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Vital Energy

Vital Energy is an independent energy company. Its business is focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin of West Texas. The Company has identified one operating segment: exploration and production.

Vital Energy, Inc. Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

The Securities and Exchange Commission <a href="https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-69">filed charges</a> on Tuesday against Ramil Palafox, accusing him of running a fraudulent investment scheme that collected nearly $198 million from Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and foreign exchange investors and misappropriated more than $57 million for<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44747802/block-fined-40-million-by-new-york-regulator-over-cash-app-compliance-failures"> his personal benefit.</a>
The Details: According to the SEC's complaint, Palafox operated through his company, PGI Global, which he promoted as a cryptocurrency and foreign exchange trading business. Between January 2020 and October 2021, Palafox offered "membership" packages to investors that promised guaranteed high returns from PGI Global's alleged trading activities.
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The SEC alleges that Palafox diverted over $57 million to finance an extravagant lifestyle, including the purchase of luxury cars, expensive watches and high-end goods. The complaint further states that most of the remaining investor money was used to pay returns and referral bonuses to earlier investors, operating in a Ponzi-like fashion until the scheme collapsed in late 2021.
"Palafox used the guise of innovation to lure investors into lining his pockets with millions of dollars while leaving many victims empty-handed," said Laura D'Allaird, Chief of the Commission's Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit.&nbsp;
"In reality, his false claims of crypto industry expertise and a supposed AI-powered auto-trading platform were just masking an international securities fraud," D'Allaird added.&nbsp;
The SEC's complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, charges Palafox with violating federal securities laws' anti-fraud and registration requirements. The SEC is seeking permanent injunctions, a ban on Palafox's involvement in similar investment programs, the return of ill-gotten gains with interest and civil penalties.
In a related criminal case, Palafox has been arraigned on charges brought by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
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</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

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

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Legal

Markets

$BTC

Financial Crime Weekly: Man Charged With Operating $198 Million Crypto Ponzi Scheme

<ul>
<li>A federal judge ruled Google's online advertising business an illegal monopoly on April 17</li>
<li>The verdict is the second time the courts have found the company guilty of breaking antitrust laws in the last year</li>
<li>Google plans to appeal the ruling, arguing that the court is basing its arguments on frameworks that are no longer relevant</li>
</ul>
Google's ad services are an illegal monopoly, according to a ruling issued by U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema. The decision, which was handed down April 17, is the second antitrust ruling against the company in the last year. In her opinion, the judge ruled that the company's ad business, which matches website publishers with advertisers and determines which banner ads appear on which sites across the web, has violated antitrust law.
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"For over a decade, Google has tied its publisher ad server and ad exchange together through contractual policies and technological integration, which enabled the company to establish and protect its monopoly power in these two markets," Brinkema wrote in her <a href="https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/court-filings/united-states-of-america-et-al-v-google-llc-memorandum-opinion-2025.pdf">115-page ruling</a>.&nbsp; Continuing, "Google further entrenched its monopoly power by imposing anti-competitive policies on its customers and eliminating desirable product features."
According to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/google-illegal-monopoly-advertising-search-a1e4446c4870903ed05c03a2a03b581e">Associated Press</a>, the construction of the monopolizing ad system began back in 2008, when Google bought online ad specialist DoubleClick for $3.2 billion. At the time, U.S. regulators approved the purchase. Now, they've realized that move enabled the company to manipulate ad prices.
The Justice Department argued that Google controls all three corners of the digital ad market— one side that allows website publishers to sell ad space on their websites, the other is the technology that advertisers use to get their ads in front of viewers, and the third is the ad exchanges that conduct automated auctions that connect buyers and sellers.
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Google has said it plans to appeal the ruling. "Publishers have many options and they choose Google because our ad tech tools are simple, affordable and effective," Lee-Anne Mulholand, the company's vice president of regulatory affairs, the media reports.
According to the AP, the company's lawyers argued that the government is basing its case on antiquated concepts that were relevant a decade ago, but are no longer a good framework for understanding the highly competitive market for advertising that exists currently.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The decision marks the Justice Department's second victory over the tech giant in a year. Last August, US District Judge Amit Mehta, ruled that Google held an illegal monopoly on search. In that <a href="https://www.pacermonitor.com/view/VZTUTSQ/UNITED_STATES_OF_AMERICA_et_al_v_GOOGLE_LLC__dcdce-20-03010__1033.0.pdf?mcid=tGE3TEOA">ruling</a>, the judge said that the company's exclusive contracts, which secured them the spot as the No. 1 search engine on smartphones and web browsers, violated the Sherman Antitrust Act. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/11/tech/google-app-store-epic-games/index.html">And back in 2023</a>, a federal jury found the Google app store to be an illegal monopoly.
The cases are expected to play out over the next several years as Google appeals the decisions.&nbsp;
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Image: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

Google Declared An Illegal Monopoly For The Second Time In A Year, Digital Ad Network Under Fire

Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) shares have experienced a 20% surge after CEO Elon Musk said he is stepping back from DOGE.
What Happened: Musk, who had been collaborating with the Trump administration for the past quarter, declared his intention to devote more time to Tesla during the company&#8217;s Q1 earnings call. This announcement served as a trigger for the stock&#8217;s rally, alleviating shareholders&#8217; concerns about Musk&#8217;s divided attention.
By the end of the week, Tesla&#8217;s stock price had climbed to $286.85 per share, marking a 20% increase&nbsp;from Tuesday&#8217;s closing price of&nbsp;$237.97. Analysts are optimistic that this could indicate the beginning of a prolonged recovery for the electric vehicle giant.
Musk&#8217;s association with&nbsp;the Department of Government Efficiency,&nbsp;which involved initiating federal layoffs, had raised concerns about potential harm to Tesla&#8217;s brand. The first quarter of the year witnessed an uptick in Tesla boycotts and protests, coupled with weak sales and delivery data both domestically and internationally.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44778605/elon-musk-digging-my-own-grave-by-tying-himself-to-doge">Elon Musk: &#8216;Digging My Own Grave&#8217; by Tying Himself to DOGE</a>
&#8220;It&#8217;s going to be viewed&nbsp;historically as probably the most&nbsp;important conference call Musk has&nbsp;ever had,&#8221; stated Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, during an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4AifoMbd0U">interview</a>. Ives, a staunch Tesla advocate, had previously criticized Musk&#8217;s political aspirations.
On Friday, the&nbsp;US Department of Transportation announced&nbsp;relaxed rules on autonomous vehicles, providing an additional boost to Tesla&#8217;s stock. 
The modifications, designed to maintain the competitiveness of American firms against escalating Chinese rivalry, exempt&nbsp;self-driving cars used for testing&nbsp;from certain safety procedures.
Why It Matters
Musk&#8217;s return to Tesla and his decision to shift focus from his political pursuits have evidently restored investor confidence, as reflected in the recent surge in Tesla&#8217;s stock price. 
The relaxation of rules on autonomous vehicles by the US Department of Transportation further bolsters Tesla&#8217;s position in the market, potentially paving the way for increased testing and development of self-driving cars.
Read Next
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Image: Shutterstock/Joshua Sukoff

TSLA

Tesla Stock Skyrockets 20% Following Elon Musk's Return and Shift From DOGE

Experts are predicting that President Donald Trump&#8216;s trade policy could lead to significant supply chain disruptions, resulting in increased product prices and potential shortages in the coming weeks.
What Happened: Supply chain researchers, shipping&nbsp;insiders, and logistics specialists have forecasted major disruptions in product availability and pricing due to Trump&#8217;s tariffs. If the current approach continues, the consequences could intensify,&nbsp;leading to higher domestic unemployment&nbsp;rates, global market instability, and&nbsp;heightened geopolitical tensions by year-end.
Since the inception of Trump&#8217;s broad tariffs, ocean freight shipment bookings have seen a significant drop. Despite a 90-day halt on increased tariffs on goods from numerous countries, a&nbsp;10% baseline tariff on all&nbsp;countries and a&nbsp;145% tariff on imported Chinese&nbsp;goods are still in effect, reports <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tariffs-increase-prices-empty-shelves-timeline-supply-chain-holidays-2025-4">The</a> Insider. 
Vizion, a digital logistics firm, has reported a steep global drop of nearly 50% in ocean freight container bookings after Trump&#8217;s initial tariff announcement in early April. This trend has persisted in the following weeks, resulting in what Vizion refers to as a &#8220;tariff shockwave&#8221;.
Bob Ferrari, a supply chain&nbsp;executive and managing director of&nbsp;the Ferrari Consulting and Research&nbsp;Group, expressed his concerns, stating, &#8220;This is a big deal. It&nbsp;has a lot of ramifications&nbsp;because it&#8217;s something that the&nbsp;system is not equipped to&nbsp;deal with, and businesses are&nbsp;not equipped to deal with.&nbsp;It has a lot of&nbsp;far-reaching implications.&#8221;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44780349/trumps-tariff-policies-fuel-economic-concerns-economists-expect-slower-growth-ahead">Trump&#8217;s Tariff Policies Fuel Economic Concerns, Economists Expect Slower Growth Ahead</a>
With the current tariffs against China standing&nbsp;at 145%, many companies have&nbsp;put a halt to their new stock shipments and are waiting for the next changes before placing large orders. 
Chris Tang, a global supply chain management expert and professor at the&nbsp;University of California, Los Angeles, said,&nbsp;&#8220;Right now, they&#8217;re canceling orders,&nbsp;so the inventory will be&nbsp;running low.&#8221;
Ryan Petersen, the founder and&nbsp;CEO of Flexport, suggested that if Trump manages to reduce the tariffs soon, the impact on consumers could be minimal. However, he warned,&nbsp;&#8220;But if there&#8217;s no deal,&nbsp;then yes, there will be&nbsp;big shortages. Probably&nbsp;worse than anything we&#8217;ve seen&nbsp;in our lifetimes.&#8221;
Why It Matters: The potential disruptions in the supply chain due to Trump&#8217;s aggressive trade policy could have far-reaching implications, affecting not just the businesses, but also consumers. 
The uncertainty surrounding the tariffs has led to a decline in shipment bookings and could result in product shortages if not addressed in a timely manner. 
The situation underscores the importance of stable trade relations and policies in maintaining a healthy global economy.
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Image: Shutterstock/Ceri Breeze

Market Summary

Politics

Experts Say New Tariffs Could Spark Higher Prices and Shortages Within Weeks

Cluely, a provocative <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44927300/this-nvidia-backed-ai-upstart-boasts-extremely-rapid-revenue-growth-analyst-initiates-overweight">AI startup</a> born from academic controversy, just closed a $5.3 million seed round led by Abstract Ventures and Susa Ventures.
According to<a href="https://futurism.com/columbia-student-ai-cheating-startup"> Futurism</a>, the company's core product is a real-time, invisible <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44450807/zuckerberg-says-2025-will-be-the-year-an-ai-assistant-hits-1-billion-users-and-he-wants-it-to-be-meta-ai">AI assistant</a> that operates through a hidden browser overlay, giving users live answers during interviews, coding tests, exams, and even meetings.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ivy League Fallout Sparks a $5.3M AI Startup</h2>
The founders, Chungin "Roy" Lee and Neel Shanmugam dropped out of Columbia University after being suspended for creating the early version of the tool, known then as Interview Coder. That tool, built to help candidates navigate technical interviews on platforms like LeetCode, quickly went viral and caught the attention of Columbia's disciplinary board.
Within weeks of their suspension, the co-founders rebranded the product and announced the funding round on<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/roy-lee-goat_i-got-kicked-out-of-columbia-for-building-activity-7319827343730974720-f4ew/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAADHUUIEBu9ykWEQA6ZCNi-WBJ4dxkaU6GpY"> LinkedIn</a>. Their AI, marketed as "completely undetectable," sees the screen, hears the audio, and feeds the user context-specific responses in real time.
In an interview with the New York Times' "Hard Fork&#8221;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/podcasts/hardfork-ai-action-plans.html?showTranscript=1"> podcast</a>, co-founder Lee stated, &#8220;I read the student handbook quite thoroughly before I actually started building this thing [&#8230;] but I didn't actually expect to get expelled at all. And the student handbook very explicitly doesn't mention anything about academic resources.&#8221;
Trending: Donald Trump Just Announced a $500 Billion AI Infrastructure Deal — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/seize-a-share-while-you-still-can-in-the-2-trillion-entertainment-market-with-elf-labs-at-just-2-25-share">Here's How You Can Invest in the Entertainment Market's Next Big Disruptor for Just $998</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Growth and Backlash in Equal Measure</h2>
The $5.3 million funding round, completed in just a few weeks following Cluely's rebrand, is being seen as a sign of growing investor appetite for new forms of human-AI collaboration, particularly in areas where performance pressure and assessment bias remain high.
Since launching its current version, Cluely has reported more than $3 million in annual recurring revenue. While critics have raised ethical questions about the software, supporters argue that it highlights inefficiencies in existing gatekeeping systems, particularly the widespread reliance on memorization-heavy assessments like LeetCode in technical hiring processes, writes<a href="https://www.businesstoday.in/amp/technology/news/story/ai-startup-cluely-raises-53-million-to-let-users-cheat-on-everything-even-job-interviews-and-exams-472946-2025-04-22"> Business Today</a>.
A recent promotional video shared by the founder on<a href="https://x.com/im_roy_lee/status/1914061483149001132"> X</a> showed Lee using the software during a date to fabricate knowledge and facts in real-time, sparking debate across social media. While some saw the demonstration as a humorous take on modern dating and digital dependence, others likened it to scenarios featured in dystopian fiction such as Black Mirror. Some developers have already attempted to counteract Cluely's software, with one Reddit user<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/webdev/comments/1k4hlvw/i_built_a_poc_cluely_detection_tool_in_less_than/"> claiming</a> to have created a Swift-based tool that detects the platform when it is running.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Future Outlook and Industry Impact</h2>
Despite the public controversy, the startup continues to gain traction across industries. Early adopters include tech workers preparing for job interviews, sales professionals seeking support during live calls, and students managing online exam environments. According to<a href="https://fortune.com/article/cluely-ai-cheating-columbia-student-seed-funding/"> Fortune</a>, Cluely offers unlimited access to its AI tool through a subscription model priced at $20 per month or $100 annually.
With funding, momentum building, institutional support from respected venture firms, and rapidly growing user demand, Cluely is signaling a broader shift in the conversation around AI, merit, and human augmentation. Whether the world sees that as a threat or an evolution remains to be seen.
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Image: Shutterstock

Banned By Columbia, Backed By Millions: 21-Year-Old's AI Startup Cluely Lets You Cheat On Exams, Interviews, And Sales Calls

An influential cryptocurrency analyst flagged Bitcoin&#8217;s (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) next resistance level and a potential bearish signal amid the apex cryptocurrency&#8217;s resurgence this week.
What Happened: Ali Martinez, known for his technical and on-chain analysis of top cryptocurrencies, cautioned Saturday that Bitcoin could face &#8220;heavy&#8221; resistance between $94,125 and $99,150, potentially halting its upside. He called it a &#8220;critical zone&#8221; where 2.61 million wallets have accumulated 1.76 million BTC.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> faces heavy resistance between $94,125 and $99,150, where 2.61 million wallets accumulated 1.76 million BTC. A critical zone to watch! <a href="https://t.co/FJoojPs4P4">pic.twitter.com/FJoojPs4P4</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1916132658423201855?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Martinez also identified bearish signs from some key technical indicators. He noticed a bearish divergence against the Relative Strength Index on BTC&#8217;s 4-hour chart, as well as &#8220;multiple&#8221; sell signals from the TD Sequential indicator.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> is showing bearish divergence against the RSI on the 4-hour chart, with the TD Sequential flashing multiple sell signals. Caution is warranted! <a href="https://t.co/EdwgsIFiT2">pic.twitter.com/EdwgsIFiT2</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1916098069243834421?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44621245/gold-backed-cryptos-match-yellow-metals-highs-following-trumps-liberation-day-shock"></a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44971891/sec-teams-up-with-nayib-bukele-led-el-salvador-for-a-crypto-regulatory-sandbox">SEC Zooms In On Nayib Bukele-Led El Salvador&#8217;s Crypto Regulation Model</a>
Interestingly, exchange netflows were positive in the last 24 hours, as <a href="https://app.intotheblock.com/?timeRange=24h">indicated </a>by IntoTheBlock, implying that more BTCs were being accumulated than deposited.
Why It Matters: These forecasts come amid Bitcoin&#8217;s sharp recovery this week,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/44969947/bitcoin-ethereum-rise-dogecoin-falls-as-trump-reverses-course-on-china-tariffs-analyst-says-btc-setup-bullish-but-its-like-walking-on-thin-ice" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pushing through the $94,000</a>&nbsp;mark for the first time since early March.
The rebound has spurred a wave of bullish predictions, with leading multinational bank Standard Chartered <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/45014801/heres-why-bitcoin-has-decoupled-from-stocks-according-to-standard-chartered">reiterating</a> a $200,000 year-end price target and a $500,000 target for 2028 for the asset.
Moreover, in its Big Ideas 2025 report, Cathie Wood-led asset management firm Ark Invest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45003759/arks-bitcoin-bear-case-is-300000-by-2030-whats-the-bull-case">upgraded</a>&nbsp;its bear, base, and bull cases&nbsp;for Bitcoin&#8217;s price in 2030 at approximately $300,000, $710,000, and $1.5 million, respectively.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $94,318.49, up 0.65% in the last 24 hours, and 10.88% over the week, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
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Analyst Weighs In: Bitcoin Soared Nearly 11% Last Week, But Where's the Next Resistance Coming?

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43903135/ais-19-9-trillion-impact-could-create-the-first-trillionaire-but-mark-cuban-says-it-wont-be-musk-or-bezos">Artificial intelligence</a> could soon do more than help with homework—it might replace traditional universities altogether. Geoffrey Hinton, known as the "Godfather Of&nbsp; AI," made that prediction during an interview on "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRQ4d8Rjmwg">The Agenda</a>" with Steve Paikin, a TVO Today program.
Hinton, one of the recipients of a Nobel Prize in Physics in 2024 for his work on neural networks, warned that AI-powered tutors will soon become drastically more effective than human teachers.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AI Tutors Are Gaining Ground—And Fast</h2>
"If a private tutor that's a person is like two times better," Hinton said in the video, "these [AI tutors] will be three or four times better." He explained that by analyzing data from millions of students, AI systems could quickly identify a learner's unique gaps and offer precise, tailored feedback—at scale.
This kind of hyper-personalized learning isn't theoretical anymore. In China, platforms like Squirrel AI are already deploying adaptive tutoring technology. According to a breakdown by<a href="https://digitaldefynd.com/IQ/rise-of-ai-tutors/"> Digital Defynd</a>, students using Squirrel AI regularly outperform peers in traditional classrooms. The platform uses algorithms to customize content delivery in real-time based on a student's performance.
A<a href="https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4243877/v1/94b66827-34ba-43b7-a747-ef870d61bd14.pdf?c=1733164657"> Harvard study</a> also backs up Hinton's claim. It found that students using AI tutors learned more than double the material compared to those in active learning classrooms—and they did it in less time. AI tutors don't get tired, they don't get distracted, and they adapt instantly to each learner's pace.
Trending: Donald Trump Just Announced a $500 Billion AI Infrastructure Deal — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/seize-a-share-while-you-still-can-in-the-2-trillion-entertainment-market-with-elf-labs-at-just-2-25-share">Here's How You Can Invest in the Entertainment Market's Next Big Disruptor for Just $998</a>
Meanwhile, formal education systems are starting to respond. The <a href="https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/wharton-school-introduces-new-undergraduate-concentration-and-mba-major-artificial-ntelligence">University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School</a> recently launched a curriculum focused entirely on artificial intelligence.
Wharton School Dean Erika James said in an April 2 <a href="https://news.wharton.upenn.edu/press-releases/2025/04/the-wharton-school-introduces-new-undergraduate-concentration-and-mba-major-in-artificial-intelligence-for-business/">statement</a>,"It&#8217;s no longer a question of if, but how artificial intelligence will fundamentally alter every aspect of business and society." She added, "Business schools have a crucial role to play in ensuring that AI adoption leads to positive outcomes."
In Beijing, AI education is now compulsory for students starting in elementary school. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-beijing-ai-education-mandatory-classrooms-elementary-schoolers-2025-3">Business Insider</a> reported that Chinese students are now required to complete at least eight hours of AI instruction each year.
See Also: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a>
But the generational shift isn't without anxiety. A<a href="https://8ce82b94a8c4fdc3ea6d-b1d233e3bc3cb10858bea65ff05e18f2.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/a7/cd/b145ce854643a05e5393fa0664a4/walton-gsv-voices-of-gen-z-ai-final-report-04042025.pdf"> Gallup </a>poll from March revealed that 41% of Gen Z respondents say AI tools make them anxious. About 44% expressed concerns that reliance on AI might weaken their critical thinking skills. 27% of the respondents were hopeful, and 36% were excited about the prospect of AI becoming mainstream in education.
AI tutor critics argue that while these systems are fast and accurate, they still lack emotional intelligence. "They can't inspire, grasp human behavior, or connect on a human level," explained a recent piece from<a href="https://www.robinwaite.com/blog/ai-tutors-vs-human-teachers-enhancing-education-or-replacing-it"> Robin Waite</a>, a business strategist who's written extensively on AI's role in education.
Still, Hinton's forecast raises a tough question for universities, especially those offering degrees in technical subjects like computer science. If an AI tutor can offer individualized, affordable, around-the-clock instruction that outperforms even the best professors, will students still spend thousands on a four-year degree?
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'Three Or Four Times Better': AI 'Godfather' Geoffrey Hinton Says AI Tutors Could Soon Outperform Humans And Make Degrees Obsolete

Each week,&nbsp;Benzinga's Stock Whisper Index&nbsp;uses a combination of proprietary data and pattern recognition to showcase five stocks that are just under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/stock-whisper-index" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface and deserve attention</a>.
Investors are constantly on the hunt for undervalued, under-followed and emerging stocks. With countless methods available to retail traders, the challenge often lies in sifting through the abundance of information to uncover new opportunities and understand why certain stocks should be of interest.
Read Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/04/44597684/exclusive-marchs-20-most-searched-tickers-on-benzinga-pro-where-do-tesla-nvidia-apple-applovin-stock-rank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: March&#8217;s 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro — Where Do Tesla, Nvidia, Apple, Applovin Stock Rank?</a>
Here&#8217;s a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending April 25:
Construction Partners (NASDQ:ROAD): The civil infrastructure company you may never have heard of saw strong interest from Benzinga readers during the week. The increased interest comes ahead of second-quarter financial results scheduled for May 9. Analysts expect the company to report a loss of nine cents per share, down from a loss of 2 cents per share in last year's second quarter. Analysts expect the company to report quarterly revenue of $559.6 million, up from $371.4 million in last year's second quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in eight of the last 10 quarters and revenue in nine of the last 10 quarters, including six straight. In January, the stock was the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/short-ideas/25/01/43173631/construction-partners-stock-cracks-under-pressure-as-short-seller-warns-of-potential-50-downside">target of a short report</a> from Spruce Point alleging the company has a weak backlog, revenue growth failures. The report said the stock could fall by up to 50%. In February, the company <a href="https://ir.constructionpartners.net/news/press-releases/detail/139/construction-partners-inc-announces-fiscal-2025-first">reported </a>first-quarter revenue growth of 42% year-over-year and said it had a record backlog of $2.66 billion. The company's recent acquisitions grow the company's presence in Oklahoma, Texas and Alabama, which could defend off part of the short report that said the company was reliant on Florida and seeing declining revenue in the state.
The stock was up around 5% over the last week, as seen on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0425">Benzinga Pro chart</a> below, with shares up 55% over the last year.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0425"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="503" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180130/Screenshot-384.png" alt="" class="wp-image-889645" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180130/Screenshot-384.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180130/Screenshot-384-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180130/Screenshot-384-768x387.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>
Williams Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>): The midstream energy company saw increased interest from readers ahead of first-quarter financial results on May 5. Analysts expect the company to report first-quarter earnings per share of 56 cents, down from 59 cents per share in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in more than 10 straight quarters. Analysts expect the company to report first-quarter revenue of $2.90 billion, up from $2.77 billion in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in six of the last 10 quarters. The company received at least<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WMB/analyst-ratings"> five price target increases </a>from analysts in the month of March ahead of quarterly results.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0425"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="502" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180143/Screenshot-385.png" alt="" class="wp-image-889646" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180143/Screenshot-385.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180143/Screenshot-385-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180143/Screenshot-385-768x386.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>
RBC Bearings (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RBC#NYSE">RBC</a>): The precision bearings company makes products for the industrial, defense and aerospace industries and investors are increasingly looking at the stock with fourth-quarter financial results likely to come in May. Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of $2.70, up from $2.47 in last year's fourth quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates in six of the last eight quarters. Analysts expect the company to report quarterly revenue of $440.3 million, up from $413.7 million in last year's fourth quarter. RBC has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in two of the last four quarters, but missed estimates in six of the last 10 quarters. Truist <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/RBC/analyst-ratings">maintained a Buy rating </a>on the stock recently, while lowering the price target from $410 to $375. The company <a href="https://investor.rbcbearings.com/news-releases/news-release-details/rbc-bearings-incorporated-announces-fiscal-third-quarter-2025">saw </a>third-quarter net sales up 5.5% year-over-year with Aerospace/Defense up 10.7% year-over-year. Investors and analysts will likely be looking for more growth in the fourth quarter and positive comments on the company's industries. RBC executives said they were preparing for volume recovery from customers throughout 2025.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0425"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="999" height="499" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180156/Screenshot-386.png" alt="" class="wp-image-889647" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180156/Screenshot-386.png 999w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180156/Screenshot-386-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180156/Screenshot-386-768x384.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></a></figure>
Casella Waste Systems (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CWST#NASDAQ">CWST</a>): The waste removal company saw strong interest from readers ahead of first-quarter financial results coming on May 1. Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of 10 cents, up from a loss of one cent per share in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings in five of the last 10 quarters. Estimates for revenue call for a quarterly total of $404.3 million, up from $341.0 million in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates in three of the last four quarters and five of the last 10 for revenue. Investors and analysts could be turning to a company like Casella with waste services a mostly recession proof and industry that could avoid tariffs. Casella has also been aggressive with <a href="https://casellawastesystems.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/casella-waste-systems-inc-announces-fourth-quarter-and-fiscal-17">acquisitions</a>, adding eight businesses in the last fiscal year that will add over $200 million in annualized revenue. The company has also acquired three businesses already in fiscal 2025, set to add $40 million in annualized revenue. Along with quarterly results, Casella will report at a Stifel analyst event on May 5.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0425"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1003" height="502" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180210/Screenshot-387.png" alt="" class="wp-image-889648" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180210/Screenshot-387.png 1003w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180210/Screenshot-387-300x150.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180210/Screenshot-387-768x384.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1003px) 100vw, 1003px" /></a></figure>
Applovin Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>): The advertising tech company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44448522/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet">returns to the Stock Whisper Index</a> and could see increased interest thanks to upcoming quarterly earnings. The stock has been one of the top performers in the last year, but saw several short reports<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/43981217/applovin-stock-drops-on-multiple-short-reports-allegations-of-copying-meta-creating-smoke-and-mirrors-game" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> send shares lower</a>. Analysts expect the company to report first-quarter earnings per share of $1.44, up from 67 cents per share in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in seven straight quarters. Analysts expect the company to report quarterly revenue of $1.38 billion, up from $1.06 billion in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in two straight quarters and eight of the last 10 quarters overall. Analysts have been keeping their neutral or buy ratings with most <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/APP/analyst-ratings">lowering the price target. </a>The stock remains up 300% over the last year, but shares are well off the 52-week high of $525.04.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0425"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="995" height="503" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180223/Screenshot-389.png" alt="" class="wp-image-889649" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180223/Screenshot-389.png 995w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180223/Screenshot-389-300x152.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25180223/Screenshot-389-768x388.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></a></figure>
Stay tuned for next week's report, and follow Benzinga Pro for all the latest headlines and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0425" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top market-moving stories here.</a>
Read the latest Stock Whisper Index reports here:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44448522/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-58" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">March 21</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44546189/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-59" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">March 28</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/04/44651693/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">April 4</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/04/44883576/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-61">April 18 </a></li>
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Benzinga's 'Stock Whisper' Index: 5 Stocks Investors Secretly Monitor But Don't Talk About Yet

Michigan-based automaker Slate Auto is preparing to shake up the electric vehicle (EV) market with the introduction of its minimalist, highly affordable electric truck, the Slate Truck, which is priced under just $20,000.
What Happened: Slate Auto has revealed a new electric truck that is set to begin production next year. The Slate Truck, a stripped-down model designed for affordability and customization, is expected to make waves in the EV market.
The Slate Truck, which will cost&nbsp;less than $20,000 after federal&nbsp;incentives, can seat two and has a 150-mile range on a single charge. The vehicle comes in a single shade of gray and lacks traditional features like paint, stereo, and touchscreen. Instead, the truck embraces a minimalist design with a focus on personalization.
According to the report <a href="https://www.theverge.com/electric-cars/655527/slate-electric-truck-price-paint-radio-bezos">by</a> Verge, the design of the truck allows for a low-cost manufacturing approach, which has reportedly caught the attention of major investors, including&nbsp;Jeff Bezos. The vehicle will be engineered and manufactured in the U.S., with the majority of the supply chain also based in the U.S.
The&nbsp;Slate Truck is designed to&nbsp;be highly customizable, enabling&nbsp;owners to personalize every aspect&nbsp;of the vehicle. The company intends to offer DIY kits for easy customization. The vehicle&#8217;s body panels are made of durable, scratch-resistant plastic, and the interior is designed for easy upgrading.
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Slate&#8217;s manufacturing process is significantly simplified by eliminating paint and metal body parts, potentially reducing production costs. The company plans to produce just one vehicle, in one trim, in one color, with upgrades added later.
Preorders for the Slate Truck are now open on Slate&#8217;s site, with deliveries&nbsp;expected to start in late&nbsp;2026.
Why It Matters: The introduction of the Slate Truck signifies a potential shift in the EV market towards affordability and customization. 
By stripping down to the basics and focusing on a minimalist design, Slate Auto is challenging traditional manufacturing processes and offering a unique product that stands out in the crowded EV market. 
This move could inspire other automakers to follow suit, leading to a broader range of affordable and customizable electric vehicles in the future.
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Image: Shutterstock/Marian Weyo

Revolutionary $20,000 Electric Truck Hits the Market, Stripping Down to the Basics

A new ETF is offering investors the chance to follow in the footsteps of one of the world&#8217;s most successful investors and earn income at the same time.
What Happened: The&nbsp;VistaShares Target 15 Berkshire Select&nbsp;Income ETF (OMAH) is now available for investment. It&nbsp;holds the top 20 most&nbsp;heavily weighted stocks in&nbsp;Berkshire Hathaway&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>), including shares of Berkshire Hathaway itself. 
The ETF aims to generate an annual income of 15% by&nbsp;selling call options and distributing&nbsp;monthly payments of 1.25% to&nbsp;shareholders.
Currently, Berkshire Hathaway, which has seen a 17% return year-to-date, is the largest holding in the ETF, making up&nbsp;10.6% of the fund, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/26/warren-buffett-berkshire-top-stock-picks-new-etf-fund.html">reports</a> CNBC. 
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Other&nbsp;significant holdings include&nbsp;Apple Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>),&nbsp;American Express&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>),&nbsp;Kroger&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>),&nbsp;VeriSign&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRSN#NASDAQ">VRSN</a>),&nbsp;Bank of America&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>),&nbsp;Citigroup&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>),&nbsp;Visa&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>) and&nbsp;Coca-Cola&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>).
This new ETF provides a unique opportunity for investors to emulate Buffett&#8217;s investment strategy and earn income at the same time. 
This is a feature that Berkshire Hathaway does not offer, as it is well-known for not paying a dividend. 
The ETF&#8217;s&nbsp;strategy of selling call options&nbsp;and distributing monthly payments to shareholders is designed to generate a steady income stream, making it an attractive option for income-focused investors.
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Image: Shutterstock

AAPL

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Warren Buffett's Top Stock Picks Now Come With a 15% Income Bonus Through This Fund

The Social Security Administration is bringing back National Social Security Month this year for the first time since 2019. In a <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/#2025-04-22">statement </a>on April 22, Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek said the annual campaign — meant to help Americans access their benefits — was suspended during the pandemic and never resumed under the Biden administration.
Now, under the Trump administration, it's back, with a renewed focus on in-person service, extended outreach through August, and what Dudek calls "a return to the agency's roots."
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Alongside the announcement, Dudek criticized past <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43922143/warren-buffett-backtracks-on-dei-berkshire-hathaway-shareholder-letter-removes-diversity-mention">DEI efforts</a> — aligning with President Donald Trump's push to dismantle such policies, a campaign that has drawn backlash from critics who say it threatens fairness and accessibility in government.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dudek Points to DEI as a Root Cause of Delays</h2>
In his statement, Dudek claimed that under the previous administration, SSA became distracted by what he called "radical and wasteful DEI and gender ideology." He said these priorities, combined with extended telework arrangements, led to long wait times for customer service and delays in benefit decisions.
The SSA, according to Dudek, is now realigning with Trump's directive to make government "serve the people." That includes canceling contracts related to DEI initiatives, shifting remote employees back to in-person roles, and restructuring internal systems to prioritize direct customer service. The SSA states that these changes are projected to save the agency over $1 billion.
Trending: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Controversial Shift in Priorities</h2>
While Dudek's comments reflect a broader push within the Trump administration to eliminate DEI policies across federal agencies, the public remains split. According to <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2025/04/23/tariffs-dei-and-cuts-to-government-views-of-trumps-key-actions/">Pew Research Center</a>, 53% of Americans disapprove of ending DEI efforts, while 44% support the move. Among Republicans over 50 — a key demographic for Social Security — approval rises to 84%.
Critics, including advocacy groups and some lawmakers, argue that targeting DEI as "wasteful" misrepresents its purpose. Dominique Hollins, founder of the DEI consulting firm WĒ360, told <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/22/us/dei-diversity-equity-inclusion-explained/index.html">CNN</a> that DEI programs are intended to create fair and inclusive workplaces, especially for communities historically left out of federal employment and services.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Concerns Remain Over Access and Staffing</h2>
Beyond the policy debate, concerns persist about whether the SSA can keep up with demand. SSA's new identity verification requirements — originally intended to improve security — were recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44585316/social-security-administration-relaxes-id-verification-rules-after-backlash-from-lawmakers-and-advocates">rolled back</a> after groups like AARP raised alarms. Many older adults and rural residents, they said, could be excluded if required to verify identities only in person or online.
See Also: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.60 per share now</a>.
Staffing levels are also under scrutiny. While the Trump administration has said it won't cut <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44901238/even-missing-one-monthly-benefit-would-put-me-on-step-to-homelessness-americans-react-to-social-securitys-new-anti-fraud-rules">Social Security benefits</a>, the SSA has <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/#2025-02-28">announced plans</a> to reduce its staff by 7,000 employees.
Experts warn that fewer workers could mean longer delays — even if benefits stay intact. Pamela Herd, a professor of public policy at the University of Michigan, told <a href="https://time.com/7271888/social-security-under-trump-administration-elon-musk-concerns/">Time</a> that the real concern isn't whether benefits will be formally reduced, but whether the SSA will have the staff to "deliver the benefits that the Congress has mandated that they deliver."&nbsp;
She pointed to overwhelmed field offices and hours-long phone wait times as signs of a system buckling under pressure. "There&#8217;s a real disconnect between the statement, ‘I&#8217;m not going to cut benefits,' and in practice, what is going on in the agency," she said.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Looking Ahead</h2>
As the SSA begins its 90th anniversary outreach campaign, the agency faces the challenge of restoring public trust while navigating polarizing reforms. Whether recent changes will improve service — or lead to further disruption — remains to be seen.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/gbr-savings-by-age">If You're Age 35, 50, or 60: Here&#8217;s How Much You Should Have Saved Vs. Invested By Now</a></li>
<li>‘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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Image: Shutterstock

SSA Acting Commissioner Says 'Wasteful DEI And Gender Ideology' Contributed To Poor Customer Service And Delayed Benefit Decisions

In a stark contrast to Elon Musk&#8216;s $364 billion fortune, his first wife Justine Wilson Musk is worth just $15 million.
What Happened: Justine Musk&#8217;s net worth is only a fraction of the wealth of her ex-husband, the CEO of&nbsp;Tesla Inc., despite being married to him for eight years and being the mother of six of his children.
During their divorce proceedings, Justine Musk sought their house, child support, a share of Musk&#8217;s Tesla and SpaceX stocks, and a cash settlement. However, due to a post-nuptial agreement she had signed, she received significantly less, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryadolan/2025/04/18/what-elon-musks-first-wife-isnt-even-close-to-being-a-billionaire/">reports</a> Forbes.
Despite&nbsp;contesting the validity of the&nbsp;agreement in court, the judge ruled in favor of Elon Musk. According to Musk, Justine received $20 million post-tax, half&nbsp;of which was the value&nbsp;of their Bel Air home.
Justine Musk&#8217;s wealth is in stark contrast to the settlements received by MacKenzie Scott and Melinda French Gates in their divorces from Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, respectively.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/03/44209885/elon-musks-ex-wife-spills-the-truth-about-what-it-really-takes-to-be-a-billionaire-there-is-no-roadmap-no-blueprint-for-this">Elon Musk&#8217;s Ex-Wife Spills The Truth About What It Really Takes To Be A Billionaire: &#8216;There Is No Roadmap, No Blueprint For This&#8217;</a>
Neither Justine Musk&nbsp;nor a spokesperson for Elon&nbsp;Musk responded to Forbes&#8217; requests for comment.
Why It Matters: The disparity in wealth between Elon Musk and his first wife, Justine, highlights the complexities of wealth distribution in high-profile divorces. Despite being married to one of the wealthiest men in the world, Justine Musk&#8217;s net worth is significantly lower than that of her ex-husband. 
This is in stark contrast to other high-profile divorces, such as those of MacKenzie Scott and Melinda French Gates, who received substantial settlements. 
The outcome of the Musk&#8217;s divorce proceedings underscores the importance of legal agreements in determining wealth distribution in such cases.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/09/35016865/elon-musks-father-open-to-more-children-despite-age-if-shes-under-35-i-wouldnt-think-twice-about-hav" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk&#8217;s Father Open To More Children Despite Age: &#8220;If She&#8217;s Under 35, I Wouldn&#8217;t Think Twice About Having Another Child&#8221;</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Elon Musk's Ex-Wives Missed Out on His Billion-Dollar Wealth — Here's Why

Legendary investor Warren Buffett says there&#8217;s an easy way to increase your worth by at least 50% — and it doesn&#8217;t have anything to do with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44972173/warren-buffett-bet-in-1986-made-this-95-year-old-investor-a-350-million-pile-of-cash">picking stocks</a>.
What To Know:&nbsp;Buffett, chairman and CEO of&nbsp;Berkshire Hathaway Inc&nbsp;(NYSE:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/brk-a#NYSE">BRK-A</a>) (NYSE:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/brk-b#NYSE">BRK-B</a>), once said that improving communication is a simple&nbsp;way to boost one's worth.
"The one easy way to become worth 50%&nbsp;more than you are now,&nbsp;at least,&nbsp;is to hone your communication skills —&nbsp;both written and verbal," the billionaire investor said in a LinkedIn video, first reported by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/05/warren-buffett-how-to-increase-your-worth-by-50-percent.html?utm_content=makeit&amp;utm_medium=Social&amp;utm_source=Facebook&amp;fbclid=IwAR0YMfzK-RPR2Vk-7CJSDXwxf76GqGdf_JB4bS9ADUxyvttYlDYrKxHbUW4#Echobox=1676385365">CNBC</a>.
"If you can&#8217;t communicate, it&#8217;s like winking at a girl in the dark — nothing happens. You can have all the brainpower in the world, but you have to be able to transmit it,"&nbsp;he added.
Related Link: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44928468/warren-buffett-believer-in-american-companies-critical-of-tariffs-the-tooth-fairy-doesnt-pay-em">Warren Buffett, Believer In American Companies, Is Critical Of Tariffs: &#8216;The Tooth Fairy Doesn&#8217;t Pay &#8216;Em&#8217;</a>
Buffett had trouble with communication in his younger days, and if it weren't for a $100 college course, he probably wouldn't be where he is today.
The "Oracle of Omaha" had an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41416040/warren-buffett-says-he-wouldnt-be-successful-today-if-he-didnt-take-this-100-college-class-i-was-tha">extreme fear of public speaking</a> in his teenage years. In his early college days, he would only sign up for classes where he knew he wouldn't have to present in front of the room.
He owes much of his own success to a&nbsp;public speaking course that he enrolled in shortly after graduating&nbsp;from&nbsp;Columbia's Business School.
Before taking the class, he "would literally throw up" when thinking about speaking in front of others.&nbsp;By the time he finished the 12-week course, he was much more comfortable with his communication skills.
"I just kept doing it, and now you can&#8217;t stop me from talking," Buffett&nbsp;said.&nbsp;
According to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/real-time-billionaires/#3bb23ea13d78" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forbes</a>, Buffett is the fifth-richest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of $165 billion as of the time of writing. Berkshire Hathaway has historically outperformed the S&amp;P 500 on an annual basis. Last year, Buffett's firm became the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/24/09/40686973/warren-buffetts-timeless-strategies-catapulted-berkshire-hathaway-to-a-trillion-dollar-valuation-as#">first non-tech company</a> to reach a market capitalization of $1 trillion.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44944439/warren-buffett-i-am-100-for-the-independence-of-the-fedand-for-over-20-years-hes-warned-we-do-not-want-to-fool-around-with-it">Warren Buffett Said &#8216;I Am 100% For The Independence Of The Fed:&#8217; For Over 20 Years, He&#8217;s Warned, &#8216;We Do Not Want To Fool Around With It&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: <a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/g/photoagencies">Photo Agency</a>/Shutterstock. Some elements of this story were previously reported by Benzinga and it has been updated.

Success Stories

Warren Buffett Reveals 'The One Easy Way To Become Worth 50% More Than You Are Now'

Editor&rsquo;s note: This article was originally published in August 2024. It has been updated in April 2025 for clarity and to reflect changes in the German cannabis market.
&ldquo;When <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/cannabis">cannabis</a> is regulated, it only helps, it doesn&rsquo;t hurt. At this point, there&rsquo;s no way to&nbsp;not&nbsp;regulate it and help everybody as opposed to pushing it off like it&rsquo;s something that doesn&rsquo;t matter. We&rsquo;re past that point. This isn&rsquo;t the Stone Age; it&rsquo;s the Stoned Age.&rdquo; Ultra-famous rapper and entrepreneur <a href="https://elplanteo.com/exclusiva-wiz-khalifa-duki/">Wiz Khalifa</a> leans back, a cloud of smoke lingering in the air as he reflects on the state of cannabis legalization.
For a man who has built an empire on a plant once demonized by governments worldwide, Wiz speaks with the authority of someone who has witnessed&mdash;and driven&mdash;the tides of change in both culture and industry. His brand, Khalifa Kush, launched roughly a decade ago and now synonymous with premium cannabis, recently expanded into the European market, starting with Germany.
<h3>&lsquo;All The Older Cats Smoked&rsquo;</h3>
Developing a love for cannabis was almost inevitable for Wiz. Growing up in the studio, surrounded by more experienced musicians who smoked while they created, the herb became intertwined with his creative process. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s all I&rsquo;ve ever been around: smoking and creating,&rdquo; he reflects. &ldquo;Being around a lot of musicians, all the older cats smoked. When they came to the studio, they would roll up. It didn&rsquo;t matter if they were 21, 22, or a little bit older; if they had businesses, family, all that&hellip; they would come to the studio and that would be their time to chill out, smoke and create.&rdquo;
As he got older and more established in his career, Wiz&rsquo;s connection with cannabis deepened. &ldquo;The older I got and the more I started to do, I would hang out with people like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/javierhasse/2021/04/19/curreny-on-his-upcoming-nft-only-album-smoke-sesh-with-fans-its-so-many-things-its-tangible/" target="_self" title="https://www.forbes.com/sites/javierhasse/2021/04/19/curreny-on-his-upcoming-nft-only-album-smoke-sesh-with-fans-its-so-many-things-its-tangible/">Curren$y</a>, and we would smoke and just go on cool-*ss missions, do things and meet people. This was when Twitter was really popular. So I met a really good group of people, and we could just gather around pot and music; that was our lifestyle. That&rsquo;s what it really became for me: a community of like-minded people and we were able to grow. As the laws changed and became less harsh, we were able to more freely express ourselves through pot.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/09/40717334/exclusive-wiz-khalifa-on-his-favorite-smoke-spots-handling-weed-free-countries-smoking-makes-eve">Wiz Khalifa On His Favorite Smoke Spots &amp; Handling Weed-Free Countries: &#39;Smoking Makes Everything Better, But There Are Other Things To Do In Life&#39;</a>
Over time, his relationship with cannabis evolved from a personal passion to a business venture: Khalifa Kush. But this wasn&rsquo;t just about branding a product; it was about sharing an experience, a lifestyle he loved, with the world.
Khalifa Kush began, as Wiz recalls, &ldquo;probably 10 to 12 years ago&rdquo; when he connected with Berner, a rapper and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/javierhasse/2020/09/16/berner/" target="_self" title="https://www.forbes.com/sites/javierhasse/2020/09/16/berner/">major figure in the cannabis space</a>. This friendship was the catalyst for what would become a leading brand in the industry. &ldquo;He [Berner] showed me everything about the business of cannabis: how to create strains and how to move forward with it,&rdquo; Wiz explains. The brand quickly became known for its strong OG strain, catering to both heavy smokers and those new to cannabis, offering &ldquo;the best types of highs and the best experience with cannabis.&rdquo;
<h3>Germany: The Gateway To Europe</h3>
Khalifa Kush officially entered the German market in 2024, a move that had been years in the making. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve had our eye on the German market for a few years now,&rdquo; said DJ Saul, CEO of Khalifa Kush. The company partnered with Berlin-based Sanity Group, a leader in the German medical cannabis sector, to ensure a premium, fully compliant product rollout.
<img alt="Wiz Khalifa closes his Germany distribution deal" src="https://imageio.forbes.com/specials-images/imageserve/66bbc3384f5f2a8849a50a23/Wiz-Khalifa-closes-his-Germany-distribution-deal/960x0.jpg?format=jpg&amp;width=1440" style="height:450px; width:362px" />
Wiz Khalifa closes his Germany distribution deal - Courtesy of Khalifa Kush
Wiz saw a perfect match in Sanity Group. &ldquo;They understand us, our brand, and how to grow [cannabis]... And they&rsquo;re willing to grow themselves,&rdquo; Wiz explains. &ldquo;Having everything aligned and being able to move forward without being stuck in the usual processes is really important to me.&rdquo;
Germany legalized limited adult-use cannabis in April 2024, allowing possession, personal cultivation and non-profit cannabis clubs. This shift created new opportunities for brands like Khalifa Kush to reach a wider consumer base while maintaining a medical focus through partnerships with pharmacies.
Sanity Group&rsquo;s CEO and founder, Finn Haensel, emphasized the synergy: &ldquo;We believe in the power of genetics and that different genetics can have different positive impacts on patients depending on their indication.&rdquo; The collaboration between Khalifa Kush and Sanity Group&rsquo;s medical brand, avvay Medical, introduced Khalifa Kush&rsquo;s unique strains to more than 3,000 pharmacies across Germany.
<h3>&lsquo;Fully Compliant At All Times&rsquo;</h3>
Bringing a U.S. celebrity brand into Germany&rsquo;s highly regulated cannabis market wasn&rsquo;t easy. DJ Saul stresses that compliance and quality control were critical priorities. &ldquo;We work closely with our partners to ensure every product that reaches customers adheres to our brand standards across multiple metrics&mdash;THC%, humidity levels, trim, etc.&mdash;all while staying compliant in each market,&rdquo; he said.
Finn Haensel of Sanity Group confirms: &ldquo;The advertising of pharmaceuticals in Germany is regulated via the pharmaceutical advertising law (&ldquo;HWG&rdquo;), which we are fully compliant with at all times.&rdquo;
Also read:&nbsp;<a class="post-card-article-link" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/25/04/42205205/gary-payton-wants-you-to-rethink-cannabis-its-about-mental-health-it-brought-my-mom-back-in-her-">Gary Payton Wants You To Rethink Cannabis: &#39;It&#39;s About Mental Health&hellip; It Brought My Mom Back In Her Final Days&#39;</a>
While Khalifa Kush is known in the U.S. primarily as a recreational brand, its entry into Germany emphasized the medical benefits of its genetics, a strategic move as the country&#39;s adult-use market slowly matures.
<h3>Does Cannabis Make You Lazy?</h3>
Addressing lingering stereotypes about cannabis, Wiz Khalifa acknowledges, &ldquo;I don&#39;t blame people for thinking that [cannabis makes you less productive], because smoking weed does put you in a place where everything feels good.&rdquo;
He emphasizes that maturity plays a role in responsible use. &ldquo;I think it&#39;s an age thing. You have to be at the age to smoke weed responsibly and be productive. It just depends on where you&#39;re at in your life,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;If you have to work every day or have responsibilities, smoking isn&#39;t going to fit into the schedule as much as it would for someone like me.&rdquo;
<h3>&lsquo;Definitely Snoop,&rsquo; Horseback Riding With Lenny Kravitz And &lsquo;The Stoner Mount Rushmore&rsquo;</h3>
Reflecting on iconic smoking sessions, Wiz names Snoop Dogg and Juicy J among his favorite collaborators. &ldquo;Meeting Snoop, rolling up with Snoop, being able to go joint for joint with Snoop&mdash;that was the highlight of my smoking career,&rdquo; he says.
He dreams of blazing with Bob Marley and imagines sharing joints with Lenny Kravitz, perhaps even horseback riding after a smoke session. &ldquo;That would be cool as hell,&rdquo; he laughs.
<h3>A Vision For Global Expansion</h3>
Looking ahead, Khalifa Kush continues to pursue international growth. &ldquo;Our goal is to continue expanding across the U.S. and Europe (where possible) in the coming years, without sacrificing product quality,&rdquo; says Saul.
The brand is also exploring opportunities in Central and South America, Asia, and the Middle East. For Wiz, the mission remains clear: &ldquo;I want to be one of the trailblazers as far as quality goes&mdash;not just trying to make money or take advantage of the laws changing, but actually helping people with a good plant and a good product.&rdquo;
Read next:&nbsp;<a class="post-card-article-link" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/25/04/44992856/willy-wonka-of-weed-opens-the-doors-to-the-raw-factory-heres-what-we-saw">&#39;Willy Wonka Of Weed&#39; Opens The Doors To The RAW Factory: Here&#39;s What We Saw</a>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6TRFUO4_Yng?si=4C9kdLb-5IxIfTAU" width="560"></iframe>
This article was originally published on <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/javierhasse/2024/08/14/a-world-where-everyone-can-smoke-like-wiz-khalifas-cannabis-brand-hits-germany/" target="_blank">Forbes</a> and appears here with permission.&nbsp;The article is from an external source. It does not represent Benzinga&#39;s reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.
Follow me on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.twitter.com/javierhasse" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/javierhasse/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>.&nbsp;Check out&nbsp;my&nbsp;<a href="https://elplanteo.com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">website</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;some of my other work&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/cannabis" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;
Photo courtesy of Khalifa Kush

Cannabis

Eurozone

General

Wiz Khalifa Talks Smoking With Snoop, Dreaming Of Bob Marley, Riding Horses With Lenny Kravitz And Selling Weed In Germany

A growing number of Americans are concerned about their <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/personal-finance">personal finance situation</a>.
In a new national <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/04/22/gallup-poll-american-personal-finance/83217865007/">survey</a>, more than half of respondents — 53% — said their personal financial situation is getting worse, marking the highest level of financial pessimism recorded since the poll began more than two decades ago.
The findings highlight a deepening sense of economic unease. Only 38% of those surveyed said their financial situation is improving, down from 43% a year ago. The previous lows for this sentiment were during major economic downturns in 2008, 2020, and 2023, underscoring the weight of current anxieties.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44948841/trump-economic-approval-rating-drops-to-37-as-market-selloff-erodes-public-support-poll">Trump Economic Approval Rating Drops To 37% As Market Selloff Erodes Public Support</a>
While <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42173927/how-rich-are-you-find-out-whether-you-rank-as-upper-middle-or-lower-class-based-on-income-and-other-factors">lower-income households</a> were more likely to report worsening finances, the decline in optimism was felt across all income brackets. 
The survey also revealed notable partisan divides: most respondents from one political party reported declining financial conditions, while those aligned with the opposing party expressed a more optimistic view. These splits suggest that political outlooks continue to influence perceptions of economic well-being.
In addition to personal finances, expectations about the broader economy have taken a downturn. More than half of respondents now expect the stock market to decline, a reversal from earlier this year when optimism was stronger. 
Inflation is also top of mind, with a growing number of people believing that prices will continue to rise in the months ahead. Similarly, nearly half of respondents expect unemployment to increase, signaling broader concerns about job security and the strength of the labor market.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Economic Shifts</h2>
These shifts come amid recent economic and political developments that may be shaping consumer sentiment. From fluctuating markets to high-profile policy announcements, uncertainty appears to be weighing heavily on how Americans view both their current situations and the country's financial future.
The surge in financial pessimism raises questions about spending habits, savings, and long-term planning. If these trends continue, they could have ripple effects on the broader economy — from slower <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-spending">consumer spending</a> to reduced investment in housing, education, and other major life decisions.
For now, the survey paints a sobering picture: Americans are bracing for tougher times ahead, and confidence in both personal and national economic outlooks is on the decline.
Now Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/03/44449091/trump-claims-egg-prices-are-way-down-as-us-plans-imports-from-turkey-and-south-korea">Trump Administration Insists Egg Prices Are Down, Plans To Import From Turkey And South Korea</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Financial Advisors

Most Americans Say Their Finances Are Getting Worse, Survey Finds

Economist Peter Schiff says that President Donald Trump&#8217;s Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)-centric policy contradicts his aim of correcting the U.S. trade imbalance with the world.
What Happened:&nbsp;In an X post on Saturday, Schiff wrote, &#8220;Trump&#8217;s&nbsp;goals of solving the problems&nbsp;leading to our huge trade&nbsp;deficits and making America a&nbsp;Bitcoin superpower are at odds&nbsp;with one another.&#8221;
Schiff asserted that &#8220;scarce&#8221; resources meant for increasing production were being diverted to cryptocurrency ventures, leaving the country reliant on imports and widening the trade deficit. 
<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">Trump&#39;s goals of solving the problems leading to our huge trade deficits and making America a Bitcoin superpower are at odds with one another. The more of our scarce resource we divert to crypto, the more we depend on the rest of the world to produce the stuff we actually need.
&mdash; Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1916176331110314440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/45003759/arks-bitcoin-bear-case-is-300000-by-2030-whats-the-bull-case" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ARK&#8217;s Bitcoin &#8216;Bear Case&#8217; Is $300,000 By 2030—What&#8217;s The Bull Case?</a>
X user Synergy Media countered Schiff&#8217;s argument, contending that building a Bitcoin-powered economy creates digital value.
Schiff replied, &#8220;But no value is created. Resources are just wasted as money just moves from Bitcoin buyers to Bitcoin sellers.&#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">But no value is created. Resources are just wasted as money just moves from Bitcoin buyers to Bitcoin sellers.
&mdash; Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1916177259603415089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Notably, Trump has initiated an unprecedented protectionist approach, imposing sweeping import duties on key trade partners such as China and Canada, to address the increasing trade deficit, which <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44613907/tariff-shock-incoming-as-trump-prepares-sweeping-trade-duties-what-traders-need-to-know">exceeded</a> $1.2 trillion in 2024.
Why It Matters:&nbsp; Schiff has been one of the foremost anti-Bitcoin voices, questioning the rationale of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44183572/trump-establishes-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-funded-by-forfeited-assets-i-made-the-promise">U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve</a> since its announcement in March.
Earlier this week, he pushed back the idea of Bitcoin as a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44928800/bitcoin-is-dependent-on-the-us-not-a-non-dollar-asset-peter-schiff-says">&#8220;non-dollar asset&#8221;</a> or a hedge against the dollar, citing its growing correlation with the U.S. economy
Previously, he predicted that the ongoing financial turmoil of 2025 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44754349/bitcoins-final-crash-peter-schiff-predicts-2025-crisis-will-end-what-2008-created">could mark the end of Bitcoin</a>, a cryptocurrency that emerged from the 2008 financial crisis.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $94,241.84, up 0.85% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. Over the last month, the leading cryptocurrency gained over 8%.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/45027836/sec-chair-paul-atkins-says-crypto-deserves-clear-regulatory-rules-praises-crypto-mom-hester-peirces-efforts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SEC Chair Paul Atkins Says Crypto Deserves Clear Regulatory Rules, Praises &#8216;Crypto Mom&#8217; Hester Peirce&#8217;s Efforts </a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image: Shutterstock/Shutterstock AI<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a>

Peter Schiff Questions Trump's Bitcoin Ambition Amid Trade Deficit Concerns: 'Resources Are Just Wasted'

A crypto analyst has forecasted a 100% increase for Pepe (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">PEPE</a>), a mid-cap competitor to&nbsp;Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) and Shiba Inu&nbsp;(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>), reflecting a trend from 2024.
What Happened: The anonymous analyst known as Altcoin Sherpa shared on X that&nbsp;PEPE is poised to rise by approximately 100%. This prediction follows a phase of consolidation and accumulation akin to that observed in 2024.
Altcoin Sherpa stated, &#8220;PEPE&nbsp;also went through a three-month&nbsp;accumulation/consolidation cycle in the late&nbsp;third quarter of 2024 and&nbsp;then had another run in&nbsp;December. It's currently in the&nbsp;same exact region in the&nbsp;same consolidation. I expect PEPE&nbsp;to do a 2x or&nbsp;something from the bottom at&nbsp;a minimum.&#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">Interestingly enough, PEPE also went through a 3 month accumulation/consolidation cycle in late Q3 2024 and then had another run in December. It&#39;s currently in the same exact region in the same consolidation. I expect PEPE to do a 2x or something from the bottom at a minimum <a href="https://t.co/ahgZcDWeqZ">pic.twitter.com/ahgZcDWeqZ</a>
&mdash; Altcoin Sherpa (@AltcoinSherpa) <a href="https://twitter.com/AltcoinSherpa/status/1915729919675650138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
At the time of writing, PEPE was trading at $0.00000884, marking a rise of about 23% over the past week. The analyst also pointed out that the notion of &#8220;altcoin seasons&#8221; is antiquated, and traders should anticipate periods of growth followed by downturns.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43076996/forget-dogecoin-and-shiba-inu-this-altcoin-expected-to-skyrocket-by-116-before-end-of-this-cycle">Forget Dogecoin And Shiba Inu &#8211; This Altcoin Expected To Skyrocket By 116% Before End Of This Cycle</a>
Altcoin Sherpa further implied that Bitcoin maintaining&nbsp;above a key psychological support&nbsp;level signals bullish prospects for altcoins. He counseled traders not to panic during initial dips and to view them as buying opportunities.
Why It Matters: The prediction by Altcoin Sherpa highlights the potential volatility and high returns associated with investing in altcoins like PEPE. His comparison of the current market conditions to those of 2024 suggests that history might repeat itself, leading to significant gains for investors. 
However, the analyst&#8217;s caution about the outdated concept of &#8220;altcoin seasons&#8221; and the need for traders to anticipate periods of prosperity and downturns underscores the inherent risks involved in cryptocurrency trading. 
His advice to consider initial dips as buying opportunities could be a valuable strategy for traders looking to maximize their returns in the volatile crypto market.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39125451/crypto-trader-says-these-two-meme-coins-are-set-to-spike-and-neither-of-them-are-dogecoin-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crypto Trader Says These Two Meme Coins Are Set To Spike — And Neither Of Them Are Dogecoin Or Shiba Inu</a>
Image: Shutterstock/Akif CUBUK

$DOGE

$PEPE

$SHIB

Forget Dogecoin And Shiba Inu — Crypto Analyst Sees This Coin Surging 100%

As U.S. birth rates continue to decline, the Trump administration is exploring a bold new idea: a $5,000 "baby bonus" for American mothers after they give birth. But will this financial incentive be enough to reverse long-standing demographic trends — or is it more about headlines than impact?
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Is the $5,000 Baby Bonus?</h2>
The proposal is part of a broader set of ideas under consideration by President Donald Trump's team to encourage Americans to have more children. The idea would grant a $5,000 cash bonus to mothers following the birth of a child.
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<li>The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?</li>
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Trump, when asked about the concept, responded, "Sounds like a good idea to me," and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president is focused on policies that "uplift American families," according to <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-administration-5000-baby-bonus-incentivize-public-children/story?id=121094707">ABC News</a>. The administration has also promoted access to fertility treatments like IVF, with Trump referring to himself on the campaign trail as the "King of IVF."
Vice President JD Vance has voiced support for family-friendly policies as well, pushing to expand the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44124166/affordable-childcare-act-could-give-parents-up-to-12k-but-can-it-pass-a-divided-congress">child tax credit</a> and publicly calling for a "culture that celebrates life."
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why the Government Is Pushing for More Babies</h2>
America's birthrate has been steadily falling for years. According to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/shaharziv/2025/04/24/trump-mulls-5000-baby-bonus-would-it-offset-cost-of-raising-a-child/">Forbes</a>, the U.S. total fertility rate in 2023 was 1.62 births per woman — well below the replacement rate of 2.1.
Low birth rates raise long-term concerns about economic growth, labor shortages, and the sustainability of programs like <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44901238/even-missing-one-monthly-benefit-would-put-me-on-step-to-homelessness-americans-react-to-social-securitys-new-anti-fraud-rules">Social Security</a>. Conservative lawmakers and pro-natalist advocates like Simone Collins have urged the administration to adopt policies that encourage larger families, including tax benefits and even symbolic awards like a proposed "National Medal of Motherhood." Collins told ABC News that the White House was receptive to her proposals and is reviewing them.&nbsp;
Another proposal shared with the administration was to increase education around women's&nbsp;
menstrual cycles so they can better understand how to conceive.&nbsp;
Trending: It&#8217;s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">this alternative asset has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here&#8217;s how everyday investors are getting started.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Can $5,000 Really Change Family Planning?</h2>
Critics question whether a single payment of $5,000 would meaningfully influence decisions around starting a family. Raising a child in the U.S. is expensive — <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/articles/its-getting-more-expensive-to-raise-children-and-government-isnt-doing-much-to-help/">Brookings</a> reports that the cost for a middle-income couple to raise one child to age 17 is around $310,000. By that math, a $5,000 bonus would cover less than 2% of the total.
In a LinkedIn <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/allison-whalen-7824168_the-white-house-is-floating-a-5k-baby-bonus-activity-7320789804978241536-rjZk/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAAACc6qUBW0u3p5Chi9h0sFOitn0jy3pidbs">post</a>, Parentaly CEO Allison Whalen called the bonus "just… a pacifier," arguing that working families need more robust and ongoing support, such as paid parental leave, affordable childcare, and career re-entry programs.
Advocacy group MomsRising also criticized the plan. CEO Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner told ABC News that the proposals being considered are "coercive" and fail to address the real barriers families face, such as eldercare, maternal healthcare access, and workplace protections for caregivers.
See Also: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.60 per share now</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Could the Bonus Work Better as an Investment?</h2>
Some experts suggest that while $5,000 may not be enough to influence a birth decision today, it could offer long-term value if invested. Forbes states that placing the bonus into a child's investment account could potentially grow to $20,000 by age 18 — or even $740,000 by retirement age, assuming an 8% annual return.
This investment-based approach reframes the baby bonus from a short-term stimulus into a tool for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44440238/can-you-guess-how-much-you-need-to-build-generational-wealth-some-say-its-less-than-what-it-takes-to-feel-rich">generational wealth-building</a>. But that would require the financial stability to set the funds aside, which not all families have.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A First Step — or Just a Talking Point?</h2>
The Trump administration has yet to make a final decision on the $5,000 baby bonus. Whether the proposal moves forward or fades into political rhetoric, one thing is clear: America's birth rate issue is complex. And while cash incentives might generate headlines, addressing the root causes behind declining family sizes — like economic insecurity and lack of support — may take more than a one-time check.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/gbr-savings-by-age">If You're Age 35, 50, or 60: Here&#8217;s How Much You Should Have Saved Vs. Invested By Now</a></li>
<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

$5,000 Baby Bonus: Trump's Answer To Falling Birth Rates Or A Political Gimmick?

These eight mid-cap stocks were the best performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?
<ol>
<li>Ascentage Pharma Group Internat (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPG#NASDAQ">AAPG</a>) stock jumped 38.35%. The company plans to present data from two clinical studies at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting, including an oral presentation for its key <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44968495" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">assets Lisaftoclax and Alrizomadlin</a>.</li>
<li>Ardagh Metal Packaging (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMBP#NYSE">AMBP</a>) shares escalated 38.66% after the company reported a year-over-year increase in first-quarter adjusted EPS results and better-than-expected revenue results. Additionally, the company raised its FY25 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44975010" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adjusted EBITDA guidance</a>.</li>
<li>Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BTDR#NASDAQ">BTDR</a>) stock gained 38.19% last week. Shares of crypto-related companies have gained amid a rise in the price of Bitcoin. The cryptocurrency continues to face volatility but has decoupled from risk assets this week and has outperformed Gold.</li>
<li>Pegasystems Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEGA#NASDAQ">PEGA</a>) shares upped 32.85% after reporting better-than-expected <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44936292" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first-quarter financial results</a>. Several analysts raised the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/pega/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast for the stock.</a></li>
<li>Impinj, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PI#NASDAQ">PI</a>) shares increased 31.58% after the company reported better-than-expected financial results and issued <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44964703" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">second-quarter guidance above estimates</a>. Several analysts revised the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/pi/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast for the stock.</a></li>
<li>Lufax Holding Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LU#NYSE">LU</a>) stock grew 30.72%, probably amid overall market strength due to March&#8217;s strong durable goods orders economic data and President Trump&#8217;s announcement that he met with China earlier today.</li>
<li>Tempus AI Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEM#NASDAQ">TEM</a>) shares rocketed 30.09% after the company announced a multi-year collaboration with AstraZeneca PLC <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44960263" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZN#NASDAQ">AZN</a>) and Pathos AI</a>.</li>
<li>Kymera Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KYMR#NASDAQ">KYMR</a>) stock was up 28.00%. The company initiated dosing in the BroADen phase 1B clinical trial evaluating KT-621, a potent degrader of STAT6, in patients <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44918188" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis</a>.</li>
</ol>
Photo by Piotr Swat via Shutterstock

Equities

Mid Cap

Movers

AAPG

AMBP

BTDR

KYMR

PEGA

Bitdeer Tech And Tempus AI Are Among Top 18 Mid-Cap Gainers Last Week (Apr 21-Apr 25): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

President Donald Trump&#8216;s ongoing tariff policy changes have resulted in persistent market volatility and uncertainty. This has increased investors' appetite for stable, defensive stocks paying steady dividends. Dividend stocks have <a href="https://www.hartfordfunds.com/dam/en/docs/pub/whitepapers/WP106.pdf">contributed</a> significantly to overall market returns during the 1940s, 1960s, and 1970s, when average annual total returns were lower.
About seven months ago, a dividend investor <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/dividends/comments/1fldncg/finally_hit_300k_goal/">shared</a> his monthly dividend income details and portfolio on r/Dividends — a Reddit discussion board with over 700,000 followers. The income report shared by the investor showed his monthly dividend income was $23,800, with a projected annual dividend income of just over $300,000.
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<li>Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/5mil-nest-egg-adv">The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
</ul>
The investor, in his mid-50s, said he had about 150 holdings in his portfolio worth roughly $4.4 million. Asked how he was able to accumulate wealth to build such a large portfolio, he said it took him years to reach this milestone:
"Started at $3.50 per hour. Went back to school in my early 30s as did my wife. Definitely no inheritance and student loans to boot. Just 35 years of investing."
The investor said over $2 million of his wealth came from "decades of trading" biotech company Immunomedics, which was <a href="https://www.gilead.com/news/news-details/2020/gilead-sciences-to-acquire-immunomedics">bought</a> by Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GILD#NASDAQ">GILD</a>) in 2020 for $88 per share.&nbsp;
Trending: The secret weapon in billionaire investor portfolios that you almost certainly don't own yet. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">See which asset class has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 (1995-2024) – and with near-zero correlation.</a>
Let's take a look at some of the biggest holdings of the investor.
BlackRock Science and Technolgy Term Trust
BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BSTZ#NYSE">BSTZ</a>) was the biggest holding of the investor. The closed-end equity fund invests in science and technology companies and also generates income by selling call options on stocks in its portfolio. It has a dividend yield of about 9%.&nbsp;
Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund
The Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JRI#NYSE">JRI</a>) invests in companies related to infrastructure projects, facilities, and services, as well as REITs. Among the top holdings of the fund are Enbridge (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ENB#NYSE">ENB</a>), Energy Transfer (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ET#NYSE">ET</a>), Gaming and Leisure Properties (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLPI#NASDAQ">GLPI</a>), Simon Property (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPG#NYSE">SPG</a>) and Omega Healthcare Investors (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OHI#NYSE">OHI</a>).
DoubleLine Income Solutions Fund
DoubleLine Income Solutions (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DSL#NYSE">DSL</a>) is a closed-end fund focusing on income-generating fixed-income securities. It yields about 12% and pays monthly.
See Also: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/rad-intel">invest pre-IPO from $0.60 per share now</a>.
Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund&nbsp;
The Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KYN#NYSE">KYN</a>) invests in midstream, natural gas &amp; LNG infrastructure, and power infrastructure companies. The fund has a dividend yield of over 8%.
Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund
Another closed-end fund in the portfolio, Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HIO#NYSE">HIO</a>) primarily invests in high-yield corporate debt securities and preferred stocks for income generation and capital appreciation. The fund has a distribution rate of over 10%.&nbsp;
Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund
The Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IDE#NYSE">IDE</a>) invests in companies in the infrastructure, industrials and materials sectors. Cisco (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CSCO#NASDAQ">CSCO</a>), Verizon (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VZ#NYSE">VZ</a>), Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>), Uber (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>) and T-Mobile US (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMUS#NASDAQ">TMUS</a>) are among the fund's biggest holdings.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/gbr-savings-by-age">If You're Age 35, 50, or 60: Here&#8217;s How Much You Should Have Saved Vs. Invested By Now</a></li>
<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

BSTZ

CSCO

GILD

GLPI

TMUS

UBER

Dividend Investor in Mid-50s Making $23,800 A Month Shares Portfolio, Says He Started with $3.50/hour  —  'Just 35 Years of Investing'

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