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Williams is cashing in on surging power demand.

The U.S. is on the cusp of an unprecedented surge in power demand. Forecasters expect the country's electricity needs to soar 31% by 2030, driven by AI data centers and electric vehicles. That's a dramatic acceleration from the 5% overall increase in U.S. power demand over the last 15 years.

The coming surge in power demand will be difficult to supply. However, it presents companies with a significant opportunity to expand their power generation capabilities. The Williams Companies (WMB 0.75%) is emerging as an early leader in seizing this opportunity. The gas infrastructure company has recently agreed to invest $3.1 billion in building additional natural gas-fired power capacity. That will further fuel its earnings and dividend growth engines.

Image source: Getty Images.

Capitalizing on surging power demand
Williams is one of the country's largest natural gas infrastructure companies. It primarily gathers, processes, transports, and stores natural gas through its vast network of pipelines and related infrastructure. The company handles a third of the nation's gas supplies.

The company has begun to leverage its expertise in operating gas infrastructure by expanding its platform to include power projects, supporting the surging electricity demand of data centers. The company currently has $1.6 billion worth of projects under construction, which will deliver 400 megawatts (MW) of power to customers.

Williams has since added more power innovation projects to its backlog, recently agreeing to spend $3.1 billion on two more projects. The energy infrastructure company has signed a 10-year, primarily fixed-price power purchase agreement with a large, financially strong customer to back the projects. Williams expects to complete these power projects by the first half of 2027. These additions have expanded its power innovation backlog to $5 billion in projects.

Williams isn't the only energy midstream company investing in gas-fired power generation. Energy Transfer (NYSE: ET) is building eight 10-MW gas-fired electric generation facilities. However, the difference is that Williams is building large-scale projects to support customer demand, while Energy Transfer is building smaller-scale power plants, which will help support its operations in Texas and reduce its reliance on the grid.

More growth ahead
Williams sees tremendous additional opportunities to build more power innovation projects. It's evaluating partnerships and commercial agreements totaling more than 6 gigawatts of potential power innovation projects.

In addition to building power plants, Williams is also expanding several natural gas pipelines to support growing gas demand. The company has projects in the backlog on track to enter commercial service all the way through the third quarter of 2030. This large backlog provides the company with a clear line of sight into its earnings growth through the early part of the next decade. They'll also provide the company with more fuel to grow its 3%-yielding dividend, which it has been increasing at a mid-single-digit annual rate in recent years.

Meanwhile, Williams has many more projects under development to support the growth in gas demand from power facilities and liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals. The company is evaluating over $14 billion of expansion project opportunities on its three large-scale gas transmission pipelines (Transco, MountainWest, and Northwest Pipeline) that could enter service in the 2027 through 2033 time frame.

Williams isn't alone in seeing a massive opportunity to build out additional gas pipeline infrastructure in the coming years. Energy Transfer is building two large-scale gas pipelines (Hugh Brinson at $2.7 billion and Desert Southwest Expansion Project at $5.3 billion) to support growing power demand by utilities. Energy Transfer is also evaluating over 200 requests by data centers and more than 60 from power plants to connect these facilities to its pipeline system.

Gas pipeline giant Kinder Morgan has also been a big beneficiary of the expected surge in gas demand. The company has $8.6 billion of gas-related infrastructure projects currently in its backlog, a $6.4 billion increase since the end of 2023. Kinder Morgan is building several new large-scale gas pipeline projects, with in-service dates through 2030.

A good choice for investors
Williams is leveraging its leadership in gas infrastructure to develop a new business that provides gas-fired power directly to customers. With another $3.1 billion in projects recently added, its backlog now stands at $5 billion. It also has exciting growth ahead for its gas pipeline operations. This growth supports Williams' ongoing dividend increases, making it an attractive choice for investors seeking income and high total return potential.

Matt DiLallo has positions in Energy Transfer and Kinder Morgan. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Kinder Morgan. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

U.S. stock futures were little changed Sunday, after the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average ended Friday at all-time highs.

This hot AI stock has climbed more than 300% this year.

Nebius Group (NBIS 1.75%) has emerged as a potential superstar in one of the world's biggest growth industries: artificial intelligence (AI). The AI market has grown into the billions of dollars and is forecast to reach beyond $2 trillion within the coming years. And companies offering AI tools and services, as well as those applying AI to their businesses, are set to benefit.

Nebius may be one of the first to win since it offers something that tech leaders are scrambling to get ahold of right now, and that's the capacity to run AI workloads. The company sells access to compute, and just recently it signed a multibillion-dollar deal to provide AI infrastructure to tech giant Microsoft. Revenue is already taking off at Nebius, as it surged more than 600% in the recent quarter -- and the company's shares are on track to gain more than 350% this year.

Considering all this, is Nebius your ticket to becoming a millionaire? Let's find out.

Image source: Getty Images.

The infrastructure buildout
So, first, let's take a look at the current AI market and what may unfold in the coming years. Right now, tech powerhouses such as Microsoft, mentioned above, and others, like Alphabet and Meta Platforms, are pouring investment into building out AI infrastructure. They, and even smaller AI customers, need more and more AI compute -- the graphics processing units (GPUs) or AI chips that power AI tasks.

Nebius offers this, allowing customers to rent access to it as well as a variety of managed services to support their AI platforms. Some companies, such as Microsoft, for example, may own their own GPUs and data centers but may also turn to Nebius for additional infrastructure. Smaller players might not invest in GPUs but instead rent from Nebius as needed. This means Nebius could attract a broad range of companies during this infrastructure scale-up and beyond.

And moving forward, as AI is applied to real-world situations, compute continues to be necessary to power models as they do their job of solving problems. All of this suggests Nebius could see ongoing demand for its services as the AI story unfolds, and that should support significant revenue growth.

An increased forecast
In the latest quarter, Nebius forecasted an annualized revenue run rate for its AI business of $900 million to $1.1 billion by the end of this year. That's up from an earlier estimate of $750 million to $1 billion. Nebius operates two other units, one specializing in autonomous driving technology and another focused on tech career training, but its core AI cloud business is driving growth and has even reached positive adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) ahead of schedule.

Of course, Nebius faces some challenges moving forward, such as funding the necessary scale-up to meet the needs of customers and potential customers. For example, Nebius recently closed a public offering of shares and a private offering of convertible senior notes, raising more than $4 billion to support such spending.

So, investing in Nebius involves some risk because the company must build up debt to grow, and at the same time, any potential slowdown in tech spending could weigh on revenue and the stock's performance. This means Nebius stock may not be the best choice for cautious investors, at least at the moment, but could be an interesting option for investors who don't mind these risks.

An opportunity for aggressive investors
Now, if you're an aggressive investor and decide to buy Nebius, could the stock be your ticket to becoming a millionaire? Let's say you invest $10,000 in the stock, and it becomes a 10-bagger -- if demand continues to soar and earnings climb, this is possible. Such an increase would bring Nebius to a $267 billion market cap, which also could happen in such a scenario. This would bring the value of your investment to $100,000, which is great, but far from $1 million.

And all this brings me to the following conclusion: It's unlikely that one stock, on its own, unless you invest a massive amount -- and that's way too risky -- will make you a millionaire. But the good news is that a promising stock like Nebius could help you along the path to millions if you add it to a portfolio that's well diversified across quality stocks and hold on for the long run.

Adria Cimino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends Nebius Group and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Buffett is filled with folksy wisdom, but one of his best quotes is obscure.

Warren Buffett is best known for being the chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A 0.70%) (BRK.B 0.68%), but Wall Street's focus is often on the stock portfolio inside the conglomerate. In other words, Buffett is followed because he is a highly successful stock picker. But is he really? This quote suggests another way to view the Oracle of Omaha's success.

What does Warren Buffett really do?
Buffett isn't usually very talkative when it comes to his investment approach. The best we have is broad strokes. The quick overview is that he buys well-run companies when they are attractively priced. Then Buffett holds for the long term so he can benefit from the growth of the businesses he buys over time. That is simple in theory, but much harder to put into practice.

The problem is that there's a missing piece. This quote sums it up: "The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything."

That includes the temptation to pursue every good investment idea you have. Now, to be fair, Buffett does not say no to everything. At the end of 2024, Berkshire Hathaway owned a widely diversified portfolio of 189 companies outright (they are subsidiaries), and it has a portfolio of publicly traded stocks on top of that (about 40 at the end of the second quarter of 2025). The common stock portfolio changes over time as well. So Buffett has said yes to a large number of investments.

He's controlled Berkshire Hathaway since 1965. So 2025 marks roughly 60 years of investing using the Berkshire umbrella as his main investment vehicle. I don't know for sure, but I believe I've traded more stocks than Buffett in much less time, and I only own about 30 today. And some day traders probably buy and sell more in a week than Buffett has traded in his entire life. 

What does this have to do with Berkshire Hathaway now?
The problem with buying Berkshire Hathaway today is that Warren Buffett is slated to hand over the CEO position to lieutenant Greg Abel at the end of 2025. Investors have reacted by selling Berkshire Hathaway stock, concerned that a big change is coming.

But Buffett has been training Abel since he joined the company in 1999. At that point, Abel was the president of energy company MidAmerican, a company in which Berkshire Hathaway had acquired a controlling interest. Abel was promoted to CEO of MidAmerican in 2008, presumably with Buffett's blessing. (MidAmerican is now known as Berkshire Hathaway Energy.)

Since 2021, Abel has been the heir apparent to the CEO position at Berkshire Hathaway. He has, presumably, been involved in every major investment decision since that point, or earlier. So he's spent more than two decades watching Buffett and being mentored by him. It seems likely that Abel is steeped in Buffett's approach when it comes to running Berkshire Hathaway.

Abel will run the company and invest differently from Buffett because he is not Buffett. But he will probably take a very similar approach, which includes being selective about his investments. And it seems highly unlikely that he will suddenly begin to dismantle the subsidiary portfolio that Buffett built. In other words, Berkshire Hathaway will largely be run in a similar manner in 2026 and beyond.

But there's a safety valve, and it involves Buffett. Buffett is stepping down as CEO, but he will be the chairman of the board of directors. Abel's boss is still going to be his boss, just with a different relationship existing between the two of them.

Abel as CEO will have to get any big investment decisions approved by the board. Doing a big transaction will mean convincing Buffett that a purchase makes sense. If Abel gets too aggressive, which seems unlikely, Buffett (and the rest of the board) will be there to rein him in. So Berkshire Hathaway should remain a very selective investor, saying no to more investment opportunities than it says yes to.

Abel has his work cut out for him
Warren Buffett is a tough act to follow. And, to make things more complicated, Abel is inheriting a balance sheet with more than $340 billion in cash, as of the end of the second quarter of 2025. It will be tempting to use that cash for investments or acquisitions. But it is a testament to Buffett and Abel that they have let the cash balance grow even as the market has risen, hinting that they don't see anything worth buying. At least not yet.

When there's a bear market, that may well change. But given Buffett's training and Abel's history of helping to run Berkshire Hathaway, I'm fairly confident he's not going to burn through the dry powder buying mediocre businesses. It is far more likely that, when the time is right, and with Buffett's blessing, Abel will make a big acquisition (or two) with the same level of discretion Buffett has long shown.

In other words, despite the price swoon that suggests investors are worried about the pending leadership change, I believe that saying no (something I wish I did more often) is engrained in the Berkshire Hathaway approach that Buffett has created and is about to pass on. And that means the decline in the stock since Buffett said he would step aside could be an exciting entry point for investors who think in decades, like Buffett and, likely, Abel.

Reuben Gregg Brewer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

It's rising high for a business that's signed a pack of contracts but hasn't yet booked any revenue.

It's safe to say that a year ago, few investors had Oklo (OKLO -1.09%) on their bingo card as being a major 2025 stock market success. The company, which develops next-generation nuclear reactors, hit its all-time-high stock price near the end of September; at that point, its market value had risen in excess of 1,600% over a mere 12-month period.

Oklo is a great example of a company being in the right place at the right time. Now that it's come down a bit from said peak, is its stock now a worthy buy?

Image source: Getty images.

Throwing the switch
Being a supporter of nuclear energy, President Donald Trump has made the once-maligned technology a cornerstone of his administration's energy policy. As is his habit, Trump kicked this into gear with an executive order (EO) issued in May. Titled "Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security," the president laid out his case: "Advanced computing infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and other mission capability resources at military and national security installations and national laboratories demands reliable, high-density power sources that cannot be disrupted by external threats or grid failures." 

This push is well suited to Oklo, which, it just so happens, specializes in the kind of advanced reactor technologies on Trump's wish list. Oklo had already started to take off as an investment in the early days of the nuclear-embracing Trump's second term, but it really started to boil after the EO. The nuclear-supporting “big, beautiful bill” provided another boost when it was signed into law in July.

Oklo's pop wasn't an isolated case. Other nuclear titles, which, it's safe to say, were obscure to the general public last year, also soared. Small modular reactor (SMR) specialist NuScale Power cranked higher -- not as much as Oklo, but still at a significant clip. Ditto for associated companies like uranium producer Cameco. Over that same one-year stretch, those two stocks were up a respective 89% and 282%. For reference, the bellwether S&P 500 index rose "only" by 16% during that time.

Everything everywhere all at once
To their credit, neither the federal government nor Oklo is wasting any time to move forward. In mid-August the Department of Energy (DOE) selected the company and its Atomic Alchemy subsidiary to help build three reactor pilot projects. The ambitious DOE would like to "demonstrate criticality," in its words, in three test reactors by July 4, 2026.

Barely a week later, Oklo announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding with European engineering giant ABB to build out a digital monitoring room in its California headquarters. That'll be useful because soon after that announcement, the company broke ground on the first of its Aurora-model powerhouses located at the Idaho National Laboratory.

Later that month, Okla secured a strategic partnership with another European company, nuclear reactor developer Blykalla, under which the peers will "share insights on materials, components, non-nuclear supply chain sourcing, fuel fabrication, and licensing best practices," in both the U.S. and Blykalla's native Sweden.

Finally, Oklo is strengthening its finances for what has suddenly become a very busy time in its corporate life. Rewinding to June, the company floated a secondary issue of its common stock that was set to bring in gross proceeds topping $540 million.

Early days
Those above-mentioned developments don't cover every happening for Oklo in the past few months; that can occur when a company or industry is suddenly thrust into the spotlight.

However, with Oklo I fear we might be looking at a "too popular too soon" situation. Despite the powerful momentum and impressive project wins, we should bear in mind that it's a pre-revenue company. Total operating expenses approached $46 million in the first half of this year, filtering down into a bottom-line loss of $34 million and change.

It'll take some time for those project monies to come rolling in, which leads to another concern -- its cash runway. These days its cash burn is around $53 million per year, and likely to rise with all that project work (although that recent haul from the share issue gives it some breathing room). Also, its Aurora design hasn't yet been given the green light from federal regulators.

With its clear wins and a bright, nuclear-powered future in front of it, Oklo's stock boasts a market cap near $16.5 billion and a trailing price/book ratio exceeding 23, even after a recent investor pullback. For comparison, the revenue-generating NuScale's market cap is a shade over $5 billion, and its price/book floats slightly above 7.

For me, I'd stay on the sidelines with Oklo. Even though the market's initial frenzy has calmed somewhat, the stock still seems awfully expensive for a business that still has much to prove.

Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Abb. The Motley Fool recommends Cameco and NuScale Power. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

MP Materials has one of the most valuable rare earth metal assets in the U.S. Should investors ignore the stock's recent slide?

Shares of the rare metal miner MP Materials (MP 0.56%) have slipped about 15% since peaking above $80 a share last Thursday, Sept. 25.

The mining stock has been on a tear in 2025, with a 309% gain year to date, but concerns over valuation and slowing revenue growth may have started weighing down on this explosive performance.

Supply chain independence remains MP's key tailwind
MP Materials' second-quarter earnings report wasn't all good news. Although total revenue spiked 84% year over year, it also fell about 5.6% quarter to quarter. Operating expenses were also higher on a quarterly basis, and its earnings per share deteriorated by $0.05 per share.

MP data by YCharts

The revenue declines and widening losses stand out, but there were bright spots worth highlighting. The company produced a record of 597 metric tons of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) -- its flagship rare metal. It also inked a huge deal with Apple (AAPL 0.28%) in mid-July, then got a hefty investment by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

Both deals have helped bolster MP's cash position, which was about $263 million at the end of June, a roughly 32% increase from the first quarter.

Image source: Getty Images.

A vote of confidence from the DoD highlights MP's strategic advantage. For years, it's been building up its facility in Mountain Pass, California, one of the only rare earth mines of any significance in the U.S. And although its facilities don't have quite enough manufacturing power to meet demands, the investments can fund expansion efforts that will increase production.

On that note, an investment in MP Materials is a bet that its rare earth metals, which are used to make super-strong magnets found in countless modern-day technologies, will continue to be in high demand in the future.

Like other mining stocks, MP Materials will be volatile, especially as it aims to ramp up production. But with policy tailwinds and a mining asset that no other company has, MP has what it takes to bounce back from the slide.

Steven Porrello has positions in MP Materials. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool recommends MP Materials. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Flying taxis sound like science fiction, but Archer Aviation is working to make them a reality.

When investors think about disruptive transportation, electric cars are often the first to come to mind. But another technology is starting to capture headlines: flying taxis. Archer Aviation (ACHR 13.21%) is one of the most prominent companies working to make this futuristic idea a reality. Backed by UnitedAirlines and Stellantis, Archer has gained enough momentum to attract attention across Wall Street.

The company has not yet produced meaningful revenue, and the risks remain sky high. But recent progress suggests Archer deserves a closer look.

Image source: Getty Images.

What does Archer Aviation do?
Archer designs and builds electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. These battery-powered planes are designed for short trips of 20 miles, such as airport transfers or commutes from downtown to the suburbs.

Its flagship aircraft, Midnight, can carry four passengers plus a pilot. Archer plans to operate an air taxi network in partnership with airlines, rideshare platforms, and governments. Unlike a traditional aerospace business that primarily sells planes, Archer aims to generate recurring revenue by running the service itself. Investors can think of its long-term aim as becoming the Uber of the sky. It also aims to sell aircraft to third parties selectively -- United Airlines and the U.S. Air Force are two parties that have agreed to buy the aircraft from Archer.

The potential market is enormous. Morgan Stanley estimates that urban air mobility could become a $1-trillion market by 2040, with further growth to $9 trillion by 2050. While these numbers remain predictions for now, they do indicate the massive potential ahead.

Archer does not need to dominate the sector to carve out a valuable business. It just needs to make sure it remains one of the key players.

Reaching key milestones
Archer has not yet reached commercialization, but it has delivered progress that lends it more credibility than many of its early stage peers.

FAA certification: Archer secured its Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. The certification allows the company to operate aircraft commercially to refine its systems and procedures. While it still requires full type certification for Midnight, this milestone indicates that Archer is progressing along the regulatory path.
Partnerships with global leaders: United Airlines placed a provisional order for up to 200 Midnight aircraft. That deal demonstrates clear demand from a top airline if Archer executes. Automaker Stellantis is helping Archer build its Georgia factory, offering scale and manufacturing expertise. Both partnerships give Archer legitimacy and resources that most startups lack.
Military validation: The U.S. Air Force signed agreements with Archer to test defense applications. This deal validates the development and commercialization of eVTOL technology under strict military standards.

Each of these milestones reduces risk and shows that Archer is building momentum toward commercialization.

However, there are risks that investors cannot afford to ignore
While there are many positive developments for Archer, investors should acknowledge that investing in this industrial company remains a speculative endeavor.

First, the company has zero revenue yet spends hundreds of millions of dollars to get the aircraft to commercialization. In the first six months of 2025, the company used $198 million in operating cash flow and an additional $34 million in investing cash flow.

The company reported $1.7 billion in cash and cash equivalents at the end of June 2025, which should cover its operations for the next three years -- assuming there's no increase in burn rate. However, scaling up production and launching a commercial service will require significantly more capital. Archer will likely raise additional funds through debt or equity down the road.

The regulatory path also carries uncertainty. The FAA has never certified an eVTOL aircraft. Any delay in Midnight's approval could push Archer's launch well past its target.

In a way, Archer's stock represents a binary bet: Either the company clears the regulatory and technical hurdles to become a leader, or it fails to reach scale before its cash runs out.

What does it mean for investors?
Archer Aviation has positioned itself as a frontrunner in the race to launch flying taxis. Its partnerships with United Airlines, Stellantis, and the U.S. Air Force provide credibility and resources. At the same time, its progress on certification and manufacturing shows that the company is advancing beyond the concept stage.

At the same time, Archer faces long odds. With no revenue, a significant cash burn, and an uncertain regulatory path, the company's future remains uncertain.

For investors with a long horizon and tolerance for volatility, Archer represents a fascinating dark horse in a potentially massive new industry. For most investors, however, the smarter move is to keep Archer on the watchlist until its Midnight aircraft -- and its business model -- truly take flight.

Lawrence Nga has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool recommends Stellantis. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

– ARV-102 was well tolerated in clinical trials for both healthy volunteers and patients with Parkinson’s disease –

– ARV-102 demonstrated dose-dependent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) exposure in subjects in both trials –

– After 14 days of treatment in healthy volunteers, ARV-102 decreased lysosomal and neuroinflammatory microglial pathway biomarkers known to be elevated in Parkinson’s disease –

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Oct. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arvinas, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARVN), a clinical-stage biotechnology company creating a new class of drugs based on targeted protein degradation, today announced positive pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and biomarker data from two Phase 1 clinical trials evaluating ARV-102, an oral, brain-penetrant investigational PROTAC degrader of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2). Results were presented at the International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders® (MDS 2025) in Honolulu.

“We are particularly excited by the CSF proteomics results, which demonstrate modulation of lysosomal and microglial pathways that are known to be associated with neurodegenerative diseases,” said Noah Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of Arvinas. “We believe these findings support the intensified development of ARV-102 in ongoing studies of patients with Parkinson’s disease, and in future studies of patients with progressive supranuclear palsy.”

The company presented data from two trials: ARV-102-101, a first-in-human trial of ARV-102 in healthy volunteers, and ARV-102-103, a trial in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Key findings include:

Data from a Phase 1 Single Ascending Dose and Multiple Ascending Dose Trial in Healthy Volunteers (Poster 904):

Safety: ARV-102 was generally well tolerated at single doses up to 200 mg and multiple daily doses up to 80 mg, with no discontinuations due to adverse events (AEs) or serious adverse events (SAEs) observed in the study population.Pharmacokinetics: ARV-102 exposure increased in a dose-dependent manner in plasma and CSF, the latter indicating brain penetration.Pharmacodynamics: Repeated daily doses ≥20 mg resulted in >90% reductions of LRRK2 protein in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and >50% reductions in CSF.Pathway Biomarkers: Repeated daily doses of ARV-102 resulted in reduced plasma concentrations of phospho-Rab10T73 and urine concentrations of bis(monoacylglycerol)phosphate (BMP), a sensitive biomarker for modulation of the lysosomal pathway downstream of LRRK2. Interim Single Ascending Dose Data from a Phase 1 Trial in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease and CSF Proteomic Data from a Phase 1 Trial in Healthy Volunteers (Late Breaking Abstract #22):

Safety: The Phase 1 trial in patients with Parkinson’s disease included 15 patients treated with ARV-102 and 4 patients treated with placebo. In the trial, single doses of ARV-102 (50 mg or 200 mg) were well tolerated with only mild treatment-related AEs including headache, diarrhea, and nausea; no SAEs occurred.Pharmacokinetics: In patients with Parkinson’s disease, ARV-102 exposure increased in a dose-dependent manner in both plasma and CSF, the latter indicating brain penetration.Pharmacodynamics: In patients with Parkinson’s disease, treatment with ARV-102 resulted in median PBMC LRRK2 protein reductions of 86% with the 50 mg dose and 97% with the 200 mg dose.CSF Proteomics: In healthy volunteers treated with ARV-102 80 mg once daily for 14 days, unbiased proteomic analyses of CSF showed significant decreases in lysosomal pathway markers and neuroinflammatory microglial markers previously shown to be elevated in patients with Parkinson's disease harboring LRRK2 variants. “To our knowledge, this is the first time an investigational LRRK2 therapy has, at 14 days in healthy volunteers, shown effects on distal pathway biomarkers in CSF that are elevated in patients with LRRK2 Parkinson’s disease," said John Houston, Ph.D., Chairperson, Chief Executive Officer, and President at Arvinas. "These data highlight the potential of PROTAC-mediated LRRK2 degradation, encouraging further development that could benefit patients in the future."

Arvinas plans to present initial data from a multiple dose cohort of the Phase 1 clinical trial in patients with Parkinson’s disease (ARV-102-103) in 2026. Pending data from the multiple dose cohort and investigational new drug (IND) clearance, Arvinas intends to initiate a Phase 1b trial in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy in the first half of 2026.

Additional detail on Arvinas’ data presentations at the MDS 2025 Congress:

Poster Title: First-in-Human Study to Assess the Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of Single and Multiple Ascending Doses of ARV-102, a PROTAC LRRK2 Degrader, in Healthy Participants

Date & Time: Oct. 7, 12:00-1:00 p.m. HSTPresentation Order: 3Poster Number: 904
Presentation Title: First Clinical Trials of ARV-102, a PROTAC LRRK2 Degrader: Characterization of Pathway Engagement in Healthy Volunteers and Patients With Parkinson’s Disease

Date & Time: Oct. 8, 12:00-1:00 p.m. HSTPresentation Order: 11Poster Number: Late Breaking Abstract 22
Additional information can be found on the MDS 2025 website.

About ARV-102

ARV-102 is an oral, brain-penetrant investigational PROTAC designed to degrade LRRK2, which is a large, multidomain scaffolding kinase. Increased activity, scaffolding, and expression of LRRK2 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases. LRRK2 mutations are a frequent familial cause of Parkinson’s disease, and common LRRK2 variants have been linked with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy.

About Arvinas

Arvinas (Nasdaq: ARVN) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to improving the lives of patients suffering from debilitating and life-threatening diseases. Through its PROTAC protein degrader platform, Arvinas is pioneering the development of protein degradation therapies designed to harness the body’s natural protein disposal system to selectively and efficiently degrade and remove disease-causing proteins. Arvinas is currently progressing multiple investigational drugs through clinical development programs, including vepdegestrant, targeting the estrogen receptor for patients with locally advanced or metastatic estrogen receptor–positive (ER+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative (HER2-) breast cancer; ARV-393, targeting B-cell lymphoma 6 protein (BCL6) for relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma; ARV-102, targeting LRRK2 for neurodegenerative disorders; and ARV-806, targeting Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) G12D for cancers harboring this mutation, including pancreatic and colorectal cancer. Arvinas is headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut. For more information about Arvinas, visit www.arvinas.com and connect on LinkedIn and X.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding: Arvinas’ belief that the data presented from two Phase 1 clinical trials evaluating ARV-102 (ARV-102-101 and ARV-102-103) supports the intensified development of ARV-102 in ongoing studies of patients with Parkinson’s disease, and future studies of patients with progressive supranuclear palsy; the potential of PROTAC-mediated leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (“LRRK2”) degradation; the potential of ARV-102, including its degradation of LRRK2 and potential future benefit to patients; Arvinas’ plans to present initial data from a multiple dose cohort of the Phase 1 clinical trial of ARV-102 in patients with Parkinson’s disease; and Arvinas’ intention, pending data from the multiple dose cohort and investigational new drug clearance, to initiate a Phase 1b clinical trial of ARV-102 in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy, and the timing thereof. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release, including statements regarding Arvinas’ strategy, development plans, future operations, prospects, plans and objectives of management and the statements identified in the prior paragraph, are forward-looking statements. The words “ability,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “target,” “goal,” “potential,” “whether,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “reliance,” “should,” “look forward,” “seek,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.

Arvinas may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in these forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements Arvinas makes as a result of various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: whether Arvinas will be able to successfully conduct and complete development for its product candidates, including ARV-102, on its current timelines or at all; risks related to clinical trial results and the interpretation thereof, including with respect to ARV-102; Arvinas’ ability to protect its intellectual property portfolio; Arvinas’ reliance on third parties; whether Arvinas will be able to raise capital when needed; whether Arvinas’ cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements; and other important factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of Arvinas’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and subsequent other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect Arvinas’ current views with respect to future events, and Arvinas assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Arvinas’ views as of any date subsequent to the date of this release.

Shares of the electric carmaker sold off sharply Thursday and Friday despite record deliveries and powerful catalysts on the horizon.

After sliding sharply on Thursday and Friday, Tesla (TSLA -1.41%) is back in focus ahead of its next earnings report, scheduled for Oct. 22. With a combination of record quarterly deliveries, a sharp sell-off, and an earnings report on the horizon, it's a good time to look closely at the growth stock. Is the pullback a buying opportunity?

The electric vehicle (EV) maker, which also sells batteries and energy-storage systems and is increasingly leaning into software and services with its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) driver-assistance technology and its autonomous ride-sharing robotaxi operation, has some massive catalysts ahead. But it may have to endure a tough fourth quarter first, making the question of whether shares are a buy a difficult one. The stock's high valuation makes the decision even harder.

With this backdrop in mind, here are four reasons investors might want to buy the stock and one important reason they may want to avoid it.

Image source: Getty Images.

A return to growth in its core automotive business
Tesla delivered about 497,100 vehicles in the third quarter, a new quarterly record and, importantly, a return to year-over-year growth of about 7% versus the same period last year. That reversal follows two straight quarters of declines: First-quarter 2025 deliveries fell 13% year over year to 336,681, and second-quarter 2025 deliveries slipped 13% to 384,122. Together, these figures frame Q3 not just as a huge sequential jump but also as a clear break in a tough 2025 trend.

Even though the rebound was helped by the expiration of a key $7,500 U.S. electric vehicle credit, it's worth noting that third-quarter deliveries were far above analysts' consensus forecast for only about 448,000 vehicles.

Energy is quietly becoming a substantial catalyst
Alongside vehicles, Tesla's fast-growing energy storage business took another major step forward in Q3. Tesla deployed 12.5 gigawatt hours (GWh) of storage in the third quarter, its highest on record and well above both the 9.6 GWh reported in the second quarter of 2025 and the 6.9 GWh posted in the third quarter of 2024.

This key segment is now generating substantial gross profit for the company and is likely to continue growing as a percentage of overall revenue.

Fading credits may sting, but product and pricing help
The $7,500 federal electric vehicle credit expired on Sept. 30 -- a change that likely pulled some U.S. demand into Q3 and could weigh on Q4. But there are two offsets worth watching. First, Tesla's sweeping post-COVID-19 price cuts have made its lineup far more accessible than a few years ago.

Second, the recently overhauled Model Y, which Tesla is calling Juniper, gives the company a timely hero product to market into the holidays. While these may not be enough to fully offset the loss of the electric vehicle incentive, they are key catalysts that can help the company begin building momentum going into 2026.

A more affordable model is coming
More importantly, the company has a more affordable model coming soon. Indeed, Tesla said in its second-quarter update that it produced its first units of the new model in June, with volume production planned before the year ends. While comments from Tesla CEO Elon Musk in the company's second-quarter earnings call suggest this may simply be a cheaper version of the new Model Y, it's still worth getting excited about. A lower-priced car could help offset the loss of the now-expired federal credit.

If the company releases a meaningfully lower-priced model with a compelling range and features, the addition could significantly expand Tesla's addressable market next year.

A new, higher-margin revenue stream
And don't forget what is probably Tesla's most important catalyst: a recently launched limited robotaxi pilot program in Austin. It is early for the autonomous ride-sharing program, and a cautious rollout and regulatory constraints mean the near-term financial impact is likely small, but this could morph into a major profit stream for Tesla over time.

If the service scales and more owners opt into Full Self-Driving (Supervised), software and services could grow as a share of revenue. This will likely be a positive for margins and valuation over time. Additionally, growing buzz about robotaxi and Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software could help lure in new Tesla buyers, helping accelerate sales growth.

The reason not to buy? Valuation still leaves little room for error
Even after the sell-off, the stock trades at more than 250 times earnings as of this writing. A price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio like this makes the S&P 500's P/E of about 26 look cheap -- and it leaves almost no room for error. The valuation arguably already prices in substantial progress on autonomy, software monetization, and lower-priced vehicles while also expecting energy to keep compounding. Ultimately, shares could take a beating if Tesla drops the ball in any way.

Despite the company's powerful catalysts, the bear case (valuation) is simpler and, for now, heavy enough to matter. Considering all these bullish reasons to buy shares in the context of the stock's high valuation, investors should proceed with caution. For investors convinced by Tesla's long-term roadmap, a small position could make sense with the expectation of volatility and the discipline to add only if shares retreat further. Everyone else may prefer to wait for a potential further decline in the share price or for fundamentals to catch up.

Daniel Sparks and/or his clients have positions in Tesla. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

For as little as $1, this low-cost ETF gives investors exposure to thousands of companies.

Some of the largest index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the world track the S&P 500. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO 0.01%) has a staggering $1.37 trillion in net assets. Other popular ETFs, like the SPDR S&P 500 ETF and the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF, each have over $650 billion in net assets. The Invesco QQQ Trust, which mirrors the performance of the Nasdaq-100, has over $365 billion in net assets.

As large as these popular funds are, they are no match for the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI 0.03%) -- which just surpassed $2 trillion in net assets. Here's what separates this ETF from S&P 500 index funds and why it's a top buy for long-term investors right now.

Image source: Getty Images.

Differences between the total stock market and the S&P 500
The most valuable U.S. companies have been leading the market to new heights. Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple alone make up a combined 20% of the S&P 500 index. The "Ten Titans," which are Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, and seven other mega-cap growth stocks, make up a combined 39% of the index.

The S&P 500 is massive, comprising 80% of the U.S. stock market. But what about the other 20%? That's where the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF gains its edge.

It has over 3,500 components compared to 504 for the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. And best of all, both funds have the same expense ratio at just 0.03%, or just $0.30 for every $1,000 invested. This means there is no added cost to go with the Total Stock Market ETF over an S&P 500 index fund.

Granted, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has slightly outperformed the Total Stock Market ETF over the past decade, mainly because of mega-cap growth stocks. So even a little more exposure to Ten Titans stocks has been enough to move the needle.

VOO Total Return Level data by YCharts

Low-cost ETFs offer excellent ways for investors to create a diversified portfolio without needing a lot of capital. In addition to their low fees, the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF both have minimum investment amounts of just $1. These low requirements and fees would have been unimaginable just a couple of decades ago.

The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF is an excellent choice for folks looking to buy the U.S. stock market and not just an index like the S&P 500 or Nasdaq-100. But since the S&P 500 is such a big part of the U.S. stock market, you can expect the Total Stock Market ETF to perform close to lockstep with the index.

Let ETFs work for you
Instead of getting bogged down by the differences between these funds, a better objective is to determine what you're trying to get out of ETFs.

ETFs can serve as role players in a portfolio. For example, if you want exposure to artificial intelligence (AI) stocks but don't know where to begin, you can invest in AI ETFs. Or if you're a growth stock investor looking to boost your passive income stream, then high-yield ETFs may be a good fit. These kinds of ETFs are especially useful for filling a need in your portfolio when you don't already have high-conviction ideas in a given theme.

Buying ETFs that are built around stocks you already own creates duplicate holdings and fails to achieve diversification. For example, if an investor's largest holdings are mega-cap tech stocks like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple, then buying an S&P 500 index fund in the hopes of gaining exposure to a basket of hundreds of stocks doesn't do much good, given the dominance of these companies.

Therefore, the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF is best-suited for investors who aren't trying to fill a specific objective but rather, as a catch-all way to put capital in the market with slightly less exposure to the top names than the S&P 500.

Daniel Foelber has positions in Nvidia and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Soleno Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SLNO) resulting from allegations that Soleno Therapeutics may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

So What: If you purchased Soleno Therapeutics securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=43959https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=41168 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

What is this about: On August 15, 2025, Investing.com published a story entitled "Soleno Therapeutics stock falls after Scorpion Capital short report." The article stated that Soleno Therapeutics stock had fallen "following a short report from Scorpion Capital that raised serious concerns about the company's recently approved Prader-Willi syndrome treatment, VYKAT XR." It further stated that the Scorpion Capital report "highlighted personal safety issues," and that it "suggested the drug may be at risk of being withdrawn from the market or facing a significant decline in new prescriptions."

On this news, Soleno Therapeutics' stock fell 7.4% on August 15, 2025. It fell a further 4.9% on the next trading day.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. At the time Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

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      The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
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An “October Surprise” is usually a significant, late-breaking news event that generally occurs just before a November election and has the potential to influence its outcome.

Broadcom (AVGO), TSMC (TSM), and ASML Holding (ASML) each have a key role in the A.I. trade. Shay Boloor believes none of htem get the credit they deserve.

XRP may be entering one of its most crucial phases of the current market cycle, according to crypto analyst Cryptoinsightuk. The analyst believes that a series of strong technical indicators — including momentum, liquidity positioning, and structural setups — point toward a potential 400% rally if XRP maintains its recent trajectory.

Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

Michael Saylor hinted that Strategy would not be making its routine Bitcoin purchase this week. The announcement comes as the company’s holdings reached $79 billion in BTC value.

Michael Saylor’s Strategy Pauses Bitcoin Accumulation
In a recent X post, Michael Saylor told followers there would be “no new orange dots this week,” a phrase now associated with his company’s BTC buys. Instead, he described the halt as a $79 billion reminder of the power of long-term holding.

No new orange dots this week — just a $9 billion reminder of why we HODL. pic.twitter.com/P84m14WF3G

— Michael Saylor (@saylor) October 5, 2025

The pause followed Strategy’s acquisition of BTC worth $22.1 million, purchased at an average of $113,048 per coin. That brought its total stash to 640,031 BTC, bought for $47.35 billion at an average price of $73,983.

It is also worth mentioning that the Michael Saylor firm’s last pause was back in July. The company reaffirmed that the strategy remains one of long-term accumulation, even if it occasionally takes breaks around earnings or market adjustments.

This comes as Strategy’s Bitcoin holdings, boosted by the asset’s new all-time high, reach a valuation of $79.4 billion. That figure is nearly double what it was in 2024. The firm also surpassed the market capitalization of major banks, including Barclays, Deutsche Bank, and BNY Mellon.

Michael Saylor emphasized the growth journey, recalling that the firm began with just $250 million in Bitcoin and an initial unrealized loss of $40 million. In the past seven weeks alone, the firm added over 11,00 BTC, maintaining its position as the largest corporate Bitcoin treasury. Its holdings now account for 3% of the coin’s circulating supply 

Digital Asset Treasuries (DAT) Hit $150 billion Valuation
A new report by VanEck revealed that institutional crypto treasuries now hold approximately $150 billion in assets. Much of this growth is tied to Ethereum and Solana allocations, which are attracting fresh capital despite recent volatility.

Even though blockchain revenues decreased 16% month over month as a result of decreasing market volatility, the report noted that institutional investors are still holding ETH.

In recent treasury moves, BitMine made an ETH buy worth $1 billion. They added 234,846 ETH to bring its total to 2.65 million tokens valued at around $11 billion. They are the largest corporate ETH treasury worldwide.

Notably, VanEck warned in the report that increasing ETH staking could dilute rewards for smaller investors. They, however, noted the overall trend reflects institutional conviction in crypto’s role in long-term portfolio strategies.

Meanwhile, Nasdaq Asia’s AI-driven VisionSys unveiled a Solana treasury strategy worth $2 billion, with $500 million already allocated in its first phase. The plan, executed via Marinade Finance, highlights Solana’s growth.

Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.

Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.

Dogecoin may be preparing for a major market move, according to crypto analyst Ali Martinez, who recently shared insights suggesting that the popular cryptocurrency could be nearing a critical breakout point. In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), Martinez explained that Dogecoin remains within the accumulation phase of an Ascending Channel, a technical pattern that has guided its price behavior for years.

As the cryptocurrency market enters the final quarter of 2025, several sub-$1 tokens are showing potential for growth. 

These assets present an ideal opportunity, especially as investors anticipate a broader market rally fueled by sustained bullish sentiment.

To this end, Finbold consulted OpenAI’s ChatGPT to identify two sub-$1 tokens worth buying as October unfolds.

Cardano (ADA)
Cardano (ADA), currently trading around $0.86, continues to attract interest for its research-driven approach and expanding ecosystem. 

ADA one-week price chart. Source: Finbold
ChatGPT noted that the asset could gain further momentum, citing analysts who point to Cardano’s growing roster of decentralized applications and strong staking participation as indicators of healthy network activity.

 The model emphasized that Cardano remains well positioned for the 2025 bull phase, supported by ongoing governance and scalability upgrades. 

While ADA’s price performance has lagged higher-beta tokens in recent months, ChatGPT pointed out that its structural progress and strong community backing make it a credible mid-cap contender for long-term investors.

Stellar (XLM)
The second pick by ChatGPT was Stellar (XLM), which it described as a promising, utility-driven project. 

The blockchain’s focus on cross-border payments and remittance solutions continues to attract institutional interest, particularly as global payment providers seek faster and cheaper settlement options. 

At press time, XLM was trading at $0.39, with ChatGPT projecting that the token could target the $1 level in the next major crypto bull cycle.

XLM seven-day price chart. Source: Finbold
In summary, ChatGPT suggested that investors consider ADA and XLM for their real-world utility beyond speculation. 

Their established infrastructure, active development teams, and consistent trading liquidity make them stand out as resilient options in an often volatile market landscape.

Featured image via Shutterstock

Key Takeaways
Which crypto tokens were the highest gainers this week?
Zcash [ZEC], SPX6900 [SPX], DeXE [DEXE] led the week in gains.

Which crypto tokens lost the most this week?
MYX Finance [MYX], DoubleZero [2Z], MemeCore [M] saw significant declines.

This week, the crypto market kicked off with classic “Uptober” energy.

Bitcoin dominance [BTC.D] ripped past a six-week high, confirming this rally’s being driven by Bitcoin [BTC].

Consequently, BTC smashed into a new all-time high, while altcoins are still lagging under key resistance levels. 

Basically, the market’s gone full risk-on, with record ETF inflows pouring in. Still, a handful of mid-caps stole the spotlight with outsized gains.

Zcash [ZEC] — Privacy token posted a triple digit jump
Zcash [ZEC] topped the gainers’ chart this week with a staggering 140%+ rally, fueled in part by external endorsements, bringing ZEC back into the spotlight after chopping sideways since December’s $60 peak.

The rally kicked off Q4 with a 17% gain, breaking the $60 level, and was followed by a 98% surge mid-to-late week. Notably, 62% of the weekly gains came on the 1st of October, right after the hype hit.

Structurally, the setup looks mixed. The early breakout was clean and backed by solid momentum, but the mid-week vertical move screams overextension. Thus, bulls’ resilience faces a test next week.

Source: TradingView (ZEC/USDT)

Technically, RSI is peaking in the green, highlighting strong FOMO-driven buying. However, now it looks like the conviction is fading. The 5.96% intraday dip to $147 shows weak hands are being shaken out.

If bulls don’t step up, ZEC could pull back to $120–$130, where it chopped mid-week. Break past $180, though, and we’re back in 2021–22 FOMO territory, making this week key for directional bias.

SPX6900 [SPX] — Memecoin broke out off support
SPX6900 [SPX] emerged as the second-biggest gainer this week, rallying 57% to $1.50. This surge pushed SPX back to early August levels, effectively recovering 100% of its September losses.

The move gives SPX fresh momentum heading into Q4. 

On the weekly chart, RSI is still well below the 70+ peak from earlier market tops, suggesting there’s room to run. On the daily chart, however, it may be topping out — RSI has breached 60, though MACD remains bullish.

With the broader market in a risk-on mode, the memecoin sector is back in the green. SPX’s breakout off $1 support sets it up nicely for a $2 retest, making it an attractive entry point for traders.

DeXE [DEXE] — DeFi token saw its bulls regain control
DeXE [DEXE] grabbed the third spot on the weekly gainer’s chart with a 28% run. The rally started with two days of sideways chop and a modest 1% lift, but Q4 kicked off with an 18.45% surge to $11.30.

The next day saw another 18.45% push, taking DEXE to $13, its highest since June, effectively making up for Q2–Q3 losses.

Notably, about half of the weekly gains came mid-week, hinting at a potential hype-driven spike.

Structurally, bulls are showing strength. A base was formed last week at $9, followed by a potential higher low at $10. This setup suggests a breakout past $15 is likely if momentum holds.

Other notable winners
Outside the majors, altcoin rockets stole the spotlight this week.

GeorgePlaysClashRoyale (CLASH) led the charge with a 752% surge, followed by DeAgentAI (AIA), which jumped 733%, and MetaDAO (META), rallying 338% to round out the leaderboard.

Weekly losers
MYX Finance [MYX] — DeFi platform lost 90% of its September gains
MYX Finance [MYX] topped the weekly losers chart, plunging 67% from its $16 open.

The drop was triggered by a steep decline in Funding Rates to -0.0033%, signaling that short positions were dominating the market.

From a technical standpoint, the negative FR indicated excessive leverage on the long side, causing forced liquidations and a cascade of weak-hand sell-offs. The result? MYX broke below the $8 support level.

As a result, MYX has effectively erased all September gains that had fueled three consecutive rallies, each failing to breach the $20 resistance level. In this context, a 60% pullback may be considered a “healthy” reset.

Source: TradingView (MYX/USDT)

Technically, the recent price action has effectively cleared out weak hands, triggering a classic deleveraging event. The forced liquidations and sell-offs have normalized Funding Rates, resulting in a textbook leverage flush.

If buying pressure on the bid side persists, this setup could present a solid “dip-buy” opportunity. That said, monitoring MYX’s derivatives activity will be a critical metric for identifying potential signs of a bullish rebound.

DoubleZero [2Z] — Decentralized project saw a rollercoaster week 
DoubleZero [2Z] ranked second among the weekly losers, declining 27% from its $0.67 open. The altcoin faced significant volatility this week, driven by heightened social-media attention and speculative trading activity.

The sell-off was primarily triggered by allegations of insider trading, which spread rapidly across platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), resulting in a 13% intraday drop on the 2nd of October. 

Despite public clarifications from the project’s founder, traders maintained short positions, amplifying downward pressure, suggesting that 2Z is at elevated risk of downward swings until social sentiment stabilizes.

MemeCore [M] — Meme-themed crypto tested key support
MemeCore [M] ranked third among the weekly losers, declining 17% from its $2.50 open. This weekly red candle is the first in M’ four-month bullish run, indicating that HODLers may be realizing profits.

The week began with a 27% intraday drop, breaching the $2.30 support level for the first time, highlighting the largest single-day decline in M’s trading history. This retracement pushed M back to late-August levels.

In other words, M erased its September gains after testing a $3 ATH.

On the bullish side, bids had previously kicked off a 43% rally on the 30th of September. Although much of those gains have been retraced, M is chopping around the $2 support, making this a critical level to monitor.

Other notable losers
In the broader market, downside volatility hit hard.

Mira (MIRA) led the losers with a 58% drop, followed by MonBase Coin (MBC), down 56%, and Plasma (XPL), which slipped 45% as momentum sharply cooled.

Conclusion
This week was a rollercoaster. Big pumps, sharp dips, and nonstop action. As always, stay sharp, do your own research, and trade smart.

Bitcoin, the world's most valuable cryptocurrency, has achieved a new milestone by surpassing the $125,000 threshold. This remarkable accomplishment occurred on October 5, 2025, driven by a wave of optimism dubbed “Uptober” that has captured the attention of investors and traders globally.

Solana resumed its strong uptrend on Sunday, Oct. 5, as the crypto market jumped, its stablecoin supply hit a record high and the staked SOL ETF inflows jumped. 

Summary

SOL has surged to $236—its highest price since Sept. 21 and up 150% from this year’s low—driven by strong fundamentals and bullish technical signals.
A key catalyst is the rapid growth of stablecoins on the Solana network, which hit a record $15 billion in circulation, led by USD Coin and Tether. Institutional interest is also rising, reflected in the $404 million REX-Osprey SOL + Staking ETF (SSK), launched in July.
Analysts see this as a sign of broader confidence in Solana, with expectations of future ETF approvals by the SEC. Further momentum could come from Solana’s upcoming Alpenglow upgrade, which aims to enhance network performance.

Solana (SOL) token jumped to a high of $236, its highest level since Sept. 21, and up 150% from its yearly low. Its strong fundamentals and technicals suggest that the coin may jump to a record high this year. 

Aside from new stablecoin legislation, a major catalyst for the SOL price is that stablecoin growth is accelerating. According to DeFi Llama, the total supply in the ecosystem jumped to a record high of $15 billion. That’s up sharply from the year-to-date low of $5.4 billion. 

USD Coin boasts over $10.76 billion in assets. It is followed by Tether’s USDT, which has over $2.45 billion PayPal USD, with $614 million in assets. 

Another major catalyst for the Solana price is the ongoing growth of the REX-Osprey SOL + Staking ETF, whose ticker symbol is SSK. This fund, which was launched in July, has accumulated over $404 million in assets under management. 

SSK’s growth is a sign that American institutional investors are optimistic about Solana and other top cryptocurrencies. For example, Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs have had over $74 billion in inflows since last year.

Therefore, this performance is a sign that investors will buy other Solana ETFs once they are approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, possibly this month. 

SOL price will also benefit from the Alpenglow upgrade, which will happen in the coming months. 

Solana price technical analysis 
SOL price chart | Source: crypto.news
The daily timeframe chart shows that the SOL price has rebounded in the past few days. This rebound started after it moved to a low of $190, its lowest level on Sept. 26. Its lowest level aligned with the lower side of the ascending channel. 

Solana price has jumped above the 50-day and 100-day Exponential Moving Averages and is approaching the upper side of the ascending channel at $253. A move above that level will point to more gains, potentially to a record high of $295.

All signs point to a strong year-end rally for Bitcoin. Or do they?

Year to date, Bitcoin (BTC 1.24%) is up 30%, capped off by a sizzling early October rally that has already seen its price hit $120,000. That's just a stone's throw away from an all-time high of $124,457, which it hit during the summer.

So is Bitcoin a buy now? Or are there better buys out there right now in the crypto market? Let's take a closer look.

Image source: Getty Images.

The Bitcoin seasonality effect
If history is any guide, Bitcoin performs best in the final quarter of the year. Typically, Bitcoin shakes off a summer malaise sometime in September, and then goes on an epic rally in the months of October and November.

This is just not an anecdotal observation. It's backed up by more than 10 years of data. Since 2013, Bitcoin has increased in value by 20% in October, 46% in November, and another 5% in December.

Overall, Bitcoin has increased in value by an average of 80% in Q4. Two of the best fourth quarters ever were in 2017 and 2020, when Bitcoin went absolutely ballistic.

Thus, Bitcoin's early October rally has crypto market participants already talking up the potential of yet another "Uptober." The problem, of course, is that past performance is no guarantee of future performance. There's no rational reason to explain why Bitcoin does so well in the final quarter of the year, and that's what makes me nervous.

Bitcoin to $180,000?
That being said, a growing number of analysts and investors are convinced that Bitcoin is about to rally hard. Citigroup (NYSE: C), for example, recently put out a research note to its clients, suggesting that Bitcoin could hit $132,000 by the end of this year, and then $181,000 next year.

That's on the conservative side. In September, Tom Lee of Fundstrat suggested that Bitcoin could nearly double in value to hit a price of $200,000 this year. According to Lee, a series of aggressive Fed rate cuts could incentivize investors to move their money into riskier, more speculative assets such as Bitcoin.

And there are countless catalysts that could send Bitcoin to $180,000. Citigroup primarily focuses on strong demand from institutional investors, who are using the spot Bitcoin ETFs as an easy, convenient way to get their exposure to Bitcoin. As long as flows into these spot Bitcoin ETFs remain positive, they should help to push the price of Bitcoin higher.

Moreover, the ranks of Bitcoin treasury companies continue to grow. This is another important source of demand. These Bitcoin treasury companies are accumulating Bitcoin at an unprecedented pace. According to data from BitcoinTreasuries.net, the top 100 Bitcoin treasury companies hold over 1 million BTC, or approximately 5% of all Bitcoin in circulation. That, too, helps to give Bitcoin a very nice floor going forward.

The contrarian view on Bitcoin
If you zoom out and take a big picture view, though, there are a lot of reasons to be concerned about Bitcoin. For example, Bitcoin is hardly the top-performing major cryptocurrency. Yes, Bitcoin is up 30% for the year, but Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) is up 35% and XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) is up 45%. Right now, crypto investors appear to be displaying a clear preference for riskier altcoins.

Moreover, Bitcoin is not even outperforming gold right now. Over the past year, gold is up 45%. So why would you settle for 30% gains with Bitcoin right now? On a risk-adjusted basis, gold would appear to be the better buy.

Moreover, if you want to embrace the "Bitcoin seasonality effect" as an important catalyst for future price appreciation, then you probably also need to accept the historical data surrounding the Bitcoin halving. After each halving event, Bitcoin typically goes on an epic rally for a period of 12 to 18 months, before ultimately crashing in value.

Well, the last halving took place in April 2024, so it's soon going to be 18 months. As a result, red danger signals should be flashing right now, alerting investors that the Bitcoin rally of the past 18 months could be coming to an end soon. Just look back to November 2021, when Bitcoin suddenly nosedived in value after hitting a (then) all-time high of $69,000.

Yes, Bitcoin is a phenomenal asset to hold over the long term, but it's prone to periods of extreme boom and bust. So if you decide to load up on Bitcoin now, be prepared to hold through what could be very intense turbulence ahead.

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Dominic Basulto has positions in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Sun, 5/10/2025 - 16:00

XRP completes golden cross, but there's more to look out for

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XRP has completed a golden cross, a bullish pattern that occurs when a short-term MA (the MA 50) crosses above a long-term moving average (the MA 200).

This pattern has recently appeared on a short-term chart, in particular the two-hour chart, and comes as XRP sees renewed bullish momentum at October's start.

XRP/USD 2-Hour Chart, Courtesy: TradingViewXRP has steadily rebounded since Sept. 26, surpassing the $2.93 barrier since Oct. 1. The rally has surpassed $3 consecutively since this date, but has not been able to progress beyond $3.10.

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At the time of writing, XRP was up 0.84% in the last 24 hours to $2.99 and up 7.02% weekly, according to CoinMarketCap.

Is it enough?While XRP has formed a golden cross on its two-hour chart, this seems not enough as its price remains locked in a range between $2.94 and $3.10. The RSI, a momentum indicator, is near the 50 midpoint, indicating the likelihood of consolidation in the coming sessions.

Going forward, it will be watched if XRP can sustainably hold above $3 to seek a break above $3.10. If this occurs, XRP might aim next for the $3.30-$3.50 range, with a further breakout reaching $4.

Upcoming catalysts for Q4 include a potential XRP ETF approval and advancements for XRP and XRP Ledger.

Six XRP ETF filings carry October decision windows that traders regard as "binary" events for Q4 price action. Options on XRP futures on CME Group might launch Oct. 13.

XRPL’s native lending protocol is anticipated to be released in XRPL version 3.0.0 later this year. Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) are in development on XRP Ledger to balance privacy, compliance and scalability.

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XRP is stepping into a larger role in Asia’s digital economy. By 2026, reports say the token could become the backbone of reward tokenization, changing how people use and spend digital assets across the region. Jesse from Apex Crypto Consulting recently discussed Ripple’s growing partnerships in Japan and beyond are paving the way for XRP to lead this transformation.

Ripple and SBI Ripple Asia Join ForcesThe biggest move came from SBI Ripple Asia, a joint venture between Ripple and SBI Holdings. The group has signed a deal with Tobu Top Tours, one of Japan’s largest travel companies. Together, they will create a new payment and rewards platform on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), connecting digital tokens with NFTs and everyday payments.

Travel, Tourism, and Digital RewardsThis platform is more than just payments. It is set to power NFT souvenirs, travel vouchers, and region-based reward tokens that encourage local spending. The goal is to launch by the first half of 2026, putting XRP at the center of Asia’s growing token economy.

A Growing Network of SupportRipple’s reach in Japan is already massive, with over 80% of major banks tied to XRP systems. SBI Holdings itself holds billions worth of XRP, showing just how much backing the project has. In addition, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority recently mentioned Ripple in its plans for tokenized settlements, further proving its growing role in Asia.

Why This Matters for the FutureEvents like the Osaka World Expo 2025, which expects nearly 30 million visitors, will give the XRP-powered system a huge stage. With its low fees, fast transactions, and eco-friendly design, the XRPL is shaping up as the ideal platform for this next wave of adoption.

“This is not just about transactions,” Jesse explained. “XRP acts as the bridge — linking tokens, NFTs, and real-world payments.”

If these plans take place as expected, XRP could soon become the cornerstone of Asia’s tokenized economy.

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Investors in the United States are increasingly putting money into crypto funds that allow them to track Bitcoin and Ether without ever holding the coins. The attraction is simple:- coins can be stolen or lost, but funds can be traded like any other security.