E-commerce and trade Archives | Page 2 of 190

OCC approval moves Crypto.com closer to US trust bank

Crypto.com has secured conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to move ahead with plans to launch a federally regulated national trust bank in the United States.

Approval marks a notable step in the firm’s regulatory roadmap. It also signals continued alignment with US supervisory expectations as the digital asset sector seeks deeper integration with traditional financial infrastructure.

Plans focus on establishing Foris Dax National Trust Bank. The entity is designed to provide a consolidated suite of services, including digital asset custody, staking across multiple blockchain ecosystems such as Cronos, and trade settlement.

Full approval would place the entity under direct federal oversight, positioning it to serve institutional clients that require qualified custodians operating within a clear regulatory perimeter.

Leadership described the decision as recognition of its compliance and risk management framework. Executives said the structure would offer institutions a single regulated gateway to digital asset infrastructure and strengthen market confidence.

Existing operations at Crypto.com Custody Trust Company in New Hampshire will continue without interruption. Final authorisation will determine the timeline for launching the national trust bank and expanding federally supervised US services.

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Stanford speech warns of AI tsunami

Senator Bernie Sanders has warned at Stanford University in California that the US is unprepared for the speed and scale of the AI revolution. Speaking in California alongside Congressman Ro Khanna, he called the moment one of the most dangerous in modern US history.

At Stanford University, Sanders urged a moratorium on the expansion of AI data centres to slow development while lawmakers catch up. He argued that the American public lacks a clear understanding of the economic and social impact ahead and that New York is already considering a pause.

Khanna, who represents Silicon Valley in California, rejected a complete moratorium but called for steering AI growth through renewable energy and water efficiency standards. He outlined principles to prevent wealth from being concentrated among a small group of tech billionaires.

Sanders also raised concerns in California about job losses and emotional reliance on AI, citing projections of widespread automation. He called for a national debate in the US over whether AI will benefit the public or deepen inequality.

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Global microchip shortage pushes electronics prices higher

South African consumers may soon pay more for smartphones and laptops due to a global shortage of memory chips. The high demand is largely driven by AI data centres, which require powerful microchips to operate.

Tech experts report that major AI companies are acquiring large quantities of these chips for their own data centres, limiting supply for other industries. At the same time, importing chips from regions such as China has become more difficult because of trade tensions and tariffs.

Industry leaders, including Apple’s Tim Cook and Tesla’s Elon Musk, have expressed concern over the impact on production and business operations. The strain is being felt across the tech sector as companies compete for the limited supply of components.

With no immediate solution, the increased costs are expected to be passed down to consumers. Analysts warn that the combination of high demand, supply constraints, and global trade issues will make technology and appliances more expensive for consumers.

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Carrefour accelerates AI-enabled transformation to 2030, following Walmart’s strategic playbook

According to reporting by Diginomica, Carrefour, one of Europe’s largest retail groups, is accelerating the adoption of AI across its business as part of a strategic transformation aimed at 2030.

Inspired in part by the AI-driven overhaul undertaken by Walmart in the US, Carrefour’s initiative is intended to reshape its logistics, pricing, forecasting and store operations to become more data-driven, efficient and responsive to consumer trends.

Key elements of Carrefour’s AI focus include supply chain optimisation, dynamic pricing and promotions, customer engagement, and store and back-office automation.

First, using AI to predict demand, manage inventories and reduce waste across national and regional networks. Then, algorithms adjust pricing based on real-time data to improve competitiveness and margin performance.

Personalised offers and recommendations powered by machine learning work to enhance loyalty and user experience. Finally, AI tools streamline staffing, task allocation, and routine merchandising processes.

The transformation plan emphasises enterprise data strategy as a foundation, from consolidating disparate data sources to deploying machine learning models that inform business decisions in near-real time.

Carrefour executives view AI not just as a set of point solutions, but as core to future competitiveness, citing early gains in forecasting accuracy and reduced waste.

Carrefour’s approach is part of a broader retail AI arms race in which large grocers leverage scale and data to drive efficiency and customer centricity, with Walmart often cited as a pioneer whose playbook demonstrates the strategic value of enterprise-wide AI.

The report also notes challenges ahead, such as aligning organisational culture, ensuring data quality and addressing privacy concerns around personalised offers.

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Ashford Port Health Authority rolls out AI-powered compliance checks at UK border control

The Ashford Port Health Authority, operated by Ashford Borough Council at the Sevington Border Control Post in Kent, has deployed an AI-enabled system to support import compliance checks.

This technology uses Intelligent Document Processing to automatically extract, structure and evaluate import documentation for agricultural products and other regulated goods, reducing the need for manual review in early screening stages.

Officials describe the system as the first of its kind in the UK to fully automate initial documentary compliance checks for imported goods, including products of animal origin (POAO), high-risk food not of animal origin (HRFNAO) and other regulated consignments.

By mimicking the workflows of human officers, it helps improve productivity, consistency and speed of border controls while allowing staff to focus on frontline services.

The rollout also allows Ashford Borough Council to freeze official control charges for the 2026/27 financial year, as automation gains offset cost pressures. The council emphasises that the AI system augments rather than replaces expert oversight, strengthening compliance without sacrificing professional judgement.

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Deutsche Bank expands digital asset plans

The German banking giant has applied for a digital asset custody licence from BaFin, marking a significant step in its expansion into cryptocurrency services. The move positions Deutsche Bank to offer safekeeping solutions for clients seeking exposure to digital assets.

Plans form part of a broader strategy to build a dedicated digital assets division, according to David Lynne, a commercial banking executive. DWS Group’s initiatives highlight rising institutional interest in crypto partnerships in Germany.

Previous experimentation includes a tokenised investment platform developed in Singapore with Memento Blockchain, enabling access to digital asset funds through fiat on-ramps.

Activity mirrors wider domestic momentum, as Deutsche WertpapierService Bank has already launched crypto infrastructure linking traditional and digital accounts.

Regulatory clarity and growing client demand appear to be key drivers, with Deutsche Bank signalling a cautious yet deliberate approach to integrating cryptocurrencies into its mainstream banking services.

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Strict ban on crypto references introduced by OpenClaw

OpenClaw has introduced a firm community rule prohibiting any reference to Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies on its Discord server, according to its creator, Peter Steinberger.

Enforcement drew attention after a user was removed for mentioning Bitcoin block height as a timing method in a benchmark, with the developer later offering to restore access.

The policy follows a rebrand scare when scammers hijacked old accounts to promote a fake Solana token. Market value spiked then plunged after Steinberger denied involvement, warning that no official token would be issued.

Rapid growth of the open-source project, which has attracted a large developer base within weeks of launch, contrasts with wider industry momentum linking AI agents and digital assets.

Leaders such as Jeremy Allaire of Circle argue stablecoins could become default payment rails for autonomous software, while Coinbase is already rolling out infrastructure enabling agents to transact on-chain.

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Reddit tests AI shopping search

Reddit has begun testing an AI-powered shopping search tool with a limited group of users in the US. Search queries for product ideas now generate interactive carousels featuring prices, images and direct links to retailers.

Items appearing in the results are drawn from recommendations shared in posts and comments across the platform. Listings are connected to Reddit’s advertising and shopping partners, bringing community discussions closer to online purchasing.

Expansion into AI-led commerce builds on the company’s earlier launch of Dynamic Product Ads, designed to deliver personalised suggestions. Closer integration of search and shopping signals a broader effort to strengthen digital revenue streams.

Chief executive Steve Huffman recently described AI search as a significant business opportunity beyond product development alone. Weekly search users increased from 60 million to 80 million over the past year, while engagement with the AI-powered Reddit Answers tool rose sharply throughout 2025.

Developments place Reddit alongside other technology platforms investing in AI-driven retail features. Growing user engagement suggests the company sees search as central to its future commercial strategy.

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Chinese AI video tool unsettles Hollywood

A new AI video model developed by ByteDance has unsettled Hollywood after generating cinema-quality clips from brief text prompts. Seedance 2.0, launched in 2025, went viral for producing realistic action scenes featuring western cinematic characters such as Spider Man and Deadpool.

In response, major studios, including Disney and Paramount, issued cease and desist letters over alleged copyright infringement. Japan has also begun investigating ByteDance after AI-generated anime videos spread widely online.

Industry experts say Seedance 2.0 stands out for combining text, visuals and audio within a single system. Analysts in Singapore and Melbourne argue that Chinese AI models are now matching US competitors at the technological frontier.

As Seedance 2.0 gains traction, Beijing continues to prioritise AI and robotics in its economic strategy. The rise of tools from China has intensified debate in the US and beyond over copyright, regulation and the future of creative work.

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Brand turns AI demon into marketing stunt

Beverage company Liquid Death triggered confusion during the Winter Olympics after airing an AI advert featuring a figure skater who transforms into a red-eyed demon. The commercial appeared on Peacock’s Olympics stream but was not posted online, leaving viewers questioning whether it was real.

The brand later confirmed the advert was intentional and designed to parody fears around AI. According to Liquid Death, the limited run and lack of online acknowledgement were meant to amplify the sense of unease during the Winter Olympics broadcast.

Marketing analysts said that brands are increasingly leaning into AI scepticism to build trust with wary consumers. Campaigns from Equinox and Almond Breeze have similarly contrasted human authenticity with AI-generated content.

Despite the strategy, the Winter Olympics stunt drew criticism on social media, with some users labelling the advert AI slop. The reaction highlights both the risks and rewards for brands experimenting with AI-themed messaging.

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