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The Mega Millions jackpot has reached $1 billion for Tuesday&#8217;s Christmas Eve drawing, marking only the seventh time in the game&#8217;s history that the prize has crossed the billion-dollar threshold.
What Happened: The winning numbers drawn on Dec. 24 are 38, 45, 14, 46, and 11, with a Mega Ball of 3 and a 3X Megaplier. The cash option stands at $448.8 million, representing the largest December prize in the game&#8217;s history.
The massive jackpot comes during what has been an unusually quiet year for lottery winners. Only three Mega Millions jackpots have been claimed in 2024, the lowest number of wins since the game&#8217;s inception.
The last winner emerged in Texas on Sep. 10, with 29 consecutive drawings passing without a grand prize winner.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42676374/rip-bitcoin-obituaries-declares-expert-death-notices-dwindle-as-top-crypto-gains-acceptance-from-politicians-billionaires">&#8216;RIP Bitcoin Obituaries,&#8217; Declares Expert — Death Notices Dwindle As Top Crypto Gains Acceptance From Politicians, Billionaires</a>
Why It Matters: The odds of winning <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/08/40663658/575-million-mega-millions-jackpot-heres-how-much-you-could-get-after-taxes-in-every-state">remain extraordinarily steep</a> at 1 in 302,575,350. For perspective, the probability of being struck by lightning or encountering a grizzly bear attack in Yellowstone National Park (1 in 3.5 million) is significantly higher.
History shows that massive <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/05/39005560/5-lottery-winners-who-wished-they-never-struck-the-jackpot">lottery wins can bring unexpected challenges</a>. Jack Whittaker, who won a $315 million Powerball jackpot on Christmas in 2002, faced numerous personal tragedies and legal disputes following his win. Abraham Shakespeare, who won $17 million in 2006, was murdered three years later by someone who befriended him after his win.
Mega Millions tickets, priced at $2 each, are available in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A win on Christmas Eve would mark only the second time in the game&#8217;s history that a jackpot has been claimed on Dec 24.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42676444/biden-harris-and-pope-francis-deliver-messages-of-hope-and-inclusion-on-christmas-eve-trump-promotes-his-new-book-as-hottest-gift">Biden, Harris, And Pope Francis Deliver Messages Of Hope And Inclusion On Christmas Eve, Trump Promotes His New Book As &#8216;Hottest Gift&#8217;</a></li>
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Image Via FMT 
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

News

Christmas Eve Mega Millions: Jackpot Soars To Record $1 Billion In Year Of Rare Wins

On Tuesday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman turned to the users to gather their suggestions on the company&#8217;s future projects and improvements for 2025.
What Happened: Altman&#8217;s query on X, formerly Twitter elicited a variety of responses.
While many of the suggestions were geared toward refining existing models, one recurring request stood out: significant upgrades to OpenAI's Sora <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42501018/marc-andreessen-praises-openais-sora-video-model-we-may-have-basically-just-solved-the-fundamental-challenge-of-robotics">video model</a>.
Previously, tech YouTuber, Marques Brownlee also reviewed that Google's Veo 2 AI video generator, owned by 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/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) surpasses OpenAI's Sora model.
In response to users, Altman has assured that many improvements to Sora are on the way.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42641667/is-this-nancy-pelosis-stock-pick-set-to-overtake-nvidia-ai-chip-race-to-heat-up-by-2025-as-meta-and-microsoft-look-beyond-jensen-huangs-chip-maker-says-expert?itm_source=parsely-api">Is This Nancy Pelosi&#8217;s Stock Pick Set To Overtake Nvidia? AI Chip Race To Heat Up By 2025 As Meta And Microsoft Look Beyond Jensen Huang&#8217;s Chip Maker, Says Expert</a>
Other highly requested features included a stronger 4o replacement, seamless integrations of GPT, reasoning models, and Sora into ChatGPT, and improvements in context length and knowledge updates.
Family accounts with parental controls also made the list, with one user suggesting the ability to create accounts for their children with certain restrictions. Altman responded favorably to this idea, acknowledging the need for a &#8220;grown-up mode.&#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">what would you like openai to build/fix in 2025?
&mdash; Sam Altman (@sama) <a href="https://twitter.com/sama/status/1871730475909419115?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Subscribe to the <a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a> to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: Earlier this month, under the &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42332451/sam-altman-teases-12-days-of-openai-christmas-magic-users-predict-unveiling-of-sora-o1-reasoning-model-and-more">12 Days of OpenAI</a>&#8221; event, the ChatGPT-maker made significant announcements.
The AI startup unveiled its next-generation reasoning model, o3, as the successor to o1, launched the ChatGPT Search <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42523020/chatgpt-search-goes-free-openai-challenges-googles-unbroken-search-dominance">engine for all users</a>, and rolled out a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42356469/openai-unveils-200-chatgpt-pro-subscription-inside-the-o1-reasoning-model-and-what-it-means-for-power-users">$200/month</a> ChatGPT Pro subscription, among other things.
Meanwhile, it was reported that Microsoft Corporation is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42664762/after-investing-nearly-14-billion-in-openai-microsoft-reportedly-moves-to-reduce-its-dependence-on-chatgpt-parent">planning to reduce</a> its dependence on OpenAI despite having invested nearly $14 billion in the company.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Tech

GOOG

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Crowdsources 2025 Goals — Sora Upgrades Top User Wishlist

As retail giants Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) and Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) enter the crucial holiday shopping season, their diverging growth trajectories and profitability models paint a compelling picture for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42148340/black-friday-cyber-monday-deals-on-wall-street-why-buying-walmart-or-amazon-before-the-holidays-might-backfire">investors watching the retail space</a>.
The fourth quarter, encompassing Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas shopping, traditionally represents the most critical period for retailers, often accounting for up to 40% of their annual sales. 
This extended shopping period, which kicks off with Black Friday deals and continues through post-Christmas clearances, has become increasingly competitive as consumers seek both in-store and online bargains, making it a crucial battleground for retail dominance.
Market data shows Amazon&#8217;s remarkable rise, with its $2.365 trillion market capitalization now dwarfing Walmart&#8217;s $740.99 billion. Both companies have delivered strong five-year returns to shareholders, with Amazon up 142.84% and Walmart closely trailing at 140.09%.
The upcoming fourth quarter could mark a historic shift in retail dynamics. According to Forrester analyst Jitender Miglani, Amazon&#8217;s quarterly revenues are projected to surpass Walmart&#8217;s for the first time in Q4 2024, with estimates of $186 billion compared to Walmart&#8217;s expected $180 billion.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">December Stock Gains: A Five-Year Snapshot</h4>
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Year</th>
<th>Amazon (%)</th>
<th>Walmart (%)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>2019</td>
<td>-2.2</td>
<td>+0.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2020</td>
<td>+2.8</td>
<td>+2.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2021</td>
<td>-4.9</td>
<td>+1.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2022</td>
<td>-0.5</td>
<td>-1.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2023</td>
<td>+1.5</td>
<td>+0.7</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Historical Q4 Net Sales Performance (in billions of dollars):
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Year</th>
<th>Amazon Net Sales</th>
<th>Walmart Net Sales </th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>2019</td>
<td>87</td>
<td>137</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2020</td>
<td>125</td>
<td>140</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2021</td>
<td>137</td>
<td>151</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2022</td>
<td>149</td>
<td>162</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2023</td>
<td>170</td>
<td>171.91</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Statista</figcaption></figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42628985/traders-fight-the-grinch-to-save-the-santa-rally-10-sp-500-stocks-poised-for-a-year-end-surge">Traders Fight The Grinch To Save The Santa Rally: 10 S&amp;P 500 Stocks Poised For A Year-End Surge</a>
Walmart has significantly expanded its digital presence to compete with Amazon&#8217;s online dominance. The company has invested heavily in its e-commerce infrastructure, including the launch of the Walmart+ membership program, expansion of online grocery delivery, and the development of its marketplace platform for third-party sellers. 
The profitability gap between the two retail giants continues to widen. Wall Street analysts project Amazon&#8217;s net income to reach $51 billion in 2024, with an 8% margin, while Walmart is expected to achieve $20 billion with a 3% margin in financial year 2025.
Looking ahead, Forrester forecasts the combined U.S. retail sales of Amazon and Walmart to reach $1.5 trillion by 2029, representing one-fourth of the total U.S. retail market. Their combined e-commerce sales are expected to capture two-thirds of total U.S. online retail sales, reaching $1.1 trillion.
Both companies remain significant employers, with Walmart leading at 2.1 million employees compared to Amazon&#8217;s 1.525 million. 
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/12/42629219/fed-cuts-interest-rates-but-powell-spoils-santa-claus-rally-dollar-surges-to-over-2-year-high-bitcoin-sinks-below-100000-this-week-in-the-market">Fed Cuts Interest Rates, But Powell Spoils Santa Claus Rally; Dollar Surges To Over 2-Year High, Bitcoin Sinks Below $100,000: This Week In The Market</a>
Image via Unsplash
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Equities

Markets

AMZN

Will Amazon Dethrone Walmart This Holiday Season? Here Is What You Should Know

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) intends to participate in the upcoming U.S. antitrust trial involving Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google.
What Happened: The move comes as Apple seeks to defend its billion-dollar revenue-sharing agreements with Google, a significant source of income for the tech giant, reported Reuters.
According to court documents filed in Washington on Monday, Apple has no plans to develop its own search engine to compete with Google, irrespective of the continuation of the payments.
Apple said, &#8220;Google can no longer adequately represent Apple's interests: Google must now defend against a broad effort to break up its business units.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42665380/want-500-in-google-store-credit-heres-what-you-need-to-do?itm_source=parsely-api">Want $500 In Google Store Credit? Here&#8217;s What You Need To Do</a>
Apple is preparing to present witnesses at the trial, which is set for April.
The prosecution&#8217;s goal is to prove that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/11/42105079/googles-unlawful-behavior-stifles-market-entry-for-rivals-doj-says-alphabet-must-sell-chrome-to-end-search-monopoly">Google needs to take several measures</a>, including selling its Chrome web browser and possibly its Android operating system, to reestablish competition in the online search market.
In 2022 alone, Apple&#8217;s agreement with Google brought in an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42083150/googles-20b-search-deal-with-apple-faces-collapse-after-antitrust-ruling-what-it-could-means-for-both-tech-giants">estimated $20 billion</a>.
Alphabet did not immediately respond to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag">Benzinga's</a> request for comments.
Why It Matters: On Dec. 20, Google responded to the proposed remedies in its search distribution case with the DOJ, focusing on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42646134/alphabet-defends-doj-case-new-buyback-likely-from-this-2025-top-pick">non-exclusivity and increased flexibility</a> to limit regulatory overreach.
Last year, Apple&#8217;s Eddy Cue justified the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/09/34946635/apple-defends-its-19b-google-search-deal-even-as-it-laments-its-privacy-policies">billion-dollar deal with Google</a>, citing it as the best available option despite lamenting Google&#8217;s privacy policies.
Price Action: On Tuesday, Alphabet's Class A shares gained 0.76%, closing at $196.11, while Class C shares advanced 0.81%, ending at $197.57, as per <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag">Benzinga Pro data</a>. Apple shares climbed 1.15% during regular trading hours, closing at $258.20, but dipped 0.039% in after-hours trading.
Photo Courtesy: Koshiro K On Shutterstock
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Legal

Media

AAPL

GOOGL

Google Can No Longer 'Adequately Represent' Apple's Interests — iPhone-Maker Seeks To Defend $20 Billion Search Deal In Landmark Antitrust Case

Wall Street experienced a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/treasuries/24/12/42674886/santa-rally-kicks-off-on-wall-street-stocks-gain-tesla-soars-bitcoin-hits-98000">positive start to the Santa Rally season</a>, with all major indices and sectors closing higher in a shortened session ahead of the Christmas holiday. The S&amp;P 500 climbed 1.1%, marking its third consecutive session of gains following last week&#8217;s volatile Federal Reserve meeting. Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 gained 1.35%, nearly erasing last week&#8217;s losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the session higher by 0.9%.
These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day.
Tesla Inc. surged 7.35% to close at $462.25, reaching an intraday high of $462.78 and a low of $435.14. The stock has a 52-week high of $488.54 and a low of $138.80. CEO Elon Musk stated that Tesla could <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42667044/teslas-valuation-could-exceed-all-transport-companies-but-spacex-ceo-elon-musk">surpass the value</a> of all transport companies except SpaceX, provided there is a lot of work and good ideas.
Avinger Inc. soared 125.72% to $1.45, with an intraday high of $1.93 and a low of $1.01. The stock&#8217;s 52-week high is $5.45, and the low is $0.39. The company said last week that it had <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42666807/why-carbon-revolution-shares-are-trading-higher-by-around-62-here-are-20-stocks-moving-premarket">received a Notice of Allowance</a> for a U.S. patent titled "Catheter Device With Detachable Distal End (For The Treatment Of Peripheral Artery Disease)."
Jet.AI Inc. jumped 79.24% to $6.13, hitting an intraday high of $9.99 and a low of $5.85. The stock&#8217;s 52-week high is $607.51, with a low of $3.29. The company launched &#8220;Ava,&#8221; an advanced AI model designed to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/small-cap/24/12/42674451/why-is-jet-ai-stock-trading-over-100-on-tuesday">streamline private jet bookings</a>, which significantly boosted its stock.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited saw a modest increase of 0.95% to $22.42, with an intraday high of $22.50 and a low of $22.19. The stock&#8217;s 52-week high is $22.50, and the low is $10.34. Stanley Druckenmiller&#8217;s Duquesne Family Office <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42668157/stanley-druckenmiller-offloads-streets-hottest-ai-stocks-heres-what-the-billionaire-investor-is-loading-up-on">increased its stake</a> in Teva Pharmaceutical by acquiring over 1.4 million shares in the third quarter.
Netflix Inc. rose 2.27% to $932.12, reaching an intraday high of $935.85 and a low of $911.70. The stock&#8217;s 52-week high is $941.75, with a low of $461.86. Netflix recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42675098/netflix-takes-vmware-to-court-over-patent-infringement-claims">filed a lawsuit</a> against Broadcom&#8217;s subsidiary VMware over patent infringement, which could impact future operations.
Prepare for the day&#8217;s trading&nbsp;<a href="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-admin/Premarket%20Movers%20&amp;%20News">with top premarket movers and news</a>&nbsp;by Benzinga.
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

AVGR

JTAI

NFLX

TEVA

TSLA

Tesla, Avinger, Jet.Ai, Teva, And Netflix: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Ahead Of Christmas

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) needs to address a &#8220;critical safety issue&#8221; regarding its Full Self-Driving system&#8217;s ability to detect emergency vehicles, according to prominent investor Ross Gerber, CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management.
What Happened: In comments posted on X on Tuesday, Gerber noted that while FSD version 13.2.2 shows improvement over previous iterations, it falls short of full autonomy. He revealed that Tesla is developing audio detection capabilities to identify approaching emergency vehicles, addressing a key limitation in the current system that relies primarily on visual inputs.
&#8220;Tesla now working on adding hearing so it can know when an emergency vehicle is around. Yes humans use more than one sense to drive,&#8221; Gerber wrote, emphasizing the importance of multi-sensory detection in autonomous driving systems.
<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">FSD 13.2.2 is much improved over 12 but not level 5. Tesla now working on adding hearing so it can know when an emergency vehicle is around. Yes humans use more than one sense to drive… this is a critical safety issue that tesla needs to address! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24tsla&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$tsla</a>
&mdash; Ross Gerber (@GerberKawasaki) <a href="https://twitter.com/GerberKawasaki/status/1871562958570164245?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The development comes as Tesla continues to expand its FSD capabilities. In early December, Tesla began rolling out FSD version 13, which company CEO Elon Musk claimed would enable drivers to travel five to ten times more miles <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/09/40899899/tesla-switches-to-full-self-driving-supervised-for-new-cars-and-the-conspiracy-theories-are-already">autonomously before requiring intervention</a>.
Gerber, who also owns a Cybertruck, observed that the FSD performance in Tesla&#8217;s newest vehicle appears to lag behind other Tesla models. However, he praised Tesla&#8217;s overall software capabilities, noting they remain &#8220;amazingly better than any vehicle,&#8221; while acknowledging improvements from competitors like Rivian Automotive Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>).
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Tesla adds more to the infotainment system and is giving a free trial to SiriusXM. So happy to have my dead channel back on the Cybertruck. Tesla software is amazingly better than any vehicle. Although rivian is improving nicely as well. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24tsla&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$tsla</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24rivn&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$rivn</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24siri&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$siri</a>
&mdash; Ross Gerber (@GerberKawasaki) <a href="https://twitter.com/GerberKawasaki/status/1871563784772538422?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/treasuries/24/12/42674886/santa-rally-kicks-off-on-wall-street-stocks-gain-tesla-soars-bitcoin-hits-98000">Santa Rally Kicks Off On Wall Street: Stocks Gain, Tesla Soars, Bitcoin Hits $98,000</a>
What Happened: The comments come amid Tesla&#8217;s strong market performance, with the stock recently crossing the symbolic $420 level. Morgan Stanley analysts have named Tesla their top stock pick for 2025, citing the company&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42452806/teslas-red-hot-stock-meets-meme-magic-420-level-musk-celebrates-the-prophecy-analysts-react">advancements in autonomy and robotics</a>.
Tesla plans to launch a ride-hailing service in Texas and California next year, subject to regulatory approval, though initial operations may require human drivers to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42642575/dan-ives-vs-gary-black-diverging-views-on-teslas-future-with-wedbush-analyst-bullish-on-robotaxis-and-optimus-while-the-future-fund-remains-cautious-on-earnings-growth">meet state requirements</a>.
Price Action: Tesla stock closed at $462.25 on Tuesday up 7.35%for the day. After-hours, it rose an additional 0.64%1. Year-to-date, the stock is up 86.08%, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
Tesla has a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSLA/analyst-ratings">consensus price target</a> of $280.41 from 33 analysts, with a high of $515 and a low of $24.86. The latest ratings from Baird, Mizuho, and Goldman Sachs, averaging $446.67, imply a 3.99% downside.
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24221331/Screenshot-2024-12-25-at-8.42.34%E2%80%AFAM-1024x379.png" alt="" class="wp-image-706644" style="width:672px;height:auto" /></figure>
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42671903/investors-aggressively-bought-stocks-etfs-despite-fed-volatile-week-bank-of-america-reveals-largest-inflows-since-2017">Investors Aggressively Bought Stocks, ETFs In Volatile Fed Week: Bank Of America Reveals Largest Inflows Since 2017</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Flickr
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

RIVN

Tesla Tackling 'Critical Safety Issue' In FSD With Audio Detection For Emergency Vehicles, Says Ross Gerber: 'Humans Use More Than One Sense To Drive'

On Tuesday, Ali, a prominent voice in the crypto community, revealed that whale investors purchased a staggering 270 million Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) in less than four days.
What Happened: On Christmas Eve, Ali took to X to announce the significant investment in Dogecoin. He said, &#8220;Whales bought 270 million #Dogecoin&nbsp;$DOGE in the last 96&nbsp;hours!&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Whales bought 270 million <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dogecoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dogecoin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24DOGE&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$DOGE</a> in the last 96 hours! <a href="https://t.co/b86lCyGDsr">pic.twitter.com/b86lCyGDsr</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1871651560540762452?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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At the price prevailing at the time of writing, the whale transactions amount to $91.8 million.
This revelation comes amidst a broader rally in altcoins, with Dogecoin gaining over 5% in the last 24 hours. The meme coin&#8217;s performance has been linked to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/12/42665334/will-dogecoin-hit-the-widely-anticipated-1-target-in-q1-2025-probably-not-but-musk-led-doge-could-hold-the-key">similar trends</a> observed in 2017 and 2021 by Ali, suggesting a potential &#8220;parabolic rally&#8221; in the future.
So far this year, DOGE has shot up a whopping 274% outperforming larger market cap coins such as Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) which gained 132% and 53% in a similar period.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/12/42664692/bitcoin-flat-ethereum-dogecoin-spike-ahead-of-christmas-analyst-says-decline-in-btc-dominance-leaves-room-for-altcoins-to-pick-up?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Flat, Ethereum, Dogecoin Spike Ahead Of Christmas: Analyst Says Decline In BTC Dominance Leaves &#8216;Room For Altcoins To Pick Up&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: The cryptocurrency has been buoyant ever since Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42640482/dogecoin-turns-green-as-trump-appoints-loyalist-katie-miller-to-the-department-of-government-efficiency">announced the appointment</a> of DOGE-bull Elon Musk as co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency — a proposed presidential advisory commission that shares its acronym with the meme coin.
The substantial purchase by whale investors indicates a renewed interest in Dogecoin, despite&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42645811/dogecoin-shiba-inu-could-underperform-stronger-cryptos-trader-warns-heres-why">warnings from traders</a>&nbsp;about the meme coin&#8217;s potential to underperform other trending cryptocurrencies.
However, Ali&#8217;s post and the subsequent whale activity could be a positive sign for Dogecoin. If history repeats itself, as the analyst suggests, Dogecoin could be in for a significant rally in 2025.
Price Action: At the time of writing Dogecoin rose 4.6% over 24 hours to trade at $0.34, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">data from Benzinga Pro.</a>
Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42635671/analyst-bullish-on-shiba-inu-sees-235-surge-despite-recent-fall?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Analyst Bullish on Shiba Inu, Sees 235% Surge Despite Recent Fall</a>
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>

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

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

$DOGE

$ETH

DOGE

Dogecoin Whales Load Up Coins Worth $92 Million Over 4 Days As Meme King Outperforms Bitcoin, Ethereum In 2024

President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and spiritual leaders marked Christmas Eve 2024 with messages of hope, peace, and inclusion, while Pope Francis conducted a significant ceremonial opening of the Holy Door, marking the beginning of Jubilee 2025.
President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden expressed special recognition for military service members spending the holiday season away from their families. &#8220;Jill and I hold a special place in our hearts for the brave men and women in uniform who defend our nation,&#8221; Biden wrote on social media.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Jill and I hold a special place in our hearts for the brave men and women in uniform who defend our nation, many of whom are away from their families this holiday season. Wishing you and your loved ones a safe Christmas Eve. <a href="https://t.co/BRIxLcaWmY">pic.twitter.com/BRIxLcaWmY</a>
&mdash; Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1871595465424166950?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The President later shared updates from the North American Aerospace Defense Command&#8217;s Santa tracking system, maintaining a lighthearted holiday tradition while also extending broader seasonal wishes for &#8220;peace and light&#8221; to the nation.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Folks, I&#39;ve just received intel from the experts at <a href="https://twitter.com/NoradSanta?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NoradSanta</a> that Santa Claus is on his way! <a href="https://t.co/AMPnaT6qtx">pic.twitter.com/AMPnaT6qtx</a>
&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1871715198542729614?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Vice President Harris took a community-focused approach to the holidays, hosting Washington, D.C. students at her residence. The event highlighted student-designed ornaments that Harris noted, &#8220;filled our home with holiday cheer.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">We welcomed students from across Washington, D.C. to celebrate the holidays with us. The ornaments they designed have filled our home with holiday cheer. <a href="https://t.co/C4p5cN1Vq4">pic.twitter.com/C4p5cN1Vq4</a>
&mdash; Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) <a href="https://twitter.com/VP/status/1871685411988250947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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At the Vatican, Pope Francis marked Christmas Eve with the ceremonial opening of the Holy Door, a ritual symbolizing spiritual renewal and the commencement of Jubilee 2025. &#8220;Tonight, the door of hope has opened wide to the world,&#8221; the Pope stated, emphasizing that hope remains alive even in challenging times.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Tonight, the door of hope has opened wide to the world. Tonight, God speaks to each of us and says: there is hope also for you! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Christmas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Christmas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jubilee2025?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jubilee2025</a> <a href="https://t.co/TbFHVU9cbl">pic.twitter.com/TbFHVU9cbl</a>
&mdash; Pope Francis (@Pontifex) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pontifex/status/1871662382482657446?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The Pontiff&#8217;s Christmas message stressed active engagement with faith rather than passive waiting. &#8220;Christian hope is not a &#8216;happy ending&#8217; which we passively await, but rather, a promise, the Lord&#8217;s promise, to be welcomed here and now in our world of suffering and sighs,&#8221; he said.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Christian hope is not a "happy ending" which we passively await, but rather, a promise, the Lord's promise, to be welcomed here and now in our world of suffering and sighs. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Christmas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Christmas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jubilee2025?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jubilee2025</a>
&mdash; Pope Francis (@Pontifex) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pontifex/status/1871662634170519798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk shared holiday greetings through a repost featuring the company&#8217;s humanoid robot, Optimus, in a festive scene with its &#8220;older brother.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">They grow up so fast Merry Xmas from Optimus &amp; his older brother, Optimus <a href="https://t.co/R2oCey0WVC">pic.twitter.com/R2oCey0WVC</a>
&mdash; Tesla Optimus (@Tesla_Optimus) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tesla_Optimus/status/1871712134188720545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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President-elect Donald Trump, while not posting direct Christmas wishes, had previously promoted his new book &#8220;SAVE AMERICA&#8221; as a Christmas gift option, saying &#8220;The hottest gift is my new book,&#8221; on Dec. 15.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Christmas is coming! The hottest gift is my new book, "SAVE AMERICA." No other book captures our Movement, our Campaign, and our FUTURE. Get your copy today! <a href="https://t.co/awtik9uN8p">https://t.co/awtik9uN8p</a> <a href="https://t.co/YdteHKrdJk">pic.twitter.com/YdteHKrdJk</a>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1868085790485758308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance shared a more personal moment, posting about baking family biscuits with his three-year-old child.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Baking some Vance family biscuits with the world's best three-year-old sous chef. Merry Christmas everyone! <a href="https://t.co/j5agMYJXGV">pic.twitter.com/j5agMYJXGV</a>
&mdash; JD Vance (@JDVance) <a href="https://twitter.com/JDVance/status/1871730366417109225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
These varied Christmas messages from political, spiritual, and business leaders reflect different approaches to the holiday season, ranging from traditional religious observance to family-centered celebrations and public service recognition.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/treasuries/24/12/42674886/santa-rally-kicks-off-on-wall-street-stocks-gain-tesla-soars-bitcoin-hits-98000">Santa Rally Kicks Off On Wall Street: Stocks Gain, Tesla Soars, Bitcoin Hits $98,000</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.

Global

Biden, Harris, And Pope Francis Deliver Messages Of Hope And Inclusion On Christmas Eve, Trump Promotes His New Book As 'Hottest Gift'

A day before Christmas, on Tuesday, Cathie Wood-led Ark Invest made significant adjustments to its portfolio, notably selling shares of Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>), and Block Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SQ#NYSE">SQ</a>). Notably, Ark has been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42664623/cathie-wood-led-ark-invests-monday-moves-dumps-tesla-palantir-stock-adds-amazon">shedding shares</a> of both Palantir and Tesla this week. Palantir shares have run up a whopping 397% so far this year, while Tesla has appreciated 86% in a similar period. 
The Tesla Trade
Ark Invest executed a notable transaction by selling 18,847 shares of Tesla Inc. through its ARK Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKK#NYSE">ARKK</a>). This sale, valued at approximately $8.7 million based on Tesla&#8217;s closing price of $462.28, comes amid discussions surrounding Tesla&#8217;s future valuation. Elon Musk recently speculated that Tesla could <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42667044/teslas-valuation-could-exceed-all-transport-companies-but-spacex-ceo-elon-musk">surpass the value of all transport companies</a> except SpaceX. Despite these ambitious projections, Tesla&#8217;s stock has been influenced by potential challenges, such as the possible cancellation of the $7,500 EV tax credit in the U.S., which could impact sales.
The Palantir Trade
Ark Invest also reduced its Palantir holdings, selling 42,293 shares from the ARKK fund. This transaction was valued at approximately $3.5 million, given Palantir&#8217;s closing price of $82.38. Palantir&#8217;s stock has been on a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42673408/palantir-stock-is-trading-at-all-time-highs-whats-going-on">remarkable upward trajectory</a>, reaching all-time highs. The company&#8217;s strong performance is largely attributed to its strategic positioning in the AI sector, with shares surging over 380% this year, driven by robust demand for AI solutions.
The Block Trade
In another strategic move, Ark Invest sold 23,962 shares of Block Inc. from the ARKK fund, amounting to about $2.2 million based on the closing price of $91.08. The Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)-focused company&#8217;s recent financial performance has been mixed, with its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/41826457/block-shares-sink-after-mixed-q3-results-eps-beat-revenues-miss">third-quarter earnings</a> surpassing expectations but revenues falling short.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42619049/celebrities-like-ellen-degeneres-david-beckham-and-simon-cowell-have-turned-englands-idyllic-cotswolds-into-a-list-mecca?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Celebrities Like Ellen DeGeneres, David Beckham And Simon Cowell Have Turned England&#8217;s Idyllic Cotswolds</a>
Other Key Trades:
<ul>
<li>Sold 50,163 shares of Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp from ARKG.Bought 35,598 shares of CRISPR Therapeutics AG via ARKK and ARKG.</li>
<li>Bought 269,976 shares of GitLab Inc via ARKK.Bought 53,371 shares of 10X Genomics Inc for ARKK and ARKG.</li>
</ul>
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42635671/analyst-bullish-on-shiba-inu-sees-235-surge-despite-recent-fall?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Analyst Bullish on Shiba Inu, Sees 235% Surge Despite Recent Fall</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>

ETFs

ARKK

PLTR

Cathie Wood's Pre-Christmas Sale: Ark Invest Dumps Even More Tesla, Palantir Stock

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has expressed his disdain for billionaires, including Elon Musk, influencing elections and has called for an immediate ban on Super PACs by the Democratic National Committee.
What Happened: On Christmas Eve, Sanders took to X to voice his concerns about the role of billionaires in swaying elections. He specifically mentioned Musk, who has been previously criticized for his hefty campaign contributions. Sanders&#8217; post read, &#8220;The American people are disgusted with Musk and other billionaires buying elections. We must not only fight to end Citizens United. We must demand that the DNC ban Super PACs NOW in Democratic primaries.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The American people are disgusted with Musk and other billionaires buying elections. We must not only fight to end Citizens United. We must demand that the DNC ban Super PACs NOW in Democratic primaries.
&mdash; Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/BernieSanders/status/1871320030769758364?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
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In the past, Sanders has been vocal about his concerns regarding the influence of big money in politics. He has repeatedly called for an end to Citizens United and Super PACs, advocating for public funding of elections instead.
The Citizens United decision, issued by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2010, ruled that laws preventing corporations and labor unions from making independent political expenditures violated the First Amendment&#8217;s free speech protections.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42654769/tiktok-ban-under-trump-president-elect-wants-to-keep-months-after-pelosi-said-follow-the-money?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TikTok Ban Under Trump? President-Elect Reconsiders As Pelosi Says &#8216;Follow The Money&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Sanders&#8217; recent post comes in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39807458/bernie-sanders-slams-elon-musks-reported-45m-donations-to-trump-campaign-we-need-a-government-that-r">wake of his criticism</a> of Musk&#8217;s reported monthly donations of $45 million to the Trump campaign. He stressed the importance of overturning Citizens United and transitioning to publicly funded elections to ensure a government that represents all citizens, not just billionaires.
The Vermont senator had previously expressed concern over the defeat of Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) in a primary election, attributing it to the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40273794/bernie-sanders-calls-for-end-to-super-pacs-billionaires-buying-elections-is-not-what-this-country-is">influence</a> of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's Super PAC, United Democracy Project.
According to Sanders, just 150 billionaire families <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/12/42463691/just-150-billionaire-families-spent-nearly-2-billion-on-elections-bernie-sanders-says-we-live-in-an-oligarchy-heres-what-he-proposes">spent almost $2 billion</a> in the 2024 elections, further emphasizing his argument that the U.S. is becoming an oligarchy.
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

Bernie Sanders: 'The American People Are Disgusted With Musk' — Calls On Democrats To End Super PACs In Primaries

Jameson Lopp&#8217;s recent post on X, &#8220;RIP Bitcoin Obituaries,&#8221; suggests a decline in Bitcoin&#8217;s (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) death proclamations, sparking interest in the cryptocurrency&#8217;s resilience.
What Happened: The software engineer, columnist, and Bitcoin advocate&#8217;s post on Christmas Eve, hints at the diminishing frequency of death declarations. Bitcoin, the world&#8217;s largest cryptocurrency, has faced numerous critiques since its inception over 15 years ago, leading to its &#8220;death&#8221; being declared 477 times, according to 99 Bitcoins&#8217; Obituaries tracker.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">RIP Bitcoin Obituaries <a href="https://t.co/6s8C70u1yz">pic.twitter.com/6s8C70u1yz</a>
&mdash; Jameson Lopp (@lopp) <a href="https://twitter.com/lopp/status/1871639944823017599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The last wave of such negative sentiments emerged in April. However, the number of Bitcoin death reports has been on a decline, hitting a decade-low of 8 in 2023. In 2024, 99 Bitcoin&#8217;s obituary timeline lists only two such fatal declarations.
Data from Bitbo shows an even more dramatic drop in Bitcoin obituaries. A graph from the real-time Bitcoin dashboard shows how these proclamations have thinned out since 2022. 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1017" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24201151/bitcoinisdead.org_-1024x1017.png" alt="" class="wp-image-706569" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24201151/bitcoinisdead.org_-1024x1017.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24201151/bitcoinisdead.org_-300x298.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24201151/bitcoinisdead.org_-150x150.png 150w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24201151/bitcoinisdead.org_-768x763.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/24201151/bitcoinisdead.org_.png 1087w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Source: bitbo.io
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Even the buttcoiners are coping these days by saying that scams can go on in perpetuity and now that Bitcoin has many billionaires and politicians who are &quot;in on it&quot; that it&#39;s going to stick around.
&mdash; Jameson Lopp (@lopp) <a href="https://twitter.com/lopp/status/1871645375502979422?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Lopp noted the resilience of the apex cryptocurrency in another post in the same thread where he says that even Bitcoin&#8217;s detractors are &#8220;coping&#8221; these days by saying that &#8220;scams can go on in perpetuity and now that Bitcoin has many billionaires and politicians who are &#8216;in on it&#8217; that it&#8217;s going to stick around.&#8221;
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42638902/scaramucci-defends-microstrategys-bitcoin-strategy-predicts-long-term-crypto-growth?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scaramucci Defends MicroStrategy&#8217;s Bitcoin Strategy, Predicts Long-Term Crypto Growth</a>
Why It Matters: The decline in Bitcoin&#8217;s death proclamations signals a shift in mainstream media&#8217;s perception of the cryptocurrency. According to a previous report, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/12/36338011/bitcoin-obituary-count-hits-decade-low-just-seven-reports-filed-in-2023">highest number</a> of Bitcoin obituaries came in 2017. Even that year, the apex coin surged a record-breaking 1,900%.
Indeed, Bitcoin has been on a tear in 2024, enjoying gains of 132.2% since January. Over the last 3 months alone the crypto has shot up over 56%. Its most recent all-time high was recorded just a week ago on Dec. 17 when it hit $108,268.45.
Benzinga recently noted that if an investor had put $1,000 into Bitcoin the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42286177/if-you-invested-1000-in-bitcoin-last-time-it-was-declared-dead-heres-how-much-itd-be-worth-today">last time an obituary was published</a> in April, they would have gained 48%. These obituaries often surface when the cryptocurrency is facing a bear market or heightened regulatory scrutiny.
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42638575/microstrategy-stock-declines-over-14-amid-heightened-volatility-over-sp-500-inclusion-concerns-heres-what-is-happening?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MicroStrategy Stock Declines Over 14% Amid Heightened Volatility Over S&amp;P 500 Inclusion Concerns: Here&#8217;s What Is Happening</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>

'RIP Bitcoin Obituaries,' Declares Expert — Death Notices Dwindle As Top Crypto Gains Acceptance From Politicians, Billionaires

Broadcom (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 26.06% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 37.28%. Currently, Broadcom has a market capitalization of $1.12 trillion. 
Buying $1000 In AVGO: If an investor had bought $1000 of AVGO stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $23,662.75 today based on a price of $240.00 for AVGO at the time of writing.
<h3>Broadcom's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735083923_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Trading Ideas

AVGO

Here's How Much $1000 Invested In Broadcom 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

Dylan Zajac's journey to bridging the digital divide began with skateboards, thrift shops and a knack for refurbishing computers. Now 21, Zajac is the founder of Computers 4 People, a nonprofit that has donated over 3,668 computers to individuals and organizations in need while diverting 55,000 pounds of e-waste from landfills.&nbsp;
In an interview with Young Entrepreneur, Zajac shared how his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/12/42369492/how-a-teen-coder-built-a-payments-empire-local-businesses-took-a-chance-on-me-now-we-processed-4-billion-in-2023">teenage side hustle</a> turned into a mission empowering thousands to connect to the digital world.
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<li>The global games market is projected to generate $272B by the end of the year —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/gameflip"> for $0.55/share, this VC-backed startup with a 7M+ userbase gives investors easy access to this asset market.</a></li>
</ul>
"I started out by skating around Brooklyn with my high school friends, visiting thrift stores for fun," Zajac told Young Entrepreneur. "We'd often hit three or more shops in a day, hunting for old computers we could negotiate down and take home on skateboards."&nbsp;
In his bedroom-turned-workshop, Zajac taught himself how to repair and resell these machines through platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. "The margins were insane, sometimes as high as 80%," he shared.
&nbsp;What began as a hobby quickly grew into a profitable venture. Still, Zajac soon noticed two glaring issues: the environmental toll of discarded electronics and the massive gap in digital access worldwide.
See Also: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $70 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>
UNITAR reported that 2022 global e-waste hit 62 million tonnes – enough to fill 1.55 million 40-ton trucks circling the Earth. Yet only 22.3% of this waste was recycled, leaving the majority to pollute the planet.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, nearly 2.6 billion people remain offline, missing opportunities for education and employment, according to Reuters. Recognizing the overlap between these crises, Zajac channeled his skills into a larger purpose.
In 2019, as a high school sophomore, Zajac founded Computers 4 People. "I used online tutorials to figure out how to incorporate, file for 501(c) (3) status and draft bylaws," he said.&nbsp;
The mission: collect used computers from individuals and companies, refurbish them and distribute them to people in need. By the time he started college at Babson the nonprofit was well on its way to making an impact.
Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a>
Building Computers 4 People came with its own set of challenges, especially balancing nonprofit leadership with school. "There's really no such thing as balance; you just have to make it work," Zajac told the publication.&nbsp;
Critics doubted the sustainability of his model once he went to college, but Zajac defied expectations by designing systems to automate inventory, donor relations and grant reporting. "I created proprietary systems that allowed us to scale and run efficiently," he explained.
Securing funding and donations remains a hurdle, but partnerships with Fortune 100 and 500 companies and $1.6 million in grants and donations have helped the nonprofit thrive. "The demand is overwhelming, but diversifying our funding sources has allowed us to expand," Zajac said.
For Zajac, the rewards are personal. "I love solving tough problems and seeing the life-changing impacts of our programs," he shared. When asked about advice for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/12/42598787/i-sold-my-home-and-liquidated-my-401k-entrepreneur-snags-150k-shark-tank-deal-after-beating-stage-3-cancer-and-raising-1-1m">aspiring changemakers</a>, he emphasized action over hesitation: "Don't overthink every step. Act fast, make decisions quickly and keep moving forward."
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<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>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>?</li>
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Startups

He Started A Side Hustle On Facebook At 15 – Now It's A $1.6M Nonprofit Changing Thousands Of Lives: 'The Margins Were Insane'

NVIDIA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 15 years by 34.46% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 46.28%. Currently, NVIDIA has a market capitalization of $3.42 trillion. 
Buying $1000 In NVDA: If an investor had bought $1000 of NVDA stock 15 years ago, it would be worth $311,254.16 today based on a price of $139.78 for NVDA at the time of writing.
<h3>NVIDIA's Performance Over Last 15 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735081243_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

NVDA

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning NVIDIA Stock In The Last 15 Years

Amazon.com (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 17.75% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 26.11%. Currently, Amazon.com has a market capitalization of $2.41 trillion. 
Buying $1000 In AMZN: If an investor had bought $1000 of AMZN stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $101,867.91 today based on a price of $228.85 for AMZN at the time of writing.
<h3>Amazon.com's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735080310_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

$1000 Invested In This Stock 20 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

KULR Tech Gr (AMEX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KULR#AMEX">KULR</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 4.55% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 17.92%. Currently, KULR Tech Gr has a market capitalization of $818.33 million. 
Buying $1000 In KULR: If an investor had bought $1000 of KULR stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $2,280.00 today based on a price of $3.42 for KULR at the time of writing.
<h3>KULR Tech Gr's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735079447_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

KULR

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning KULR Tech Gr Stock In The Last 5 Years

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 4.43% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 17.8%. Currently, Marathon Petroleum has a market capitalization of $43.42 billion. 
Buying $1000 In MPC: If an investor had bought $1000 of MPC stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $2,241.64 today based on a price of $135.10 for MPC at the time of writing.
<h3>Marathon Petroleum's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735078525_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

$1000 Invested In Marathon Petroleum 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Graphic Packaging Holding (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPK#NYSE">GPK</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 15 years by 2.74% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 14.56%. Currently, Graphic Packaging Holding has a market capitalization of $8.30 billion. 
Buying $1000 In GPK: If an investor had bought $1000 of GPK stock 15 years ago, it would be worth $7,598.90 today based on a price of $27.66 for GPK at the time of writing.
<h3>Graphic Packaging Holding's Performance Over Last 15 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735076707_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much $1000 Invested In Graphic Packaging Holding 15 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

Fluor (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FLR#NYSE">FLR</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 8.99% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 22.36%. Currently, Fluor has a market capitalization of $8.69 billion. 
Buying $100 In FLR: If an investor had bought $100 of FLR stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $279.59 today based on a price of $50.69 for FLR at the time of writing.
<h3>Fluor's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735075830_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

If You Invested $100 In This Stock 5 Years Ago, You Would Have This Much Today

Editor&#8217;s Note: This story has been updated to include a statement from a Walmart spokesperson.
Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) shares are trading lower on Monday. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed a lawsuit against the company and Branch Messenger over concerns regarding junk fees. Here&#8217;s what <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42656254/tech-stocks-eye-christmas-gains-microstrategy-tumbles-as-bitcoin-dips-to-93000-whats-driving-markets-monday">you need to know</a>.
The Details: The CFPB has <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-sues-walmart-and-branch-messenger-for-illegally-opening-deposit-accounts-for-more-than-one-million-delivery-drivers/#:~:text=WASHINTON%2C%20D.C.%20%E2%80%93%20Today%2C%20the,they%20could%20access%20their%20earnings">alleged</a> that Walmart and Branch Messenger forced drivers to open deposit accounts filled with junk fees. The regulator sued Walmart and Branch Messenger on Monday for requiring drivers to use costly deposit accounts to get paid and deceiving drivers about how they could access earnings.
The suit claims that Walmart opened accounts for &#8220;last mile&#8221; drivers in its Spark Driver program and told workers that they would be fired if they did not use the specific accounts. Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that Walmart misled drivers about the availability of same-day access to earnings. 
"Walmart made false promises, illegally opened accounts, and took advantage of more than a million delivery drivers," said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. "Companies cannot force workers into getting paid through accounts that drain their earnings with junk fees."
A Walmart spokesperson told Benzinga that the CFPB lawsuit contains &#8220;exaggerations and blatant misstatements.&#8221;
&#8220;The CFPB's rushed lawsuit is riddled with factual errors and contains exaggerations and blatant misstatements of settled principles of law. The CFPB never allowed Walmart a fair opportunity to present its case during their rushed investigation. We look forward to vigorously defending the Company before a court that, unlike the CFPB, honors the due process of law,&#8221; a Walmart spokesperson said.
Related Link: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/analyst-ratings/24/12/42655698/assessing-winnebago-industries-insights-from-6-financial-analysts">Assessing Winnebago Industries: Insights From 6 Financial Analysts</a>
The lawsuit claims that drivers were forced to navigate a complicated process to access their funds, and then encountered additional delays or fees when they opted to transfer the money to an account of their choice.
The government oversight agency stated that Spark Drivers paid over $10 million in junk fees to Branch Messenger in order to instantly transfer their earnings to a different account. 
The CFPB also claimed that Branch engaged in other illegal practices including failing to investigate errors, honor stop payment requests, maintain records and provide required disclosures.
According to Reuters, Branch Messenger representatives rejected the claims and accused the CFPB of &#8220;rushing&#8221; to file a lawsuit in an attempt to gain media traction. 
&#8220;Branch stands behind its model and services and we will defend this action vigorously,&#8221; the company reportedly said. 
WMT Price Action: At the time of writing, Walmart stock was down 2.01% at $90.39, according to data from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Image via Shutterstock.

Movers

What's Going On With Walmart Stock Monday? (UPDATED)

HBT Financial goes ex dividend tomorrow

HBT Financial (HBT – Research Report) received a Hold rating and a price target from D.A. Davidson analyst Jeff Rulis today. The company's shares c...

D.A. Davidson downgrades HBT Financial (HBT) to a Hold

A Great Quarter Is A Great Time To Downgrade Mercantile Bank Corporation

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2024 was $47.7 million, an increase of 1.5% from $47.0 million for the second quarter of 2024. The inc...

HBT Financial reports Q3 adjusted EPS 61c, consensus 57c

The latest update is out from HBT Financial ( ($HBT) ). HBT Financial, Inc. reported a solid third quarter of 2024 with a net income of $18.2 milli...

HBT Financial Reports Strong Q3 2024 Earnings

HBT Financial Non-GAAP EPS of $0.61, revenue of $56.44M

Piper Sandler analyst Nathan Race lowered the firm's price target on HBT Financial (HBT) to $24 from $25 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. ...

HBT Financial price target lowered to $24 from $25 at Piper Sandler

Piper Sandler analyst Nathan Race maintained a Hold rating on HBT Financial (HBT – Research Report) today and set a price target of $24.00. The com...

Piper Sandler Reaffirms Their Hold Rating on HBT Financial (HBT)

HBT Financial to effect up to $15M stock repurchase program

HBT Financial (HBT) announced that its Board of Directors has approved a new stock repurchase program that takes effect upon the expiration of the ...

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