Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Retail investors were pouring money back into U.S. markets this year at levels that rival, and in some segments exceed, the meme-stock boom of 2021, and trading platforms are racing to capture that momentum. Webull is the latest to make its move, rolling out a monthly match bonus on deposits and transfers as retail flows pick up into year-end. Market data shows individual investors have become a primary ...

Webull stock price has been in a strong bearish trend in the past few months, erasing all gains it made shortly after going public a few months ago. BULL was trading at $8.80 on Friday, down sharply f... ...

Core Insights - Webull has launched Vega, an AI-powered decision partner designed to provide personalized insights and analysis for investors, enhancing their trading experience [1][2][3] Group 1: Product Features - Vega offers real-time, personalized insights that help investors understand market movements in relation to their specific circumstances [2] - Key features of Vega include Options Statistics Insights, Data Summary, Portfolio Review, Plain-Language Orders, and Vega Insights, all aimed at improving decision-making for investors [5] - The platform is available at no cost to users, reinforcing Webull's mission to democratize access to investment intelligence [3] Group 2: Company Overview - Webull is a leading online investment platform that provides users with advanced tools and real-time market data, enabling low-cost trading across various asset classes [4][7] - The company serves over 24 million registered users globally, offering access to financial markets 24/7 [7] - Webull operates in 14 markets across North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Latin America, integrating market data, community, and educational resources for retail investors [7]

Core Insights - Webull has expanded its crypto futures offerings through a partnership with Coinbase Derivatives, allowing U.S. users to trade futures contracts for various cryptocurrencies including Dogecoin, Nano XRP, and Solana [1][2][3] Group 1: Company Developments - Webull launched futures and commodities trading in March 2024, enhancing user access to futures markets and enabling better portfolio diversification and risk management [2] - The partnership with Coinbase Derivatives combines Webull's advanced trading tools with Coinbase's crypto futures, broadening the product lineup available to users [2][3] - Webull is among the first retail brokerages to provide access to multiple commodities exchanges, continuing to enhance its futures offerings [4] Group 2: User Benefits - The new futures contracts require less margin to open a position, allowing users to select contracts that align with their investment goals [3] - Webull users benefit from real-time market data provided by Coinbase Derivatives, which is available free of charge on the platform [3] Group 3: Market Position - Webull serves over 24 million registered users globally, providing access to a wide range of investment services across various asset classes, including digital assets [7] - The platform's infrastructure supports trading in 14 markets worldwide, emphasizing its commitment to providing comprehensive investment opportunities [7]

Group 1 - The SEC's approval of 3x- and 5x-leveraged ETFs is uncertain, as the director of investment management indicated compliance with the Derivatives Rule is unclear, which limits leverage to 2x [1] - A surge in risky product filings coincided with the federal government shutdown, leading to a backlog in the SEC's approval process, which typically has a 75-day window for disapproval [2] - Leveraged ETFs are viewed as trading tools rather than investments, with recommendations for strict position sizing and predefined time limits due to their inherent risks [3] Group 2 - Distribution challenges exist, as some trading platforms, like Vanguard, do not offer leveraged or inverse ETFs, while others, like Webull, note their use during volatile periods [4] - Numerous leveraged ETFs from various issuers are competing in the market, designed for intraday trading, which may lead to low asset retention and profitability concerns if they do not reach at least $100 million in scale [4]

Business Expansion - Webull is starting to offer corporate-bond trading for US customers [1]

Core Insights - Kalshi has raised $300 million in new capital, increasing its valuation to $5 billion, indicating the growing significance of prediction markets in the financial landscape [1] - The company plans to expand its platform to over 140 countries, moving beyond its initial U.S. market focus [2] Fundraising and Valuation - The recent fundraising coincides with Polymarket's announcement of a potential $2 billion investment from Intercontinental Exchange, highlighting competitive dynamics in the prediction market sector [3] - Kalshi's trading volume is projected to reach $50 billion annually, a significant rise from approximately $300 million the previous year, capturing over 60% of global prediction-market activity [4][5] Investor Interest - The rapid growth has attracted major venture capital firms, including Sequoia Capital and Andreessen Horowitz, with the latest funding round more than doubling Kalshi's valuation [5] Market Expansion - Kalshi's entry into sports betting, including complex bets, has disrupted traditional sports betting companies, leading to declines in shares of competitors like DraftKings and FanDuel [6] - Partnerships with platforms like Robinhood and Webull have facilitated easier access for users to trade prediction contracts, promoting mainstream adoption [6] Regulatory Environment - Despite receiving CFTC approval, Kalshi faces challenges from state regulators who argue that its sports-related contracts may resemble unlicensed gambling, with lawsuits filed in states where online sports betting is illegal [7] - The CEO of Kalshi remains optimistic about navigating regulatory questions, viewing them as a natural part of financial innovation [7]

Core Insights - There has been a significant increase in interest in trading education and mentorship, particularly following the pandemic retail-trading boom, with online trading course enrollment on Coursera rising by 213% from 2019 to 2024 [2] - The demand for trading-related services has surged, as evidenced by a 700% increase in global search interest for "day trading class" and a 572% increase for "day trading group" over the past quarter [3] Group 1: Trading Education and Interest - The rise in trading courses and groups is attributed to a growing number of individuals seeking financial independence and the ability to quit traditional jobs [4][6] - TraderDaddy, a trading education company, has reported a notable increase in interest in their courses, with many attendees being beginners eager to learn [5][8] - The trading community is characterized by a strong desire for financial freedom, with many individuals investing significant amounts in trading courses and mentorship [14][15] Group 2: Trader Demographics and Motivations - The demographic of aspiring traders includes a mix of younger individuals who feel lost in their careers and are seeking alternative income sources [16][19] - Many traders express a desire to transition from traditional employment to full-time trading, viewing it as a path to greater flexibility and financial security [16][17] - The trading environment is often filled with enthusiasm, as participants engage in discussions about market trends and potential trades [10] Group 3: Challenges and Realities of Trading - Despite the allure of day trading, the reality is that success is difficult to achieve, with studies indicating that 97% of investors who traded for over 300 days lost money [11] - The emphasis in trading education is on developing independent thinking and technical analysis skills, rather than relying solely on instructors for guidance [12][13] - Many aspiring traders are motivated by the potential for financial freedom but face challenges in navigating the complexities of the market [18]

Core Insights - SPACs are experiencing a significant resurgence in 2025, with 91 new SPAC IPOs raising $16.5 billion, a threefold increase from the previous year [1] - SPACs have accounted for 37% of all new U.S. IPOs this year, indicating their growing importance in the public markets [1][2] - The perception of SPACs as risky investments is being challenged, as they can provide a low-risk option for investors during uncertain times [3][5] SPAC Market Dynamics - The recent boom in SPAC issuance is attributed to their low-risk nature, as they are contractually obligated to invest in low-risk government securities [3] - Investors have the option to redeem their investments if they are dissatisfied with the proposed merger, providing a safety net [4] - The return of experienced SPAC sponsors is driving the revival, as they are more likely to identify quality targets compared to first-time sponsors [8][9] Investment Considerations - Investors are advised to evaluate SPAC mergers based on the track record of the SPAC managers and the ability of the target company to attract significant outside capital [20] - A selective approach is crucial when investing in SPAC mergers, as not all deals will yield positive outcomes [21][22] - The potential for SPACs to revitalize the IPO market is significant, especially as the number of public companies has declined over the years [15][16][17] Future Outlook - SPACs are seen as a viable option for private equity-backed companies seeking exit liquidity, with a large number of such companies in the U.S. [19] - The success of SPACs in sourcing and financing overlooked high-quality companies could play a critical role in the recovery of America's public markets [23]

Market Commentary - Jim Cramer, a prominent market commentator, has called for a "pause" in the current rally characterized by speculation in gold, crypto, and profitless companies [1] - His commentary comes as many crypto stocks are experiencing bearish trends in pre-market trading [2] Company Performance - Robinhood (HOOD) closed at $124.78, up 3.20% for the day, marking a 216% increase in 2023, and reached a 52-week high of $125.08 before slightly declining to $123.60 in pre-market trading [3] - Strategy Inc. (MSTR) finished at $344.75, down 1.25%, and fell to $336.80 in pre-market trading, reflecting a 2.31% decline, but remains above its 52-week low of $145.01 [4] - Coinbase (COIN) closed at $342.46, down 0.20%, and slipped to $334.82 in pre-market trading, a decrease of 2.23%, yet is still up approximately 33% year-to-date despite Bitcoin's 2.5% drop [5] - Circle Internet Group (CRCL) finished at $144.14, with a slight increase, but fell 2.53% to $140.50 in pre-market trading; shares are up 73% year-to-date but down from a 52-week high of nearly $299 [6] - PayPal (PYPL) closed at $68.22, down 0.44%, and is down 21.51% year-to-date, remaining within its 52-week range of $55.85 to $93.66 [8] - Webull (BULL) traded flat at $13.29, still below yearly highs, but has gained 14.37% year-to-date after earlier volatility [9]