Ray Blanco:

2 Chinese Nationals Charged With Smuggling ‘Potential Agroterrorism’ Fungus Into US: DOJ

Two Chinese nationals have been charged with allegedly smuggling into the U.S. a fungus called "Fusarium graminearum, which scientific literature classifies as a potential agroterrorism weapon," the Justice Department said Tuesday.

Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, citizens of the People’s Republic of China, were allegedly receiving Chinese government funding for their research, some of it at the University of Michigan, officials said.

"The complaint also alleges that Jian’s electronics contain information describing her membership in and loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party," a DOJ press release said.

"It is further alleged that Jian’s boyfriend, Liu, works at a Chinese university where he conducts research on the same pathogen and that he first lied but then admitted to smuggling Fusarium graminearum into America -- through the Detroit Metropolitan Airport -- so that he could conduct research on it at the laboratory at the University of Michigan where his girlfriend, Jian, worked," according to the press release.

The FBI says it causes “head blight,” a disease of wheat, barley, maize, and rice, and is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year.

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Davis Wilson:

SMASH/TRASH/STASH: Tesla, Ethereum and First Solar

Today, I’m launching something new. I’m calling it SMASH, TRASH, or STASH – SMASH the Buy button, TRASH that stock, or STASH that stock on the watchlist.

First Solar (FSLR) — SMASH the Buy Button. This stock’s chart looks rough. It’s been all over the place and momentum is weak right now. But the valuation tells a very different story.

Tesla (TSLA) — TRASH. I get why this name excites people. EVs, robots, AI, autonomy... it’s all there. But here’s the reality: Tesla has over-promised and under-delivered – especially when it comes to Full Self-Driving and robotaxis.

Brookfield Asset Management (BAM) — SMASH the Buy Button. If you like boring businesses that quietly compound wealth, Brookfield is your friend. They’re investing in infrastructure the world actually needs: data centers, renewables, and utilities.

Ethereum (ETH) — SMASH the Buy Button. Ethereum is finally starting to catch up with Bitcoin. Over the past month, ETH is up 41% while Bitcoin has gained just 9%. That kind of relative strength is worth paying attention to.

Click the link below for my full analysis on these picks and more!

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Chris Campbell:

Your Bank Hates This One Weird Coin

This week, things are coming to a head for stablecoins. Circle, the second-largest stablecoin issuer, is set to IPO. And the GENIUS Act, a stablecoin bill, is getting fast-tracked.

But judging by our inbox, many are still thinking: “Wait, stable what now?”

In short, stablecoins live on the blockchain but act like digital dollars. Most are backed by boring things—U.S. Treasuries, cash reserves, or other “safe” assets. Tether, USDC (Circle’s coin), and a few others dominate the space.

Politicians are promoting them. Banks are planning to use them. Regulators are giving them their blessing. And instead of threatening the system, they’re becoming a part of it. ~90% of surveyed financial institutions are building or planning stablecoin strategies. Some want to launch their own.

Long story short, it’s Circle vs. PayPal vs. X vs. banks vs. governments—a full-blown, multi-layered protocol war for the next 50 years of payments. And, thing is, the biggest winners won’t be any of them. It’ll be the rails these stablecoins are running on.

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