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Arcus Launches 24/7 Stock Tokens and Perpetuals Trading on Robinhood Chain

By
Paul Ugbede Godwin
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0

Arcus, a decentralized exchange (DEX) enabling global traders to gain exposure to US stock markets, launched on Robinhood Chain as a day 1 partner. Arcus now offers 24/7 spot trading with 0% fees on 95+ Stock Tokens.

Demand for access beyond traditional U.S. market hours is already visible in trading activity, with extended-hours sessions accounting for more than 11% of all U.S. equity trading — more than double the volume from 2019.

Yet non-U.S. traders and market makers still often have to navigate multiple platforms, jurisdictions, and asset classes to gain exposure.

Arcus is designed to address this market pressure by giving traders more efficient access through one self-custodied, cross-margined account. Arcus benefits from deep liquidity, further supported by Robinhood Chain’s RWA-focused infrastructure and professional market makers.

Perpetual futures are also launching on Arcus in beta, with waitlist signups open for expanded access. The waitlist has already surpassed 75,000 signups. With these products, Arcus enables leveraged exposure across U.S. equities, commodities, indices and crypto for eligible institutional and retail traders.

The hurdles of accessing US stocks from the rest of the world remain a key blocker of global market participation. Arcus, leverages the breadth and depth of its partnership with Robinhood Crypto, which includes a strategic investment in Arcus, to unlock higher volumes and wider access for investors around the world. Markets will be open 24/7.

Arcus enables exposure to leading companies across AI, semiconductor, space, quantum and other major industries, including: The seven mega-cap names that lead retail and institutional trading activity: NVDA, TSLA, AAPL, MSFT, META, GOOGL and AMZN, each available as both a Stock Token and a perpetual.

28 equity, ETF and commodity perpetual markets such as GLD, USO, SPY and QQQ, and nine crypto markets: BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, HYPE, DYDX, ZEC, LIT and CASHCAT.

Tokenized stocks have grown into a market of over $6.4bn in less than two years, with the robust momentum fueled by developing use cases, including 24/7 trading, collateral eligibility and wider participation.

Meanwhile, perpetual futures have migrated from crypto markets to equities while dominating volumes in digital assets. “Robinhood democratized stock trading for a generation of Americans, making markets accessible, intuitive, and human. Now we plan to do the same for everyone, everywhere.” said Eddie Zhang, Founder and CEO of Arcus.

Arcus also integrates USDG as its primary form of collateral and settlement. USDG is issued by Paxos Trust Company for Global Dollar Network, with Robinhood among the network participants, and is redeemable 1:1 for U.S. dollars with reserves backed by cash and short-duration U.S. Treasuries in segregated custody.

Paxos Labs supports Arcus in enabling the platform and its users to move into and access USDG on Robinhood’s native network. “TradFi traders never question the dollar funding their position, and we’re making the same statement true for traders on Arcus,” said Bhau Khotecha, Co-Founder at Paxos Labs.

Paco’s is excited for USDG to operate as the invisible, regulated digital dollar for the exchange, and look forward to powering markets traditionally out of reach for global users. To make self-custodied trading easily accessible, Arcus uses Privy to support onboarding and wallet management across web and mobile platforms.

New users can sign up with email, Google, or social logins to receive a secure wallet without navigating seed phrases or browser extension. Users who already hold crypto can connect directly through MetaMask, Ledger, WalletConnect, and hundreds of other Ethereum-compatible wallets directly.

Self-custody has historically come with a steep learning curve, limiting access to those already familiar with crypto, said Max Segall, COO at Privy. Privy makes it easy for anyone to trade with the simplicity found in traditional financial platforms, without compromising ownership.

Super Micro Forecasts Stronger Margins As AI Server Orders Top $60bn, Shares Surge 15%

By
Samuel Nwite
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0

Shares of Super Micro Computer jumped 15% on Tuesday after the AI server maker sharply raised its June-quarter profit margin outlook and disclosed a record backlog, indicating that demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure remains robust even as investors continue to scrutinize the sustainability of the AI spending boom.

The company said it now expects gross margin and adjusted gross margin for the fiscal fourth quarter ended June 30 to be between 15% and 17%, nearly doubling the 8.2% to 8.4% range it forecast in May.

Super Micro attributed the improved outlook primarily to a more favorable mix of customers and products, suggesting it is shipping a greater proportion of higher-margin AI systems.

“The revision is primarily due to a favorable customer and product mix,” the company said in a preliminary business update.

The upbeat forecast sent shares sharply higher in extended trading and lifted other AI infrastructure stocks. Dell Technologies gained about 5%, while Hewlett Packard Enterprise rose roughly 4%, reflecting optimism that enterprise and hyperscale demand for AI servers remains strong across the sector.

The latest update lends credence to the view that spending on AI infrastructure continues to outpace broader enterprise technology investment. Super Micro has emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the generative AI boom by specializing in high-performance servers built around Nvidia’s graphics processing units (GPUs), which are widely used to train and run large language models.

Cloud providers, AI startups, governments and enterprises continue to invest aggressively in expanding computing capacity, fueling demand for servers equipped with Nvidia’s latest Blackwell and Hopper processors.

Chief Executive Charles Liang highlighted the company’s role in some of the world’s largest AI infrastructure deployments. In June, he said on X that Super Micro had helped build another gigawatt-scale AI data center for Elon Musk’s SpaceX and xAI within a year.

Such large-scale deployments have become increasingly common as AI developers race to expand computing capacity to support more powerful models and growing inference workloads.

While profitability expectations improved significantly, Super Micro maintained its revenue outlook, saying fiscal fourth-quarter sales are expected to come in at the lower end of its previously announced guidance range of $11 billion to $12.5 billion.

That still broadly aligns with Wall Street expectations. Analysts surveyed by LSEG were forecasting revenue of $11.67 billion.

More importantly for investors, the company disclosed that its backlog reached an all-time high at the end of fiscal 2026.

Super Micro said it secured more than $60 billion in new orders during the fiscal fourth quarter, providing one of the clearest indications yet that AI infrastructure demand remains exceptionally strong despite concerns over slowing enterprise technology spending elsewhere.

“These new orders are expected to be delivered over future quarters,” the company said.

The sizeable backlog provides significant revenue visibility and suggests customers continue to commit capital for multi-quarter AI infrastructure deployments rather than delaying projects.

The revised margin outlook also indicates that Super Micro is moving beyond the supply-chain and pricing pressures that weighed on profitability earlier in the AI investment cycle. As production constraints ease and customers increasingly purchase integrated, high-performance AI systems instead of lower-margin commodity servers, the company appears to be benefiting from improved pricing power.

Analysts have noted that AI servers typically command significantly higher average selling prices than traditional enterprise servers because they include multiple GPUs, advanced networking equipment and liquid-cooling systems.

The stronger customer mix could also indicate a greater share of sales to hyperscale cloud providers and AI companies deploying large GPU clusters, which generally purchase premium configurations.

Super Micro’s update adds to growing evidence that AI infrastructure remains one of the strongest segments of the technology industry.

While software companies have recently warned that enterprise customers are redirecting budgets toward AI data centers and computing infrastructure, server manufacturers continue to benefit from unprecedented demand.

Nvidia remains the dominant supplier of AI processors powering these systems, while companies such as Super Micro, Dell and Hewlett Packard Enterprise provide the servers, storage and networking equipment needed to deploy them at scale.

The latest results also contrast with recent concerns that AI-related capital spending could moderate after several quarters of record investment. Instead, Super Micro’s record order book suggests many customers are continuing to expand AI capacity well into future quarters.

Investors will receive a fuller picture of the company’s performance when Super Micro reports its fiscal fourth-quarter results and hosts its earnings call on August 11. Management is expected to provide updated guidance on order trends, AI server demand and the outlook for margins.

Apple Launches New Leasing Program With Klarna To Revive Device Sales Amid AI-Driven Cost Pressures

By
Samuel Nwite
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0

Apple is launching a new subscription-style device leasing service in the United States later this month as the iPhone maker looks to stimulate hardware demand, lower the upfront cost of its products for consumers, and adapt to rising component costs fueled by the artificial intelligence boom.

According to a Bloomberg News report citing people familiar with the matter, the new service, called Apple Upgrade, will launch on July 28 and will allow customers to lease eligible Apple devices with the flexibility to upgrade early, keep their device at the end of the term or switch to a newer model before the lease expires.

The move marks one of Apple’s biggest changes to its consumer financing strategy in years and comes as the company faces mounting pressure from higher hardware costs, slowing replacement cycles and intensifying competition in premium consumer electronics.

Under the program, Apple is partnering with Swedish buy-now-pay-later giant Klarna as the financing provider. The service will initially cover most iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch models and will be available through both Apple’s retail stores and online channels.

Unlike conventional installment financing, Apple Upgrade will function more like a subscription service, allowing customers greater flexibility over device ownership while lowering monthly payments compared with Apple’s current financing plans.

Bloomberg reported that Apple intends to phase out new enrollments in its existing iPhone Upgrade Program and standard financing options, effectively replacing them with the new leasing platform.

The company also plans to exclude several lower-priced products from the service, including the iPhone 16, MacBook Neo, Apple Watch SE and the entry-level iPad. Business and education purchases will also not qualify.

Notably, the new offering will not bundle AppleCare, marking a departure from the current iPhone Upgrade Program, where Apple’s extended warranty and accidental damage coverage are included.

The leasing initiative arrives as Apple grapples with rising manufacturing costs across its product lineup. The company has increased prices on several devices, including MacBooks and iPads, after memory and storage chip prices climbed sharply amid unprecedented demand from AI data center operators. The iPhone has so far been spared from broad price increases, reflecting Apple’s efforts to protect demand for its flagship product in an increasingly competitive smartphone market.

The launch comes amid the industry’s shift toward subscription-based hardware ownership. Rather than relying solely on one-time device purchases every few years, manufacturers are increasingly adopting recurring revenue models that generate predictable cash flow while encouraging customers to upgrade more frequently.

For Apple, shortening replacement cycles has become important as global smartphone growth matures. Consumers are holding onto devices longer, making it harder for manufacturers to sustain hardware revenue growth without introducing new financing models or breakthrough products.

The strategy mirrors trends across the automotive and enterprise technology sectors, where leasing and subscription models have become an important way to retain customers while reducing upfront purchase costs.

Partnering with Klarna also expands Apple’s financing ecosystem beyond traditional banking partners. Klarna has been aggressively growing its presence in consumer electronics financing as buy-now-pay-later providers seek larger-ticket purchases beyond online retail.

The move is also expected to strengthen Apple’s high-margin services ecosystem by encouraging users who lease devices to remain within its ecosystem of subscriptions, including iCloud+, Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade and other digital services throughout the life of the lease.

The rollout is expected to attract interest from both investors and analysts, who would assess whether the new program can help offset slowing hardware sales while supporting customer retention as AI-driven component inflation continues to pressure device manufacturing costs.

The initiative also comes as Apple prepares for its next wave of AI-enabled products, making it easier for consumers to upgrade to newer devices capable of supporting increasingly advanced on-device artificial intelligence features.

Public Skepticism Grows Over Government Equity Stakes in Private Companies

By
Paul Ugbede Godwin
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0

The debate over government ownership of private companies has returned to the forefront of American politics as Washington increasingly considers taking equity stakes in strategic industries.

From artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing to critical infrastructure and national security sectors, policymakers have shown a greater willingness to intervene directly in the private sector. Recent polling data suggests that the American public remains deeply skeptical about such involvement.

A new CNBC survey of 1,000 registered voters reveals that only 19% of respondents believe government ownership in private companies is appropriate.

In contrast, nearly half of those surveyed, 49%, oppose the idea, while 32% remain undecided. Although opposition still outweighs support by a wide margin, the findings indicate a gradual shift in public attitudes compared to late 2025, when 56% of Americans viewed such arrangements as inappropriate.

The poll highlights a fundamental tension within the United States’ economic identity. For decades, America has been associated with free-market capitalism, entrepreneurship, and limited government intervention in business activities.

Government equity ownership often evokes concerns about inefficiency, political favoritism, and the possibility of state influence over corporate decision-making. Critics argue that direct ownership stakes could distort competition, create moral hazards, and undermine investor confidence.

Political affiliation strongly shapes opinions on the issue. The survey found that 66% of Democrats oppose government ownership in private enterprises, while Republicans are comparatively less resistant, with only 34% expressing outright opposition.

This partisan divide reflects evolving ideological shifts within both parties.

Some Republicans have become more receptive to industrial policies aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing, reducing reliance on foreign supply chains, and competing with state-backed economies such as China.

Yet even among supporters of President Donald Trump, enthusiasm remains muted. MAGA Republicans are evenly divided, with 31% supporting government equity participation and another 31% opposing it.

The remaining share remains uncertain, suggesting that even within traditionally populist conservative circles, there is no clear consensus regarding the government’s role as a corporate stakeholder.

The softening opposition since October 2025 may be linked to changing economic realities. In recent years, governments worldwide have increasingly intervened to support strategic industries.

The success of initiatives aimed at boosting semiconductor production, clean energy projects, and advanced technology development has prompted some Americans to reconsider whether limited government ownership could serve national interests.

Supporters argue that equity stakes can provide taxpayers with direct returns on public investments.

Instead of merely offering subsidies or grants, governments could potentially benefit financially if the companies they support succeed. They also contend that strategic ownership can ensure national security objectives are met in industries considered essential to economic resilience and technological leadership.

Concerns remain substantial. Opponents warn that government ownership risks politicizing business decisions and creating conflicts between profit motives and public policy goals. Questions also arise regarding how such stakes would be managed, the extent of political influence over corporate governance.

The sizable portion of undecided voters—32%—underscores the complexity of the issue. Many Americans appear to recognize both the potential benefits and risks of government involvement in private enterprise. As Washington continues exploring new industrial policies and strategic investments, public opinion will likely remain fluid.

The CNBC poll illustrates a nation grappling with the boundaries between free-market principles and state intervention. While resistance to government ownership remains dominant, shifting economic conditions and geopolitical competition are gradually reshaping the conversation about what role Washington should play in the future of American capitalism.

SpaceX Shares Rebound After Announcing First Earnings Date As Investors Brace for Major Insider Share Unlock

By
Samuel Nwite
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0

SpaceX shares rose 3% on Tuesday, ending a seven-session losing streak after Elon Musk’s aerospace and defense company announced the date of its inaugural quarterly earnings report, an event that also marks the beginning of a closely watched insider share lock-up expiration.

The stock had been under heavy selling pressure in recent weeks following its blockbuster initial public offering, with investors increasingly concerned about the substantial volume of shares scheduled to become eligible for sale in the months ahead.

SpaceX said its first earnings report as a publicly traded company will be released on Aug. 4, providing investors with their first detailed look at the company’s financial performance since completing one of the largest IPOs in U.S. market history.

The earnings announcement carries added significance because it activates the company’s staggered lock-up schedule, allowing early investors, executives and employees to begin selling portions of their holdings much earlier than the conventional 180-day lock-up period typically imposed after initial public offerings.

Rather than adopting the traditional approach, SpaceX structured a phased lock-up mechanism designed to reduce the risk of a sudden flood of insider selling that could destabilize the stock.

Under the company’s prospectus, eligible insiders will be permitted to sell 20% of their locked-up shares, representing up to 911.5 million shares, beginning on Aug. 6, the second full trading day following the earnings release. An additional 10% of restricted shares could also become eligible for sale if SpaceX stock closes at least 30% above its IPO price during five of the ten trading sessions preceding the earnings announcement.

The staggered structure is intended to improve market liquidity while reducing the likelihood of the sharp price swings that often accompany large post-IPO share releases.

Despite Tuesday’s rebound, SpaceX shares remain well below the record levels reached shortly after listing. As of Monday’s close, the stock had fallen nearly 50% from its intraday peak of $225.64 recorded on June 16, and was down approximately 43% from its record closing high of $211.39 on the same day.

The decline underpins growing investor caution over the company’s valuation, upcoming insider share sales and broader weakness across high-growth technology and artificial intelligence stocks. Short sellers have also sharply increased their positions in recent weeks, betting that additional selling pressure from insider unlocks could weigh on the stock.

Musk’s Wealth Retreats from Trillion-Dollar Milestone

The decline in SpaceX shares has significantly reduced Elon Musk’s personal fortune. According to the Forbes Real-Time Billionaires Index, Musk’s net worth stood at approximately $786 billion on Monday, down from more than $1 trillion reached on June 12, when enthusiasm surrounding SpaceX’s public listing pushed his wealth to an unprecedented level.

Although he remains the world’s wealthiest individual, much of Musk’s fortune continues to fluctuate alongside the performance of his publicly traded companies.

Beyond its satellite and launch businesses, investors continue to focus on the commercial potential of Starship, the fully reusable heavy-lift rocket that Musk has repeatedly described as the “holy grail” of space transportation. Starship is expected to become the backbone of SpaceX’s long-term ambitions, including deep-space cargo missions, commercial space tourism and eventually crewed missions to Mars.

The program also underpins NASA’s Artemis lunar missions and could become an important revenue driver if large-scale commercial deployment proceeds successfully.

Investors are also paying increasing attention to SpaceX’s expansion into artificial intelligence infrastructure. Earlier this year, the company completed the acquisition of Musk’s AI startup xAI, now operating as SpaceXAI, giving the aerospace company ownership of large-scale AI data centers and supporting power infrastructure in the Greater Memphis area.

The acquisition has significantly diversified SpaceX’s business beyond rockets and satellite communications. Several leading AI developers, including Google, Anthropic and Reflection, have signed agreements to lease excess computing capacity from SpaceXAI’s facilities.

The company is also reportedly in discussions with the U.S. Department of Defense regarding the provision of AI computing infrastructure, potentially opening another high-value government revenue stream alongside its existing launch and satellite contracts.

The move places SpaceX in direct competition with hyperscale cloud providers and specialized AI infrastructure companies seeking to capitalize on surging demand for graphics processing units (GPUs) and AI data center capacity.

Tesla Earnings and Cross-Company Collaboration In Focus

Attention will now shift to Musk’s other publicly traded company, Tesla, which is scheduled to report quarterly earnings after the close of trading on Wednesday. Ahead of the earnings release, institutional investors submitted questions through the Say Technologies platform seeking greater clarity on Tesla’s relationship with SpaceX.

One topic attracting particular interest is the planned Terafab semiconductor manufacturing facility in Grimes County, Texas. According to previously reported plans, Tesla is expected to lead research and development activities for the project, while SpaceX would oversee manufacturing operations, reflecting growing operational links between Musk’s businesses.

The expanding collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX has renewed long-standing speculation among Musk supporters that his companies could eventually become more closely integrated.

Some investors have advocated for a future merger or broader consolidation of Musk’s businesses, arguing that combining engineering resources, manufacturing capabilities and AI infrastructure could create significant strategic advantages.

SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell has previously acknowledged that closer integration between Musk’s companies could simplify management and improve coordination across his growing business empire.

For now, however, investors are primarily focused on SpaceX’s first earnings report, which will offer critical insight into the company’s revenue growth, profitability, launch business, Starlink performance, AI infrastructure expansion and capital expenditure plans as it enters its next phase as a publicly traded company.

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