A small firm got a big boost last week from Elon Musk after he told WhatsApp users to 'use Signal'.
Reuters
Ever since WhatsApp rolled out its new terms of services last week, the app has been caught in a maelstrom of public relations problems. News that WhatsApp would be collecting even more of its users’ data caused waves of users to ditch the platform in favor of other encrypted messaging apps, like Telegram and Signal.
As a result, the Facebook-owned platform is pushing back the deadline for users to accept the new terms of service while simultaneously pursuing all of the avenues for damage-control it can.
Unintended Consequences: The Strange Saga of Whatsapp, Elon Musk, and a Small Medical Device Firm
While WhatsApp’s new terms of service were primarily met with friction by privacy-concerned individuals, the app really ran into trouble when Tesla Co-founder, Elon Musk urged his Twitter followers to “use Signal.”
The response was so powerful that Signal quickly became the #1-most downloaded app in the Apple App Store. In another twist of fate, a number of Mr. Musk’s Twitter followers seemed to think that he was referring to a relatively small medical device firm known as Signal Advance (SIGL).
As a result, the company's share price skyrocketed: over just three days, the price rose from $0.60 to $70.85, an eye-popping 11,708 percent. Moreover, the company’s market cap jumped from roughly $55 million to more than $6 billion.
Of course, the pump did not last: once investors realized that a mistake had been made, the stock price plummeted. However, the stock’s price is currently $13.54, and its market value $1.2 billion. While the drop is almost as shocking as the pump, the current price is still roughly 20 times more than what it was at the beginning of the year.
Other Unintended Consequences
In addition to the Signal Advance debacle, the exodus of users from WhatsApp to other encrypted messaging platforms has had a number of other unintended consequences.
Indeed, “tracking WhatsApp chats of thousands of City workers during the pandemic has been a nightmare for compliance departments,” the publication read. “Now, they have a new enemy to contend with: Signal.”
Whatsapp Claims 'Commitment' and 'Respect' for Users’ Privacy, Continues to Collect Reams of Metadata
In the meantime, WhatsApp is continually trying to regain the trust of its users.
For example, the status update on WhatsApp’s official WhatsApp account reads “We are committed to your privacy,” and invites users “tap to learn more.” The following images contain text explaining that WhatsApp “can’t read or listen to your personal conversation” or see users’ shared locations. The app also reminds users that it “doesn’t share your contacts with Facebook.”
Additionally, AndroidPolice reported that in India (WhatsApp’s largest user market), the app took out a number of front-page ads in some of the country’s top newspapers that read “WhatsApp respects and protects your privacy.”
Pratik Sinha, via AndroidPolice
The ads explain that the update to the terms of service “does not affect the privacy of your messages with your friends and family in any way.” Instead, the ad says, the update only applies to interactions with businesses.
However, none of the ads attempted to explain the amount of metadata that WhatsApp actually does collect.
Compared to Signal and Telegram, the amount is staggering. According to Forbes, WhatsApp’s metadata collection includes information on purchases, location, contact information, user content, identifiers, usage data, and diagnostics.
Forbes, via AndroidPolice
By contrast, Signal collects almost nothing, only its users’ phone numbers, which are not shared unless the user calls or messages someone else on the platform. Telegram collects “metadata such as your IP address, devices and Telegram apps you've used, history of username changes, etc. If collected, this metadata can be kept for 12 months maximum.”
Ever since WhatsApp rolled out its new terms of services last week, the app has been caught in a maelstrom of public relations problems. News that WhatsApp would be collecting even more of its users’ data caused waves of users to ditch the platform in favor of other encrypted messaging apps, like Telegram and Signal.
As a result, the Facebook-owned platform is pushing back the deadline for users to accept the new terms of service while simultaneously pursuing all of the avenues for damage-control it can.
Unintended Consequences: The Strange Saga of Whatsapp, Elon Musk, and a Small Medical Device Firm
While WhatsApp’s new terms of service were primarily met with friction by privacy-concerned individuals, the app really ran into trouble when Tesla Co-founder, Elon Musk urged his Twitter followers to “use Signal.”
The response was so powerful that Signal quickly became the #1-most downloaded app in the Apple App Store. In another twist of fate, a number of Mr. Musk’s Twitter followers seemed to think that he was referring to a relatively small medical device firm known as Signal Advance (SIGL).
As a result, the company's share price skyrocketed: over just three days, the price rose from $0.60 to $70.85, an eye-popping 11,708 percent. Moreover, the company’s market cap jumped from roughly $55 million to more than $6 billion.
Of course, the pump did not last: once investors realized that a mistake had been made, the stock price plummeted. However, the stock’s price is currently $13.54, and its market value $1.2 billion. While the drop is almost as shocking as the pump, the current price is still roughly 20 times more than what it was at the beginning of the year.
Other Unintended Consequences
In addition to the Signal Advance debacle, the exodus of users from WhatsApp to other encrypted messaging platforms has had a number of other unintended consequences.
Indeed, “tracking WhatsApp chats of thousands of City workers during the pandemic has been a nightmare for compliance departments,” the publication read. “Now, they have a new enemy to contend with: Signal.”
Whatsapp Claims 'Commitment' and 'Respect' for Users’ Privacy, Continues to Collect Reams of Metadata
In the meantime, WhatsApp is continually trying to regain the trust of its users.
For example, the status update on WhatsApp’s official WhatsApp account reads “We are committed to your privacy,” and invites users “tap to learn more.” The following images contain text explaining that WhatsApp “can’t read or listen to your personal conversation” or see users’ shared locations. The app also reminds users that it “doesn’t share your contacts with Facebook.”
Additionally, AndroidPolice reported that in India (WhatsApp’s largest user market), the app took out a number of front-page ads in some of the country’s top newspapers that read “WhatsApp respects and protects your privacy.”
Pratik Sinha, via AndroidPolice
The ads explain that the update to the terms of service “does not affect the privacy of your messages with your friends and family in any way.” Instead, the ad says, the update only applies to interactions with businesses.
However, none of the ads attempted to explain the amount of metadata that WhatsApp actually does collect.
Compared to Signal and Telegram, the amount is staggering. According to Forbes, WhatsApp’s metadata collection includes information on purchases, location, contact information, user content, identifiers, usage data, and diagnostics.
Forbes, via AndroidPolice
By contrast, Signal collects almost nothing, only its users’ phone numbers, which are not shared unless the user calls or messages someone else on the platform. Telegram collects “metadata such as your IP address, devices and Telegram apps you've used, history of username changes, etc. If collected, this metadata can be kept for 12 months maximum.”
Rachel is a self-taught crypto geek and a passionate writer. She believes in the power that the written word has to educate, connect and empower individuals to make positive and powerful financial choices. She is the Podcast Host and a Cryptocurrency Editor at Finance Magnates.
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The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
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If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
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-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
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-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
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Inside My Best Trade with Jimmy Moyaha
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Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Agentic Inequality: Democratizing Financial Access Through AI & Blockchain
Agentic Inequality: Democratizing Financial Access Through AI & Blockchain
Agentic Inequality: Democratizing Financial Access Through AI & Blockchain
Agentic Inequality: Democratizing Financial Access Through AI & Blockchain
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Agentic Inequality: Democratizing Financial Access Through AI & Blockchain
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy