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Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk revealed that both Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. President Donald Trump were impressed by the company&#8217;s Optimus humanoid robot during a demonstration in Riyadh, where the robot danced to &#8220;YMCA.&#8221;
What Happened: &#8220;We just showed several of our Tesla Optimus robots to His Highness and President Trump, and I think they were very impressed,&#8221; Musk said at a Saudi economic forum. &#8220;In fact, one of our robots did the Trump dance, which I thought was pretty cool.&#8221;
The &#8220;Trump dance&#8221; refers to a signature dance move Trump has performed at rallies, often to the song &#8220;YMCA.&#8221;
The demonstration comes as Tesla officially begins selling its vehicles in Saudi Arabia, with a launch event showcasing its global lineup, including the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44728787/tesla-to-make-saudi-arabia-debut-amid-infrastructure-challenges?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Cybercab and Optimus robots</a>. 
The expansion marks a significant shift in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44728787/tesla-to-make-saudi-arabia-debut-amid-infrastructure-challenges?utm_source=chatgpt.com">relations between Musk and Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Public Investment Fund</a>, which were previously strained during Tesla&#8217;s &#8220;funding secured&#8221; controversy in 2018.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45398341/how-to-earn-500-a-month-from-cisco-stock-ahead-of-q3-earnings">How To Earn $500 A Month From Cisco Stock Ahead Of Q3 Earnings</a>
Musk predicted a future where humanoid robots would become ubiquitous, comparing them to &#8220;personal C-3PO or R2-D2&#8221; assistants from Star Wars. &#8220;My prediction for humanoid robots is that ultimately there will be tens of billions,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I think everyone will want to have their own personal robot.&#8221;
The billionaire entrepreneur emphasized the economic potential of robotics, suggesting they could create &#8220;an economy 10 times the size of the current global economy&#8221; and lead to &#8220;universal high income.&#8221;
Why It Matters: Despite Musk&#8217;s optimism, Tesla faces challenges in Optimus production. During the company&#8217;s recent earnings call, Musk acknowledged supply chain constraints, including <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44998310/tesla-optimus-robot-hit-by-chinas-rare-earths-crackdown-elon-musk-says-thousands-may-be-ready-by-yea?utm_source=chatgpt.com">China&#8217;s new export restrictions on rare earth magnets</a> essential for the robot&#8217;s actuators.
The Saudi expansion aligns with the kingdom&#8217;s ambitious plans to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44728787/tesla-to-make-saudi-arabia-debut-amid-infrastructure-challenges?utm_source=chatgpt.com">produce 500,000 battery-powered vehicles</a> by 2030. 
Image Via Shutterstock
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/05/45398101/microsoft-to-cut-6000-jobs-in-global-restructuring-joins-meta-and-amazon-in-trimming-workforce-amid-ai-driven-shift">Microsoft To Cut 6,000 Jobs Globally Amid AI-Driven Shift, Says Changes Necessary To &#8216;Best Position The Company For Success&#8217;</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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Elon Musk Says Mohammed Bin Salman And Trump Were 'Impressed' With Tesla Optimus As The Humanoid Robot Danced To 'YMCA'

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Earnings Scheduled For May 14, 2025

According to the recent data shared by Creative Planning, Inc., the &#8216;Oracle of Omaha,&#8217; Warren Buffett earned 98% of his current net worth after turning 65 years old.
What Happened: The 94-year-old veteran investor Buffett has a net worth of $160 billion according to Bloomberg&#8217;s Billionaire Index.
Peter Mallouk, the president and CEO of Creative Planning, shared data showcasing that the ace investor&#8217;s net worth stood at $3 billion nearly 34 years ago, when he was just 65.
His wealth has compounded by nearly 5,233% since then to $160 billion as of May 14. This shows that he earned 98% of his wealth after the age of 65.
Mallouk also quoted Buffett, highlighting that the growth in his wealth was possible through the power of compounding.
&#8220;My life has been a product of compound interest,&#8221; Buffett once said.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Incredible stat: 98% of Warren Buffett&#39;s current net worth of $160 billion came after he turned 65. &quot;My life has been a product of compound interest.&quot; Warren Buffett <a href="https://t.co/w3LkerFZlY">pic.twitter.com/w3LkerFZlY</a>
&mdash; Peter Mallouk (@PeterMallouk) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterMallouk/status/1922277145713557530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/05/45399288/kevin-oleary-lauds-robinhoods-acquisition-of-wonderfi-will-transform-cross-border-trading-">Kevin O&#8217;Leary Lauds Robinhood&#8217;s Acquisition Of WonderFi Will &#8216;Transform Cross-Border Trading:&#8217; &#8216;No More Outrageous Bank Fees&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Buffett holds his investments via the holding company, 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>), which is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.
Known to be one of the best portfolio managers of all time, Buffett, via Berkshire, holds major investments in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), American Express Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>), Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), and Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>).
BRK has returned 13.47% this year so far, while SPY is up 0.13%. This, as Berkshire is sitting on a cashpile worth $348 billion as of the first quarter of 2025.
Price Action: As of Tuesday, BRK closed -0.47% lower at $511.88 apiece. 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, ended on a positive note on Tuesday. The SPY was up 0.66% to $586.84, while the QQQ advanced 1.52% to $515.59, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
On Wednesday, the futures of the S&amp;P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq 100 indices were trading slightly above the flatline.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45367861/ed-yardeni-revises-recession-odds-to-25-after-the-rally-bumps-sp-500-year-end-target-to-6500" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ed Yardeni Slashes Recession Odds To 25% After US Stocks Rally, Lifts S&amp;P 500 Year-End Target To 6,500</a></li>
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Image Via Shutterstock

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Warren Buffett Shows How Patience Pays: 98% Of His $160 Billion Wealth Came After Turning 65, Thanks The Power Of 'Compound Interest'

U.S. Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. praised the Food and Drug Administration&#8217;s decision to begin removing fluoride supplements for children from the market, calling the move &#8220;long overdue.&#8221;
What Happened: The FDA announced on Tuesday that it&#8217;s initiating a process to eliminate these supplements, primarily given to children at high risk of dental cavities. The agency stated these products lack FDA approval and have been shown to alter the gut microbiome.
&#8220;Ending the use of ingestible fluoride is long overdue,&#8221; Kennedy said. Since taking office, Kennedy <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41704387/robert-kennedy-jr-says-he-will-advise-all-us-water-systems-to-remove-fluoride-on-day-1-of-trump-admi">has opposed adding fluoride to tap water</a>, claiming, without conclusive scientific consensus, that U.S. fluoridation levels are linked to various health issues, including cancer.
The FDA has set October 31 as its target date for completing safety reviews and taking appropriate action following a public comment period.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/05/45397896/roger-federer-backed-on-holding-jumps-12-as-dtc-sales-soar-sneaker-price-hikes-coming-to-offset-tariffs-and-fuel-premium-growth"> Roger Federer-Backed On Holding Jumps 12% As DTC Sales Soar —Sneaker Price Hikes Coming To Offset Tariffs And Fuel Premium Growth</a>
Why It Matters: Dental health organizations promptly contested the move. American Dental Hygienists&#8216; Association President Erin Haley-Hitz said, according to Reuters, &#8220;There is no scientific evidence that fluoride at the recommended low levels affects gut microbiota.&#8221; She warned that removing fluoride resources could worsen oral health disparities in underserved communities.
The American Dental Association reaffirmed its support for community water fluoridation, citing studies showing it reduces tooth decay by over 25% in both children and adults, even with fluoride available from other sources like toothpaste.
This federal action follows Utah&#8217;s landmark decision in May to become the first U.S. state to ban fluoride in public water systems. Kennedy previously stated plans to direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending community fluoridation nationwide.
President Donald Trump, who appointed Kennedy as Health Secretary after winning the 2024 election, had earlier expressed support for Kennedy&#8217;s fluoride removal initiatives, stating last year, &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41704387/robert-kennedy-jr-says-he-will-advise-all-us-water-systems-to-remove-fluoride-on-day-1-of-trump-admi?utm_source=chatgpt.com">it sounds OK to me.</a>&#8220;
Image Via Shutterstock
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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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Robert Kennedy Jr. Cheers FDA Plan To Ban Fluoride Supplements For Children, Calls Move 'Long Overdue'

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Clarivate Announced The Incorporation Of Pathway Maps In OFF-X, A Cutting-edge Translational Safety Intelligence Solution

Prominent financial analyst Gordon Johnson has ignited discussion on social media, suggesting that a potential &#8220;Liberation Day 2.0&#8221; – an event triggering a significant equity market downturn – could be imminent.
What Happened: The CEO and Founder at GLJ Research, LLC, Johnson&#8217;s comments come as the yield on the 30-year U.S. Treasury note edges closer to the critical 5% mark, coinciding with a weakening U.S. dollar.
In a series of posts on X, Johnson engaged with another financial commentator, Capital Flows, regarding the interpretation of rising interest rates. While acknowledging the argument that higher 30-year yields could signal increased U.S. growth and inflation, Johnson questioned the concurrent decline of the Dollar Index.
&#8220;If rates are rising, while the DXY is falling, is that not indicative of stagflation, and money leaving the US?&#8221; Johnson queried. He also challenged the comparison of rising German 30-year yields, attributing it to a &#8220;repricing of risk&#8221; following the new government, given Germany&#8217;s relatively low debt-to-GDP ratio.
Johnson then drew parallels to a past market event. He pointed to the confluence of factors, including the previous administration&#8217;s trade policies with China and the current Republican party&#8217;s proposed budget, which he says would lead to a &#8220;$4tn increase in deficit.&#8221;
According to Johnson, these factors have contributed to the surge in yields to levels that previously prompted former Treasury official Scott Bessent to implement &#8220;Liberation Day 1.0,&#8221; an action that significantly spooked the stock market.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">4/5&#8230; do you not think Liberation Day 2.0 is coming&#8230; &amp; soon (i.e., an event that will crash equities)? That is, the bond mkt has shown it can break the Trump admin. at around a 5% yield on the 30yr; and guess what&#8230; we&#39;re nearly there. So, you think, with &gt;$8tn in&#8230; <a href="https://t.co/aVabn0ScoG">pic.twitter.com/aVabn0ScoG</a>
&mdash; Gordon Johnson (@GordonJohnson19) <a href="https://twitter.com/GordonJohnson19/status/1922454433884979701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
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His concern centers on the idea that the bond market previously demonstrated its power to pressure the prior administration when 30-year yields approached 5%. And that is when the Donald Trump-led administration announced a 90-day pause in reciprocal tariffs.
With yields nearing that threshold again, Johnson questioned whether current Treasury officials can allow equity markets to continue their upward trajectory, pushing Treasury yields higher and potentially jeopardizing the refinancing of the over $8 trillion in US debt due in 2025.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/05/45399288/kevin-oleary-lauds-robinhoods-acquisition-of-wonderfi-will-transform-cross-border-trading-no-more-outrageous-bank-fees">Kevin O&#8217;Leary Lauds Robinhood&#8217;s Acquisition Of WonderFi Will &#8216;Transform Cross-Border Trading:&#8217; &#8216;No More Outrageous Bank Fees&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: As of the publication of this piece, the 30-year Treasury yielded 4.91%, while the 10-year yields were at 4.46% and the 2-year Treasuries yielded 3.99%.
After Tuesday, the S&amp;P 500 index turned positive for the year, up 0.31% year-to-date. Meanwhile, Dow Jones was still down -0.59% YTD, and Nasdaq 100 was up 1.06%.
The Dollar Index spot was 0.07% lower at the 100.9300 level. Whereas, 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, ended on a positive note on Tuesday. The SPY was up 0.66% to $586.84, while the QQQ advanced 1.52% to $515.59, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45367861/ed-yardeni-revises-recession-odds-to-25-after-the-rally-bumps-sp-500-year-end-target-to-6500">Ed Yardeni Slashes Recession Odds To 25% After US Stocks Rally, Lifts S&amp;P 500 Year-End Target To 6,500</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo: Bob Korn via Shutterstock

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Gordon Johnson Warns Of Potential 'Liberation Day 2.0' As 30-Year Treasury Yields Approach 5% Amid Dollar Weakness

Institutional digital asset prime broker FalconX has formed a strategic partnership with Standard Chartered (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCBFF#OTC">SCBFF</a>), strengthening connections between traditional banking and the rapidly expanding cryptocurrency market as Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) trades near record highs.
What Happened: The collaboration, announced Wednesday, initially provides FalconX with access to Standard Chartered&#8217;s comprehensive banking services and extensive currency pairs, enhancing cross-border settlement capabilities for institutional clients.
&#8220;We are pleased to partner with Standard Chartered, one of the most forward-thinking global banks in digital asset adoption,&#8221; said Matt Long, General Manager for APAC &amp; Middle East at FalconX. &#8220;This relationship strengthens our ability to deliver robust banking and FX solutions to clients who rely on us to operate in crypto markets.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/25/05/45396490/peter-schiff-says-trade-truce-aside-the-world-is-losing-confidence-in-dollar-and-in-us-ability-to-put-fiscal-house-in-order">Peter Schiff Says Trade Truce Aside, The World Is &#8216;Losing Confidence&#8217; In Dollar And In US Ability To Put &#8216;Fiscal House In Order&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: The partnership comes as Bitcoin continues its upward trajectory, trading above $103,000 after reaching <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45396450/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-pop-on-softer-inflation-analyst-says-cocktail-for-bitcoins-ballistic-rise-was-in-the-works">new all-time highs in recent weeks</a>. 
Standard Chartered&#8217;s Head of Digital Assets Research, Geoffrey Kendrick, recently revised his Bitcoin price forecast, suggesting his earlier $120,000 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45281333/bitcoin-120000-price-target-may-be-too-low-says-standard-chartered-i-apologize">second quarter target may prove too conservative</a>.
&#8220;The dominant story for Bitcoin has changed again,&#8221; Kendrick noted in a client note earlier this month. &#8220;It is now all about flows.&#8221;
Luke Boland, Head of Fintech for ASEAN, South Asia &amp; GCNA at Standard Chartered, emphasized the bank&#8217;s commitment to the digital asset space: &#8220;As institutional demand for digital assets continues to grow, we&#8217;re proud to provide the banking infrastructure that enables firms like FalconX to deliver world-class trading and financing solutions.&#8221;
Price Action: Bitcoin is trading at $103,652. The cryptocurrency has gained 0.94% in the past 24 hours and is up 11.13%, year to date.
Photo Courtesy: MOZCO Mateusz Szymanski On Shutterstock.com
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45396450/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-pop-on-softer-inflation-analyst-says-cocktail-for-bitcoins-ballistic-rise-was-in-the-works">Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Pop As Inflation Numbers Softer Despite Trump Tariffs: Analyst Says Cocktail For BTC&#8217;s &#8216;Ballistic&#8217; Rise In The Works</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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SCBFF

Standard Chartered Partners With FalconX To Fuel Institutional Crypto Access As Bitcoin Soars Past $103K

French authorities are on the hunt for armed men who attempted to kidnap a woman, believed to be the daughter of a cryptocurrency&nbsp;tycoon, on Tuesday.
What Happened: Three men in a van&nbsp;arrived in a busy street in Central Paris with the intent to kidnap the woman, <a href="https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/tentative-denlevement-en-plein-paris-jai-vu-des-hommes-encagoules-et-armes-senfuir-13-05-2025-DM4IRACBTVCOPBAX7OUWAHVT7E.php">reported </a>Le Parisien, a French daily newspaper. 
The&nbsp;woman, who is the daughter&nbsp;of a cryptocurrency company&#8217;s CEO, was saved by her partner, who intervened and was subsequently assaulted by the kidnappers. The shocking incident was caught on camera
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45335756/cathie-wood-stands-firm-on-bold-700000-bitcoin-prediction-for-investors-says-bull-case-in-the-1-5-million-range" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cathie Wood Stands Firm on Bold $700,000 Bitcoin Prediction for Investors, Says ‘Bull Case in the $1.5 Million Range&#8217;</a>
The kidnappers, clad in black and wearing balaclavas, escaped the scene in their vehicle, leaving behind a fake handgun. The vehicle was later found abandoned a few streets away. The couple&#8217;s two-year-old child, who was present during the incident, was also affected by the tear gas used by the kidnappers, according to the report.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Le Parisien is reporting that the relatives of a &quot;cryptocurrency tycoon&quot; escaped a terrifying kidnapping attempt in Paris today. The incident was captured on camera; you can see one attacker dropping a handgun as a man fights him. <a href="https://t.co/mPql1gdyMU">pic.twitter.com/mPql1gdyMU</a>
&mdash; Jameson Lopp (@lopp) <a href="https://twitter.com/lopp/status/1922274586558644471?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The Paris prosecutor&#8217;s office has handed over the investigation to the Brigade de Répression du Banditisme (Brigade for the Suppression of Banditry), a special police unit within the French Ministry of the Interior. The unit had recently investigated another kidnapping involving the father of a young online poker player and cryptocurrency entrepreneur.
France 24 <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/france/20250513-armed-gang-tries-to-kidnap-crypto-ceo-s-daughter-grandson-in-central-paris">reported </a>that woman is the daughter of the CEO and co-founder of Paymium, a French cryptocurrency exchange allowing users to trade Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), among other popular tokens.
This failed kidnapping incident comes days after French police rescued a man kidnapped in an attempt to force his cryptocurrency millionaire son to pay a ransom, <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250504-kidnapped-dad-of-crypto-firm-boss-released-in-french-police-raid">according </a>to France 24.
Earlier in January, David Balland, co-founder of the leading French cryptocurrency company Ledger, and his partner were kidnapped and held to ransom, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/co-founder-french-crypto-firm-freed-after-kidnapping-2025-01-23/">reported </a>Reuters. The two were eventually set free.
Photo Courtesy: BigNazik on Shutterstock.com
Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45356571/shiba-inu-jumps-27-in-7-days-what-is-going-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shiba Inu Jumps 27% In 7 Days: What Is Going On?</a>
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>

$ETH

Cryptocurrency Tycoon's Daughter Escapes Kidnapping Attempt: Viral Video Captures Terrifying Ordeal

Senior Democratic lawmaker Sen.&nbsp;Elizabeth Warren&nbsp;(D-Mass.) called President Donald Trump-backed stablecoin a potential threat to national security and a conduit for corruption on Tuesday.
What Happened: Warren, a known cryptocurrency critic, took to X to express her concerns about the dollar-pegged cryptocurrency USD1, currently available on Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) and BNB Chain (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/bnb/usd">BNB</a>). 
&#8220;Trump's stablecoin is shady and a national security risk,&#8221; she said. &#8220;He's cashing in on foreign crypto deals—and weakening guardrails that protect our advanced technology.&#8221;
Warren urged the Senate not to enable this &#8220;corruption&#8221; by passing the GENIUS Act, popularly known as the stablecoin bill, without necessary amendments.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Trump's stablecoin is shady and a national security risk. He's cashing in on foreign crypto deals—and weakening guardrails that protect our advanced technology. The Senate shouldn't greenlight this corruption by passing the GENIUS Act without fixes.<a href="https://t.co/BcPSZ0vjfB">https://t.co/BcPSZ0vjfB</a>
&mdash; Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenWarren/status/1922378683584512437?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
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See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44621245/gold-backed-cryptos-match-yellow-metals-highs-following-trumps-liberation-day-shock"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45339966/bitcoin-creator-satoshi-nakamotos-estimated-wealth-crosses-bill-gates-amid-apex-cryptos-sharp-rebound">Bill Gates Left Behind By Satoshi Nakamoto: Bitcoin Creator&#8217;s Wealth Now Eclipses That Of Microsoft Co-Founder Amid Crypto&#8217;s Sharp Rebound</a> 
Interestingly, Warren&#8217;s post included a <a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/13/trump-stablecoin-crypto-divest-corruption-dems">link </a>to an Axios report revealing that Senate Democrats, including herself, had asked Trump to divest from the stablecoin before his Middle East trip.
The White House didn&#8217;t immediately return <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga&#8217;s</a> request for comment.
Why It Matters: Warren&#8217;s criticism aligns with the stance of a group of Senate Democrats who recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45187736/elizabeth-warren-slams-shady-deal-involving-trump-family-backed-usd1-as-democrats-withdraw-support-for-senarte-crypto-bill">withdrew their support for a Republican-led stablecoin legislation</a>, citing concerns about a foreign deal involving the Trump family-backed USD1.
USD1, which has risen to become the fifth-largest stablecoin by capitalization, has been chosen <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45160707/eric-trump-says-world-libertys-stablecoin-will-be-used-to-close-a-2-billion-deal-dollar-token-to-also-get-integrated-with-justin-suns-tron-blockchain">to close a $2 billion deal </a>between Abu Dhabi investment firm&nbsp;MGX&nbsp;and cryptocurrency exchange&nbsp;Binance, as announced by&nbsp;Eric Trump&nbsp;at a recent cryptocurrency conference.
A Trump-affiliated organization holds a 60% share in the parent company of the firm behind the stablecoin, World Liberty Financial, while his son Eric Trump sits on the board.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42919731/bitcoin-to-bounce-back-in-q1-but-beware-20-corrections-analysts-warn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin To Bounce Back In Q1 But Beware 20% Corrections, Analysts Warn</a></li>
</ul>
Photo Courtesy: Kirill Aleksandrovich On Shutterstock

$BNB

Elizabeth Warren Calls Out Trump-Linked Stablecoin As A National Security Risk: 'He's Cashing In On Foreign Crypto Deals'

Raymond James has initiated coverage on Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>) with an Outperform rating. This move comes in light of Supermicro&#8217;s strong standing in the AI-optimized infrastructure sector and its swift revenue growth.
What Happened: AI platforms constitute approximately 70% of Supermicro&#8217;s revenue, positioning it as a dominant player among branded server vendors. Raymond James has set a $41 price target for the company, projecting Supermicro&#8217;s FY26 revenue at $29.8 billion with an EPS of $3.03, indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 25%, <a href="https://in.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/raymond-james-initiates-smci-coverage-with-outperform-rating-on-ai-tailwinds-4826948">reported</a> Investing.com.
Raymond James highlighted that Supermicro has effectively carved out a niche for itself and &#8220;positioned itself in a sweet spot&#8221; between traditional branded IT vendors such as Dell (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DELL#NYSE">DELL</a>), Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HPE#NYSE">HPE</a>) and contract manufacturers like Quanta.
The firm noted that while Supermicro has shown impressive growth, its valuation was impacted by past performance inconsistencies and internal control issues, which caused delayed SEC filings and auditor changes. These problems have since been resolved with no misconduct found.
SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/05/45378544/trump-administration-funneling-money-to-private-prison-companies-aoc-says-calling-out-profits-from-ice-deten" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;Trump Administration Funneling Money To Private Prison Companies&#8217; AOC Says, Calling Out Profits From ICE Detentions After Campaign Kickbacks</a>
Why It Matters:&nbsp;Supermicro&#8217;s financial performance has been<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45236823/super-micro-computer-stock-slips-after-q3-results-uncertainty-and-tariffs-may-have-a-short-term-impact-ceo-says"> under scrutiny</a>, especially following its Q3 results in 2025. The company reported quarterly earnings of 31 cents per share, missing the analyst consensus estimate of 50 cents by 38%. Its quarterly revenue of $4.6 billion also fell short of the analyst consensus estimate of $5.42 billion by 15.1%.
CEO Charles Liang said the company isn&#8217;t providing fiscal 2026 guidance due to tariff-related uncertainty, noting that "economic uncertainty and tariff impacts may have a short-term impact,&#8221; reported CNBC.
Despite these financial setbacks, Raymond James remains optimistic about Supermicro&#8217;s future, particularly due to its robust position in the AI-optimized infrastructure sector. The firm&#8217;s bullish stance is further supported by Supermicro&#8217;s plans to expand&nbsp;its U.S. manufacturing to produce&nbsp;1,500 liquid-cooled AI racks per&nbsp;month.
SMCI stock surged 16.02% to close at $38.89 on Tuesday. On a year-to-date basis, it soared over 29%.
SMCI holds a momentum rating of 40.25% and a growth rating of 93.38%, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SMCI" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga&#8217;s Proprietary Edge Rankings</a>. The Benzinga Growth metric evaluates a stock's historical earnings and revenue expansion across multiple timeframes, prioritizing both long-term trends and recent performance.
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/05/45314762/charlie-munger-was-once-asked-why-warren-buffett-was-so-much-richer-and-replied-he-got-an-earlier-start-before-adding-why-was-albert-einstein-poorer-than-i-was" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charlie Munger Was Once Asked Why Warren Buffett Was So Much Richer — He Replied, &#8216;He Got An Earlier Start,&#8217; Then Added, &#8216;Why Was Albert Einstein Poorer Than I Was?&#8217; &#8211; Benzinga</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

DELL

SMCI

SMCI Stock In 'Sweet Spot,' Says Raymond James — Sets $41 Price Target As AI Revenue Hits 70%

Munchener (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MURGY#OTC">MURGY</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.88 per share. This is a 151.43 percent increase over earnings of $0.35 per share from the same period last year. The company reported $16.63 billion in sales this quarter. This is a 1.65 percent increase over sales of $16.36 billion the same period last year.

MURGY

Munchener Q1 EPS $0.88 Up From $0.35 YoY, Sales $16.63B Up From $16.36B YoY

Google Cloud helps streamline marketing processes, enhancing brand consistency and reducing operational costs

GOOG

Google Cloud And Philips Partner To Transform Global Marketing With AI-Powered Digital Asset Management

Healthier Choices Mgmt (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HCMC#OTC">HCMC</a>) reported $1.78 thousand in sales this quarter. This is a 1.40K percent increase over sales of $119.00 the same period last year.

HCMC

Healthier Choices Mgmt Q1 Sales $1.78K Up From $119.00 YoY

Once fully implemented, the company expects that more than 2,400 Hubexo employees across 25 countries in Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific will be live on the Dayforce platform.
"Global organisations face unique challenges, from managing a disparate workforce to remaining compliant across multiple jurisdictions. That's why companies like Hubexo choose Dayforce to deliver operational resiliency and simplicity at scale," said Nicole Bello, Group Vice President, EMEA, Dayforce, Inc. "By fully harnessing our AI-powered people platform, Hubexo is elevating their people processes to make work life better - and we're proud to partner with them on this transformational journey."

Dayforce Chosen By Hubexo To Standardize HR Operations And Power Workforce Across Europe, North America, And Asia Pacific

After Robinhood Markets Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>) announced the acquisition of a Canadian cryptocurrency platform, WonderFi Technologies Inc. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WONDF#OTC">WONDF</a>), renowned entrepreneur and investor Kevin O&#8217;Leary expressed his excitement over the deal.
What Happened: O&#8217;Leary, who was one of the founding shareholders of WonderFi, said in an X post that he &#8220;couldn't be more excited&#8221; by this announcement.
According to the company statement, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45372870/robinhood-to-acquire-canadas-wonderfi-for-178m-all-cash-deal">purchase price</a> of $0.26 per share represents a 41% premium over WonderFi&#8217;s closing price on May 12 and a 71% premium over its 30-day volume-weighted average price.
O&#8217;Leary stated that this deal is going to transform cross-border trading. &#8220;We're finally connecting crypto between Canada and the U.S. right before stablecoin regulations hit. FX trading is about to get a major upgrade,&#8221; he said.
He also added that the deal will lead to &#8220;No more outrageous bank fees. You'll be able to move money between your Canadian and U.S. accounts instantly and at a fraction of the cost.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Exciting News! <a href="https://twitter.com/RobinhoodApp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RobinhoodApp</a> is acquiring <a href="https://twitter.com/WonderFi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WonderFi</a> and I couldn't be more excited. Why? This deal is going to transform cross-border trading. We're finally connecting crypto between Canada and the U.S. right before stablecoin regulations hit. FX trading is about to get a major… <a href="https://t.co/KHA4q7xWxn">pic.twitter.com/KHA4q7xWxn</a>
&mdash; Kevin O&#39;Leary aka Mr. Wonderful (@kevinolearytv) <a href="https://twitter.com/kevinolearytv/status/1922444818329796767?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45367861/ed-yardeni-revises-recession-odds-to-25-after-the-rally-bumps-sp-500-year-end-target-to-6500">Ed Yardeni Slashes Recession Odds To 25% After US Stocks Rally, Lifts S&amp;P 500 Year-End Target To 6,500</a>
Why It Matters: WonderFi operates Canadian-regulated crypto exchanges Bitbuy and Coinsquare, which hold $1.49 billion in assets under custody.
The deal is anticipated to close in the latter half of 2025 pending approvals, and without any changes in its leadership team.
This acquisition will expand Robinhood&#8217;s Canadian crypto presence, adding to its existing Toronto headquarters and workforce of over 140.
The combined equity value of the transaction, on a fully diluted basis, stands at approximately $178 million. Advisors on the deal include&nbsp;J.P. Morgan Securities&nbsp;for Robinhood and&nbsp;Financial Technology Partners&nbsp;for WonderFi.
Price Action: Robinhood <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/05/45390595/robinhood-shares-jump-nearly-10-following-acquisition-deal-for-wonderfi-whats-going-on">shares rose</a> 8.95% on Tuesday, whereas Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), tracking the Nasdaq 100 index, advanced 1.52% during the same session.
The stock has risen 58.65% on a year-to-date basis and 247.23% over a year. WonderFi shares, on the other hand, jumped 35.54% on Tuesday.
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings shows that HOOD had a stronger price trend over the short, medium, and long term. Its momentum ranking was solid at 98.62th percentile, whereas its value ranking was poor at 19.71th percentile; the details of other metrics are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">available here</a>. 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HOOD"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="144" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/14021609/HOOD-Edge-1024x144.png" alt="" class="wp-image-914438" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/14021609/HOOD-Edge-1024x144.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/14021609/HOOD-Edge-300x42.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/14021609/HOOD-Edge-768x108.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/14021609/HOOD-Edge.png 1219w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45371290/chamath-palihapitiya-questions-ai-funding-after-swedish-bnpl-firm-klarna-rolls-back-ai-bets-startups-could-pivot-to-simply-use-ai-for-narrow-use-cases">Chamath Palihapitiya Says Swedish Fintech Company Klarna Scaling Back AI Support Is A Red Flag For Industry: Startups Could &#8216;Pivot To Simply Use AI For Narrow Use Cases&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo Courtesy: Sergei Elagin On Shutterstock.com

HOOD

WONDF

Kevin O'Leary Lauds Robinhood's Acquisition Of WonderFi Will 'Transform Cross-Border Trading:' 'No More Outrageous Bank Fees'

Steel Partners Holdings (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPLP#NYSE">SPLP</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $1.41 per share. This is a 6 percent decrease over earnings of $1.50 per share from the same period last year. The company reported $499.22 million in sales this quarter. This is a 4.80 percent increase over sales of $476.35 million the same period last year.

SPLP

Steel Partners Holdings Q1 EPS $1.41 Down From $1.50 YoY, Sales $499.22M Up From $476.35M YoY

TLGPY

Reported Earlier, Telstra, Accenture Open First-of-Its-Kind AI Innovation Hub In Silicon Valley To Power Intelligent Systems And Agentic AI

<ul>
<li>Junichi Nakagawa and Samuel Zou appointed Sales Directors for Cboe Data Vantage in Asia Pacific</li>
<li>Hires reflect growing demand for data, analytics and related services in the region, facilitating access to U.S. and European markets</li>
<li>Expansion supports&nbsp;Cboe's ongoing global growth strategy for Data Vantage</li>
</ul>

CBOE

Reported Earlier, Cboe Strengthens Asia Pacific Presence With Key Hires Amid Surging Demand For U.S. And European Market Access

In addition, the Company has entered into a privately negotiated agreement with the holder of certain existing outstanding warrants to purchase up to 167,925 shares of common stock (the "Existing Warrants") to reduce the exercise price of such Existing Warrants from $41.20 per share to $7.45 per share.

HCWB

Reported Earlier, HCW Biologics Announces $5M Offering of 671,140 Units At $7.45 Per Unit Under Nasdaq Rules

The Rights Agreement is intended to reduce the likelihood that any entity, person or group is able to gain control of TrueBlue through open market accumulation without paying all shareholders an appropriate control premium or providing the Board with sufficient opportunity to make informed judgments and take actions in the best interests of all shareholders.

Reported Earlier, TrueBlue Adopts Limited Duration Shareholder Rights Plan Following Unsolicited $7.50 Per Share Offer From HireQuest

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