Warren Buffett&#8216;s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) made significant adjustments to its portfolio in Q4 2024, reducing its investment in a number of stocks. However, its stake in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) remains unchanged, as revealed in the recent 13F filings.



What Happened:&nbsp;Berkshire Hathaway has continued to offload its shares in&nbsp;Bank of America Corp.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), one of its largest holdings. The company also downsized its stake in&nbsp;Citigroup Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>) and sold a portion of its investment in&nbsp;Capital One Financial Corp.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COF#NYSE">COF</a>).



In addition, Berkshire Hathaway announced a new $1.2 billion position in&nbsp;Constellation Brands, Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STZ#NYSE">STZ</a>), a U.S. seller of Modelo and Corona beer, and divested&nbsp;its shares of Ulta Beauty.



According to the report <a href="https://www.wsj.com/finance/stocks/buffetts-berkshire-holds-on-to-apple-shares-but-trims-stakes-in-bofa-citi-and-capital-one-b9efdb12">by </a>Wall Street Journal, despite ongoing speculation, Berkshire Hathaway did not sell any of its 300 million Apple shares, which were valued at $75.1 billion as of December 31, 2024.



The regulatory filing also indicated that Berkshire increased its investments in Domino&#8217;s Pizza and Pool Corp., which it had previously disclosed three months ago.



Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/42803589/warren-buffetts-advice-for-overpriced-stocks-zip-up-your-wallet-take-a-vacation-and-come-back-in-a-few-years-to-buy-stocks-at-cheap-prices" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Advice for Overpriced Stocks: ‘Zip up Your Wallet, Take a Vacation, and Come Back in a Few Years To Buy Stocks at Cheap Prices&#8217;</a>



Investors are eagerly awaiting Buffett&#8217;s annual letter, set to be released on February 22, for insights into these recent trading decisions.



Why It Matters: The recent changes in Berkshire Hathaway&#8217;s portfolio reflect the company&#8217;s strategic investment decisions. The continued investment in Apple, despite the sale of other tech stocks, suggests confidence in the tech giant&#8217;s performance. 



The reduction in financial stocks could indicate a shift in Berkshire&#8217;s investment strategy, possibly due to changing market conditions or a reassessment of the financial sector&#8217;s future prospects. The new stake in Constellation Brands and increased positions in Domino&#8217;s Pizza and Pool Corp. highlight Berkshire&#8217;s interest in diversifying its portfolio. 



The upcoming annual letter from Buffett will likely provide further clarity on these decisions.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43423897/buffett-advises-against-using-credit-cards-as-a-source-of-funds-paying-it-off-is-gonna-be-way-better-than-any-investment-idea">Buffett Advises Against Using Credit Cards as a Source of Funds: &#8216;Paying It off Is Gonna Be Way Better Than Any Investment Idea&#8217;</a>



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Berkshire Hathaway Adjusts Portfolio, Keeps Apple Stake Unchanged, Offloads Stakes in BofA

Billionaire investor&nbsp;Bill Ackman&nbsp;has ramped up his stake in&nbsp;Nike&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>) by 15%, while simultaneously cutting back his investment in&nbsp;Chipotle Mexican Grill&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMG#NYSE">CMG</a>) by 14%, as per the recent 13F regulatory filing.



What Happened: Ackman&#8217;s firm,&nbsp;Pershing Square Capital Management, now holds&nbsp;18.8 million shares in Nike&nbsp;and 24.7 million shares in&nbsp;Chipotle. Pershing Square has been a Chipotle shareholder since 2016.



Ackman, known for his active involvement in companies like&nbsp;Canadian Pacific Kansas City&nbsp;and&nbsp;Air Products and Chemicals, has been relatively quiet in recent years. Nonetheless, his investment decisions continue to draw interest.



Over time, Pershing Square has been steadily decreasing&nbsp;its investment in Chipotle, one&nbsp;of its major success stories in recent years. As of June 30, the firm&nbsp;owned 28.8 million Chipotle shares.



The regulatory document 13F filing, also disclosed that Pershing Square trimmed its stake in&nbsp;Hilton Worldwide Holdings&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HLT#NYSE">HLT</a>)&nbsp;by 26% to 5.4 million&nbsp;shares. 



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42635629/bill-ackmans-advice-stay-away-from-shorting-stocks-avoid-commodity-sensitive-industries-and-you-do-great">Bill Ackman&#8217;s Advice: &#8216;Stay Away From Shorting Stocks, Avoid Commodity-Sensitive Industries, And You Do Great&#8217;</a>



The firm&#8217;s largest holding is investment company&nbsp;Brookfield,&nbsp;with roughly 35 million shares.



Why It Matters: This portfolio adjustment comes as Ackman&#8217;s firm continues to navigate the fluctuating market conditions. The decision to increase the stake in Nike could be seen as a vote of confidence in the sportswear giant&#8217;s growth prospects. 



On the other hand, the reduction in Chipotle and Hilton stakes might suggest a cautious approach towards the hospitality sector, which has been hit hard by the pandemic. 



These moves reflect Ackman&#8217;s strategy of balancing growth potential with risk management in his investment decisions.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/40082441/bill-ackman-hits-pause-on-pershing-square-ipo-after-investors-hesitate">Bill Ackman Hits Pause On Pershing Square IPO After Investors Hesitate</a>



Image: Shutterstock

Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Adjusts Portfolio, Trims Chipotle and Boosts Nike

Inflation concerns loom over the U.S. economy, but Wall Street remains resilient as investors focus on optimism surrounding Ukraine peace talks and a tariff plan from President Donald Trump that appears less severe than initially <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/02/43711974/trump-launches-plan-for-reciprocal-tariffs-sp-500-nears-record-highs-dollar-tumbles-as-investors-cheer-on-late-kickoff">feared—at least for now.</a>



In January, the headline Consumer Price Index rose 3% year-over-year, exceeding expectations of 2.9%. On a monthly basis, inflation climbed 0.5%, significantly outpacing forecasts of 0.3% and marking the biggest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/02/43656846/inflation-rises-more-than-expected-in-january-chills-interest-rate-cut-hopes">jump since August 2023.</a>



Energy prices were the main culprit, with fuel oil surging 6.2%, while egg prices skyrocketed 15%, hitting fresh record highs. Yet inflationary pressures were also evident among services.



Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, edged up to 3.3% year-over-year, beating expectations of a decline to 3.1%. Additionally, inflation at the producer level surprised to the upside, signaling <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/02/43692996/inflation-fears-mount-as-producer-prices-soar-to-35-put-fed-interest-rate-cut-on-ice">broad-based price pressures.</a>



During his semiannual testimony before Congress, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reiterated there is &#8220;no rush&#8221; to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43668443/powell-to-congress-fed-is-not-there-yet-on-inflation-cpi-was-above-every-forecast-us-debt-path-is-unsustainable">cut interest rates.</a>



In response, investors delayed expectations for the first Fed rate cut to December, signaling expectations of a prolonged period of steady rates. Some economists even speculated that a rate hike may be necessary to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/02/43667841/inflation-runs-hot-in-january-houston-we-have-a-problem-experts-warn">curb the inflationary wave.</a>



Despite hotter-than-expected inflation, risk sentiment remained largely intact as Trump reportedly engaged in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to initiate negotiations for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/02/43674775/trump-putin-highly-productive-call-sparks-oil-sell-off-as-investors-eye-geopolitical-de-escalation">peace in Ukraine</a>. This news helped keep oil prices stable for the week.



On Thursday, Trump announced a plan to impose &#8220;reciprocal tariffs&#8221; on all countries, meaning the U.S. would match other nations&#8217; tariff rates. Yet a study period lasting until April 1 suggests there is room for negotiations before any final implementation. The U.S. dollar weakened amid the less-aggressive tariff stance.



The standout performer of the week was Intel Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>), which posted its strongest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43723036/intel-on-a-tear-says-analyst-on-18a-node-optimism-company-targets-2026-profitability-boost-as-trump-20-reportedly-drive-chipmakers-toward-intel-foundry">weekly rally since 1975.</a> The surge was driven by a government push to expand domestic semiconductor manufacturing. Additionally, reports emerged that Intel may join forces with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) in a joint venture, further <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43685791/taiwan-semiconductor-could-be-the-lifeline-intel-needs-as-rumors-swirl-of-a-us-backed-joint-venture">fueling investor optimism.</a>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43746268/david-tepper-rausing-family-boost-nvidia-holdings-ahead-of-stock-volatility">David Tepper, Rausing Family Boost Nvidia Holdings Ahead Of Stock Volatility</a></li>
</ul>



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Inflation Spikes In January, Wall Street Rallies On Ukraine Peace Talks, Delayed Tariffs: This Week In The Markets

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



The S&amp;P 500 rose about 1.5% this week, while the Dow gained 0.6% and the Nasdaq climbed 2.6%. Inflation remains a concern, but Wall Street stayed resilient as optimism grew around Ukraine peace talks and President Donald Trump's tariff proposal, which appeared less severe than initially expected. 



January's Consumer Price Index rose 3% year-over-year, exceeding forecasts, with energy and food prices—particularly eggs—driving the increase, while core inflation also came<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/02/43692996/inflation-fears-mount-as-producer-prices-soar-to-35-put-fed-interest-rate-cut-on-ice"> in hotter than anticipated. </a>



Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled no urgency to cut interest rates, prompting investors to push back expectations for the first rate cut to December, with some economists even suggesting a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43748007/inflation-spikes-in-january-wall-street-rallies-on-ukraine-peace-talks-delayed-tariffs-this-week-in-the-markets">hike could be on the table.</a>



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



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



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/02/43592144/us-steel-aluminum-stocks-rally-as-trump-revives-25-tariff-plan">US Steel, Aluminum Stocks Rally As Trump Revives 25% Tariff Plan</a>,&#8221; by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/piero-cingari">Piero Cingari</a>, reports that steel and aluminum stocks surged after Trump announced plans to reintroduce 25% tariffs on imported metals. Shares of Alcoa Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AA#NYSE">AA</a>), Century Aluminum Co. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CENX#NASDAQ">CENX</a>), Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLF#NYSE">CLF</a>), and United States Steel Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/X#NYSE">X</a>) jumped.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43700767/netflix-stock-attractive-at-all-time-highs-for-analyst-virtuous-circle-of-strong-subscriber-growth-more-revenue-and-growing-profit">Netflix Stock Attractive At All-Time Highs For Analyst: &#8216;Virtuous Circle Of Strong Subscriber Growth, More Revenue, And Growing Profit&#8217;</a>,&#8221; by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a>, highlights a JPMorgan analyst reiterating an Overweight rating on Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) with a $1,150 price target, citing strong subscriber growth, higher engagement, and price hikes expected to boost 2025 revenue by $2 billion in the U.S. and $370 million in the UK.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43648469/hold-dogecoin-until-march-24-says-top-crypto-trader-expecting-nice-pumps-but-look-out-for-these-sell-signals">Hold Dogecoin Until March 24, Says Top Crypto Trader Expecting &#8216;Nice Pumps:&#8217; But Look Out For These &#8216;Sell&#8217; Signals</a>,&#8221; by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/aniket-verma">Aniket Verma</a>, reports on a crypto trader forecasting a Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) rally around March 24, citing Fibonacci time zones. Another analyst highlights increased whale activity and daily active addresses as indicators of potential bullish momentum.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43676849/dutch-bros-stock-rallies-after-blockbuster-q4-results-details">Dutch Bros Stock Rallies After Blockbuster Q4 Results: Details</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43676556/applovin-stock-soars-on-q4-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-strong-guidance-and-more">Applovin Stock Soars On Q4 Earnings: Revenue Beat, EPS Beat, Strong Guidance And More</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/25/02/43678005/super-micro-rides-ai-server-boom-analysts-see-big-2026-growth-despite-near-term-challenges">Super Micro Rides AI Server Boom, Analysts See Big 2026 Growth Despite Near-Term Challenges</a>



The Bears



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43600852/china-sets-sights-on-us-tech-companies-as-trade-tensions-rise">China Sets Sights On Apple, Nvidia And Other US Tech Companies As Trade Tensions Rise</a>,&#8221; by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/adam-eckert">Adam Eckert</a>, reports that China is compiling a list of U.S. tech firms to target with potential antitrust probes, aiming to gain leverage in trade negotiations. Companies like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), and Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) could face scrutiny, escalating tensions between Beijing and Washington.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43660030/trump-tariff-threats-put-pressure-on-taiwan-semiconductor-could-push-advanced-packaging-capacity-to-us">Taiwan Semiconductor Under Pressure From Trump Tariff Threats, Could Push Advanced Packaging Capacity to US</a>,&#8221; by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/anusuya-lahiri-0">Anusuya Lahiri</a>, reports Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) facing uncertainty as Trump considers semiconductor tariffs and potentially scrapping CHIPS Act subsidies, prompting Taiwan's deputy economy minister to visit Washington amid growing trade tensions.



&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43651110/starbucks-faces-legal-action-over-alleged-discriminatory-hiring-practices">Racism Has No Place in Missouri&#8217;: State Attorney General Sues Starbucks Over Hiring Policies</a>,&#8221; by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivani-kumaresan">Shivani Kumaresan</a>, reports on Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey suing Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>), alleging that its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives violate federal and state anti-discrimination laws by tying executive compensation to racial and gender quotas.



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



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/02/43667841/inflation-runs-hot-in-january-houston-we-have-a-problem-experts-warn">Inflation Runs Hot In January: &#8216;Houston, We Have A Problem,&#8217; Experts Warn</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/43729865/serve-robotics-tumbles-after-nvidia-exit-shakes-investor-confidence">Serve Robotics Tumbles After Nvidia Exit Shakes Investor Confidence</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43585701/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-vp-of-finance-address-allegations-of-tax-fraud-losses-were-high-for-many-years-so-carry-forward">Tesla CEO Elon Musk, VP Of Finance Address Allegations Of Tax Fraud: &#8216;Losses Were High For Many Years, So Carry Forward&#8217;</a>



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



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Benzinga Bulls and Bears: Apple, Nvidia, Netflix and Trader Predicts Dogecoin Surge by March 24

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#8217;s visit to Washington this week was a focused, business-oriented trip, with key agreements with President Donald Trump and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43718396/trump-modi-meeting-india-to-amp-up-us-weapons-purchases-will-receive-f-35-stealth-fighters" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">challenges shaping the US-India relationship</a>.



The working visit saw Trump announce a significant expansion in US military sales to India, including F-35 jets, alongside increased <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43718396/trump-modi-meeting-india-to-amp-up-us-weapons-purchases-will-receive-f-35-stealth-fighters" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oil and gas exports to help narrow the trade deficit</a>.



Both nations agreed to negotiate a trade deal and finalize a new defense framework, with the US also approving the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, accused of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks in India, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c23ndleveymo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> BBC.



The two countries also set a bold trade target of $500 billion by 2030, aiming to double the current $190 billion trade volume.



Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/02/43756457/benzinga-bulls-and-bears-apple-nvidia-netflix-and-trader-predicts-dogecoin-surge-by-march-24" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Bulls and Bears: Apple, Nvidia, Netflix and Trader Predicts Dogecoin Surge by March 24</a>



However, uncertainties remain around the specifics of the trade deal, with experts divided on whether it will be a full free trade agreement or targeted tariff reductions.



A critical concern was Trump&#8217;s order for reciprocal tariffs, which could lead to import taxes on US trading partners.



India, which enjoys a trade surplus with the US, preemptively reduced its average tariffs to mitigate this.



While some experts, like Ajay Srivastava, believe India is unlikely to face significant tariff hurdles, others, including Abhijit Das, warn that non-tariff barriers could still pose challenges, especially in agriculture, where US subsidies and strict regulations may complicate negotiations, BBC adds.



On defense, the US committed to a multi-billion-dollar arms sale to India, including F-35 jets, although logistical and bureaucratic hurdles could slow progress. Despite this, India&#8217;s growing reliance on US defense equipment suggests further deepening of ties.



Modi&#8217;s meeting with Elon Musk was notable, as it touched on emerging technologies and AI, though Tesla&#8217;s entry into India remains uncertain. Modi also held a rare press conference with Trump, answering questions on illegal immigration and the Adani Group bribery charges, marking a shift from his usual approach to media interaction.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43755111/billionaire-investor-dan-loeb-boosts-stake-in-mark-zuckerbergs-meta-elon-musks-tesla-but-sold-these-three-mag-7-stocks-in-q4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Billionaire Investor Dan Loeb Boosts Stake In Mark Zuckerberg&#8217;s Meta, Elon Musk&#8217;s Tesla, But Sold These Three Mag 7 Stocks In Q4</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

General

Trump Unveils $500 Billion Trade Goal To Supercharge US-India Ties

Conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair has declared that Elon Musk is the father of her newborn child. The announcement was made in a recent post on X.



What Happened: In a post on Friday, St. Clair, who is 26, requested privacy for her child, confirming that Musk is the father. The influencer, who is recognized for her far-right commentary, shared the information with her one million followers.



St. Clair wrote, &#8220;Elon Musk is the father,&#8221; and added, &#8220;I have not previously disclosed this to protect our child's privacy and safety, but in recent days it has become clear that tabloid media intends to do so, regardless of the harm it will cause.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Alea Iacta Est <a href="https://t.co/gvVaFNTGqn">pic.twitter.com/gvVaFNTGqn</a>&mdash; Ashley St. Clair (@stclairashley) <a href="https://twitter.com/stclairashley/status/1890554279749951687?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



The reasons behind St. Clair&#8217;s announcement remain unclear. Prior to her statement, no media outlet had associated her with the Tesla CEO. Earlier this week,&nbsp;St. Clair and Musk were&nbsp;involved in a social media exchange.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/40001741/grimes-mother-accuses-musk-of-withholding-children-amid-custody-battle-please-elon-i-beg-you">Grimes&#8217; Mother Accuses Musk Of Withholding Children Amid Custody Battle: &#8216;Please Elon, I Beg You&#8217;</a>



As of the time of publication, Musk had not reacted to St. Clair&#8217;s revelation. According to People magazine, Musk has fathered 12 children with&nbsp;three different women before St&nbsp;Clair's announcement.



Why It Matters: This unexpected revelation comes amid a lack of prior media speculation linking St. Clair and Musk, raising questions about the nature of their relationship. The timing of the announcement, following a recent social media interaction between the two, adds to the intrigue. 



The impact of this development on Musk&#8217;s personal life and his role as CEO of Tesla remains to be seen. 



As the news unfolds, the focus will likely be on Musk&#8217;s response to the claim and the potential implications for all parties involved.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/08/28659656/musk-had-twins-with-neuralink-executive-shivon-zilis-through-ivf-report">Musk Had Twins With Neuralink Executive Shivon Zilis Through IV</a>



Image: Shutterstock

Entertainment

Conservative Influencer Says Musk Is Father of Her Newborn Child

Billionaire investor Ray Dalio recently expressed grave concerns <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42257531/heres-how-ray-dalio-thinks-trumps-second-term-could-reshape-the-us-and-the-world">over the escalating U.S. federal debt</a>.



What Happened: Dalio shared his apprehensions at the World Government Summit in Dubai on Thursday. He drew a comparison between the burgeoning $36 trillion national debt and plaque clogging the arteries of the U.S. financial system.



Dalio foresees the possibility of an &#8220;economic heart attack&#8221; within the next three years if the issue is not promptly addressed.



Dalio predicts that&nbsp;if President Donald Trump&#8216;s tax cuts&nbsp;persist, the U.S.&nbsp;will run a deficit of&nbsp;about 7.5% of GDP. He urged&nbsp;the White House and Congress&nbsp;to pledge to reduce&nbsp;the deficit to 3% of&nbsp;GDP within the next three years.



According to the report <a href="https://fortune.com/2025/02/13/trump-national-debt-fiscal-deficit-economic-heart-attack-ray-dalio-bridgewater-hedge-fund/">by</a> Fortune, with the recent surge in inflation, bond investors may demand higher premiums to hold fixed-income securities such as sovereign debt. This could further strain the government spending allocated for servicing the national debt.



"When I calculate the supply and demand over the next year and three years. we have an immediate issue," said Dalio.&nbsp;



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43420604/ray-dalio-predicts-chinas-rise-in-ai-chinese-are-a-bit-behind-in-the-chips-but-theyre-ahead-in-the-applications">Ray Dalio Predicts China&#8217;s Rise in AI: Chinese &#8216;Are a Bit Behind in the Chips, But They&#8217;re Ahead in the Applications&#8217;</a>



Dalio is apprehensive that the bond markets may soon be unable to absorb the increasing amount of Treasuries issued, leading to skyrocketing interest rates and a &#8220;debt death spiral&#8221;. He underscored the urgency of the situation, stating that the US government must act swiftly, even if it results in societal damage.



White House economic advisor Kevin&nbsp;Hassett unveiled plans to control inflation by increasing supply and reducing aggregate demand. However, Dalio contended that time is of the essence and drastic measures, including austerity, may be necessary.



Why It Matters: The escalating US fiscal deficit has been a cause for concern for some time now. Dalio&#8217;s warning serves as a grim reminder of the potential economic fallout if the issue is not addressed promptly. 



The U.S. government&#8217;s plans to control inflation might not be enough to prevent a &#8220;debt death spiral&#8221;, as Dalio calls it. The situation calls for immediate and drastic measures, even if they result in societal damage. 



The clock is ticking, and the U.S. government must act swiftly to avert an impending economic crisis.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/42805138/ray-dalios-timeless-advice-if-you-dont-own-gold-you-know-neither-history-nor-economics">Ray Dalio&#8217;s Timeless Advice: &#8216;If You Don&#8217;t Own Gold, You Know Neither History Nor Economics&#8217;</a>



Image: Shutterstock

Ray Dalio Warns of Looming US Debt Crisis, Says America Faces 'Economic Heart Attack' Without Fiscal Cuts

Billionaire hedge fund manager Paul Tudor Jones voiced his apprehensions about the stability of financial markets during President Donald Trump&#8216;s second term.



What Happened: During an interview with CNBC earlier this month, Jones explained that the current financial environment is vastly different from when Trump initially assumed office in 2017. He observed significant changes in the fixed income, foreign exchange, and equity markets over the past eight years.



Jones pointed out&nbsp;that the Treasury is now&nbsp;issuing a record amount of&nbsp;debt, more than double the figure in 2017. Moreover, foreign&nbsp;ownership of U.S. equities, debt, and real estate has doubled as a percentage of GDP since 2017.



"We could have a 30% correction the stock market and just be back to slightly overvalued. I think Trump being Trump, I don't know if it will play as well as it did in 1.0 because there's no room for mistakes," he <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/03/paul-tudor-jones-says-markets-on-shakier-ground-than-trumps-first-term-leaving-no-room-for-mistakes.html">told </a>the outlet. 



He also noted&nbsp;that the average price-to-earnings ratio&nbsp;of the S&amp;P 500 is currently around 25, compared to 19 in January 2017. Jones warned of a potential 30% correction in the stock market, which would only bring it back to being slightly overvalued.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43581792/mary-trump-slams-uncle-says-president-isnt-just-destroying-democracy-hes-handing-unchecked-power-to-people-like-elon-musk">Mary Trump Slams Uncle, Says President &#8216;Isn&#8217;t Just Destroying Democracy, He&#8217;s Handing Unchecked Power to People Like Elon Musk&#8217;</a>



After Trump imposed tariffs on&nbsp;several key U.S. trading partners, markets took a hit. However, stocks saw a slight recovery after Mexico&#8217;s president announced a pause in tariffs against the country.



"He's my president now, I pray he makes all the right decisions, because we are precariously perched from a macro standpoint. I don't think we've ever had as many things that are connected in circular and could go wrong. So it's going to take a maestro to pull this off in a way that kind of preserves where we are now in the major asset classes," Jones said. 



Why It Matters: Jones, who accurately predicted the 1987 stock market crash, urged caution. He stated that the current macroeconomic situation is precarious and will require careful management to maintain stability in major asset classes. 



His warning comes at a time when the financial landscape is undergoing significant changes, with the Treasury issuing record amounts of debt and foreign ownership of U.S. assets increasing.



The imposition of tariffs by Trump has already caused market fluctuations, and any further instability could lead to a significant market correction. 



As such, Jones&#8217; warning underscores the need for careful economic management in the coming years.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43077007/jeffrey-epstein-allegedly-offered-plea-deal-in-exchange-for-trump-info-if-i-can-give-them-something-on-trump-to-get-him-impeached">Jeffrey Epstein Allegedly Offered Plea Deal In Exchange For Trump Info: &#8216;If I Can Give Them Something On Trump To Get Him Impeached&#8217;</a>



Image: Shutterstock

Politics

Market Instability Looms in Trump's Second Term, Warns Paul Tudor Jones: 'There's No Room for Mistakes'

The popularity of cryptocurrency-based casinos continues to surge, attracting players with fast transactions, enhanced privacy, and innovative gaming features. But where is interest in crypto gambling the highest in 2025? 



What Happened: A new study by the <a href="https://casinospotfr.com/casinos-en-ligne/">CasinoSpotFR</a> analyzed search query data and Google Trends to pinpoint the regions most engaged with crypto casinos and the key factors fueling this growth.



According to <a href="https://ahrefs.com/">Ahrefs</a>, the monthly search volume for &#8220;crypto casino&#8221; in major countries is as follows: the United States leads with 7,500 searches, followed by Germany with 4,200, the United Kingdom with 3,100, Canada with 1,800, and France with 1,500 searches. 



However, adjusting these figures based on population size presents a different perspective. Germany has the highest search rate per capita at 50 searches per million people, while the UK follows closely with 46.27, just ahead of Canada at 46.15. 



The U.S., despite its large overall search volume, ranks lower on a per capita basis with 22.66 searches per million, slightly above France at 22.06. This indicates that while the U.S. shows strong absolute interest, European nations demonstrate a greater concentration of searches per person.



The landscape of cryptocurrency casinos has evolved significantly over the past two years. Global search interest in crypto casinos has risen by approximately 20–30%, reflecting the sector&#8217;s growing appeal. While Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) remains the primary cryptocurrency for gambling, more platforms are now integrating Tether (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">USDT</a>), Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), and Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) as viable payment options. 



Meanwhile, regulatory scrutiny has intensified, with some governments imposing stricter controls on crypto gambling. However, many players are adapting by utilizing VPNs and decentralized platforms to continue participating in online crypto gaming.



The data also highlights key differences in crypto casino interest worldwide. Germany and the UK display the strongest per-capita demand, indicating a thriving gaming culture despite regulatory challenges. Canada and France maintain steady engagement, while the U.S. dominates in absolute search volume. 



As legal landscapes shift, crypto gamblers are adjusting, relying on new payment methods and decentralized systems to sustain activity in the sector.



Crypto casinos have gained traction in financial markets, influencing major ETFs such as ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF and Amplify Transformational Data Sharing ETF, which reflect the sector's growing relevance in blockchain investment.



Image: Shutterstock

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

$ETH

$SOL

$USDT

BITO

BLOK

Germany and UK Show Highest Per-Capita Demand for Crypto Casinos

In a recent shift of investment strategy,&nbsp;David Tepper&#8216;s hedge fund,&nbsp;Appaloosa LP, has made significant alterations to its portfolio. 



What Happened: The firm&#8217;s latest 13F filing reveals a reduction in semiconductor holdings, while stakes in other tech stocks, including&nbsp;Oracle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>) and the&nbsp;ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK), have been increased.



Appaloosa LP, during&nbsp;the fourth quarter of 2023,&nbsp;purchased&nbsp;1.3 million shares in Oracle&nbsp;Corp worth approximately&nbsp;$140 million and a call&nbsp;option for nearly&nbsp;2.6 million shares of the&nbsp;ARK Innovation ETF valued at over $133 million. The hedge fund also established&nbsp;new positions in FMC Corp.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FMC#NYSE">FMC</a>) and General Motors Co.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>).



Investments were also made&nbsp;in the home improvement, construction,&nbsp;and building materials sectors, with the acquisition of shares in firms such as Masco Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAS#NYSE">MAS</a>), Mohawk Industries Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MHK#NYSE">MHK</a>), and Owens Corning (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OC#NYSE">OC</a>).



According to a report <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/tepper-appaloosa-13f-q4-2023-8580346">by </a>Investopedia, Appaloosa reduced its positions in&nbsp;several tech firms, including Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>),&nbsp;Alphabet Class C stock (GOOG),&nbsp;Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>), Uber Technologies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>), and&nbsp;Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>).&nbsp;The largest sell-off involved&nbsp;nearly 1.7 million shares of&nbsp;Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>).



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43746268/david-tepper-rausing-family-boost-nvidia-holdings-ahead-of-stock-volatility">David Tepper, Rausing Family Boost Nvidia Holdings Ahead Of Stock Volatility</a>



Outside of tech, the fund sold off shares in KE Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BEKE#NYSE">BEKE</a>), Macy&#8217;s Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/M#NYSE">M</a>), and PDD Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDD#NASDAQ">PDD</a>). On the flip side, Appaloosa added to its existing positions in Caesars Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CZR#NASDAQ">CZR</a>), MPLX LP (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPLX#NYSE">MPLX</a>), Alibaba Group Holding (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>), Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), and Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>).



The hedge fund also&nbsp;exited two positions entirely in&nbsp;the fourth quarter, selling off&nbsp;shares of Arista Networks (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ANET#NYSE">ANET</a>)&nbsp;and Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EPD#NYSE">EPD</a>).



Why It Matters: Appaloosa&#8217;s portfolio reshuffle indicates a strategic shift towards diversification. The reduction in semiconductor holdings comes amidst a global chip shortage, potentially signaling a cautious approach. 



The increased stakes in other tech stocks and the home improvement sector suggest a focus on industries that have shown resilience during the pandemic. The fund&#8217;s&nbsp;new positions in FMC Corp.&nbsp;and General Motors Co. indicate a bet on the agrochemical and automotive industries, respectively. 



The sell-offs, on the other hand, might reflect an attempt to mitigate risks associated with specific stocks or sectors.



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/earnings-beats/25/02/43740996/palo-alto-analysts-optimistic-on-revenue-growth-expanding-market-share" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palo Alto Analysts Optimistic On Revenue Growth, Expanding Market Share</a></li>
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Image: Shutterstock

AMZN

ANET

ARKK

BABA

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MPLX

MSFT

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QCOM

UBER

David Tepper's Appaloosa Revamps Portfolio, Cuts Down On Semiconductor Stocks

Suze Orman made her Christmas Eve 2024 appearance on <a href="https://youtu.be/l73FTrGl-po?si=tZVD1JMIKKyCL-Ed">The Chris Cuomo Project</a> and, as expected, she didn't hold back. The conversation started with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43423288/trumps-tariffs-are-here-heres-what-will-get-more-expensive-from-canada-china-and-mexico">Trump's proposed tariffs – </a>what they could mean for American consumers and whether they would help the economy. But in true Orman fashion, the personal finance expert quickly turned the discussion toward what she sees as the real financial crisis hitting Americans: skyrocketing home insurance costs, especially in Florida.



Orman acknowledged that tariffs are a big deal. They could drive up costs for everyday consumers, but she wasn't convinced of their impact. "Typically, yeah, you put tariffs on, prices go up for everybody," she said, noting that with Trump, "you can't just expect normal results." She wasn't dismissing concerns about how tariffs might affect household budgets, but she had bigger financial fires in mind.



One of those fires? The home insurance crisis.



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<li>How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/tax-deferring-adv"> Tax deferring is their number one strategy</a>.</li>



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Orman got personal about her own property insurance bill in Florida, revealing a staggering increase that many homeowners in the state can relate to. "My own apartment in Florida used to be four or $5,000 a year to insure," she said. "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/09/40837523/suze-orman-isnt-wasting-money-on-insurance-for-her-condo-im-not-paying-28-000-a-year-when-the-in">It is now $28,000</a>." She wasn't just throwing out a shocking number – she was making a point about the affordability crisis many homeowners face.



And then she hit the real question. "So when you start to look at the real problems that we're facing in the United States, in my opinion, it's what are you going to do about that?"



The reality, she explained, is that even if <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43538924/if-i-were-buying-real-estate-right-now-id-wait-til-september-suze-orman-shares-why">people can afford to buy a home</a>, the rising cost of insurance is making ownership unsustainable. "Even if they were able at one time to afford the price of a home, you know why now they're giving it up? Not because of their mortgage payment. Not because of the interest on their mortgage. Because they can no longer afford the property insurance rates that have skyrocketed."



Trending: ‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.</a>



And it's not just insurance – Orman pointed to medical costs as another financial burden weighing down Americans. She called out issues with Medicare Advantage, where people think they're saving money, only to realize later that certain claims won't be covered. She painted a broader picture: a country where many people don't have enough savings, are unsure if their jobs will be replaced by AI and are struggling with basic affordability.



That's why, in her view, the tariff debate – while important – is missing the bigger picture. Yes, tariffs could lead to price increases, but what about the millions of Americans who can't afford necessities? "The majority of people maybe don't even have the money to buy the thing with or without tariffs to begin with," she said bluntly.



Cuomo pressed her on the disconnect between economic policies and those who support them, pointing out that many who voted for Trump's policies might not benefit from them. Orman didn't disagree. "I just don't think they understood really why they were suffering, why things were going up, what was really going on," she said. In her view, their vote was "a rebellious vote that very well could backfire on them." But she added, "I hope it doesn't backfire on them."



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-centennial">Jeff Bezos-Backed Arrived Homes Hits A Big Sale On Charlotte Property – Investors Earning A 34.7% Return</a>



Her frustration wasn't just with politics but with financial habits, too. As the conversation shifted to holiday spending, Orman didn't hold back on her usual tough love. She shared a story about how she used to help clients get out of debt, only for them to blow their budgets during the holidays because of retail promotions. "If you have to buy something and put it on a credit card knowing that when it comes due you're only going to be able to pay the minimum payment due, you better double or triple the price of anything that you're buying to understand the true cost of it."



She wasn't saying people shouldn't give gifts but pushing for more financial honesty. "If you're going to financially suffer because of that, that's not true generosity. In your own way, you are being a finan-liar."



Orman's approach isn't for everyone – some might call it harsh, but her track record speaks for itself. She's spent decades <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">giving people financial wake-up calls</a>, and this time was no different. Whether it's tariffs, insurance or debt, her message remains: figure out what matters and make financial decisions based on reality, not emotion.



Read Next:



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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>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-private-credit-fund">Bezos' Favorite Real Estate Platform Launches A Way To Ride The Ongoing Private Credit Boom</a></li>
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Personal Finance

Suze Orman Weighs In On Trump's Tariffs – Says the Real Problem Is $28,000 Florida Home Insurance: 'What Are You Going to Do About That?'

Prominent trader Unipcs believes meme coins have a history of explosive comebacks when least expected, suggesting a meme coin comeback could be <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-meme-coins">around the corner.</a>



What Happened: The trader argued in a <a href="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=783240&amp;action=edit">post</a> on X on Friday that the risk/reward (R/R) ratio favors longs, as the biggest meme coins have already corrected 70-90% from their peaks just months ago.



He believes the key catalysts include the SEC acknowledging a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43730035/does-this-sec-decision-mean-dogecoin-xrp-etfs-are-on-their-way">Dogecoin ETF filing</a>, which could spark a massive move in DOGE and provide tailwinds for other meme coins. 



Potential approval of Ethereum staking ETFs could signal broader market bullishness, boosting altcoins and meme coins alike.



In another tweet, Unipcs highlights that only DOGE, TRUMP and BONK have ETF filings, suggesting an approval of a TRUMP ETF could pave the way for others for follow.



Compared to DOGE and TRUMP, BONK has a much smaller market cap, meaning it requires significantly less ETF capital to rally. Unipcs sees being underexposed to BONK as a major missed opportunity.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43662831/bitcoin-meme-coins-dominate-crypto-but-other-projects-suffer-analyst-says">Bitcoin, Meme Coins Dominate Crypto, But Other Projects Suffer, Analyst Says</a>



What's Next: Unipcs highlighted the top meme coin plays for the season: Dogecoin and Bonk. 



While there are no guarantees, the alignment of catalysts suggests meme coins could be at or near their bottom, positioning them for significant upside.



The trader also sees Floki launching an ETP on Europe's third-largest stock exchange as a catalyst to be included in top picks. His other choices are:



<ul>
<li>Popcat (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">POPCAT</a>) – Oversold but up nearly 2x since bottom call; now listed on Coinbase.</li>



<li>Simon's CAT (CRYPTO: CAT) – The only cat-themed coin on Binance; likely to be the leader when cat coins pump.</li>



<li>Bongo Cat (CRYPTO: BONGO) – An undervalued, oversold low-cap POPCAT beta play.</li>



<li>Dogwifhat (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">WIF</a>) – Has been beaten down but showing signs of reversal.</li>
</ul>



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43636904/anthony-scaramucci-warns-meme-coins-create-market-contagion-fuel-bitcoin-skepticism">Anthony Scaramucci Warns Meme Coins Create Market Contagion, Fuel Bitcoin Skepticism</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

$POPCAT

$WIF

Millionaire Trader Says Dogecoin, Bonk, Trump Memes Have Bottomed

The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/25/01/43110946/sec-launches-crypto-task-force-to-establish-clear-regulatory-framework">Securities and Exchange Commission</a> has acknowledged Grayscale's applications for spot Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) and XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) ETFs.



This <a href="https://www.sec.gov/files/rules/sro/nysearca/2025/34-102416.pdf">step </a>signals that the agency is willing to consider the proposals, a shift from its previous tendency to dismiss similar applications for alternative cryptocurrencies.



If approved, the ETFs would allow investors to gain exposure to Dogecoin and XRP through traditional financial markets without directly holding the assets.



What Happened: Historically, the SEC has been hesitant to approve ETFs tied to cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>).



Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas <a href="https://x.com/EricBalchunas/status/1890157058965795321">noted</a> that the regulator's decision to engage with the filings is a positive indication that its stance may be evolving.



Fox Business journalist Eleanor Terrett <a href="https://x.com/EleanorTerrett/status/1890182783730888827">highlighted</a> that the SEC appears more receptive than it was in December when exchanges withdrew Solana ETF applications due to a lack of regulatory engagement.



Despite this progress, the approval process remains uncertain. One of the main challenges facing the XRP ETF is the SEC's ongoing lawsuit against Ripple. 



A court ruling in 2023 determined that XRP was not a security in secondary sales, but the SEC has since appealed, prolonging the regulatory uncertainty surrounding the asset. 



Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart suggested that the outcome of this legal battle could influence whether the SEC ultimately approves an XRP-based ETF.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43708655/binance-founder-cz-sidelines-xrp-solana-and-sparks-bnb-chain-meme-coin-frenzy-with-his-dog-broccoli">Binance Founder CZ Sidelines XRP, Solana And Sparks BNB Chain Meme Coin Frenzy With His Dog &#8216;Broccoli&#8217;</a>



Why It Matters: Recent changes in SEC leadership have led to speculation about a potential shift in the agency's enforcement approach.



The commission's request for a 60-day suspension in its lawsuit against Binance has added to the belief that its regulatory strategy toward cryptocurrency markets may be evolving.



Meanwhile, Hashdex has secured SEC approval to launch a new crypto index exchange-traded product on Nasdaq on Feb. 14.



Initially, the index will track Bitcoin and Ethereum, with plans to expand to other assets such as Cardano (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ada/usd">ADA</a>), Avalanche (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/avax/usd">AVAX</a>), Litecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ltc/usd">LTC</a>), Chainlink (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/link/usd">LINK</a>), and Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) once regulatory clearance is granted. 



The launch of additional crypto-based financial products reflects increasing institutional interest in digital assets, even as regulatory challenges persist.



As the SEC reviews Grayscale's filings and more firms introduce regulated investment vehicles for cryptocurrencies, the broader market continues to watch for signals on how digital asset regulation will unfold in the coming months.



Read Next: 



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43707177/matterfi-wallet-technology-to-integrate-with-trrue-blockchain-ecosystem">MatterFi Wallet Technology To Integrate With Trrue Blockchain Ecosystem</a></li>
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Image: Shutterstock

$ADA

$AVAX

$LINK

$LTC

$XRP

Does This SEC Decision Mean Dogecoin, XRP ETFs Are On Their Way?

XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) is back in the spotlight after the Securities and Exchange Commission acknowledged Grayscale and NYSE Arca's spot XRP ETF filing, potentially putting XRP on the fast track <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/43720517/xrp-outshines-bitcoin-ethereum-after-sec-acknowledges-grayscale-etf-filing">to Wall Street adoption</a>.



What happened: At the time of writing, XRP is trading at $2.70, up 10% in the last 24 hours. 



XRP is outperforming other majors, such as Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) at $96,600 (+0.7%) and Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) is at $2,682 (+0.7%).



Read also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43711090/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-dip-as-xrp-holds-steady-trader-warns-of-potential-drop-to-92000-without-improvement">Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Dip As XRP Holds Steady: Trader Warns Of Potential Drop To $92,000 Without Improvement</a>



Why It Matters: For years, cryptocurrency advocates have been pushing for a spot XRP ETF, arguing that it would simplify institutional access to XRP—similar to spot Bitcoin ETFs. 



With the SEC seeking public comments, an XRP ETF could, if approved, open the floodgates to massive investments.



Big-name financial firms like WisdomTree, Bitwise, 21Shares, and Canary Capital have all submitted applications for spot XRP ETFs, signaling growing interest from traditional finance.&nbsp;



Crypto analysts estimate that an XRP ETF could inject between $4 billion and $8 billion into the market within its first year. This level of institutional investment could drive XRP's price higher and cement its place as a top-tier crypto asset.



Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart has previously estimated the chances of an approval to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43670406/ranking-the-xrp-dogecoin-solana-litecoin-etf-approval-chances-one-altcoin-has-a-90-chance-#:~:text=ETF%20has%20a%2060%25%20chance,being%20approved%2C%20according%20to%20Balchunas.">be around 60%</a>.



The SEC's stance on crypto has been shifting after former Chair Gary Gensler's departure. 



With pro-crypto President Trump in charge and SEC Chair Paul Atkins taking a more open-minded approach, XRP investors are hopeful that this time, regulators won't stand in the way.



Technical Analysis:



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcW5BDZ9hz-jN5bvrNKnSYrPkOjG2VGf3b0ruBl2vd2dpHNlb2z-jWfBxm7VK_Za9mvsoJ3fNqfToRWuvVe6jbaYOrtOI0Lg4huxvZ3C9-z5WWfYou5vbozSHkKdnFAkFspe3PTwQ?key=NQzSFFLoG69kVGh-67ZB8fYh" alt=""/></figure>



XRP is currently consolidating, with resistance at $3.3991 and support at $2.20-$2.30.



 A break above the descending trendline could push it to $3.17-$3.40, while failure to hold support may see a drop toward $2.00.



The next move hinges on bulls reclaiming momentum or sellers taking control. With ETF optimism rising, all eyes are on the SEC's decision.



Read next: 



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43719017/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-flat-amid-trumps-reciprocal-tariffs-hotter-than-expected-ppi-why-this-analyst-said-btc-was-in-no-mans-land">Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Flat Amid &#8216;Reciprocal Tariffs&#8217; Talk By Trump: Why This Analyst Said BTC Was In &#8216;No Man&#8217;s Land&#8217;</a></li>
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Image: Shutterstock

XRP Rallies 10% In 24 Hours: What Is Going On?

Don&#8217;t wait to get started if you want to be as rich as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43612207/warren-buffett-has-lived-in-his-31500-home-for-67-years-and-calls-it-one-of-his-best-investments-but-warned-a-house-can-be-a-nightmare">Warren Buffett</a>. That's the advice the legendary investor shared in 1999 at Berkshire Hathaway's annual shareholder meeting. Buffett had a net worth of about $30 billion at the time. Today, his fortune has grown to over $147 billion. When asked how to build such wealth, Buffett didn't hesitate.



"Mr. Buffett, how can I make $30 billion?" someone asked. Buffett laughed and responded, "Start young."



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.</li>



<li>Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a></li>
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He then went on to explain his philosophy, using his signature snowball analogy. "Charlie's always said that the big thing about it is we started <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/11/41810582/charlie-munger-warned-its-a-b-tch-but-you-gotta-do-it-your-100-000-is-the-hardest-but-the-most-i">building this little snowball on top of a very long hill</a>," Buffett said, referring to his longtime business partner, Charlie Munger. "So we started at a very early age in rolling the snowball down, and of course, the snowball – the nature of compound interest – is it behaves like a snowball of sticky snow." The key, he explained, is having a "very long hill," which means either starting early or living a long life.



But what if you're not a teenage investing prodigy? Buffett laid out exactly how he'd approach investing if he were starting over with just $10,000. "I would do it exactly the same way if I were doing it in the investment world," he said. "If I were getting out of school today and I had $10,000 to invest, I'd start with the A's. I would start going right through companies."



Trending: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a>



His strategy would be to focus on smaller companies, where "there's more chance that something is overlooked." He acknowledged that the investing landscape had changed since 1951, when he could leaf through stock listings and find obvious bargains. But the fundamental principle remained the same: "You have to buy businesses – or little pieces of businesses called stocks – and you have to buy them at attractive prices, and you have to buy into good businesses." Even though he said this nearly 26 years ago, his advice still holds up. Some might argue that times have changed, but Buffett was clear: "That advice will be the same a hundred years from now, in terms of investing."



Buffett also made it clear that successful investing is a solo effort. "You can't expect anybody else to do it for you," he warned. "People will not tell you about wonderful little investments. It's not the way the investment business is set up."



He illustrated this point with a personal story about discovering GEICO as a young investor. Excited about what he'd found, he went to major investment firms specializing in insurance stocks, expecting them to validate his insight. Instead, they dismissed him. "I thought I discovered this wonderful thing," Buffett recalled. "And I see what these great investment houses that specialized in insurance stocks said, and they said I didn't know what I was talking about. It wasn't of any interest to them."



See Also: Many don&#8217;t know there are tax benefits when buying a unit as an investment —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/casa-shares"> Here&#8217;s how to invest in real estate by mirroring BlackRock's big move</a>



His takeaway? Investors need to trust their own judgment. "You've got to learn what you know and what you don't know, and within the arena of what you know, you have to just pursue it very vigorously and act on it when you find it," Buffett said. "You can't look around for people to agree with you. You can't look around for people to even know what you're talking about. You have to think for yourself."



Even with a $147 billion fortune today, Buffett's advice hasn't changed. The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">secret to getting rich</a> isn't about chasing the latest market trends or relying on hot stock tips. It's about patience, discipline and the power of compounding – rolling that snowball down a long hill.



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<li>How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/tax-deferring-adv"> Tax deferring is their number one strategy</a>.</li>



<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!</a></li>
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Warren Buffett Was Asked How A Regular Person Gets Rich? He Detailed Exactly How He'd Make $30 Billion Starting Over With Only $10,000

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