Finance Wrapped - Big Tech is Going Nuclear

Plus, the White House goes bullish on Bitcoin

March 14, 2025

Hundreds of investing and finance newsletters hit my (and maybe your) inbox every week. This is the best of the best.

NOTE: This is the last week Finance Wrapped will be sent from Alts.co. Starting next week, an Alts community member, Brandon Harris, will be taking over the sending. Brandon’s sports media company, Playmaker, was acquired in 2023 for up to $54m and he has since dedicated his time to diving into finance. We are excited to have him put his energy into growing this newsletter, keeping the focus on rounding up the best, most relevant, actionable finance news & updates to your inbox each week.

This week:

  • ⚛️ Tech-Trifecta Wants to Triple Nuclear

  • 🏛️ The US Starts Stacking Bitcoin

  • 💰 Money Managers Want Stable Crypto

  • 📱 AppLovin is Feeling Unrequited

  • ☀️ Rain Falls on the Solar Power Parade

  • ✈️ Major Airlines Sound Market Alarm

  • 🤔 3 stocks to consider

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⚛️ Tech Giants Want to Triple Nuclear Energy

Amazon, Google, and Meta have signed a pledge urging governments to triple nuclear power capacity by 2050 to meet the energy demands of their AI-driven operations.

The tech giants' growing artificial intelligence data centers and the broader digital economy are driving ​renewed interest in nuclear energy to fuel their excessive operational demands​.

🏛️ White House Orders Bitcoin Reserve

President Trump has signed an executive order establishing America's first Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The groundbreaking initiative allows for potential future Bitcoin acquisitions, provided they remain budget-neutral and cost-free to taxpayers.

While the specifics of future acquisitions are unclear, ​the reserve aims to use Bitcoin obtained through forfeiture and seizure​.

💰 Banks and Fintech Race to Issue Stablecoins

Major financial institutions including Bank of America, Stripe, and PayPal are aggressively entering the stablecoin market.

Monthly stablecoin transaction volumes have grown from $521 billion to $710 billion, with ​unique addresses reaching 35 million - a 50% year-over-year increase​.

📱 AppLovin Stock Tumbles in Market Correction

Mobile advertising platform AppLovin saw its shares plunge nearly 12% as tech stocks led a broader market selloff, with the Nasdaq falling 3% into correction territory.

The company was notably absent from the list of stocks to be added to the S&P 500 index, ​missing out on potential demand from index funds and ETFs​.

☀️ Solar Stocks Slump Despite Market Upturn

Solar power contributed a staggering 84% of new US grid capacity in 2024, yet solar stocks have cratered, with industry leaders SolarEdge, Enphase, and Sunrun plummeting 78.2%, 52.0%, and 41.4% respectively over the past year.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright has dismissed renewables while ​the solar industry touts its ability to power 40.7 million American homes​.

✈️ Big 3 Airlines Issue a Grim Forecast

Delta, American, and United Airlines have all issued grim forecasts, warning that travel demand is weakening against an economic slowdown and tariff concerns.

United's CEO Scott Kirby hinted at potential industry consolidation with JetBlue and suggested ​the domestic market can only support two premium carriers​.

Stock ideas

Here are three of my favorites from this past week.

Analysis provided by ​public.com​.

Remember to always DYOR.

MAPS Inc. (​MAPS​)

Bullish Case

  • Event Trade Catalyst: The stock’s pending deal presents a meaningful upside and low downside, supporting a strong event-driven play.

  • Timely Execution Potential: A near-term conclusion could unlock rapid gains as market catalysts materialize.

  • Low-Risk Upside: With downside risk tightly controlled on a break, MAPS offers a favorable risk/reward profile.

Bearish Case

  • Execution Risk: Delays or failure to conclude the expected deal could quickly derail the anticipated upside.

  • Volatility Concerns: Sensitivity to news flow could lead to sharp corrections if market sentiment shifts unexpectedly.

Phinia Inc. (​PHIN​)

Bullish Case

  • Post-Spin-Off Strength: Phinia’s robust performance following its 2023 spin-off positions it for further gains as it taps into a dual revenue stream.

  • Strategic Sale Prep: Adjustments in executive agreements signal readiness for a sale, potentially unlocking a substantial premium.

  • Attractive Valuation: Trading at a significant discount relative to industry peers, its aftermarket revenue segment could attract a high valuation multiple.

Bearish Case

  • Timing Uncertainties: The possibility of a premature sale, especially before the tax-free window closes, could impose unanticipated tax burdens.

  • Transition Challenges: As Phinia shifts from combustion to electrification, uncertainties remain over the pace and profitability of this transformation.

PDS Corp. (​PDS​)

Bullish Case

  • Strong Valuation Metrics: PDS benefits from attractive valuation ratios and a solid performance history relative to its sector.

  • Industry Positioning: With fundamentals that support reliable cash flow and growth, the company is well-positioned amid favorable market trends.

  • Potential Upside: Low current multiples set the stage for meaningful gains should operational improvements and market conditions improve further.

Bearish Case

  • Macroeconomic Sensitivity: Exposure to volatile market conditions and rising interest rates could dampen future earnings and compress margins.

  • Concentration Risk: A high concentration in specific sectors increases vulnerability to adverse industry-specific trends.

💙 That’s a wrap

Disclosures

  • This issue is sponsored by Commonwealth

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  • Nothing above is financial advice