Technology
Tech Titans Tumble
May 30, 2025
It’s Leo time... and not just in the skies. Last week, 133 cardinals chose Robert Francis Prevost as the new pope — who’ll go by Leo XIV. That sparked our curiosity about the name’s trend in the U.S. Turns out “Leo” surged during WWII and again in recent decades — possibly thanks to a couple of modern-day icons (you know the ones).
Markets drifted to a quiet close last week, after President Trump floated the idea of slashing China’s 145% tariff to 80% ahead of upcoming talks in Switzerland. The S&P 500 nudged down just under 0.1%, the Nasdaq 100 stayed flat, and the Russell 2000 slipped 0.16%. On the upside, sectors like energy, real estate, and consumer discretionary saw gains — while healthcare and staples lagged behind.
While tariffs usually spell trouble for high-stakes sectors like tech and autos, they’re now crashing an unlikely party: the arcade. As summer nears and families hit the boardwalks, a quiet crisis is brewing behind the flashing lights and claw machines — the cheap trinkets and stuffed animals we win are suddenly caught in an international economic crossfire.
Max Knoblauch from Sherwood News dove into the supply-chain chaos threatening the prize pits of amusement parks and fun centers nationwide. Whether it’s a weirdly colored unicorn plush, a sticky slap hand, or a foam football the size of your head — chances are it came from China. And with new tariffs rolling in, those shipments are grinding to a halt.
Coral Reynolds, president of Fiesta Toy — a major player in the plush toy biz — told us that the impact is sweeping. From zoos to aquariums to the shelves of nearly every U.S. amusement park, their inventory is in jeopardy. Meanwhile, savvy arcade-goers are already noticing steeper ticket requirements to claim prizes, according to threads on Reddit.
Then there are the “advantage players” — folks who treat the arcade like a side hustle, mastering the machines and reselling loot. Max got the inside scoop from one of these prize-hunting pros, who says this tariff situation could ruin the game for casual players and pros alike.
This summer, chasing prizes might be more expensive — and less rewarding. With many toy orders delayed or outright canceled, supplies are dwindling. So if you’ve been eyeing that oversized Pikachu knockoff or light-up yo-yo, better win it now… while you still can.
Presented by Mode Mobile
Marc Cuban turned down the chance to invest in Uber at basement prices before the company’s IPO.
And by the time the rest of us hear about industry-changing disruptions like these, it's usually too late... but right now there’s a tech-startup making waves behind the scenes. Like Uber turned vehicles into income-generating assets, they’re turning smartphones into an easy passive income source — already making over $325M for their customers!
And this time, you have a chance to invest5 in their pre-IPO offering at just $0.26/share.1,2,3
D-Wave’s Quantum Mystery, Decoded
Quantum computing is hot, but D-Wave’s tech still leaves most investors scratching their heads. Our markets editor Luke Kawa caught up with the CEO to break down exactly what this company does, how it fits into the AI wave, and where the U.S. stands in the global quantum race.
Gold Outflow from Japan Raises Eyebrows
Gold is flying out of Japan at a puzzling pace — around 20 metric tons a month — despite the country only producing 100 tons a year. Officials now suspect a spike in smuggling, possibly tied to organized crime, according to Nikkei. (Thanks to Numlock News for the tip.)
Top Read of the Day
Microdramas Are Winning Big – Was Quibi Actually Right?
Quibi may have flamed out fast, but the short-form drama format it championed is booming. Last year, microdramas pulled in $6.9 billion — more than Hollywood’s box office. Maybe Quibi wasn’t the problem... maybe it was just too soon.
Presented by Miso Robotics
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Carmy’s tattooed arms may no longer be the most distinctive ones in the kitchen.
With fast food brands facing 150% annual turnover rates, they’re turning to Miso’s AI-powered kitchen robot, Flippy, to boost profits up to 4X and curb labor shortages.
Miso is already a leading force in kitchen AI and automation, with 150K+ hours of experience for brands like Jack in the Box.
Now, they’re manufacturing Flippy Fry Station – a robot 50% smaller and 2X faster than its predecessor. Its first small-scale production run sold out in seven days. And that sellout’s just the start.
In 2025, Miso’s ready to scale and targeting 170+ U.S. fast food brands in need – a potential $4B annual revenue opportunity. Invest1 in Miso today (and secure limited bonus shares).
Advertiser's disclosures:
¹ Mode Mobile recently received their ticker reservation with Nasdaq ($MODE), indicating an intent to IPO in the next 24 months. An intent to IPO is no guarantee that an actual IPO will occur.
2 December 23, 2025 will be the last day to invest and be considered a shareholder in 2025. Any investments made after this date will only be considered shareholders starting in 2025.
3 Please read the offering circular and related risk at invest.modemobile.com. This is a paid advertisement for Mode Mobile’s Regulation A+ Offering.
Investing in private company securities is not suitable for all investors because it is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk. It should only be considered a long-term investment. You must be prepared to withstand a total loss of your investment. Private company securities are also highly illiquid, and there is no guarantee that a market will develop for such securities.
