GAINS

<h2>Social Media Deception: The Two-Stage Recruitment Strategy Behind a Major Crypto Fraud</h2><p>The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently uncovered a massive $14 million cryptocurrency fraud scheme that relied on a meticulously crafted two-stage recruitment process via social media and private messaging apps like WhatsApp. In the initial phase, scammers posed as representatives from legitimate-sounding investment firms such as AI Wealth Inc. and Lane Wealth Inc., using polished social media profiles to lure potential victims with promises of high-yield crypto opportunities backed by advanced algorithms. These profiles featured fabricated success stories, stock images of professional teams, and endorsements from supposed industry experts to build instant credibility. Once hooked, targets were moved to the second stage: exclusive WhatsApp groups where "advisors" provided personalized pitches, shared fake performance charts, and urged quick deposits into sham trading platforms. This psychological funnel exploited trust in social proof and FOMO (fear of missing out), leading over 100 victims to transfer funds totaling $14 million between 2023 and 2025. Perpetrators masked their operations across multiple countries, using VPNs and anonymous accounts to evade detection. The SEC's investigation revealed coordinated scripts and bot-driven interactions that mimicked genuine outreach from reputable firms. Victims, often retirees or novice investors, reported losses after being shown illusory profits that vanished upon withdrawal attempts. This case underscores the dangers of unsolicited crypto invitations on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn, where verification is minimal. To counter such tactics, investors must prioritize platforms with proven transparency, such as MEXC, which employs real-time risk monitoring and full asset compensation mechanisms to protect users from similar deceptions. By understanding this two-phase strategy, individuals can spot red flags early, like pressure to join private chats or unverifiable firm credentials, safeguarding their assets in the volatile crypto space.</p><h2>Unmasking Fraudulent Exchanges: How Morocoin, Berge, and Cirkor Deceived Users</h2><p>Delving deeper into the SEC's findings, the $14 million fraud hinged on three bogus cryptocurrency exchanges—Morocoin, Berge, and Cirkor—that masqueraded as fully regulated platforms with government backing. These sites boasted sleek interfaces mimicking legitimate exchanges, complete with dynamic trading dashboards displaying fabricated gains of up to 300% in days. Scammers claimed affiliations with top-tier regulators, flashing counterfeit certificates and seals to assure compliance. Users deposited funds via popular networks like Ethereum or Binance Smart Chain, only to see "profits" accrue on screen—purely illusory balances generated by backend scripts. Withdrawal requests triggered the trap: demands for "tax fees," "verification deposits," or claims of "frozen accounts" due to "compliance reviews," siphoning even more money in a classic Ponzi escalation. Internal ledgers showed funds were immediately routed to scammers' wallets, leaving victims with zero recourse. Morocoin targeted U.S. users with patriotic branding, Berge focused on European accents in chat support, and Cirkor used AI chatbots for 24/7 responsiveness. The scheme collapsed when whistleblowers reported patterns to authorities, prompting SEC raids and asset freezes. This mirrors broader industry warnings about unverified platforms lacking proof-of-reserves audits. In contrast, legitimate venues like MEXC undergo independent audits by firms such as Hacken, confirming 100% asset backing and transparent user balances to prevent such manipulations. Investors should always demand on-chain proof, check for multisig wallets, and avoid platforms blocking outflows without clear justification. Recognizing these hallmarks—guaranteed returns, fake dashboards, and fee traps—empowers users to steer clear, preserving capital for genuine opportunities.</p><h2>Building False Authority: AI-Powered Advisory Services and Synthetic Media Manipulation</h2><p>Fraudsters in the $14 million scheme elevated their con by constructing an aura of cutting-edge authority through AI-driven "advisory services" and synthetic media. Posing as AI Wealth Inc., they deployed chatbots generating tailored investment advice, citing "proprietary algorithms" analyzing real-time blockchain data for unbeatable crypto picks. Victims received deepfake videos of charismatic executives delivering webinars, complete with forged testimonials from actors lip-syncing scripted praise. Social validation was amplified via bot-farmed likes, shares, and group chats simulating bustling communities of satisfied investors. This emotional engineering preyed on aspirations for financial freedom, coaxing transfers of life savings into the scam ecosystem. Deepfakes were particularly insidious, replicating voices and faces of real influencers to endorse the scheme, blurring lines between authenticity and fabrication. WhatsApp groups fostered exclusivity, with "VIP tiers" unlocking "insider signals" that promised 50% weekly returns. The SEC traced IP addresses linking these entities to overseas call centers, where scripts blended hype with faux empathy. As crypto evolves, such AI misuse highlights vulnerabilities in media trust. Legitimate platforms counter this with verifiable security: MEXC integrates robust 2FA, hardware wallet support, and encrypted backups, alongside real-time monitoring to flag suspicious activities before losses occur. Users can protect themselves by verifying advisor credentials via official registries, scrutinizing video artifacts like unnatural blinks in deepfakes, and insisting on audited track records. This layer of deception reveals how scammers weaponize technology against the unwary, but diligence and trusted ecosystems like MEXC's Web3 wallet features provide a bulwark.</p><h2>Essential Warning Signs: Protecting Yourself from Cryptocurrency Investment Scams</h2><p>Armed with SEC insights from the $14 million fraud, recognizing key red flags is crucial for crypto safety: unverified regulatory claims, assured high returns, private messaging recruitment, high-pressure tactics, surprise withdrawal fees, and secrecy oaths. Legitimate opportunities never guarantee profits, as markets are inherently volatile; promises of "risk-free" gains signal Ponzi mechanics. Private channels like WhatsApp bypass public scrutiny, ideal for scams—always cross-check contacts officially. Aggressive urgency exploits impulsivity, while fee demands post-deposit scream exit scams. Demand full transparency: proof-of-reserves, user fund audits, and clear withdrawal policies without hidden costs. Conduct due diligence by reviewing whitepapers, blockchain explorers for holder distributions, and third-party audits—avoiding concentration risks or unlocked token dumps. Secure practices include using hardware wallets for holdings, enabling 2FA and whitelists, double-checking addresses to thwart poisoning attacks, and starting with test transfers. Platforms like MEXC exemplify safety with Hacken-verified 100% asset backing, instant risk compensation, trading insurance funds, and features like withdrawal confirmations. Stay skeptical of unsolicited offers; research independently via official sites, not social hype. In 2025, as threats like address poisoning rise, proactive tools—real-time alerts, multisig setups—fortify defenses. By prioritizing compliant, audited venues like MEXC with transparent operations, investors mitigate risks, focusing on sustainable growth over get-rich-quick mirages. Education and vigilance remain the ultimate shields in crypto's dynamic landscape.</p>

$14 Million Crypto Fraud Exposed: How Social Engineering Tactics Deceived Investors

Social Media Deception: The Two-Stage Recruitment Strategy Behind a Major Crypto Fraud The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently uncovered a massive $14 million cryptocurrency fraud

<h2>1. Stablecoins Cross the $300 Billion Threshold: From Niche Innovation to Financial Cornerstone</h2><p>Stablecoins have surged past the <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$300 billion</strong> market capitalization mark in 2025, evolving from a niche cryptocurrency tool into a cornerstone of global financial infrastructure. By late November 2025, the total stablecoin market stood at <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$303 billion</strong>, marking a significant milestone despite a brief monthly dip of $4.54 billion—the first in 26 months—driven by broader crypto market corrections. This growth trajectory reflects explosive expansion, with the sector achieving near-doubling annually since 2020, fueled by institutional investments and real-world utility. Leading issuers like Tether (USDT) and Circle (USDC) now hold vast reserves in <strong style="font-weight:bolder">United States Treasury instruments</strong>, positioning them as major players in traditional finance and creating a symbiotic loop where on-chain dollars bolster Treasury demand. On platforms like <strong style="font-weight:bolder">MEXC</strong>, stablecoins extend far beyond trading, enabling seamless liquidity for derivatives, DeFi participation, and cross-border settlements, with trading volumes hitting <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$1.48 trillion</strong> in centralized exchanges alone during recent months. Institutional inflows, including from tokenized assets and corporate treasuries, have accelerated this shift, with projections from firms like JPMorgan eyeing <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$500-750 billion</strong> by 2028, underscoring stablecoins' role as a bridge between crypto and legacy systems. This maturation signals a paradigm change, where stablecoins underpin not just speculation but essential economic functions, attracting sovereign funds and banks seeking yield and efficiency. MEXC's robust support for these assets ensures users access this infrastructure with minimal friction, highlighting the platform's forward-thinking integration.</p><h2>2. The Stablecoin Landscape: Analyzing USDT, USDC, and Emerging Market Players</h2><p>The stablecoin market in 2025 is dominated by <strong style="font-weight:bolder">USDT</strong> and <strong style="font-weight:bolder">USDC</strong>, which together command roughly <strong style="font-weight:bolder">90%</strong> of total supply, with USDT at <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$184 billion</strong> (60.9% dominance) and USDC at <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$73.5 billion</strong>, per late-year data. USDT's 27th consecutive month of growth, up 0.56%, stems from its unparalleled liquidity on chains like Tron and Ethereum, making it the go-to for payments and trading volumes worldwide. USDC, meanwhile, excels in regulatory-compliant markets like Argentina and India, backed by transparent reserves and Circle's focus on institutional-grade audits. Emerging players like <strong style="font-weight:bolder">United Stables ($U)</strong> are gaining traction through innovative reserve strategies and ecosystem partnerships, challenging the duopoly by emphasizing yield-bearing mechanisms and multi-chain compatibility, though they trail in scale. Competition has shifted from raw market share—USDT holds <strong style="font-weight:bolder">75.8%</strong> of centralized exchange activity—to superior reserve management, with issuers diversifying into short-term Treasuries for stability and yield. Technological edges, such as USDC's native integrations and USDT's vast network effects, drive adoption, while <strong style="font-weight:bolder">MEXC</strong> facilitates trading and utilization of these assets, offering users low-fee pairs and DeFi gateways. Regulatory adherence remains a key differentiator; USDC's NYDFS-aligned model appeals to institutions, contrasting USDT's volume-driven expansion. This dynamic landscape fosters innovation, with total volumes reaching <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$26.1 trillion</strong> in 2024 alone, spilling into 2025's <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$8 trillion</strong> in annual transfers via 1 billion transactions, per market trackers. MEXC's listings ensure traders capture these trends without exchange silos.</p><h2>3. Expanding Horizons: How Stablecoins Are Transforming DeFi Ecosystems, International Transfers, and Corporate Treasury Management</h2><p>Stablecoins are reshaping <strong style="font-weight:bolder">DeFi</strong>, remittances, and corporate treasuries in 2025, powering <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$1.5 trillion</strong> in DEX volumes on networks like Solana alone, where supply hit <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$17 billion</strong>. In DeFi, they serve as collateral and liquidity buffers, with <strong style="font-weight:bolder">MEXC</strong> providing direct access to integrated protocols for yield farming and lending, stabilizing volatile markets amid 58% Solana price drops. International transfers benefit from stablecoins' speed and cost advantages, processing <strong style="font-weight:bolder">5-10%</strong> of 2024's <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$26.1 trillion</strong> volumes as genuine payments—estimated at <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$1.3 trillion</strong>—outpacing legacy rails. Partnerships with processors like Visa and Mastercard embed stablecoins into everyday commerce, while Japan's regulatory nods and Basel Committee's classifications legitimize them as Tier 1 assets. Corporates, including those staking over <strong style="font-weight:bolder">12.5 million SOL</strong> via treasuries, allocate billions to stablecoin reserves for hedging and yield, with tokenized Treasuries surging 10x. This exerts pressure on banks through deposit competition, as stablecoin issuers absorb <strong style="font-weight:bolder">U.S. Treasury demand</strong>, enhancing dollar credibility in a closed loop. On MEXC, users leverage these for DeFi solutions, from prediction markets like Polymarket's highs to <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$2.3 trillion</strong> North American inflows. Transaction counts reached <strong style="font-weight:bolder">1 billion annually</strong>, transferring <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$8 trillion</strong>, signaling maturation beyond trading. Emerging chains like Polygon and Binance Smart Chain amplify this, with euro-pegged stablecoins hitting <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$638 million</strong> peaks despite downturns. Stablecoins thus disrupt silos, offering 24/7 settlement and programmable money, with MEXC at the forefront for seamless adoption.</p><h2>4. The Regulatory Maturity Factor: Understanding the Forces Behind 2025's Stablecoin Momentum</h2><p>Regulatory clarity in 2025 has propelled stablecoins from speculative tools to institutional imperatives, with frameworks like <strong style="font-weight:bolder">NYDFS Trust charters</strong> mandating full reserve backing and third-party audits. This maturity—evident in U.S. progress and Japan's oversight—ensures <strong style="font-weight:bolder">100% Treasury-backed reserves</strong>, building trust for <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$303 billion</strong> in circulation and fostering <strong style="font-weight:bolder">70%+ growth</strong> to <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$500 billion</strong> by 2026. Transparent attestations from issuers like Circle differentiate compliant players, elevating USDC amid USDT's dominance. Basel standards classify stablecoins as high-quality liquid assets, spurring bank integrations and challenging payment networks with cheaper, faster alternatives. <strong style="font-weight:bolder">MEXC</strong> upholds these standards in listings, prioritizing audited assets for user safety amid <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$1.48 trillion</strong> volumes. Forces like tokenized deposits and CBDC pilots temper explosive growth but affirm coexistence, with JPMorgan noting trading/derivatives as core drivers over payments. Full backing addresses past opacity concerns, enabling corporate adoption—<strong style="font-weight:bolder">$29 billion</strong> raised for digital treasuries—and DeFi collateral needs. This certainty counters 2025's volatility, like the first monthly cap decline, by prioritizing utility over speculation. Hashdex's outlook positions 2026 as utility-driven, with stablecoins integral to portfolios via institutional participation. MEXC's compliance fortifies this ecosystem, ensuring listings meet global benchmarks. Ultimately, regulation transforms stablecoins into operational bedrock, disrupting banks while aligning with sovereign finance.</p>

Stablecoins in 2025: The Rise of Digital Dollar Infrastructure

1. Stablecoins Cross the $300 Billion Threshold: From Niche Innovation to Financial Cornerstone Stablecoins have surged past the $300 billion market capitalization mark in 2025, evolving from a niche

<p>APR (Annual Percentage Rate) in crypto is the simple annualized interest rate applied to your deposited digital assets—used widely for staking, lending, and liquidity provision—and it measures returns based solely on your original principal without accounting for compounding effects.</p>

<h2>Essential context and how APR maps to crypto use cases</h2>

<p>APR began as a conventional-finance metric to advertise and compare interest on loans and deposits, and the crypto industry has adopted it to give users a straightforward baseline for expected returns on activities such as staking, lending, and providing liquidity. In crypto, APRs are shaped by protocol issuance schedules, network economics (e.g., inflationary token issuance to reward validators), market demand for borrowing, and platform-specific incentives—so the same token can show materially different APRs across products and timeframes. The defining characteristic of APR is its simplicity: it reports the annual percentage earned on the initial amount only, which makes it useful for quick comparisons when compounding is not being used or when products (like flexible staking) allow frequent withdrawal and therefore effectively prevent automatic reinvestment.</p>

<h2>Why APR matters — clarity and trade-offs for crypto users</h2>

<p>APR's greatest value is transparency: because it ignores compounding, it gives a clear, easy-to-understand figure that shows how much interest you'll earn on your original deposit over a year if rewards are not reinvested. That clarity is especially useful for flexible staking or short-duration lending where holders need access to funds or want predictable, linear returns. However, the flip side is that APR understates the effective growth when returns are reinvested frequently—APY (Annual Percentage Yield) captures that compounding benefit and can materially change long-term outcomes. Users should therefore treat APR as a baseline comparator and check whether the product they use compounds rewards automatically or allows manual reinvestment before projecting long-term performance.</p>

<h2>APR versus APY — how the choice affects your long-term earnings</h2>

<p>APR and APY address the same economic reality from two perspectives: APR reports simple interest on the principal, while APY reports the effective annualized return including compounding. Numerically, APY = (1 + r/n)^(n) − 1 for nominal rate r and n compounding periods per year, which yields a higher percentage than APR when n > 1. For example, a nominal 10% APR with monthly compounding produces an APY of about 10.47% (because interest earned each month begins earning interest itself), whereas the APR figure would remain 10% and therefore understate the real growth if you reinvest. In practice: choose APR when you plan to keep earnings separate or need a simple comparison; choose APY when you or the product will compound rewards. For long-term staking, small APY differences compound into significant gaps in final balances, so always convert between APR and APY when comparing offers that use different conventions.</p>

<h2>Step-by-step: calculating crypto staking APR (and adapting it)</h2>

<p>The basic APR calculation is intentionally simple: Initial Amount × Interest Rate × Duration (where duration is the fraction of a year). For a whole year this reduces to Principal × APR. For shorter periods, convert days to a year (e.g., 30 days ≈ 30/365). When rates are expressed as annualized but paid more frequently, APR still refers to the simple annualized percentage without compounding. In crypto, you must also adapt the formula for variable-rate products: compute realized APR by summing weighted returns across discrete subperiods (e.g., daily rates) and annualizing the result, or track the time-weighted average rate to estimate expected yearly return. Practical tips: (1) confirm whether the product's advertised figure is APR or APY, (2) use the product's historical reward rate to estimate a realistic APR when rates are variable, and (3) factor in token price fluctuations—because staking rewards are typically paid in the native token, realized fiat returns depend on price movement.</p>

<h2>Where APR is applied in crypto — staking, lending, liquidity</h2>

<p>APR is commonly reported across three categories:</p>

<p>Staking: Network protocols issue new tokens to validators/stakers to secure the chain; the reward schedule determines the APR for staking a native token. Staking APRs reflect issuance rates, delegation dynamics, and any protocol-level inflation adjustments.</p>

<p>Crypto lending: Lenders who deposit assets to earn from borrowers receive interest often quoted as APR; borrowing demand, collateral types, and LTV limits drive these rates.</p>

<p>Liquidity provision: Automated market maker (AMM) pools and other liquidity products quote APRs for fees and token incentives paid to liquidity providers; in this context APR reports fee-and-incentive returns on the original deposit without compounding from reinvestment.</p>

<p>Each use case brings distinct risks—slashing or validator penalties for staking, counterparty or smart-contract risk for lending, and impermanent loss for liquidity provision—so APR must be interpreted alongside risk assessment and protocol documentation.</p>

<h2>Evaluating APR opportunities in 2024–2025: sustainable returns vs. yield chasing</h2>

<p>In recent periods, well-established networks with large staking bases have offered relatively modest APRs (for example, single-digit APRs around 3–6% for certain major proof-of-stake networks), while newer chains and liquidity incentives have posted much higher advertised APRs—sometimes 20% or higher—to bootstrap participation. High APRs can be attractive but are often transient: they may stem from temporary token inflation, short-term incentive programs, or low liquidity that magnifies percentage yields. Sustainable returns depend on tokenomics (how many tokens are minted as staking rewards), protocol security, token utility, and the economics of demand for the asset. When comparing APRs on a platform, prioritize projects with transparent economics (whitepapers or official docs), audited smart contracts, and realistic issuance schedules rather than chasing the highest headline number.</p>

<h2>How to use MEXC product information responsibly (and where to look)</h2>

<p>When evaluating APR opportunities offered through MEXC, consult the token's official white paper and the project's website for primary information about issuance rates, reward schedules, and protocol risk disclosures; these sources provide authoritative context on how a token's APR is generated and its long-term sustainability. MEXC's product pages typically present the platform APR or APY depending on the product—confirm which convention is used and whether rewards are distributed in-kind or in another token. Always read the official documentation links associated with each product and consider the smart‑contract audit history when available.</p>

<h2>Key takeaways for readers</h2>

<p>APR gives a clear, conservative baseline for returns because it excludes compounding and reports interest on the original principal only.</p>

<p>Use APR for flexible or non‑reinvesting products and APY when compounding occurs; convert between them before comparing offers.</p>

<p>High APRs can be temporary; prioritize durable tokenomics, official documentation, and risk controls documented in the project white paper before allocating capital.</p>

<p>If you'd like, I can convert APR examples into concrete numeric scenarios using a particular token's published issuance schedule or MEXC product info (I'll use the token's white paper and project website as primary sources). Tell me which token or MEXC product you want modeled, and I'll produce step-by-step calculations and a short risk checklist.</p>

APR (Annual Percentage Rate) in Crypto: A Comprehensive Guide

APR (Annual Percentage Rate) in crypto is the simple annualized interest rate applied to your deposited digital assets—used widely for staking, lending, and liquidity provision—and it measures

<div><div>If you’re researching <strong style="font-weight:bolder">Microsoft stock (MSFT)</strong>, you’re looking at one of the most important <strong style="font-weight:bolder">US stocks</strong> in modern technology. Microsoft is known for Windows and Office, but the company’s earnings power today is heavily shaped by <strong style="font-weight:bolder">cloud computing (Azure)</strong>, <strong style="font-weight:bolder">subscription software (Microsoft 365)</strong>, and enterprise platforms that sit inside thousands of businesses globally.</div><div>This guide explains what Microsoft (MSFT) is, what industry it operates in, what Microsoft sells, <strong style="font-weight:bolder">how Microsoft makes money</strong>, how it returns capital via <strong style="font-weight:bolder">MSFT dividends and share repurchases</strong>, who Microsoft competes with, what drives long-term growth, which risks matter, and the <strong style="font-weight:bolder">key metrics</strong> many traders watch when following MSFT stock.</div><h2><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Microsoft (MSFT) at a Glance</strong></h2><div>Microsoft Corporation is a global technology company founded in 1975 and best known for building software platforms that power work, cloud infrastructure, and developer ecosystems. Over time, Microsoft expanded from PC operating systems into productivity software, cloud services, cybersecurity, business applications, gaming, and AI-enabled tools.</div><div>A simple way to understand Microsoft as a business is this: it sells “platforms” that companies and consumers build workflows on top of—then monetizes those platforms through subscriptions, usage-based cloud spending, licensing, and services.</div><h2><strong style="font-weight:bolder">MSFT Stock Basics: NASDAQ Listing and IPO Date</strong></h2><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Ticker:</strong> MSFT</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Exchange:</strong> NASDAQ Stock Market (commonly referenced as Nasdaq; Microsoft is listed on Nasdaq’s Global Select Market)</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">IPO (went public):</strong> March 13, 1986</div><div> </div><div>Microsoft’s Nasdaq listing matters because Nasdaq is the primary home for many large-cap technology and software companies, which helps explain why <strong style="font-weight:bolder">MSFT stock</strong> is heavily covered by analysts, widely included in major benchmarks, and frequently traded in U.S. markets.</div><div>The IPO date is also useful context when you look up <strong style="font-weight:bolder">MSFT stock price history</strong> or try to understand how Microsoft evolved from a PC software company into a global cloud and AI platform leader over multiple decades of public-market cycles.</div><h2><strong style="font-weight:bolder">What Industry Is Microsoft (MSFT) In?</strong></h2><div>Microsoft is generally classified within the technology sector, but “technology” is too broad to be useful unless you break it into what actually drives revenue and margins. In practice, Microsoft sits at the intersection of:</div><div> </div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Enterprise software and subscriptions</strong> (Microsoft 365, Teams, Dynamics)</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Cloud infrastructure and platforms</strong> (Azure and related cloud services)</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Consumer and device-related software ecosystems</strong> (Windows, Surface, search, gaming)</div><div> </div><div>In its own reporting, Microsoft organizes the business into three segments: <strong style="font-weight:bolder">Productivity and Business Processes</strong>, <strong style="font-weight:bolder">Intelligent Cloud</strong>, and <strong style="font-weight:bolder">More Personal Computing</strong>—a structure that’s helpful for MSFT investors because it maps closely to how the company monetizes demand.</div><h2><strong style="font-weight:bolder">What Does Microsoft Sell?</strong></h2><div>When people ask “what does Microsoft do,” they’re usually really asking what Microsoft sells that customers keep paying for year after year.</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Productivity (work and collaboration)</strong></div><div>Microsoft 365 (Office apps and cloud services), Teams, Exchange/Outlook-related services, plus business tools that companies standardize for daily operations.</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Cloud (Azure and enterprise infrastructure)</strong></div><div>Azure and cloud services power apps, databases, storage, analytics, security tooling, and (increasingly) AI workloads inside enterprises and cloud-native companies.</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Business applications and networks</strong></div><div>Dynamics (business apps like CRM/ERP) and LinkedIn (professional network monetized through recruiting, ads, and premium subscriptions).</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Personal computing and gaming</strong></div><div>Windows, gaming (Xbox content and services), devices in certain categories, and search/news advertising exposure in its consumer-facing ecosystem.</div><h2><strong style="font-weight:bolder">How Microsoft Makes Money</strong></h2><div>Microsoft’s business model is best understood as <strong style="font-weight:bolder">recurring revenue + usage-based cloud + ecosystem distribution</strong>.</div><h3><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Microsoft 365 and subscription monetization</strong></h3><div>For many organizations, Microsoft 365 is not a one-time purchase—it’s an operating expense that renews. Over time, Microsoft tries to expand value per user through security bundles, collaboration features, compliance tooling, and (more recently) AI add-ons.</div><h3><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Azure and cloud consumption</strong></h3><div>Azure is often central to the MSFT stock thesis because cloud spending can scale with customer usage. As companies move workloads from on-prem data centers to cloud infrastructure, Azure can benefit from long migration cycles and ongoing consumption.</div><h3><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Platform ecosystems that create switching costs</strong></h3><div>Microsoft’s advantage is not just “a product.” It’s how products connect: identity, device management, security, developer tooling, and integrations that make switching more expensive (in time, retraining, and operational risk). That’s why many traders view MSFT as a “platform” stock rather than a single-product company.</div><h3><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Enterprise distribution and long sales cycles</strong></h3><div>Microsoft sells into large organizations with multi-quarter procurement and renewal patterns. That can smooth revenue versus purely consumer-driven companies, but it also means deal timing, IT budgets, and cloud optimization cycles can impact short-term results.</div><h2><strong style="font-weight:bolder">MSFT Dividends and Shareholder Returns</strong></h2><div>Many investors also track Microsoft as a <strong style="font-weight:bolder">shareholder-return US stock</strong>, not only a growth name.</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Dividends (MSFT dividend)</strong></div><div>Microsoft pays a regular dividend and has a history of raising it over time. For example, Microsoft announced a quarterly dividend of <strong style="font-weight:bolder">$0.91 per share</strong> in September 2025 (an increase from the prior quarterly rate), with details on record date and payment timing provided in the company’s release.</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Share repurchases (buybacks)</strong></div><div>Microsoft has also been an active buyer of its own shares. In its FY2025 annual report, Microsoft disclosed repurchasing <strong style="font-weight:bolder">31 million shares for $13.0 billion</strong> in fiscal 2025 and <strong style="font-weight:bolder">32 million shares for $12.0 billion</strong> in fiscal 2024, and it noted remaining authorization under its repurchase program.</div><div>If you’re analyzing MSFT as a dividend-and-buyback stock, a practical approach is to watch whether free cash flow and operating margins support (1) dividend growth and (2) consistent repurchases across cycles—especially during heavy AI infrastructure investment phases.</div><h2><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Microsoft Competitors: Who Competes With MSFT?</strong></h2><div>“Microsoft competitors” depends on the product area, because MSFT competes across multiple markets:</div><div> </div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Cloud:</strong> Amazon (AWS) and Google (Google Cloud) are the most common Azure comparisons.</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Productivity & collaboration:</strong> Google Workspace is the clearest alternative to Microsoft 365 for many organizations.</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Enterprise apps:</strong> Salesforce and other SaaS vendors compete in CRM/ERP and adjacent workflows.</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Operating systems and devices:</strong> Apple competes in premium computing ecosystems; Google competes through Android and web-first workflows.</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Gaming:</strong> Sony and other ecosystem players compete for content, subscriptions, and engagement.</div><div> </div><div>A useful way to think about Microsoft competition is that MSFT often wins on distribution, integration, and enterprise standardization—not only on feature checklists.</div><h2><strong style="font-weight:bolder">What Usually Drives Microsoft’s Growth as a US Stock</strong></h2><div>Microsoft’s long-term growth drivers typically include:</div><div> </div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Cloud migration and Azure expansion</strong> as more workloads move to cloud and data center modernization continues.</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Subscription growth and pricing power</strong> inside Microsoft 365 and enterprise bundles.</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">AI platform adoption</strong> as businesses pay for AI-assisted productivity and AI infrastructure (which can increase cloud usage).</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Security and compliance demand</strong> as cyber risk pushes companies toward platform vendors with broad tooling.</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Enterprise ecosystem depth</strong> (developers, IT admins, integrations) which can keep churn low.</div><div> </div><h2><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Key Risks Investors Should Know About MSFT Stock</strong></h2><div>A balanced <strong style="font-weight:bolder">MSFT stock</strong> overview should mention risks that can affect both fundamentals and valuation:</div><div> </div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Cloud spending cycles:</strong> Enterprises can optimize cloud usage in slowdowns, affecting near-term growth rates.</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">AI infrastructure costs:</strong> Large capex cycles can pressure margins or free cash flow timing.</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Competition in cloud and productivity:</strong> Aggressive pricing or feature competition can impact growth and retention.</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Regulatory pressure:</strong> Big Tech scrutiny can influence business practices and acquisitions.</div><div><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Execution risk:</strong> Product transitions (including AI features) must translate into real customer value and paid adoption.</div><div> </div><h2><strong style="font-weight:bolder">MSFT Stock Key Metrics to Watch</strong></h2><div>If you want a “high-signal” MSFT checklist, focus on metrics that tie directly to earnings durability:</div><div>Segment performance and commentary (especially <strong style="font-weight:bolder">Intelligent Cloud / Azure</strong>)</div><div>Gross margin trends and drivers (mix, cloud efficiency, AI infrastructure scaling)</div><div>Operating leverage (how fast costs grow vs revenue)</div><div>Free cash flow and capital return pace (dividends + buybacks)</div><div>Guidance and management tone around demand, renewals, and cloud optimization</div><div>Any disclosures on backlog/obligations that indicate multi-year demand visibility</div><h2><strong style="font-weight:bolder">What is MSFTON?</strong></h2><div>Some traders also follow MSFT-linked markets on crypto platforms that list tokenized or tracker-style products.</div><h3><strong style="font-weight:bolder">MSFTON (Microsoft — Ondo Tokenized Stock)</strong></h3><div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.mexc.com/exchange/MSFTON_USDT?_from=search_spot_trade" rel="noopener noreferrer">MSFTON</a> is commonly shown as <strong style="font-weight:bolder">“Microsoft (Ondo Tokenized Stock)”</strong> and is associated with Ondo Global Markets, an on-chain tokenization initiative. Ondo Finance is widely reported as being co-founded in 2021 by Nathan Allman and Pinku Surana.</div><div>MEXC has publicly stated it joined the Ondo Global Markets Alliance and listed Ondo tokenized stocks on <strong style="font-weight:bolder">September 3, 2025</strong>.</div><div>In market terms, MSFTON is generally described as a token designed to track or reference Microsoft’s stock value; pricing information is published on major crypto data platforms (for example, CoinGecko lists a live MSFTON price and chart).</div><h2><strong style="font-weight:bolder">FAQ</strong></h2><h3><strong style="font-weight:bolder">What is Microsoft (MSFT) in simple terms?</strong></h3><div>Microsoft is a global technology company that sells software subscriptions (Microsoft 365), cloud services (Azure), business platforms (Dynamics, LinkedIn), and consumer ecosystems (Windows and gaming), which together drive MSFT stock performance over time.</div><h3><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Does MSFT pay a dividend?</strong></h3><div>Yes. Microsoft pays a regular dividend and has raised it over time; for example, it announced a quarterly dividend of $0.91 per share in September 2025.</div><h3><strong style="font-weight:bolder">What exchange is MSFT stock listed on?</strong></h3><div>Microsoft’s common stock trades on Nasdaq under the ticker MSFT.</div><h3><strong style="font-weight:bolder">What usually moves MSFT stock price?</strong></h3><div>Common drivers include earnings and guidance, Azure/cloud growth signals, margin trends (especially during AI infrastructure buildouts), and broader market sentiment toward large-cap US tech stocks.</div><h3><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Is tokenized MSFT (like MSFTON or MSFTX) the same as owning MSFT shares?</strong></h3><div>Not necessarily. These products are generally described as tracking or referencing MSFT’s value, but they may not provide the same shareholder rights or protections as brokerage-held shares.</div><div> </div><div><i><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Disclaimer:</strong> This article is for educational purposes and general research. It is not financial advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security.</i></div></div>

What Is Microsoft (MSFT)?

If you’re researching Microsoft stock (MSFT), you’re looking at one of the most important US stocks in modern technology. Microsoft is known for Windows and Office, but the company’s earnings power

<h2>1. Infrared Protocol Launches Revolutionary Native Staking Program on Berachain</h2><p>Infrared Protocol stands as a premier liquidity staking solution deeply embedded in the Berachain ecosystem, pioneering infrastructure around Berachain's innovative Proof-of-Liquidity (PoL) mechanism. This protocol maximizes value capture by delivering user-friendly liquid solutions for staking native tokens like BGT and BERA, alongside node infrastructure and automated yield vaults, enabling seamless participation in Berachain's yield economy. The debut of Infrared's native IR staking rewards system marks a transformative milestone, with IR token distribution kicking off on December 17, 2025, via a structured Token Generation Event (TGE), and full staking functionality set to roll out in January 2026. This timeline aligns perfectly with Berachain's maturing infrastructure, positioning early participants to capitalize on ecosystem growth. The IR token boasts three core utilities that drive its appeal: first, it empowers holders in governance decisions, allowing stakers to shape protocol evolution through decentralized voting; second, it facilitates revenue sharing via sophisticated buyback mechanisms that redistribute protocol earnings directly to participants; and third, its strategic distribution model is engineered to optimize staker returns, fostering long-term alignment between users and the network. Infrared's Proof-of-Liquidity foundation unifies liquid staking, validator operations, and yield optimization, bridging the gap between passive staking rewards and active liquidity provision across DeFi platforms. As Berachain dominates with 72.7% of its activity in DeFi trading volume, Infrared's launch equips users with iBGT and iBERA derivatives—liquid staking tokens that maintain composability while accruing yields—setting a new standard for capital efficiency in this high-performance EVM-compatible chain. Backed by $18.75 million in institutional funding, this initiative not only enhances Berachain's PoL flywheels but also promises sustainable rewards derived from genuine protocol usage, free from inflationary pressures. For investors and yield seekers on MEXC, this represents a gateway to Berachain's burgeoning economy, where IR staking will unlock compounded benefits as network throughput expands.</p><h2>2. Complete Guide to Staking IR Tokens and Generating sIR Yield</h2><p>Getting started with Infrared's native IR staking on Berachain is straightforward, beginning with acquiring IR tokens through MEXC, which supports seamless access to this Berachain-native asset following its TGE on December 17, 2025. Users can also retrieve any eligible airdrop allocations directly from Infrared's official interface, leveraging Berachain's deposit support that became effective immediately post-launch. Once secured, connect your digital wallet—such as MetaMask configured for Berachain—to Infrared's intuitive dashboard at infrared.finance, ensuring compatibility with the Berachain network for smooth interactions. Initiate staking by depositing IR tokens into the protocol's non-custodial staking contract; in return, you'll receive sIR tokens, which represent your staked position and automatically accrue value over time through the appreciating exchange ratio. Infrared's flexible model shines here: it's fully non-custodial, meaning you retain control of your assets without mandatory lock-up periods, allowing instant unstaking if needed while still earning yields. This eliminates common DeFi pitfalls like impermanent loss or rigid vesting, prioritizing user sovereignty. Track your accruing rewards and performance metrics via the real-time dashboard, which displays live sIR balances, yield rates, Red Fund contributions, and historical performance charts for transparent oversight. For optimal results, maintain your sIR holdings to benefit from continuous revenue accrual; as protocol fees from liquid staking derivatives like iBGT and iBERA flow in, they bolster the buyback mechanism, enhancing sIR's value proposition. MEXC users benefit from integrated tools like spot trading pairs, making IR acquisition efficient before staking—simply deposit via Berachain network, trade IR/USDT if available, and bridge to the protocol. This end-to-end process, from purchase on MEXC to dashboard monitoring, empowers both novices and experts to generate sustainable sIR yields, with Berachain's PoL ensuring rewards stem from ecosystem liquidity rather than speculative pumps. Security is paramount: Infrared's institutional-grade audits and completed assessments guarantee a robust launch in January 2026, minimizing risks while maximizing composability across Berachain dApps.</p><h2>3. Understanding Infrared's Staking Framework and Revenue Distribution Model</h2><p>Infrared's staking framework revolves around a sophisticated profit distribution architecture, where IR token stakers mint sIR tokens that entitle them to claim shares of protocol-generated revenue, creating a self-reinforcing yield loop. At its core, the Red Fund operates as a dedicated treasury executing automated token buybacks using real protocol fees from liquid staking services, validator operations, and yield vaults—directly funding IR repurchases on the open market to reduce circulating supply and drive value accrual. This deflationary tokenomics structure burns a portion of fees, ensuring scarcity while the sIR-to-IR exchange ratio appreciates progressively as more revenue cycles through the system, rewarding long-term holders without diluting supply via endless emissions. Yields derive exclusively from authentic protocol usage, such as demand for iBGT/iBERA in DeFi composability, rather than unsustainable inflation, mirroring Berachain's PoL ethos of aligning incentives across staking and liquidity. Below is a comprehensive breakdown table highlighting key components:</p><table border="1" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" style="height:100%;width:100%;border:1px double rgb( 179 , 179 , 179 );border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0px"><thead><tr><th style="text-align:left;background-color:rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.05 );font-weight:700;border:1px solid rgb( 191 , 191 , 191 );min-width:2em;padding:0.4em">Component</th><th style="text-align:left;background-color:rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.05 );font-weight:700;border:1px solid rgb( 191 , 191 , 191 );min-width:2em;padding:0.4em">Description</th><th style="text-align:left;background-color:rgba( 0 , 0 , 0 , 0.05 );font-weight:700;border:1px solid rgb( 191 , 191 , 191 );min-width:2em;padding:0.4em">Key Benefits</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="border:1px solid rgb( 191 , 191 , 191 );min-width:2em;padding:0.4em"><strong style="font-weight:bolder">IR Token</strong></td><td style="border:1px solid rgb( 191 , 191 , 191 );min-width:2em;padding:0.4em">Native utility token for governance, revenue sharing, and strategic distributions</td><td style="border:1px solid rgb( 191 , 191 , 191 );min-width:2em;padding:0.4em">Enables voting, buybacks, and optimized returns</td></tr><tr><td style="border:1px solid rgb( 191 , 191 , 191 );min-width:2em;padding:0.4em"><strong style="font-weight:bolder">sIR Token</strong></td><td style="border:1px solid rgb( 191 , 191 , 191 );min-width:2em;padding:0.4em">Liquid receipt token from staking IR; ratio appreciates with revenue</td><td style="border:1px solid rgb( 191 , 191 , 191 );min-width:2em;padding:0.4em">Non-custodial, flexible yields without lock-ups</td></tr><tr><td style="border:1px solid rgb( 191 , 191 , 191 );min-width:2em;padding:0.4em"><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Red Fund</strong></td><td style="border:1px solid rgb( 191 , 191 , 191 );min-width:2em;padding:0.4em">Treasury for fee-based IR buybacks and burns</td><td style="border:1px solid rgb( 191 , 191 , 191 );min-width:2em;padding:0.4em">Deflationary pressure, sustainable revenue redistribution</td></tr><tr><td style="border:1px solid rgb( 191 , 191 , 191 );min-width:2em;padding:0.4em"><strong style="font-weight:bolder">Revenue Sharing</strong></td><td style="border:1px solid rgb( 191 , 191 , 191 );min-width:2em;padding:0.4em">Protocol fees (staking, vaults) funneled to stakers via sIR appreciation</td><td style="border:1px solid rgb( 191 , 191 , 191 );min-width:2em;padding:0.4em">Real usage-driven yields, no inflation</td></tr></tbody></table><p>This model outperforms traditional staking by integrating PoL infrastructure, where BGT/BERA staking generates iTokens for DeFi deployment, capturing fees that cascade to IR stakers. As Berachain's TVL grows—amid $150B DeFi sector expansion—Infrared's framework ensures stakers capture a proportional slice, with security audits validating the smart contracts' resilience against exploits. MEXC traders can position early, converting spot holdings into sIR for compounding gains, as the system's transparency fosters trust and adoption in Berachain's high-throughput environment.</p><h2>4. Why January 2026 Represents a Pivotal Opportunity for Berachain Yield Strategies</h2><p>January 2026 emerges as a strategic launch window for Infrared's IR staking, coinciding with Berachain's accelerated infrastructure rollout and surging economic throughput, including PoL v2 proposals enhancing BERA staking incentives. Early adopters gain competitive edges through structured deployment: post-TGE distribution on December 17, 2025, staking activates without third-party intermediaries, offering direct non-custodial access that bypasses conventional liquidity mining's pitfalls like high gas fees or diluted rewards. Infrared's approach delivers superior benefits—flexible sIR yields from Red Fund buybacks surpass inflationary farms—while its comprehensive technical stack, including node infrastructure and vaults, ensures scalability on Berachain's Polaris-powered EVM chain. Strong support from platforms like MEXC amplifies accessibility, with seamless IR trading enabling quick onboarding for yield strategies amid Berachain's 72.7% DeFi dominance and $142M ecosystem funding. Completed security assessments and institutional preparations guarantee a flawless experience, mitigating volatility risks seen in peers like EigenLayer. As Berachain unlocks further liquidity (e.g., 63.73M BERA in February 2026), Infrared positions stakers at the yield frontier, fostering flywheels where iBGT/iBERA usage amplifies protocol revenue. This pivotal timing leverages DeFi's $150B TVL trajectory, rewarding MEXC users who stake early for governance influence and deflationary gains, solidifying Infrared as Berachain's liquidity backbone.</p>

Earn Sustainable Rewards with Infrared's Native IR Staking on Berachain

1. Infrared Protocol Launches Revolutionary Native Staking Program on Berachain Infrared Protocol stands as a premier liquidity staking solution deeply embedded in the Berachain ecosystem, pioneering

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