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SmileDirectClub Inc is engaged in the orthodontics business. It is mainly involved in the sale of aligners, impression kits, whitening gel, and retainers. The company has one operating segment, aligner products.

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SmileDirectClub Inc (OTC: SDCCQ) shut down after filing for bankruptcy in the U.S. in September.

Once High-Flying Direct-To-Consumer Dentistry Company SmileDirectClub Shuts Down

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Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) workers have expanded their strike to additional U.S. cities amid stalled wage negotiations during the crucial holiday shopping period, potentially <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42609868/starbucks-workers-plan-strike-in-la-chicago-seattle-on-christmas-eve-amid-holiday-rush">affecting the coffee chain&#8217;s Christmas sales</a>, according to Workers United union.
What Happened: The five-day strike, which began Friday, has spread from initial locations in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle to include stores in New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, and St. Louis, the union said in a statement Saturday. Workers in Columbus, Ohio, Denver, and Pittsburgh are also participating in the walkout, reported Reuters.
At the heart of the dispute is Workers United&#8217;s proposal for substantial wage increases, including an immediate 64% rise in minimum hourly wages and a 77% increase over a three-year contract period. Starbucks has called these demands &#8220;unsustainable&#8221; and maintains that the strike has not significantly impacted its operations, noting that only a small fraction of its more than 11,000 U.S. locations are affected.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42639737/trumps-call-to-reclaim-panama-canal-sparks-backlash-every-square-meter-belongs-to-panama-says-president-mulino">Trump&#8217;s Call To Reclaim Panama Canal Sparks Backlash: &#8216;Every Square Meter Belongs To Panama,&#8217; Says President Mulino</a>
Why It Matters: The strike comes at a critical time for Starbucks, which employs approximately 200,000 workers across its U.S. operations. While negotiations between the company and the union began in April, with over eight bargaining sessions leading to 30 agreements, key issues regarding wages, staffing, and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42609868/starbucks-workers-plan-strike-in-la-chicago-seattle-on-christmas-eve-amid-holiday-rush">schedules remain unresolved</a>.
Workers United has warned that the strike could expand to &#8220;hundreds of stores&#8221; by Christmas Eve, potentially disrupting one of the busiest retail periods of the year. 
Despite these labor challenges, Wall Street maintains a generally positive outlook on the company. Wells Fargo analyst Zachary Fadem, who holds an 86% accuracy <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42260312/this-analyst-with-86-accuracy-rate-sees-more-than-12-upside-in-starbucks-here-are-5-stock-picks-for-last-week-from-wall-streets-most-accurate-analysts">rating according to Benzinga</a>, recently maintained an Overweight rating on Starbucks with a price target of $115, suggesting over 12% upside potential.
The current consensus <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SBUX/analyst-ratings">price target among 28 analysts</a> covering Starbucks stands at $103.85, with estimates ranging from Jefferies&#8217; low of $76 to Evercore ISI Group&#8217;s high of $120.
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/23012401/Screenshot-2024-12-23-at-11.53.13%E2%80%AFAM-1024x371.png" alt="" class="wp-image-703357" style="width:682px;height:auto" /></figure>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Equities

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Starbucks Strike Expands To More US Cities As Wage Negotiations Stall During Busy Holiday Season

Sanofi initiates phase 3 program for PCV21 and expands collaboration with SK bioscience for next-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccines
<ul>
<li>Pneumococcal disease remains a major global health challenge despite the availability of current vaccines</li>
<li>This 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV21) is the first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine candidate with more than 20 serotypes to enter phase 3 in infants &amp; toddlers</li>
</ul>

Sanofi Launches Phase 3 Trials For PCV21 And Strengthens Partnership With SK Bioscience On Next-Generation Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines

Another country now faces a significant risk of economic stagnation warned veteran economist Mohamed A. El-Erian, in an X post, as the the major economic power&#8217;s short-term bond yields plummeted to a two-decade low on Friday.
What Happened: The yield on one-year Chinese government debt sharply declined 17 basis points on Friday, settling at 0.85%, the lowest level observed in over 20 years since 2003. This followed a significant event earlier in the trading session when yields briefly dipped below the psychologically important 1% threshold.
El-Erian is the former CEO and co-CIO at Pimco and the current president of Queens College at Cambridge University. According to him, Japan is recovering from an &#8220;awful economic trap&#8221; while China moves toward &#8220;Japanification.&#8221;
Last month China&#8217;s long-term 30-year bond yields dipped below those of Japan. This development is interpreted by investors as a signal that the Chinese economy may be entering a phase of &#8220;Japanification,&#8221; characterized by sluggish economic growth and persistent low inflation.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">A common refrain 20 years ago in the West was that "Japan could not happen here." That was proven wrong for quite a few other advanced economies. Now it's China that faces the risk of "Japanification" … and, ironically, this as Japan itself is climbing out of that awful… <a href="https://t.co/9gl9oEgfuz">pic.twitter.com/9gl9oEgfuz</a>
&mdash; Mohamed A. El-Erian (@elerianm) <a href="https://twitter.com/elerianm/status/1870154630795010219?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2024</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42610441/nikes-new-ceo-says-we-lost-our-obsession-with-sport-as-he-rebukes-old-strategies-on-performance-marketing-isolation-of-wholesalers-aims-to-create-demand">Nike&#8217;s New CEO Blames Promotions For Declining Profits, Says Turnaround Efforts May Hurt As Company Moves To Clear Excess Inventory: &#8216;We Lost Our Obsession With Sport&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Japanification refers to the economic phenomenon where a country experiences a prolonged period of sluggish economic growth, accompanied by low inflation, even when monetary policies are implemented to stimulate the economy. This situation often results in persistently low interest rates, as central banks struggle to combat deflationary pressures.
According to a <a href="https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/from_briefings_09-april-2021">note</a> by former chief Japan economist at Goldman Sachs, Naohiko Baba, who is now with Barclays, &#8220;Concerns about Japanification have been rising recently in Europe and particularly in China, where the working-age population is projected to decline significantly. Interestingly, however, despite its demographic headwinds, Japan's economy has still managed to grow, albeit modestly.&#8221;
China&#8217;s consumer price index increased by 0.2% year-on-year in November 2024, marking a slight slowdown from the previous month&#8217;s 0.3% increase and falling below the economists forecast. Meanwhile, China&#8217;s GDP growth for the first three quarters of 2024 reached approximately 4.8% year-on-year. As of December 2024, China&#8217;s key interest rates stood as follows: Loan Prime Rate (LPR) at 3.10% and above five-year LPR at 3.60%.
According to a <a href="https://www.ssga.com/au/en_gb/institutional/insights/economic-parallels-china-japan">paper</a> by the global financial services firm State Street Global Advisors, &#8220;China fares better than 1990s Japan in certain aspects — such as higher policy autonomy, stricter capital control, and lower urbanization ratio — the nation has higher policy uncertainty, a more extreme property-sector boom, worse demographic progression, and a more challenging strategic relationship with the U.S.&#8221;
&#8220;Proactive and coordinated policy response on both monetary and fiscal fronts to boost the public expectations of future growth will be critical if China is to avoid Japanification. This proactive policy response needs to be coupled with more long-term structural reforms to combat demographic transition and property sector drag,&#8221; the paper added.
A Dec. 9 <a href="http://cpc.people.com.cn/n1/2024/1209/c64094-40378540.html">statement </a>by the Chinese government said that it aims to implement proactive fiscal policies to stimulate economic growth. The government will maintain a moderately loose monetary policy to support economic activity, said the press release and it will utilize a combination of policy tools to effectively address economic challenges. The Chinese government also strives to actively encourage consumer spending to drive economic growth.
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Mohammed El Erian Says This Country Faces Japan-Style Economic Risk Even As Tokyo Rebounds

Popular dog-themed cryptocurrency Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) spiked late Sunday night after President-elect Donald Trump recruited longtime loyalist Katie Miller to the Department of Government Efficiency, overseen by billionaire Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
What happened: Through his Truth Social account, Trump announced, "Katie Miller will soon be joining DOGE! She has been a loyal supporter of mine for many years, and will bring her professional experience to Government Efficiency."
Miller expressed gratitude to Trump for the appointment and said, "Deeply honored to work for you at DOGE to make our government efficient and accountable. Let's Make America Great Again!"
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> for your trust. Deeply honored to work for you at DOGE to make our government efficient and accountable. Let's Make America Great Again! <a href="https://t.co/JYuvCEu6mp">https://t.co/JYuvCEu6mp</a>
&mdash; Katie Miller (@katierosemiller) <a href="https://twitter.com/katierosemiller/status/1870990234361778534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
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See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42519107/if-you-invested-1000-in-bitcoin-when-the-first-bitcoin-etf-was-filed-heres-how-much-youd-have-today"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42560698/microstrategys-aggressive-bitcoin-strategy-raises-eyebrows-in-crypto-community">MicroStrategy&#8217;s Aggressive Bitcoin Strategy Raises Eyebrows In Crypto Community</a>.
Why It Matters: Miller served as deputy press secretary at the Department of Homeland Security in Trump's first administration. She later took over as press secretary for former Vice President Mike Pence.
Miller's husband, Stephen Miller, was named as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy in the upcoming Trump administration.
Floated by Musk and greenlighted by Trump, the Department of Government Efficiency, popularly known as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41965420/elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy-led-department-of-government-efficiency-opens-account-on-x-says-it-is-working-overtime">DOGE</a>, is aimed at bringing down government bureaucracy, slashing excess regulations, cutting waste expenditures, and restructuring federal agencies.
Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/12/36355033/elon-musk-loves-dogecoin-but-says-he-doesnt-spend-a-lot-of-time-thinking-of-cryptocurrency">Musk has expressed interest in in recent years</a>, has gained in response to developments surrounding the department.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Dogecoin was exchanging hands at $0.315, up 2.19 % 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>.&nbsp;
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</ul>

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

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$DOGE

Dogecoin Turns Green As Trump Appoints Loyalist Katie Miller To The Department Of Government Efficiency

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) executive Sendil Palani on Sunday bemoaned the cost of sending letters to customers whose vehicles were affected by the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42613937/tesla-stock-falls-over-5-during-pre-market-after-elon-musk-led-ev-giant-recalls-nearly-700000-vehicles">recent recall issued by the company</a>.
What Happened: Palani termed the mandate of sending letters to affected owners as a waste of time and money.
&#8220;The OEM has to pay for printing, postage (now up to $0.73 per letter), and administration,&#8221; Palani, Vice President of Finance at Tesla, said. 
U.S. auto safety regulator National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday that Tesla is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42613937/tesla-stock-falls-over-5-during-pre-market-after-elon-musk-led-ev-giant-recalls-nearly-700000-vehicles">recalling 694,304 Cybertruck, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles</a> citing concerns about the tire pressure monitoring system warning lights. Tesla released an over-the-air software update aimed at fixing the issue. 
As per Palani&#8217;s estimate, posting the letters notifying customers of the recent recall alone could cost Tesla up to $506,000. 
Palani also said on Sunday that in the case of Tesla&#8217;s recalls, &#8220;very often&#8221; the issue has been resolved before vehicle owners receive the mail as many of the issues are fixed via over-the-air software updates.
In July, Tesla recalled over 1.8 million vehicles over concerns that an unlatched hood can fully open when driving, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risks of a crash. The company, then too, fixed the issue via an over-the-air update. 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Wastes time and money too. The OEM has to pay for printing, postage (now up to $0.73 per letter), and administration. In Tesla&#39;s case, the issue has very often been resolved prior to mail delivery.
&mdash; Sendil Palani (@sendilpalani) <a href="https://twitter.com/sendilpalani/status/1870940251310772315?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Why It Matters: Earlier this year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk himself <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/02/37148735/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-urges-nhtsa-to-end-requirement-for-physical-letters-regarding-recalls-fixed-via">called upon the NHTSA</a> to stop the requirement of mailing physical letters to vehicle owners for recalls fixed via an over-the-air (OTA) update.
&#8220;This needs to stop,&#8221; Musk wrote on X.
Musk and several other Tesla executives have previously even <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/02/36921334/elon-musk-criticizes-labeling-over-the-air-fixes-as-recalls-for-tesla-vehicles-by-that-anachronistic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">condemned the use of the word &#8220;recall&#8221;</a> for vehicle issues that are fixed via an over-the-air (OTA) software update.
&#8220;This &#8216;recall&#8217; literally just changes a few pixels on the screen with an over-the-air update. By that anachronistic standard, phones are being "recalled" every few weeks,&#8221; Musk said in February after the company issued a &#8220;recall&#8221; for about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/02/36906058/tesla-initiates-first-ever-cybertruck-recall-as-part-of-larger-2-2m-vehicle-callback" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2.2 million vehicles</a> due to concerns about a smaller font size for warning lights compromising the visibility of crucial safety information.
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

Tech

TSLA

Tesla Exec Bemoans Cost Of Sending Letter To Owners Affected By EV Giant's Recent Recall Of Nearly 700,000 Vehicles

Spotify Technology SA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPOT#NYSE">SPOT</a>) executives and board members have capitalized on the company&#8217;s remarkable stock performance in 2024, selling $1.25 billion worth of shares as the streaming giant&#8217;s market value approaches $100 billion.
What Happened: Co-founders Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon led the selling spree, collecting $350 million and $550 million respectively, according to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The stock sales accelerated in November and December, involving approximately 20 company leaders.
The streaming service&#8217;s shares have nearly tripled in 2024, marking a dramatic recovery from 2022-2023 when its market capitalization fell below $20 billion. The turnaround follows successful cost-cutting measures, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/12/36063807/spotify-to-layoff-17-of-workforce-being-lean-is-not-just-an-option-but-a-necessity-says-ceo-daniel-e">including a 25% workforce reduction</a> in 2023, and price increases across multiple markets.
Key executives joining the selling wave include Chief Product and Technology Officer Gustav Söderström ($106 million), Chief Business Officer Alex Norström ($63 million), and Chief Human Resources Officer Katarina Berg ($38 million). Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, a Spotify board member since 2016, sold $6 million in stock.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42640181/microstrategys-michael-saylor-proposes-digital-assets-framework-for-us-advocates-bitcoin-reserve-capable-of-generating-1681-trillion-in-wealth">Michael Saylor Proposes US Digital Assets Framework, Backs Bitcoin Reserve Capable Of Generating $16–$81 Trillion In Wealth</a>
Why It Matters: JPMorgan recently named Spotify <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42561047/amazon-meta-alphabet-spotify-lead-jpmorgans-2025-tech-picks-for-ai-potential">among its top tech picks for 2025</a>, alongside Amazon.com Inc., Meta Platforms Inc., and Alphabet Inc., citing AI-driven growth potential. However, investment firm Ark Invest, led by Cathie Wood, sold approximately $4.8 million worth of Spotify <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42281575/cathie-woods-monday-moves-4-8m-spotify-stock-sale-meets-4-7m-pinterest-shopping-spree">shares in early December</a>.
Price Action: Spotify closed at $460.88 on Friday, up by 1.48%. In after-hours trading, the stock slightly gained, reaching $461.06. Year-to-date, Spotify&#8217;s stock has surged 144.11%, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Spotify has a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SPOT/analyst-ratings">consensus price target</a> of $402.19, based on 32 analysts. The highest target is $560, and the lowest is $190. The most recent ratings, from Canaccord Genuity and Goldman Sachs, suggest a 13.87% upside, with an average target of $525.
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/22231018/Screenshot-2024-12-23-at-9.39.14%E2%80%AFAM-1024x372.png" alt="" class="wp-image-703228" style="width:578px;height:auto" /></figure>
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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.

SPOT

Daniel Ek, Spotify Board Members Sell Over $1 Billion In Shares As Stock Surges 144% In 2024

President-elect Donald Trump congratulated the cryptocurrency community on Bitcoin's (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) new all-time highs on Sunday even as the leading cryptocurrency posted its first weekly decline since his victory last month.
What happened: Addressing a rally at the Turning Point USA event in Phoenix, Trump emphasized how risk-on markets have risen since the election.
"Bitcoin surged to an all-time record high of $108,000. Congratulations," Trump said amid thunderous applause from the crowd.
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See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42519107/if-you-invested-1000-in-bitcoin-when-the-first-bitcoin-etf-was-filed-heres-how-much-youd-have-today"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42560698/microstrategys-aggressive-bitcoin-strategy-raises-eyebrows-in-crypto-community">MicroStrategy&#8217;s Aggressive Bitcoin Strategy Raises Eyebrows In Crypto Community</a>
Interestingly, Trump&#8217;s enthusiastic speech coincided with Bitcoin&#8217;s first weekly loss since his election triumph, which <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41915075/how-to-trade-the-trump-bitcoin-rally">sparked a record-breaking rally</a> for the top cryptocurrency. At the time of writing, Bitcoin was down over 8% in the last week.
Why It Matters: Several of Bitcoin's technical indicators painted a bearish outlook as of this writing.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence indicator, which compares two exponential moving averages of price, flashed a &#8220;Sell&#8221; signal, <a href="https://in.tradingview.com/symbols/BTCUSD/technicals/">according </a>to TradingView. Additionally, most shorter moving averages projected downsides.
The Relative Strength Index, used to determine if an asset is overbought or oversold, showed a "Neutral" reading.&nbsp;
That said, the percentage of traders placing upside bets on the coin rose above 50%, signaling expectations of a rebound, <a href="https://www.coinglass.com/LongShortRatio">according </a>to data from Coinglass.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $96,296.30, down 0.76% 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>.&nbsp;
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42545656/bitcoin-is-no-manhattan-real-estate-peter-schiff-challenges-microstrategys-micheal-saylor-btc-doesnt-generate-any-income">Bitcoin Is No Manhattan Real Estate, Peter Schiff Challenges MicroStrategy&#8217;s Michael Saylor: &#8216;BTC Doesn&#8217;t Generate Any Income&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

$BTC

Trump Congratulates Bitcoin Community On New All-Time Highs Just As Top Crypto Suffers First Weekly Loss Since His Election Triumph

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is taking its AirPods to the next level with plans to introduce heart rate monitors, temperature sensors, and even cameras to boost AI capabilities.
What Happened: In his &#8220;Power On&#8221; newsletter, Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman reported that Apple's teams are currently experimenting with new improvements.
This includes heart rate monitoring, temperature sensing, and advanced sensors to track various physiological measures. The primary focus is to incorporate heart rate monitoring, a feature already available on the Apple Watch, into the AirPods.
It could debut with the next-generation AirPods Pro.
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Cupertino is also working on integrating cameras into the AirPods to facilitate AI services. The technology could take a couple more years to hit the market, provided it doesn't get canceled once again, said Gurman.
Why It Matters: In September, Apple announced a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40786879/apples-airpods-pro-2-bring-clinical-grade-hearing-aid-without-the-stigma-or-high-cost-heres-what-peo">new suite of features</a> for the AirPods Pro 2, including active Hearing Protection, a scientifically validated Hearing Test, and a clinical-grade Hearing Aid.
These advancements are awaiting approval from health authorities like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and are expected to launch this fall in over 100 markets.
Apple&#8217;s wearables segment continues to be a significant revenue driver, with AirPods playing a key role.
In the <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">fiscal fourth quarter</a>, the wearables division generated $9.04 billion, though Apple's share in the true wireless stereo <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/42182829/apple-could-keep-airpods-max-headphones-around-without-meaningfully-updating-them-says-analyst-heres-why">market has declined</a> from 48.1% in 2019 to 17% today.
Price Action: Apple&#8217;s stock rose by 1.88% on Friday, ending the day at $254.49. Year-to-date, shares have increased by 37.09%, based on <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. The latest analyst reports from Morgan Stanley, Needham, and Wedbush have set an average price target of $277.67, indicating a potential upside of 8.74%.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AAPL/analyst-ratings"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/22230935/Screenshot-2024-12-23-at-9.39.28%E2%80%AFAM-1024x374.png" alt="" class="wp-image-703225" /></a></figure>
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>.
Photo courtesy: Apple
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Media

AAPL

Apple AirPods To Get Heart Rate, Temperature Sensors, And Cameras To Help With AI Features: Top Analyst

MicroStrategy founder and Chairman Michael Saylor presented a detailed digital assets framework on Friday for the U.S. government to strengthen fiscal policy and position the country to lead the 21st-century digital financial system
What happened: The complete proposal urged for regulatory clarity, including defining what constitutes a digital asset, stakeholder rights and obligations, transparency, and initiatives to promote innovation.
Among the key objectives of the so-called strategic digital asset policy was the creation of a Bitcoin reserve, having the potential to generate $16–$81 trillion in wealth for the Treasury and thereby neutralizing the soaring national debt.
Interestingly, Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), who proposed a bill to establish a Bitcoin reserve, advocated purchasing 1 million BTC over five years, which is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40722735/trump-presidency-will-be-total-game-changer-for-crypto-industry-says-pro-bitcoin-senator-c">expected to be worth</a> $17 trillion in 20 years.
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<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">A strategic digital asset policy can strengthen the US dollar, neutralize the national debt, and position America as the global leader in the 21st-century digital economy—empowering millions of businesses, driving growth, and creating trillions in value. <a href="https://t.co/7n7jQqPkf1">https://t.co/7n7jQqPkf1</a>
&mdash; Michael Saylor&#x26a1;&#xFE0F; (@saylor) <a href="https://twitter.com/saylor/status/1870183095611093220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Additionally, Saylor&#8217;s framework called for growing digital currency markets from $25 billion to $10 trillion and digital capital markets from $2 trillion to $280 trillion.
The proposal also advocated growth in the digital asset market, other than Bitcoin, from $1 trillion to $590 trillion.
Saylor also supported increasing investors&#8217; access to a variety of digital assets, including tokenized commodities, real estate, art, businesses, teams, collectibles, intellectual property, and trademarks.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42519107/if-you-invested-1000-in-bitcoin-when-the-first-bitcoin-etf-was-filed-heres-how-much-youd-have-today"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42560698/microstrategys-aggressive-bitcoin-strategy-raises-eyebrows-in-crypto-community">MicroStrategy&#8217;s Aggressive Bitcoin Strategy Raises Eyebrows In Crypto Community</a>
Why It Matters: The proposal comes amid a renewed sense of optimism in cryptocurrency circles following Donald Trump&#8217;s presidential victory last month. According to reports, the president-elect <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42505162/trump-reportedly-considering-executive-order-to-establish-strategic-bitcoin-reserve">may consider creating a strategic Bitcoin reserve</a> by executive order.
Saylor said earlier that T<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42522606/trump-is-serious-about-creating-a-bitcoin-reserve-says-microstrategys-michael-saylorurges-to-buy-btc-before-it-goes-up-by-100x">rump was serious about creating a Bitcoin stockpile</a> and that it made sense for the government to &#8220;buy it now and own the future.&#8221;
Saylor also urged the incoming administration to take the lead in establishing a digital assets framework, outlining clear definitions of different entities and fixing the responsibilities of participants.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $93,904.08, down 3% 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>. 
Image via Michael
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Michael Saylor Proposes US Digital Assets Framework, Backs Bitcoin Reserve Capable Of Generating $16–$81 Trillion In Wealth

President-elect Donald Trump has addressed speculation about Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk&#8217;s growing political influence.
What Happened: On Sunday, speaking at Turning Point USA&#8217;s AmericaFest conference, Trump dismissed suggestions that he had &#8220;ceded the presidency&#8221; to Musk, pointing to the Constitution&#8217;s natural-born citizen requirement, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-addresses-elon-musks-growing-political-influence-not-going-presi-rcna185038">reported</a> NBC.
&#8220;No, he&#8217;s not going to be president, that I can tell you,&#8221; Trump stated. &#8220;And I&#8217;m safe. You know why? He can&#8217;t be. He wasn&#8217;t born in this country.&#8221;
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42559347/trump-administration-could-ban-amazons-top-selling-routers-linked-to-chinese-cyberattacks-report?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Administration Could Ban Amazon's Top-Selling Routers Linked To Chinese Cyberattacks: Report</a>
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<iframe loading="lazy" title="WATCH: Trump speaks at first major rally since election at Turning Point USA event in Phoenix" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rDy09uP8IU8?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>
Why It Matters: Earlier this week, Trump and Musk <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/12/42566558/house-republicans-reject-spending-bill-under-pressure-from-trump-musk-government-faces-shutdown">played a key role in derailing</a> Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) proposed emergency spending measure, forcing lawmakers to scramble for a last-minute alternative to avoid a government shutdown.
Democrats have jokingly dubbed Musk &#8220;President Musk&#8221; due to his growing political influence. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40969728/elon-musk-boosts-house-republicans-with-record-289-100-donation">Musk had spent</a> more than $250 million on Trump's campaign, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-addresses-elon-musks-growing-political-influence-not-going-presi-rcna185038">noted</a> NBC.
A separate NBC <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/elon-musk-meeting-foreign-leaders-trump-conflict-putin-china-rcna184846">report</a> indicated that the Tesla CEO&#8217;s increasing presence in political circles has raised concerns among national security experts about potential conflicts of interest, given his extensive business dealings with foreign governments.
His companies maintain significant government contracts, with SpaceX providing critical services to NASA and the Pentagon.
Tesla&#8217;s substantial manufacturing presence in China, where the company operates its Gigafactory Shanghai facility, has also drawn particular scrutiny.
The company currently dominates the U.S. electric vehicle <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42637260/elon-musk-accused-of-bullying-republicans-to-scrap-us-china-investment-safeguards-to-protect-teslas-interests">market with nearly 50% market share</a>.
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), outgoing chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed concern about Musk&#8217;s dual roles.
&#8220;I think he has incredible conflicts,&#8221; Cardin told the publication. &#8220;His association with the president-elect has already profited him as far as his personal assets are concerned.&#8221;
Price Action: Tesla&#8217;s stock dropped 3.46% on Friday, closing at $421.06, but rose 0.53% in after-hours trading. Year-to-date, the EV giant&#8217;s shares are up 69.5%. The latest ratings from Baird, Mizuho, and Goldman Sachs set an average price target of $446.67, indicating a potential upside of 5.53%, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSLA/analyst-ratings"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/22215140/Screenshot-2024-12-23-at-8.21.30%E2%80%AFAM-1024x374.png" alt="" class="wp-image-703186" /></a></figure>
Images via Shutterstock
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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.

Trump Fires Back At Critics, Denies Ceding Presidency To Elon Musk: 'I'm Safe ... He Wasn't Born In This Country'

A cheeky remark by influential economist Peter Schiff spawned a new cryptocurrency on Sunday that already has millions added to its capitalization.
What happened: The creators of the cryptocurrency USAcoin (USACOIN) were inspired by Schiff, who advised the U.S. government to consider the possibility of a strategic USAcoin reserve rather than a Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) reserve.
As of this writing, the coin has a market valuation of roughly $2.80 million, with over $7 million in trading volume in the last 24 hours, <a href="https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/usacoin-ethereum/">according</a> to CoinMarketCap.
Reacting to the new coin, Schiff clarified that he doesn&#8217;t endorse it. &#8220;My post was sarcastic—don&#8217;t buy it,&#8221; the staunch Bitcoin critic said. However, he stood by the idea behind proposing such a cryptocurrency.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Someone actually created a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USAcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USAcoin</a>. My post was sarcastic—don&#39;t buy it. However, my point was that if the U.S. government created such a token and committed to building a strategic USAcoin reserve, it would make more sense than stockpiling <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a>. That part wasn&#39;t a joke.
&mdash; Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1870817719924449707?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
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On Saturday, Schiff mooted the idea of a new government-backed cryptocurrency with a supply limit of 21 million, similar to Bitcoin, but one that has value and can be utilized for payments.
No prizes for guessing the new USAcoin also shows a supply cap of 21 million but was yet to be validated.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Instead of creating a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> strategic reserve, the U.S. could save a lot of money by creating <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USAcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USAcoin</a>. Just like Bitcoin, the supply can be capped at 21 million, but with an upgraded blockchain to make USAcoin actually viable for use in payments. This way we can all get rich.
&mdash; Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1870455362127589496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42519107/if-you-invested-1000-in-bitcoin-when-the-first-bitcoin-etf-was-filed-heres-how-much-youd-have-today"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42560698/microstrategys-aggressive-bitcoin-strategy-raises-eyebrows-in-crypto-community">MicroStrategy&#8217;s Aggressive Bitcoin Strategy Raises Eyebrows In Crypto Community</a>
Why It Matters: Schiff has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42245202/peter-schiff-bitcoin-reserve-is-the-worst-monetary-mistake-us-could-make">blasted the idea</a> of a strategic Bitcoin reserve, going to the extent of calling it &#8220;treason" and the "worst monetary mistake" the U.S. could make. He argued that Bitcoin is not a viable reserve asset due to its market volatility.
A gold advocate, Schiff strongly opposes Bitcoin, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40818582/gold-bull-peter-schiff-claims-bitcoin-lacks-intrinsic-value-and-is-destined-to-fail">stating that it has no fundamental value</a> and was destined to fail.
While Schiff <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41891221/peter-schiff-says-he-would-have-loaded-up-on-bitcoin-had-he-known-that-the-btc-bubble-would-get-this-big" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">admitted to regretting</a> not buying Bitcoin when it was around $1, he emphasized that this doesn't mean he would buy it now.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $93,808.60, down 3.16% 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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Peter Schiff's 'Sarcastic' Post Spurs Birth Of Supposed Bitcoin Alternative USAcoin With Millions In Marketcap, Economist Warns 'Don't Buy It'

Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) and Anduril Industries, a defense technology company are spearheading a new consortium of technology companies to compete for U.S. Department of Defense contracts, challenging traditional defense contractors&#8217; dominance over the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42615531/pltr-stock-up-over-80-in-the-past-two-months-trades-nearly-5-lower-in-friday-premarket-after-ubs-says-valuationis-simply-tough-to-get-over">$850 billion defense budget</a>.
What Happened: The group, expected to announce formal agreements in January, is in discussions with Elon Musk&#8216;s SpaceX, OpenAI, Saronic, and Scale AI, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/6cfdfe2b-6872-4963-bde8-dc6c43be5093">reported</a> the Financial Times on Sunday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.
This initiative comes as Palantir&#8217;s market capitalization has surged to $169 billion, surpassing traditional defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>). Palantir&#8217;s stock has risen over 300% in the past year, though it recently faced headwinds after UBS initiated coverage with a neutral rating, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42615531/pltr-stock-up-over-80-in-the-past-two-months-trades-nearly-5-lower-in-friday-premarket-after-ubs-says-valuationis-simply-tough-to-get-over">citing valuation concerns</a>.
The consortium aims to modernize defense procurement by offering smaller, autonomous weapons systems and AI-powered solutions. Recent collaborations already show promise, with Palantir&#8217;s AI Platform being integrated with Anduril&#8217;s Lattice autonomous software for national security applications.
Palantir and Anduril did not immediately respond to&nbsp;<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/general/social-media/24/12/42639068/linkedin-cofounder-reid-hoffman-says-musks-baseless-jeffrey-epstein-claims-forced-him-to-hire-security-elons-defamation-makes-me-angry">LinkedIn Cofounder Reid Hoffman Says Musk&#8217;s Baseless Jeffrey Epstein Claims Forced Him To Hire Security: &#8216;Elon&#8217;s Defamation Makes Me Angry&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: The timing aligns with increased defense spending driven by conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, plus rising U.S.-China tensions. Palantir recently secured a $400.7 million contract extension with the U.S. Army, which could potentially reach $618.9 million over four years.
Traditional defense procurement has faced criticism for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42525698/as-elon-musk-takes-on-lockheed-martin-made-f-35s-experts-question-feasibility-of-replacing-manned-fighter-jets-with-drones">favoring established contractors</a> like Raytheon Technologies Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>) and The Boeing Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>), often resulting in costly, time-consuming projects. This new tech consortium aims to provide more efficient, cutting-edge solutions to meet modern military challenges.
Palantir stock closed at $80.55 on Friday, up 8.54% for the day, and rose 0.19% in after-hours trading. Year to date, the stock has surged 385%, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PLTR/analyst-ratings">consensus price target</a> is $35.58, with the highest target of $80, and the lowest of $7.50. Recent ratings from UBS, Mizuho, and Baird average $64.67, implying a 19.87% downside.
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/22210140/Screenshot-2024-12-23-at-7.30.06%E2%80%AFAM-1024x377.png" alt="" class="wp-image-703159" style="width:715px;height:auto" /></figure>
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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.

PLTR

Palantir And Anduril Reportedly Lead Consortium, Partner With SpaceX And OpenAI To Compete Against Traditional Defense Contractors In $850 Billion US Military Market

Leading cryptocurrencies traded in the red on Sunday as risk aversion intensified ahead of the holidays.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>-2.03%</td>
<td>$94,810.09</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-1.76%</td>
<td>$3,283.41</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-1.07%</td>
<td>$0.3124</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin went downhill after being faced with strong resistance from the bears at $97,000. The apex cryptocurrency was down nearly 11% over the week and 2.15% since December began.
Ethereum's move above $3,600 was short-lived as the second-largest cryptocurrency reversed course, falling to an intraday low of $3,220.&nbsp;
Both the blue-chip cryptocurrencies witnessed thin trading volume in the last 24 hours.&nbsp;
Over $276 million was liquidated from the market in the last 24 hours, with long liquidations accounting for $204 million.&nbsp;
Around $635 million in short positions risked liquidation if Bitcoin rebounds to $100,000.
Bitcoin's Open Interest dropped 1.46% in the last 24 hours. However, the percentage of trader accounts on Binance placing long positions on the coin surged to 60%.&nbsp;
The market remained engulfed in the "Greed" sentiment, according to the Cryptocurrency Fear &amp; Greed Index.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BitTorrent [New] (BTT)</td>
<td>+8.26%</td>
<td>$0.000001154</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Aave (AAVE)</td>
<td>+7.23%</td>
<td>$320.23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FTX Token (FTT)</td>
<td>+7.12%</td>
<td>$2.99</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.27 trillion, following a contraction of 1.53% in the last 24 hours.
Stock futures edged higher Sunday evening. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures rose 86 points, or 0.20%, as of 7:45 p.m. EDT.&nbsp; Futures tied to the S&amp;P 500 gained 0.22%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures lifted 0.27%.
Stocks are coming off a slump that saw blue-chip averages record their biggest losing spree in years.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.33% last week, witnessing a 10-day losing streak, the worst since 1974. The S&amp;P 500 also lost 2.30% last week, precipitated by the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42563299/feds-powell-shocks-markets-its-a-new-phase-were-significantly-closer-to-neutral">Federal Reserve's hawkish outlook</a> for 2025.
Markets will be shut on Christmas Day..
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader Ali Martinez flagged a buy signal for Bitcoin based on the reading of the TD Sequential indicator.
For the curious, the TD Sequential indicator is a technical analysis tool that helps traders identify potential price reversals and exhaustion patterns.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The TD Sequential presents a buy signal on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> 4-hour chart, anticipating a price rebound! <a href="https://t.co/acDIusZCkW">pic.twitter.com/acDIusZCkW</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1870929469105709406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Furthermore, analysis of the Mayer Multiple indicator hinted that the leading cryptocurrency would hit a market top above $168,500.
Mayer Multiple is an oscillator calculated as the ratio between Bitcoin's price, and the 200-day moving average.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> will hit a market top above $168,500, based on the Mayer Multiple. <a href="https://t.co/uvgG4mZHA8">pic.twitter.com/uvgG4mZHA8</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1870982149916278859?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Widely-followed cryptocurrency analyst Karan Singh Arora urged his followers not to open new longs, adding that if Bitcoin fails to close above $99,000, it may fall lower.
"We need to regain at least $95800 or else we are going for $91,945 &#8211; $90,500 zone," Arora remarked.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> HAS BROKEN THE STRUCTURE DOWNSIDE &#x1f6a8; Dont open new longs right now &#x203c;&#xFE0F; I gave this warning yesterday, that if we don&#39;t hold Closing above $99000, we will go lower &#x26a0;&#xFE0F; We need to regain at least 95800 or else we are going for $91945 &#8211; $90500 zone &#x2705; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Crypto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Crypto</a> <a href="https://t.co/Kw9HDovCcF">pic.twitter.com/Kw9HDovCcF</a>
&mdash; Karan Singh Arora (@thisisksa) <a href="https://twitter.com/thisisksa/status/1870960913743847437?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Read Next:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42638493/crypto-analyst-2025-will-continue-to-be-a-great-year-for-bitcoin">Crypto Analyst: &#8216;2025 Will Continue To Be a Great Year for Bitcoin&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

Trading Ideas

$ETH

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Lose Sheen Ahead Of Holidays But Top Analyst Points To This Indicator, Says BTC Will Hit A Top Above $168K

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Sriram Krishnan, former general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, as senior policy advisor for AI.
What Happened: In a statement on Sunday, Trump said that Krishnan will serve in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, working closely with David Sacks, recently named Trump's &#8220;AI and crypto czar.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I am pleased to announce the brilliant Team that will be working in conjunction with our White House A.I. &amp; Crypto Czar, David O. Sacks. Together, we will unleash scientific breakthroughs, ensure America&#39;s technological dominance, and usher in a Golden Age of American Innovation!…
&mdash; Trump Posts on &#120143; (@trump_repost) <a href="https://twitter.com/trump_repost/status/1870949048750104795?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42568204/nvidia-and-apple-team-up-to-supercharge-llms-with-redrafter-technique?itm_source=parsely-api">Nvidia, Apple Team Up To Supercharge ChatGPT-Like LLMs With ReDrafter Technique</a>
Krishnan expressed his gratitude for the appointment, calling it an honor to contribute to American leadership in AI.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">&#x1f1fa;&#x1f1f8; I&#39;m honored to be able to serve our country and ensure continued American leadership in AI working closely with <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidSacks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DavidSacks</a>. Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> for this opportunity. <a href="https://t.co/kw1n0IKK2a">pic.twitter.com/kw1n0IKK2a</a>
&mdash; Sriram Krishnan (@sriramk) <a href="https://twitter.com/sriramk/status/1870955225978384509?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Why It Matters: Krishnan, a tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist, has a storied career leading product teams at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/12/30132350/who-could-be-the-next-twitter-ceo-after-elon-musk-a-look-at-7-potential-candidates">major companies</a> like Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Twitter, Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), and Snap Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNAP#NYSE">SNAP</a>).
He also has a close relationship with Elon Musk, who co-leads the Department of Government Efficiency under Trump.
Previously, Krishnan has advocated for a more innovative, technology-driven approach to resolving conflicts between large internet platforms and AI-powered models like OpenAI&#8217;s ChatGPT.
Following Trump's announcement, venture capital powerhouse Marc Andreessen took to X, formerly Twitter, and called Krishnan's appointment a "1,000x upgrade for the U.S. government," for positioning itself as a global AI policy leader.
Musk agreed with Andreessen's sentiments.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Yes
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1870966548539768937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Image via Shutterstock
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42609769/elon-musk-is-a-legendary-entrepreneur-but-also-a-bully-says-openai-ceo-sam-altman-now-its-me-its-been-bezos-gates-zuckerberg-lots-of-other-people">Elon Musk A Legendary Entrepreneur But Also A Bully, Says OpenAI CEO Sam Altman: &#8216;Now It&#8217;s Me, It&#8217;s Been Bezos, Gates, Zuckerberg, Lots Of Other People&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

MSFT

SNAP

Trump Taps Sriram Krishnan As Senior AI Advisor — Elon Musk Agrees New David Sacks Underling 'Right Man For The Topic And The Time'

Panama&#8217;s President José Raúl Mulino strongly rejected President-elect Donald Trump&#8216;s suggestion to return the Panama Canal to U.S. control, highlighting potential tensions that could affect maritime trade through the critical waterway.
What Happened: &#8220;Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent zone belongs to Panama, and will continue to do so,&#8221; Mulino said in a video statement on Sunday. 
His response came after Trump told supporters at Turning Point&#8217;s &#8220;American Fest&#8221; that he would demand the canal&#8217;s return to U.S. control, citing concerns over fees and fair treatment, <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/international/5053110-president-of-panama-fires-back-at-trump-canal-belongs-to-panama/">reported</a> The Hill.
"It was given to Panama and to the people of Panama, but it has provisions. You got to treat us fairly and they haven't treated us fairly," Trump said. 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">&#x1f1f5;&#x1f1e6; Mensaje del Presidente José Raúl Mulino &#x1f1f5;&#x1f1e6; <a href="https://t.co/DMXU8qAuNT">pic.twitter.com/DMXU8qAuNT</a>
&mdash; José Raúl Mulino (@JoseRaulMulino) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoseRaulMulino/status/1870937535578333496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The Panama Canal, transferred to Panamanian control in 1999, serves as a crucial maritime route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The waterway handles <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/19/07/14072752/commentary-expansion-of-the-panama-canal-benefits-global-trade">approximately 12,000 vessel transits</a> annually and is particularly vital for U.S. East Coast ports, which have seen stronger cargo growth since the canal&#8217;s 2016 expansion.
Mulino defended the canal&#8217;s fee structure, explaining that rates &#8220;are established publicly and in an open hearing, taking into account market conditions, international competition, operating costs, and maintenance needs.&#8221; 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42639340/bernie-sanders-is-all-for-canada-becoming-the-51st-state-if-the-u-s-will-also-adopt-universal-healthcare">Bernie Sanders Is &#8216;All For&#8217; Canada Becoming The 51st State If The U.S. Will Also Adopt Universal Healthcare</a>
Why It Matters: The canal&#8217;s significance to U.S. trade is substantial. According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/partner/cryptocurrency/24/12/42507134/hive-digital-technologies-nasdaq-hive-experiences-monumental-month-amid-tech-tailwinds-tri">FreightWaves data</a>, shipping costs from Asia to U.S. East Coast ports via the canal are approximately $1,400 higher per standard forty-foot container compared to West Coast routes, reflecting the waterway&#8217;s strategic importance in global trade.
Recent challenges include climate-related issues, with the Panama Canal Authority implementing additional fees due to historically low water levels. In 2019, total rainfall dropped 20%, affecting the Gatun and Madden Lakes that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/partner/cryptocurrency/24/12/42507134/hive-digital-technologies-nasdaq-hive-experiences-monumental-month-amid-tech-tailwinds-tri">supply the canal</a>.
Despite the diplomatic tension, Mulino expressed hope for maintaining strong bilateral relations with the incoming Trump administration, particularly on security issues like illegal migration and drug trafficking. However, he emphasized that Panama&#8217;s sovereignty over the canal is &#8220;not negotiable.&#8221;
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42638957/warren-buffetts-timeless-advice-if-youre-gonna-do-dumb-things-because-your-stock-goes-down-you-shouldnt-own-a-stock-at-all">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Timeless Advice: &#8216;If You&#8217;re Gonna Do Dumb Things Because Your Stock Goes Down, You Shouldn&#8217;t Own A Stock At All&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Global

Trump's Call To Reclaim Panama Canal Sparks Backlash: 'Every Square Meter Belongs To Panama,' Says President Mulino

Sen. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/12/42494409/bernie-sanders-proposes-taxing-income-over-1-billion-at-100-and-urges-its-time-to-make-greedy-billionaires-pay-their-fair-share">Bernie Sanders</a> has sparked conversation on social media with a post tying universal health care to an idea floated by President-elect <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/11/41869001/heres-how-trumps-policies-might-shape-the-markets-future">Donald Trump</a>. According to The Associated Press (AP), at a dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in November, Trump jokingly suggested that Canada become the 51st state of the United States of America.&nbsp;
In Sanders' post on X, he wrote: "Trump has suggested that Canada become the 51st state in our union. Does that mean we can adopt the Canadian health care system and guarantee health care to all, lower the cost of prescription drugs and spend 50% less per capita on health care? I&#8217;m all for it."
Don't Miss:
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<li>The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?</li>
<li>Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
</ul>
Sanders, a longtime proponent of universal health care, has drawn attention to Canada's single-payer health care model. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), in 2020, Canada&#8217;s per capita spending on health care was CA$7,507 (USD$5,220), less than half the United States per capita spending of CA$15,275 (USD$10,622). Sanders has frequently criticized the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/12/42491306/is-u-s-health-insurance-failing-the-sickest-and-poorest-new-study-reveals-49-million-americans-lack-proper-health-coverage">U.S. health care system</a> for its high costs and gaps in access.
Trump's comment about Canada becoming the 51st state was made during a meeting with Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago in November. The meeting, which followed Trump&#8217;s threats to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, came at Trudeau's request. According to AP, the meeting was overall positive and covered subjects including trade, border security, fentanyl, defense, Ukraine, NATO, China and pipelines.&nbsp;
See Also: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Last Chance to get 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a>
The notion of Canada becoming a U.S. state has been explored, typically as a thought experiment. Constitutional experts cited by the National Post highlighted the significant political, legal and cultural hurdles such a transition would face. Both nations must agree to monumental changes, including constitutional amendments in the U.S. and Canada relinquishing its sovereignty.
AP also pointed out that Canada is a vital economic partner to the U.S., with 77% of its exports going to American markets. Canada also supplies critical resources, such as energy and minerals, to the U.S., which would make any trade disruption mutually damaging.
Trending: Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they&#8217;re on pace —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-do-i-calculate-my-retirement-income-adv"> here&#8217;s a breakdown on what&#8217;s behind this formula.</a>
While Trump's statehood comment may not have been serious, Sanders' response has reignited debates over health care in the U.S. Many Americans consider Canada's system a model for reducing costs and improving access. However, opponents argue that implementing such a system in the U.S. would be complicated and expensive.
Though the concept of Canada becoming the 51st state remains speculative at best, it has provided a platform for renewed discussion on trade, immigration and health care<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/41866438/donald-trumps-second-term-could-reshape-us-healthcare-system-with-major-impacts-on-affordable-care-act-and-medicare"> policy</a>. Whether prompted by Sanders&#8217; advocacy for universal health care or Trump's tariff threats, the conversation underscores the interconnectedness of U.S.-Canada relations.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li>Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/5mil-nest-egg-adv">The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/62-years-old-with-1-mil-saved">I&#8217;m 62 Years Old And Have $1.2 Million Saved. Is This Enough to Retire Stress-Free?</a></li>
</ul>

Bernie Sanders Is 'All For' Canada Becoming The 51st State If The U.S. Will Also Adopt Universal Healthcare

News Corporation ("News Corp" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NWS#NASDAQ">NWS</a>, NWSA: ASX: NWS, NWSLV)) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of Foxtel Group ("Foxtel") to DAZN Group Limited ("DAZN"), a premier global sports streaming platform.
Under the terms of the agreement, shareholder loans in the amount of A$578 million outstanding and owing to News Corp will be repaid in full in cash at closing. Foxtel's current debt will be refinanced at closing and transfer with Foxtel, and News Corp will hold a minority equity interest in DAZN of approximately 6% as well as one seat on its Board of Directors. Telstra Group Ltd ("Telstra") will also sell its minority interest in Foxtel, have its shareholder loans of A$128 million repaid, and take a minority stake in DAZN of approximately 3%. The proposed transaction values Foxtel at an enterprise value of A$3.4 billion, representing more than 7x fiscal 2024 Foxtel EBITDA.

Asset Sales

NWSA

News Corp Announced Agreement To Sell Foxtel To DAZN For Enterprise Value Of A$3.4B

Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FFIE#NASDAQ">FFIE</a>) ("FF", "Faraday Future", or "Company"), a California-based technology company specializing in artificial intelligence electric vehicles (AIEV), announced that it has secured approximately $30 million in cash financing commitments. The funds will be used to accelerate the Company's growth and the development of Faraday X (FX), FF's strategy of launching affordable high performance AIEV equipped vehicles with cutting edge technology, filling the U.S. market gap in this segment, and for general corporate purposes.
The $30 million financing commitment includes a pre-funded $7.5 million, which was received in the fourth quarter of this year, and $22.5 million in new cash commitments (the "Financing"), structured in the form of unsecured convertible notes ("Convertible Notes") and warrants to acquire additional shares of the Company's common stock ("Warrants"). The conversion price for the Convertible Notes and exercise price for the Warrants are $1.16 and $1.392 per share, respectively, subject to adjustment as set forth therein. The shares of common stock underlying the Convertible Notes and Warrants issued in the Financing are currently unregistered, subject to trading restrictions, and not immediately tradable. The Financing is subject to customary closing conditions. For additional information regarding the material terms relating to the Financing, please see the Company's Form 8-K to be filed with the SEC on December 23, 2024.

Financing

FFIE

Faraday Future Secured $30M In Cash Financing Commitments For AI Electric Vehicle Development

Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn co-founder and major Democratic donor, has revealed he has faced violent threats and had to hire security following accusations fueled by Elon Musk. 
What Happened: The claims, made by Musk on social media platform X and during interviews, allege a connection between Hoffman and Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
Hoffman <a href="https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/linkedin-founder-reid-hoffman-ive-had-threats-of-violence-since-musk-slanders-nfclq2s0r">told</a> The Sunday Times that Musk&#8217;s comments stemmed from &#8220;convictions with no evidence.&#8221; Musk, the CEO of Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), replied with the &#8220;100&#8221; emoji to an X post suggesting Hoffman had visited Epstein's private island.
Musk also implied during an interview with Tucker Carlson that Hoffman was one of the "billionaires behind Kamala" Harris, fearful of Epstein's client list being released.
"Elon's defamation makes me angry and sad," Hoffman said. "Angry because it is an ugly assault. Sad because it comes from someone whose entrepreneurial achievements I continue to admire." Hoffman declined to share details of the threats but confirmed he had hired security in response.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/22/06/27557540/musk-says-he-wants-to-see-epstein-maxwell-client-list-twitterati-cant-stop-trolling-him-3">Musk Asks Why Epstein-Maxwell Client List Hasn&#8217;t Leaked, Responds To Twitter User Who Suggested He Was A Client Himself</a>
Hoffman admitted to a past interaction with Epstein, apologizing in 2019 for inviting him to a 2015 dinner party with tech luminaries, including Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Peter Thiel. At the time, Hoffman said he relied on assurances from MIT Media Lab that Epstein's involvement in fundraising had been vetted. 
He later expressed regret, writing to Axios, "By agreeing to participate in any fundraising activity where Epstein was present, I helped to repair his reputation and perpetuate injustice. For this, I am deeply regretful."
Hoffman has denied attending any Epstein-related events, stating, "I went to no Epstein parties. I didn't even know who he was."
The controversy emerges as Musk strengthens ties with President elect Donald Trump, co-chairing DOGE alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. 
Hoffman, a vocal supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris, has used X to oppose Trump's political campaigns, describing them as a "scam."
Read Next
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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Social Media

LinkedIn Cofounder Reid Hoffman Says Musk's Baseless Jeffrey Epstein Claims Forced Him To Hire Security: 'Elon's Defamation Makes Me Angry'

Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov has accused Elon Musk of remotely disabling his Tesla Cybertruck, which Kadyrov claimed was a gift from Musk. The Chechen leader made the allegations in a Telegram post, criticizing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40504595/military-expert-calls-russian-president-allys-tesla-cybertruck-super-cool-but-useless-combat-vehicle">Musk's actions as "unmanly."</a>
What Happened: Kadyrov, who has governed Chechnya since 2007, claimed the modified Cybertruck, equipped with a machine gun, was intended for use in the war against Ukraine. "Elon Musk behaved badly. He gives expensive gifts from the heart, and then turns them off remotely," Kadyrov <a href="https://t.me/RKadyrov_95/5103">wrote</a>. He also noted in the post that he had to tow the vehicle after it was disabled. 
While Kadyrov asserted that Musk had personally gifted him the Cybertruck, Musk has categorically denied the claim. The mystery surrounding how Kadyrov obtained the vehicle is heightened by the fact that US sanctions prohibit direct export of the Cybertruck to Chechnya. 
Earlier in August, Kadyrov had publicly showcased the vehicle,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40432032/putin-ally-unveils-tesla-cybertruck-with-machine-gun-invites-musk-to-russia"> calling it a "Cyberbeast" and praising its technology</a>.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/02/37195508/putin-pal-elon-musk-fires-back-at-critics-accusing-him-of-supporting-russia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Putin Pal? Elon Musk Fires Back At Critics Accusing Him Of Supporting Russia</a>
Experts have voiced skepticism about the utility of the Cybertruck in combat scenarios. Mark Cancian, a senior advisor with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the vehicle would be "totally useless" on the battlefield due to its weight and charging requirements. 
Despite Kadyrov's assertions of the truck's combat readiness, analysts doubt its practicality in war zones.
This incident highlights broader concerns regarding Tesla's vehicle security and the potential misuse of its products in conflict areas. 
The ability to remotely disable vehicles could raise questions about the implications for international security and Tesla's reputation as a global brand.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40429944/elon-musks-controversial-civil-war-prophecy-is-europe-on-the-edge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk&#8217;s Controversial Civil War Prophecy: Is Europe On The Edge?</a>
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Putin Ally Claims Elon Musk 'Remotely Disabled' His Militarized Cybertruck Armed With Machine Gun: 'He Gives Expensive Gifts From Heart, And Then Turns Them Off'

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SmileDirectClub

SmileDirectClub Inc&nbsp;(OTC:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sdccq#OTC" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">SDCCQ</a>) shut down after filing for bankruptcy in the U.S. in September.

Founded in 2014, the company sold teeth aligners for $1,850 as a faster, cheaper alternative to braces and took a direct-to-consumer marketing approach.&nbsp;

SmileDirectClub went public via an initial public offering of&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/09/35017733/smiledirectclub-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy-just-four-years-after-1-35-billion-ipo" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">$1.35 billion in 2019</a>.

On its website, SmileDirectClub&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://smiledirectclub.com/" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;it decided to wind down its global operations immediately.&nbsp;

For new customers interested in SmileDirectClub services, aligner treatment is no longer available through the telehealth platform. For existing customers, the customer care support is no longer available.

In the statement on its website, Smile Direct Club apologized for the inconvenience caused.

SmileDirectClub catered to over two million customers across almost ten years.&nbsp;

As court filings and financial statements revealed, the company struggled to profit, burdened with almost $900 million in debt.&nbsp;

Additionally, the company resolved a lawsuit from the District of Columbia Attorney General&#39;s office this year. The lawsuit alleged that SmileDirectClub&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/09/business/smiledirectclub-shutting-down-liquidation.html" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">utilized</a>&nbsp;confidentiality clauses to suppress consumer criticism, the New York Times noted.

SmileDirectClub actively pursued potential buyers for its enterprise in the last few months. Although there was initial interest from several parties, all interested buyers either withdrew from the process or submitted impractical bids that couldn&#39;t be considered viable, the&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://fortune.com/2023/12/08/smiledirectclub-to-liquidate-bankruptcy/" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Fortune</a>&nbsp;noted.

&quot;When it came to the founder-led bid, it was really a Hail Mary,&quot; Winters told US Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez. &quot;We pushed very, very hard this week, and it just didn&#39;t come together.&quot;

&quot;We turned over every rock,&quot; Winters said in the hearing, adding he thought as recently as Thursday that a going-concern sale was still feasible.

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Monday, December 11, 2023

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