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  • Tax-Free Tech: Every State Offering a Sales Tax Holiday for Computers and Electronics

    Tax-Free Tech: Every State Offering a Sales Tax Holiday for Computers and Electronics

    It’s arguably the most expensive time of the year for parents and college students: back-to-school season. If you’re dreading buying big-ticket school essentials, like a new laptop, you might be able to save some extra money by shopping during your state’s sales-tax holiday event.

    This year, 18 states (plus Puerto Rico) are holding sales tax holiday shopping events, during which eligible back-to-school items are exempt from sales tax. Nine of these states will not charge sales tax on tech purchases, including laptops, personal computers, and tablets

    With inflation still high and the RAM crisis continuing to drive the cost of PCs, finding easy ways to save on back-to-school tech is crucial. Shopping sales and secondhand can help ease the burden, and if you time your purchase with your state’s sales tax holiday, you could keep a little extra cash in your bank account.

    Here’s every state that’s holding a sales tax holiday this summer, and when to shop.

    Which States are Offering Sales Tax Exemptions on Tech?

    There are 9 states offering sales tax exemptions on computers and tech during summer sales tax holidays. They are:


    Full 2026 Sales Tax Holiday Schedule and Eligible Items by State

    Here’s a full overview of every US state and territory offering sales-free back-to-school shopping events this summer.

    Alabama 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: July 17 – July 19, 2026

    • Items included: Clothing up to $156, school supplies up to $78, computers up to $1,173, books up to $47 (per item). See the full list here.

    • Notes: Local municipalities can opt in/out; more than 300 cities/counties waive local tax.

    Arkansas 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: August 1 – August 2, 2026

    • Items included: Clothing and accessories up to $100 per item, school supplies (no strict limit), select electronics (no strict limit). See the full list here.

    • Notes: Applies to state and local sales tax; participation is mandatory for retailers.

    Connecticut 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: August 16 – August 22, 2026

    • Items included: Clothing and footwear up to $300 per item. Includes standard back-to-school apparel; excludes athletic uniforms and luxury goods. See the full list here.

    Florida 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: July 20 – August 20, 2026

    • Items included: Clothing, footwear, and accessories up to $100, school supplies up to $50, computers and electronic accessories up to $1,500, learning aids and puzzles up to $30 (per item). See the full list here.

    Illinois 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: August 7 – August 16, 2026

    • Items included: Clothing, footwear, and select school supplies up to $125 per item. See the full list here

    • Note: Illinois does not eliminate sales tax during this event. Instead, it is lowered by 5%.

    Iowa 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: August 7 – August 8, 2026

    • Items included: Clothing and footwear up to $100 per item. See the full list here

    Maryland 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: August 9 – August 15, 2026

    • Items included: Clothing and footwear up to $100 per item, backpacks (first $40 is exempt). See the full list here.

    Massachusetts 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: August 8 – August 9, 2026

    • Items included: Most retail items up to $2,500 per item. Full list here.

    • Notes: Broad retail holiday that excludes alcohol, electricity, gas, meals, motor vehicles, motorboats, tobacco, and more.

    Mississippi 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: July 10 – July 12, 2026

    • Items included: Clothing, footwear, and school supplies up to $100 per item. See the full list here.

    Missouri 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: August 7 – August 9, 2026

    • Items included: Clothing up to $100, school supplies up to $50, computer software up to $350, computers up to $1,500. See the full list here.

    New Mexico 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: July 31 – August 2, 2026

    • Items included: Clothing and footwear up to $100, school supplies up to $30, computers up to $1,000, computer hardware up to $500 (per item). See the full list here.

    • Notes: Retailers are not required to participate.

    Ohio 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: August 7 – August 9, 2026

    • Items included: Clothing up to $75, school supplies up to $20, school instructional materials up to $2 (per item). See the full list here.

    Oklahoma 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: August 7 – August 9, 2026

    • Items included: Clothing and footwear up to $100 per item. See the full list here.

    • Notes: Exemptions do not apply to most athletic wear.

    Puerto Rico 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: July 17 – July 18, 2026

    • Items included: School uniforms, footwear, and school supplies (no specified limit). See the full list here.

    South Carolina 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: August 7 – August 9, 2026

    • Items included: Clothing, footwear, school supplies, computers, bed and bath items (no specified limit). See the full list here.

    Tennessee 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: July 31 – August 2, 2026

    • Items included: Clothing up to $100, school supplies up to $100, computers up to $1,500 (per item). See the full list here.

    Texas 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: August 7 – August 9, 2026

    • Items included: Clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks up to $100 per item. See the full list here.

    Virginia 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: August 7 – August 9, 2026

    • Items included: Clothing and footwear up to $100, school supplies up to $20 (per item). See the full list here.

    West Virginia 

    • Sales tax holiday dates: July 31 – August 3, 2026

    • Items included: Clothing up to $125, school supplies up to $50, computers up to $500, instructional materials up to $20, sports equipment up to $150 (per item). See the full list here.


    What Are Sales Tax Holidays?

    Also known as ‘tax-free weekends’, a state sales tax holiday is a statewide event where sales tax is temporarily paused or reduced on certain items. Many states hold these events during the back-to-school shopping season. Items that are typically exempt from tax during these events include clothing, school supplies, and computers (laptops and tablets).

    If you live in a state that also imposes local sales tax, it may also be exempt during the event. This varies by state and county.


    Do Sales Tax Holiday Exemptions Apply to Online Purchases?

    Yes, you’ll be able to shop tax-free even at online retailers like Amazon and Apple during your state’s event.


    Can Sales Tax Holidays Really Save You Money on Laptops, Desktops, and Tablets?

    Shopping for school supplies during a tax-free event can help you save a little extra, especially if you need to purchase a big-ticket item, like a new laptop or desktop.

    Let’s say you plan to purchase a new MacBook Neo, which starts at $599 for students. If you live in Massachusetts, which has a 6.25% state sales tax rate, this would cost you $636.44 after tax. So, you could save $37.44 on one new MacBook Neo (with the student discount) by shopping during this tax holiday. 

    If you need a MacBook with more power, we recommend the Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (2026, M5) as our top pick for most college students. This starts at $1,149. Using the same example from Massachusetts, with the 6.25% sales tax tacked on, this MacBook would cost you $1,220.81. If you were to buy this laptop during the sales tax holiday, you’d save $71.81.

    Recommended by Our Editors


    Can You Save on Refurbished Tech During Sales Tax Holidays?

    Yes, if you live in a state that’s offering sales tax exemptions on computers and electronics, you won’t pay sales tax on used tech during the sales tax holidays. Shopping secondhand is one of the best ways to beat rising computer prices. We even have tips on how to find the best value when shopping for refurbished computers and tablets.


    Are There States That Never Charge Sales Tax?

    Yes, there are five US states that do not impose a state-level sales tax. They are Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Alaska does, however, charge a local sales tax.


    Will You Pay Local Sales Tax During Sales Tax Holidays?

    If you live in a city or county that levies local sales tax, it may be temporarily paused for eligible items during your state’s sales tax holiday. This varies across cities, counties, and states, so check your local state and city website for more information.


    My State Doesn’t Have a Tax Holiday. Can I Shop In Another State?


    Technically, yes, you can travel to another state to shop tax-free during that state’s sales tax holiday. However, if you bring the items you purchased back to your home state, you might be required to list these items on your taxes next year and pay use tax on them.

    Is New Jersey Holding a Sales Tax Holiday This Year?

    New Jersey used to hold tax-free weekends in the summer for the back-to-school season. Its sales tax holiday was officially repealed in 2024, and the state has not held a tax-free holiday since.

    About Our Expert

  • Suni Lee’s Gymnastics Comeback to Be Chronicled in First Fanatics Studios Documentary (Exclusive)

    Suni Lee’s Gymnastics Comeback to Be Chronicled in First Fanatics Studios Documentary (Exclusive)

    Fanatics Studios is entering the documentary space with what it hopes will be a perfect 10.

    The joint venture between Fanatics and OBB, alongside Cookie Jar & a Dream Studios, which is Dick’s Sporting Goods’ in-house production studio, has greenlit a documentary following Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Suni Lee‘s return to competition, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The documentary is untitled and being shopped to platforms.

    Lee was diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease that nearly ended her career in 2023, two years after her breakthrough at the (postponed due to COVID) 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she won the all-around gold and a bronze medal for the uneven bars. After Lee battled back for the Paris 2024 games, adding two more bronze medals to her trophy case and a team gold, much speculation swirled that she would retire. Well, she hasn’t done that.

    “This is more than a documentary; it’s an invitation to come along for the journey. I know there’s more in me, and this is my chance to challenge myself, test my limits, and see what I’m truly capable of,” said Lee. “This isn’t about proving anyone wrong. It’s about showing up for myself and discovering what’s possible. Through the setbacks and the victories, I’m giving myself one more chance to find out what happens when I keep going.”

    The 2028 Summer Olympics take place on home soil in Los Angeles — just saying.

    “We created Fanatics Studios to bring fans closer than ever to the most groundbreaking and beloved stories in sports. From our first conversations with Suni, it was immediately clear that there is an amazing story to tell that goes deeper than what fans see in competition,” said Michael D. Ratner, CEO of Fanatics Studios and founder & CEO of OBB. “This documentary gives audiences unprecedented access to one of the most accomplished athletes of her generation as she navigates extraordinary personal and professional challenges. We’re proud to partner with Suni and Cookie Jar & a Dream Studios to capture this defining chapter of her life and career.”

    The documentary is executive produced by Michael D. Ratner, Scott Ratner, Kfir Goldberg and Raquel Dominguez for Fanatics Studios; Lee, Madison Smith, Britt St. George and Kaila  McWilliams; and Mark Rooks and Rebecca Covington for Cookie Jar & a Dream Studios. Anna Chai (Gutsy, Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross) is attached to direct.

    Fanatics Studios recently produced The Fanatics Flag Football Classic and is producing Wednesday’s 2026 ESPY Awards.

  • ‘Behemoth!’ Trailer: Pedro Pascal Plays a Classically Trained Cellist in Tony Gilroy’s Music Drama

    ‘Behemoth!’ Trailer: Pedro Pascal Plays a Classically Trained Cellist in Tony Gilroy’s Music Drama

    Searchlight Pictures has released the trailer for “Behemoth!,” a new drama film from Tony Gilroy about a family of Los Angeles musicians.

    The film’s logline reads, “A gifted cellist, Alex Serian, returns home to Los Angeles after 20 years on the road. Music, which has been the constant, all-consuming river of his life, begins to carry Alex on an adventure that will change him forever.”

    Cast members include Pedro Pascal, Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, Alexa Swinton, Kaya Ralls, Erik Griffin, JoBeth Williams, Margarita Levieva, Hank Azaria and Will Arnett. Gilroy, whose previous directorial works include “Michael Clayton” and “The Bourne Legacy,” directed and wrote the film. Gilroy also produced the film alongside John Gilroy and Sanne Wohlenberg. Executive producers include Cameron Chidsey, Katie Goodson, DanTram Nguyen, Jeremy Reitz and Rayne Roberts.

    David Harbour was originally set to start in the film, but dropped out in January. Sources told Variety at the time that Harbour was overwhelmed by the series wrap of Netflix’s marquee series “Stranger Things” and backed out of his role to rest.

    In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Pascal explained what inspired him to join the film and provided a little more context about his character, a classically trained cellist named Alex.

    “There was something overall about this story that I think I connected to more cerebrally and emotionally,” Pascal said. “[Alex is] not a rock star. He’s not even somebody that’s looking for the spotlight. He’s just someone whose first language is music…. It’s a love letter to music; it’s a love letter to movies. It’s about family; it’s about legacy; it’s about healing. I wished for myself this kind of experience as an actor before I ever got to act.”

    Check out the trailer for “Behemoth!” below.

  • ‘Moana’ Claims No. 1 at U.K. and Ireland Box Office as ‘The Odyssey’ Looms

    ‘Moana’ Claims No. 1 at U.K. and Ireland Box Office as ‘The Odyssey’ Looms

    The U.K. and Ireland box office saw a transition at the summit as Disney’s live-action adaptation “Moana” debuted in the top spot, banking an opening weekend of £2.8 million ($3.8 million).

    The launch was enough to narrowly edge out Disney stablemate “Toy Story 5,” which moved to second place in its fourth frame. The film added $3.3 million over the weekend and now has a cumulative total of $56.7 million.

    Universal’s “Minions & Monsters” claimed third place in its sophomore session, taking $2.3 million to lift its 10-day running total to $9.8 million. Studiocanal’s “Evil Dead Burn” secured fourth place, drawing horror audiences across its opening frame to pocket $1.2 million.

    Black Bear’s ensemble comedy-drama “The Invite” placed fifth during its second weekend, adding $575,431 for a cumulative total of $2.4 million. Universal’s “Obsession” followed in sixth place in its ninth week of release, banking $358,918 for a running total of $24.3 million.

    Warner Bros.’ superhero holdover “Supergirl” landed in seventh place during its third weekend, adding £$355,863 to its running total, which now stands at $7 million. Universal’s Steven Spielberg sci-fi thriller “Disclosure Day” took eighth place in its fifth weekend, taking $276,660 to drive its cume to $16.5 million.

    Paramount’s comedy “Jackass: Best and Last” finished in ninth place in its third weekend with $165,514 for a total of $2.7 million, while Bakrania Media’s comedy sequel “Dhamaal 4” debuted at No. 10, taking $155,882 in its opening frame.

    Looking ahead to the upcoming theatrical frame, all eyes are on Christopher Nolan’s massive epic adventure “The Odyssey.” Universal is set to launch the highly anticipated blockbuster on July 17 in a saturation campaign across more than 300 locations, featuring premium formats and native Imax presentations. The high-profile film leads a busy frame that also sees Signature Entertainment debut Oscar Boyson’s comedy “Our Hero, Balthazar,” starring Jaeden Martell and Asa Butterfield, that releases for one day only on July 16.

    The specialized and independent slate for July 17 includes LonRom Film Production’s romantic LGBTQ+ drama “A Year In London,” starring Melanie Liburd and Nina Pons, while Verve Pictures releases Marc Isaacs’ AI-focused documentary “Synthetic Sincerity.” Park Circus will handle classic repertory slots with specialized screen reissues of the beloved Aardman animations “A Close Shave” and “A Matter Of Loaf And Death.”

  • Morning Minute: Saylor’s Strategy Hoards Cash, Doesn’t Buy BTC

    Morning Minute: Saylor’s Strategy Hoards Cash, Doesn’t Buy BTC

    Morning Minute is a daily newsletter written by Tyler Warner. The analysis and opinions expressed are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Decrypt. And check out our new daily news show covering all of the top stories in 5 minutes, downloadable on Apple Pod or Spotify.

    GM!

    Today’s top news:

    • Crypto majors are mixed ahead CPI; BTC at $62.7k
    • Saylor sells $467M in MSTR, doesn’t buy BTC
    • ETFs flip to outflows as BTC ETFs see $425M exodus
    • BTC and ETH social media posts fall to 6-year lows
    • Jupiter announces new gacha platform powered by Collector Crypt (CARDS +20%)

    🟠 Strategy Raises $467M and Skips Bitcoin for a Third Straight Week

    Strategy’s Bitcoin-buying machine stayed in neutral last week. The company raised $467M by issuing common stock and put all of it toward cash, lifting its USD Reserve to a record $3B. That means no Bitcoin purchase for the third week running.

    The raise added roughly 18% to Strategy’s cash reserves in one move, giving the company more than 20 months of coverage on its $1.76B in annual dividend and interest obligations. So the entirety of the week’s capital markets activity went toward fortifying the balance sheet’s cash cushion. Since its last Bitcoin purchase on June 22, Strategy has generated about $215M from selling Bitcoin, less than half of what this single stock issuance brought in. So the stock sales are now doing more work than the Bitcoin sales.

    Once again, Saylor is issuing common shares to fund dividend payments on his preferred stock. MSTR holders are being diluted to pay STRC holders. MSTR fell 4% Monday to around $90.80, down 18% on the month, though it has steadied since hitting a 28-month low of $81.81 in late June. STRC sits at $87.04, still below its $100 par value where it has lingered since mid-May while paying a 12% dividend. And with Bitcoin at $62,600 against an average cost of $75,476, the 843,775-coin stack is roughly $11B underwater.

    The biggest open question right now is—why isn’t he buying Bitcoin at these prices? Raising cash to alleviate market concerns and to fund future debt payments made sense when he was mostly depleted, but now Saylor is flush. He’s got 20 months’ runway, and more importantly, he’s proven he can just dump MSTR shares whenever to raise cash. So why not buy BTC here 50% off ATH? Certainly any BTC buy in the low 60s makes more sense than buys in the 80s, 90s, or over 100k. So why aren’t they coming? And when will the next buys hit the tape? Hopefully we find out soon. Or Saylor will have some explaining to do…

    🏛️ Democratic Opposition to the CLARITY Act Grows With Four Weeks Left

    Senate Democrats are hardening against the CLARITY Act, and Trump’s $1.2 billion crypto fortune is (unsurprisingly) the wedge.

    Elizabeth Warren wrote to Senate leadership on Monday, demanding the bill bar the president, vice president, senior officials, members of Congress, and their families from profiting off the crypto industry. Anything less would be a giveaway to the president and his family at the public’s expense, in her words. On Tuesday, more Senate Democrats including Chris Murphy and Chris Van Hollen are expected to hold a press conference against it, hitting both Trump’s crypto dealings and the argument that the bill weakens financial oversight built after the Great Depression.

    The vote math is the tricky part here. CLARITY needs 60 votes, which means at least seven Democrats have to cross over, and possibly more given the Republican bench is thinner than expected (Mitch McConnell remains hospitalized, and Lindsey Graham died suddenly over the weekend). Trump argued Monday that the Senate should pass CLARITY in Graham’s honor, calling him a big supporter of crypto legislation. Graham was never involved in the negotiations, rarely spoke on the topic, and was the only Senate Republican to co-sponsor a 2023 anti-money-laundering bill that crypto groups called deeply hostile to the industry.

    So where does this leave us? Less than four weeks remain before the August recess, and everyone involved agrees that missing it means the bill dies in the noise of the November midterms. The industry’s own forecasters have already marked it down, with Galaxy cutting its odds to 50% and prediction markets pricing it in the low 40s. The core problem is that the harder Democrats push for ethics language, the more they force Republicans to choose between passing the bill and protecting the president’s business interests. That’s a bad trade to have to make with a hard deadline bearing down.

    🌎 Macro Crypto and Markets

    • Crypto majors are mixed ahead of CPI; BTC even at $62.7k; ETH +1% at $1,795; SOL -1% at $75; HYPE -2% at $64
    • HASH (+11%), INJ (+5%) and ENA (+5%) led top movers
    • Oil +10% at $81; Gold -1% at $4,020
    • Stock futures are mixed as oil spikes and June CPI data comes this AM; DOW -0.7%, Nasdaq +0.3%
    • June CEX volumes fell 5% from May, while derivatives trading rose by 4%
    • BTC and ETH social media posts have fallen to their lowest level since 2020
    • Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong admitted Base “messed up” on content coinssaying they didn’t work and that Base pivoted away early this year, with resources now going toward trading, payments, and AI agents
    • BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan joined a 54-firm UK tokenization taskforce backed by the government, starting with tokenized repo, with a Treasury report projecting up to £33 billion in annual economic output by 2035
    • TeraWulf’s CEO said “not all megawatts are created equally” in the AI race, stating flatly that “we’re not involved in Bitcoin” anymore as its $19 billion Anthropic hosting deal completes its shift from miner to AI infrastructure company
    • SBI Holdings’ blockchain initiative pivoted to Solana for tokenization and stablecoin issuance, moving off R3’s Corda and bringing the Solana Foundation into its joint venture, with plans including payment infrastructure for AI agents

    Corporate Treasuries & ETFs

    Meme Coin Tracker

    • Meme leaders were mostly red down 1-2%; DOGE even, SHIB -2%, PEPE -1%, PENGU -4%, TRUMP -1%, BONK -2%
    • Robinhood chain memes were led by Cashcat +8% to $180M, WOOD +70% to $15M, Wishbone +45% to $9M
    • Febu (+60%), three (+100%) and Cards +20% were notable Solana movers

    📈 Myriad Market of the Day

    💰 Token, Airdrop & Protocol Tracker

    🚚 What is happening in NFTs?

    • NFT leaders were mixed; Punks even at 32.4 ETH, BAYC +1% at 8.94 ETH, Pudgy -1% at 4.33 ETH; Hypurr’s -4% at 179 HYPE
    • PXL NET (+60%) and Squiggles (+10%) led top movers
    • New Robinhood NFT sets jumped including RH Miners (+1350%) and 8skullz (+340%)

    Daily Debrief Newsletter

    Start every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.

  • BREAKING! Critical US Inflation Data Released! What Was Bitcoin’s (BTC) Initial Reaction?

    BREAKING! Critical US Inflation Data Released! What Was Bitcoin’s (BTC) Initial Reaction?

    Global financial markets are focused on the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data to be released today, while investors in the cryptocurrency market are also acting cautiously.

    Bitcoin, which surged above $64,000 on Friday, is maintaining its strong performance around the $62,000 level despite recent escalation in US-Iran tensions.

    However, the inflation data to be released is expected to be a determining factor in short-term price movements.

    Analysts are concerned that inflation, which the Fed has long been trying to bring down to its 2 percent target, will continue to face upward pressure due to increases in energy prices.

    At this point, while there is talk that the Fed might even raise interest rates in the face of increasing inflation risk (according to FEDWatcholl data, the probability of a rate hike in July is priced at 39%), the US June inflation data, which the Fed closely monitors when making its interest rate decisions, has been released.

    Here are the US inflation figures that have been released:

    Consumer Price Index Annual: Announced 3.5% – Expectation 3.8% – Previous 4.2%

    Consumer Price Index Monthly: Announced -0.4% – Expectation -0.1% – Previous 0.5%

    Core Consumer Price Index Annual: Announced 2.6% – Expected 2.8% – Previous 2.9%

    Core Consumer Price Index Monthly: Announced 0.0% – Expectation 0.2% – Previous 0.2%

    The consumer price index is a key variable used to measure consumer purchasing trends and changes in US inflation.

    According to The Kobeissi letter, June CPI inflation fell to 3.5%, below expectations of 3.8%. Core CPI inflation fell to 2.6%, also below expectations of 2.8%. Monthly CPI inflation fell by -0.4%, marking the largest monthly decline since May 2020. Following this data, US stock market futures rose in response to the news.

    Bitcoin’s Initial Reaction After the CPI Data!

    *This is not investment advice.

  • Radio Host Elvis Duran Launches Video Podcast Venture Podrophenia With Paul Heyman, MCM Studios for Creator-Led Shows (EXCLUSIVE)

    Radio Host Elvis Duran Launches Video Podcast Venture Podrophenia With Paul Heyman, MCM Studios for Creator-Led Shows (EXCLUSIVE)

    Elvis Duran, one of terrestrial radio’s biggest talk-show hosts, has formed a new partnership to develop, produce and monetize creators’ video podcasts — providing what he claims are Hollywood-level production facilities in New York City.

    Duran already oversees a slate of more than a dozen podcasts under the Elvis Duran Podcast Network, which is operated by iHeartMedia. The company is home to “Elvis Duran and the Morning Show,” which has aired on iHeart’s Z100 station for more than three decades and is syndicated nationwide.

    But Duran says the time is ripe for a new approach to producing podcasts and vodcasts. “We are seeing the need for a different level of production quality for new video podcasts,” he told Variety.

    Duran is one of the partners behind Podrophenia, touted as a “next-generation podcast, vodcast and creator development company.” The venture brings together the Elvis Duran Group; Looking4Larry, a creative marketing agency co-founded by WWE personality Paul Heyman and producer Mitchell Stuart; and production company MCM Studios, headed by Michael Canzoniero.

    “We felt there had to be a place to take our talent for these shows,” Duran said. “You need more than a microphone and booth” to make a breakthrough podcast show today.

    Podrophenia’s inaugural flagship series is “Hello Randy,” hosted by Randy Fenoli, longtime host of TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress.” Fenoli’s show is expected to premiere later this year through iHeartMedia and the Elvis Duran Podcast Network; details about the podcast are being kept under wraps for now. Additional original programming announcements are expected throughout 2026, according to the company. Duran said he’ll use his daily radio show to promote the Podrophenia shows and podcasts.

    In its deals with creators, Podrophenia will provide upfront compensation as well as profit-sharing terms. Some of the shows will be distributed via iHeart, but Podrophenia also is eyeing other platforms, according to Duran.

    The partners behind Podrophenia say their key differentiator is that they can provide an array of services, spanning show development, premium production, post-production, audience growth strategy, marketing support, sponsorship opportunities and strategic distribution.

    “In looking at today’s landscape, we’ve seen so many studios that are turnkey and therefore built on the premise of minimal alterations” to their sets, said Heyman, who performs for WWE as a villainous wrestling manager. “Podrophenia is the first studio specifically customized to the host’s personality and also the concept. We’re not just building a content hub for creators — we’re building a creator hub for the content.”

    Podrophenia’s partners are looking at all kinds of creators for potential shows, Heyman said. “It’s a matter of, Is there an audience for this? Is there a lure for advertisers and sponsors to come on board? The lens I’m scouting for is ‘uninhibited’ — if a hot dog vendor on Lexington Avenue has a compelling story to tell, I want that person in Podrophenia’s studios.”

    Podrophenia will operate from MCM Studios’ production facility located in Chelsea, which features sound-controlled studios, customizable sets, broadcast-quality audio infrastructure, cinematic lighting systems, creator green rooms, post-production capabilities and collaborative production spaces. MCM Studios has hosted productions including those associated with Steven Bartlett’s “The Diary of a CEO,” wing-eating talk show “Hot Ones,” Keke Palmer and more.

    Stuart, of Looking4Larry, said that podcasting has “evolved far beyond simply recording conversations.” Podrophenia’s ambitions are to build creator-led content brands that extend beyond podcasts, into films, merchandise and more, he said. “We are going to look at people who, yes, have a big fanbase. But it’s not the Instagram version of them,” he said. “We’re looking at authentic storytelling.”

    Meanwhile, Duran said he’s interested in hosting his own show for Podrophenia at some point. On his daily radio show, he typically sits alongside three co-hosts. “I would like to go to a place of doing one-on-one interviews,” Duran said. Heyman also said he’s been “toying with the idea of a podcast” since 2011: “When the time is right, and the marketplace is ready, I’ll come out of the gates blasting.”

    The Podrophenia name is a play on “Quadrophenia,” The Who’s classic double album released in 1973. More info is available on the Podrophenia website.

  • Hut 8 price target hiked to $165 at Benchmark as AI pivot reshapes valuation

    Hut 8 price target hiked to $165 at Benchmark as AI pivot reshapes valuation

    Companies including Hut 8, Core Scientific (CORZ), Hive Digital (HIVE) and Bit Digital (BTBT) have repositioned portions of their power and infrastructure assets to serve AI workloads, betting that long-term contracts with hyperscale customers will generate steadier, higher-margin revenue than cryptocurrency mining alone.

    Hut 8 has signed two 15-year, triple-net, take-or-pay leases covering 597 megawatts of IT capacity at its River Bend, Louisiana, and Beacon Point, Texas, campuses. According to Palmer, the agreements represent $16.8 billion in contracted base-term lease value and could rise to $42.8 billion if tenants exercise renewal options.

    Palmer said the Beacon Point agreement was the primary driver behind the higher valuation. The broker estimated that the project’s first phase alone carries $9.8 billion in base-term contract value and about $655 million in average annual net operating income.

    He also pointed to Hut 8’s financing strategy, noting the company recently completed $4.25 billion of investment-grade project financing for Beacon Point after raising $3.25 billion for River Bend. The deals validate management’s strategy of lowering its cost of capital by converting development assets into long-term contracted cash flows.

    Beyond its existing projects, the report highlighted Hut 8’s development pipeline, which totals more than 9 gigawatts across projects under exclusivity, development, construction and management, providing what it called a long runway for future growth.

  • Santiment Warns: “Bitcoin is Stable, But FOMO is at its Peak in Two Major Altcoins! Prices Could Fall!”

    Santiment Warns: “Bitcoin is Stable, But FOMO is at its Peak in Two Major Altcoins! Prices Could Fall!”

    While the leading cryptocurrency Bitcoin has been more stable in recent days, investor sentiment in the cryptocurrency market is reportedly on the rise again.

    At this point, cryptocurrency data analysis platform Santiment noted that although overall investor sentiment in the market is rising, $XRP and Ethereum have recorded their highest “FOMO” (fear of missing out) levels in the last five weeks.

    According to Santiment’s latest data, $ETH and $XRP investors have become significantly more optimistic. This has led to $ETH and $XRP reaching their highest FOMO levels in the last five weeks.

    According to the data, $XRP reached its highest FOMO level with 3.02 bullish comments for every bearish comment, while Ethereum was in the mild FOMO zone with a ratio of 2.31. In contrast, Bitcoin’s ratio of 1.40 indicated a more balanced and neutral investor sentiment.

    This shift in investor sentiment, at a time when prices are struggling to gain steady momentum, raises the possibility that the upward trend may have overtaken market performance.

    At this point, Santiment analysts note that the cryptocurrency market is moving in the opposite direction of investor expectations. They emphasize that the increasing optimism for $ETH and $XRP could be a counter-signal for the price.

    The analysis notes that historically, short-term corrections can occur during periods when investors have excessively bullish expectations, and suggests that high optimism in $XRP and Ethereum could increase downside risks or limit the pace of their rise in the short term.

    In contrast, balanced and neutral investor sentiment in Bitcoin is seen as healthier in terms of price. This is because, according to Santiment analysts, strong rallies can occur when investors are not yet fully focused on bullish expectations.

    *This is not investment advice.

  • Schumer slams Trump over Iran war

    Schumer slams Trump over Iran war

    NewsFeed

    ‘A recipe for utter disaster.’

    Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has slammed President Donald Trump’s handling of the war on Iran, accusing him of repeating past mistakes without a clear strategy.