😀 Bitcoin Is A Bet On Trump's Success

Plus, inside Apple's contrarian AI strategy.

Author

Ivan
February 17, 2026

Happy Tuesday!

Bitcoin is the bet to make if you think Trump succeeds, while buying gold is betting on America’s downfall. Who’s saying that and why?

Apple is pursuing a strategy that is entirely different to that of the other Mag 7 companies. What’s Apple’s contrarian approach in the AI race?

Plus, Benzinga Pro helps traders see market-moving news and disclosures as they happen, not after the move. President’s Day pricing is live for a limited time.

TOP STORY

Buying Bitcoin is betting Trump succeeds.

Buying Gold is betting America fails.

That's the thesis from Wellington-Altus strategist James Thorne, who argues the two assets represent opposing verdicts on whether the U.S. can grow its way out of debt or must print its way out.

If Trump's reforms work, gold holders face steep losses; if they stall, Bitcoin's speculative premium evaporates.

Both assets are at technical decision points…

SPECIAL OFFER

Volatility is elevated, and delayed information is costly. Benzinga Pro helps traders see market-moving news and disclosures as they happen, not after the move. President’s Day pricing is live for a limited time.

QUICK N DIRTY

Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP are stabilizing after the long weekend: here’s what’s moving markets today.

XRP is the ‘second-most talked about asset’ in crypto, according to Grayscale: does that mean it’s time for a rally?

Ripple’s CEO is bullish about the crypto market structure bill: here are his odds for it to pass in April.

FINTECH FOCUS

Apple is sitting out the AI spending war.

While the rest of the Mag 7 commits $700 billion in capex — with Amazon alone guiding to $200B for 2026 — Apple cut spending 19% to $2.37 billion last quarter.

CEO Tim Cook calls it "prudent."

Polymarket calls it a losing bet: traders give Apple just 14% odds of being the largest company by year-end, versus 44% for Nvidia.

The market is pricing in that whoever spends the most on AI infrastructure wins.

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