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🚚 Crypto, Freight & Trade

Thomas Werdine

14 May 2025 — 8 min read

Freight Day! 👋 Today we're talking about an unconventional move in logistics. Houston-based Freight Technologies (Fr8Tech) is investing millions into Trump-themed meme coins to support its vision for stronger cross-border trade. More ahead. 👇

💬 More in Freight:

⚫️ Landstar Earnings After Fraud Delay

⚫️ U.S.-China Trade War Data

⚫️ Driver Causes 8 Accidents In 28 Miles

⚫️ Cops Arrest 4 In $1.5M Cargo Theft Case

Landstar Earnings After Fraud Delay 📣

Landstar System reported Q1 earnings after a two-week delay tied to a supply chain fraud issue in its international freight forwarding operations. The company posted net income of $29.8 million, down from $47.1 million a year earlier.

Revenue slipped 1.6% to $1.15 billion. A $4.8 million charge related to the fraud was included in the results, which CEO Frank Lonegro said did not impact Landstar’s core North American truckload operations.

Despite soft freight demand and tariff-related uncertainty, Landstar saw a rare sequential increase in truckloads from Q4 to Q1, though loads were still down 1.2% year-over-year and revenue per load dipped 0.6%.

Truck revenue declined 1.8% to $1.05 billion, with van and platform equipment falling and power-only services rising. Ocean and air cargo revenue jumped 21.4%, while intermodal rail fell nearly 23%. Lonegro said Landstar remains focused on long-term growth and is well-positioned for a market rebound.

U.S.-China's Trade War Data 📊

The U.S.-China trade pause arrived just as Trump-era tariffs began to significantly impact manufacturing across North America and Asia, with April data showing a sharp pullback in purchasing activity following a rush to stockpile goods, according to the GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index.

“The pause on tariffs is a major relief for manufacturers in both the U.S. and China,” said John Piatek, VP of consulting at GEP. “But demand in China is falling fast, and U.S. firms are still stockpiling at concerning levels.” Piatek warned that the 90-day tariff truce won’t resolve long-term anxiety, with U.S. manufacturers continuing to shift sourcing strategies away from China amid mounting uncertainty.

GEP’s index, based on a survey of 27,000 businesses, showed a spike in inventory buildup and early signs of softening demand and supply shortages. Asian manufacturing activity hit its lowest level since December 2023. Meanwhile, Europe is showing signs of recovery, particularly in Germany and France, though the U.K. remains weak.

Asian supply chains reported rising spare capacity, led by China, Taiwan, and South Korea. That shift aligns with comments from Port of Virginia CEO Stephen Edwards, who said the port’s fastest-growing trade lanes are now with India, Vietnam, and Europe—not China. “Trade from China has been flat for four years,” Edwards said. “If the future is less China and more Southeast Asia and Europe, we’re well positioned.”

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Crypto, Freight, and Trade 🇺🇸🇲🇽

Houston-based Freight Technologies (Fr8Tech) is making one of the most unconventional logistics bets of the year—plowing millions into Trump-themed meme coins to support its vision for stronger cross-border trade.

Fr8Tech announced a $20 million bond agreement on April 30 to purchase $TRUMP tokens, with $2 million already invested. CEO Javier Selgas framed the move not just as a crypto play, but as a broader stance on fair, tariff-free commerce between the U.S. and Mexico.

“This reflects our confidence in the long-term utility of blockchain assets—and our belief in building a fair, tariff-free trade framework with Mexico,” Selgas said.

Fr8Tech operates the AI-driven freight platforms Fr8App and Fr8Now, and now wants to integrate crypto deeper into logistics. The company is exploring how brokers, shippers, and carriers could use digital assets to transact and invest within the freight ecosystem.

In addition to the Trump tokens, Fr8Tech also invested $5.2 million in FET Tokens, which power the Fetch.ai decentralized machine learning network.

While $TRUMP coin has drawn criticism, Fr8Tech says it has no ties to the former president or his events. Its goal is to influence trade, not politics.

“We want to ensure the next administration supports smooth, disruption-free trade across the U.S.-Mexico border,” the company said in a statement. “Tariffs, quotas, or embargoes would be damaging not just to us—but to the entire freight ecosystem.”

FREIGHT SNIPPETS ✂️

⚡️ Owner-Ops Remain Bullish | Despite growing concerns about tariffs, a majority of owner-operators and small fleet owners remain optimistic about the near-term outlook for the trucking industry, according to the latest Bloomberg | Truckstop Q1 2025 Truckload survey. Before President Trump’s weekend announcement of a 90-day tariff reduction deal with China, 65% of respondents said they believed tariffs could negatively impact the industry. Still, 62% expected demand to hold steady, and 55% were confident that rates would grow. Read more.

🚜 High-Tech Farming | Near Phoenix, robots built for warehouses are now growing lettuce and herbs. AutoStore and ag-tech firm OnePointOne launched Opollo Farm, a vertical farming system using cube-based storage grids to grow leafy greens, now sold at select Whole Foods in Arizona. The fully automated setup moves plants for optimal light, water, and nutrients—cutting harvest time to just 15 days, about half that of traditional farming. Read more.

🤖 ArcBest Pilots AI For Calls, Routing | ArcBest is piloting automation tools to streamline truckload and service center operations. One project automates routine inbound calls, like booking and scheduling, while another optimizes delivery appointments to reduce planning time—cutting hours from four to 45 minutes at one site. The tools, part of a broader AI and machine learning strategy, aim to boost efficiency and free up staff for complex tasks. So far, 45% of shipments are digitally fulfilled, with productivity gains seen across both asset-based and asset-light operations. Read more.

TOGETHER WITH CARRIERSOURCE.

Super K Express: Review Of The Week 🏆

This week, we spotlight Super K Express, a reliable carrier based in Newnan, GA, with over 75 years of experience in the transportation industry. Specializing in dry goods, Super K Express serves clients in the aftermarket auto parts, food, and extrusion metal industries, while continuously expanding into new markets. With a fleet of 48, they maintain a strong commitment to providing exceptional service, ensuring both drivers and employees are proud to represent the company.

Super K Express has earned a perfect 5/5 rating on CarrierSource from 6 reviews. Their preferred lanes include routes from Atlanta, GA to Indianapolis, IN, Columbus, GA, and Birmingham, AL, as well as from Newnan, GA to Dallas, TX, and other locations across the country.

DOT Number: 1003677
Headquarters: Newnan, GA
Fleet Size: 48

CarrierSource Profile Link

🚛 8 Crashes In 28 Miles | An Alabama truck driver is facing murder charges after allegedly drinking tequila before causing eight crashes over 28 miles on I-65. Authorities say John McAdams drank an “unknown amount” of tequila before getting back on the road near mile marker 365 on May 6. He first hit a sedan at 85 mph, then fatally struck 22-year-old William Hardrick’s vehicle at 90 mph, causing it to flip multiple times. McAdams continued driving, hitting several more vehicles before coming to a stop 12 miles later. His BAC was 0.09 at the time of his arrest. Hardrick’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit. Read more.

❌ Motive Opposes New Trial Request | Motive is opposing Omnitracs’ request for a new trial, calling claims of racial and religious bias “baseless” and arguing the jury’s not-guilty verdict was backed by strong evidence. Omnitracs claims Motive made prejudicial remarks during trial, including referencing a co-founder’s use of an “American-sounding” alias to avoid discrimination—remarks they argue influenced a juror who wore a headscarf. Motive countered that the comments were supported by the record and didn’t violate any court rules. It also rejected claims it mishandled redacted documents, noting the evidence was admitted by Omnitracs. A judge will now decide whether the verdict stands. Read more.

📍 New Distribution Hub Headed To VA | LEGO Group plans to invest $366 million in a new 2 million-square-foot distribution center in Prince George County, Virginia, creating 305 jobs. The facility, set to open in 2027, will support growing demand across the Americas and complement LEGO’s nearby manufacturing plant under construction in Richmond. The company signed a build-to-suit lease at the Crosspointe Business Centre, with a third-party logistics provider operating the site. Virginia is supporting the project with a $2.53 million grant and job training assistance through the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Read more.

Pallets of News 🚛

Cops Arrest Four In $1.5M Cargo Theft Scheme 🚔

Authorities in California have arrested four suspects linked to a cargo theft ring that stole multiple semi-trucks and trailers in Camarillo between December 2024 and January 2025.

Victor Alvarez, Brenda Alvarez, Mauricio Gachicoa, and Otto Rivas face charges of auto theft, cargo theft, and conspiracy, and were each booked on $250,000 bond, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

The group is accused of stealing semi-trucks from local businesses, using them to haul away loaded trailers from a Harbor Freight Distribution Center and Plush Beds facility. The stolen trailers were later found emptied and abandoned in Commerce and near the Otay Mesa border crossing.

The investigation was led by the Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force.

Amazon Involved In Legal Action In Multiple States 🏛️

Amazon’s trucking operations are facing legal scrutiny on multiple fronts. In Indiana, an appeals court reinstated a wrongful death lawsuit involving a driver killed near an Amazon facility, citing poor signage and confusion for incoming trucks—another similar case was also revived.

In Connecticut, a 24-year-old man was indicted for allegedly scamming Amazon out of $3 million by using fake trucking companies to bill for more than 1,000 phantom hauls through Amazon Relay.

Meanwhile, in Tennessee, a driver hauling an Amazon load was involved in a fatal crash near Chattanooga that left two dead; he’s now facing reckless homicide charges. Amazon has not commented on any of the cases as pressure mounts around its vast logistics network.