Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) experienced a 5% surge following a tweet by Elon Musk on X. This has sparked fresh speculations about the imminent payments service on Musk&#8217;s social app.



What Happened: Musk&#8217;s Friday post, which featured a screenshot of podcaster Joe Rogan&#8217;s X profile, triggered the increase in Dogecoin&#8217;s price. 



The post displayed a unique dollar icon, different from the app&#8217;s tipping service, leading to speculations that it could be related to the anticipated X Payments service.



<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">Have to say that <a href="https://twitter.com/joerogan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@joerogan</a>'s profile description is awesome &#x1f602; <a href="https://t.co/6Z8hUAQIBj">pic.twitter.com/6Z8hUAQIBj</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1859930496278368525?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Musk responded to the speculation with a simple &#8220;true&#8221;, further fueling the rumors. Dogecoin&#8217;s price has historically been influenced by payment-related news from any of Musk&#8217;s ventures, including X, formerly known as Twitter.



<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">True&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1860003103518732614?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



There are speculations that once the service is live, it might support transactions with digital assets like DOGE, given Musk&#8217;s known fondness for the token. 



Musk&#8217;s electric car company, already accepts DOGE payments for certain merchandise purchases in its online store.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/08/40429878/dogecoins-active-users-on-the-rise-will-this-impact-doge-price">Dogecoin&#8217;s Active Users On The Rise, Will This Impact DOGE Price?</a>



Over the past 24 hours, DOGE has advanced 6.16% and at the time of writing it was trading at $0.4332, outperforming the stagnant Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) prices. The token has risen 190% over the past month, trading at its highest level since May 2021.



Why It Matters: The surge in Dogecoin&#8217;s price following Musk&#8217;s tweet is significant as it highlights the influence Musk has over the cryptocurrency market. 



His tweet sparked speculations about the forthcoming X Payments service, which could potentially support transactions with digital assets like DOGE. 



This is particularly noteworthy given Musk&#8217;s known fondness for the token and the fact that his electric car company, Tesla Inc., already accepts DOGE payments for certain merchandise purchases. 



The rise in DOGE&#8217;s price also outperformed the stagnant bitcoin prices, indicating a growing interest in alternative cryptocurrencies.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38478483/crypto-analyst-predicts-this-altcoin-will-explode-260-in-2024-and-its-not-dogecoin-or-shib" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crypto Analyst Predicts This Altcoin Will Explode 260% In 2024, And It's Not Dogecoin Or Shiba Inu</a>

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Musk Tweet Sparks Dogecoin Surge, Fuels Speculation On X Payments

Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), a moderate who lost her House seat this month, has been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">selected by President-elect Donald Trump</a> to lead the Labor Department in his new term.



Trump praised Chavez-DeRemer, who first won her seat with just 51% of the vote in 2022 and lost it by a two-point margin this year, for her work with both business and labor groups to support American workers, The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/22/business/economy/labor-secretary-lori-chavez-deremer-trump.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.



Following Trump&#8217;s announcement, National Education Association President Becky Pringle acknowledged Chavez-DeRemer&#8217;s legislative record in the House, per a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-labor-secretary-lori-chavezderemer-feaa4672efac644aa60722d3a3215df1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a> from AP News.



However, Pringle indicated that educators and working families would closely monitor the confirmation process and hoped Chavez-DeRemer would commit to supporting workers and students.



Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42151529/chamath-palihapitiyas-suggestion-for-donald-trump-make-paying-taxes-simple-and-enforcement" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chamath Palihapitiya&#8217;s Suggestion For Donald Trump: &#8216;Make Paying Taxes Simple And Enforcement…&#8217;</a>



Though not a major figure in labor politics, Chavez-DeRemer garnered significant union support during her campaign. She shared endorsements with her Democratic opponent, Janelle Bynum, earning the backing of groups like the Teamsters, firefighters, and ironworkers.



House Speaker Mike Johnson, who spoke at one of Chavez-DeRemer&#8217;s rallies, remarked that she received more union endorsements than any Republican he had ever seen, The New York Times added.



While labor leaders criticized Trump&#8217;s labor policies during his first term, Chavez-DeRemer&#8217;s selection was praised by some in the labor movement. Sean O&#8217;Brien, president of the Teamsters, who had been in contact with Trump throughout the campaign, called her appointment a step toward creating more union jobs. Chavez-DeRemer, whose father was a Teamster, has emphasized her work on the fentanyl crisis and law enforcement during her campaign.



As labor secretary, Chavez-DeRemer will face the challenge of possibly reversing Biden-era policies, which focused on expanding worker protections, including new overtime eligibility and protections for gig workers.



Under Trump, it&#8217;s expected that many of these measures could be rolled back, alongside stricter enforcement of child labor laws and worker classification regulations, per The New York Times.



The Labor Department&#8217;s approach to immigrant workers and workplace safety could also shift, reflecting the broader policy changes anticipated under a second Trump term.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42131911/donald-trump-appointed-doge-to-have-marginal-impact-saving-50-100-billion-says-analyst-as-elon-musk-aims-to-target-500-billion-plus-in-federal-expenditures?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump's DOGE Initiative To Have ‘Marginal Impact' Says Analyst As Elon Musk Aims To Target Over $500B In Federal Expenditures</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Image: Wikimedia Commons

Politics

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Trump Taps Teamsters-Backed Chavez-DeRemer For Labor

Despite widespread anticipation that NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)'s quarterly results would dictate Wall Street's year-end trajectory, the stock market delivered a robust weekly rebound — even in the absence <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NVDA/news">of its AI darling.</a>



While the semiconductor titan beat analyst expectations on both earnings and revenue for the third quarter, Nvidia's stock remained flat for the week.



Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>)(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>), the parent company of Google, faced sharp turbulence. Shares tumbled after the U.S. Department of Justice called for the divestiture of Chrome in a bid to curb Google's dominance in search and digital advertising.



The sell-off wiped out over $120 billion in market capitalization on Thursday alone.



A <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/42140450/doj-targets-google-chrome-poll-shows-64-oppose-alphabet-breakup-youtube-seen-as-top-prize">recent Benzinga poll indicates</a> 64% of respondents oppose breaking up Alphabet, with YouTube viewed as the company's most valuable asset.



On the economic front, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/11/42141413/us-business-activity-soars-to-31-month-highs-in-november-small-caps-rally-dow-tops-44000">U.S. private sector activity expanded significantly</a> in November, as reflected in S&amp;P Global's Purchasing Managers' Index surveys. The services sector, in particular, surged at its fastest pace since March 2022, while price pressures continued to recede, creating less headwinds for the Federal Reserve.



Bitcoin&#8217;s (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) rally shows no signs of cooling, with the cryptocurrency notching its fourth consecutive week of gains and hovering around the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42130693/bitcoins-path-to-100k-inevitable-but-leverage-to-the-gills-warns-mike-novogratz-predicts-80k-correction-ahead">historic $100,000 threshold.</a>



The U.S. dollar also maintained its upward momentum, rising for the eighth straight week to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/24/11/42138717/dollar-hits-2-year-highs-as-europes-recession-signals-spark-euro-pound-sell-offs">reach two-year highs.</a> This latest rally, however, stemmed largely from external turmoil, as escalating geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine, coupled with worsening economic momentum in Europe, triggered sharp weekly sell-offs in the euro and the British pound.



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">You might have missed…</h1>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Trump Backs Drilling</h1>



President-elect Donald Trump advocates for increased fossil fuel production with his &#8220;drill, baby, drill&#8221; policy. In contrast, Elon Musk, co-leader of the proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), envisions a future dominated by solar energy. UBS analysts recommend investors consider renewable energy stocks following their <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/42130859/as-trump-backs-drill-baby-drill-his-doge-co-lead-elon-musk-believes-all-energy-generation-will-be-solar-heres-what-ubs-recommends-after-election-dip">election-induced market dip.</a>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Trump Crypto Clarity</h1>



Cathie Wood of Ark Invest anticipates the Trump administration will provide regulatory clarity for Bitcoin and other digital assets, potentially incorporating them into <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42136536/ark-invests-cathie-wood-says-team-trump-would-give-regulatory-clarity-for-bitcoin-and-other-digital-assets-which-they-may-put-in-the-treasurys-strategic-reserve">the Treasury&#8217;s strategic reserve</a>.



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">GM Eyes F1</h1>



General Motors (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) is reportedly preparing to enter Formula One in 2026, potentially partnering with Andretti Autosport. This move would mark GM&#8217;s first foray into F1, aligning with its global <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42135392/general-motors-gears-up-for-potential-f1-entry-in-2026-report">motorsport expansion strategy.</a>



Read Now:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/11/42137929/2025-us-economy-outlook-cloudier-than-normal-jpmorgan-says-boom-bust-scenarios">2025 US Economy Outlook &#8216;Cloudier Than Normal,&#8217; JPMorgan Says: Boom, Bust Scenarios</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Shutterstock

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Forex

Global

Economics

Tech

GOOG

GOOGL

NVDA

Wall Street Rebounds Without Its AI Darling's Boost, King Dollar Maintains Dominance While Bitcoin Defies Gravity: This Week In The Markets

Benzinga examined the prospects for<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas"> many investors&#8217; favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here&#8217;s a look at some of our top stories.



The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained around 2% this week, with the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq each rising approximately 1.7%. Despite NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) surpassing analysts&#8217; expectations for Q3 earnings and revenue, its stock traded flat, leaving the market&#8217;s rebound to unfold independently of its AI momentum. 



Meanwhile, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) faced a steep decline after the DOJ pushed for Chrome&#8217;s divestiture, erasing over $120 billion in market cap on Thursday. 



On the economic side, November saw strong U.S. private sector growth, with S&amp;P Global&#8217;s PMI showing the services sector expanding at its fastest rate since March 2022, while inflation pressures eased, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/42148498/wall-street-rebounds-without-its-ai-darlings-boost-king-dollar-maintains-dominance-while-bitcoin-defies-gravity-this-week-in-the-markets">aiding the Fed&#8217;s outlook.</a>



Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week&#8217;s most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Bulls</h3>



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42072727/exclusive-bitcoin-advocate-anthony-pompliano-says-coinbase-is-similar-to-apple-has-something-that-cant-be-bought">EXCLUSIVE: Bitcoin Advocate Anthony Pompliano Says Coinbase Is Similar To Apple, &#8216;Has Something That Can&#8217;t Be Bought&#8217;</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a>, features Anthony Pompliano comparing Coinbase Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), emphasizing its trust and brand power as a leading crypto platform attracting new investors during a pro-crypto administration.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42097462/dogecoin-millionaire-shares-50-million-meme-coin-strategy-for-2025-pepe-brett-are-this-bull-runs-doge-shiba-inu">Dogecoin Millionaire Shares $50 Million Meme Coin Strategy For 2025: Pepe, Brett Are This Bull Run&#8217;s DOGE, Shiba Inu</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/khyathi-dalal">Khyathi Dalal</a>, details Glauber Contessoto&#8216;s diversified $50 million investment strategy for 2025. The strategy predicts that Pepe (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">PEPE</a>) and Brett (CRYPTO: BRT) will dominate the next bull market, following the success patterns of Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) and Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>).



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42102652/michael-saylors-microstrategy-takes-wall-street-by-storm-becomes-second-most-traded-stock-after-nvidia">Michael Saylor&#8217;s MicroStrategy Takes Wall Street By Storm, Becomes Second-Most Traded Stock After Nvidia</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/aniket-verma">Aniket Verma</a>, highlights MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) surpassing trading volumes of Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and Apple Inc., finishing second to NVIDIA Corp. after a surge in Bitcoin-related (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) market interest.



For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42082542/supermicro-computer-shares-soar-32-as-it-avoids-nasdaq-delisting-but-analysts-are-not-convinced-heres-whats-coming-next-for-smci">Super Micro Computer Shares Soar 32% As It Avoids Getting Booted Off Nasdaq, But Analysts Are Not Convinced: Here&#8217;s What&#8217;s Coming Next For SMCI</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/11/42047265/gamestop-adds-nat-turner-to-board-does-the-move-show-bigger-bet-on-trading-cards-grading">GameStop Adds Nat Turner To Board: Does The Move Show Bigger Bet On Trading Cards, Grading?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/42096407/microsoft-one-of-the-most-compelling-investment-opportunities-says-goldman-sachs">Microsoft &#8216;One Of The Most Compelling Investment Opportunities,&#8217; Says Goldman Sachs</a>



The Bears



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/11/42094649/nvidia-stock-historically-drops-in-december-after-q3-earnings">Nvidia Stock Historically Drops In December After Q3 Earnings</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/piero-cingari">Piero Cingari</a>, highlights that NVIDIA Corp. has historically struggled in December, with an average 1.84% decline and only 40% of Decembers closing positive since 2014, despite strong Q3 earnings. 



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/24/11/42094958/netflix-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-streaming-crashes-during-jake-paul-mike-tyson-fight">Netflix Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over Streaming Crashes During Jake Paul, Mike Tyson Fight</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a>, reports on Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) facing legal action for technical issues during the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match, which attracted over 108 million viewers, making it the most-streamed sporting event ever but resulting in service disruptions that sparked subscriber lawsuits.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42097477/muddy-waters-carson-block-is-betting-against-elf-beauty-short-seller-believes-company-is-overstating-revenue-earnings-major-red-flag">Muddy Waters&#8217; Carson Block Bets Against E.L.F. Beauty: Short Seller Says Retailer&#8217;s Financials Show &#8216;Major Red Flag&#8217;</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/adam-eckert">Adam Eckert</a>, details Carson Block&#8216;s short position against e.l.f. Beauty Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELF#NYSE">ELF</a>), alleging inflated revenues of $135-$190 million over three quarters, citing discrepancies between reported growth and U.S. Customs import data.



For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42097545/feds-bowman-warns-on-inflation-risks-signals-neutral-rate-may-be-closer">Fed&#8217;s Bowman Warns On Inflation, Says Neutral Interest Rates May Be Closer &#8216;Than We Currently Think&#8217;</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/42085436/target-q3-earnings-supply-chain-chaos-hits-bottomline-slashes-annual-profit-outlook-stock-tanks">Target Q3 Earnings: Supply Chain Chaos Hits Bottomline, Slashes Annual Profit Outlook, Stock Tanks</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/42127938/bitcoin-analyst-warns-of-4-6-flash-crashes-before-year-end-as-it-inches-closer-to-100k-thats-the-moment-altcoins-shoot-off">Bitcoin Analyst Warns Of &#8216;4-6 Flash Crashes&#8217; Before Year-End As It Inches Closer To $100K: That&#8217;s The Moment Altcoins &#8216;Shoot Off&#8217;</a>



Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following<a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga"> Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga"> on Twitter</a>.

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Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Coinbase, MicroStrategy, Nvidia, e.l.f. Beauty - And Dogecoin Millionaire Predicts 2025 Meme Kings

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">UPS Pays $45 Million Fine For Improperly Valuing Its Worst-Performing Business&nbsp;</h2>



The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on Friday that it <a href="https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2024-184">settled charges</a> against United Parcel Service Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UPS#NYSE">UPS</a>) for materially misrepresenting its earnings because it failed to follow generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) when valuing one of its worst performing businesses.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The SEC found that UPS did not record a goodwill impairment for its UPS Freight business division in 2019. If UPS had properly valued Freight, its earnings and other reported items would have been materially lower, the SEC said.&nbsp;



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/11/41949068/bitcoin-could-reach-1-million-by-2037-economist-says-buy-of-a-lifetime-opportunity">Bitcoin Could Reach $1 Million By 2037, Economist Says: &#8216;Buy Of A Lifetime&#8217; Opportunity</a>



"Goodwill balances provide investors with valuable insight into whether companies are successfully operating the businesses they own," said Melissa Hodgman, Associate Director at SEC.&nbsp;



"Therefore, it is essential for companies to prepare reliable fair value estimates and impair goodwill when required. UPS fell short of these obligations, repeatedly ignoring its own well-founded sale price estimates for Freight in favor of unreliable third-party valuations," Hodgman added.&nbsp;



In addition to the $45 million civil penalty, UPS agreed to cease and desist from further violations of these provisions, adopt training requirements for certain officers, directors, and employees, and retain an independent compliance consultant to review and make recommendations about the company's fair value estimates and disclosure obligations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BIT Mining To Pay $4 Million Fine For Bribery&nbsp;</h2>



The SEC announced on Monday that BIT Mining Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BTCM#NYSE">BTCM</a>), formerly known as 500.com Limited,<a href="https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2024-180"> agreed to pay</a> a $4 million civil penalty to resolve charges that it violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) from 2017 to 2019 by conducting a widespread bribery scheme to influence foreign officials, including members of Japan's parliament.&nbsp;



The SEC's order finds that the bribery scheme involved illicit payments of approximately $2.5 million in the form of cash bribes, entertainment and trips. The order further finds that the bribes were authorized by a 500.com senior executive in an attempt to establish an integrated resort casino in Japan.&nbsp;



"Investors must have confidence that the operations and performance of public companies reflect merit and legitimate considerations. Bribery and corruption turn that dynamic on its head, distorting the orderly operation of the markets and undermining investor confidence," said Charles E. Cain, Chief of the SEC Enforcement Division's FCPA Unit.&nbsp;



Additionally, the US Department of Justice announced on the same day that it entered into a deferred prosecution agreement in which BIT Mining agreed to pay a $10 million criminal fine, of which $4 million will be satisfied by the company's payment of a civil penalty to the SEC.&nbsp;



More Crime Stories: Here are other crime stories covered by Benzinga this week. 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/42100433/archegos-capitals-bill-hwang-receives-18-year-sentence-for-fraud-market-manipulation">Archegos Capital's Bill Hwang Receives 18 Year Sentence For Fraud, Market Manipulation</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/42101365/indian-billionaire-one-of-the-worlds-richest-men-indicted-for-alleged-250-million-bribery-scheme">Indian Billionaire, One Of The World&#8217;s Richest Men, Indicted For Alleged $250 Million Bribery Scheme</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42055570/bitfinex-bitcoin-laundering-case-lands-crocodile-of-wall-street-in-jail">Bitfinex Bitcoin Laundering Case Lands &#8216;Crocodile Of Wall Street&#8217; In Jail</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Legal

BTCM

Financial Crime Weekly: UPS Pays $45M Fine, BIT Mining Pays $4M Fine For Bribery

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) has unveiled the framework for the California Jobs First Economic Blueprint, a comprehensive strategy aimed at fostering job creation and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/10/41547103/new-rules-old-challenges-californias-cannabis-industry-grapples-with-regulations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regional economic growth across the state</a>.



The blueprint focuses on building a sustainable economy by directing investments into ten key industry sectors, with a focus on innovation, sustainable growth, and access to good-paying jobs, per a <a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/11/21/regional-economic-development-plans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">release</a> on the Governor&#8217;s official website.



The full plan will be released early next year, alongside $120 million in funding to support job-creating projects over the next three years.



Speaking in Fresno alongside community leaders and business owners from the Central San Joaquin region, Newsom said that this bottom-up approach, developed through extensive community input, would help shape the future of California&#8217;s economy.



Read Also: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/42152721/tesla-cybertruck-part-of-donald-trumps-motorcade-will-vehicle-land-government-deals" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Cybertruck Part Of Donald Trump&#8217;s Motorcade, Will Vehicle Land Government Deals?</a>



&#8220;From agriculture to clean energy to manufacturing and everything in between, these blueprints will foster growth and expansion throughout every community of California,&#8221; Newsom said.



More 10,000 local residents and experts participated in identifying priority sectors that will drive regional economies.



The framework categorizes California&#8217;s economy into four key segments:



<ul>
<li>Strengthen (established sectors with leveling growth)</li>



<li>Accelerate (growing sectors poised for expansion with strategic investments)</li>



<li>Bet (emerging sectors with high investment potential), and</li>



<li>Anchor (foundational sectors that support broader industry and community activities). </li>
</ul>



According to Newsom, this approach will ensure that both current and future industries provide good, well-paying jobs for Californians, particularly in underserved communities.



As part of the California Jobs First initiative, the blueprint also emphasizes workforce development. Through this effort, California is focusing on ensuring its workforce is well-prepared to meet the specific needs of priority industries.



The state has also invested heavily in training programs, with over $4 billion in state funding directed towards workforce development, apprenticeship, and education initiatives.



Newsom&#8217;s plan builds on previous efforts, such as the Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) and the Regional Investment Initiative, which collectively aim to create high-quality, accessible jobs across all 13 of California&#8217;s regions.



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Image: Shutterstock

Newsom Unveils Economic Blueprint To Ignite Job Growth, Sees 'Expansion Throughout Every Community of California'

Billionaire Elon Musk on Saturday shared a post on X  which said &#8220;The people want the Diddy &amp; Epstein Files.&#8221; Later he shared his perspective by saying &#8220;Yes&#8221; on the post.



Last month, President-elect Donald Trump stated that he would be open to releasing additional files concerning convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein if he were to return to the White House.



<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">Yes. <a href="https://t.co/8PEeBHCNod">https://t.co/8PEeBHCNod</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1860202873218564568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



This is not the first time Musk has raised his concern around this issue. Last year Musk raised the question on Twitter, asking why the&nbsp;Department of Justice&nbsp;had not leaked&nbsp;Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell&#8216;s list of clients and why the media didn&#8217;t seem to care to look into the clients&#8217; identities.



<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">Only thing more remarkable than DOJ not leaking the list is that no one in the media cares. Doesn't that seem odd? <a href="https://t.co/JEK4TErABB">pic.twitter.com/JEK4TErABB</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1533161114586042369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Earlier this year, Mark Epstein, the younger brother of disgraced financier Epstein, has alleged that his brother possessed information that could have influenced elections involving Trump and the Clintons.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41220104/elon-musk-says-billionaires-supporting-kamala-harris-are-scared-epstein-list-will-be-made-public-if">Elon Musk Says Billionaires Supporting Kamala Harris Are Scared Epstein List Will Be Made Public If Trump Returns To Power</a>



A Manhattan court has released a list of people connected to Jeffrey Epstein, which has raised eyebrows and intensified speculation. Some of the 187 individuals previously only identified as "J Doe" in court papers have been identified, but other names reportedly remained sealed, including those of underage victims.



Musk's remarks have sparked mixed reactions, with some praising his call for justice and others questioning his involvement in such discussions. Known for engaging with hot-button topics, Musk often uses his platform to address societal and legal issues.



In December 2021, Maxwell was found&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epsteins-former-girlfriend-found-guilty-in-sex-abuse-trial" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">guilty</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/21/12/24823587/epstein-associate-ghislaine-maxwell-found-guilty-of-5-charges-in-sex-trafficking-case" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;of helping to recruit teenage girls</a>&nbsp;for&nbsp;Epstein, who&nbsp;died in August 2019.



Maxwell, known as&nbsp;&#8220;Inmate 02879-509&#8221; while incarcerated,&nbsp;is currently serving her sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution&nbsp;in Tallahassee, Florida.&nbsp;



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Social Media

Elon Musk Agrees That People Want To See Jeffrey Epstein Files

It was big news earlier this year when Warren Buffett revealed he's no longer planning to leave his vast fortune to the Gates Foundation after his death. Instead, his billions will go to a trust <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/11/41866296/with-warren-buffett-donating-99-of-his-fortune-whats-left-for-his-three-children-well-its-complicated">managed by his three children</a>. For a man who once described <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/11/41882910/bill-gates-shares-the-best-investment-for-getting-rich-if-youre-earning-100000-or-less-but-wall-street-might-not-agree">Bill and Melinda Gates</a> as "the perfect solution" for dispersing his wealth, this marked a seismic shift in philanthropy.



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In a 2008 Fortune profile, Buffett was clear in his admiration for Melinda, saying, "He's [Bill] smart as hell. But in terms of seeing the whole picture, she's smarter." He also referred to her as a "longtime friend." Buffett continued praising Melinda, saying, "I very much admire what she is doing for women around here and around the world."



Only weeks after the Gateses announced their divorce, Buffett resigned as a trustee of the foundation. As reported by The New York Times in a 2021 article, Buffett released a statement saying: "For years I have been a trustee – an inactive trustee at that – of only one recipient of my funds, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. I am now resigning from that post, just as I have done at all corporate boards other than Berkshire's."



Warren Buffett may think Bill Gates is "smart as hell," but even he admitted in his Fortune profile, "Would I have given the Gates Foundation my fortune if Melinda weren't in the picture? That's a great question. And the answer is, I'm not sure."



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/advisor-adv-warren-buffett">Warren Buffett Flipped His Neighbor's $67,000 Life Savings Into A $50 Million Fortune — This Would Be Worth Over $500 Million Today</a>



The Buffett connection looms large in the October 2024 Vanity Fair interview, where Melinda discusses her life after divorce, the challenges of being a woman in philanthropy and her legacy. In classic Melinda style, she doesn't shy away from tough truths. She noted her decades of joint philanthropic work with Bill: "If I went into a president or prime minister's office and I was with my ex-husband, they would turn to him first. Unless I interrupted the conversation, they could have kept going for the whole meeting."



This wasn't just frustrating – it was telling. "Why would they assume I knew less than him about philanthropy when we had been doing it together for almost 25 years?" she asked. "That, really, was sexism."



Her willingness to call out these dynamics – and challenge them – is part of what makes her so effective. Melinda's journey from Microsoft marketing manager to one of the most powerful women in philanthropy hasn't been without its share of roadblocks. As she told Vanity Fair, during the early years of the foundation, she didn't understand the major role that gender played. She added, "But things just kept coming up for women – contraceptives or their health or what they wanted – that it started to make me realize we were making a mistake."



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It's this insight that shaped the Gates Foundation's focus on global health and education, with a specific lens on empowering women and girls. From ensuring access to contraceptives to fighting preventable diseases, Melinda's fingerprints are all over the foundation's most impactful initiatives.



But what happens when Buffett's billions are no longer <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/10/41198368/warren-buffetts-son-who-famously-cashed-in-his-90-000-inheritance-at-19-spends-millions-in-buffe">flowing to the foundation</a>? That's a question no one seems to have a clear answer for yet. Melinda, for her part, seems more than ready to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/can-you-guess-how-many-americans-successfully-retire-with-1-million-saved">embrace the challenge</a> as she continues to carve out her own space in the philanthropic world.



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Image via Wikimedia Commons/ Flickr

Warren Buffett Thinks Bill Gates Is 'Smart As Hell' – But Says His Ex-Wife Melinda Is Smarter 'In Terms Of Seeing The Whole Picture'

The Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) Cybertruck may be able to add President-elect Donald Trump to the list of celebrities who are fans of the unique electric vehicle after a recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/24/11/42058175/trump-may-attend-elon-musks-starship-test-flight-in-texas-on-tuesday-report">visit to SpaceX</a>.



What Happened: The Cybertruck has attracted purchases from Tesla fans, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/03/37852639/tesla-cybertruck-the-new-celebrity-fashion-accessory-steve-aoki-big-sean-latest-to-own-ev">celebrities</a> and even been bought by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41246431/after-shaq-jay-z-beyonce-and-others-tesla-cybertruck-joins-joins-irvine-police-departments-fleet-wil">some police departments</a>.



President-elect Trump recently traveled to Starbase in Texas to watch the sixth flight test of SpaceX's Starship, where he also interacted with Tesla CEO and friend Elon Musk.



While pictures and videos of the visit have gone viral online, one of the items investors might be paying attention to is a video of a Cybertruck being in Trump's motorcade.



"Cybertruck in the motorcade on Starbase," Trump's Deputy Director of Communications Margo Martin tweeted with a video.



<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">Cybertruck in the motorcade on Starbase &#x1f680;&#x1f1fa;&#x1f1f8; <a href="https://t.co/8u6ZtZeJW1">pic.twitter.com/8u6ZtZeJW1</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@margomartin) <a href="https://twitter.com/margomartin/status/1859021962510823902?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



While it's unknown who was in the Cybertruck, the Tesla vehicle stood out as it was in the convoy of police and armored vehicles



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Why It's Important: Given the importance to protect Trump during travel given past assassination attempts on his life, the use of a Cybertruck in the convoy could signal the trust in the stainless steel vehicle said to be bulletproof. &nbsp;



Investors will be watching to see if Cybertrucks could make their way into the president's convoy going forward or if this was only due to the close proximity to the SpaceX location.



Trump<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40179186/youtuber-gifts-trump-a-tesla-cybertruck-with-custom-wrap-of-his-pennsylvania-rally-shooting-incident"> was previously gifted </a>a Cybertruck wrapped with an image of himself and featuring the words "Make America Great Again" on the hood by YouTuber Adin Ross.



"That's an Elon. That is beautiful," Trump said when he saw the vehicle.



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Tesla Cybertruck Part Of Donald Trump's Motorcade, Will Vehicle Land Government Deals?

The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/dea">Drug Enforcement Administration </a>(DEA) has been barred from conducting random searches of travelers&#8217; belongings at airports and transit hubs following a Justice Department investigation that exposed corrupt practices. The investigation, led by Inspector General Michael Horowitz, uncovered failures to properly document searches, potential racial profiling and questionable partnerships with airline employees. 



One airline worker reportedly received tens of thousands of dollars over several years as a kickback for flagging passengers based on travel patterns, such as purchasing last-minute tickets. 



"The DOJ Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that the DEA has repeatedly failed to comply with its own policies, creating significant operational and legal risks," according to the <a href="https://oig.justice.gov/news/doj-oig-releases-management-alert-identifying-concerns-deas-transportation-interdiction">report</a>.



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The decision to suspend the searches was issued on November 12 by the deputy attorney general after reviewing the draft report. The Justice Department's memo restricts DEA agents from engaging in consensual encounters at transit locations unless tied to active investigations or approved under special circumstances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Systemic Corruption</h2>



The report follows a widely circulated video released by the <a href="https://ij.org/press-release/department-of-justice-suspends-controversial-airport-interdictions-after-viral-footage-showing-dea-agents-threatening-abusing-innocent-traveler/">Institute for Justice</a> (IJ), a nonprofit civil rights organization. One case cited in the memo involved a traveler approached by a DEA Task Force Officer at an airport. The video shows a traveler, identified as David C., refusing to consent to a search at an airport. Despite his objections, agents took his backpack, claimed a drug-detection dog alerted them and conducted the search, which yielded no illegal items. The delay, which caused David to miss his flight, resulted in widespread public criticism.



Further investigation revealed systemic issues. The DEA rarely documents its searches unless they result in seizures or arrests, making it impossible to determine how many travelers have been impacted. In one case, musician Brian Moore had $8,500 seized at an airport, money intended for a music video project. He was never charged with a crime but spent a year and $15,000 in legal fees to recover his funds. Moore said the experience ruined his music career.



A 2016 <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/08/10/dea-travel-record-airport-seizures/88474282/">USA Today investigation</a> found that DEA agents seized over $209 million from more than 5,200 travelers at 15 major airports over a decade, with most funds shared with local police. Critics argue these practices incentivize unconstitutional searches for profit.



The Institute for Justice has since sued the DEA and TSA, advocating for legislation to eliminate these financial incentives. The DEA has yet to respond to the findings.



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</ul>



Photo: Courtesy of DEA

Cannabis

DEA Banned From Random Airport Searches After Scathing Justice Department Report Uncovers Corruption

Large holders of Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) have been making significant moves, with Dogecoin whales recently buying up 550 million DOGE tokens, valued at $214.5 million, in one day.



What Happened: The transactions, recorded on blockchain monitoring services, highlight the growing activity among Dogecoin's biggest investors. 



Blockchain experts note that such whale movements often signal potential market shifts, as these transactions can precede either price rallies or sell-offs. 



The transfers occurred amid a period of relative stability for Dogecoin, trading near $0.056 at the time of the transactions.



<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/Dogecoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dogecoin</a> whales have bought more than 550 million <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24DOGE&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$DOGE</a> over the past week, worth around $214.5 million! <a href="https://t.co/0eHqQGL3LO">pic.twitter.com/0eHqQGL3LO</a>&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1859560640869806344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/08/40429878/dogecoins-active-users-on-the-rise-will-this-impact-doge-price">Dogecoin&#8217;s Active Users On The Rise, Will This Impact DOGE Price?</a></figcaption></figure>



Why It Matters: Historically, Dogecoin's price has been highly susceptible to whale activity, prompting heightened attention from the crypto community.



Dogecoin, created in 2013 as a joke, has gained significant traction thanks to endorsements from figures like Elon Musk. Despite its origins, the cryptocurrency now ranks among the top digital assets by market capitalization.



The meme coin remains a popular choice for retail investors, although its price volatility has led to mixed opinions among analysts. This latest whale activity underscores the ongoing interest in Dogecoin among major holders, hinting at potential shifts in market sentiment.



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Dogecoin Whales Move $214.5M In A Single Day, Sparking Speculation

MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) co-founder Michael Saylor has revealed that the company is minting $500 million a day as Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/42127938/bitcoin-analyst-warns-of-4-6-flash-crashes-before-year-end-as-it-inches-closer-to-100k-thats-the-moment-altcoins-shoot-off">inches closer to $100,000</a> for the first time in its history.



What Happened: Saylor, who has been all-in on Bitcoin for years now, has revealed an insane statistic – MicroStrategy's holdings of the top cryptocurrency have appreciated by as much as $5.4 billion over the last two weeks.



In an interview with CNBC, Saylor broke down MicroStrategy's gains, saying, "We're making $500 million a day. I'm staring at my screen and we're selling dollar bills for $3, sometimes a million times a minute."



To put things into perspective, MicroStrategy's stock delivered a whopping 97% gain in the last month, while Bitcoin has gained nearly 47%.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42151442/bitcoin-could-reach-180k-in-current-cycle-thanks-to-trump-victory-says-vaneck-but-has-this-warning-for-investors">Bitcoin Could Reach $180K In Current Cycle Thanks To Trump Victory, Says VanEck, But Has This Warning For Investors</a>



Year-to-date, MicroStrategy's stock has gained over 515% while Bitcoin prices have increased by 122%.



Nvidia, the AI bellwether and the world's most valuable company by market capitalization, has seen its stock rise by nearly 195% during this period.



"We may very well be the most profitable company in the U.S. growing the fastest right now. There's not many companies making $500 million a day," Saylor said.



<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">JUST IN: Michael Saylor says, "We are making $500 million a day" with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> and "we may very well be the most profitable company in the US growing the fastest right now." <a href="https://t.co/HeMTnebfXw">pic.twitter.com/HeMTnebfXw</a>&mdash; Simply Bitcoin (@SimplyBitcoinTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/SimplyBitcoinTV/status/1859966097782636791?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Why It Matters: The surge in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42138209/microstrategy-trading-at-insane-256-premium-to-bitcoin-holdings-research-shows">MicroStrategy&#8217;s stock</a>&nbsp;is not just a reflection of Bitcoin&#8217;s rising value but also highlights the company&#8217;s strategic bet on the cryptocurrency.



Research from BitMEX has shown that MicroStrategy is trading at a 256% premium to the net asset value of its Bitcoin holdings, suggesting a significant valuation disparity driven by its aggressive acquisition strategy.



This premium may be influenced by financial regulations that restrict Bitcoin ETF purchases, pushing investors towards MicroStrategy for exposure.



Furthermore, Saylor&#8217;s bold prediction that Bitcoin could reach $13 million by 2045 has sparked discussions about the potential economic implications, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42116183/michael-saylor-predicted-bitcoin-to-hit-13-million-if-it-happens-it-will-entail-massive-hyperinflation-analyst-warns">massive hyperinflation</a>.



This prediction, if realized, would elevate Bitcoin&#8217;s market cap to $250 trillion, dwarfing the current world GDP and global stock markets.



Amidst these developments,&nbsp;Warren Buffett&#8217;s decision to hold $325 billion in cash at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42137295/as-mstrs-michael-saylor-says-warren-buffett-is-destroying-berkshire-capital-analyst-suggests-overpricedhot-stock-market-could-be-the-reason-oracle-of-omaha-is-sitting-on-325b-cash">Berkshire Hathaway</a>&nbsp;has drawn criticism from Saylor, who argues that not investing in Bitcoin is a missed opportunity.



Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $98,556, down 0.04% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro data</a>.



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Photo courtesy: Wikimedia

Michael Saylor Reveals MicroStrategy Is 'Making $500M A Day' With Bitcoin: 'May Very Well Be The Most Profitable Company In The US Growing The Fastest Right Now'

On Nov. 12, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/09/41051553/bipartisan-effort-to-eliminate-social-security-cuts-for-teachers-police-and-more-grows-in-congre">Social Security Fairness Act</a>, a bipartisan bill set in motion to eliminate two long-standing provisions that currently reduce Social Security benefits for public sector employees.&nbsp;



The legislation was first introduced in 2023 and will now head to the Senate, where it has strong bipartisan support. If passed, it is estimated to cost $196 billion over the next decade. Critics worry that enacting this bill could further exacerbate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/09/41082731/new-survey-finds-75-of-americans-support-cuts-for-higher-income-retirees-to-cover-social-securit">Social Security's funding challenges</a>.&nbsp;



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Does the Social Security Fairness Act Do?</h2>



The bill addresses two key provisions – added to the Social Security Act in 1983 – that affect public sector workers:



<ol>
<li>The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP): This rule reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who receive pensions from jobs where they didn't pay Social Security taxes, like certain state and local government positions. According to the Congressional Research Service, about 2.1 million people are affected by this provision.&nbsp;</li>



<li>The Government Pension Offset (GPO): The GPO reduces Social Security benefits for spouses, widows and widowers who receive government pensions. About 745,000 individuals currently receive reduced benefits under this provision.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>



Those in support of repealing these rules argue that they unfairly penalize retired teachers, police officers, firefighters and other public servants, many of whom heavily rely on their Social Security and pension benefits for their income.&nbsp;



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Supporters Praise the Bill</h2>



Proponents of the bill see it as a victory for equity. Representative Garret Graves (R-La.), a coleader of the bill, stated on the House floor, "This has been 40 years of treating people differently, discriminating against a certain set of workers."&nbsp;



The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare called the House vote a &#8220;bipartisan victory&#8221; for public employees and their families.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Concerns About Social Security's Future</h2>



While the bill aims to address disparities among a demographic affected for over 40 years, critics are concerned that enacting it could further strain Social Security's already depleting finances.&nbsp;



The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would add $196 billion to deficits over the next 10 years and bring the trust fund depletion date forward by six months. Social Security funds are expected to run out at their current rate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/09/40817544/report-warns-of-16-500-annual-social-security-benefit-cut-for-dual-income-couples-by-2033">in 2033</a>, meaning that beneficiaries would receive about 79% of their benefits.&nbsp;



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Some lawmakers, like Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), argue that, while reform is necessary, it needs to be handled differently. "I could not vote for the bills on the floor tonight because they are not paid for and therefore put Americans' hard-earned benefits at risk," Larson said. "It would hurt most deeply the five million of our fellow Americans who receive below poverty checks and almost half of all Social Security recipients who rely on their earned benefits for the majority of their income."&nbsp;



Instead, Larson proposed an alternative proposal: the Social Security 2100 Act. This would also repeal the WEP and GPO and include additional measures to increase revenues, like raising payroll taxes for higher earners.&nbsp;



Policy experts also express their concerns. Romina Boccia, director of budget and entitlement policy at the Cato Institute, criticized the bill, stating the policy is wrong and needs broader changes.&nbsp;



"We should reform Social Security so that it provides basic income security to the most vulnerable Americans in old age without adding to the debt or tax burden that younger workers face," Boccia said.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Happens Next?&nbsp;</h2>



The Social Security Fairness Act has already garnered enough Senate cosponsors to pass if brought to the floor for a vote. If signed into law, repealing the WEP and GPO would apply to benefits starting in 2024, significantly changing the benefits for the affected retirees and leaving unresolved questions about the program's long-term solvency.&nbsp;



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Personal Finance

House Passes $196 Billion Social Security Bill: Will Repealing Pension Reductions Shorten The Program's Lifespan?

Warren Buffett is a master of making money – and Coca-Cola is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/11/42011977/99-billion-bet-warren-buffett-invests-heavily-in-2-stocks-expected-to-jump-19-and-20-wall-street-analysts-predict">one of his biggest cash cows</a>. In 2024, Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett's investment behemoth, is set to rake in $776 million in Coca-Cola dividends alone.&nbsp;



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That's right: $776 million for holding 400 million shares. According to Moneywise, this massive payout comes from Coca-Cola upping its quarterly dividend to 48.5 cents per share. If you're doing the math, that's $0.485 x 4 x 400,000,000. It&#8217;s not a bad haul for simply sitting on a mountain of Coke stock.



Buffett's love for Coca-Cola isn't just financial – it's personal. The 94-year-old billionaire famously drinks five cans daily and gets roughly 25% of his daily calories from the fizzy stuff. In a 2015 Fortune interview, he admitted, "If I eat 2,700 calories daily, a quarter of that is Coca-Cola. I drink at least five 12-ounce servings. I do it every day."&nbsp;



However, despite being Coca-Cola's largest shareholder and perhaps its most dedicated fan, Buffett doesn't get his favorite beverage for free. As revealed in the 2017 HBO documentary Becoming Warren Buffett, his wife Astrid even goes out of her way to buy the soda on sale. According to Buffett's daughter, Susie, her dad doesn't have room to stockpile the soda, but her mother bought it in bulk for the best price when she was alive.&nbsp;



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Susie also revealed her famously frugal father's second wife, Astrid, also likes to get a deal. "Astrid is more likely to try to find out where it's on sale and buy it on sale."&nbsp;



While it may seem like Buffett has been a Coca-Cola lover forever, he once only drank its rival. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/10/41198368/warren-buffetts-son-who-famously-cashed-in-his-90-000-inheritance-at-19-spends-millions-in-buffe">His son</a>, Howard, even called him "Pepsi Warren." He reportedly drank Pepsi for nearly 50 years before switching brands in the 1980s.&nbsp;



Buffett's switch from Pepsi to Coca-Cola reportedly had to do with his neighbor, Don Keough, a coffee salesperson in Omaha in the 1960s. According to Glen Arnold in The Deals of Warren Buffett Volume 2, Buffett once knocked on Keough's door with a pitch: "If you give me $10,000, I might be able to do something with it." Keough wasn't sold. "I didn't have it, but I could've borrowed it from my father. But can you imagine giving $10,000 to a guy who doesn't get up and go to work in the morning?" he later said. Keough passed on the offer, which Arnold estimated could've grown to $93 million by 2018.



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Years later, Keough climbed the corporate ladder at Coca-Cola, becoming its president and COO in the 1980s. Keough seized the moment when he read in a magazine that Buffett was hooked on Pepsi Cherry. He sent his old neighbor some Cherry Coke samples, calling it the "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/02/37240748/warren-buffett-drinks-5-cans-of-coke-per-day-at-93-years-old-but-he-was-a-dedicated-pepsi-drinker-fo">nectar of the gods</a>." Buffett was hooked. In 1986, he even told Berkshire Hathaway shareholders that Cherry Coke was now the official drink of their annual meeting, cementing his switch – and his eventual investment – in Coca-Cola.



Buffett&#8217;s 400 million shares of Coca-Cola stock represent a massive portion of his investment portfolio, worth over $25 billion at current market prices. But this investment is more than just numbers – it's a perfect example of Buffett's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/can-you-guess-how-many-americans-successfully-retire-with-1-million-saved">long-term approach to investing</a> and his connection to the brand, even if he does have to buy it on sale.&nbsp;



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Warren Buffett Is Set To Collect $776 Million In Coca-Cola Dividends – But Daughter Says His Wife Buys Him The Soda 'On Sale'

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