Market Signal Briefing

NEW YORK, Oct. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Titan” or “TTNP”) today announced the successful closing of its previously announced merger with Black Titan Corporation (“Black Titan”) and TalenTec Sdn. Bhd. (“TalenTec”). Following the merger, the combined company's ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value per share, will trade on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol NASDAQ: BTTC.

Pursuant to the Merger and Contribution and Share Exchange Agreement dated August 19, 2024, Titan has become a wholly owned subsidiary of Black Titan Corporation, effective as of October 1, 2025.

As part of the transaction, each issued and outstanding share of Titan common stock was automatically converted into ordinary shares of Black Titan on a one-for-one basis. Trading of Titan’s common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market ceased trading at the close of business on October 1, 2025, and Black Titan’s ordinary shares commenced trading on Nasdaq on October 2, 2025.

Chay W. J., CEO of Black Titan, remarked, “This merger represents more than a structural change, it’s the beginning of a new chapter of innovation and global expansion. We are well-positioned to execute our strategic vision and bring transformative value to our stakeholders.”

ARC Group Ltd. acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Black Titan Corporation in connection with the transaction.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, those described in the filings of Black Titan Corporation and Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Neither company undertakes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

Media & Investor Contacts:
Chay W. J.
Chief Executive Officer
(786) 769-7512

Inspired by Leah Kateb's heritage and obsession with smelling edible, Double Dates blends sweet dates, sticky toffee, and brown sugar into Skylar's most indulgent scent yet.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Skylar is proud to announce the launch of Double Dates, the first fragrance created under the vision of Skylar's new Chief Creative Officer and "Refounder," Leah Kateb. This indulgent new eau de parfum signals a bold new era for Skylar as the brand continues its evolution into a more elevated, sophisticated territory while deepening its connection with a new generation of fragrance lovers.

Leah Kateb. Image Courtesy of Skylar.

Decadent yet refined, Double Dates blends the sweetness of ripe dates, the indulgence of sticky toffee, and the richness of brown sugar into a fragrance that is as inviting as it is sophisticated. Inspired by Kateb's Middle Eastern heritage and her playful love of smelling delicious at all times, the fragrance captures the intimacy of a shared dessert and the allure of a perfect date night, designed to linger long after the moment ends.

"Creating my first fragrance with Skylar has been the sweetest dream come true," said Leah Kateb. "Double Dates gives me that delicate, warm, and, most importantly, edible feel. I hope you guys love it as much as I do!"

"Leah's first fragrance with Skylar captures everything this next era stands for – personal, expressive, and completely unforgettable," said Ross Sklar, CEO of Starco Brands (parent company of Skylar). "We are thrilled to see her vision come to life in a scent that is so meaningful for Skylar and our community."

Crafted with Skylar's signature clean beauty standards, Double Dates is vegan, cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, and safe for sensitive skin – proving that indulgence and responsibility can exist hand in hand.

Double Dates is available starting October 9th as a 50ml eau de parfum ($90) and 10ml travel spray ($30)  exclusively on the Sephora app, rolling out nationwide on October 10.

For more information about Double Dates or Skylar's full fragrance portfolio, visit Skylar.com or follow along on Instagram and TikTok @Skylar.

About Skylar

Skylar, a Starco Brands (OTCQB : STCB) company, is redefining fragrance with sophisticated scents that are effortlessly California. Inspired by the natural beauty, creativity, and laid-back luxury of its Los Angeles home, Skylar blends innovative perfumery with West Coast sensibility—creating elevated, unforgettable fragrances designed to move with you from day to night, city to coast. Originally founded in 2017 as a pioneer in clean fragrance, 2025 ushers in a bold new chapter for the brand with LA-native Leah Kateb joining Skylar as its "Refounder" and Chief Creative Officer.  With Kateb at the helm, the brand has embraced its roots more than ever—celebrating West Coast confidence, trend-setting individuality, and pushing the bounds of fragrance with adventurous new scents. The brand's full scent portfolio delights fans at stores nationwide, including Sephora, Macy's, Nordstrom, and Anthropologie.  Skylar's full lineup, as well as its cult-favorite Scent Club,  can also be found on its website - Skylar.com. Skylar is proudly vegan, cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, and safe for sensitive skin. 

About Starco Brands 

Starco Brands (OTCQB: STCB) invents consumer products with behavior-changing technologies that spark excitement in the everyday. Today, its disruptive brands include Whipshots®, the world's only vodka-infused whipped cream; Art of Sport, the body care brand designed for athletes and co-founded by Kobe Bryant; Winona®, the first indulgent theater-popcorn spray powered by air; Skylar, the only fragrance that is both hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin; and Soylent, the complete non-dairy nutrition brand. A modern-day invention factory to its core, Starco Brands identifies whitespaces across consumer product categories. Starco Brands publicly trades on the OTCQB stock exchange. Visit starcobrands.com for more information.

About Leah Kateb

Leah Kateb has emerged as the undeniable breakout star of Love Island USA Season 6, captivating audiences and dominating the conversation like no one before her. With her unapologetic authenticity and electric charisma, Kateb has sparked one of the biggest social media surges in the show's history, cementing her status as a cultural force. As a trailblazer, Leah has carved out her own lane across media and business. From her signature vintage style that made her a verified trendsetter to her rise as a powerhouse entrepreneur, Kateb continues to evolve, elevate, and expand her empire. Leah continues to rewrite the rules and redefine what's possible across industries.

SOURCE Skylar

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Key Takeaways Oklo and other nuclear and next-gen energy stocks have soared as part of the AI trade.NNE is a soaring home-run nuclear energy stock to buy for big upside. MVST is a cheap ($5 a share), Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) energy storage stock poised to breakout.
Wall Street is treating next-generation nuclear energy companies such as Oklo as direct bets on artificial intelligence. The reason is simple: large AI data centers consume as much electricity as a mid-sized city, which is a huge reason why U.S. electricity demand is set to grow ~75% by 2050.

The desperate need for more power to fuel AI expansion helped Sam Altman-backed nuclear energy upstart Oklo (OKLO - Free Report)  stock soar 500% so far in 2025, despite being pre-revenue. Investors have also sent established energy giants such as GE Vernova, Constellation Energy, and Vistra skyrocketing over the past few years.

AI hyperscalers are taking an all-of-the-above approach to energy from nuclear and natural gas to solar, which is great for energy storage companies.

Oklo looks a bit overheated after climbing 140% since early July. It’s time to buy other stocks that could be the next home-run AI energy investments with huge near-term and long-term upside. 

Investors looking for the next Oklo might want to consider Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) energy storage company Microvast, which trades for under $5 a share, and speculative microreactor stock Nano Nuclear Energy. 

Buy Nano Nuclear Stock Before It Soars AgainNano Nuclear Energy Inc. (NNE - Free Report)  is developing advanced portable micro nuclear reactors. The speculative pre-revenue nuclear company envisions a future where its microreactors provide energy to AI data centers, cargo ships, Moon bases, and beyond.

Nano’s bull case is deepened by its strong balance sheet ($210 million in cash and cash equivalents vs. $5 million in total liabilities).

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

NNE said last quarter that it’s experiencing “growing support and interest from long-term oriented institutional investors.” AI hyperscalers are partnering with nuclear energy companies like Oklo and Constellation (CEG - Free Report)  to make sure they’re prepared to power their data centers.

Big tech companies might even buy a few small nuclear energy companies like Nano because securing power is the most difficult part of the AI supply chain.

Nuclear energy, as Nano pointed out in its Q3 earnings report in August, is also backed by “unprecedented bipartisan legislative and policy support in the U.S. for nuclear energy.” NNE is gaining interest from Wall Street. Zacks has five brokerage recommendations for the stock, up from two in the spring (3 out of 5 are “Strong Buys”).

Nano Nuclear announced in late September that it was included in the S&P Global Broad Market Index (BMI), “the world's first float-adjusted global benchmark.” NNE was also added to the S&P Total Market Index (TMI), which “encompasses the entire U.S. equity market.” These inclusions expand NNE’s visibility to a large swath of investors.  

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Nano Nuclear stock lagged some of its home-run nuclear energy peers in 2025, yet it is still up 80% YTD and 760% since its early May 2024 IPO. Yet, Nano has not broken out above its early 2025 highs.

The stock is heavily short (~28% of the float), setting up the potential for quick and substantial upside if Wall Street takes some of its Oklo winnings and dives into Nano.

The chart above shows the NNE has held its ground at its post IPO highs and its 21-day moving average. It is also far from overheated on the RSI front, proving Nano Nuclear breakout potential in Q4 and beyond once it climbs above its January peaks.

Time to Buy Cheap AI Energy Stock MVST in OctoberMicrovast (MVST - Free Report)  designs, develops, and manufactures lithium-ion battery solutions. The Texas-based company boasts that its cutting-edge cell technology and its vertical integration capabilities extend from core battery chemistry to modules and packs.

Microvast is capitalizing on the long-term momentum of solar energy expansion, which necessitates the massive deployment of energy storage solutions. It also benefits from the broader electrification of vehicles, big and small.

U.S. utility-scale battery storage grew ~66% last year, with it set to add another 20 GW of battery storage to the grid in 2025, to reach nearly 50 GW, up from essentially zero before 2020.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The battery technology company's huge beat-and-raise second quarter report in early August sent its FY25 consensus estimate 46% higher, with its FY26 estimate up 21%. MVST’s positive bottom-line revisions help it earn a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

MVST is projected to swing from an adjusted loss of -$0.27 a share last year to +$0.19 a share in FY25 and then grow its earnings per share (EPS) by 53% in 2026. It is projected to grow its revenue by 22% in 2025 and 2026 to reach $563.5 million vs. $108 million in 2020.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Microvast stock soared 120% YTD and over 2,220% off its November 2024 lows. Yet it still trades roughly 23% below its average Zacks price target and 80% beneath its 2021 highs.

MVST stock is on the verge of breaking out to new 2025 highs and overtaking a potentially key level highlighted above that could help it start marching back up to its all-time highs. Investors might also be attracted to MVST’s status as a cheap stock trading for roughly $4.60 a share. 

On today's epsiode of CNBC Crypto World, major cryptocurrencies end the week in the green with bitcoin inching closer to its record. Plus, George Kikvadze, executive vice chairman of Bitfury, explains the evolution of bitcoin over the past decade.

A $5,200 breakout could ignite a sharp surge toward $7,600.

Ethereum (ETH) started October strong as it gained almost 9% within the first three days and reached close to $4,500 by Friday. The crypto asset’s current setup appears to be on the verge of breaking out from a re-accumulation phase.

Its bullish path hinges on holding $4,700 support.

Bold ETH Forecast
According to the analysis shared by Alphractal’s founder and analyst Joao Wedson, an important level to watch is $5,100. If Ethereum pushes past this point, a correction back toward $4,700 would actually be a healthy retest. This could set the stage for a much larger move.

However, $4,700 must hold as support; a breakdown below this level could derail the bullish trajectory. The bigger picture remains highly optimistic, and Alphractal is eyeing a target between $7,000 and $7,600 for the next leg up.

In fact, Wedson argues that a clean break above $5,200 could act as a trigger, catapulting Ethereum toward $7,000 in just hours or a few days. The outlook predicted that the market could soon witness one of the fastest and most decisive rallies in Ethereum’s history.

Analyst Ted Pillows also echoed a similar sentiment and said that $4,500 is currently acting as a resistance level. According to his analysis, a successful reclaim of this price point could trigger a swift rally toward the $4,700-$4,750 range.

Ethereum saw a significant boost yesterday with respect to institutional flows. According to data compiled by SoSoValue, spot ETH ETFs inflow recorded $307.1 million amidst renewed investor confidence in the asset. BlackRock led the charge, purchasing $177.1 million worth of ETH, accounting for more than half of the day’s total inflow. Fidelity’s FETH captured $60.71 million in inflows, followed by Bitwise ETHW with $46.47 million in inflows. Grayscale’s ETH ETF also brought in over $12 million in inflows on the same day.

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These allocations from some of the largest asset managers highlighted growing institutional interest in Ethereum, especially amid the current market’s major rebound.

Supply Squeeze
Interestingly, Ethereum is also experiencing a supply squeeze as withdrawals from exchanges now outpace inflows. Data shows billions of dollars’ worth of ETH leaving trading platforms, which has pushed the Exchange Flux Balance into negative territory for the first time.

Where exchanges once accumulated ETH, they now struggle to keep up with demand. With available supply shrinking sharply, this imbalance could create a potent catalyst for price appreciation, as scarcity on exchanges may bolster buying pressure and trigger a historic Ethereum rally.

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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.

BNB Coin price has entered a powerful phase after breaking through a major resistance level and setting new highs. Analyst Javon Marks has projected a fresh target that signals more upside may be unfolding. Meanwhile, derivatives activity has surged significantly, reflecting heightened positioning across markets. Together, these factors have placed Binance Coin price in the spotlight, reinforcing expectations of extended gains in the near term.

BNB Coin Price Prediction: Analyst Chart Points To $1,520 Target
Specifically, Javon Marks’ chart highlights that BNB Coin price has cleared the $1,085 resistance level, opening the path toward his projected $1,520 target. This breakout comes after consistent support from the ascending trendline, which has guided price action higher for months. 

The chart structure shows firm higher lows, confirming the continuation of bullish momentum into uncharted territory. With the previous resistance now acting as immediate support, the probability of reaching the $1,520 zone has strengthened considerably. 

The sustained surge in Binance Coin price reinforces the broader positive outlook, validating the analyst’s view of an additional 33% climb ahead.

BNB/USD 3-Day Chart (Source: X)
On the 1-Day chart, the current BNB market price trades at $1,148, holding comfortably above the $1,085 support after hitting an all-time high at around $1167. The ascending trendline remains intact, providing a solid foundation for the bullish case. 

Moreover, the Directional Movement Index (DMI) shows +DI leading –DI, while the ADX reads 33, confirming trend strength. This alignment suggests that buying activity continues to dominate, with strong directional power favoring further upside. 

As long as ADX sustains above 25, the ongoing trend is considered robust and likely to persist. This reinforces the broader long-term BNB Coin price prediction, supporting the view that higher levels remain achievable.

BNB/USDT 1-Day Chart (Source: TradingView)
Binance Coin Derivatives Data Reinforces Market Conviction
Derivatives activity has expanded dramatically, adding weight to the bullish outlook on BNB Coin price, according to CoinGlass. Trading volume has soared by 129.26% to $5.59 billion, highlighting a flood of capital into the market. 

Additionally, the open interest has risen 24.53% to $2.39 billion, indicating stronger conviction among participants holding positions. Meanwhile, options volume jumped 52.26% to $8.77 million, showing increased appetite for directional exposure.

BNB Open Interest (Source: CoinGlass)
Alongside these derivatives gains, BNB Chain has strengthened its positioning by becoming a leading platform for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, covering gold, treasuries, and other financial instruments. 

This broader ecosystem utility complements speculative activity, adding another layer of credibility to the ongoing rally. Collectively, these factors reinforce the analyst’s $1,520 target as a realistic extension of Binance Coin price action.

To sum up, BNB Coin price remains in focus after clearing critical resistance and setting a new all-time high. The $1,520 target outlined by analyst projections reflects the next major milestone in play. Derivatives activity, coupled with technical strength, reinforces the supportive backdrop for this outlook. With both chart structure and market positioning aligned, the case for further gains remains strong.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

BNB’s derivatives surge is fueled by rising trading participation, stronger Open Interest, and options demand.

The DMI shows +DI above –DI with ADX at 33, confirming strong trend strength for BNB’s market.

BNB Chain’s ecosystem supports compliant issuance, liquidity, and secure execution, making it a top RWA platform.

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.

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BNB Coin Price Hits ATH as Derivatives Activity Soars—Is $1,520 the Next Stop?

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Stuart Alderoty, chief legal officer at Ripple, has heaped praise on Mike Selig, who has emerged as the frontrunner to spearhead the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

"No one is better suited than Mike Selig to harmonize the CFTC and SEC on crypto and more - reducing duplicative regulation and patching fragmentation," Alderoty said on X. 

Selig currently serves as a top official on the Securities and Exchange Commission, the CFTC's sister agency. 

HOT Stories

He has previously worked for such prominent law firms as Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Perkins Coie. 

Turmoil at CFTC Earlier this week, the Financial Times reported that the CFTC is in a state of turmoil. The influential agency, which is responsible for overseeing derivatives and cryptocurrency commodities, is currently managed only by Acting Chair Caroline Pham. 

The nomination of Brian Quintenz has stalled due to pushback from the industry. The Winklevoss twins led a pressure campaign against Quintenz due to the 2022 CFTC case against their Gemini exchange. 

The popular trading platform was accused of misrepresenting its Bitcoin futures contracts, and Gemini agreed to shell out a $5 million fine to settle the case. The Winklevii claimed that the CFTC was weaponinzing the commodities laws against them. 

Pham, a strong deregulation advocate champied by the industry, has gone after the enforcement staff linked to the Gemini case, which has reportedly worsened the moral within the agency.  

Quintenz's nomination is currently in jeopardy, and various alternatives have been considered. 

Earlier this week, Politico reported that Selig had emerged as a new frontrunner. 

The brokerage added four yield-focused tokens from Strategy, including perpetual preferred and convertible instruments.

Key Takeaways

Robinhood has listed four digital tokens from Strategy, expanding access to Bitcoin-backed financial products for retail investors.
The listed tokens are STRC, STRD, STRF, and STRK, each offering different features such as stable yield, flexible or cumulative dividends, and optional equity conversion.

Robinhood, a retail-focused brokerage platform, has listed four digital tokens from Strategy, a Bitcoin treasury firm building structured yield products around its holdings.

The new listings include STRC, a Bitcoin-backed perpetual preferred instrument that delivers stable yields with monthly payouts, and STRD, a non-cumulative preferred equity with flexible dividend declarations linked to cash flow.

Robinhood also added STRF, a high-yield cumulative preferred with compounding deferred dividends, and STRK, a convertible preferred offering cumulative dividends and optional equity conversion.

The availability of STRC and other Strategy instruments on Robinhood highlights the integration of Bitcoin-backed yield products into mainstream brokerage platforms, opening access to structured digital credit strategies for retail investors.

Disclaimer

Key takeaways:

Ethereum’s $100 billion TVL leadership contrasts with falling activity, as competitors gain traction through lower fees.

Institutional accumulation via spot ETFs and corporate reserves may trigger an Ether supply shock above $5,000.

Ether (ETH) rose 14% over the past seven days, climbing above $4,500 for the first time in two weeks. Still, derivatives indicators continue to show skepticism, leaving traders to wonder what is weighing on sentiment and whether ETH can push past $5,000 in the near term.

ETH 60-day futures annualized premium relative to spot markets. Source: laevitas.chETH monthly futures are trading at a 7% premium over spot markets, comfortably within the 5% to 10% neutral range that compensates for longer settlement periods. Notably, this gauge has not turned bullish since February. Even the 100% rally in ETH during the six weeks leading up to Aug. 13 was not enough to spark confidence.

Increased competition in DEX activity reduced Ether’s appealSome analysts attribute Ether traders’ unease to growing competition, particularly following the launch of the Official Trump (TRUMP) memecoin on Solana. With smoother onboarding for new users and wallets linked directly to decentralized exchanges, Solana, BNB Chain, and Tron have gained traction, while Ethereum has lagged in both fees and active addresses.

The rapid growth of synthetic perpetual futures trading, led by Hyperliquid, has raised concerns among Ether holders. Instead of relying on a layer-2 scaling solution, the project introduced its own HyperEVM blockchain. The trend gained momentum after the decentralized exchange Aster, backed by YZi Labs (formerly Binance Labs), announced plans to launch its own chain.

Ethereum still dominates in total value locked (TVL), with nearly $100 billion secured, according to DefiLlama. Yet network activity shows little improvement, a factor likely explaining why Ether derivatives remain subdued. Adding pressure, fees on several Ethereum rivals have doubled in the past 30 days, eroding ETH’s relative appeal.

Blockchains ranked by 30-day network fees, USD. Source: NansenEthereum’s network fees dropped 30% over the past month, while transactions declined 10%, according to Nansen. By contrast, fees on BNB Chain, Avalanche and HyperEVM doubled, and transaction counts surged by 60% or more over the same period. Even though deposits in Ethereum smart contracts rose 5% during the month, traders worry that competitors are steadily closing the gap.

Ethereum top protocols ranked by TVL, USD. Source: DefiLlamaAmong the positive standouts in Ethereum’s TVL growth, the synthetic stablecoin protocol Ethena gained 18% over the past 30 days, while Spark—a DeFi platform focused on lending and stablecoin yields—saw deposits rise 28%. On the downside, TVL on the Pendle yield platform dropped 50%, and deposits on the lending platform Morpho declined 8%.

Ether 30-day options delta skew (put-call) at Deribit. Source: laevitas.chThe Ether options delta skew has remained within a neutral band of +6% to -6%, indicating that put (sell) and call (buy) options are trading at comparable levels. Had traders grown more optimistic, demand for bullish strategies would have pushed the indicator lower, but such a shift has yet to occur.

ETH traders may be uneasy about the potential approval of spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for altcoins by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Analysts see approval odds above 95% for Solana, Litecoin and XRP in October, an outcome that could strengthen those networks and heighten competition across the altcoin market.

Ether’s next leg higher will likely hinge on sustained accumulation by institutional investors through spot ETFs, as well as companies adopting ETH as a reserve asset. Bitmine Immersion Tech (BMNR) alone has added nearly $12 billion in Ether by issuing debt and selling stock, an activity that could spark a supply shock and propel prices beyond $5,000.

This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

In an interview with Bloomberg’s Haslinda Amin on the sidelines of Token2025, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson sketched an unabashedly expansionary roadmap for both crypto markets and the Cardano ecosystem, arguing that the next phase of adoption will be institutional, privacy-aware, and integrated with legacy finance—and that Cardano is positioned to be a core settlement layer in that world. The X quip that Cardano will “break the internet,” he said, was less a meme than a signal of the scope of partnerships and primitives he believes are nearing product readiness.

Bitcoin And Crypto Enter The Bull Run: Hoskinson
Hoskinson dismissed the latest market drawdown as a transient pause. “Quick pit stop at the gas station,” he said when asked if the recent sell-off suggested fading momentum. He described crypto’s underlying strength as “incredibly strong,” tying the next leg to policy catalysts. “The Clarity Act is likely to get passed and bring institutional players in,” he argued, placing regulation—not retail cycles—at the heart of the coming expansion.

On macro linkages, Hoskinson urged investors to decide what they believe crypto is—a high-beta tech proxy or a counter-cyclical hedge—because the answer shapes expectations through rate and dollar regimes. “When the dollar is weak, it wakes up,” he noted, adding that crypto has recently tracked tech, then gold, with the goal that the asset class becomes “large enough to be in its own asset class.”

He remains explicitly constructive on Bitcoin, placing a marker on timing and magnitude while cautioning his trading acumen: “I think by the middle of next year, $250,000 Bitcoin… depends on the macroeconomics… I’m the worst trader in the world.” The message was less a price call than a framing device: if institutions drive the next cycle, flows and correlations will not look like prior, retail-led four-year rhythms. “Those cycles were retail driven… this [one is] institutional and [about the] Clarity Act… a billion users,” he said, adding that banks are stirring “because the Genius Act,” which he cast as a bridge for mainstream capital.

Pressed on whether enthusiasm could be derailed by tariffs, geopolitics, or slower-than-expected easing, Hoskinson acknowledged the sector is “not immune to the macro,” reminding that heightened uncertainty makes allocators “more conservative and wait to deploy capital.” Yet he returned to a secular bull thesis: “I think we are headed towards the bull market,” with crypto continuing to “follow tech stocks” even as it matures toward standalone status.

The interview’s pivot—and the line that lit up social media—was Amin’s reference to his recent post that “Cardano is going to break the internet.” Hoskinson tied the rhetoric to concrete pillars: an energized community, expanding collaborations, and privacy-preserving infrastructure designed for regulated finance.

“We’re having a lot of fun… a lot of wonderful partnerships and collaborations like Google Cloud,” he said, adding that the ecosystem “has been running and [has] never been hacked,” which in his view underpins why “a lot of institutional [capital sees Cardano as] one of the blue chips of the industry.”

For Hoskinson, the last mile between blockchains and capital markets is privacy and programmability that fit compliance envelopes. “Tokens are financial brain cells… Having 24/7 global settlement is a really powerful thing. Only thing missing is privacy,” he said. The remedy, he argued, is contract design that separates public and private data paths so that broker-dealers and custodians can meet obligations without forfeiting blockchain’s composability. “You need contracts to sort out the public side and private side… solving that last mile problem,” he said. Once such rails exist, “there is no reason to run on the legacy system.”

He located the time horizon in a regulatory cadence rather than a product roadmap alone. “Next three to five years,” he said when asked when this flips. “The regulation is getting done and [then] two to three years of rulemaking… every jurisdiction in Europe [will] be operable and [we’ll] not talk about tokens in securities law [terms]. We can adapt our software accordingly. Everything else is sky is the limit.”

Cardano’s privacy-focused Midnight stack is the bet he described as tailored to Wall Street workflows, according to Hoskinson. “We have Midnight coming out… a big bet because we wanted something for Wall Street and something for the custodians and exchanges [to] tokenize what they have and bring it into the crypto space,” he said.

The project, he added, is “coming towards the end of the year,” framed as a bridge for legacy financial institutions to issue and settle assets with policy-compliant confidentiality on public rails. That emphasis on privacy and compatibility also informed his comments about reconciling blockchains with supervisors. “We’re talking [to] the Federal Reserve and SEC and now we have to reconcile the legacy world,” he said. “Everybody has a role to play… It’s going to take a little bit of time what privacy looks like and how global settlement is going to look like.”

At press time, ADA traded at $0.855.

ADA hovers below key resistance, 1-day chart | Source: ADAUSDT on TradingView.com
Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

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CleanSpark has built one of the largest self-mined reserves and secured new credit lines, while Riot has monetized production and reported efficiency gains as Bitcoin conditions have evolved; September data cover hashrate, power costs, revenues, and treasury strategies.

In brief
The price of Bitcoin surged early Friday afternoon, coming close to matching the record mark set in August.
The leading cryptocurrency has soared since the start of "Uptober"—the name given to October by some traders.
Still, the volatility of the coin has dampened compared to previous cycles.
"Uptober" is off to a roaring start. Bitcoin shot up in price Friday afternoon, rapidly spiking from a price of about $120,000 to a recent peak of $123,855—but fell just short of breaking the all-time price record.

Bitcoin was recently trading for $122,346 after giving up some of the gains. It's up 1.3% on the day, and more than 11% over the last week according to CoinGecko.

The previous record of $124,128 was set in mid-August, per CoinGecko. Friday's spike marked the closest that Bitcoin has come to matching that mark since then.

Bitcoin dropped below $108,000 per coin in September as the biggest digital coin started "showing signs of exhaustion," according to Glassnode analysts, as long-term holders took profits and ETF flows slowed down.

But October—dubbed Uptober by traders—has started with a bang. Nine out of the past 10 years have been strong for the cryptocurrency.

Traders betting against Bitcoin's rise have been burned over the last 24 hours, with $153 million worth of Bitcoin shorts wiped out during that span according to CoinGlass. Overall, $499 million worth of crypto positions have been liquidated over the last day, with shorts making up $294 million worth of them.

Bitcoin's rise also comes as gold and U.S. stocks jump on hopes that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates again this month. The central bank has been under pressure from President Donald Trump to lower the cost of borrowing this year.

Crypto markets and stocks have in the past done well in a low interest rate environment. Experts previously told Decrypt that the price of BTC would benefit if lower interest rates.

"Bitcoin briefly tested record highs before retreating as traders took profits," Joe DiPasquale, CEO of crypto asset manager BitBull Capital, told Decrypt. "The broader setup remains bullish, with a prolonged government shutdown likely to continue driving interest in hard assets and supporting demand for Bitcoin as an alternative store of value."

Bitcoin this year has surged off the back of pro-crypto President Trump's election win and subsequent inauguration. Since taking office, the Republican, who campaigned on a ticket to help the industry, has pushed digital asset-friendly policies, including plans for a strategic Bitcoin reserve.

Still, compared to past cycles, BTC's price hasn't soared as much post its quadrennial halving: as the market cap of the biggest coin grows, it takes far more cash to move its price, and the volatility of the cryptocurrency is down since the 2024 approval of U.S. Bitcoin ETFs.

Both Bitcoin and gold have seen significant price gains since the U.S. government shutdown began earlier this week.

"BTC’s appeal as a safe haven is not only becoming more visible but also more deeply rooted—growing at the same time that confidence in traditional institutions continues to erode," FRNT Financial Head of Data and Analytics Strah Savinja told Decrypt.

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Shibarium has rebooted after a $4M hack and has rotated signer keys, migrated contract custody with multi-party controls, restored checkpointing, increased withdrawal delays, and prepared phased bridge reopenings with a framework for refunds once secure.

Last month, Ethereum Foundation made similar announcement when it said would convert 10,000 ether (worth $43.6 million at the time).

TOKEN2049 scrubbed all references to the A7A5 stablecoin from its website and speaker roster following Reuters’ inquiry. The swift takedown of the platinum sponsor, targeted by U.S. sanctions, revealed the event’s reactive posture to a major compliance scandal.

Summary

TOKEN2049 dropped sanctioned A7A5 stablecoin from its sponsor list after Reuters inquiries.
A7A5, tied to Kremlin ally Ilan Shor and Russia’s Promsvyazbank, has $70.8 billion in transactions since launch.
41.6B tokens valued at nearly $500 million are in circulation, raising concerns over sanctions evasion and global adoption.

On Oct. 3, Reuters reported that TOKEN2049 organizers, after being contacted for comment, purged all traces of the A7A5 stablecoin, a token sanctioned by the U.S. and U.K. for allegedly helping Russia evade financial penalties.

The removal included deleting A7A5 from its platinum sponsor list and canceling a scheduled stage appearance by its director, Oleg Ogienko, who was present at the Singapore event.

According to the report, Ogienko confirmed to the Reuters team on the sidelines that his operation was the same entity targeted by Western sanctions, stating they had “regularly applied” for and were granted the sponsorship.

Why the A7A5 stablecoin drew Western sanctions
The scrutiny around A7A5 is not incidental. In August, the U.S. and U.K. moved to sanction companies tied to the stablecoin’s launch, alleging that the token formed part of a broader network designed to help Russia skirt financial restrictions imposed after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The stablecoin, pegged to the ruble and launched in January, was engineered to create a payments channel outside the reach of Western banks.

According to a detailed analysis by blockchain analytics firm Elliptic, the architect of the A7A5 stablecoin is the A7 group, a Russia-based operation founded by Ilan Shor, a sanctioned Moldovan oligarch and Kremlin ally. The leaks reveal that this is not a rogue startup but a formalized entity partially owned by Russia’s state-owned Promsvyazbank, a bank itself sanctioned for financing Russia’s defense industry.

The token’s scale has quickly grown to match its political baggage. Elliptic reports that there are currently 41.6 billion A7A5 tokens in circulation, valued at nearly half a billion dollars.

More telling, however, is the sheer volume of value it has moved. Since its launch in January, the stablecoin has reportedly handled a staggering $70.8 billion in transactions, a figure that illustrates its rapid adoption as a tool for cross-border settlements.

To build the necessary liquidity for this ecosystem, the architects of A7A5 leveraged the very system they sought to circumvent. Leaked internal chats from April 2025 show A7 employees discussing a concerted market-making campaign, where A7 wallets sent at least $2 billion in USDT to various exchanges to systematically buy up A7A5, creating a deep and liquid market insulated from traditional finance.

Ogienko defends A7A5 stablecoin
On the sidelines of TOKEN2049, A7A5 executive Oleg Ogienko defended the project as a legitimate payments tool. He insisted it had “nothing to do with money laundering” and was compliant under Kyrgyzstan’s regulatory framework.

He described its primary use as facilitating cross-border payments for Russian firms and their trade partners, noting that adoption was strongest in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In his words, “many of them use our stablecoin… and these are billions of dollars.”

St. Louis Financial Planners Asset Management, LLC initiated a new stake in AbbVie (ABBV -0.98%), acquiring 14,630 shares for an estimated $3.39 million in Q3 2025.

What happenedAccording to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing dated October 02, 2025, St. Louis Financial Planners Asset Management, LLC disclosed a new position in AbbVie(ABBV -0.98%). The firm acquired 14,630 shares, bringing its quarter-end holding to $3.39 million. The position accounted for 2.1842% of the fund’s $155,093,822 in reportable U.S. equity assets across 37 positions.

What else to knowThis new position represents 2.2% of the fund's 13F assets as of 2025-09-30

Top holdings after the filing:

NYSEMKT:BIL: $36.73 million (23.7% of AUM as of 2025-09-30)NYSEMKT:TFLO: $17.27 million (11.1% of AUM as of 2025-09-30)NASDAQ:BSCP: $10.45 million (6.7% of AUM as of 2025-09-30)NASDAQ:PLTR: $9.23 million (6.0% of AUM as of 2025-09-30)NASDAQ:AVGO: $5.16 million (3.3% of AUM as of 2025-09-30)As of October 1, 2025, AbbVie shares were priced at $244.38, up 24.08% over the past year and outperforming the S&P 500 by 11.71 percentage points

Company OverviewMetricValueRevenue (TTM)$58.33 billionNet Income (TTM)$3.77 billionDividend Yield2.72%Price (as of market close 2025-10-01)$244.38Company SnapshotAbbVie generates revenue primarily through the development, manufacturing, and sale of branded pharmaceuticals, including key products such as HUMIRA, SKYRIZI, RINVOQ, IMBRUVICA, and BOTOX Therapeutic.

The company operates a research-driven business model, focusing on innovation and the expansion of its drug portfolio across multiple therapeutic areas.

AbbVie serves a global customer base, including healthcare providers, hospitals, and government agencies, with a focus on advanced therapies for autoimmune diseases, oncology, and specialty care.

AbbVie discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide, including products for autoimmune diseases, oncology, and other conditions. Its diversified portfolio and commitment to research support its competitive position in the healthcare sector.

Foolish takeAbbVie is one of the top pharmaceutical companies on the market right now, despite its relatively recent loss of patent for Humira, which was a blockbuster drug for the company. Despite this, its dividend remains strong and its drug pipeline robust. Several new drugs are in the works for fields like immunology, oncology, and aesthetics.

Since its acquisition of Allergan, maker of Botox, AbbVie has been burdened with a higher debt load than usual, but equally high cash flows have kept balance sheets healthy. However, a dependence on a few successful drugs does create serious risk should regulation or pricing pressures become a more significant factor in the near term. Higher interest rates could also become a problem, should the company need to refinance the debt it acquired in 2019 with the purchase of Allergan.

Even so, AbbVie is still a solid Wall Street Buy recommendation, with 5 Strong Buys and 13 Buys for October, as well as 9 Hold recommendations. It continues to beat on analysis estimated EPS this year, showing that it can, in fact, pivot despite the loss of a major income stream.

GlossaryStake: The ownership or investment a firm holds in a particular company or asset.
Reportable AUM: Assets under management that must be disclosed in regulatory filings, such as the SEC's 13F report.
13F assets: U.S. equity securities managed by institutional investment managers, reported quarterly to the SEC on Form 13F.
Top holdings: The largest investments in a fund's portfolio, typically ranked by market value.
Dividend yield: Annual dividends paid by a company as a percentage of its current share price.
Outperforming: Achieving a higher return than a benchmark index or comparable investment.
TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.
Branded pharmaceuticals: Prescription drugs sold under a trademarked brand name, as opposed to generic versions.
Autoimmune diseases: Medical conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues.
Oncology: The branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Kristi Waterworth has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends AbbVie and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, a leading national shareholder rights law firm, today announced that it has commenced an investigation on behalf of Firefly Aerospace Inc. (“Firefly” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: FLY) investors concerning the Company's possible violations of the federal securities laws. IF YOU ARE AN INVESTOR WHO LOST MONEY ON FIREFLY AEROSPACE INC. (FLY), CLICK HERE TO INQUIRE ABOUT POTENTIALLY PURSUING CLAIMS TO RECOVER YOUR LOSS. What Happened? On.

NEW YORK, Oct. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of KBR, Inc. (NYSE: KBR) between May 6, 2025 and June 19, 2025, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important November 18, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm.

SO WHAT: If you purchased KBR securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the KBR class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=42136 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than November 18, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

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, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. 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. 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.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) despite the knowledge that the U.S. Department of Defense’s Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) had, for months, had material concerns with HomeSafe’s ability to fulfill the Global Household Goods Contract, defendants claimed that the partnership was without issue, and would ramp up in future quarters; and (2) as a result, defendants’ statements about KBR’s business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the KBR class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=42136 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or 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:

        Laurence Rosen, Esq.
        Phillip Kim, Esq.
        The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
        275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
        New York, NY 10016
        Tel: (212) 686-1060
        Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
        Fax: (212) 202-3827
        [email protected]
        www.rosenlegal.com

The investment giant's new consortium is nearing a deal to buy Aligned Data Centers.

Kitco News

The Leading News Source in Precious Metals

Kitco NEWS has a diverse team of journalists reporting on the economy, stock markets, commodities, cryptocurrencies, mining and metals with accuracy and objectivity. Our goal is to help people make informed market decisions through in-depth reporting, daily market roundups, interviews with prominent industry figures, comprehensive coverage (often exclusive) of important industry events and analyses of market-affecting developments.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of HESAY either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

NEW YORK, NY, Oct. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 1847 Holdings LLC ("1847" or the "Company") (Previous Ticker: EFSH), a holding company specializing in identifying overlooked, deep-value investment opportunities in middle market businesses, today announced that it expects to begin trading on the OTC Pink Limited tier of OTC Markets Group Inc. within the next one-to-four business days, subject to FINRA’s review of its requested trading symbol.

Following the expected commencement of trading on the OTC Pink Limited tier, the Company intends to further enhance its market visibility by promptly transitioning to the OTCID. 1847’s ultimate objective is to relist on a senior U.S. exchange as soon as practical.

Ellery W. Roberts, CEO of 1847, commented, “We are pleased to begin trading on the OTC Pink Limited tier. With our strong financial performance, including record revenue growth and profitability, we are confident in our ability to continue building momentum. Our focus remains on executing our strategy of acquiring, enhancing, and monetizing undervalued businesses, and we believe that moving through the OTC market tiers and ultimately returning to a senior exchange will unlock even greater value for our shareholders. We believe the outlook for our business has never been stronger, and we are extremely optimistic about the road ahead.”

The Company has delivered record results in 2025, including revenue growth of 380% year-over-year in the second quarter, significant gross profit expansion, and positive operating cash flow. Management has reaffirmed its 2025 guidance of revenue expected to exceed $40.0 million and operating income of approximately $6.0 million, with projections for 2026 of more than $50.0 million in revenue and operating income of approximately $12.0 million.

About 1847 Holdings LLC

1847 Holdings LLC, a diversified acquisition holding company, was founded by Ellery W. Roberts, a former partner of Parallel Investment Partners, Saunders Karp & Megrue, and Principal of Lazard Freres Strategic Realty Investors. 1847 Holdings' investment thesis is that capital market inefficiencies have left the founders and/or stakeholders of many small business enterprises or lower-middle market businesses with limited exit options despite the intrinsic value of their business. Given this dynamic, 1847 Holdings can consistently acquire businesses it views as "solid" for reasonable multiples of cash flow and then deploy resources to strengthen the infrastructure and systems of those businesses in order to improve operations. These improvements may lead to a sale or IPO of an operating subsidiary at higher valuations than the purchase price and/or alternatively, an operating subsidiary may be held in perpetuity and contribute to 1847 Holdings' ability to pay regular and special dividends to shareholders. For more information, visit www.1847holdings.com.

For the latest insights, follow 1847 on Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain information about 1847 Holdings' view of its future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on our management's beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future economic performance, taking into account the information currently available to it. These statements are not statements of historical fact. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of factors, risks and uncertainties, some of which are not currently known to us, that may cause our actual results, performance or financial condition to be materially different from the expectations of future results, performance or financial position. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include but are not limited to the risks set forth in "Risk Factors" included in our SEC filings.

Contact:
Crescendo Communications, LLC
Tel: +1 (212) 671-1020
Email: [email protected]

Humana (HUM - Free Report) shares soared 4% in the last trading session to close at $256.62. The move was backed by solid volume with far more shares changing hands than in a normal session. This compares to the stock's 20.9% loss over the past four weeks.

Humana stock witnessed a price rise, which might be the result of the company reporting progress in its Medicare star ratings. Per multiple reports, HUM announced that around 20% of its current membership—roughly 1.2 million individuals—are now enrolled in plans rated 4 stars or higher for 2026. Importantly, the company significantly boosted the proportion of members in 4.5-star plans, rising to 14% for 2026 from just 3% in 2025.

The health insurer’s Medicare plans stand out for their breadth, flexibility and strong competitive positioning. Through the Medicare business, the company offers a wide variety of Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug, and Supplement plans in the United States, supported by an extensive provider network and strategic partnerships that enhance care coordination. Its Medicare Advantage offerings emphasize integrated care, chronic condition management, and preventive services. 

This health insurer is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.88 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -30.8%. Revenues are expected to be $31.92 billion, up 9% from the year-ago quarter.

While earnings and revenue growth expectations are important in evaluating the potential strength in a stock, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

For Humana, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. And a stock's price usually doesn't keep moving higher in the absence of any trend in earnings estimate revisions. So, make sure to keep an eye on HUM going forward to see if this recent jump can turn into more strength down the road.

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

Humana is a member of the Zacks Medical - HMOs industry. One other stock in the same industry, Cigna (CI - Free Report) , finished the last trading session 1.8% higher at $296.98. CI has returned -2.9% over the past month.

For Cigna, the consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming report has changed -0.1% over the past month to $7.7. This represents a change of +2.5% from what the company reported a year ago. Cigna currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

, /PRNewswire/ -- In a move that challenges conventional automotive engineering, VinFast, the pioneering Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer listed on the Nasdaq, has successfully collaborated with INKAS®, a globally leading armored vehicle manufacturer, to introduce a new class of secure electric transport.

The result of this intensive research and development effort is the Lac Hong 900 LX, an armored electric SUV designed to meet some of the highest international standards for ballistic and blast protection.

VinFast Armored Lac Hong 900 LX

A Technical Triumph

Developed atop the structural foundation of the VinFast VF 9, VinFast's largest consumer model, the Lac Hong 900 LX marks a critical leap in the convergence of electric mobility and high-level security.

Leveraging advanced engineering methods and a rapid innovation cycle, VinFast and INKAS® overcame hurdles. The Lac Hong 900 LX integrates VinFast's cutting-edge EV skateboard platform with INKAS®'s decades-long expertise in armored systems. The final product has undergone rigorous, third-party ballistic and blast testing, yielding certifications rarely achieved by any electric vehicle platform.

The certifications are a testament to the vehicle's integrity: VPAM VR/-certified, providing high-level ballistic protection against rifle fire and armor-piercing threats; successfully withstood over 400 laser guided rounds during live ballistic testing; certified to withstand the simultaneous detonation of two DM51 hand grenades beneath critical areas of the floor, a rare and exceptional achievement in EV engineering, especially given the protection of the high-voltage battery system. 

With these accomplishments, the two companies have effectively redefined what is technologically possible in armored EV manufacturing. The Lac Hong 900 LX is crafted for heads of state, diplomatic corps, corporate leaders, and clientele with elevated security demands, standing as a certified fusion of sustainability, technological sophistication, and uncompromising protection.

Symbolism: From National Heritage to Global Vision

The unveiling and delivery of the armored SUV carry a profound cultural and national significance for VinFast's home country.

Timed to coincide with Vietnam's 80th National Day celebrations, VinFast formally delivered a fleet of the Lac Hong 900 LX models to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where they will be used to transport international dignitaries. Produced in highly limited numbers, the model embodies both technological prestige and a deep cultural symbolism, reflecting Vietnam's spirit of resilience and its modern aspiration for global leadership.

The vehicle's name, Lac Hong, is inspired by the ancient legend of the "Lac Hong" lineage, the mythical forebears of the Vietnamese people. By choosing this name, VinFast has directly linked the vehicle's design and purpose to the nation's heritage, fusing a sense of history with contemporary global ambition. The armored SUV thus serves as a rolling testament to the strength of Vietnam's past, elevated to a new standard of international excellence.

The Accessible Foundation: The VinFast VF 9

While the Lac Hong 900 LX demonstrates VinFast's capacity for highly specialized, cutting-edge manufacturing, what some might term a "miracle" of armored EV engineering, the vehicle's robust underlying architecture is available to consumers today.

The VF 9 is VinFast's flagship three-row electric SUV, currently offered in the U.S. and designed squarely for the modern American family. It is a full-size vehicle, measuring 201.5 inches in length, providing generous cabin proportions, a seven-passenger seating configuration, and 7.2 inches of ground clearance, all hallmarks of a practical family SUV.

The consumer model's performance metrics are equally compelling. The VF 9 offers an EPA-estimated range of 330 miles for the Eco model and 291 miles for the Plus variant. Through the VinFast app, drivers also gain access to one of the most extensive charging networks available, integrating more locations than many competing manufacturer or third-party platforms.

The VF 9 places a high priority on design and safety. Styled by Italy's famed Pininfarina, its exterior conveys a bold, European sophistication. Inside, drivers benefit from a customizable 15.6-inch touchscreen with connectivity for streaming, browsing, and navigation. A comprehensive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) suite enhances driver confidence, while 11 airbags provide a high level of passenger safety. All software updates are delivered over the air, ensuring the vehicle continually improves throughout its ownership lifespan.

The absence of a traditional combustion engine provides a dual advantage: greater cargo space, including a practical front trunk (frunk), and zero emissions for sustainability-conscious buyers. VinFast further bolsters ownership confidence with one of the most generous support packages in the EV sector: a 10-year or 125,000-mile warranty, comprehensive roadside assistance, and mobile repair services.

The VF 9 Plus is now available in the U.S. with an attractive leasing offer, only $449 per month with $0 down1.

From Heritage to Horizon

The Lac Hong 900 LX has already secured its place as an ambitious demonstrations of armored EV technology. But its foundation, the consumer-friendly VF 9, is equally noteworthy. It stands as a symbol of where the mass-market mobility sector is headed: a blend of bold design, uncompromising safety, and practical, everyday usability, with inclusive pricing.

Just as the Lac Hong name evokes the resilience and forward-looking vision of Vietnam's founding myth, the VF 9 represents a more accessible expression of those values for global drivers. It is a family SUV, an electric pioneer, and, perhaps most surprisingly, the proven platform upon which a significant technological achievement in the armored EV segment has been successfully built.

1 Current VF 9 offer terms can be found at https://vinfastauto.us/vf-9-offer-terms

SOURCE Vinfast Auto LLC

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