Renowned financial educator&nbsp;and author Robert Kiyosaki&nbsp;has predicted a significant surge in Bitcoin&#8216;s (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) value by 2025, while expressing distrust in Black Rock&#8217;s handling of the cryptocurrency.



What Happened: In a post on X on Friday, Kiyosaki voiced his concerns about Larry Fink, the head of Black Rock, and his handling of Bitcoin.



He accused Fink of being a &#8220;Marxist&#8221; and a &#8220;Share Holder Capitalist,&#8221; suggesting that such individuals are suppressing Bitcoin&#8217;s price for personal gain.



&#8220;Larry Fink dumping Bitcoin. VIVEK warned Larry Fink of BLACK ROCK is a Marxist. Vivek warned Fink &amp; Black Rock are Share Holder Capitalist not Stake Holder Caplitist. Share Holder Capitalists are Marxist….like Klaus Schwab who state: "Someday you'll own nothing and you'll be happy," he wrote in the post. 



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42677439/kiyosaki-warns-of-global-financial-crisis-protect-your-wealth-by-investing-in-real-assets">Kiyosaki Warns of Global Financial Crisis: &#8216;Protect Your Wealth by Investing in Real Assets&#8217;</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">Larry Fink dumping Bitcoin. VIVEK warned Larry Fink of BLACK ROCK is a Marxist. Vivek warned Fink &amp; Black Rock are Share Holder Capitalist not Stake Holder Caplitist. Share Holder Capitalists are Marxist….like Klaus Schwab who state: "Someday you'll own nothing and you'll be…&mdash; Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) <a href="https://twitter.com/theRealKiyosaki/status/1872665122440704137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Kiyosaki further stated his preference for keeping Bitcoin in his own wallet, expressing distrust in Black Rock&#8217;s Bitcoin ETF. Despite his criticisms, Kiyosaki remains bullish on Bitcoin, predicting it will reach $350,000 in 2025.



&#8220;I love Bitcoin in my own wallet. I would not trust Bitcoin in Black Rocks ETF. Black Rock suppressing Bitcoin price so the whales can buy Bitcoin at under $100k. I will keep buying more Bitcoin because Bitcoin going higher. I predict Bitcoin to hit $350 k in 2025,&#8221; he added in the post. 



Why It Matters: Kiyosaki&#8217;s comments come amid a broader debate about the role of institutional investors in the cryptocurrency market. His criticisms of Black Rock and Larry Fink reflect concerns about potential market manipulation and the concentration of power in the hands of a few large players.



Despite these concerns, Kiyosaki&#8217;s bullish prediction for Bitcoin suggests he remains confident in the cryptocurrency&#8217;s long-term potential. 



His comments highlight the ongoing tension between the decentralized ethos of cryptocurrencies and the increasing involvement of traditional financial institutions.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42255036/kiyosaki-on-bitcoin-100000-almost-impossible-for-the-poor-and-middle-class-to-catch-up">Kiyosaki on Bitcoin $100,000: &#8216;Almost Impossible for the Poor and Middle Class to Catch Up&#8217;</a>

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Kiyosaki Warns Of Bitcoin In Black Rocks ETF: 'It Is Suppressing Bitcoin Price'

Veteran Wall Street investor Ed Yardeni is doubling down on one of the Street's most optimistic forecasts, projecting the S&amp;P 500 to hit 7,000 by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets">the end of 2025. </a>



In a Friday newsletter, Yardeni reinforced his bullish outlook, positioning himself at the forefront of high-stakes predictions for the index's 2025 gains.



&#8220;We&#8217;ve been bullish on the stock market since October 2022. We remain bullish, targeting 7000 on the S&amp;P 500 by the end of next year. That puts us near the head of the pack,&#8221; he said. 



Oppenheimer sets its sights on an even loftier 7,100, while major investment bank firms, including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and Morgan Stanley, hover around 6,500.



But will the market's stars align or are we looking at overly rosy predictions?



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Top 10 Wall Street&#8217;s 2025 Year-End S&amp;P 500 Predictions</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td>Oppenheimer</td><td>7,100</td></tr><tr><td>Wells Fargo</td><td>7,007</td></tr><tr><td>Yardeni Research</td><td>7,000</td></tr><tr><td>Deutsche Bank</td><td>7,000</td></tr><tr><td>Societe Generale</td><td>6,750</td></tr><tr><td>BMO</td><td>6,700</td></tr><tr><td>HSBC</td><td>6,700</td></tr><tr><td>Bank of America</td><td>6,666</td></tr><tr><td>Scotiabank</td><td>6,650</td></tr><tr><td>Barclays</td><td>6,660</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Yardeni Research, as of Dec. 27, 2024</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Yardeni's Roaring 2020s Scenario</h3>



Yardeni's optimism stems from a &#8220;Roaring 2020s&#8221; scenario fueled by productivity gains, GDP growth of 3.0%-3.5%, and inflation cooling near 2.5%.



Earlier in November, he issued a bold prediction: the S&amp;P 500 – as tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) – could climb to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41917731/wall-street-veteran-predicts-sp-500-to-hit-10000-by-2029-roaring-2020s">10,000 by the end of the decade</a>, buoyed by Donald Trump&#8216;s return to the presidency.



"We believe Trump 2.0 represents a major regime change that&#8217;s bullish for the economy and stocks," Yardeni said. 



Hr also anticipated a significant boost to corporate profit margins, driven by the proposed reduction in the corporate tax rate from 21% to 15%, coupled with tax breaks on individual income from tips, overtime and Social Security.



While much of the recent earnings growth has been dominated by the tech sector's "Magnificent 7," Yardeni foresees a broader rally on the horizon. 



"We expect to see a broadening of the companies and industries for which analysts raise their sights in 2025," he said.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Earnings: The Backbone Of The Rally</h3>



Yardeni forecasts operating earnings per share (EPS) for the S&amp;P 500 to hit $285 in 2025 &#8211; an 18.8% year-over-year jump, far above the Street&#8217;s consensus of $270. 



&#8220;We're leading the pack on EPS outlook," Yardeni stated, attributing the growth to a record profit margin of 13.9% and rising revenues per share, which are projected to climb 5.1% to $2,050.



Wall Street analysts expect robust earnings growth of 14.3% for 2025, up from the estimated 10% for 2024. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sector Winners And Losers: Tech Takes Retains The Crown</h3>



Tech continues to dominate, with the Information Technology sector predicted to post EPS growth of 21.7% in 2025, up from 20.4% in 2024, according to consensus estimates. 



Analysts also expect a rebound in Health Care, with EPS growth accelerating from 5.0% this year to 20.1% in 2025. Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology are key drivers, with EPS expected to soar 33.1% and 30.9%, respectively.



The Materials sector is gearing up for a strong rebound, expected to shift from an 8.2% EPS decline in 2024 to an impressive 18.3% growth in 2025. 



Similarly, Industrials are set to thrive, fueled by Boeing's return to profitability and surging growth in key industries such as Copper, projected to rise by 37.6%, Commodity Chemicals by 33.1% and Construction Materials by 24.8%.



Read now: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42658817/5-semiconductor-stocks-wall-street-analysts-predict-could-soar-in-2025">5 Semiconductor Stocks Wall Street Analysts Predict Could Soar In 2025</a></li>
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Veteran Investor Bets Big On S&P 500 Hitting 7,000 By End Of 2025: These Sectors Could Lead The Charge

In a quiet week for economic data, Wall Street&#8217;s focus shifted to the possibility of witnessing a "Santa Rally," the seasonal tendency for stocks to rise in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/12/42675763/santa-rally-serial-winners-10-stocks-historically-poised-for-big-year-end-gains">final days of December. </a>



Historically, the S&amp;P 500 has gained 64 times in the past 96 years during the Dec. 24–Dec. 31 window, averaging a 0.85% return.



The market began the week attempting a recover from the Federal Reserve's hawkish signals of fewer rate cuts in 2024. Yet, renewed volatility resurfaced on Friday, casting doubt on the Santa rally's resilience.



Investors remain cautious, as markets weigh Fed policy outlook against uncertainty surrounding the incoming Trump administration's economic plans.



Still, 2024 is shaping up to be a banner year. The S&amp;P 500 is on track to match last year's 24% surge, setting up a two-year gain of 55%, the strongest since 1999. U.S. stocks are also outperforming global markets by the widest margin since 1997, driven by the enduring strength of U.S. economic fundamentals.



On the leaderboards, Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) has surged 360%, overtaking Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), last year's top performer, which gained 175% in 2024.



Consumer Confidence Slips



U.S. consumer confidence, as measured by the Conference Board, declined in December, highlighting rising concerns <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42657230/us-consumer-confidence-drops-in-december-expectations-signal-potential-economic-weakness-in-2025">about economic conditions</a>. A deeper drop in the expectations index, a key forward-looking measure, signals potential weakness in 2025 amid fears of persistent inflation and steady, high interest rates.



Tesla's Robotaxi Bet



Elon Musk envisions a Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)&#8217;s robotaxi fleet allowing owners to earn $40,000 annually. Despite the bold prediction, experts question the feasibility of the technology and regulatory challenges, suggesting Musk's vision remains aspirational rather than immediately achievable <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42642606/elon-musk-wants-to-raise-a-tesla-fleet-expert-estimates-vehicle-owners-can-make-40kyear-but-remains-doubtful">in the near term.</a>



Trump's Tariff Impact



Goldman Sachs projects the Trump administration will raise tariffs on Chinese imports, averaging a 20% hike, with higher rates for non-consumer goods. This could increase consumer prices by 1%-2%, strain industrial margins, disrupt supply chains and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/12/42701155/made-in-china-paid-in-america-what-trumps-new-tariffs-mean-for-the-us-economy">ignite Chinese retaliatory measures,</a> the Wall Street firm says.



Cadillac EV Success



General Motors Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>)&#8217;s Cadillac Lyriq, priced at $60,000, became its best-selling EV in 2024 through the third quarter. The premium EV's success highlights a potential shift toward luxury electric vehicles as automakers target higher <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42666472/gms-60000-cadillac-lyriq-was-its-best-selling-ev-in-2024-as-of-q3-is-premium-the-way-to-go-for-ev-makers">margins and affluent buyers.</a>



Read now: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/12/42710358/veteran-investor-bets-big-on-sp-500-hitting-7000-by-end-of-2025-these-sectors-could-lead-the-charge">Veteran Investor Bets Big On S&amp;P 500 Hitting 7,000 By End Of 2025: These Sectors Could Lead The Charge</a></li>
</ul>



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Wall Street's Santa Rally At Risk, Palantir Dethrones Nvidia, Consumer Confidence Pulls Back: This Week In The Markets

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



Major U.S. indexes ended the week higher, with the Dow up 0.4%, S&amp;P 500 gaining 0.7%, and Nasdaq rising 0.8%, breaking a three-week decline streak. 



The S&amp;P 500&#8217;s strong Christmas Eve performance fueled hopes for a &#8220;Santa Rally,&#8221; a historical trend showing gains 64 out of 96 years during <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/12/42675763/santa-rally-serial-winners-10-stocks-historically-poised-for-big-year-end-gains">December&#8217;s final week. </a>Markets started recovering from the Fed&#8217;s hawkish rate cut signals but faced renewed volatility Friday, tempering Santa Rally expectations. 



Despite near-term uncertainty, 2024 remains exceptional, with the S&amp;P 500 matching last year&#8217;s 24% gain and U.S. stocks outperforming global markets by the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42711387/wall-streets-santa-rally-at-risk-palantir-dethrones-nvidia-consumer-confidence-pulls-back-this-week-in-the-markets">widest margin since 1997.</a>



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



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



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42657620/amd-and-micron-top-analyst-picks-for-ai-and-next-gen-tech-growth">AMD And Micron Are Top Analyst Picks For AI And Next-Gen Tech Growth</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/anusuya-lahiri-0">Anusuya Lahiri</a>, highlights Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) being a top 2025 analyst&#8217;s pick for CPU/GPU momentum and AI edge opportunities, and Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>) for its dominance in high-bandwidth memory.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42676474/dogecoin-whales-load-up-coins-worth-92-million-over-4-days-as-meme-king-outperforms-bitcoin-ethereum-in-2024">Dogecoin Whales Load Up Coins Worth $92 Million Over 4 Days As Meme King Outperforms Bitcoin, Ethereum In 2024</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>, reports that whale investors acquired 270 million Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>), worth $92 million, over four days, boosting DOGE's 274% YTD rally, far outpacing 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>) gains of 132% and 53%, respectively.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42698198/quantum-computing-stock-qubt-has-more-than-doubled-while-bitcoin-has-dropped-since-googles-willow-reveal-what-does-this-mean">Quantum Computing Stock QUBT Soars 157% While Bitcoin Drops Post Google's &#8216;Willow&#8217; Reveal</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/aniket-verma">Aniket Verma</a>, highlights Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QUBT#NASDAQ">QUBT</a>) surging after Google's &#8220;Willow&#8221; chip breakthrough, outperforming key indices, while Bitcoin faced a downturn amid concerns Willow&#8217;s quantum power could undermine cryptographic security.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42678014/top-7-blue-chip-stocks-with-the-best-return-potential-going-into-2025">Top 7 Blue-Chip Stocks With The Best Return Potential Going Into 2025</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42666472/gms-60000-cadillac-lyriq-was-its-best-selling-ev-in-2024-as-of-q3-is-premium-the-way-to-go-for-ev-makers">GM&#8217;s $60,000 Cadillac Lyriq Was Its Best Selling EV In 2024 As Of Q3: Is Premium The Way To Go For EV Makers?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/24/12/42672565/why-trumps-return-to-office-could-drive-gold-demand-in-2025">Why Trump&#8217;s Return To Office Could Drive Gold Demand In 2025</a>



The Bears



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42660092/microstrategy-sinks-after-nasdaq-100-inclusion-bitcoin-bet-under-fire">MicroStrategy Sinks After Nasdaq 100 Inclusion: Bitcoin Bet Under Fire</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/piero-cingari">Piero Cingari</a>, reports MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) shares dropping 8.5% after its Nasdaq 100 debut, as analysts question its $561 million Bitcoin purchase at a 12% premium to current levels, marking its smallest acquisition amid declining stock performance.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/12/42688941/are-us-vehicles-under-30000-a-thing-of-the-past-trumps-mexico-tariff-plans-could-change-auto-market">Are Sub-$30,000 Cars Disappearing? Trump&#8217;s Tariff Plans Could Reshape US Auto Market</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a>, explores Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, potentially pushing the price of vehicles like Ford Motor Co.&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) Maverick and Honda Motor Co.&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HMC#NYSE">HMC</a>) Civic above $30,000, with one-third of sub-$30,000 cars currently made in Mexico.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42665033/tesla-shorts-gordon-johnson-and-james-chanos-express-skepticism-on-robotaxi-potential-as-usage-data-sparks-debate">Tesla Shorts Gordon Johnson And James Chanos Skeptical Of Robotaxi Potential Amid Usage Data Debate</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/kaustubh-bagalkote">Kaustubh Bagalkote</a>, details criticism from Gordon Johnson of GLJ Research and short-seller James Chanos, who argue Tesla Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) robotaxi ambitions overpromise revenue potential, citing New York City ride-share data.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42676801/lyft-sues-san-francisco-over-100-million-tax-bill-citing-misclassification-of-driver-payments">Lyft Sues San Francisco Over $100 Million Tax Bill, Says Payments To Drivers By Passengers Misclassified</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42700098/us-markets-likely-headed-for-10-correction-says-jay-woods-trumps-tariff-plans-musk-co-led-doge-could-be-partially-to-blame">US Markets Likely Headed For 10% Correction, Says Jay Woods: Trump&#8217;s Tariff Plans, Musk&#8217;s DOGE Advocacy Among Contributing Factors</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42687945/zelle-became-a-gold-mine-for-fraudsters-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-lawsuit">&#8216;Zelle Became A Gold Mine For Fraudsters&#8217;: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Lawsuit</a>



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



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Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Quantum Computing, Tesla, AMD — And Whales Buy 270 Million Dogecoin Over 4 Days

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Sues Rocket Homes, Alleges Kickback Scheme</h2>



The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued Rocket Homes, a division of Rocket Companies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RKT#NYSE">RKT</a>), on Monday in what it said is an action stop the company from providing incentives to real estate brokers and agents to steer homebuyers to Rocket Mortgage,<a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-files-lawsuit-to-stop-illegal-kickback-scheme-to-steer-borrowers-to-rocket-mortgage/"> LLC for loans</a>.



The CFPB alleged that Rocket Homes pressured real estate brokers and agents not to share information with clients concerning products which were not offered by Rocket Mortgage, including the availability of down payment assistance programs.&nbsp;



Read Next:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42687945/zelle-became-a-gold-mine-for-fraudsters-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-lawsuit"> &#8216;Zelle Became A Gold Mine For Fraudsters&#8217;: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Lawsuit</a>



"Rocket engaged in a kickback scheme that discouraged homebuyers from comparison shopping and getting the best deal," said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra.&nbsp;



"At a time when homeownership feels out of reach for so many, companies should not illegally block competition in ways that drive up the cost of housing," Chopra added.



The CFPB also sued Jason Mitchell and his real estate brokerage firm, JMG Holding Partners LLC, which does business as The Jason Mitchell Group, for allegedly participating in the kickback scheme.&nbsp;



Rocket Homes denied the allegations in a statement late Monday, calling the lawsuit "flimsy" and part of a "political agenda.&#8221;



"The CFPB's allegations are false and a distortion of reality. The accusation that homebuyers paid more when working with Rocket Homes is a lie. Additionally, the notion that Rocket Homes penalized real estate brokers or agents for helping clients compare rates and choose the best lender for them is also a lie," the statement said, per Yahoo Finance.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SEC Charges Tai Mo Shan With Misleading Investors About Terra USD</h2>



The Securities and Exchange Commission last Friday<a href="https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2024-212"> charged</a> Tai Mo Shan Ltd. with misleading investors about the stability of Terra USD, when UST dropped from its purportedly fixed exchange rate of 1 UST to $1, known as a peg.&nbsp;



The SEC also charged Tai Mo Shan with offering and selling securities in unregistered transactions by acting as a statutory underwriter with respect to certain of its offers and sales of LUNA (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/luna/usd">LUNA</a>), a crypto asset issued by Terraform and offered and sold as a security.&nbsp;



"This case reminds us that, too many times in the crypto markets, we've seen significant investor losses due to fraud," said SEC Chair Gary Gensler.&nbsp;



"Here, the impact reverberated throughout the crypto markets, eventually costing the savings of countless investors. Regardless of the labels, crypto market participants should comply with the securities laws where applicable and not deceive the public. Otherwise, investors get hurt," Gensler added.&nbsp;



Tai Mo Shan agreed to pay $73,452,756 in disgorgement, $12,916,153 in prejudgment interest, and a $36,726,378 civil penalty as part of the settlement. Tai Mo Shan also agreed to cease and desist from violations of the registration and fraud provisions it violated, without admitting or denying the SEC's findings.



Read Next: 



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/12/42692036/billionaire-investors-michael-burry-david-tepper-could-benefit-from-chinas-stimulus-measures">Billionaire Investors Michael Burry, David Tepper Could Benefit From China&#8217;s Stimulus Measures</a></li>
</ul>



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Financial Crime Weekly: SEC Charges Tai Mo Shan With Misleading Terra USD Investors, Rocket Companies Sued Over Alleged Kickback Scheme

Prominent MAGA figures have accused Elon Musk of silencing critics who challenge <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42713746/financial-crime-weekly-sec-charges-tai-mo-shan-with-misleading-terra-usd-investors-rocket-companies-sued-over-alleged-kickback-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">his views on immigration</a>.



The controversy erupted when at least 14 right-wing accounts reported losing access to premium features on X, including blue verification badges and monetization tools, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/28/elon-musk-accused-of-censoring-conservatives-on-x-over-immigration.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> CNBC.



This follows a wave of criticism targeting Musk's pro-immigration stance, particularly from anti-immigration factions within the MAGA movement.



The affected users, many affiliated with the media group ConservativeOG, said they were penalized after publicly voicing opposition to Musk's position.



These accounts saw their reach on the platform shrink significantly, triggering accusations that Musk was shadowbanning or censoring those who disagreed with him.



Read Next:<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42687945/zelle-became-a-gold-mine-for-fraudsters-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-lawsuit" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;‘Zelle Became A Gold Mine For Fraudsters': Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Lawsuit</a>



Some of these individuals expressed concern that losing monetization features would impact their ability to continue posting content regularly.



In response to the growing controversy, Musk posted a "reminder" on X about the platform's algorithm, stating that accounts frequently blocked or muted by verified users would see their reach decline. 



However, this explanation only fueled further accusations of censorship. Critics felt that Musk, despite his claims of championing free speech, was punishing those who voiced opposition to his views on immigration.



Among those impacted was Preston Parra, head of ConservativeOG, who described the actions as a "political takedown" aimed at silencing conservative voices.



Parra vowed to continue fighting Musk's platform policies, which he sees as an attack on conservative values. The incident has sparked a broader debate over the influence of tech executives like Musk and their role in shaping political discourse, especially in light of his immigrant background and ties to pro-immigration figures.



The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between free speech advocates and those who believe social media platforms should regulate harmful content.



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Politics

Media

General

MAGA Conservatives Accuse Elon Musk of Censorship Over Immigration Disagreements on X

In a recent forecast, Anthony Pompliano, founder of Morgan Creek Capital, anticipates a significant upswing for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42638493/crypto-analyst-2025-will-continue-to-be-a-great-year-for-bitcoin">broader crypto market in 2025</a>.



What Happened: Pompliano, a prominent crypto advocate, asserts that digital assets are gaining traction in the conventional finance sector, which will act as a key driver in 2025.



Recently <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bPxXF-34XE">on</a> Fox Business, Pompliano said, &#8220;I think the big story of 2025 is going to be that crypto has now grown up and is part of the traditional financial system.&#8221;



He further emphasized that Bitcoin will continue to dominate the crypto sphere, with the majority of capital influx from the traditional sector being directed towards Bitcoin.



&#8220;I think that Bitcoin is the king and will remain the king. Most of the capital flows from the traditional world are going into Bitcoin. There are going to be other assets that enter into the market, you obviously see the Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) ETF get approved and you'll probably see others get approved as well,&#8221; he said during the interview. 



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42380983/this-analyst-says-bitcoin-could-reach-200k-by-end-of-2025">This Analyst Says Bitcoin Could Reach $200K By End of 2025</a>



Pompliano also pointed out that the case for any crypto other than Bitcoin is essentially a technological one, drawing parallels to the choice between tech behemoths such as Google, Amazon and Facebook.



&#8220;The argument for anything other than Bitcoin is a very different one, it's a technology argument. It's no different than trying to pick between Google, Amazon, and Facebook. The Bitcoin argument is much more akin to ‘Do I want to protect my purchasing power?&#8217;"



Despite the recent declaration by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell that the U.S. is legally prohibited from holding BTC as a reserve asset, Pompliano maintains a positive outlook for Bitcoin&#8217;s future. At the time of the report, Bitcoin was trading at $94,108, reflecting a 2.1% drop on the day.



Why It Matters: Pompliano&#8217;s forecast comes at a time when cryptocurrencies are increasingly being recognized and adopted by traditional financial institutions. 



This growing acceptance, coupled with technological advancements in the crypto space, is expected to fuel the predicted surge in 2025. 



Despite regulatory hurdles, such as the recent statement by the Fed Chair, the optimism surrounding Bitcoin and other digital assets remains high, indicating a promising future for the crypto market.



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Analyst Says This Single Factor Could Propel Bitcoin And Crypto To New Heights In 2025

President-elect Donald Trump&#8216;s estranged niece Mary Trump recently shared some of her most peculiar Christmas gift experiences with her uncle.



What Happened: Known for her vocal criticism of the President-elect, Mary Trump often uses online platforms to express her views.



In a recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u_K67M9WHw">video</a>, she reflected on some of the more unusual gifts she received from her uncle.



She recalled a &#8220;single shoe&#8221; filled with hard candy, which she suspects was a regifted &#8220;party favor&#8221; from a luncheon hosted by Donald Trump's first wife, Ivana Trump.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42635765/mary-trumps-warning-donald-trumps-second-term-already-is-more-dangerous-than-the-first">Mary Trump&#8217;s Warning: Donald Trump&#8217;s Second Term &#8216;Already Is More Dangerous Than the First&#8217;</a>



Mary also recounted a playful sibling rivalry with her brother over who could receive the &#8220;worst&#8221; gift — a competition sparked by a leather-bound calendar that was already two years outdated.



She also revealed that her first gift from Donald and Ivana Trump was a three-pack of underwear from Bloomingdales. &#8220;It was a very exciting&nbsp;moment, and it just kind&nbsp;of got weirder from there,&#8221; she said in the post.



Why It Matters: The revelations from Mary Trump come at a time when Donald Trump, who won the 2024 presidential election against Vice President Kamala Harris, is preparing to begin his second term in the White House in January. 



These personal anecdotes provide a unique insight into the private life of the once and future president, adding a humanizing layer to the often controversial figure.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42497190/mary-trump-slams-uncle-over-anti-birthright-citizenship-stance-a-deeply-ignorant-cruel-man" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mary Trump Slams Uncle Over Anti-Birthright Citizenship Stance: ‘A Deeply Ignorant, Cruel Man'</a>



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

Mary Trump Reveals the Worst Christmas Gift She Ever Received from Uncle Donald Trump

This holiday season, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42676715/openai-ceo-sam-altman-crowdsources-2025-goals-sora-upgrades-top-user-wishlist">OpenAI</a>'s employees and former staff could experience an extraordinary financial windfall. A private stock sale orchestrated by the San Francisco-based leading AI company will allow approximately 400 eligible participants to cash in up to $10 million each, marking one of the most lucrative employee payouts in the tech industry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Special Stock Sale</h2>



The opportunity comes via a tender offer from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42513807/trump-says-softbanks-100b-commitment-to-us-is-monumental-demonstration-of-confidence-in-americas-future">Japan's SoftBank Group</a>, which has agreed to purchase up to $1.6 billion of OpenAI stock at $210 per share. This price reflects OpenAI's valuation of $157 billion, which has doubled in just a year, according to Fortune. Eligible shareholders include current and former OpenAI employees who were issued restricted stock units more than two years ago.



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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>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who Benefits?</h2>



Current OpenAI employees will receive priority in this stock sale. Fortune reports they can cash out the maximum allowable amount of $10 million each. Former employees, while also eligible, may face limits depending on the level of participation. However, all participants are guaranteed to sell at least $2 million worth of stock, ensuring that everyone benefits from the opportunity.



The participation deadline was set for Dec. 24, so the resulting payout offers a timely holiday bonus for those involved. The eligible stock is reportedly valued at $2 billion, but some shares may remain unsold, with SoftBank purchasing $1.6 billion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Growing Valuation</h2>



OpenAI's stock sale aligns with its dramatic growth. According to CNBC, since the launch of ChatGPT, the company has raised $13 billion, including $6.6 billion in its most recent fundraising round in October. SoftBank initially invested $500 million during this round and its latest tender offer represents an even greater stake in the AI leader. Other notable investors include <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42679515/microsoft-invested-nearly-14-billion-in-openai-but-now-its-reducing-its-dependence-on-the-chatgpt-pa">Microsoft</a> and chipmaker Nvidia.



See Also: 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>



Tender offers like this have become increasingly important in the tech industry, especially given a subdued IPO market. By allowing employees to sell shares, companies like OpenAI provide liquidity to their teams while avoiding the pressures of going public.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Policy Revisions</h2>



This tender offer also reflects OpenAI's evolving policies toward secondary share sales. Past restrictions limited participation and raised employee concerns, but the company has since introduced changes to create a more inclusive process. Now, current and former employees have equal access to annual tender offers, ensuring a fairer system.



According to CNBC, the policy shift has quelled shareholder tensions while positioning OpenAI to maintain its capital-intensive operations. With plans to facilitate more secondary sales in the future, the company is addressing the growing demand for liquidity among tech workers.



Trending: 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>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Competition and Market Dynamics</h2>



OpenAI faces stiff competition from rivals such as Anthropic and tech giants like Google. Yet, the company's valuation and continued fundraising highlight its dominance in the rapidly expanding generative AI market. Bloomberg states it will generate $1 trillion in revenue within the next decade.



SoftBank's commitment to AI investments extends beyond OpenAI. The conglomerate has backed other startups, including Glean and Perplexity and recently announced plans with <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">President-elect Donald Trump</a> to allocate $100 billion toward projects in the U.S., according to The Associated Press.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Holiday Cheer for OpenAI Employees</h2>



This tender offer represents a rare opportunity for OpenAI's employees to turn their equity into tangible wealth. Whether they cash out partially or take full advantage of the $10 million cap, the payout is a testament to the company's success and commitment to rewarding its team.



OpenAI's stock sale reminds us of the financial opportunities available in the tech industry, especially for those working at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence.



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<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>
</ul>

Startups

OpenAI's Big Holiday Payday: How 400 Employees Could Walk Away With $10 Million Each

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet L Yellen reportedly said on Friday that the government has less than three weeks to raise its debt limit.



What Happened: Unless the government raises its debt limit, it will need to take &nbsp;"extraordinary measures" to sustain federal operations starting between Jan. 14 and Jan. 23, Yellen said in a letter to members of Congress, as <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/12/27/debt-ceiling-yellen/">reported</a> by The Washington Post.



The government is starting to run out of money to finance its debt obligations, she noted while urging Congress to act.



Why It Matters: The debt ceiling refers to the limit of how much the Treasury can borrow. Failing to raise it risks a government default, jeopardizing programs like Social Security, Medicaid, and housing assistance. A default could also spike interest rates, as the U.S. might lose its reputation as a creditworthy borrower.&nbsp;



Earlier this month, President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42635450/why-trump-wants-debt-ceiling-killed-before-he-takes-office">called for either raising or completely eliminating the borrowing limit</a>, a move that could resolve the issue before he assumes office and allow him to pursue his agenda without future debt-ceiling battles.



&#8220;Congress must get rid of, or extend out to, perhaps, 2029, the ridiculous Debt Ceiling,&#8221; Trump wrote in a Truth Social&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113683687655180611" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">post</a>. &#8220;Without this, we should never make a deal. Remember, the pressure is on whoever is President.&#8221;



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42658817/5-semiconductor-stocks-wall-street-analysts-predict-could-soar-in-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5 Semiconductor Stocks Wall Street Analysts Predict Could Soar In 2025</a></li>
</ul>



Photos courtesy: Shutterstock and Flickr

Government

US Government Has Less Than 3 Weeks To Raise Debt Ceiling Before Resorting To 'Extraordinary Measures,' Says Treasury Secretary Yellen

The world&#8217;s richest man Elon Musk earlier this week admitted to using the weight loss drug Mounjaro. 



What Happened: Musk on Christmas posted a picture of himself donning the Santa Claus costume with the caption &#8220;Ozempic Santa.&#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">Ozempic Santa <a href="https://t.co/7YECSNpWoz">pic.twitter.com/7YECSNpWoz</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1872086971557761348?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



The billionaire later clarified that he uses Mounjaro but chose to caption his picture otherwise as Mounjaro doesn&#8217;t have the same &#8220;ring&#8221; to it as Ozempic. 



Musk said that he chose Mounjaro produced by Eli Lilly (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) over Ozempic produced by&nbsp;Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) owing to seemingly fewer side effects. 



&#8220;High doses of Ozempic made me fart &amp; burp like Barney from the Simpson's. Mounjaro seems to have fewer side effects and be more effective,&#8221; he said. 



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">High doses of Ozempic made me fart &amp; burp like Barney from the Simpson's &#x1f923; Mounjaro seems to have fewer side effects and be more effective.&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1872109586947428455?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Musk has previously voiced his support for weight loss drugs saying that the health benefits of reducing obesity far exceed the side effects of using the drugs.



&#8220;While no drug is without side effects, health problems associated with obesity almost certainly exceed the risks of GLP-1 agonists,&#8221; Musk said as early as Oct. 2023. GLP-1&nbsp;agonists are a class of medications that can help manage Type 2 diabetes and obesity.



Why It Matters: While Musk, who was named by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, is all for weight-loss drugs, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/24/12/42607280/elon-musk-vs-rfk-jr-obesity-crisis-debate-sparks-struggle-for-trumps-influence">is not.</a>



 In November, Trump selected Kennedy Jr.,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42254495/trumps-hhs-pick-rfk-jr-has-a-long-history-of-challenging-global-health-policies">known for his outspoken skepticism about vaccines</a>, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services which oversees drug regulation, among other things. 



Kennedy Jr. has previously voiced criticism for Ozempic, terming it as a means of gladdening the wallets of distant Big Pharma execs. In September, he criticized a New York Times opinion piece on Ozempic saying that the piece failed to acknowledge the causes behind obesity such as &#8220;our sickening food system&#8221; and sedentary lifestyle. 



&#8220;According to the writer, obesity seems to be a matter of lack—a lack of bariatric surgeries and a lack of Ozempic courtesy of Novo Nordisk, a Danish multinational whose wealth is bigger than Denmark's entire economy. As this drug becomes more widely available, the journalist seems to suggest, &#8216;America's biggest health problem&#8217; will be under control,&#8221; he wrote about the piece on social media platform X.



&#8220;Instead of fixing our food system and addressing the obesity crisis at its root, the author focuses on a drug that may palliate the symptom – and gladden the wallets of distant Big Pharma execs.&#8221;



&#8220;When I'm working in the next administration, I will address our sick food system—and the corrupt government agencies—to help make our country healthy again,&#8221; Kennedy Jr. then said while also adding that people should consider kitchen gardens instead of sending money to Denmark.



<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 MSM cheerleading for Ozempic has begun! New op-ed in the NYT "Opinion &#x7C; Is Obesity a Disease? It's Complicated in the Age of Ozempic" does make a valid point: that weight-shaming is cruel and that obesity is not a failure of character (we are not, she rightly and humanely…&mdash; Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1839286350626914756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>



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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Regulations

Elon Musk Admits To Using Weight Loss Medication Criticized By RFK Jr, Says He Prefers Mounjaro Over Miracle Drug Ozempic

Chinese EV startup Li Auto&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LI#NASDAQ">LI</a>) founder and CEO Li Xiang on Friday reportedly backed the use of LiDAR technology in the company&#8217;s vehicles, saying it is necessary on the roads in China.



What Happened: "I believe that if Musk had ever driven on different highways in China deep in the night, he would have chosen to keep a LiDAR in the front as well," Li Xiang said at an AI talk event on Friday, as <a href="https://cnevpost.com/2024/12/27/tesla-would-use-lidar-if-musk-drove-on-china-highways-night/">reported</a> by CNEVPOST. The CEO was responding to a question on why Li Auto continues to use LiDAR when Tesla doesn&#8217;t.



"China is different from the US. If you regularly drive at night in China, you&#8217;ll see large trucks with broken taillights, and the large trucks with broken taillights maybe even parked right on the main road," the CEO said while adding that the company will continue to use the technology in future vehicle models. LiDAR, he said, helps ensure safety on the road. 



LiDAR, short for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances and create detailed three-dimensional representations of surfaces and objects.



Why It Matters: Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk has previously criticized LiDAR, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41699028/tesla-investor-says-ev-giant-will-admit-it-needs-lidar-despite-elon-musk-calling-it-a-crutch">terming it a &#8220;crutch</a>&#8220;. None of the company's sold vehicles have lidars. In 2022, the company also removed ultrasonic sensors from its vehicles to rely solely on cameras.



"Did my best to warn people that LiDAR isn&#8217;t optimal for cars. Roads are designed for biological neural nets &amp; eyes, so digital neural nets &amp; cameras will work best," Musk said in Aug. 2023.



Chinese EV maker XPeng also dropped of use of LiDAR in its new P7+ sedan launched last month.



However, not all are in agreement. 



&#8220;…you really do need significantly more hardware than Tesla is putting in the vehicles to build a robotaxi that&#8217;s not just as safe but especially safer than a human,&#8221;&nbsp;Zoox&nbsp;co-founder&nbsp;Jesse Levinson&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41645383/elon-musk-slams-zoox-co-founder-over-fsd-criticism-your-company-would-be-dead-already-if-not-for-ama">opined in October</a> while adding that there is a need for sensor data despite advancements in AI to protect against camera malfunctions and ensure fully safe rides.



Alphabet Inc.'s&nbsp;autonomous ride-hail company&nbsp;Waymo&nbsp;also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41676465/tesla-can-make-cybercab-for-the-same-money-it-takes-waymo-to-install-lidar-sensors-on-its-robotaxi-s">continues to use LiDAR</a> in its robotaxis.&nbsp;



Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>



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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Li Auto CEO Defends Use Of LiDAR Despite Tesla CEO Elon Musk's Criticism: 'If Musk Had Ever Driven On Different Highways In China...'

EV giant Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) is now offering free lifetime supercharging on the purchase of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/tesla-cybertruck">foundation series Cybertrucks</a> from its inventory in a bid to make it more enticing to potential buyers.



What Happened: Under the limited-period offer, customers who purchase the foundation series Cybertruck on or after Dec. 27 will be eligible for free supercharging during their ownership of the vehicle.



However, the vehicle owner will have to continue to pay supercharger fees like idle or congestion fees. While congestion fees refer to the charges to be paid by drivers who charge their electric vehicles beyond a certain level at &#8220;busy&#8221; supercharger stations, idle fees apply when vehicles stay connected to the charger post-full charging.



The offer cannot be transferred to another vehicle or person, the company noted on its website.



Earlier this month, Benzinga reported that Tesla is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42524912/teslas-99k-foundation-series-cybertrucks-still-available-a-sign-of-possible-demand-hurdles">continuing to sell its premium foundation series Cybertrucks in its inventory</a> in the U.S., implying that the company hasn't yet entirely sold out the units of the limited edition stainless steel truck it produced.



Why It Matters: Tesla's inventory in the U.S. now shows multiple new foundation series Cybertrucks, including the all-wheel drive variant and the more expensive Cyberbeast variant. While the foundation series all-wheel drive variant is priced at $99,990, the Cyberbeast is priced at $119,990.



The foundation series refers to a limited and pricier edition of the Cybertruck with laser-etched foundation series badges and premium accessories.



Tesla made only the foundation series Cybertrucks for the first few months of deliveries. Earlier this year, in October, Tesla started selling the regular version of Cybertruck priced about $20,000 lower than the foundation series. 



The foundation series trucks manufactured by the company for the U.S. market haven't seemingly been sold in totality, hinting at significant<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42501487/cybertruck-production-rate-was-reduced-even-before-decembers-production-pause-says-tesla-researcher"> demand challenges for the truck</a>.



Early in December, Tesla told its workers on the Cybertruck production line at Giga Texas that they need not report to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42283708/tesla-gives-cybertruck-production-line-workers-three-days-off-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work for three days from Dec. 3 to Dec. 5</a>, implying a brief pause in production.



Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>



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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Tesla Offers Free Lifetime Supercharging With Foundation Series Cybertruck As It Looks To Clear Inventory

Ukraine said it received 150 sets of SpaceX's Starlink from Poland hours before Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk told the U.S. to pay for the high-speed internet services because it can no longer <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/10/29264636/elon-musks-spacex-asks-us-to-foot-the-bill-for-starlink-internet-services-in-ukraine-report-says-we">afford to give it to Ukraine for free.&nbsp;</a>



What Happened: Ukrainian Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories said the Starlink sets would allow it to quickly restore communication until the damaged infrastructure is rebuilt in the liberated regions.&nbsp;



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/10/29264331/angered-by-elon-musks-special-administrative-zone-comments-taiwans-military-will-not-buy-tesla-cars">Elon Musk&#8217;s &#8216;Special Administrative Zone&#8217; Remarks Anger Taiwan&#8217;s Military, Says No More Tesla &#8216;Purchases&#8217;</a>



"Some of them are intended for mobile operators and Internet providers. Currently, mobile operators have restored 27 mobile base stations in the Kharkiv region and continue to restore others," it added.



This came days after Musk <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/10/29130474/ukraine-diplomat-asks-elon-musk-to-f-k-off-says-tesla-will-be-boycotted-in-the-country">drew massive flak on social media</a>, including from Ukrainian officials for polling his followers on what would be the most likely outcome of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;



Following his tweet, Ukraine&#8217;s outgoing ambassador to Germany, Andriy Melnyk, sharply replied to Musk. &#8220;F&#x2A;&#x2A;k off is my very diplomatic reply to you, Elon Musk,&#8221; he said.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/10/29129597/elon-musk-tells-zelenskyy-i-still-very-much-support-ukraine-but">Musk later defended it</a> to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and said he supports Kyiv. "I still very much support Ukraine, but am convinced that massive escalation of the war will cause great harm to Ukraine and possibly the world," he said.&nbsp;



The billionaire entrepreneur early Friday on Twitter said SpaceX could not &#8220;indefinitely&#8221; fund the Starlink internet service in Ukraine and send it several thousand more terminals..



 Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Europe and Asia coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/eurasia">following this link</a>.

Ukraine Gets 150 Starlinks From Poland While Elon Musk Says He Can No Longer Afford To Give The Kits Away For Free

Jensen Huang, the CEO and cofounder of Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), is making headlines for more than just his company's dominance in AI chips. Huang is allegedly leveraging <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-reduce-taxable-income-for-high-earners">legal tax strategies</a> to protect an estimated $8 billion from federal estate and gift taxes, according to a recent investigation by The New York Times. This staggering number has spurred a wider discussion about how the ultrawealthy use legal loopholes to safeguard their money.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The NYT's Findings on Huang's Wealth Strategies</h2>



Huang&#8217;s net worth was $127 billion when the report was released in early December. According to the NYT, he has used a number of financial strategies to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/ownwell">reduce estate taxes</a>. These include instruments such as donor-advised funds (DAFs), grantor-retained annuity trusts (GRATs) and irrevocable trusts. By doing so, Huang could pass on much of his fortune to his descendants with minimal tax liability.



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One of the most notable examples cited by the NYT involves an irrevocable trust Huang and his wife set up in 2012. They transferred Nvidia shares worth $7 million into the trust, which has since grown in value to over $3 billion. Normally, the tax on that kind of wealth would be about 40%, but the trust helps them pay much less – perhaps just a few hundred thousand dollars.



As Lewis &amp; Clark Law School professor Jack Bogdanski told the NYT, "You have an army of well-trained, brilliant people who sit there all day long, charging $1,000 an hour, thinking up ways to beat this tax. Don't expect anyone in Congress to stop this."



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>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What's the Bigger Picture?</h2>



The NYT&#8217;s investigation provides a broader view of the continuous erosion of estate taxes over time. Huang&#8217;s tactics are becoming increasingly popular, even though these taxes are meant to impact only the wealthiest Americans. Thanks to these methods, experts estimate that about $200 billion gets passed down each year without being taxed.



To make matters worse, funding constraints have reduced the Internal Revenue Service&#8217;s (IRS) ability to enforce the law. During the early 1990s, audits of more than 20% of estate tax returns were conducted. The NYT reports that number has now fallen to roughly 3%.



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>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Charitable Contributions and Scrutiny</h2>



While Huang's philanthropy is well-documented, critics also scrutinized his use of DAFs, which lack transparency and accountability. Through the Jen Hsun &amp; Lori Huang Foundation, the couple has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/10/41124309/nvidias-jensen-huangs-wealth-exploded-in-five-years-to-108-billion-heres-why-his-philanthropy-is-bei">donated Nvidia shares</a> worth hundreds of millions of dollars to these funds. Although these contributions reduce Huang's taxable estate, the funds are not required to distribute money to charities immediately, leaving room for criticism about their actual societal impact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Debate Continues</h2>



Huang's financial strategies highlight the growing divide between the ultrawealthy and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/04/38295912/biden-promised-irs-funding-wouldnt-increase-audits-for-regular-americans-as-irs-audits-poorest-ameri">broader taxpaying public</a>. While these tactics are legal, they underscore how accessible loopholes can result in massive tax savings for billionaires. As the debate over wealth inequality and tax fairness continues, Huang's story may become a case study in how the richest Americans protect their fortunes.



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NYT Report Says Jensen Huang, The CEO Of Nvidia And The 10th-Richest Person In The U.S., Trying To Allegedly Avoid $8 Billion In Taxes

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