hodler

6 May 2026, 14:05

Bitcoin Core quietly patched a memory bug, but 43% of nodes may still be vulnerable

BitcoinWorld Bitcoin Core quietly patched a memory bug, but 43% of nodes may still be vulnerable Bitcoin Core, the primary software client used to run full Bitcoin nodes, has disclosed that it quietly patched a memory stability bug in version 29.0, released in April 2025. The bug, which could have been exploited to target miners, was fixed without public fanfare, raising questions about the security posture of the network. The bug and its scope According to reporting by The Block, the vulnerability was a memory handling issue within the node software. It did not affect the Bitcoin consensus algorithm and could not be used to alter the blockchain or create coins. However, it could have been leveraged to disrupt mining operations by causing instability in nodes running the affected software. The fix was included in Bitcoin Core version 29.0, and support for the vulnerable 28.x version line ended on April 19, 2026. This means that nodes still running 28.x or earlier are no longer receiving security updates and remain exposed to the bug. Why 43% of nodes matter Data from node monitoring services suggests that approximately 43% of reachable Bitcoin nodes are still running software older than version 29.0. This large percentage represents a significant portion of the network’s infrastructure. While the bug does not threaten the integrity of the blockchain itself, it poses a stability risk for individual node operators and, by extension, the miners who rely on a healthy node network. For context, Bitcoin nodes validate transactions and blocks, relay information across the network, and provide the backbone for decentralized consensus. A widespread instability event, even if temporary, could affect transaction propagation and mining efficiency. What node operators should do Node operators running version 28.x or earlier are strongly advised to upgrade to the latest version of Bitcoin Core. The upgrade process is straightforward and does not require a full blockchain resync. Operators should verify their version and update as soon as possible to ensure they are protected against this and any other bugs patched in subsequent releases. Implications for network security The quiet patching of this bug is not unusual in open-source software development. Many critical fixes are deployed without public disclosure until a later date or until a significant portion of the network has upgraded. However, the disclosure now highlights the ongoing challenge of node upgrade adoption. Even with a clear fix available, a large fraction of the network remains on outdated software, creating a latent risk. This incident underscores the importance of regular software maintenance for node operators and the need for clearer communication from development teams about security-relevant updates. It also serves as a reminder that the security of the Bitcoin network depends not only on the code but on the diligence of its operators. Conclusion The memory bug in Bitcoin Core was real but limited in scope. It has been patched for over a year, yet a substantial portion of the network has not upgraded. Node operators should treat this as a call to action: update to the latest version of Bitcoin Core to maintain network health and personal security. The broader lesson is that decentralized networks require active participation from their users to remain resilient. FAQs Q1: Does this bug affect Bitcoin’s consensus or the blockchain itself? No. The bug was a memory stability issue in the node software. It did not affect the consensus algorithm and could not be used to alter the blockchain or create fraudulent transactions. Q2: How do I check which version of Bitcoin Core I am running? You can check your version by running bitcoind --version or bitcoin-cli --version from the command line. The version number will be displayed in the output. Q3: Is it safe to continue running version 28.x? No. Support for version 28.x ended on April 19, 2026. Running outdated software exposes your node to known vulnerabilities, including this memory bug. Upgrading to the latest version is strongly recommended. This post Bitcoin Core quietly patched a memory bug, but 43% of nodes may still be vulnerable first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

6 May 2026, 13:30

Solana And Google Cloud Unveil Pay.sh For Pay-Per-Request API Access

Solana Foundation and Google Cloud have introduced Pay.sh, a Solana-based gateway designed to let AI agents discover, access and pay for APIs on a per-request basis using stablecoins. The launch positions Solana as payment infrastructure for agentic software workflows, with Google Cloud APIs including Gemini, BigQuery, Vertex AI, BigTable and Cloud Run among the first enterprise services supported. The product addresses a bottleneck that has become more visible as AI agents move from passive assistants to autonomous software operators. Even when an agent can search, code, query data and execute tasks, access to premium APIs still typically requires a human to create accounts, manage billing, handle credentials and maintain subscriptions. Pay.sh attempts to collapse that process into a wallet-based payment flow. “Agents can now instantly discover, access, and pay-per-request for any API autonomously, for the first time supporting APIs from Google Cloud including Gemini, BigQuery, Vertex AI, and more using stablecoins on Solana,” the Solana Foundation said in its announcement . “No accounts. No API keys. No subscriptions needed.” Pay.sh begins with a Solana wallet connected to an AI interface, including Gemini, Claude Code, Codex, Openclaw and Hermes, according to the announcement. Developers can fund the wallet with a credit card or stablecoin, after which an agent can browse a unified marketplace of API endpoints, receive live pricing and pay directly from its balance. The core design is simple: the payment functions as the credential. Rather than requiring every API provider to establish a direct billing relationship with each user or agent, Pay.sh acts as a gateway layer between agents and service providers. The Foundation said Pay.sh runs as an API proxy built on Google Cloud Platform , sitting in front of Google Cloud services such as BigQuery, Gemini, Cloud Run and others. The user’s Solana wallet acts as the agent’s identity, while the gateway authorizes requests through verified endpoints and applies rate limits, quotas and access controls. That distinction matters for enterprise APIs. The product is not framed as a way to bypass compliance or security controls, but as a mechanism for handling high-frequency, low-friction payments while still preserving provider-side access management. Solana Powered-Stablecoin Settlement For Agent Commerce Payments are processed in stablecoins on Solana and then reconciled with providers, with the announcement emphasizing settlement “in seconds.” Developers pay only for what they consume, while providers avoid manual billing overhead for small or irregular usage patterns. Solana Foundation Chief Product Officer Vibhu Norby, who announced the launch on X, described Pay.sh as “our pay-as-you-go product for every API,” adding that the collaboration with Google brings micropayments to APIs including “Gemini, BigQuery, YouTube, and Maps.” “For the first time, developers can access and pay on individual API calls without a billing account or KYC,” Vibhu wrote. “Pay.sh gives your terminal a wallet and financial superpowers with digital dollars on Solana at the root. We’re starting with GCP but you can access 75 other integrations through our open marketplace.” The marketplace component is broader than Google Cloud. Solana Foundation said Pay.sh also includes more than 50 community API facilitators across ecommerce, market data, communications and onchain infrastructure. Named services include Rye, BigCommerce, Exa, Dune Analytics, Nansen, AgentMail, StablePhone, Helius, Alchemy, QuickNode, Allium and The Graph. Pay.sh is built on x402 and MPP, which the Foundation described as machine-native payment protocols for agent-to-API commerce. The registry is open-source, and service providers can submit endpoints through GitHub or apply to become official Pay.sh API providers. Launch partners powering community-sourced endpoints include PayAI, Crossmint, Merit Systems, Corbits, MoonPay, Sponge Wallet, ATXP and Tektonic Company. For Solana, the launch gives stablecoin payments another concrete enterprise-facing use case beyond trading, remittances and consumer transfers. At press time, SOL traded at $87.79.

6 May 2026, 13:00

Stock Picks From Seeking Alpha's April 2026 New Analysts

Summary Seeking Alpha welcomed 31 new analysts in April 2026. This article showcases their top picks and investment strategies. Analysts provided nuanced ratings—ranging from Strong Sell to Strong Buy—grounded in margin dynamics, capital allocation, sector tailwinds, and risk-adjusted upside. Featured picks include bullish views on SoFi Technologies, Kratos Defense, Doubleview Gold, and Micron, each with detailed forward-looking catalysts and valuation cases. We also welcomed the Nasdaq team to our platform during the month. They will be sharing insightful market and macro commentaries going forward as part of our syndicated coverage. We invite you all to engage with our new contributing analysts, explore their diverse investment theses, and consider following up on the highlighted stock ideas. Showcase Intro In April, we welcomed 31 new analysts who published their first-ever article on Seeking Alpha. In this article, our editors highlight some of the best ideas from these new analysts and introduce them. The first five introductions are spotlight features, including a longer excerpt from the analyst's article. The rest of the new analysts will be introduced after these, with a more brief excerpt, and are generally organized by rating from Strong Sell to Strong Buy . Each section includes details about the new analysts' interests and backgrounds, so you can get to know them a bit more. With all the ideas and information shared in this article, we'd invite you to join the conversation and let others know what you think: are any of these picks worth following up on ? To our new analysts: welcome to the community ! And please don't hesitate to share more in the comments to introduce yourself to our readers. Top Stock Picks From Seeking Alpha's New Analysts Scott Gossett | Micron: A Study Of Event Returns, Regime Tailwinds, And DRAM ASP Biography: “Over the past two years, I have studied earnings performance, commodity supply and demand, economic data, and stock behavior across growth industries. I passed CFA Level II, scored in the 90th percentile on CFA Level I, and led study groups in support of those exams. I am currently modeling risk, price behavior, and regime-driven return patterns in growth semiconductor companies to identify patterns with practical investment application. I am actively pursuing employment in the RIA industry or a related investment field. ” Buy | “ Micron Technology, Inc.’s ( MU ) recent weakness was an exaggerated move that was expected based on 2 years of observed forward-return pathing after positive earnings events and was further exacerbated by the Iran war catalyst. The medium-term outlook for MU indicates no break in the underlying setup, given the observed price reaction to margin-driven operating leverage, revenue-driver levels (DRAM ASP) in a breakout phase, favorable interest-rate policy, and continued stimulus to AI infrastructure through HPC capex spending. Applying an 8x forward P/E multiple, MU’s 12-month fair value is justified at $900 per share under conservative revenue and margin assumptions.” - Callum James | SoFi Technologies: The Market Is Handing You A $17 Entry On A $4.7 Billion Revenue Machine Biography: “I build my approach around three ideas. First, I take large positions in businesses I understand deeply. I'd rather own a few high-conviction names than spread thin across many. Second, I buy aggressively when markets get scared. The February-March 2026 correction was a good example—prices dropped on geopolitical fear while the underlying businesses kept executing. That's when I deploy capital. Third, I specialize in sectors with high barriers to entry—semiconductors, digital banking, and defense robotics.” Strong Buy | “ SoFi Technologies, Inc. ( SOFI ) just posted its first-ever billion-dollar quarter, grew revenue 37% YoY, and added a record 1 million members in Q4 alone, yet the stock is down 50% from November highs. 2026 guidance of $4.655 billion in revenue (30% growth), $1.6 billion adjusted EBITDA (34% margin), and $0.60 adjusted EPS represents a step-change in profitability undervalued by the market. Wall Street analyst consensus of approximately $25 per share implies roughly 50% upside from current levels, with bull cases extending meaningfully higher. With 13.7 million members, $37.4 billion in deposits, and nine consecutive quarters of GAAP profitability, SoFi is no longer a speculative startup. It is a financial institution trading at crisis-level multiples.” - Luke Pomichter | Kratos Defense: Investing In The Future Of Autonomous Warfare Biography: “Luke Pomichter is a defense and national security professional with over a decade of experience spanning intelligence operations, cyber threat intelligence, and security engineering across the defense industrial base. His research interests sit at the intersection of national security and capital markets. He writes on aerospace, defense, and emerging technology equities as a natural extension of his professional background and ongoing graduate work. ” Buy | “ Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. ( KTOS ) is initiated with a Buy rating and a $135 price target, implying 92% upside from current levels. KTOS is positioned for significant growth across Valkyrie drone production, a rapidly expanding hypersonics franchise, and the Prometheus solid rocket motor facility. Recent contract wins, a record $1.57B backlog, and a $13.7B pipeline support robust revenue growth projections through 2028. Current valuation does not reflect upcoming catalysts, including Valkyrie program-of-record revenue and Prometheus-driven margin expansion.” - Green Vista Research | Doubleview Gold Is Acquisition-Ready Biography: “I am a generalist investor with a multi-asset background. My writing focuses on the intersection of two complementary investment axes: capital growth and income generation. My experience spans multiple asset classes. I am formally educated in economics with professional experience in investment management. I gravitate toward small- and mid-cap securities where I believe inefficiencies are more pronounced; however, I prioritize margin of safety over momentum chasing.” Strong Buy | “ Doubleview Gold Corp. ( DBLVF ) trades at a ~C$450M market cap despite owning 100% of the Hat deposit in BC's Golden Triangle, a polymetallic copper-gold-cobalt-silver-scandium porphyry. Recently published PEA shows an after-tax NPV (5%) of C$7.27 billion at consensus metal prices, implying the stock currently trades at roughly 0.06x P/NAV. Scandium provides a highly asymmetric upside and functions as a call option on the thesis. While Tahltan permitting risk warrants caution, I rate the company a strong buy with a conservative 3-5x upside. I believe the deposit's economics have been largely de-risked, and that DBG is likely to be acquired by a major mining company at a takeout price above that range.” - Nasdaq | Why The Market Needs Small Company Listings Biography: “Nasdaq is a global technology company that delivers world-leading platforms that improve the integrity, transparency, and liquidity of the global economy. Since 1971, when Nasdaq created the world’s first electronic exchange, their innovations have revolutionized the global capital markets. Kevin Davitt, the Head of Nasdaq’s Index Options Content, and Phil Mackintosh, Chief Economist and a Senior Vice President at Nasdaq, share insights on the derivatives side as well as market and macroeconomic developments. ” No Rating | “The SEC’s data shows that the number of publicly listed companies has nearly halved since 2000. But the insight they add is that this is entirely due to fewer “small” companies (market cap of less than $250 million). This data gets at the heart of the value of public markets. Companies that go public invest more than similar private companies, which is one way that public markets help grow the economy. This is why Nasdaq continues to advocate for sensible reforms to strengthen public markets and the economy.” New Analyst Stock Ideas From April 2026 Bern Lake Investor | Sutro Biopharma: Recycling Past Data Ahead Of The Readout; Strong Sell Biography: “Long/short investor for 20+ years with a generalist background. Possess expertise in areas such as healthcare and technology and an advanced degree to evaluate special opportunities in detail. ” Strong Sell | “ Sutro Biopharma, Inc.'s ( STRO ) lead program, STRO-004, is a next-gen tissue factor-targeting exatecan ADC with a DAR of 8, aiming for Phase 1 data in mid-2026. Despite claims of improved safety via Fc-silencing and novel linker chemistry, prior ADCs (luveltamab tazevibulin) with similar strategies suffered high toxicities and discontinuation. Cash reserves and Vaxcyte equity holdings have dropped from ~$400M between 2023 and 2025 to $141.5M as of March 2026, raising sustainability concerns ahead of key clinical readouts.” - Picky Value | Tredegar: The Tariff Isn't Helping Biography: “I am an independent analyst with a background in accounting, focusing on US small- and mid-cap companies. I define myself as a value investor who follows the teachings of Warren Buffett, Peter Lynch, Charlie Munger, and Li Lu. ” Sell | “ Tredegar Corporation (TG) faces persistent structural challenges and has failed to adapt to tariff-induced industry changes. At $9.42, TG appears unattractive with limited short- or mid-term upside and questionable long-term prospects. I rate TG a sell, citing management’s lack of proactive restructuring and reliance on external factors for justification.” - Riviera Investor | Adyen: Growing TAM, But Declining Margins And Moat Biography: “I have been actively investing in equity markets for over a decade, developing an investment philosophy rooted in growth investing and GARP (growth at a reasonable price). I look for businesses where strong secular tailwinds, sound unit economics, and reasonable valuations intersect. ” Sell | “I rate Adyen N.V. ( ADYEY ) a 'sell' even at current levels, reflecting a narrowing moat and margins. Adyen is experiencing healthy growth; however, the first red flag is that EPS is growing slower than revenues. I think this industry is facing a high risk of commoditization. Looking at the fintech industry broadly, I think that the best years to invest in these companies are in the past: around 2015, not around 2025.” - Eudaemon Research | Oracle's Layoffs: The $4 Billion Return Threshold Investors Cannot Ignore Biography: “The author's primary sector focus is software, IT, and AI, including the growing application of AI across industries such as healthcare. He is especially interested in companies with scalable models, improving economics, and the ability to compound earnings over time .” Hold | “ Oracle Corporation ( ORCL ) is undergoing a massive capital reallocation, funding an unprecedented AI and cloud infrastructure buildout with $39.2 billion in capex and $40 billion in new debt. The recent layoff of 30,000 employees is not a sign of business weakness but a structural funding mechanism for Oracle’s capital-intensive shift. ORCL must generate at least $4 billion in incremental annual profit from its AI infrastructure to justify the capital outlay. Until clear evidence emerges that AI-driven returns exceed this threshold, ORCL remains a hold due to high execution risk and limited margin for error.” - Jamelle Danne Rosales | SiTime's Renesas Deal Makes This Stock Harder To Buy Biography: “I am an independent investor focused on identifying emerging companies with asymmetric long-term upside. My investing approach combines fundamental analysis, industry research, and scenario-based valuation modeling. ” Hold | “ SiTime Corporation ( SITM ) is at an inflection point after a $1.5B acquisition of Renesas' timing business, transforming its risk and growth profile. Organic revenue growth and margin expansion are exceptional, but the new debt, dilution, and integration risk from the acquisition complicate the investment case. At $345, SITM is neither obviously cheap nor expensive; the Hold rating reflects a balanced risk/reward pending evidence from Q1 2026 results and deal integration. ” - The Night Owl Investor | Abercrombie & Fitch: Strong Turnaround Faces Growing Cost Pressures Biography: “I am a private investor focused on fundamental analysis and long-term value investing. My primary area of interest is consumer-driven sectors, particularly consumer discretionary and consumer staples companies with strong fundamentals, resilient business models, and clear growth potential.” Hold | “ Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) demonstrates solid sales growth, led by Hollister, but faces decelerating momentum and margin pressure. Net earnings declined 10.3% year-over-year, primarily due to higher supply chain costs and persistent tariff impacts. Comparable sales growth lags total sales, suggesting expansion relies on new markets rather than deepening existing customer bases. I assign a Hold rating, citing external risks—gas prices, tariffs, and consumer affordability—as limiting near-term upside. ” - DartThrow Trader | Amerisafe: Keeps Growing Into A Soft Market, But The Easy Comparisons Are Behind It Biography: “I'm a financial services professional with over 32 years of experience in investment analysis and strategic business development. On Seeking Alpha, I plan to cover undercovered small- and mid-cap names, with particular focus on financial services and specialty finance, energy and natural resources, industrial and business services companies, and sector and thematic ETFs.” Hold | “ AMERISAFE, Inc. ( AMSF ) delivered its eighth consecutive quarter of premium growth, with Q1 2026 net premiums up 9% to $75.1 million. Despite strong underwriting discipline and a 93.2% combined ratio, EPS declined year-over-year due to a normalization of the tax rate and rising loss ratios. Persistent industry rate softness and higher medical costs pressure AMSF’s earnings outlook, warranting a Hold rating for patient investors. ” - Taimoor Tariq | CD Projekt: Carrying Minimum Upside Ahead Of Witcher 4 Launch Date Announcement Biography: “I have worked in the mainstream financial press, spanning public equities, leveraged buyouts, M&A analysis, and technology sector strategy across markets in the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. On Seeking Alpha, I aim to provide regular coverage of large- and mid-cap video game stocks across the globe. ” Hold | “ CD Projekt S.A. (OTGLF) boasts a fortress balance sheet with zero debt and PLN 1.32 billion in cash but trades at a demanding 42x trailing P/E. The investment case is highly leveraged to The Witcher 4, expected post-2026, with no new major revenue catalysts until then. Free cash flow and development cost management are critical as CDR relies on back-catalog sales during the multi-year development cycle. I maintain a Hold rating, citing asymmetric risk/reward until a credible Witcher 4 release window or a price correction emerges.” - PV Research | Leonardo DRS: Strong Demand Meets Supply-Side Constraints Biography: “With more than 10 years of practical experience in the financial markets, we specialize in investment ideas grounded in in-depth analysis of global economic and political conditions. Our methodology is based on combining an academic foundation in economics, international economics, and political science with applied market analysis. ” Hold | Leonardo DRS, Inc. (DRS) appears fundamentally healthy based on its reported numbers, optimism is supported by backlog figures, and the broader rearmament trend provides a solid structural foundation for further expansion. However, the stock is still difficult to recommend as an immediate buy, since the conversion of demand into revenue may yet face constraints stemming from potential disruptions in raw material and component supplies.” - Andoro Research | CubeSmart: A Historically High Yield, But Still A Hold Biography: “I focus primarily on undervalued dividend opportunities in the 3–10% yield range, though I won't ignore a compelling lower-yield stock when the numbers justify it. I aim to help you build a diversified portfolio that generates dependable income, avoids yield and value traps, and compounds quietly over time. ” Hold | “ CubeSmart ( CUBE ) offers a 5.8% yield near historic highs, but growth prospects are limited for several years. With an 87% AFFO payout ratio and a manageable 4.8x debt/EBITDA, CUBE's dividend is stable but leaves little room for increases. Valuation at 15x P/FFO and ~$36/share is fair, with minimal margin of safety and no compelling undervaluation.” - Cavan Tang | Adobe: Cheap For All The Wrong Reasons Biography: “I am a recent graduate with a strong interest in equity research, financial markets, and macroeconomics. My areas of interest include technology, consumer staples, and cyclicals.” Buy | “Despite generative AI advancements, Adobe Inc.'s ( ADBE ) integrated workflows and format standards create high switching costs and operational barriers for competitors. The market’s focus on generative AI competition overlooks Adobe’s unique, invisible infrastructure binding the digital content supply chain. I rate ADBE a Buy with a $422.32 price target, reflecting conviction in its enduring market position.” - Tomas Prosecky | The Market Is Too Harsh On FactSet Research Systems Biography: “I actively manage my own portfolio, and my core investing approach centers on taking long positions in value stocks that offer growth at a reasonable price. I rely on fundamental analysis to uncover mispriced companies that possess strong intrinsic value alongside sustainable, reasonable growth trajectories. ” Buy | “ FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) trades at a deep discount despite strong fundamentals and a resilient data moat. The company's high retention rate (>95%), sticky client base, and expanding AI-driven product suite underpin stable mid-to-high single-digit growth. FDS is embedding its data into AI workflows, shifting from seat-based to usage-based pricing, and partnering with major tech firms. Due to these reasons and a compelling valuation at roughly 15x P/E, I view FactSet Research Systems as a Buy at current prices.” - Antonia Comaniciu | Duolingo: The Market Underestimates Its Behavioral Monetization Engine Biography: “I am currently a first-year student at Princeton University, studying economics and planning to obtain minors in finance, statistics, and machine learning. I am writing on Seeking Alpha to strengthen my analytical thinking, communicate my investment ideas, and engage with a community that may bring different perspectives to my research.” Buy | “The market is pricing Duolingo, Inc. ( DUOL ) as a decelerating language app. My thesis is that AI fears are overstated and bears are misreading management’s new strategy prioritizing engagement over monetization and quality over friction. Duolingo remains a strong business as a habit-formation platform with a powerful monetization engine, and it represents an attractive investment opportunity at its discounted price.” - Shailja Sharma | Crocs: Aggressive Deleveraging And A 12% FCF Yield Biography: “On Seeking Alpha, I intend to provide readers with actionable, data-driven investment theses that bridge the gap between complex economic data and practical market execution. My sector focus primarily includes global tech and emerging market financials.” Buy | The main driver for Crocs, Inc. (CROX) stock over the next 12-24 months will not be explosive revenue growth but rapid debt reduction. Management is rapidly paying back its $1.23 billion in net debt. As the debt lowers, hundreds of millions of dollars are redirected into buying back up to $750 million of their stock. When you combine this aggressive buyback potential with projected positive 23% operating margins, CROX's current valuation of just 5.7x EV/EBITDA is fundamentally mispriced compared to peers like Deckers and Nike.” - Dimensions Research | Asbury Automotive: Aiming At Margin Instead Of Volume Biography: “We use a disciplinary approach to systematically evaluate investment opportunities and dive deep into them with a growth-oriented mindset, a balanced view, and an analytical framework to provide an edge for uncovering value and market dislocations. On Seeking Alpha, we will mostly cover equity, focusing on sectors such as energy, industrial, commodity, and technology.” Buy | “In pursuit of improving efficiency and margin, Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. ( ABG ) has been optimizing its portfolio through divestitures and acquisitions, on top of software upgrades to Tekion across all of its storefronts for the past two years. While cash constraints, debt burden, and macro headwinds remain, pricing in most of the risk premium, the stock still looks cheap, as long as there isn't a major slump in its sales and growth dynamics.” - Growing Value | Ubisoft: An Opportunity Lies Hidden Under Years Of Underperformance Biography: “I believe in growth at a reasonable price. I also believe the greatest alpha is found where qualitative factors—such as superior managerial strategy or structural competitive advantages—are not yet fully reflected in the numbers.” Buy | “ Ubisoft Entertainment SA ( UBSFY ) ( UBSFF ) is rated a speculative buy for risk-tolerant, long-term investors seeking outsized returns from undervalued assets and IPs. The market has priced in recent losses, delays, and restructuring uncertainty. The IPs that the company owns in the form of famous video game franchises continue to be an incredibly valuable asset with a potential for high returns.” - GT Research | Nu Holdings: Scale, Efficiency, And Earnings Still Support A Buy Biography: “I am a lawyer with a strong personal interest in investing and fundamental equity research. My goal is to identify companies with attractive long-term potential, solid business models, and a margin of safety that may not be fully reflected in their current valuation.” Buy | “I believe that Nu Holdings Ltd. ( NU ) is a very interesting opportunity, as it is an attractive company that is growing consistently, and the stock currently trades at a reasonable price. The company has been showing better efficiency, growth in revenue, and expansion in Latin America and now the U.S. There are risks involved, mostly because the company operates in volatile countries, but at current levels, in my view, Nubank is a Buy.” - Eduardo Salas | NetEase Is Finally Unlocking Its Potential For A New Era Biography: “I have obtained certifications as a Capital Markets Analyst and a Modeling & Valuation Analyst, both from the Corporate Financial Institute. I'm interested in a wide variety of industries and sectors, such as online entertainment & services, software, semiconductors, pharma, renewable energy, infrastructure, tools & machinery, and consumer staples.” Buy | “ NetEase, Inc. (NTES) is rated as a Buy, with an estimated fair price of $141.7, 24.2% above the current price, even after discounting risks. NTES will be able to increase revenue thanks to its successful global expansion and longer-lasting live service games, while it will increase its margins from AI efficiency gains and lower distribution costs. The worries of AI being a disruptor for online games are overstated.” - Go Finance Intelligence | Intel: The Unlikely Turnaround Story Biography: “I am a Certified Public Accountant and a seasoned financial analyst with a passion for financial world analytics. I specialize in technology, sustainability, and innovation investment, sectors driven by both short- and long-term opportunities.” Buy | “Despite ongoing foundry losses, Intel Corporation ( INTC ) is positioned for long-term growth through advanced manufacturing, U.S. government support, and potential to capture 20% of global advanced logic market share by 2026. INTC trades at a discounted 5.72x P/S versus peers, with forward revenue growth expectations and a positive Q2 '26 outlook supporting the bullish entry thesis.” - Value Vest | Amphenol: A Blue-Chip Compounder With Sustainable Competitive Advantages And AI Tailwinds Biography: “My analyses are based on a combination of fundamental valuation methods and a profound understanding of technological developments. I place special emphasis on identifying companies that can build structural competitive advantages through innovative technologies.” Buy | “I consider Amphenol Corporation ( APH ) to be one of the highest-quality industrial technology companies in the public markets today. I base this belief on three factors: its entrenched competitive position based on switching costs and engineering know-how; its decentralized operating model, which generates superior margins across every part of the cycle; and its disciplined acquisition engine, which helps continually to expand the company's addressable market while avoiding margin dilution.” - Rize Research | Repo Market Stress Signals Bitcoin Is Positioned For Its Next Major Bull Cycle Biography: “As a swing and position trader, my focus has always been on the macroeconomic cycles and Federal Reserve monetary mechanics that drive long-term price action. In my research, I combine technical price action and harmonic patterns with an emphasis on actual data.” Strong Buy | “ Bitcoin USD ( BTC-USD ) is poised for a major bull cycle as systemic liquidity stress forces the Fed to expand its balance sheet, historically driving BTC exponential rallies. BTC's fixed supply, computational security, and regulatory clarity position it as a superior hedge against fiat debasement and systemic instability versus altcoins and traditional assets.” - Byte Sized Alpha | A Turning Point For CRISPR Therapeutics As Commercial Growth Accelerates Biography: “My primary focus is on the technology sector, specifically semiconductors, cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and the companies building out the next decade of innovation. I'm drawn to businesses with exciting new technology, scalable business models, and strong management teams.” Strong Buy | “ CRISPR Therapeutics AG ( CRSP ) is transitioning into a commercial biotech company with a revenue base. At its current valuation, I believe CASGEVY's long-term earnings potential and pipeline are undervalued. This is why I'm rating CRISPR a Strong Buy, as more drug updates come up in 2026, which I believe will boost the valuation.” - Brock Fassnacht | TeraWulf's AI/HPC Pivot: High-Conviction Secular Growth Play Biography: “After getting a degree in mathematics and working in analytics consulting, I quickly saw the importance of AI within my industry and knew the investment opportunities this disruption would bring. However, my focus is not only on AI-specific themes but also on durable ideas that can withstand the volatile world that AI is creating.” Strong Buy | “ TeraWulf Inc. ( WULF ) is significantly undervalued as an AI data center developer, with recent site acquisitions adding over 1 GW of growth runway. WULF’s diversified power grid exposure, high-quality counterparties, and management’s power market expertise provide structural advantages over peers. I see fair value at $30 per share (21x EV/EBITDA), with upside from better lease terms and further site developments.” - Sergey Chitsvarin | TransMedics: Revolutionizing The Organ Transplant Market While Trading At A Discount Biography: “My strategy involves strictly managing position sizing and only trading my edge by utilizing the big 3 rules: I only trade when the market conditions are good, find undervalued stocks through fundamental analysis, and lock in the trade using technical analysis. I am not always correct, but I can humbly say that I am a more well-rounded trader capable of successful trading over prolonged periods of time.” Strong Buy | “ TransMedics Group, Inc. ( TMDX ) is a Strong Buy, leveraging its technological and logistical moat in organ transport, with OCS and NOP programs driving sector outperformance. TMDX trades at a 39x non-GAAP P/E and 5.2x NTM EV/Sales, appearing undervalued relative to its 20%-25% growth guidance and MedTech peers.” - Ultima Thule Advisory | EVgo: Likely Won't Be Cash Flow Positive Until 2031, Yet Appears To Be A Great Long-Term Investment Biography: “Here I mostly cover mid-term, fundamentally solid investment and speculative ideas. I love growth at a reasonable price and believe that this is the best model in our (broadly speaking) deflationary world, as markets tend to underestimate such companies in the short term, focusing on less sustainable but more rapidly growing cases.” Strong Buy | “ EVgo, Inc. (EVGO) has successfully scaled its operations to gross profitability, continues to work on gross and operating margin improvement, and is on track to expand its revenues, using the US DOE's $1.25 billion loan. Despite slower short- and long-term revenue growth, as well as negative FCF until 2031, EVgo's business model pairs high double-digit growth with the stability of a utility sector company.” - Angel Regalado | Build-A-Bear: The Economics Of An Underappreciated Mix Shift Biography: “I am an investment professional with experience in portfolio analysis, company research, financial modeling, and client-facing investment work. My background is rooted in fundamental, bottoms-up investing, with a strong focus on understanding how a business actually creates value over time.” Strong Buy | “ Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. ( BBW ) is transitioning toward a capital-light, partner-operated, and franchise model, driving higher ROIC, margin intensity, and cash generation versus legacy corporate stores. My SOTP-based price target is $63.50 per share, reflecting superior economics from third-party growth, margin expansion, and durable capital returns, versus $39.90 currently.” Are You Interested in Becoming a Contributing Analyst? Share your ideas and get paid, create a community, and perhaps build a business. These are some possibilities for Seeking Alpha analysts, as well as free access to our article archive. Find all the details you need to become a contributing analyst here .

6 May 2026, 12:47

Apple plans to hire 20,000 workers over four years instead of cutting jobs like competitors

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) is going in a different direction than other major technology companies when it comes to staffing decisions, choosing to add workers instead of cutting them. The technology industry has been hit hard by job losses recently. Data from Challenger, Gray & Christmas shows tech companies led all other industries in cutting jobs during 2025, with 154,445 job losses out of 1.2 million total announcements that year. The situation got worse in early 2026, with 52,050 cuts in the first three months alone, a 40% jump compared to the same time in 2025. Big names like Meta (NASDAQ: META) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) announced major job cuts last month. Oracle (NYSE: ORCL) and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) also reduced their staff by thousands. But Apple has taken a different approach . In early 2025, the company said it would add about 20,000 workers over the next four years. Industry watchers say Apple’s outgoing CEO Tim Cook has been careful about hiring and spending money, which helps explain why the company isn’t cutting jobs like its competitors. The companies that aren’t slowing down their massive AI expenditures are ironically the same ones that have been involved with the most layoffs. However, Cryptopolitan noted previously that Trump and Big Tech may eventually regret the layoff spree. Apple has mostly stayed out of this pattern “The other companies over-hired around digital advertising in the pandemic and have been cutting back in general and to free up cash for AI CapEx [capital expenditure],” Evans said. “Apple did not over-hire and is not doing AI CapEx.” The numbers tell the story. Microsoft plans to spend around $190 billion this year, up from $88 billion in 2025, mostly on Azure AI, OpenAI systems, and data centers. Meta increased its spending plans last week to between $125 billion and $145 billion for the full year, up from $115 billion to $135 billion. The company blamed higher prices for parts and more data center costs. Apple reported just $4.3 billion in spending for the first half of its fiscal year ending March 28. Not everyone has been happy about Apple’s strategy on AI. Ross Gerber warned in January that Apple had “completely missed the AI boat” under Cook’s leadership. However, Mark Muro from Brookings researcher, said Apple has always moved at its own speed. The company hasn’t been at the front of the AI rush, which has made things less chaotic for them over the past five years. But he wonders if staying back means Apple won’t have a strong position in AI going forward. Manufacturing Academy trains 150 businesses in AI applications Meanwhile, Apple held a major event for its Manufacturing Academy in East Lansing, Michigan. Hundreds of manufacturers gathered at Michigan State University for the program’s first Spring Forum. The event showed how American companies are using lessons from the academy to improve their operations. Block Imaging, a Michigan company that fixes medical equipment like CT scanners and MRI machines, showed visitors how the program helped them work better. Katie Runyon, who runs technical training there, said the academy gave her team useful tools they could use right away on the work floor. The academy started last year as part of Apple’s $600 billion investment in the United States. The free program puts Apple engineers together with experts from Michigan State to help small and medium businesses learn about AI and smart manufacturing. It’s the only program like this in North America. So far, more than 150 American businesses have gone through training sessions, and the academy just started offering online classes. On a different front, Apple agreed Tuesday to pay $250 million to settle a lawsuit in California federal court. The case accused Apple of lying about AI features on its iPhones, which the company calls Apple Intelligence. People who bought iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models between June 2024 and March 2025 can get between $25 and $95 each. Apple didn’t admit doing anything wrong but wanted to end the case. A company spokesperson said the lawsuit focused on just two features among many AI tools Apple released. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .

6 May 2026, 10:11

AmericanFortress raises $8M to quantum-proof blockchain transactions

AmericanFortress, a company developing a universal privacy layer for blockchain, announced it has closed an $8 million seed funding round co-led by SAVA Digital Asset Fund, Moon Pursuit Capital, and 0G Labs. Alongside the funding, the company has filed a patent for quantum-resistant cryptographic transaction signing. The announcement comes amid growing concerns around the security of blockchain cryptography, as timelines for potential quantum threats appear to be accelerating. Grayscale Research has called for faster efforts to make public blockchains quantum-resistant, highlighting that decentralized governance — particularly decisions around millions of already-exposed legacy wallets — remains a key challenge. At 0G, we’re building the foundational infrastructure for an AI-native economy and that infrastructure must be secure against threats that don’t yet exist at scale but will. AmericanFortress has solved how to make blockchain transactions genuinely quantum-resistant without sacrificing usability, compliance, or privacy. Co-leading their seed round reflects our conviction that post-quantum security isn’t a future feature, but a present necessity. 0G is proud to be the first chain to bring this technology to production. - Michael Heinrich CEO, 0G Labs The quantum threat All major blockchains — including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the networks built on top of them — rely on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) to secure wallets and authorize transactions. ECC is considered secure because the underlying mathematical problems are infeasible for classical computers to solve. However, a sufficiently advanced quantum computer running Shor’s algorithm could change that, enabling the derivation of private keys from public keys and potentially allowing attackers to access wallets whose public keys have appeared on-chain — which includes most active wallets. The quantum threat to blockchain is increasingly viewed as a near-term risk rather than a theoretical one. Google has recently published research highlighting vulnerabilities in existing cryptographic systems, while initiatives such as Circle’s Arc are working to implement post-quantum protections. The plan to tackle the threat The patent filing aims to address this risk. Its quantum-resistant public derivation scheme is designed to be compatible with quantum-proof signatures. The company plans to license this technology to other blockchains as a retrofit solution, positioning it as relatively straightforward to implement. Under this model, Send-to-Name™ transactions would be quantum-safe end-to-end, and any blockchain adopting the system could achieve quantum-resistant security for both users and AI agents. We invented Send-to-Name™ to make crypto as easy and safe as sending a Venmo. Now, with this patent filing, we’re adding a layer of security that protects every transaction against the quantum threat horizon. We’re proud to be the first naming and privacy infrastructure to file for post-quantum transaction signing. Together with 0G, we’re building the infrastructure that the next generation of digital finance actually needs. - Michal “MeHow” Pospieszalski CEO, AmericanFortress™ AmericanFortress said it has built a unified privacy infrastructure for blockchain transactions, combining human-readable names, stealth address privacy, zero-knowledge balance confidentiality, built-in compliance, and post-quantum security into a single system designed to work across supported chains. The company said the $8 million seed round will be used to accelerate production deployment of its privacy infrastructure and support the planned $AF token generation event, targeted for Q2 2026. The post AmericanFortress raises $8M to quantum-proof blockchain transactions appeared first on Invezz

5 May 2026, 22:31

Kelp Blames LayerZero for $292 Million Hack, Plans Switch to Chainlink

The protocol shift comes as a $71 million court fight continues to unfold.