Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller floated the idea of the central bank creating a "skinny master account" for crypto firms which would grant them access to the Fed's payment rails while keeping them away from a full Fed master account. You’re reading State of Crypto, a CoinDesk newsletter looking at the intersection of cryptocurrency and government. Click here to sign up for future editions. Payment rails The narrative Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller suggested this week that crypt ...

Core Points - The article discusses the situation of a car owner, Stella, whose car was stolen and later recovered, highlighting the complexities involved in dealing with insurance and title transfer after a theft [1][2][3]. Group 1: Insurance Process - Stella's insurance company declared the stolen car a total loss and paid her $5,000 for the vehicle, which was 15 years old [1]. - After the car was recovered, Stella must inform her insurance company, as the car is now their property, and they have the right to sell or scrap it [3]. - Some insurance companies may allow the previous owner to buy back the car, but this is contingent on the insurer's policies [3]. Group 2: Title and Inspection Requirements - If Stella is permitted to buy back the car, it will likely come with a salvage title, requiring repairs and a state inspection to obtain a rebuilt title and insurance [4]. - The process for obtaining a recovered theft title varies by state; for instance, in Massachusetts, an application must be submitted after passing a salvage inspection, along with a fee [4]. - The application processing time for a recovered theft title can take four to six weeks [4].

Core Insights - Phathom Pharmaceuticals announced the publication of additional analyses from its pivotal Phase 3 pHalcon-NERD-301 trial for VOQUEZNA (vonoprazan) in treating Non-Erosive Reflux Disease (NERD), highlighting its potential to alleviate nighttime GERD symptoms [1][8] Group 1: Clinical Findings - Nighttime GERD symptoms affect up to 80% of patients, leading to impaired sleep and increased health risks, yet many patients do not find relief with existing treatments [2][9] - The Phase 3 trial involved 772 patients, randomized to receive either VOQUEZNA (10 mg or 20 mg) or placebo, with significant findings on symptom relief [3][5] - VOQUEZNA demonstrated rapid and sustained relief of nighttime GERD symptoms, with heartburn-free nights increasing significantly after the first dose and maintained through 24 weeks [5][6] Group 2: Efficacy Data - At week 4, patients on VOQUEZNA 10 mg and 20 mg reported heartburn-free nights of 59.9% and 56.4%, respectively, compared to 43.3% for placebo [6] - Improvements in nocturnal symptom severity and sleep-related impacts were sustained throughout the treatment period, with median heartburn-free nights remaining above 70% [5][6] - VOQUEZNA was generally well tolerated, with common adverse events being mild and occurring in less than 5% of patients [6][7] Group 3: Product Information - VOQUEZNA is a potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB) approved for treating Erosive and Non-Erosive GERD, as well as H. pylori infection [10][30] - Approximately 38 million U.S. adults suffer from Non-Erosive GERD, with around 15 million receiving prescription treatment annually [9]

Core Insights - The recent trend shows that several crypto holders are becoming more open about their investments, indicating a shift in perception towards cryptocurrency [1][3][4] - LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman has publicly disclosed his investment in CryptoPunk, revealing his long-term involvement in the digital asset space [2][4] - The growing acceptance of cryptocurrency is leading to a realization among non-crypto holders that they are in the minority [1][4] Institutional Investment Trends - There is a notable increase in cryptocurrency ownership among institutional investors, with 57% planning to increase their crypto allocations according to Sygnum Bank's annual survey [5] - This trend contrasts with JPMorgan's analysis, which suggests that 71% of investors intend to avoid crypto entirely by 2025, reflecting ongoing skepticism due to market volatility and regulatory uncertainties [6] Market Sentiment - The overall sentiment towards cryptocurrency is improving, as indicated by the willingness of prominent figures and firms to disclose their crypto holdings [3][4] - The market has seen some positive changes, particularly following political developments, which may influence investor confidence [6]

Core Insights - Microsoft has officially integrated its AI assistant, Copilot, into congressional staff workflows, marking a significant shift in the use of AI within government operations [1][7] - The pilot program is set to run for about a year, following an 18-month ban on Copilot usage by congressional staff, indicating a renewed commitment to leveraging AI technology [1][3] - The stock price of Microsoft has seen a modest increase of 2.6% in the month following the announcement, despite some lawmakers disclosing sales of MSFT stock, raising questions about insider sentiment [3][4] Microsoft and AI Integration - Microsoft is positioned as a leader in AI integration within government workflows, leveraging its existing cloud services and enterprise solutions [2][7] - The introduction of Copilot to congressional staff is part of Microsoft's strategy to enhance its "secure AI for the enterprise" offerings, appealing to risk-averse sectors [7][8] - The bundling of AI functionality into Microsoft's enterprise suite differentiates its approach from startups, providing predictable revenue streams as government agencies adopt the platform [8] Market Reactions and Stock Performance - The recent sales of MSFT stock by lawmakers may reflect profit-taking behavior amid rising valuations, with shares trading near 30 times forward earnings [5][10] - The timing of these sales, coinciding with the rollout of Copilot, has sparked speculation about insider views on Microsoft's AI prospects [11][12] - Despite the congressional trades, Microsoft's fundamentals remain strong, with projected double-digit revenue growth for fiscal 2025 and stable government contracts [12][13] Future Outlook - Analysts maintain a 12-month price target of $617.44 for Microsoft, indicating a potential upside of 17.92% from the current price of $523.61 [12] - The ongoing adoption of AI-powered tools like Copilot positions Microsoft well for sustained growth beyond current market trends [12][13] - Institutional adoption of Microsoft's AI solutions is generally viewed as a positive indicator of the technology's utility, despite the recent insider selling [9][10]

NEW YORK, Oct. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of V.F. Corporation (NYSE: VFC) between October 30, 2023 and May 20, 2025, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important November 12, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased V.F. Corporation 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 arrangeme ...

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. A recent report from real estate data firm Redfin says that San Francisco housing costs have returned to "normal" levels, but unfortunately, normal doesn't mean affordable. That's because Redfin's baseline for "normal" was the U.S. housing market in July 2018. Although its report doesn't include home prices, historical data from Zillow's home value index shows that the average home in San Francisco was wor ...

Core Viewpoint - There are numerous high-yielding dividend stocks with significant turnaround potential that have fallen below the $20 per-share mark, presenting opportunities for investors willing to engage in bottom-fishing strategies [1] Group 1 - The fourth quarter presents a favorable time for investors to consider these undervalued stocks [1]

Core Insights - Beyond Meat Inc. has joined the ranks of meme stocks, indicating a shift in investor sentiment and interest in the company [1] Company Summary - Beyond Meat is known for producing pea-based meat substitutes, which positions the company within the growing plant-based food industry [1] Industry Summary - The rise of meme stocks reflects a broader trend in the market where retail investors are increasingly influencing stock prices, particularly in sectors like plant-based foods [1]

Core Insights - Real estate can provide steady income for retirees, but it also comes with unpredictable costs and potential burdens [1][3] - Financial expert Suze Orman emphasizes that many retirees overestimate the reliability of rental income [3][4] Group 1: Listener's Situation - A retiree named Susan plans to sell a rental property for approximately $300,000 after taxes, seeking to replace $1,100 in monthly rental income [2] - Susan and her husband rely on Social Security, a pension, and rental income from three properties [2] Group 2: Orman's Advice on Real Estate - Orman warns that unexpected expenses, such as repairs, can significantly reduce net rental income, potentially leading to a deficit [4] - She advises retirees not to assume rental income is guaranteed and to consider selling properties if necessary [4] Group 3: Investment Strategies for Income Generation - Orman suggests fixed income options like Treasuries, municipal bonds, and CDs, which could yield around 4% to 5%, sufficient to match Susan's monthly income needs [5] - A growth and income mix, including utility stocks, dividend-paying ETFs, or real estate investment trusts, could provide 3% to 4% yields with potential for long-term appreciation [5] - Immediate annuities could offer $1,400 to $1,600 per month on a $300,000 investment, but Orman cautions about the loss of income for surviving spouses upon the annuitant's death [5]