Category: Tech

CyberArk Shares Soar as Palo Alto Networks Eyes $20 Billion+ Acquisition

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

In a potential seismic shift in the cybersecurity landscape, shares of CyberArk soared by as much as 18% Tuesday following reports that Palo Alto Networks is in advanced talks to acquire the identity security firm in a deal exceeding $20 billion.

The reported deal, first published by The Wall Street Journal, would mark Palo Alto Networks’ largest acquisition to date, far surpassing its recent spree of cybersecurity buys and signaling a bold bet on the future of identity and cloud security. With a current market cap hovering around $132 billion, Palo Alto has emerged as the dominant force in the cybersecurity space, and a tie-up with CyberArk would only cement that leadership.

CEO Nikesh Arora, who took the helm at Palo Alto in 2018, has aggressively expanded the company’s portfolio in recent years, recently closing its purchase of Protect AI and acquiring Talon Cyber Security, Dig Security, and Zycada Networks in 2023. But a CyberArk deal would be in a league of its own — both in terms of size and strategic value.

CyberArk, based in Israel, specializes in identity management solutions — helping enterprises secure login credentials, privileged access, and sensitive systems. Its technologies are especially relevant in a business environment increasingly shaped by AI acceleration, cloud-first infrastructure, and a rising tide of ransomware threats. The company’s growth has reflected this demand: CyberArk’s first-quarter revenue jumped 43% year-over-year to $318 million, delivering $11.5 million in net income. Its stock has now climbed 29% in 2025, building on a 52% gain in 2024, and recently hit a record high.

Competition in the identity security space remains fierce, with Microsoft, Okta, IBM’s HashiCorp, and SailPoint all vying for enterprise customers. But CyberArk’s consistent performance and deep enterprise integration have made it a standout — and an attractive acquisition target.

As news of the potential deal broke, Palo Alto’s stock dipped 3.5%, likely due to investor concerns over the price tag and dilution. Still, the company’s shares are up nearly 9% year-to-date, reflecting continued confidence in its growth trajectory.

The possible merger comes amid a flurry of mega-deals in the cybersecurity sector. In March, Google announced its largest acquisition ever — a $32 billion purchase of cloud security firm Wiz. Similarly, Cisco shook the market in 2023 by acquiring Splunk for $28 billion, marking its biggest bet on data and threat intelligence tools.

While neither Palo Alto Networks nor CyberArk has officially commented on the acquisition rumors, industry observers suggest that the deal, if finalized, could redefine the competitive map for identity and cloud security in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

NiCE’s $955M Cognigy Deal Sets the Stage for Next-Gen AI Customer Experience

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com
Key Points:
– NiCE acquires Cognigy for $955M, aiming to unify conversational and agentic AI into its CXone Mpower platform.
– The deal strengthens enterprise AI offerings amid growing demand for automated, multilingual, and real-time customer service.
– Middle market tech and AI solution providers may see rising interest as companies seek scalable, AI-first platforms.

In a bold $955 million move that signals where the future of enterprise customer experience is headed, NiCE has announced the acquisition of Cognigy, a leader in conversational and agentic AI. With completion expected in Q4 2025, this acquisition could significantly reshape how enterprises approach customer service automation in an increasingly AI-centric world.

While broader markets remain focused on tech behemoths, NiCE’s acquisition is a reminder that innovation often comes from the middle tier—where agility meets ambition. The integration of Cognigy’s platform into NiCE’s CXone Mpower cloud system represents a significant leap in unifying front and back-office operations through AI. For companies in the small to mid-cap space, this is a signal worth watching.

Amid legal hurdles and compliance uncertainties surrounding generative AI, NiCE is steering into a niche that is rapidly evolving—agentic AI. These systems go beyond chatbots, offering autonomous agents capable of making real-time decisions, learning from interactions, and supporting human agents across more than 100 languages. This capability can dramatically improve the efficiency of customer-facing teams while preserving the nuance that customer relationships require.

For investors looking at enterprise tech from a middle-market lens, this deal aligns with key themes: the rising value of AI-powered operational tools, increased demand for multilingual and global customer engagement, and the long-term trend of digital-first infrastructure in traditional sectors.

The opportunity here isn’t just about NiCE’s expansion—it’s about what it signals for the broader CX and AI ecosystem. As mid-sized companies continue to digitize customer service operations, acquisitions like this underscore how mission-critical platforms are becoming central to business continuity and differentiation.

With heavyweights like Gartner and Forrester already recognizing NiCE as a category leader, this deal could further solidify its position. Meanwhile, Cognigy’s established client base—including brands like Lufthansa, DHL, and Toyota—adds global credibility and momentum.

For small and micro-cap investors, this may present a ripple effect: increased demand for specialized AI services, rising valuations for scalable automation platforms, and new acquisition interest in the CX tech sector. As AI continues its march into every corner of business, the middle market is proving to be not just reactive, but a proactive player in shaping its future.

AEye Soars After Apollo Lidar Becomes Core to NVIDIA’s Self-Driving Platform

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com
Key Points:
– AEye’s Apollo lidar is now fully integrated into NVIDIA’s DRIVE AGX platform.
– The partnership gives AEye access to top global automakers and positions it as a key supplier in autonomous driving.
– Apollo’s software-defined architecture and long-range sensing provide a scalable edge for smart mobility applications.

Shares of AEye, Inc. (Nasdaq: LIDR) surged Thursday after the company announced a major milestone: its flagship Apollo lidar sensor is now fully integrated into NVIDIA’s DRIVE AGX platform, a central hub in the autonomous driving world. This integration isn’t just a technical step — it’s a commercial launchpad that could put AEye’s technology inside millions of vehicles over the next decade.

NVIDIA’s DRIVE ecosystem is used by top-tier automakers globally, from early autonomous pioneers to traditional OEMs embracing next-gen driver assistance. By becoming an official component of the DRIVE AGX suite, AEye now has direct access to these automakers — positioning it as a go-to lidar provider in the race toward self-driving adoption.

AEye’s Apollo sensor, part of the company’s 4Sight™ Flex lidar family, offers a unique mix of long-range detection (up to 1 km), compact design, and software-defined capabilities. That last point may be the most compelling: Apollo’s software-defined nature means the sensor can receive over-the-air updates, just like a smartphone, enabling continuous improvement without physical replacement.

“This is how vehicles are being built today — smarter, more connected, and designed to evolve,” said CEO Matt Fisch. “Being certified on NVIDIA DRIVE AGX validates our approach and puts us on a direct path to global scale.”

AEye’s technology isn’t just another lidar unit. Apollo is designed to integrate seamlessly into modern vehicle architecture, including behind the windshield — a feat many competitors struggle with due to limitations in wavelength and range. By using 1550 nm wavelength lidar, Apollo combines safety-critical resolution with the ability to remain aesthetically unobtrusive, a growing demand among automakers.

Beyond the automotive world, AEye teased broader ambitions. The company plans to unveil OPTIS, a full-stack physical AI solution aimed at transportation, infrastructure, and security markets. This suggests that AEye is thinking bigger — positioning itself as not just a lidar company, but as a smart sensing platform ready to power everything from autonomous delivery vehicles to smart cities.

For small- and micro-cap investors, AEye’s NVIDIA milestone offers a compelling glimpse of what success looks like in the sensor space: strategic partnerships, scalable architecture, and technology that fits into how mobility is evolving. With software-defined sensing quickly becoming the industry standard, Apollo’s adoption through NVIDIA could be the early signal of significant commercial momentum.

AEye’s upcoming July 31 earnings call is expected to provide more clarity on the NVIDIA partnership’s revenue potential, as well as early market response to OPTIS.

In a market where many lidar startups have stumbled, AEye’s continued focus on performance, integration, and flexibility is starting to separate it from the pack — and now, with NVIDIA in its corner, its road ahead may be wide open.

Nvidia Shatters Records: AI Giant Becomes World’s Most Valuable Company

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

In a stunning display of market dominance, Nvidia has officially entered uncharted territory by achieving a market capitalization of $3.92 trillion, surpassing Apple’s previous record and establishing itself as the most valuable company in corporate history.

The semiconductor giant’s shares surged as much as 2.4% to $160.98 during Thursday morning trading, propelling the company beyond Apple’s historic closing value of $3.915 trillion set on December 26, 2024. This milestone represents far more than a simple changing of the guard—it signals a fundamental shift in how markets value artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Nvidia’s ascent to unprecedented valuation levels reflects Wall Street’s unwavering confidence in the artificial intelligence revolution. The company’s specialized chips have become the essential building blocks for training the world’s most sophisticated AI models, creating what industry experts describe as “insatiable demand” for Nvidia’s high-end processors.

The magnitude of Nvidia’s valuation becomes even more striking when placed in global context. The company is now worth more than the combined value of all publicly listed companies in Canada and Mexico. It also exceeds the total market capitalization of the entire United Kingdom stock market, underscoring the extraordinary concentration of value in AI-related assets.

The transformation of Nvidia from a specialized gaming hardware company to Wall Street’s AI bellwether represents one of the most remarkable corporate evolution stories in modern business history. Co-founded in 1993 by CEO Jensen Huang, the Santa Clara-based company has seen its market value increase nearly eight-fold over the past four years, rising from $500 billion in 2021 to approaching $4 trillion today.

This meteoric rise has been fueled by an unprecedented corporate arms race, with technology giants Microsoft, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Alphabet, and Tesla competing to build expansive AI data centers. Each of these companies relies heavily on Nvidia’s cutting-edge processors to power their artificial intelligence ambitions, creating a virtuous cycle of demand for the chipmaker’s products.

Despite its record-breaking market capitalization, Nvidia’s valuation metrics suggest the rally may have room to run. The stock currently trades at approximately 32 times analysts’ expected earnings for the next 12 months—well below its five-year average of 41 times forward earnings. This relatively modest price-to-earnings ratio reflects the company’s rapidly expanding profit margins and consistently upward-revised earnings estimates.

The company’s remarkable recovery trajectory becomes evident when examining its recent performance. Nvidia’s stock has rebounded more than 68% from its April 4 closing low, when global markets were rattled by President Trump’s tariff announcements. The subsequent recovery has been driven by expectations that the White House will negotiate trade agreements to mitigate the impact of proposed tariffs on technology companies.

Nvidia’s dominance hasn’t gone unchallenged. Earlier this year, Chinese startup DeepSeek triggered a global equity selloff by demonstrating that high-performance AI models could be developed using less expensive hardware. This development sparked concerns that companies might reduce their spending on premium processors, temporarily dampening enthusiasm for Nvidia’s growth prospects.

However, the company’s ability to maintain its technological edge has kept it at the forefront of AI hardware innovation. Nvidia’s newest chip designs continue to demonstrate superior performance in training large-scale artificial intelligence models, reinforcing its position as the preferred supplier for major technology companies.

Nvidia now carries a weight of nearly 7.4% in the benchmark S&P 500, making it a significant driver of broader market performance. The company’s inclusion in the Dow Jones Industrial Average last November, replacing Intel, symbolized the semiconductor industry’s strategic pivot toward AI-focused development.

As Nvidia approaches the $4 trillion threshold, its unprecedented valuation serves as a barometer for investor confidence in artificial intelligence’s transformative potential across industries.

U.S. and China Cement Trade Agreement, Signaling Easing of Rare Earth and Tech Restrictions

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

The United States and China have confirmed the finalization of a new trade framework that aims to ease ongoing tensions over rare earth exports and high-tech restrictions, offering a cautious step forward in the complex trade relationship between the two global superpowers.

According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, the agreement outlines reciprocal actions: China will review and approve export applications for goods subject to control rules, while the United States will begin lifting a range of restrictive measures previously targeting Beijing. While the announcement did not specify which exports or restrictions will be affected, the move signals a broader effort to stabilize bilateral trade ties.

This development follows remarks from U.S. officials confirming that a framework agreement had recently been signed. The new accord builds on groundwork laid earlier this year during high-level talks in Geneva, and more recently in London, where Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng led discussions that helped shape the final structure of the deal.

The London meetings reaffirmed both sides’ interest in implementing the Geneva consensus, which had paused a significant portion of bilateral tariffs for 90 days and introduced initial efforts to de-escalate commercial pressures. That earlier agreement had come after months of strained communications, with both countries accusing one another of delaying policy rollbacks.

Though the agreement has been received as a sign of progress, analysts have highlighted the lack of detailed commitments on critical components such as rare earth elements. These materials, essential to the production of semiconductors, electric vehicles, and defense technology, remain a key point of leverage in ongoing U.S.-China negotiations. Both countries have historically viewed rare earths as strategic assets, and any long-term easing of restrictions is expected to be handled with caution.

In addition to export concerns, tensions had also mounted over U.S. limitations on Chinese access to advanced technologies and student visa policies. The latest agreement is expected to reduce some of those barriers, although specifics have yet to be disclosed.

Observers note that while this step could bring a temporary reprieve to certain industries—particularly tech manufacturing and defense-related supply chains—significant challenges remain. The nature of the agreement, without clearly defined measures, may limit its immediate impact and leaves room for further diplomatic friction.

Financial markets reacted modestly, with shares in key industrial and tech sectors showing slight gains. Stakeholders across both countries are now expected to monitor implementation efforts closely to determine how the agreement translates into policy and trade flows on the ground.

Although the finalized trade framework provides an opening for improved relations, the success of the deal will depend on continued engagement, transparency, and measurable outcomes as the global economic landscape continues to evolve.

CoreWeave Pursues $4B Deal to Power AI Ambitions with Core Scientific

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

CoreWeave, the rapidly rising AI cloud infrastructure provider, is once again making headlines — this time for reigniting acquisition talks with bitcoin mining giant Core Scientific. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the companies are in advanced discussions that could lead to a deal in the coming weeks, pending negotiations.

The move marks a notable turn in a high-stakes courtship that began last year, when CoreWeave made an unsolicited offer to acquire Core Scientific for $1.02 billion. That bid, valued at $5.75 per share, was promptly rejected by Core Scientific for undervaluing the company. Fast-forward a year, and Core Scientific’s market value has climbed to nearly $4 billion, with shares rising roughly 8% following the renewed acquisition chatter.

CoreWeave’s interest in the company is strategic. As AI workloads continue to demand massive computational power and access to stable energy supplies, former crypto mining operations like Core Scientific have become increasingly attractive targets. With expansive infrastructure already in place, these facilities offer AI players a fast track to scaling data centers without starting from scratch.

CoreWeave and Core Scientific already have history. Following the failed acquisition attempt in 2024, the companies entered a multi-decade partnership involving 12-year infrastructure contracts. Among them was a landmark deal in which Core Scientific committed to providing CoreWeave with 200 megawatts of power capacity to support its high-performance computing operations. That agreement alone signaled a convergence between the worlds of cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence — both of which depend on energy-intensive server farms.

The potential acquisition now appears to be a natural next step in that partnership. By bringing Core Scientific under its umbrella, CoreWeave would not only secure long-term access to critical power infrastructure but also strengthen its foothold in the competitive AI cloud race — a space dominated by the likes of Amazon, Google, and Microsoft.

While the exact financial terms of the revived offer have not been disclosed, market analysts suggest any deal would likely exceed the previous $1 billion bid, given Core Scientific’s increased valuation and rising relevance in the post-crypto AI landscape.

Still, a finalized agreement is not guaranteed. Regulatory scrutiny, shifting market conditions, or resistance from shareholders could delay or derail the talks. Neither Core Scientific nor CoreWeave has publicly commented on the latest developments.

The acquisition would mark another significant move in a broader trend: tech and AI companies consolidating energy assets and computing infrastructure once built for cryptocurrency mining. As AI continues to evolve and expand, the race to control the digital and physical backbones of computation is heating up — and CoreWeave is positioning itself at the center.

Nvidia Eyes Robotics as Its Next Trillion-Dollar Frontier

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com
Key Points:
– Nvidia identifies robotics as its next major growth driver, second only to artificial intelligence, with self-driving cars and humanoid robots as early focus areas.
– Robotics and automotive revenue is currently small—just 1% of total sales—but growing rapidly, with 72% annual growth reported last quarter.
– Nvidia is evolving into a full AI infrastructure provider, offering chips, software, and cloud services to power future autonomous systems and robotics at scale.

Nvidia, the global leader in AI computing and graphics processing, is turning its attention to robotics as its next major growth engine—second only to artificial intelligence itself. During its annual shareholders meeting, CEO Jensen Huang outlined how robotics could transform from a niche revenue stream into a multitrillion-dollar opportunity for the company.

While Nvidia is best known today for the chips that power generative AI tools like ChatGPT, its ambitions are quickly expanding beyond data centers. Robotics, according to Huang, is poised to become one of the largest markets for Nvidia’s technology—integrating AI with physical systems across industries from transportation to manufacturing.

Currently, Nvidia’s automotive and robotics business makes up a small fraction of the company’s total revenue. In the most recent quarterly report, that segment generated $567 million, accounting for about 1% of total revenue. However, it showed strong momentum, up 72% year-over-year. Huang emphasized that this is only the beginning of what he sees as a long-term play.

One of the most immediate commercial applications of robotics, according to Nvidia, is autonomous vehicles. The company’s Drive platform—already adopted by major carmakers like Mercedes-Benz—includes powerful onboard chips and AI models capable of handling the complex task of self-driving navigation. But Nvidia’s robotics vision extends far beyond the road.

At the meeting, Huang also spotlighted the company’s newly released Cosmos AI models for humanoid robots. These models represent a leap toward enabling general-purpose robots that can interact with and adapt to dynamic environments. From warehouse automation to robotic factories and healthcare assistants, Nvidia sees its chips playing a central role in bringing these systems to life.

To support these ambitions, Nvidia continues to evolve its identity from a chip manufacturer to a full-fledged AI infrastructure provider. In addition to its industry-dominating GPUs, the company now offers networking hardware, enterprise software, and its own cloud services—all designed to create a seamless pipeline from model training to deployment in the real world.

Huang’s comments reflect Nvidia’s long-term strategy to build an end-to-end ecosystem for intelligent computing. With demand for AI capabilities showing no sign of slowing and emerging use cases like robotics gaining traction, the company appears well-positioned to lead in both digital and physical AI applications.

The financial markets appear to agree. Nvidia’s stock surged to a record high following the shareholder meeting, pushing its market capitalization to $3.75 trillion—surpassing Microsoft to become the most valuable public company in the world.

Although robotics currently represents a small sliver of Nvidia’s earnings, the strategic importance of this segment is growing. As more industries invest in automation and intelligent systems, Nvidia is betting that the same technology powering chatbots and data centers will eventually control fleets of robots, smart factories, and autonomous machines across the globe.

With the groundwork now in place, Nvidia is not just building chips—it’s building the future of intelligent automation.

Rubrik to Acquire AI Startup Predibase in Strategic Expansion Push

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com
Key Points:
– Rubrik is acquiring AI startup Predibase for over $100 million to expand into enterprise AI infrastructure.
– Predibase’s platform allows businesses to customize and deploy AI models using data from third-party sources.
– The acquisition aligns with Rubrik’s strategy to evolve into a multi-product enterprise platform focused on security and AI innovation.

Rubrik, the data security and management company, is set to acquire artificial intelligence startup Predibase in a move that deepens its presence in the fast-growing AI infrastructure market. The acquisition, valued at over $100 million according to a source familiar with the terms, marks a significant step in Rubrik’s efforts to broaden its capabilities beyond data backup and cyber resilience.

Predibase, founded in 2021, specializes in tools that help organizations efficiently deploy custom AI models using their own data. The San Francisco-based startup has attracted attention for its developer-focused platform that integrates with a wide range of third-party data systems. By enabling customization and deployment of large language models (LLMs), Predibase aims to help businesses move beyond generic AI tools and build solutions tailored to their internal data needs.

Rubrik, which went public in 2024 and has seen robust revenue growth since its IPO, views the deal as an opportunity to evolve into a multi-product enterprise software provider. The company has already established itself as a key player in data protection and ransomware recovery, boasting more than $1 billion in annualized recurring revenue. The integration of Predibase’s AI model deployment tools adds a new layer to Rubrik’s offerings—one that taps into the increasing demand for AI-powered automation across enterprises.

With this acquisition, Rubrik aims to give customers the ability to build secure, cost-effective AI agents that can reason over large datasets housed within both Rubrik’s ecosystem and external cloud platforms. These include major cloud data players such as Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, Snowflake, and Databricks, with whom Predibase already integrates.

The Predibase platform will continue to operate independently after the acquisition closes, preserving its existing customer relationships and developer-centric approach. Predibase’s technology will also be enhanced by Rubrik’s Annapurna platform, which enables secure aggregation of data from multiple sources. Together, the two platforms are expected to provide businesses with an end-to-end stack for building and deploying AI models grounded in private enterprise data.

Predibase’s team, including co-founders who previously worked on AI infrastructure at Uber, brings technical depth and credibility to Rubrik’s expanding AI strategy. Their work at Uber on machine learning platforms laid the groundwork for scalable AI services, and they bring similar ambitions to their new parent company.

For Rubrik, the acquisition underscores a broader ambition to become a long-term platform player in the enterprise technology space. As more businesses look to harness generative AI for insights and automation, the demand for tools that enable secure, high-performance model training and deployment is growing rapidly. With Predibase now in its fold, Rubrik is positioning itself to be at the center of this next wave of enterprise AI adoption.

Bitcoin Depot (BTM) – Potential Fuel for Growth

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com


Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Patrick McCann, CFA, Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Shelf registration. On June 20, the company filed a registration statement with the SEC for a $100 million mixed securities shelf registration, which could include Class A common stock, preferred shares, warrants, and units. The registration statement also included an at the money (ATM) sales agreement, which will allow the company to sell up to $50 million in class A common shares directly into the market.

Bolstering capital availability. We view the registration positively, as it provides the company with flexibility to raise capital opportunistically based on market conditions and the strength of BTM’s share price, which is up approximately 230% year-to-date. Importantly, this added capital access could support strategic initiatives such as tuck-in acquisitions or the purchase of additional kiosks, positioning the company to accelerate its network expansion and long-term revenue growth trajectory.


Get the Full Report

Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Bit Digital (BTBT) – New Credit Agreement

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com


Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Credit Agreement. Yesterday, Bit Digital’s WhiteFiber subsidiary announced a CAD$60 million credit facility with Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). We view this step favorably, as the facility not only provides funds to support the continued buildout of WhiteFiber’s Tier-3 AI data center portfolio but also is a confirmation of Bit Digital’s AI business model, in our view.

Terms. While we expect an 8-K to be filed with a full accounting of the terms, the credit agreement is among RBC and ENOVUM Data Centers Corp. and its Montreal II project as borrowers and guarantors, and is non-recourse to WhiteFiber or Bit Digital. It encompasses a real estate term loan, equipment financing, and a revolving facility. The facilities carry interest rates of CORRA plus 250 bps and a 3-year term.


Get the Full Report

Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Tesla Stock Soars 9% After Elon Musk Announces Successful Robotaxi Launch in Austin

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com
Key Points:
– Tesla launches its first robotaxi service in Austin with a limited group of early users.
– CEO Elon Musk praised the Tesla AI and chip teams and said rides cost a flat $4.20.
– Despite some operational hiccups, Tesla aims to scale rapidly, challenging Waymo and other rivals.

Tesla’s robotaxi service is currently running on a fleet of Model Y vehicles equipped with its advanced Full Self-Driving (FSD) Unsupervised software. The service is invite-only for now, offered to a community of Tesla enthusiasts, investors, and influencers who frequently promote the company across platforms such as X and YouTube.

Customers participating in the early rollout are charged a flat fare per ride, a detail personally shared by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. In typical fashion, Musk publicly celebrated the milestone, praising the Tesla AI and chip design teams for building the autonomous system from the ground up.

Many early riders reported smooth experiences with the service, some even completing numerous trips without issues. However, concerns remain. Observers have captured footage of the robotaxis performing unexpected maneuvers — including briefly driving against traffic or braking sharply in response to nearby vehicles. Critics argue that these incidents highlight the need for more transparency around safety and system limitations.

Tesla’s autonomous driving system has evolved significantly over the years. The company’s standard Autopilot and premium FSD Supervised features are already available in new EVs, offering capabilities like lane-keeping and automated navigation. However, the fully driverless system powering the robotaxi remains in limited release and is not yet available to the broader public.

The move into robotaxis puts Tesla in direct competition with established players such as Alphabet’s Waymo, which operates a growing fleet of driverless vehicles across multiple U.S. cities. In China, companies like Baidu’s Apollo Go and WeRide are also scaling rapidly, logging millions of autonomous trips annually.

Despite joining the race later than some of its competitors, Tesla brings brand power and a vertically integrated tech stack that could help it catch up quickly. Musk has previously said the company aims to deploy hundreds of thousands — if not over a million — fully autonomous vehicles in the coming years.

The initial rollout has not been without controversy. Some lawmakers and public safety advocates have urged Tesla to delay its robotaxi launch until more rigorous testing and safety data are available. Nonetheless, the company has pushed forward, confident in the capabilities of its proprietary AI systems.

As Tesla expands its service to new cities and gathers feedback from early riders, the robotaxi project is poised to reshape not only how people move but how they think about the future of car ownership, public transit, and automation. Whether Tesla can deliver safe, scalable, and competitive robotaxi experiences remains to be seen — but it’s clear that the road to autonomy has officially begun.

Bitcoin Depot (BTM) – Pelicoin Pick-Up: A Nice Tuck-In Acquisition

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com


Friday, June 13, 2025

Patrick McCann, CFA, Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Bolsters its southern operations. On June 11, the company announced that it had acquired the assets of Pelicoin, a crypto ATM company with operations in the Gulf South (particularly MS, AL, TX, TN). The additional kiosks, which we believe to be roughly 50, are expected to be fully integrated within several weeks.

Industry consolidation. In our view, the acquisition demonstrates the attractive industry consolidation opportunity for the company. Notably, the Pelicoin acquisition marks the second time in the last 18 months that the company has opportunistically added to its kiosk fleet. In April 2024, the company acquired 2,300 kiosks at a 50% discount from a defunct operator. We believe, with its healthy cash balance of $35 million (as of 3/31/25), the company is well positioned to continue to consolidate the industry as opportunities arise.


Get the Full Report

Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Circle Targets Nearly $6 Billion Valuation in Landmark Stablecoin IPO

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com
Key Points:
– Circle launches IPO to raise $624M, targeting a $5.65B valuation amid stablecoin growth.
– USDC’s market cap has surged 40% in 2025, driven by rising demand and pending U.S. regulation.
– Cathie Wood’s ARK and Coinbase stand to benefit as Circle eyes wider institutional adoption.

Circle, the fintech firm behind the widely-used USDC stablecoin, has officially launched its long-anticipated initial public offering (IPO), aiming to raise approximately $624 million. The move would value the company at around $5.65 billion — and closer to $6.7 billion when including outstanding shares and options — marking a pivotal moment for both Circle and the broader digital asset space.

The offering includes 24 million shares of Class A common stock, priced between $24 and $26 per share. Of those, Circle itself will sell 9.6 million, while existing shareholders are offloading the remaining 14.4 million. The shares will trade under the ticker CRCL on the New York Stock Exchange, giving traditional investors direct exposure to one of the most influential players in the crypto ecosystem.

Founded in 2018, Circle’s signature product, USD Coin (USDC), is now the second-largest stablecoin in the world, with around $62 billion in circulation — roughly 27% of the total stablecoin market. It trails only Tether (USDT), which holds a 67% share. However, USDC has outpaced its rival in growth this year, boasting a 40% increase in market cap compared to Tether’s 10%, according to CryptoQuant.

The IPO comes at a strategic inflection point for the crypto industry, as U.S. lawmakers move closer to passing the first major federal legislation aimed at stablecoins. Last week, the Senate advanced a regulatory bill that would establish clear guidelines for their issuance and oversight. Former President Donald Trump, now back in office, has voiced strong support for crypto regulation and stated his desire to sign a stablecoin-focused bill before the August recess.

A significant backer of Circle’s IPO is ARK Investment Management, led by Cathie Wood, which has signaled interest in purchasing up to $150 million worth of shares — a vote of confidence in Circle’s future and stablecoin utility.

The IPO is also expected to have notable ripple effects for Coinbase, a co-founder of USDC and one of its primary distribution channels. Coinbase and Circle maintain a 50/50 revenue-sharing agreement on USDC, and the crypto exchange earns 100% of the interest income generated by USDC-based products on its platform. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has called making USDC the world’s top stablecoin a “stretch goal” for the company.

Beyond trading and DeFi use cases, USDC and other stablecoins have increasingly been recognized for their ability to move U.S. dollars quickly and inexpensively across borders. This functionality is attracting attention from fintech firms, traditional banks, and policymakers alike — especially as global conversations around preserving U.S. dollar dominance intensify.

With its IPO, Circle isn’t just going public — it’s stepping into the spotlight as a central player in the next era of global finance.