As military operations in Venezuela, ongoing war in Ukraine, and escalating tensions between the USA and Iran define the start of 2026, fears of a global conflagration are rising. Against this backdrop, four prominent AI chatbots—ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, X’s Grok, and Perplexity—have assessed both the probability of World War III this year and the potential response of Bitcoin (BTC). Their analysis paints a consistent, two-act drama for the cryptocurrency: an initial, severe crash followed by a potential phoenix-like recovery, contingent on the survival of its underlying infrastructure.
about AI Predicts Bitcoin's Response to World War III Risks in 2026NATO
0 in Finance and 0 in Crypto last weekCrypto Bill Delayed as Senate Shifts Focus to Housing Legislation
The U.S. Senate Banking Committee has postponed consideration of the crypto market structure bill, known as the CLARITY Act, for several weeks to months. The delay comes as lawmakers shift focus to housing affordability legislation aligned with President Trump’s agenda, marking another significant setback for efforts to establish clear regulatory boundaries for digital assets and resolve the long-standing jurisdictional conflict between the SEC and CFTC.
about Crypto Bill Delayed as Senate Shifts Focus to Housing LegislationRheinmetall to Build 40,000 Military Vehicles for Europe
German defense giant Rheinmetall has unveiled ambitious expansion plans to supply 40,000 military vehicles across Europe while entering the satellite manufacturing sector, as the continent accelerates military modernization in response to Russian aggression. CEO Armin Papperger announced these strategic moves following the company’s earnings statement, revealing Rheinmetall’s target to capture 25-30% of European NATO defense budgets through enhanced production automation and new space capabilities.
about Rheinmetall to Build 40,000 Military Vehicles for EuropeDefense ETF SHLD Outperforms QQQ by 420% in 2025
The Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD) has delivered staggering returns in 2025, outperforming the tech-heavy QQQ by an astonishing 420%. This remarkable performance comes amid unprecedented global defense spending increases and technological modernization. The ETF’s focused approach on pure-play defense companies has proven exceptionally profitable, with an 82.73% year-to-date gain that dwarfs the Invesco QQQ Trust’s 19.67% return.
about Defense ETF SHLD Outperforms QQQ by 420% in 2025EUAD ETF Outperforms VOO 7-to-1 on Defense Boom
While the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) remains a cornerstone of many portfolios with its $775 billion in assets and minimal 0.03% expense ratio, a specialized European aerospace and defense ETF has delivered staggering outperformance in 2025. The Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF (EUAD) has gained 84.34% year-to-date compared to VOO’s 11.73%, representing a 7.19x performance advantage driven by NATO’s increased defense spending targets and Europe’s accelerated military modernization. This specialized fund offers investors substantial alpha potential as a strategic satellite holding alongside core index funds.
about EUAD ETF Outperforms VOO 7-to-1 on Defense BoomTrump’s $1T Defense Budget: 2 Stock Winners Beyond Giants
President Trump’s proposed $1.01 trillion defense budget for fiscal year 2026 represents a massive 13% increase from previous enacted levels, creating significant opportunities across the defense sector. While major contractors like Lockheed Martin (LMT), RTX, and Northrop Grumman (NOC) will secure large portions through flagship programs, two additional stocks—General Dynamics (GD) and L3Harris Technologies (LHX)—stand to gain substantially from the spending surge focused on cyber security, space capabilities, AI integration, and hardware modernization.
about Trump's $1T Defense Budget: 2 Stock Winners Beyond GiantsTrump Approves $14B TikTok Sale to US Investors
President Donald Trump has greenlit a $14 billion deal for U.S. investors to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations from Chinese parent ByteDance. The move follows a 2024 law requiring ByteDance to divest or face a U.S. ban. Trump also confirmed Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s approval of the transaction, marking a significant development in the ongoing tech and security tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
about Trump Approves $14B TikTok Sale to US InvestorsWall Street Closing Bell: Market Leaders Share Insights
Bloomberg Television’s closing bell coverage brings together top financial minds to dissect today’s market movements. Prominent investors and analysts from Guggenheim Partners, Blackrock, and JP Morgan provide real-time insights as trading concludes. The diverse panel offers perspectives ranging from asset management to global economic trends.
about Wall Street Closing Bell: Market Leaders Share InsightsU.S. NATO Shift Boosts Defense Spending, Critical Minerals Demand
A strategic recalibration in U.S. foreign policy is reshaping the global defense landscape. As the United States reduces its involvement in NATO, European nations are being compelled to ramp up their own defense spending significantly. This pivot towards greater European military self-reliance is, in turn, creating a powerful surge in demand for the critical minerals essential for modern defense manufacturing, a trend accelerated by broader deglobalization patterns.
about U.S. NATO Shift Boosts Defense Spending, Critical Minerals DemandEuropean EV Sales Rise as Tesla Slumps, BYD Surges
European car sales showed renewed momentum in August, driven by growing consumer adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles from regional manufacturers. Meanwhile, Tesla’s European market share plummeted to just 1.9% as Chinese competitor BYD more than tripled its deliveries. The data highlights shifting competitive dynamics in the continent’s automotive sector, with traditional German automakers Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz all gaining ground while US EV pioneer Tesla continues its downward spiral.
about European EV Sales Rise as Tesla Slumps, BYD SurgesTether Seeks $20B Funding at $500B Valuation Amid NATO Tensions
Tether Holdings Ltd., the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, is in advanced negotiations to raise up to $20 billion through a private placement that could value the cryptocurrency giant at approximately $500 billion. This landmark funding round emerges against a backdrop of renewed geopolitical friction, as former U.S. President Donald Trump escalated rhetoric by urging NATO allies to shoot down Russian aircraft violating airspace. The simultaneous unfolding of a potential corporate megadeal and significant international security concerns highlights the complex environment facing global markets.
about Tether Seeks $20B Funding at $500B Valuation Amid NATO TensionsRussia-Belarus Drills Near NATO Border Raise Tensions
Russia and Belarus have conducted joint military exercises near Minsk, showcasing live-fire demonstrations and air defense capabilities. The drills highlight the close defense ties between Moscow and Minsk amid rising regional tensions. The maneuvers come just after Russian drones violated Polish airspace, stoking fears of further escalation.
about Russia-Belarus Drills Near NATO Border Raise Tensions