Bitcoin Magazine

Strategy Stock ($MSTR) Slides 7% as Aggressive Bitcoin Buying Continues 

Strategy (MSTR) made headlines this morning for its continued ambitious Bitcoin accumulation strategy, even as its stock struggles under mounting investor pressure. 

On Tuesday, shares of the Bitcoin-focused company fell over 7% in early trading at times, despite the firm officially surpassing the 700,000-BTC milestone.

The latest acquisition, disclosed January 20, adds 22,305 Bitcoin to Strategy’s treasury at an average cost of $95,284 per coin, bringing total holdings to roughly 709,715 BTC. The purchases were funded through the company’s at-the-market (ATM) equity and preferred stock programs, which raised about $2.125 billion in net proceeds between January 12 and 19. 

Sales included 2.95 million STRC variable-rate preferred shares and 10.4 million MSTR Class A common shares, with smaller amounts raised via STRK preferred stock.

While the milestone cements Strategy’s position as the world’s largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, representing over 3% of the cryptocurrency’s total circulating supply, the stock decline shows how closely Strategy still follows the price of Bitcoin.

Bitcoin plunged over 5% in just 36 hours, dipping below $90,000 as macro uncertainty and scrutiny of corporate bitcoin treasuries spooked the market. A sharp $4,000 drop Sunday night was fueled by over $500 million in liquidations in crypto derivatives.

Analysts say MSTR’s recent price weakness stems from issuing millions of new shares to buy Bitcoin, with TD Cowen recently cutting its price target to $440 due to a “weaker outlook for Bitcoin yield.”

Institutional interest in Strategy ($MSTR)

Despite the sell-off, institutional interest in Strategy remains notable. Last week, Vanguard Group disclosed a $505 million investment in MSTR, marking its first entry into the company’s stock. 

Technical analysts point to an inverted head-and-shoulders pattern forming on the daily chart, suggesting a potential bullish reversal if shares can sustain a breakout above $175. Failure to hold above $168 could, however, trigger a drop below $160.

The latest tranche of Bitcoin was acquired at an aggregate cost above Strategy’s historical average of $75,979 per BTC, illustrating the firm’s willingness to continue scaling its holdings despite elevated prices. 

Saylor has repeatedly emphasized the company’s long-standing “capital markets-to-Bitcoin” approach, using equity issuance to fund crypto accumulation.

Speaking at the Bitcoin MENA conference last year, Saylor framed Bitcoin as the foundation of a new era in digital capital and credit, not just an investable asset. 

Saylor said that major U.S. banks have moved from cautious observers to offering Bitcoin custody and credit solutions.

He argued that, like gold historically, Bitcoin could underpin a global digital credit system, aligning long-term growth with investor returns.

This post Strategy Stock ($MSTR) Slides 7% as Aggressive Bitcoin Buying Continues  first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Strategy ($MSTR) Stock Soars 10% Above $189 as Bitcoin Nears $100,000

Shares of Strategy ($MSTR) surged more than 10% Wednesday morning, briefly climbing above $189 per share, as investors piled back into the bitcoin treasury trade.

The move caps a volatile stretch for the stock following sharp drawdowns earlier this month.

Strategy, which holds the largest bitcoin position of any public company, has seen its equity trade as a high-beta proxy for bitcoin, with gains and losses often magnified relative to spot price movements. 

As bitcoin pushed toward the upper end of its recent range near $97,000, MSTR followed with a rapid upside move that outpaced the broader equity market.

The rally builds on momentum that began late last week after Strategy disclosed another large bitcoin purchase, adding more than 13,000 BTC to its balance sheet.

The acquisition lifted the company’s total holdings to roughly 687,000 bitcoin, reinforcing its long-stated approach of accumulating BTC through a mix of operating cash flow, equity issuance, and capital markets activity. 

Executive Chairman Michael Saylor has framed the strategy as a long-term bet on bitcoin as a superior store of value and a treasury reserve asset.

Market participants say the size and consistency of Strategy’s purchases have helped re-anchor the bull case for the stock after weeks of pressure tied to bitcoin’s pullback and concerns around dilution. 

While critics continue to point to leverage risk and accounting volatility, supporters argue that Strategy’s balance sheet has become one of the most direct institutional on-ramps to bitcoin exposure in public markets.

Sentiment also improved following signs of insider confidence. A recent open-market purchase by a company director marked the first such buy in several years, standing out in a period when insider activity had largely consisted of scheduled sales. 

Strategy’s recent MSCI drama

Structural factors added to the rebound. Earlier this month, index provider MSCI opted not to remove bitcoin-focused treasury companies from certain benchmarks, easing fears of forced selling by passive funds. 

That decision reduced near-term downside risk for Strategy, which has grown increasingly sensitive to index flows as its market capitalization expanded during bitcoin’s 2024 and 2025 rallies.

Still, Strategy’s model remains closely tied to bitcoin volatility. The company reported large unrealized losses in prior quarters as accounting rules required it to mark down bitcoin holdings during price declines. 

Those losses reversed only when prices recovered, creating earnings swings that traditional equity investors often struggle to price.

Wednesday’s jump above $189 highlights the reflexive nature of the trade. As bitcoin strengthens, Strategy’s equity also strengthens and attracts momentum-driven capital seeking leveraged exposure.

This post Strategy ($MSTR) Stock Soars 10% Above $189 as Bitcoin Nears $100,000 first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Strategy ($MSTR) Jumps 7% After MSCI Decides Against Excluding Bitcoin Treasury Firms

Shares of Strategy ($MSTR) surged as much as 7% earlier today after global index provider MSCI concluded its long-running review of digital asset treasury companies and opted not to exclude them from its flagship equity indexes — at least for now.

$MSTR was trading above $170 per share in early market trading, before paring gains as bitcoin pulled back into the low $91,000 range.

By midday, $MSTR shares had dipped to around $165, up only 4%, tracking weakness in the broader crypto market but still holding a solid advance on the day.

The rally followed confirmation from MSCI that it will maintain the current treatment of digital asset treasury companies (DATCOs), including Strategy, meaning firms already included in MSCI indexes will remain eligible so long as they continue to meet existing requirements. 

The decision alleviated months of uncertainty that had weighed on Strategy’s stock and fueled concerns over forced selling tied to index rebalancing.

MSCI had been reviewing whether companies holding a majority of their assets in bitcoin or other digital assets should be classified as “investment-oriented” entities rather than operating companies — a shift that would have rendered them ineligible for inclusion in widely tracked benchmarks such as the MSCI All Country World Index and MSCI Emerging Markets Index.

That proposal sparked fierce pushback from Strategy and the broader bitcoin industry. Strategy argued that excluding companies based solely on balance sheet composition was arbitrary and undermined index neutrality. 

Industry groups warned that removing DATCOs could trigger billions of dollars in passive outflows, destabilizing both equity and crypto markets.

Analysts had estimated that Strategy alone could have faced as much as $2.8 billion in forced selling if MSCI proceeded with exclusion, with broader selloffs across bitcoin treasury firms potentially far larger. MSCI’s decision effectively defuses that immediate risk.

$MSTR’s conditional regulatory relief

Still, the outcome was not an unqualified win. MSCI acknowledged concerns from institutional investors that some digital asset-heavy firms resemble investment funds and said further research is needed to distinguish between operating companies and investment-oriented entities. 

As part of its interim approach, MSCI said it will not increase index weightings to reflect new share issuance by DATCOs — a move that could limit Strategy’s ability to expand its index footprint as it issues equity to buy more bitcoin.

MSCI also signaled that exclusion remains a possibility in the future, noting that its indices are designed to track operating companies and that a broader consultation on non-operating firms is forthcoming.

For now, markets focused on the relief. Strategy ($MSTR), which holds nearly $63 billion worth of bitcoin and remains the largest publicly traded corporate holder, saw immediate buying interest as the specter of index removal faded. 

At the time of writing, bitcoin was trading in the low $91,000 range.

This post Strategy ($MSTR) Jumps 7% After MSCI Decides Against Excluding Bitcoin Treasury Firms first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Enjoy the chilly winter with this soul-satisfying and comforting tomato egg drop soup to warm yourself up while watching your favorite series from your cozy couch! A healthier and high protein alternative for your munchies!

When life gives you tomatoes, make tomato soup! Not just a regular everyday tomato soup, but the very special tomato egg drop soup!

If you want to give something really satisfying to your soul while nourishing your body at the same time, then a hearty soup is exactly what you need immediately!

So, after my super-popular chicken noodle soup, I have returned with one more high protein soup that will be a delight for all egg-lovers out there!

The very flavorful tomato egg drop soup which is full of fresh flavors from ripe red tomatoes, spring onion and cilantro (if you like it as much as we do!).

What is tomato egg drop soup?

Simply put, tomato egg drop soup is a Chinese inspired homestyle tomato soup with beaten eggs slowly poured over it to create beautiful egg clouds or egg flowers!

This is a very quick-cooking soup where blanched tomatoes are gently sautéed in garlic flavored oil for a couple of minutes and then simmered in vegetable broth or plain & simple water.

Once tomatoes are nicely softened, smoothly beaten eggs are poured over the soup moving your hand slowly in circular motion to create beautiful soft egg curdles inside the soup.

That's the uniqueness of any egg drop soup which you may already know. The combination of fresh ripe tomatoes with soft eggs proved to be incredibly addictive which is why I am sure you will make this on repeat this winter!

The post Best Ever Tomato Egg Drop Soup | Comforting High Protein Tomato Soup for Winter first appeared on Flavor Quotient.

Bitcoin Magazine

KindlyMD ($NAKA) Board Announces Authorization of Share Repurchase Program

KindlyMD Inc., the healthcare firm operating a Bitcoin treasury through its subsidiary Nakamoto Holdings, said Wednesday its board has authorized a share repurchase program, giving management discretion to buy back stock as shares trade below the value of the company’s bitcoin holdings.

The Nasdaq-listed company said it may repurchase shares through open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, block trades, or other legally permissible methods.

Buybacks may also be executed under Rule 10b5-1 trading plans and will comply with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act.

“This share repurchase program reflects our confidence in the long-term value of the Company and adds an important degree of flexibility to our capital allocation framework,” said David Bailey, Chairman and CEO of KindlyMD.

 “As shareholders ourselves, we remain focused on deploying capital with discipline and intention, balancing continued investment in our strategic priorities with actions we believe will drive durable value for all shareholders.”

The authorization does not commit KindlyMD to repurchase any specific number of shares. Management will determine the timing and size of any buybacks based on market conditions, capital requirements, trading liquidity, and regulatory considerations. 

The board may modify, suspend, or terminate the program at any time, the company said. 

$NAKA, KindlyMD stock merger

The move comes after a steep selloff in KindlyMD’s stock following its merger earlier this year with Nakamoto Holdings, a bitcoin-native treasury firm. 

Shares of KindlyMD, which trade under the ticker ‘NAKA,’ have fallen more than 95% from their peak during the bitcoin treasury company surge in the spring. Shares are currently trading near $0.37. 

According to the company’s public dashboard, KindlyMD holds 5,398 bitcoin on its balance sheet. At a bitcoin price near $88,000, those holdings are valued at roughly $1 billion — well above the company’s enterprise value, estimated at about $400 million.

KindlyMD has positioned bitcoin as a long-term balance-sheet asset rather than a short-term trading instrument, while continuing to operate integrated healthcare clinics and data-driven care services. 

The share repurchase authorization adds another financial lever as the company navigates market volatility, regulatory pressure, and investor scrutiny following its rapid rise and fall in 2025.

Disclosure: Nakamoto is in partnership with Bitcoin Magazine’s parent company BTC Inc to build the first global network of Bitcoin treasury companies, where BTC Inc provides certain marketing services to Nakamoto. More information on this can be found here.

This post KindlyMD ($NAKA) Board Announces Authorization of Share Repurchase Program first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

A one-pot soup meal made with leftovers and greens, this is great for a working day dinner or when you’ve got surprise guests

Part two of the Lettuce Series as I’ve dubbed it was about throwing things into a large pot to put together a soup – the kind that makes life a whole lot better (read: bearable) when your home has been invaded by painters and you are sneezing your head off courtesy allergies. The Chicken Lettuce Soup isn’t a planned recipe but it’s the kind that, after you’ve sampled, you realise needs to be shared with the world. Or the little pockets of the world this blog reaches.

The best thing about this soup is that the mothership liked it and trust me when I say, her liking food that has chicken (she’s developing a dislike for chicken and meat) and lettuce (read part one of the Lettuce Series) made me feel like a parent whose child has accomplished something major in life!

For those of you who’re coming into this rodeo late, check out the Lettuce Sourdough-wich recipe to know all about reverse parenting. And for those of you like all things soup, check out the recipes for Masala Chicken Soup and Pumpkin Carrot & Spring Onion Soup for some inspiration.

Bitcoin Magazine

Strategy ($MSTR) Buys Nearly $1 Billion Worth of Bitcoin

Strategy, the largest publicly traded holder of bitcoin, said it acquired 10,624 BTC last week for about $962.7 million, returning to a scale of purchases not seen since mid-year as market volatility steadied.

The company paid an average price of $90,615 per bitcoin during the Dec. 1–7 period, according to a regulatory filing and a statement from Executive Chairman Michael Saylor. The purchase lifts Strategy’s total bitcoin holdings to 660,624 coins, accumulated for roughly $49.35 billion at an average cost of $74,696 per bitcoin.

At current prices near $94,000, Strategy’s bitcoin stash is valued at about $60.5 billion, leaving the firm with an estimated $11 billion in unrealized gains.

Shares of Strategy (MSTR) were modestly higher in premarket trading Monday, rising about 2% alongside a small advance in bitcoin. The stock rebounded from a low near $155 on Dec. 1, reached during a sharp selloff across crypto-linked equities, but remains down more than 50% over the past six months.

Strategy’s largest purchase in 6 months

The acquisition marks Strategy’s largest weekly bitcoin purchase since July. In recent months, the company continued to add bitcoin almost every week, though in smaller amounts, as falling equity prices limited its ability to raise capital. 

Last week’s transaction suggests improved access to funding, even as investor sentiment toward crypto-related stocks remains mixed.

Strategy said the purchase was funded primarily through its at-the-market equity sales program. The company raised $928.1 million from the sale of 5.13 million shares of MSTR common stock and an additional $34.9 million from selling 442,536 shares of its STRD preferred stock. Net proceeds totaled about $963 million.

The firm retains significant remaining issuance capacity across multiple securities. Strategy reported unused at-the-market capacity of about $13.45 billion in common stock and more than $26 billion across several preferred and structured offerings, including STRK, STRF, STRC, and STRD.

Saylor also highlighted the company’s “BTC Yield” metric, which he said reached 24.7% year-to-date in 2025. The measure is intended to reflect the growth in bitcoin held per diluted share, rather than changes in dollar value, and has become a core part of Strategy’s investor messaging as it positions itself as a bitcoin-focused treasury and structured finance business.

The latest purchase comes as Saylor attends the BTC Conference in Abu Dhabi. In public comments, he said he has spent the past week meeting with sovereign wealth funds, banks, family offices, and hedge funds across the Middle East to discuss bitcoin and capital markets. Strategy did not disclose whether those meetings resulted in any financing commitments.

You can listen to Mr. Saylor’s interview and other BTC Conference content on Bitcoin Magazine’s social media and YouTube.

JUST IN: Michael Saylor says he is meeting with all the sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East to talk about #Bitcoin pic.twitter.com/PkiO5SIKx2

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) December 8, 2025

Bitcoin rose about 3% over the past 24 hours and roughly 1.5% on Monday morning, recovering from recent weakness that pushed prices into the low $80,000s. Some analysts attribute the bounce to expectations that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates this week, which could support risk assets after the recent pullback.

The backdrop remains unsettled for Strategy. Investors continue to debate whether the company’s aggressive use of equity issuance to buy bitcoin amplifies both upside and downside for shareholders. The firm raised nearly $2 billion two weeks ago, largely to build a cash buffer to cover preferred dividend obligations, before tapping markets again last week to fund bitcoin purchases.

Strategy’s MSCI concerns

At the same time, Strategy faces uncertainty around index inclusion. MSCI is reviewing whether companies with large digital-asset holdings should remain in traditional equity benchmarks. JPMorgan analysts have warned that exclusion could trigger billions of dollars in passive outflows from Strategy if index funds are forced to sell.

Saylor has pushed back on those concerns, arguing that Strategy is an operating company with a sizable software business and a growing Bitcoin-backed credit operation, not a fund or trust. He has said index classification debates do not alter the firm’s long-term approach.

For now, the company is pressing ahead with that strategy. With more than 660,000 bitcoin on its balance sheet and continued access to capital markets, Strategy remains the most visible corporate proxy for bitcoin exposure in public equities, even as volatility in both crypto prices and its own shares shows little sign of fading.

The current bitcoin price is near $91,500. 

This post Strategy ($MSTR) Buys Nearly $1 Billion Worth of Bitcoin first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Lemon white bean soup is a creamy, vibrant one pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. It’s hearty, filling, and uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients. (gluten-free with soy-free and nut-free options)

It’s soup season, and I am loving all the creamy, hearty, and budget-friendly soups — and this lemony white bean soup fits exactly into that category. It’s packed with tons of veggies, beans, and protein. 

The best part about this lemon white bean soup is that it’s flexible to your flavor profile. You can easily adjust the flavors and ingredients based on what you have on hand. It’s vibrant, lemony, and perfect for the whole family!

The soup gets its protein from beans, cashews or tofu, nutritional yeast, and the veggies. You also blend up some of the beans into a puree to create that creamy texture along with either cashews or tofu. You can even omit the cashews and tofu, if you need to, and use just the beans for the creamy base.

This creamy lemon white bean soup is wholesome, flexible, and easy to make. The perfect go-to for cozy soup season!!

Why You’ll Love Lemon White Bean Soup

• creamy, vibrant soup with tons of veggies and protein
• versatile recipe! Adjust seasoning and proteins to your taste.
• 40-minute, 1-pot meal
• naturally gluten-free with easy soy-free and nut-free options

Continue reading: 1-Pot Lemon White Bean Soup

The post 1-Pot Lemon White Bean Soup appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Vireo Growth Corp. will receive $1 million in cash and Pennsylvania real estate from Verano Holdings Corp., the companies announced Wednesday.

Marijuana MSOs settle $860 million lawsuit after failed boomtime acquisition is a post from: MJBizDaily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

A one-pot soup meal made with leftovers and greens, this is great for a working day dinner or when you’ve got surprise guests

Part two of the Lettuce Series as I’ve dubbed it was about throwing things into a large pot to put together a soup – the kind that makes life a whole lot better (read: bearable) when your home has been invaded by painters and you are sneezing your head off courtesy allergies. The Chicken Lettuce Soup isn’t a planned recipe but it’s the kind that, after you’ve sampled, you realise needs to be shared with the world. Or the little pockets of the world this blog reaches.

The best thing about this soup is that the mothership liked it and trust me when I say, her liking food that has chicken (she’s developing a dislike for chicken and meat) and lettuce (read part one of the Lettuce Series) made me feel like a parent whose child has accomplished something major in life!

For those of you who’re coming into this rodeo late, check out the Lettuce Sourdough-wich recipe to know all about reverse parenting. And for those of you like all things soup, check out the recipes for Masala Chicken Soup and Pumpkin Carrot & Spring Onion Soup for some inspiration.

Do let me know if you try this recipe! Leave a comment and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram at from.the.corner.table and hashtag it #fromthecornertable. I’d love to see it

For regular updates on recipes, recommendations on things to read and watch and ramblings that make sense, subscribe to the newsletter – you’ll find the form in the sidebar if viewing on a screen and at the bottom if viewing on the phone. Since spamming or flooding your inbox is a huge no for me, these newsletters go out only when I’ve put up a new post or sometimes, once in a month only.

Pillowy tortellini and a velvety tomato-cream broth, enriched with my easy homemade sausage spice mix. Bursting with bold Italian flavors and ready in just 30 minutes, it’s your new favorite irresistible soup.

I got some almond ricotta–stuffed tortellini, so I decided to make an amazing soup with it. This is a hearty, delicious, and easy tortellini soup recipe. It uses the usual suspects of an Italian-flavored soup: aromatics, carrot, celery, Italian herbs, and vegan sausage. Those flavors pair up with the tortellini, tomato purée, and some non-dairy cream. 

It turns out absolutely delicious.

I make this spice mix which adds all the flavor of sausage to whatever plant based protein you choose. This spice mix combines smoked paprika, fennel seeds, garlic powder, black pepper, oregano, and pepper flakes, and it’s just so versatile and flavorful!

First make the spice mix, and then decide which protein you want to use for the sausage. You can use vegan sausage, lentils, walnuts, pecans, chickpeas, crumbled tofu, chopped up soaked soy curls, seitan, or whatever else you like. 

Cook your protein of choice with some garlic and the spice mix, then add all the aromatics. Fold in the tomato sauce, tortellini, and some stock, then add non-dairy cream at the end. The tortellini cooks up in the same pan with the rest of the soup.

The soup comes together within 30 minutes in just 1 pan, and is creamy and satisfying!

Why You’ll Love Tortellini Soup

• super easy 1-pot meal ready in 30 minutes
• creamy, tomatoey broth with sausagey flavors and tender, cheesy tortellini
• super versatile! Use whatever plant-based protein you like!
• Easily made gluten-free, soy-free, and/or nut-free.

Continue reading: Creamy Tortellini Soup (30 Minutes!)

The post Creamy Tortellini Soup (30 Minutes!) appeared first on Vegan Richa.

A one-pot soup meal made with leftovers and greens, this is great for a working day dinner or when you’ve got surprise guests

Part two of the Lettuce Series as I’ve dubbed it was about throwing things into a large pot to put together a soup – the kind that makes life a whole lot better (read: bearable) when your home has been invaded by painters and you are sneezing your head off courtesy allergies. The Chicken Lettuce Soup isn’t a planned recipe but it’s the kind that, after you’ve sampled, you realise needs to be shared with the world. Or the little pockets of the world this blog reaches.

The best thing about this soup is that the mothership liked it and trust me when I say, her liking food that has chicken (she’s developing a dislike for chicken and meat) and lettuce (read part one of the Lettuce Series) made me feel like a parent whose child has accomplished something major in life!

For those of you who’re coming into this rodeo late, check out the Lettuce Sourdough-wich recipe to know all about reverse parenting. And for those of you like all things soup, check out the recipes for Masala Chicken Soup and Pumpkin Carrot & Spring Onion Soup for some inspiration.

Do let me know if you try this recipe! Leave a comment and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram at from.the.corner.table and hashtag it #fromthecornertable. I’d love to see it

For regular updates on recipes, recommendations on things to read and watch and ramblings that make sense, subscribe to the newsletter – you’ll find the form in the sidebar if viewing on a screen and at the bottom if viewing on the phone. Since spamming or flooding your inbox is a huge no for me, these newsletters go out only when I’ve put up a new post or sometimes, once in a month only.

During a California court appearance Monday, when questioned about a 420 tweet, Elon Musk suddenly forgot the significance of the number in pot culture. The tech billionaire responded after being cornered by a prosecutor representing Tesla employees for a class action lawsuit alleging he tweeted and misled shareholders about the price of Tesla shares.

The fiasco began several years ago. In 2018, Musk rounded up Tesla shares from $419 to $420, announcing his plan to go private in a tweet. “Am considering taking Tesla private at $420,” Musk tweeted on Aug. 7, 2018. “Funding secured.”—sending officials from The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) into a tailspin.

Am considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 7, 2018

Musk said he tweeted the share price based on what he said was a “firm commitment” from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to take Tesla private. But about 10 days later, Musk admitted that the Tesla buyout he had envisioned wasn’t going to materialize.

After an investigation, the SEC fined Musk $40 million, forcing the billionaire to step down as chair of Tesla’s board. The SEC said that Musk misled investors. In the SEC’s complaint, Musk was accused of rounding up the share price to $420 from $419 “because he had recently learned about the number’s significance in marijuana culture.” 

Musk caused instantaneous uproar about a month later, sparking a blunt with Joe Rogan on his show “The Joe Rogan Experience” on Sept. 3, 2018, shocking Tesla investors and officials across the board. His troubles didn’t end there. High Times asked if it was “the most expensive blunt of all time” due to the fallout, with NASA- and SpaceX-associated officials reviewing his security clearance.

The Verge reports that Nicholas Porritt is an attorney for a class of Tesla investors suing Musk for millions of dollars that they say resulted from his failure to take Tesla private. 

The courtroom got tense: “You rounded up to 420 because you thought that would be a joke that your girlfriend will enjoy, isn’t that correct?” Porritt asked. “No,” Musk said, adding, “there is some, I think, karma around 420. I should question whether that is good or bad karma at this point.”

Musk said that 420 wasn’t a weed joke, but a roughly 20% premium on the $419 stock price at the time. “420 was not chosen because of a joke,” Musk testified. “It was chosen because there was a 20 percent premium over the stock price.” Musk also claimed that it was a “coincidence.”

The jury will decide if Musk should have to pay out up to billions of dollars in damages to Tesla shareholders for the money they lost due to his tweets.

Judge Edward Chen ruled that the jury should be aware that Musk’s 2018 tweets are false. Jurors will now need to decide whether Musk deceived Tesla shareholders because of his tweets.

Musk said that he was not relying on a commitment for the Saudi PIF when he tweeted “funding secured,” adding that his shares in SpaceX would also help fund the deal to take Tesla private. “Just as I sold stock in Tesla to buy Twitter… I didn’t want to sell Tesla stock, but I did sell Tesla stock,” Musk said. “My SpaceX shares alone would have meant that funding was secured.”

Musk has also been sued by a group of former Twitter employees after a mass firing. Musk recently became the CEO of Twitter after buying the platform for $44 billion in October 2022. Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz is Twitter’s second-largest shareholder after Musk. 

The post Elon Musk Denies 420 Tweet Was About Weed appeared first on High Times.