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HBT Finl

HBT Financial Inc provides a comprehensive suite of business, commercial, wealth management, and retail banking products and services to individuals, businesses, and municipal entities throughout Central and Northeastern Illinois and Eastern Iowa. It operates through one reportable segment: community banking.

HBT Financial Inc

Horizon Funds Horizon Expedition Plus ETF

Listed Funds Trust Fortuna Hedged Bitcoin Fund

Huobi BTC

Macro Economic Events

News

Econ #s

Economics

Reported Earlier, Australia Unemployment Rate For March 4.1% Vs. 4.2% Est.; 4.0% (Revised) Prior

Reported Earlier, Australia Full Employment Change For March 15.0K Vs. -43.9K (Revised) Prior

Reported Earlier, Australia Employment Change For March 32.2K Vs. 39.8K Est.; -57.5K (Revised) Prior

BBJP

WisdomTree Trust Japan Total Dividend Fund

Reported Earlier, Japan Trade Balance For March 544.1B Vs. 485.3B Est.; 590.5B (Revised) Prior

Reported Earlier, Japan Exports (YoY) For March 3.9% Vs. 4.5% Est.; 11.4% Prior

Reported Earlier, Japan Adjusted Trade Balance -0.23T Vs. -0.25T Est.; 0.19T (Revised) Prior

Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) defied the standstill in other large-cap cryptocurrencies on Wednesday following the impressive launch of its exchange-traded fund in Canada.
What happened: The sixth-largest digital asset by market capitalization spiked nearly 3% in the last 24 hours, outgaining higher-valued coins such as Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), and XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>).
Solana's trading volume soared 32.76% to $4.37 billion, making it the fifth-most transacted cryptocurrency in the last 24 hours.
Speculative interest in the coin has also increased, with more than half of Binance traders with an open contract betting on SOL&#8217;s price increase, <a href="https://www.coinglass.com/currencies/SOL">according</a> to Coinglass.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44621245/gold-backed-cryptos-match-yellow-metals-highs-following-trumps-liberation-day-shock"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44831018/cathie-wood-declares-financial-services-revolution-after-data-shows-decentralized-finance-surpassing-traditional-banking-system">Cathie Wood Calls It &#8216;Financial Services Revolution&#8217; After Ark Analyst Highlights DeFi&#8217;s Dominance Over Traditional Banking System</a>
Why It Matters: The positive sentiment followed the debut of the 3iQ Solana Staking ETF on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the shares of which closed 3.40% higher at $10.34 on Wednesday.
Backed by Anthony Scaramucci-managed Skybridge Capital, among other notable investors, the ETF exposes investors to the price moves of SOL while also generating passive rewards through staking.
Notably, Ark Invest, the investment firm <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44855538/cathie-woods-crypto-shuffle-pours-5-2-million-into-newly-listed-solana-staking-fund-dumps-bitcoin-etf-and-buys-robinhood-dip">led by well-known investor</a> Cathie Wood, purchased 500,000 shares of the ETF.
It's worth remembering that Ark is a known investor in cryptocurrencies, with its focus on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43200287/cathie-wood-was-asked-if-she-would-buy-trump-coin-heres-what-she-said">&nbsp;&#8220;Big Three,&#8221;</a> namely, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.
While U.S. regulators <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44850735/solana-price-falls-but-holds-key-support-as-canadian-etf-approval-institutional-buying-offer-support">have yet to approve any Solana ETFs</a>, asset managers including VanEck, Bitwise, and Grayscale have filed applications. 
As of this writing, Grayscale operates its Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GBTC#NYSE">GBTC</a>) and Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETHE#NYSE">ETHE</a>) on Wall Street. Visit <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings</a> to check out their latest momentum and growth-related metrics.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Solana traded at $129.81, up 2.89% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. Year-to-date, the cryptocurrency was down 30%.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44832008/peter-schiff-says-since-trump-was-elected-bitcoin-advocates-took-a-180-turn-on-us-economy-but-critics-say-economist-mistaken">Peter Schiff Says Since Trump Was Elected Bitcoin Advocates Took A 180 Turn On US Economy, But Critics Say Economist Mistaken</a></li>
</ul>

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

Cryptocurrency

Markets

$BTC

$ETH

$SOL

$XRP

ETHE

GBTC

Solana Breaks Free From Bitcoin, Ethereum Lag After Cathie Wood's Ark Invest Accumulates New SOL Staking ETF

On Wednesday, Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) responded to a national security investigation, defending its compliance with U.S. export rules following the escalated restrictions on AI chip sales to China.
What Happened: In a statement issued on Wednesday, the company addressed a House Select Committee's inquiry into the sale of its H20 processors, which recently became <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44835247/nvidias-reported-failure-to-inform-chinese-clients-on-new-chip-restrictions-could-give-huawei-a-strategic-edge">subject to new export restrictions</a>, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/16/nvidia-follows-export-laws-to-the-letter-after-china-chip-sales-end.html">reported</a> CNBC.
&#8220;The U.S. government instructs American businesses on what they can sell and where — we follow the government's directions to the letter,&#8221; an Nvidia representative stated.
This statement came a day after the company warned it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44830406/nvidia-to-take-55-billion-hit-over-china-chip-export-restrictions-but-top-analyst-dan-ives-says-hes-not-overly-concerned-all-part-of-the-high-game-of-poker">could face a $5.5 billion financial hit</a> due to the canceled H20 chip orders, which the government has now classified as requiring a license for export to China.
Nvidia's H20 chips were previously legal for export to China under the Joe Biden administration's rules, but are now under stricter restrictions.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44855693/intel-stock-down-nearly-47-in-the-past-year-reportedly-joins-nvidia-in-facing-export-hurdles-to-china-as-us-implements-new-ai-chip-licensing-requirements">Intel Shares Have Dropped 47% In The Past Year, Now Chipmaker Faces China AI Chip Curbs Just Like Nvidia Amid Trade Tensions</a>
Why It's Important: Some of Nvidia's processors were reportedly used by China's DeepSeek to develop the R1 model.
On Wednesday, the company highlighted its contributions to the U.S. economy, including tax payments, domestic workforce, and leadership in technological innovation.
Nvidia also argued that its exports play a role in reducing the U.S. trade deficit — a point it raised in response to President Donald Trump's justification for implementing new tariffs.
On the same day, Bank of America analyst Vivek Arya stated that although the new restrictions on H20 chip exports to China are unfavorable, they were mostly expected and represent only a "manageable risk" to Nvidia's revenue projections.
The firm reaffirmed its positive outlook on Nvidia, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44844084/nvidias-h20-chip-ban-could-lead-to-manageable-sales-drop-bank-of-america-says">keeping a Buy rating</a> and a price target of $160, suggesting a potential 42.6% increase from Tuesday's closing price of $112.20.
Price Action: Nvidia's stock declined 7.06% on Wednesday, extending a broader slide that has resulted in a year-to-date drop of approximately 24.45%. Over the past 12 months, however, the stock has gained 19.53%, based on <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
According to Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings, Nvidia currently boasts a growth score of 94.79%. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Click here to see how it stacks up against</a> other leading chipmakers.
Photo Courtesy: Evolf on Shutterstock.com
Read More:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/44735140/most-people-dont-have-the-balls-to-do-it-says-mark-cuban-praising-musk-for-going-all-in-with-his-own-money-f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘Most People Don't Have The Balls To Do It,' Says Mark Cuban, Praising Musk For Going ‘All In' With His Own Money For His Startups</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Tech

General

NVDA

Nvidia Says It Follows US Government Instructions On What It Can Sell And Where Amid Trade War Escalation With China

Fartcoin continued to outpace legacy meme coins like Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) and Shiba Inu, registering rallies that defied market trends.
What happened: The Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)-based cryptocurrency spiked over 4% to become the most successful meme coin in the last 24 hours.
In fact, Fartcoin was the most purchased token by smart money investors, as highlighted by the on-chain tracking platform Stalkchain.
The humorously named cryptocurrency has emerged as the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44821838/fartcoin-continues-to-run-rings-around-dogecoin-shiba-inu-rallies-57-in-7-days"> king of meme coins</a>, rising 194% in a month marked by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/44804881/bitcoin-ethereum-steady-dogecoin-falls-even-as-trumps-tariff-reprieve-boosts-stocks-analyst-says-82024-btc-level-worth-watching-closely">tariff-induced fear</a> and market decline. Just for context, meme giants such as Dogecoin and Shiba Inu fell by more than 7% within the same period.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FARTCOIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FARTCOIN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FartCoinOfSOL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FartCoinOfSOL</a> is the most bought token by smart money in the last 24 hours <a href="https://t.co/zMX8wkuCZ2">pic.twitter.com/zMX8wkuCZ2</a>
&mdash; Stalkchain (@StalkHQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/StalkHQ/status/1912642164019912778?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Popcat, the cat-themed meme coin, came in second, with a 1.33% gain over the previous day, while Shiba Inu rose 1.01% to bag the third spot.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 10:15 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fartcoin (FARTCOIN)</td>
<td>+4.14%</td>
<td>$0.8799</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Popcat (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">POPCAT</a>)</td>
<td>+1.33%</td>
<td>$0.2396</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>)</td>
<td>+1.01%</td>
<td>$0.00001184</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44621245/gold-backed-cryptos-match-yellow-metals-highs-following-trumps-liberation-day-shock"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44831018/cathie-wood-declares-financial-services-revolution-after-data-shows-decentralized-finance-surpassing-traditional-banking-system">Cathie Wood Calls It &#8216;Financial Services Revolution&#8217; After Ark Analyst Highlights DeFi&#8217;s Dominance Over Traditional Banking System</a>
On the other hand, Dogecoin, the world&#8217;s largest meme coin by market value, exhibited sideways movement in the last 24 hours.
The broader meme coin sector also drifted horizontally, registering a market capitalization gain of 0.13%.
The cryptocurrency market <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/44855681/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-steady-amid-stock-meltdown-as-fed-chair-jerome-powell-signals-crypto-rules-relaxation-popular-analyst-identifies-key-support-level-for-eth">held up well Wednesday</a>, even as equities witnessed sharp sell-offs following tariff-fueled inflation concerns raised by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
Photo Courtesy: Akif CUBUK on Shutterstock.com
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44832008/peter-schiff-says-since-trump-was-elected-bitcoin-advocates-took-a-180-turn-on-us-economy-but-critics-say-economist-mistaken">Peter Schiff Says Since Trump Was Elected Bitcoin Advocates Took A 180 Turn On US Economy, But Critics Say Economist Mistaken</a></li>
</ul>

Movers

Trading Ideas

$DOGE

$POPCAT

$SHIB

DOGE

MSTR

MTPLF

Fartcoin Gets The Better Of Dogecoin, Shiba Inu Again, Becomes Most Bought Token By 'Smart Money'

The stock market experienced significant declines on Wednesday as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44850992/stocks-sink-as-powell-dismisses-fed-put-safety-net-gold-extends-massive-lead-over-nasdaq">addressed economic concerns</a>. The S&amp;P 500 fell 2.2% to 5,275.70 points, while the Nasdaq dropped 3% to 16,307.16. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.7% to 39,669.39. The tech sector faced substantial losses, with semiconductor companies particularly affected by new export restrictions.
These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day:
Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>)
Palantir shares decreased by 5.78%, closing at $92.71. The stock reached an intraday high of $97.30 and a low of $89.62, with a 52-week range between $125.41 and $20.33. The decline came as Powell&#8217;s remarks on tariffs and economic slowdown concerns <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/44852162/whats-going-on-with-palantir-shares-wednesday">weighed</a> on the tech sector. 
Hertz Global Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HTZ#NASDAQ">HTZ</a>)
Hertz shares soared by 56.44%, closing at $5.71, with an intraday high of $5.77 and a low of $4.06. The stock&#8217;s 52-week range is $6.65 to $2.47. The surge followed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44838080/hertz-global-stock-soars-after-pershing-square-hops-in-passenger-seat-whats-going-on">Pershing Square&#8217;s significant stake</a>&nbsp;in the company, as revealed in an amended 13F filing.
Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>)
Netflix saw a 1.50% decline, closing at $961.63. The stock hit an intraday high of $981.21 and a low of $949.17, with a 52-week range of $1,064.50 to $542.01. Investors are eyeing Netflix&#8217;s upcoming&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/25/04/44848932/netflix-q1-earnings-preview-no-subscriber-figures-experts-see-shares-as-safer-haven-in-this-tariff-war-environment">earnings report</a>&nbsp;for guidance amid the tariff war environment.
Prologis Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLD#NYSE">PLD</a>)
Prologis shares rose by 1.84%, closing at $100.29. The stock reached an intraday high of $101.91 and a low of $97.98, with a 52-week range of $132.57 to $85.35. The increase followed the company&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44837972/prologis-beats-q1-ffo-estimate-same-store-noi-up-6-2-y-y-more">strong first-quarter earnings</a> report, which exceeded expectations. Prologis president Dan Letter said that the company signed leases totaling 58 million square feet and expanded capacity to support growing demand for data centers.
Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)
Tesla shares fell by 4.94%, closing at $241.55. The stock&#8217;s intraday high was $251.97, with a low of $233.89, and a 52-week range of $488.54 to $138.80. Investors are eagerly awaiting Tesla&#8217;s upcoming <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44845458/tesla-top-10-shareholder-questions-investors-want-answers-on-fsd-cybercab-tariffs-brand-damage-and-more">shareholder meeting</a> for updates on key issues. Shareholders will demand answers on self-driving, Cybercab, tariffs and brand damage.
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings for Netflix indicate Momentum at 95th percentile and Growth at 69th percentile. How does rival Disney fare? Find out by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">clicking here now</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 loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="799" height="98" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/16232323/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-12.22.55.png" alt="" class="wp-image-875553" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/16232323/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-12.22.55.png 799w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/16232323/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-12.22.55-300x37.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/16232323/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-12.22.55-768x94.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px" /></a></figure>
Prepare for the day&#8217;s trading <a href="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-admin/Premarket%20Movers%20&amp;%20News">with top premarket movers and news</a> by Benzinga.
Photo Courtesy: chayanuphol on Shutterstock.com
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44838457/how-to-trade-spy-and-top-tech-stocks-ahead-of-powells-speech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How To Trade SPY And Top Tech Stocks Ahead Of Powell&#8217;s Speech</a></li>
</ul>
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Equities

NFLX

PLTR

TSLA

Top 5 Trending Stocks: Palantir, Hertz, Netflix, Prologis, Tesla

China declared on Thursday that it would ignore the United States&#8217; &#8220;tariff numbers game,&#8221; responding to White House claims that Chinese goods face tariffs of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/04/44833903/gold-surges-above-3300-to-record-high-as-us-china-trade-war-escalates-with-245-tariff">up to 245% due to retaliatory actions</a>.
What Happened: The escalation follows President Donald Trump&#8216;s recent imposition of additional tariffs globally, which were rolled back for dozens of countries but maintained for China, according to a report by Reuters.
According to a White House fact sheet released Tuesday, China&#8217;s total duties include a 125% reciprocal tariff, a 20% tariff addressing the fentanyl crisis, and tariffs <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44831287/trump-administration-imposes-up-to-245-tariff-on-chinese-imports-amid-intensifying-trade-battle">between 7.5% and 100% on specific goods</a>.
Why It Matters: In response, Beijing increased its levies on U.S. imports and filed a new World Trade Organization complaint last week, alleging rule violations by Washington. China has not sought negotiations, maintaining that talks can only proceed based on &#8220;mutual respect and equality.&#8221;
China also unexpectedly replaced trade negotiator Wang Shouwen with Li Chenggang, its WTO envoy. The Trump administration has indicated openness to a trade deal but insists China must make the first move, stating that China needs &#8220;our money.&#8221;
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/04/44824856/retail-traders-rush-into-leveraged-tech-etfs-betting-on-nasdaq-rebound-after-sharp-drop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Retail Traders Rush Into Leveraged Tech ETFs, Betting On Nasdaq Rebound After Sharp Drop</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: Tomas Ragina on Shutterstock.com

Global

China Dismisses Trump's Tariff 'Numbers Game,' Files WTO Complaint: Talks Can Only Proceed Based On 'Mutual Respect'

U.S. stock futures posted modest gains on Wednesday night, recovering from a steep decline in the afternoon session following Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell&#8217;s latest comments on the market, tariffs, and inflation.
The S&amp;P 500 Futures are up 0.51% at 5,333, the Nasdaq Futures&nbsp;trade at 18,500, up 0.63%, and the&nbsp;Dow Jones&nbsp;is&nbsp;at 40,023, up 0.43%. This comes amid all three indices ending down in the spot market on Wednesday, by 2.24%, 3.07%, and 1.73%, respectively.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/04/44854372/gold-hits-new-record-highs-as-safe-haven-demand-climbs-2-ways-to-invest">Gold Hits New Record Highs As Safe-Haven Demand Climbs: 2 Ways To Invest</a>
Japan&#8217;s benchmark Nikkei 225 opened up 0.27% on Thursday morning, led once again by tech and export-linked stocks.
The U.S. Dollar Index is up 0.13% at the time of writing, after having slid by 0.70% following Fed Chair Jerome Powell&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44850992/stocks-sink-as-powell-dismisses-fed-put-safety-net-gold-extends-massive-lead-over-nasdaq">comments on the tariffs</a>, stating that it can lead to &#8220;higher inflation and slower growth&#8221; at the Economic Club of Chicago.
Oil prices witnessed a late rally on Wednesday, with Brent Crude Oil up 0.49%, now trading at $66.17 per barrel, and the U.S. West Texas Intermediate up by 0.67%. This comes after the U.S. Treasury Department decided to sanction a &#8220;teapot&#8221; refinery in China, Shandong Shengxing Chemical Co., for purchasing close to a billion dollars worth of crude oil from Iran, according to a report by Reuters.
With Washington restarting negotiations with Tehran on its nuclear program, the move is aimed at applying additional pressure. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, &#8220;Any refinery, company, or broker that chooses to purchase Iranian oil or facilitate Iran's oil trade places itself at serious risk&#8221; in a press release by the department.
Concerns of a tighter supply in the global markets led to a rally in the commodity, which has been reeling under pressure throughout this month owing to tariffs and growing recessionary concerns, <a href="https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/crude-oil%20">according</a> to TradingEconomics.
Besides this, the markets will be closely watching the earnings results of UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>), Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>), and American Express Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>) on Thursday.
Photo Courtesy: tadamichi on Shutterstock.com
Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/04/44854262/chipwrecked-nvidias-export-ban-triggers-etf-meltdown-and-one-big-winner">Chipwrecked: Nvidia&#8217;s Export Ban Triggers ETF Meltdown (And One Big Winner)</a>

Scott Bessent Warns Of 'Serious Risk' To Anyone Buying Iran Oil — Crude Moves Up, US Futures And Nikkei Post Modest Gains

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) has reportedly informed its Chinese clients last week that it will now require a license to export certain advanced artificial intelligence processors.
What Happened: The new restriction applies to chips with a total DRAM bandwidth of 1,400 gigabytes per second or more, or an I/O bandwidth of 1,100 GB per second, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/7935826a-ba3b-4f6b-a64d-b8167d5dc38e">reported</a> Financial Times.
The Gaudi series from Intel, similar to Nvidia Corporation&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) H20 processor, exceeds these thresholds and will be affected by the new rules.
The move comes a day after Nvidia warned it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44830406/nvidia-to-take-55-billion-hit-over-china-chip-export-restrictions-but-top-analyst-dan-ives-says-hes-not-overly-concerned-all-part-of-the-high-game-of-poker">could face a $5.5 billion hit</a> from similar export restrictions imposed by the U.S. government.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44778760/netflix-debuts-openai-backed-search-engine-that-lets-you-discover-movies-and-tv-shows-based-on-emotions-not-just-titles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Netflix Debuts OpenAI-Backed Search Engine That Lets You Discover Movies And TV Shows Based On Emotions, Not Just Titles</a>
Why It&#8217;s Important: The latest chip licensing rule marks a new escalation in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44806095/as-xi-jinping-urges-vietnam-to-stand-against-unilateral-bullying-trump-labels-the-meeting-a-plan-to-screw-the-united-states-of-america">ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions</a>. While the Donald Trump administration has paused reciprocal tariffs for several nations, it has simultaneously imposed higher duties on Chinese imports.
In response, China hit back over the weekend with retaliatory tariffs of up to 125% on U.S. goods.
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) disclosed in a Wednesday morning filing that new export restrictions on chips could lead to charges of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44844097/amd-flags-800-million-risk-from-new-us-chip-export-rules-as-china-tariffs-add-pressure">up to $800 million tied</a> to inventory and purchase commitments.
Meanwhile, ASML Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASML#NASDAQ">ASML</a>) released its first-quarter earnings on Wednesday, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44841356/chip-stocks-are-facing-selling-pressure-wednesday-heres-why">cautioning that rising tariffs</a> have added uncertainty to its outlook, potentially contributing to broader market weakness.
Price Action: Intel's shares fell by 3.12% on Wednesday, continuing a downward trend that has seen its stock drop nearly 47% in the past year. Year-to-date, Intel is down by 4.9%, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
AMD shares dropped 7.35% on Wednesday, while ASML and Nvidia fell 7.06% and 6.87%, respectively, reflecting broader pressure on the semiconductor sector.
Intel currently holds a growth score of 3.51%, according to Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Click here to see how it compares</a> with Nvidia, ASML, AMD, and other major players in the chip industry.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/INTC"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/16215202/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-7.21.54%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-875479" /></a></figure>
Read More:
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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/44735140/most-people-dont-have-the-balls-to-do-it-says-mark-cuban-praising-musk-for-going-all-in-with-his-own-money-f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘Most People Don&#8217;t Have The Balls To Do It,&#8217; Says Mark Cuban, Praising Musk For Going ‘All In&#8217; With His Own Money For His Startups</a></li>
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Photo Courtesy: Tada Images On Shutterstock.com
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Media

ASML

INTC

Intel Shares Have Dropped 47% In The Past Year, Now Chipmaker Faces China AI Chip Curbs Just Like Nvidia Amid Trade Tensions

Leading cryptocurrencies traded flat on Wednesday as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell&#8217;s positive comments regarding the industry.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>0.88%</td>
<td>$84,097.68</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-0.11%</td>
<td>$1,584.40</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+0.70%</td>
<td>$0.1548</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin reached a high of $85,428.28 in the afternoon but reversed sharply to $83,000, as trading volume dipped 1.28% in the last 24 hours.
Ethereum also had a choppy session, bouncing around $1,500, with the exception of a brief jump above $1,600.
Bitcoin&#8217;s market dominance increased to 63.1%, while Ethereum&#8217;s share fell to 7.2%.
Over $278 million was liquidated from the market in the last 24 hours, with bullish bets accounting for $160 million.
Bitcoin&#8217;s Open Interest dropped 0.13% in the last 24 hours, while the Long/Short Ratio on Binance indicated a higher percentage of traders positioned bullish on the apex cryptocurrency.
The market mood remained one of "Fear," according to the Crypto Fear and Greed Index.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Core (CORE)</td>
<td>15.67%</td>
<td>$0.609</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fartcoin (FARTCOIN)</td>
<td>11.80%</td>
<td>$0.9025</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Raydium (RAY)</td>
<td>11.54%</td>
<td>$2.29</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $2.65 trillion, following a marginal increase of 0.41% in the last 24 hours.
Stocks sold off sharply on Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 699.57 points, or 1.73%, to close at 39,669.39. The S&amp;P 500 lost 2.24%, ending at 5,275.70, while the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite retreated 3.07% to close at 16,307.16.
The market shuddered after Fed Chair Powell <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44848474/fed-chair-powell-says-tariffs-lead-to-temporary-rise-in-inflation">hinted at the growing risk of higher inflation and slower growth</a> due to President Donald Trump's tariffs.
The probability of interest rates remaining unchanged at next month&#8217;s central bank meeting rose to 83.1% from 81.4% the day before, <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">according </a>to the CME FedWatch tool.
In another development, Powell said that the U.S. was preparing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44850021/fed-chair-powell-says-crypto-and-banking-rules-will-loosen-as-sector-matures">to relax certain cryptocurrency and banking rules</a> and that the industry has matured and become more mainstream.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Popular on-chain analytics firm CryptoQuant noted that the pace of Bitcoin accumulation has reached a two-month low, while outflows have increased.
"Whale holdings fell by 30,000 BTC this week. Miner outflows hit 15,000 BTC on April 7 as margins sank to 33%. Accumulation is now at its lowest pace since February," CryptoQuant added.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Whale holdings fell by 30K BTC this week. Miner outflows hit 15K BTC on April 7 as margins sank to 33%. Accumulation is now at its lowest pace since February. <a href="https://t.co/3CcbzfO5x4">pic.twitter.com/3CcbzfO5x4</a>
&mdash; CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) <a href="https://twitter.com/cryptoquant_com/status/1912484962235752850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Amid Ethereum's stagnation, influential cryptocurrency analyst Ali Martinez identified levels of interest to watch for.
"$1,528.50 is a key support level for Ethereum, where 2.61 million addresses accumulated over 4.82 million $ETH," Martinez stated.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">$1,528.50 is a key support level for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ethereum?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ethereum</a>, where 2.61 million addresses accumulated over 4.82 million <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a>, as shown by on-chain data from <a href="https://twitter.com/intotheblock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@intotheblock</a>. <a href="https://t.co/HRnfADqqcR">pic.twitter.com/HRnfADqqcR</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1912567919533588523?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Photo Courtesy: Paopano On Shutterstock.com
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</ul>

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Steady Amid Stock Meltdown As Fed Chair Jerome Powell Signals Crypto Rules Relaxation: Popular Analyst Identifies Key Support Level For ETH

On Wednesday, Cathie Wood-led Ark Invest made significant trades, notably acquiring shares in Robinhood Markets Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>), ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKB#BATS">ARKB</a>), and 3iQ Solana Staking ETF.
The Robinhood Trade
Ark Invest&#8217;s flagship fund, ARK Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKK#NYSE">ARKK</a>), purchased 60,266 shares of Robinhood Markets Inc. on Wednesday. The trade, valued at approximately $2.45 million, was made as Robinhood&#8217;s stock <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44850529/whats-going-on-with-robinhood-markets-hood-stock-2">faced a sharp decline</a>. The stock closed at $40.66, down 7.76% on Wednesday following Powell&#8217;s remarks about inflation and trade tariffs, which spooked the market. Robinhood, heavily reliant on retail trading, is particularly sensitive to such market volatility. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44850529/whats-going-on-with-robinhood-markets-hood-stock-2">Robinhood&#8217;s user</a> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44850529/whats-going-on-with-robinhood-markets-hood-stock-2">base</a>, largely consisting of retail investors, may reduce trading activity in uncertain environments, adding pressure on the company&#8217;s performance.
The ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF Trade
In another notable move,  ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKW#NYSE">ARKW</a>) fund sold 31,817 shares of the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF. The ETF closed at $84.15, marking a slight increase of 0.38%. This trade, worth $2.7 million, comes as Bitcoin ETFs are showing signs of recovery after a challenging period. According to recent reports, Bitcoin ETFs <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44850800/bitcoin-holds-steady-as-etf-inflows-continue-and-state-reserve-efforts-face-setback">recorded $76.4 million</a> in net inflows, signaling a rebound after significant outflows. Over 24 hours, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) traded nearly 1% higher at $84,350.98.
The 3iQ Solana Staking ETF Trade
Ark Invest also made a significant purchase of 500,000 shares of the 3iQ Solana Staking ETF across its Ark Fintech Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKF#NYSE">ARKF</a>) and ARKW funds. SOLQ.U closed at $10.34 on Wednesday, making the Ark transaction worth $5.2 million. The ETF began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Wednesday, with its largest unitholders including Anthony Scaramucci founded and managed SkyBridge Capital. It invests in long-term holdings of Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>), which are bought from over-the-counter counterparties and aims to give investors &#8220;attractive staking rewards, according to a statement released by 3iQ, which calls itself the world&#8217;s first Digital Assets Managed Account Platform. Over a 24-hour period, Solana shot up over 5% to $132.08.
Other Key Trades:
<ul>
<li>Sold 234,788 shares of UiPath Inc from the ARKF fund.</li>
<li>Sold 9,610 shares of Repare Therapeutics Inc from the ARKG fund.</li>
<li>Sold 88 shares of Prime Medicine Inc from the ARKK fund.</li>
</ul>
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings show Robinhood Momentum in the 98th percentile and Growth in the 92nd percentile. Want to know how Interactive Brokers stacks up? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Click here</a> and find out.
<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 loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="793" height="100" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/16213737/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-10.37.14.png" alt="" class="wp-image-875468" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/16213737/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-10.37.14.png 793w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/16213737/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-10.37.14-300x38.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/16213737/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-10.37.14-768x97.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 793px) 100vw, 793px" /></a></figure>
Photo Courtesy: viewimage 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>

ETFs

ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF

ARKB

ARKF

ARKK

ARKW

HOOD

Cathie Wood's Crypto Shuffle: Pours $5.2 Million Into Newly Listed Solana Staking Fund, Dumps Bitcoin ETF And Buys Robinhood Dip

For someone who's made more money off the court than most athletes do in a lifetime, Shaquille O'Neal keeps his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/10/41561800/nba-legend-shaq-says-i-spent-a-million-dollars-in-30-minutes-on-a-major-spending-spree-then-a-ba">priorities remarkably grounded</a> — and personal.
In a <a href="https://x.com/DonHarris4/status/1909097974371656174">video posted last week</a> by veteran San Antonio sportscaster Don Harris, the NBA Hall of Famer revisited his old high school where his legend first started taking shape. "My favorite movie is Superman II, where he goes back to the North Pole or wherever he from and gets his power back," he said. "So every time I'm in San Antonio, I always come here."
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Driving through the streets where he grew up, Shaq reflected on the early days — when his biggest dream wasn't private jets or multi-million-dollar endorsements, but to make $800,000 a year, buy a modest house, a Mercedes, and a Jimmy Blazer. "By the time I got there," he admitted, "the money was just so enormous."
Shaq may have earned <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/lakers-legend-shaquille-oneal-blasts-todays-nba-i-dont-think-the-current-players-love-the-game">over $280 million during his NBA career</a> and gone on to invest in everything from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44207096/shaq-said-his-krispy-kreme-store-was-likely-burned-down-by-homeless-trying-to-stay-warm-im-not-gonna-be-putting-charges-on-homeless-people">Krispy Kreme</a> to real estate and his own Big Chicken restaurant chain. He's backed brands like Papa John's and Google, and built an empire with more than 50 business ventures over the years — but none of that, he says, matters more than the values his parents instilled.
Harris asked about his entrepreneurial drive. "That came from my dad," Shaq said. "He was great at telling me how great I was not." His father hammered home one warning: don't end up like the 67% of pro athletes who are broke within five years of retirement. "That wasn't going to be me."
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His mom and dad also shaped his character — and his approach to giving. His "Shaq-a-Clause" initiative, which gives away toys to thousands of children every Christmas, is just one of the ways he gives back. "Everything I've done that's been charitable, that's my mother and father."
But the viral moment came when Shaq explained what success actually feels like now: "If I can get a text from my mother that says ‘Good job, baby,' that's better than receiving a text that says, ‘Oh, you have gained $15 million interest off a company you bought.' Those texts mean nothing."
Shaq doesn't want to be remembered for the money or fame — just as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/43077262/nba-legend-shaq-spotted-a-young-man-buying-an-engagement-ring-in-zales-when-he-swooped-in-and-paid-for-it-tell-your-girlfriend-i-got-it">someone who made people smile</a>. "He was a nice guy," he said.
And for Shaq, that's the kind of legacy you can't measure in net worth.
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Personal Finance

NBA Icon Shaq Says A Text From His Mom Saying 'Good Job, Baby' Matters More To Him Than Making $15 Million Off A Business Deal

In a powerful 2007 USC commencement speech, Charlie Munger, late billionaire <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42976301/charlie-munger-said-his-family-only-owns-3-stocks-damn-right-theyre-rich-because-diversification-is-for-know-nothing-investors">investor and longtime vice chairman</a> of Berkshire Hathaway, shared a vital lesson on success, highlighting how Warren Buffett's lifelong commitment to learning was a key factor in the company's legendary growth.
What Happened: During his address, Munger stressed that success isn't solely determined by what one already knows but by the continuous pursuit of knowledge.
"You're going to advance in life by what you're going to learn after you leave here," Munger told the graduates.
He used his own experience and that of Buffett as prime examples of the power of learning.&nbsp;
"If you take Berkshire Hathaway, which is certainly one of the best-regarded corporations in the world, and it may have the best long-term investment record in the entire history of civilization, the skill that got Berkshire through one decade would not have sufficed to get it through the next decade with the achievements made," Munger said.
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"Without Warren Buffett being a learning machine, a continuous learning machine, the record would have been absolutely impossible. The same is true at lower walks of life," he added.
He further credited Buffett's ability to continuously learn and adapt to new challenges as integral to the company's success.
Munger shared a telling example of Buffett's relentless drive for learning, saying, "I would say half of all the time that [Buffett] spends is just sitting on his a&#x2A;&#x2A; and reading, and a big chunk of the rest of the time is spent talking one-on-one, either on the telephone or personally, with highly gifted people whom he trusts and who trust him."&nbsp;
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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Charlie Munger Commencement Address - USC" width="500" height="375" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5U0TE4oqj24?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
</figure>
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Why It&#8217;s Important: Buffett and Munger first crossed paths in 1959, introduced by a mutual acquaintance in Omaha. At the time, Munger was working as a lawyer, but their conversation that day marked the beginning of something far more significant.
They quickly recognized a shared intellectual chemistry and similar views on investing — a foundation that would go on to shape the future of Berkshire Hathaway.
Munger played a key role in guiding Buffett away from simply buying undervalued companies toward investing in exceptional businesses with long-term potential.
Buffett, in turn, deeply valued Munger's clarity of thought and often credited him with influencing Berkshire's evolution.
For over six decades, their relationship remained grounded in mutual respect. They didn't try to outshine one another — they made each other better.
Munger <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44571776/charlie-munger-lived-to-99-and-refused-to-give-up-his-favorite-soda-im-sure-diet-coke-shortens-my-life-a-little-but-i-dont-give-a-damn">passed away on Nov. 28, 2023</a>, just a month shy of his 100th birthday. Buffett paid tribute to Munger in his first annual letter to shareholders following Munger's passing, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/02/37300646/berkshire-hathaways-q4-operating-earnings-surge-28-warren-buffet-pays-touching-tribute-to-late-char">calling him the &#8220;architect&#8221; behind</a> much of the company&#8217;s success.
"Charlie never sought to take credit for his role as creator but instead let me take the bows and receive the accolades. In a way, his relationship with me was part older brother, part loving father," he wrote. "Even when he knew he was right, he gave me the reins, and when I blundered he never – never – reminded me of my mistake."
Photo Courtesy: Kent Sievers on Shutterstock.com
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with&nbsp;the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was&nbsp;reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Charlie Munger Once Said Warren Buffett Is A 'Learning Machine' And That's What Lies Beneath Berkshire Hathaway's Success From One Decade To Another

The Trump administration has requested that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to strip Harvard University of its tax-exempt status. This request was made on Wednesday, following a suggestion by President Donald Trump.
What Happened: The inquiry was directed to Andrew De Mello, the IRS's acting chief counsel, by the Treasury Department. This move comes after Trump criticized Harvard on Truth Social, questioning its adherence to public interest criteria required for tax-exempt entities, <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5252915-irs-asked-to-revoke-harvards-tax-exempt-status/">reported</a> The Hill.
Trump wrote on his social network on Tuesday, &#8220;Perhaps Harvard should lose its Tax Exempt Status and be Taxed as a Political Entity if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness?'" 
Tax exemption is typically granted to non-profit and educational institutions that meet government standards, but they must refrain from political activities. The IRS holds the sole authority to review and revoke such statuses, traditionally without presidential influence.
The action is part of ongoing tensions between Harvard and the Republican administration, stemming from the university&#8217;s refusal to comply with certain federal funding conditions.&nbsp;Steve Rosenthal, a&nbsp;senior fellow at the Tax&nbsp;Policy Center, emphasized that the IRS should enforce tax laws impartially, not engage in political retribution.
See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44816653/canada-eases-retaliatory-tariffs-on-us-goods-as-trade-tensions-thaw-under-softer-trump-stance-stocks-react" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canada Eases Retaliatory Tariffs On US Goods As Trade Tensions Thaw Under Softer Trump Stance: Stocks React</a>
Why It Matters: The Trump administration&#8217;s request to revoke Harvard&#8217;s tax-exempt status is the latest in a series of confrontations between the university and the federal government. 
Earlier this month, the administration <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44804541/trump-administration-halts-2-2-billion-in-harvard-grants-after-university-says-dont-dictate-what-we-can-teach-or-who-we-admit">halted $2.2 billion</a> in grants to Harvard after the university refused to comply with demands to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and to screen international students for ideological concerns. 
This refusal has put nearly $9 billion in federal funding at risk. The White House has issued similar threats to other prestigious institutions, including Columbia, Cornell, and Northwestern, indicating a broader strategy to influence educational policies at major universities.
In related developments, Trump appointed Gary Shapley as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44829763/trump-to-reportedly-appoint-hunter-biden-whisteblower-gary-shapley-as-acting-irs-commissioner-hell-be-a-great-asset">acting IRS commissioner</a> on Tuesday, amid significant staff changes within the agency.
Photo Courtesy: Paul Brady Photography via 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>

Politics

Trump Administration Asks IRS To Revoke Harvard's Tax-Exempt Status After President Accuses Ivy League University Of Pushing 'Sickness'

Dave Ramsey is a bestselling author who created the baby steps formula for getting out of debt. It's helped many people, including one person in the Dave Ramsey subreddit. A Redditor shared her experience of <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/DaveRamsey/comments/1jvo0f9/were_debt_free/">becoming debt-free</a> and paying off $37,900 in less than three years.
"My husband and I started our baby steps journey in November 2023," the 23-year-old wife explained.&nbsp;
Most of the debt was for student loans and vehicle loans. However, the couple paid off their obligations by following Ramsey's advice. The Redditor detailed how the couple got out of debt and their new goal after getting out of debt.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Path To Becoming Debt-Free</h2>
Everyone has a different path to becoming debt-free, but all of those stories involve financial discipline. The couple practiced good money habits that helped them make significant progress with paying off their debt.&nbsp;
One of the key factors was the husband going from a $70,000 salary to making $120,000 per year as a contractor in the same profession. Striving to pay off debt as quickly as possible can inspire people to grow their careers faster. That seemed to be the case for the husband, and the wife took notice.
"He busted his butt enough for the past month that we were able to pay off the remaining $10,000 of our debt and it feels like we are set up so much better going forward," she explained.&nbsp;
Trending: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Couple's New Financial Goals&nbsp;</h2>
The young couple has good momentum after paying off significant debt, but they have two new financial goals. The couple's first goal is to pour money into their emergency fund until it reaches $36,000. The wife explained that they pay $6,000 per month in living expenses and want to save at least six months of living expenses.
She explained that her union is planning to strike in 2026, and they want to save extra money beforehand. The wife earns $90,000 per year. While a strike would impact her finances, the couple has put themselves in a better financial position. After getting to $36,000, the couple will make slower contributions to their emergency savings account until they reach $50,000.
The wife also said she is excited to pay off the mortgage early. They have a $590,000 balance, but it should get trimmed quicker in subsequent years. That's because the couple had been focusing on their $37,900 in other financial obligations. Now, that same money can be redirected toward the mortgage.
See Also: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.60 per share now</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Couple Has A Bright Future</h2>
Some commenters pointed out that the couple has made a lot of progress while they are still young. Having financial discipline and getting out of debt at a young age establishes a high ceiling. The couple seems likely to maintain their good money habits, and that can help them pay off the entire mortgage sooner than anticipated.
The couple can continue to explore more career opportunities and grow their earnings since they are both in their early 20s. They are putting themselves in a good position to raise a large family if they desire. In the meantime, they are capitalizing on the lower overhead of having no kids by paying off a lot of debt.&nbsp;
The wife also said that they are putting more money into their 401(k) plans, which can set themselves up for a good retirement. It goes to show how much success people can achieve if they build some initial momentum and start practicing good financial habits.
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A Couple Shares How Dave Ramsey Helped Them Pay Off $37,900 In Debt: 'My Husband And I Started Our Baby Steps Journey In November 2023'

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