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Jamie Dimon, the CEO of banking behemoth JPMorgan, has maintained a divergent view about cryptocurrencies.&nbsp;
While he frequently disses Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), the most valued cryptocurrency, he appears to have a favorable view of blockchain technology in general and projects based on smart contracts.
What happened: During an interview with CNBC in January 2023, Dimon made a clear differentiation between the two types of cryptocurrencies.
"There&#8217;s a cryptocurrency which might actually do something. Think of a cryptocurrency that has an embedded smart contract in it and that we can use it to buy and sell real estate and move data. That may have value," the CEO of the world&#8217;s most valuable bank said.&nbsp;
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Though Dimon did not identify a specific cryptocurrency, the word &#8220;smart contract&#8221; possibly referred to Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) and blockchains and decentralized applications built on the network.
Smart contracts are self-executing computer programs that facilitate transactions without a central authority. Ethereum is well-known as the largest smart contract-enabled platform.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally">Italy&#8217;s Largest Bank Leaps Into Bitcoin Trading With $1 Million &#8216;Test&#8217; Investment But CEO Says He Doesn&#8217;t Invest In BTC Personally</a>
When Dimon made this assertion, Ethereum traded at $2,531.26 a piece. So, if you invested $1000, you&#8217;d have received 0.3950 units of ETH.&nbsp;
Today, one Ethereum was exchanging hands at $3,443.36. This meant that the original investment would have turned $1360.33, reflecting a return of 36%.
Why It Matters: Dimon&#8217;s opinions suggested that he supported cryptocurrency projects that have utility and could solve real-world problems, unlike Bitcoin, which is speculative and relies on expectations of long-term value growth.&nbsp;
Dimon <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42940832/jamie-dimon-says-hes-not-against-blockchains-but-trades-guns-on-bitcoin-again-it-has-no-intrinsic-value-i-just-dont-feel-great-about">reaffirmed this attitude</a> earlier this month, stating that blockchains will have long-term use. In the same breath, he linked Bitcoin with illicit activities like s&#x2A;x trafficking and money laundering.
Interestingly, JPMorgan has invested in Ethereum exchange-traded funds, with a significant stake in Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETHE#NYSE">ETHE</a>) and its miniature version, Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETH#NYSE">ETH</a>).
Price Action: At the time of writing, Ethereum was exchanging hands at $3,422.62, up 4.43% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Read Next:&nbsp;
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</ul>

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

Cryptocurrency

News

Markets

$BTC

$ETH

ETHE

If You Invested $1,000 In Ethereum When Jamie Dimon Said Cryptos With Smart Contracts Have Value, Here's How Much You'd Have Today

As the United States gears up for the inauguration of its 47th President, Donald Trump is set to take the oath of office on Monday. The Republican leader is making a return to the White House for a second term after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. This inauguration will be held indoors due to the cold weather, marking the first indoor presidential inauguration since 1985.
Trump&#8217;s oath of office will be administered by U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts. Alongside him, Vice President-elect JD Vance will also take the oath. The inauguration ceremony is set to begin at noon EST at the United States Capitol Rotunda.
The day&#8217;s events will start earlier, with the Trumps attending morning services at St. John's Church. Post-ceremony, Mr. Trump is expected to sign executive orders and attend inaugural balls, The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/19/us/politics/trump-inauguration-watch-time-stream.html">reported</a> on Tuesday.
How And Where To Watch Trump&#8217;s Oath-Taking Ceremony? 
For those following the inauguration, <a href="http://benzinga.com">Benzinga</a> will provide in-depth coverage on its website. Other major news networks including NBC, CNN, ABC, CBS, Fox News, and C-SPAN will also broadcast the inauguration live. The White House and the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) will also stream the event on its official website, allowing global viewers to tune in.
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The inaugural events, arranged by JCCIC, will begin at 9:30 am EST on Monday with musical performances and introductory speeches. After the swearing-in ceremony, President Trump will deliver his inaugural address, laying out his plans and vision for the coming four years.
In response to severe cold weather, the inaugural parade has been relocated indoors to the 20,000-seat Capital One Arena in downtown Washington. Later in the evening, President Trump is expected to attend multiple inaugural balls, including the Commander in Chief Ball, Liberty Inaugural Ball, and Starlight Ball.
The inauguration festivities will officially wrap up the following day with the National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/43079238/is-stock-market-open-on-mlk-day-what-you-need-to-know-about-trading-hours-on-jan-20-during-trumps-inauguration">Is Stock Market Open Today? What To Know About MLK Day Trading Hours Amid Trump&#8217;s Inauguration</a></li>
</ul>
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

General

How And Where To Watch Donald Trump's Inauguration Ceremony Live

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Wednesday that it has opened a probe into about 878,000 General Motors Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) vehicles equipped with the L87 V8 engine over engine failure concerns.
What Happened: The auto safety regulator stated that it had received 39 complaints and several field reports alleging engine failures in these vehicles. The complainants reported being unable to detect the issue before the engine failed.
Failure or malfunctioning of the engine may increase the risk of a crash, the regulator noted. 
The probe includes 2019-2024 Model Year (MY) Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade vehicles.
The probe is aimed at determining the scope and severity of the potential problem and to asses potential safety-related issues, NHTSA said. 
Why It Matters: The new probe comes merely days after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43020700/nhtsa-closes-safety-probe-into-gm-cruise-robotaxis-weeks-after-it-ceased-operations">NHTSA closed its probe</a> into GM&#8217;s Cruise robotaxis in light of the company ceasing business operations. The NHTSA commenced the probe into Cruise robotaxis in October 2023 to gauge whether they are exercising caution around pedestrians following reports of two crashes.
The regulator, on Wednesday, closed the probe in light of a recall action taken by Cruise. The company has also since stopped business operations and no versions of its automated driving system are operating on public roads, the regulator noted.
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>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43051842/ftc-bans-general-motors-from-sharing-driver-data-following-allegations-that-it-sold-sensitive-consumer-information" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FTC Bans General Motors From Sharing Driver Data Following Allegations That It Sold Sensitive Consumer Information</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Tech

NHTSA Opens Probe Into Nearly 878,000 GM Vehicles Over Engine Failure Concerns Days After Closing Investigation Into Its Cruise AVs

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is reportedly bringing its AI smarts to the Mac&#8217;s Mail app with the upcoming macOS 15.4 update.
What Happened: In his latest weekend "Power On" newsletter, Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman indicated that the new Mail app will make it easier for users struggling with email overload.
The feature, which is currently exclusive to iPad and iPhone, sorts the usual flood of emails into neat categories like primary, transactions, promotions, and updates. It also prioritizes urgent emails like boarding passes.
Gurman also reported that Apple is hitting the brakes on notification summaries in iOS 18.3 and macOS 15.3. This came after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42836957/apple-acknowledges-ai-flaws-after-bbc-complaint-vows-fix-for-misleading-news-summaries">complaints of inaccurate notifications</a>.
&#8220;Rather than quickly fixing its AI models, Apple is simply pulling the plug on summaries from news and entertainment apps,&#8221; he stated.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43021026/apple-stock-has-moved-up-4-2-since-iphone-16-launched-analyst-says-it-has-another-8-upside-as-manufacturing-cost-decline-bolsters-cupertinos-margins" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Stock Has Moved Up 4.2% Since iPhone 16 Launched, Analyst Says It Has Another 8% Upside As Manufacturing Cost Decline Bolsters Cupertino's Margins</a>
Why It Matters: The latest update is part of Apple&#8217;s bigger push into AI. The tech giant is expected to roll out its macOS 15.3 in the coming weeks.
With this update, Mac users will finally get to play with Genmoji, Apple&#8217;s custom emoji feature.
However, Cupertino is also facing some headwinds. While Apple continues to push AI capabilities, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42553029/apples-iphone-16-stumbles-on-intelligence-awareness-but-pro-max-shines-bright-says-analyst">iPhone 16 cycle</a> shows signs of struggle, with market share dropping to 66%.
The lack of consumer awareness around Apple Intelligence has been a challenge, according to a JPMorgan analyst.
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.
Cupertino's AI tools <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/01/36526396/gurman-weighs-in-on-apples-overflowing-cup-of-challenges-late-arrival-to-ai-party-app-store-regu">arrived nearly two years after</a> OpenAI's ChatGPT gained widespread popularity – a year and a half following the launch of AI services by Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)  and Alphabet Inc.&#8216;s Google (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>), and a year after Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) unveiled its updated Alexa.
&#8220;The totality of Apple&#8217;s generative AI vision will take at least into 2025 to fully scale,&#8221; Gurman said last year.
Apple currently has a market cap of $3.458, making it the most valuable company in the world. It is scheduled to announce its first-quarter earnings for 2025 on Jan. 30.
The company reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41666494/apple-q4-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-installed-base-hits-new-highs-iphone-sales-rise-as-apple-in">revenue of $94.9 billion</a> in the last quarter, surpassing analysts&#8217; expectations of $94.56 billion.
Price Action: Apple's stock rose by 0.75% on Friday, closing at $229.98. However, in after-hours trading, the shares fell by 0.21%, reaching $229.50, according to<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"> Benzinga Pro data</a>.
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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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/01/43047721/apple-cfo-denies-claims-of-75-profit-margins-on-app-store-i-wouldnt-say-theyre-accurate">Apple CFO Denies Claims Of 75% Profit Margins On App Store: &#8216;I Wouldn&#8217;t Say They&#8217;re Accurate&#8217;</a></li>
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Media

AAPL

AMZN

GOOG

GOOGL

MSFT

Apple's Making Your Mac's Mail Much Smarter: Here's What's Coming

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk on Saturday stoked hopes for all the company&#8217;s EVs equipped with its full self-driving (FSD) driver assistance technology reversing by themselves &#8220;soon.&#8221;
What Happened: Tesla&#8217;s FSD allows for lane changes with active driver supervision. However, not all versions of the software enable the car to reverse into a parking spot.
&#8220;It must stress the AI out so much that it isn't allowed to reverse yet! It will soon though,&#8221; Musk said in a post on the social media platform X in response to a user who noted that he had a good experience with the software except for when he attempted to park the vehicle and it could not reverse by itself and instead waited on the driver&#8217;s directive o reverse.
&#8220;It literally placed me ready to reverse into a parking spot. All I had to do was shift, and press the pedal,&#8221; the user said, while adding that he was using version 12.6 of the FSD software.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">It must stress the AI out so much that it isn't allowed to reverse yet! It will soon though.
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1880683455262110186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
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It is worth noting that version 13 of the software allows for the car to reverse by itself and back into a charging spot if required. 
Why It Matters: Tesla's FSD currently requires active driver supervision. However, Musk is optimistic that the technology will enable autonomous driving with future versions of the software.
Musk is known for overestimating his company's products and providing deadlines he cannot meet. As far back as 2019, Musk said that he was confident about Tesla having operational robotaxis by 2020.&nbsp;
Last year, Musk said that the company would start deploying self-driving Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in Texas and California for ride-hail in 2025, provided it gets the necessary regulatory clearances.
However, earlier this month, the U.S. auto safety regulator National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a probe&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42840097/nhtsa-opens-probe-into-26-million-tesla-vehicles-after-complaint-of-crash-involving-actually-smart-summon-feature" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">into about 2.6 million Tesla vehicles</a>&nbsp;equipped with the company's full self-driving driver assistance technology following a complaint alleging that the use of its "Actually Smart Summon" feature led to a crash.
Actually Smart Summon refers to a feature that allows a user to remotely move the vehicle towards themselves or to another nearby location such as a parking lot through the company&#8217;s phone app.
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>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43051842/ftc-bans-general-motors-from-sharing-driver-data-following-allegations-that-it-sold-sensitive-consumer-information" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FTC Bans General Motors From Sharing Driver Data Following Allegations That It Sold Sensitive Consumer Information</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Tesla

TSLA

Elon Musk Says All Tesla FSD-Equipped Vehicles Will 'Soon' Be Able To Reverse By Themselves

In a recent interview,&nbsp;Steve Bannon, former chief strategist for&nbsp;Donald Trump, declared that the anticipated presence of top tech leaders at Trump&#8217;s inauguration marks their &#8220;official surrender&#8221; to the president-elect.
What Happened: During an interview on ABC News, Bannon expressed that the attendance of major tech figures at Trump&#8217;s inauguration signifies their capitulation, ABC News <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/bannon-tech-billionaires-surrendered-trump/story?id=117826772">reported</a> on Monday.
Bannon noted that the expected presence of&nbsp;Elon Musk&nbsp;of&nbsp;Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>),&nbsp;Jeff Bezos&nbsp;of&nbsp;Amazon.com Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), and&nbsp;Mark Zuckerberg&nbsp;of&nbsp;Meta Platforms Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) at the inauguration is not unexpected. He remarked that once Zuckerberg confirmed his attendance, others followed suit.
&#8220;He&#8217;s like Gen. Douglas MacArthur,&#8221; Bannon said of Trump. &#8220;That is an official surrender, and I think it&#8217;s powerful.&#8221;
He also voiced doubts about the tech leaders&#8217; newfound allegiance to Trump, particularly Zuckerberg, whom he accused of opportunism.
Both Amazon and Meta have contributed $1 million each to Trump&#8217;s inaugural fund. 
Why It Matters: The attendance of tech giants at the inauguration comes amid a backdrop of tension between Bannon and Musk. Just days before the inauguration, Bannon had fiercely criticized Musk, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42935180/steve-bannon-targets-elon-musk-pledges-to-expel-him-from-maga-movement-he-is-a-truly-evil-guy">calling him "truly evil" </a>and vowing to expel him from the MAGA movement. This was reported by the Italian newspaper&nbsp;Corriere della Sera&nbsp;on January 12, 2025. Musk, a frequent visitor at Mar-a-Lago, has been a significant financial supporter of Trump&#8217;s return to the White House. 
Read Also: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43078027/vivek-ramaswamy-expected-to-exit-trumps-doge-task-force-amid-ohio-governor-bid-report">Elon Musk&#8217;s DOGE Co-Lead Vivek Ramaswamy Expected To Exit Trump Admin Task Force Amid Ohio Governorship Bid</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
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.

Former Trump Strategist Steve Bannon Slams Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk And Other Tech Titans' Attendance In President-Elect's Inauguration: 'This Is An Official Surrender'

The official meme coins launched by President-elect Donald Trump and incoming First Lady Melania Trump have accumulated tens of billions in combined market valuation over the weekend, evoking both awe and concerns from the cryptocurrency community.
What happened: The two Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)-based coins, namely OFFICIAL TRUMP and MELANIA, have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43078040/trump-coin-tanks-36-even-as-melania-trump-launches-her-own-token-top-analyst-says-his-short-is-going-very-very-well">sparked an unprecedented frenzy</a>, running up to valuations that established corporations took years to build.
At the current price of $58.33, Trump's official coin had a fully diluted valuation of&nbsp; $58.34 billion, <a href="https://coinmarketcap.com/">according </a>to CoinMarketCap. Similarly, MELANIA memecoin was worth $12.73 billion.&nbsp;
Note that a fully diluted valuation is an asset's market value if the maximum supply is in circulation.
The combined market value of the two meme coins was $71.07 billion. To put things in perspective, it was higher than oil-producing company Occidental Petroleum Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OXY#NYSE">OXY</a>), which had a market value of $49.38 billion at the time of writing.
It's worth noting that the energy stock has been on the radar of veteran Wall Street investor Warren Buffett. Through a series of purchases. Buffett's firm Berkshire Hathaway has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/42970418/why-warren-buffett-is-keeping-25-of-berkshires-assets-in-cash">accumulated a stake of up to 29%</a> in Occidental.&nbsp;
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43078360/peter-schiff-gets-sarcastic-wonders-whether-biden-will-sell-some-bitcoin-on-last-day-of-presidency">Peter Schiff Says &#8216;Last Night&#8217; For Biden To Sell Some Bitcoin Before Trump Takes Over: &#8216;Let&#8217;s See If He Takes Advantage Of The Opportunity&#8217;</a>
The combined market value of the Trump meme coins also surpassed some other companies in which Buffett expressed interest lately.
VeriSign Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRSN#NASDAQ">VRSN</a>), whose approximately 377,736 shares were scooped up by the conglomerate, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/01/42755180/warren-buffetts-berkshire-hathaway-makes-bold-74-million-bet-on-this-forgotten-darling-of-dotcom-boom">had a market valuation</a> of little over $20 billion as of this writing, a fraction of the Trump meme coins.
Why It Matters: The weekend meme coin frenzy comes just ahead of the presidential inauguration of Trump, who was<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073027/trump-plans-crypto-friendly-executive-orders-in-early-days-of-presidency-report"> speculated to pass several cryptocurrency-friendly</a> executive orders on Day 1 of his tenure.
The official meme coins attracted profit-hungry traders, who found the cryptocurrencies legitimate and associated with the first family of the U.S. However, the disclaimers of the two projects clearly state no connection with any political campaign, political office, or governmental agency.
Anthony Scaramucci, a prominent cryptocurrency advocate and former White House Communications Director, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43076714/scaramucci-criticizes-donald-trumps-meme-coin-launch-idi-amin-level-corruption">labeled the launch</a> as &#8220;Idi Amin-level corruption.&#8221;
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43076428/trump-inauguration-to-trigger-250k-bitcoin-rally-or-a-plunge-below-100k-analysts-weigh-in">Trump Inauguration To Trigger $250K Bitcoin Rally Or A Plunge Below $100K: Analysts Weigh In</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

$SOL

VRSN

Donald Trump And Melania Memecoins' Combined Market Value Is Now Higher Than That Of Warren Buffett's Hot Pick

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman has expressed his admiration for Elon Musk&#8217;s X, formerly Twitter, while voicing concerns about TikTok&#8217;s influence on society.
What Happened: In an interview that was made public on Sunday, Ackman praised X as a platform that allows for diverse voices and immediate feedback, aligning with Musk&#8217;s vision of it as a new media.
He underscored the open nature of X, saying, &#8220;It&#8217;s the voice of the people! It&#8217;s not the curated voices of an owner of a media publication.&#8221;
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073009/mark-zuckerberg-lauds-sheryl-sandberg-amid-blame-for-metas-dei-program-she-did-amazing-work" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Zuckerberg Lauds Sheryl Sandberg Amid Blame For Meta&#8217;s DEI Program: ‘She Did Amazing Work&#8217;</a>
Ackman also shared his concerns about TikTok, particularly its impact on young women and girls. He underscored issues such as eating disorders and vaping, questioning TikTok&#8217;s role as a positive force.
&#8220;Put aside the China issues, I do think it&#8217;s not been a healthy thing for particularly young women and young girls,&#8221; he said referring to the experience he gained through his daughters who belong to the generation living in the TikTok era.
The discussion also touched on Ackman&#8217;s limited interactions with Musk, whom he admires for his ambitious goals aimed at benefiting humanity. He noted the skepticism surrounding Musk but believes his intentions are aligned with the greater good.
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.
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Why It Matters: Earlier this month, Musk announced an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/42805588/elon-musk-announces-changes-to-x-over-negativity-concerns-too-much-negativity-is-being-pushed">&#8220;algorithm tweak&#8221; to reduce negativity</a> on the X, aiming to improve user experience by maximizing &#8220;unregretted user-seconds.&#8221;
The change was seen in response to growing scrutiny of X and accusations about the app being a negative space. The effect of this algorithm adjustment on both the platform and its users is yet to be determined.
Meanwhile, as TikTok faces an uncertain future in the U.S., Jeff Bezos-backed Perplexity reportedly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43078206/jeff-bezos-backed-perplexity-reportedly-makes-50-billion-move-to-merge-with-tiktok-but-elon-musks-x-remains-this-analysts-favorite-bidder">made a $50 billion bid</a> to merge with the app.
Reports also suggest that Musk&#8217;s X could be a potential bidder, with Dan Ives thinking that the Tesla CEO could come out as the ultimate winner of TikTok's U.S. acquisition.
Additionally, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43019833/elon-musk-buying-tiktok-could-hurt-tesla-warns-gary-black-but-dan-ives-thinks-it-makes-sense">concerns</a> have been raised about Musk potentially acquiring TikTok, with some analysts warning it could negatively impact Tesla Inc. stock. This underscores the complex dynamics surrounding TikTok&#8217;s influence and ownership.
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 <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.
Photo courtesy: Wikimedia

Bill Ackman Praises Elon Musk's X But Raises Concerns About TikTok's Harmful Influence On Society: 'Put Aside The China Issues, I Do Think It's Not Been A Healthy Thing…'

President-elect Donald Trump announced that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is planning a &#8220;massive investment&#8221; in the United States, revealing details of his conversation with CEO Tim Cook during his Make America Great Again Victory Rally in Washington D.C. on Sunday.
What Happened: The discussion comes amid Trump&#8217;s broader initiative to accelerate major corporate investments in the U.S., recently promising expedited approvals for companies <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42430799/trump-offers-fast-track-approvals-any-person-or-company-investing-over-1b-investments-in-us-get-ready-to-rock">investing $1 billion or more</a>. The policy would streamline environmental permits and other regulatory processes for qualifying investments.
&#8220;I spoke with Tim Cook of Apple. He said they&#8217;re going to make a massive investment in the United States because of our big election win,&#8221; Trump stated at the rally. 
The announcement follows Apple&#8217;s recent market milestone, with the company&#8217;s valuation approaching $4 trillion before a slight pullback.
Apple did not immediately respond to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga</a>'s request for comment.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43078027/vivek-ramaswamy-expected-to-exit-trumps-doge-task-force-amid-ohio-governor-bid-report">Elon Musk&#8217;s DOGE Co-Lead Vivek Ramaswamy Expected To Exit Trump Admin Task Force Amid Ohio Governorship Bid</a>
Why It Matters: The potential Apple investment adds to Trump&#8217;s recent economic victories, including SoftBank Group&#8216;s $100 billion <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">commitment aimed at creating 100,000 U.S. jobs</a>. 
Trump&#8217;s pro-business agenda has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/42898021/google-donates-1-million-to-trump-inauguration-plans-youtube-livestream-pleased-to-support">attracted numerous tech leaders</a> to his Mar-a-Lago residence, including executives from Meta Platforms Inc. and Alphabet Inc.
Market sentiment has responded positively to Trump&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43064144/wall-street-roars-ahead-of-trumps-inauguration-intel-rallies-bitcoin-tops-105000-whats-driving-markets-friday">business-friendly policies</a>, with major indices posting their strongest weekly gains since November ahead of his upcoming inauguration. The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 led the rally with a 1.9% increase, while the broader S&amp;P 500 gained 1.3%.
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Image Via Shutterstock
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Equities

Trump Reveals Apple's 'Massive Investment' Plans Following Victory Rally

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) tapped a new record high of $109,000 past Sunday midnight ahead of Donald Trump&#8217;s presidential inauguration
What happened: The world&#8217;s largest cryptocurrency briefly touched $109,000, bettering its previous record at $108,135. However, the coin couldn&#8217;t sustain its rally and retraced to the $107,000 zone as of this writing.
The spike spurred a broader market rally, causing large-cap cryptocurrencies like Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) and XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) to trade in the green.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally">Italy&#8217;s Largest Bank Leaps Into Bitcoin Trading With $1 Million &#8216;Test&#8217; Investment But CEO Says He Doesn&#8217;t Invest In BTC Personally</a>
Why It Matters: The record-breaking surge comes hours ahead of the presidential inauguration of Trump, who championed the industry's cause during his election campaign.
The market has been brimming with optimism, as reports have indicated that the president-elect would&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43047039/trump-planning-to-declare-cryptocurrency-as-national-priority-increase-engagement-with-industry-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announce several measures</a>&nbsp;to help the digital asset industry expand, including declaring cryptocurrency a national priority.
The rally also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43078226/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-plunge-as-trumps-official-memecoin-loses-way-analyst-underlines-importance-of-btcs-weekly-close-above-this-resistance-level">reversed losses incurred Sunday evening</a> following the dramatic dump of Trump&#8217;s official meme coin, OFFICIAL TRUMP.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $107,955.61, up 3.25% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

$XRP

Bitcoin Hits Record $109,000 Ahead Of Trump's Inauguration, Sparks Market Rally

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, U.S. companies are increasingly cautious about engaging with Taiwan&#8217;s initiative to establish a &#8220;democratic supply chain.&#8221; 
What Happened: U.S. firms are wary of collaborating with Taiwan due to China&#8217;s significant influence in the global drone market. Recent actions, such as China blacklisting U.S. drone maker Skydio, underscore these risks. Skydio experienced supply chain issues after being cut off from Chinese battery supplies following its sales in Taiwan, the Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/drone-makers-looking-to-steer-clear-of-china-fear-beijings-wrath-8fea8508">reported</a> on Monday.
In response, Taiwan is positioning itself as a potential alternative supplier. Vice Premier Cheng Li Chun has highlighted Taiwan&#8217;s efforts to develop a democratic supply chain. However, the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China complicate these efforts.
U.S. companies, including&nbsp;Empirium, are considering Taiwan as a substitute for Chinese components.
"It's not just let's swap out of China and go to Taiwan," CEO and co-founder Mike Sims said. &#8220;It's essentially just a delicate business environment."
Taiwan plans to heavily invest in its drone industry, but U.S. firms may still source parts globally to minimize risks.
Why It Matters: The collaboration between the U.S. and Taiwan to create supply chains independent of China is gaining momentum. A delegation of U.S. drone and<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40957200/amid-china-threat-us-and-taiwan-team-up-to-boost-drone-industry-cooperation-to-de-risk-supply-chains"> anti-drone companies</a> visited Taipei to explore partnerships with Taiwanese counterparts. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on Chinese components amid rising U.S.-China competition and security concerns.
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.
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Image via Unsplash

US Drone Makers Face Risks In Taiwan's 'Democratic Supply Chain' Efforts: 'Not Just Let's Swap Out Of China...It's Essentially Just A Delicate Business Environment'

<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

Earnings Scheduled For January 20, 2025

President-elect Donald Trump and incoming First Lady Melania Trump triggered a meme coin frenzy over the weekend, surprising the cryptocurrency industry and leaving many to wonder about their motives.&nbsp;
What happened: The launch of the OFFICIAL TRUMP token created a stir in the market, as the coin's fully diluted valuation reached a whopping $74 billion at one time, <a href="https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/official-trump/">according </a>to CoinMarketCap.
The project's official website stated that CIC Digital LLC, an affiliate of The Trump Organization, and a related entity, Fight Fight Fight LLC, own <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43078040/trump-coin-tanks-36-even-as-melania-trump-launches-her-own-token-top-analyst-says-his-short-is-going-very-very-well">an 80% share</a> of the digital asset.&nbsp;
At the current price of $53.69, that coin was worth $53.74 billion, meaning that Trump's stake could be about $43 billion.&nbsp;
With a reported portfolio already worth $9.16 billion, <a href="https://intel.arkm.com/explorer/entity/donald-trump?s=09">according </a>to on-chain analytics firm Arkham, Trump&#8217;s cryptocurrency wealth might have exceeded $52 billion upon the official meme coin debut.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally">Italy&#8217;s Largest Bank Leaps Into Bitcoin Trading With $1 Million &#8216;Test&#8217; Investment But CEO Says He Doesn&#8217;t Invest In BTC Personally</a>
Even as the market was coming to terms with the OFFICIAL TRUMP mania, soon-to-be First Lady Melania Trump launched her own meme coin, called MELANIA, on Sunday. Like her husband's offering, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43078040/trump-coin-tanks-36-even-as-melania-trump-launches-her-own-token-top-analyst-says-his-short-is-going-very-very-well">Melania's cryptocurrency</a> was launched on the Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) blockchain.
According to the coin's tokenomics, 35% of the total supply was reserved for Melania's team, with an initial lock period of 30 days.&nbsp;
MELANIA's fully diluted valuation—the market value if the maximum supply was in circulation—was <a href="https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/melania-meme/">worth </a>$11.14 billion. So, at a 35% stake, Melania Trump's fortune was worth $3.89 billion.
Why It Matters: The launch of meme coins by the Trumps comes just ahead of the days ahead of the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who championed the cryptocurrency industry's cause during his election campaign.
The president-elect was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073027/trump-plans-crypto-friendly-executive-orders-in-early-days-of-presidency-report">expected to issue cryptocurrency-friendly executive orders</a>, including the creation of a strategic Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) reserve.
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Image via Shutterstock

Donald, Melania Crypto Launch Is Worth Billions, Here's How Much The First Couple's Namesake Coins Have Generated

Once Donald Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43076398/trumps-expected-executive-orders-bitcoins-bullish-surge-and-more-this-week-in-crypto">swears in on Jan. 20</a> as the new U.S. President, he will receive the Presidential state car, a custom Cadillac nicknamed &#8220;The Beast&#8221; that he rode during his previous term as well.
About The Beast: The current state car debuted in 2018 and was used by Trump during his first term. NBC News then <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/trump-s-new-limo-cost-16m-comes-fridge-his-blood-n912841">reported</a> that the limo weighs about 20,000 pounds, is heavily armored to defend against any potential attack, and has a refrigerator of the president&#8217;s blood type in case of emergencies.
The report also noted that the doors of the vehicle are as heavy as those on a Boeing 757 jet and that it uses a mix of steel, aluminum, and ceramic armor.
The car, built by General Motors Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>), was commissioned by the United States Secret Service and cost $1.5 million.
The Presidential State Cars Before: General Motors has a long history of building state cars. The state car before the current, which went into service in 2009 and drove 44th U.S. President Barrack Obama from his first inauguration to the inaugural parade, was also a Cadillac. Former President Bill Clinton used a Cadillac Fleetwood as his Presidential state car prior to that.
In the late 20th century, however, a few Lincoln vehicles were also used as Presidential state cars. In fact, the very first President car to be built to the Secret Service&#8217;s specifications was the Sunshine Special &#8211; a modified 1939 Lincoln Model K limousine. Lincoln is a brand by GM&#8217;s rival Ford Motor Co.
Cadillac Sales: In 2024, Cadillac had its best year in terms of sales since 2016. The brand sold 160,204 vehicles in the U.S., marking a year-on-year growth of 8.8%. 
Cadillac currently manufactures both electric and internal combustion engine vehicles. The brand has 8 offerings in the U.S., including two electric offerings in the form of its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/01/36690047/gms-cadillac-ramps-up-lyriq-production-amid-surging-demand-for-luxury-evs-report">Lyriq SUV and the Escalade IQ EV.</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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Photo courtesy: Wikimedia

Trump's Armored Presidential Limo: Inside The $1.5 Million Beast Packed With Cutting-Edge Features

The Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) blockchain experienced significant network congestion on Monday as enthusiasm around President-elect Donald Trump-themed meme tokens triggered unprecedented transaction volumes, leading to technical difficulties for key infrastructure provider Jito Labs.
What Happened: Jito Labs reported &#8220;severe degradation&#8221; of its Block Engine API due to &#8220;unprecedented load levels,&#8221; though the company later confirmed service stability had improved following emergency mitigation efforts. While the Solana network continued processing blocks, transaction submission through Jito&#8217;s service was temporarily impacted.
Solana&#8217;s official X account retweeted a post from Jito Labs.
The congestion coincided with the launch of the MELANIA token on Solana by Melania Trump, which surged <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43078040/trump-coin-tanks-36-even-as-melania-trump-launches-her-own-token-top-analyst-says-his-short-is-going-very-very-well">over 21,000% within 24 hours</a> to reach an $11.39 billion market capitalization. This followed the recent launch of the OFFICIAL TRUMP token, which experienced a 36% price drop from $73 to $46 on Sunday evening, erasing approximately $5 billion in market value.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Update: Service stability has improved following our recent mitigation efforts. Huge shoutout to the Jito Labs engineering team who worked tirelessly testing multiple solutions until we achieved service stability. While we remain vigilant and are closely monitoring… <a href="https://t.co/TRKr4E8y0P">https://t.co/TRKr4E8y0P</a>
&mdash; buffalu (@buffalu__) <a href="https://twitter.com/buffalu__/status/1881157819061195143?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The market turbulence extended beyond meme tokens, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43078226/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-plunge-as-trumps-official-memecoin-loses-way-analyst-underlines-importance-of-btcs-weekly-close-above-this-resistance-level">impacting major cryptocurrencies</a>. Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) dropped from $106,180 to $99,622, while Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) fell from $3,414 to $3,150. However, both cryptocurrencies have since recovered, with BTC reaching $108,560 and ETH climbing to $3,423.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43078027/vivek-ramaswamy-expected-to-exit-trumps-doge-task-force-amid-ohio-governor-bid-report">Elon Musk&#8217;s DOGE Co-Lead Vivek Ramaswamy Expected To Exit Trump Admin Task Force Amid Ohio Governorship Bid</a>
Why It Matters: Cryptocurrency analyst Ali Martinez revealed a successful short position on the OFFICIAL TRUMP token, while trader Altcoin Gordon disclosed opening a $500,000 short position with a $90 liquidation price, targeting $55 for a potential $2.7 million profit.
The events highlight the growing impact of political meme tokens on blockchain infrastructure and market stability. Reports indicate that CIC Digital LLC, an affiliate of the Trump Organization, and Fight Fight Fight LLC collectively own 80% of the OFFICIAL TRUMP token supply.
The timing of these market movements is particularly notable as they occur during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, with traditional U.S. stock exchanges closed and Trump preparing for his presidential inauguration scheduled for Monday.
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Image Via Shutterstock 
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Solana Blockchain Faces Network Congestion As Trump And Melania Meme Tokens Surge: What You Need To Know

Financial markets will <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/01/30428728/is-the-stock-market-open-on-martin-luther-king-jr-day">pause trading on Monday, Jan. 20</a>, as the nation observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year, it coincides with President-elect Donald Trump&#8216;s inauguration as the 47th president.
The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market will be closed for the federal holiday, along with U.S. bond markets and over-the-counter trading. The closure comes less than <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options/25/01/42895894/is-the-stock-market-closed-for-jimmy-carters-state-funeral">two weeks after markets shuttered</a> for former President Jimmy Carter&#8216;s state funeral.
Major international exchanges, including the London Stock Exchange Group, will maintain normal trading hours on Jan. 20. The Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Euronext Paris exchanges will also operate as usual.
For investors handling financial transactions, all Federal Reserve banks and physical bank branches across the U.S. will be closed, though ATMs and digital banking services remain accessible. The United States Postal Service will suspend regular mail delivery, operating only Priority Express Mail service.
Market analysts note that stocks have historically shown a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/01/30428728/is-the-stock-market-open-on-martin-luther-king-jr-day">pattern around MLK Day</a>, with the S&amp;P 500 typically rising in the week before the holiday. Last year saw a 3.27% rally in the four trading days preceding the long weekend, though trading volume decreased as investors stepped away early.
First observed federally in 1986 after being signed into law by former President Ronald Reagan in 1983, Martin Luther King Jr. Day became universally celebrated across all 50 states in 2000. The holiday honors the legacy of the civil rights leader awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
Trading will resume normal hours on Tuesday, Jan 21.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Is Stock Market Open Today? What To Know About MLK Day Trading Hours Amid Trump's Inauguration

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk tops a group of five business moguls expected to become the world's first trillionaires within a decade, highlighting the accelerating concentration of wealth, according to a new Oxfam report released Monday.
What Happened: The report, &#8220;Takers Not Makers,&#8221; shows billionaire wealth grew by $2 trillion in 2024 alone, with Musk&#8217;s net worth reaching $433.9 billion. 
Trailing Musk on Forbes&#8217; billionaire list are Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) founder Jeff Bezos at $239.4 billion, Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) chief Mark Zuckerberg at $211.8 billion, Oracle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>) founder Larry Ellison at $204.6 billion, and LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis&#8216; (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LVMUY#OTC">LVMUY</a>) Bernard Arnault at $181.3 billion on Forbes&#8217; top list of billionaires.
The acceleration of wealth accumulation has been dramatic, with billionaire fortunes growing three times faster in 2024 compared to 2023. The report reveals that 60% of billionaire wealth comes from inheritance, monopoly power, or crony connections rather than entrepreneurship.
&#8220;The pace of wealth concentration has reached unprecedented levels,&#8221; says Chiara Putaturo, Oxfam EU tax expert. &#8220;While billionaire wealth is exploding, most of this wealth is not earned but inherited.&#8221;
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/43078622/nvidia-exec-contrasts-elon-musks-optimism-says-fully-autonomous-cars-not-close-and-wont-hit-roads-until-next-decade">Nvidia Executive Contrasts Elon Musk&#8217;s Optimism On Fully Autonomous Cars, Says Milestone Won&#8217;t Be Achieved Until Next Decade: &#8216;It&#8217;s Super Hard&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: The findings highlight concerning market dynamics, with monopolistic control playing a significant role. Amazon commands 70% or more of online purchases in major European markets, while tech platforms&#8217; market dominance continues to grow.
This wealth expansion contrasts sharply with broader economic indicators. The World Bank reports that nearly 3.6 billion people still live below the $6.85 poverty line, a number virtually unchanged since 1990. The report suggests that without intervention, this wealth gap could continue to widen, potentially affecting market stability and economic growth.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43078206/jeff-bezos-backed-perplexity-reportedly-makes-50-billion-move-to-merge-with-tiktok-but-elon-musks-x-remains-this-analysts-favorite-bidder">Jeff Bezos-Backed Perplexity Reportedly Makes $50 Billion Move To Merge With TikTok, But Elon Musk&#8217;s X Remains This Analyst&#8217;s Favorite Bidder</a></li>
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Image Via Shutterstock 
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

LVMUY

ORCL

Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg Among Those In Race To Become First Trillionaires, Oxfam Warns Of Growing Wealth Inequality

EV giant Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) is offering free supercharging on the purchase of Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in Japan, where it wants direly to expand its market share.
What Happened: Tesla now says on its website for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/05/32524769/japan-is-no-longer-the-worlds-biggest-car-exporter">customers in Japan</a> that those who purchase a Model 3 sedan from the company after Jan 1 will get free supercharging for five years. The customers, however, must take delivery of their vehicle by March 31.
A similar offer also applies to new Model Ys in the company inventory.
While the Model 3 starts at 5,313,000 yen ($34,055) in Japan, the Model Y starts at 5,950,000 yen ($38,138).
Why It Matters: In January 2024, Tesla CEO&nbsp;Elon Musk&nbsp;mourned the company's lack of market share in Japan, terming it "remarkably low."
The CEO said that the company will not overspend on advertising but instead spend it in geographies such as Japan by deploying superchargers at the right locations and setting up service centers.
"Japan is the third-largest car market in the world of any country. So we should at least have a market share proportionate to, say, other non-Japanese carmakers like Mercedes or BMW, which we do not currently have," Musk then said while adding that there is a lack of awareness of Tesla in the country.
In October, the company opened its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41374112/elon-musk-mourned-teslas-lack-of-market-share-in-japan-in-january-ev-giant-now-opens-600th-superchar">600th supercharger post</a> in Japan, in a bid to build EV charging infrastructure in the country. 
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

Tesla Offers Free Supercharging On Model 3, Y In Japan A Year After Elon Musk Mourned EV Giant's Lack Of Market Share In Geography

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) bull Ross Gerber has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43050469/tesla-bull-ross-gerber-demands-tiktok-ban-calling-it-a-national-security-risk-amid-reports-that-elon-musk-may-buy-it">voiced doubts</a> about the effectiveness of an executive order in overriding existing laws concerning the TikTok ban.
What Happened: Gerber's comment came in response, to Donald Trump&#8217;s announcement <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43076609/tiktok-back-online-in-us-after-trump-vows-monday-executive-order">about his intention</a> to issue an executive order to delay the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43078310/mark-zuckerbergs-instagram-doubles-down-on-tiktok-rivalry-with-new-edits-app-to-lure-creators-as-the-potential-shutdown-sparks-alternatives">federal ban on TikTok</a>.
The CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management took to X, formerly Twitter, and said &#8220;I don't think an executive order can supersede a law when it comes to national security.&#8221;
He added, &#8220;The Supreme Court has already ruled it constitutional. TIKTOK IS A CHINESE WEAPON.&#8221;
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073009/mark-zuckerberg-lauds-sheryl-sandberg-amid-blame-for-metas-dei-program-she-did-amazing-work" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Zuckerberg Lauds Sheryl Sandberg Amid Blame For Meta's DEI Program: ‘She Did Amazing Work'</a>
<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">I don't think an executive order can supersede a law when it comes to national security. The Supreme Court has already ruled it constitutional. TIKTOK IS A CHINESE WEAPON.
&mdash; Ross Gerber (@GerberKawasaki) <a href="https://twitter.com/GerberKawasaki/status/1881089213459988907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Why It Matters: Earlier on Sunday, Trump took to Truth Social, urging companies to prevent TikTok from going dark and promising an executive order to extend the ban&#8217;s implementation period.
The ban stems <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38394855/biden-set-to-sign-tiktok-ban-into-law-after-senate-passes-bill-supported-by-gop-democrats">from a 2024 law</a> addressing national security concerns over TikTok&#8217;s Chinese ownership. The law requires app stores and cloud providers to stop hosting TikTok unless it is sold by its parent company, ByteDance.
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.
Trump&#8217;s executive order aims to temporarily halt this law, which was upheld by the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43060894/supreme-court-upholds-tiktok-ban-ahead-of-trumps-inauguration">Supreme Court on Friday</a>. However, the executive order&#8217;s legality and effectiveness remain uncertain, as it may face legal challenges.
The law allows a 90-day extension if a buyer is found, but only if significant progress is made toward a non-Chinese deal, and it must be completed within 90 days. It&#8217;s unclear if this option still exists since the law is in effect, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/19/technology/trump-tiktok-ban-executive-order.html">noted</a> the New York Times.
TikTok has argued that a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38693602/tiktok-admits-xi-jinpings-ccp-wont-let-its-algorithm-be-sold-after-biden-gives-9-months-to-divest-or">sale isn't feasible</a> due to its global operations. China has also indicated it would block the export of TikTok&#8217;s crucial video-recommendation technology.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Jeff Bezos-backed Perplexity reportedly made a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43078206/jeff-bezos-backed-perplexity-reportedly-makes-50-billion-move-to-merge-with-tiktok-but-elon-musks-x-remains-this-analysts-favorite-bidder">$50 billion bid to merge</a> with TikTok U.S., although Tesla CEO Elon Musk's social media app X is seen as a strong contender for the acquisition.
Previously, Tesla investor Gary Black raised concerns over Musk&#8217;s potential acquisition of TikTok&#8217;s U.S. operations, cautioning that it could <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43019833/elon-musk-buying-tiktok-could-hurt-tesla-warns-gary-black-but-dan-ives-thinks-it-makes-sense">hurt the EV giant's stock</a>.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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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.

Social Media

Tesla Bull Ross Gerber Says Trump's Executive Order Can't Override Law In TikTok Ban Fight

Autonomous vehicles won&#8217;t be ready for widespread deployment until &#8220;well into the next decade,&#8221; according to NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) automotive chief Ali Kani, even as major tech companies accelerate their investments in self-driving technology.
What Happened: The cautionary outlook from one of the industry&#8217;s leading chip suppliers comes as Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk projects its Full Self-Driving system will <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42894743/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-says-fsd-will-be-safer-than-human-drivers-in-q2-2025">surpass human capabilities</a> by mid-2024.
&#8220;We&#8217;re not close. It&#8217;s super-hard,&#8221; Kani <a href="https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/technology/nvidia-fully-autonomous-cars-not-close-production-reality">told</a> Autocar. &#8220;If one firm makes one mistake, the whole industry gets pushed back a few years.&#8221;
Nvidia, which supplies computing systems to automakers including Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, is expanding its automotive presence through new partnerships. The company recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/01/42839556/uber-and-nvidia-partner-on-ai-technology-for-autonomous-cars">announced a collaboration</a> with Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>) to develop AI-powered autonomous solutions using its Cosmos and DGX Cloud platforms.
The technological hurdles remain significant. Current autonomous systems exhibit &#8220;herky-jerky behavior and ghost braking,&#8221; Kani said, requiring advances in computing power, sensors, and AI models to achieve natural driving capabilities.
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Why It Matters: Recent setbacks highlight these challenges. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened investigations into Tesla&#8217;s FSD system following multiple crashes, including a fatal pedestrian accident. Truist analyst William Stein noted &#8220;obvious imperfections&#8221; in Tesla&#8217;s latest FSD version after test drives, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/42772702/tesla-analyst-says-fsd-test-drive-shows-imperfections-not-ready-for-prime-time-yet">maintaining a Hold rating on the stock</a>.
Meanwhile, Alphabet Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) Waymo unit is expanding globally, announcing plans to launch in Tokyo by early 2025. The company&#8217;s safety record has drawn <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/42817526/alphabet-drives-into-2025-googles-ai-waymo-lead-the-charge">positive attention from insurers</a>, distinguishing it from competitors like General Motors&#8216; Cruise, which recently scaled back operations.
Industry experts estimate autonomous vehicles could become a multi-trillion-dollar market. However, Kani emphasized the need for cautious development: &#8220;The industry needs to go slowly with this&#8230;You can only do it when you have proven that it is really safe.&#8221;
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Image Via Shutterstock 
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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Nvidia Executive Contrasts Elon Musk's Optimism On Fully Autonomous Cars, Says Milestone Won't Be Achieved Until Next Decade: 'It's Super Hard'

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