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The yearlong ban that California&#8217;s insurance authority rushed to impose on cancellations in parts of Los Angeles hardest hit by wildfires was likely the last thing insurance companies wanted in the face of anticipated record-breaking claims.
&#8220;Losing your insurance should be the last thing on someone&#8217;s mind after surviving a devastating fire,&#8221; Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said in a statement. &#8220;This law gives millions of Californians breathing room and hits the pause button on insurance non-renewals while people recover.&#8221;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Insurers Must Write New Policies If They Want To Do Business In California</h2>
The insurance commissioner is literally holding insurance companies&#8217; feet to the fire. As Realtor.com reported, the moratorium on cancellations follows the commissioner&#8217;s unveiling of a new rule requiring private insurance firms to start writing new policies in high-risk areas if they wanted to keep doing business in California, but with the concession that they would be allowed to pass the costs on to their customers.
As of Wednesday, Jan. 15, the Los Angeles area wildfires had killed at least 25 people, destroyed more than 12,000 structures and charred more than 60 square miles. The largest by far – the Palisades and Eaton wildfires – continue to burn out of control. The fire has come at the worst possible time for homeowners – just months after private insurers canceled 1,600 policies in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/01/42933292/wildfires-destroy-celebrity-homes-in-pacific-palisades-paris-hilton-says-the-heartbreak-is-truly-indescribable">Pacific Palisades</a> over high fire risks. At the same time, major <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-homeowners-insurance">private insurers</a> like State Farm, Nationwide, Farmers Insurance, Allstate, USAA and The Hartford stopped writing new policies in high-risk areas or limited their coverage.
See Also: CEO of Integris gathered a team of senior investment managers who have $34.22 billion in combined owned and managed assets in the West Coast —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/integris"> here&#8217;s how to invest in their private credit fund that targets 12% annual interest rate.</a>
Faced with the prospect of having their homes uninsured, almost half a million Californians were forced to enroll in the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan, the state-sponsored insurer of last resort. According to Reuters, more than 1,400 homes were covered by the FAIR Plan last year in the Palisades neighborhood alone, up 85% from the previous year.
&#8220;One sees relatively low premiums in high-risk markets in California, but that might be starting to change,&#8221; said Philip Mulder, a University of Wisconsin professor who studies the industry.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Massive Losses</h2>
According to AccuWeather, the total economic loss to Southern California from the wildfires is estimated to be between $135 billion and $150 billion, which will rise the longer the fires burn.
&#8220;These fast-moving, wind-driven infernos have created one of the costliest wildfire disasters in modern U.S. history,&#8221; stated AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter.&nbsp;
Trending: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $70 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks-y2">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>
&#8220;Hurricane-force winds sent flames ripping through neighborhoods filled with multi-million-dollar homes. The devastation left behind is heartbreaking and the economic toll is staggering. To put this into perspective, the total damage and economic loss from this wildfire disaster could reach nearly 4% of the annual GDP of the state of California.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Soaring Insurance Costs</h2>
Property owners have seen insurance costs soar over the last two years in the wake of one natural disaster after another. According to CBS News, the worst hit were <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/01/36453695/a-49-unit-affordable-housing-community-in-los-angeles-has-taken-17-years-to-build-and-its-still-not">affordable housing</a> providers, where nearly one in three policies experienced rate increases of at least 25% in the most recent coverage renewal period. The LA wildfires are likely to add crippling losses to an industry already gasping for air.
Bloomberg reports that new estimates of the insurance industry&#8217;s total losses are now as high as $40 billion and some estimates are even higher.
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Dave Jones, a former California Insurance Commissioner, doesn&#8217;t expect this event to push any insurers into insolvency. Jones, now at UC Berkeley&#8217;s Center for Law, Energy and the Environment, told NPR, &#8220;It will be an earnings event for them as they say in the industry, which means they won&#8217;t make profits this year for sure.&#8221; Added Jones: &#8220;There&#8217;s no question that before these wildfires, they … were going to raise rates more. Now, with these wildfires, they&#8217;re going to be able to ask for even higher rate increases.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Insurers Are Hiring Private Firefighters</h2>
The Guardian reported that some insurance companies send out private firefighters to protect insured properties to limit their payouts.
One such company is Wildfire Defense Systems. Founder Dave Torgerson said his company is working to &#8220;break the ignition cycle&#8221; by stopping individual buildings from catching fire. They use fire-blocking gels, flame retardants and other equipment to protect at-risk buildings. &#8220;The biggest component of making a structure survive a wildfire incident is labor.&#8221;
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California Bans Insurance Policy Cancellations In Boost To Property Owners. The Insurance Industry Prepares For Record-Breaking Losses

Chicago is preparing for a significant immigration raid less than 24 hours after Donald Trump takes the oath of office to begin his second term as president.
What Happened: The large-scale deportation raid in Chicago is slated to begin on Tuesday, immediately following Trump&#8217;s Monday inauguration. The action will be the initial phase of Trump&#8217;s pledge to deport millions of foreign nationals.
According to a report <a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-to-begin-large-scale-deportations-tuesday-e1bd89bd?mod=e2tw">by</a> The Wall Street Journal, multiple sources involved in the immigration operation&#8217;s planning have learned that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) intends to deploy between 100 and 200 officers for this week-long operation.
Chicago Alderman Michael Rodriguez is taking steps to prepare his constituents for the upcoming raids, distributing legal advice on cards. However, the exact start time of the operation remains uncertain.
Tom Homan, Trump&#8217;s border czar Thomas Homan had previously declared his intention to make Chicago the focal point for mass deportations. He reaffirmed his commitment to this plan at a Republican event last month.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42715951/trump-backs-immigration-visas-musk-praises-his-stance-and-says-rising-tide-lifts-all-boats">Trump Backs Immigration Visas, Musk Praises His Stance and Says &#8216;Rising Tide Lifts All Boats&#8217;</a>
"We're going to start right here in Chicago, Illinois," Homan said at a holiday party on Chicago's North Side. "And if the Chicago mayor doesn't want to help, he can step aside. But if he impedes us, if he knowingly harbors or conceals an illegal alien, I will prosecute him."
Since late 2020, approximately 10 million people have migrated to the U.S., accounting for both legal and illegal arrivals and subtracting those who departed. This influx has alleviated labor shortages and contributed to faster economic growth.
Why It Matters: This impending mass deportation raid in Chicago represents a significant step in the implementation of Trump&#8217;s immigration policies. 
The scale of the operation, involving up to 200 officers, underscores the administration&#8217;s commitment to its hardline stance on immigration. The impact of this operation will likely be felt not just by the individuals targeted for deportation, but also by the broader community, as it grapples with the social and economic implications of such a large-scale action. 
The response of local officials such as Rodriguez highlights the tension between federal immigration policies and local community interests.
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Chicago Braces For Massive Immigration Raid Hours After Donald Trump's Second Inauguration

Benzinga examined the prospects for<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas"> many investors&#8217; favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here&#8217;s a look at some of our top stories.
The Dow, S&amp;P 500, and Nasdaq gained 3.7%, 2.9%, and 2.5% this week, respectively, with all three posting their strongest advances in weeks. 
A December inflation report, showing a 2.9% rise <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43003047/stocks-rise-on-core-inflation-slowdown-banks-rally-after-strong-q4-earnings-treasury-yields-plummet">and softer core inflation</a>, fueled optimism for potential Fed rate cuts this year. Financial stocks surged 6% as major banks reported stellar earnings, with Goldman Sachs jumping 11% to record highs. 
Meanwhile, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) crossed $100,000 amid optimism surrounding crypto-friendly policies expected under the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43068335/wall-street-rallies-as-inflation-fears-recede-banks-smash-earnings-bitcoin-reclaims-100000-this-week-in-the-markets">incoming Trump administration.</a>
Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week&#8217;s most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Bulls</h3>
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43036902/tesla-stock-valuation-analyst-flags-long-term-growth-opportunities-robotaxis-fsd">Tesla Stock &#8216;Valuation Is Full&#8217;: Analyst Flags Long-Term Growth Opportunities With Robotaxis, FSD</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a>, discusses a Goldman Sachs analyst&#8217;s insights on Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), forecasting $115 million in 2027 revenue from robotaxis as Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology advances.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42993997/dogecoin-to-hit-new-all-time-high-after-trump-is-sworn-in-influencer-says-pattern-nearly-identical-to-last-inauguration">Dogecoin To Hit New All-Time High After Trump Is Sworn In? Influencer Says Pattern &#8216;Nearly Identical&#8217; To Last Inauguration</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/aniket-verma">Aniket Verma</a>, highlights speculation among influencers that Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) could replicate its post-inauguration rally from 2021, with one suggesting DOGE might double to $0.73 if historical patterns repeat.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/initiation/25/01/43010706/doge-fears-for-defense-contractors-lockheed-martin-northrop-grumman-overblown-analyst-says">DOGE Fears For Defense Contractors Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman &#8216;Overblown,&#8217; Analyst Says</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/erica-kollmann">Erica Kollmann</a>, features an analyst initiating coverage on Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>) and Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>) with Buy ratings and targets of $579 and $544, dismissing concerns tied to Donald Trump's proposed Department of Government Efficiency as exaggerated.
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42948649/goldman-sachs-warns-of-90-oil-risk-trump-may-not-ease-sanctions-once-he-takes-office">Oil Could Hit $90, Goldman Sachs Says: &#8216;Trump May Not Ease Sanctions&#8217; On Russia</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42692787/private-prisons-poised-to-prosper-in-second-trump-term">CoreCivic, Geo Group Rally By Double Digits Since Election Day: Why Trump Boosts Private Prison Stocks</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43035566/taiwan-semiconductor-projects-ai-revenue-to-double-in-2025-highlights-advanced-packaging-as-growth-driver-analyst">Taiwan Semiconductor Projects AI Revenue To Double In 2025, Highlights Advanced Packaging As Growth Driver: Analyst</a>
The Bears
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42960291/metas-content-moderation-changes-alarm-advertisers-as-zuckerberg-aligns-with-trump-and-musk">Meta&#8217;s Content Moderation Changes Alarm Advertisers as Zuckerberg Aligns with Trump and Musk</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/anusuya-lahiri-0">Anusuya Lahiri</a>, reports on Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) adopting a &#8220;free speech&#8221; content moderation style inspired by Elon Musk&#8217;s X, raising advertiser concerns over harmful content.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/short-ideas/25/01/43037214/drone-maker-red-cat-set-to-be-blown-out-of-the-sky-short-seller-claims-management-set-almost-impossible-expectations">Drone Maker Red Cat &#8216;Set To Be Blown Out Of The Sky&#8217;: Short Seller Claims Management Set &#8216;Almost Impossible&#8217; Expectations</a>,&#8221; by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/adam-eckert">Adam Eckert</a>, covers Kerrisdale Capital's short position on Red Cat Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RCAT#NASDAQ">RCAT</a>), arguing the company&#8217;s valuation is inflated by unrealistic expectations surrounding its U.S. Army SRR drone contract, which the firm says bears &#8220;almost no relationship to reality.&#8221;
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42986042/apple-sees-market-share-decline-in-2024-as-chinese-smartphone-brands-surge-globally-idc">Apple Sees Market Share Decline in 2024 as Chinese Smartphone Brands Surge Globally: IDC</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/anusuya-lahiri-0">Anusuya Lahiri</a>, highlights Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) losing global market share to Chinese competitors like Xiaomi Corp. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XIACF#OTC">XIACF</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XIACY#OTC">XIACY</a>) as smartphone shipments grew 6.4% in 2024, driven by affordable premium offerings and aggressive pricing in emerging markets.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42970112/nvidia-order-delays-and-ai-sanctions-threaten-global-sales-offer-growth-opportunity-for-us-tech-giants">US Semiconductor Sanctions Spell Trouble for Nvidia, But May Benefit Big Tech</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43017875/southwest-airlines-is-sued-by-department-of-transportation-over-chronically-delayed-flights">Southwest Airlines Is Sued By Department Of Transportation Over &#8216;Chronically Delayed&#8217; Flights</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42938301/michael-saylors-microstrategy-will-struggle-when-bitcoins-volatility-falls-says-arthur-hayesi-would-not-trade-mstr-at-all">Michael Saylor&#8217;s MicroStrategy Will Struggle When Bitcoin&#8217;s Volatility Falls, Says Arthur Hayes — I Would Not Trade MSTR At All</a>
Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following<a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga"> Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga"> on Twitter</a>.
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Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Tesla, Apple, Meta And Dogecoin Influencers See Pattern For Post-2025 Inauguration Rally

Despite his well-known disdain for cryptocurrencies, the &#8216;Oracle Of Omaha&#8217; &#8211; Warren Buffett&#8216;s Berkshire Hathaway Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) has invested in a company that supports the cryptocurrency market and has soared by 27.43% in 2024.
What Happened: Buffett&#8217;s Berkshire had <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/05/39093145/berkshire-hathaway-profits-f[%E2%80%A6]to-despite-warren-buffets-stance-on-not-buying-even-if-all-w">initially</a> invested $500 million in a Series G funding round and subsequently another $250 million in Nu Holdings Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NU#NYSE">NU</a>). 
Nu, a Brazilian digital banking company launched its cryptocurrency platform, Nubank Cripto, in 2022. Berkshire has since added 0.3% of this company&#8217;s shares in 18 months as of the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2024. 
Berkshire increased its holdings from 0.1% in the fourth quarter that ended Dec. 31, 2022, to 0.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2025.
Initially supporting Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), and Polygon (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/matic/usd">MATIC</a>), the platform, Nubank Cripto, now includes Uniswap (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/uni/usd">UNI</a>) and Chainlink (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/link/usd">LINK</a>). It allows users to send, receive, and convert cryptocurrencies, including stablecoins like USD Coin.
In 2018, during Berkshire Hathaway Inc.&#8217;s annual <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/03/37513063/warren-buffett-says-he-wouldnt-pay-25-for-all-the-bitcoin-in-the-world-he-considers-crypto-rat-poiso">shareholder</a> meeting, Buffett famously described Bitcoin as &#8220;probably rat poison squared&#8221;. On the contrary, Berkshire has profited substantially through its investment in Nu.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42908280/intel-aims-for-cpu-market-share-growth-ai-breakthroughs-citi-reiterates-neutral-as-new-ceo-appointment-expected-in-coming-months">Intel Stock Has Fallen Over 58% In 1 Year, But Citi Maintains &#8216;Neutral&#8217; Rating On Expected Replacement Of Pat Gelsinger In A &#8216;Couple Of Months&#8217;</a> 
Why It Matters: According to its 13F filings, Berkshire held 86.438 million shares of Nu valued at $1.179 billion, as of the end of the third quarter.
With data for the fourth quarter not available at the time of writing, assuming that Berkshire&#8217;s holdings in Nu don&#8217;t change during this period, the value of these shares would have declined by 24.10% as of the quarter ended Dec. 31, when the share price was $10.36, as compared to $13.65 on Sept. 30, 2024.
However, Nu&#8217;s shares have risen by 27.43% in 2024, according to the data compiled by <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/13074755/nu-in-2024-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-730370" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/13074755/nu-in-2024-1024x576.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/13074755/nu-in-2024-300x169.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/13074755/nu-in-2024-768x432.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/13074755/nu-in-2024-1536x864.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/13074755/nu-in-2024.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
While Nu offers cryptocurrency services, one can argue in favor of Buffett that it&#8217;s not primarily a cryptocurrency company.
However, back in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/03/37513063/warren-buffett-says-he-wouldnt-pay-25-for-all-the-bitcoin-in-the-world-he-considers-crypto-rat-poiso">2018</a>, Buffett also said &#8220;In terms of cryptocurrencies generally, I can say almost with certainty that they will come to a bad ending.&#8221;
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/01/42938954/michael-saylors-microstrategy-faces-risk-if-mstrs-0-convertible-bond-lenders-recall-non-recourse-loans-due-to-covenant-breach-heres-what-it-means-for-investors">Michael Saylor&#8217;s MicroStrategy Faces Risk If MSTR&#8217;s 0% Convertible Bond Lenders Recall Non-Recourse Loans Due To Covenant Breach: Here&#8217;s What It Means For Investors</a></li>
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Warren Buffett Openly Called Bitcoin A 'Rat Poison' In 2018. 7 Years Later, He Is Invested In This Crypto-Linked Stock Which Soared 27% In 2024

The crypto world is abuzz as&nbsp;Donald Trump&#8216;s new Solana-based (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) memecoin &#8220;OFFICIAL TRUMP&#8221; (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TRUMP</a>), skyrocketed over 260% ahead of his inauguration on Jan. 20.
What Happened: Trump&#8217;s social media posts promoting the coin have sparked skepticism about the authenticity of the messages.
In a post on Saturday, Trump announced,&nbsp;"My NEW Official Trump Meme&nbsp;is HERE! It's time to&nbsp;celebrate everything we stand for:&nbsp;WINNING! Join my very special&nbsp;Trump Community. GET YOUR TRUMP&nbsp;NOW."
<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">My NEW Official Trump Meme is HERE! It's time to celebrate everything we stand for: WINNING! Join my very special Trump Community. GET YOUR <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TRUMP&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TRUMP</a> NOW. Go to <a href="https://t.co/GX3ZxT5xyq">https://t.co/GX3ZxT5xyq</a> — Have Fun! <a href="https://t.co/flIKYyfBrC">pic.twitter.com/flIKYyfBrC</a>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1880446012168249386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The memecoin, trading at $23.20, reached&nbsp;a market capitalization of more than $4 billion, according <a href="https://coinmarketcap.com/dexscan/solana/A8nPhpCJqtqHdqUk35Uj9Hy2YsGXFkCZGuNwvkD3k7VC/">to</a> data from Coinmarketcap. 
Crypto trader&nbsp;Edward Morra&nbsp;predicted potential market sell-offs, while commentator&nbsp;Daniel Got Hits&nbsp;expressed skepticism despite sensing legitimacy. Analyst&nbsp;Will Clemente&nbsp;noted Solana&#8217;s price surge of 4.12%, reaching $228, as investors rushed to buy TRUMP.
Why It Matters: Trump's return to the White House has sparked speculation about his potential impact on the cryptocurrency market.
Reports indicate that Trump plans to issue&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073027/trump-plans-crypto-friendly-executive-orders-in-early-days-of-presidency-report">crypto-friendly executive orders</a>&nbsp;soon after taking office. These orders are expected to ease regulatory burdens on digital asset firms and promote cryptocurrency adoption.
Additionally, Trump is anticipated to establish a crypto advisory council, a concept he proposed earlier.
Moreover,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43062997/exclusive-how-donald-trumps-crypto-plans-will-bitcoin-xrp-solana">experts are divided</a>&nbsp;on the likelihood of immediate executive actions, though many are optimistic about the short-term market outlook.
The potential for Trump to mention cryptocurrency during his inauguration speech is also being closely watched, with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43065423/donald-trump-to-mention-bitcoin-or-crypto-at-the-inauguration-polymarket-traders-say-theres-a-chance">31% chance</a>&nbsp;according to Polymarket traders.
Price Action: At the time of writing, TRUMP was trading at $23.20, gaining over 260% over the past 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43073185/mark-zuckerberg-is-copying-elon-musks-playbook-amid-donald-trumps-comeback-but-chamath-palihapitiya-thinks-i">Mark Zuckerberg Is Copying Elon Musk&#8217;s Playbook Amid Donald Trump&#8217;s Comeback, But Chamath Palihapitiya Thinks It Is Opportunistic</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

$SOL

$TRUMP

'Official Trump' Memecoin Jumps Over 260% Ahead Of President-Elect's White House Inauguration: Market Cap Reaches Whopping $4 Billion Within 8 Hours Of Launch

Chamath Palihapitiya weighed in on the actions of Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk amid the political resurgence of Donald Trump.
Palihapitiya suggests that while Musk&#8217;s decisions were driven by ethical considerations, Zuckerberg&#8217;s moves appear to be opportunistic.
What Happened: Palihapitiya remarked that Musk&#8217;s actions were made during a time when they were unpopular, indicating a moral stance rather than a focus on financial gain.
"Now the winds are blowing in a different direction, and I do think it&#8217;s the value-maximizing function," Palihapitiya said.
In contrast, he described Zuckerberg&#8217;s recent decisions as opportunistic, suggesting they align with the current favorable political climate following Trump&#8217;s victory in early November.
"Now that those winds have changed, and it&#8217;s clear Trump won in early November, the decisions you make in January are more reflective of the new conditions on the field coming into the inauguration."
Palihapitiya&#8217;s comments highlight a perceived shift in strategy by Zuckerberg, who seems to be adapting to the evolving political environment.
On the other hand, he believes Musk's decisions are geared towards maximizing benefits for humanity as a whole, rather than the shareholders of his companies.
"I don't think any other CEO leads this way. I do think Mark's a good person… Elon is different, and it creates an expectation that maybe we'll get that from everybody else," Palihapitiya added.
Why It Matters: This commentary comes in the wake of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42962037/elon-musk-urges-mark-zuckerberg-to-release-facebook-files-calls-it-good-after-meta-adopts-xs-communi">recent developments</a>&nbsp;where Musk urged Zuckerberg to release Meta&#8217;s content moderation communications with government officials.
This call for transparency followed Meta&#8217;s adoption of a Community Notes-like feature, which Musk supported.
The feature, however, will not <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43047212/metas-community-notes-to-exempt-paid-ads-leaving-marketers-puzzled-about-organic-content-risks-report">apply to paid advertisements</a>, leaving marketers puzzled about organic content risks.
Additionally,&nbsp;Mark Zuckerberg&nbsp;recently praised former Meta COO&nbsp;Sheryl Sandberg&nbsp;amid criticism of Meta&#8217;s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program.
In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073009/mark-zuckerberg-lauds-sheryl-sandberg-amid-blame-for-metas-dei-program-she-did-amazing-work">post on Threads</a>, Zuckerberg commended Sandberg for her contributions, despite reports suggesting he blamed her for the DEI program&#8217;s shortcomings.
These actions and statements reflect the complex dynamics at play as tech leaders navigate the shifting political and social landscape.
The contrasting approaches of Musk and Zuckerberg underscore the varied motivations and strategies employed by influential figures in the tech industry.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> 
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<iframe loading="lazy" title="LA&#039;s Wildfire Disaster, Zuck Flips on Free Speech, Why Trump Wants Greenland" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/is1QAZ7ShRU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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</figure>
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>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073056/tiktok-says-it-will-be-forced-to-go-dark-in-us-on-jan-19-after-supreme-court-upholds-ban">TikTok Says It Will Be &#8216;Forced To Go Dark&#8217; In US On Jan 19 After Supreme Court Upholds Ban</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photos courtesy: Shutterstock

Tech

Mark Zuckerberg Is Copying Elon Musk's Playbook Amid Donald Trump's Comeback, But Chamath Palihapitiya Thinks It Is Opportunistic

On Friday, Cathie Wood-led Ark Invest made significant trades involving Tempus AI Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEM#NASDAQ">TEM</a>), CRISPR Therapeutics AG (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRSP#NASDAQ">CRSP</a>), UiPath Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PATH#NYSE">PATH</a>), Roblox Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RBLX#NYSE">RBLX</a>), Reddit Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RDDT#NYSE">RDDT</a>), Accolade Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACCD#NASDAQ">ACCD</a>), and Ibotta Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBTA#NYSE">IBTA</a>).
The Tempus AI Trade
Ark Invest&#8217;s Ark Genomic Revolution ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKG#BATS">ARKG</a>) and Ark Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKK#NYSE">ARKK</a>) funds made substantial purchases of Tempus AI shares. The ARKG fund acquired 27,188 shares, while the ARKK fund bought a whopping 159,344 shares.
Based on the closing price of $35.15, the total value of these trades is approximately $6.57 million. This move aligns with Ark Invest&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/42966790/cathie-woods-ark-invest-trims-palantir-again-as-peter-thiel-co-founded-firms-stock-tumbles-nearly-15-in-2025">recent trend of investing</a> in AI-driven companies.
The CRSP Trade
Ark Invest&#8217;s ARKG and ARKK funds also bought shares of CRISPR Therapeutics. The ARKG fund purchased 21,730 shares, while the ARKK fund added 125,690 shares.
Given the closing price of $40.53, the total value of these trades is approximately $5.96 million.
The PATH, RBLX, and RDDT Trades
On the other hand, Ark Invest sold shares of UiPath, Roblox, and Reddit. The ARKK fund offloaded 199,224 shares of UiPath, and 148,591 shares of Roblox, and the ARKW fund sold 5,215 shares of Reddit.
These sales indicate a shift in Ark Invest&#8217;s portfolio strategy.
Other Key Trades:
<ul>
<li>Ibotta Inc.: Ark Invest&#8217;s Ark Fintech Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKF#NYSE">ARKF</a>) fund bought 4,364 shares of Ibotta.</li>
<li>Accolade Inc.: The ARKG fund sold 284,775 shares of Accolade.</li>
</ul>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/42966790/cathie-woods-ark-invest-trims-palantir-again-as-peter-thiel-co-founded-firms-stock-tumbles-nearly-15-in-2025">Cathie Wood's Ark Invest Trims Palantir Again As Peter Thiel Co-Founded Firm's Stock Tumbles Nearly 15% In First 2 Weeks Of 2025</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Benzinga YouTube and Unsplash

ETFs

ACCD

ARKF

ARKG

ARKK

CRSP

IBTA

PATH

RBLX

RDDT

Cathie Wood's Ark Invest Is Betting Big On This AI Darling And No It's Not Nvidia

Bitcoin&nbsp;(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) has surpassed the $100,000 mark, triggering a bullish signal for altcoins, according to a crypto analytics firm. The firm has observed a notable increase in whale transactions for several altcoin projects, including the stablecoin&nbsp;Dai&nbsp;(DAI), issued by&nbsp;Maker.
What Happened: Santiment highlights that the surge in DAI transactions suggests investors might soon use these stablecoins to acquire altcoins.
Increased activity in stablecoins often signals that substantial funds are being prepared for swaps into altcoins linked to those stablecoins&#8217; trading pairs.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">&#x1f4ca; Among altcoins with $500M+ market caps, these are the projects with the largest increases in whale transactions this week: &#x1f433; 1) <a href="https://twitter.com/MakerDAO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@makerdao</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24DAI&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$DAI</a> (BNB): +800% &#x1f433; 2) <a href="https://twitter.com/DexeNetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dexenetwork</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24DEXE&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$DEXE</a>: +250% &#x1f433; 3) <a href="https://twitter.com/LayerZero_Core?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@layerzero_core</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ZRO&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ZRO</a> (Optimism): +200% &#x1f433; 4) <a href="https://twitter.com/aave?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@aave</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24AAVE&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$AAVE</a> (Polygon): +200% &#x1f433; 5)… <a href="https://t.co/myvPNewIYB">pic.twitter.com/myvPNewIYB</a>
&mdash; Santiment (@santimentfeed) <a href="https://twitter.com/santimentfeed/status/1880082499570663430?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The analytics platform provided a&nbsp;list of altcoins with a&nbsp;market cap of at least&nbsp;$500 million experiencing the most significant rise in whale transactions this week.
These include&nbsp;MakerDAO DAI&nbsp;on BNB with an 800% increase,&nbsp;DeXe Network&nbsp;(DEXE) at 250%, and&nbsp;LayerZero CORE&nbsp;on Optimism at 200%.
Santiment also cautions that high whale activity in altcoins could lead to market volatility, as key stakeholders often make moves around profit-taking or buying dips.
Additionally,&nbsp;XRP&nbsp;has seen a surge in network activity, reaching a seven-year high of $3.39, with 2,365 transactions over $100,000 occurring in an eight-hour span.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073027/trump-plans-crypto-friendly-executive-orders-in-early-days-of-presidency-report">Trump Plans Crypto-Friendly Executive Orders In Early Days Of Presidency: Report</a>
Why It Matters: The recent surge in Bitcoin&#8217;s value is not an isolated event. In December, crypto analyst&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42495680/crypto-analyst-foresees-altcoin-rally-and-sets-crucial-bitcoin-support-level">Michaël van de Poppe</a>&nbsp;predicted a potential upswing in the altcoin market, following a period of stagnation.
He identified a critical support level for Bitcoin, which has now been surpassed, indicating a shift towards an altcoin season.
Earlier, in November, van de Poppe also anticipated a significant rally for a top altcoin,&nbsp;Stacks (STX), <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42253407/crypto-analyst-says-this-altcoin-is-primed-for-a-70-rally-notes-bitcoin-could-cross-100k-if-this-happens">suggesting a 70% rally</a> as it approached a critical resistance level. This prediction aligns with the current market dynamics, where altcoins are gaining traction as Bitcoin&#8217;s dominance shifts.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073087/bitcoin-set-for-major-bullish-surge-says-popular-crypto-analyst-as-btc-crosses-100000-ahead-of-trump-inauguration">Bitcoin Set For Major Bullish Surge, Says Popular Crypto Analyst As BTC Crosses $100,000 Ahead Of Trump Inauguration</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Altcoins Flash Bullish Signal Amid Bitcoin's Surge, Says Research Firm

Michaël van de Poppe, a highly followed crypto trader, anticipates a significant bullish surge for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) in the near future, as the apex cryptocurrency crossed the $100,000 mark once again ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.
What Happened: Van de Poppe predicted a forthcoming bullish move for Bitcoin. However, he suggests that altcoins, particularly those in the Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) ecosystem, will likely outperform Bitcoin.
"Very likely we&#8217;ll see a new impulse on #Bitcoin in the coming period," he said.
Factors such as lower yields, a weaker dollar, and progressive crypto regulation are propelling the market momentum, according to van de Poppe. He also notes that&nbsp;the current crypto cycle is&nbsp;more &#8220;complex&#8221; than the previous one, a trend that has been ongoing since the last cycle.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Very likely we&#39;ll see a new impulse on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> in the coming period. However, I think it&#39;s more likely that we&#39;ll see <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Altcoins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Altcoins</a> outperform Bitcoin, especially the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> ecosystem. Lower yields, weaker Dollar, progressive crypto regulation all fueling the market momentum.
&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1880229332347445430?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Van de Poppe plans to increase his exposure to altcoins, expecting a breakout. He stated, &#8220;At this point: I'd like&nbsp;to be maximally exposed to&nbsp;risk as we're literally on&nbsp;the start of that upwards&nbsp;move for altcoins."
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073027/trump-plans-crypto-friendly-executive-orders-in-early-days-of-presidency-report">Trump Plans Crypto-Friendly Executive Orders In Early Days Of Presidency: Report</a>
Why It Matters: The crypto market has been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/01/43047598/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-steady-as-market-expects-trumps-pro-crypto-bonanza-analyst-says-btc-could-hit-all-time-high-if-it-breaks-this-resistance">experiencing a surge of optimism</a> following signals of a pro-crypto policy shift from the incoming administration under Trump.
Key figures and investors in the crypto space have expressed relief at the anticipated policy change, buoyed by appointments of crypto-friendly individuals to prominent positions, including David Sacks as AI and crypto czar, and Paul Atkins as the nominee for SEC Chair.
These moves, coupled with expectations of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43035888/donald-trump-reportedly-open-to-us-crypto-reserve-as-bitcoin-reserve-chatter-gathers-steam">executive orders designed to establish a Bitcoin reserve</a>, signal a new era for the industry in the U.S.
Furthermore, leading coins remained steady on Thursday amid reports that President-elect Donald Trump may announce several pro-cryptocurrency measures after being sworn in. Bitcoin wiggled in the $100,000 region, a day after reclaiming the psychologically important level on softer inflation data.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $102,403, gaining 0.6% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42931869/jeff-bezos-amazon-to-pay-40-million-for-melania-trump-documentary-report">Jeff Bezos&#8217; Amazon To Pay $40 Million For Melania Trump Documentary: Report</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.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Bitcoin Set For Major Bullish Surge, Says Popular Crypto Analyst As BTC Crosses $100,000 Ahead Of Trump Inauguration

TikTok has announced that it will cease operations in the U.S. on Sunday unless the Biden administration provides assurances to tech giants like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google that they will not face legal repercussions once a ban on the app takes effect.
What Happened: TikTok&#8217;s statement was released&nbsp;hours after the Supreme Court&nbsp;upheld a law banning the app in the U.S. on national security grounds.
This decision, if enforced, would affect the platform&#8217;s 170 million American users and put the app&#8217;s future in the hands of President-elect Donald Trump, who has promised to save TikTok after his inauguration on Monday.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42931704/tiktok-users-call-on-trump-to-deliver-immediately-on-his-promise-to-save-app-from-us-ban-we-dont-need-the-supreme-court-to" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TikTok Users Call On Trump To ‘Deliver Immediately' On His ‘Promise' To Save App From US Ban: ‘We Don't Need The Supreme Court To…'</a>
"Unless the Biden Administration immediately provides a definitive statement to satisfy the most critical service providers assuring non-enforcement, unfortunately TikTok will be forced to go dark on January 19," TikTok said in a statement.
The law, passed last year with bipartisan support and signed by President Biden, could result in hefty fines for companies like Apple, Google, and&nbsp;Oracle&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>)&nbsp;if they continue to provide&nbsp;services to TikTok after the&nbsp;ban takes effect.
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.
Despite the Supreme Court&#8217;s decision, a growing number of lawmakers who initially voted for the ban are now advocating for TikTok&#8217;s continued operation in the U.S.
ByteDance, TikTok&#8217;s Chinese parent company, has made little progress in selling the app before the Sunday deadline. However, the app&#8217;s shutdown might be temporary as President Trump has indicated&nbsp;plans to take action to&nbsp;save the app.
Why It Matters: TikTok&#8217;s CEO Shou Zi Chew is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/01/43047509/tiktok-ceo-shou-chew-to-join-trumps-inauguration-alongside-musk-bezos-and-zuckerberg-amid-looming-us-ban-report">set to attend</a> President-elect Trump's inauguration.
This comes amid the Supreme Court&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43060894/supreme-court-upholds-tiktok-ban-ahead-of-trumps-inauguration">decision to uphold the TikTok ban</a>. The ban, if enforced, could potentially free up billions in ad revenue and user engagement, with companies like Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43072303/mark-zuckerberg-stands-to-gain-from-tiktoks-us-ban-analysis-shows-meta-could-reap-billions-in-ad-revenue">standing to gain significantly</a>.
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42931807/t-mobile-sued-over-massive-data-breach-impacting-79-million-americans-sensitive-information-included-names-addresses-and-more">T-Mobile Sued Over Massive Data Breach Impacting 79 Million Americans: Sensitive Information Included Names, Addresses, And More</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Social Media

GOOG

GOOGL

ORCL

TikTok Says It Will Be 'Forced To Go Dark' In US On Jan 19 After Supreme Court Upholds Ban

President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;is reportedly preparing to issue executive orders aimed at fostering a more favorable environment for cryptocurrency firms. These actions are anticipated to occur shortly after he assumes office, marking a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for digital assets.
What Happened:&nbsp; Trump intends to utilize executive powers to ease regulatory burdens on cryptocurrency companies and promote the adoption of digital assets, according to a report by Reuters.
Trump, who has openly supported cryptocurrency,&nbsp;is expected to sign an&nbsp;executive order to establish a crypto advisory council, a concept he initially proposed in July, according to two anonymous sources familiar with the discussions.
Media reports earlier Trump&#8217;s plan to create&nbsp;a crypto council, which would&nbsp;provide guidance on crypto-friendly policies.
The council may consist of up to 20 members, as per one source.
Additionally, Trump&#8217;s advisers are considering an executive order directing the&nbsp;Securities and Exchange Commission&nbsp;to revoke the 2022 accounting guidance &#8220;SAB 121,&#8221; which has been costly for some companies, especially banks, to hold cryptocurrencies for third parties.
Trump is also poised to terminate &#8220;Operation Choke Point 2.0,&#8221; a term used by crypto executives to describe alleged efforts by bank regulators to exclude crypto companies from traditional financial systems. Bank regulators have denied such claims.
If executed, these policy directives could significantly advance cryptocurrency into the mainstream, contrasting with President&nbsp;Joe Biden&#8216;s administration&#8217;s strict regulatory stance.
Why It Matters: The potential executive orders align with Trump&#8217;s broader strategy to prioritize cryptocurrency as a national focus. Trump plans to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43047039/trump-planning-to-declare-cryptocurrency-as-national-priority-increase-engagement-with-industry-report">declare cryptocurrency a national priority</a>, encouraging government agencies to engage with the growing industry.
This comes as Bitcoin&#8217;s (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) market valuation recently surpassed $2 trillion, highlighting the sector&#8217;s increasing significance.
Furthermore,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43062997/exclusive-how-donald-trumps-crypto-plans-will-bitcoin-xrp-solana">cryptocurrency experts</a>&nbsp;are divided on the likelihood of immediate executive orders but remain optimistic about the market&#8217;s near-term outlook.
The potential for Trump to mention cryptocurrency during his inauguration speech is also being speculated, with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43065423/donald-trump-to-mention-bitcoin-or-crypto-at-the-inauguration-polymarket-traders-say-theres-a-chance">Polymarket traders</a>&nbsp;giving it a 31% chance of happening.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42931941/mark-zuckerberg-critiques-culturally-neutered-companies-advocates-for-masculine-energy-as-meta-cuts-dei-programs-post-joe-rogan-appearance">Mark Zuckerberg Critiques &#8216;Culturally Neutered&#8217; Companies, Advocates For &#8216;Masculine Energy&#8217; As Meta Cuts DEI Programs Post-Joe Rogan Appearance</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image created via photos on Shutterstock

Trump Plans Crypto-Friendly Executive Orders In Early Days Of Presidency: Report

Mark Zuckerberg&nbsp;has publicly praised former&nbsp;Meta Platforms Inc&#8216;s&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) COO&nbsp;Sheryl Sandberg&nbsp;despite reports suggesting he held her responsible for the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42931941/mark-zuckerberg-critiques-culturally-neutered-companies-advocates-for-masculine-energy-as-meta-cuts-dei-programs-post-joe-rogan-ap">company&#8217;s diversity, equity, and inclusion</a> (DEI) program.
What Happened: Zuckerberg took to&nbsp;Threads&nbsp;on Friday to commend Sandberg for her contributions to Meta. This comes after a recent report indicated that Zuckerberg had pointed fingers at Sandberg for the shortcomings of Meta&#8217;s DEI initiatives.
&#8220;Sheryl&nbsp;did amazing work at Meta&nbsp;and will forever be a&nbsp;legend in the industry. She&nbsp;built one of the greatest&nbsp;businesses of all time and taught me much of what&nbsp;I know,&#8221; Zuckerberg wrote in his post.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43072409/mark-cuban-warns-kevin-oleary-about-tiktok-purchase-if-you-cant-see-the-sucker-at-the-negotiation-table-its-you" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban Warns Kevin O'Leary About TikTok Purchase: If You Can't See The Sucker At The Negotiation Table, It's You</a>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/18013542/Screenshot-2025-01-18-at-12.05.37%E2%80%AFPM-1024x240.png" alt="" class="wp-image-740191" /></figure>
Sandberg, in turn, responded to Zuckerberg&#8217;s post, expressing her gratitude for their years of collaboration and his friendship.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/18013610/Screenshot-2025-01-18-at-12.06.05%E2%80%AFPM-1024x231.png" alt="" class="wp-image-740192" /></figure>
Why It Matters: Meta recently announced the rollback of its DEI programs, a move that coincided with a meeting between Zuckerberg and Stephen Miller, an advisor to President-elect Donald Trump.
Zuckerberg is making efforts to mend fences with Trump, as evidenced by their <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42935628/mark-zuckerberg-meets-donald-trump-at-mar-a-lago-mending-fences-ahead-of-gop-white-house-return">meeting at Mar-a-Lago</a> earlier this month. This meeting, the second since the 2024 election, suggests a potential shift in the relationship between Meta and the incoming GOP administration.
Zuckerberg&#8217;s public support for Sandberg comes amid a series of significant changes at Meta. The company recently announced the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42851889/meta-ditches-fact-checking-for-community-notes-zuckerberg-says-opportunity-to-restore-free-expression">end of its third-party fact-checking</a> in favor of a community notes system.
This move was seen as a step towards restoring free expression on the platform, a direction that aligns with Trump&#8217;s stance on social media moderation.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer: 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.
Photos courtesy: Wikimedia and Shutterstock

General

Mark Zuckerberg Lauds Sheryl Sandberg Amid Blame For Meta's DEI Program: 'She Did Amazing Work'

Digital Currency Group (DCG), a prominent player in the cryptocurrency industry, on Friday agreed to settle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for misleading investors.
What Happened: DCG, founded by&nbsp;Barry Silbert, and its former executive,&nbsp;Soichiro &#8220;Michael&#8221; Moro, will collectively pay $38.5 million to the SEC. This settlement is to resolve charges of providing false information about the financial state of Genesis Global Capital, a crypto lending unit once under DCG.
The SEC&nbsp;found that DCG and Moro&nbsp;misrepresented Genesis&#8217;s financial condition during a period of instability caused by the collapse of FTX in 2022. This included downplaying the impact of a major Genesis borrower&#8217;s default on the company&#8217;s business.
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" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Italy's Largest Bank Leaps Into Bitcoin Trading With $1 Million ‘Test' Investment But CEO Says He Doesn't Invest In BTC Personally</a>
The SEC noted that DCG and Moro agreed to pay the penalties without admitting or denying the allegations of violating the Securities Act of 1933. This settlement comes after a separate agreement in May 2024, in which New York Attorney General Letitia James reached a $2 billion settlement with Genesis to compensate defrauded investors.
Why It Matters: The cryptocurrency industry has been under increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies. This settlement comes in the wake of similar actions taken against other financial firms.
Earlier this month,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/42971991/robinhood-agrees-to-45-million-sec-settlement-over-past-violations">Robinhood agreed to pay $45 million to the SEC</a>&nbsp;for a series of regulatory violations. The charges were related to failures in trading activity reporting, cybersecurity practices, recordkeeping, and customer communication.
Additionally, a group of financial firms, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/42966800/blackstone-kkr-among-12-firms-to-pay-63-million-to-sec-after-recordkeeping-violations">Blackstone and KKR, settled with the SEC for $63.1 million</a>&nbsp;over recordkeeping violations. These firms were accused of using unauthorized communication methods to exchange messages that were required to be preserved under securities laws.
Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43009858/elon-musk-slams-sec-as-totally-broken-organization">Elon Musk criticized the SEC</a>&nbsp;for focusing on trivial cases and ignoring more significant crimes. This came after the SEC sued Musk for allegedly failing to disclose a substantial stake in X (formerly known as Twitter) before his acquisition of the platform.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) was exchanging hands at&nbsp;$103,660.11, up 2% in the last 24 hours, according to&nbsp;<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>. During the same period, Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) lost 0.46%, Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) shed 1.39% and Litecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ltc/usd">LTC</a>) was down 8.29%. 
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

$LTC

Crypto Firm DCG Settles With SEC For $38.5M Over Misleading Investors

Janet Yellen, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, on Friday cautioned&nbsp;that the government will reach&nbsp;its borrowing limit on Tuesday, necessitating the use of &#8220;extraordinary measures&#8221; to prevent a potential default.
What Happened: Yellen revealed that the Treasury will commence the use of extraordinary measures starting January 21. The duration of these measures is uncertain, and Yellen has&nbsp;urged Congress to raise or&nbsp;suspend the debt limit to safeguard the nation&#8217;s credit, Reuters reported. 
&#8220;The period of time that extraordinary measures may last is subject to considerable uncertainty, including the challenges of forecasting the payments and receipts of the U.S. Government months into the future.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43072685/tim-cook-reveals-apple-watch-saved-his-fathers-life-by-alerting-emergency-services-but-his-father-more-upset-because-of-this">Tim Cook Reveals Apple Watch Saved His Father&#8217;s Life By Alerting Emergency Services, But His Father &#8216;More Upset&#8217; Because Of This</a>
Yellen announced the suspension of investments in two government employee benefit funds until March 14, aiming to restore borrowing capacity under the $36.1 trillion debt ceiling. As of last Thursday, the Treasury's borrowings had reached $36.08 trillion.
This suspension will affect new investments that are not immediately required to pay benefits from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund and the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund. Once the debt ceiling is either raised or suspended, these funds will need to be replenished.
Yellen has urged Congress to raise or suspend the debt limit to maintain the full faith and credit of the U.S. This issue with the debt ceiling presents an early challenge for Yellen&#8217;s anticipated successor, Scott Bessent, who is nominated by Trump for the Treasury position.
The Treasury has a range of extraordinary balance sheet measures available to prevent default, which could last for several months depending on tax revenues. However, failing to raise, suspend, or eliminate the debt limit could prevent the Treasury from meeting all its obligations, leading to potentially severe economic consequences.
Why It Matters: This announcement comes at a time when Yellen&#8217;s tenure has been marked by significant challenges. Earlier this month, it was reported that Yellen&#8217;s computer was hacked by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/01/43048422/janet-yellens-computer-hacked-by-chinese-hackers-attackers-obtain-law-enforcement-sensitive-data-by-targeting-us-treasury-department">Chinese state-sponsored hackers</a>, who accessed &#8220;Law Enforcement Sensitive&#8221; data by targeting the U.S. Treasury Department.
Yellen&#8217;s short-term debt strategy has also been a topic of concern, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42808340/janet-yellens-short-term-debt-strategy-sparks-warnings-for-trump-administration-your-costs-explode-and-buyers-could-balk-says-expert">with experts warning </a>that it could lead to significant market turbulence as President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;prepares to take office. This strategy, which involves rolling over short-term debt instead of issuing longer-dated bonds, has been criticized for potentially setting up a crisis for the incoming administration.
Meanwhile, in December, the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) experienced record outflows of $5.5 billion, as 30-year Treasury yields climbed 40 basis points to 4.855%, marking their highest level in more than a year.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo by Dustin Blitchok

Government

Economics

iShares Trust Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund

Janet Yellen Warns US Could Hit Debt Ceiling On Tuesday, Suspends Investments In 2 Government Employee Benefit Funds

Earlier this week, Apple Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) CEO Tim Cook shared a personal story about how the Apple Watch saved his father&#8217;s life. 
What Happened: In a podcast&nbsp;<a href="https://shows.acast.com/tablemanners/episodes/tim-cook">interview</a> with Table Manners with&nbsp;Jessie and Lennie Ware, Cook on Wednesday shared various aspects of his personal life, including his humble beginnings and daily routine.
Among the shared anecdotes, Cook narrated an incident involving his father. Cook&#8217;s father, who was living alone, fell in his house. The Apple Watch, equipped with a fall detection feature, sent a notification to emergency services and Cook&#8217;s family. When the emergency services arrived, they found Cook&#8217;s father unconscious and had to break down the door to reach him.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43072409/mark-cuban-warns-kevin-oleary-about-tiktok-purchase-if-you-cant-see-the-sucker-at-the-negotiation-table-its-you">Mark Cuban Warns Kevin O&#8217;Leary About TikTok Purchase: If You Can&#8217;t See The Sucker At The Negotiation Table, It&#8217;s You</a>
When asked if his father was proud of him for working at Apple, Cook humorously replied, &#8220;No,&nbsp;he was focused on the&nbsp;door, to be honest. He&nbsp;was more upset, they kicked&nbsp;out my door!&#8221;
Alongside this personal story, Cook also shared insights into his daily routine, which includes starting his day before 5 AM, working four days a week at Apple Park, and his love for Chardonnay, dark chocolate, and hiking.
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.
Why It Matters: This is not the first time the Apple Watch has been credited with saving lives. In 2024, a&nbsp;story&nbsp;emerged about the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/09/40742928/apple-watch-saves-life-of-pregnant-woman-and-her-baby-that-information-is-like-gold">Apple Watch saving the life of a pregnant </a>woman and her unborn child. The watch&#8217;s heart monitoring, fall detection, and other medical-related features have proven beneficial for many consumers globally. 
In another instance, the Apple Watch&#8217;s crash detection feature helped save a user&#8217;s life after they were involved in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/09/34760115/never-thought-i-would-ever-need-that-feature-apple-watch-saves-life-in-a-highway-car-crash">highway car crash</a>. The user&#8217;s emergency contact was alerted, and emergency services were informed to rescue them.
In the interview, Cook shared that he begins his day before 5:00 AM, using the quiet <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/01/36445675/tim-cook-surprises-apple-watch-users-with-personal-responses-to-life-saving-stories">early hours to answer emails,</a> which he considers the most manageable part of his day. &#8220;I&#8217;m doing emails and generally what I&#8217;m focused on in the morning is responding to employees and customers. Yeah, I would. And so I get an extraordinary amount of outreach from customers and they&#8217;re telling me things that are critical in their lives. Maybe they&#8217;re telling me a story of how the Apple Watch saved their life,&#8221; he said. 
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Tim Cook Reveals Apple Watch Saved His Father's Life By Alerting Emergency Services, But His Father 'More Upset' Because Of This

The&nbsp;U.S. Federal Aviation Administration&nbsp;(FAA) and authorities&nbsp;from the Turks and Caicos&nbsp;Islands have initiated investigations into <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43046722/starship-explodes-during-flight-test-elon-musk-says-success-is-uncertain-but-entertainment-is-guaranteed">the recent explosion </a>of&nbsp;SpaceX&#8217;s&nbsp;Starship rocket.
What Happened: A prototype of SpaceX&#8217;s Starship suffered a mid-flight explosion over the Bahamas, just eight minutes into its seventh test launch from Texas. The incident scattered debris across the northern Caribbean.
The FAA, which oversees private rocket launches, stated, &#8220;There are no reports of public injury, and the FAA is working with SpaceX and appropriate authorities to confirm reports of public property damage on Turks and Caicos.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43072303/mark-zuckerberg-stands-to-gain-from-tiktoks-us-ban-analysis-shows-meta-could-reap-billions-in-ad-revenue">Mark Zuckerberg Stands To Gain The Most From TikTok&#8217;s US Ban: Meta Could Reap Billions In Ad Revenue</a>
Residents of&nbsp;the South and North Caicos&nbsp;islands experienced intense ground vibrations and discovered burnt fragments of what they suspected to be Starship debris. &#8220;My&nbsp;mirror and the walls were&nbsp;shaking,&#8221; shared Veuleiri Artiles, a resident of South Caicos. Ibalor Calucin, a resident of Providenciales island, compared the experience to an &#8220;earthquake,&#8221; reported Reuters.
The Starship rocket had been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43020027/starships-7th-test-flight-postponed-to-thursday-owing-to-unfavorable-weather-says-spacex">outfitted with advanced onboard features</a> and was carrying its first set of mock satellites. Launched from Boca Chica, Texas, the mission aimed for a suborbital trajectory around Earth. However, communication was lost shortly after its separation from the Super Heavy booster, ultimately resulting in its destruction.
&#8220;Initial data indicates a fire developed in the aft section of the ship, leading to a rapid unscheduled disassembly,&#8221; SpaceX stated on its website.
SpaceX CEO&nbsp;Elon Musk&nbsp;shared a video of rocket parts raining down from the sky, stating that &#8220;success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed.&#8221;&nbsp;
Why It Matters: The explosion scattered debris over the northern Caribbean, leading to the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/01/43049377/spacex-starship-mishap-diverts-dozens-of-flights-as-faa-warns-of-falling-debris">diversion of dozens of flights</a>. American Airlines Group Inc. reported fewer than 10 flight diversions, while a JetBlue Airways Corp. flight from Fort Lauderdale to San Juan had to return to its origin. FedEx Corp. cargo operations also experienced route adjustments.
Meanwhile, SpaceX&#8217;s competitor,&nbsp;Blue Origin, achieved a significant milestone when its New Glenn launch vehicle reached <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/01/43023657/jeff-bezos-blue-origins-new-glenn-reaches-orbit-on-first-try-spacex-ceo-elon-musk-applauds-rivals-achievement">space and its intended orbit </a>during its inaugural launch. This achievement solidified Blue Origin&#8217;s position as a competitor to SpaceX in the satellite launch business.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: SpaceX

SPACE

US Regulator Probes Elon Musk's SpaceX Mid-Flight Explosion That Felt Like An 'Earthquake' For Turks And Caicos Residents

Mark Cuban is leaving no room for doubt when it comes to Kevin O'Leary's plan to buy TikTok's U.S. operations. The billionaire investor and &#8220;Shark Tank&#8221; star <a href="https://x.com/mcuban/status/1879028970726826132">took to X</a> to critique the bid, calling it a long shot and warning O'Leary about the risks involved. Cuban's message to him is to think twice before diving into this deal, especially without a clear path to success.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">O'Leary and McCourt Make Their Move</h2>
Frank McCourt, the former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has teamed up with Kevin O'Leary to buy TikTok from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/01/42834240/kevin-oleary-joins-the-peoples-bid-for-tiktok-as-pending-ban-looms">Dubbed The People's Bid for TikTok,</a> their proposal aims to acquire TikTok's U.S. assets, rebuild the app with American-designed technology and ensure user privacy.
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The bid comes at a critical time. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42919029/supreme-court-hears-tiktok-oral-arguments">The Supreme Court is set to review</a> a U.S. law that could ban TikTok starting Jan. 19, 2025, unless it's sold. However, ByteDance has repeatedly said it's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/42994923/mrbeast-discussing-buying-tiktok-with-billionaires-to-prevent-us-shutdown-lets-see-if-we-can-pull-this-off">not interested in selling TikTok – </a>and experts are also questioning whether the platform can survive without its famous algorithm, which is excluded from any potential sale due to Chinese export controls.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cuban's Concerns</h2>
Mark Cuban doesn't see O'Leary's plan working out. In his X thread, Cuban predicted that O'Leary would tell ByteDance and its bankers to accept the deal as a way to avoid TikTok being shut down in the U.S. However, Cuban doubts the viability of such a move, highlighting several major obstacles:
<ul>
<li>Ad revenue isn't what it used to be: Cuban argued that O'Leary's plan to rely on advertising revenue to sustain TikTok's U.S. operations isn't realistic in today's market.</li>
<li>User retention will be tough: Keeping users engaged without the original TikTok algorithm will be a significant challenge, especially with other platforms eager to poach its audience.</li>
<li>ByteDance likely won't sell: Cuban doubts ByteDance would agree to sell TikTok, calling it a $300 billion asset that wouldn't be off-loaded for a fraction of its value.</li>
<li>Competitors are ready to pounce: With every major platform eyeing TikTok's users, rebuilding from scratch will be an uphill battle.</li>
</ul>
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Cuban ended his thread with a stark warning: "When you sit at the negotiating table, you always look for the sucker. If you don't see one …"
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Risky Plan to Rebuild TikTok</h2>
O'Leary and McCourt insist they don't need the original TikTok algorithm to succeed. They've proposed creating a new algorithm to power the platform, with backing from Guggenheim Securities and prominent technologists like Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web.
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Mark Cuban Warns Kevin O'Leary About TikTok Purchase: If You Can't See The Sucker At The Negotiation Table, It's You

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) reportedly stands to gain significantly if TikTok, a popular social media platform, is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43070367/kevin-oleary-warns-that-shutting-down-tiktok-would-hurt-6-million-small-businesses-in-america-that-rely-on-it-to-make-a-living">banned from U.S. app stores</a> this Sunday.
 What Happened: TikTok&#8217;s legal team warned that the app could &#8220;go dark,&#8221; cutting off access for existing users to view videos. Such a ban would significantly affect one of the largest social media platforms in the U.S., potentially freeing up billions in ad revenue and user engagement, according to an analysis by eMarketer on Friday, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-us-ban-how-meta-benefits-google-instagram-youtube-ad-2025-1">reported</a>&nbsp;Business Insider.
According to the analysis, TikTok raked in $12.34 billion in U.S. ad revenue in 2024. If the app faces a ban, an estimated $6.17 billion to $8.64 billion in ad spending could be redirected. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, stands to capture a significant share, potentially gaining between $2.46 billion and $3.38 billion in ad revenue.
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Morgan Stanley analysts also predict that Mark Zuckerberg&#8217;s company would emerge as the &#8220;largest fundamental winner of any TikTok ban,&#8221; leveraging its extensive user base and robust data capabilities. They estimate such a ban could boost Meta&#8217;s earnings per share by 5% to 9% in the 2026 fiscal year.
Instagram is projected to absorb a significant portion of the time U.S. users currently spend on TikTok. In 2024, TikTok users in the U.S. averaged nearly an hour daily on the app, with almost 75% also active on Instagram, according to EMARKETER.
While Meta is poised to gain the most, Alphabet Inc.&#8217;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&#8217;s YouTube and Snap Inc.&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNAP#NYSE">SNAP</a>) Snapchat could also benefit from TikTok&#8217;s absence.
Why It Matters: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43060894/supreme-court-upholds-tiktok-ban-ahead-of-trumps-inauguration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a ruling on Friday that TikTok would be banned&nbsp;</a>in the country unless the parent company&nbsp;ByteDance&nbsp;sold off the American portion of the business. This decision is based on &#8220;well-supported national security concerns&#8221; regarding TikTok&#8217;s data collection practices and its relationship with a foreign adversary,
Ross Gerber, CEO of&nbsp;Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management, also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43050469/tesla-bull-ross-gerber-demands-tiktok-ban-calling-it-a-national-security-risk-amid-reports-that-elon-musk-may-buy-it">demanded a ban on TikTok</a>, calling it a &#8220;national security risk&#8221; amid reports that&nbsp;Elon Musk&nbsp;may buy it.
Despite the uncertainty, the looming ban has already had an impact. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43049496/as-tiktok-faces-us-ban-vpn-searches-skyrocket-800-will-workarounds-work-experts-weigh-in">VPN searches have skyrocketed by 800%</a> as users seek workarounds, and TikTok has announced plans to cease operations in the U.S., although users can still download their personal data.
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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<li>Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43021026/apple-stock-has-moved-up-4-2-since-iphone-16-launched-analyst-says-it-has-another-8-upside-as-manufacturing-cost-decline-bolsters-cupertinos-margins" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Stock Has Moved Up 4.2% Since iPhone 16 Launched, Analyst Says It Has Another 8% Upside As Manufacturing Cost Decline Bolsters Cupertino's Margins</a></li>
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

SNAP

Mark Zuckerberg Stands To Gain The Most From TikTok's US Ban: Meta Could Reap Billions In Ad Revenue

Lam Research (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 15 years by 11.29% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 23.25%. Currently, Lam Research has a market capitalization of $103.26 billion. 
Buying $1000 In LRCX: If an investor had bought $1000 of LRCX stock 15 years ago, it would be worth $23,417.91 today based on a price of $80.25 for LRCX at the time of writing.
<h3>Lam Research's Performance Over Last 15 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737157509_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.

LRCX

If You Invested $1000 In This Stock 15 Years Ago, You Would Have This Much Today

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, 40, recently appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience, casually wearing a $900,000 F.P. Journe FFC watch mere weeks after being spotted with a $1.2 million Patek Philippe Grand Complications in an Instagram video.&nbsp;
<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">Mark Zuckerberg spotted wearing a rare FP Journe FFC in platinum. &#x231a;&#xFE0F; This limited-edition timepiece, created in collaboration with Francis Ford Coppola, features an innovative hour display. Photo: joerogan // fpjourneofficial<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Zuckerberg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Zuckerberg</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FPJourne?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FPJourne</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LuxuryWatches?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LuxuryWatches</a> <a href="https://t.co/3m5pgMnoXG">pic.twitter.com/3m5pgMnoXG</a>
&mdash; SIMONSAYSDRIP (@simonsaysdrip) <a href="https://twitter.com/simonsaysdrip/status/1878023663611425092?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The F.P. Journe FFC watch is a masterpiece of engineering and storytelling. Its unique design features a titanium hand in an armored glove, displaying the hours through intricate finger movements – a concept inspired by 16th-century prosthetics.&nbsp;
This idea came from a conversation in 2012 between Coppola and the watchmaker François-Paul Journe. Coppola asked if a watch could tell time using the old finger-counting method. From there, the watchmaker created this amazing piece with a titanium hand shaped like an armored glove moving its fingers to show the time.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">&#x2728; F.P Journe FFC &#x2728; ( incroyable &#x1f929; )<a href="https://t.co/H6WDu4gREz">https://t.co/H6WDu4gREz</a> <a href="https://t.co/DASkNcUkfj">pic.twitter.com/DASkNcUkfj</a>
&mdash; Xcellent Watches&#xAE; (@XcellentWatches) <a href="https://twitter.com/XcellentWatches/status/1647203128180195328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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This horological marvel is powered by a complex system of cams and bridges that animate the armored hand to indicate the time. The prototype of this watch sold for a staggering CHF 4.5 million at a 2021 charity auction, further solidifying its status as a collector's dream. Like the one Zuckerberg wore, the production version is limited to only 15 watches made each year, making them super rare and highly sought after.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Zuckerberg's Watch Collection Expands</h2>
This F.P. Journe FFC isn't Zuckerberg's first venture into the world of luxury watches. In fact, the F.P. Journe FFC is just one of the many luxury watches Zuckerberg owns. Recently, he's been seen with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42689559/mark-zuckerberg-talks-non-profit-achievements-while-displaying-a-1-2-million-patek-philippe-watch">$1.2 million Patek Philippe Grand Complications</a>, a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40969847/mark-zuckerberg-flaunts-watches-valued-at-a-cybertrucks-price">$141,000 Patek Philippe 5236P and a $100,000 De Bethune DB 25 Starry Varius</a>.&nbsp;
For someone who often wears plain T-shirts, hoodies and jeans, these fancy watches show a whole new side of him. This shift in style is part of Zuckerberg's effort to change how people see him.
Trending: 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">A Lifestyle Upgrade</h2>
Zuckerberg's personal transformation has been hard to miss in the past year. He's traded his casual wardrobe for tailored designer suits, accessorized with gold chains and adopted longer, styled hair – a look that media outlets have dubbed "Mark Zuckerberg 3.0." This elevated style is part of a broader lifestyle overhaul that aligns with his evolving public persona.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Now do Mark Zuckerberg. He has a $300 million, 387-foot yacht named M/Y LAUNCHPAD built by Feadship and a $30 million support vessel named M/Y WINGMAN built by Damen. Two yachts, not just one. <a href="https://t.co/DQzapa11NL">pic.twitter.com/DQzapa11NL</a>
&mdash; rdub67 (@rdub067) <a href="https://twitter.com/rdub067/status/1865157729209184462?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Zuckerberg's taste for the finer things extends far beyond watches. For his 40th birthday, the Meta CEO reportedly spent $450 million on luxury acquisitions. These include a $300 million superyacht named Launchpad, a $30 million support vessel called Wingman and an $80 million Gulfstream G700 private jet.&nbsp;
Trending: With 100+ historic trademarks including some of the high grossing characters in history, like Cinderella, Snow White and Peter Pan, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elf-labs-1">this company is transforming the $2 trillion entertainment market with patented AR, VR, and AI tech. — For a short window, investors are able to claim $2/share ($980 min).</a>
His superyacht, Launchpad, is a 387-foot marvel designed by Espen Øino International and built by Feadship. It boasts state-of-the-art amenities like a swimming pool, helipad, cinema and a crew of 50 to cater to up to 26 guests. Meanwhile, Wingman enhances his maritime adventures with features like a diving center and submarine storage.&nbsp;
His Gulfstream G700 jet – a flagship of luxury aviation – offers customizable interiors and advanced technology, cementing Zuckerberg's reputation as a man who spares no expense for comfort and style.
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