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The hard seltzer company White Claw has sparked a social media frenzy after releasing a new 0% alcohol variety pack with a hefty price tag.

The drinks come in four flavors black cherry cranberry, mango passionfruit, peach orange blossom and lime yuzu and are designed to replicate the taste of the original White Claw Hard Seltzers.

Each 12-ounce can has 15 calories and includes electrolytes for added hydration. 

After reaching store shelves on January 1 at Kroger, Total Wine & More and Albertsons/Safeway, users on X and TikTok offered their perspectives on the new product line.

“We’ve come full circle,” @hellocaitlin tweeted, alongside a picture of a stack of 0% White Claws at the grocery store.

Many accounts questioned the purpose of the new non-alcoholic beverage, with some saying it was just rebranded sparkling water.

User Alex Jewell took issue with the tagline of “a new wave in drinking,” sarcastically calling it a “clever reinvention” of seltzer water.

“Oh. what if we used it as a mixer. I bet it would go good with vodka .,” user Cleo Night wrote.

“So, it’s flavored water?” another user asked. 

Some users online took issue with the cost of the new seltzers, which has a suggested retailer price range of $17.49-$19.99 for a 12-pack or $10.99-$11.49 for a 6-pack. 

“Seltzer water at beer prices,” one user wrote. 

“There’s literally seltzer water right behind it for probably half the price,” another chimed in.

The product launch comes just in time for “Dry January,” when some people start the New Year by taking a break from alcohol.

Those who abstain from alcohol during the month or in perpetuity expressed excitement about the drink.

“I actually like this,” Michael Antelo posted on X. “As someone who can’t have alcohol, now I have a new drink to try?”

On TikTok, influencer @delanielynne announced she had been “waiting her entire pregnancy” to try a non-alcoholic White Claw beverage. She included a video of her dancing in front of the new product to the Lizzo song “About Damn Time.”

The popular TikTok channel Bro Bible noted the branding on the cans for the new seltzer water looks very similar to White Claw Surge, which contains 8% alcohol.

“Imagine mixing up those at work,” Bro Bible joked. 

Ian Blessing, a former French Laundry sommelier, or wine professional, told FOX Business that anything that made adult non-alcoholic options more accessible to the public was a good development.

“That said, White Claw 0% is an obvious play for market share in the booming non-alc industry, and
there are far more interesting, thoughtful ready-to-drink options out there,” he told FOX Business. “Ultimately, I’m glad the option exists for those who drank White Claw, enjoyed the flavor, and want to carry on the ritual without the alcohol. Personally, I’m happy to stick with traditional non-alcoholic seltzer, or you know, seltzer, at a fraction of the cost.”

Aaron Sternlicht, an addiction specialist and co-founder of Family Addiction Specialist, said it was positive to see another non-alcoholic option in the market. 

“The growing trend of such beverages along with mocktails and sober bars reflect a positive shift in societal attitudes towards alcohol consumption,” he told FOX Business. “This trend not only caters to individuals in recovery but also appeals to a broader audience seeking healthier lifestyle choices. Sobriety is becoming more celebrated, and these alternatives offer a social experience without the potential risks associated with alcohol. Overall, the trend signifies a cultural shift towards mindful drinking and inclusivity in social settings.”

White Claw’s newest beverage category is the product of “years of research” to develop the first “authentic-tasting” non-alcoholic drink, according to a press release.

In a statement sent to FOX Business, Mark Anthony Brands Inc. president Phil Rosse acknowledged the exploration of these semi- and non-alcoholic lifestyle changes.

“Legal drinking age Gen-Z and millennials want more flexible drinking options, with or without alcohol, so we saw an opportunity to disrupt the non-alcoholic space in the same way we disrupted the hard seltzer category years ago with drinks that have a fundamentally different look, taste and feel,” he said. 

“White Claw 0% alcohol offers the depth of flavor and complexity you’d expect from an alcoholic beverage without the alcohol, and it looks like something you’d be proud to hold at any adult drinking occasion,” Anthony added.

A majority of alcohol drinkers, about 80% of Millennials and Gen Zers, are interested in exploring a “sober-curious” or “damp” lifestyle, a new survey from the company revealed.

Fox News’ Angelica Stabile contributed to this report. 

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Pakistan allocates 2,000MW power for Bitcoin mining and AI centers

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Pakistan allocates 2,000MW power for Bitcoin mining and AI centers

Pakistan allocates 2,000MW power for Bitcoin mining and AI centers

Pakistan has allocated 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity exclusively for Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence centers.

The move is part of a broader digital transformation plan spearheaded by the Pakistan Crypto Council and backed by the Ministry of Finance, according to a May 25 report by local news outlet 24NewsHD TV Channel.

In the first phase, the government plans to channel excess power into AI infrastructure and crypto mining operations. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the decision is expected to attract billions in foreign investment while generating high-tech employment across the country.

The initiative’s second phase will introduce access to renewable energy for mining operations, aiming to balance growth with environmental responsibility.

Related: Trump-backed World Liberty Financial partners with Pakistan Crypto Council

Pakistan unveils tax incentives to attract investors

Per the report, interest from international Bitcoin (BTC) miners and AI firms has already picked up. Officials confirmed that multiple foreign delegations have visited Pakistan in recent months to explore potential partnerships.

To further incentivize investment, the Ministry of Finance announced a package of tax incentives for AI centers and duty exemptions for Bitcoin miners.

Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of Pakistan’s Crypto Council, reportedly welcomed the development, calling it a “turning point” for the country’s digital economy.

Saqib claimed that with clear regulations and a transparent framework, Pakistan could emerge as a significant player in the global crypto and AI sectors.

Saqib first proposed using the country’s runoff energy to fuel Bitcoin mining at the Crypto Council’s inaugural meeting on March 21.

The meeting included lawmakers, the Bank of Pakistan’s governor, the chairman of Pakistan’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SECP), and the federal information technology secretary.

Related: Pakistan proposes compliance-based crypto regulatory framework — Report

Pakistan creates Digital Asset Authority

On May 21, Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance endorsed the creation of a dedicated body to regulate blockchain-based financial infrastructure in the country.

The Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA) will serve as a regulatory body to oversee licensing and regulating exchanges, custodians, wallets, tokenized platforms, stablecoins, and decentralized finance applications.

The PDAA will also be tasked with tokenizing national assets and government debt, facilitating monetization of Pakistan’s surplus electricity through regulated Bitcoin mining, and helping startups build blockchain-based solutions at scale.

Pakistan ranked highly in Chainalysis’ 2024 crypto adoption index, coming in ninth, mainly due to strong retail adoption and transactions at centralized services.

Pakistan allocates 2,000MW power for Bitcoin mining and AI centers
Pakistan ranked highly in Chainalysis’ 2024 crypto adoption index, coming in 9th. Source: Chainalysis

Data from Statista also shows Pakistan’s crypto market is “experiencing rapid growth,” estimating the number of crypto users to amount to over 27 million by 2025, out of a population of 247 million.

Magazine: Bitcoin bears eye $69K, CZ denies WLF ‘fixer’ rumors: Hodler’s Digest, May 18 – 24

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Crypto investor charged with kidnapping, torturing an Italian for passwords

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Crypto investor charged with kidnapping, torturing an Italian for passwords

Crypto investor charged with kidnapping, torturing an Italian for passwords

A Manhattan crypto investor is facing serious charges after allegedly kidnapping and torturing an Italian man in a disturbing bid to extract access to digital assets.

John Woeltz, 37, was arraigned on Saturday in Manhattan criminal court following his arrest on Friday. He stands accused of holding a 28-year-old Italian man captive for weeks inside a luxury townhouse in Soho, reportedly rented for $30,000 per month.

According to police reports cited by The New York Times, the victim arrived in the US on May 6 and was allegedly abducted by Woeltz and an accomplice.

The attackers are said to have stolen the man’s passport and electronic devices before demanding the password to his Bitcoin (BTC) wallet. When he refused, the suspects allegedly subjected him to prolonged physical abuse.

Crypto investor charged with kidnapping, torturing an Italian for passwords
Source: Mario Nawfal

Related: Violent crypto robberies on the rise: Six attacks that targeted investors

Crypto victim beaten, electroshocked

The victim described being beaten, shocked with electricity, assaulted with a firearm and even dangled from the upper floors of the five-story building.

He also told police that Woeltz used a saw to cut his leg and forced him to smoke crack cocaine. Threats were also reportedly made against his family.

Photographic evidence found inside the property, including Polaroids, appears to support claims of sustained abuse. The victim managed to escape on Friday and alert authorities, leading to Woeltz’s arrest.

Woeltz was charged with four felony counts, including kidnapping for ransom, and entered a plea of not guilty. Judge Eric Schumacher ordered him to be held without bail. He is expected back in court on May 28.

A 24-year-old woman was also taken into custody on Friday in connection with the incident. However, she was seen walking freely in New York the next day, and no charges against her were found in the court’s online database.

Authorities have yet to clarify the relationship between the suspect and the victim or whether any cryptocurrency was ultimately stolen.

Related: Crypto crime goes industrial as gangs launch coins, launder billions — UN

Crypto executives turn to bodyguards

Executives and investors in the crypto industry are increasingly seeking personal security services as kidnapping and ransom cases surge, especially in France.

On May 18, Amsterdam-based private firm Infinite Risks International reported a rise in requests for bodyguards and long-term protection contracts from high-profile figures in the space.

French authorities have responded by introducing enhanced protections for crypto entrepreneurs and their families, including security briefings and priority access to police assistance.

This comes amid a recent surge in kidnappings and ransom attempts. David Balland, the co-founder of hardware wallet company Ledger, was kidnapped in January 2025 and held for ransom for several days before being rescued by French police.

In May 2024, the father of an unnamed crypto entrepreneur was freed from a ransom attempt after French law enforcement officials raided the location in a Paris suburb where the individual was being held hostage by organized criminals.

Magazine: Bitcoiner sex trap extortion? BTS firm’s blockchain disaster: Asia Express

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Gail’s backer plots rare move with bid for steak chain Flat Iron

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Gail's backer plots rare move with bid for steak chain Flat Iron

A backer of Gail’s bakeries is in advanced talks to acquire Flat Iron, one of Britain’s fastest-growing steak restaurant chains.

Sky News has learnt that McWin Capital Partners, which specialises in investments across the “food ecosystem”, has teamed up with TriSpan, another private equity investor, to buy a large stake in Flat Iron.

Restaurant industry sources said McWin would probably take the largest economic interest in Flat Iron if the deal completes.

They added that the two buyers were in exclusive discussions, with a deal possible in approximately a month’s time.

The valuation attached to Flat Iron was unclear on Sunday.

Flat Iron launched in 2012 in London’s Shoreditch and now has roughly 20 sites open.

The chain is solidly profitable, with its latest accounts showing underlying profits of £5.7m in the year to the end of August.

It already has private equity backing in the form of Piper, a leading investor in consumer brands, which injected £10m into the business in 2017.

Flat Iron was founded by Charlie Carroll, who retains an interest in it, but the company is now run by former Byron restaurant boss Tom Byng.

Houlihan Lokey, the investment bank, has been advising Flat Iron on the process.

McWin has reportedly been in talks to take full control of Gail’s while TriSpan’s portfolio has included restaurant operators such as the Vietnamese chain Pho and Rosa’s, a Thai food chain.

A spokesman for McWin declined to comment.

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