Elon Musk’s social media company X is currently in discussions to raise funds from investors at a $44 billion valuation, according to Bloomberg News. Musk purchased the platform, formerly known as Twitter, for the same price in 2022.
The financing talks are still ongoing, with the potential for details to change or even for the discussions to be abandoned altogether, the report added. The US company has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
In related news, last month, it was reported that Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, and Barclays were preparing to sell up to $3 billion in debt holdings in X.
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President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he was in active discussions with China over the future of TikTok, as the US seeks to broker a sale of the popular app. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump revealed that talks were ongoing, underscoring the US government’s desire to address national security concerns tied to the app’s ownership by the Chinese company ByteDance. The move comes amid growing scrutiny over TikTok’s data security practices and potential links to the Chinese government.
The Trump administration has expressed concerns that TikTok could be used to collect sensitive data on US users, raising fears about national security risks. As a result, the US has been pushing for ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US operations to an American company. This would be part of an effort to reduce any potential influence from the Chinese government over the app’s data and operations. However, the process has faced complexities, with discussions involving multiple stakeholders, including potential buyers.
While the negotiations continue, the future of TikTok remains uncertain. If a sale is not agreed upon, the US has indicated that it could pursue further actions, including a potential ban of the app. As these talks unfold, the outcome could have significant implications for TikTok’s millions of American users and its business operations in the US, with both sides working to find a solution that addresses the security concerns while allowing the app to continue its success.
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Resonac Holdings, a leading chip materials maker in Japan, is positioning itself to make strategic acquisitions after reducing its borrowing, according to CEO Hidehito Takahashi. Speaking to Reuters, Takahashi expressed the company’s intention to take an aggressive approach this year, particularly eyeing opportunities when a state-backed fund exits its competitor JSR, a photoresist maker recently taken private.
Resonac, formed by Showa Denko’s acquisition of Hitachi Chemical, has been divesting assets, including a planned partial spin-off of its petrochemical business. Takahashi sees JSR’s potential exit as a key opportunity for Resonac to expand its footprint in the semiconductor materials sector. Japan’s semiconductor market remains competitive, despite the country’s reduced role in chip manufacturing, and companies like Resonac must scale up to remain viable.
In addition to its expansion efforts, Resonac is establishing an R&D centre in Silicon Valley to strengthen its ties with firms in the region. However, Takahashi made it clear that the company is not currently considering manufacturing materials in the US, though future demand could prompt a reassessment of such plans.
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Howard Lutnick has been confirmed as the 41st US Secretary of Commerce, marking a significant shift in trade and economic policy. The Senate approved his appointment with a 51-45 vote, placing the pro-crypto former chief executive of Cantor Fitzgerald at the helm of the department overseeing trade regulations and economic strategies.
Lutnick has long supported Bitcoin, calling it a global asset similar to gold, and has defended Tether’s reserves as fully backed by strong financial assets. He also dismissed concerns over stablecoins and illicit funding during his Senate hearing. With the SEC reviewing Ethereum staking ETFs, his leadership could shape the Commerce Department’s stance on digital assets.
Beyond cryptocurrency, Lutnick aligns with Donald Trump’s push for tariffs to protect British businesses, arguing that tariffs do not cause inflation. His appointment signals stronger trade policies that could benefit US industries but may also increase tensions with international partners. As Commerce Secretary, he will oversee economic regulations, technological exports, and trade negotiations, potentially reshaping global trade dynamics.
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Google is working on a major initiative to simplify Bitcoin usage for billions of users, according to Kyle Song, a Web3 specialist at the company. Speaking at the Hong Kong Bitcoin Tech Carnival on 18 February, he revealed that Google has been exploring ways to integrate Bitcoin into its ecosystem, aiming to lower entry barriers for mainstream users.
The plan includes embedding Bitcoin wallets directly into Google accounts, allowing users to access them as seamlessly as any other Google service. The company is also working on making crypto payments as intuitive as existing Web2 payment methods. Security remains a top priority, with Google looking to deploy Zero-Knowledge Proofs or similar encryption technology to ensure trust between on-chain and off-chain systems.
Although Song’s comments were not an official announcement, the impact of such an integration could be transformative. If Google successfully integrates Bitcoin with Google Pay, crypto adoption could accelerate like never before. Billions of users might suddenly find themselves with an easy and secure way to buy, exchange, and spend Bitcoin.
However, not all ambitious tech projects succeed. Facebook and Telegram both attempted to integrate cryptocurrencies in 2020 but were forced to abandon their plans due to regulatory pressures. The environment in 2025 is different, with Bitcoin ETFs already approved and crypto adoption more widely accepted. If Google follows through, it could mark a new chapter for digital assets, bridging the gap between traditional finance and decentralised money.
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Online fashion retailers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to tackle the costly issue of clothing returns, with up to 30% of purchases being sent back due to sizing problems. A study by McKinsey estimates that each return costs between $21 and $46, significantly affecting profit margins. Many customers order multiple sizes and return those that don’t fit, creating logistical headaches for retailers.
To address this, companies are adopting AI-driven sizing tools. French start-up Fringuant, for instance, uses an algorithm that analyses a shopper’s height, weight, and a quick selfie to predict the best size. Zalando, a German e-commerce giant, has also implemented its own AI-powered tool that guides customers by comparing their body shape with garment dimensions. These technologies are already helping some brands reduce return rates significantly.
Beyond sizing, AI is also improving warehouse operations to prevent shipping mistakes. Smart cameras on order pickers’ trolleys at logistics firms help ensure the right product is selected, while AI-equipped robots track stock levels, reducing errors that lead to returns. As online shopping continues to grow, retailers hope these innovations will streamline processes and boost efficiency.
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Nigeria is set to amend its digital asset regulations to introduce taxes on cryptocurrency transactions, a move the government believes could generate significant revenue. A bill currently before the National Assembly aims to provide a legal framework for taxing transactions on regulated exchanges, with expectations for its adoption this quarter.
The Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is also working on expanding crypto licensing, allowing exchanges to be monitored for tax compliance. The SEC issued its first exchange licence in August 2024 and has since taken steps to regulate unlicensed platforms.
With Nigeria ranked second in global crypto adoption, many citizens have embraced cryptocurrencies, especially stablecoins like Tether and USD Coin, to protect their wealth against the country’s high inflation and depreciating currency. In the last year, Nigeria received $21.8 billion in stablecoin transactions, leading the Sub-Saharan region.
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Samsung Electronics has nominated two of its top chip executives and a semiconductor expert for its board, aiming to enhance its position in the competitive chip market. The move reflects a strategic effort to revitalise its struggling semiconductor business.
Jun Young-hyun, head of Samsung’s chip division, and Chief Technology Officer Song Jai-hyuk have been proposed for board membership. Additionally, Lee Hyuk-jae, a professor at Seoul National University and leader of its semiconductor research centre, has been named as an outside director.
Samsung has been working to regain its footing in the semiconductor industry, where it recently lost market leadership in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips to rival SK Hynix. HBM chips are crucial for AI-driven GPUs, a rapidly growing market dominated by firms like Nvidia.
The nominations will be presented for approval at Samsung’s shareholders’ meeting scheduled for 19 March. The company hopes the addition of these experts will strengthen its long-term strategy in the chip sector.
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Tiger Brokers has integrated DeepSeek’s AI model into its TigerGPT chatbot, marking a significant step in the race to adopt AI in the financial industry. The DeepSeek-R1 model is already being used by over 20 Chinese brokers and fund managers, transforming areas such as market analysis, risk management, and client interaction. The technology, developed at a fraction of the cost of Western AI models, is expected to revolutionise how financial firms operate, with DeepSeek tapping into valuable data to enhance decision-making and trading strategies.
Tiger Brokers, supported by investors like Xiaomi and Jim Rogers, views this AI breakthrough as a game changer. The upgraded TigerGPT, which will initially be available for free in China and Singapore, now offers enhanced logical reasoning capabilities, allowing for more accurate market predictions and investment opportunities. CEO Wu Tianhua described the impact as transformative, helping users understand market shifts and boosting the overall investment experience.
As AI adoption accelerates, financial IT spending in China is forecasted to rise by 24% in the next five years, a trend expected to benefit tech companies like Hundsun Technologies. The integration of DeepSeek’s models is reshaping the financial industry, with firms such as Sinolink Securities and CICC Wealth Management already exploring AI’s potential to improve efficiency, from risk management to investment advisory services.
Despite the promise, the financial industry faces challenges in standardising data for AI models. However, companies are moving quickly to implement AI solutions, eager to unlock the full potential of their data and enhance their internal operations, marketing, and investing strategies.
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The EU’s competition chief, Teresa Ribera, has criticised US President Donald Trump for disrupting the ‘trustful relationship’ between Europe and the United States, highlighting the unpredictability and instability of Washington’s actions. In an interview with Reuters, Ribera stated that while Europe must engage in negotiations with the White House on trade issues, it should not be pressured into changing laws that have already been passed. She emphasised that Europe must remain firm on its principles, including human rights, democracy, and the unity of the continent, despite Trump’s transactional political approach.
Ribera also responded to criticism from Trump and his government, who have labelled EU regulations on US tech companies as a form of taxation. She dismissed these claims, stressing that Europe’s legal framework aims to ensure stability and predictability for businesses. In contrast, she expressed concern over the uncertainty created by the White House’s frequent policy shifts, particularly with regard to tariffs on steel, aluminium, and other sectors. The EU has vowed to respond firmly to any tariff increases imposed by Trump.
In addition, Ribera revealed that the European Commission would soon decide whether tech giants Apple and Meta Platforms have complied with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. Both companies face potential fines if found in breach of the regulations, which are designed to curb their market dominance. Ribera also confirmed that investigations into Elon Musk’s social media platform X would continue, disregarding Musk’s ties to the US administration.
As tensions between Washington and Brussels continue to rise, Ribera reiterated that businesses seek a stable and predictable legal environment, something she feels is increasingly lacking in the US under Trump’s leadership. The EU remains committed to enforcing its regulations and protecting its values despite external pressures.
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