Heartland Financial USA Stock (NASDAQ: HTLFP)

Heartland Financial USA (NASDAQ:HTLFP) Stock, Quote.Headers.trade-ideas

Heartland Financial USA

Heartland Financial USA Inc is a multi-bank holding company that offers a wide range of commercial, small business, and consumer banking services to businesses, including public sector and non-profit entities and individuals. It also provides traditional and non-traditional service channels including online banking, mobile and remote banking, and telephone banking. The company's business lines are Commercial Banking, Agricultural Loans, Small Business Banking, Residential Real Estate Mortgage Lending, Consumer Banking, and Wealth Management and Retirement Plan Services.

FXDFR PRF PERPETUAL USD 25 - Sr E Dp Rp 1/400 INT

Heartland Financial USA, Inc. - Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/400th ownership interest in a share of 7.00% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series E

Heartland Financial USA Inc

According to the New York Post. According to the New York Post, creating &#8220;a modern-day Berkshire Hathaway&#8221; is no mean feat, but that&#8217;s exactly what billionaire investor and hedge fund manager <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/politics/25/01/42991402/bill-ackman-backs-former-hedge-funder-whitney-tilson-for-nyc-mayor">Bill Ackman</a> intends to do. The Pershing Square CEO plans to increase his stake in real estate company Howard Hughes Holdings and take the company private.&nbsp;
Ackman said in a letter to investors that Pershing currently holds a 37.6% stake in HHH and plans to offer $85 a share to buy out the rest of the firm.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Emulating The Buffet Playbook</h2>
&#8220;With apologies to Mr. Buffet, HHH would become a modern-day <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/43004055/warren-buffett-has-advice-for-people-trying-to-get-rich-by-copying-his-moves-you-can-piggyback-but-you-cant-buy-the-whole-businesses">Berkshire Hathaway </a>that would acquire controlling interests in operating companies,&#8221; Ackman, 58, who has a net worth of $9.2 billion, wrote.&nbsp;
Following the news, Howard Hughes shares increased 9.5% to $78.62. Ackman has been involved with the real estate company for a decade and only stepped down from its board in April after serving as its chairman since 2010.
&#8220;We, like other long-term shareholders and this board, have been displeased with the company&#8217;s stock price performance,&#8221; Ackman said in the letter, according to<a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/billionaire-ackmans-pershing-square-offers-85-per-share-rest-howard-hughes-2025-01-13/#:~:text=Ackman%20has%20been%20personally%20involved,Sign%20up%20here."> Reuters</a>. When the deal is complete, it would increase Pershing Square&#8217;s stake in Howard Hughes to somewhere between 61% and 69%, depending on how many investors agree to be bought out from the 38% it currently holds.
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>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Roots Of Howard Hughes</h2>
Howard Hughes was an offshoot of real estate investment trust General Growth Properties, forming its own entity in 2010. It owns and manages various types of US real estate, including commercial, residential and mixed-use. It has a market value of $3.6 billion.&nbsp;
Ackman formed Pershing Square in 2004. One of his most notable moves was the rescue of mall operator General Growth Properties, from which he became involved in Howard Hughes. According to Forbes, Pershing Square&#8217;s stock portfolio is concentrated in seven companies, including Chipotle, Hilton and Google parent Alphabet, the latter of which he has over 20% of its stock invested, according to<a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2024/02/26/billionaire-bill-ackman-20-percent-1-stock/#:~:text=resources%2C%20and%20more.-,Billionaire%20Bill%20Ackman%20Has%20Nearly%2020%25%20of%20His%20Pershing%20Square,in%201%20%22Magnificent%20Seven%22%20Stock&amp;text=Bill%20Ackman's%20firm%20took%20advantage,strength%20are%20all%20attractive%20traits"> </a>The Motley Fool. Ackman is notable amongst other fund managers because of his large social media following with over a million followers on X.&nbsp;
Trending: Unlock the hidden potential of commercial real estate —<a href="https://equitymultiple.com/benzinga?invite=benzinga&amp;utm_campaign=product-promotion-earn&amp;utm_source=yahooFinance&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_content=unlockboost-yahoo"> This platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today!</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Shrewd Gamble On Alphabet</h2>
Ackman has been bullish on Google&#8217;s parent company, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43014233/google-expands-collaboration-with-associated-press-to-deliver-up-to-date-information-in-gemini-ai-app">Alphabet</a>. When Google&#8217;s answer to ChatGPT, Bard, stumbled and the share price dropped, Ackman began aggressively buying stock. His Pershing Square hedge fund owns class A and class C shares of the tech giant worth roughly $2.1 billion as of June 30, 2024. It was a prescient move. In the second quarter of 2024, Google Cloud revenue increased 29% to $10.3 billion. Its operating income almost tripled year over year to $1.17 billion. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said in the Q2 earnings call that his company&#8217;s generative AI solutions &#8220;have already generated billions in revenues and are being used by more than 2 million developers.&#8221;
In emulating Berkshire Hathaway with his Howard Hughes purchase, Ackman is again carefully treading in Warren Buffet&#8217;s footsteps. Preferring to look at a company&#8217;s enduring competitive advantage over short-term stumbles is a classic Berkshire Hathaway move. Ackman has been quite open about sticking to the Buffet playbook. &#8220;I&#8217;ve been a kind of Warren Buffett devotee,&#8221; he told<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/28/cnbc-transcript-pershing-square-capital-management-ceo-bill-ackman-speaks-with-cnbcs-scott-wapner-live-during-the-cnbc-delivering-alpha-conference-today.html"> CNBC</a> in 2023. &#8220;He&#8217;s been my unofficial mentor for many years.&#8221;&nbsp;
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<li>Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, and<a href="https://equitymultiple.com/benzinga?invite=benzinga&amp;utm_campaign=product-promotion-earn&amp;utm_source=yahooFinance&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_content=stockmarket-yahoo"> this platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000 offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today!</a></li>
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Real Estate

Bill Ackman Offers $1B For Real Estate Giant Howard Hughes To Emulate Berkshire Hathaway

President-elect <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump</a> has confirmed that his inaugural address on Monday will take place indoors in the Capitol Rotunda due to dangerously <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/travel/25/01/43036258/polar-vortex-brings-winters-coldest-air-for-trumps-inauguration-day-what-it-means-for-utilities-retailers-energy-stocks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cold weather in Washington, D.C.</a>
The move comes as temperatures are expected to plunge into the teens, with the wind chill making it feel even colder, BBC <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ceq9917rl18o" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.
Trump announced the move indoors on his Truth Social platform, saying he didn't want anyone to be harmed by the extreme conditions, particularly the tens of thousands of law enforcement, first responders, and supporters expected to attend.
The inaugural parade, as well as the three official inaugural balls, will also be moved indoors to the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, about a mile from the Capitol.
While the change in venue is a historic first for a U.S. presidential inauguration, it is not unprecedented.
The last time an inauguration was held indoors was in 1985 at the start of President Ronald Reagan's second term, when similarly harsh weather forced the ceremony indoors, BBC adds.
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Temperatures in Washington on Inauguration Day are expected to be unusually cold, with lows dipping to 12°F (-11°C) and highs reaching only 23°F (-5°C).
The cold is part of a larger polar vortex affecting much of the country.
For those planning to attend, Trump advised on social media to "dress warmly" if they decide to brave the elements, though he emphasized that everyone's safety would come first, BBC reports.
In addition to the indoor address, a live viewing of the inaugural speech will be available at the Capital One Arena.
Trump, who plans to visit the arena after his swearing-in ceremony, expressed confidence that the event would still be memorable and safe for all involved.
Despite the changes, Trump reassured his supporters that the inauguration would still be a historic occasion, calling for a united effort to "Make America Great Again."
Although attendance will be limited due to the indoor setting, the event will be broadcast widely, allowing many to witness the occasion from afar.
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Image: Shutterstock

Politics

Markets

General

Dangerous Temperatures Force Trump Inauguration Indoors

Top banks reported strong earnings this week, with impressive results from Wells Fargo &amp; Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) and Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>).
Despite significant gains in their stock prices, analysts believe these banks still have room for growth, thanks to lower price-to-earnings multiples compared to the broader market, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/17/jim-cramer-parses-bank-earnings-stocks-have-quite-a-bit-more-upside.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> CNBC.
Investors who owned shares in these banks likely benefitted from the positive earnings reports, with some experts suggesting adding one or two of these names to portfolios moving forward.
Jim Cramer, the host of CNBC&#8217;s &#8220;Mad Money,&#8221; reviewed the week&#8217;s earnings and expressed confidence in the banking sector&#8217;s continued potential.
Cramer also discussed how next week&#8217;s market could be influenced by the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who is expected to take action on deregulation and other pro-business policies, CNBC reports.
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Earnings reports from Procter &amp; Gamble Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PG#NYSE">PG</a>) and American Express Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>) will also take center stage next week.
Cramer noted he is optimistic about results from 3M Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MMM#NYSE">MMM</a>) and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UAL#NASDAQ">UAL</a>), predicting a strong quarter for both.
He is especially bullish on GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEV#NYSE">GEV</a>), citing the growing demand for energy in the data center sector, though he is more cautious about Halliburton Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HAL#NYSE">HAL</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;due to market uncertainties.
With earnings rolling in and political changes ahead, investors should stay vigilant, as market conditions could shift quickly in the coming days. Cramer&#8217;s advice is to keep an eye on both corporate performance and potential regulatory changes under the new administration, CNBC adds.
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Equities

News

Movers

Jim Cramer's Market Outlook: Strong Earnings, Trump Inauguration, and What's Next for Investors

If your car has started breaking down or is racking up repair bills, it might be time for a replacement. But how much car can you afford?&nbsp;
Financial expert <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42467913/dave-ramsey-warns-against-hammock-parenting-7-2-million-able-bodied-men-arent-even-looking-for-work-and-its-not-their-fault">Dave Ramsey</a> has a straightforward answer: only buy what you can pay for in cash. This principle could save you thousands and help you avoid the trap of long-term debt.
Financing might seem easy, but it can cost significantly more in the long run. As of late 2024, the average interest rate for a new-car loan was 6.6%, while used car loans averaged 10.8%, according to Edmunds.com.&nbsp;
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That means financing a $30,000 car for five years at 6.6% interest would add over $5,300 in extra costs. Ramsey's advice is simple: avoid the debt and stick to what you can pay up front.
To set your budget, start by looking at your savings.&nbsp;
How much can you spend without affecting your other financial priorities? If you have debt to pay off or are saving for a house, those goals should come first. If you're trading in your current car, tools like Kelley Blue Book can help estimate its value and add that to your budget.&nbsp;
Ramsey also recommends a key rule: the total value of all your vehicles should not exceed half your annual income. For example, if you earn $70,000 a year, your cars' combined value should stay under $35,000. This guideline helps prevent tying up too much of your wealth in assets that lose value over time.
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Depreciation is a big reason to think twice about buying a new car. According to a 2024 report by LeaseLoco, new cars can lose up to 20% of their value in the first year and nearly 50% within three years.&nbsp;
Ramsey suggests avoiding new cars unless you have a net worth of at least one million dollars. Opting for a reliable used car can save you thousands while still providing a dependable ride.
It's also important to factor in the cost of owning a car beyond the sticker price. In 2024, AAA estimated the average annual cost of owning a vehicle – including fuel, maintenance and insurance – at $12,297.&nbsp;
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According to CarEdge, luxury vehicles often incur higher maintenance and repair costs than standard cars. For instance, the 10-year maintenance cost for a BMW 7 Series is approximately $14,768, whereas a standard Toyota Camry averages around $4,203 over the same period.&nbsp;
Even hybrids and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/10/41198502/toyota-slows-down-ev-production-amid-industrywide-shift-heres-why-theyre-changing-course">electric vehicles</a> may not always provide the savings you expect, given their higher up front prices.
If your current vehicle still runs, Ramsey suggests keeping it while you save for your next one. Set a goal based on the cost of the car you want and divide that amount by the months you plan to save.&nbsp;
For instance, saving $1,250 monthly could get you $15,000 in a year – without a single loan payment. If your car breaks down unexpectedly, repairing it or using your emergency fund may be better than rushing into a new purchase.
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Dave Ramsey Warns: 'Asking How Much a Month' Could Cost You $10,000 Extra On Your Car Purchase

Elon Musk has stirred the pot with a recent post on X shifting &#8220;from MAGA to MEGA&#8221; to &#8220;Make Europe Great Again!&#8221;
What Happened: On Saturday, Musk&nbsp;took to X to express his new vision, transitioning from MAGA to MEGA. His post has since garnered significant attention, with over 28.7 million views.
<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">From MAGA to MEGA: Make Europe Great Again!
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1880536914690036015?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Musk&#8217;s post, &#8220;From MAGA to MEGA: Make&nbsp;Europe Great Again!&#8221; implies a shift in focus towards Europe, a region that has been a significant player in the global tech and automotive industries.
The slogan associated with Hungary&#8217;s hard-right Prime Minister Viktor Orban has sparked controversy among European political leaders.
Last week on Thursday, the European Commission demanded documents related to X&#8217;s &#8220;recommender systems,&#8221; which suggest content to users. 
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&#8220;Today&nbsp;we are taking further steps&nbsp;to shed light on the&nbsp;compliance of X's recommender systems&nbsp;with the obligations under the&nbsp;DSA,&#8221; stated Henna Virkunnen,&nbsp;Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty,&nbsp;Security and Democracy.
Why It Matters: Musk&#8217;s tweet comes at a time when Europe is striving to establish itself as a leader in the tech and automotive sectors. His call to &#8220;Make Europe Great Again&#8221; could be seen as a rallying cry for European innovation and progress.
As the CEO of&nbsp;Tesla Inc.&nbsp;and&nbsp;SpaceX, Musk&#8217;s words carry weight in the industry. His endorsement of Europe&#8217;s potential could stimulate further growth and investment in the region.
However, Musk&#8217;s post also raises questions about his future plans. Could this be a hint towards a greater European focus for his companies, or is it merely a commentary on the current global landscape? Only time will tell.
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Image: Shutterstock

Global

Tech

TSLA

Elon Musk Sparks Controversy With Hard-Right 'Make Europe Great Again!' Post

The cryptocurrency sector is optimistic of what is to come with Donald Trump serving as the next president. Optimism comes as many cryptocurrencies have hit all-time highs since Trump won the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41778425/bitcoins-all-time-high-a-groundbreaking-milestone-and-strong-post-election-rally-coming-ex">2024 presidential election.</a>
A new Benzinga reader poll predicts which cryptocurrency could have the best return early in Trump's presidency.
What Happened: Trump <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">will be sworn in </a>as the next president of the United States on Monday, marking his second non-consecutive term as the leader of the country.
The stock market will be closed on Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is a federal holiday.
While investors won't be able to buy and sell stocks that could be mentioned individually or part of sectors that are highlighted during Trump's inauguration speech, the cryptocurrency market will be open.
"Which crypto will pump the most on Donald Trump's Inauguration Day?" Benzinga recently asked readers.
Here were the results:
<ul>
<li>XRP Token (CRYTO:XRP): 41%</li>
<li>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>): 35%</li>
<li>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>): 14%</li>
<li>None, Crypto Will Crash: 7%</li>
<li>Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>): 4%</li>
</ul>
The winner of the poll was XRP Token, which is one of the top gaining cryptocurrencies over the last year. XRP, which is from Ripple Labs, has been in the spotlight a lot recently, including thanks to a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42865935/trump-meets-top-ripple-executives-ceo-says-strong-start-to-2025-as-technicals-favor-xrp-bulls">visit by Ripple executives</a> to meet with Trump.
The poll saw only 7% of readers predict that cryptocurrency would crash on Monday, which could end up being the result of sell the news as cryptos trade higher ahead of Monday.
If Trump announces cryptocurrency related initiatives on Monday, the sector could see strength, but likewise cryptos could fall if he minimizes the sector in his speech.
Why It's Important: Benzinga readers have selected XRP and Bitcoin as winners in several polls, which won't make the latest results a huge surprise.
An early<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42378513/can-bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-shiba-inu-or-solana-beat-xrp-in-2025-poll-says-yes-one-coin-stands-out"> December 2024 poll </a>asked Benzinga readers if any of several hand-picked cryptocurrencies would outperform XRP in 2025.
The results were:
<ul>
<li>Bitcoin: 28%</li>
<li>Solana: 15%</li>
<li>Dogecoin: 13%</li>
<li>Ethereum: 10%</li>
<li>Shiba Inu: 10%</li>
<li>Hedera: 1%</li>
<li>None of the Above: 24%</li>
</ul>
Bitcoin won the poll with 28% of readers believing the leading cryptocurrency will outperform the other options in 2025.
Ranking second in the poll was None of the Above, which means 24% of readers think XRP will outperform the other six cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin in 2025.
Here are the current returns of the cryptocurrencies in the new poll:
<ul>
<li>XRP: 1-Month +32.0%, 1-Year +478.1%</li>
<li>BTC: 1-Month: -1.6%, 1-Year +145.3%</li>
<li>DOGE: 1-Month +3.5%, 1-Year +414.9%</li>
<li>SHIB: 1-Month -0.9%, 1-Year +155.1%</li>
</ul>
XRP and Dogecoin have already had huge one-year gains and XRP is up significantly over the last month, which could make any additional gains on Monday icing on the cake as more eyes are on the cryptocurrency sector in 2025.
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The study was conducted by Benzinga from Jan. 16, 2025 through Jan. 17, 2025. It included the responses of a diverse population of adults 18 or older. Opting into the survey was completely voluntary, with no incentives offered to potential respondents. The study reflects results from 107 adults.

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

Cryptocurrency

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$BTC

$DOGE

$SHIB

$XRP

EXCLUSIVE: Will Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Shiba Inu Or XRP Gain More On Trump's Inauguration Day? 41% Pick This Crypto

Donald Trump&#8217;s renewed push for control of Greenland comes as Denmark announces a $2 billion Arctic defense upgrade. This upgrade points to the strategic value of an island that hosts America&#8217;s northernmost military installation and holds vast mineral wealth.
Located just 1,500 kilometers from the North Pole, Greenland&#8217;s Pituffik Space Base houses 200 U.S. military personnel and 450 allied forces, forming an important part of America&#8217;s missile warning system.&nbsp;
According to a report issued by the Financial Times, the base could be the reason Trump calls the acquisition &#8220;an absolute necessity&#8221; for national security.
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<li>According to Juniper Research, the total value of B2B cross-border payments stored on the blockchain is projected to exceed $4.4 trillion — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/web3-enabler-future-of-enterprise-transactions">Join the first company to bring blockchain payments to Salesforce early with just $100.</a></li>
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Denmark&#8217;s Christmas Eve announcement of major military investments, including new ships, drones and expanded facilities for F-35 aircraft, follows Trump&#8217;s refusal to rule out using force to gain control of the island. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen responded by offering to discuss &#8220;even more closely&#8221; coordinating with U.S. security interests.
The world&#8217;s largest island sits at a critical Arctic shipping crossroads and contains 25 of 34 minerals deemed strategically critical by European regulators, including materials essential for electric vehicles and military equipment. China&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/42884764/how-trump-could-impact-chinas-role-in-emerging-greenland-mining-frontier">dominant position in rare earth production</a> has heightened U.S. interest in the deposits.
See Also: ‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.</a>
Despite Trump&#8217;s focus on security, Greenland&#8217;s 57,000 residents maintain strong independence aspirations. Prime Minister Mute Egede, who has accelerated pushes for sovereignty, firmly said Greenland &#8220;is not for sale.&#8221; The territory currently receives nearly $1 billion annually in Danish subsidies.
Denmark&#8217;s limited Arctic presence – just 75 troops in its Greenland Command – was highlighted when a stranded cruise ship waited four days for military rescue in 2023. The gap between responsibility and capability drives U.S. strategic concerns about Chinese and Russian Arctic ambitions.
While some Greenlandic officials privately welcome increased U.S. military presence, they resist any suggestion of replacing one colonial relationship with another. &#8220;We don&#8217;t want a new colonial power. But we can&#8217;t look after defence ourselves,&#8221; one official told the Financial Times.
Trump&#8217;s son Donald Jr.&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/42857403/trump-sends-don-jr-on-mission-to-get-the-deal-done-and-make-greenland-part-of-our-nation">arrival in Greenland last week</a> for what he called &#8220;a little bit of fun&#8221; has intensified speculation about future U.S. moves toward the strategic territory as climate change reshapes Arctic politics and economics.
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<li>Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</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">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a></li>
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Startups

Why Trump Sees Greenland As A $2 Billion Security Deal

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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<li>This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to <a href="https://arrivedhomes.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=15&amp;aff_id=1006&amp;aff_sub=yahoo&amp;aff_sub2=byerscta100">become a landlord in just 10 minutes, with minimum investments as low as $100 for properties like the Byer House from Stranger Things.</a></li>
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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.
Trending: Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, and<a href="https://equitymultiple.com/benzinga?invite=benzinga&amp;utm_campaign=product-promotion-earn&amp;utm_source=yahooFinance&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_content=stockmarket-yahoo"> this platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000 offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today!</a>
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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Image: Shutterstock

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>.
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

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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;
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<ul>
<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>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Financing

Management

$ETH

$LINK

$MATIC

$UNI

LINK

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."
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<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>
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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.
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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>
</div>
</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:
<ul>
<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

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:
<ul>
<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>
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</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:
<ul>
<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>
</ul>
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:
<ul>
<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.
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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

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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.
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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

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