Breed's Election and Larsen's Investments
Breed lost her bid for a second term to philanthropist Daniel Lurie. However, Larsen's investments paid off in the local supervisor race for District 5. He donated $50,000 to a PAC started by GrowSF, another moderate political organizing group working to unseat the board's sole Democratic Socialist, Dean Preston. Preston pointed out that there was a huge amount of spending by tech millionaires and billionaires against progressive candidates in District 5. It was more of a negative attack and disinformation campaign rather than propping up a different candidate.In Oakland, Coinbase's Jesse Pollak helped the Abundance Network raise nearly $500,000 to back a moderate slate of candidates for city council. In California, a Super PAC backed by crypto industry leaders spent nearly $10 million on ads against Katie Porter's run for Senate. She lost to fellow Democrat Adam Schiff in the March primary. Nationally, Silicon Valley poured more than $394.1 million into the presidential election this year. While Elon Musk supported Donald Trump, Larsen donated about $13 million to Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign.Jeremy Mack, Executive Director of the Phoenix Project, pointed out that Ripple and Coinbase are spending on the local level and people connected to them are pushing big money behind local politics. These two companies also became the biggest backers of nationwide cryptocurrency PACs that spent huge on elections across the country, mostly to unseat progressives and get the Republicans elected.The Abundance Network and GrowSF are among the political organizing groups that have emerged in San Francisco since the pandemic, tapping into residents' frustration over the city's struggles with homelessness, a drug overdose crisis, and crime. Others include TogetherSF backed by tech billionaire Michael Moritz and Stop Crime SF.Throughout the 2024 election cycle, tech leaders like Garry Tan, CEO of Y-Combinator and a board member of GrowSF, got directly involved in local political action and messaging. Tan became a prominent critic of Preston on social media, along with Musk who called for the supervisor to be "thrown in prison" on X.But tech money alone did not sway voters. Nancy Tung, who was elected Chair of the San Francisco Democratic Party this spring as part of the board's shift to a moderate-majority, pointed out that Supervisor Chan held her seat with big donations from organized labor, defeating efforts from GrowSF and TogetherSF to replace Chan with a moderate Democrat, Marjan Philhour.Democrat Bilal Mahmood, who unseated Preston, said the outcome came down to messaging and voters wanting change. He believed that money was not the deciding factor in the race. Preston lost because his messaging was out of touch with what the district wanted. There are now people in tech involved at the grassroots level on both sides.Progressive political consultant Jim Ross said that big donors themselves did not agree on candidates across the board. In the District 5 race, they were able to use their money to back a new candidate and get people to knock on doors and develop strong messaging that was compelling to the district.The POL Token and Polygon Network
The POL token serves as the utility token of the Polygon network, a Layer 2 scaling solution that works in tandem with the Ethereum blockchain. This allows for faster transactions and reduced costs. Since Cuban's disclosure, however, POL has seen a significant decline. It has plunged 26%, indicating potential challenges in the market.Polygon offers a unique approach to blockchain scalability, enabling developers to build decentralized applications with enhanced performance. Its integration with Ethereum provides a seamless transition for existing Ethereum-based projects.Injective and Its Specialization
INJ, the native token of Injective, is a blockchain dedicated to building decentralized finance applications. It focuses on providing a platform for innovative financial services. Cuban's investment in Injective highlights his belief in the potential of decentralized finance.Since Cuban's disclosure, INJ has also experienced a decline, falling 25%. This shows the volatility and unpredictability of the cryptocurrency market.Cuban's Previous Cryptocurrency Bets
Cuban's foray into cryptocurrencies is not limited to the projects he currently holds. In the past, he bet big on Dogecoin DOGE/USD and integrated it with his businesses. As the principal owner of the professional basketball team Dallas Mavericks, he started accepting Dogecoin as payment for tickets and merchandise.During the first month, the Mavericks saw $122,000 in Dogecoin sales and set several 24-hour records due to strong demand for using the meme coin for merchandise. This shows Cuban's ability to leverage emerging technologies and attract attention.Cuban's Views on Ethereum
Cuban has showered praise on Ethereum, deeming it the "closest" to a true currency. Ethereum's smart contract functionality and decentralized nature have made it a popular choice among developers and investors.Its role in the cryptocurrency ecosystem is significant, and Cuban's recognition of its value adds credibility to the platform.In conclusion, Mark Cuban's cryptocurrency ventures have been diverse and influential. His investments in both well-known and lesser-known coins have provided valuable insights into the market. His actions and opinions have shaped the landscape of cryptocurrencies and continue to attract attention.Uncover the NFL Week 15 Action with Our Comprehensive Guide
Thursday Night Football: Rams vs 49ers
On December 12, at 6:15 p.m., the Los Angeles Rams will go head-to-head with the San Francisco 49ers on Prime Video (stream on Amazon). The announcers for this highly anticipated game are Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst). Their expertise and passion for the game are sure to enhance the viewing experience and keep fans engaged from start to finish.
This matchup between the Rams and the 49ers is not to be missed. Both teams have a rich history and a talented roster, making it a battle for supremacy on the field. With Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit calling the action, fans can expect in-depth analysis and exciting commentary throughout the game.
Sunday Early Games: Cowboys vs Panthers, Chiefs vs Browns, Dolphins vs Texans, Jets vs Jaguars, Commanders vs Saints, Ravens vs Giants, Bengals vs Titans, Patriots vs Cardinals, Colts vs Broncos
On December 15, at 11 a.m., the Dallas Cowboys take on the Carolina Panthers on FOX (stream with FUBO). The announcers for this game are Kenny Albert (play-by-play) and Jonathan Vilma (analyst). Their combined knowledge and enthusiasm for the game will bring the action to life and keep viewers hooked.
Simultaneously, the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Cleveland Browns on CBS (stream with FUBO), with Ian Eagle (play-by-play) and Charles Davis (analyst) providing the commentary. This is a battle between two powerhouse teams, and fans can expect a high-intensity showdown.
Another exciting game on this Sunday morning is the Miami Dolphins vs Houston Texans on CBS (stream with FUBO), with Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Trent Green (analyst) at the helm. The Dolphins and Texans both have their own strengths and weaknesses, and this game will determine which team comes out on top.
The New York Jets take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at 11 a.m. on FOX (stream with FUBO), with Chris Myers (play-by-play) and Mark Schlereth (analyst) calling the action. This is a matchup between two teams looking to make a statement and climb the standings.
The Washington Commanders face the New Orleans Saints at 11 a.m. on FOX (stream with FUBO), with Joe Davis (play-by-play) and Greg Olsen (analyst) providing the commentary. Both teams have their own fan bases and a desire to win, making this a must-watch game.
The Baltimore Ravens go head-to-head with the New York Giants at 11 a.m. on CBS (stream with FUBO), with Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), Tiki Barber (analyst), and Jason McCourty (analyst) calling the action. This is a battle between two AFC teams, and the winner will gain an important edge in the playoff race.
The Cincinnati Bengals take on the Tennessee Titans at 11 a.m. on FOX (stream with FUBO), with Kevin Kugler (play-by-play) and Daryl Johnston (analyst) providing the commentary. Both teams have a strong offense and defense, and this game will be a test of their mettle.
The New England Patriots face the Arizona Cardinals at 2:25 p.m. on CBS (stream with FUBO), with Tom McCarthy (play-by-play), Ross Tucker (analyst), and Jay Feely (analyst) calling the action. The Patriots are a perennial playoff contender, while the Cardinals are looking to make a comeback. This game will be a battle of wits and skill.
The Indianapolis Colts take on the Denver Broncos at 2:25 p.m. on CBS (stream with FUBO), with Spero Dedes (play-by-play) and Adam Archuleta (analyst) providing the commentary. These two teams have a history of close games, and this matchup is sure to be no different.
Sunday Late Games: Bills vs Lions, Buccaneers vs Chargers, Packers vs Seahawks
At 2:25 p.m. on December 15, the Buffalo Bills face the Detroit Lions on CBS (stream with FUBO). With Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Tony Romo (analyst) calling the action, fans can expect a thrilling game filled with big plays and exciting moments. The Bills and Lions both have a talented roster and a desire to win, making this a must-see matchup.
Simultaneously, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Los Angeles Chargers on FOX (stream with FUBO), with Adam Amin (play-by-play) and Mark Sanchez (analyst) providing the commentary. The Buccaneers are looking to bounce back after a tough loss, while the Chargers are aiming to maintain their winning streak. This game will be a test of both teams' abilities.
The Green Bay Packers face the Seattle Seahawks at 6:20 p.m. on NBC (stream with Peacock), with Mike Tirico (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (analyst) calling the action. This is a matchup between two NFC powerhouses, and fans can expect a high-intensity battle from start to finish.
Monday Night Football: Bears vs Vikings, Falcons vs Raiders
On December 16, at 6 p.m., the Chicago Bears take on the Minnesota Vikings on ABC and ESPN+ (stream with FUBO). The announcers for this game are Joe Buck (play-by-play) and Troy Aikman (analyst). Their experience and expertise will bring the action to life and keep fans on the edge of their seats.
At 6:30 p.m., the Atlanta Falcons face off against the Las Vegas Raiders on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (stream with FUBO), with Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Louis Riddick (analyst), and Dan Orlovsky (analyst) providing the commentary. This is a matchup between two teams with different playing styles, and fans can expect a unique and exciting game.