President Donald Trump said on Monday that prices are "way down" in the United States, pointing to falling energy costs while blasting "corrupt politician-approved ‘Windmills'" as "killing every State and Country that uses them." He also credited "magnificent tariffs" for strengthening the economy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Donald Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Inflation&#8217; Shout Fairly Accurate, Shows Data </h2>



Trump wrote on Truth Social, "Prices are ‘WAY DOWN' in the USA, with virtually no inflation. With the exception of ridiculous, corrupt politician-approved ‘Windmills,' which are killing every State and Country that uses them, Energy prices are falling, ‘big time.' Gasoline is at many-year lows. All of this despite magnificent Tariffs, which are bringing in Trillions of Dollars from Countries that took total advantage of us, for decades, and are making America STRONG and RESPECTED AGAIN!!!"



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="310" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01003404/image-1024x310.png" alt="Trump Truth Social post on falling energy prices and 'virtually no inflation'" class="wp-image-1051341" style="width:920px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01003404/image-1024x310.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01003404/image-300x91.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01003404/image-768x233.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01003404/image-1536x466.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01003404/image.png 1785w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Screenshot From Donald Trump&#8217;s Truth Social Account



Recent data offer a mixed picture. Consumer prices rose 2.7% year over year in July, with the energy index down 1.1% on the month and gasoline down 2.2% from June, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is not "virtually no inflation," but it is far below the 2022 peaks.



At the pump, the national average for regular gasoline is about $3.19 a gallon, according to the American Automobile Association, well under the record $5.02 set in June 2022, but not at "many-year lows." AAA notes prices dipped to roughly $3.14 a month ago and were lower in parts of 2020–21.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/08/47433508/peter-schiff-asks-if-bitcoin-is-digital-gold-why-is-it-trading-13-below-record-highs-despite-all-the-hype-and-trump-administration-support">Peter Schiff Asks If Bitcoin Is &#8216;Digital Gold&#8217; Why Is It Trading 13% Below Record Highs Despite &#8216;All The Hype&#8217; And Trump Administration Support</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Experts Dispute Trump's Claims About Wind Power</h2>



Meanwhile, experts have repeatedly disputed Trump's wind assertions. According to a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/wind-turbines-power-electricity-energy-trump-5eb370dfb407b86a11d420917e4acaba">recent</a> Associated Press report, fact-checkers and energy analysts say turbines are not "killing" states or countries and flagged Trump's wind claims as misleading. While construction incidents and wildlife impacts occur, wind energy's safety and emissions profile compares favorably with fossil fuels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tariffs, BLS Ouster And Inflation Risks Ahead</h2>



Tariff math is also contested. Trump frequently says tariffs bring in "trillions," but nonpartisan reviews put annual collections far lower. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has projected tariff revenue could eventually <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/07/46653477/trump-mulls-little-rebate-for-americans-funded-by-tariff-revenue-but-heres-the-big-thing-he-wants-to-do-first">exceed $300 billion</a> a year, while independent fact-checkers say the president has exaggerated totals. A federal appeals court ruling last week also put <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/08/47429232/trump-slams-highly-partisan-ruling-after-court-declares-his-tariffs-illegal-economists-say-decision-forces-congress-to-act-not-ban">parts of the tariff program</a> in legal jeopardy.



The debate over prices follows&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/08/46813901/trump-fires-bureau-of-labor-statistics-chief-erika-mcentarfer-after-weak-jobs-report-directed-my-team-to-fire-this-biden-political-appointee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump&#8217;s firing of Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner&nbsp;Erika McEntarfer</a>&nbsp;after a weak July jobs report, a move critics say undermines confidence in official data. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) called the dismissal "dangerous."



Market watchers <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/08/47033922/trump-tariffs-inflation-estimates-outlook">warn tariffs could lift inflation</a> later this year, even as energy eases. Economists expect headline inflation to drift higher as broader levies hit imports, even with some relief from fuel.



Photo Courtesy: Joey Sussman on Shutterstock.com



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Politics

Trump Says Prices Are 'Way Down' With 'Virtually No Inflation', Targets Windmills Again

The partnership between Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) and Scale AI is reportedly showing signs of strain, with a key executive leaving Meta just two months after the partnership was formed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ruben Mayer Exits Meta As TBD Labs Turns to Rival Vendors</h2>



Ruben Mayer,&nbsp;former Senior Vice President of&nbsp;GenAI Product and Operations at Scale AI, has left Meta after only two months. Mayer, who was brought over by Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang,&nbsp;disputes some details about his&nbsp;role at Meta but confirmed his departure was due to a &#8220;personal matter,&#8221; <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/29/cracks-are-forming-in-metas-partnership-with-scale-ai/">according </a>to TechCrunch.



Check out the current price of&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/quote/META" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">META stock here</a>.



Meta's TBD Labs is said to be collaborating with alternative third-party data labeling vendors, including Scale AI's key rivals Mercor and Surge, for its upcoming AI models. Although Meta has invested heavily in Scale AI, researchers at TBD Labs reportedly favor Surge and Mercor, pointing to quality issues with Scale AI's data.



Meta, Scale AI did not immediately respond to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga&#8217;s</a> request for comment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Meta's $14.3 Billion Scale AI Bet Followed by Major Layoffs</h2>



The recent developments are a significant shift from the initial positive outlook of the partnership. In June, Meta made a strategic <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45919069/meta-invests-in-scale-ai-at-29-billion-valuation-taps-ceo-alexandr-wang-to-drive-internal-ai-push-as-part-of-deepening-partnership">minority investment</a> in Scale AI, valuing the company at over $29 billion, as part of a broader partnership to accelerate AI development.



Following Meta&#8217;s $14.3 billion investment in Scale AI, the San Francisco startup <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46456006/scale-ai-slashes-14-of-workforce-after-metas-14-billion-investment">laid off</a> 14% of its total staff, as reported. This was seen as a move to streamline operations and focus on the company&#8217;s core business areas. The company&#8217;s new CEO, Jason Droege, attributed the layoffs to &#8220;shifts in market demand&#8221;.



SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/08/47419382/everything-blockchain-inc-joins-flares-xrpfi-standard-for-treasury-yield" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Everything Blockchain Inc. Joins Flare&#8217;s XRPFi Standard For Treasury Yield &#8211; Benzinga</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Meta's AI Hiring Freeze Raises Concerns About Future Growth</h2>



Meta halted hiring following backlash over aggressive recruitment tactics, including nine-figure compensation packages. This freeze, which bans external hires and internal transfers within the AI division, was implemented after Meta recruited over 50 researchers and engineers from competitors, including OpenAI and Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>).



The current challenges with Scale AI, coupled with the hiring freeze, could potentially impact Meta&#8217;s AI development efforts, which are crucial to the company&#8217;s long-term strategy.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="781" height="130" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01024145/image-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1051457" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01024145/image-1.png 781w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01024145/image-1-300x50.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01024145/image-1-768x128.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 781px) 100vw, 781px" /></figure>



Benzinga's Edge Rankings place Meta in the 81st percentile for quality and the 85th percentile for growth, reflecting its strong performance in both areas. Check the detailed report <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">here</a>.&nbsp;



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

News

Markets

Tech

GOOGL

Meta–Scale AI Partnership Sees Signs Of Strain As Key Executive Departs In Just Two Months, Researchers Pick Rivals: Report

Everyone likes to guess where they stand on the wealth ladder. Maybe you feel middle class because you're juggling a mortgage, daycare, and grocery bills. Or maybe you feel upper class because you've got that country club membership and don't think twice about ordering the surf-and-turf.&nbsp;



But feelings don't always match reality. The <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/econres/scfindex.htm">Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances</a> tracks the hard numbers, and it shows exactly how household net worth breaks down across lower, middle, and upper tiers.



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One quick note: the figures here are from the most recent SCF conducted in 2022, and the next update won't arrive until 2026. For now, this is the freshest official look at where Americans stand financially.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Net Worth Is Calculated</h2>



Net worth isn't about how much you earn in a year — it's the sum of what you own minus what you owe. Assets include homes, cars, savings, retirement accounts, stocks, and businesses. Liabilities include mortgages, student loans, credit cards, and any other debt. Income is the fuel that can build net worth, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45271981/are-you-richer-than-your-peers-heres-the-net-worth-it-takes-at-every-age-to-be-in-the-top-10">but it's only part of the story</a>. What matters most is how much sticks around and grows over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Lower Tier: Bottom 25%</h2>



According to the <a href="https://www.richmondfed.org/publications/research/economic_brief/2023/eb_23-39">Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's analysis of SCF data</a>, one-quarter of households have a net worth below $20,856. The median inside this group is only about $3,500. For many, debts outstrip assets, leaving them financially vulnerable. A medical bill or job loss can tip the scale quickly.



Trending: An EA Co-Founder Shapes This VC Backed Marketplace—<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/gameflip">Now You Can Invest in Gaming's Next Big Platform</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Broad Middle: 25th–90th Percentiles</h2>



The middle class is where most people land, but it's a massive category: from $20,856 to $1,559,240. That means a family with $40,000 in net worth and one with $1.2 million technically share the same "middle class" label. The median across all households is around $162,350, and for many families, that wealth is tied up in home equity. The Congressional Budget Office has long noted this reliance: when housing prices rise, the middle feels more secure; when they fall, that wealth evaporates on paper.



This wide range also explains why people in the middle experience such different realities. Someone just above the lower cutoff may still be scraping by, while someone near the 90th percentile might already be building serious investment portfolios.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Upper Tier: Top 10%</h2>



To <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/05/45483330/are-you-rich-or-just-upper-middle-class-heres-the-net-worth-and-income-it-takes-to-be-considered-wealthy">break into the upper tier</a>, you need to cross the 90th percentile mark: $1,559,240. But inside this rarefied group, the median net worth is closer to $3.8 million. Unlike the middle, whose wealth is anchored in homes, the upper class leans into stocks, private equity, and business ownership. In other words, their money makes more money.



See Also: Kevin O'Leary Says Real Estate's Been a Smart Bet for 200 Years — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mogul">This Platform Lets Anyone Tap Into It</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why It Matters</h2>



People commonly refer to these cutoffs as "lower," "middle," and "upper" class, even though the Fed itself sticks to percentile math. It's a simple translation, but a useful one. These <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/10/41204085/what-screams-im-upper-class-these-are-the-not-so-subtle-signs-of-wealth-according-to-people-on-s">benchmarks reveal that being "rich"</a> is less about whether you splurge on dinner or vacations and more about whether your assets outweigh your debts and keep growing year after year.



And while the SCF offers a snapshot, the path between tiers is built slowly: saving consistently, investing in long-term assets, and making decisions that grow wealth rather than drain it. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Talking with a financial advisor</a> can help tailor that path, but the principle is simple — the higher the share of your money working for you, the closer you get to the upper tier.



Read Next: Wealth Managers Charge 1% or More in AUM Fees — Range's AI Platform Does It All for a Flat Fee (and Could Save You $10,000+ Annually). <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/range-2">Book Your Demo Today.</a>



Image: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

Think You're Rich? Here's The Net Worth You Need To Rank Among The Top 10% — And Divides Upper, Middle, and Lower Class

President Donald Trump warned on Monday that a record $15 trillion in planned investment in the U.S. would be "immediately cancelled" if courts are permitted to strike down his tariff policies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">U.S. Appeals Court Rules Tariffs As Unconstitutional</h2>



In a fiery post on his Truth Social platform, he claimed that the loss of these tariffs would devastate the American economy, stating, "we would become a Third World Nation, with no hope of GREATNESS again."



The declaration comes in response to a recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/08/47429232/trump-slams-highly-partisan-ruling-after-court-declares-his-tariffs-illegal-economists-say-decision-forces-congress-to-act-not-ban">U.S. appeals court ruling</a> that deemed his administration's broad use of tariffs unconstitutional. 



On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit decided in a 7-4 vote that Trump had overstepped his authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose the levies.



The tariffs are set to remain in effect until Oct. 14 to allow for an appeal to the Supreme Court.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/08/47429232/trump-slams-highly-partisan-ruling-after-court-declares-his-tariffs-illegal-economists-say-decision-forces-congress-to-act-not-ban">Trump Slams &#8216;Highly Partisan&#8217; Ruling After Court Declares His Tariffs Illegal — Economists Say Decision Forces Congress To Act, Not &#8216;Ban&#8217;</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">About $15 Trillion In Investment To Be Lost?</h2>



In his social media post, Trump directly linked the massive investment figure to his trade policy.



"More than 15 Trillion Dollars will be invested in the USA, a RECORD. Much of this investment is because of Tariffs," he wrote.



"If a Radical Left Court is allowed to terminate these Tariffs, almost all of this investment, and much more, will be immediately cancelled! TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!!!"



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115126499944858986"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="796" height="427" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01013300/Donald-TRump-On-Tariffs.png" alt="President Donald Trump's post from Truth Social talking about the impact on investments from tariffs. " class="wp-image-1051403" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01013300/Donald-TRump-On-Tariffs.png 796w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01013300/Donald-TRump-On-Tariffs-300x161.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01013300/Donald-TRump-On-Tariffs-768x412.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px" /></a></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Executive Authority Versus Economic Consideration</h2>



The court's ruling is focused on executive authority rather than the economic merits of tariffs. The majority opinion stated that the Emergency Powers Act does not explicitly grant a president the authority to levy tariffs.



Economist Justin Wolfers commented on the decision, noting, "It does not ban tariffs. It simply says that you have to convince Congress."



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">There&#39;s going to be a lot of dumb political noise following this decision, so it&#39;s worth being clear about the key finding. It does not ban tariffs. It simply says that you have to convince Congress. &#x2A; (There are a few relatively narrow ways Congress has delegated authority to… <a href="https://t.co/ozgLhcna5a">https://t.co/ozgLhcna5a</a>&mdash; Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinWolfers/status/1961552154948169873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



The president has consistently maintained that tariffs bring in &#8220;trillions&#8221; of dollars, a figure <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/09/47434451/trump-says-prices-are-way-down-with-virtually-no-inflation-targets-windmills-again">disputed by independent fact-checkers</a>, and are crucial for making America "STRONG and RESPECTED AGAIN!!!" 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Price Action</h2>



The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, fell on Friday. The SPY was down 0.60% at $645.05, while the QQQ declined 1.16% to $570.40, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.



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



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Legal

Donald Trump Says $15 Trillion Investment In US Will Be 'Immediately Cancelled!' If Courts Strike Down Tariffs: 'Would Become A Third World Nation'

Confidence across the American middle class cooled this summer as consumers grew more wary about jobs and income, interrupting a brief upswing in sentiment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Middle Class Sentiment Falls For The First Time In Four Months</h2>



The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index fell about 6% in August, its first decline in four months, while Conference Board polling showed more people expect fewer jobs and potential income declines.



Middle-income households have driven much of the pullback. Morning Consult data <a href="https://pro.morningconsult.com/trackers/consumer-spending-tracker">show</a> spending by households earning $50,000 to $99,999 slipped in July even as higher-income outlays rose, widening the split between affluent consumers and everyone else. The Wall Street Journal first <a href="https://www.wsj.com/economy/consumers/the-middle-class-vibe-has-shifted-from-secure-to-squeezed-a41f64f8">reported</a> the middle-class reversal after gains in June.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Retailers Report Tightening Budgets And Visible Trade-Downs</h2>



Retailers and restaurants say the squeeze is showing up in baskets and on menus. Walmart Inc. executives <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/08/47256731/walmart-ceo-says-tariff-costs-expected-to-rise-lower-and-middle-income-consumers-hit-most">flagged pressure</a> on lower- and middle-income shoppers and warned tariff costs could rise, while Dollar General <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/price-target/25/08/47409476/dollar-general-analysts-boost-their-forecasts-after-stronger-than-expected-q2-earnings">raised its outlook</a> as value seekers traded down. Kohl's Corp. said lower- to middle-income customers are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/08/47369212/kohls-stock-rockets-after-earnings-sephora-brings-new-younger-shoppers-ceo-says">prioritizing opening-price items</a> and couponable brands.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/09/47434451/trump-says-prices-are-way-down-with-virtually-no-inflation-targets-windmills-again">Trump Says Prices Are &#8216;Way Down&#8217; With &#8216;Virtually No Inflation&#8217;, Targets Windmills Again</a>



Auto-parts sellers and discounters also see strain. Advance Auto Parts cited a tough backdrop as some owners defer nonessential work. Discounters report more mid-tier households shopping for basics. Pew Research defines "middle income" as two-thirds to double the U.S. median, a range that varies by family size and location — roughly the band many retailers describe as most stressed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Premium Travel Holds While Value Dining Intensifies</h2>



Spending diverges most clearly in travel and select brands. United Airlines said <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46455550/united-airlines-q2-earnings-revenue-miss-eps-beat-lowered-fy25-guidance-despite-positive-shift-in-demand-in-early-july">premium-cabin revenue</a> rose 5.6% last quarter and Delta highlighted <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/07/46371423/why-deltas-premium-passengers-are-driving-its-next-leg-up">sustained demand</a> from higher-end flyers, even as budget carriers face softer main-cabin trends.



Executives across dining chains say deal-hunting has intensified. Denny's Corp. rolled out a limited "$5 Slams" value push, mirroring industry efforts to keep price-sensitive guests coming in. McDonald's Corp, by contrast, has attracted <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/previews/25/08/46872048/mcdonalds-q2-earnings-preview-will-new-stores-snack-wrap-provide-a-mcpocket-of-growth">more middle-income diners</a> trading down from pricier options, according to recent earnings commentary.



The sentiment dip follows months of improving views earlier this year. Survey researchers say the latest slide reflects renewed worries about inflation's persistence, tariffs and job security, which are all concerns playing out most acutely in the middle of the income distribution.



Photo Courtesy: Chay_Tee on Shutterstock.com



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Macro Notification

General

American Middle Class Hitting The Panic Button? Consumer Sentiment Dives 6% In August

Eric Trump, son of U.S. President Donald Trump, is set to attend a shareholder meeting for Japanese Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) treasury firm Metaplanet in Tokyo on Monday. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Eric Trump Acting As Advisor To Metaplanet</h2>



Reuters reported this development as part of the Trump family&#8217;s growing international crypto ventures.



Eric Trump, who became an adviser to Metaplanet in March, recently appeared&nbsp;at the Bitcoin Asia conference&nbsp;in Hong Kong.&nbsp;American Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency mining company founded by Eric and his brother&nbsp;Donald Trump Jr., plans&nbsp;to list on the Nasdaq&nbsp;this month.&nbsp;Asher Genoot, CEO of the company holding 80% of American Bitcoin, confirmed Eric Trump&#8217;s attendance at the Metaplanet meeting, initially reported by Bloomberg.



The meeting will involve a vote on a proposal to&nbsp;sell up to 550 million&nbsp;new shares overseas, raising 130.3 billion yen ($884.41 million) primarily for bitcoin acquisitions. Metaplanet, previously a hotel operator, has seen its shares skyrocket by&nbsp;nearly 760% in the past&nbsp;year. The company, trading on&nbsp;the Tokyo Stock Exchange, was&nbsp;formerly&nbsp;known as Red Planet Japan.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/08/47394536/bitcoin-undervalued-compared-to-gold-fair-value-at-126000-jpmorgan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Undervalued Compared To Gold, Fair Value At $126,000: JPMorgan &#8211; Benzinga</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Strategy-Like Aggressive Bitcoin Hoarding </h2>



Metaplanet has been making headlines with its aggressive <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39450583/japanese-investment-firm-adopts-microstrategy-like-bitcoin-strategy-set-to-purchase-6m-wor">Bitcoin acquisition strategy</a>, reminiscent of Michael Saylor-led Strategy Inc.&#8217;s (NASADQ: MSTR) approach. In June 2024, the firm announced plans to purchase over $6 million worth of Bitcoin using funds from a bond sale. This move was part of a broader strategy to enhance its crypto portfolio.



By October 2024, Metaplanet had further bolstered its Bitcoin holdings by acquiring an additional 107.91 BTCs, valued at nearly $7 million. This acquisition underscored the company&#8217;s confidence in Bitcoin&#8217;s potential as a valuable asset.



Metaplanet Is One Of The Top-10 Corporate Holders Of Bitcoin



In March 2025, Eric Trump was appointed as a strategic advisor to Metaplanet, a move that coincided with the company&#8217;s stock surging by an impressive 2,152% over the past year. This appointment was part of Metaplanet&#8217;s efforts to drive Bitcoin adoption and strengthen its position in the crypto market.



By April 2025, Metaplanet had become one of the top 10 corporate holders of Bitcoin, with a stash valued at $388 million. Eric Trump celebrated this achievement, highlighting the company&#8217;s rapid ascent in the crypto space.



As of the writing of this article, Coingecko data indicates that Metaplanet holds 18,991 BTC, which is worth $2.05 billion. Interestingly, Trump Media &amp; Technology Group Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DJT#NASDAQ">DJT</a>) is the next-largest corporate holder of Bitcoin at 18,430 BTC, worth $1.99 billion.



Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings show that Strategy falters over the Short and Medium Price Trends. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Here is how it ranks</a> against other Bitcoin hoarders such as Trump Media.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="404" height="94" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/31214716/Screenshot-2025-09-01-at-10.47.04.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1051266" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/31214716/Screenshot-2025-09-01-at-10.47.04.png 404w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/31214716/Screenshot-2025-09-01-at-10.47.04-300x70.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 404px) 100vw, 404px" /></a></figure>



Photo courtesy: Maxim Elramsisy / Shutterstock.com



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/08/47433508/peter-schiff-asks-if-bitcoin-is-digital-gold-why-is-it-trading-13-below-record-highs-despite-all-the-hype-and-trump-administration-support">Peter Schiff Asks If Bitcoin Is &#8216;Digital Gold&#8217; Why Is It Trading 13% Below Record Highs Despite &#8216;All The Hype&#8217; And Trump Administration Support</a></li>
</ul>



This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

MSTR

Eric Trump To Attend Shareholder Meeting Of A Company In Japan That Is Emulating Michael Saylor's Bitcoin Hoarding Strategy: Report

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has added considerable Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) exposure to her investment portfolio in 2025, making strategic purchases into iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBIT#NASDAQ">IBIT</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Greene&#8217;s Bitcoin ETF Gambit</h2>



The GOP lawmaker first tossed somewhere between $1,000 &#8211; $15,000 into the ETF on Jan. 8, according to the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/members/marjorie-taylor-greene"> Benzinga Government Trades page</a>, ahead of President Donald Trump's inauguration. The stock rose 13% over the next two weeks.



Greene doubled up in March, purchasing between $15,000 &#8211; $50,000 worth of IBIT shares just three days before Trump's announcement for a planned <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44183572/trump-establishes-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-funded-by-forfeited-assets-i-made-the-promise">Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.</a> Unlike last time, the ETH shares fell 8% over the next week.



According to Benzinga, Greene&#8217;s IBIT stake is up 10.2% as of this writing, better than her 2.4% return from Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>).



Overall, the Congressperson gained 2.80% on average over the last year, lower than the S&amp;P 500. As of this writing, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>) and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) were among the top performers in her portfolio, netting 76% and 57.7%, respectively.



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/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/08/47404114/bitcoin-flat-as-us-gdp-rebounds-in-q2-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-slide-analyst-says-keep-an-eye-out-for-this-eth-level-to-confirm-real-breakout">Bitcoin Flat As US GDP Rebounds In Q2; Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Slide: Analyst Says &#8216;Keep An Eye Out&#8217; For This ETH Level To Confirm &#8216;Real Breakout&#8217;</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Examining Bitcoin Investments Of Other Lawmakers</h2>



Interestingly, Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas), who <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/government/25/08/47094233/recent-filing-shows-that-rep-brandon-gill-bought-over-50k-worth-of-ishares-bitcoin-trust-stoc">bought into IBIT</a>, valued between $50,001 and $100,000, on July 17, is down 6.40% on the investment.



Furthermore, Sen. David McCormick (R-Pa.), who made several purchases of Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BITB#NYSE">BITB</a>) in 2025, enjoyed an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/securities/BITB">unrealized profit of 25.60%</a> as of this writing.&nbsp;



Price Action: At the time of writing, BTC was exchanging hands at $111,220.37, down 1.49% 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>. Year-to-date, the coin has rallied 18%.



Shares of IBIT ETF rose 0.57% after-hours after closing 0.11% lower at $63.58 on Wednesday. Year-to-date, the stock has gained 19.76%.



As of this writing, the stock demonstrated a very high Momentum score. Visit <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings</a> to check out how different Bitcoin ETFs have performed over the last month across categories like Momentum, Value, Growth and Quality.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="963" height="187" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/29014209/image-544.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1048931" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/29014209/image-544.png 963w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/29014209/image-544-300x58.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/29014209/image-544-768x149.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 963px) 100vw, 963px" /></figure>



Shutterstock/Consolidated News Photos



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/08/47404601/cynthia-lummis-says-publishing-us-gdp-data-on-blockchain-is-a-historic-move-thanks-trump-lutnick-for-leadership">Cynthia Lummis Says Publishing US GDP Data On Blockchain Is A &#8216;Historic Move&#8217; — Thanks Trump, Lutnick For Leadership</a></li>
</ul>

ETFs

BITB

IBIT

TSLA

Marjorie Taylor Greene Put Money In BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF This Year — Here's How Her Returns Stack Up Against Others In Congress

Silver extended its rally to close at $39.71 per ounce, marking a fresh multi-year high just days after the U.S. added the metal to its list of critical minerals. The designation instantly reframed how traders and policymakers view <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/silver">silver</a>. It is not just an industrial input for solar panels and electronics, but also a material that now sits squarely at the center of the geopolitical chessboard.



Year-to-date, silver has surged more than 37%, recently outperforming gold. For seasoned natural resource investors like Rick Rule, the weakening of the gold-to-silver ratio signals the arrival of the next phase of the commodity bull market – characterized by higher volatility.



Citigroup's strategist Tom Mulqueen and his team argue that U.S. silver premiums are "underpricing tariff risk," currently standing at just a 2–3% premium versus ex-U.S. pricing. In last week's note, Mulqueen warned that such narrow spreads ignore the possibility of Section 232 tariffs, which could reach as high as 50% on critical imports.



If Washington moves decisively, the repricing could be sharp and disorderly. For silver specifically, Mulqueen sees the tariff review as a potential inflection point that could realign U.S. pricing relative to global benchmarks.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/08/47420475/gold-might-be-frontrunning-the-fed">Monetary policy expectations</a> are providing a second tailwind. Silver's climb coincides with growing conviction that the Federal Reserve will cut rates as early as next month. Fed Chair Jerome Powell's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/08/47310189/the-everything-rally-is-back-thanks-to-powells-risky-bet-on-jobs">Jackson Hole speech</a> reinforced that view, with futures markets pricing in a near-90% probability of a September cut.



While macro positioning matters, the cultural and geopolitical dimensions of silver are now harder to ignore. In a recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KGc7vZutEU&amp;">interview</a> for Commodity Culture, analyst Eric Young outlined why he believes the era of silver suppression is coming to an end.



"The fact that the silver price is so low… actually benefited China in the last 30 years," Young argued, pointing to bullion banks keeping prices manageable to support China's manufacturing dominance.



With the U.S. now reshoring production and directly competing with China, he suggested the rationale for holding silver down no longer applies.



"If China is not going to be the primary manufacturing hub for the U.S. or the West, why suppress the price of silver to assist China to keep things cheap?" he questioned.



Young also highlighted a broader scramble for physical supply, with China buying silver concentrates directly at the mine level. But perhaps even more notable is Saudi Arabia's entry into the silver game.



The kingdom's central bank has quietly accumulated a stake in iShares Silver Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLV#NYSE">SLV</a>), the world's largest silver-backed ETF. Although it was just a $40 million investment, Riyadh is signaling that it sees silver not just as an industrial metal but as a strategic financial asset—one that could complement its diversification drive under Vision 2030.



Suppose one of the world's largest oil exporters is allocating capital into silver ETFs. In that case, it may push other sovereign wealth funds to follow suit, especially as global commodity strategies evolve beyond hydrocarbons.



The difference here is important. When central banks purchase gold, it tends to be a slow and methodical process of reserve accumulation. However, sovereign purchases of silver ETFs could inject sudden bursts of liquidity into a market that is far smaller and less liquid than the gold market, amplifying price swings.



"Instead of subsidizing China with cheap silver, the U.S. is going to be competing with China to get the silver in its jurisdiction," Young noted. That competition, now joined by the Gulf's deep-pocketed players, adds a new layer to silver's role in the global economy.



Read Next:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/08/47394566/sp-to-gold-ratio-flashes-generational-alarm">S&amp;P-To-Gold Ratio Flashes Generational Alarm</a>

Sector ETFs

Commodities

Economics

Silver's Outperformance Marks The Next Commodity Bull Phase

President Donald Trump is unleashing accusations, escalating the threats to his political rivals, ideological opponents, critics, and federal officials who refuse to toe his line.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trump Mastering Lawfare?</h2>



The list of people attacked by President Trump includes Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, Fed Governor Lisa Cook, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and ally turned critic Chris Christie, among others.



This comes after Trump complained about the Biden administration and Democrats using "lawfare" and selective prosecution to disadvantage him in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Or Old, Present Or Former, No Ally Safe</h2>



There are some surprise inclusions in the list, too, including another former Trump ally and his former national security advisor, John Bolton.



The FBI has conducted searches at the Maryland home and Washington D.C. office of John Bolton, who served as national security adviser under Trump.



According to the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cr5vv3mrpndt">BBC</a>, the searches are part of an ongoing investigation into potential misuse of classified information. This follows Trump&#8217;s previous accusations against Bolton regarding his 2020 book, which was critical of Trump&#8217;s presidency. Bolton has not yet commented on the searches.



The investigation into Bolton follows a pattern of legal scrutiny surrounding Trump&#8217;s allies and adversaries.



The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/08/47298005/fbi-targets-john-boltons-home-and-office-trump-hes-not-a-smart-guy-but-he-could-be-a-very-unpatriotic-guy">FBI&#8217;s raid</a> on Bolton&#8217;s properties is part of a high-profile investigation into allegations of transferring classified documents via a private email server.



This comes amid ongoing legal challenges faced by Trump, including a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/08/47299337/new-york-ag-letitia-james-continues-trump-fraud-case-appeal-amid-doj-scrutiny">fraud case</a> pursued by New York Attorney General Letitia James.



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/politics/25/08/47431385/trump-slashes-national-security-council-staff-centralizes-foreign-policy-decision-making">Trump Slashes National Security Council Staff, Centralizes Foreign Policy Decision-Making</a>



Another prominent name in the list is Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk, who was among the key lieutenants of Trump's 2024 presidential campaign.



After a fallout between the two following Trump's budget bill, the President threatened to go after Musk and his companies, including unleashing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to end contracts given to SpaceX and other Musk companies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Opponents Call Timing ‘Chilling'</h2>



Political reactions have surfaced, with independent senator Bernie Sanders expressing concern about the search, describing it as a step towards authoritarianism. Democratic senator Chris Coons called the timing &#8220;particularly chilling,&#8221; while Democratic representative Raja Krishnamoorthi suggested it might be a distraction from other news.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trump Allies Deny Political Motivations</h2>



<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cr5vv3mrpndt">BBC</a> reports that Vice-President JD Vance denied any political motivation behind the investigation, emphasizing that legal determinations should drive such actions. The FBI maintains that its actions are part of its duty to protect Americans, despite concerns from some political figures.



In recent months, Trump has been vocal about holding his opponents accountable, as highlighted in a <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/14/in-justice-department-speech-donald-trump-threatens-opponents-with-jail">speech</a> where he threatened legal action against journalists, judges, and Biden officials.



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/08/47378154/janet-yellen-warns-of-catastrophic-consequences-as-trump-fires-feds-lisa-cook-higher-inflation-volatile-growth-weakened-currencies">Janet Yellen Warns of &#8216;Catastrophic&#8217; Consequences As Trump Fires Fed&#8217;s Lisa Cook: &#8216;Higher inflation, Volatile Growth&#8230;Weakened Currencies&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



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



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Trump Once Complained About Democrats Using Lawfare. He Is Now Going After His Political Opponents Using The Same Technique

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