Gemini, the cryptocurrency exchange founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, is preparing to go public with Nasdaq as both its listing venue and an investor, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

According to the news outlet, Nasdaq has agreed to buy $50 million worth of Gemini shares in a private placement tied to the initial public offering.

The arrangement apparently goes beyond funding.

Nasdaq’s clients will gain access to Gemini’s custody and staking services, while Gemini’s institutional users will be able to use elements of Nasdaq’s Calypso system, a multi-asset trading and risk management platform. In particular, Gemini’s institutional clients will have access to Calypso’s collateral management features to help track and manage margin for trading activity.

Gemini is aiming for a Nasdaq debut on Friday under the ticker GEMI, though the timeline could change depending on market conditions, the report added.

The Reuters report noted that the offering comes amid a rebound in U.S. equity capital markets, where strong first-day performances from companies like Figma have encouraged more private firms to test investor appetite. Crypto names have also been active in recent months, including Circle and Bullish, whose IPOs drew significant institutional demand.

If completed, Gemini’s flotation would make it the third publicly traded U.S. crypto exchange, following Coinbase, which this year became the first crypto trading platform to join the S&P 500, and Bullish (CoinDesk’s parent company).

Expanding in Europe

Beyond its U.S. listing plans, Gemini is also deepening its presence in Europe. In a Sept. 5 blog post, the company announced a suite of new products for more than 400 million investors across the European Union and European Economic Area.

The rollout includes staking services for ether and solana and the launch of Gemini Perpetuals, a regulated derivatives offering that allows customers to trade perpetual contracts with leverage of up to 100x and no fixed expiration dates. Both products are being offered under European regulatory frameworks: staking is overseen through Gemini’s newly established Malta entity under MiCA approval, while derivatives fall under MiFID II rules, which govern traditional financial markets.

Mark Jennings, Gemini’s CEO for Europe, said the company’s goal is to make staking and derivatives accessible through a secure, easy-to-use platform. Staking, he noted, allows investors to earn rewards by contributing crypto to blockchain validation pools, while perpetual contracts give professional traders more ways to manage risk or take directional bets on the market.

Gemini said its staking service supports flexible pools with no minimum deposits, daily accrual of rewards and yields of up to 6% APR for SOL. For perpetuals, the exchange emphasized that positions can be collateralized with assets already in spot accounts, denominated in USDC, and managed within the same interface as spot trading.

The company framed these moves as part of a broader strategy to make Europe a cornerstone of its business. Jennings said the introduction of MiCA gives the EU a chance to lead globally on crypto regulation, setting standards across all 30 jurisdictions and providing investors with greater confidence.

“Europe continues to be a strategic focus for Gemini,” Jennings said in the blog post. “With MiCA, the region can set the global benchmark for clear, consistent crypto rules.”

Read More: Nasdaq Seeks Nod From U.S. SEC to Tokenize Stocks

Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest strengthened its bets on crypto-related stocks on Friday, buying more than $23.5 million in Bitmine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) Coindesk’s parent company, Crypto Exchange Bullish, spans three actively managed ETFs.

Trade disclosures indicate ARK Innovation ETF (Seat),ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (arkw) Ark Fintech Innovation ETF (arkf) The group collectively referred to over $23.5 million in Bitmine and 144,000 Bullish shares, which were closed on Friday.

Arkk led the way, adding 257,108 Bitmine stocks and 81,811 shares, with ARKW and ARKF splitting the rest.

In addition to these additions, ARK trimmed stocks from DraftKings, Roku, Roblox and Chipmaker Teradyne.

Bitmine is currently Ether’s largest treasury company, with 1.87 million ETHs over $8 billion. The stock fell 0.3% in Friday’s trading session and another 1.17% after trading.

Bullish was made public in August through a $1.1 billion IPO after repealing its previous SPAC program. Ark was a major buyer on the first day, photographing $172 million worth of stock. Shares rose 6% on Friday, gaining momentum since their debut, but fell 1.5% after trading.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) make investing simple. With a few clicks of a button, you could quickly gain the opportunity to profit alongside a diversified collection of high-quality businesses.

In addition, select ETFs offer relatively easy ways to cash in on powerful economic trends, such as the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. Well-chosen funds could also provide you with bountiful and reliable passive income.

Read on to see why AI chip suppliers and high-yield dividend payers are particularly attractive stocks to buy today.

Image source: Getty Images.

This ETF could help you profit from the AI revolution

The world runs on semiconductors. Laptops, smartphones, medical devices, modern cars and trucks, airplanes, satellites, and solar panels are just some of the products that require these essential components to function properly.

The microchips that underpin computer technology of all sorts are becoming even more valuable in the age of AI. The global semiconductor industry is poised to grow from $697 billion in 2025 to $1 trillion by 2030 and $2 trillion by 2040, according to Deloitte. Chip suppliers are set to see their sales and profits soar in the coming years.

The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX -2.95%) offers you a convenient way to claim your share of this enormous and rapidly expanding market.

The fund is managed by BlackRock, one of the world’s largest investment companies, with assets under management of $12.5 trillion as of the end of the second quarter.

The ETF holds stakes in 30 stocks, all of which are key cogs in the global semiconductor supply chain. Leading chipmakers Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices, Intel, Broadcom, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stand among the fund’s largest holdings.

The ETF’s annual expense ratio is reasonable at 0.34%. That amounts to $3.40 for every $1,000 invested.

All told, the iShares Semiconductor ETF is a relatively effortless and low-cost way to position yourself to benefit from the AI-fueled chip boom.

This dividend ETF can help you build a lucrative passive income stream

Dividends are the sweet rewards of investing. A swell of cash payments pouring into your account year after year can drastically reduce your financial worries. Dividends can also help you pay for the things you enjoy.

Moreover, dividend stocks can add ballast to your diversified investment portfolio. Stocks that regularly pay out cash to their investors are generally less volatile than those that don’t. Dividend-payers also tend to outperform non-dividend-payers during bear markets. Better still, companies that can consistently grow their cash distributions often see their share prices rise in kind.

As its name suggests, the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM -0.09%) offers convenient access to a broad collection of income-generating stocks with above-average payouts. The fund’s annualized dividend yield of roughly 2.6% is more than twice that of the S&P 500 Index, making it an excellent source of passive income.

With positions in roughly 580 stocks across a range of sectors, the ETF also provides investors with the wealth-protecting benefits of diversification. Top holdings, which include dividend stalwarts such as JPMorgan Chase, ExxonMobil, and Walmart, further help to mitigate the risks for shareholders.

Best of all, Vanguard charges ultralow fees, so nearly all the ETF’s gains will be passed on to investors. The Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF has an expense ratio of 0.06%, which amounts to just $0.60 per $1,000 invested annually.

I’m on a mission to reach financial freedom through passive income. My goal is to build multiple income streams that combine to eventually cover my basic living expenses, thereby eliminating the stress of having to earn money to meet my financial needs.

Every week, I aim to make progress toward this financial goal. This time, I plan to invest $250 into three leading dividend stocks: Coca-Cola (KO 0.94%), Camden Property Trust (CPT 1.17%), and W.P. Carey (WPC 0.90%). I believe these companies offer great potential to help me achieve my passive income ambitions.

Image source: Getty Images.

Satisfying income-seeking investors for decades

Coca-Cola has a terrific record of paying dividends. The global beverage giant has paid dividends for over a century, while increasing its payout for 63 consecutive years. That qualifies it for the elite group of Dividend Kings, companies that have had 50 or more consecutive years of annual dividend increases. Coca-Cola has been growing its payout at a low- to mid-single-digit rate in recent years.

The iconic beverage company’s dividend currently yields about 3%. That’s more than double the S&P 500‘s dividend yield, which is around 1.2%.

Coca-Cola generates significant cash flow, enabling it to reinvest in growing its business while paying its lucrative dividend. The company expects its capital investments to drive 4%-6% annual organic revenue growth over the long term, which should support mid- to high-single-digit annual earnings-per-share growth. Coca-Cola also has an A-rated balance sheet, giving it the financial flexibility to make acquisitions as attractive growth opportunities arise. Since 2016, a quarter of the company’s earnings growth has come from acquisitions. Those drivers should enable Coca-Cola to continue growing its cash flows and dividends.

Cashing in on demand for rental housing

Camden Property Trust is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on owning multifamily properties. The landlord owns nearly 60,000 apartment units across 15 major markets in the southern half of the country. It invests in metro areas benefiting from strong employment and population growth trends. That drives demand for rental housing.

The REIT has paid a stable and steadily rising dividend over the past decade and a half. While Camden hasn’t increased its dividend every single year, it has been on a steady upward trajectory since the REIT reset its dividend during the financial crisis. The company’s payout currently yields around 3.8%.

Camden expects to deliver consistent earnings and dividend growth in the future. Its apartment portfolio should benefit from strong demand for rental housing, which should keep occupancy levels high while driving steady rent growth. Camden also has a strong financial profile, enabling it to invest in expanding its portfolio by acquiring stabilized apartment communities and starting new development projects. These growth drivers should enable Camden to continue increasing its dividend.

Building back better

W.P. Carey is a diversified REIT. It owns operationally critical commercial real estate (retail, industrial, warehouse, and other properties) across North America and Europe, secured by long-term net leases with built-in rental escalation clauses. These properties produce very stable rental income that rises each year.

The REIT has increased its dividend every single quarter since resetting the payment at the end of 2023. W.P. Carey realigned its dividend with its expected cash flows after exiting the office sector by selling and spinning off those properties. That strategy shift enabled the company to focus on properties with better long-term growth potential.

W.P. Carey has been steadily rebuilding its dividend (which currently yields 5.4%) and its portfolio. It spent $1.6 billion on new property investments last year and is on track to invest at a similar rate this year. That should enable it to grow its cash flow per share at a mid-single-digit annual rate, supporting a similar dividend growth rate.

Ideal passive income stocks

Coca-Cola, Camden Property Trust, and W.P. Carey are excellent fits for my passive income investment strategy. They pay dividends with above-average yields that steadily grow. As a result, they enable me to generate an attractive and growing stream of dividend income. Investing an additional $250 in these stocks this week will add nearly $10 to my annual passive income total, bringing me a little closer to achieving financial independence.

You don’t need a lot of money to benefit from the long-term growth of the U.S. stock market. With just $1,000, you’ve got a tremendous number of choices.

For investors looking for a hands-off approach, a broad-market index fund may be the best option. But for those willing to take a little risk, buying high quality individual stocks and holding them for years is a great bet.

Two top stocks to buy now are DigitalOcean (DOCN 2.03%) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM 1.06%).

Image source: Getty Images.

DigitalOcean: Simplifying cloud and AI

Big cloud computing platforms like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure are built for big enterprises with vast budgets. On these mega-cloud platforms, there’s every cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) product and service one could ever want — but one hidden cost is complexity. That’s not ideal for small businesses and developers.

DigitalOcean has carved out a niche in the cloud computing market by keeping things simple. The company’s cloud platform is narrower than the big players in the industry, and its pricing is more transparent.

Recently, DigitalOcean has taken the same strategy and applied it to artificial intelligence. The Gradient AI platform, which DigitalOcean launched in July, combines the company’s AI infrastructure offerings with high-value tools that allow customers to easily build and deploy AI agents.

DigitalOcean’s AI push is already starting to show up in the company’s results. Revenue grew by 14% year over year in the second quarter, and the company gained the most annual recurring revenue in nearly three years, thanks to a more than doubling of AI-related revenue.

The company’s highest-spending customer cohort, which, on average spend $30,000 monthly on the platform, now accounts for nearly a quarter of total revenue. While DigitalOcean still caters to smaller customers, those bigger customers help make the company’s revenue a bit more predictable.

DigitalOcean is profitable and cash-flow positive. The company is calling for its adjusted free-cash-flow margin to be as high as 19% of revenue for the full year. With a reasonable valuation of around 18 times that free-cash-flow guidance, DigitalOcean stock looks like a compelling long-term buy for growth investors.

TSMC: Overwhelmingly dominant

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing dominates the global foundry market, particularly for the most advanced nodes required for cutting-edge semiconductor chips. The company faces competition from Samsung and Intel, with the former recently winning a deal to manufacture future chips for Tesla and the latter betting on its upcoming Intel 14A process to shake up the industry.

While both represent real threats, TSMC’s lead will be tough to overcome.

TSMC produced revenue of $30.1 billion in the second quarter, up an astonishing 44.4% year over year. Nearly one-quarter of the company’s shipments now use TSMC’s advanced 3-nanometer (nm) node, and three-quarters of shipments use 7nm or better manufacturing processes. Booming demand for AI accelerators, which benefit from the most advanced manufacturing nodes available, as well as complex advanced packaging techniques, is a key driver of TSMC’s soaring revenue.

TSMC’s profitability is also incredible. Gross margin was 58.6% in the second quarter, and the company managed a net profit margin of 42.7%. With its leading position in the industry and no viable alternative for companies like Nvidia, which need advanced manufacturing at scale, TSMC will continue to benefit from the AI boom.

There are some risks — namely, TSMC being based in Taiwan. That exposes the company to the potential impacts of changes in U.S. tariff policy, as well as the looming threat of China taking military action. However, it’s tough to find a better growth stock in the semiconductor industry than TSMC.

If you’re like many investors, you either own or want to own the “Magnificent Seven” stocks, which are Apple, Amazon.com, (Google parent) Alphabet, (Facebook parent) Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla.

You might also want to own companies that could become Magnificent-Seven-like — in other words, terrific growth stocks. But which companies are the next great investments? It can be hard to know, which is why it’s smart to buy a bundle of promising stocks, spreading your risk and opportunity around.

Image source: Getty Images.

Consider, therefore, investing in the Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG -0.34%), which you can do with as little as $100. (To clarify, a single share recently went for $463, so if you only had $100 to invest, you’d need to buy a fraction of a share, which some good brokerages allow you to do.) An exchange-traded fund (ETF) is a fund that trades like a stock.

Meet the Vanguard Growth ETF

The Vanguard Growth ETF tracks the CRSP U.S. Large Cap Growth Index, which is focused on large-cap companies growing at a faster-than-average clip, and the ETF aims to deliver roughly the same returns, minus its low fees. Specifically, its expense ratio (annual fee) is just 0.04%, meaning that you’ll be charged a whopping $4 per year for every $10,000 you have invested in the fund.

The ETF held 165 stocks, as of June 30, per Vanguard, with 60% of assets in the technology sector, followed by 19% in the consumer discretionary sector. Here are the top 10 holdings, which together made up about 59% of total assets:

Source: Vanguard.com, as of June 30.

You can see that all the Magnificent Seven stocks are there — and among the top holdings. And given that these 10 holdings make up more than half the ETF’s value, it’s clear that the other 155 stocks will be relatively minor holdings for the ETF — and its shareholders. Still, those top 10 companies are in the top 10 because they grew to huge sizes, and it’s not crazy to let your winners run and keep winning.

This ETF and its more well-known fellow index fund, the S&P 500 index fund, are, like lots of others, market-cap-weighted, meaning that the bigger the component company, the more influence it will wield on the index. That’s why the top 10 companies above make up so much of the Vanguard Growth ETF’s value — because they have such hefty market caps.

If you’re in the market for diversification with less concentration, you might look for a good equal-weighted ETF, such as the Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF, which holds each of its 500-some components in roughly equal proportion. The Invesco equal-weight ETF’s top-10 holdings would, therefore, make up only about 2% or 3% of the overall ETF value.

How has the Vanguard Growth ETF performed?

Here’s how the Vanguard Growth ETF would have rewarded you over several recent periods. I’ll compare its numbers to those of a low-fee S&P 500 index fund, too, and you’ll see that it outperformed the S&P index fund handily:

Source: Morningstar.com, as of August 12, 2025.

There’s no guarantee that it will always outperform, though, and it’s good to remember that since growth stocks tend to fall harder in market downturns, there may be years when it really underperforms. For example, in 2022, when the S&P 500 ETF dropped by around 18%, the Vanguard Growth ETF dropped by 33%. Ouch!

Still, long-term investors have enjoyed solid overall gains, and it’s rarely good to focus on any one year. So go ahead and consider the Vanguard Growth ETF for your growth-stock needs. But perhaps complement it with some other solid index ETFs.