La catena delle opzioni mostra i dati chiave delle opzioni azionarie di NexGel a vari prezzi di esercizio e date di scadenza. I trader utilizzano queste informazioni per analizzare potenziali operazioni e valutare il sentiment del mercato per NexGel..

NexGel (NASDAQ:NXGL) Azioni, Catena delle Opzioni

NexGel

NexGel Inc manufactures high water content, electron beam cross-linked, aqueous polymer hydrogels, or gels, used for wound care, medical diagnostics, transdermal drug delivery, and cosmetics. The company specializes in custom gels by capitalizing on proprietary manufacturing technologies. The gels and consumer products are manufactured using proprietary and non-proprietary mixing, coating, and cross-linking technologies.

NexGel Inc

As Donald Trump's newly imposed tariffs cause turbulence in the stock market, Elon Musk has advocated for a zero-tariff policy — but the billionaire investor Mark Cuban predicts the President's plan will ultimately win in this debate.
What Happened: On Friday, the stock prices of some of the largest tech companies, known as the "Magnificent 7" — Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), 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>), Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) continued to take a sharp dive as a direct result of the trade war initiated by Trump's tariffs.
Apple saw a 7.29% drop, ending at $188.38, while Microsoft dropped 3.56%, closing at $359.84. Amazon fell by 4.15%, and Alphabet's shares decreased by 3.40% (Class A) and 3.20% (Class C).
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44535985/jim-cramer-says-he-is-pro-tariff-and-hates-free-trade-its-cost-us-fortunes">Jim Cramer Says He Is &#8216;Pro-Tariff&#8217; And Hates &#8216;Free Trade:&#8217; &#8216;It&#8217;s Cost Us Fortunes&#8217;</a>
Meta, Nvidia, and Tesla experienced even greater declines, with Meta dropping 5.06% to $504.73, Nvidia falling 7.36% to $94.31, and Tesla plummeting 10.42% to $239.43, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Amid the turmoil, Musk voiced his belief in a zero-tariff future, arguing that a free trade zone between Europe and North America would benefit global markets and consumers.
The Tesla CEO, who is a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44657033/elon-musk-loses-11-billion-as-tesla-stock-plummets-in-wake-of-new-trump-tariffs">close adviser</a> to President Trump, was speaking at &#8216;The League Congress&#8217; hosted by Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.
<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">Full remarks by Elon Musk at &#39;The League Congress&#39; hosted by Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini <a href="https://t.co/JdtM3LDLJh">pic.twitter.com/JdtM3LDLJh</a>
&mdash; America (@america) <a href="https://twitter.com/america/status/1908561612631335214?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Following Musk's remarks, Cuban took to X, formerly Twitter, and weighed in on the situation, saying, "Free Trade @elonmusk vs Full Tariff @realDonaldTrump and @howardlutnick is going to be fascinating to watch. They are the exact opposite sides of each other."&nbsp;
He went on to add that while zero tariffs would be advantageous for consumers by making goods cheaper. On the flip side, full tariffs would generate tax revenue but could also spark inflation.
He concluded his post by saying, "My money is on @realDonaldTrump winning."
<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">Free Trade <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> vs Full Tariff <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/howardlutnick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@howardlutnick</a> is going to be fascinating to watch. They are the exact opposite sides of each other. 0 tariffs (free trade as Elon proposes ) makes it cheaper to make overseas than it was under Biden. Which is great for…
&mdash; Mark Cuban (@mcuban) <a href="https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/1908905713809883398?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Why It Matters: Last week, Trump announced new tariffs this week, including a 20% tax on goods from the EU. This means products coming from Europe will become more expensive in the U.S., which could lead to higher prices for consumers and tensions with trading partners.
Despite two days of sharp stock market drops, Trump stood by his decision on Saturday, posting on Truth Social that countries like China have treated the U.S. unfairly for too long.
He called the tariffs part of an "economic revolution" and urged Americans to "hang tough," promising the outcome will be historic and will help "Make America Great Again."
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/06221828/Screenshot-2025-04-07-at-7.48.19%E2%80%AFAM-1024x521.png" alt="" class="wp-image-859019" style="width:920px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">U.S. stock futures <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44659686/stock-futures-tank-dow-sheds-over-1000-points-as-white-house-remains-firm-on-tariffs-trump-says-sometimes-you-have-to-take-medicine">plunged Sunday night</a> after last week's historic selloff, as the White House held firm on new tariffs despite $6 trillion in market losses, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent blamed the tech downturn on AI valuation fears rather than policy. Source: Truth Social</figcaption></figure>
Image via Shutterstock
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43788384/fed-chair-powell-stands-firm-standard-case-for-free-trade-logically-still-makes-sense-amid-trumps-import-taxes">Fed Chair Powell Stands Firm: &#8216;Standard Case for Free Trade… Logically Still Makes Sense&#8217; Amid Trump&#8217;s Import Taxes</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

News

Markets

Tech

AAPL

AMZN

GOOG

GOOGL

MSFT

NVDA

TSLA

Mark Cuban Says Between 'Free Trade' Elon Musk And 'Full Tariff' Trump, It Is The President Who Will Win As Stocks Futures Tank

Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives has lowered his Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) price target to $315 from $550 while maintaining an &#8220;outperform&#8221; rating, citing growing concerns about the electric vehicle maker&#8217;s brand perception and softening demand.
What Happened: &#8220;Our long-standing bull view of Tesla remains, but there is no denying this is a pivotal moment of truth for Musk to turn things around&#8230;or darker days are ahead,&#8221; Ives stated in a recent note shared by Tesla investor Sawyer Merritt on X.
The reduced outlook comes as Tesla faces multiple challenges. The company reported a 13% decrease in first-quarter deliveries, marking its lowest performance in nearly three years, despite introducing a refreshed Model Y in China in February.
Gene Munster of Deepwater Asset Management linked Tesla&#8217;s struggles to recent brand damage and predicted 2025 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44646680/tesla-to-face-steeper-sales-dip-in-2025-amid-growing-backlash-against-elon-musk-report">deliveries could drop 9% from the 1.79 million vehicles</a> delivered last year. Deutsche Bank analysts similarly forecast a 5% sales decline.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">NEWS: Wedbush analyst <a href="https://twitter.com/DivesTech?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DivesTech</a> has lowered his <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TSLA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TSLA</a> price target to $315 (from $550). Dan: "Our long standing bull view of Tesla remains, but there is no denying this is a pivotal moment of truth for Musk to turn things around&#8230;or darker days are ahead. We have been one of…
&mdash; Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) <a href="https://twitter.com/SawyerMerritt/status/1908926942151373034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The analyst also cut his Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) price target by 23% to $250 from $325, with a bear case of $160 and a bull case of $325 that assumes tariff removal or exemption.
&#8220;The tariff economic Armageddon unleashed by Trump is a complete disaster for Apple given its massive China production exposure,&#8221; Ives said, according <a href="https://www.investors.com/news/tesla-stock-price-target-slashed-43-trump-tariffs-apple-pt-sliced-23/">to</a> Investor&#8217;s Business Daily. &#8220;In our view, no U.S. tech company is more negatively impacted by these tariffs than Apple with 90% of iPhones produced and assembled in China.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44659686/stock-futures-tank-dow-sheds-over-1000-points-as-white-house-remains-firm-on-tariffs-trump-says-sometimes-you-have-to-take-medicine">Stock Futures Tank, Dow Sheds Over 1000 Points As White House Remains Firm On Tariffs: Trump Says, &#8216;Sometimes You Have To Take Medicine&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: These challenges coincide with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44657033/elon-musk-loses-11-billion-as-tesla-stock-plummets-in-wake-of-new-trump-tariffs">broader market turmoil</a>. Tesla&#8217;s stock plunged 10.42% on Friday following President Donald Trump&#8216;s announcement of new tariffs, including a 10% charge on all imported goods and 25% on foreign automobiles. The selloff wiped approximately $11 billion from CEO Elon Musk&#8216;s net worth.
Ives, historically one of Tesla&#8217;s strongest supporters, emphasized that Tesla&#8217;s brand is &#8220;suffering by the day as a political symbol&#8221; – likely referencing Musk&#8217;s controversial political involvement that has sparked consumer backlash.
While acknowledging the difficult road ahead, Ives expressed confidence in Musk&#8217;s ability to navigate the crisis: &#8220;Musk has been with his back against the wall many times and every time Tesla came out of it and was stronger on the other side&#8230;this may be one of his biggest challenges yet to turn around.&#8221;
Tesla faces additional headwinds from intensifying competition, particularly from Chinese manufacturers like BYD Co. Ltd. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDF#OTC">BYDDF</a>), and declining market share in Europe.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44658417/warren-buffett-stands-tall-in-2025-as-elon-musk-jeff-bezos-and-mark-zuckerberg-bleed-billions-in-net-worth-oracle-of-omaha-emerges-as-lone-gainer-among-top-billionaires-amid-market-rout">Warren Buffett Stands Tall In 2025 As Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos And Mark Zuckerberg Bleed Billions In Net Worth: &#8216;Oracle Of Omaha&#8217; Emerges As Lone Gainer Among Top Billionaires Amid Market Rout</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Equities

BYDDF

Dan Ives Cuts Tesla Target To $315, Slashes Apple By 23% Amid Tariff Fallout, Warns Elon Musk-Led EV Maker Faces 'Darker Days' Ahead

CNBC host Jim Cramer made a series of posts on X over the weekend warning of another &#8216;Black Monday&#8217; when the markets reopen on April 7th, in response to the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
What Happened: The former hedge fund manager drew parallels between the current market and that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/10/35341139/black-monday-was-exactly-36-years-ago-and-1-market-condition-is-dangerously-similar-today">infamous week in October 1987</a>, when the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 23% in a single day.
The tweets were in addition to the now-viral video of Cramer&#8217;s Friday Mad Money segment, where he claimed that if President Donald Trump &#8216;doesn&#8217;t reach out to the countries and companies that play by the rules&#8217; then a 1987-like scenario has the &#8216;most cogency.&#8217;
<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter 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">NEW: Jim Cramer warns of a 1987 &quot;Black Monday&quot; style stock market crash on Monday, says he is about to be super mad. &quot;Black Monday&quot; was a global stock market crash where the Dow Jones tanked almost 23% in a single day. &quot;If the president doesn&#39;t try to reach out and reward these… <a href="https://t.co/aPwnFzdXBA">pic.twitter.com/aPwnFzdXBA</a>
&mdash; Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/1908583445191942478?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Cramer highlighted the similarities between the 1987 crash and current events, such as the markets dropping for three consecutive days, before going off the cliff the following Monday, resulting in worldwide losses of an estimated $1.7 trillion.
<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter 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">Same damned pattern; that thursday, that friday&#8230;.. that Monday?
&mdash; Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcramer/status/1908247461703147940?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Cramer states that things could be different this time around, owing to the circuit breakers that have been put in place, that help protect investors by curbing trades during periods of steep declines. However, this only helps in slowing down the crash, and not avoiding it outright.
US stock futures <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44659686/stock-futures-tank-dow-sheds-over-1000-points-as-white-house-remains-firm-on-tariffs-trump-says-sometimes-you-have-to-take-medicine">continued to tumble on Sunday evening</a>, and as of the time of writing, Dow Jones Futures were down 784 points or 2.05%, the Nasdaq by 950 points or 5.73%, and the S&amp;P 500 futures were down 322 points or 6%.
<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">I think the difference between now and 1987 is that the circuit breakers could slow things down. Will write about this in my CNBC investing club Sunday think piece
&mdash; Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcramer/status/1908620453741994445?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44658909/global-hedge-funds-and-etfs-offload-over-40-billion-in-stocks-following-trumps-tariff-announcement">Global Hedge Funds and ETFs Offload Over $40 Billion in Stocks Following Trump&#8217;s Tariff Announcement</a>
Why It Matters: The series of posts put out by the popular TV host led to &#8216;Black Monday&#8217; trending on X throughout the weekend, with several other influential finance users piling on with their own takes and concerns regarding the markets on Monday.
This comes amid growing opposition to the administration&#8217;s tariff policies, with several business execs and even Republican leaders and allies coming out against it over the past week.
Investor Bill Ackman, who endorsed President Trump in last year&#8217;s elections has joined the growing chorus against the tariffs, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44659521/bill-ackman-warns-against-launching-economic-nuclear-war-wants-a-90-day-time-out-on-trump-tariffs">calling it an &#8216;Economic Nuclear War,&#8217;</a> before urging the President to call for a &#8217;90-day time out&#8217; that would give enough time for all parties to negotiate and work out &#8216;asymmetric trade deals.&#8217;
Photo by s_bukley on Shutterstock
Read More: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/04/44658889/conservative-nonprofit-launches-court-challenge-to-trump-tariffs-a-sign-of-things-to-come">Conservative Nonprofit Launches Court Challenge to Trump Tariffs — A Sign of Things To Come?</a></li>
</ul>

Government

Jim Cramer Sees Same Pattern As 1987 'Black Monday' Crash, Wonders What Happens On Monday

Building a strong investment <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44534646/dad-with-mini-portfolio-and-1m-investment-plan-wants-son-living-off-of-dividend-income-comfortably-reddit-debates-best-stocks-to-buy">portfolio</a> requires an allocation for growth, one for stability, and a last one for income, especially when it comes to planning for retirement.
One widespread investing strategy involves mixing dividend-paying assets with broad-market ETFs, allowing investors to profit from both compounding revenue and long-term <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/25/02/43724725/at-home-restructured-bonds-offer-asymmetric-opportunity-via-high-yields-potential-capital-appreciat">capital appreciation</a>. By continuously investing a fixed amount each month, investors can grow their <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44348490/how-does-your-wealth-stack-up-against-your-peers-heres-the-net-worth-youll-need-to-be-among-the-richest-10-at-each-age">wealth</a> while minimizing risk through diversification.
Don't Miss:
<ul>
<li>Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-centennial">Jeff Bezos-Backed Arrived Homes Hits A Big Sale On Charlotte Property – Investors Earning A 34.7% Return</a></li>
</ul>
Still, this strategy is often debated with some wondering whether dividend-focused ETFs are necessary for younger investors or if growth ETFs would deliver better returns in the long run. In a recent Reddit post, a 34-year-old investor shared he&#8217;s just starting his investing journey and is wondering whether his planned allocation can help him reach his financial goals.
His strategy involves allocating $2,000 per month across a mix of ETFs and dividend stocks, including 40 % to Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>), 20% to Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQM#NASDAQ">QQQM</a>), 15% to Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VXUS#NASDAQ">VXUS</a>), 15% to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCHD#NYSE">SCHD</a>), and 10% to SPDR Gold Shares (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>).
The poster&#8217;s goal is to build a portfolio that will generate substantial returns by the time he reaches his 50s or 60s. Yet, he's open to advice, especially regarding his 10% allocation to GLD. The Reddit community has offered the investor plenty of suggestions in the comments, so let&#8217;s jump into these right away.
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">Is the Investor&#8217;s Planned Allocation a Good Strategy? Reddit Weights In</h2>
Opt for Small or Mid-Cap ETFs
Several Redditors argued that gold may not be the best choice for a young investor with a long time horizon. Instead, they suggested small- and/or mid-cap ETFs or even bond funds for better growth potential or stability.
&#8220;I like everything except gold. I'd look into small/mid-cap ETFs, and maybe a total bond ETF if you&#8217;re worried about volatility,&#8221; a commenter wrote.
Suggesting other assets and even Bitcoin instead of GLD, this Reddit user appreciated most of the poster&#8217;s allocation: &#8220;Love it besides the GLD. I would go either with a small/mid-cap ETF or Bitcoin if you are interested in that.&#8221;
This commenter suggested the investor&#8217;s portfolio should be more focused on U.S.-based stocks rather than international assets.
&#8220;Too much international, and way too much gold. Would add some small- and mid-cap instead,&#8221; he wrote.
See Also: Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/5mil-nest-egg-adv">The percentage may shock you</a>.
Focus on Growth While Young
Many Reddit users argued that dividend ETFs like SCHD are less ideal for a 34-year-old investor, as growth-focused ETFs historically outperform over long periods.
&#8220;Zero reason for SCHD at that young of an age in my opinion,&#8221; a comment reads.
Suggesting that focusing on growth-oriented ETFs while young would reap better yields in the long run, this Redditor mentioned that the investor should shift to dividends when approaching retirement only.
&#8220;Because you are young, you could benefit from the time horizon and reap better returns from growth-focused ETFs over dividend ETFs, even taking into account dividend reinvestment. Closer to retirement you can transition to a dividend-focused portfolio,&#8221; he wrote.
&#8220;I&#8217;d skip QQQM and go 50% VOO, 25% VXUS, and 25% SCHD,&#8221; a commenter recommended.
Another Redditor suggested a similar allocation but also included GLD, saying, &#8220;I would drop the SCHD and QQQM in favor of more VOO and more VXUS. 65% VOO (or better [Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vti#NYSE">VTI</a>)]), 25% VXUS, 10% GLD.&#8221;
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/gbr-savings-by-age">If You're Age 35, 50, or 60: Here&#8217;s How Much You Should Have Saved Vs. Invested By Now</a></li>
<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>

Personal Finance

QQQM

SCHD

VXUS

Reddit Erupts Over 34-Year-Old's Plan: 'My Strategy Is To Add $2K Monthly' – Is His Mix Of ETFs And Dividends A Genius Move Or A Bad One?

Leading cryptocurrencies suffered a bloodbath on Sunday as concerns over President Donald Trump's tariff policies deepened.
<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>-6.38%</td>
<td>$78,099.39</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>-12.90%</td>
<td>$1,575.63</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>-12.50%</td>
<td>$0.1478</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin tanked to an intraday low of $77,097.74 before clawing back to $78,000. Ethereum experienced a bigger rout, slipping below $1,600 for the first time since Oct. 2023.
The two heavyweights recorded a 179% and 272% jump in trade volume, respectively, signaling significant selling pressure.
Sunday&#8217;s dip came after cryptocurrency prices <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44651614/bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-stay-relatively-unharmed-despite-chinas-reciprocal-tariffs">remained relatively stable</a> on Friday during a period of intense stock market volatility.
Over $871 million was liquidated from the market in the last 24 hours, with nearly $750 million in longs erased.
Bitcoin's Open Interest fell by 0.33% in the last 24 hours, while funds locked in Ethereum's futures sank 8%.
Interestingly, traders appeared to be buying the dip, as the number of Bitcoin longs exceeded shorts as of this writing, according to the Long/Short Ratio.
The market sentiment went back into "Extreme Fear" mode, according to the Crypto Fear and Greed Index.
Top Losers (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>Berachain (BERA)</td>
<td>-19.50%</td>
<td>$4.63</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lido DA0 (LDO)</td>
<td>-16.80%</td>
<td>$0.6866</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Movement (MOVE)</td>
<td>-16.39%</td>
<td>$0.3132</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $2.48 trillion, plummeting 7.39% in the last 24 hours.
Stock futures also sank Sunday overnight. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures plunged 1,012 points, or 3.13%, as of 8:30 p.m. EDT.&nbsp; Futures tied to the S&amp;P 500 tumbled 3.55%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures lost 4.55%.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/transcript-commerce-secretary-howard-lutnick-on-face-the-nation-with-margaret-brennan-april-6-2025/">said</a> in a CBS News interview that tariffs won't be postponed and will "stay in place for days and weeks," pouring cold water on hopes of some relief from Trump&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44618089/trumps-tariffs-surprise-triggers-carnage-magnificent-7-set-to-wipe-out-nearly-700-billion-">sweeping tariff measures</a>, which roiled stock markets last week.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Dow and the S&amp;P 500 tanked 7.44% and 5.97%, respectively, with the broad-based index recording its worst decline on Friday since March 2020.
Stocks suffered their worst rout in more than five years. The Dow Jones Industrial Average crashed 1,679.39 points, or 3.98%, to close at 40,545.93. The S&amp;P 500 tumbled 4.84%, ending at 5,396.52. The two blue-chip averages recorded their worst single-day declines since June 2020. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite plummeted 5.97% to end at 16,550.61.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Influential cryptocurrency analyst Ali Martinez anticipated a big Bitcoin breakout from a symmetrical triangle.
"As Bitcoin approaches the apex of this triangle, the odds for a significant price movement increase," Martinez said.&nbsp;
Martinez defined the region between $82,000 and $82,000-$87,000 as a "no-trade zone" and said that a sustained close outside of this range could trigger a 14% price move.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> is ready for a big price move! <a href="https://t.co/ottMBlJ07M">pic.twitter.com/ottMBlJ07M</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1909019538567639069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Economic analyst Jesse Colombo deemed $77,500 a "critical support level" for Bitcoin, failing which could lead to a sharp plunge.
<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">$77,500 is a critical support level in Bitcoin and if that fails, it should plunge sharply from there&#8230;<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24IBIT&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$IBIT</a> <a href="https://t.co/G2GyFOHCv1">pic.twitter.com/G2GyFOHCv1</a>
&mdash; Jesse Colombo (@TheBubbleBubble) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheBubbleBubble/status/1909033422665765334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Photo by CMP_NZ on Shutterstock
Read Next:    
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44652091/if-you-had-invested-in-ethereum-when-eric-trump-said-its-a-great-time-youd-be-down-39">If You Had Invested In Ethereum When Eric Trump Said &#8216;It&#8217;s A Great Time&#8217;, You&#8217;d Be Down 39%</a></li>
</ul>

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

Cryptocurrency

Movers

Trading Ideas

$BTC

$DOGE

$ETH

Bitcoin Plunges Below $80,000, Ethereum, Dogecoin Crash As Cryptocurrencies Mirror Stocks Amid Trump Tariff Mayhem: Analyst Flags 'Critical Support Level' For BTC

U.S. stock futures tumbled Sunday evening, extending last week&#8217;s historic selloff as the White House stood firm on its sweeping new tariff policy despite mounting market pressure.
What Happened: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell 1,257 points, or 3.26%, to 37,273, while S&amp;P 500 futures dropped 190.50 points, or 3.73%, to 4,919.75. Nasdaq-100 futures experienced the steepest decline, plummeting 807.50 points, or 4.60%, to 16,731.50. The U.S. Dollar Index also weakened, falling 0.23% to 102.79.
Japan's Nikkei 225 plunged 2,509.53 points, or 7.43%, to 31,271.05 on Monday morning at 9:53 a.m. local time.
The weekend decline follows the market&#8217;s worst performance since March 2020. The S&amp;P 500 plunged 6% Friday, pushing its two-day losses past 10%, while the Nasdaq entered bear market territory after falling 22% from its record high.
Trump said on Sunday, &#8220;I don&#8217;t want anything to go down, but sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something,&#8221; adding that foreign governments would have to pay &#8220;a lot of money&#8221; to lift the tariffs, according to Reuters, showing little concern over $6 trillion in U.S. market losses.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking on the Tucker Carlson Podcast Friday, attributed the selloff to a correction in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44652055/its-more-a-mag-seven-problem-than-a-maga-one-treasury-secretary-says-as-wall-street-meltdowns">tech valuations rather than administration policy</a>, calling it &#8220;more a MAG Seven problem than a MAGA one,&#8221; referring to market leaders Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), 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>), Amazon Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>).
&#8220;This isn&#8217;t about tariffs, it&#8217;s about a dose of reality in the AI space,&#8221; Bessent claimed, suggesting China&#8217;s DeepSeek AI breakthrough triggered the reassessment of U.S. tech valuations.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44658417/warren-buffett-stands-tall-in-2025-as-elon-musk-jeff-bezos-and-mark-zuckerberg-bleed-billions-in-net-worth-oracle-of-omaha-emerges-as-lone-gainer-among-top-billionaires-amid-market-rout">Warren Buffett Stands Tall In 2025 As Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos And Mark Zuckerberg Bleed Billions In Net Worth: &#8216;Oracle Of Omaha&#8217; Emerges As Lone Gainer Among Top Billionaires Amid Market Rout</a>
Why It Matters: Bessent defended the tariff strategy as &#8220;transformational for the American economy,&#8221; citing MIT research that previous 20% tariffs on China only increased U.S. prices by 0.7%. He framed the policy as temporary: &#8220;First, we collect. Then, we build. Then, the tariffs drop—but revenue from taxes and jobs goes up.&#8221;
The semiconductor sector has been particularly hard hit, with the iShares Semiconductor Index (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOXX#NASDAQ">SOXX</a>) falling 17% last week—its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44652055/its-more-a-mag-seven-problem-than-a-maga-one-treasury-secretary-says-as-wall-street-meltdowns">worst weekly performance</a> since the 2001 dot-com crash.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/04/44657800/trumps-tariffs-stir-global-markets-wall-street-loses-2-trillion-and-more-this-week-in-economics">Trump&#8217;s Tariffs Stir Global Markets, Wall Street Loses $2 Trillion, And More: This Week In Economics</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

iShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index Fund

SOXX

Stock Futures Tank, Dow Sheds Over 1000 Points As White House Remains Firm On Tariffs: Trump Says, 'Sometimes You Have To Take Medicine'

Companies with a long history of paying dividends and consistently hiking them remain appealing to income-focused investors. ManpowerGroup, Regions Financial, and Nexstar Media have rewarded shareholders for years and recently announced dividend increases. These companies currently offer dividend yields of around 4%-5%.
ManpowerGroup
ManpowerGroup (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAN#NYSE">MAN</a>) provides workforce solutions and services under the Talent Solutions, Manpower, and Experis brands worldwide.
Don't Miss:
<ul>
<li>‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.</a></li>
<li>Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.55 per share now</a>.</li>
</ul>
The company has raised its dividend every year since 2011. Its semiannual payout stands at $1.54 per share, equal to an annual figure of $3.08 per share. The current yield on the dividend is 5.24%.
ManpowerGroup&#8217;s annual revenue as of Dec. 31 stood at $17.85 billion. As per its most recent earnings report on Jan. 30, the company posted Q4 2024 revenues of $4.40 billion, missing the consensus estimate of $4.43 billion, while EPS of $1.02 came in above the consensus of $1.
Trending: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die."<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/warren-buffet-make-money-when-you-sleep"> Here&#8217;s how you can earn passive income with just $100.</a>
Regions Financial
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RF#NYSE">RF</a>) provides various banking and related products and services to individual and corporate customers.
Regions Financial has raised its dividends consecutively for the last 12 years. In its most recent dividend hike announcement on July 17, 2024, its board increased the quarterly payout from $0.24 to $0.25 per share, equaling an annual figure of $1 per share. More recently, in its dividend announcement on Feb. 12, the company maintained the payout at the same level. Currently, the dividend yield on the stock is 4.54%.
Regions Financial's annual revenue as of Dec. 31 stood at $7.08 billion. In its Q4 2024 earnings report on Jan. 17, the company posted revenues of $1.84 billion, missing the consensus estimate of $1.86 billion, while EPS of $0.59 came in above the consensus of $0.55.
Check out this <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/analyst-ratings/25/03/44443183/where-regions-finl-stands-with-analysts">article by Benzinga</a> for four analysts' insights on Regions Financial.
See Also: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a>
Nexstar Media Group
Nexstar Media Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NXST#NASDAQ">NXST</a>) operates as a diversified media company that produces and distributes local and national news, sports, and entertainment content on television and digital platforms in the U.S.
The company has increased its dividends consecutively for the last 12 years. In its most recent dividend hike announcement on Jan. 29, the company raised the quarterly payout by 10% to $1.86 per share, which is equal to an annual figure of $7.44 per share. Currently, the dividend yield on the stock is 4.09%.
Nexstar Media's annual revenue as of Dec. 31 stood at $5.41 billion. In the company&#8217;s Q4 2024 earnings release on Feb. 27, it posted revenues of $1.49 billion, slightly above the consensus estimate of $1.48 billion, while EPS of $7.56 missed the consensus of $8.02.
ManpowerGroup, Regions Financial, and Nexstar Media are good choices for investors seeking reliable passive income. Their dividend yields of around 4-5% and long history of consistent hikes make them attractive to income-focused investors.
Check out this <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44550954/how-hormel-foods-allete-and-alliant-energy-can-put-cash-in-your-pocket">article by Benzinga</a> for three more stocks offering high dividend yields.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li>Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/5mil-nest-egg-adv">The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
<li>Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>

NXST

Why ManpowerGroup, Regions Financial, And Nexstar MediaAre Winners For Passive Income

Bill Ackman, a prominent investor, expressed concerns over the U.S. tariff policies in a social media post on Sunday. Ackman highlighted the potential economic repercussions of escalating tariffs under President Donald Trump.
What Happened: He said on X that while the nation supports the president&#8217;s efforts to address global tariff imbalances, business relies heavily on trust and confidence. Ackman stated, &#8220;President @realDonaldTrump has elevated the tariff issue to the most important geopolitical issue in the world.&#8221;
<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">The country is 100% behind the president on fixing a global system of tariffs that has disadvantaged the country. But, business is a confidence game and confidence depends on trust. President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> has elevated the tariff issue to the most important geopolitical…
&mdash; Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillAckman/status/1908992002366292286?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Ackman warned that imposing significant tariffs indiscriminately could erode confidence in the U.S. as a reliable trading partner. The investor suggested a 90-day pause to negotiate fairer tariff agreements, potentially attracting substantial investment. 
&#8220;The President has an opportunity on Monday to call a time out and have the time to execute on fixing an unfair tariff system.&#8221;
He cautioned that launching an &#8220;economic nuclear war&#8221; on April 9 could halt business investment and consumer spending, severely damaging the U.S. economy.
&#8220;The consequences for our country and the millions of our citizens who have supported the president — in particular low-income consumers who are already under a huge amount of economic stress — are going to be severely negative. This is not what we voted for.&#8221;
Ackman expressed concerns about the impact on both large corporations and smaller businesses, noting that many cannot absorb sudden cost increases. He urged the president to reconsider, warning of a &#8220;self-induced, economic nuclear winter&#8221; if current policies persist.
See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44622754/tariffs-are-most-expensive-and-masochistic-could-cost-30-trillion-to-the-economy-erasing-300k-per-family-explains" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Tariffs Could Cost $30 Trillion Or About $300,000 Per Family, Says Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers: &#8216;Most Expensive And Masochistic&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: The concerns raised by Ackman come in the wake of <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44640503/bill-ackman-just-pick-up-the-phonesays-trump-will-reward-early-dealmakers-punish-tariff-retaliation">significant market reactions</a> to Trump&#8217;s tariff policies. Recently, global markets experienced a $2 trillion loss in value following the introduction of sweeping reciprocal tariffs. In response, Ackman advised foreign leaders to engage directly with Trump, emphasizing his reputation as a dealmaker who views the world through a transactional lens. 
An X user asked Ackman if he agreed with the way the Tariffs were calculated, and he simply answered, &#8220;No&#8221; to the question. He also expressed agreement with another user that pointed out that the &#8220;most important unintended consequences is that a trade war gives non-allies the opportunity to make tactical geopolitical gains against USA behind the veil of trade policy responses.&#8221;
 Ackman&#8217;s stance has faced criticism from notable figures such as Ross Gerber and Gary Kasparov. They have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44643409/ross-gerber-and-gary-kasparov-slam-bill-ackmans-defense-of-trumps-trade-war-tactics-this-is-garbage-policy">publicly denounced</a> his defense of Trump&#8217;s trade war strategies, labeling them as &#8220;garbage policy.&#8221; Gerber, in particular, challenged Ackman&#8217;s suggestion that appearing &#8220;crazy&#8221; in negotiations could be strategic.
Historically, Ackman has supported Democratic candidates, but he has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/10/41495497/bill-ackman-dealmaker-donald-trump-is-key-to-avoiding-world-war-3">endorsed Trump</a> for the 2024 presidential election, citing national security concerns. This endorsement underscores the complexity of his views on Trump&#8217;s policies.
Did You Know?
<ul>
<li>Congress Is Making Huge Investments. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades">Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool</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>

Politics

General

Bill Ackman Warns Against Launching 'Economic Nuclear War,' Wants A 90-Day Time Out On Trump Tariffs

<ul>
<li>Tron founder Justin Sun has launched an attack against First Digital Trust.</li>
<li>Sun&#8217;s tactics in the ongoing spat mirror elements of the feud between Binance and FTX.</li>
<li>At the center of the dispute is a $456 million misappropriation claim.</li>
</ul>
While FTX may have well been on its way to its demise, many believe the death blow was Binance founder Changpeng &#8220;CZ&#8221; Zhao&#8217;s public vote of no confidence on the rival exchange. He publicly outlined plans to sell off FTX&#8217;s native token over concerns about its health, triggering a fatal run on the now-defunct platform.
Now, Binance, or at least a firm with close ties to it, may be on the receiving end of a similar attack.
Don't Miss:
<ul>
<li>‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.</a></li>
<li>Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.55 per share now</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Justin Sun Running Binance&#8217;s Playbook?</h2>
Throughout Wednesday and Thursday, Tron founder Justin Sun <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44622834/first-digital-assures-funds-are-backed-11-to-pursue-legal-action-after-justin-suns-allegations-send-fdusd-below-1">shouted to anyone who would listen</a> that First Digital Trust was insolvent. First Digital Trust is the Hong Kong-based entity behind FDUSD, Binance&#8217;s stablecoin of choice.
&#8220;First Digital Trust (FDT) is effectively insolvent and unable to fulfill client fund redemptions. I strongly recommend that users take immediate action to secure their assets,&#8221; Sun <a href="https://x.com/justinsuntron/status/1907453967652786522?t=V1mTVMTbIiyvHgZDy1zjow&amp;s=19">asserted</a> in his first missive on Wednesday.
Despite Sun&#8217;s failure to provide evidence, his claims were enough to trigger a rush of redemptions that saw FDUSD briefly lose its peg and trade as low as $0.87 in a debacle that takes the mind back to the beef between Binance and FTX.
&#8220;Remember when CZ publicly accused FTX of insolvency and triggered a bank run on the exchange?&#8221; One crypto community member <a href="https://x.com/FTPager/status/1907484286036689102?t=PTVt4r0EZgOiSxwbz4uKBQ&amp;s=19">wrote</a>, adding, &#8220;Justin is trying to run the same playbook Insanely malicious especially if this accusation turns out to be false. The emperor has no clothes.&#8221;
Trending: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-private-credit-fund">7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it</a>?
Unlike the FTX saga, First Digital Trust appears to be holding steady. For now, the market appears to have been appeased by <a href="https://x.com/FirstDigitalHQ/status/1907644502501896519?t=3XhUG8B920N_T5gJ0YCLqA&amp;s=19">data</a> showing the firm processing redemptions and an attestation of its reserves.
Sun&#8217;s attack against First Digital Trust appears linked to a recent legal filing in Hong Kong by Techteryx, the issuer of the TrueUSD stablecoin, against First Digital Trust. This filing was first reported by CoinDesk.
In the legal filing, Techteryx accuses First Digital Trust, which it had appointed as a fiduciary to manage its reserve, of misappropriating $456 million of its funds and failing to pay up when it needed it. Techteryx claims this situation forced it to obtain a bailout from Sun.
Techteryx has long been rumored to be owned by Sun, a claim both parties vehemently deny.&nbsp;
See Also: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Classic Case of Deflection?</h2>
First Digital Trust has denied the claims alleged in the legal filing while labeling the filing and Sun&#8217;s actions as an attempt to deflect from Techteryx&#8217;s failings.
According to a <a href="https://x.com/FirstDigitalHQ/status/1907716272172970222?t=cXThhyasZD8xAHPBU13R2A&amp;s=19">statement</a> by First Digital Trust, it never moved or invested any of Techteryx&#8217;s funds without the latter&#8217;s express permission. The firm contended that it was the TUSD issuer&#8217;s decision to make illiquid investments. It also contended that redemption of these funds hinged on AML/KYC concerns over Techteryx&#8217;s beneficial owner, which it said the firm has refused to reveal to date.
&#8220;We reiterate that FDT remains fully solvent, and every FDUSD is securely backed 1:1 by cash and cash equivalents. The exact ISIN numbers of all reserves backing FDUSD are clearly outlined in our attestation report, which is publicly available for verification. We are processing redemption requests as usual. We are seeking legal advice and FDT will pursue legal action to protect it&#8217;s [sic] rights and reputation,&#8221; First Digital Trust <a href="https://x.com/FirstDigitalHQ/status/1907716272172970222?t=cXThhyasZD8xAHPBU13R2A&amp;s=19">said</a>.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li>Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/5mil-nest-egg-adv">The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
<li>Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>

Is Justin Sun Taking A Page From Binance's Playbook? How FDUSD Attack Mirrors Binance-FTX Feud

Charlie Munger didn't just play the long game — he practically invented it. The billionaire investor, vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, and Warren Buffett's right-hand man made it to 99 years old with his wit intact, his house unchanged, and his <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">Diet Coke still bubbling</a>. But if you asked him, he could've done better. A lot better.
"I'd be the richest man on Earth," Munger told <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/30/full-transcript-from-cnbcs-charlie-munger-a-life-of-wit-and-wisdom-.html">CNBC's Becky Quick</a> in a 2023 interview, if he had the chance to rewind the last 100 years. He wasn't joking. Well, maybe a little. But the regret wasn't about yachts or private islands — it was compounding.
Don't Miss:
<ul>
<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>
<li>These five entrepreneurs are worth $223 billion –<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-homes-private-credit-fund"> they all believe in one platform that offers a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Missed the Rich List? Just Compound Earlier, Longer, Better.</h2>
"I would've started earlier, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43759618/charlie-munger-said-the-hardest-part-of-getting-rich-is-the-first-100000-but-from-there-it-snowballs-and-you-can-ease-off-the-gas">compounded longer, compounded better</a>," Munger said, as if those three tweaks wouldn't turn every finance bro's playbook inside out. In classic Munger fashion, he didn't blame bad luck or bad markets. He blamed himself — with a smirk. "I basically screwed up," he said. "Given the hand I dealt, I could've done a lot better."
Keep in mind: this is the same guy who built a billion-dollar fortune, helped shape one of the most successful companies in the world, and lived in the <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/charlie-munger-lived-same-house-203031744.html">same house for over 70 years</a>. But he still thought he left money on the table.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Munger's Mansion Theory: Bigger House, Smaller Happiness</h2>
Unlike many billionaires who bounce between mega-mansions, Munger stayed put. "Having a basic house really helps you," he explained. Fancy houses? Great for parties, not so great for peace of mind.
Trending: The secret weapon in billionaire investor portfolios that you almost certainly don't own yet. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">See which asset class has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 (1995-2024) – and with near-zero correlation.</a>
He and Buffett saw it play out over and over again. Friends got richer, homes got fancier, but contentment? Not so much. "In practically every case, they <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44458811/billionaire-warren-buffett-still-drives-a-2014-cadillac-but-joked-charlie-mungers-idea-of-traveling-in-style-was-an-air-conditioned-bus">make the person less happy</a>," Munger said.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Real Trap? Losing Your Sanity</h2>
Money wasn't the hard part. "Staying sane," he said, "that's the trick." That's not a motivational quote — it's a warning. Munger was obsessed with avoiding dumb mistakes: addiction, bad habits, lifestyle creep, and yes, cigarettes.
When asked what the real secret was, he didn't pitch a formula. He just doubled down on what not to do. "Avoid crazy at all costs," he said. "Crazy is way more common than you think."
His entire game plan boiled down to one idea: "You teach me the wrong way to play poker, I will avoid it. You teach me the wrong way to do something else, I will avoid it."
See Also: Have $200K saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/have-200k-saved-heres-how-to-turn-it-into-lasting-wealth"> Here's how to turn it into lasting wealth</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Billionaire Who Thought He Messed Up</h2>
Munger lived for almost a century, built empires, avoided the traps, and made a fortune while calling himself "cautious." But even he <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44146342/charlie-munger-said-he-was-passionate-about-getting-rich-but-not-because-i-wanted-ferraris-i-wanted-the-independence">thought he could've done better</a>.
That's the genius and the irony. The man who avoided crazy, skipped the mansions, dodged addiction, and drank Diet Coke like it was a health tonic still thought he left wealth on the table.
Maybe that's what <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/10/41120804/574616">made him great</a>. Or maybe — just maybe — that's why he lived to nearly 100 in the same house, with the same best friend, and the same unbeatable mindset.
Avoid crazy. Avoid regret. Keep it simple. And don't trust anyone who says peanut brittle isn't part of a well-balanced life.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mark-cubans-advice-for-lotto-winners">Many are surprised by Mark Cuban's advice for lotto winners: Cash or annuity?</a></li>
<li>Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>

Billionaire Charlie Munger Said He'd Be The 'Richest Man on Earth' If He Could Go Back 100 Years And Start Over — 'I Could Have Done a Lot Better'

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/42898261/bill-and-melinda-gates-say-they-raised-their-3-daughters-with-a-middle-class-upbringing-youre-not-allowed-to-tell-people-how-we-flew">Before their 2021 divorce</a>, Bill and Melinda Gates were one of the most powerful philanthropic duos in the world. But in 2018, they hit pause to publicly answer the tough stuff — questions they said people actually asked them. One in particular cut deep:
"Is it fair that you have so much influence?"
Melinda didn't hedge, <a href="https://www.gatesnotes.com/2018-annual-letter">writing in the GatesNotes Blog</a>: "No. It's not fair that we have so much wealth when billions of others have so little. And it's not fair that our wealth opens doors that are closed to most people."
Don't Miss:
<ul>
<li>Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a></li>
<li>Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.55 per share now</a>.</li>
</ul>
That wasn't a soundbite. It was part of a longer, pointed response about power, access, and privilege. "World leaders tend to take our phone calls," she wrote. "Cash-strapped school districts are more likely to divert money and talent toward ideas they think we will fund."
And Bill didn't dodge the elephant in the room either:
"If we think it's unfair that we have so much wealth, why don't we <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42622967/bill-gates-answers-why-he-doesnt-just-voluntarily-pay-more-in-taxes-people-pay-taxes-as-an-obligation-of-law-not-out-of-charity">give it all to the government</a>?"
His answer? Foundations can take risks governments can't. They can think globally, play the long game, and test bold ideas without waiting for votes or budgets. "We're like an incubator," he explained. "We aim to improve the quality of the ideas that go into public policies and steer funding toward those that have the most impact."
Trending: These five entrepreneurs are worth $223 billion –<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-homes-private-credit-fund"> they all believe in one platform that offers a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends</a>
But just because they had answers didn't mean they were ignoring the optics. They admitted the imbalance. They didn't pretend the system was just.
"We use whatever influence we have," Melinda said, "to help as many people as possible and to advance equity around the world."
The letter, released three years before their separation, also gave rare insight into their working relationship — something <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/40004954/melinda-gates-not-surprised-by-warren-buffetts-new-will-to-form-charity-trust-headed-by-his-children">Melinda said often came with imbalance</a> too.
"There were times I felt that disparity—in meetings when I was reticent and he was voluble, or when the person we were meeting with looked toward Bill and not me," she said.
They worked at it. Gave each other feedback. Learned when to pull back and when to push forward. And while Melinda focused more on gender equity, Bill leaned into science and systems. Still, Bill made one thing clear: their decisions were shared.
"Because I've been a public figure longer, and because I'm a man, some people assume I am making the big decisions. That's never been the case."
See Also: The secret weapon in billionaire investor portfolios that you almost certainly don't own yet. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">See which asset class has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 (1995-2024) – and with near-zero correlation.</a>
In their letter, they weren't defending wealth. They were admitting its outsized power — and trying to explain how they use it. Melinda called it "a basic responsibility" for people with money to give it back. Bill added, "Once you've taken care of yourself and your children, the best use of extra wealth is to give it back to society."
The Gates Foundation, still the largest private foundation in the world, continued to carry both of their names even after their divorce. For a while, they remained co-chairs — but in 2024, Melinda <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/bill-melinda-gates-foundation">announced she would step down</a>.&nbsp;
While she left the foundation's leadership, she didn't leave philanthropy. As part of the transition, she received <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/melinda-gates-step-down-co-chair-bill-melinda-gates-foundation-2024-05-13/">$12.5 billion to pursue her own charitable work</a>, with a focus on women and families through her organization, Pivotal Ventures.
In a world that still questions the role of billionaire influence, their 2018 words haven't aged out: "It's not fair," Melinda wrote."But we're trying to make it count."
Read Next:
<ul>
<li>Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>

Bill and Melinda Gates Agreed 'It's Not Fair We Have So Much Wealth' — And Say Their Money Opens Doors Most People Will Never Get Through

In an exciting development for astronomy enthusiasts, the Blaze Star, situated 3,000 light-years from Earth, is anticipated to explode soon, promising a unique spectacle in the night sky.
What Happened: The star system T Coronae Borealis, commonly known as the Blaze Star, is on the brink of a nova explosion. This rare event, which happens approximately every 80 years, will render the star visible from Earth for roughly a week.
According to <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/marshall/nasa-global-astronomers-await-rare-nova-explosion/">NASA</a>, T Coronae Borealis — or "T CrB," in astronomer lingo — is actually composed of two celestial bodies: an Earth-sized remnant of a dead star, a.k.a. "white dwarf," and "an ancient red giant slowly being stripped of hydrogen by the relentless gravitational pull of its hungry neighbor." 
Post-explosion, the Blaze Star will radiate thousands of times brighter than its usual luminosity,&nbsp;appearing as a new star&nbsp;in the sky, comparable in brightness to the North Star, Polaris.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40764266/kids-in-a-dorm-room-jeff-bezos-blueprint-for-tomorrows-space-leaders">&#8216;Kids In A Dorm Room&#8217;: Jeff Bezos&#8217; Blueprint for Tomorrow&#8217;s Space Leaders</a>
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime event that will create a lot of new astronomers out there. It's incredibly exciting to have this front-row seat," NASA astronomer Dr. Rebekah Hounsell <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/04/04/us-news/blaze-star-thats-3000-lightyears-away-will-soon-explode/">told </a>New York Post. 
The Blaze Star is a binary system comprising a white dwarf and an ancient red giant. The white dwarf accumulates&nbsp;hydrogen from the red giant, leading to increased pressure and heat. This buildup ultimately triggers a thermonuclear blast&nbsp;that can be seen across&nbsp;the galaxy.
Why It Matters: The timing of this celestial event remains uncertain. Initially predicted to occur last June, the explosion was then rescheduled for September, and now may happen this month. 
To witness the Blaze Star, one should gaze towards the Northern Crown constellation, drawing a&nbsp;line from the two brightest&nbsp;stars in the Northern Hemisphere, Arcturus and Vega.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/08/33808764/the-us-government-is-encouraging-hackers-to-infiltrate-its-satellite-heres-why">The US Government Is Encouraging Hackers To Infiltrate Its Satellite &#8211; Here&#8217;s Why</a>
Shutterstock: Jakob Weyde

Blaze Star 3,000 Light-Years Away Set To Explode in Rare Event Visible From Earth: 'Once-In-A-Lifetime Event'

In a swift response to President Donald Trump&#8216;s global tariff hike, global hedge funds and levered exchange-traded funds (ETFs) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44645681/jpmorgan-raises-recession-risk-to-60-as-largest-us-tax-hike-in-60-years-hits-global-economy">have offloaded more than $40 billion of stocks</a>, according to recent notes to clients from banks.
What Happened: The announcement of the severe global tariffs, the highest in over a century, has resulted in a loss of over $4 trillion in stock market value for S&amp;P 500 companies, Reuters reported.
JPMorgan (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) has projected that volatility targeting portfolios will sell between $25 billion and $30 billion in equities in the coming days to mitigate risk. Additionally, levered ETFs are expected to sell an extra $23 billion, predominantly in tech stocks, to rebalance by the end of the day.
See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44655841/if-youre-going-to-do-dumb-things-because-your-stock-goes-down-warren-buffetts-old-warning-gains-steam-as-us-stock" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;If You&#8217;re Going To Do Dumb Things Because Your Stock Goes Down&#8230;:&#8217; Warren Buffett&#8217;s Old Warning Gains Steam As US Stocks Wipe Out $5 Trillion After Trump Tariffs</a>
In a separate note, Goldman Sachs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>) reported that equities long/short hedge funds globally experienced the largest net selling in nearly 15 years on Thursday, becoming the most bearish since 2011. The bank also noted that portfolio managers primarily increased bets against stocks, credit, and equity ETFs following Trump&#8217;s tariff announcement, which sparked recession fears.
U.S. stocks led the hedge fund sales, with financial shares being net-sold at the fastest pace since 2016. However, sectors like real estate, staples, and utilities, known for weathering recessionary periods well, were the only ones investors bought on a net basis.
Financial experts speaking <a href="https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/article-14574981/Where-invest-Trumps-tariffs-means-pension-definitive-guide-Mails-money-experts.html">to</a> Britain's The Mail on Sunday see potential for investors in international ETFs, such as the iShares MSCI India ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INDA#BATS">INDA</a>), Vanguard's Germany All Cap, and the Amundi UK Equity All Cap.
Why It Matters: The sudden sell-off of stocks by global hedge funds and ETFs is a direct result of the tariff hike announced by President Trump.
This move, the largest in over a century, has not only led to a significant loss in stock market value but has also increased the probability of a U.S. recession.
Read Next: <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44644765/tom-lee-predicts-a-market-rebound-after-april-9-as-absurd-tariffs-could-spur-potential-negotiations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tom Lee Predicts a Market Rebound After April 9 As &#8216;Absurd&#8217; Tariffs Could Spur Potential Negotiations</a>
Shutterstock: Westlight

ETFs

INDA

Global Hedge Funds and ETFs Offload Over $40 Billion in Stocks Following Trump's Tariff Announcement

A conservative legal nonprofit, the New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) has initiated a lawsuit <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44653029/trump-tariffs-trigger-wall-street-bloodbath-sp-500-notches-worst-weekly-drop-since-2020">against President Donald Trump's tariffs</a>, representing a small stationery company based in Florida.
What Happened: According to a report <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/04/05/trump-tariffs-sink-conservatives-challenge-whether-theyre-legal/">by</a> The Washington Post, an increasing number of conservatives are questioning President Trump&#8217;s authority to impose extensive tariffs. The first legal challenge comes from a small stationery company, Simplified, represented by the NCLA. The NCLA has a track record of successful lawsuits, including one that led to the Supreme Court overturning the Chevron deference last year, significantly reducing the power of federal agencies to regulate various aspects of American life.
The NCLA filed a complaint this week on behalf of Simplified, owned by Emily Ley. The complaint challenges the legality of Trump&#8217;s tariffs imposed on all Chinese imports earlier this year. The NCLA contends that Trump&#8217;s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to justify the tariffs was unconstitutional as it does not authorize the president to impose tariffs.
See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/44656995/msnbcs-ruhle-treasury-secretary-bessent-looking-for-an-exit-amid-tariff-chaos" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MSNBC&#8217;s Ruhle: Treasury Secretary Bessent Looking for an Exit Amid Tariff Chaos</a>
&#8220;No prior president ever thought the IEEPA allowed him to set tariffs. Reading this law broadly enough to uphold the China tariff would transfer core legislative power,&#8221; NCLA President Mark Chenoweth said in a statement. The lawsuit alleges that the new tariffs will impose hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs on Ley&#8217;s business.
The lawsuit names the United States, Trump, the Executive Office of the President, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the agencies&#8217; leadership as defendants. The plaintiffs are asking the court to declare the China import tariff unlawful and to prevent its implementation and enforcement.
Despite the market plunge and fears of a recession, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent downplayed the concerns, stating that the administration was &#8220;building the long term,&#8221; as reported <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/04/06/us-news/scott-bessent-downplays-market-plunge-as-he-doubles-down-on-tariffs/">by</a> The New York Post.
Why It Matters: The lawsuit comes in the wake of global markets plunging after President Trump announced sweeping new tariffs, an event he dubbed &#8220;Liberation Day.&#8221;
The tariffs sparked backlash from analysts and fears of retaliation from global trade partners. China, the U.S.&#8217;s largest trade deficit partner, was hit with a steep 34% tariff, leading to an escalation in the global trade war.
Read Next: <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44657109/amid-tariff-turmoil-heres-why-mike-johnson-and-john-thune-stand-by-trump" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amid Tariff Turmoil, Here&#8217;s Why Mike Johnson and John Thune Stand by Trump</a>
Shutterstock: Stock Studio 4477

Legal

Conservative Nonprofit Launches Court Challenge to Trump Tariffs — A Sign of Things To Come?

In a 1997 speech, famed investor&nbsp;Peter Lynch imparted his investment wisdom, emphasizing&nbsp;the significance of comprehending the&nbsp;business behind the stock and the ineffectiveness of economic forecasting.
What Happened: Lynch, celebrated for his remarkable stint at&nbsp;Fidelity Investments, divulged his investment insights during the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myu4Nv0pt0U">speech</a>.
He underscored the need to understand&nbsp;the business behind the stock, advising, &#8220;If you can&#8217;t&nbsp;explain to an 11-year-old in&nbsp;two minutes or less, why&nbsp;you own the stock, you&nbsp;shouldn&#8217;t own it.&#8221;
This philosophy is in line with&nbsp;Warren Buffett&#8216;s investment approach, which advocates investing in areas of personal expertise. 
&nbsp;&#8220;If you can&#8217;t explain to an 11-year-old in two minutes or less, why you own the stock, you shouldn&#8217;t own it. Understanding the business behind the stock is the most important principle of investing in the stock market. This is why&nbsp;Buffett&nbsp;only invests into what he understands and what falls in his circle of competence. I buy stuff like Dunkin Donuts, Stop and Shop and made money on them,&#8221; Lynch said during the speech.
Don't Miss:
<ul>
<li>The Average 401(k) Balance Soars to a Record-Breaking High – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/average-401k-balances-soars-to-record-high">Here's How To Know if Your Nest Egg Is Keeping Pace</a>.</li>
<li>This Jeff Bezos-Backed Startup Will Allow You To <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/bezos-landlord-100-dollars">Become a Landlord in Just 10 Minutes, With Minimum Investments As Low as $100</a>.</li>
</ul>
Lynch also rejected the concept of economic forecasting, identifying himself as a &#8220;bottom-up&#8221; investor who zeroes in on individual stocks through comprehensive company and industry analysis.
Lynch further spotlighted&nbsp;the importance of patience in&nbsp;investing, indicating that substantial returns could be reaped even a decade after a company&#8217;s initial public offering. 
He cited Walmart as an instance, underlining&nbsp;that investing is a marathon,&nbsp;not a sprint.
"A decade after Walmart when public in 1970, it only had 15% penetration across the U.S. Thus, one could assume they had plenty of runway ahead to expand across the country, but success wasn't guaranteed, so some investors might have though they already missed the bus," Lynch said while talking about the Walmart stock option.
Trending: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/gbr-savings-by-age">If You're Age 35, 50, or 60: Here&#8217;s How Much You Should Have Saved Vs. Invested By Now</a>
Why It Matters: Lynch&#8217;s&nbsp;principles serve as a valuable&nbsp;roadmap for both novice and veteran&nbsp;investors. His emphasis on understanding&nbsp;the business, focusing on individual&nbsp;stocks, and exercising patience resonates&nbsp;with the strategies of successful&nbsp;investors like Buffett. 
His insights serve as a reminder to investors that successful investing hinges on&nbsp;making informed decisions and playing&nbsp;the long game.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/if-you-invested-in-nvidia-in-2022">Here's How Much You Should Have Invested in Nvidia in 2022 To Become a Millionaire Today</a>.</li>
<li><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%</a>. </li>
</ul>
Shutterstock: AVM Images

Success Stories

Peter Lynch's Advice: 'If You Can't Explain to an 11-Year-Old in Two Minutes or Less Why You Own the Stock, You Shouldn't Own It'

A 2014 "<a href="https://x.com/ThomasSowell/status/1907788632267645294">60 Minutes" interview with Elon Musk</a> is suddenly back in rotation on X and it's not hard to see why. With headlines swirling about Musk backing away from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency and calls for federal spending cuts growing louder, the clip is a timely throwback to a different kind of Musk headline—one where he wasn't slashing budgets <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44079465/report-says-elon-musks-businesses-have-been-awarded-38-billion-in-government-contracts-since-2003-heres-what-taxpayers-are-funding">but writing checks to the government</a>.
In the resurfaced interview, journalist Scott Pelley zeroed in on Tesla's taxpayer-funded boost. "Taxpayers essentially loaned you, Tesla, almost $500 million. How much of that do you still owe?"
Musk, calm as ever, replied, "We paid the whole loan back with interest and a prepayment penalty last year."
Don't Miss:
<ul>
<li>Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.55 per share now</a>.</li>
<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>
When asked why he paid the loan off early, Musk said the taxpayers had supported Tesla, so, as he put it, "we ought to repay them as soon as we can." He added, "Since we had the ability to do it and the stock markets were good, let's pay it back with interest and a thank you note, by the way. I said, ‘really appreciate it. Thank you.'"
That's not just talk. In 2010, Tesla received a $465 million loan from the Department of Energy's Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program. It was part of a broader effort to jumpstart clean energy and EV innovation in the U.S.&nbsp;
Trending: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/startengine-own">The $1.3 billion startup investment boom: How this company's explosive growth is opening doors for everyday investors with a new $500 minimum</a>
In May 2013, Tesla wrote a check to the U.S. government for the full balance—nine years ahead of schedule—making it the first American automaker to fully repay its ATVM loan. And they didn't just slide the check under the door. The repayment came with interest and a prepayment penalty, signaling Musk wasn't looking for a discount or an exit ramp.
Even more notable? The thank-you note.
"I would like to thank the Department of Energy and the members of Congress and their staffs that worked hard to create the program," Musk <a href="https://ir.tesla.com/press-release/tesla-repays-department-energy-loan-nine-years-early">said in a statement</a> in 2013, "and particularly the American taxpayer from whom these funds originate. I hope we did you proud."
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elon-musk-told-the-u-n-if-they-could-show-a-plan-for-ending-world-hunger-hed-donate-6-billion-i-will-sell-tesla-stock-right-now-and-do-it">Elon Musk Told The U.N. If They Could Show A Plan For Ending World Hunger He'd Donate $6 Billion – ‘I Will Sell Tesla Stock Right Now And Do It'</a>
That line alone could be a headline in 2025. Because these days, Musk is associated more with government belt-tightening than borrowing. As a leader of DOGE, he's been at the helm of a controversial crackdown on federal spending—that has resulted in the cutting more than 280,000 jobs and the trimming department budgets across the board. But now, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/44611347/is-elon-musk-leaving-doge-role-trump-tells-cabinet-move-could-happen-soon-report">reports suggest Musk is stepping back</a> from that post, citing the need to refocus on his own companies.
With <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44621408/market-access-has-a-price-trump-unveils-list-of-tariffs-countries-targeted">tariffs looming and funding debates heating up</a>, the clip is more than nostalgia—it's a reminder that Musk has played nearly every position on the public funding field: borrower, taxpayer, and budget-slasher-in-chief.
So yes, he had almost a full decade left to pay off Tesla's loan. But in true Musk fashion, he didn't wait around. And he left a thank-you note when he left.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li>BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a></li>
<li>Have $200K saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/have-200k-saved-heres-how-to-turn-it-into-lasting-wealth"> Here's how to turn it into lasting wealth</a></li>
</ul>

Elon Musk Paid Off Tesla's $465 Million Government Loan 9 Years Early With Interest, Penalties —And a Message to Taxpayers: 'I Hope We Did You Proud'

Anthony Scaramucci has publicly criticized President Donald Trump&#8216;s recent tariff policies.
What Happened: Scaramucci, who had a brief stint in the Trump administration in 2017, has been a consistent critic of the president. His latest remarks were in reaction to Trump&#8217;s decision to impose new tariffs on the majority of the U.S.&#8217;s major trading partners.
Following a significant plunge in&nbsp;the stock market and global&nbsp;markets in the wake of Trump&#8217;s &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; announcement, Scaramucci expressed his criticism on a social media platform. In a post on X, he stated, &#8220;There&nbsp;is stupid and then there&nbsp;is Donald Trump Stupid: DTS.&nbsp;A new global low.&#8221;
<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">There is stupid and then there is Donald Trump Stupid: DTS. A new global low.
&mdash; Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scaramucci/status/1908126278147809714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Furthermore, Scaramucci lambasted Trump&#8217;s team for being in an &#8220;echo chamber of stupidity&#8221; with regards to&nbsp;its trade policy. His comments&nbsp;came on the heels of China&#8217;s retaliation against the U.S.&#8217;s&nbsp;tariffs with its own on&nbsp;Thursday.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44550662/scaramucci-says-trump-is-souring-on-vp-vance-the-president-will-make-him-more-irrelevant">Scaramucci Says Trump Is Souring on VP Vance: &#8216;The President Will Make Him More Irrelevant&#8217;</a>
Trump&#8217;s tariff announcement triggered a global selloff, resulting in the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling&nbsp;more than 1,600 points on&nbsp;Thursday. 
Despite the market&#8217;s reaction, Trump likened&nbsp;the United States to a&nbsp;patient requiring surgery, suggesting that the market drop was anticipated.
Why It Matters: The ongoing trade war has been a contentious issue, with critics arguing that the tariffs could harm the U.S. economy. Scaramucci&#8217;s comments highlight the growing concern among some former Trump administration officials about the potential economic fallout from the president&#8217;s trade policies.
Moreover, the market&#8217;s reaction to the tariff announcement underscores the potential global economic impact of these policies. 
The significant drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average following the announcement indicates the level of concern among investors about the potential economic consequences of the ongoing trade war.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44211446/anthony-scaramucci-slams-donald-trump-hes-going-to-put-us-into-a-recession-frankly" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anthony Scaramucci Slams Donald Trump: ‘He's Going To Put Us Into A Recession, Frankly'</a>
Shutterstock: Al Teich

Scaramucci on Tariffs: 'There Is Stupid and Then There Is Donald Trump Stupid'

<ul>
<li>Block CEO Jack Dorsey has offered his thoughts on how Bitcoin could fail.</li>
<li>Dorsey&#8217;s thoughts go against the current prevailing narrative.</li>
<li>The Block CEO&#8217;s statements have unsurprisingly sparked pushback.</li>
</ul>
Is Bitcoin meant to be a medium of exchange, a store of value, or maybe both? This question continues to be the subject of serious debate, especially in core Bitcoin circles.
The debate has now been rehashed by statements from Twitter co-founder and Block Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XYZ#NYSE">XYZ</a>) CEO Jack Dorsey.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Debate On Relevance</h2>
Dorsey has asserted that Bitcoin will fail if it becomes nothing more than a store of value. He said this while speaking with Haley Berkoe, product marketing manager of Block subsidiary and Bitcoin-focused development firm Spiral, on a "Presidio Bitcoin" podcast <a href="https://youtu.be/0PaV_6vjkXI?si=H_Aj15tOhYcsakmG">episode</a> last week. According to him, Bitcoin succeeds through payments.
Don't Miss:
<ul>
<li>Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.55 per share now</a>.</li>
<li>‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.</a></li>
</ul>
Dorsey&#8217;s statements come at a time when <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44628685/bitcoin-is-a-realistic-global-reserve-asset-experts-say">the leading narrative for Bitcoin</a> is that it has the potential to become a store of value on par with gold due to its limited supply. This thesis has left many unwilling to spend their coins in hopes that the asset&#8217;s value will continue to grow.
But in Dorsey&#8217;s telling, the current store of value focus presents a path to &#8220;irrelevance.&#8221;
&#8220;I think it has to be payments for it to be relevant on the every day. Otherwise, it&#8217;s just something you kind of buy and forget and only use in emergency situations or when you want to get liquid again. So I think if it doesn&#8217;t transition to payments and find that everyday use case, it just gets increasingly irrelevant. And that&#8217;s failure to me,&#8221; he told Berkoe.
Trending: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-private-credit-fund">7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it</a>?
Addressing scaling and volatility concerns, Dorsey advocated for a focus on creating simple and accessible payment solutions that prioritize speed, privacy, and security. He argued that with time, greater accessibility, and a renewed focus on the ideals that birthed the cryptocurrency, the issue of volatility will also eventually be addressed.
Dorsey appeared to hold the view that Bitcoin had currently veered away from its original vision.
&#8220;There&#8217;s tons of stuff we need to do to really get back to the white paper, which is, you know, a system for electronic peer-to-peer digital cash like we have not seen that yet,&#8221; he asserted.
Dorsey's statements have unsurprisingly sparked pushback.
See Also: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a>
For example, Bitcoin Keeper Lead Developer Ben Kaufman <a href="https://x.com/_benkaufman/status/1907542073781125140?t=5SP2EfWJ5g8c0mQxgi41Lg&amp;s=19">contended</a> that contrary to Dorsey&#8217;s statements, Bitcoin was more needed as a store of value than a means of payment.
&#8220;Bitcoin has value because it is needed. It is needed to store value as governments erode the value of their currencies. It is needed for payments to circumvent financial censorship. Currency devaluation affects everyone, while payment censorship affects small groups,&#8221; he wrote.
Interestingly, &#8220;Satoshi Nakamoto,&#8221; the pseudonymous creator of the cryptocurrency, did appear to envision a future for Bitcoin as a store of value, widely quoted as <a href="https://x.com/danheld/status/1084848069470957568?t=PjCF_YWkAkCWkPR2VIcfqg&amp;s=19">saying</a>, &#8220;It might make sense just to get some in case it catches on.&#8221;
Time will tell which narrative will prevail or whether both can coexist. In the meantime, however, speculators appear to have the upper hand as the asset <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44636065/bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-dump-on-tariff-news">trades like a tech stock</a>.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/gbr-savings-by-age">If You're Age 35, 50, or 60: Here&#8217;s How Much You Should Have Saved Vs. Invested By Now</a></li>
<li>Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>

Jack Dorsey Says Bitcoin Fails If It Is Not Used For Everyday Payments

The escalating trade war spearheaded by President Donald Trump is causing unease among Republicans, corporate America, and even Trump&#8217;s allies.
What Happened: The intensifying trade war has sparked concern among Republicans on Capitol Hill, corporate America, and allies of President Trump. Despite the economic implications, Republican lawmakers are currently tolerating the situation due to fear of Trump&#8217;s wrath.
Lobbyists are quietly urging lawmakers to safeguard their interests, but they too are fearful of becoming targets. Even insiders from Trump&#8217;s circle, concerned about the impact of the tariffs, are hoping for intervention from elsewhere.
An anonymous public affairs operative <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/04/trump-tariffs-fear-lobby-business-congress-00006608">told </a>Politico, &#8220;There&nbsp;is zero incentive for any&nbsp;company or brand to be&nbsp;remotely critical of this administration.&#8221; This fear is widespread across sectors, with an energy industry official expressing similar sentiments.
With Trump&#8217;s firm grip over Washington, he has faced little opposition to policies that are disrupting the global economy, damaging America&#8217;s&nbsp;relationships with its closest allies, and making deep&nbsp;unilateral cuts to the federal&nbsp;government.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44656680/trumps-10-tariff-on-most-imports-is-finally-here-taking-effect-saturday">Trump&#8217;s 10% Tariff On Most Imports Is Finally Here, Taking Effect Saturday</a>
As the Trump administration doubles down on tariffs, it&#8217;s&nbsp;unclear what the breaking point&nbsp;will be for officials and&nbsp;lobbyists representing the most-impacted constituencies.&nbsp;
Advocates for affected industries are&nbsp;trying to gauge the durability of the new tariffs, cautious about voicing strong opposition in case&nbsp;the administration decides to quickly&nbsp;scale them back.
Despite the expectation of a louder pushback after the implementation of&nbsp;a baseline tariff of 10&nbsp;percent on all imported goods&nbsp;and higher &#8220;reciprocal&#8221;&nbsp;tariffs on dozens of other&nbsp;countries, no&nbsp;major trade group has filed&nbsp;litigation as of Friday midday.
"He campaigned on this," one GOP senator said as panic stirred in the Senate hallways. "This is just the beginning."
Even on Capitol Hill,&nbsp;fear is spreading among GOP&nbsp;lawmakers as the market loses trillions of dollars. However, most Republicans are currently&nbsp;unwilling to call on Trump&nbsp;to back down.
Why It Matters: The escalating trade war is not only causing economic disruption but also creating a climate of fear among lawmakers, corporate America, and even those within Trump&#8217;s circle. The reluctance to challenge the administration&#8217;s policies, despite the potential economic fallout, underscores the extent of Trump&#8217;s influence. 
The situation also raises questions about the potential long-term impact on the global economy and America&#8217;s relationships with its allies.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/03/44552465/trump-unfazed-by-potential-auto-price-hikes-amid-new-tariffs-i-couldnt-care-less" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Unfazed by Potential Auto Price Hikes Amid New Tariffs: ‘I Couldn't Care Less'</a>
Shutterstock: Bigc Studio

Trump's Trade War Intensifies, Stirring Unease Among Republicans and Corporate America

Investors can choose from a wide range of assets. Stocks and crypto are two of the most liquid investments that can produce higher returns, but that's not the investment renowned New York Times bestselling author Scott Galloway praised in a recent podcast interview.
He views real estate as one of the top investments due to its tax advantages and cash flow. While some people don't like real estate's relative illiquidity, Galloway views it as a strength.
"It's a form of forced savings," the NYU professor and finance expert stated.
Don't Miss:
<ul>
<li>‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.</a></li>
<li>How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/tax-deferring-adv"> Tax deferring is their number one strategy</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Real Estate Offers Tremendous Leverage</h2>
Not only does real estate act as a form of forced savings, but it also offers tremendous leverage. You can buy a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/10/41320015/guess-what-percent-of-households-have-over-1-million-you-might-be-shocked-by-the-number-of-milli">$1 million</a> property with a $200,000 down payment if you put 20% down. If you have a good credit score and a low debt-to-income ratio, you might even get away with a 3% down payment.
Very few investment opportunities allow you to put down $30,000 to gain ownership of $1 million worth of assets. You have to contend with mortgage payments for up to 30 years, but if you earn rental income from the property, you break even while building up equity.&nbsp;
Trending: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Investment Properties Can Also Lower Your Tax Bill</h2>
Real estate is one of the most tax-advantaged assets available. Investors can write depreciation off their expenses, and Section 179 allows investors to use accelerated depreciation to keep tax bills low. Some investors buy multiple properties each year and use Section 179 to defer income taxes continuously.&nbsp;
While Section 179 would result in significant capital gains if you sold the property, rules like the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1031-exchanges-are-here-to-stay">1031 exchange</a> and step-up basis can help investors avoid taxes on their gains. You save money on taxes, and the lack of liquidity turns real estate into a store of value. In that regard, real estate is similar to gold as a hedge against inflation.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Building a Real Estate Portfolio</h2>
Real estate investors have access to plenty of leverage, but you still have to make monthly mortgage payments. Furthermore, you will need a good credit score and enough money for a down payment.
See Also: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-private-credit-fund">7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it</a>?
Putting more money down will reduce how much you pay in interest, while if you make the 3% minimum down payment, you can get started sooner.&nbsp;
It's good to brush up on the basics of real estate before rushing to make investments. Savvy investors often use a property's cap rate to gauge its potential returns. Higher cap rates come with higher potential returns and elevated risks. You can arrive at this calculation if you divide a property's net operating income by its market value.
It's best to focus on increasing your income and minimizing your expenses before you get started with real estate. Earning more money will make it easier to get started, but savvy investors can also raise money through crowdfunding.&nbsp;
Read Next:
<ul>
<li>Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.55 per share now</a>.</li>
<li>Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>

Comments

NexGel

NexGel (NXGL) Opzioni

No option chain data available. Please try again later

Notizie

PARTNER/COLLABORATORE

BENZINGA NEL MONDO