Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September (BATS: USEP)

Latest news for Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September (BATS:USEP)

The Fund invests at least 80 percent of its net assets in Flexible Exchange Options that reference the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, FLEX Options are exchange-traded option contracts with uniquely customizable terms. Although guaranteed settlement by the Options Clearing Corporation, FLEX Options are still subject to counterparty risk with the OCC and may be less liquid than more traditional exchange-traded option contracts. Due to the unique mechanics of the Funds strategy, the return an investor can expect to receive from an investment in the Fund has characteristics that are distinct from many other investment vehicles. It is important that an investor understands these characteristics before making an investment in the Fund.

Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September

Legendary trader Peter Brandt predicted a possible $500 billion market cap for payments-focused cryptocurrency XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) on Monday if certain trading patterns come to fruition.
What Happened: Brandt, a seasoned technical analyst with nearly 50 years of experience, highlighted the significance of XRP&#8217;s &#8216;half mast flag&#8217; trading pattern in an X post.
&#8220;Half mast flags should complete within six weeks, otherwise they should be viewed with great suspicion,&#8221; Brandt said.
He cautioned that if the pattern is not completed in this timeframe, it could morph into &#8220;something else,&#8221; hinting at an uncertain outcome.
&#8220;But if it completes, then a market cap of $500 billion is possible,&#8221; the veteran trader predicted.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Half mast flags should complete within six weeks, otherwise they should be viewed with great suspicion. This flag in <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24XRP&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$XRP</a> needs to rock and roll soon, otherwise it will likely morph into something else TBD. But if it completes, then market cap of $500 B is possible <a href="https://t.co/c7BHqnQFkP">pic.twitter.com/c7BHqnQFkP</a>
&mdash; Peter Brandt (@PeterLBrandt) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterLBrandt/status/1876409091507032513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
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A half-mast flag is a price pattern in which a sharp price movement, whether rise or dip, is followed by a sideways movement. In the instance of XRP, the coin has increased nearly fivefold in the last two months, and by more than 18% in the last week.
If conditions laid out by Brandt are met, it would mean a 262% surge from XRP&#8217;s current market capitalization of $138 billion.
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"> &#8216;Pharma Bro&#8217; Martin Shkreli Predicts Liquidation Doom For MicroStrategy Amid Fall Below $300, Says Bitcoin Will Hit $250K Without Michael Saylor</a>
Why It Matters: Brandt, a long-time XRP critic, has acknowledged the bullish indications in XRP&#8217;s trajectory in recent weeks, even referring to its chart <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42407693/legendary-traders-bullish-pivot-peter-brandt-calls-xrps-chart-as-the-most-powerful-after-a-slew-of-bearish-takes">as the &#8220;most powerful.</a>&#8220;
Leading cryptocurrency analyst Ali Martinez joined the bullish bandwagon, predicting a 470% surge for XRP. The optimistic target was set after the supertrend indicator, a popular technical analysis tool, flashed a &#8220;Buy&#8221; signal.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The last time the SuperTrend indicator flipped bullish on the 12-hour chart, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24XRP&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$XRP</a> went up 470%&#8230; It just flipped bullish again. &#x1f440; <a href="https://t.co/tqj40dO9nV">pic.twitter.com/tqj40dO9nV</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1876337185533862032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
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XRP has reaped the benefits of Donald Trump&#8217;s election victory-fueled rally, leading the coin to finish 2024 on a high.
Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple Labs, a company that uses XRP for its operations, said that the company&#8217;s hiring and business deals <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42808375/ripple-ceo-celebrates-trumps-impact-on-crypto-industry-says-34th-of-companys-new-hires-us-based">have become U.S.-centric</a> following Trump&#8217;s win.
He revealed that 75% of open roles are now based in the U.S., a stark contrast to the previous four years. 
Price Action: At the time of writing, XRP was exchanging hands at $2.41, down 0.25% 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.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. 
Read Next:&nbsp;
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"></a>

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XRP Market Value Could Skyrocket 5X If This Trading Pattern Completes, Says Veteran Trader Peter Brandt

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) has climbed to become the third-largest holding at The Future Fund LLC, behind NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and Alphabet Inc. (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>), managing partner Gary Black announced Monday on X.
What Happened: The position shift comes after Tesla&#8217;s recent challenges, including a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42779846/tesla-stock-slides-as-jim-cramer-wall-street-react-to-first-ever-annual-sales-drop">fourth-quarter delivery miss</a> of 495,570 vehicles against analyst expectations of 506,763, marking the company&#8217;s first annual sales decline.
Black, who faced criticism from Tesla <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42156674/gary-black-defends-tesla-trim-at-351-no-one-ever-went-broke-by-taking-profits-amid-stocks-150-surge-since-april">bulls for trimming the position</a> at $351 in late 2024, has maintained a disciplined investment approach. &#8220;That&#8217;s what professional investors do – buy low, sell high,&#8221; Black stated on Nov. 25, noting his fund&#8217;s average purchase price of $162 and selling price of $252 since early 2023.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TSLA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TSLA</a> remains our #3 position after <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24NVDA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$NVDA</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24GOOG&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$GOOG</a>. <a href="https://t.co/TqyF5xvztK">pic.twitter.com/TqyF5xvztK</a>
&mdash; Gary Black (@garyblack00) <a href="https://twitter.com/garyblack00/status/1876320234153627797?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The Future Fund Active ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FFND#NYSE">FFND</a>) began reducing its Tesla exposure in the fourth quarter of 2022 when it represented 12.2% of the portfolio, following Tesla&#8217;s 20% EV price cuts. The position recently stood at 5.07% with 834 shares valued at $342,306, according to the fund&#8217;s Jan. 6 holdings update.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42830046/amd-reveals-new-ai-processors-gaming-products-ahead-of-ces-2025-shares-rise">AMD Unveils &#8216;Next Generation&#8217; AI Processors, Gaming Gear Ahead Of CES 2025</a>
Why It Matters: Looking ahead, Black maintains a $380 price target for Tesla, citing potential catalysts including a new $25,000-$30,000 vehicle launch in early 2025. However, he warns about risks such as the possible elimination of the $7,500 EV tax credit, noting significant sales declines in European markets after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42156674/gary-black-defends-tesla-trim-at-351-no-one-ever-went-broke-by-taking-profits-amid-stocks-150-surge-since-april">similar credit removals</a>.
The repositioning occurs amid intense debate over Tesla&#8217;s future, with analysts divided on the company&#8217;s autonomous driving and robotics ambitions. While some analysts project an optimistic $2 trillion valuation by 2025, critics like GLJ Research CEO Gordon Johnson remain skeptical, particularly regarding <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42779846/tesla-stock-slides-as-jim-cramer-wall-street-react-to-first-ever-annual-sales-drop">Tesla&#8217;s robotics program</a>.
Tesla&#8217;s stock, despite recent volatility, maintained approximately 62% gains through 2024, even as it underperformed the NASDAQ 100 index by 32 percentage points over the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42156674/gary-black-defends-tesla-trim-at-351-no-one-ever-went-broke-by-taking-profits-amid-stocks-150-surge-since-april">previous three years</a>.
Price Action: Tesla&#8217;s stock closed at $411.05 on Monday, gaining 0.15% for the day. In after-hours trading, the stock dipped slightly by 0.13%. Over the past year, Tesla&#8217;s stock has seen a significant increase of 70.95%, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42835543/bitcoin-regains-102k-ethereum-dogecoin-rally-as-corporate-btc-adoption-strengthens-heres-why-this-analyst-believes-the-ongoing-run-is-different-from-past-cycles">Bitcoin Makes Its Move Over $100K, Ethereum, Dogecoin Rally As Corporate BTC Adoption Strengthens: Analyst Says Ongoing BTC Run Different From Past Cycles</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Wikimedia Commons
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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Gary Black's The Future Fund Lists Tesla As 3rd-Largest Holding, Behind Nvidia And Alphabet, Despite Delivery Miss

Samsung Electronics Co. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSNLF#OTC">SSNLF</a>) has sent out invitations for its much-anticipated Galaxy Unpacked event.
What Happened: On Monday, Samsung announced its Unpacked event, set for Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in San Jose. The event will showcase the new Galaxy S25 series and advancements in Galaxy AI.
When And How To Watch: The event will begin at 10 a.m. PT and will be available for live streaming on Samsung.com, Samsung Newsroom, and Samsung&#8217;s YouTube channel.
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Pre-Orders Offers: In preparation for the event, Samsung is offering a $50 credit for preorders of the latest Galaxy device. Customers can also receive up to $900 in trade-in credit and an additional $300 instant credit by reserving and preordering. These offers are now live and valid until Jan. 22.
Why It Matters: The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42545936/samsung-galaxy-s25-ultra-and-s25-leaks-show-off-sleek-curved-design-and-slimmer-bezels-than-apples-iphone-16-pro-max">leaked images</a> of the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25+ have already generated buzz, showcasing a sleek curved design and thinner bezels compared to Apple&#8217;s iPhone 16 Pro Max.&nbsp;
The Galaxy S25 is also expected to run on One UI 7.
Samsung is likely to maintain its traditional pricing strategy, with an entry-level model expected to start around $799. While the company has consistently adhered to this price point, the latest reports indicate that rising production costs, driven by more expensive components, could lead to potential price increases.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, along with the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+, will officially hit the market on Friday, Feb. 7, following the conclusion of the pre-order period, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2025/01/06/samsung-galaxy-s25-ultra-preorder-launch-date-new-galaxy-release/">reported</a> Forbes.
Photo courtesy: Samsung
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/25/01/42827345/nvidia-soars-amd-stalls-ai-race-heats-up-at-ces-2025">Nvidia Soars, AMD Stalls: AI Race Heats Up At CES 2025</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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Samsung Unpacked 2025: Everything You Need To Know About The Event Featuring The Latest Galaxy S25 Series

Bettors on the federally authorized betting platform Kalshi predicted a 21% chance of Donald Trump buying Greenland, amid the President-elect&#8217;s controversial effort to acquire the autonomous Danish region.&nbsp;
What happened: A new betting <a href="https://kalshi.com/markets/kxgreenland/greenland-purchase?state=%7B%22request_mfa%22:%22false%22,%22security_token%22:%22o77qn32auw8uj5wbk4aix%22,%22utm_landing%22:%22/%22%7D&amp;code=4/0AanRRruPrPT3sAdnd0J3qrU7qA7NFG1aLqHMhxGSztBYaTN-0ufmUYe1Ff4jOZMSHUTyAg&amp;scope=email%20profile%20openid%20https://www.googleapis.com/auth/userinfo.email%20https://www.googleapis.com/auth/userinfo.profile&amp;authuser=0&amp;hd=benzinga.com&amp;prompt=none">contract </a>titled &#8220;Will Trump buy Greenland?&#8221; went live on Dec. 21, with odds in favor of such an occurrence shooting to 21% as of this writing. The odds hit an all-time high of 23.5% on Jan. 5.
The market will resolve to &#8220;Yes&#8221; if the U.S. purchases at least part of Greenland from Denmark before Jan. 20, 2029, the contract stated. About $123,301 has been wagered on the bet at the time of writing.
A similar <a href="https://polymarket.com/event/will-the-us-acquire-greenland-before-july">bet </a>was live on the Polygon (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">POL</a>)-based prediction platform, Polymarket, with significantly lower 4% odds in favor.&nbsp; Over $177,000 has been put on the line for the bet.
Note that Polymarket is not available to<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/41838037/will-polymarket-return-to-the-us-after-getting-trump-victory-right-ceo-says-its-part-of-the-plan"> U.S. residents </a>due to regulatory hurdles.&nbsp;
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"> &#8216;Pharma Bro&#8217; Martin Shkreli Predicts Liquidation Doom For MicroStrategy Amid Fall Below $300, Says Bitcoin Will Hit $250K Without Michael Saylor</a>
Why It Matters: The betting market develops amid Trump's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42679581/trump-effect-denmark-boosts-greenlands-defense-budget-amid-president-elects-renewed-acquisition-interest">renewed interest</a> in acquiring the Arctic territory.&nbsp;
Donald Trump Jr., Trump's eldest son, is expected to visit Greenland on Tuesday, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-jr-plans-greenland-visit-fathers-interest-resurfaces-2025-01-06/">according </a>to a Reuters report.
Greenland is strategically important to the U.S. because it is located on the fastest route from North America to Europe and has considerable mineral deposits.
However, Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede has proclaimed, "We are not for sale," in response to Trump&#8217;s bid.
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42758291/elon-musks-return-to-original-x-avatar-causes-coin-themed-on-kekius-maximus-to-crash-90-frog-themed-pepe-slips-as-well">Elon Musk&#8217;s Return To Original X Avatar Causes Coin Themed On &#8216;Kekius Maximus&#8217; To Crash 90% — Frog-Themed PEPE Slips As Well</a></li>
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Politics

$POL

Trump's Greenland Gambit: Kalshi Bettors See 21% Chance He'll Seal The Deal Before This Date

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), sold meme coins gifted to him by project creators on Monday and allocated the proceeds toward his biotechnology charity Kanro.
What Happened: Buterin swapped notable coins like Neiro (NEIRO), Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>)-inspired ESTEE, Marvin Inu (MARVIN), and several others for over $940,000 in stablecoin USD Coin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">USDC</a>), according to on-chain tracking platform Spot On Chain.
Out of this, about 916,000 USDC was sent to a wallet belonging to his philanthropic fund, Kanro, established to address COVID-19 and other pandemic-related challenges.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Vitalik Buterin (<a href="https://twitter.com/VitalikButerin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VitalikButerin</a>) sold several of his free <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/memecoins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#memecoins</a> for $940.9K in <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24USDC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$USDC</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> today! Notable sales include: • 70M <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24NEIRO&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$NEIRO</a> → 74.1K <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24USDC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$USDC</a> • 63.1M <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ESTEE&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ESTEE</a> → 69.8K <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24USDC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$USDC</a> • 46.5M <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24MARVIN&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$MARVIN</a> → 69.2K <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24USDC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$USDC</a> • 500.2K <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24EBULL&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$EBULL</a> → 67.6K <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24USDC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$USDC</a> • 100K <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24MSTR&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$MSTR</a> → 61.5K… <a href="https://t.co/VDWXID2xtG">pic.twitter.com/VDWXID2xtG</a>
&mdash; Spot On Chain (@spotonchain) <a href="https://twitter.com/spotonchain/status/1876262852031578522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The biggest liquidation was that of NEIRO, a dog-themed meme coin inspired by the sister of Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) mascot Kabosu. About 70 million NEIRO tokens, worth over $74,000, were offloaded. 
The sale caused the token&#8217;s price to plummet by over 3% in the last 24 hours. In contrast, ESTEE and MARVIN gained 28.66% and 14.50%, respectively, in the last 24 hours, <a href="https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/estee/">according</a> to CoinMarketCap.
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/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42827796/maga-meme-coin-surges-20-boosting-donald-trumps-crypto-portfolio-11-9m">MAGA Meme Coin Surges 20%, Boosting Donald Trump&#8217;s Crypto Portfolio $11.9M</a>
Why It Matters: Buterin&#8217;s charitable inclinations are also well documented. In December, he <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42696957/all-vitalik-buterin-wanted-for-xmas-was-a-hippopotamus-ethereum-co-founder-is-now-the-adoptive-father-of-viral-sensation-moo-deng">adopted the viral baby hippo</a> named Moo Deng, setting aside 88 Ethereum for the animal&#8217;s welfare and her family. He also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/21/07/22190225/ethereum-co-founder-donated-1b-shiba-inu-to-aid-india-in-covid-19-battle-money-reaching-th">donated  billions of dollars worth of Shiba Inu</a> for COVID-19 relief in India
The cryptocurrency mogul has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/08/40422601/dogecoin-shiba-inu-fall-as-ethereum-co-founder-vitalik-buterin-donates-over-500k-worth-of-">frequently asked projects not to send him unsolicited meme tokens</a>, a tried-and-tested strategy employed by nascent projects to pique investors' attention by leveraging on his brand value. Instead, he urged them to allocate the holdings to charities directly..
Price Action: At the time of writing, Ethereum was exchanging hands at $3,685.58, up 0.55% 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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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42828238/gemini-resolves-cftc-lawsuit-with-5m-settlement-over-bitcoin-futures-misstatements">Gemini Resolves CFTC Lawsuit With $5M Settlement Over Bitcoin Futures Misstatements</a></li>
</ul>

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$USDC

Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin Offloads Nearly A Million In Memecoins To Benefit Charities — Dogecoin's Sister Coin NEIRO Plunges 3% After Sale

On Monday evening, Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) CEO Jensen Huang delivered the keynote at CES 2025. Watch the full speech on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/UGAT_MK0R6g">Benzinga's YouTube Channel.</a>
What Happened: The keynote was live-streamed from Mandalay Bay Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The venue typically accommodates 12,000 people, but Nvidia reportedly intended to pack in up to 14,000 by using the arena&#8217;s center space.
Nvidia CEO Huang walked up on the stage clad in a trademark leather jacket, which this time was a bit shiny. He asked the crowd if they liked his crocodile pattern jacket. "Let it sink in," he said.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/42822846/nvidia-5000-series-product-updates-make-it-top-semiconductor-pick-ahead-of-jensen-huangs-ces-keynote-analyst">Nvidia 5000 Series, Product Updates Make It Top Semiconductor Pick Ahead Of Jensen Huang&#8217;s CES Keynote: Analyst</a>
At the beginning of the event, Huang showcased Nvidia's RTX Blackwell GPUs with a real-time rendering demo, highlighting new features like RTX Neural Materials, RTX Neural Faces, text-to-animation, and DLSS 4.
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfSf0Slf4XDSINNCS0K8rZVOW5yqk8ztVeuNTO1G0k6xo1A1dOlocTvuSIJscGH246e9mHNdgW-phFLKkLiqBgA1PbRs1OnoGVp4XfAByv-gB5-ODMaMOn8bWsivweeAHmq7vPkBw?key=ZqRTo9hvTDgMJhpMbDV8fVRW" alt="" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Nvidia/YouTube</figcaption></figure>
The keynote&#8217;s highlight was the introduction of the latest GeForce RTX 5000 Graphic cards series, which include the $1,999 RTX 5090, $999 RTX 5080, $749 RTX 5070 Ti, and $549 RTX 5070.
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXc5Z4UsyiwBRKN1Xos6-01vtbZBBkBr23h58yTNBrloHcmCHgcAag5EObCmdi7vvCvSwkf3QuKa7ZaRGuRTMxr1qfc3OeSG3varkguglJePaaqeTtn5yFwZqoucSS15ZvjTc_Z7TA?key=ZqRTo9hvTDgMJhpMbDV8fVRW" alt="" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Nvidia/YouTube</figcaption></figure>
Nvidia will release the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 GPUs on Jan. 30, with the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5070 launching shortly after. They will feature a redesigned Founders Edition with two double flow-through fans, a 3D vapor chamber, and GDDR7 memory.
The RTX 5090 Founders Edition is a two-slot GPU designed to fit into compact PC builds. It comes with 32GB of GDDR7 memory, a memory bandwidth of 1,792GB/sec, and an impressive 21,760 CUDA cores.&nbsp;
According to Nvidia, this GPU will be twice as fast as the RTX 4090, thanks to the advancements of DLSS 4 and the Blackwell architecture.
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Huang also introduced its RTX 50-series to laptops, with the $2,899 RTX 5090 laptop GPU featuring 24GB of GDDR7 memory at launch. The $2,199 RTX 5080 laptop GPU will include 16GB of GDDR7 memory, the $1,599 RTX 5070 Ti will have 12GB, and the $1,299 RTX 5070 will come with 8GB of GDDR7 memory.
These RTX 50-series laptops will be available starting in March from various PC manufacturers.
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXe9UwrKbpwYQAvXm20QMDFPeXgTtvI47g50v_jNWOWbBreTgWNjEQdLn1Qh1c4ha1W8nRdOH5wdK2-V7rso-pAYvMHpaD0JrTzx__INz1Ylecodd0IGNXY2T4w0y-c-ycRTAJYcBg?key=ZqRTo9hvTDgMJhpMbDV8fVRW" alt="" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Nvidia/YouTube</figcaption></figure>
Huang also unveiled the Grace Blackwell NVLink 72, which boasts 72 Blackwell GPUs, 2,592 Grace CPU cores, and 130 trillion transistors.
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXd084fq38ty-gye28ku6F8yIPoqYV_yLCCmvr_yX44zuGvDqpSDdylUmuqeRshlXE_vFWMIOoZGTleKb5-tv8ObL4UkIApWNQ5N7THAFubacdDwxBo23nrivzgIKJVA8NZxy-Ko?key=ZqRTo9hvTDgMJhpMbDV8fVRW" alt="" /></figure>
This system, offering four times the performance per watt, will play a crucial role in powering Agentic AIs that use test-time scaling for real-time reasoning and decision-making.
In a light moment during the keynote, Huang tried to embody his inner Captain America and re-created the iconic moment from "Avengers Endgame," and laughed saying, "I thought I was worthy."
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfv6XjdbJR6PB0_zfMSC4dvU3gMUlJhyR3z5FrPiLPulXcJklHjLcmxJA02ZraQB7JYQWPhS6Wt__SHBWdMGV9F-LeRYgJVvj79EPanBTeBN8gWApRI40GfRw6MR5XlE_2tGvBPEA?key=ZqRTo9hvTDgMJhpMbDV8fVRW" alt="" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Nvidia/YouTube</figcaption></figure>
Price Action: Nvidia&#8217;s stock climbed 3.43% on Monday, ending the day at $149.43. In after-hours trading, it gained an additional 0.57%, reaching $150.28, according to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>.
Image Via Shutterstock
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Jensen Huang Unveils Monster GPUs: Nvidia's RTX 5000 Series Starting At $549

Morgan Stanley initiated coverage of Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) with an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/42811388/palantir-trades-in-the-red-during-monday-premarket-as-morgan-stanley-assigns-underweight-rating-to-pltr-stock-after-379-gain-in-a-year">underweight rating and $60 price target</a> on Monday, prompting CNBC&#8217;s Jim Cramer to predict a late-day buying surge in response.
What Happened: &#8220;Unless another analyst starts with a sell, I think we will see the buying in Palantir starting at around 3:30 [a.m.],&#8221; Cramer wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Pre-market trading on Nasdaq generally takes place from 4:00 AM to 9:30 AM Eastern Time.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Unless another analyst starts with a sell i think we will see the buying in Palantir starting at around 3:30 a.,. tonight
&mdash; Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcramer/status/1876422543655223325?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The Morgan Stanley rating comes as analyst Sanjit Singh takes over coverage following the firm&#8217;s temporary rating suspension in November. Despite acknowledging Palantir&#8217;s strong performance in U.S. commercial and government sectors, Singh expressed concerns about the stock&#8217;s valuation after its 350% gain in 2024.
&#8220;To put it bluntly, if executive management teams and decision makers want to get their AI initiative into live production environment rapidly, Palantir has emerged as one the select few partners to call,&#8221; Singh noted while pointing out that the stock trades at an 80% premium compared to high-growth software peers.
The data analytics company, led by CEO Alex Karp, has seen its shares surge nearly 350% last year, closing at $75.92 on Monday. However, current analyst price targets range widely, from UBS&#8217; $80 to Wolfe Research&#8217;s $7.5, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PLTR/analyst-ratings">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/06211220/Screenshot-2025-01-07-at-7.41.24%E2%80%AFAM-1024x380.png" alt="" class="wp-image-720853" style="width:575px;height:auto" /></figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42830046/amd-reveals-new-ai-processors-gaming-products-ahead-of-ces-2025-shares-rise">AMD Unveils &#8216;Next Generation&#8217; AI Processors, Gaming Gear Ahead Of CES 2025</a>
Why It Matters: The divergent views on Palantir&#8217;s valuation come amid growing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/42806417/jim-cramer-works-sunday-brainstorm-on-buying-palantir-and-tesla-stock-calls-them-protective-intellectual-blankets">interest from prominent investors</a>. Recently, Cramer described the company as a &#8220;protective intellectual blanket&#8221; for his investing club portfolio, highlighting its appeal in the artificial intelligence sector.
The stock&#8217;s remarkable run has been supported by strong investor sentiment and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42546044/alex-karp-jokes-about-cult-label-as-stanley-druckenmiller-praises-his-book-after-palantir-soars-nearly-350-in-2024">notable endorsements</a>, including billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller&#8216;s praise for Karp&#8217;s book, &#8220;The Technological Republic.&#8221; 
However, Morgan Stanley&#8217;s analysis suggests that while revenue estimates for 2025 have increased by only 10%, the stock&#8217;s rise has been primarily <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/42811388/palantir-trades-in-the-red-during-monday-premarket-as-morgan-stanley-assigns-underweight-rating-to-pltr-stock-after-379-gain-in-a-year">driven by multiple expansions</a>.
Price Action: Palantir stock closed at $75.92 on Monday, down 4.97%. In after-hours trading, the stock dropped slightly by 0.24%, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. 
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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

Jim Cramer Predicts Palantir Buying Surge Tonight After Morgan Stanley's Underweight Rating: 'Unless Another Analyst Starts With A Sell...'

Leading cryptocurrencies jumped on Monday, driven by corporate Bitcoin purchases and a fresh bullish price prediction for 2025.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 7:45 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>+3.92%</td>
<td>$102,256.53</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>+1.44%</td>
<td>$3,684.22</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>+2.56%</td>
<td>$0.3899</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin soared above $100,000 for the first time since Dec. 19, ending weeks of choppy price action just below the key level.
The rally was bolstered by MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) and Metaplanet, popularly referred to as "Asia's MicroStrategy," as both companies <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42814054/microstrategy-extends-bitcoin-buying-streak-metaplanet-aims-for-10000-btc-war-chest">acquired more Bitcoin</a> for their reserves.
Additionally, Bernstein <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42810885/bitcoin-to-200000-as-crypto-enters-infinity-age-in-2025-bernstein-predicts">painted a $200,000 target</a> for Bitcoin by the end of 2025, contributing to the rally.
Ethereum broke out above $3,600, reaching $3,739 for the first time in over two weeks.&nbsp;
More than $221 million was liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours, with $133 million in downside bets getting wiped out.
That said, more than $1 billion in long positions risked liquidation if Bitcoin fell to $97,720.
Bitcoin's Open Interest soared 16.52% in the last 24 hours, indicating massive speculative interest for the apex cryptocurrency.
The "Extreme Greed" sentiment took over the market, according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index, raising fears of a potential correction.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 7:45 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>The Sandbox (SAND)</td>
<td>+8.88%</td>
<td>$0.6958</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Worldcoin (WLD)</td>
<td>+8.53%</td>
<td>$2.61</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pudgy Penguins (PENJU)</td>
<td>+7.51%</td>
<td>$0.04315</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.59 trillion, following a rise of 2.64% in the last 24 hours.
Tech stocks rallied on Monday. The Nasdaq Composite spiked 1.24% to close at 19,864.98. The S&amp;P 500 also closed in the green, ending 0.55% higher at 5,975.38. However, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the session at a minor loss of 0.06%.
Artificial intelligence behemoth NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) contributed to the tech rally, surging 3.43% to $149.43, driven by investor anticipation surrounding CEO Jensen Huang‘s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pre-market-outlook/25/01/42813341/nvidia-jumps-up-in-pre-market-on-monday-ahead-of-jensen-huangs-keynote-at-ces-la">keynote at the CES trade show</a> in Las Vegas.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Popular cryptocurrency analyst Rekt Capital stated that Bitcoin needs a daily close above $101,165 for the bias to turn bullish and break out from the daily range.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BTC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BTC</a> Bitcoin is mere hours away from positioning itself for a bullish Daily Candle Close and breakout from this Daily range Needs a Daily Close above $101,165 (black)<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Crypto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Crypto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://t.co/wrIB3i3n1g">https://t.co/wrIB3i3n1g</a> <a href="https://t.co/bC4IL4bnqK">pic.twitter.com/bC4IL4bnqK</a>
&mdash; Rekt Capital (@rektcapital) <a href="https://twitter.com/rektcapital/status/1876386068288729171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Another widely followed cryptocurrency market commentator, Miles Deutscher, highlighted that retail demand for Bitcoin was nearing historic lows, despite a run above $100,000.
"This run is being driven by institutions/ETFs/nation states. For this reason, you can&#8217;t really compare this cycle to past cycles," Deutscher added.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> on-chain retail demand is nosediving to historic lows, despite BTC pushing $100k. This run is being driven by institutions/ETFs/nation states. For this reason, you can&#39;t really compare this cycle to past cycles. <a href="https://t.co/S5tKFDuBX9">pic.twitter.com/S5tKFDuBX9</a>
&mdash; Miles Deutscher (@milesdeutscher) <a href="https://twitter.com/milesdeutscher/status/1876207088973849056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Low retail interest in Bitcoin could also suggest that the cryptocurrency cycle was still in its early stages.
Image via Shutterstock
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Bitcoin Makes Its Move Over $100K, Ethereum, Dogecoin Rally As Corporate BTC Adoption Strengthens: Analyst Says Ongoing BTC Run Different From Past Cycles

On Monday, Cathie Wood-led Ark Invest made notable trades involving Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>). and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>).
The Palantir Trade
Ark Invest executed a significant sale of Palantir Technologies Inc. shares across multiple ETFs, including Ark Fintech Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKF#NYSE">ARKF</a>), ARK Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKK#NYSE">ARKK</a>), and ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKW#NYSE">ARKW</a>). The total shares sold amounted to 196,728. The trade was worth $14.93 million. This move comes amid a backdrop of mixed analyst ratings for Palantir. Recently, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/42811388/palantir-trades-in-the-red-during-monday-premarket-as-morgan-stanley-assigns-underw">Morgan Stanley</a> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/42811388/palantir-trades-in-the-red-during-monday-premarket-as-morgan-stanley-assigns-underw">assigned an &#8216;underweight&#8217; rating to Palantir</a>, setting a price target of $60, following a 379% gain over the past year. The stock closed at $75.92 on Monday, reflecting a 4.97% decline.
Despite its strong performance in U.S. commercial and government sectors, Palantir&#8217;s valuation has been a point of contention among analysts. On Sunday, CNBC host Jim Cramer indicated <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/42806417/jim-cramer-works-sunday-brainstorm-on-buying-palantir-and-tesla-stock-calls-them-protective-intellectual-blankets">interest in purchasing</a> Palantir shares for his investing club portfolio.
Palantir stock has shot up over 355% over an one-year period but is down 0.4% since 2025 began.
The Amazon Trade
In contrast, Ark Invest increased its position in&nbsp;Amazon.com Inc.&nbsp;by acquiring 39,288 shares through ARKF and ARKW. The total value of this purchase was approximately $8.94 million, based on Monday&#8217;s closing price of $227.61. This move aligns with Ark&#8217;s previous strategy of bolstering its Amazon holdings, as seen in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42664623/cathie-wood-led-ark-invests-monday-moves-dumps-tesla-palantir-stock-adds-amazon">recent trades</a>.
Amazon&#8217;s stock has been buoyed by positive analyst sentiment, with some forecasts predicting a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42412458/amazon-to-rally-around-15-here-are-10-top-analyst-forecasts-for-tuesday">potential 15% rally.</a>
Other Key Trades:
<ul>
<li>Ark sold 3,769 shares of Coinbase Global Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) from its ARKF fund. The transaction was valued at nearly $1.08 million.</li>
<li>Sold shares of Archer Aviation Inc. from ARKK.Bought shares of Illumina Inc. across ARKG and ARKK.Acquired shares of Pacific Biosciences of California Inc. through ARKG and ARKK.Purchased shares of GitLab Inc. via ARKK and ARKW.</li>
</ul>
Image via Flickr
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

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ARKW

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Cathie Wood's Monday Moves: Dumps $15M Worth Of Hot Stock Palantir, Loads Up Amazon.com

Nippon Steel Corp.&#8217;s (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NPSCY#OTC">NPSCY</a>) lawsuit challenging President Joe Biden&#8216;s block of its $14.9 billion acquisition of US Steel Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/X#NYSE">X</a>) faces steep legal hurdles but could buy time for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/42806543/cleveland-cliffs-ceo-predicted-bidens-block-149b-nippon-steel-us-steel-deal-months-before-action">alternative deal structures</a>, legal experts say.
The Japanese steelmaker filed suit Monday claiming Biden violated constitutional due process rights by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/42825094/us-steel-nippon-steel-sue-biden-administration-cleveland-cliffs-union-in-response-to-blocked-merger">prejudging the deal</a> through the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States review. 
The companies allege Biden&#8217;s March opposition aimed to secure union support in Pennsylvania before leaving the ticket.
While courts typically defer to executive branch national security decisions, the lawsuit could extend negotiations beyond the current 30-day unwinding period through Jun. 18, when regulatory approvals expire, reported Reuters. This extension might prove crucial as former President Donald Trump, who initially opposed the deal, could take office in 2025.
&#8220;The lawsuit will give them more time to negotiate with the new administration or find alternatives that are acceptable,&#8221; said Nick Klein, national security lawyer at DLA Piper, though he called the legal challenge &#8220;an uphill battle.&#8221; 
The White House denies allegations of political motivation in blocking the merger. 
Price Action: United States Steel stock closed at $32.95 on Monday, up 8.17% for the day. In after-hours trading, the stock gained an additional 0.58%. Over the past year, the stock has declined by 32.05%, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. Nippon Steel stock is currently trading at JPY 3,106, down 1.65% at the time of writing. Over the past year, it has dropped 6.98%.
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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.

NPSCY

Nippon Steel's Lawsuit Against Biden Administration May Extend US Steel Deal Timeline

McDonald&#8217;s Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) is rolling back several diversity initiatives at its corporate level, including retiring its 35% diversity leadership goal and removing supplier <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/diversity">diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements</a>, the company announced in an employee letter on Monday.
The fast-food giant will rebrand its diversity team as the &#8220;Global Inclusion Team&#8221; and pause participation in external DEI surveys. The company noted it had achieved 30% representation from underrepresented groups in U.S. leadership positions, though falling short of its original 2025 target of 35%, reported Reuters.
The policy shift follows similar moves by other major corporations, including Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>), Deere &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DE#NYSE">DE</a>), and Tractor Supply Co. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSCO#NASDAQ">TSCO</a>), amid growing pressure from conservative activists. The changes come in response to what McDonald&#8217;s termed a &#8220;shifting legal landscape,&#8221; likely referring to the Supreme Court&#8217;s June 2023 decision striking down affirmative action in college admissions.
Conservative activist Robby Starbuck had recently questioned McDonald&#8217;s DEI practices, continuing a pattern where companies have modified their diversity programs following his criticism. Despite the changes, McDonald&#8217;s remains committed to inclusion practices within its operations.
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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.

TSCO

McDonald's Ditches DEI Initiatives Amid Pressure From Conservative Activists, Cites 'Shifting Legal Landscape'

The U.S. stock market saw an upward trend today, with significant gains across the S&amp;P 500 and the Nasdaq. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite climbed over 240 points, marking a 1.2% increase to close at 19,864.98. The S&amp;P 500 also experienced a rise, gaining 0.55% to end at 5,975.38. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined slightly by 0.06% to 42,706.56. 
These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day:
Meta Platforms Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)
Meta&#8217;s stock surged by 4.23%, closing at $630.20. The stock reached an intraday high of $630.99 and a low of $605.62, with a 52-week range of $352.05 to $638.40. The rise comes as UFC CEO  Dana White <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/42833727/dana-white-wanted-elon-musk-mark-zuckerberg-in-cage-fight-now-hes-on-metas-board-of-directors">joined Meta&#8217;s board of directors</a>. Previously, White had attempted to organize a charity cage fight between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.
Trump Media &amp; Technology Group Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DJT#NYSE">DJT</a>)
Trump Media&#8217;s shares rose by 4.48%, closing at $36.17. The stock hit an intraday high of $36.70 and a low of $35.08, with a 52-week range of $22.55 to $79.38. The increase follows news of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42832156/trump-confirmed-as-president-by-vp-harris-as-former-vp-mike-pence-breathes-easy-this-jan-6">confirmation</a> of Donald Trump by Congress on Monday. His principal rival during the election, Kamala Harris, presided over the congressional session.
FuboTV Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FUBO#NYSE">FUBO</a>)
FuboTV&#8217;s shares skyrocketed by 253.85%, closing at $5.06. The stock reached an intraday high of $5.30 and a low of $3.05, with a 52-week range of $1.10 to $5.30. This dramatic rise follows the announcement of a merger with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42816545/fubotv-and-disney-near-merger-to-create-second-largest-digital-tv-provider-shares-soar-report">Disney&#8217;s Hulu + Live TV</a>. The combined entity will be majority-owned by Disney, holding 70% of the venture.
Enovix Corp.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ENVX#NASDAQ">ENVX</a>)
Enovix&#8217;s stock fell by 1.58%, closing at $12.46. The stock saw an intraday high of $13.03 and a low of $12.20, with a 52-week range of $5.70 to $18.68. The decline comes despite the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/42833082/enovix-shares-are-moving-higher-after-the-bell-whats-going-on">completion of site acceptance testing</a> for its Fab2 manufacturing line in Malaysia. The company plans to start mass production later this year.
Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)
Tesla&#8217;s stock edged up by 0.15%, closing at $411.05. The stock reached an intraday high of $426.43 and a low of $401.70, with a 52-week range of $138.80 to $488.54. Analyst Stephen Gengaro has raised the price target for Tesla, citing the potential for robust multi-year growth due to upcoming vehicle models and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42832866/tesla-stock-well-positioned-to-deliver-robust-multi-year-growth-why-analyst-is-raising-price-target-after-deliveries-miss">Full Self-Driving</a> licensing opportunities.
Prepare for the day&#8217;s trading <a href="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-admin/Premarket%20Movers%20&amp;%20News">with top premarket movers and news</a> by Benzinga.
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

ENVX

FUBO

Meta Platforms, Trump Media, Fubo, Enovix Corp, Tesla: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Today

X Owner Elon Musk has stirred up a storm with his latest post on the platform, advocating for the &#8216;liberation&#8217; of the United Kingdom from its current &#8220;tyrannical&#8221; government.
What Happened: On Monday, Musk held a poll on X. &#8220;America should liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government,&#8221; he asked his 211 million followers. 
<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">America should liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1876174862747930717?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The poll has attracted significant attention, with over 35.3 million views and 1.74 million votes. The majority of the voters, 57.8%, were in favor of Musk&#8217;s statement, while 42.2% were against it. At the time of writing there were still seven hours left for the poll to close.
In response to an X user suggesting that the U.K. could become a U.S. state, Musk remarked, &#8220;Not a bad idea.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Not a bad idea &#x1f914;
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1876326554135052534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
French President Emmanuel Macron has indirectly accused tech mogul Elon Musk of meddling in European politics and supporting a global &#8220;reactionary movement&#8221;.
During his annual speech to French ambassadors in Paris, Macron expressed concern over the influence of a major social network owner in international politics, including German elections, without naming Musk directly, and <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/emmanuel-macron-elon-musk-new-international-reactionary-movement/">reported</a> Politico.
Macron&#8217;s apprehensions mirror those of Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who has also expressed concern over Musk&#8217;s political interventions in other countries. Musk, the world&#8217;s richest person, has faced criticism in Europe for his political maneuvers in Germany and the U.K.
In Germany, Musk&#8217;s support for the far-right Alternative for Germany party led to accusations of election interference. In the U.K., he clashed with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and called for Nigel Farage to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42806211/elon-musk-flips-on-trumps-uk-ally-nigel-farage-doesnt-have-what-it-takes">resign as leader</a> of the right-wing Reform party.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Musk responded to Macron&#8217;s speech on social media platform X, indirectly criticizing the French President. Macron has extended an invitation to Musk and US President-elect Donald Trump to attend a summit on artificial intelligence in Paris next month.
<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">Oh like that time Starmer called <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> a racist and said the British government should do everything to stop him? Or when Starmer sent British Labour Party members to campaign in the US against President Trump this year?<a href="https://t.co/5R28WgZIj0">https://t.co/5R28WgZIj0</a> <a href="https://t.co/S3cjV27Woi">https://t.co/S3cjV27Woi</a>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1876325206484038113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Why It Matters: Musk&#8217;s political interventions in the U.K. and Germany have been a topic of controversy but he has maintained a relationship with Macron. In May 2023, Musk was seen at a Rufus Du Sol show in Mexico, hours before he <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/05/32405340/elon-musk-flies-from-rufus-du-sol-show-to-meeting-with-french-president-macron-slept-in-the">flew to France</a> to meet with Macron.
Following a European tour, Musk returned to Texas after visiting Italy and France. During this visit, Macron <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/06/32910907/elon-musk-wraps-up-europe-tour-macron-seeks-collaboration-says-lets-work-together">posted a picture</a> with Musk captioned, &#8220;Let&#8217;s work together! #ChooseFrance.&#8221;
Musk, together with Vivek Ramaswamy, is set to head the Department of Government Efficiency, a proposed presidential advisory commission, under the incoming Trump administration.
His recent comments seem to echo Trump who has suggested that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42409527/trump-humorously-calls-justin-trudeau-as-governor-days-after-floating-idea-of-canada-dodging-tariffs-as-51st-state-of-america">Canada become a U.S. state</a>. On another occasion, the President-elect suggested <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42678846/trumps-controversial-remarks-on-panama-canal-and-greenland-safeguarding-trade-and-security-or-grabbing-power">purchasing Greenland</a> from Denmark.
On Monday, Musk suggested that Greenland&#8217;s future should be decided by its people. He expressed the belief that they would &#8220;want to be part of America.&#8221; The comments were made after an X user said that Trump&#8217;s son, Donald Trump Jr., was in Greenland.
<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">The people of Greenland should decide their future and I think they want to be part of America! &#x1f1fa;&#x1f1f8;
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1876328838134948213?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Image via Shutterstock
Did You Know?
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<li>Congress Is Making Huge Investments. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades">Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool</a></li>
</ul>
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

General

Musk Holds Poll To Figure Out If US Should 'Liberate' UK, French President Macron Says X Owner Is Backing A New 'Reactionary Movement'

Multiple sources close to the Trump family at Mar-a-Lago are telling People magazine that soon-to-be-First-Lady-again <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/melania-trump">Melania Trump</a> quite likes having the Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and SpaceX CEO <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/elon-musk">Elon Musk </a>around. And the tech billionaire is definitely around. Musk has been staying at one of the cottages on Trump's property at the Florida estate almost since the November elections, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/30/us/politics/elon-musk-trump-mar-a-lago.html">according </a>to the NY Times.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">But It&#8217;s All Good With Melania</h1>
A source <a href="https://people.com/melania-trump-elon-musk-babysitter-for-donald-exclusive-sources-8769671">told</a> People that Melania approves of Musk&#8217;s relationship with her husband as a "net-positive" because Musk can keep an eye on her hubby President-elect Donald Trump.
"Melania is glad to have a babysitter for Donald, and she will find some kind of project to team up with him herself if he stays around," a Palm Beach source told People, noting that the former First Lady "makes the best of things she can&#8217;t control."
The source added that &#8220;Melania has her own life and isn&#8217;t bothered by political dealings her husband has with others. But so far, she has no issues with Musk.&#8221;
A Mar-a-Lago insider predicted that Melania might come up with her own plans to partner with Musk, who along with Vivek Ramaswamy <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41927289/trump-appoints-elon-musk-and-vivek-ramaswamy-to-lead-doge-targeting-bureaucracy-and-65-trillion-federal-spending-we-will-not-go-gently">will co-direct</a> the newly created&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/department-of-government-efficiency">Department of Government Efficiency&nbsp;</a>(DOGE), aimed at restructuring federal agencies and reducing government spending.
Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42806697/melania-trump-to-executive-produce-upcoming-amazon-documentary-offering-rare-insight-into-her-life-and-influence-in-donald-trumps-political-world">Melania Trump To Produce Upcoming Amazon Prime Documentary About Her Life and Influence In Trump Political Universe</a>
CNN&#8217;s Kaitlan Collins <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/elon-musk-hangs-donald-trump-164722815.html">reported</a> in November that Musk has been at Mar-a-Lago &#8220;nearly every single day,&#8221; golfing, dining, sitting in on phone calls with world leaders, and &#8220;weighing in&#8221; on prospective candidates for senior administration jobs.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Working From Home </h1>
As was the case with the first Trump administration, he is continuing to use the family&#8217;s Palm Beach residence as a meeting place and something of a headquarters for his political activities. Again, Melania quite likes the activity, according to People, especially when it comes to Musk.
"Melania is in good spirits and does her own thing, and is not bothered one way or the other by Musk hanging around," a source told People.
"For the most part, she is not involved with subjects her husband is discussing with Musk or anyone else hanging around him. Right now, Trump has a lot of people wanting things from him. She is all too aware of that."
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Photo: Sarah Yenesel/EPA, via Shutterstock

Government

Melania Trump Is Happy With House Guest Elon Musk As 'A Babysitter For Donald'

Investor and entrepreneur Kevin O'Leary, known for his appearances on "Shark Tank," announced on Monday he joined forces with The People's Bid for TikTok in an attempt to purchase the social media platform before the Jan. 19 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42712643/trump-asks-supreme-court-to-delay-tiktok-ban-as-he-pursues-a-political-resolution">deadline for a sale. </a>
The Details: O'Leary declared the move in a <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/globally-renowned-investor-and-entrepreneur-kevin-oleary-joining-the-peoples-bid-for-tiktok-302342948.html">press release</a> stating he would join The People's Bid for TikTok led by Project Liberty founder Frank McCourt. O'Leary's previous attempt to buy TikTok, a crowdfunding effort, would be folded into The People's Bid for TikTok. 
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&#8220;Joining The People&#8217;s Bid for TikTok is an opportunity to take action on an issue I&#8217;m deeply passionate about — protecting privacy and creating value for users,&#8221; said Kevin O&#8217;Leary.&nbsp;
&#8220;TikTok has immense potential — not just as a tool for creators and businesses, but as a cornerstone of a more secure, people-centered digital future," O'Leary added.&nbsp;
O'Leary also announced his partnership with The People's Bid for TikTok on the social media platform X.&nbsp;
<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'm excited to share that I'm partnering with Frank McCourt and the visionary team at <a href="https://twitter.com/pro_jectliberty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pro_jectliberty</a> to lead The People's Bid for TikTok! This isn't just about buying TikTok's U.S. assets. It's about something much bigger: protecting the privacy of 170 million American users.… <a href="https://t.co/kzxk5RfEgY">pic.twitter.com/kzxk5RfEgY</a>
&mdash; Kevin O&#39;Leary aka Mr. Wonderful (@kevinolearytv) <a href="https://twitter.com/kevinolearytv/status/1876287966584221717?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
What Else: The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on Friday on whether the proposed TikTok ban violates the First Amendment. Congress passed the ban with bipartisan support earlier this year and President Joe Biden signed it into law in April.&nbsp;
The law requires TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations by Jan. 19 or <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42772746/tiktok-set-for-a-ban-on-jan-19-by-law-but-trump-has-other-plans">face removal</a> from app stores in the U.S.&nbsp;
President-elect Donald Trump originally supported a ban of TikTok, but has since changed his stance on the issue and has requested the deadline for divestiture be extended.
Trump's attorney, D. John Sauer, said Trump is not taking a stance on the case's merits but would like the opportunity to seek a political solution.&nbsp;
"He respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act's deadline for divestment of January 19, 2025, while it considers the merits of this case, thus permitting President Trump's incoming administration the opportunity to pursue a political resolution of the questions at issue in the case,&#8221; Sauer said.&nbsp;
Read More:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42768507/china-slaps-export-restrictions-on-dozens-of-us-companies-boeing-lockheed-martin-general-dynamics-raytheon-affected">China&#8217;s Export Crackdown Hits Boeing, Lockheed Martin And More&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Entertainment

Social Media

Global

Media

Kevin O'Leary Joins The People's Bid For TikTok As Pending Ban Looms

ServiceNow (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOW#NYSE">NOW</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 20.55% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 31.96%. Currently, ServiceNow has a market capitalization of $222.21 billion. 
Buying $100 In NOW: If an investor had bought $100 of NOW stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $1,579.48 today based on a price of $1077.05 for NOW at the time of writing.
<h3>ServiceNow's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1736207107_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much $100 Invested In ServiceNow 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

Annuities are a popular financial product that can provide tax-deferred growth and guaranteed income. However, as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/12/42728529/suze-orman-warns-medicare-doesnt-cover-everything-why-you-need-2000-for-drugs-and-1676-for-hospital-costs-in-2025">Suze Orman</a> explains on a <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/suze-ormans-women-and-money/ask-kt-and-suze-anything-why-buying-a-condo-can-en">recent episode</a> of her Women &amp; Money podcast, they aren&#8217;t always the best solution for everything.&nbsp;
A listener named Janet wrote into the show and shared her experience with an annuity she purchased six years ago with an inheritance. Now, Janet is asking Orman about the best way to move the funds from her annuity. "Do I have to cash out the annuity or can a brokerage firm have the money transferred for me?" Janet wrote.&nbsp;
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Here's a breakdown of Janet's situation and Orman's recommendations for those who wish to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/08/40324684/exactly-how-much-cash-will-a-50-000-annuity-pay-you-every-month">cash out an annuity</a>.&nbsp;
Janet invested $50,000 in a variable and index-linked deferred annuity. Over six years, her investment grew to $68,300 – a little over 36% for the total increase. Janet felt like that was a pretty good return, but Orman calculated that the annualized growth rate was only 5.4%. "That is horrific," Orman said.&nbsp;
Janet's annuity was tied to the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42737644/us-stocks-poised-open-higher-on-the-trading-day-of-2024-analyst-sees-sp-500-at-7000-in-first-half-of-2025">S&amp;P 500 index</a>, which Orman explained had significantly stronger returns over the same period. However, the nature of index-linked annuities meant Janet only received a percentage of the index's gains, not the full amount.
Orman also emphasized the tax drawbacks of annuities. If Janet cashes out, the $18,300 in growth will be taxed as ordinary income, which could place her in a higher tax bracket. This is a key difference from other investments like mutual funds or ETFs, which are taxed at a lower capital gains rate upon sale.
See Also: Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a>
Additionally, annuities do not offer the "step-up in cost basis" other investments provide. If Janet's beneficiaries inherit the annuity, they would owe ordinary income tax on any gains above her original $50,000 investment. In contrast, inheriting a mutual fund or ETF would mean the beneficiaries pay no taxes on gains due to the step-up in basis.
Orman advised Janet to carefully plan her <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/11/42073506/i-want-to-buy-a-250000-annuity-whats-the-monthly-income-itll-bring-in">annuity withdrawal</a> to minimize taxes. Assuming Janet is no longer subject to surrender charges – a fee many annuities impose for early withdrawals – Orman suggested splitting the withdrawal over two years.
<ul>
<li>Before Year-End: Janet could withdraw $9,150 (half the gain) and pay taxes in 2024.</li>
<li>After Jan. 1: She could withdraw the remaining $59,150, which includes the rest of her gain and the original principal, spreading the tax liability over two years.</li>
</ul>
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>
By staggering the withdrawals, Janet could reduce her immediate tax burden and avoid a potential spike in her tax bracket.
Orman's advice to Janet illustrates the importance of fully understanding an annuity&#8217;s terms and potential drawbacks before purchasing one. While annuities can be useful for certain situations, they may not be the best investment for everyone, particularly compared to other options like mutual funds or ETFs.
If you're considering cashing out an annuity, evaluate the tax implications and consult with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-online-financial-advisors">financial advisor</a> to ensure it aligns with your long-term goals.
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<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>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>
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Personal Finance

'Should I Cash Out My Annuity?' Suze Orman Reveals Why This Listener's Investment Isn't As Good As It Seems

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukraine has ranked among the top nations using cryptocurrency. According to the September 2024 Global Adoption Report by Chainanlysis, <a href="https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/2024-global-crypto-adoption-index/">Ukraine is No. 6 in crypto adoption</a>.
The war has caused significant economic instability in Ukraine, including a weakened Hryvnia, Ukraine's national fiat currency, and banking disruptions in many regions, which have limited access to traditional financial services. To limit the exodus of wealth from the country, the Ukraine government put restrictions on cross-border money transfers and foreign fiat currency withdrawals.
The Ukrainian government did embrace cryptocurrency on a regulatory level. From the start of the war, cryptocurrency became a vital channel for timely international donations to NGOs and the Ukrainian government. According to United24, the official fundraising platform for Ukraine, cryptocurrency donations have totaled $923,514,470 from the global community.
With limits on sending money abroad and the rising popularity of cryptocurrency, the beta launch of HitBit Pro, a Ukraine-based fintech platform that offers Telegram integration and a fiat-like experience, has been a natural extension.
"We launched HitBit Pro at the end of November 2024. We did a small campaign in Ukraine, but people around the world can apply, proceed with KYC, and use our service. At this point, we have a lot of Ukrainians who live in Europe, Turkey, Asia (like Bali), and all over the world. With their user experience and feedback, we can find out what to improve in general, but we do the same with feedback from Germans and Poles," <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/i-kucherenko/">Igor Kucherenko</a>, co-founder of HitBit Pro said in an interview with Benzinga.
According to Kucherenko, the company has 10,000 users in the testing stage and has improved the customer experience based on customer feedback.
"We got a lot of valuable feedback, fixed everything, and we're still in the process of upgrading a couple of things. In mid-January, we're planning to have a massive marketing campaign in Ukraine with Ukrainian retailers. For Europe, it will probably be three to four months from now because it's a more complicated process. You have to take it to each country as a separate case.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42827897/cpai-launches-token-for-ai-powered-crypto-tax-reconciliation-platform">CPAI Launches Token For AI-Powered Crypto Tax Reconciliation Platform</a>
HitBit Pro has helped Ukrainians make international money transfers and is trying to provide an experience similar to fiat and Web2 money transfer services.
"For Ukrainians, it's a great solution to the challenges caused by the restrictions imposed by the National Bank of Ukraine on international transactions. The limits are very low, which makes it hard for families living abroad to transfer money from Ukraine. With HitBit Pro, you can use SEPA to wire money, pay rent, school fees, or even doctors, without relying only on cards," Kucherenko said.
HitBit Pro allows a one-time payment limit of 10,000 euros and a daily transaction limit of 50,000 euros. It also offers physical cards and standard ATM and local bank fees apply.
The goal of HitBit Pro is to provide a seamless service for transfers and payments that bridges the gap between cryptocurrency and traditional finance (TradFi) users. To do that, the company must overcome the perception of cryptocurrency as innately speculative.
"Instead of using traditional fiat cards with lots of restrictions, regulations and compliance, users can use our platform. For most people, when they hear crypto, they think of speculation, investments and volatility. HitBit Pro has nothing to do with that. It's like using fiat, but you pay into your account with crypto instead," said Kucherenko.
Kucherenko described the platform as a conventional nano-bank technology that allows a Visa- or Mastercard-like experience. The only difference is on the backend where payments are made using cryptocurrency instead of fiat.
"The idea is to build a bridge for the 90% of people who have never experienced crypto, showing them how it can be part of their daily lives,&#8221; said Kucherenko.
&#8220;Cash has become almost obsolete now. Transactions are electronic, whether it's traditional money or crypto. There's no real difference between fiat and crypto on the front end for users. When you're traveling, for instance, if you're using a U.S. card in Bali, the system automatically handles currency conversion. The same applies to crypto. The system handles the conversion seamlessly if you have USDT or any other cryptocurrency," said the HitBit Pro co-founder.
Kucherenko compares the HitBit Pro experience to Apple Pay, Google Pay or other popular web-based payment methods. Users don't need to understand blockchain, mining or any technical details. He said it's the same as using Visa or Mastercard. Only the backend is cryptocurrency, and there's no need for complicated procedures to set up or maintain an account or wallet.
"People need to understand that crypto is no longer a pilot project. It's a reality. The sooner they accept it, the faster they can become part of this new world we already live in. Crypto is a currency. Whether people like it or not, it's a reality, and it's becoming a practical tool for daily transactions," said. Kucherenko.
Read Next: •&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42828238/gemini-resolves-cftc-lawsuit-with-5m-settlement-over-bitcoin-futures-misstatements">Gemini Resolves CFTC Lawsuit With $5M Settlement Over Bitcoin Futures Misstatements</a>

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HitBit Pro Interview: Crypto Payments Rise In Ukraine Despite Transfer Limits

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCX#NYSE">FCX</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 11.67% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 24.49%. Currently, Freeport-McMoRan has a market capitalization of $55.61 billion. 
Buying $1000 In FCX: If an investor had bought $1000 of FCX stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $2,976.08 today based on a price of $38.70 for FCX at the time of writing.
<h3>Freeport-McMoRan's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1736205307_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

$1000 Invested In This Stock 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Dana White served as the matchmaker who wanted to make a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports-betting/23/08/33606870/musk-vs-zuckerberg-billionaire-bout-latest-odds-reveal-clear-favorite-potential-100-bet-wi"> cage fight between billionaires</a> Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg a reality. While the fight didn't happen, White has now turned to helping one of the billionaires as a member of his company&#8217;s board of directors.
What Happened: White once said a cage fight between Musk and Zuckerberg could<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/06/32988611/elon-musk-vs-mark-zuckerberg-fight-back-on-mom-says-no-but-dana-white-says-lets-make-it-happen"> raise millions of dollars</a> for charity.
"This would be the biggest fight ever in the history of the world. It would break all pay-per-view records," White previously said.
While the fight never happened, White is now tasked with helping Zuckerberg's company as he was named a member of the Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) board of directors on Monday.
White, who is the CEO of the UFC said he makes "fights that people want to see." Now alongside his everyday job, White will help Meta usher in the new era of artificial intelligence.
"I've never been interested in joining a board of directors until I got the offer to join Meta's board. I am a huge believer that social media and AI are the future," White said.
White said he's excited to learn more about Meta from the inside and to join the incredible team.
"There is nothing I love more than building brands, and I look forward to helping take Meta to the next level."
The appointment of White brings a Donald Trump ally closer to the social media executive and could create synergies between UFC and Meta. While Trump and Zuckerberg <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42454227/months-after-trump-threatened-to-put-mark-zuckerberg-in-prison-meta-ceo-donates-1m-to-president-elects-inaugural-event">previously clashed</a> over social media bans imposed on the former president, Zuckerberg recently met with Trump and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42454227/months-after-trump-threatened-to-put-mark-zuckerberg-in-prison-meta-ceo-donates-1m-to-president-elects-inaugural-event">donated to his inauguration fund.</a>
The announcement of White joining the Meta board comes on the same day that WWE, which like UFC is owned by TKO Group Holdings (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TKO#NYSE">TKO</a>), is set to make its live debut on streaming giant Netflix.
You may not be a billionaire like Mark Zuckerberg, but you can uncover hidden gems in the stock market using our proprietary data and pattern recognition — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42798998/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet">check out five stocks flying under the radar that deserve your attention.</a>
Other Board Appointees: Alongside White, two other Meta board of directors appointees were announced Monday.
Exor CEO John Elkann and investor Charlie Songhurst were also announced as new Meta board members.
Exor, which is controlled by the Agnelli family, is one of the largest European investment companies, according to the press release. Elkann is the executive chairman of both Stellantis NV (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STLA#NYSE">STLA</a>) and Ferrari NV (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RACE#NYSE">RACE</a>). Exor owns stakes in Stellantis, Ferrari, CNH, Phillips, Louboutin and Juventus Football Club.
"I look forward to bringing my global experience and long-term perspective to the board as Meta continues to shape and push the next frontiers of innovation and technology," Elkann said.
Songhurst is an investor specializing in the technology sector and startups. He previously worked at Microsoft helping with partnerships and M&amp;A.
"As part of Meta's advisory group, I've seen firsthand the opportunities to scale new products and grow AI and enterprise capabilities," Songhurst said.
Zuckerberg highlighted the AI opportunity in Monday's announcement.
"Dana, John and Charlie will add a depth of expertise and perspective that will help us tackle the massive opportunities ahead with AI, wearables and the future of human connection," Zuckerberg said.
META Price Action: Meta stock closed Monday up 4.23% to $630.20 versus a 52-week trading range of $352.05 to $638.40. Meta shares were up 0.66% to $634.35 in after-hours trading. The stock is up 76% over the past year.
TKO shares traded higher on news of the announcement in the after-hours trading market before returning to the $141.63 level it closed at Monday at the time of writing.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/01/42771258/worlds-top-10-richest-people-gained-more-wealth-in-2024-than-costco-and-nikes-combined-valuation-how-elon-musk-warren-buffett-and-others-fared">World&#8217;s Top 10 Richest People Gained More Wealth In 2024 Than Costco And Nike&#8217;s Combined Valuation: How Elon Musk, Warren Buffett And Others Fared</a></li>
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