Elon Musk: the entrepreneur who moves global markets ( and why you should follow )

If you invest in crypto, tech stocks, or follow market trends, you’ve probably seen Elon Musk’s name on the front page. And it’s no coincidence. A single tweet from him can move billions in market capitalization. A decision you make about your company can impact entire sectors. But who exactly is this guy?

Elon Musk’s Empire: 5 Companies Changing the World

Elon Musk is not just any billionaire. He leads a portfolio of companies that have redefined entire industries:

Tesla — The electric vehicle revolution started here. While other manufacturers were asleep, Tesla became synonymous with sustainable mobility. Today, it’s worth hundreds of billions. Any movement in its stock causes tremors in the energy, lithium, and automotive technology markets.

SpaceX — Founded in 2002, this company did what seemed impossible: reduced space launch costs by up to 90%. It’s valued at over US$ 200 billion. NASA, the US Space Force, and now private clients use its reusable rockets. The goal? To send humans to Mars.

Starlink — Musk’s satellite internet already reaches more than 70 countries, including Brazil. While traditional giants sleep, this project promises to connect remote regions without waiting for wired infrastructure.

xAI — Created in 2023, it’s Musk’s response to Google and OpenAI. Its chatbot Grok has already gained considerable traction. The mission? “Understand reality” through AI.

Neuralink — Brain-machine interface. It may sound like science fiction, but human trials have already begun. The potential is to revolutionize how people with motor disabilities interact with the world.

Completing the package: The Boring Company (underground mobility) and PayPal (its past that laid the foundation for current wealth).

From Zero to US$ 350 Billion: How Musk Built His Fortune

The journey was not linear. Born in South Africa in 1971, Musk arrived in the US at age 17. He studied economics and physics at the University of Pennsylvania — a curious combination that explains his ability to merge business with science.

His first successes came with Zip2 (sold to Compaq for US$ 307 million) and then X.com, which evolved into PayPal. In 2002, PayPal was acquired by eBay for US$ 1.5 billion. Musk pocketed approximately US$ 180 million — a seed capital to found Tesla and SpaceX.

Today, in 2025, his fortune exceeds US$ 350 billion, fluctuating with Tesla’s stock and the valuations of his private companies. A 2% drop in Tesla’s shares means billions lost in his wealth in just a few hours.

Why Investors Follow Every Move of Elon Musk

Musk doesn’t just lead companies: he moves markets. His tweets have already caused Bitcoin and Dogecoin to fluctuate by up to 30%. His strategic decisions impact:

• Automotive sector (Tesla vs BYD, Volkswagen, GM, Stellantis)
• Battery and lithium markets
• AI technology (competition with Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI)
• Space infrastructure and geopolitical defense
• Satellite telecommunications

For those wanting to understand where the tech and energy markets are headed, following Elon Musk’s companies is practically mandatory.

The Controversies That Shaped His Image

Musk is controversial. Criticisms of governments, political stances (such as support for Javier Milei and rapprochement with Donald Trump), comments on cryptocurrencies, and public disputes mark his trajectory. But these controversies also make him unmistakable. His “no filter” image is an essential part of who he is — for better or worse.

Little-Known Facts

• Slept on the floor of Tesla’s factory to “feel the team’s problems”
• Has 10 children with different partners
• Is a fan of science fiction and anime
• Says he wants to die on Mars, “but not on impact”
• Tried to buy OpenAI before founding xAI

What All This Means for You

Whether you’re a trader, a long-term investor, or just curious about the future, understanding who Elon Musk is means understanding where technology, energy, and finance are headed. His companies are not just businesses — they are vectors of transformation.

Following Musk is following the future.