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Elon Musk Becomes First Person To Surpass $400 Billion Net Worth

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

December 12, 2024

Elon Musk has made history, becoming the first individual to reach a net worth of $400 billion, according to Bloomberg. This milestone is largely driven by a significant surge in SpaceX’s valuation, now pegged at $350 billion following a $1.25 billion insider share purchase agreement. Musk’s fortune now positions him $140 billion ahead of Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos, his closest rival. Although wealth rankings fluctuate, Musk’s commanding lead appears firmly in place.

Key Drivers Of Wealth Surge

The recent $20 billion increase in Musk’s fortune came largely from SpaceX’s valuation hike. Although the company’s finances are typically opaque, the deal underscores the growing confidence in SpaceX’s future.

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Musk’s post-election alliance with President-elect Donald Trump has also amplified his influence. His new role co-leading the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) with Vivek Ramaswamy is seen as a potential catalyst for deregulation, which could benefit Musk’s ventures.

Tesla’s stock hit a record high of $424.77, contributing to a 65% increase since Election Day. This stock surge, combined with the NASDAQ crossing 20,000, has been instrumental in Musk’s wealth spike. As Tesla’s largest shareholder, Musk directly benefits from these market gains.

Beyond SpaceX And Tesla

Musk’s xAI venture has doubled its valuation to $50 billion following a new funding round, reflecting the growing interest in AI technologies. Additionally, ventures like Neuralink, The Boring Company, and his ownership of X further bolster his wealth.

Musk’s $101 billion Tesla pay package, which faced legal scrutiny, remains part of Bloomberg’s wealth calculation. The package is now valued at $120 billion, due to the rising stock price of Tesla.

With continued growth in AI, electric vehicles, and space exploration, Musk’s wealth is on track to keep rising. The expanding valuations of his ventures and potential policy shifts could further fuel his financial ascent.

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EU E-Commerce VAT Systems Generate €257.9 Million Revenue for Cyprus in 2024

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

August 11, 2025

Robust Revenue Growth Through Streamlined VAT Collection

Cyprus has demonstrated a significant fiscal boost in 2024 with €257.9 million generated from the European Union’s e-commerce VAT systems, according to Tax Commissioner Sotiris Markides. This impressive performance underscores the effectiveness of the One Stop Shop (OSS) and Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) frameworks in simplifying cross-border tax compliance.

Simplified Procedures for EU and Non-EU Businesses

The OSS system allows Cyprus-registered businesses to streamline VAT declaration and payment on sales to consumers in other EU countries. Companies simply register on the local OSS platform, apply the consumer’s VAT rate, aggregate their submissions quarterly or monthly, and remit a single consolidated payment. Subsequently, Cyprus allocates the appropriate share to each respective EU country. This efficient process extends to non-EU sellers as well, who can have their intra-EU distance sales managed under the Union Scheme.

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Breakdown of VAT Revenue Streams

Last year’s declarations under the various schemes illustrate the system’s broad reach: €217.9 million was collected via the Union Scheme, €36.9 million through the Non-Union Scheme, and €3.1 million via the Import Scheme. While the Union Scheme caters to both EU and non-EU sellers engaging in distance sales, the Non-Union Scheme specifically accommodates non-EU firms delivering services to EU consumers. Furthermore, the Import Scheme targets goods valued at less than €150 that are imported from outside the EU.

Implications and Broader Impact

Implemented in July 2021 as an evolution from the more limited MOSS system, these reforms have not only consolidated tax collection through an expansive OSS but also integrated the IOSS for low-value imports. By designating certain online marketplaces as “deemed suppliers,” the new framework ensures that VAT collection is both efficient and equitable. Across the EU, these mechanisms have generated over €33 billion in VAT revenues in 2024, reflecting a successful effort to simplify tax compliance, reduce administrative burdens, and promote fair taxation across the bloc.