Why Is Citadel Suddenly Trading AST SpaceMobile?

A $45 billion hedge fund unwind rocked $ASTS this week.Kook breaks down why Citadel was suddenly trading everywhere.In this solo episode, Kook walks through the trading fallout from Situational Awareness's forced liquidation, and how Citadel emerged as the top trader in AST SpaceMobile ($ASTS), Rocket Lab, SpaceX, Redwire, Intuitive Machines and other satellite and momentum names. Kook explains how hedge fund deleveraging, margin calls and cross-holdings dragged ASTS stock down alongside T1 Energy, NBIS, IREN and SanDisk, even though AST SpaceMobile wasn't directly held in the fund's book. He also discusses how satellite and direct-to-cell companies could see a healthier setup now that leverage has been flushed from the system, with AST SpaceMobile's August catalysts still ahead.00:00 Introduction00:16 Questions About Yesterday's Thread00:33 Citadel Spotted Trading T1 Energy01:37 Checking Other Situational Awareness Holdings04:38 Citadel Shows Up in AST SpaceMobile Trading05:18 Citadel Active Across Robinhood and Coinbase Too06:41 Why Citadel Would Hedge Beta Exposure07:59 Rumors of Situational Awareness Unwinding09:26 Lessons From the 2008 Financial Crisis Playbook10:59 How Forced Liquidations Create Overswings13:17 Word Travels Fast in Distressed Situations15:47 A 10-Sigma Deleveraging Event17:11 Hedge Funds Down Double Digits This Month19:58 Risk-Reward Improves After the Selloff21:09 Mental Health and Avoiding Margin22:19 Cycles of Euphoria and Deleveraging Are Speeding Up23:26 Closing Thoughts on Market Health and August Catalysts🎙️ Catch all episodes on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5u6rTxenTvGw4STNbjswAk👋 Connect with the host on X: https://x.com/thekookreport👕 Get the Gear: https://spacemob.printify.me/📩 AST SpaceMobile Podcast Newsletter: https://ast-spacemobile-podcast.beehiiv.com/