With pro-crypto leadership in Washington, regulatory changes may make crypto more accessible in the US. However, true mass adoption depends on real-world use cases, and emerging markets present the greatest opportunities. Many in the crypto industry still see these regions as charity cases rather than crucial drivers of adoption. Yet, Africa and other developing regions offer the perfect environment for testing and refining blockchain solutions.
Africa’s financial landscape highlights the need for decentralised alternatives. Many people remain unbanked, cross-border fees are high, and inflation erodes savings. These challenges have already pushed crypto adoption up 25-fold since 2021. If transaction fees can be lowered further, crypto could provide affordable financial tools for everyday transactions, helping small businesses and individuals.
The role of emerging markets in shaping new technology is well established. Renewable energy scaled globally after proving its viability in off-grid communities. Similarly, Africa’s urgent financial needs will accelerate crypto innovation. By solving local problems, developers can create systems that will ultimately benefit the entire world.
For crypto to thrive, both regulatory progress and grassroots adoption must move forward together. The shift in US policy is significant, but true innovation will come from where crypto is needed most. From Washington to Nairobi, a global approach will determine crypto’s future.
The Trump administration’s move to end tariff-free low-cost imports into the US is expected to impact fast fashion retailer Shein more severely than online dollar-store competitor Temu. Both companies have heavily benefited from the ‘de minimis’ rule, which exempts shipments under $800 from import duties, with a significant portion of US daily packages coming from these retailers. While the Biden administration has scrutinised the rule, Temu has been quicker to adapt, diversifying its shipping strategy to minimise reliance on this exemption.
Temu, owned by PDD Holdings, has made considerable shifts in its model, including a move to bulk shipping to US warehouses instead of directly to consumers. By late 2023, about 50% of its US sales came from local warehouses. The company has also increased sea freight for bulkier items like furniture. This strategy contrasts with Shein’s continued dependence on air freight for its fast-fashion inventory, despite opening US centres and expanding its supply chain to countries like Brazil and Turkey.
While the Trump administration’s decision is set to raise prices for American consumers ordering from Shein and Temu, analysts believe the impact will not be catastrophic for these Chinese e-commerce giants. Shein, despite its reliance on fast inventory turnover and speed, is seen as capable of adapting, though the new tariffs and regulations will accelerate the need for supply chain diversification.
Recent changes in US Postal Service policies have added further uncertainty, reversing decisions on accepting parcels from China and Hong Kong. Analysts estimate that de minimis shipments could drop by up to 60%. However, experts remain confident that both Shein and Temu will navigate the changes, given the flexibility and competitiveness of their supply chains.
Google has scrapped its diversity-based hiring goals and is reviewing its inclusion initiatives, aligning with other US businesses scaling back such efforts. Chief People Officer Fiona Cicconi confirmed the company would no longer set aspirational diversity targets, marking a shift from commitments made in 2020 to improve representation across leadership roles.
A goal set by CEO Sundar Pichai in 2020 aimed for 30% of leadership hires to come from underrepresented groups by 2025. Reports indicate Google had reached 60% of its five-year objectives by early 2024. However, recent regulatory filings show that the company removed previous statements about making diversity a core focus, reflecting its broader reassessment of DEI programmes.
Alphabet Workers Union criticised the move, calling it part of a larger trend against workplace diversity in the tech sector. As a federal contractor, Google also cited the need to comply with changing regulations and executive orders affecting DEI initiatives. Internal employee groups such as “Black Googler Network” and ‘Trans at Google’ will remain in place, continuing to inform company policies.
Other major technology firms, including Meta and Amazon, have also reduced their DEI commitments. Conservative groups have challenged corporate diversity policies following a 2023 US Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in university admissions, increasing pressure on businesses to revise their approaches.
Google has introduced new versions of its Gemini AI models, including the budget-friendly “Flash-Lite,” to compete with lower-cost rivals such as China‘s DeepSeek. The updates include the public release of Gemini 2.0 Flash and the testing of a new ‘Pro’ model. Flash-Lite was developed following positive feedback on the previous Flash 1.5 version, with the goal of making AI more affordable.
Investor scrutiny has increased over the rising costs of AI model development. DeepSeek recently claimed to have spent under $6 million on training a model, significantly less than what US AI firms are believed to invest. The emergence of cheaper alternatives has influenced discussions at Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta, with all three companies reaffirming their commitment to high AI investment.
Alphabet’s stock declined on Tuesday amid concerns over a planned increase in capital expenditure, which exceeded Wall Street expectations by 29%. Google’s pricing strategy for Gemini Flash-Lite sets its cost at $0.019 per million tokens, placing it between OpenAI’s cost-efficient model at $0.075 and DeepSeek’s current rate of $0.014, which is set to increase soon.
Elizabeth Kelly, the inaugural director of the United States AI Safety Institute, has stepped down from her role after a year overseeing efforts to measure and counter risks from advanced AI systems. During her tenure, the institute reached agreements with OpenAI and Anthropic to test their models before release and collaborated with global AI safety organisations.
The institute, created under former President Joe Biden’s administration, operates within the US Commerce Department‘s National Institute of Standards and Technology. Since taking office, President Donald Trump has revoked Biden’s 2023 executive order on AI, raising questions about the institute’s future direction under the new administration.
Kelly did not comment further on her departure but expressed optimism in a LinkedIn post, stating that the institute’s mission remains crucial to the future of AI innovation. The White House has yet to clarify its plans for AI regulation and safety oversight.
Thailand plans to draft a strategic plan for its semiconductor sector within 90 days, aiming to attract new investments amid the growing trade tensions between the US and China. The country’s national semiconductor board will engage a consultancy to create an industry roadmap, with Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary-general of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), leading efforts to promote the sector. As part of these efforts, Narit is also organising roadshows in the US and Japan to draw in semiconductor investments.
The semiconductor industry has faced significant disruption due to the US-China trade war, and further instability is expected as US President Donald Trump’s renewed tariffs on Chinese imports continue. Despite this, Thailand’s semiconductor sector has seen growth, with inbound investment applications reaching a decade-high of 1.14 trillion baht ($33.5 billion) in 2023. The country aims for 500 billion baht in new investments by 2029, focusing on power electronics, including semiconductors for electric vehicles, data centres, and energy storage systems.
Thailand is positioned as a key player in the global semiconductor market, ranking second among emerging economies for semiconductor manufacturing. Companies like Analog Devices, Sony, Toshiba, and Infineon have facilities in Thailand, and investment in printed circuit boards, essential for electronic devices, has also surged. Thailand’s neutral position in the ongoing trade conflict makes it an attractive destination for investors seeking stability.
However, Thailand faces stiff competition from other Southeast Asian countries, particularly Malaysia, which is aiming for over $100 billion in semiconductor investments. Despite this, Thailand’s growth potential remains strong, driven by its growing reputation as a manufacturing hub for electronics.
A 2,000-year-old burnt scroll from the ancient Roman town of Herculaneum has been read for the first time using AI and X-ray imaging. The scroll, charred by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD, was too fragile to open physically. As part of the Vesuvius Challenge, a project launched in 2023, researchers employed synchrotron X-rays to scan the papyrus, creating a 3D reconstruction, while AI detected and replicated the ink to reveal parts of the text.
The researchers successfully deciphered several columns, including the Ancient Greek word ‘διατροπή’ meaning ‘disgust.’ These breakthroughs come as University of Oxford scholars continue efforts to interpret the text further. The Vesuvius Challenge, led by computer scientist Brent Seales, aims to read other ancient scrolls discovered in Herculaneum, which were preserved under volcanic ash.
This technological achievement has been hailed as a monumental step in historical research, as scholars, librarians, and computer scientists collaborate to unlock the secrets of the past. Despite the promising results, further improvements in AI software are needed to read the entirety of these ancient documents.
Amazon is set to unveil its long-awaited generative AI-powered Alexa, with a preview event scheduled for 26 February in New York. The update marks the most significant overhaul since the voice assistant’s launch in 2014, aiming to improve user interactions with advanced AI-driven conversations. A final decision on the product’s readiness is expected at an internal meeting on 14 February.
The new AI capabilities will allow Alexa to handle multiple requests in sequence and act on behalf of users without direct input. While initially free for a limited number of users, Amazon is considering a monthly subscription fee of $5 to $10. The company will continue offering the existing version, known as Classic Alexa, though it has reportedly stopped adding new features to it.
Despite Alexa’s early success, usage has remained limited due to a lack of major updates in recent years. The generative AI revamp is designed to make Alexa more useful for tasks like shopping, scheduling, and entertainment. Analysts suggest that even a fraction of users subscribing to the service could generate significant revenue for Amazon.
The update will rely on AI software from Anthropic, a startup backed by Amazon’s $8 billion investment. Previous attempts to launch an improved Alexa were delayed due to concerns over accuracy and performance. With the upcoming release, Amazon hopes to re-establish Alexa as a key part of everyday digital interactions.
Chinese investors are flocking to AI-related stocks, betting that the success of home-grown startup DeepSeek will propel China to the forefront of the AI race amid the escalating Sino-US technology conflict. DeepSeek’s breakthrough in developing a competitive large language model, cheaper to produce than those of US giants like OpenAI, has ignited a surge in investments, particularly in Chinese chipmakers, software companies, and data centre operators. This patriotic investment surge follows US President Donald Trump’s fresh tariffs and trade war tactics.
Shares in AI, semiconductor, and robotics firms in China and Hong Kong have seen notable increases, with the Hang Seng AI Index rising by more than 5% and related sectors climbing over 11%. Investors are optimistic about the rapid adoption of AI technologies, with industry experts predicting significant growth in AI applications by 2025. Companies such as Nancal Technology and Suzhou MedicalSystem Technology are seen as likely beneficiaries of the AI boom.
The rise of DeepSeek has also sparked discussions about the undervaluation of Chinese tech stocks compared to their US counterparts. Chinese stocks are trading at much lower price-to-earnings ratios, and analysts believe AI breakthroughs could help close this gap. While US export restrictions on Chinese tech could intensify, this may prompt further government support, driving faster growth in the AI sector.
However, not all investors are entirely convinced. Some remain cautious about the long-term profitability of AI-focused companies, with concerns that many are still far from turning a profit. Despite the optimism, the future of AI investments in China remains a delicate balancing act between technological innovation and market realities.
Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer, is diving deeper into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) with several new applications in development. Tether Data, the company’s AI division, is working on a range of tools including AI Translate, AI Voice Assistant, and AI Bitcoin Wallet Assistant. These apps will focus on maintaining the privacy and self-custodial control over both data and money, according to CEO Paolo Ardoino.
The AI Bitcoin Wallet Assistant will allow users to interact with a chatbot interface to manage their BTC wallet, such as checking their balance or making transactions. Meanwhile, the AI Translate tool provides simple chatbot-based translation, and the AI Voice Assistant will enable voice responses instead of text. Tether plans to launch an open-source AI SDK platform, compatible with various devices including mobile phones and laptops.
Tether’s commitment to AI growth has been evident since 2023, with the company acquiring a stake in Northern Data Group, a European crypto miner specialising in cloud computing and generative AI. The firm also began a global recruitment drive for AI talent in March 2023, intending to innovate and set new industry standards.
The firm has been making significant strides in both the AI and crypto industries, as it reported record profits of $13 billion for 2024, and its USDT stablecoin has seen an all-time high market capitalisation of $141 billion. Tether’s AI platform is expected to launch by the end of Q1 2025.
