Stablecoins have become central to the digital economy, with billions in daily transactions and stronger regulatory backing under the GENIUS Act. Yet experts warn that advances in quantum computing could undermine their very foundations.
Elliptic curve and RSA cryptography, widely used in stablecoin systems, are expected to be breakable once ‘Q-Day’ arrives. Quantum-equipped attackers could instantly derive private keys from public addresses, exposing entire networks to theft.
The immutability of blockchains makes upgrading cryptographic schemes especially challenging. Dormant wallets and legacy addresses may prove vulnerable, putting billions of dollars at risk if issuers fail to take action promptly.
Researchers highlight lattice-based and hash-based algorithms as viable ‘quantum-safe’ alternatives. Stablecoins built with crypto-agility, enabling seamless upgrades, will better adapt to new standards and avoid disruptive forks.
Regulators are also moving. NIST is finalising post-quantum cryptographic standards, and new rules will likely be established before 2030. Stablecoins that embed resilience today may set the global benchmark for digital trust in the quantum age.
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The United States, Japan, and South Korea held two Trilateral Quantum Cooperation meetings this week in Seoul and Tokyo. Officials and experts from government and industry gathered to discuss securing quantum ecosystems against cyber, physical, and intellectual property threats.
The US State Department stressed that joint efforts will ensure breakthroughs in quantum computing benefit citizens while safeguarding innovation. Officials said cooperation is essential as quantum technologies could reshape industries, global power balances, and economic prosperity.
The President of South Korea, Lee Jae Myung, described the partnership as entering a ‘golden era’, noting that Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo must work together both to address North Korea and to drive technological progress.
The talks come as Paul Dabbar, the former CEO of Bohr Quantum Technology, begins his role as US Deputy Secretary of Commerce. Dabbar brings experience in deploying emerging quantum network technologies to the new trilateral framework.
North Korea has also signalled interest in quantum computing for economic development. Analysts note that quantum’s lower energy demand compared to supercomputers could appeal to a country plagued by chronic power shortages.
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Ransomware groups have evolved into billion-dollar operations targeting critical infrastructure across multiple countries, employing increasingly sophisticated extortion schemes. Between 2020 and 2022, more than 865 documented attacks were recorded across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK.
Criminals have escalated from simple encryption to double and triple extortion, threatening to leak stolen data as added leverage. Attack vectors include phishing, botnets, and unpatched flaws. Once inside, attackers use stealthy tools to persist and spread.
BlackSuit, formerly known as Conti, led with 141 attacks, followed by LockBit’s 129, according to data from the Australian Institute of Criminology. Ransomware-as-a-Service groups hit higher volumes by splitting developers from affiliates handling breaches and negotiations.
Industrial targets bore the brunt, with 239 attacks on manufacturing and building products. The consumer goods, real estate, financial services, and technology sectors also featured prominently. Analysts note that industrial firms are often pressured into quick ransom payments to restore production.
Experts warn that today’s ransomware combines military-grade encryption with advanced reconnaissance and backup targeting, raising the stakes for defenders. The scale of activity underscores how resilient these groups remain, adapting rapidly to law enforcement crackdowns and shifting market opportunities.
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PayPal has partnered with Perplexity AI to provide PayPal and Venmo users in the US and select international markets with a free 12-month Perplexity Pro subscription and early access to the AI-powered Comet browser.
The $200 subscription allows unlimited queries, file uploads and advanced search features, while Comet offers natural language browsing to simplify complex tasks.
Industry analysts see the initiative as a way for PayPal to strengthen its position in fintech by integrating AI into everyday digital payments.
By linking accounts, users gain access to AI tools and cash back incentives and subscription management features, signalling a push toward what some describe as agentic commerce, where AI assistants guide financial and shopping decisions.
The deal also benefits Perplexity AI, a rising search and browser market challenger. Exposure to millions of PayPal customers could accelerate the adoption of its technology and provide valuable data for refining models.
Analysts suggest the partnership reflects a broader trend of payment platforms evolving into service hubs that combine transactions with AI-driven experiences.
While enthusiasm is high among early users, concerns remain about data privacy and regulatory scrutiny over AI integration in finance.
Market reaction has been positive, with PayPal shares edging upward following the announcement. Observers believe such alliances will shape the next phase of digital commerce, where payments, browsing, and AI capabilities converge.
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Private backing for UK AI companies has reached £2.9 billion, with average deals of £5.9 million, driving record growth across the sector. Ministers say investment is spreading regionally, with the number of firms in the Midlands, Yorkshire, Wales, and the North West doubling in just three years.
At Mansion House, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle urged industry to cut red tape, expand data centres, and attract global talent. He emphasised that public trust, supported by AI assurance measures, is crucial for growth.
The assurance roadmap aims to add billions to the economy by creating a dedicated profession to review AI systems for safety, ethics, and accountability. Independent experts will be tasked with certifying systems, while a consortium of professional bodies develops a code of ethics to guide standards.
Further initiatives include £2.7m to boost regulator capacity and AI projects for Ofgem, the Civil Aviation Authority, and the Office for Nuclear Regulation, covering energy, aviation, and nuclear waste.
Officials say these measures will help position the UK as a world leader in AI innovation, while ensuring growth is matched with robust oversight and public confidence in the technology.
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The cloud computing services offered by IBM will end free human support under its Basic Support tier in January 2026, opting for an AI-driven self-service model instead.
Users will lose the option to open or escalate technical cases through the portal or APIs. However, they can still report service issues via the Cloud Console and raise billing or account cases through the Support Portal.
IBM will direct customers to its Watsonx-powered AI Assistant, upgraded earlier in the year, while introducing a ‘Report an Issue’ tool to improve routing. The company plans to expand its support library to provide more detailed self-help resources.
Starting at $200 per month, paid support will remain available for organisations needing faster response times and direct technical assistance.
The company describes the change as an alignment with industry norms. AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure already provide free tiers that rely on community forums, online resources and billing support.
However, IBM Cloud holds only 2–4 percent of the market, according to Synergy Research Group, which some analysts suggest makes cost reductions in support more likely. Tencent, another provider, previously withdrew support for basic users because they were not profitable.
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Hisense will debut AI-powered innovations at IFA 2025 under the theme ‘AI Your Life,’ showcasing entertainment, smart homes, and climate-friendly technologies. The company aims to make AI seamless and personal.
Entertainment highlights include the 116-inch RGB-MiniLED UX TV with 8,000 nits brightness, plus new laser projectors offering IMAX-level clarity and portability for home cinema and gaming.
Appliances get smarter with the PureFlat refrigerator, featuring a 21-inch screen for cooking, streaming, and AI art. ConnectLife agents will optimise chores and energy use in daily routines.
The U8 S Pro Air Conditioner brings presence detection, AI voice controls, and air purification, while Hisense expands into smart buildings, energy systems, and automotive climate solutions.
Combining advanced display technologies with next-gen appliances, Hisense says its innovations will empower people to live more freely and confidently across global markets.
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Amazon has introduced Lens Live, an AI-powered feature that lets shoppers identify and buy products by pointing their phone camera at real-world items.
The tool builds on Amazon Lens by adding a live, real-time element to product discovery.
Lens Live is integrated with Amazon’s AI assistant Rufus, which provides AI-generated product summaries, suggested questions and insights to help users make informed decisions.
It is powered by Amazon SageMaker and AWS-managed OpenSearch, enabling machine learning at scale.
The feature has launched on the Amazon Shopping app for iOS, initially available to tens of millions of US shoppers, with no word yet on an international rollout.
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Statsig, founded in 2021, provides tools for developers to test and manage new features. Upon completion of the deal, Statsig’s founder and CEO, Vijaye Raji, will join OpenAI as the new chief technology officer (CTO) for applications.
Raji will report to OpenAI Applications CEO Fidji Simo and lead product engineering for key products such as ChatGPT.
The acquisition is part of a broader trend of significant deals for the AI company this year, which recently concluded a £6.5 billion all-stock acquisition of an AI device startup. OpenAI’s expanding valuation, which reached £300 billion following a March funding round, has supported this growth.
The company is reportedly discussing a further share sale that could increase its valuation to £500 billion. The completion of the Statsig deal is subject to regulatory approval, after which the company will continue to operate independently from its Seattle office, with its employees joining the OpenAI team.
Other leadership changes at OpenAI include the appointment of Srinivas Narayanan as CTO for B2B applications and Kevin Weil’s move to a new team focused on AI for Science.
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Google may roll out a Play Games update on 23 September adding public profiles, stat tracking, and community features. Reports suggest users may customise profiles, follow others, and import gaming history, while Google could collect gameplay and developer data.
The update is said to track installed games, session lengths, and in-game achievements, with some participating developers potentially accessing additional data. Players can reportedly manage visibility settings, delete profiles, or keep accounts private, with default settings applied unless changed.
The EU and UK are expected to receive the update on 1 October.
Privacy concerns have been highlighted in Europe. Austrian group NOYB filed a complaint against Ubisoft over alleged excessive data collection in games like Far Cry Primal, suggesting that session tracking and frequent online connections may conflict with GDPR.
Ubisoft could face fines of up to four percent of global turnover, based on last year’s revenues.
Observers suggest the update reflects a social and data-driven gaming trend, though European players may seek more explicit consent and transparency.
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