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Pop Culture Gr

Pop Culture Group Co Ltd hosts entertainment events, operates hip-hop-related online programs, and provides event planning and execution services and marketing services to corporate clients. It generates revenue from Event Hosting business by providing sponsorship packages to advertisers in exchange for sponsorship fees and by selling tickets for those concerts. The company has various operations services out of which Brand Promotion earns maximum revenue, following by Event Hosting, and Event Planning and Execution.

On Sunday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the U.S. will announce the results of its semiconductor import probe in two weeks.
What Happened: Speaking after Donald Trump met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Lutnick said the national security investigation into chip imports is nearing completion, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/27/trump-lutnick-semiconductors-chip-imports.html">reported</a> CNBC.
&nbsp;It's one of the "key reasons" the EU sought to negotiate a broader trade agreement that would "resolve all things at one time," he told reporters.
The Trump administration is conducting the probe under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the same statute previously used to impose tariffs on steel, aluminum and autos.
The review follows concerns that the U.S.'s reliance on foreign-made chips, particularly from Taiwan, poses a national security risk.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45738435/elizabeth-warren-says-trump-approved-the-largest-meat-company-in-world-to-be-listed-on-nyse-ignoring-corruption-and-bribery-history-demands-answers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elizabeth Warren Says Trump ‘Approved&#8217; The Largest Meat Company In World To Be Listed On NYSE Ignoring Corruption And Bribery History, Demands Answers</a>
Why It's Important: The upcoming ruling could pave the way for sweeping new tariffs on global chipmakers unless they expand U.S.-based production. Trump said firms from Taiwan and other places are already planning domestic investments to dodge penalties, the report added.
The probe builds on a wider trade crackdown that has reshaped global supply chains and could have significant implications for companies like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) and Samsung Electronics (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSNLF#OTC">SSNLF</a>), as well as U.S. tech giants like Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) dependent on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46622906/scott-bessent-warns-tsmcs-40-billion-arizona-fab-may-only-meet-7-of-us-chip-demand-blames-building-inspectors-red-tape-for-delays">overseas semiconductor supply</a>.
TSMC maintains strong upward momentum across short, medium, and long-term periods, according to Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'">More detailed performance data can be found here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28004044/Screenshot-2025-07-28-at-7.17.05%E2%80%AFAM-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1002589" /></a></figure>
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Photo Courtesy: Joshua Sukoff on Shutterstock.com
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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Howard Lutnick Says Chip Import Probe Results Due In 2 Weeks As Trump Threatens New Tariffs To Force US Manufacturing Boom

Venture capitalist and &#8216;SPAC King&#8217; Chamath Palihapitiya is taking a victory lap after Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) hit a new all-time high earlier in July, with a few corrections. In a new X post, the Social Capital founder said, "13 years ago," he urged everyone to put 1% of their net worth into Bitcoin, recalling a price "around $80."
What Happened: That call traces to his Bloomberg op‑ed <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2013-05-30/bitcoin-the-perfect-schmuck-insurance">titled</a> &#8216;Why I Invested In Bitcoin&#8217;, published May 30, 2013, not 13 years ago, where he argued it was "entirely rational" to allocate 1% and branded Bitcoin "schmuck insurance."
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">13 years ago, around when this video was taken, I wrote an Op-Ed in Bloomberg advocating every person in the world putting 1% of their then net worth into Bitcoin. The price of Bitcoin then was $80. <a href="https://t.co/OLzvpPEgcs">https://t.co/OLzvpPEgcs</a>
&mdash; Chamath Palihapitiya (@chamath) <a href="https://twitter.com/chamath/status/1949108075362648408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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On that date, Bitcoin closed at $128.80. He made a similar <a href="https://x.com/chamath/status/1663676682132389894">point</a> on the op‑ed's 10‑year anniversary in 2023, citing that day's average price of nearly $128.80.
With Bitcoin recently setting a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46388685/bitcoin-shatters-all-time-high-to-hit-123000-as-ethereum-cracks-3000-and-xrp-taps-3">fresh all‑time high</a>, the 2013 call looks prescient. Based on today's price of $119,300.90 at press time, Bitcoin has gained a whopping 92,524.9% since the op‑ed's publication.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46648687/dormant-bitcoin-whale-awakens-after-14-years-moves-469-8-million-worth-of-btc">Dormant Bitcoin Whale Awakens After 14 Years, Moves $469.8 Million Worth of BTC</a>
Why It Matters: Across the years, Palihapitiya has framed Bitcoin as a store of value. He labeled it "Gold 2.0" in <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2013/04/29/big-vc-says-bitcoin-is-gold-2-0-its-a-huge-huge-huge-deal/">early</a> interviews and later told CNBC it had "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/21/09/23178126/bitcoin-has-replaced-gold-chamath-palihapitiya-on-hedging-against-inflation">effectively replaced gold</a>." He has also referred to Bitcoin as a "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/06/32694893/if-you-invested-1-000-in-bitcoin-when-chamath-palihapitiya-said-to-allocate-1-heres-the-st" target="_blank" rel="noopener">red pill</a>," urging skeptics to view it as an alternative monetary system.
More recently, even as he briefly flagged <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45686648/chamath-palihapitiya-says-this-old-fashioned-asset-is-among-safe-trades-if-the-possibility-of-quantum-computing-cracking-bitcoin-is-even-remotely-true">BTC&#8217;s quantum-computing risk</a> and called gold the "only safe trade," he continued to comment on crypto adoption trends, from stablecoins he dubs a "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45060051/chamath-palihapitiya-says-stablecoins-are-cryptos-second-killer-app-after-bitcoin-as-volumes-surpass-visa">second killer app</a>" to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/45852973/circle-ipo-success-suggests-markets-open-to-new-listings-especially-from-crypto-businesses-says-spac-king-chamath-palihapitiya">market-opening listings</a>.
Palihapitiya's original thesis was straight diversification math. He urged everyone who could to put 1% in an uncorrelated asset that might reprice the system and time has done the rest. With Bitcoin at record territory despite navigating a consolidation phase currently, that 2013 memo reads less like provocation and more like a playbook, even if his latest post is off by a year.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $119383.20, down 0.06%, according to data from Benzinga Pro.
Photo Courtesy: Rido on Shutterstock.com
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/07/46648601/dogecoin-is-back-in-historic-buying-zone-that-triggered-bull-runs-is-it-a-good-time-to-buy">Dogecoin Is Back in Historic Buying Zone That Triggered Bull Runs — Is It a Good Time To Buy?</a></li>
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Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

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$BTC

Bitcoin Has Shot Up A Whopping 92525% Since Chamath Palihapitiya Called It 'Schmuck Insurance'

Former hedge fund manager Steve Eisman, known for his role in predicting the 2008 financial crisis, is sounding the alarm on what he sees as a resurgence of &#8220;meme&#8221; stock mania, this time centered around Opendoor Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OPEN#NASDAQ">OPEN</a>).
Check out the current price of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/OPEN" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OPEN stock here.</a>
What Happened: On Saturday, on his podcast, &#8220;The Real Eisman Playbook,&#8221; he criticized the recent surge in Opendoor&#8217;s stock price, from $0.53 at the beginning of this month to a high of $3.21 per share last week, a 529% rally despite there being no meaningful news. 
&#8220;That's a social media short squeeze,&#8221; Eisman said, adding, &#8220;As far as I can tell, there is no new fundamental news out about Open.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/25/07/46533193/stock-of-the-day-where-will-the-opendoor-rally-end">Stock Of The Day: Where Will The Opendoor Rally End?</a>
According to Eisman, who rose to fame following his portrayal by Steve Carell in &#8220;The Big Short,&#8221; this rally was fueled by a hedge fund manager who has been heavily promoting the stock on social media. 
Referring to Eric Jackson of EMJ Capital, he says, this individual, &#8220;is initiating a short squeeze on this still heavily shorted stock,&#8221; while calling his target price of $82 for the stock, which represents an upside of 3,128% from current levels, &#8220;either gutsy, nuts, or just plain bad manipulative stuff.&#8221;
Eisman reminds his listeners that Opendoor, an iBuying platform that allows homeowners to sell their properties instantly, has &#8220;a difficult balance sheet-intensive business,&#8221; one that Zillow Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/Z#NASDAQ">Z</a>) tried and abandoned.
Calling the price surge &#8220;a sign of frothiness,&#8221; referring to excessive speculation and investor enthusiasm in the markets. He, however, warned retail investors about the dangers of chasing &#8220;meme&#8221; stocks. 
&#8220;Getting involved with these meme stocks can be harmful to your health,&#8221; he said. &#8220;So far, this meme rally has not been all that impressive with not much duration, but we will see,&#8221; he adds.
Why It Matters: Last week, Opendoor was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46618162/opendoor-kohls-stocks-recover-growing-sense-fomo-could-fuel-more-meme-stock-rallies">among several other</a> stocks, such as Kohl&#8217;s Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KSS#NYSE">KSS</a>), Krispy Kreme Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DNUT#NASDAQ">DNUT</a>) and GoPro Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPRO#NASDAQ">GPRO</a>) that have been rallying on renewed retail investor interest. 
Jackson, the fund manager who ignited Opendoor&#8217;s rally, has, however, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46597179/fund-manager-who-kickstarted-opendoor-frenzy-shrugs-off-meme-stock-hype-says-its-a-real-business-as-stock-craters-for-second-straight-day">distanced himself</a> from the &#8220;meme&#8221; stock tag, saying that &#8220;it&#8217;s a real business.&#8221;
&#8220;Let the flippers chase the other meme stocks,&#8221; he says, marking a clear distinction between Opendoor and the others that have been rallying in recent weeks.
Earlier in the week, Jackson <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46547846/opendoor-investor-who-ignited-500-rally-gives-you-his-100-bagger-playbook">offered his thesis</a> behind his target for the stock, while asking investors to buy core positions and "sit on your hands" for the long haul.
Price Action: Shares of Opendoor were up 4.96% on Friday, closing at $2.54, and are currently down 1.97% after hours.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="148" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/27235308/Screenshot-2025-07-28-at-9.22.56-AM-1024x148.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1002539" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/27235308/Screenshot-2025-07-28-at-9.22.56-AM-1024x148.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/27235308/Screenshot-2025-07-28-at-9.22.56-AM-300x43.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/27235308/Screenshot-2025-07-28-at-9.22.56-AM-768x111.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/27235308/Screenshot-2025-07-28-at-9.22.56-AM.png 1532w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
According to Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings, Opendoor scores high on Momentum and Value, with a favorable price trend in the short, medium and long terms. Click <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">here</a> for deeper insights into the stock, its peers and competitors. 
Photos from Shutterstock
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/07/46531133/spac-tacular-comeback-etfs-with-sofi-opendoor-ride-2025s-most-surprising-rally-that-beat-nvidia">SPAC-tacular Comeback: ETFs With SoFi, Opendoor Ride 2025&#8217;s Most Surprising Rally That Beat Nvidia</a></li>
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OPEN

Steve Eisman of 'The Big Short' Fame Calls 3128% Opendoor Price Target 'Gutsy, Nuts, or Plain... Manipulative'

SpaceX and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk thinks that orbital refilling of propellant on the Spacecraft is the next major milestone for the Starship rocket.
What Happened: Calling it one of the "hardest engineering challenges" that exists, Musk hailed the Starship rocket during the X takeover event on Sunday.
"I specialize in the impossible to merely late," Musk said, indicating that despite Starship's ambitious scale, the project was delayed but not scrapped. He also said that one of the hardest things is developing an orbital heat shield.
"No one has ever created a fully reusable orbital heat shield before and no one's created a fully reusable orbital rocket before," he said, emphasizing that creating a reusable heat shield remains a challenge for Starship.
Musk also said that developing a fully reusable rocket and booster would bring costs down, making it cheaper than a Falcon 1 rocket. The billionaire also highlighted that the next big challenge for the company is orbital refilling of the propellant.
"For orbital refilling, you need two Starships to come together and dock and transfer propellant," before adding that an "orbital propellant depot" could also be possible for SpaceX.
Why It Matters: The comments come as Musk had previously stated that he would share an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/space/25/07/46622304/elon-musk-says-he-will-share-technical-updates-on-starship-before-next-launch-in-august">update on the Starship</a> project before the rocket's next launch, scheduled to take place in August.
Musk had also recently defended the company after President Donald Trump's comments on social media platform Truth Social about incentives and subsidies offered to the billionaire's companies. The government is also reportedly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46544230/trump-turns-to-jeff-bezoss-project-kuiper-as-elon-musk-feud-threatens-spacex-role-in-175-billion-golden-dome-defense-project-report">exploring other partners</a> besides SpaceX for the $175 billion Golden Dome project.
Musk said that SpaceX <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46623210/elon-musk-slams-trump-for-axing-subsidies-on-renewable-energy-says-spacex-won-nasa-contracts-by-doing-a-better-job-for-less-money">won all NASA contracts</a> "by doing a better job" than other companies for a fraction of the cost and that the subsidies Trump mentioned "did not exist," He said.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility"> following this link.</a>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46537319/elon-musk-says-neuralink-will-do-life-changing-good-for-billions-as-company-successfully-adds-9-bci-implants-targets-20-by-end-of-2025">Elon Musk Says Neuralink Will Do &#8216;Life-Changing&#8217; Good For Billions As Company Successfully Adds 9 BCI Implants, Targets 20 By End Of 2025</a></li>
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

SPACE

Elon Musk Calls Orbital Refueling Starship's Next Challenge: 'I Specialize In The Impossible'

Major cryptocurrencies posted gains on Sunday evening as markets reacted positively to the Donald Trump administration&#8217;s landmark trade agreement with the European Union, with analysts attributing the improved risk sentiment to driving momentum in digital assets.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 11.26 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>+1.09%</td>
<td>$119,385</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</td>
<td>+2.68%</td>
<td>$3,877</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)</td>
<td>+1.96</td>
<td>$0.2433</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The crypto market capitalization reached $3.96 trillion, up 1.40%, with Bitcoin maintaining 60.1% dominance and Ethereum holding 11.9% market share. 
United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick announced Sunday on X that &#8220;President [Donald] Trump just unlocked one of the biggest economies in the world,&#8221; describing the EU&#8217;s commitment to open its $20 trillion market and accept U.S. auto and industrial standards.
The deal includes EU purchases of $750 billion in American energy and $600 billion in U.S. investments, with tariffs set at 15% across the board. &#8220;Today is a historic day for U.S. trade and will strengthen our relationship with the European Union for decades to come,&#8221; Lutnick said.
Despite positive sentiment, crypto markets experienced significant liquidations over 24 hours, with 90,805 traders liquidated totaling $231.04 million, according to CoinGlass. The largest single liquidation occurred on HTX&#8217;s ETH-USDT pair, valued at $2.68 million.
The CMC Crypto Fear and Greed Index registered 67, indicating Greed, up from 64 yesterday and matching last week&#8217;s reading. The index peaked at 88, signaling Extreme Greed, in November 2024 and bottomed at 15, reflecting Extreme Fear, in March 2025.
Gold retreated to $3,330 per ounce following three consecutive losing sessions as the U.S.-EU agreement reduced safe-haven demand. The U.S. Dollar Index dipped to 97.5 as the euro strengthened post-agreement.
Broader markets showed strength with S&amp;P 500 Futures at 6,451.75, up 0.42%. Nasdaq-100 Futures rose 0.56% to 23,552.50. The Dow remained at 44,901.92, unchanged from Friday.
The week ahead features Federal Reserve policy meetings and key economic data, including Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, ADP employment, and nonfarm payrolls, with the PCE price index monitored for tariff-related inflation pressures.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 11.26 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PanCakeSwap (CAKE)</td>
<td>+13.72%</td>
<td>$3.22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPX6900 (SPX)</td>
<td>+11.41%&nbsp;</td>
<td>$2.20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jupiter (JUP)</td>
<td>+9.70%</td>
<td>$0.6130</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46650830/donald-trump-announces-15-tariff-trade-agreement-with-eu-ending-months-of-trade-uncertainty">Donald Trump Announces 15% Tariff Trade Agreement With EU, Ending Months Of Trade Uncertainty</a>
Analyst Take: Crypto analyst Willy Woo highlighted Bitcoin Vector&#8216;s Risk-Off Signal, noting the current 97-day streak represents the second-longest in three years. &#8220;Bitcoin drives the entire crypto market. Knowing when it flips risk-off is critical,&#8221; Vector stated, emphasizing the signal&#8217;s effectiveness in identifying early transitions before major drawdowns.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">An introduction to the Swissblock Risk-off Signal&#8230; <a href="https://t.co/nxb7hNImwT">https://t.co/nxb7hNImwT</a>
&mdash; Willy Woo (@woonomic) <a href="https://twitter.com/woonomic/status/1949562609801605327?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Analyst Michaël van de Poppe observed Bitcoin testing range resistance over the weekend, suggesting a potential Monday correction before upward movement. &#8220;Bitcoin attacking $120,000 is an interesting case as there&#8217;s another extension in the trade war,&#8221; van de Poppe noted.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> attacking $120,000 is an interesting case as there's another extension in the trade war. It's still weekend though, but markets seem tempted to go back up again.
&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1949509193481720274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46649627/trumps-economic-impact-ackmans-support-for-capital-reform-and-wall-streets-tariff-predictions-this-week-in-economy">Trump&#8217;s Economic Impact, Ackman&#8217;s Support For Capital Reform And Wall Street&#8217;s Tariff Predictions: This Week In Economy</a></li>
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

$DOGE

$ETH

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Climb On Trump-EU Trade Pact — Analyst Says This 'Risk-Off' Signal Could Be Critical As BTC Drives Entire Crypto Market

Google DeepMind chief Demis Hassabis says there's a coin‑flip chance that artificial general intelligence will arrive within five years.
What Happened: "My estimate is sort of 50% chance by in the next five years, so by 2030 let's say. So I think there's a good chance that that could happen," he told the Lex Fridman Podcast, adding that his threshold for "true" AGI remains high.
Hassabis described AGI as intelligence that matches the cognitive functions of the brain, not the "jagged" profiles seen in today's systems. "It isn't kind of a jagged intelligence where some things, it's really good at … but other things it's really flawed at … You'd want that consistency of intelligence across the board," he said.
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He added that missing capabilities include "true invention capabilities and creativity."
Hassabis proposed stress‑testing a candidate system on "tens of thousands of cognitive tasks that we know that humans can do" and inviting "a few hundred of the world's top experts" to probe for failures over a month or two. If those experts find none, he said, "you can be pretty confident we have a fully general system."
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46648834/mark-zuckerbergs-meta-platforms-dodges-8-billion-trial-with-eleventh-hour-settlement">Mark Zuckerberg&#8217;s Meta Platforms Dodges $8 Billion Trial With Eleventh-Hour Settlement</a>
The definition of AGI remains fluid. Tom's Guide <a href="https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/chatgpt/sam-altman-claims-agi-is-coming-in-2025-and-machines-will-be-able-to-think-like-humans-when-it-happens">notes</a> that some experts define AGI as human‑level competence across all domains, while others focus on its capacity to learn, adapt, and perform tasks that mirror human cognition, which requires the system to go beyond its initial training data and generate truly autonomous output.
Why It Matters: Hassabis has recently sketched different timelines, telling one interviewer he expects AGI "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45599346/why-googles-demis-hassabis-disagrees-with-co-founder-sergey-brin-on-when-agi-will-arrive-and-sets-a-much-higher-bar">just after 2030</a>" and emphasizing, "I have quite a high bar." His stance contrasts with Google co‑founder Sergey Brin's prediction of AGI before 2030, a split that reflects the field's uncertainty over both definitions and pace.
Other leaders offer competing clocks. Anthropic's co‑founder has said A<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45938702/anthropic-co-founder-says-agi-possible-by-2028-but-transformative-ai-will-have-to-pass-the-economic-turing-test">GI is "possible" by 2028</a>, while many researchers debate whether AGI should mean human‑level performance across most tasks. Meanwhile, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman thinks that AGI <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/01/42867568/openai-ceo-sam-altman-predicts-agi-will-arrive-during-the-trump-presidency-says-chips-act-not-effective-enough">could arrive</a> during Donald Trump&#8217;s presidency.
Meanwhile, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, at a fireside chat in April, mentioned that it would be safe to assume that AGI would likely be achieved <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44856587/former-google-ceo-predicts-that-ais-sprint-toward-super-intelligence-could-put-a-smartest-human-in-every-pocket-by-2031">anytime between 2028 and 2030</a>.
Photo Courtesy: khunkornStudio on Shutterstock.com
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Tech

Google Deepmind Chief Thinks There's Only A Half Chance Of AI Surpassing Human Minds By 2030 Because Of These Two Reasons

Editor&#8217;s Note: This story has been updated to include the latest developments
Elon Musk-led Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) has confirmed signing a massive $16.5 billion chip manufacturing deal with Samsung Electronics (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSNLF#OTC">SSNLF</a>), marking a major win for the South Korean giant's foundry business as it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/03/37481465/tsmc-samsung-lead-recovery-in-asias-emerging-markets-with-ai-and-chip-sector-growth">fights for dominance</a> in the booming AI chip market against rivals like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>).
What Happened: On Monday, the South Korean tech giant disclosed in a regulatory filing that it had secured a multibillion-dollar chip production contract with an unnamed global client.
The deal, which officially began on July 26, 2024, runs through Dec. 31, 2033. While Samsung initially declined to name the counterparty, Musk later confirmed via X, formerly Twitter, that Tesla is the customer.
Musk revealed that the chips would be built at Samsung's new Texas fab and would power Tesla's next-generation AI6 chip, stating, "The strategic importance of this is hard to overstate."
He added that TSMC will handle AI5 chips, with production beginning in Taiwan and later moving to Arizona.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Samsung's giant new Texas fab will be dedicated to making Tesla's next-generation AI6 chip. The strategic importance of this is hard to overstate. Samsung currently makes AI4. TSMC will make AI5, which just finished design, initially in Taiwan and then Arizona.
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1949673345567592869?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2025</a></blockquote>
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In a follow-up post, he said, "Samsung agreed to allow Tesla to assist in maximizing manufacturing efficiency," adding, "I will walk the line personally to accelerate the pace of progress."
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45738435/elizabeth-warren-says-trump-approved-the-largest-meat-company-in-world-to-be-listed-on-nyse-ignoring-corruption-and-bribery-history-demands-answers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elizabeth Warren Says Trump ‘Approved&#8217; The Largest Meat Company In World To Be Listed On NYSE Ignoring Corruption And Bribery History, Demands Answers</a>
Why It's Important: The deal offers a potential turnaround for Samsung's foundry arm, which has faced delays at its new Texas plant and struggles with advanced 2-nanometer yields.
It also comes as South Korea races to secure U.S. trade agreements to avoid steep tariffs on chips and other exports. Samsung shares were up 2.43% at the time of writing.
Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings show that Tesla maintains strong positive momentum over the medium and long term. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-3/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'">More detailed performance metrics can be found here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-3/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="412" height="101" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28000437/Screenshot-2025-07-28-at-13.04.21.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1002554" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28000437/Screenshot-2025-07-28-at-13.04.21.png 412w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/28000437/Screenshot-2025-07-28-at-13.04.21-300x74.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 412px) 100vw, 412px" /></a></figure>
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Photo Courtesy: Sybillla on Shutterstock.com
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

QCOM

Elon Musk Confirms Tesla As the Mystery Big-Tech That Signed $16.5 Billion Chip Contract With Samsung: 'I Will Walk The Line Personally' To Boost Progress (UPDATED)

President Donald Trump&#8217;s latest trade deal with the European Union is drawing sharp criticism from several leading economists, who argue that it will disproportionately harm American consumers and businesses.
What Happened: Following Trump&#8217;s announcement on Sunday, economist Peter Schiff posted on X, with a blunt assessment of the deal, saying that &#8220;Americans lose again.&#8221;
Schiff says that under the new terms, &#8220;we will pay 15% tariffs to buy most European goods, but 50% tariffs to buy European steel, aluminum, or copper, driving up material costs for many U.S industries.&#8221; Meanwhile, he notes, &#8220;Europeans won&#8217;t pay any tariffs on most U.S. imports.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46581998/stellantis-shares-surge-on-u-s-eu-tariff-deal-prospects-whats-going-on">Stellantis Shares Surge On U.S.-EU Tariff Deal Prospects: What&#8217;s Going On?</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Trump has a trade deal with the EU, where Americans lose again. We will pay 15% tariffs to buy most European goods, but 50% tariffs to buy European steel, aluminum, or copper, driving up material costs for many U.S industries. Europeans won&#39;t pay any tariffs on most U.S. imports.
&mdash; Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1949590339322605685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2025</a></blockquote>
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University of Michigan economist Justin Wolfers echoed similar concerns, while highlighting the folly of imposing trade barriers. &#8220;These trade deals are all underwhelming for one simple reason,&#8221; he says, and that&#8217;s because trade barriers and tariffs have been tiny for decades.
&#8220;When tariffs are 1-2%, there&#8217;s not much to gain from a trade war,&#8221; he says, while warning that a 15% tax on imports can, however, &#8220;do a lot of harm to Americans.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">These trade deals are all underwhelming for one simple reason: While trade barriers were a big deal in Trump&#39;s youth, they&#39;ve been tiny for decades. When tariffs are 1-2%, there&#39;s not much to gain from a trade war. But you can do a lot of harm by charging Americans a 15% (or…
&mdash; Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinWolfers/status/1949610547743269279?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Danish economist Lars Christensen pushed back against the narrative that this was a bad deal for the EU and a win for Trump. 
He says, &#8220;the deal lower[s] EU tariffs,&#8221; which he believes is &#8220;good news for European consumers,&#8221; while adding that it is bad for the U.S. economy.
Christensen agrees with both Schiff and Wolfers, saying that &#8220;the biggest losers are US consumers,&#8221; while comparing the deal to &#8220;shooting yourself in the foot&#8221; for the U.S., which he says &#8220;is never a victory.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Please read an economics book. The deal lower EU tariffs. That is good News for European consumers. Trump will tax American consumers a lot more. That is bad news for the US economy. The biggest losers are US consumers. Shooting yourself in the foot is never a victory. <a href="https://t.co/vkY1J2gKKK">https://t.co/vkY1J2gKKK</a>
&mdash; Lars Christensen (@MaMoMVPY) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaMoMVPY/status/1949622894759211384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2025</a></blockquote>
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</figure>
Why It Matters: The announcement of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46650830/donald-trump-announces-15-tariff-trade-agreement-with-eu-ending-months-of-trade-uncertainty">trade deal with the EU</a> on Sunday brought an end to months of trade and tariff-related uncertainties with the U.S.&#8217;s biggest trading partner. 
Besides the 15% tariff on imports from the region, the EU will also be buying $750 billion worth of U.S. energy, while investing $600 billion in the United States. Additionally, nations in the bloc will be purchasing weapons from the U.S., although no amount was mentioned. 
Meanwhile, top officials from the U.S. and China are set to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46651524/trumps-fentanyl-tariffs-in-beijings-crosshairs-as-china-us-reportedly-set-to-meet-for-stockholm-trade-talks">meet in Stockholm</a> to address pressing trade issues, with Trump saying last week that &#8220;We have the confines of a deal with China.&#8221;
U.S. stock futures are up pre-market, following news of the trade deal over the weekend. The S&amp;P 500 Futures are up 0.37%, trading at 6,449.00, and Nasdaq Futures at 23,538.25, up 0.50%, followed by Dow Futures, which rose over 150 points, up 0.33%, trading at 45,234.00, at the time of writing.
Photo Courtesy: Savvapanf Photo on Shutterstock.com
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Government

Regulations

Eurozone

Global

Trump's New EU Trade Deal Labeled 'Bad News' By Economists As Dow Futures Spike Over 150 Points

On Saturday, Japan's top trade official said the country's new <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46562556/trump-says-550-billion-trade-deal-with-japan-reached-that-will-create-thousands-of-jobs-there-has-never-been-anything-like-it">$550 billion investmen</a>t package with the U.S. could help finance Taiwanese chipmakers like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) as they build semiconductor plants in America.
What Happened: Japan's chief trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa told public broadcaster NHK that Tokyo's sweeping U.S.-bound investment initiative could extend to foreign firms as long as their work supports Japan's supply chain goals, reported Reuters.
"For example, if a Taiwanese chipmaker builds a plant in the U.S. and uses Japanese components or tailors its products to meet Japanese needs, that's fine too," Akazawa said, without mentioning any specific firms.
He also addressed a White House statement saying the U.S. would retain 90% of returns, explaining this referred only to the equity portion and would not significantly reduce Japan's overall benefit.
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Why It's Important: TSMC, the leading contract chipmaker globally and a crucial supplier for Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), has already pledged <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/03/44486436/tsmcs-165-billion-bet-on-us-chip-manufacturing-raises-alarms-in-taiwan-amid-china-threat-experts-warn-taipei-must-plan-beyond-its-silicon-shield">$165 billion in U.S. investments</a>—$100 billion of which was announced alongside President Donald Trump.
The U.S. heavily depends on TSMC for advanced semiconductor production, which has sparked economic security concerns given Taiwan&#8217;s close geographic location to China, the report said.
TSMC has also been accelerating its growth in Arizona. The company aims to start operations at a second facility by 2027 and anticipates that up to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46499511/taiwan-semiconductor-cfo-warns-of-margin-pressure-prudent-42-billion-capex-plan">30% of its advanced</a> 2nm chip production could ultimately be based in its Arizona plants.
However, last week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent cautioned that TSMC's large Arizona chip plant might only meet <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46622906/scott-bessent-warns-tsmcs-40-billion-arizona-fab-may-only-meet-7-of-us-chip-demand-blames-building-inspectors-red-tape-for-delays">7% of U.S. semiconductor demand</a>, pointing to regulatory challenges as a major barrier to expanding domestic production.
Meanwhile, economist Justin Wolfers has argued that Trump&#8217;s trade deal with Japan effectively acts as a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46622277/trumps-trade-deal-with-japan-a-tax-on-americans-economist-says-not-remotely-optimistic-us-auto-companies-will-gain-as-toyota-and-honda-stocks-rally">tax hike on American consumers</a>. He also expressed doubt that the deal would significantly benefit U.S. automakers, citing Japanese consumers' preference for smaller cars.
Price Action: TSMC shares have risen 21.84% so far this year and 53.49% over the past 12 months, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings indicate that TSMC continues to show strong upward momentum across short, medium, and long-term timeframes. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'">Additional performance data is available here</a>.
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Trump's $550 Billion Japan Trade Deal Could Benefit Taiwanese Chip Giants Like TSMC's US Expansion—If It Aligns With Tokyo's Interests

Amid ongoing trade tensions, top officials from the United States and China are scheduled to meet in Stockholm to address pressing trade issues. 
What Happened: This meeting marks the third encounter this year between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, as reported by <a href="https://apnews.com/article/stockholm-trade-china-us-bessent-he-lifeng-5a0a9e723eb521dc72df00f2ae549a9e">AP News</a> on Sunday.
The discussions in Stockholm are expected to maintain the current tariff levels while both nations work towards a potential meeting between their leaders later in the year. 
President Donald Trump had previously proposed tariffs, including a 145% import tax on Chinese goods, which disrupted global trade. Bessent mentioned on MSNBC that the U.S. and China have reached a &#8220;status quo,&#8221; with the U.S. imposing a 30% tariff on Chinese imports and China responding with a 10% tariff.
&#8220;We have the confines of a deal with China,&#8221; said Trump on Friday, according to the report.
The Stockholm talks aim to address issues like China&#8217;s industrial overcapacity and fentanyl-related tariffs. The Chinese embassy in Washington expressed hope for increased consensus and cooperation. The meeting could pave the way for a future summit between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, with discussions focusing on commercial announcements and structural reforms.
Beijing is likely to press for the removal of the 20% tariff imposed by Trump over the fentanyl issue. China has taken the position that the cause of the fentanyl crisis lies in the U.S. Washington says China is not doing enough to regulate the chemicals used to make the drug, according to the report.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46623942/trumps-golden-dome-shield-advances-as-l3harris-says-its-ready-to-deploy-a-full-constellation-of-40-to-45-proven-hypersonic-missile-tracking-satellites">Trump&#8217;s Golden Dome Shield Advances As L3Harris Says It&#8217;s Ready To Deploy &#8216;A Full Constellation&#8217; of 40 To 45 Proven Hypersonic Missile Tracking Satellites</a> Why It Matters: The trade discussions come at a time when Trump has been actively reshaping the U.S.&#8217;s trade relationships globally. 
On Sunday, Trump announced a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46650830/donald-trump-announces-15-tariff-trade-agreement-with-eu-ending-months-of-trade-uncertainty">15% tariff trade agreement with the European Union</a>, ending months of uncertainty. This agreement marked a significant reduction from the previously threatened 30% tariff.
Additionally, Trump recently declared a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/07/46562556/trump-says-550-billion-trade-deal-with-japan-reached-that-will-create-thousands-of-jobs-there-has-never-been-anything-like-it">$550 billion trade deal with Japan</a>, which is expected to create hundreds of thousands of jobs and open Japanese markets to U.S. products. 
As the U.S. continues to navigate its trade policies, the outcome of the Stockholm talks could significantly impact the global economic landscape, especially in light of Trump&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/46163141/trump-says-hell-skip-trade-deals-set-global-tariffs-with-a-letter-pay-a-25-tariff-or-20-or-40-or-50">unilateral tariff strategy</a> that bypasses traditional trade agreements.
Trump announced plans to unilaterally impose new tariff rates on trading partners through formal letters, bypassing traditional trade agreements. He has dismissed ongoing negotiations as unnecessary, saying the U.S. would simply inform countries of their new rates—up to 50%—without meetings.
Photo Courtesy: Miha Creative on Shutterstock.com
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Economics

Trump's Fentanyl Tariffs In Beijing's Crosshairs As China, US Reportedly Set To Meet For Stockholm Trade Talks

For one 62-year-old tech manager in the San Francisco Bay Area, the numbers are there. The motivation? Not so much.&nbsp;
After decades in the industry, he's tired of layoffs, leadership changes, and trying to keep up with colleagues half his age. His wife, a retired elementary school teacher, has already called it quits. Now he's asking a <a href="https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=457522">question many dream of</a>: "Can I retire this year or should I work one more year?"
That's the title of his recent post on Bogleheads, a popular online forum where financially savvy users—nicknamed after investing guru Jack Bogle—gather to trade retirement strategies, portfolio tips, and the occasional reality check. The anonymous poster laid out a detailed case: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/43076826/how-does-your-nest-egg-stack-up-heres-what-it-takes-to-be-in-the-top-10-of-retirement-savers">$2.65 million in retirement savings</a>, a $225,000 annual salary, and just $500 a month in rent, thanks to a generous mother-in-law who owns their Bay Area home.
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<li>$100k+ in investable assets? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/wiseradvisor-retirement-planning">Match with a fiduciary advisor for free to learn how you can maximize your retirement and save on taxes</a> – no cost, no obligation.</li>
</ul>
Still, he's not sure if it's enough.
"I manage a team of really great young people," he wrote, "but I am old enough to be their father (and in some cases almost their grandfather) and feel older and more out of touch every day."
His family's lifestyle is relatively stable—no major debt aside from a $490,000 mortgage on a second home in Sonoma County, which he plans to retire to. Their two kids, ages 15 and 17, have fully funded 529 plans. And once he turns 70, the household will have about $156,000 per year in guaranteed income from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44552100/i-have-no-doubt-theyre-going-to-raise-the-full-retirement-age-possibly-to-70-suze-orman-weighs-in-on-social-security-fears">pensions and Social Security</a>. The challenge? Covering roughly $200,000 a year in spending between now and then.
One of the most eye-catching parts of his post: "I know, I know, bad Boglehead. But at this point does it really matter?" That was his response to not having a traditional emergency fund—though he does have 2–3 years' worth of expenses sitting in a money market fund inside his rollover IRA.
Trending: This AI-Powered Trading Platform Has 5,000+ Users, 27 Pending Patents, and a $43.97M Valuation — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/finally-a-fully-automated-trading-platform-for-individual-investors?">You Can Become an Investor for Just $500.25</a>
Some users gently pushed back. "You need to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/07/46383766/can-you-guess-what-a-rich-retiree-with-3-million-spends-per-year-its-a-lot-less-than-youd-expect">dig into your expenses</a> a lot," one commenter warned, flagging gaps like health insurance, taxes, and potential spikes in post-college support for the kids. Another suggested monetizing the Sonoma home through short-term rentals if needed, calling it "a meaningful contribution towards a bridge income stream."
Despite some red flags, the overwhelming tone of the replies was optimistic. "At this point, your most precious asset is time," one user wrote. "I would retire in your shoes, unless I enjoyed my job." The original poster responded, "I no longer enjoy my job so this is helping to tip the scales in the retirement direction."
So what should someone in his position consider?
While every case is different, a few themes came up repeatedly in the responses. First, it's important to distinguish between temporary cash flow needs and long-term sustainability. With large guaranteed income kicking in at 70, his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/07/46297527/who-actually-retires-with-2-5-million-the-number-is-shockingly-small-are-you-on-track-or-falling-behind">portfolio really only needs to bridge</a> the next 8 years. That changes the risk calculus.
See Also: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die."<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/warren-buffet-make-money-when-you-sleep"> Here&#8217;s how you can earn passive income with just $10.</a>
Second, expenses matter more than asset totals. At $200,000 per year, his current lifestyle is aggressive, but that figure may drop once the car loan is gone, the kids move out, and Medicare kicks in.
Third, flexibility is underrated. Several users pointed out that even if the market dips or expenses rise, he has backup options: rental income, consulting work, even downsizing later. Retirement doesn't have to be a one-way door.
And finally, there's the psychological factor. If the job is draining and he's financially close, then working one more year might buy a bit more peace of mind—but it also costs a year of time he says he no longer enjoys spending.
Ultimately, nobody on Bogleheads gave him a yes or no. But with the numbers on his side and the stress of the job piling up, it sounds like his mind is already leaning toward that Sonoma sunset.
Read Next: Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/5mil-nest-egg-adv">The percentage may shock you</a>.
Image: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

I'm 62, Have $2.65 Million Saved, And Pay $500 Rent In The Bay Area — Can I Afford To Retire From My $225K Tech Job?

The All-Star Comedy Roast of the early 2000s was the stage for a memorable face-off between basketball icon Shaquille O&#8217;Neal and comedian Jimmy Kimmel.
The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7quU4RLkiA">event</a>, renowned for its no-holds-barred humor, saw Kimmel taking shots at all attendees, including O&#8217;Neal. 
Kimmel&#8217;s roast was filled with risqué genital jokes, some of which were directed at O&#8217;Neal. &#8220;I once walked in on Shaq in the steam room — his d— was so big I thought it was Muggsy Bogues in a fur hat,&#8221; Kimmel humorously remarked.
Kimmel didn&#8217;t stop at that, he also took aim at O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s ventures outside the basketball court, including his attempts at music and acting. &#8220;Seriously, what&#8217;s with the rapping? You can barely speak,&#8221; he said. 
&#8220;As bad as Shaq&#8217;s free throw shooting is, anyone who thinks that&#8217;s the worst part of his game has obviously never heard him rap,&#8221; he jested. 
Regardless of O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s platinum album, Kimmel didn&#8217;t pull any punches, even taking a dig at his speaking abilities.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/25/04/45027895/why-shaq-wont-share-his-500-million-fortune-with-his-kids-we-aint-rich-im-rich-im-not-going-to-hand-it-to-you-you-gotta-earn-it">Why Shaq Won&#8217;t Share His $500 Million Fortune With His Kids: &#8216;We Ain&#8217;t Rich. I&#8217;m Rich. I&#8217;m Not Going to Hand It to You, You Gotta Earn It&#8217;</a>
O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s acting career was also not spared from Kimmel&#8217;s roasting. &#8220;People&nbsp;forget how bad his acting&nbsp;is,&#8221; Kimmel stated, alluding to O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s roles in movies like &#8220;Blue Chips,&#8221; &#8220;Kazaam,&#8221; and &#8220;Steel&#8221;.
Despite the roast, O&#8217;Neal, renowned for his quick wit, took the jabs in good humor. He has since participated in roasts himself, including one for Justin Bieber in 2015. 
This event serves as a reminder of the camaraderie and humor that exists off the court, even among the biggest names in the sports and entertainment industry. 
It also highlights the multifaceted talents and ventures of athletes like O&#8217;Neal, who have made their mark not only in sports, but also in music, acting, and comedy.
Read Next
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Entertainment

Shaquille O'Neal Once Got Roasted By Jimmy Kimmel: 'What's With The Rapping? You Can Barely Speak' — And Yes, It's Even Worse Than His Free Throws

President Donald Trump has declared a 15% tariff trade deal with the European Union (EU), putting an end to several months of trade uncertainty with the U.S.&#8217;s biggest trade partner.
What Happened: The tariff rate is a significant drop from the 30% Trump threatened on July 12 and the 20% he proposed on April 2. Trump stated that the EU will not impose a tariff on U.S. imports, describing the deal as &#8220;satisfactory to both sides.&#8221;
According to the report <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/us-european-union-trade-deal-tariff-rate-fifteen-percent-rcna218380">by </a>NBC News, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, echoed Trump&#8217;s sentiment, stating that the pact will bring stability and predictability, which are crucial for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.
Despite the agreement, Trump confirmed that the&nbsp;50% tariffs on steel would&nbsp;remain unchanged. He also hinted at the possibility of further tariffs on pharmaceutical products, a sector where Ireland is a significant source. Trump has previously threatened 200% tariffs on such goods.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46382323/private-credit-market-sees-opportunity-amid-donald-trumps-tariff-policies-moodys-reports">Private Credit Market Sees Opportunity Amid Donald Trump&#8217;s Tariff Policies, Moody&#8217;s Reports</a>
As part of the agreement, Trump stated that the EU will purchase $750 billion worth of energy from the U.S. and invest $600 billion into the country. 
The EU nations will also be purchasing a significant amount of military equipment, though the exact amount is yet to be determined.
The agreement mirrors a recent trade deal with Japan, where&nbsp;Japanese imports will face a&nbsp;15% import duty. However,&nbsp;last year, the average U.S.&nbsp;tariff on imports from the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;was just 1.2%, according to&nbsp;Capital Economics&#8217; chief Europe economist.
Why It Matters: This agreement marks a significant shift in the U.S.-EU trade relations, which have been marked by uncertainty and tension in recent months. 
The reduced tariff rate and the EU&#8217;s commitment to purchase energy and invest in the U.S. could potentially boost the U.S. economy. 
However, the unchanged tariffs on steel and potential tariffs on pharmaceutical products could pose challenges to certain sectors. The impact of this agreement on the global trade dynamics remains to be seen.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44448948/scaramucci-slams-trump-advises-eu-to-counter-levies-with-zero-tariff-strategy">Scaramucci Slams Trump, Advises EU to Counter Levies With Zero-Tariff Strategy</a>

Politics

Donald Trump Announces 15% Tariff Trade Agreement With EU, Ending Months Of Trade Uncertainty

Born out of breakthrough research at the City University of Hong Kong, i2Cool&nbsp;is redefining the future of sustainable cooling. Founded by leading professors and young scientists from the School of Energy and Environment, the company transforms cutting-edge science—featured in top journals like Science—into real-world solutions. Its core technology, based on passive radiative cooling, enables electricity-free temperature reduction of up to 42°C using advanced nanomaterials.
From rooftops to textiles and automotive surfaces, i2Cool's coatings and films are already making an impact in nearly 30 countries. With a growing portfolio of zero-energy cooling products, i2Cool is helping cities, industries, and communities around the world move toward a cooler, greener, and carbon-neutral future.
Recently Benzinga&nbsp;spoke with Prof. Martin Zhu, Co-Founder and CEO of i2Cool, the trailblazing company behind electricity-free cooling technology that's making waves across more than 20 countries.
With a Ph.D. in Energy and Environment from City University of Hong Kong, Prof. Zhu stands at the intersection of cutting-edge research, climate innovation, and entrepreneurial impact.
Under his leadership, i2Cool has not only secured over HK$140 million in funding, but has also delivered real-world solutions—ranging from cooling skyscrapers and city buses to empowering underserved communities through social initiatives.
Here's an excerpt from our conversation with Prof. Zhu, where he discusses how i2Cool is redefining passive cooling, scaling globally, and driving climate resilience through deep-tech innovation and community-centered leadership.
The i2Cool has gained traction in 20+ countries across a range of applications. What is your strategic roadmap for expanding further into high-growth regions such as Southeast Asia, Africa, and LATAM?
We started with demonstration projects in Hong Kong, since being based there made it easier to access building owners and run pilot tests. As a cooling technology developed in the lab, we initially had no direct links to industry players. So our strategy was to prove the concept through local casework, collect reliable performance data, and then partner with distributors who already have strong connections in key sectors.
We're now replicating this model in regions like Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Our first projects in the UAE included high-profile sites such as Dubai Mall and the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. These pilots allowed us to gather precise data showing how much energy can be saved and how significantly we can reduce surface temperatures.
With that data, we engage local distributors who understand the ecosystem and have access to industries such as construction, logistics, cold chain, and container infrastructure. These partners play a key role in promoting our technology within their networks, helping us scale in each market.
Because we didn't come from an industrial background, our focus has always been to build trust and credibility through results. By thinking globally but acting locally, and aligning with each region's market standards and expectations, we've been able to bring our lab-born solution to real-world applications across different countries.
You've successfully collaborated with government bodies and research institutions. How do you evaluate which partnerships to pursue—particularly when it comes to scaling R&amp;D or advancing regulatory adoption?
In the beginning, our material was still at the lab stage and hadn't been tested in real-world environments, which are very different from controlled lab conditions. The first actual application came through a pilot project supported by the Hong Kong government, in a government building near the airport. That project gave us valuable data—on durability, resistance to water droplets, dust, and other real-world factors. It also helped us fine-tune the material and formula to make the product more practical for field use.
This government-led trial was critical, as it validated the technology and gave us a performance reference for the broader market. After that, we gradually expanded to commercial projects—working with developers, shopping malls, and private buildings. So our journey has been step-by-step: from lab, to public sector validation, and then into the private market.
With origins in academic research and journal publications like Science, how did you bridge the gap between lab innovation and scalable commercial products? What were the key inflection points along the way?
Scaling up from lab to factory was one of the biggest challenges we faced. In the lab, we work with small-scale tools like beakers and stirrers, and use high-purity materials under ideal conditions. But in a factory setting, the equipment is much larger and the raw materials come from industrial suppliers, where quality can vary. We had to spend over three months fine-tuning the equipment parameters and testing different material sources to ensure we could replicate the lab results at scale.
Another major challenge was balancing performance and cost. In theory, achieving 99.9% reflectivity or emissivity would offer the best results, but doing so requires extremely high-grade materials, which can drive up the cost by 10 times. That's not always viable for the market. So we had to find the right formula that could deliver strong performance while remaining cost-effective.
In the end, the key was balance—between lab precision and industrial reality, and between optimal performance and market feasibility.
How is i2Cool aligning its long-term corporate strategy with global sustainability goals, such as Net Zero 2050 and ESG mandates?
In the short term, we focus on producing and selling final products—like coatings, films for buildings, and textiles for the B2C market—to prove the concept and demonstrate the value of our technology in real-world projects. This helps us collect data and build trust with customers.
But in the long run, our goal is to shift towards a platform model. We aim to produce only the core nanoparticle concentrate, which can be supplied to various manufacturers—paint, film, or fiber makers—who can then integrate our i2Cool technology as an additive into their own products. This would allow us to scale through established players in mature industries.
Ultimately, we want to focus on the technology itself and enable wide adoption across sectors. Given how quickly this industry evolves, we believe manufacturers are increasingly open to adopting innovative materials like ours into their existing product lines.
What emerging technologies or materials are in your pipeline that you believe will define the next phase of electricity-free cooling solutions? 
Currently, our product offers a single function: electricity-free cooling during summer by reflecting sunlight and emitting heat. But we're developing a second version that adapts to ambient temperature. In winter, the material will shift to a darker color to absorb solar energy and help warm indoor spaces. In summer, it returns to a lighter color to enable passive cooling. This version would be ideal for regions with seasonal variations, such as high-altitude countries.
We&#8217;ve also observed that in humid regions like Southeast Asia, especially during rainy days, the cooling performance drops because water vapor blocks thermal emission. To address this, we&#8217;re working on a new research direction—harvesting kinetic energy from raindrops to generate electricity.
In the future, our technology will offer dual functionality: passive cooling on sunny days and power generation on rainy days, making it suitable for diverse climates and conditions.
Given the wide range of use cases—from PV panels to textiles—how do you strike a balance between product customization and the need for scalable manufacturing?
Yes, it requires extensive trial work and strong quality control in the factory. Any time we switch to a lower-cost material or change suppliers, we must assess how it affects product performance. That's why we're building a systematic method to evaluate and verify the effectiveness of our technology.
For any startup aiming to strike the right balance between performance, cost, and market acceptance, it&#8217;s essential to first understand what the market needs and what level of performance is considered &#8220;good enough.&#8221; Defining those standards early on is key to scaling successfully.
How does customer feedback from real-world deployments—such as logistics operations in the UAE or public housing projects in Hong Kong—inform your product iteration process? 
Different customers have different expectations, largely shaped by their local climate conditions. For example, in the UAE's hot and dry climate, we initially expected our cooling material to reduce indoor temperatures by 3–5°C, similar to our Hong Kong trials. But in our first UAE project at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, it actually reduced temperatures by over 10°C—well beyond our expectations.
However, we soon discovered a new challenge: the extreme temperature difference between day and night in desert climates caused thermal expansion, which led to material cracking. While the cooling performance was excellent, the material's durability wasn't suitable for those conditions. So we returned to the lab and modified the formulation to improve elongation and resistance to thermal stress.
This experience showed us that every market has unique expectations and environmental demands. To succeed globally, we must start from the end-user's needs and continuously adapt the technology to local conditions and customer behavior.
With offerings like i2Coating, i2Film, and i2Membrane, is there a long-term plan to bundle or integrate these into a full-stack thermal management system for buildings or infrastructure?
Yeah, you raised a very good point because we have a lot of products and a lot of new things. Currently, our focus is on buildings and outdoor equipment in urban areas. But as we develop our ceramic-based solutions, we&#8217;re expanding into city infrastructure. In some large-scale projects in Hong Kong, we applied our material to expansive rooftop areas and found that not only did the buildings cool significantly, but the surrounding air temperature also dropped by 0.5 to 1°C.
This suggests that wide-scale application across urban infrastructure can help cool entire communities, contributing meaningfully to global climate goals—like the UN's target of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C. Even a 0.5°C local reduction can have a major impact on mitigating the urban heat island effect and improving public thermal comfort.
That's why we're now pushing ceramic materials into public infrastructure. In parallel, we're also developing B2C products—like textiles, clothing, umbrellas, and other daily-use items—to empower individuals, not just institutions. We want our cooling technology to reach every part of the community, blending both ‘hardware' like buildings and infrastructure, and ‘software'—the people who live there.
I recently experienced the heatwave in Paris firsthand, and it was strikingly similar to what we see in Hong Kong. As extreme heat events become more common, even in high-altitude countries, we believe our technology has a role to play globally—not only for cities and industries, but for everyday people seeking relief from rising temperatures.
i2Cool integrates electricity-free cooling technology with traditional materials such as paint and textiles. How do you think this innovation will reshape the role of these materials in industries like construction and automotive? 
Our material is versatile and not limited to premium applications like buildings. While we&#8217;ve started with infrastructure projects to demonstrate clear cooling benefits, our broader goal is to scale the technology across diverse, accessible use cases. That's why we've begun integrating our core cooling nanoparticles into different substrates—like textiles—enabling B2C products for everyday use.
This shift builds on what we've learned from large-scale urban projects and is part of our strategy to move from niche adoption to widespread impact. We're also collaborating with research teams beyond our base at City University of Hong Kong, including Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the University of Virginia, to test and adapt the technology for various climates.
Our mission goes beyond commercial rollout—we aim to foster a global ecosystem for green innovation. By working with universities, industries, and other partners, we hope to contribute to the wider climate solution through scalable, inclusive, and sustainable technologies.
How is i2Cool adapting its electricity-free cooling technology for the automotive sector, and what impact has it shown in real-world vehicle&nbsp;applications?
The i2Cool's electricity-free cooling technology is being adapted for the automotive sector through its i2Coating Auto and i2Film Auto product lines. These target vehicle bodies, windows, and wheel hubs, offering high solar reflectance, durability, and temperature reduction. The powder coating for wheel hubs reduces surface temperature by 10–18°C, while other coatings lower interior temperatures by up to 10°C.
i2Film Auto provides up to 94% mid-infrared emissivity with UV protection and transparency, suitable for all vehicle types—from passenger cars to RVs and service vehicles. Real-world trials show strong results: Hong Kong's Citybus retrofit saw a 4.6°C cabin drop and 26% energy savings; in mainland China, vehicles recorded cooling up to 10°C.
These results highlight the broad potential of i2Cool's solutions in the mobility&nbsp;sector.

'At i2Cool, We're Building A Global Ecosystem For A Green, Sustainable Future—Not Just Selling Technology,' Says Prof. Zhu

According to a recent poll conducted by the Wall Street Journal, a significant skepticism among Americans towards President Donald Trump&#8216;s tax-and-spending law. 
What Happened: The <a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-wsj-poll-tax-bill-support-ee51c67e?mod=hp_lead_pos2">poll</a>, which ran from July 16 to July 20, 2025, indicates that the law has only 42% support, with 52% opposition. The negative sentiment is particularly strong among Democrats, with 94% expressing disapproval. 
Additionally, 12% of Republicans and 54% of independents also oppose the law. A significant 70% of respondents believe the law will favor the wealthy, while a mere 7% think it will negatively impact this group.
The tax law is perceived as favoring the wealthy and large corporations, potentially to the detriment of the less fortunate and the federal budget.
Expectations are high that the legislation will negatively affect the poor,&nbsp;the working class, Social Security&nbsp;beneficiaries, the U.S. economy, Medicaid&nbsp;recipients, nutrition-assistance recipients,&nbsp;and the federal budget deficit.&nbsp;The Congressional Budget Office projects that the law will&nbsp;increase budget deficits by $3.4&nbsp;trillion through 2034.
Despite the skepticism, Republicans maintain their confidence in the law&#8217;s potential benefits for Americans. They emphasize its provisions for border security, energy production, and tax cuts. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46648712/independent-voters-approval-rating-of-donald-trump-plummets-latest-poll-indicates">Independent Voters&#8217; Approval Rating Of Donald Trump Plummets, Latest Poll Indicates</a>
They argue that Democrats effectively voted for tax increases by opposing the tax-cut extensions. Public opinion on the legislation&#8217;s impact is mixed, providing opportunities for both parties to shape perceptions. 
The poll also reveals potential avenues for Republicans to promote the law, with new tax cuts, including Trump&#8217;s &#8220;no tax on tips&#8221; policy, receiving strong support.
Conversely, Democrats view the law as a key issue for the upcoming midterm elections and are planning events to highlight its perceived downsides. They believe that a successful outreach over the next 15 months could lead to a rejection of the Republican majority.
Why It Matters: The mixed public opinion on the tax-and-spending law underscores the political divide in the country. The law&#8217;s perceived favoritism towards the wealthy and corporations could potentially influence the upcoming midterm elections, with Democrats planning to leverage this sentiment. 
Meanwhile, Republicans are banking on the law&#8217;s tax cuts and other provisions to sway public opinion in their favor. The next 15 months will be crucial in shaping the political landscape, as both parties vie for public support.
Read Next
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Public Opinion Divided Over Donald Trump's Tax-And-Spending Law, New Poll Reveals

According to a report, a 12-foot sculpture of&nbsp;Elon Musk&#8216;s head has been popping up in various national parks across the U.S. this summer, bearing a political message.
What Happened: The giant Musk head has been sighted at Yosemite, Arches, and Mt. Rainier National Parks, stirring up attention and online debates.
The anonymous individual behind this spectacle <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/travel/mysterious-giant-elon-musk-head-travels-americas-national-parks-saying-make-america-wait-again">told </a>Fox News that the sculpture serves as &#8220;part protest, part performance art.&#8221; 
The aim is to shed light on the recent layoffs and budget cuts across the National Park Service. The phrase &#8220;Make America Wait Again&#8221; etched on the sculpture is a play on President Donald Trump&#8216;s slogan, but the organizer clarified that it doesn&#8217;t target any specific political side.
A Michigan-based artist crafted the lifelike sculpture, complete with Musk&#8217;s characteristic smirk. The organizer chose to stay anonymous, stating,&nbsp;&#8220;It's not important who I&nbsp;am. It's about what this&nbsp;statue represents.&#8221;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46266380/ex-trump-lawyer-sent-this-message-to-elon-musk-after-feud-with-donald-trump-erupted">Ex-Trump Lawyer Sent This Message To Elon Musk After Feud With Donald Trump Erupted</a>
The images of the Musk sculpture have gone viral on Reddit, with the creator acknowledging&nbsp;the risks of such a&nbsp;public display but emphasizing the importance of the message it carries.
The giant Musk head is scheduled to appear in more parks, but the organizer has kept the details confidential.
Why It Matters: This unusual form of protest highlights the ongoing issues faced by the National Park Service due to budget cuts and layoffs. 
By using a sculpture of Elon Musk, a prominent figure known for his innovative ideas and disruptive approach, the organizer is drawing attention to these issues in a unique and impactful way. 
The viral nature of this spectacle on social media platforms like Reddit further amplifies the reach of its message. 
The organizer&#8217;s decision to remain anonymous puts the focus on the message rather than the messenger, emphasizing the importance of addressing the challenges faced by the National Park Service.
Read Next
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Elon Musk's Giant Head Sculpture Makes Surprise Appearances In National Parks Saying 'Make America Wait Again'

The rich people view money differently from everyone else. They regularly invest money and let their cash grow over time. There's more to becoming rich and wealthy than saving money. You also have to put it in the right places to build your nest egg.
Financial personality Humphrey Yang recently explained a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@humphreytalks/video/7528489378839104798?lang=en">key trait</a> that sets rich people apart.
"They would rather have their money work for them," he said.
While rich people often enjoy work, these same people want to make more money from investments than from their salaries. Yang outlined how you can do the same.
Don't Miss:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>7,000+ investors have joined Timeplast's mission to eliminate microplastics—now it's your turn to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/timeplast-advertorial">invest in the future of sustainable plastic before time runs out.</a></li>
<li>$100k+ in investable assets? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/wiseradvisor-retirement-planning">Match with a fiduciary advisor for free to learn how you can maximize your retirement and save on taxes</a> – no cost, no obligation.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Power Of Compound Interest</h2>
Yang explains that when your investment grows, the returns you generate fuel additional growth thanks to compound interest. If you invest $1,000 and earn 10% per year, you earn $100 at the end of the first year. Your $1,000 would then turn into $1,100.
However, if you maintain a 10% annualized return, your portfolio won't go from $1,100 to $1,200. Since you started with a $1,100 balance, you will now gain $110, resulting in a $1,210 portfolio.&nbsp;
Applying this same model with larger numbers demonstrates how quickly your portfolio can grow over time. For instance, a 10% return on a $1 million portfolio nets you an additional $100,000. That's a higher return than the average salary. It's possible for your investments to outearn you on the side, but you have to grow your portfolio over time to reach this point.
Trending: Accredited Investors: Grab Pre-IPO Shares of the AI Company Powering Hasbro, Sephora &amp; MGM—<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">Just $0.63 Before NASDAQ Launch</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prudent Financial Management Goes A Long Way</h2>
Compound interest won't do much if you only have a $1 portfolio. You won't see it go from $1 to $10 in your lifetime if you rely on 10% annualized growth. That's why it is important to monitor your finances, trim your expenses, and put everything you save into assets that can multiply your wealth.
If you get a 100% return on $1,000, you end up with $2,000. However, getting a 10% return on $1 million results in an extra $100,000. It's nice to get high percentage returns, but those gains won't do much good if you have a small portfolio.
The great thing is that the more money you put into your portfolio, the easier it is to reach new milestones. Getting the first million is the hardest part, but it then becomes much easier to reach $2 million. Jumping from $2 million to $3 million is much easier than jumping from $1 million to $2 million. It's even easier to go from $9 million to $10 million compared to the other jumps mentioned earlier. Wealth compounds on itself and makes every milestone easier to achieve.
See Also: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die."<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/warren-buffet-make-money-when-you-sleep"> Here&#8217;s how you can earn passive income with just $10.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Don't Stash Your Money In A Savings Account</h2>
Most rich people do not stash their money in savings accounts due to their low returns. Not only is interest low on these accounts, but interest is also treated as ordinary income for tax purposes.&nbsp;
You can earn a much higher long-term return if you put the money into index funds, real estate, and other assets. Index funds are easier to manage since you just have to put money into a fund, and the manager handles the rest.
It's still good to have some money in a high-yield savings account to cover emergency expenses. It's a common recommendation to keep up to six months of living expenses in an emergency savings account. Once you reach this threshold, it may be a good idea to put any remaining cash into investments.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.
Image: Shutterstock

Rich People Don't Keep Their Cash Here—And Humphrey Yang Explains Why

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino&nbsp;has expressed deep concern over the discoveries of government corruption and weaponization, assuring that ongoing investigations are being conducted strictly by the law.
What Happened:&nbsp;Bongino has revealed shocking information about government corruption that has left him deeply unsettled.
Bongino did not disclose the specifics of his findings, but confirmed that investigations into these matters are currently in progress and are being conducted in full compliance with the law.
&#8220;What I have learned in the course of our properly predicated and necessary investigations into these aforementioned matters, has shocked me down to my core,&#8221; Bongino said in a post on X.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">During my tenure here as the Deputy Director of the FBI, I have repeatedly relayed to you that things are happening that might not be immediately visible, but they are happening.  The Director and I are committed to stamping out public corruption and the political weaponization…
&mdash; Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDDBongino/status/1949125573055332672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Despite not providing&nbsp;a timeline for when the&nbsp;public might be informed about these findings, Bongino emphasized that significant developments are taking place behind the scenes, even though his public visibility has reduced since his podcast days.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46382248/jeffrey-epstein-case-ex-trump-white-house-lawyer-says-pam-bondi-isnt-going-anywhere-amid-power-struggle">Jeffrey Epstein Case: Ex-Trump White House Lawyer Says Pam Bondi Isn&#8217;t Going Anywhere Amid Power Struggle</a>
&#8220;We&nbsp;are going to conduct these&nbsp;righteous and proper investigations by&nbsp;the book and in accordance&nbsp;with the law,&#8221; he reassured in the post, promising a dignified and honest pursuit of truth.
"We are going to get the answers WE ALL DESERVE. As with any investigation, I cannot predict where it will land, but I can promise you an honest and dignified effort at truth. Not ‘my truth,' or ‘your truth,' but THE TRUTH," he added further in the post. 
Why It Matters:&nbsp;The revelations by Deputy Director Bongino underscore the seriousness of the corruption issues within the government. These findings, while disturbing, are crucial in ensuring transparency and accountability in the government. 
The ongoing investigations, conducted in strict adherence to the law, are a testament to the FBI&#8217;s commitment to upholding justice. 
While the specifics of the corruption and weaponization issues remain undisclosed, the public can expect to be informed in due course as the investigations progress. 
Bongino&#8217;s assurance of conducting these investigations &#8220;by the book&#8221; reinforces the FBI&#8217;s dedication to a fair and lawful pursuit of truth.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46383724/trump-stands-by-attorney-general-amid-jeffrey-epstein-controversy-let-pam-bondi-do-her-job-shes-great">Trump Stands by Attorney General Amid Jeffrey Epstein Controversy: &#8216;Let Pam Bondi Do Her Job — She&#8217;s Great&#8217;</a>
Image: Shutterstock/Christopher Halloran

Dan Bongino Stunned by FBI's Recent Corruption Findings: 'I'll Never Be the Same After Learning What I've Learned'

A former CIA officer has debunked claims made by&nbsp;Director of National Intelligence Tulsi&nbsp;Gabbard. Gabbard had previously accused the Obama administration of manipulating Russian intelligence to undermine Trump&#8217;s 2016 election victory.
What Happened:&nbsp;According to a report, Susan Miller, a CIA veteran, dismissed Gabbard&#8217;s allegations. 
Miller, who was part of the team that compiled the 2019 Mueller report, said in an interview with CNN, &#8220;We&nbsp;definitely had the intel to&nbsp;show with high probability that&nbsp;the specific goal of the&nbsp;Russians was to get Trump&nbsp;elected.&#8221;
As <a href="https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/skc/date/2025-07-25/segment/01">per</a> the report, Miller further clarified that during the investigation, they were only directed to &#8220;look at the data&#8221; and no one influenced the conclusions of the report. She added that if&nbsp;there had been any pressure,&nbsp;she and her team would have resigned.
"What Tulsi is saying is we only want to hear anything that's pro-Trump, pro-Trump policy, pro-this, pro-current Republican Party, from any of our intel services. And if we hear anything that's not that? Then we're going to come after you," Miller added. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43758634/mary-trump-warns-dni-gabbard-could-lead-to-catastrophic-outcome-a-known-russian-asset-defender-of-murderous-dictator-assad">Mary Trump Warns DNI Gabbard Could Lead To &#8216;Catastrophic Outcome&#8217;: &#8216;A Known Russian Asset,&#8217; Defender of &#8216;Murderous Dictator&#8217; Assad</a>
"We looked at everything, and we're being now told that we somehow did it wrong," she continued. 
On July 18, Gabbard released a report&nbsp;claiming that the Obama administration&nbsp;had fabricated the &#8220;Russia hoax,&#8221; labeling it a &#8220;treasonous conspiracy.&#8221; Despite criticism from former President Obama and others, Gabbard has continued to stand by her claims.
Miller&#8217;s statements contradict Gabbard&#8217;s &#8220;evidence,&#8221; aligning with a&nbsp;bipartisan 2020 Senate Intelligence Committee&nbsp;report that also concluded Russia had attempted to influence the 2016 presidential election in Trump&#8217;s favor.
Why It Matters: This development adds a new layer to the ongoing debate over Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. 
Gabbard&#8217;s allegations against the Obama administration had stirred controversy, with her report being heavily criticized by several political figures, including former President Obama. 
Miller&#8217;s refutation of Gabbard&#8217;s claims, backed by the&nbsp;2020 Senate Intelligence Committee report, challenges the validity of Gabbard&#8217;s accusations and reiterates the conclusion that Russia did attempt to influence the election in Trump&#8217;s favor.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46042298/trump-publicly-contradicts-dni-gabbards-claim-that-iran-lacks-nuclear-capabilities-shes-wrong">Trump Publicly Contradicts DNI Gabbard&#8217;s Claim That Iran Lacks Nuclear Capabilities: &#8216;She&#8217;s Wrong&#8217;</a>
Image: Shutterstock/Maxim Elramsisy

Ex-CIA Officer Refutes Gabbard's Claim Against Obama: 'We Had Intel To Show That Specific Goal of Russians Was To Get Trump Elected'

A recent episode of &#8220;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVJJUc2oiHY">The Ramsey Show</a>&#8221; sparked frustration and sympathy after a caller revealed she was accidentally overpaid $48,000 by her employer—and now, nearly a year later, the company wants the full amount returned.
Rachel from Nashville said she and her husband had taken Dave Ramsey&#8216;s course last fall and were making major progress <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-pay-off-debt">paying down debt</a>. But in October, her large corporate employer made a huge payroll error, mistakenly paying her $48,000 in gross income she wasn't owed.
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The conversation that followed was somewhat confusing for both the hosts and the caller, as they tried to sort through the tangled details. One YouTube viewer summed up the chaotic conversation with a comment that captured the mood: &#8220;This conversation was worse than a tooth extraction.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tax Confusion And Delays Made It Worse</h2>
&#8220;I told them before it hit my bank account,&#8221; she explained. &#8220;Unfortunately, it was too far gone at that point.&#8221;
She said the net amount she received was $28,000 after taxes. Only about $3,300 of that was her actual paycheck. And even though she flagged the mistake immediately, it took the company 10 months to send her a repayment letter.
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Because the issue crossed into a new tax year, the employer is now asking her to repay the full gross amount, including $23,000 in taxes that were already sent to the IRS.
&#8220;It was taxed in my 2024 tax return,&#8221; she said, adding that the tax hit came out of pocket. To make things more confusing, the employer is offering to deduct 15% of her future paychecks until the debt is repaid.
Ramsey broke it down directly: &#8220;You don't pay more than what you actually owe.&#8221;
He explained that she should only repay what she physically received – about $24,000, after accounting for her real paycheck –&nbsp; and the rest should come back from the IRS once her taxes are corrected.
&#8220;You paid $23,000 more in taxes than you should have,&#8221; Ramsey said. &#8220;You should get all of that back.&#8221;
See Also: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die."<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/warren-buffet-make-money-when-you-sleep"> Here&#8217;s how you can earn passive income with just $10.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The IRS Will Likely Have To Return The Tax Overpayment</h2>
Ramsey told her to have the company file an amended W-2 and to make sure her tax preparer files an amended return, so she can recover the $23,000 she never should have paid.
&#8220;If your CPA doesn&#8217;t know how to do that, get a new CPA,&#8221; he said. &#8220;This is not rocket science.&#8221;
Co-host Ken Coleman criticized the company for taking so long to fix its mistake: &#8220;A big company that has all the resources in the world to fix this, and they didn&#8217;t fix it quickly. Hate that for her, but it is fixable.&#8221;
Ramsey said that in his own business, if they accidentally overpay someone a few thousand dollars, they often just let it go. &#8220;You know what we do? Eat it. Just keep the money. We&#8217;re so stupid. We did this. We&#8217;re going to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/pay-taxes-with-credit-card">pay the stupid tax</a> and we&#8217;re going to fix it. &#8220;
Read Next: Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they&#8217;re on pace —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-do-i-calculate-my-retirement-income-adv"> here&#8217;s a breakdown on what&#8217;s behind this formula.</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Dave Ramsey Caller Was Overpaid $48,000 By Her Employer. Now They Want It Back—'This Conversation Was Worse Than A Tooth Extraction'

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