SPDR Galaxy Digital Asset Ecosystem ETF (NASDAQ: DECO)

最新ニュース SPDR Galaxy Digital Asset Ecosystem ETF (NASDAQ:DECO)

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Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80 percent of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes), directly or indirectly, in Digital Asset Ecosystem investments and other instruments that provide exposure to the Digital Asset Ecosystem. The Fund will provide shareholders with at least sixty (60) days' notice prior to any change in its 80 percent investment policy. The Fund expects to gain exposure to Spot Crypto Asset ETPs and crypto asset futures by investing in a wholly-owned subsidiary, an exempted limited company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (Subsidiary). The Subsidiary and the Fund may also invest in cash and cash equivalents or money market instruments (including money market funds advised by SSGA FM), which are intended to provide liquidity, preserve capital, and serve as collateral for the Subsidiary's or Fund's derivative instruments. Collective exposure to Crypto Asset Futures ETFs, Spot Crypto Asset ETPs and crypto asset futures will not exceed 25 percent of the Fund's assets. The Fund does not invest directly in crypto assets.

Riot Blockchain Inc.

Cipher Mining Tech Pipe

Micron Technology, Inc.

Coinbase Global, Inc.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

Robinhood Markets Inc - A

Core Scientific Inc Common Stock

Vertiv Group Corp

Cleanspark Inc.

Iris Energy Ltd

SPDR Galaxy Digital Asset Ecosystem ETF

DECOIN

Last week, gold and silver prices dropped after the U.S. and China agreed to temporarily reduce most tariffs on each other&#8217;s goods. This could be driving a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45429569" rel="noreferrer noopener">rotation out of safe-haven assets</a>.
Most gold mining stocks were among the top ten large-cap worst performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) shares dipped 23.31%  in reaction to a media report on a possible investigation <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45443695" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">for criminal Medicare fraud</a>.</li>
<li>Fiserv, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FI#NYSE">FI</a>) shares were down 9.46%.</li>
<li>Alamos Gold Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AGI#NYSE">AGI</a>) shares declined 9.43%.</li>
<li>Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AEM#NYSE">AEM</a>) stock fell 9.27%.</li>
<li>AngloGold Ashanti PLC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AU#NYSE">AU</a>) stock dived 9.06%.</li>
<li>Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KGC#NYSE">KGC</a>) stock fell 8.96%.</li>
<li>Wheaton Precious Metals Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WPM#NYSE">WPM</a>) shares decreased 8.48%</li>
<li>Gold Fields Limited (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GFI#NYSE">GFI</a>) shares were down 8.47%.</li>
<li>Barrick Mining Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/B#NYSE">B</a>) stock decreased 8.38%.</li>
<li>Royal Gold, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RGLD#NASDAQ">RGLD</a>) stock dived 7.20%.</li>
</ol>
Image Via Shutterstock

Equities

Large Cap

News

Commodities

Movers

RGLD

Gold Mining Stocks Were Among Top 10 Large-Cap Losers Last Week (May 12-May 16): Are These In Your Portfolio?

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45184119/google-microsoft-meta-and-mclaren-back-mombaks-30m-amazon-reforestation-push-targeting-600m-in-carbon-credit-deals-by-2025">Google</a> is launching a major AI initiative that could shape the next generation of artificial intelligence startups. The AI Futures Fund promises direct investment, access to Google's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/05/45314987/google-deploys-on-device-gemini-ai-to-fight-online-scams-blocks-millions-of-fraud-pages-in-real-time">Gemini</a> AI models, and deep technical mentorship for founders pushing the edge of innovation.
In a<a href="https://blog.google/technology/google-labs/ai-futures-fund/"> blog post</a> published Monday, Google outlined its intent to work closely with ambitious early-stage companies. The fund will offer hands-on support from Google's research and engineering teams, alongside go-to-market specialists and cloud credits to scale AI development.
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</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gemini-Powered Startups Get The Google Advantage</h2>
The AI Futures Fund will focus on helping founders build transformative products powered by Gemini, Google&#8217;s flagship AI model suite. According to AI Futures Fund&#8217;s<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmv3YKZtCr_HyQdtMWfUCjUUmxPuPTL9lV29Gs4k8d3P1iwg/viewform"> application page</a>, startups will be granted early access to the models and receive technical guidance directly from Google's in-house experts.
In addition to access and expertise, Google is sweetening the deal with cloud credits. These can be used to build, deploy, and scale high-performance AI systems on Google Cloud, according to the startup&#8217;s<a href="https://labs.google/aifuturesfund"> website</a>. With many generative AI models requiring expensive infrastructure to train and operate, these credits give early-stage companies a head start.
According to<a href="https://siliconangle.com/2025/05/12/googles-new-ai-futures-fund-turns-tap-startup-founders/"> SiliconANGLE</a>, Google aims to deepen its exposure to emerging AI startups and technologies through the AI Futures Fund, giving the company early insight into innovation while strengthening its position in a competitive field already shaped by rivals like Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), and OpenAI.
The fund will complement Google's previous $3 billion in combined investments in generative AI company Anthropic, where it holds a significant ownership stake and cloud partnership, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/12/google-launches-ai-startup-fund-offering-access-to-new-models.html">CNBC</a> reports. This tie-in positions Google to shape the trajectory of multiple leading-edge players simultaneously.
Trending: 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-scaling-fast-from-spacex-orders-to-600-homes-built-this-60k-foldable-home-may-be-the-future-of-housing">this is your last chance to become an investor for $0.80 per share.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Google Doubles Down On Global AI Ecosystem Building</h2>
The AI Futures Fund is only the latest in a series of moves by Google to position itself as a key player in AI ecosystem growth. The company<a href="https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/google-org/google-generative-ai-accelerator-nonprofits/"> announced</a> in March 2024 a $20 million nonprofit accelerator through Google.org focused on generative AI, followed by an<a href="https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/public-policy/google-united-nations-general-assembly-2024/"> introduction</a> in September of a $120 million Global AI Opportunity fund.
The giant also <a href="https://startup.google.com/programs/founders-funds/">launched</a> the Google for Startups Founders Funds in 2020. According to the company's website, the program has provided over $58 million in equity-free cash awards and support to more than 600 founders from diverse backgrounds since its inception.
The program expanded its focus to include AI startups in the U.S., with plans to extend support to international founders shortly, according to a<a href="https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/entrepreneurs/2024-google-for-startups-founders-funds/"> blog post</a>. This expansion aims to empower diverse entrepreneurs leveraging AI technology to solve real-world problems and drive innovation.
This broader commitment to inclusion in AI development has been echoed at the highest levels of the company. During his keynote at the United Nations' Summit of the Future in September, Google CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized Google's mission to ensure broad, equitable access to AI. "Just as the internet and mobile devices expanded opportunities for people around the world, now AI is poised to accelerate progress at unprecedented scale," Pichai said, according to a blog post from Google.&nbsp;
See Also: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/a-cure-for-osteoarthritis-powered-by-everyday-investors-cytonics-is-looking-to-beat-big-pharma-and-disrupt-a-390-billion-market"> Invest in Cytonics and help disrupt a $390B Big Pharma stronghold</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Building The Next Generation Of AI Giants</h2>
At its core, the AI Futures Fund aims to surface the most daring AI ideas and accelerate their journey from concept to product. According to the application page, Google wants to "enable groundbreaking 0-to-1 products and features" by working closely with founders across all stages of growth.
Applications for the fund are now open, and the founders selected will enter Google's ecosystem with a toolkit that includes capital, exclusive model access, technical guidance, and go-to-market alignment, as detailed on the company&#8217;s website.
As investors search for the next wave of AI breakthroughs, and startups look for the resources to stay ahead, the AI Futures Fund could prove to be one of the most strategically important moves in Google's recent history.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/this-ai-imaging-technology-has-been-used-in-more-than-500-surgeries-now-you-can-be-part-of-the-ai-imaging-revolution">Be part of the next med-tech breakthrough for only $350 — 500+ surgeries already done with nView's AI system.</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 $0.30/share!</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

AMZN

MSFT

Google's AI Futures Fund Gives Startups VIP Access To DeepMind Models, Backing From Sundar Pichai, And Cloud Credits Worth Millions

Ivanka Trump made an unexpected visit to the Philadelphia Eagles locker room on Friday. The visit seemed to be aimed at meeting cornerback Eli Ricks, who had previously complimented her.
What Happened: Ivanka Trump was seen in&nbsp;the Philadelphia Eagles&#8217; locker room, apparently in search of&nbsp;Eli Ricks, the player who&nbsp;had referred to her as&nbsp;&#8220;beautiful&#8221; during the team&#8217;s White&nbsp;House visit in April.
Ricks had initially posted on X,&nbsp;&#8220;Donald trump daughter is beautiful,&#8221;&nbsp;on April 29, to which Ivanka responded with a post stating, &#8220;Missed you today,&#8221; along with&nbsp;a photo of a note&nbsp;to Ricks that read,&nbsp;&#8220;stopped by to say hi!&nbsp;Sorry to miss you! Go&nbsp;Birds!&#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">Missed you today <a href="https://twitter.com/eliasricks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@eliasricks</a> ! &#x1f609;&#x1f602; <a href="https://t.co/FCwieXiP8k">https://t.co/FCwieXiP8k</a> <a href="https://t.co/4fTVEbm6NC">pic.twitter.com/4fTVEbm6NC</a>
&mdash; Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/IvankaTrump/status/1923484687944569138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
During her visit, Ivanka also posted videos and photos of her son Theo playing catch on the Eagles&#8217; practice field. Ricks, who&nbsp;joined the Eagles in 2023&nbsp;as an undrafted free agent, has participated in 23 games for the team since his joining.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/02/37193915/judge-calls-out-ivanka-trump-in-new-york-civil-fraud-case-says-her-memory-recall-was-suspect" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Judge Calls Out Ivanka Trump In New York Civil Fraud Case, Says Her Memory Recall Was &#8216;Suspect&#8217;</a>
This visit by Ivanka Trump to the Eagles&#8217; locker room is a unique event, as it is not common for high-profile figures to make such personal visits to sports teams. The interaction between Ivanka and Ricks has been a topic of interest since their exchange on social media. 
The visit also highlights the personal interest of Ivanka in the team, as evidenced by her son&#8217;s participation in a catch game on the practice field. 
This event could potentially influence the public perception of the Eagles and their players, and it will be interesting to see if there are any further developments in this story.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/02/37301314/ivanka-trump-is-now-on-tiktok-even-though-her-father-tried-to-ban-it-in-the-us">Ivanka Trump Is Now On TikTok — Even Though Her Father Tried To Ban It In The US</a>

Entertainment

Sports

Ivanka Trump Drops by Eagles Locker Room, Responds to Player Who Called Her 'Beautiful': 'Stopped By To Say Hi! Sorry To Miss You! Go Birds!'

Klarna is backpedaling after cutting hundreds of human jobs and replacing them with artificial intelligence. The Swedish buy-now-pay-later company now says real people are essential to customer service and plans to bring them back—but in a gig-style setup.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">From All-In on AI to Human Reboot</h2>
Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski, once eager to make the company OpenAI&#8217;s &#8220;favorite guinea pig,&#8221; is now rethinking that approach. &#8220;From a brand perspective, a company perspective, I just think it's so critical that you are clear to your customer that there will be always a human if you want,&#8221; he told <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-08/klarna-turns-from-ai-to-real-person-customer-service">Bloomberg</a>.
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The company previously laid off workers and paused hiring, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/02/43679965/klarnas-ceo-says-ai-can-already-do-all-the-jobs-that-we-as-humans-do-and-hes-proving-it-by-shrinking-his-workforce-by-22">touting its AI chatbot</a> as capable of doing the work of 700 support agents. That strategy helped save $10 million on marketing and contributed to Klarna&#8217;s push for efficiency after its valuation plunged from $45.6 billion to $6.7 billion in 2022. But now, Klarna is shifting again.
The new plan is apparently to hire remote <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44144291/the-worlds-largest-call-center-company-will-use-ai-to-scrub-indian-accents-to-create-more-intimacy-increase-customer-satisfaction">customer service agents</a> who can log in and out as needed, similar to Uber drivers. The company is targeting students, rural populations, and even existing users to fill these roles. &#8220;There are tons of Klarna users that are very passionate about our company and would enjoy working for us,&#8221; Siemiatkowski told Bloomberg.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Reality Check for AI</h2>
This change comes after increasing signs that AI can't fully handle human-facing tasks. Siemiatkowski admitted to Bloomberg that Klarna went too far. &#8220;As cost unfortunately seems to have been a too predominant evaluation factor when organizing this, what you end up having is lower quality,&#8221; he said.
Trending: 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-scaling-fast-from-spacex-orders-to-600-homes-built-this-60k-foldable-home-may-be-the-future-of-housing">this is your last chance to become an investor for $0.80 per share.</a>
Investor Chamath Palihapitiya <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">called Klarna's move a warning</a> for the tech sector. He <a href="https://x.com/chamath/status/1922096736308490416">wrote on X</a> that the company&#8217;s shift could force many startups to pivot to simply &#8220;use AI for narrow use cases&#8221; and warned that replacing humans with &#8220;probabilistic code&#8221; is &#8220;fraught with edge cases.&#8221;
Klarna&#8217;s approach now blends AI with human support, rather than relying entirely on automation. As spokesperson Clare Nordstrom told <a href="https://www.customerexperiencedive.com/news/klarna-reinvests-human-talent-customer-service-AI-chatbot/747586/">CX Dive</a>: &#8220;AI gives us speed. Talent gives us empathy. Together, we can deliver service that&#8217;s fast when it should be, and empathetic and personal when it needs to be.&#8221;
Klarna says it&#8217;s committed to this hybrid model going forward, but the workforce will still shrink over time due to natural attrition. The company expects to drop from 3,000 employees to around 2,500 within a year as tech continues to evolve.
For Klarna, it's less about reversing course entirely and more about acknowledging that humans still matter, just on different terms.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/this-ai-imaging-technology-has-been-used-in-more-than-500-surgeries-now-you-can-be-part-of-the-ai-imaging-revolution">Be part of the next med-tech breakthrough for only $350 — 500+ surgeries already done with nView's AI system.</a></li>
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Image: Shutterstock

After Firing 700 Humans For AI, Klarna Now Wants Them Back—'Tons Of Klarna Users Would Enjoy Working For Us,' Says CEO

Renowned hedge fund manager Michael Burry has made a substantial alteration to his portfolio, maintaining only one bullish position.
What Happened: The recent SEC filings indicate that Burry&#8217;s Scion Asset Management has adopted a predominantly bearish outlook. The firm has established a significant&nbsp;position in put options against&nbsp;Nvidia&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), suggesting a pessimistic view on the chipmaker&#8217;s stock.
The <a href="https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1649339">filings </a>also reveal that Scion has switched its previously bullish stance on Chinese equities, purchasing&nbsp;bearish put options on major&nbsp;Chinese firms, including Alibaba&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>)&nbsp;and Baidu&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIDU#NASDAQ">BIDU</a>).
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45483312/peter-lynchs-market-advice-you-dont-need-a-lot-in-your-lifetime-you-only-need-a-few-good-socks-in-your-li" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peter Lynch&#8217;s Market Advice: &#8216;You Don&#8217;t Need A Lot In Your Lifetime, You Only Need A Few Good Stocks In Your Lifetime&#8217; (CORRECTED)</a>
Notably, Scion&#8217;s sole&nbsp;remaining long position is in&nbsp;Estee Lauder&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EL#NYSE">EL</a>), a cosmetics giant based in New York. This single bullish position underscores Burry&#8217;s prudent market strategy, as the cosmetics sector is frequently deemed recession-proof.
This is the second time&nbsp;in recent years that Burry&nbsp;has made significant changes to Scion&#8217;s portfolio. In 2023, he significantly cut the firm&#8217;s&nbsp;holdings, only to later admit&nbsp;his error and make new, focused investments.
Why It Matters: Michael Burry&#8217;s portfolio adjustments are closely watched by investors due to his reputation for predicting the 2007 housing market crash. His latest move to a largely bearish stance, particularly against Nvidia and major Chinese companies, could signal his anticipation of a downturn in these sectors. 
Furthermore, his sole bullish position in Estee Lauder suggests that he views the cosmetics industry as a safe haven amidst potential market volatility. 
This shift in strategy may influence other investors to reassess their own portfolios and market outlooks.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/emerging-markets/25/01/42933234/michael-burrys-hedge-fund-could-soar-if-china-cuts-interest-rates-in-2025">Michael Burry&#8217;s Hedge Fund Could Soar if China Cuts Interest Rates in 2025</a>
Image: Shutterstock/Sorbis

Markets

BABA

BIDU

NVDA

Michael Burry Makes Major Portfolio Shift, Holding Only One Asset He Deems 'Recession-Proof'

These mid-cap stocks were the best performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FL#NYSE">FL</a>) shares rocketed 98.58% after Dick's Sporting Goods Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DKS#NYSE">DKS</a>) agreed to acquire the company at equity value of around $2.4 billion. Also, the company issued <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45435748" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preliminary first-quarter results</a>. Several analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/fl/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">raised the price forecast</a>.</li>
<li>Archer Aviation Inc.'s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACHR#NYSE">ACHR</a>) stock jumped 50.96% after the company reported better-than-expected EPS results and announced an exclusive partnership that will make it the official air taxi provider of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45443360" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games</a>.  </li>
<li>DigitalBridge Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DBRG#NYSE">DBRG</a>) shares increased 38.63%. Traders circulate an unconfirmed takeover rumor that 26North is in talks to acquire the company.</li>
<li>NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMR#NYSE">SMR</a>) stock escalated 38.51%  following the release <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45383335" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">of its first-quarter earnings</a>.</li>
<li>Diginex Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DGNX#NASDAQ">DGNX</a>) stock jumped 38.37%.</li>
<li>ImmunityBio, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBRX#NASDAQ">IBRX</a>) shares rose 37.20% after the company reported<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45343007" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> better-than-expected results</a>.</li>
<li>Oklo Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OKLO#NYSE">OKLO</a>) stock increased 34.28% after the company reported a year-over-year <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45472603" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">increase in first-quarter results</a>.</li>
<li>Intuitive Machines, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LUNR#NASDAQ">LUNR</a>) shares grew 33.77% after the company issued FY25 sales guidance with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45400804" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">its midpoint above estimates</a>.</li>
</ol>
Photo via Shutterstock

Mid Cap

ACHR

DBRG

DGNX

IBRX

LUNR

OKLO

Foot Locker And Archer Aviation Are Among Top 8 Mid-Cap Gainers Last Week (May 12-May 16): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

Financial guru Ramit Sethi hasn't been afraid to talk about politics. He's been very critical of Trump's tariffs, and that has caused some people to tell him to <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@ramit.sethi/video/7489842192853519662?lang=en">knock it off</a>. It seems like when any celebrity or influencer talks about politics, people who don't like the person's opinions want the political talk to tone down.
It makes sense for some industries more than others to discuss politics, and finance is one of them. You don't have to bring politics into every conversation, but it makes sense to discuss politics when talking about finance. Sethi concisely explains why.
"Money is political," he said in a recent TikTok.&nbsp;
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</ul>
Sethi explains money's role in politics and why it's important to bring politics to the forefront of financial conversations.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Healthcare, Housing, and College Are Expensive Because Of Politics</h2>
Sethi starts by explaining how politics influence the prices of critical investments and services. Some people need healthcare services to live, but higher costs can price them out. Medical bills are one of the big reasons why people file for bankruptcy, so political issues around healthcare affect personal finances.
Sethi makes the same claims about housing and college tuition. Politicians can shorten the maximum mortgage term length or prevent big investment firms from gobbling up single-family homes, but they aren't. Trump didn't do that during his first term, and neither did Biden.&nbsp;
"That's a political choice that America made to keep your housing expensive," Sethi states.
Trending: 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-scaling-fast-from-spacex-orders-to-600-homes-built-this-60k-foldable-home-may-be-the-future-of-housing">this is your last chance to become an investor for $0.80 per share.</a>
The same logic applies to colleges. College tuition soared when student loans were introduced. Tighter guardrails around student loans can make college more affordable for everyone. Talking about these issues invites debate and allows people to discuss constructive solutions that can improve people's finances.
Money and politics are intertwined.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Politics Impact The Stock Market</h2>
Sethi also explained how politics affects the stock market. This is a big deal for finance since people put their money into the stock market for retirement. Tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and fiscal policies are some of the forces that affect stock prices.
People want to know how to navigate the stock market and what to monitor. They look at earnings reports and industrial trends to gauge which stocks are worth buying. Politics also affect the stock market, and investors want to stay informed.&nbsp;
Later in the video, he claims that Trump inherited a great economy from Biden, which recovered better than any developed country. Sethi asserts that Trump messed up the economy and gaslighted his supporters into believing that the economy was horrible under Biden.
See Also: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/wideradvisor-retirement-planning">Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey – no cost, no obligation</a>.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sethi Goes Off On Trump's Tariffs</h2>
Sethi then went off on Trump's tariffs, calling them a tax on the poor and middle class. Tariffs make most products more expensive since many products are made overseas. Companies that exclusively do all of their manufacturing in America can do well with tariffs, but these companies may also rely on overseas materials to create their products.
Furthermore, it's possible that American companies that are unaffected by tariffs raise prices on their products and services because they can. Sethi then stated that he believes in a theory that Trump is using tariffs so that companies can pay him to make exceptions.
"[He's] basically setting up a structure for him to receive bribes," Sethi suggested in the video.
Tariffs are political policies that have significant ramifications on people's finances. That's why it makes sense for financial influencers to discuss politics. It's hard to talk about personal finance without bringing up big political issues that affect people's wallets.
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Personal Finance

Ramit Sethi Explains Why He Won't Stop Talking About Politics: 'Money Is Political'

President Donald Trump expressed his disapproval of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) following the company&#8217;s warnings about potential price hikes due to tariffs.
What Happened: On Saturday, Trump used his Truth Social platform to voice his criticism of Walmart&#8217;s tariff-related price increase warnings. The President urged both Walmart and China to &#8220;EAT THE TARIFFS,&#8221; and avoid passing the costs onto consumers.
&#8220;Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain. Walmart made BILLIONS OF DOLLARS last year, far more than expected. Between Walmart and China they should, as is said, "EAT THE TARIFFS," and not charge valued customers ANYTHING. I'll be watching, and so will your customers!!!&#8221; Trump wrote in the <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114523638623110397">post</a>. 
Last week John David Rainey, Walmart&#8217;s CFO, had commented <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/17/trump-tells-walmart-to-eat-the-tariffs.html">in</a> a CNBC interview about the unprecedented speed and magnitude of the price increases due to tariffs, creating a challenging environment for the retail giant.
While acknowledging the progress made by the Trump administration on tariffs, Rainey stated that they were still too high. Despite a 90-day reprieve that reduced&nbsp;duties on Chinese imports to&nbsp;30%, Walmart, which imports goods from several countries including China, is feeling the financial strain.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45185792/young-americans-express-discontent-over-trumps-china-tariffs">Young Americans Express Discontent Over Trump&#8217;s China Tariffs</a>
"We have not seen price increases at this magnitude, in the speed in which they're coming at us before, and so it makes for a challenging environment," Rainey mentioned. 
Walmart is committed to maintaining competitive prices and plans to&nbsp;absorb some of the tariff-related&nbsp;costs. Rainey also anticipates that suppliers will bear some of the higher costs.
In response to Trump&#8217;s post, Walmart reaffirmed its commitment to keeping&nbsp;prices as low as possible, despite&nbsp;the reality of small retail&nbsp;margins.
Walmart joins a growing list of companies, including Microsoft and Mattel, warning of price increases due to tariffs. Some of these companies have already implemented price hikes on certain products.
Why It Matters: The escalating trade tensions and the resultant tariffs are putting pressure on retailers like Walmart, forcing them to navigate between maintaining competitive prices and managing increased costs. 
The public exchange between Trump and Walmart highlights the ongoing challenges faced by global retailers amidst fluctuating trade policies. 
The situation warrants close monitoring as it could potentially impact consumer spending and the broader retail industry.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45184120/warren-buffett-warns-tariffs-could-backfire-on-economy-says-trade-should-not-be-a-weapon-its-a-big-mistake-i-dont-think-its-wise" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warren Buffett Warns Tariffs Could Backfire on Economy, Says, ‘Trade Should Not Be A Weapon. It's A Big Mistake, I Don't Think It's Wise'</a>
Image: Shutterstock/ZikG

Politics

Trump's Tariff Challenge: Amid Rising Price Concerns, President Tells Walmart to 'Eat the Tariffs'

A recent call to the "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcwYsdkbvrc">The Ramsey Show</a>" revealed a couple trying to make all the right financial moves: no debt, a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/06/39417929/is-suze-orman-right-use-a-roth-ira-as-a-backup-emergency-fund-can-you-really-have-your-cake-and-">six-month emergency fund</a>, and a combined post-deduction income of $145,000. Their plan? Live on one income and invest the other.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ramsey Steers Away</h2>
"Of that $145,000 that is take-home, $85,000 is mine and $60,000 is hers," the caller said. "So invest 60% of our take-home income. Is that overkill?"
The couple, both recent college grads, are renting and have big plans. The wife eventually wants to stay home with future kids. Until then, they want to go <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/high-return-investments">all in on investing</a> to build wealth quickly.
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But Dave Ramsey wasn't on board.
Instead of celebrating the couple&#8217;s intensity, Ramsey redirected the conversation to real estate. "Very, very few people that we have studied or that we know of and have tracked with that became wealthy used that plan," he said of long-term renting while investing aggressively.
Ramsey emphasized that rent will keep going up. "When the largest line item is rent and it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44818878/why-is-the-system-rigged-why-even-try-one-renter-asks-as-wages-stay-flat-and-rents-soar-while-landlo">goes up every single year</a>, your largest item is out of your control," he said. "When you fix it by buying and then you pay that house off … you have a net worth of a million and a half."
He urged the caller to save for a down payment instead of investing so much. "I would save a maximum of 15% of my household income into retirement," Ramsey said. "I would <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-use-hsa-for-retirement">stop the HSA</a> … and then I&#8217;d see how fast I can build up a fat, juicy down payment."
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Ramsey also chimed in with a cultural observation. "Guys can live under a bridge, 100%," he joked. His co-host, Ken Coleman, added, "When she becomes a stay-at-home mama, I promise you this … she&#8217;s gonna want a house."
Even Ramsey admitted he might be out of touch. "I forget ‘cause I&#8217;ve gotten old and I&#8217;ve been doing this so long," he said.
Buying a home can offer <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-long-to-build-wealth-in-real-estate">long-term financial benefits</a> that renting typically doesn't. While renting may seem more flexible in the short run, homeownership locks in housing costs and allows for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-calculate-home-equity">equity growth</a>, which can result in significantly greater wealth over time.
In the end, Ramsey praised the caller's mindset but offered a course correction: focus less on extreme investing and more on stability. "You&#8217;re actually paying attention, you&#8217;re planning, you&#8217;re thinking," he said. "You&#8217;re going to win."
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Is 60% Of $145,000 Take-Home Too Much To Invest? A Dave Ramsey Caller Asks. He Replies, 'Look, Guys Can Live Under A Bridge, But…

The cryptocurrency market is witnessing a significant downturn, with Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>) being notably impacted. 
As per a&nbsp;report, the market has seen liquidations worth $298 million in cryptocurrencies, with Shiba Inu&#8217;s value declining by 5.81%.
The downturn for Shiba Inu commenced at&nbsp;the start of the week,&nbsp;with a promising price surge abruptly halted&nbsp;on May 12 due to&nbsp;a slump in the wider&nbsp;cryptocurrency market. Since May 11,&nbsp;SHIB has recorded losses on&nbsp;five out of six days&nbsp;as investors cashed in during rallies.
<a href="https://app.intotheblock.com/coin/SHIB/deep-dive?group=all&amp;chart=all">Data</a> from IntoTheBlock reveals that a staggering 25.74 trillion SHIB are presently held by 34,170 addresses within the narrow price bracket of&nbsp;$0.000014 and $0.000015, where SHIB&nbsp;is currently trading. This suggests that a significant portion of SHIB is held at a critical level.
The prevailing market conditions imply that&nbsp;the 25.74 trillion SHIB held&nbsp;within this range could be &#8220;stuck,&#8221; as the holders might be either breaking even or incurring losses, waiting for market trends to dictate their subsequent actions. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45185999/shiba-inus-shibarium-is-booming-heres-whats-driving-the-54-transaction-surge">Shiba Inu&#8217;s Shibarium Is Booming — Here&#8217;s What&#8217;s Driving the 54% Transaction Surge</a>
This consolidation zone could potentially serve&nbsp;as a support level if&nbsp;holders within this range opt to hold onto their assets in anticipation of a price recovery.
With SHIB clinging to the lower end&nbsp;of the $0.000014 to $0.000015&nbsp;range, the focus is now on whether it can bounce back or break. As it stands, the dog-themed coin, along with trillions of tokens, is trapped in a state of uncertainty.
The current situation of Shiba Inu highlights the volatility and unpredictability inherent in the cryptocurrency market. The significant amount of SHIB held at a decisive level underscores the uncertainty faced by investors. 
The future of SHIB and similar cryptocurrencies will largely depend on market trends and investor sentiment, making it crucial for investors to closely monitor these factors.
Read Next
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Image: Shutterstock

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

Cryptocurrency

$SHIB

25.74 Trillion Shiba Inu Stuck, As SHIB Trapped In Uncertainty Amid Market Downturn

Decagon, a two-year-old AI startup helping companies cut customer support costs, is in talks to raise $100 million at a $1.5 billion valuation, according to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/rashishrivastava/2025/05/02/ai-startup-decagon-in-talks-to-raise-100-million-at-a-15-billion-valuation/">Forbes</a>, which cites multiple sources familiar with the deal.
Founded in 2023 by Jesse Zhang and Ashwin Sreenivas, Decagon builds customer support agents powered by artificial intelligence. These agents can <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44251055/cutting-costs-without-cutting-corners-via-ai-and-automation">handle common service tasks</a> like issuing refunds, canceling subscriptions and answering product questions. Companies including Notion, Duolingo (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DUOL#NASDAQ">DUOL</a>), Bilt, Substack and Rippling already use the software.
&#8220;We think AI agents can be 10x employees,&#8221; Zhang told Forbes.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Winning Bake-Offs, Cutting Costs</h2>
Decagon's rise has been driven by its performance in what insiders call "bake-offs," where companies test AI tools head-to-head. &#8220;Decagon claims they win almost every time they go up against Sierra head to head,&#8221; one investor involved in the talks told Forbes. Sierra is a newer rival that is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/02/37147866/openais-chair-bret-taylor-dismisses-concerns-about-his-ai-chatbot-startup-competing-with-chatgpt-par">led by former Salesforce (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRM#NYSE">CRM</a>) co-CEO Bret Taylor</a>.
Startups are turning to these agents to handle tedious tasks that would otherwise require large outsourced teams. Forbes reported that Bilt, for example, reduced its customer support team from hundreds of contractors to just 65 after adopting Decagon. Another unnamed client reportedly cut 80% of its support staff. ClassPass, which uses Decagon to manage more than 2.5 million customer conversations, slashed its cost per reservation by 95%, according to <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/classpass-got-support-bot-par-humans">The Information</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">$200 Million in Total Funding</h2>
The potential new funding round is being led by Andreessen Horowitz and Accel, with participation from existing backers. It would bring Decagon's total funding to $200 million, following a $65 million Series B round announced in October that valued the company at $650 million.
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The company's AI agents run on top of large language models from OpenAI, Anthropic and Cohere, and are fine-tuned using company-specific data like user manuals, how-to guides and historical customer service chats. A proprietary system helps companies keep this training data fresh and relevant.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Control, Transparency, and Voice</h2>
A key selling point, according to investors, is that Decagon gives businesses clear control over how its AI responds to customers.
&#8220;You as a customer can actually see what&#8217;s happening, understand it, and change things,&#8221; investor Elad Gil told Forbes. &#8220;You have control so that it really does the things that you want it to do.&#8221;
Decagon has also started partnering with ElevenLabs to build voice-enabled agents that sound more human, pushing beyond typed chat interactions.
See Also: The team behind $6B+ in licensing deals is now building the next billion-dollar IP empire — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elf-labs-ym?v=123">invest early at $2.25/share.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Salesforce Enters the Arena</h2>
While Decagon has earned praise for its performance and transparency, it faces stiff competition. Salesforce recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44146057/salesforce-unveils-agentforce-2dx-ai-agents-that-work-beyond-chatbots">launched Agentforce 2dx</a>, a major update to its AI platform that allows agents to work behind the scenes, not just in chat windows. The update includes low-code and pro-code tools for building agents, real-time monitoring, and a developer edition for testing.
&#8220;We're making it easier than ever for businesses to embed agentic AI into any workflow,&#8221;&nbsp; Adam Evans, Salesforce's EVP and GM of AI Platform, said in a <a href="https://investor.salesforce.com/news/news-details/2025/Salesforce-Launches-Agentforce-2dx-with-New-Capabilities-to-Embed-Proactive-Agentic-AI-into-Any-Workflow-Create-Multimodal-Experiences-and-Extend-Digital-Labor-Throughout-the-Enterprise/default.aspx">statement</a>.
Salesforce also introduced AgentExchange, a marketplace that allows developers and partners to monetize prebuilt AI actions, templates and solutions.
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DUOL

'AI Agents Can Be 10x Employees'—AI Customer Support Chatbot Startup Founded Two Years Ago Seeks $100 Million At A $1.5 Billion Valuation

It's no surprise that money remains a major source of stress for many Americans. From rising living expenses to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/retirement">uncertainty about retirement</a>, financial anxiety continues to weigh heavily on households — and it's not just about what's happening today, but about how secure people feel about their futures.
A recent Gallup <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/660071/inflation-top-financial-problem-fewer-cite.aspx">survey</a> offers new insight into what's weighing on American households. Inflation remains the most-cited financial concern, named by 29% of respondents. That number is down from 41% in 2022 — a notable drop — but still much higher than pre-2021 levels.
It's clear that people are still feeling the aftershocks of the inflation surge, even if price increases have slowed. The survey also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45384608/u-s-households-now-need-70-more-income-to-buy-a-home-double-whammy-of-skyrocketing-prices-and-rates">found that housing costs</a> and a general lack of money tied as the second-biggest concerns, each cited by 12% of Americans.
While inflation worries have eased, broader financial anxiety has not. A record-high 53% of Americans say their financial situation is getting worse, while just 38% say it's improving. Nearly six in 10 are worried they won't have enough for retirement or to cover major medical expenses. And 57% fear they won't be able to maintain their current standard of living — a concern that's grown 15 points since 2019.
The worry is widespread but varies by income. Middle-income households are the most likely to name inflation as their top issue. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42173927/how-rich-are-you-find-out-whether-you-rank-as-upper-middle-or-lower-class-based-on-income-and-other-factors">Lower-income households</a> are more focused on making ends meet, while upper-income respondents are more concerned about investments and retirement planning.
So while inflation may no longer be dominating headlines, its impact continues to ripple through Americans' wallets and confidence. Whether these concerns grow or ease will likely depend on the direction of economic policy, especially new tariffs and their potential to push prices higher again. For now, caution and concern remain the norm.
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Financial Advisors

Inflation Still Tops Americans' Financial Concerns, But New Worries Are Emerging

Justine Musk, the first wife of billionaire Elon Musk, offered her unique perspective on the journey to becoming a billionaire. She emphasized that there is no clear-cut path or strategy to amass such wealth.
What Happened: Justine Musk responded to a&nbsp;2015 Quora thread asking if sheer determination and hard work could&nbsp;lead to a billion-dollar fortune.&nbsp;Her response was a resounding &#8220;No.&#8221;
She stressed that determination alone is not enough. To attain billionaire status, one must be prepared to face extreme challenges and demonstrate high levels of risk tolerance and resilience.
Justine Musk advised shifting the focus from personal wants to understanding and catering to the needs and wants of the world. She emphasized the importance of developing unique and irreplaceable potential.
She&nbsp;<a href="https://www.quora.com/Will-I-become-a-billionaire-if-I-am-determined-to-be-one-and-put-in-all-the-necessary-work-required" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wrote</a>,&nbsp;"You're determined. So what? You&nbsp;haven't been racing naked through&nbsp;shark-infested waters yet," underlining the high level of risk and resilience required to accumulate such wealth.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/07/39657381/elon-musks-mother-recounts-time-her-children-used-to-ask-for-food-she-couldnt-afford-after-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk's Mother Recounts Time Her Children Used To Ask For Food She Couldn't Afford After Her Divorce: ‘If They Complained, I Didn't Listen'</a>
"Will you be just as determined when you wash up on some deserted island, disoriented and bloody and ragged and beaten and staring into the horizon with no sign of rescue?" she added in the post. 
"Shift your focus away from what you want a billion dollars and get deeply, intensely curious about what the world wants and needs. Ask yourself what you have the potential to offer that is so unique and compelling and helpful that no computer could replace you, no one could outsource you, no one could steal your product and make it better and then club you into oblivion (not literally). Then develop that potential. Choose one thing and become a master of it. Choose a second thing and become a master of that," she continued.
Her insights are drawn from&nbsp;her personal experience being married&nbsp;to Elon Musk, who has&nbsp;an estimated net worth of&nbsp;$12.1 billion. She pointed out that the world doesn&#8217;t simply hand over a billion dollars to someone because they desire it or feel they deserve it. Money is given in exchange for something that the world perceives as being of equal or greater value.
"The world doesn't throw a billion dollars at a person because the person wants it or works so hard they feel they deserve it. The world does not care what you want or deserve. The world gives you money in exchange for something it perceives to be of equal or greater value: something that transforms an aspect of the culture, reworks a familiar story or introduces a new one, alters the way people think about the category and make use of it in daily life. There is no roadmap, no blueprint for this; a lot of people will give you a lot of advice, and most of it will be bad, and a lot of it will be good and sound but you'll have to figure out how it doesn't apply to you because you're coming from an unexpected angle," she wrote in the post.
Elon Musk is known for&nbsp;founding PayPal and leading innovative&nbsp;companies like&nbsp;Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and SpaceX.
Why It Matters: Justine Musk's comments offer a rare peek&nbsp;into the mindset and challenges&nbsp;faced by billionaires. 
Her unique perspective, molded&nbsp;by her close relationship with&nbsp;one of the world's most&nbsp;successful entrepreneurs, provides valuable insights for those aiming for similar levels of success.
Read Next
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Image: Shutterstock/mundissima

TSLA

Elon Musk's Ex-Wife Spills the Truth About Becoming a Billionaire

It's become a tradition for a man to buy an engagement ring for a woman right before proposing to her. The engagement ring has become a way to symbolize marriage, but financial guru Vincent Chan says <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@vincentchanco/video/7502412320723782945?lang=en">engagement rings don't have to be expensive</a>.&nbsp;
Jewelry companies charge high markups for rings and have created a narrative that diamonds are hard to find. Chan breaks that myth in a recent TikTok video while sharing strategies that can help you save money.
"You can get them for 85% cheaper," he explains.
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Want to find a stunning engagement ring that doesn't burn a hole through your wallet? Chan recommends the following tactics.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Round Down</h2>
Chan starts his recommendations by encouraging people to round down on the diamond weight, as measured in carats. He states that a 2.0 carat diamond costs 48% more than a 1.9 carat diamond. It's a big discount, but the diamonds don't even look that different. A 1.9 carat diamond could easily pass as a 2.0 carat diamond.
Carat is only one component that influences a diamond's price. Cut, color, and clarity are the other three factors. Skimping a little on carats doesn't necessarily mean the diamond will look ugly. Some 1.9 carat diamonds look better than 2.0 carat diamonds and cost a lot less.&nbsp;
Higher carat diamonds are more expensive due to their rarity and the amount of time it takes to cut larger stones. A slightly lower carat diamond can still make your future wife happy with the engagement ring while saving a fortune.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Get A Lab-Grown Diamond</h2>
Chan also recommends getting a lab-grown diamond instead of a mined diamond. You can cut the price by 85% going this route, but you aren't getting an inferior product. Chan states that lab-grown diamonds are chemically and structurally identical to mined diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds have other benefits. They are more eco-friendly, which can be a great selling point for a spouse who is interested in preserving the environment. Furthermore, it's far more ethical to get a lab-grown diamond over a mined diamond.&nbsp;
Brutal working conditions, child labor, and low wages are some of the setbacks of mined diamonds. Meanwhile, lab-grown diamonds allow couples to avoid those setbacks while having a similar product at a much lower price.
See Also: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/wideradvisor-retirement-planning">Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey – no cost, no obligation</a>.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ignore The Three-Months Salary Rule</h2>
The three-month salary rule states that you should buy an engagement ring that is three months' salary. For instance, if someone earns $120,000 per year, this rule would expect them to spend $30,000 on an engagement ring.
That's quite expensive, especially if the groom is shortly laid off from work or endures a significant surprise expense. Chan points out that the three months salary rule was a marketing stunt from the 1930s and shouldn't hold any weight in your decision.
Chan suggests a more practical approach where you choose a number that won't delay your other big financial goals. He also encourages people to budget based on what they save instead of what they expect to earn. It's more important to build financial security for your family than it is to overpay for an engagement ring.
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Vincent Chan Reveals 3 Tactics To Save On An Engagement Ring: ''You Can Get Them For 85% Cheaper'

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Collective millennial wealth has jumped by more than $12 trillion dollars over the last five years</li>
<li>Yet many millennials still feel that financial security is out of their reach</li>
<li>Experts say that the death of the middle class is to blame for the phenomenon, keeping the generation in a break-even cycle instead of allowing them to get ahead</li>
</ul>
New data from the <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/z1/dataviz/dfa/distribute/table/#quarter:138;series:Net%20worth;demographic:generation;population:all;units:levels">Federal Reserve</a> shows that millennials are now worth a collective $16.26 trillion, up from just $4.54 trillion just five years ago.
Yet despite this massive financial growth, and findings that millennials are in better financial condition than previous generations were at the same point, many millennials still feel that financial security is out of reach, according to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/12/millennials-struggle-financially-despite-higher-earnings.html">CNBC</a>.
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A study from <a href="https://www.lendingtree.com/debt-consolidation/millennials-financial-condition-study/">Lending Tree</a> found that millennials between the ages of 26 and 41 have a median net worth of just under $85,000. Adjusted for inflation, Gen Xers in the same age range had a median net worth of $78,000 and Baby Boomers had a net worth of just $58,000. However, a 2024 study by <a href="https://www.edelmanfinancialengines.com/wealth-in-america/2024/">Edelman Financial Engines</a> found that only 12% of Americans considered themselves wealthy.&nbsp;
So, where is the disconnect between the increase in generational wealth and the decrease in financial security coming from?&nbsp;
According to Freddie Smith, an economics content creator who spoke to CNBC, the death of the middle class is the root of the problem. "​​We're living in two separate economies," he said. "The middle class, unfortunately, is dead for millennials and Gen Zers. Or, best-case scenario, the goalpost has just moved and it's still obtainable, but you have to make over six figures to have that middle-class life."&nbsp;
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Rachel Schnider, CEO of fintech company Canary, agrees. "Over the course of the year, [most Americans] might make enough money to pay for basic living expenses and cover their bills, but if one major thing happens then they can get behind."
Many millennials are living at a break-even point. As costs rise for things like housing and insurance, and inflation continues to trend upward, the one-time markers of the American Dream continue to slip farther and farther out of reach.
"It's a lot harder for young people today to save up for markers of the American Dream than it was for previous generations," Joanne Hsu, director of the University of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers, told CNBC.&nbsp;
That financial squeeze isn't just having an economic impact on the generation, it's also having an emotional one. With money being so tight, many millennials feel they are unable to make long-term plans, experts told <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/27/net-worth-of-millennials-has-jumped-why-some-call-it-phantom-wealth.html">CNBC</a>. "People often feel a lot of shame and distress when their financial lives are not going smoothly," Schneider said. "And yet, a lot of what they're experiencing is not the result of anything that they have done or could have done differently."
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'The Middle Class Is Dead,' Why So Many Millennials Feel Stuck, Despite Making More Than Previous Generations

When is a good time to move out of the house? The answer varies for everyone, but some people stay home longer to save money. A couple finds themselves in this situation and currently <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/MiddleClassFinance/comments/1khy2ox/live_in_a_private_space_on_parents_property_while/">lives in a private space</a> on one of the parents' properties.&nbsp;
The spouse who posted about it on Reddit makes close to $100,000 per year. The couple is maxing out their retirement accounts and is saving money to buy a house.
"We're aiming to save $200,000 or more," the Redditor stated.&nbsp;
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However, the couple is deciding if they want to save enough to pay off 50% of the property or make a cash purchase by living with the parents for a little longer. It is a private space, which is more accommodating than most set-ups, but is it still a good idea to drag it out? Redditors shared their thoughts in the comments.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Personal Finance Is Personal</h2>
The benefits of free housing are undeniable. You can save money without having to worry about a mortgage. However, it can get more difficult when you want to start a family with a partner, and that's where the personal element of personal finance comes into play.
"You are the only person that knows your parents and your partner. If you think you can live with them and not cause a rift between either the relationship with your parents, your partner, or with your parents and your partner then go for it," one of the top commenters stated.&nbsp;
However, the individual also mentioned that housing prices can continue to go up while the couple waits. It's unlikely that they will go up higher than the amount that the couple will save each year by not moving out right away, but it is a factor to consider.&nbsp;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Everyone Should Be On The Same Page</h2>
It's a significant decision to move out of the house or stay put, and it gets more important when you throw in a partner. One commenter emphasized the importance of making sure everyone is on the same page before making a decision.
"If you get along with your parents, your spouse gets along with them, and everybody agrees on what is expected then this is the best approach."
Right now, it seems like everyone is on the same page. The couple and parents should regularly monitor the situation to see if it still works for everyone.&nbsp;
If you agree on responsibilities, when the parents get to hang out with the couple, when the couple gets private time, and other details, it's easier to make it work.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Living At Home Offers A Lot Of Flexibility</h2>
Living at home is quite beneficial if you can make it work. Not only will you save money, but the responsibilities may also be split up between the couple and the parents. For instance, it's easier to perform tasks like laundry, grocery store visits, and cleaning if there are four people involved instead of two people.&nbsp;
"Living at home and keeping my costs low is what gave me the flexibility to choose my path in life," one commenter explained.
This arrangement can make homeownership more feasible. Right now, the couple and parents seem to agree. The Redditor may want to re-explore this conversation if things are no longer working out or when the couple hits their target of $200,000 in savings.
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A Redditor Asks If It Makes More Sense To Live With Their Parents For A Few Years Or Move Out Sooner: 'We're Aiming To Save $200,000 Or More'

The U.S.&nbsp; is at risk of a financial crisis similar to the 2022 U.K. meltdown, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers warned.
&#8220;I would have said a &#8216;Liz Truss moment&#8217; was very unlikely in the U.S. if you had asked me three months ago," Summers said in an April 22 interview with BBC Radio, according to&nbsp; <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/larry-summers-us-economy-donald-trump-tariffs-stocks-bonds-gold-2025-4">Business Insider</a>.&nbsp; &#8220;Now I think we&#8217;re on a path towards having an episode like that. I think it will be very costly for our economy — and for the global economy.&#8221;
Summers' comparison pointed to Truss's brief term as British prime minister, when her unfunded tax cut proposals triggered market chaos, a bond yield spike, and ultimately her resignation just 44 days into her tenure—the shortest in British history.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gold Rush, Policy Shocks, and Familiar Warnings</h2>
According to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/golds-record-run-gains-further-traction-market-conquers-3500oz-2025-04-22/">Reuters</a>, gold touched $3,500.05 per ounce on April 22, rising 31% since January. Investors turned heavily toward safe-haven assets amid fears of spiraling economic instability.
Summers told the BBC that the U.S. financial system is exhibiting signs similar to emerging market economies under duress.&nbsp;
&#8220;Stocks go down, bonds go down, the currency goes down, gold starts to be hoarded, that&#8217;s the pattern we&#8217;re seeing in the U.S.,&#8221; he said. Summers warned that the endpoint remains uncertain but urged caution given the current trajectory.
Economic conditions have remained volatile. In April, the dollar index weakened, boosting gold's appeal, although it later rebounded slightly amid signs of easing U.S.-China trade tensions.
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Adding to the market unease, President Donald Trump announced a sweeping 145% tariff on Chinese goods earlier in April. The decision sparked a sharp sell-off across Wall Street, deepening fears of a prolonged trade war.&nbsp;
Following the announcement, Summers<a href="https://x.com/LHSummers/status/1907607829231317473"> posted on X</a>, stating, &#8220;Never before has an hour of Presidential rhetoric cost so many people so much,&#8221; estimating the loss from the new tariff policy could reach $30 trillion, roughly $300,000 per American family.
Trump's actions toward the Federal Reserve also contributed to market anxiety. In an April 21 <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/114376239725335883">Truth Social post</a>, he sharply criticized Fed Chair Jerome Powell, calling him a &#8220;major loser&#8221; and &#8220;Mr. Too Late&#8221; for not cutting interest rates sooner.&nbsp;
While tensions between the White House and the Fed intensified, Trump clarified during a May 4<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/video/trump-says-he-doesn-t-plan-to-remove-fed-chair-powell-238879813740"> interview on NBC</a> that he had no plans to remove Powell before his term ends in 2026. "Why would I do that?" he said. "I get to replace the person in another period of time."
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Gold Hits $3,500 As Larry Summers Says U.S. Market Is 'On A Path' To Crisis Like UK's 2022 Meltdown

Grant Cardone, an entrepreneur known for his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/43036312/grab-the-money-while-you-can-grant-cardones-unconventional-advice-for-those-eligible-for-social-security">outspoken views</a> on money and real estate, recently pitched the idea of eliminating property taxes for people aged 65 and over.&nbsp;
Cardone framed his proposal as a way to provide financial relief to a generation that may face increasing economic pressure as they age.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Push for Senior Tax Relief</h2>
<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">NO PROPERTY TAXES FOR 65 and OVER- this would give relief to strained social security and ensure the elderly can never have their homes taken away. Similar to the Homestead Act passed in 1862 which protects residence from creditors. Trump Will Propose This! would you support…
&mdash; Grant Cardone (@GrantCardone) <a href="https://twitter.com/GrantCardone/status/1918455661316436367?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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&#8220;NO PROPERTY TAXES FOR 65 and OVER – this would give relief to strained social security and ensure the elderly can never have their homes taken away,&#8221; Cardone <a href="https://x.com/GrantCardone/status/1918455661316436367">wrote on X</a>. He compared the proposal to the Homestead Act of 1862, which he claims protected residences from creditors, though the act primarily focused on land distribution rather than asset protection.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Raising the Retirement Age</h2>
Cardone told <a href="https://www.gobankingrates.com/retirement/social-security/grant-cardone-why-i-predict-new-social-security-retirement-age-will-be-73/">GOBankingRates</a> in 2024, "The money is going to run out. Social Security cannot support [retirees]. It's been a busted system my whole life," so he has been vocal about his concerns over the sustainability of Social Security.
He predicted that the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/43248147/the-money-is-going-to-run-out-grant-cardone-predicts-retirement-age-will-be-raised-to-at-least-73-because-social-security-is-busted">retirement age could soon rise to 73</a>, arguing that people should be prepared to work longer if they want financial security. According to Cardone, the combination of rising life expectancies, inflation, and market volatility means retirees will need more resources to maintain their standard of living.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Adding to the Debate</h2>
The proposal sparked a wide range of reactions online. One commenter <a href="https://x.com/IPAYToN_S/status/1918460794553155807">wrote</a> under Cardone&#8217;s post, &#8220;How about just no property taxes? If you own the land, you shouldn't owe dues to the govt. If so, you don't really own it, you're just renting.&#8221; Another <a href="https://x.com/chrisantonelliX/status/1918456205888094700">added</a>, &#8220;Yes 100%… once you retire and you have worked hard you should be able to just enjoy it.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Focusing on Financial Independence</h2>
He also emphasizes the importance of building financial independence outside of government programs, a consistent theme in his public messaging. Cardone believes that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/45061911/kevin-oleary-urges-americans-to-rethink-retirement-goals-says-social-security-alone-wont-cut-it-throw-out-your-plan-for-freedom-at-55-or-even-65">relying solely on Social Security</a> is a risky strategy and advises younger generations to plan as if these benefits won&#8217;t be available when they retire.&nbsp;
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"If you're under 30 years old, you should think that the Social Security program <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42273289/suze-orman-slams-social-security-fearmongering-you-really-think-washington-is-going-to-do-nothing-and-cut-benefits-by-25-cmon">will be broke</a> by the time you get there," he said in a separate <a href="https://www.gobankingrates.com/retirement/social-security/grant-cardone-depending-on-social-security-is-bordering-on-irresponsibility/">GOBankingRates</a> interview, encouraging people to focus on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-earn-passive-income-in-real-estate-with-1000">building passive income streams through real estate</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Challenges to Implementation</h2>
Cardone's proposal has sparked plenty of debate, but making it a reality could prove to be too difficult, if not impossible. Property taxes are usually <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/07/39704915/rising-property-taxes-see-how-these-states-are-tackling-surging-home-values">handled at the state level</a>, not by the federal government, which means this kind of sweeping change would face significant hurdles.
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Grant Cardone Proposes 'No Property Taxes For 65 And Over'—Says It Would Provide Relief To Social Security And Protect Seniors' Homes

If you've ever been confused by 401(k)s, you're not alone. A 2024 <a href="https://www.beyondfinance.com/newsroom/almost-half-of-americans-dont-know-what-a-401k-is-beyond-finance-poll-finds/">poll by Beyond Finance</a> found nearly 43% of Americans don't even know what a 401(k) is. 
But <a href="https://youtu.be/Y324f44rQuk?si=QRsxQ2o7_9h_q2_-">one caller to "The Dave Ramsey Show</a>" wasn't just dealing with confusion — she was dating someone who called the whole thing a scam.
The 30-year-old woman phoned in to get advice about her boyfriend, a 32-year-old recent U.S. citizen originally from Albania. She explained she's a dedicated saver with a 401(k) and a Roth IRA — but when she brought up retirement planning to her boyfriend, his response stopped her cold.
"All that matters is working and making money now," she recalled him saying, before adding: "401(k)s are a scam."
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That's when Dave Ramsey jumped in. "What he's saying is basically, ‘I'm immature and I don't want to think about the future,'" he said. Co-host Ken Coleman agreed, calling it a fear-based reaction that might stem from growing up hand-to-mouth in an unstable environment. "But it's still a broken, stupid, and immature viewpoint," Ramsey added. "Regardless of how he got there."
And Ramsey didn't stop there.
"You get to live with someone who's going to do no planning for the future — which guarantees your future sucks," he warned. "That has to be solved relationally. You either walk him out of that… or walk away from him."
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Coleman jumped in with a gentler angle, comparing the boyfriend's resistance to learning to ride a bike. "He's scared, and he doesn't understand it. You don't throw him into the Tour de France," he said. "You put training wheels on. You walk beside him. But you've got to teach it if this relationship is going to be permanent."
Ramsey, though, brought it back to culture shock — and hard reality. "I hate banks," he said bluntly. "But the idea that your money isn't safe in a U.S. bank? That's absurd." He compared it to people from Latin American countries who, after growing up around unstable banks, distrust the U.S. system. "That's not marriage material," he said. "You're marrying someone who hasn't adapted to the culture they live in."
He didn't glamorize the future either. "I meet 57-year-old Americans who have no vision, who drank their future on Friday nights and now gripe that opportunity passed them by. You don't want to be married to that guy 25 years from now."
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And then came the classic Ramsey finale: "I'll be your old ugly Uncle Dave and say: don't marry this guy. He ain't worth it."
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Image: Shutterstock

30-Year-Old Says Her Boyfriend Thinks 401(k)s Are a 'Scam' — Dave Ramsey Warns: 'You Don't Want to Be Married to That Guy 25 Years From Now'

In a world where work is increasingly mobile, digital, and privacy-conscious, INAIR is redefining how we engage with technology through the lens of augmented reality. As CEO of INAIR—the AR glasses brand under Beijing Duoping Future Technology Co., Ltd.—Kurt Huang is leading the charge to create next-generation, all-in-one AR computing solutions that are portable, efficient, and deeply intuitive. 
Since its founding, INAIR has launched two generations of AR hardware that have received both critical acclaim and commercial success on platforms like JD.com and Tmall. Under Kurt&#8217;s leadership, the company is not only delivering sleek and high-performance AR devices but also pushing the boundaries of how immersive hardware can empower people to work more freely and securely.
With a founding team drawn from top internet and tech firms, and with deep expertise in AR software, hardware, and product development, INAIR is positioning itself as a frontrunner in the global race toward a more connected, productive future.
Benzinga's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/bibhu-pattnaik">Bibhu Pattnaik</a> spoke with Huang, who shared his vision for the future of AR in the workplace, what distinguishes INAIR in the growing wearables market, and how the company is redefining the next generation of computing. Here's an excerpt from the interaction. 
What inspired the creation of INAIR, and how did your past experience in AI and system architecture shape its foundation?
We founded INAIR stemming deep insight into the evolution of technology and user needs. During my graduate studies in computer science at Tsinghua University, I focused on distributed systems and heterogeneous computing architecture. I also had stints at Broadcom and Intel where I led the development of multiple generations of chip platforms, overseeing hardware, software, and system-level R&amp;D. In 2016, as AR technology began to mature, I saw the huge potential for practical applications of this technology. That&#8217;s when I began focusing solely on the AR industry.&nbsp;
As the XR (extended reality) market later emerged and fell into the trap of prioritizing extreme displays over interaction, I saw how devices pursued ever-more impressive display specs at the expense of comfort and wearability, or they piled on AI features while neglecting seamless contextual use. This droves us to rethink the entire technology stack using a full-stack mindset. We built a proprietary distributed rendering engine and spatial-awareness algorithms for industry-leading real-time rendering. By deeply integrating cross-device heterogeneous computing (collaboration between phone, PC, and cloud) with natural interaction protocols (gaze, touch, and voice), we ultimately created the world's first Spatial Native Operating System – INAIR OS.
The essence of INAIR is to let technology evolve from being "used" to being "forgotten."
In a rapidly evolving AR landscape, what distinguishes INAIR's Spatial Computer from other solutions on the market?
We are at a turning point in the AR industry, moving from flashy tech demonstrations to deeply integrated real-world scenarios. INAIR is different in three main ways: a focus on different scenarios, system re-architecture, and ecosystem elevation.
Early AR glasses often relied on enterprise (B2B) customers to survive. After 2022, AR glasses saw success in consumer entertainment and video-watching scenarios. But by 2024-2025, differentiation and user experience improvements in entertainment had reached a plateau. We believe AR's next frontier is mobile productivity, providing a lightweight, powerful solution for work on the go, not just entertainment.
Many competing AR devices have app ecosystems that don't work across platforms, prohibiting data transfer. We addressed this with what we call a Spatial Native Architecture to reconstruct the tech stack. We adopted a modular design. The glasses themselves weigh just 77 grams, making them comfortable for all-day wear. They feature a continuously adjustable electrochromic tint (privacy mode) that users love. The compute unit (the "pod") is about the size of a computer mouse, yet packs extremely powerful performance.
We developed our own INAIR OS, which is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac ecosystems. Data flows seamlessly across devices. We also include a built-in AI agent that proactively predicts user needs and understands context to provide intelligent responses and assistance.
The entire user interface is in 3D. Users interact naturally using gaze, touch (via our Touchboard accessory), and voice. This depth in interaction makes the experience much more intuitive than traditional 2D screens.
What were some of the key technological or design challenges you faced during the development of INAIR, and how did your team overcome them?
Developing INAIR meant tackling three seemingly contradictory challenges: making the device extremely light but extremely powerful; making interaction very natural yet very precise; and keeping the technology cutting-edge butbroadly accessible.
Demand for lightweight design is paramount as users seem to notice every gram. High-performance computing, however, naturally brings high power consumption, heat, and weight. We had to innovate across the full spectrum, from materials to chip design. For example, out of hundreds of materials, we selected a magnesium-aluminum alloy that allowed us to shave 1.5 grams of weight – a significant achievement at this scale. We also used a modular (split) design, separating the display glasses from the compute pod, enabling the glasses to stay light and comfortable.
Traditional AR devices rely on voice commands or handheld controllers, prohibitive for quick input – especially in a work environment. We realized that for productivity use cases, a keyboard is essential. Therefore, we designed a custom accessory called the INAIR Touchboard. It combines a full-size keyboard with spatial interaction capabilities. This ensures instant, continuous productivity with a natural feel.
One of INAIR's standout features is its seamless integration with Android apps and PC systems—how important was this interoperability in your product vision?
Interoperability is the soul of our product. Our lives are already filled with smartphones, laptops, tablets and other tech devices. Nobody wants to add AR glasses that just create more hassle. The real value comes from seamless integration.
For example, imagine you're on a business trip and get a message from your boss on your phone. With our glasses, you could instantly stream your office computer, open the needed document, and send the file – all without fumbling between devices. This kind of effortless, seamless connectivity is exactly what users need. That's why from day one, we made it a top priority to break down barriers between the Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac ecosystems.
INAIR's native remote streaming technology promises a new kind of productivity—can you elaborate on how this enhances the user experience?
Our remote streaming technology is essentially a "spatial decoupling" of compute power that lets you tap into the most suitable hardware from anywhere. Here's an example: you can leave your laptop at the office or home and travel with only the INAIR glasses and the mouse-sized compute pod. Using our proprietary INAIR OS, the glasses can wirelessly connect to your laptop thousands of miles away, bringing your desktop into the AR space in front of you. At the same time, the local compute pod handles lighter tasks like video conferencing. If you pair a Bluetooth keyboard, you have a full input setup, often with a more seamless experience than if you were using the laptop alone.
What's truly revolutionary is the way this changes ownership of computing power. In the future, you could leave your top-tier GPU at home, and write code on a beach wearing our glasses, with heavy lifting done in the cloud. INAIR is turning "computing freedom" into a basic right for the modern digital nomad.
How has user feedback influenced product iterations, and what insights have surprised or challenged your initial assumptions?
Users are increasingly hungry for immersive 3D experiences. From movies to apps, flat 2D content just doesn't satisfy them anymore. They want to use mature AR hardware (like glasses) to consume and interact with 3D content. For example, spatial videos shot on an iPhone can now be watched on INAIR, and those old 2D photos sitting in your photo album can be converted into 3D views with a single click.
Users aren't happy with just "it works". They expect "imperceptible switching" between tasks and devices. This means we have to constantly improve latency and responsiveness.
Today's large AI models are powerful, but they're often not user-friendly. Many AI apps (like DeepSeek or ChatGPT) just present a simple text box, and different apps each have their own AI assistant, leading to siloed experiences. INAIR's approach is to bake AI capability into the system layer so that you get a unified, intuitive experience no matter what software you're using.
As spatial computing gains traction, how do you see INAIR contributing to or redefining this new computing paradigm?
Our mission is to bring AI+AR technology paradigm shift to mobile productivity. And expect to create a future where work is no longer confined by screens or locations, empowering everyone to collaborate effortlessly in a seamless blend of the physical and digital worlds.
With global expansion on the horizon, what markets are you most focused on?
The North American and European markets are at the core of our global strategy. This decision is based on INAIR&#8217;s own technological layout, scenario adaptability, and long-term market insights.
Users in North America and Europe are highly receptive to cutting-edge technologies, especially the demand of the combination of "lightweight, portable computing" and "high performance." People in these regions have strong needs for working from home and flexible work setups, and they aspire to a liberated, location-independent way of working. This vision aligns closely with INAIR's philosophy.

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