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Vertex Inc is a provider of tax technology and services. Its software, content, and services help customers stay in compliance with indirect taxes that occur in taxing jurisdictions all over the world. Vertex provides cloud-based and on-premise solutions to specific industries for every line of tax, including income, sales, consumer use, value-added, and payroll. The company offers solutions such as tax determination, Tax Data Management, document management, and compliance and reporting among others. The company derives revenue from software subscriptions.

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Changpeng Zhao, the founder of the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchange Binance (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/bnb/usd">BNB</a>), advised artificial intelligence agent services to focus on utility rather than launching their own coins on Monday.
What Happened: Zhao, popularly known as CZ, posted his &#8220;unpopular opinion&#8221; on AI agents and their connection to the cryptocurrency world. 
&#8220;While crypto is the currency&nbsp;for AI, not every agent&nbsp;needs its own token,&#8221; CZ stated. &#8220;Launch a coin only if you have scale. Focus on utility, not tokens.&#8221;
Binance&#8217;s former CEO added that agents can utilize existing cryptocurrencies to get paid for the services they provide.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">On AI agents, I have an unpopular opinion: While crypto is the currency for AI, not every agent needs its own token. Agents can take fees in an existing crypto for providing a service. Launch a coin only if you have scale. Focus on utility, not tokens.&#x1f64f;
&mdash; CZ &#x1f536; BNB (@cz_binance) <a href="https://twitter.com/cz_binance/status/1901542080649781487?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
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CZ&#8217;s remarks invited reactions, with influential cryptocurrency analyst Benjamin Cowen presenting the same argument, although this time about cryptocurrency exchanges collecting fees in existing tokens rather than launching their own tokens. The retort appeared to be directed at Binance&#8217;s exchange token, BNB.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44363340/crypto-leaders-step-up-pressure-on-sec-as-trumps-policies-reshape-regulatory-landscape">Crypto Leaders Step Up Pressure On SEC As Trump&#8217;s Policies Reshape Regulatory Landscape</a>
Why It Matters: Zhao&#8217;s viewpoint comes at a time when the AI agent cryptocurrency market is experiencing significant contraction.
According to Coingecko, the market cap of AI agent coins has <a href="https://www.coingecko.com/en/categories/artificial-intelligence#key-stats">plunged</a> 67% year-to-date, while its share in the AI market has shrunk from 67% to 45.52% as of this writing. Key AI agent coins such as Artificial Super Intelligence (FET) and ai16z (AI16Z) have fallen 60% and 88%, respectively, since 2025 began.
It&#8217;s worth noting that the AI agent bot market is expanding, with these virtual agents becoming increasingly adept at problem-solving. Additionally, the <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43946285/ai-market-growth-this-niche-will-expand-44-by-2030-while-web3-ai-skyrockets-89-7">Web3 AI sector</a> is projected to grow by a staggering 89.7%, outpacing the overall AI market&#8217;s 44% growth by 2030.
Photo: Koshiro Kao via Shutterstock
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44363871/peter-schiff-slams-bitcoin-etfs-calls-selling-gold-for-btc-worst-timed-trade-in-history">Peter Schiff Slams Bitcoin ETFs, Calls Selling Gold For BTC &#8216;Worst-Timed Trade In History&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

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$BNB

Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao Says He Has An 'Unpopular Opinion' On Using Crypto For AI Fees: 'Not Every Agent Needs Its Own Token'

A new study suggests artificial intelligence has officially passed the meme Turing Test, with large language models now generating memes rated funnier than those created by the average human.
What Happened: Ethan Mollick, a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, posted on X Monday, declaring, "I regret to announce that the meme Turing Test has been passed."
"LLMs produce funnier memes than the average human, as judged by humans," he said, adding, "Humans working with AI get no boost… The best human memers still beat AI, however."
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I regret to announce that the meme Turing Test has been passed. LLMs produce funnier memes than the average human, as judged by humans. Humans working with AI get no boost (a finding that is coming up often in AI-creativity work) The best human memers still beat AI, however. <a href="https://t.co/O0sl5GRQNd">pic.twitter.com/O0sl5GRQNd</a>
&mdash; Ethan Mollick (@emollick) <a href="https://twitter.com/emollick/status/1901431681279475808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44312626/sam-altman-warns-ai-will-be-deflationary-but-says-openais-biggest-constraint-isnt-data-or-demand-its">Sam Altman Warns AI Will Be Deflationary, But Says OpenAI&#8217;s Biggest Constraint Isn&#8217;t Data Or Demand, It&#8217;s GPUs</a>
Mollick referenced a research paper titled "One Does Not Simply Meme Alone: Evaluating Co-Creativity Between LLMs and Humans in the Generation of Humor," authored by Zhikun Wu, Thomas Weber, and Florian Müller.
The study explored how humans and AI collaborate to generate memes, comparing the results of three groups: human-only, human-AI collaboration, and AI-only.
Using meme templates and predefined topics like work, food, and sports, participants generated captions during a timed ideation phase. AI-generated memes, created entirely by GPT-4, were then evaluated against those from the other groups based on humor, creativity, and shareability.
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The results showed that AI-only memes were consistently rated higher than human-only memes in all categories. While human-AI collaborations produced more ideas, the quality didn't improve significantly.
Notably, the best human-created memes still outperformed AI in humor.
Why It's Important: The findings underscore AI&#8217;s growing ability to replicate—and even surpass—certain aspects of human creativity, particularly in cultural and humor-driven content like memes.
While AI boosts productivity and reduces creative workload, it doesn't always enhance quality when paired with humans.
Image via Shutterstock
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44240048/openai-secures-near-12-billion-coreweave-deal-taking-stake-in-cloud-firm-ahead-of-35-billion-ipo-to-reportedly-reduce-microsoft-dependence">OpenAI Secures Near-$12 Billion CoreWeave Deal, Taking Stake In Cloud Firm Ahead Of $35 Billion IPO To Reportedly Reduce Microsoft Dependence</a></li>
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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.

Tech

AI Just Passed The Meme Turing Test? Study Finds LLMs Now Create Funnier Memes Than Most Humans

Shares of Japan&#8217;s five major trading houses soared on Tuesday on the Tokyo exchange after Warren Buffett&#8216;s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/25/03/44353719/warren-buffets-berkshire-hathaway-boosts-stake-in-japans-top-trading-firms">increased its stakes in the companies</a>.
What Happened: National Indemnity, a wholly owned unit of Berkshire Hathaway, disclosed in filings with Japan&#8217;s securities regulator that it had raised its stake in Mitsubishi from 8.31% to 9.67% and in Mitsui from 8.09% to 9.82%. Berkshire also increased holdings in Itochu, Marubeni, and Sumitomo by approximately one percentage point each.
Japan&#8217;s Trading Firms Surge as Berkshire Hathaway Increases Stakes: 
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<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company (Ticker)</th>
<th>% Change</th>
<th>Price (JPY)</th>
<th>Price (USD)</th>
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</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Mitsui &amp; Co Ltd (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MITSY#OTC">MITSY</a>)</td>
<td>+4.64%</td>
<td>2,934 JPY</td>
<td>$19.61</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Marubeni Corp (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MARUY#OTC">MARUY</a>)</td>
<td>+4.26%</td>
<td>2,543 JPY</td>
<td>$17.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mitsubishi Corp (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSBHF#OTC">MSBHF</a>)</td>
<td>+4.08%</td>
<td>2,754 JPY</td>
<td>$18.41</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Itochu Corp (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITOCY#OTC">ITOCY</a>)</td>
<td>+3.87%</td>
<td>7,216 JPY</td>
<td>$48.23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sumitomo Corp (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSUMY#OTC">SSUMY</a>)</td>
<td>+3.68%</td>
<td>3,637 JPY</td>
<td>$24.31</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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The increased investments follow Berkshire&#8217;s recent negotiations to &#8220;moderately relax&#8221; the previously agreed 10% investment cap, though none of the holdings has <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/25/03/44353719/warren-buffets-berkshire-hathaway-boosts-stake-in-japans-top-trading-firms">exceeded this threshold</a>.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44369228/byd-unveils-5-minute-ev-charging-breakthrough-strengthening-edge-over-tesla-stock-spikes-4">BYD Unveils 5-Minute EV Charging Breakthrough, Strengthening Edge Over Tesla— Stock Spikes 4%</a>
Why It Matters: These trading firms are vital to Japan&#8217;s economy, importing essential raw materials including oil, gas, and metals while supporting the country&#8217;s machinery export, automobile, and electronics sectors.
Buffett, often called the &#8220;Oracle of Omaha,&#8221; first disclosed investments in these trading houses in 2020. In his annual shareholder letter last month, he highlighted his increasing appreciation for the companies. By the end of 2024, the market value of Berkshire&#8217;s Japan holdings had risen to $23.5 billion.
While expanding its Japanese investments, Berkshire has accumulated a record cash reserve of $334.2 billion after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44212672/jamie-dimon-cashed-out-234-million-in-jpmorgan-stock-warren-buffett-stockpiled-334-billion-in-cash-weeks-later-markets-crashed-coincidence">selling off equities more broadly</a>.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44368525/joe-rogan-once-talked-about-the-two-billionaires-he-really-loves-he-called-elon-musk-a-nomad-and-jeff-bezos-a-yacht-king-what-these-two-tech-titans-own-reveals-a-very-inte">Joe Rogan Once Talked About The Two Billionaires He &#8216;Really&#8217; Loves, He Called Elon Musk A Nomad And Jeff Bezos A Yacht King — What These Two Tech Titans Own Reveals A Very Interesting Story</a></li>
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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.

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Warren Buffett-Backed Japanese Trading Stocks Surge As Tokyo Market Digest Berkshire's Increased Stake

Gold prices soared to new heights Monday, and renowned economist Peter Schiff marked the occasion by promoting his Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) non-fungible tokens.
What Happened:&nbsp; Gold bug Schiff took to X to celebrate a historic moment in the bullion market. 
&#8220;Today spot gold closed above&nbsp;$3,000 for the first time&nbsp;ever,&#8221; he wrote. He added that the yellow metal hit $2,000 on Aug. 5, 2020, and that the next $1,000 increase &#8220;won&#8217;t take nearly as long.&#8221;
Schiff encouraged his followers to &#8220;commemorate&#8221; the occasion with his Golden Triumph Ordinals, a collection of Bitcoin NFTs. &#8220;They are far more scarce than Bitcoin,&#8221; Schiff said, poking fun at the apex cryptocurrency&#8217;s deflationary characteristics.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Today spot gold closed above $3,000 for the first time ever. It first closed above $2,000 on Aug. 5, 2020. The next $1,000 rise won&#39;t take nearly as long. Commemorate the occasion with your own Golden Triumph Ordinal. They are far more scarce than Bitcoin.<a href="https://t.co/SPJSbv1ut5">https://t.co/SPJSbv1ut5</a>
&mdash; Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1901732434774798448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Bitcoin Ordinals are inscriptions of data on Bitcoin's blockchain, commonly referencing digital collectibles or art. In terms of NFT sales volume, Bitcoin was the second-largest blockchain after Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) over the last month, <a href="https://www.cryptoslam.io/">according </a>to the NFT market tracker Cryptoslam.
As of this writing, Schiff's collection had a floor <a href="https://magiceden.io/ordinals/marketplace/gt">price </a>of 0.139 BTCs, worth around $11,594 at the current market price.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44363340/crypto-leaders-step-up-pressure-on-sec-as-trumps-policies-reshape-regulatory-landscape">Crypto Leaders Step Up Pressure On SEC As Trump&#8217;s Policies Reshape Regulatory Landscape</a>
Why It Matters:&nbsp; This was not the first time Schiff promoted his blockchain-inscribed artwork. He <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41870739/peter-schiff-promotes-his-bitcoin-nfts-amid-apex-cryptos-move-past-81k-theres-21-million-btc-but-only-50-golden-triumph-ordinals">marketed the NFTs</a> in November of last year, during Bitcoin&#8217;s record-breaking rally.
Schiff launched the Ordinals collection in May 2023, featuring the original painting "Golden Triumph" and a series of prints and Ordinals on Bitcoin. His argument is—Ordinals add more value to an existing art than Ordinals independently possessing any value.
Schiff has been a vocal critic of Bitcoin, often highlighting the benefits of gold over the apex cryptocurrency. He recently asserted that selling gold for Bitcoin was the <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44363871/peter-schiff-slams-bitcoin-etfs-calls-selling-gold-for-btc-worst-timed-trade-in-history">&#8220;worst-timed trade in history</a>.&#8221;
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $83,297.96, up 0.28% in the last 24 hours, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. Year-to-date, the cryptocurrency has fallen 10.94%.
Spot gold traded at $3,011.77 per ounce as of this writing, with year-to-date gains of 14.7%.
Image via Shutterstock
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44363871/peter-schiff-slams-bitcoin-etfs-calls-selling-gold-for-btc-worst-timed-trade-in-history">Peter Schiff Slams Bitcoin ETFs, Calls Selling Gold For BTC &#8216;Worst-Timed Trade In History&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"></a>

$BTC

$ETH

Peter Schiff Pushes His Own Bitcoin NFTs To Mark Gold Highs: 'Far More Scarce Than BTC'

BYD Co. Ltd. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDY#OTC">BYDDY</a>), China&#8217;s leading electric vehicle maker, has introduced a groundbreaking charging system that can fully charge an EV in the time it takes to refuel a gasoline car, potentially eliminating one of the biggest <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44359054/byd-reveals-5-minute-ev-battery-charging-system-bloomberg">barriers to EV adoption worldwide</a>.
What Happened: Chairman Wang Chuanfu announced that in tests, the new system charged the Han L model with 292 miles of <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44359054/byd-reveals-5-minute-ev-battery-charging-system-bloomberg">range in just five minutes</a>. 
BYD&#8217;s Hong Kong-listed shares rose 4.05% to 401.20 HKD ($51.63) on Tuesday, continuing a strong year that has seen the stock surge 53% year-to-date.
The rapid charging technology will be integrated into BYD&#8217;s upcoming electric models, further strengthening its competitive position against rivals like Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>). 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/03/44364688/feds-march-meeting-expected-to-signal-no-hurry-on-rate-cuts-as-powell-likely-to-tread-carefully">Fed&#8217;s March Meeting Expected To Signal No Hurry On Rate Cuts As Powell &#8216;Likely To Tread Carefully&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: By offering a charging experience comparable to traditional gas station visits, BYD addresses the charging downtime concern that has made many consumers hesitant to switch from <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44359054/byd-reveals-5-minute-ev-battery-charging-system-bloomberg">internal combustion vehicles</a>.
The charging breakthrough comes as BYD pursues aggressive expansion in Europe. The company is reportedly considering Germany for its third European assembly plant, following facilities already planned in Hungary and Turkey. BYD is reportedly avoiding countries that supported EU tariffs on <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/03/44354592/warren-buffett-backed-byd-eyes-germany-for-third-european-plant-amid-tariff-concerns-report">Chinese-made EVs imposed last year</a>.
BYD&#8217;s European manufacturing push aims to circumvent import tariffs while boosting sales of its affordable vehicles against local competitors. The company <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/03/44354592/warren-buffett-backed-byd-eyes-germany-for-third-european-plant-amid-tariff-concerns-report">announced a $1 billion factory in Turkey in July 2024</a>, expected to produce 150,000 EVs annually.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44349451/third-largest-buy-the-dip-in-history-bofas-sees-correction-not-a-bear-market-amid-wall-street-rebound" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Third-Largest ‘Buy-The-Dip&#8217; In History — BofA&#8217;s Sees ‘Correction, Not A Bear Market&#8217; Amid Wall Street Rebound</a></li>
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Image Via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

BYDDY

TSLA

BYD Unveils 5-Minute EV Charging Breakthrough, Strengthening Edge Over Tesla— Stock Spikes 4%

Google parent Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) is reportedly in advanced discussions to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/07/39779768/googles-poker-move-with-wiz-could-be-the-kick-off-for-big-tech-m-a-in-2025-analyst">acquire cybersecurity startup</a> Wiz for approximately $30 billion, a move that would mark the company's largest acquisition to date.
What Happened: The deal could come together soon, barring any last-minute complications, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/alphabet-back-in-deal-talks-for-cybersecurity-startup-wiz-41cd3090?mod=hp_lead_pos1">reported</a> the Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter.
Alphabet was previously close to acquiring <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/24/07/39764952/google-parent-alphabet-reportedly-eyes-23b-acquisition-of-cybersecurity-firm-wiz-to-take-on-microsof">Wiz for around $23 billion</a> last summer, but <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/07/39907654/alphabet-wiz-deal-now-off-the-table-but-tech-bull-sees-consolidation-in-cybersecuri">talks collapsed</a> over regulatory concerns and structural disagreements.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43487551/sundar-pichai-acknowledges-deepseeks-ai-advancementsbut-says-googles-gemini-still-leads-in-cost-performance-and-latency" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sundar Pichai Downplays DeepSeek Threat — Google's Gemini Still Leads In Cost, Performance, And Latency</a>
Wiz, founded in 2020 by former Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) executives, offers cloud-based cybersecurity solutions and has quickly become one of the fastest-growing startups in the sector.
Headquartered in New York with offices in the U.S. and Israel, the company partners with major cloud providers, including Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Microsoft, and Google.
Wiz was valued at $16 billion in a late 2023 tender offer, and its backers include leading venture capital firms such as Sequoia Capital and Andreessen Horowitz, the report noted.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It's Important: If finalized, the acquisition would not only eclipse Google's previous record $12.5 billion Motorola Mobility deal but also signal its growing focus on cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity.
The potential deal also tests the appetite of antitrust regulators under the Donald Trump administration.
Google is already facing <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/03/44208199/googles-monopoly-fight-just-got-more-intense-justice-department-reaffirms-plan-to-split-up-the-tech-giant-in-historic-antitrust-battle">two antitrust lawsuits</a>, and any new major acquisition could draw further scrutiny.&nbsp;
Price Action: At the time of writing, Alphabet&#8217;s Class A shares had gained 0.097% in after-hours trading, while Class C shares edged up 0.018%. Earlier on Monday, Class A shares closed down 0.73% at $164.29, and Class C shares declined 0.63% to $166.57, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
Image via Shutterstock
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43221770/apples-ipad-turns-15-today-heres-a-throwback-to-when-steve-jobs-explained-called-it-the-third-category-after-phones-and-notebooks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple's iPad Turns 15 Today: Here's A Throwback To When Steve Jobs Explained Called It The ‘Third Category' After Phones And Notebooks</a></li>
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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MSFT

Google In Advanced Talks To Buy Cybersecurity Startup Wiz For $30 Billion — Largest Deal Ever Amid Antitrust Uncertainty: Report

Frog-themed cryptocurrency Pepe (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">PEPE</a>) rallied sharply Monday, bucking the declines of more popular meme coins.
What happened: The Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)&#8211;based token bounced 8%, becoming the biggest meme coin gainer and the fourth-most successful cryptocurrency in the last 24 hours.
Moreover, PEPE's trading volume spiked 44% to $806 million, making it the second-most traded meme coin in the last 24 hours.
The rally defied losses in meme coin heavyweights Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) and Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>), which fell 2.21% and 4.91%, respectively.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44363340/crypto-leaders-step-up-pressure-on-sec-as-trumps-policies-reshape-regulatory-landscape">Crypto Leaders Step Up Pressure On SEC As Trump&#8217;s Policies Reshape Regulatory Landscape</a>
Why It Matters: Influential cryptocurrency analyst Ali Martinez highlighted the formation of an inverse head and shoulder pattern on PEPE's hourly chart, with the "neckline" or resistance at $0.0000075.
The inverse head and shoulders pattern is a bullish reversal pattern, indicating exhaustion of a prolonged downturn.&nbsp;
"A sustained break above the $0.0000075 resistance could trigger a 40% price rally toward $0.0000100," Martinez said.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24PEPE&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$PEPE</a> could be about to enter a bull rally! <a href="https://t.co/7fJj9ZjxAf">pic.twitter.com/7fJj9ZjxAf</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1901793926819778901?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Whale interest for the coin also appeared to be picking up, with the volume of transactions valued over $100,000 surging 25% in the last 24 hours, <a href="https://app.intotheblock.com/">according </a>to IntoTheBlock. Moreover, PEPE holdings of long-term investors grew by 0.17%, indicating that net accumulation was going on.
That said, the majority of PEPE traders were positioned short, <a href="https://www.coinglass.com/LongShortRatio">according </a>to Coinglass, suggesting chances of another correction.&nbsp;
Price Action: At the time of writing, PEPE was exchanging hands at $0.000007202, up 7.52% 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 slumped 65%.
Image via Shutterstock
Read Next:&nbsp;
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Movers

Trading Ideas

$DOGE

$PEPE

$SHIB

Pepe Outperforms Dogecoin, Shiba Inu With 8% Spike—Top Analyst Says Frog-Themed Meme Coin About To 'Enter A Bull Rally'

The stock market experienced a notable rise on Friday, with the S&amp;P 500 gaining over 0.65% to 5,675.12 and the Nasdaq Composite climbing 0.3% to 17,808.66. Despite these gains, the indices recorded weekly losses, with the S&amp;P 500 marking its fourth consecutive losing week. The Dow Jones also closed higher, adding around 354 points or 0.85% to 41,841.63.
These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day:
Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)
Tesla&#8217;s stock fell 4.79% to close at $238.01, with an intraday high of $245.40 and a low of $232.80. The stock has a 52-week high of $488.54 and a low of $138.80. Concerns about Elon Musk&#8217;s commitment to Tesla have resurfaced, as investors <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44356670/with-doubts-over-musks-tesla-commitment-growing-his-own-words-resurface-he-once-said-he-never-wanted-to-be-ceo-as-it-hurts-his-heart">worry about his divided focus</a> across multiple ventures, including SpaceX and Neuralink.
Luminar Technologies Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LAZR#NASDAQ">LAZR</a>)
Luminar Technologies saw a substantial increase of 27.13%, closing at $6.42. The stock reached an intraday high of $6.50 and a low of $5.34, with a 52-week high of $34.80 and a low of $4.47. A YouTuber&#8217;s video comparing Luminar&#8217;s lidar system with Tesla&#8217;s Autopilot has <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/03/44363063/youtuber-crashes-tesla-into-fake-road-wall-fooling-vehicle-cameras-in-misleading-video">sparked interest</a>, showcasing the potential of lidar technology in autonomous driving.
Reddit Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RDDT#NYSE">RDDT</a>)
Reddit&#8217;s stock dipped 2.07% to $125.56, with a high of $142 and a low of $119.92. The 52-week high stands at $230.41, with a low of $37.35. The stock briefly surged after Google announced an <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/03/44364854/reddit-stocks-late-in-the-day-surge-whats-going-on">expanded partnership</a> with Reddit, aiming to integrate Reddit content more effectively across Google&#8217;s products.
Intel Corporation&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>)
Intel&#8217;s shares rose 6.82% to close at $25.69, hitting an intraday high of $26.15 and a low of $24.37. The stock&#8217;s 52-week high is $45.41, with a low of $18.51. The increase follows reports that Intel&#8217;s new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, is planning a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/03/44361645/intel-shares-surge-as-new-ceo-plans-major-overhaul-whats-going-on">major overhaul</a> of the company&#8217;s operations, focusing on AI chip production and cost-cutting measures.
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>)
Alibaba&#8217;s stock climbed 4.59% to $147.57, with an intraday high of $148.43 and a low of $140.03. The stock&#8217;s 52-week high is $148.43, with a low of $68.36. The rise comes amid positive signals from China&#8217;s retail sales figures and a <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/etfs/emerging-market-etfs/25/03/44365756/chinas-ai-surge-fuels-etf-gains-baidu-alibaba-lead-the-way">surge in the tech sector</a>, boosting market sentiment.
Prepare for the day&#8217;s trading <a href="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-admin/Premarket%20Movers%20&amp;%20News">with top premarket movers and news</a> by Benzinga.
Image via Shutterstock
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

BABA

INTC

LAZR

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Tesla, Luminar, Reddit, Intel, Alibaba: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Today

When approaching <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44263209/ramsey-says-americans-in-their-60s-and-70s-wont-be-packing-bags-for-a-dream-vacation-in-retirement-theyll-be-packing-lunch-for-work-instead">retirement</a>, many investors must decide how to allocate their savings to ensure a regular income stream while preserving their capital.
In this situation, <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44335110/stupid-20-year-investment-plan-investor-questions-200000-dividend-strategy-is-it-stupid-to-put-in-that-much-into-schd">dividend</a> investing often becomes a favorite option as it offers the potential for regular income without the need to sell shares. Still, high-yield ETFs can be tempting, especially when it comes to maximizing returns, but such allocations need to be balanced with more conservative assets to minimize the risk.
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<li>Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they&#8217;re on pace —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-do-i-calculate-my-retirement-income-adv"> here&#8217;s a breakdown on what&#8217;s behind this formula.</a></li>
<li>These five entrepreneurs are worth $223 billion –<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-homes-private-credit-fund"> they all believe in one platform that offers a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends</a></li>
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One Reddit user, a 62-year-old soon-to-be-retiree, has shared his dilemma: he has $700,000 in stock market index funds and a small company pension but is considering moving $500,000 into high-yield dividend funds. His main goal is to generate $4,000 a month in dividends to cover his living expenses and reinvest the excess dividends.
He&#8217;s considering allocating 20% each to JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JEPI#NYSE">JEPI</a>) and JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JEPQ#NASDAQ">JEPQ</a>) and is tempted to add double-digit-yielding ETFs to the mix. Yet, he&#8217;s worrying about the risks involved, particularly the potential for capital erosion over time.
&#8220;I mean, if I buy $500,000 worth of high dividend funds–that in 10 years would be $500,000 (hopefully more). Will do JEPI and JEPQ. Tempted to add some double-digit yielding ETFs to the mix. Any suggestions? Is there such a thing as a double-digit ETF that will hold its value over time?&#8221; he asked.
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>
The Reddit thread provided the investor with plenty of advice, so here are the most relevant suggestions from the comment section.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Invest $500,000 in Dividend Funds for at Least $4,000/Month? Reddit Debates The Poster&#8217;s Plan</h2>
Don&#8217;t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
Many Redditors emphasized the importance of portfolio diversification, especially when relying on high-yield assets for retirement income.
&#8220;JEPI and JEPQ are ETFs. They yield 7.1% and 9.9% respectively. You won&#8217;t find too many other ETFs that yield more than those. [Hoya Capital High Dividend Yield ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/riet#NYSE">RIET</a>)] &#8211; a [real estate investment trust] ETF yields 9.8%. [Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pffa#NYSE">PFFA</a>)] &#8211; a preferred stock ETF yields 9%. Their expense ratios are a little higher and they tend to be interest rate sensitive too,&#8221; a comment reads.
A suggestion advocates for a more balanced approach, combining index-based and actively managed funds to reduce risk.
&#8220;Pick a combo&#8230; 75% into index-based ones like JEPI/JEPQ, [Goldman Sachs S&amp;P 500 Core Premium Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gpix#NYSE">GPIX</a>)]/[Goldman Sachs Nasdaq-100 Core Premium Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gpiq#NYSE">GPIQ</a>)], [NEOS S&amp;P 500 High Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/spyi#NYSE">SPYI</a>)]/[NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/qqqi#NASDAQ">QQQI</a>)] and 25% into active like [Amplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/divo#NYSE">DIVO</a>)]/[Global X S&amp;P 500 Quality Dividend ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/qdvo#NASDAQ">QDVO</a>)]. So overall, you will have four funds. Enjoy your retirement, you deserve it!&#8221;
&#8220;Do it! Go check out Armchair Income on YouTube. He gives you his highly diversified portfolio blueprint. He yields 11% over 35 different investments… nothing more than 5%. Deep research focused on yield and stable [net asset value],&#8221; another comment reads.
See Also: Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.
Focus on Sustainable Income
Several Redditors warned the investor against chasing double-digit yields, as they often come with considerable risks, such as capital erosion and volatility. Instead, they recommended focusing on sustainable revenue that balances yield and stability.
&#8220;You want &#8220;only&#8221; $4,000 per month out of $500,000, meaning you actually want a 10% dividend. Hopefully, you understand that is a lot and it comes with risk, especially the risk of net asset value erosion. Personally, I think it&#8217;s a risky strategy for retirement and I wouldn&#8217;t recommend it. But hey, whatever floats your boat and makes you happy!&#8221; a Redditor said.
A commenter shed some light on the mechanics of a particular high-yield fund, which emphasized the trade-off between capital preservation and yield.
&#8220;[Cornerstone Total Return Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/crf#NYSE">CRF</a>)] will not hand out free money. They will balance with the total returns of the market. So, if the market goes up, say 30%, and it has an 18% yield, CRF will go up by the remaining 8-12%. But if the market goes down, say 30%, it will go down by the remaining 48%-ish. This is why they consistently go down in value year after year. The market has to beat its yield %,&#8221; he said.
One Redditor noted that double-digit ETFs are not a good pick for retirement, suggesting the poster go with more conservative assets.
&#8220;Double-digit return ETFs are a terrible choice for retirement, way too much volatility. If you want to sleep at night go with more reliable assets,&#8221; the Redditor wrote.&nbsp;&nbsp;
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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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Small Cap

Personal Finance

DIVO

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JEPI

JEPQ

PFFA

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QDVO

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Retiring In Months With $700,000, 62-Year-Old Plans $500,000 Move To Dividends – 'Should I Go All-In On JEPI, JEPQ, Or Riskier Plays?'

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) shares plunged nearly 5% Monday after Mizuho analysts slashed their price target for the electric vehicle maker, prompting economist Peter Schiff to question the market&#8217;s reaction.
What Happened: Mizuho cut its Tesla price target <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44361503/tesla-to-430-here-are-10-top-analyst-forecasts-for-monday">from $515 to $430</a>, sending the stock down nearly 5% to close around $238. &#8220;But why is this even bad news if the lowered price target is still 80% higher than today&#8217;s closing price?&#8221; Schiff wrote on X.
Mizuho cited weakening demand as it reduced delivery forecasts to 1.8 million vehicles this year and 2.3 million in 2026, down from previous estimates of 2.3 million and 2.9 million, <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/tesla-stock-slides-as-mizuho-trims-price-target-on-weakening-demand-11698266">reported</a> Investopedia. Analysts noted Tesla &#8220;significantly underperformed the market&#8221; across the U.S., China, and Europe last month.
<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">Mizuho lowered its price target on Tesla from $515 to $430. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TSLA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TSLA</a> closed near 238, down almost 5% on the news. But why is this even bad news if the lowered price target is still 80% higher than today&#39;s closing price?
&mdash; Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1901726106832744489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The automaker&#8217;s challenges stem partly from &#8220;deterioration in geopolitics&#8221; and shifting brand perception, according to Mizuho. Tesla CEO Elon Musk&#8216;s role in leading President Donald Trump administration&#8217;s Department of Government Efficiency has sparked protests and reports of vandalism against Tesla <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44350195/ross-gerber-shares-peaceful-display-of-distaste-for-elon-musk-in-santa-monica-his-9-year-old-observes-glad-we-dont-have-a-tesla">vehicles and showrooms nationwide</a>.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44349818/warren-buffett-dumped-nearly-70-of-apple-shares-but-its-price-to-sales-ratio-remains-elevated-at-8-2x-warns-this-market-analyst">Warren Buffett Dumped Nearly 70% Of Apple Shares, But Its Price-To-Sales Ratio Remains Elevated At 8.2x, Warns This Market Analyst</a>
Why It Matters: Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives recently <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/25/03/44346423/teslas-biggest-bull-frustrated-with-elon-musks-focus-on-doge-over-company-patience-wearing-thin">highlighted investor frustration</a>, telling Quartz that &#8220;Tesla investors are seeing patience wear thin as Musk is not reading the room,&#8221; noting there&#8217;s been &#8220;little to no sign of Musk at any Tesla factory or manufacturing facility in the last two months.&#8221;
Ross Gerber, a longtime Tesla investor who has grown increasingly critical, shared footage Sunday of protesters outside a Tesla store in Santa Monica. The video concludes with his 9-year-old child saying, &#8220;I&#8217;m glad we don&#8217;t have a Tesla.&#8221;
Tesla shares have lost about half their value since their December peak of $479.86. Tesla&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSLA/analyst-ratings">consensus price target</a> is $318.22 from 30 analysts, ranging from $550 to $24.86. The latest ratings from Canaccord Genuity, Mizuho, and Wells Fargo average $321.33, implying a 36.1% upside.
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/17212400/Screenshot-2025-03-18-at-6.52.45%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-828376" style="width:526px;height:auto" /></figure>
Benzinga Edge Rankings evaluates stocks based on momentum, value, growth, quality, and price trends across different timeframes. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/tsla">Here&#8217;s how Tesla scores</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/17213354/Screenshot-2025-03-18-at-6.58.22%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-828389" /></figure>
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Image Via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Tesla Drops Nearly 5% As Mizuho Cuts Price Target To $430 — Peter Schiff Asks Why Is It 'Bad News'

Leading cryptocurrencies edged higher Monday, matching the gains made in the stock market.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>+1.14%</td>
<td>$83,804.15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+1.56%</td>
<td>$1,926.45</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+1.40%</td>
<td>$0.1722</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin rose to an intraday high of $84,700 late afternoon before retreating to the $83,000 zone due to profit-taking. Ethereum followed a similar trajectory, rising to $1,950 and later pulling back to $1,920.
Bitcoin's market dominance remained above 60% while Ethereum's share dwindled to 8.5% in the last 24 hours.&nbsp;
Institutional interest in spot exchange-traded hands <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44359400/bitcoin-etfs-see-record-5-5-billion-in-outflows-in-5-weeks-as-tariff-turbulence-looms">has taken a hammering</a> due to the ongoing cryptocurrency trace, with U.S.-listed Bitcoin ETFs bleeding more than $5.5 billion over the last five weeks.
Over $168 million was liquidated from the market in the last 24 hours, with short liquidations accounting for over $100 million.&nbsp;
Additionally, if Bitcoin reclaims $87,000, a further $500 million in shorts would be wiped out.
Bitcoin's Open Interest grew 1.32% in the last 24 hours, suggesting an influx of new money into the derivatives market.&nbsp;
Interestingly, the percentage of traders positioned short on the apex digital asset surged to 55%, according to the Long/Short Ratio, suggesting that traders anticipated another dip.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PancakeSwap (CAKE)</td>
<td>+42.85%</td>
<td>$2.58</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BinaryX (BNX)</td>
<td>+40.63%</td>
<td>$1.97</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pepe (PEPE)</td>
<td>+11.21%</td>
<td>$0.000007393</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $2.74 trillion, marking a&nbsp; 1.26% increase over the previous day.
Stocks started the new trading week on a high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 353.45 points, or 0.85%, to close at 41,841.63. The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.65%, ending at 5,675.12, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 0.31% to close at 17,808.66.
Wall Street has been under pressure due to President Donald Trump's tariff <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/03/44360564/trumps-tariffs-could-fuel-inflation-in-canada-mexico-warns-economic-expert">announcements</a>, with the Dow and S&amp;P 500 shedding 6.09% and 7.41%, respectively, over the previous month.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Popular cryptocurrency analytics firm CryptoQuant detected a steady deleveraging in Bitcoin's derivatives market, with about $10 billion in Open Interest erased over the past two months.
"This can be considered a natural market reset, an essential phase for sustaining a bullish continuation," CryptoQuant stated. "Looking at historical trends, each past deleveraging like this has provided good opportunities for the short to medium term."
<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">The BTC market is undergoing deleveraging "This chart highlights such reset phases by identifying moments when the 90-day open interest change turns negative. Historically, each past deleveraging like this has provided good short-to medium-term opportunities." – <a href="https://twitter.com/Darkfost_Coc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Darkfost_Coc</a> <a href="https://t.co/8VRH2oVaTD">pic.twitter.com/8VRH2oVaTD</a>
&mdash; CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) <a href="https://twitter.com/cryptoquant_com/status/1901630547534688515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Widely followed cryptocurrency analyst &#8220;Elite Crypto&#8221; stated that for the sentiment to shift from playing the downside to a "potential reversal," Bitcoin must rise over $85,000 and $89,000.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> &#x7C; <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24USDT&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$USDT</a> One good thing is that we are above the 80K support. We should flip the 85K and 89K levels pretty soon to change the current playbook. If you&#39;re wondering what I mean by &quot;playbook,&quot; it&#39;s about shifting from playing the downside to a potential reversal, which could… <a href="https://t.co/D0meUYoyUH">pic.twitter.com/D0meUYoyUH</a>
&mdash; Elite Crypto (@TheEliteCrypto) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheEliteCrypto/status/1901704170551537940?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Photo by SvetlanaParnikova on Shutterstock
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Movers & Shakers

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Match Stock Advances: BTC Should Flip $85,000 And $89,000 Levels For Potential Reversal, Says Analyst

The U.S. Commerce Department has reportedly banned <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/03/44254562/deepseek-stays-free-founder-rejects-monetization-plans-new-reasoning-model-amid-alibaba-talks">Chinese artificial intelligence</a> model DeepSeek on government devices.
What Happened: In recent weeks, several bureaus within the U.S. Department of Commerce issued internal communications warning staff not to use DeepSeek AI on government-furnished equipment, also known as GFE, reported Reuters, citing a message and two people familiar with the matter.
"To help keep Department of Commerce information systems safe, access to the new Chinese-based AI DeepSeek is broadly prohibited on all GFE," said one department-wide email. "Do not download, view, access any applications, desktop apps or websites related to DeepSeek."
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43762070/apple-supplier-foxconns-efforts-to-make-iphones-in-india-thwarted-by-tech-and-talent-exports-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Supplier Foxconn's Efforts To Make iPhones In India Thwarted By Tech And Talent Exports: Report</a>
It remains unclear how widespread the ban is within other parts of the U.S. government.
Why It's Important: The move follows rising alarm over the potential risks posed by Chinese AI tools accessing sensitive government data.
In January, DeepSeek's release triggered a <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44103985/74-of-deepseeks-output-mimics-openais-chatgpt-new-study-reveals-it-does-raise-questions-about-its-development">wave of concern</a> in global markets due to its low-cost capabilities and its potential to challenge U.S. dominance.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Several states, including Virginia, Texas, and New York, have already implemented bans on the use of DeepSeek on government equipment, the report noted.
A coalition of 21 state attorneys general has also called on Congress to pass federal legislation barring the model.
In February, Taiwan also <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43401844/taiwan-bans-deepseek-ai-over-security-concerns-joins-global-scrutiny-of-chinese-tech">banned DeepSeek AI</a>. Similarly, <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/media/25/02/43763629/south-korea-joins-italy-in-halting-downloads-of-chinas-deepseek-amid-global-scrutiny-over-privacy-issues">South Korea</a> and Italy have <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/media/25/02/43763629/south-korea-joins-italy-in-halting-downloads-of-chinas-deepseek-amid-global-scrutiny-over-privacy-issues">halted new downloads of the app</a> due to privacy issues.
Image via Shutterstock
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

China's DeepSeek Sparks National Security Alarm: 'Do Not Download, View, Access Any Applications...'

Cathie Wood&#8216;s Ark Invest made significant moves on Monday, by selling shares of Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) and Block Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XYZ#NYSE">XYZ</a>).
The META Trade saw Ark Invest&#8217;s ARK Innovation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKK#NYSE">ARKK</a>) ETF sell 12,595 shares of the Mark Zuckerberg-led company. The sale occurred as Meta faced increased <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/03/44363736/zuckerbergs-global-push-meta-faces-scrutiny-over-privacy-free-speech-regulatory-tactics">scrutiny over its global expansion efforts</a> and privacy practices. According to a recent report, Meta&#8217;s ambitious strategies have drawn attention following allegations from a former executive. Despite these challenges, Meta has outperformed major indices in 2025, attributed to its lower leverage compared to other tech giants. The shares were sold at a closing price of $604.90, valuing the trade at approximately $7.62 million.
The Block Trade involved the sale of 12,881 shares of Block shares by Ark Invest&#8217;s ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKW#NYSE">ARKW</a>) ETF. Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)-focused Block recently became the first U.S. company to deploy Nvidia&#8217;s AI clusters for AI research, predicting a <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44299872/jack-dorseys-block-first-us-company-to-deploy-nvidias-ai-cluster-predicts-30x-performance-boost">substantial performance boost</a>. CEO Jack Dorsey expects the implementation to be 30 times more powerful than current capabilities. 
However, analysts have described Block&#8217;s stock as &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/02/43893641/block-shares-fairly-valued-analysts-say-stock-not-for-the-faint-of-heart">not for the faint of heart</a>,&#8221; given its market volatility. The shares were sold at a closing price of $58.65, resulting in a trade value of around $755,000.
Last Tuesday, Ark <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44267113/ark-invests-strategic-moves-tempus-ai-block-inc-and-draftkings-inc-in-focus">sold $11.26 million</a> worth of Block shares. Notably, the company&#8217;s recent earnings report showed a revenue miss. It is also noteworthy that Bitcoin has risen nearly 8% over the last seven days as investors brace for the Federal Reserve&#8217;s decision on interest rates.
Other Key Trades:
<ul>
<li>Sold 4,852 shares of Roblox Corp from ARKF and 17,217 shares through ARKW.</li>
<li>Bought 103,955 shares of Intellia Therapeutics Inc. in ARKG.</li>
<li>Bought 105,510 shares of Iridium Communications Inc. in ARKK, 11,127 shares through ARKQ, and 5,304 shares via ARKX</li>
<li>Bought 36,169 shares of Gitlab Inc. from ARKK and 10,036 from ARKW.</li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

ETFs

ARKK

ARKW

Cathie Wood Dumps Over $7 Million Worth Of Meta Shares As Mark Zuckerberg's Social Empire Faces Privacy Heat — Ark Sells Block Shares Again

Companies with a long history of paying dividends and consistently hiking them remain appealing to income-focused investors. Open Text, Regency Centers, and Delek Logistics have rewarded shareholders for years and recently announced dividend increases. These companies currently offer dividend yields of up to 10%.
Open Text
Open Text Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OTEX#NASDAQ">OTEX</a>) engages in the provision of information management products and services.&nbsp;
Open Text has increased its dividend consecutively for the last 12 years. In its most recent dividend hike announcement on July 31, the company's board raised the quarterly payout by 5% to $0.2625 per share, equal to an annual figure of $1.05 per share. The dividend yield on the stock currently stands at 4.18%.
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The company&#8217;s annual revenue as of Dec. 31 stood at $5.41 billion. In its Q2 2025 earnings on Feb. 6, the company posted revenues of $1.33 billion and EPS of $1.11. Both figures beat the consensus estimate.
Regency Centers
Regency Centers Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/REG#NASDAQ">REG</a>) is a preeminent national owner, operator, and developer of shopping centers located in suburban trade areas with compelling demographics.
The company has raised its dividends every year for the last 11 years. In its most recent dividend hike announcement on Nov. 7, the company's board increased the quarterly payout by 5.2% to $0.705 per share, equaling an annual figure of $2.82 per share. Currently, the dividend yield is 4.01%.
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>
Regency Centers&#8217; annual revenue as of Dec. 31 stood at $1.45 billion. According to its Q4 2024 earnings report on Feb. 6, the company posted revenues of $372.54 million and EPS of $1.09. Both figures beat the Street estimates.
If you invested $10,000 in Regency Centers stock 10 years ago, how much would you have now? Check out this <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42439173/if-you-invested-10-000-in-regency-centers-stock-10-years-ago-how-much-would-you-have-now">article by Benzinga</a> to learn more.
Delek Logistics Partners
Delek Logistics Partners (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DKL#NYSE">DKL</a>) provides gathering, pipeline, transportation, and other services for crude oil, intermediates, refined products, natural gas, storage, wholesale marketing, terminalling water disposal and recycling customers in the U.S.
The company has raised its dividends every year for the last 12 years. According to its most recent dividend hike announcement on Jan. 24, it increased the quarterly payout from $1.10 to $1.105 per share, which is equal to an annual figure of $4.42 per share. Currently, the dividend yield on the stock stands at 10.8%.
See Also: Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.
Delek Logistics Partners&#8217; annual revenue as of Dec. 31 stood at $940.64 million. In its Q4 2024 earnings report on Feb. 25, the company posted revenues of $209.86 million and EPS of $0.68. Both figures came in below the consensus estimates.
Open Text, Regency Centers, and Delek Logistics are good choices for investors seeking reliable passive income. Their dividend yields of up to 10% and long history of consistent hikes make them attractive to income-focused investors.
Check out this <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44307685/looking-for-yields-txnm-altria-and-wec-energy-are-consistent-moneymakers">article by Benzinga</a> for three more stocks offering high dividend yields.&nbsp;
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OTEX

How Open Text, Regency Centers, And Delek Logistics Can Put Cash In Your Pocket

Joe Rogan once contrasted Elon Musk's minimalist lifestyle with Jeff Bezos' over-the-top luxury, but a closer look at what the world's two richest men actually own today reveals a much more nuanced reality.
What Happened: On an episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience," the podcast host shared his admiration—and amusement—about the wildly different ways Musk and Bezos live their billionaire lives.
"When I look at billionaires and how I like billionaires to behave, there&#8217;s two I really love," Rogan said. "I love Elon because he&#8217;s f&#x2A;&#x2A;&#x2A;ing crazy and he lives in a $50,000 house and he has people drive him around everywhere—he doesn&#8217;t own anything… And then Jeff Bezos, who&#8217;s balling out of control… They have to take a f&#x2A;&#x2A;&#x2A;ing bridge apart because he wants to get his giant yacht through it."
See Also: <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/03/44132215/jeff-bezos-once-spoke-about-amazon-primes-risky-beginnings-and-why-free-shipping-seemed-like-a-terrible-idea-at-first">Jeff Bezos Said &#8216;Results Were Horrifying&#8217; After Amazon Prime&#8217;s Free Shipping Introduction But He Went Ahead With It Because Good Decisions Require &#8216;Instinct And Risk-Taking&#8217;</a>
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<iframe loading="lazy" title="JOE ROGAN ON WHY HE LOVES JEFF BEZOS AND ELON MUSK" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vgYxX-vs5Jo?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Rogan was referring to reports about Bezos' <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42931896/jeff-bezos-500-million-superyacht-koru-steals-the-show-at-st-barts-annual-festival-where-173-billionaires-turned-up-with-their-yachts">$500 million megayacht</a>, Koru, which made headlines in 2022 when builders requested to dismantle a historic bridge in the Netherlands to allow it to pass.
Meanwhile, Musk was gaining attention for pledging in 2020 to "own no house" and selling off his multi-million-dollar real estate portfolio to focus on SpaceX and his Mars ambitions.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">My gf <a href="https://twitter.com/Grimezsz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Grimezsz</a> is mad at me
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1256256494447636480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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But while Rogan's admiration paints Musk as a wandering billionaire without a home and Bezos as a superyacht-owning magnate, reports from the last couple of years tell a different story.
Court filings from December 2023, uncovered during Musk's custody dispute with former partner Grimes, revealed that the Tesla and SpaceX CEO had quietly bought a nearly $7 million home in Austin, Texas, in February 2022, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musks-secret-austin-house-2024-4">reported</a> Business Insider.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Musk said in the filings that he purchased the property after the location of his previous rental became public.
"In February 2022, I bought the home on [redacted] where [redacted] and I still live," Musk stated in the filing. Grimes and their children also lived at the residence from April to August 2023, according to the documents.
Though the property was purchased through an LLC and never publicly listed, real estate records and local accounts point to a nearly 7,000-square-foot home, built in 2017 and previously valued at around $4.5 million before being sold in 2022.
As for Bezos, the billionaire's shift from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/01/36716941/jeff-bezos-drove-a-1997-honda-accord-for-years-after-becoming-a-billionaire-and-still-drove-a-honda">Honda-driving CEO</a> to luxury connoisseur is well-documented. In a 1999 60 Minutes interview, Bezos—then worth billions—was still driving a 1997 Honda Accord. "This is a perfectly good car," he told the interviewer.
But over the years, Bezos has significantly upgraded his lifestyle. In addition to Koru, Bezos also owns a growing real estate empire. In 2023, he purchased a $79 million mansion in South Florida's exclusive "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/25/01/42805560/jeff-bezos-miami-billionaire-bunker-neighbor-is-selling-an-empty-lot-for-200-million-its-less-than-2-acres-and-they-paid-27-5-million">Billionaire Bunker</a>," just months after buying a neighboring $68 million property.
His car collection is also worth an estimated $20 million and includes rare and exotic models such as the Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita, Bugatti Veyron Mansory, and W Motors Lykan HyperSport.
Musk and Bezos currently hold the top two ranks on Bloomberg's Billionaire <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/">Index</a>, with the Tesla CEO having a net worth of $312 billion and the Amazon founder $217 billion.
Image Via Shutterstock
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Joe Rogan Once Talked About The Two Billionaires He 'Really' Loves, He Called Elon Musk A Nomad And Jeff Bezos A Yacht King — What These Two Tech Titans Own Reveals A Very Interesting Story

Toronto has taken a significant step by excluding Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) vehicles from its electric vehicle incentives, citing the ongoing trade war with the United States. This decision, led by Mayor Olivia Chow, reflects the city&#8217;s stance on the trade conflicts.
What Happened: Toronto has halted financial incentives for Tesla vehicles used as cabs or for ride sharing purposing, citing trade conflicts with the United States, according to Reuters on Monday.
Under Mayor Olivia Chow&#8217;s leadership, the city is promoting electric vehicle use by lowering licensing and renewal costs for ride-hailing vehicles through 2029. However, from March 1, Tesla models are excluded from these benefits. Chow explained that drivers must seek alternative electric vehicles.
The exclusion remains until U.S. trade issues are resolved. Chow attributed the decision to Elon Musk, Tesla&#8217;s CEO and adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump&#8217;s tariffs on Canadian goods have fueled tensions, prompting this symbolic move.
&#8220;We have certainly said that if you want to buy a Tesla, go ahead, but don&#8217;t count on taxpayer money to subsidize it,&#8221; said Chow, according to the report.
Tesla has reportedly not commented on Toronto&#8217;s move. The financial impact is minimal, according to the mayor.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44348859/trump-says-he-was-little-bit-sarcastic-when-he-said-he-would-end-the-russia-ukraine-war-in-a-day-what-i-really-mean-is">Trump Says He Was &#8216;Little Bit Sarcastic&#8217; When He Said He Would End The Russia-Ukraine War In A Day: &#8216;What I Really Mean Is&#8230;&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: This move by Toronto is part of a broader trend in Canada where Tesla is facing increasing challenges. Recently, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/03/44321211/tesla-charging-stations-cut-from-rebate-program-by-canadian-province-most-people-would-support-their-remo">Tesla&#8217;s charging stations and home batteries</a> were excluded from rebate programs in British Columbia, also due to U.S.-Canada trade tensions. 
Additionally, Tesla has been suspected of manipulating Canada&#8217;s EV rebate program, with reports of a sudden surge in sales before a rebate deadline, as detailed in <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/25/03/44213295/tesla-suspected-of-ev-rebate-manipulation-in-canada-amid-sudden-sales-surge-tesla-gamed-the-system-says-industry-body">another Benzinga article</a>.
Moreover, public sentiment in Canada is shifting against Tesla, with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44224547/attempting-to-erase-canadian-sovereignty-71-of-canadians-support-a-tesla-ban-while-364000-want-elon-musks-citizen">recent poll</a> indicating that 71% of Canadians support a ban on Tesla sales. This growing discontent is further evidenced by a petition to revoke Elon Musk&#8217;s Canadian citizenship, which has gathered significant support.
Canada is imposing 25% tariffs on $20 billion of U.S. goods in <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44281882/canada-retaliates-with-20b-in-tariffs-on-us-goods-amid-trade-war">retaliation for Trump's steel and aluminum duties</a>, affecting multiple industries. The move adds to previous counter-tariffs, raising concerns over economic instability, rising costs, and disruptions in housing and manufacturing.
Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>
Image via Shutterstock
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Politics

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The Social Security Administration will soon begin taking 100% of monthly benefit payments from recipients to recover overpayments. This is a significant change from the current 10% withholding rate, which has been in place since the Biden administration adjusted the policy to reduce financial strain on beneficiaries.&nbsp;
The new policy is set to take effect on March 27—and it could have serious financial implications for some Social Security recipients.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Is the SSA Changing Its Overpayment Policy?</h2>
The SSA <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-to-reinstate-overpayment-recovery-rate/">announced</a> on March 7 that it will increase the default overpayment withholding rate to 100% to improve the recovery of improperly distributed funds. According to the SSA's <a href="https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-to-reinstate-overpayment-recovery-rate/">Office of the Chief Actuary</a>, the change is expected to result in program savings of about $7 billion over the next decade.
Lee Dudek, the acting SSA commissioner, said that the agency has &#8220;a significant responsibility to be good stewards of the trust funds for the American people.&#8221; Dudek noted that the move is intended to return the overpayment recovery policy to the standard used during the Obama and early Trump administrations.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Common Are Overpayments?</h2>
Overpayments from Social Security are relatively rare but still represent billions of dollars each year. A <a href="https://oig.ssa.gov/news-releases/2024-08-19-ig-reports-nearly-72-billion-improperly-paid-recommended-improvements-go-unimplemented/">2024 report</a> from the SSA's inspector general found that fewer than 1% of Social Security payments were improper, but over time, these small errors add up. From 2015 to 2022, the SSA paid out about $72 billion in improper payments, most of which were overpayments.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Overpayments can happen for a variety of reasons, including:</h2>
<ul>
<li>Beneficiaries not updating the SSA with changes in their earnings, marital status, or living situation.</li>
<li>SSA employees failing to update beneficiary records in a timely manner.</li>
<li>Complex benefit calculations that lead to miscalculations.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW8fyc3HzPw">According</a> to Ed Weir, a former Social Security manager, some seniors intentionally accept overpayments by continuing to receive benefits while working, even if they expect to exceed the annual earnings limit. Under current rules, Social Security withholds $1 in benefits for every $2 earned above $23,400 annually.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Happens If Your Benefits Are Clawed Back?</h2>
Under the new policy, beneficiaries who are overpaid after March 27 will automatically face 100% withholding of their monthly Social Security payments until the debt is repaid. Those with overpayment cases established before March 27 will continue to have a 10% withholding rate. The 10% rate will also remain in place for overpayments related to Supplemental Security Income.
For many seniors, the shift to a full withholding rate could create financial strain. Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/social-security-overpayment-clawback-100-percent-medicare-trump-doge-waiver/">told</a> CBS News that overpayments are often unexpected. &#8220;People generally do not know they are overpaid,&#8221; Altman said. &#8220;People are really desperate when they get a letter from the government saying, &#8216;You owe $10,000&#8217; that they don&#8217;t have.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Medicare Payments Could Be Affected</h2>
A key concern is how the clawback could affect Medicare coverage. Most seniors have their Medicare Part B premiums deducted from their Social Security checks. If the full check is withheld to cover an overpayment, it's unclear how Medicare payments will be handled.
&#8220;If you are on Medicare, it means you might not pay your Medicare possibly, so you might lose your Medicare,&#8221; Weir said in his webcast. The SSA has not yet clarified how Medicare deductions will be handled under the new policy.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What To Do If You're Facing an Overpayment</h2>
If you receive an overpayment notice, you have <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/manage-benefits/repay-overpaid-benefits">several options</a>:
<ul>
<li>Request a waiver – If the overpayment wasn't your fault and you can't afford to repay it, you can file SSA Form 632 to request a waiver.</li>
<li>Appeal the overpayment – If you believe the overpayment is incorrect, you can file SSA Form 561 to appeal the decision.</li>
<li>Request a lower repayment rate – If the full withholding causes financial hardship, you can ask the SSA to adjust the repayment rate to a lower percentage.</li>
</ul>
Beneficiaries have 30 days from the date of the overpayment notice to respond before the SSA begins collection. During this period, the agency will not take action if you file an appeal or waiver request.
The new policy marks a significant shift in how the SSA handles overpayments — and could lead to financial difficulties for some beneficiaries. If you receive an overpayment notice, acting quickly and understanding your options can help protect your benefits.
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SSA To Seek 100% Recovery On Social Security Overpayments - Here's What This Means For Your Benefits

"Shark Tank" is full of success stories and failures with investors like Kevin O'Leary and Mark Cuban investing in companies that appear on the popular investment <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/10/41271567/mark-cuban-reflects-on-shark-tanks-enduring-success-the-american-dream-is-alive-and-well">pitch show for entrepreneurs.</a>
A $1.9 billion acquisition by PepsiCo (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) announced Monday traces its roots back to an appearance on "Shark Tank" and both Cuban and O'Leary passed on investing in the company.
"Shark Tank" Success Story: On Monday, PepsiCo<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/03/44358047/pepsico-bets-big-on-prebiotic-sodas-with-1-95-billion-poppi-acquisition-details"> announced the $1.9 billion acquisition</a> of fast-growing prebiotic soda company poppi.
The company has grown over the years and grew increased national attention with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43598736/super-bowl-commercials-2025-complete-list-of-super-bowl-lix-ads-and-companies-behind-them">Super Bowl commercials</a> in both 2024 and 2025.
Monday's acquisition put a spotlight back on the company's 2018 <a href="https://x.com/darrenrovell/status/1901625038542966893">appearance </a>on "Shark Tank," when the company was then known as Mother Beverage.
Husband and wife co-founders Stephen and Allison Ellsworth appeared on the "Shark Tank" episode seeking $400,000 for a 10% stake in their company.
The duo may have scared away early interest having the sharks take shots of an undisclosed beverage, which turned out to be apple cider vinegar. The taste test was done to highlight how Allison had concocted beverages that included apple cider vinegar and tasted good.
While the sharks agreed that many of the samples tasted good, they quickly exited and left only one guest shark to make an offer.
Guest shark Bethenny Frankel said it was a disaster to manufacture the beverages themselves and couldn't believe they didn't have a partner.
"You're still in the kitchen," Frankel said before she said she was out on any deal.
O'Leary said every beverage company comes into "Shark Tank" and says the future is so bright that you have to wear shades.
"The valuation is insane," O'Leary said, announcing he was out on the deal.
 Cuban told the couple his fear was they would have to raise a lot more money.
"As much as I would like to help a Dallas company, I'm out," Cuban said.
Shark Lori Greiner also exited telling the couple that she would be a customer, but not a partner.
The last remaining shark was guest shark Rohan Oza, who had experience in the consumer products sector.
"Beverage is savage," Oza said.
The investor said the mathematics for a company that's done $250,000 in sales in three months would have to have a different equity stake that they probably wouldn't like.
"For $400k for me to get interested, it's got to be like 25% stake," Oza said.
The other sharks encouraged the couple to take the deal.
"We'd love to do business with you," Stephen Ellsworth said.
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Fast Growth: Allison Ellsworth told a portion of her <a href="https://drinkpoppi.com/pages/our-story?srsltid=AfmBOoqQPkfTVvBqH9eS4MEuCrBYS-LRe34A1luWJg5ZzUoPvYEAahsV">story </a>of struggling with weight and turning to apple cider vinegar during their "Shark Tank" pitch. She mixed fruit juices with apple cider vinegar in her Dallas kitchen to create tasty products.
The products were later bottled up and sold at local farmers' markets. At the market, a Whole Foods buyer helped them land a regional deal with the retailer.
While on "Shark Tank," the couple also said they had signed a national deal with Albertson's.
A "Shark Tank" <a href="https://www.sharktankblog.com/business/mother/">update </a>on the company revealed that since their episode aired, the team scrapped the idea of a bottling plant and went with co-packers, a strategy that would likely make Frankel proud. The company also launched cans alongside their bottles.
In 2000, the company was in over 2,000 stores including Walmart and Whole Foods, alongside online sales on Amazon.
After appearing on "Shark Tank," the couple took part in a rebrand to poppi. The brand eventually landed more nationwide retail space and was able to partner with some top celebrity names such as Post Malone, Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner, Billie Eilish, Russell Westbrook, Jennifer Lopez, Olivia Munn and more.
As of April 2024, the company had annual revenue of $50 million. Oza said over the years that poppi would become "Shark Tank's" first billion-dollar brand.
Pepsi Acquisition: A <a href="https://x.com/darrenrovell/status/1901625038542966893">tweet </a>from Darren Rovell says Oza's VC CAVU Consumer Partners put in $25 million over the years before the sale to Pepsi.
The appearance on "Shark Tank" gets credit in the deal <a href="https://www.pepsico.com/our-stories/press-release/pepsico-to-acquire-poppi03172025">announcement </a>by Pepsi Monday saying the brand was "discovered" on the show by Oza and funded by CAVU Consumer Partners "from their initial seed round to today."
"poppi is a true testament to the American Dream! From the kitchen to Shark Tank to becoming an iconic brand, this couldn't have been done without the amazing founders Allison and Stephen Ellsworth, the incredible team in place led by CEO Chris Hall, the unmatched support of CAVU's Uncommon team led by Stevie Clements, and the extraordinary poppi community," Oza said.
Oza said the PepsiCo partnership will help even more consumers around the world enjoy poppi.
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Photo: Nicole Kandi via Shutterstock

Entertainment

Entrepreneurship

Success Stories

Mark Cuban, Kevin O'Leary Rejected Poppi On Shark Tank, Pepsi Just Paid $1.9 Billion To Acquire Company

Nutanix (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTNX#NASDAQ">NTNX</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 17.34% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 37.25%. Currently, Nutanix has a market capitalization of $18.96 billion. 
Buying $1000 In NTNX: If an investor had bought $1000 of NTNX stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $5,057.61 today based on a price of $71.11 for NTNX at the time of writing.
<h3>Nutanix's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1742253310_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

NTNX

If You Invested $1000 In This Stock 5 Years Ago, You Would Have This Much Today

Shell (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHEL#NYSE">SHEL</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 2.91% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 22.82%. Currently, Shell has a market capitalization of $210.07 billion. 
Buying $100 In SHEL: If an investor had bought $100 of SHEL stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $291.60 today based on a price of $70.10 for SHEL at the time of writing.
<h3>Shell's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1742252419_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

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