In the United States, retail traders significantly increased their investments in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which surged over 500% since Donald Trump’s election. This spike was largely influenced by Bill Ackman and Federal Housing Finance Agency head Bill Pulte, who fueled interest in these mortgage giants amid hopes for their privatization after decades of government oversight. However, the market has recently experienced volatility, and many retail investors began to retreat as these stocks faced drastic fluctuations, including notable drops driven by external factors, particularly in the cryptocurrency market. The connection between crypto and the stock prices was emphasized when Ackman noted the impact of forced liquidations and margin calls affecting these stocks. He speculated that leveraged investors in crypto were compelled to liquidate other assets to secure cash, which contributed to the downward pressure on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac shares. The landscape of the equity markets also worsened with significant losses in cryptocurrencies, causing retail investors, who had once flocked to these stocks, to begin retracing their steps. As the market's momentum shifted, stocks that initially attracted attention for their growth potential began to show volatility reminiscent of the meme-stock phenomenon that gripped the stock market during the pandemic, where stimulus-funded investors speculated in companies like GameStop and AMC. The shares of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac continued to show extreme fluctuations, as evidenced by their nearly 40% drop from a recent peak, underscoring the sensitive nature of these assets trading over-the-counter and the liquidity struggles faced by investors. These developments underline the stark reality that speculative investments can quickly change direction based on broader market conditions and external economic pressures.