Prediction markets may have had their “uh-oh” moment.

A single bet from a newly created account on Polymarket turned $30,000 into more than $400,000 after Nicolás Maduro was captured. The timing was impeccable. Maybe too impeccable.

Enter a proposed bill, which would bar government insiders from trading on markets tied to political outcomes. When bets start front-running foreign policy, the vibes on Capitol Hill get uncomfortable fast.

— Brooks & Cas

Quantum computing and AI are advancing fast. The infrastructure required to deploy them at scale has lagged. That gap is where Spectral Capital (OTCQB: FCCN) has been operating for more than two decades.

Founded in Seattle in 2000, Spectral has focused on building AI-native and quantum-ready systems as integrated platforms, not disconnected parts. Today, the company controls more than 500 patent filings spanning AI systems, quantum-forward architectures, networking, cybersecurity, orchestration, and telecom infrastructure. This vertically integrated approach allows Spectral to turn intellectual property into operating leverage across multiple businesses.

That strategy is already producing meaningful revenue. Spectral projects about $274 million for 2025, with guidance of $450 million or more in 2026, driven by operating subsidiaries across voice, data, and security services. With revenue scaling and plans to uplist to Nasdaq, FCCN is preparing for its next phase of visibility and growth.

Coinbase $COIN ( ▼ 1.96% ) jumped after Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock to Buy, citing scale, brand strength, and new product momentum.

Okta $OKTA ( ▼ 1.81% ) gained after announcing a $1B share buyback program.

Estee Lauder $EL ( ▲ 3.14% ) rose after Raymond James upgraded the stock to Strong Buy and named it a top pick for 2026.

Domino’s Pizza $DPZ ( ▼ 0.37% ) slipped after TD Cowen downgraded the stock and trimmed 2026 same-store sales estimates.

Phillips 66 $PSX ( ▼ 1.43% ) surged after agreeing to acquire refinery assets tied to the liquidation of Lindsey Oil Refinery.

To monitor hot stocks in real time, check out The Street Feed.

Energy stocks moved higher as investors digested a surprising geopolitical twist.

Following the Trump administration’s overthrow of Venezuelan ruler Nicolas Maduro, President Trump publicly encouraged US oil companies to help rebuild Venezuela’s oil sector.

The South American nation holds the largest proven crude reserves in the world. However, the barrels are heavy, sulfur rich, and difficult to refine. That limits who can actually benefit if supply returns.

If Venezuelan crude flows increase, the biggest winners may be companies built to process exactly that kind of oil.

Only a small group of refineries can efficiently handle heavy sour crude. Most of them sit along the US Gulf Coast, where decades of investment created highly complex refining systems.

UBS $UBS ( ▲ 0.7% ) says Valero Energy $VLO ( ▼ 3.16% ) is best positioned if Venezuelan barrels reenter the market. Its Gulf Coast footprint and high complexity refineries allow it to turn discounted heavy crude into high yields of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.

Raymond James $RJF ( ▼ 0.4% ) agrees. The firm notes that much of the Gulf Coast system is designed for these barrels, naming Valero as the largest beneficiary by capacity. Marathon Petroleum $MPC ( ▼ 0.51% ) and Phillips 66 $PSX ( ▼ 1.43% ) also stand to gain, according to the firm, but at a smaller scale.

Data from Mizuho $MFG ( ▲ 1.15% ) shows how concentrated the exposure already is. Gulf Coast refiners account for more than 85% of Venezuelan crude imports into the US.

In October, the US imported about 135,000 barrels per day from Venezuela. Valero, Chevron $CVX ( ▲ 1.8% ) , and PBF Energy $PBF ( ▲ 1.93% ) were the largest importers, with Valero leading the group.

JPMorgan $JPM ( ▼ 0.18% ) cautions that details remain scarce and timelines uncertain. The consensus trade is to fade short-term crude rallies and selectively buy refiners exposed to heavy sour flows.

The consensus on Wall Street seems to be that this puts Valero in a sweet spot. When crude quality matters more than crude price, complexity may well win out.

Most AI and quantum companies focus on a single layer of the stack. Spectral Capital (OTCQB: FCCN) took a different path. For more than 20 years, the company has been building the connective infrastructure required to make advanced computing systems work together at scale.

Spectral develops core technologies internally across AI, networking, orchestration, and security, while selectively acquiring complementary platforms. The result is a cohesive technology stack supported by more than 500 patent filings and deployed across revenue-generating operating businesses.

That model has driven projected 2025 revenue of about $274 million, with announced guidance of $450 million or more for 2026. Cash flow from these businesses is reinvested into new acquisitions and platform expansion. Despite this scale, Spectral trades well below where many AI- and quantum-adjacent peers are valued. With plans to uplist to Nasdaq, FCCN is positioning itself for broader exposure as AI infrastructure demand accelerates.

CNBC: Stord acquired Shipwire, adding 12 locations and expanding its AI-powered logistics network.

ABC News: Novo Nordisk $NVO ( ▲ 2.56% ) launched the first oral Wegovy weight loss pill, making daily GLP-1 treatment available nationwide by prescription.

Reuters: Versant Media Group $VSNT ( ▲ 2.14% ) shares slumped in its market debut following its spinoff from Comcast $CMCSA ( ▲ 0.57% ).

TechCrunch: Amazon $AMZN ( ▲ 0.44% ) launched Alexa.com, bringing its AI-powered Alexa+ assistant to the web and expanding beyond devices.

Axios: Starbucks $SBUX ( ▲ 0.79% ) launched its 2026 winter menu featuring Dubai chocolate drinks and protein beverages to boost traffic.

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