Tesla CEO Elon Musk photographed in Austin, Texas, on April 7, 2022. The electric vehicle firm has also made forays into battery storage.
Suzanne Cordeiro | AFP | Getty Images
Dogecoin, the cryptocurrency branded after a viral dog meme from 2013, is up 35% since Monday as Elon Musk’s deal to buy Twitter approaches a close.
The price of the token often moves in lockstep with comments made by the Tesla CEO. Doge is up 10% in the last 24 hours after the SpaceX chief changed his Twitter bio to “Chief of Twit” on Wednesday. Similarly, the meme token saw a price surge in April when Musk first floated the idea of adding dogecoin as a payment method for Twitter’s subscription service, Blue. It also saw a sell-off in June as Musk tried to back out of the purchase.
But following a monthslong battle between Musk and Twitter over the sale, all signs point to Musk closing the deal by his deadline of 5 p.m. on Friday. The alternative is Musk facing trial in a Delaware courtroom.
The price surge in dogecoin — pronounced “doje coin” with a soft “g” sound — also coincides with rumors that Twitter is prototyping its own crypto wallet.
Jane Manchun Wong, apopular tech blogger known for her prescient calls in the space, tweeted on Monday that Twitter was “working on a ‘wallet prototype’ that supports ‘crypto deposit and withdrawal.'”
“We don’t know which kind of cryptocurrency will be supported yet, or which network,” Wong told CNBC.
Twitter has not announced a cryptocurrency wallet product, but the social media company did roll out a tipping feature last year, which allows users to send creators bitcoin via the platform. In February, Twitter added ether to its tips function.
Host Elon Musk during the monologue on Saturday, May 8, 2021.
Will Heath | NBCUniversal
The Elon Musk effect
It isn’t totally clear when or why dogecoin captured the heart of Elon Musk. The billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO has spent years talking up the token.
Musk’s tweets with sometimes oblique references to dogecoin have often sent it to new record-high prices. These posts have also helped drive retail investor interest.
“You have this one guy who is sort of like the cult leader,” said Asheesh Birla, a general manager at Ripple, which manages an alternative cryptocurrency used for payments.
Musk, however, isn’t alone in his celebrity endorsement of the animal-branded token. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Snoop Dogg and Kiss bassist Gene Simmons have all publicly rallied behind dogecoin in the past. Even beef jerky brand Slim Jim got in on the action at one point.
But there was more to dogecoin’s record price run than just celebrity backing. There has also been the enduring sentiment to “stick it” to the establishment.
“Dogecoin is like this kind of big F-U to the system,” said Avi Felman, Head of Trading at BlockTower Capital. “It’s like, ‘Yeah, this thing can have value, too. And I’m just going to buy it, because I’m going to buy it.'”
“Elon is basically pushing up this message of, ‘Why can’t dogecoin have value?'” said Felman of doge’s 2021 price rise. “People like these narratives. They like these stories. They like these jokes. And dogecoin just captured the mind and imagination of every single retail investor.”
“You have a rabid online community,” Birla said of the fan base of doge evangelists.
In 2013, software engineers Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer launched the satirical cryptocurrency as a way to make fun of bitcoin and the many other cryptocurrencies boasting grand plans to take over the world.
“You have Twitter and Reddit, where they’re all sort of congregating and thinking about how to pump dogecoin,” said Birla.
Valuing dogecoin
The question of whether dogecoin holds value is debatable.
At the moment, there are very few use cases for the token. Though more merchants began to accept dogecoin as a method of payment last year, it is nowhere near the level of adoption necessary to be used as any sort of actual currency substitute.
“These days it’s all one big marketing ploy,” Mike Bucella, BlockTower Capital general partner, previously told CNBC.
Unlike rival cryptocurrencies such as ether, which let programmers build applications on their platform to do things like lend and borrow money, there isn’t much anyone can do with dogecoin.
Dogecoin isn’t really a reliable store of wealth either, given that this typically requires a certain degree of long-term faith in the coin and the blockchain upon which it’s been built.
“If you look at the dogecoin protocol itself, I don’t even know if there’s anyone over the last several years who has added new functionality or code to it,” said Birla. “Dogecoin doesn’t really have a development team behind it.”
Given these limitations, the run-up in dogecoin appears to be purely speculative. Dogecoin has value because other people believe that it has value — and because they believe that someone else is willing to buy it from them at a higher price.
Disclosure: “Saturday Night Live” is a TV show of NBCUniversal, the parent company of CNBC. CNBC owns the exclusive off-network cable rights to “Shark Tank,” which features Mark Cuban as a panelist.
Tesla has officially deployed its first Supercharger station owned by a third party in the US, a step in the automaker’s effort to accelerate the charging infrastructure growth while reducing capital expenditure.
The new station, located at a Suncoast Charging in Land O’Lakes, Florida, consists of 8 stalls and is now open to the public.
While Tesla has previously sold Supercharger hardware to other networks – most notably BP Pulse back in 2023 – this site represents a different model.
The station is owned by the host but fully managed by Tesla, meaning it appears and functions exactly like any other Supercharger in the navigation system and app, maintaining the seamless user experience Tesla owners, and now non-Tesla owners, are used to.
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Tesla’s official charging account confirmed the deployment in a post on X today:
This move falls under Tesla’s “Supercharger for Business” program, where property owners can purchase the hardware and pay for installation while Tesla handles the operations, maintenance, and billing.
Up until recently, Tesla owned and operated almost all of its Supercharger network, which has been the company’s most important moat.
However, as the network opens up to non-Tesla EVs with the adoption of NACS (North American Charging Standard), Tesla is transitioning from a purely closed ecosystem to a major energy and service provider for the broader EV market.
By allowing third parties to put up the capital for the stations while Tesla retains control over the software and customer experience, the company can likely deploy stalls much faster than if it were solely reliant on its own balance sheet.
Electrek’s Take
This is a smart move.
We have been saying for years that while the Supercharger network is Tesla’s greatest asset, it is also a capital-intensive beast to feed. Tesla has installed over 70,000 Supercharger posts globally, but to support the millions of EVs hitting the road (both Tesla and NACS-adopting rivals), the network needs to grow exponentially, not linearly.
Tesla’s Supercharger growth has declined since Musk fired the entire charging team, just to rehire many of them after.
Allowing third parties to own the assets solves the capital bottleneck. It’s similar to the franchise model used by gas stations or even fast-food chains – with the main difference being that Tesla owns the pump rather than the gas as the electricity still comes from the electric utilities.
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The IONIQ 6 N made its North American debut on Thursday, but Hyundai said it will be sold in limited quantities in the US.
Meet Hyundai’s electric sports car, the IONIQ 6 N
Hyundai said the IONIQ 6 N “redefines the EV driving experience” after unveiling it at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.
After launching it in South Korea last month, Hyundai’s electric sports car made its official North American debut at the LA Auto Show on Thursday.
The IONIQ 6 N is Hyundai’s first fully electric sports car and the second EV, following the IONIQ 5, to receive the “N” performance badge. With the IONIQ 5 receiving global recognition as one of the most awarded performance EVs, Hyundai looks to build on it with its latest model.
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Based on a dual motor, all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrain, the IONIQ 6 N packs a monstrous 641 HP and 568 lb-ft of torque, good for a 0 to 60 mph time in just 3.2 seconds.
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 N (Source: Hyundai)
That’s when N Grin Boost and N Launch Control are active, two of the many fun features that unlock the full potential of the vehicle by optimizing power and torque.
N Grin Boost provides a 10-second power boost while the Launch Control feature adjusts torque for maximum traction and acceleration.
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 N (Source: Hyundai)
Other fun features like N e-Shift and N Active Sound + simulate the sounds and jerk feeling of an internal combustion engine. Hyundai even added an N Track Manager for a customized on-track experience and N Drift Optimizer, for, well, that one’s pretty self-explanatory.
Inside, the IONIQ 6 N features Kia’s new ccNC infotainment with dual 12.3″ driver display and navigation screens with an exclusive N steering wheel and N badging throughout.
The interior of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 N (Source: Hyundai)
Measuring 194.3″ in length, 76.4″ in width, and 58.9″ in height with a wheelbase of 116.7″, the IONIQ 6 N is about the size of a Porsche Taycan, but it’s expected to be about half the cost.
With an upgraded 84 kWh battery, the IONIQ 6 N can recharge from 10% to 80% in as little as 18 minutes using a 350 kW fast charger.
Kia will reveal the projected driving range and prices during a media launch, so check back soon for updates. In Korea, it’s rated with a WLTP range of 291 miles (469 km).
Given that the current highest-priced IONIQ 6 Limited trim starts at $51,100 in the US, you can expect the N variant to start at around $65,000 to $70,000. It will begin arriving at dealerships in 2026, but Hyundai said the IONIQ 6 N will be available in limited quantities in the US.
Along with the launch of the IONIQ 6 N, Hyundai is introducing a range of N Performance Parts for its N-branded vehicles in the US, including the IONIQ 5 N and Elantra N.
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With Amazon having officially kicked off its Black Friday event, we’re seeing many of our favorite brands following suit with updated/expanded lineups of deals – and all the posts we’ve collected for you today feature tons of great returning and new low prices. Leading the group is Anker’s SOLIX Black Friday Sale, which has increased savings up to 70% on power stations, bundles, and accessories, with offers like the latest F3000 Portable Power Station hitting a new $1,199 low (while also getting a FREE protective cover). Behind it is Segway Navimow’s Black Friday event with up to $700 discounts, bonus savings, and new low prices on its robotic lawn mowers – including the first-ever savings on the newest X3 series, all starting from $664. There’s also Heybike’s Hero 750W Mid-Drive All-Terrain e-bike at a new $2,099 low, Segway’s expanded Black Friday EV sale with returning low prices, and even four of Jackery’s newest power stations that are beating out the brand’s direct holiday sale with new low prices on every model, and more waiting for you below. And don’t forget about the hangover deals that are collected together at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Mango Power Black Friday power station sale, and more.
Anker’s expanded SOLIX Black Friday Sale increases power station savings up to 70% with new lows starting from $150
Anker SOLIX has launched the next phase of its ongoing Black Friday Sale with increased savings up to 70% across its power stations, bundles, and accessories, giving us the best prices we have seen all year – complete with free gifts with select purchases and at certain price thresholds. Among the expanded lineup, you can score the latest F3000 Portable Power Station starting solo at $1,199 shipped and coming with a FREE protective cover ($99 value), matching in price over at Amazon, though you won’t get the cover there. This new model has been on the market since June carrying a $2,599 full price tag, which we’ve seen go as low as $1,399 up until today. Now, with its Black Friday event in full gear, you’re getting an additional $200 discount to a new all-time low price, giving you a total $1,499 in savings this holiday season. Head below for the full rundown of deals while they’re around.
***Note: We’re seeing a continuation of the four tiers of FREE gifts during Anker’s expanded Black Friday Sale when you spend $2,500 or more, giving you bonus solar panels and power stations. Another thing to remember is that despite saying this sale ends on November 27, Anker regularly extends savings through and past Cyber Monday, so we might just see further deals added in the coming weeks, but there’s no telling for sure.
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If you’re looking for well-rounded backup power support for trips and home backup alike, and don’t want to shell out the money for the more expansive F3800 units, you’ll find a proper companion in Anker’s SOLIX F3000 power station. It kicks off at a 3,072Wh LiFePO4 that can expand up to 24kWh (with bundles available below), and is one of the newer models boasting passthrough charging capabilities when plugged up to a gas generator during grid failures and the like.
It provides a steady output up to 3,600W that can double to 7,200W for greater home backup needs when two stations are linked together, dishing out power to devices, appliances, and more through the 11 output ports (including a TT-30R port for RV backup). On top of the gas generator option previously mentioned, you can also top off the battery using a standard AC outlet or with up to its maximum 2,400W solar input.
Anker’s 1kWh SOLIX camping-ready Black Friday deals:
Anker’s under 1kWh SOLIX camping-ready Black Friday deals:
Anker’s SOLIX electric cooler Black Friday deals:
You can also find Anker’s SOLIX Black Friday Sale discounts on expansion batteries, solar panels, and other accessories by heading to the main page here.
Get up to $700 Black Friday savings on Segway Navimow robot mowers, including first discount on new X3 series – from $664
Segway Navimow has officially launched its Black Friday Sale with up to $700 savings (including a bonus sitewide 5% savings code that you can get here) on three of its robotic lawn mower series – one of which being the first-ever savings on the latest X3 series after hitting the market back in spring. These are advanced autonomous assistants that you can hand off mowing duties to, with designs that can cover anywhere from 1/8 acres to 2.5 acres on one full charge – with these robots able to return to their stations and recharge before picking back up, rinsing and repeating until complete. As I mentioned, this is the first-ever savings you can score on the newest X3 series, while the i105 model and the i110 model are hitting new all-time and annual lows thanks to the extra savings you’ll get using the provided promo code – all starting from $664.05 shipped for the i105, which beats out the Amazon pricing.
Segway’s official Black Friday sale now live: Best price of the year on latest e-scooters, e-bikes, more starting from $150
Segway has switched gears into its official full Black Friday Sale period, expanding the lineup of EV deals we’ve been seeing up until now alongside increasing savings for the best prices of the year. One notable model returning to its best price is the ZT3 Pro All-Terrain Electric Scooter at $849.99 shipped, which matches in price over at Amazon. While it carries a $1,300 MSRP directly from the brand, you can more often find it only fetching $1,000 at full price, with this all-time low price having only appeared during July and October’s Prime Day sales events. You’re getting another shot at $150 off the going rate (and $450 off the MSRP), giving you multi-terrain conquering commuting/joyriding power at the best price we have tracked.
Jackery’s Explorer 1000, 2000, 3000 V2 + 5000 Plus power stations are all hitting new Black Friday lows from $332
Wellbots is undercutting the Black Friday Sale pricing from Jackery on four particular power stations, giving you new low prices during the biggest holiday shopping season. Starting off at the smallest of these units for camping and moving up to whole-home backup companions, you can find the Explorer 1000 V2 Portable Power Station down at $331.55 shipped, after using the on-page promo code JACK5 at checkout, which beats out Amazon’s pricing by $17 and Jackery’s direct pricing by $67. It’s been initially dropped from its full $799 price to $349, which goes $17 lower thanks to the bonus savings code, which provides an up to $467 markdown to a new all-time low price. Be sure to check out the other new low prices below while they’re still around.
Lectric XP4 Standard Folding Utility e-bikes with $326 bundle: $999 (Reg. $1,325)
Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes with $449 bundles: $999 (Reg. $1,448)
Heybike Mars 2.0 Folding Fat-Tire e-bike with Black Friday gift: $999 (Reg. $1,499)
Heybike Ranger S Folding Fat-Tire e-bike with Black Friday gift: $999 (Reg. $1,499)
Best new Green Deals landing this week
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.