton, this film captures the tense, life-or-death struggle of the astronauts as they try to survive after a malfunction in space.
Inception (2010)
Christopher Nolan's Inception is a mind-bending thriller that you'll want to watch with a group so you can all try to figure it out together. Leonardo DiCaprio plays a thief who enters people&#8217;s dreams to steal their secrets. Sounds simple, right? Well, not quite. (This one will prompt intense discussion after the credit rolls, so keep enough popcorn.)
Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Schindler's List (1993)
While not your typical New Year's Day pick, Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List is a powerful historical epic that shouldn't be missed. Starring Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler, a businessman who saves over a thousand Jews during the Holocaust, this film is a reminder of the strength of the human spirit.
Dr. Seuss&#8217; The Lorax (2012)
After Schindler's List, you will need something lighthearted, and this animated gem based on Dr. Seuss&#8217; beloved book is a perfect pick for families. Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, and Danny DeVito (the voice of the Lorax) bring the whimsical world to life as a young boy learns the importance of saving the environment.&nbsp;
There you have it – five Netflix movies that are perfect for your Jan. 1 movie marathon.
Image via Shutterstock
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>. &nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42666738/how-apples-upcoming-smart-doorbell-compares-to-amazons-ring?itm_source=parsely-api">How Apple's Upcoming Smart Doorbell Compares To Amazon's Ring</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Entertainment

NFLX

Netflix And Chill: Here's 5 Family-Friendly Titles Just Right For The Ultimate January 1 Movie Marathon

The cryptocurrency market roared back into momentum in 2024, with meme coins emerging as the hottest commodities in the bull cycle.
What happened: Meme coins, inspired by internet memes, popular animated characters, and trends, netted massive returns to their holders in the year. 
Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)-based SPX6900 was the most successful coin, skyrocketing a whopping 9695% year-to-date. 
SPX is basically a parody coin that calls for the creation of a new stock market index called SPX6900, challenging the hegemony of the S&amp;P 500. It has a maximum supply of 1 billion tokens.
Not far behind was the feline-themed cryptocurrency, Popcat, which gained 9374% since 2024 began. Like SPX6900, POPCAT was developed on the Solana blockchain.
Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)&#8211;based Mog Coin bagged the third spot, exploding 4746% over the year.&nbsp;
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>YTD Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 11:45 p.m. EDT)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPX6900 (SPX)</td>
<td>+9695%</td>
<td>$0.8135</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Popcat (POPCAT)</td>
<td>+9374%</td>
<td>$0.7682</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mog Coin (MOG)</td>
<td>+4746%</td>
<td>$0.000002423</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42665539/north-korean-hackers-suspected-presence-triggers-over-500-million-in-outflows-from-crypto-exchange">North Korean Hackers&#8217; Suspected Presence Triggers Over $500 Million In Outflows From Crypto Exchange</a>
Interestingly, all the top three meme coins had a market capitalization of less than $1 billion, reflecting the interest shown in lesser-known cryptocurrencies.
That said, market heavyweights didn't disappoint either. The biggest meme coin by market capitalization, Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>), soared 263% year-to-date, while Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>), another popular dog-themed token, rose 115%.
Frog-themed Pepe (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">PEPE</a>) was the best-performing large-cap meme coin, racking up gains of 1192% since 2024 began.
Solana-based dogwifhat (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">WIF</a>) also remained red hot, surging 1158% year-to-date.&nbsp;
Overall, around nine tokens logged gains of over 1000% during the year.
These astronomical gains refocused attention on the wealth-multiplying potential of meme currencies, many of which notorious for their excessive volatility and low utility.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/12/42665334/will-dogecoin-hit-the-widely-anticipated-1-target-in-q1-2025-probably-not-but-musk-led-doge-could-hold-the-key">Dogecoin &#8216;Parabolic Rally&#8217; In 2025 Foreseen By Popular Analyst If &#8216;History Repeats&#8217; Just Like In 2017, 2021</a></li>
</ul>

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

Cryptocurrency

Movers

$DOGE

$ETH

$PEPE

$SHIB

$SOL

$WIF

Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, Or Pepe? Which Was The Top-Performing Meme Coin In 2024? The Answer Might Surprise You

Israel&#8217;s securities regulator&nbsp;granted approval for six investment houses to launch hedge funds tracking Bitcoin&#8217;s (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) price on New Year&#8217;s Eve, local media reported Wednesday.
What Happened: The funds are all set to launch on Dec. 31, the last&nbsp;trading day of the year, after getting the regulatory go-ahead from the&nbsp;Israel Securities Authority, <a href="https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/h1mzzvkhyx">according </a>to financial news platform Calcalist and Globes.
Some funds will align with BlackRock&#8217;s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBIT#NASDAQ">IBIT</a>) while others will follow the index launched by S&amp;P&nbsp;or the Chicago Stock Exchange.&nbsp;One fund plans to adopt an active strategy, aiming to outperform Bitcoin&#8217;s price performance.
The funds will be offered by Ayalon, IBI, Meitav, More, Migdal Capital Markets, and Phoenix, with management fees in the range of 0.25%-1.25%.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42677932/russian-firms-adopt-bitcoin-for-global-trade-in-response-to-western-sanctions-should-be-expanded-and-developed-further">Russian Firms Adopt Bitcoin For Global Trade In Response To Western Sanctions: &#8216;Should Be Expanded And Developed Further&#8217;</a>
The launch of&nbsp;Bitcoin mutual funds and ETFs&nbsp;is a result of persistent lobbying and&nbsp;requests by investment houses to&nbsp;the Securities Authority over the&nbsp;past two years, the report mentioned. The regulator only granted final approval last week, on the condition that all investment houses launch the products simultaneously.
The Israel Securities authority didn&#8217;t immediately respond to Benzinga&#8217;s request for confirmation.
Why It Matters: The rise of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds has been reshaping institutional engagement with digital assets. Experts at the recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/digital-assets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Future of Digital Assets</a>&nbsp;conference expressed consensus that ETFs removed barriers that once deterred traditional investors from entering the cryptocurrency market. 
Furthermore, a leading Bloomberg analyst, Eric Balchunas, said that Blackrock's iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42666635/blackrocks-bitcoin-etf-could-outshine-sp-500-tracking-spy-to-become-top-investment-vehicle-but-it-will-take-a-long-time-says-prominent-analyst">had the potential </a>to surpass SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust to become the world's top exchange-traded fund.
According to SoSo Value, the 12 spot Bitcoin ETFs <a href="https://sosovalue.com/assets/etf/us-btc-spot">held </a>$110 billion, or 5.7% of the total supply, as of this writing, with Blackrock&#8217;s IBIT leading the pack with over $50 billion in assets under management.
Image via Wikimedia Commons
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/12/42679610/roaring-kittys-christmas-post-has-gamestop-rallying-7-in-overnight-trading-memecoin-connected-to-trader-also-surge">Roaring Kitty&#8217;s &#8216;Christmas&#8217; Post Has GameStop Rallying 7% In Overnight Trading — Memecoin Connected To Trader Also Surge</a></li>
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"></a>

$BTC

IBIT

Bitcoin Hedge Funds Get Green Light In Israel: 6 Investment Houses Ready To Launch Before New Year

The Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>) ecosystem announced early access to their highly anticipated virtual space, Shib: The Metaverse, on Christmas, promising an immersive experience like never before.
What Happened: Lucie, Shiba Inu&#8217;s marketing lead, made the announcement via X, describing the metaverse as &#8220;a platform for creativity, connection, and ownership.&#8221;
The platform, built over Shibarium, Shiba Inu&#8217;s Layer-2 blockchain, is a fusion between real and virtual worlds, allowing people to engage through digital avatars. 
Think of it as digital real estate, where users can own and trade huge plots of land. Additionally, the metaverse gives access to a personal space, where they can build and manage their own virtual words based on their vision.
The land could be purchased using the SHIB token, potentially boosting the utility and demand of the popular dog-themed coin.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Step Into SHIB: The Metaverse – Where Imagination Meets Reality Welcome to SHIB: The Metaverse, a groundbreaking virtual world powered by Shibarium, Shiba Inu's Layer-2 blockchain. This is more than a digital space—it's a platform for creativity, connection, and ownership. &#x1f7ea;… <a href="https://t.co/ouu1TqVvhV">pic.twitter.com/ouu1TqVvhV</a>
&mdash; 
</blockquote></div></figure>

Shytoshi Celebrates As Shiba Inu Virtual World 'Shib The Metaverse' Goes Live On Christmas

Iran&#8217;s reformist government has lifted the ban on Meta Platforms, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) WhatsApp, and Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google Play.
What Happened: Iran&#8217;s reformist government, led by Masoud Pezeshkian, has lifted this ban, marking a significant move towards reducing internet restrictions, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/bb68c686-89d2-4305-bd1e-94452795809c">reported</a> the Financial Times.
This decision was made during a high-level meeting on Tuesday, overcoming resistance from hardline factions within the Islamic regime, the report noted, citing Iranian media.
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 Its Reducing Its Dependence On The ChatGPT-Parent</a>
The move is part of a broader effort by Pezeshkian&#8217;s administration to ease pressures on civil society.
Sattar Hashemi, Iran's telecommunications minister, stated on X, &#8220;Today, we took the first step towards lifting internet restrictions by demonstrating unity,&#8221; adding, &#8220;This path will continue&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">امروز گام اول رفع محدودیت از اینترنت را با همدلی و وفاق برداشتیم. از پیگیری رییس‌جمهور و همراهی رسانه‌ها و فعالان ممنونم و بیش از پیش به این همراهی و همدلی نیازمندیم. این مسیر ادامه دارد…
&mdash; Sattar Hashemi (@HashemiSattar) <a href="https://twitter.com/HashemiSattar/status/1871552451247251913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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</figure>
Why It Matters: Despite restrictions, Iranians have accessed platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram through widely available VPNs.
Reformists accuse hardliners of hypocrisy, alleging they profit from VPN sales. They also argue that easing restrictions could alleviate public discontent.
Hardliners view the internet as a tool for adversaries like the U.S. and Israel to wage a &#8220;soft war&#8221; against Iran.
Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
According to Iranian Students Polling Agency surveys, WhatsApp usage rose steadily from 16.6% in December 2015 to 25% after Telegram&#8217;s ban, reaching 71.4% by August 2021.
Instagram usage grew from 25.5% in December 2015 to 53.1% by August 2021, establishing it as the second-most popular platform in the country.
The lifting of the ban also comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. Last month, Iran&#8217;s foreign ministry <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41869511/iran-calls-trump-assassination-plot-claims-completely-baseless">dismissed accusations</a> by the U.S. Department of Justice regarding an alleged plot to assassinate Donald Trump.
Image via Shutterstock
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>.&nbsp;
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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Iran Turning Soft? Reformist Government Lifts WhatsApp, Google Play Ban — Promises 'This Path Will Continue'

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