Core Viewpoint - IBM Common Stock (NYSE:IBM) is highlighted as a trending stock due to its multiple revenue streams and exposure to AI and tokenization, making it a "defensive" investment option in the current market environment [1][2]. Group 1: Company Overview - IBM underwent a management change in 2020, shifting its focus significantly towards AI and enterprise architecture, which includes a consulting arm that aids in governance and regulatory compliance [2]. - The company is deeply integrated with financial institutions, leveraging its consulting capabilities to remain relevant in decision-making processes related to AI [2]. Group 2: Market Position and Strategy - IBM is positioned as a key player in the emerging themes of tokenization and market access, which are expected to gain traction alongside AI developments [2]. - The company’s multiple revenue streams encompass AI, tokenization, and operational efficiency, allowing it to mitigate macroeconomic uncertainties through recurring enterprise workloads [2]. Group 3: Investment Sentiment - There is a belief that while IBM has potential as an investment, other AI stocks may offer higher returns with limited downside risk, indicating a competitive landscape in the AI sector [3].

Core Insights - Gold prices have experienced a significant decline, with a market capitalization loss of nearly $2.5 trillion, marking the largest two-day drop since 2013, trading at $4,058.19 per ounce, down 0.97% [1] - The total market cap of tokenized gold has decreased by approximately 7% in the past 24 hours, standing at $3.8 billion [2] Tokenized Gold Performance - Tether Gold (XAUt) saw a price drop of 4% in 24 hours, trading at $4,040.85 [3] - PAX Gold (PAXG) fell by 3.9%, with a trading price of $4,090.41, each token backed by one troy ounce of gold stored in LBMA vaults [3] - Kinesis Gold (KAU) decreased by more than 4%, trading at $131.19, with each token backed by 1 gram of gold [4] - VeraOne (VRO) was the most affected, dipping over 7% in 24 hours, trading at $129.83, with each token backed by 1 gram of LBMA gold [4]

Ethereum Adoption - Ethereum adoption is indicated by Real World Assets (RWAs) [1] - Tokenization is happening on Ethereum faster than people realize [1] Market Risk - Short term pullback in price becomes a risk when people are waiting in lines to buy something [1]

RT Token Terminal 📊 (@tokenterminal)🚨🆙 ICYMI: There's ~$3.7 billion worth of tokenized gold on @ethereum.The tokenized supply is up by ~240% since the start of the year. https://t.co/VxHiL8RbVA ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - CME Group generated revenue of $1.5 billion in Q3 2025, down 3% from Q3 2024, with an average rate per contract of $0.702, resulting in clearing and transaction fees of $1.2 billion [9][10] - Market data revenue reached a record $203 million, up 14% year-over-year [9] - Adjusted net income was $978 million, with adjusted diluted earnings per share at $2.68, both slightly above the previous year's figures [10][11] - Adjusted operating income was $1.1 billion, reflecting a 68.4% operating margin for the quarter [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The average daily volume for the quarter was 25.3 million contracts, the second highest in CME Group's history for Q3 [5] - The crypto complex traded a record 340,000 contracts per day, up over 225% compared to the previous year, driven by the success of Solana and XRP futures [6] - FX Spot+ set new volume records every month in Q3, indicating strong demand for new trading opportunities [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - CME Group saw significant growth in open interest, reaching 126 million contracts at the end of September, the highest in five years [5] - WTI futures market share increased to 76% in Q3, up from 74% in the previous quarter, while WTI options maintained a 91% market share [61] Company Strategy and Development Direction - CME Group is focused on innovation and expanding product offerings, including the introduction of 24/7 trading for cryptocurrency futures and options starting early next year [8] - The partnership with FanDuel aims to enhance retail strategy, potentially reaching 13 million accounts [14][16] - The company is extending its FTSE Russell Index derivatives license through 2037, ensuring continuity and value for clients [7] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in future growth despite a general pullback in volatility across asset classes [5] - The company remains focused on driving earnings growth by expanding its customer base and innovating products [11] - Management acknowledged the importance of credibility in markets and emphasized the potential for growth in the retail sector without necessarily pursuing acquisitions [17] Other Important Information - CME Group's adjusted effective tax rate was 22.6% for the quarter [9] - The company paid dividends of $455 million in Q3 and approximately $3.5 billion over the first nine months of the year [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Long-term retail strategy and potential M&A - Management highlighted the evolving strategy in retail, emphasizing distribution efficiencies and the importance of the partnership with FanDuel to access a large customer base [14][16] Question: Growth in event contracts, particularly sports-related - Management clarified that while there is interest in sports event contracts, the decision to list them depends on regulatory approval and the readiness of partners [24][25] Question: Energy market outlook and share shifts - Management noted a slight decrease in energy volumes but highlighted growth in crude and natural gas markets, particularly in Europe and Asia [61] Question: Market data revenue growth and pricing opportunities - Management reported a 14% increase in market data revenue, driven by international demand, and announced a 3.5% price increase for data products effective January 1, 2026 [114]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - CME Group generated revenue of $1.5 billion in Q3 2025, down 3% from Q3 2024, with an average rate per contract of $0.702, resulting in clearing and transaction fees of $1.2 billion [8][9] - Market data revenue reached a record $203 million, up 14% year-over-year, marking the 30th consecutive quarter of revenue growth [8][100] - Adjusted net income was $978 million, or $2.68 per share, slightly above the previous year's strong performance, representing the third highest quarter in the company's history [9][10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average daily volume for the quarter was 25.3 million contracts, the second highest in CME's history for Q3, with quarter-end open interest at 126 million contracts, the highest in five years [4][5] - The crypto complex traded a record 340,000 contracts per day, up over 225% year-over-year, driven by the success of Solana and XRP futures [5] - FX Spot Plus set new volume records every month in Q3, indicating strong demand for innovative trading solutions [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - CME Group maintained a 76% market share in WTI futures, up from 74% in the previous quarter, and held a 91% share in WTI options markets [56] - Natural gas complex grew by 2% in Q3, with NACAS options up 12%, reflecting ongoing demand for U.S. LNG exports [58] Company Strategy and Development Direction - CME Group is focused on innovation and expanding product offerings, including the introduction of 24/7 trading for cryptocurrency futures and options starting early next year [7] - The partnership with FanDuel aims to enhance retail strategy, potentially reaching 13 million accounts and expanding distribution of CME products [12][16] - The company is committed to maintaining strong capital efficiencies and exploring new market opportunities without necessarily pursuing acquisitions [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in continued growth driven by customer demand and innovative products, despite a general pullback in volatility across asset classes [4][5] - The outlook for energy markets remains positive, with expectations of growth in crude and natural gas trading as U.S. energy products continue to globalize [58] - Management emphasized the importance of credibility in markets and the potential for future growth in retail and prediction markets [16][36] Other Important Information - CME Group announced the extension of its FTSE Russell Index derivatives license through 2037, ensuring continuity and value for clients [6] - The company is preparing for 24/7 trading in crypto markets by 2026, with ongoing efforts in tokenization of cash and other assets [70][76] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about your long-term retail strategy? - Management highlighted the importance of the partnership with FanDuel and the potential to reach 13 million accounts, emphasizing a strong position to grow retail business organically without M&A [12][16] Question: Is CME Group considering sports-related event contracts? - Management stated that they are prepared to offer sports event contracts once regulatory approval is secured, emphasizing the need for government clarity on the classification of these contracts [20][22][36] Question: What is the outlook for energy markets? - Management noted that while energy volumes were down in Q3, there is still strong growth potential in crude and natural gas markets, particularly in Europe and Asia [56][58] Question: How are you thinking about capital deployment after the recent sale? - Management indicated that proceeds from the sale were approximately $1.55 billion, with plans to review potential uses of capital, including buybacks and dividends [63][64] Question: Can you elaborate on the hurdles for 24/7 trading? - Management discussed the need for tokenization and operational readiness for 24/7 trading, starting with crypto markets, while noting that demand from other asset classes is still being assessed [70][76]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - CME Group generated revenue of $1,500,000,000, down 3% from the strong third quarter in 2024 [11] - Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share were $978,000,000 and $2.68 per share, slightly above the previous year's third quarter [12] - Average daily volume was 25,300,000 contracts, the second highest in CME's history for a third quarter [5][6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The crypto complex traded a record 340,000 contracts per day, up over 225% year-over-year [6] - Market data revenue reached over $200,000,000 for the first time, up 14% [11][12] - New products with record volume included credit futures, one ounce gold futures, and agricultural weekly options [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Open interest at quarter-end was 126,000,000 contracts, the highest for September in the last five years [6] - WTI futures market share increased to 76% from 74% in the previous quarter [70] - Natural gas complex grew 2%, led by nat gas options up 12% [71] Company Strategy and Development Direction - CME Group is focused on innovation and expanding product offerings, including 24/7 trading of cryptocurrency futures and options [8][9] - A partnership with FanDuel aims to develop and distribute event-based contracts, enhancing retail strategy [9][20] - The company is extending its cross-margin agreement with DTCC to increase margin savings for clients [8] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted strong customer demand for products, with growing open interest and records in large open interest holders [13] - The outlook for energy markets remains positive, with continued growth in crude and natural gas [73] - Management emphasized the importance of credibility in markets and the potential for growth in retail offerings without necessarily pursuing acquisitions [20] Other Important Information - Capital expenditures for the third quarter were approximately $19,000,000, with cash at the end of the quarter around $2,600,000,000 [12] - The company paid dividends of $455,000,000 in the third quarter and approximately $3,500,000,000 over the first nine months of the year [12] - The average cash balance in the third quarter was $135,000,000, with a 30% cash minimum affecting client allocation decisions [105][106] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about your long-term retail strategy? - Management highlighted the importance of the partnership with FanDuel, which provides access to 13,000,000 potential accounts, and emphasized the credibility of CME in the retail market [16][20] Question: Is CME considering offering sports event contracts? - Management stated that the decision to list sports events depends on regulatory approval and expressed readiness to offer such contracts if permitted [30][48] Question: What is the outlook for energy markets? - Management noted that while energy volumes were down in the quarter, there is still strong growth potential in crude and natural gas markets, particularly in Europe and Asia [66][73] Question: What are the proceeds from the Ultra sale and capital deployment plans? - Proceeds from the sale were about $1,500,000,000, with management planning to present recommendations for capital use to the board soon [80][82] Question: Can you elaborate on the 24/7 trading initiative? - Management indicated that 24/7 trading for crypto is set for 2026, with ongoing discussions about potential expansion to other asset classes based on client demand [96][100]

Onchain & Tokenization - Every asset class is transitioning onchain [1] - Every asset will be tokenized [1] AVNU's Role - AVNU is developing the trading layer to access new markets [1] - AVNU focuses on best execution and seamless user experience (UX) [1]

After years of caution, banks are re-evaluating their stance on crypto. Across Europe, new frameworks such as the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation are giving institutions the confidence to re-enter the market they once avoided. In Portugal, that shift is already taking shape. Ricardo Martins, general manager at Bison Digital, said banks are beginning to treat crypto as a normal asset class rather than a speculative niche. “For us, digital assets are an asset with the same properties as a stock ...

The future is tokenized:https://t.co/lvwsfWOALC ...