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The 2024 year is almost at its end, which means a retrospective looking back at the year's top searches, top trends and top <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/12/42325116/2024-was-worlds-taylor-swift-era-once-again-spotify-reveals-top-artists-songs-albums-podcasts">listened to musical artists</a>.
Crowdsourced encyclopedia Wikipedia has released the lists of its most popular pages for 2024, including some sorted by category. Here's a look at the top items in 2024.
What Happened: When it comes to searching for things online and wondering the who, what, where, when and why, some people <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/wikipedia">turn to Wikipedia</a>.
"When people want to learn about our world – the good, bad, weird, and wild alike – they turn to Wikipedia," site owner Wikimedia Foundation <a href="https://wikimediafoundation.org/news/2024/12/03/announcing-english-wikipedias-most-popular-articles-of-2024/">said</a>.
The report said people around the world spent 2.4 billion hours, or around 275,000 years, reading English Wikipedia in 2024.
These were the most visited Wikipedia pages in 2024:
<ol>
<li>Deaths in 2024</li>
<li>Kamala Harris</li>
<li>2024 United States presidential election</li>
<li>Lyle and Erik Menendez</li>
<li>Donald Trump</li>
<li>Indian Premier League</li>
<li>JD Vance</li>
<li>Deadpool &amp; Wolverine</li>
<li>Project 2025</li>
<li>2024 Indian general election</li>
<li>Taylor Swift</li>
<li>ChatGPT</li>
<li>2020 United States presidential election</li>
<li>2024 Summer Olympics</li>
<li>UEFA Euro 2024</li>
<li>United States</li>
<li>Elon Musk</li>
<li>Kalki 2898 AD</li>
<li>Joe Biden</li>
<li>Cristiano Ronaldo</li>
<li>Griselda Blanco</li>
<li>Sean Combs</li>
<li>Dune: Part Two</li>
<li>Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</li>
<li>Liam Payne</li>
</ol>
The most popular Wikipedia page in 2024 was deaths for the year, which covers the notable deaths of the year. The report said this list has been the most-read annually five times since lists were shared in 2015 and has never ranked lower than third place.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/10/35365602/elon-musk-just-offered-a-significant-donation-to-wikipedia-with-one-head-turning-catch-i-will-give-t">Elon Musk Just Offered A Significant Donation To Wikipedia — With One Head-turning Catch: &#8216;I Will Give Them A Billion Dollars If &#8230;&#8217;</a>
List Trends: The biggest trend that stands out from the list is the interest in politics with Kamala Harris, Donald Trump and J.D. Vance all ranking in the top 10. The 2024 election and 2020 election pages also made the top 25 list with readers likely looking for details on the candidates and key events that shaped these key election years.
Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk was one of the only business figures to make the list, ranking 17th. Musk likely saw a spike in interest from people thanks to his growing influence in politics with a public endorsement of Trump and his campaigning in key swing states for the 2024 election.
The electric vehicle company ran by Musk also became a key topic in 2024 with a company event showing off the company's robotaxi ambitions and a growing battle over electric vehicle regulatory credits.
Streaming giant Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) can often influence top searches in a year on Google and shows its presence on the Wikipedia list with Lyle and Erik Menendez, also known as the Menendez Brothers, ranking fourth on the list.
Netflix put out a documentary film in October on the brothers that drew strong interest nationwide and around the world. Netflix also released a series on Griselda Blanco, a figure who ranked 21st on the list.
Movie "Deadpool &amp; Wolverine" ranked eighth on the list. The movie from The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/08/40319102/disneys-deadpool-wolverine-hits-1b-d23-unveils-new-sequels-theme-park-expansions-fortnite-c">set records for R-rated films </a>and is the second highest grossing movie domestically and worldwide at $636.7 million and $1.34 billion respectively.
Global superstar Taylor Swift ranked 11th on the list. In the business world, Swift has been instrumental in the success of several sectors and provided a boost to companies like Live Nation, AMC Entertainment <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/12/42351922/trump-predicted-taylor-swift-sales-would-drop-target-data-shows-over-800k-sold">and most recently</a> Target. Swift was the top-streamed musician on Spotify in 2024.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/12/36184608/top-10-google-searches-for-events-people-in-2023-war-in-israel-titanic-sub-hurricanes-shootings-dama">Top 10 Google Searches For Events, People In 2023: War In Israel, Titanic Sub, Hurricanes, Shootings, Damar Hamlin, Travis Kelce And More Of Big Interest Around The World</a></li>
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Image: Shutterstock

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Most Visited Wikipedia Pages In 2024: Trump, Harris, Musk, Swift, Politics And Netflix Dominate List

Cryptocurrency markets had a bullish Friday, with Bitcoin's surpassing $100,000 for the second time and Ethereum crossing $4,000.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Price&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td> $99,468</td>
<td>+1.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</td>
<td> $4,004</td>
<td>+2.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)</td>
<td> $238.43</td>
<td>+1.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)</td>
<td> $0.4478</td>
<td>+4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>)</td>
<td> $0.00003131  </td>
<td>+4.1%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Notable Statistics:
<ul>
<li>IntoTheBlock data shows large transaction volume increasing by 73.2% and daily active addresses growing by 8.5%. Transactions greater than $100,000 are up from 13,754 to 18,967 in a single day. Exchanges netflows are down by 149.9%.</li>
<li>Coinglass data reports 152,488 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $838.66 million.</li>
<li>IntoTheBlock <a href="https://x.com/intotheblock/status/1865124442646421918">data</a> shows altcoins reclaiming a significant share of the overall market dominance.</li>
</ul>
Notable Developments:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/24/12/42366131/major-banks-advance-blockchain-use-with-digital-cash-stablecoins">Major Banks Advance Blockchain Use With Digital Cash, Stablecoins</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42367065/exclusive-bitcoin-briefly-tops-100000-but-where-do-benzinga-readers-predict-it-will-finish-2024">EXCLUSIVE: Bitcoin Briefly Tops $100,000, But Where Do Benzinga Readers Predict It Will Finish 2024?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42365154/bitcoin-reserve-would-benefit-special-interest-groups-former-fed-chairman-warns">Bitcoin Reserve Would &#8216;Benefit Special Interest Groups,&#8217; Former Fed Chairman Warns</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42364596/happy-11th-birthday-dogecoin-trader-anticipates-violent-upside-move-if-3-week-accumulation-breaks">Happy 11th Birthday, Dogecoin! Trader Anticipates &#8216;Violent Upside Move&#8217; If 3-Week Accumulation Breaks</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42361200/dave-portnoy-blames-winklevoss-twins-for-confusing-him-into-selling-bitcoin-too-early">Dave Portnoy Blames Winklevoss Twins For Confusing Him Into Selling Bitcoin Too Early</a></li>
</ul>
Trader Notes: With Bitcoin prices crossing the $100,000 mark the second time, crypto trader Emperor <a href="https://x.com/EmperorBTC/status/1865095039963271375">sees</a> this breakout being much healthier, thanks to spot-driven buying.
Crypto trader Seth calls this scenario as a &#8220;Happy Bullish Friday.&#8221; He added that Bitcoin open interest just keeps on dropping and shorts are getting liquidated.
<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/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> open interest just keep on dropping. Shorts are getting liquidated&#8230;. This is too good to be true! Happy Bullish Friday! &#x1f973; <a href="https://t.co/1uMGEOiJsP">https://t.co/1uMGEOiJsP</a> <a href="https://t.co/yQggbv7VB4">pic.twitter.com/yQggbv7VB4</a>
&mdash; Seth (@seth_fin) <a href="https://twitter.com/seth_fin/status/1865087116138467667?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
More Crypto Online <a href="https://x.com/Morecryptoonl/status/1865117148626178427">explained</a> that the crypto market is in fierce struggle with no clear winner, resembling a battle for control. 
Bulls faced heavy liquidations on Thuesday, followed by losses for short traders on Friday. He predicts that the key level to watch for Bitcoin is $97,450; falling below it could weaken bulls further. 
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42370712/bitcoins-flash-crash-is-a-classic-bull-market-shakeout-says-trader-watch-these-3-scenarios">Bitcoin&#8217;s Flash Crash Is A &#8216;Classic Bull Market Shakeout,&#8217; Says Trader: Watch These 3 Scenarios</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

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

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

$DOGE

$ETH

$SHIB

$SOL

Bitcoin Back Crossed $100,000, Ethereum Hit $4,000: Friday In Review

Those paying attention to the news know that the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/24/11/42138717/dollar-hits-2-year-highs-as-europes-recession-signals-spark-euro-pound-sell-offs">U.S. dollar has surged</a> since the presidential election. But what does that mean for you, your wallet and your everyday spending? Let's break it down simply, as a stronger dollar impacts your money&#8217;s progress.
Don't Miss:
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<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>
<li>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></li>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Upsides: Travel, Imports and Lower Prices</h2>
A strong dollar means that the U.S. dollar is worth more than other currencies worldwide. This is a good time if you love traveling or buying imported goods. A stronger dollar means international travel becomes cheaper so that European vacation won&#8217;t burn as big a hole in your pocket as you thought because your dollars can buy more euros now than they could a few months ago. Hotels, meals, souvenirs and all the fun stuff you want to do abroad will cost you less in terms of dollars – giving you more bang for your buck.
You'll also notice some imported goods, like luxury cars, electronics or even food items, cost a bit less. As Business Insider reports, foreign companies want to keep selling to U.S. consumers and the stronger dollar helps them price their products more affordably here.
See Also: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $70 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Downsides: Trouble for U.S. Exports and Jobs</h2>
Of course, it's not all good news. A stronger dollar also means American-made products become more expensive for people in other countries. If you work in an industry that sells goods to other countries – like manufacturing, farming or tech – this could be a problem. Higher prices overseas mean fewer buyers, which can hurt company profits and lead to cutbacks or job losses.
Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research, told Business Insider that about 40% of revenues from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/12/42308304/sp-500-hits-another-high-as-apple-tops-242-for-the-first-time-fear-index-remains-in-greed-zone">S&amp;P 500 companies</a> come from overseas operations. If you invest in companies that do a lot of business overseas, like big multinational corporations, their profits might take a hit when they convert foreign earnings back into dollars. &#8220;As a result, the higher dollar will likely result in lower profits from overseas operations, depressing the company&#8217;s overall earnings,&#8221; Stovall stated. So, if your investments are heavy in U.S. companies that sell internationally, you may want to monitor their earnings reports.
Trending: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Groceries and Gas Prices</h2>
While cheaper imports can help keep prices down, products made in the U.S. could become pricier, especially if they rely on foreign demand. As mentioned, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/invest-in-farmland">American farmers</a> who export a lot might see fewer buyers abroad, which could mean fewer sales and more pressure on prices at home.
Gas prices, however, could benefit from a strong dollar. Since oil is priced globally in dollars, a stronger currency could mean slightly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/travel/24/12/42280136/gas-prices-fall-for-7th-straight-week-to-3-per-gallon-reaching-2021-levels">cheaper gas at the pump</a>, as long as there aren't other supply issues messing with oil prices.
Trending: 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>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Is It Good or Bad? It Depends</h2>
Depending on your circumstances, a higher dollar may or may not be advantageous. This surge may benefit you if you plan a trip overseas or purchase imported products such as expensive cars. But if your income depends on U.S. exports or if your investments are tied to companies doing a lot of business overseas, you could be feeling the downside.
In the end, the value of the dollar impacts all of us differently – some will get more value for their money, while others might find they're getting less. Keeping an eye on how the dollar affects the things you buy, the places you travel and even the stocks you hold can help you make the most of your money, whether the dollar is up or down.
Read Next:
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<li>Many are using this retirement income calculator 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></li>
<li>Studies show 50% of consumers think Financial Advisors cost much more than they do —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/money-pickle"> to debunk this, this company provides matching for free and a complimentary first call with the matched advisor.</a></li>
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Personal Finance

More Bang For Your Buck Or Less Value for Your Money – What The U.S. Dollar Surge Means For You And Your Wallet

In a blog post this week, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, shared how his childhood passion for reading was instrumental in his journey to becoming a billionaire.&nbsp;
What Happened: Gates expressed doubt about whether he would have achieved his billionaire status if he had grown up in today&#8217;s digital era, dominated by smartphones and social media.
"When I felt restless or bored — or got in trouble for misbehaving — I would disappear into my room and lose myself in books or ideas, often for hours without interruption. This ability to turn idle time into deep thinking and learning became a fundamental part of who I am," he stated.
Adding, "It was also crucial to my success later on."
Throughout his career, Gates has credited his accomplishments to his reading habits and periods of intense focus, such as his &#8220;Think Week&#8221; retreats.
These sessions allowed him to concentrate on future innovations, including the development of Internet Explorer.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42358400/elon-musks-xai-raises-6b-for-the-2nd-time-this-year-as-it-looks-to-take-the-challenge-to-openai-google-and-jeff-bezos-backed-anthropic?itm_source=parsely-api">Elon Musk&#8217;s xAI Raises $6B For The 2nd Time This Year As It Looks To Take The Challenge To OpenAI, Google And Jeff Bezos-Backed Anthropic</a>
Gates cautioned that the technologies he helped popularize might impede the deep thinking necessary for groundbreaking innovations.
The tech mogul recommended &#8220;The Anxious Generation&#8221; by Jonathan Haidt as a must-read. The book explores how technology has affected young minds, contributing to mental health challenges.&nbsp;
He spoke about the value of a &#8220;play-based childhood&#8221; over a &#8220;phone-based&#8221; one, as highlighted in Haidt&#8217;s book.
"Today's teenagers spend an average of six to eight hours per day on screen-based leisure activities—that is, not for schoolwork or homework," he wrote, adding, "I'm especially worried about the impact on critical thinking and concentrating."
Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: Gatest currently has a net worth of $166 billion, according <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/">to</a> the Bloomberg Billionaire Index.
Microsoft, the company he co-founded and spearheaded for years has now reached a market capitalization of $3.297 billion, making it the third most valuable company in the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Last month, Gates expressed his willingness to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41869269/bill-gates-ready-to-give-up-62-of-his-fortune-advocates-for-wealth-tax">relinquish 62% of his wealth</a> under a proposed tax system targeting the affluent. He has been vocal about wealth disparity and the need for the wealthy to contribute more to society.
Gates has also warned of an impending <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/11/41949050/bill-gates-warned-the-u-s-will-experience-another-2008-style-financial-crisis-he-cant-predict-when-but-says-this-is-a-certainty">financial crisis</a> akin to the 2008 recession, highlighting the importance of financial preparedness.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42312508/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-agrees-with-apple-co-founder-steve-jobs-on-guiding-talent-you-know-who-the-best-managers-are?itm_source=parsely-api">Tesla CEO Elon Musk Agrees With Apple Co-Founder Steve Jobs On Guiding Talent: ‘You Know Who The Best Managers Are?'</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

General

Bill Gates Reveals The Childhood Habit That Was Key To His Billion-Dollar Success

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Man Sentenced To 51 Months In Prison For Fraud, Ordered To Pay $6.1 Million&nbsp;</h2>
Mykalai Kontilai, a 55-year-old Las Vegas resident, <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/president-and-ceo-las-vegas-based-company-sentenced-role-investment-fraud-scheme-where-he">was sentenced</a> on Thursday to 51 months in prison and ordered to pay $6.1 million in restitution for his involvement in a long-running fraud scheme. Kontilai, who previously went by Michael Contile, orchestrated an investment fraud through his company, Collector&#8217;s Coffee Inc., also known as Collector&#8217;s Café.&nbsp;
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Kontilai was CEO of Collector&#8217;s Coffee and deceived investors from 2012 to 2018 by claiming the company was about to launch an online auction platform for collectibles, including sports and Hollywood memorabilia. 
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42365711/fridays-top-5-trending-stocks-whats-going-on-with">Friday&#8217;s Top 5 Trending Stocks: What&#8217;s Going On With SoundHound AI, GameStop, Lululemon?</a>
Kontilai successfully raised approximately $23 million from Collector's Coffee investors and then stole approximately $6.1 million for his own personal use, including for the purchase of luxury goods, apartments, and vehicles.
The SEC began investigating Kontilai around 2017, during which he obstructed justice by forging documents and lying under oath. Facing charges in Nevada and Colorado, Kontilai fled to Russia. He was later arrested in Germany on an Interpol Red Notice in 2023 and extradited to the United States in May to face the charges.&nbsp;
On Nov. 21, Kontilai pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. As part of the plea agreement in the case, the government moved to dismiss the Colorado case.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SEC Charges Kiromic BioPharma, CEO, CFO With Failure To Disclose Material Information</h2>
The Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday filed <a href="https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2024-189">settled charges</a> against biotherapeutics company Kiromic BioPharma, Inc. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRBP#OTC">KRBP</a>), its former CEO Maurizio Chiriva-Internati, and its former CFO Tony Tontat, for failing to disclose material information about Kiromic's two cancer fighting drug candidates before, during, and after a July 2021 follow-on public offering that raised $40 million.&nbsp;
The SEC's order found that two weeks before the public offering, the Food and Drug Administration notified Kiromic BioPharma that it had placed the drug candidates on clinical hold.&nbsp;
Kiromic BioPhamra did not disclose the FDA clinical holds in its SEC filings, investor roadshow calls, or during due diligence calls leading up to the offering, despite the fact that Kiromic disclosed the hypothetical risk of a clinical hold and the potential negative consequences on Kiromic's business.&nbsp;
Kiromic BioPharma and Tontat <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/12/b42295258/kiromic-biopharma-announces-settlement-of-previously-disclosed-sec-investigation">agreed to settle</a> the SEC's charges in separate administrative proceedings and Chiriva agreed to settle the charges in federal district court. Kiromic was not ordered to pay a civil penalty in light of its self-reporting, cooperation, and remediation, and Chiriva and Tontat agreed to pay civil penalties of $125,000 and $20,000, respectively, to settle the SEC's charges.
"These resolutions strike the right balance between holding Kiromic's then-two most senior officers responsible for Kiromic's disclosure failures while also crediting Kiromic for its voluntary self-report, remediation, proactively instituting remedial measures, and providing meaningful cooperation to the staff," said Eric Werner, Director of the SEC's Fort Worth Regional Office.
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Image: Shutterstock

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Financial Crime Weekly: CEO Sentenced To 51 Months In Prison, Kiromic BioPharma Charged With Failure To Disclose Material Information

Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) founder Jeff Bezos shared insights into his success his approach to achieving massive success.
What Happened: Earlier this week, in an interview at the New York Times DealBook Summit, Bezos was asked about his confidence in building large-scale companies like Amazon and Blue Origin.
Bezos is currently the world&#8217;s second richest person, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. His net worth currently stands at $240 billion, having increased by $63.4 billion in 2024 till date.
While responding, he explained that it is common for people to overestimate risks and underestimate opportunities.&nbsp;
Bezos advised entrepreneurs to counteract this tendency by recognizing that perceived risks might not be as significant as they seem, while opportunities could be more substantial than anticipated.
He continued saying, "You say it's confidence, but maybe I'm just accepting that human bias and trying to compensate against it."
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42256614/trumps-ai-czar-plans-alibabas-new-model-cathie-wood-on-tesla-ai-and-musks-combat-transformation-this-week-in-artificial-intelligence?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump's AI Czar Plans, Alibaba's New Model, Cathie Wood On Tesla AI, And Musk's Combat Transformation: This Week In Artificial Intelligence</a>
The Amazon founder also made another observation, saying, "The second thing I would point out is that thinking small is a self-fulfilling prophecy."
Simply put, he meant to say that if a person believes they can only accomplish small things, they&#8217;ll act in ways that make that belief come true.
Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: During the interview, Bezos also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/12/42331420/jeff-bezos-optimistic-about-trumps-second-term-wants-to-help-streamline-rules-we-do-have-too-many-regulations-in-this-country">expressed optimism</a> about Donald Trump&#8217;s second term, highlighting the potential for reducing regulations. &#8220;We do have too much regulation in this country,&#8221; he stated while showing willingness to assist in streamlining rules.
He also addressed America&#8217;s national debt crisis, advocating for a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42335531/jeff-bezos-counters-elon-musk-led-doge-cost-cutting-plan-says-america-needs-growth-orientation-heres-what-the-amazon-founder-said-to-tackle-national-debt">growth-oriented approach</a> to spending cuts. Bezos spoke about the need to boost GDP growth to 3-5% annually while maintaining slower debt growth.
In the interview, Bezos also revealed that he is dedicating significant time to ensure Amazon remains a leader in AI.
&#8220;My heart is in Amazon, my curiosity is in Amazon, and my fears are there and my love is there,&#8221; he stated, adding. &#8220;I&#8217;m never going to forget about Amazon. I&#8217;ll always be there to help, and right now, I&#8217;m putting a lot of time into it. I can help, and it&#8217;s super interesting, so why not?&#8221;
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Price Action: Amazon&#8217;s stock climbed 2.94% on Friday, closing at $227.03, before slipping 0.29% in after-hours trading. Year-to-date, Amazon shares have soared 51.42%, outperforming the Nasdaq 100 index's 30.7% gain during the same period, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Amazon&#8217;s consensus price target, based on evaluations from 38 analysts, is $238.16, with JMP Securities assigning the highest target of $285 on Nov. 1. Latest ratings from Needham, BMO Capital, and MoffettNathanson average $244.67, implying a 7.8% upside.
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Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Tech

AMZN

Jeff Bezos, World's Second Richest Person, Reveals The Simple Secret To Building Successful Businesses Like Amazon

Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, and the late Charlie Munger have long emphasized the critical role of integrity, intelligence, and energy in effective leadership.&nbsp;
What Happened: While <a href="https://fortune.com/videos/watch/How-does-Warren-Buffett-cultivate-new-leaders/bdb66cd1-471f-4ef7-9939-838c3175dd1e">speaking</a> with Fortune during the 2015 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholder Meeting, Buffett underscored the importance of a clear vision to inspire others.
"You have to have a clear vision of where you're going, so that you can get others to follow you," he said at the time.
Buffett believes that leadership qualities can be both inherent and developed. &#8220;Some people have way more leadership qualities inherently, but I think you can learn a lot, too.&#8221;&nbsp;
In a 2014 <a href="https://fortune.com/2023/11/29/charlie-munger-warren-buffett-bad-managers/">interview</a> with Fortune&#8217;s Pattie Sellers, Buffett, and Munger spoke about the significance of sound management and hiring practices.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/12/42331420/jeff-bezos-optimistic-about-trumps-second-term-wants-to-help-streamline-rules-we-do-have-too-many-regulations-in-this-country?itm_source=parsely-api">Jeff Bezos Optimistic About Trump&#8217;s Second Term, Wants To Help Streamline Rules: &#8216;We Do Have Too Many Regulations In This Country&#8217;</a>
The duo revealed that they avoid acquiring companies with poor managers, preferring to collaborate with naturally competent individuals.
"Marrying somebody to change them is crazy," Buffett stated then, adding, "And I would say hiring somebody to change him is just as crazy, and becoming partners with them to change them is crazy."
"The reason that Berkshire has been successful as a big conglomerate—more successful than any other big conglomerate, so far as I know—is we try to buy things that aren't going to require much managerial talent at headquarters," Munger said at the same time.
In 1998, while <a href="https://tilsonfunds.com/BuffettUofFloridaspeech.pdf">speaking</a> to MBA students at the University of Florida, Buffett said that his hiring criteria focus on integrity, intelligence, and energy.
During a 2021 shareholder meeting, Buffett said that poor management is the most significant risk to a company, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/warren-buffett-says-bad-leaders-pose-biggest-risk-to-companies-11620034201">reported</a> the Wall Street Journal.
Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: Previously, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42312508/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-agrees-with-apple-co-founder-steve-jobs-on-guiding-talent-you-know-who-the-best-managers-are">echoed similar sentiments</a>, aligning with Steve Jobs on the importance of hiring top talent and effective leadership.&nbsp;
Musk agrees with Jobs&#8217; philosophy that identifying the best managers is crucial for success.
In March 2024, Musk reiterated his agreement with Jobs&#8217; views on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/38013068/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-reacts-to-apple-co-founder-steve-jobs-on-finding-top-talent-you-build-up-these-p">building a team of &#8216;A&#8217; players</a>, emphasizing that a small team of top performers can outperform larger teams of average talent.
This approach aligns with Buffett&#8217;s focus on integrity and intelligence in leadership.
Jobs, who co-founded Apple Inc., has also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/24/04/38033914/steve-jobs-had-3-management-tips-for-companies-after-previously-hiring-bozos-to-run-apple">shared management tips</a>, stressing the importance of hiring the right people to lead a company.
&#8220;You know who the best managers are. They&#8217;re the great individual contributors who never ever want to be a manager, but decide they have to be a manager because no one else is going to be able to do as good a job as that,&#8221; Jobs said.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Warren Buffett Once Said Hiring Someone To Change Them Is 'Just As Crazy' As Marrying Someone To Change Them: 'The Reason That Berkshire Has Been Successful…'

MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) executive chairman Michael Saylor's growing Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) bet could unravel and break down the "magic money creation machine," warned an investment expert.
What Happened: Appearing on a recent episode of the All-In Podcast, Gavin Baker, managing partner and chief investment officer of Atreides Management LP warned that Saylor's Bitcoin bets could get "too big for the size" of MicroStrategy.
Baker called out Saylor's strategy of issuing debt and buying Bitcoin. "What he is doing is he is issuing debt and buying Bitcoin with the premise that it is always going to go up."
However, Baker has a word of caution here. "No trees grow to the sky," he said, adding that the interest expenses will keep rising for the company if Saylor keeps at it.
"The underlying business that pays the interest expense on the debt only does $400 million a year.
"Unless debt investors have absolute confidence… it will get to a point where it is too big for the size of his company," said Baker.
If Saylor over-collateralizes Bitcoin, Baker warned that the "magic money creation machine" will break down.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42376691/michael-saylor-says-his-bitcoin-strategy-is-simple-just-keep-buying-btc-with-your-spare-capital">Michael Saylor Says His Bitcoin Strategy Is Simple: &#8216;Just Keep Buying BTC With Your Spare Capital&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: As of Nov. 24, 2024, MicroStrategy held 386,700 Bitcoins at a purchase cost of $21.9 billion, at an average price of $56,761.
MicroStrategy's "approach involves adding Bitcoin to the balance sheet, increasing stock volatility, and using convertible debt to enable low-cost capital raises." said Bernstein's&nbsp;Gautam Chhugani&nbsp;in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42160774/microstrategy-is-the-bitcoin-magnet-says-bernstein-but-not-everybodys-sold-nothing-is-free-in-finance-says-one-analyst" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recent note</a>.
For context, MicroStrategy's convertible notes do not offer investors any interest – and yet, they are still <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42186167/michael-saylors-microstrategy-convertible-notes-to-buy-bitcoin-offer-no-interest-so-why-are-investors-rushing-to-buy-them">rushing to buy them</a> as Bitcoin's bull run continues after Donald Trump's victory.
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Price Action:&nbsp;At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $99,308, up 1.7% in the last 24 hours, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
MicroStrategy stock closed at $395.01 on Friday, up 2.2% for the day. Year-to-date, the stock has gained a whopping 476%.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42377387/palantir-co-founder-joe-lonsdale-cheers-trumps-new-sec-pick-calls-out-gary-gensler-for-purposely-not-defining-crypto-rules">Palantir Co-Founder Joe Lonsdale Cheers Trump&#8217;s New SEC Pick, Calls Out Gary Gensler For &#8216;Purposely&#8217; Not Defining Crypto Rules</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Wikimedia

Markets

MSTR

MicroStrategy's Michael Saylor Risks Breaking Down The 'Magic Money Creation Machine' With His Growing Bitcoin Bet, Says Expert

Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) co-founder Joe Lonsdale cheered President-elect Donald Trump's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42323248/trump-nominates-paul-atkins-as-sec-chair-emphasizing-digital-assets-as-key-to-making-america-greater">pick to lead</a> the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Paul Atkins, while calling out Gary Gensler's attitude towards the cryptocurrency industry.
What Happened: Lonsdale welcomed Atkin as Trump's SEC pick in a recent episode of the All-In Podcast, calling him a "smart guy."
"I love Paul. I think he's a fair guy… he's a really smart guy, cares about rules, cares about helping innovators," he said.
Lonsdale had no love lost for Gensler, though. "The thing that really pissed [me] off with Gary… I think you've probably seen like… I think both Coinbase with Brian and the Winklevoss twins [who] put something out… They won't even hire anyone who worked with Gary."
Explaining the anger of Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) co-founder and CEO Brian Armstrong and the Winklevoss twins – Cameron and Tyler – towards Gensler, Lonsdale said, "The reason they're that angry at them is they were purposely not defining the rules in certain cases and then going after people after not having defined it in order to play a gotcha game."
"It was very dishonorable, and Paul sees all that and he's not going to allow that," Lonsdale added.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42309277/crypto-hodler-awakens-after-11-years-moves-257m-worth-of-bitcoin?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dormant Bitcoin Whale Awakens After 11 Years, Moves $257M Worth Of BTC</a>
Why It Matters: The crypto industry threw its weight behind the Trump campaign, and his win is being termed as a turnaround of fortunes.
For instance, Bernstein said in a recent report that the regulatory headwinds have now <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41783773/the-future-of-crypto-regulation-under-a-trump-administration-headwinds-are-now-tailwinds">transformed into tailwinds</a> for the crypto industry.
"We expect a new regime of crypto rule-making," the report said.
Armstrong expressed optimism after Trump's victory. "Tonight, the crypto voter has spoken decisively across party lines," he said, adding that he looks forward to working with the new administration to &#8220;clear rules of the road&#8221; for digital assets.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Welcome to the new members of America&#39;s most pro-crypto Congress ever&#8230; 219+ pro-crypto candidates and counting have now been elected to the House &amp; Senate. Tonight the crypto voter has spoken decisively &#8211; across party lines and in key races across the country. Americans… <a href="https://t.co/t91wC3Wtzr">pic.twitter.com/t91wC3Wtzr</a>
&mdash; Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) <a href="https://twitter.com/brian_armstrong/status/1854028856409436226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Trump is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42220158/donald-trump-to-establish-a-national-bitcoin-reserve-pros-vs-cons-compared">also considering</a> establishing a national Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) reserve, which supporters of the plan <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42122348/trumps-planned-crypto-council-may-oversee-bitcoin-reserve-report">think will help</a> the U.S. pare down its national debt.
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Image created via photos on Shutterstock

Government

Regulations

COIN

PLTR

Palantir Co-Founder Joe Lonsdale Cheers Trump's New SEC Pick, Calls Out Gary Gensler For 'Purposely' Not Defining Crypto Rules

Boeing Co&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) head of government affairs and chief lobbyist Ziad Ojakli is reportedly leaving the planemaker.
What Happened: Ojakli will be replaced by executive Bill McSherrry on an interim basis, Reuters reported on Friday, citing a mail sent by Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg to employees. Ojakli&#8217;s departure is effective immediately, the email said. 
Ojakli became executive vice president of Government Operations at Boeing in October 2021. Prior to that, he worked with Ford and Softbank and also served as an aide to President George W. Bush.
Boeing did not immediately respond to a <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga</a> request for a statement.
Why It Matters: Boeing has been under keen public and regulatory scrutiny since the start of the year when a door plug flew off an Alaska Airlines plane. 
The company&#8217;s shares have fallen by about 39% year-to-date and several key executives have left. 
In November, the company said that its head of quality for commercial airplanes Elizabeth Lund would retire from the company in December. In September, the head of the company&#8217;s space and defense unit Ted Colbert <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40968235/boeings-space-segment-chief-ted-colbert-quits-amid-mounting-pressure-after-starliner-fails-to-bring">left the company</a>.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/24/12/42376708/nasa-mission-to-land-humans-on-moon-delayed-artemis-3-now-slated-for-mid-2027">NASA Mission To Land Humans On Moon Delayed: Artemis 3 Now Slated For Mid-2027</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Boeing Chief Lobbyist Ziad Ojakli Leaves Troubled Planemaker: Report

Tesla Inc. and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk voiced agreement with his rivals, Sam Altman and Jeff Bezos, regarding their views on his relationship with President-elect Donald Trump. 
What Happened: Earlier this week, Bill Gurley, a general partner at venture capital firm Benchmark took to X to say that his favorite part about the New York Times DealBook Summit was Altman and Bezos dismissing such concerns.
On separate occasions, both Altman and Bezos were asked if they feared Musk might exploit his relationship with Trump to gain a competitive edge. Both expressed confidence that Musk would not engage in such behavior.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42312508/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-agrees-with-apple-co-founder-steve-jobs-on-guiding-talent-you-know-who-the-best-managers-are?itm_source=parsely-api">Tesla CEO Elon Musk Agrees With Apple Co-Founder Steve Jobs On Guiding Talent: &#8216;You Know Who The Best Managers Are?&#8217;</a>
Responding to Gurley's comment on Friday, Musk said, &#8220;They are right.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">They are right <a href="https://t.co/tBtrixAO8r">https://t.co/tBtrixAO8r</a>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1865057817826070849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Why It Matters: Musk was appointed by Trump to co-lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency alongside Vivek Ramaswamy. DOGE aims to cut federal <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42253427/elon-musks-doge-dream-team-from-marc-andreessen-to-ubers-travis-kalanick-silicon-valley-titans-join-forces-to-overhaul-federal-spending">spending by up to $2 trillion</a>, drawing on the expertise of Silicon Valley leaders.
During the summit, Amazon.com Inc. founder <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/12/42331420/jeff-bezos-optimistic-about-trumps-second-term-wants-to-help-streamline-rules-we-do-have-too-many-regulations-in-this-country">Bezos expressed optimism</a> about the Trump administration&#8217;s potential to reduce regulations, which he believes could foster economic growth.
Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
OpenAI CEO Altman also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42334927/sam-altman-brushes-off-elon-musks-trump-ties-but-admits-xai-is-a-serious-threat-to-openai-i-may-turn-out-to-be-wrong-but">downplayed concerns</a> about Musk&#8217;s political connections, saying, "I believe pretty strongly that Elon will do the right thing."
Musk&#8217;s relationship with Bezos has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42105450/elon-musk-says-amazon-founder-jeff-bezos-urged-tesla-spacex-investors-to-dump-stakes-predicting-trumps-loss">soured further after he alleged</a> that the Amazon founder advised investors to sell their stakes in Tesla, predicting Trump&#8217;s electoral defeat.
Similarly, the Tesla CEO has time and again <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42257564/musk-goes-to-court-to-block-openais-for-profit-transition">hurled accusations</a> against Altman and OpenAI, the AI startup he co-founded alongside Altman.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Altman and other tech and business figures who have been targeted by Musk raised alarms about his possible influence on regulation.
Altman reportedly reached out to his contacts within Trump's inner circle, including Jared Kushner, the President-elect&#8217;s son-in-law, and Joshua Kushner, who leads Thrive Capital, an investor in OpenAI.
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42358400/elon-musks-xai-raises-6b-for-the-2nd-time-this-year-as-it-looks-to-take-the-challenge-to-openai-google-and-jeff-bezos-backed-anthropic?itm_source=parsely-api">Elon Musk&#8217;s xAI Raises $6B For The 2nd Time This Year As It Looks To Take The Challenge To OpenAI, Google And Jeff Bezos-Backed Anthropic</a></li>
</ul>
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.
Photos courtesy: Shutterstock

Elon Musk Says His Rivals Sam Altman And Jeff Bezos Are 'Right' About This

Ron Paul, a former U.S. Congressman, has an "easy" suggestion for Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) co-lead Vivek Ramaswamy.
What Happened:&nbsp;Paul urged the elimination of foreign aid, highlighting its economic and moral implications.
In a post on X on Saturday, Paul criticized the practice of redirecting funds from American citizens to affluent individuals in poorer nations.
Paul emphasized that foreign aid involves taking money from the U.S. poor and middle class and channeling it to wealthy entities abroad, with intermediaries benefiting in the process. He argued that this practice is not only economically detrimental but also morally questionable and unconstitutional.
"Americans don't want their government to borrow more money to spend on foreign aid," Paul said.
He called it an "immoral transfer of wealth" and termed it "unconstitutional."
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Here's an easy one for <a href="https://twitter.com/DOGE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DOGE</a> ! ELIMINATE foreign aid! It's taking money from the poor and middle class in the US and giving it to the rich in poor countries &#8211; with a cut to the facilitators in between! Americans don't want their government to borrow more money to spend on… <a href="https://t.co/hbjfUNGWGW">pic.twitter.com/hbjfUNGWGW</a>
&mdash; Ron Paul (@RonPaul) <a href="https://twitter.com/RonPaul/status/1865137982434415016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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</figure>
Paul&#8217;s comments reflect ongoing debates about the role and impact of foreign aid in U.S. policy, as well as its alignment with constitutional principles. His stance adds to the discourse on how the U.S. should manage its financial resources and international responsibilities.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/12/42351922/trump-predicted-taylor-swift-sales-would-drop-target-data-shows-over-800k-sold?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Said Taylor Swift Would ‘Pay A Price' At Marketplace For Harris Endorsement</a>
Why It Matters: The call for ending foreign aid by&nbsp;Ron Paul&nbsp;comes at a time when the U.S. is grappling with significant budgetary challenges.
The newly formed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42131911/donald-trump-appointed-doge-to-have-marginal-impact-saving-50-100-billion-says-analyst-as-elon-musk-aims-to-target-500-billion-plus-in-federal-expenditures">Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)</a>, led by Musk and Ramaswamy, aims to cut federal spending by up to $2 trillion. However, experts predict only marginal savings, estimated between $50–100 billion annually, against a federal budget deficit projected to reach $1.7 trillion in 2024.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41698615/elon-musk-says-would-be-great-to-have-former-congressman-and-fed-critic-ron-paul-in-department-of-go">Musk</a>&nbsp;has expressed interest in having Paul join the DOGE team, highlighting his potential role in shaping fiscal policies.
The initiative, part of President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump&#8216;s agenda, underscores the ongoing debate over federal spending and the prioritization of domestic versus international financial commitments.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photos courtesy: Shutterstock and Gage Skidmore on Flickr

Ron Paul Wants Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy-Led DOGE To Eliminate This Program Of 'Immoral Transfer Of Wealth'

President-elect Donald Trump&#8216;s transition team is reportedly considering canceling the U.S. Postal Service&#8217;s (USPS) contracts aimed at electrifying its delivery fleet.
What Happened: The move could be unveiled in the starting days of Trump&#8217;s new administration, Reuters reported, citing multiple sources familiar with the matter. 
The transition team is reviewing how it can undo the postal service&#8217;s multiple, expensive contracts including with Ford Motor Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) and Oshkosh (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OSK#NYSE">OSK</a>) for battery electric delivery trucks, the report said. Breaking the contracts would be legally challenging, Reuters noted, given the federal agency has its governing board.
Benzinga has reached out to USPS, Ford, and Oshkosh for comment but is yet to receive a response. 
Why It Matters: The U.S. Congress gave the USPS $3 billion in 2023 to buy EVs and charging infrastructure. The federal agency is planning to buy around <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/01/36752397/ford-electric-delivery-vehicles-siemens-charging-stations-shown-off-by-usps">66,000 electric vehicles by 2028. </a>
Trump, during his election campaign, had said that he would roll back the Biden administration&#8217;s push towards electrification. 
Reuters previously reported that his transition team is also planning to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41988194/trump-plans-to-erase-ev-tax-credit-analyst-says-its-net-bullish-calls-sell-off-wrong-knee-jerk-reaction">kill $7500 in consumer tax credit </a>on the purchase of electric vehicles. 
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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</ul>
Photo courtesy: USPS

Trump's Transition Team Considering Undoing USPS's Contracts With Ford, Oshkosh For Electrifying Fleet: Report

The Future Fund LLC Managing Partner and Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) bull Gary Black said on Friday that the EV company&#8217;s earnings per share (EPS) revisions have not kept pace with the stock price surge since Donald Trump&#8217;s victory in the Presidential elections.
What Happened: &#8220;We know that $TSLA is up +51% YTD (vs NDX +28%), all of which is since the Nov election (TSLA +50% vs NDX +7%) on the belief that ally Trump can streamline TSLA's efforts to secure autonomous deployment licenses. The question is: Have TSLA Adj EPS ests increased as well? The short answer is not much,&#8221; Black said on Friday. 
Black noted that Tesla&#8217;s FY2025 adjusted EPS estimates are up by only 1.6% since the election. 
&#8220;Put differently, all of TSLA's +50% price appreciation since the election reflects P/E expansion, which on FY'25 eps ests have increased from 77x before the election to 114x today (+48%),&#8221; he said while adding that he continues to be &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41870590/tesla-remains-core-for-gary-black-despite-price-cuts-earnings-drop-nvidia-google-eli-lilly-among-top-performers-in-tech-bulls-portfolio">very bullish</a>&#8221; on the stock. 
However, Black also said that he is &#8220;cautious&#8221; as he believes multiple expansions should reflect an acceleration in earnings growth. The expansion, he said, could come next year if Tesla gets robotaxi deployment permits from Texas and California or if other automakers attempt to license the company&#8217;s full self-driving driver assistance software. 
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">As a fundamentals-based analyst, I generally don't look at price charts, but two I look at are TSLA's P/E trend on a forward one-year basis, and TSLA Adj EPS est on both near-term FY'25 and longer-term FY'29 ests. We know that <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TSLA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TSLA</a> is up +51% YTD (vs NDX +28%), all of which is… <a href="https://t.co/fqH4ky4jwn">pic.twitter.com/fqH4ky4jwn</a>
&mdash; Gary Black (@garyblack00) <a href="https://twitter.com/garyblack00/status/1865124954574110801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Why It Matters: Overall, analysts have a consensus rating of "Buy" on the Tesla stock, with the highest price target being $411. The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42358854/multiple-analysts-hike-price-target-on-tesla-days-after-bear-turned-bullish">most recent analyst ratings by</a> Guggenheim, BofA Securities, and Roth MKM have an average price target of $318.33, implying an 18% downside.
Tesla shares closed up 5.3% at $389.22 on Friday. The stock is up by nearly 57% year-to-date, taking its market capitalization over $1 trillion, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/tsla/analyst-ratings"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="473" height="354" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/06043838/Tesla-stock-ratings.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-680218" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/06043838/Tesla-stock-ratings.jpg 473w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/06043838/Tesla-stock-ratings-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 473px) 100vw, 473px" /></a></figure>
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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</ul>
Photo courtesy: Tesla

Analyst Color

Analyst Ratings

TSLA Stock Rally Since Trump Win Has This Analyst 'Cautious' About EV Giant's Prospects Even As He Maintains 'Very Bullish' Outlook: Here's Why

Mark Zuckerberg-led Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) has introduced Llama 3.3 70B, a new AI model that outperforms competitors like Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google, OpenAI, and Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>).
What Happened: Announced on Friday, the model offers the performance of Meta&#8217;s largest Llama model, Llama 3.1 405B, but at a reduced cost.
According to Ahmad Al-Dahle, Meta&#8217;s VP of generative AI, Llama 3.3 70B leverages advanced post-training techniques to enhance core performance efficiently.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, he shared a chart demonstrating the model&#8217;s superiority over Google&#8217;s Gemini 1.5 Pro, OpenAI&#8217;s GPT-4o, and Amazon&#8217;s Nova Pro on various benchmarks, including MMLU.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/12/42356920/amazon-halts-inferentia-ai-chip-development-to-take-on-nvidia-how-trainium-is-shaping-up-to-be-the-new-weapon-in-ai-chip-wars?itm_source=parsely-api">Amazon Halts Inferentia AI Chip Development To Take On Nvidia: How Trainium Is Shaping Up To Be The New Weapon In AI Chip Wars</a>
The model is available for download on platforms like Hugging Face and the official Llama website.
<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">Introducing Llama 3.3 – a new 70B model that delivers the performance of our 405B model but is easier &amp; more cost-efficient to run. By leveraging the latest advancements in post-training techniques including online preference optimization, this model improves core performance at… <a href="https://t.co/6oQ7b3Yuzc">pic.twitter.com/6oQ7b3Yuzc</a>
&mdash; Ahmad Al-Dahle (@Ahmad_Al_Dahle) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ahmad_Al_Dahle/status/1865071436630778109?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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In a post on Threads, Zuckerberg noted that Meta AI, powered by Llama models, now has nearly 600 million monthly active users. The company is also building a $10 billion AI data center in Louisiana to support future Llama models.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/07005002/Screenshot-2024-12-07-at-11.19.52%E2%80%AFAM-1024x372.png" alt="" class="wp-image-681613" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Threads</figcaption></figure>
Why It Matters: Earlier in October it was reported that Meta plans to develop an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41582881/meta-platforms-is-building-ai-powered-search-engine-to-slash-reliance-on-alphabets-google-microsoft">AI-powered search engine</a> to reduce its dependence on major tech players like Alphabet and Microsoft Corporation.
Meta has also made a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42321266/meta-joins-big-techs-shift-to-nuclear-power-for-ai-ambitions">shift toward nuclear power</a> to support its AI ambitions. The company is seeking proposals for nuclear energy projects to power its AI initiatives, aiming for 1-4 gigawatts of new nuclear generation capacity in the U.S. by the early 2030s.
In its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41637326/meta-platforms-q3-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-daily-actives-up-5-strong-momentum-in-ai">third-quarter earnings report</a>, Meta reported a revenue beat of $40.59 billion, surpassing analyst expectations. The company also highlighted the strong momentum in AI.
Price Action: Meta&#8217;s stock rose 2.44% on Friday to close at $623.77 but dipped slightly by 0.08% in after-hours trading. So far this year, Meta shares have surged 80.13%, far outpacing the Nasdaq 100 index's 30.7% gain during the same timeframe, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
The consensus price target for Meta, based on evaluations from 41 analysts, stands at $639.05, with Rosenblatt setting the highest target at $811 on Oct. 31. Latest ratings from Raymond James, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup average $673.67, pointing to a potential upside of 8%.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/META/analyst-ratings"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/07005118/Screenshot-2024-12-07-at-11.21.14%E2%80%AFAM-1024x378.png" alt="" class="wp-image-681618" /></a></figure>
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

GOOG

GOOGL

Meta Announces Llama 3.3 70B That Outperforms OpenAI's GPT-4o, Google's Gemini, and Amazon's AI Models

Super Micro Computer Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>) stock surged nearly 9% in after-market hours trading after the company received an extension from&nbsp;Nasdaq to file its overdue annual and quarterly reports by Feb. 25.
What Happened: The AI server manufacturer, known for its advanced liquid cooling technology, has been under scrutiny since August when it delayed its annual report filing, citing the need to evaluate internal controls over financial reporting.
This delay came shortly after&nbsp;Hindenburg Research&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/short-ideas/24/08/40579899/super-micro-computer-stock-falls-on-short-report-hindenburg-says-company-has-accounting">disclosed a short position</a>, alleging accounting and governance issues.
Last month,&nbsp;Super Micro&nbsp;appointed&nbsp;BDO USA&nbsp;as its new&nbsp;auditor and submitted a compliance&nbsp;plan to Nasdaq to address the listing threat. The company aims to complete all necessary filings by the extended deadline to maintain its Nasdaq listing.
Additionally,&nbsp;Super Micro&nbsp;has launched&nbsp;a search for a new&nbsp;finance chief, following recommendations from a special committee investigating its accounting practices.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42309277/crypto-hodler-awakens-after-11-years-moves-257m-worth-of-bitcoin?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dormant Bitcoin Whale Awakens After 11 Years, Moves $257M Worth Of BTC</a>
Why It Matters: The extension granted by Nasdaq is a crucial step for&nbsp;Super Micro&nbsp;as it navigates through a challenging period marked by auditor resignations and allegations of misconduct.
In October, the company&#8217;s independent auditor,&nbsp;Ernst &amp; Young, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/10/41625460/super-micro-computer-stock-dives-as-auditor-resigns-whats-going-on">resigned over governance and transparency concerns</a>, causing a significant drop in stock value. This resignation prompted the formation of an independent special committee to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/12/42268387/super-micro-computer-stock-is-surging-today-whats-behind-the-move">review the allegations</a>.
In early December, the committee concluded its review, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42284776/super-micro-shares-rise-over-7-in-premarket-after-independent-special-committee-found-no-evidence-of-misconduct-but-top-investment-bank-flags-two-key-points-to-watch">finding no evidence of misconduct</a> by the company&#8217;s management or board. This finding led to a substantial increase in&nbsp;Super Micro&#8217;s stock price, with shares jumping over 30% following the announcement. Despite these positive developments, analysts from&nbsp;JPMorgan&nbsp;have advised investors to monitor the acceptance of the committee&#8217;s findings by the newly appointed auditors,&nbsp;BDO.
The ongoing demand for&nbsp;Super Micro&#8217;s AI servers, particularly in the artificial intelligence sector, underscores the importance of resolving these issues swiftly.
Price Action: SMCI stock closed at $43.93 on Friday, up 6.8% for the day. In after-market hours, it surged by 8.9%. Year-to-date, SMCI stock is up 54%, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Furthermore, Benzinga Pro data shows analysts have a consensus "Buy" rating on the SMCI stock. Based on the three most recent analyst ratings from Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and Wedbush, the average price target of $27.67 implies a downside of 37%.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SMCI/analyst-ratings"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="941" height="353" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/07000918/SMCI-ratings.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-681596" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/07000918/SMCI-ratings.jpg 941w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/07000918/SMCI-ratings-300x113.jpg 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/07000918/SMCI-ratings-768x288.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 941px) 100vw, 941px" /></a></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.
Photo courtesy: Wikimedia

Equities

SMCI

SMCI Stock Surges 9% In After-Market Hours As Company Gets Extension To File Annual Report

NASA on Thursday postponed its upcoming two <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40599693/elon-musk-reacts-after-nasa-oig-says-launcher-for-artemis-4-mission-may-cost-2-7b-holy">Artemis missions</a>, including the one expected to land humans back on the surface of the Moon for the first time in over half a century.
What Happened: While the Artemis 2 mission is now slated for April 2026, Artemis 3 is slated for mid-2027. Previously, the agency was planning to undertake the Artemis 2 mission in Sept. 2025 and Artemis 3 in 2026.
During the Artemis 1 mission in late 2022, charred material on the heat shield wore away differently than expected during re-entry. However, unlike Artemis 1, Artemis 2 mission will have a crew on board. The delayed timeline will allow the agency to address the Orion spacecraft&#8217;s environmental control and life support systems, NASA said. 
"The Artemis campaign is the most daring, technically challenging, collaborative, international endeavor humanity has ever set out to do," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.&nbsp;&#8220;We need to get this next test flight right. That's how the Artemis campaign succeeds."
For Artemis 2, engineers will continue to prepare the Orion spacecraft with the heat shield attached to the capsule. However, the agency will make changes to Orion&#8217;s trajectory as it enters Earth&#8217;s atmosphere and subsequently splashes down in the Pacific Ocean.
Why It Matters: NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen will continue training for the 10-day Artemis 2 mission in the meantime. They will fly around the Moon and back. 
Artemis 3 will build on Artemis 2 and aims to land people on the surface of the Moon with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/24/11/42108681/spacex-shows-off-starship-concept-designed-to-help-humans-land-back-on-moon-in-over-50-years">human landing system version of SpaceX&#8217;s Starship</a>. 
The Artemis program is the U.S.&#8217;s campaign to return to the surface of the Moon after a long gap of over 50 years. The last time NASA landed humans on the Moon was in 1972 as part of the Apollo Program.
The program is also expected to build the foundation for crewed missions to Earth&#8217;s neighboring planet Mars. 
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

SPACE

NASA Mission To Land Humans On Moon Delayed: Artemis 3 Now Slated For Mid-2027

Bitcoin's (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) value has reached an unprecedented milestone, crossing the $100,000 mark. This has prompted Michael Saylor, executive chairman of MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>), to reiterate his bullish stance on the cryptocurrency.
What Happened:&nbsp;Saylor emphasized the simplicity of investing in Bitcoin, discussing the cryptocurrency&#8217;s ascent and MicroStrategy&#8217;s ongoing investment strategy in an interview <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/video/microstrategy-chairman-says-bitcoin-simple-212018091.html">with</a> Yahoo Finance.
Saylor stated,&nbsp;&#8220;Every day for the past&nbsp;four years, I&#8217;ve said buy&nbsp;Bitcoin, don&#8217;t sell the Bitcoin.&#8221;
He explained his straightforward approach, &#8220;Just&nbsp;keep Buying Bitcoin with your&nbsp;spare capital. It&#8217;s going to&nbsp;appreciate against the dollar forever.&#8221;
He advised considering Bitcoin as a long-term asset, suggesting that investors should average their Bitcoin purchase price quarterly.
Saylor believes Bitcoin should be part of a long-term portfolio, recommending that funds not needed for four to ten years be invested in the cryptocurrency. He noted that MicroStrategy has generated significant shareholder value by holding Bitcoin, asserting that understanding the applications is unnecessary to benefit from its potential.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42330146/congressman-buys-meme-coins-ski-mask-dog-coin-climbs-in-value-after-disclosure-i-liked-the-coins-so-i-bought-them?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Congressman Buys Meme Coins? Ski Mask Dog Coin Climbs In Value After Disclosure</a>
Why It Matters: The recent surge in Bitcoin&#8217;s value to $100,000 marks a pivotal moment for the cryptocurrency market. On December 4,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42331261/bitcoin-hits-historic-100000-milestone-michael-saylor-gets-ready-for-party">Bitcoin crossed the $100,000 barrier</a>, a milestone that was celebrated by the cryptocurrency community.&nbsp;Saylor even suggested a celebratory event to mark this achievement.
He has also been vocal about Bitcoin&#8217;s potential as a &#8220;global capital.&#8221; In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42345293/bitcoin-is-global-capital-says-michael-saylor-every-nation-that-respects-property-rights-is-going-to-support-btc">recent interview</a>, he predicted that Bitcoin could reach $13 million per coin by 2045, emphasizing its transformative impact on global wealth storage and transfer.
Earlier, Saylor had also pitched Bitcoin&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42259408/michael-saylor-says-bitcoin-could-boost-microsofts-valuation-by-nearly-5-trillion-and-add-584-to-the-stock-by-2034">potential to boost</a>&nbsp;Microsoft Corp.'s valuation by nearly $5 trillion, highlighting its status as a high-performing uncorrelated asset.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $99,308, up 1.7% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
MicroStrategy stock closed at $395.01 on Friday, up 2.2% for the day. Year-to-date, the stock has gained a whopping 476%.
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Photo courtesy: Michael Saylor / MicroStrategy

Michael Saylor Says His Bitcoin Strategy Is Simple: 'Just Keep Buying BTC With Your Spare Capital'

Elon Musk&#8216;s rocket manufacturing company SpaceX is now gearing up for yet another test flight of its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/starship">Starship launch vehicle</a>, possibly before the end of the year.
What Happened: The company has moved the booster of the Starship launch vehicle to the launch pad at Starbase for testing ahead of its upcoming flight, the company said in a post on X on Friday. The post was accompanied by a picture of the 232-foot-tall booster. 
The company, however, did not specify when the next flight would be. 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Flight 7 Super Heavy booster moved to the pad at Starbase for testing <a href="https://t.co/IOnSMTjrTk">pic.twitter.com/IOnSMTjrTk</a>
&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1865170524852093159?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Starship is currently in the testing and development phase.
The company has conducted six test flights of the vehicle thus far starting in April 2023 but without a payload. The last flight test took place in November. 
Why It Matters: The Starship vehicle is part of big dreams. While NASA is looking forward to taking humans back to the surface of the Moon after a gap of over 50 years with the help of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42108681/spacex-shows-off-conceptual-version-of-starship-which-will-help-humans-land-back-on-moon-in-over-50-yrs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">custom version of Starship</a>, Musk is dreaming of taking <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40770222/elon-musk-sets-2026-for-starships-first-uncrewed-mars-mission-targeting-successful-landing">humans to the planet Mars</a> aboard Starship. 
"…I would not be surprised if we fly 400 Starship launches in the next four years,&#8221; SpaceX President and COO&nbsp;Gwynne Shotwell&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/24/11/42105704/spacex-ceo-elon-musk-reveals-technical-glitch-that-led-company-to-drop-key-objective-of-starships-6th-test-flight" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said at the Baron Investment Conference</a>&nbsp;in New York last month.
SpaceX is a privately held company. Unlike Musk&#8217;s publicly held EV company Tesla, SpaceX&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42022150/spacex-to-launch-tender-offer-valuing-company-at-over-250-billion-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">does not divulge its financials</a>&nbsp;periodically. 
&#8220;We are going to make some money on Starlink this year. But ultimately I think Starship will be the thing that takes us over the top as one of the most valuable companies,&#8221; Shotwell previously said.
For the upcoming flight test, SpaceX will attempt to land the Starship spacecraft in the ocean yet again.
"We will do one more ocean landing of the ship. If that goes well, then SpaceX will attempt to catch the ship with the tower," Musk previously said. 
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
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Photo courtesy: SpaceX

SpaceX Tests Starship Booster Ahead Of Next Flight: Will The 7th Test Happen Before End Of 2024?

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is reportedly working on its modem technology. This could result in slimmer iPhones and introduce cellular capabilities to Macs and headsets like Vision Pro.
What Happened: Apple is developing a new modem, internally named Sinope, which is set to debut next year, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-06/apple-s-modem-chips-pave-way-for-slimmer-iphone-cellular-macs-and-headsets?srnd=undefined">reported</a> Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter.
This modem will gradually replace components from Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) over three years.
Apple engineers have expressed concerns about Qualcomm&#8217;s modems taking up too much space in iPhones, the report noted.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42295863/apple-might-have-to-commit-1-billion-to-indonesia-to-reverse-iphone-16-ban">Apple Might Have To Commit $1 Billion To Indonesia To Reverse iPhone 16 Ban</a>
The first device to feature the new modem will be the iPhone SE, launching next year. It will be followed by Apple&#8217;s thinnest phone yet, codenamed D23, later in 2025.
This transition paves the way for Apple to explore foldable devices and introduce cellular connectivity to Macs by 2026. As per the report, Apple is also considering adding cellular support to headsets.
The first modem will also appear in low-end iPads next year, with a 2026 update planned for Pro versions of the iPhone and iPad.
The tech giant is not currently developing a modem for the Apple Watch.
Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: It was previously reported that Apple has plans to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42286671/apples-foldable-iphone-could-spark-smartphone-market-revival-in-2026-says-expert">launch a foldable iPhone</a> in 2026. This move could boost the market, with a projected growth of over 30% in 2026, according to display analyst Ross Young.
However, Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies Co. has also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40845772/huaweis-2-800-tri-fold-phone-has-the-potential-to-eat-apples-lunch-in-china-here-is-how-it-compares">intensified its efforts</a> to challenge Apple's dominance, making the competition even tougher for the iPhone maker.
Last month, Apple reported its <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">fourth-quarter earnings</a> highlighting the revenue of $94.9 billion, surpassing analyst estimates.
Price Action: Apple's stock declined 0.082% on Friday, closing at $242.84, and fell an additional 0.22% in after-hours trading to $242.30. Year-to-date, Apple shares have gained 30.81%, slightly ahead of the Nasdaq 100 index&#8217;s 30.7% rise during the same period, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
Apple's consensus price target, derived from evaluations by 31 analysts, is $242.26, with the highest target of $300 set by Wedbush on Nov. 29. Recent ratings from Wedbush, Morgan Stanley, and Maxim Group average $262.67, suggesting a potential upside of 8.4%.
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

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