E-commerce and trade

ChatGPT guides investors through crypto research

AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming essential for researching cryptocurrencies before investing. The platform can simplify white papers, explain tokenomics, and summarise use cases to help investors make informed decisions.

Evaluating the team, partnerships, and security risks remains critical. ChatGPT can guide users in identifying potential scams such as rug pulls, pump-and-dump schemes, or phishing attacks.

It also helps assess regulatory compliance and whether projects have working products. Comparing coins with competitors further highlights strengths and weaknesses within categories like DeFi, NFTs, or Layer 1 blockchains.

Although ChatGPT cannot give real-time data or investment advice, it helps by suggesting research questions, summarising content, and organising insights efficiently. Investors should use it to complement traditional due diligence, not replace critical thinking or careful analysis.

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US pushes chip manufacturing to boost AI dominance

Donald Trump’s AI Action Plan, released in July 2025, places domestic semiconductor manufacturing at the heart of US efforts to dominate global AI. The plan supports deregulation, domestic production and export of full-stack technology, positioning chips as critical to national power.

Lawmakers and tech leaders have previously flagged tracking chips post-sale as viable, with companies like Google already using such methods. Trump’s plan suggests adopting location tracking and enhanced end-use monitoring to ensure chips avoid blacklisted destinations.

Trump has pressed for more private sector investment in US fabs, reportedly using tariff threats to extract pledges from chipmakers like TSMC. The cost of building and running chip plants in the US remains significantly higher than in Asia, raising questions about sustainability.

America’s success in AI and semiconductors will likely depend on how well it balances domestic goals with global collaboration. Overregulation risks slowing innovation, while unilateral restrictions may alienate allies and reduce long-term influence.

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Netflix limits AI use in productions with new rules

Netflix has issued detailed guidance for production companies on the approved use of generative AI. The guidelines allow AI tools for early ideation tasks such as moodboards or reference images, but stricter oversight applies beyond that stage.

The company outlined five guiding principles. These include ensuring generated content does not replicate copyrighted works, maintaining security of inputs, avoiding use of AI in final deliverables, and prohibiting storage or reuse of production data by AI tools.

Enterprises or vendors working on Netflix content must pass the platform’s AI compliance checks at every stage.

Netflix has already used AI to reduce VFX costs on projects like The Eternaut, but has moved to formalise boundaries around how and when the technology is applied.

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AI model forecasts Bitcoin to fall below $100,000

Bitcoin has slipped below $110,000, and according to Finbold’s use of ChatGPT-5, a further drop could occur in the coming weeks. The model outlined technical resistance and seasonal factors pointing to September weakness.

Key levels around $112,000 and $106,000 are under pressure, with the AI projecting a sharp decline toward $98,000 if support breaks. Historically, September has been one of Bitcoin’s worst-performing months, adding to the bearish outlook.

Despite the short-term caution, demand from ETFs and long-term holders may offer support between $95,000 and $98,000. Longer-term technicals remain intact, with the 200-day average sitting near $95,000.

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Travellers claim ChatGPT helps cut flight costs by hundreds of pounds

ChatGPT is increasingly used as a travel assistant, with some travellers claiming it can save hundreds of pounds on flights. Finance influencer Casper Opala shares cost-saving tips online and said the AI tool helped him secure a flight for £70 that initially cost more than £700.

Opala shared a series of prompts that allow ChatGPT to identify hidden routes, budget airlines not listed on major platforms, and potential savings through alternative airports or separate bookings. He also suggested using the tool to monitor prices for several days or compare one-way fares with return tickets.

While many money-saving tricks have existed for years, ChatGPT condenses the process, collecting results in seconds. Opala says this efficiency is a strong starting point for cheaper travel deals.

Experts, however, warn that ChatGPT is not connected to live flight booking systems. TravelBook’s Laura Pomer noted that the AI can sometimes present inaccurate or outdated fares, meaning users should always verify results before booking.

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Jetson AGX Thor brings Blackwell-powered compute to robots and autonomous vehicles

Nvidia has introduced Jetson AGX Thor, its Blackwell-powered robotics platform that succeeds the 2022 Jetson Orin. Designed for autonomous driving, factory robots, and humanoid machines, it comes in multiple models, with a DRIVE OS kit for vehicles scheduled for release in September.

Thor delivers 7.5 times more AI compute, 3.1 times greater CPU performance, and double the memory of Orin. The flagship Thor T5000 offers up to 2,070 teraflops of AI compute, paired with 128 GB of memory, enabling the execution of generative AI models and robotics workloads at the edge.

The platform supports Nvidia’s Isaac, Metropolis, and Holoscan systems, and features multi-instance GPU capabilities that enable the simultaneous execution of multiple AI models. It is compatible with Hugging Face, PyTorch, and leading AI models from OpenAI, Google, and other sources.

Adoption has begun, with Boston Dynamics utilising Thor for Atlas and firms such as Volvo, Aurora, and Gatik deploying DRIVE AGX Thor in their vehicles. Nvidia stresses it supports robot-makers rather than building robots, with robotics still a small but growing part of its business.

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INTERPOL reports over 1,200 arrests in Africa-wide cybercrime operation

INTERPOL has announced that a continent-wide law enforcement initiative targeting cybercrime and fraud networks led to more than 1,200 arrests between June and August 2025. The operation, known as Serengeti 2.0, was carried out across multiple African states and focused on ransomware, online fraud, and business email compromise schemes. Authorities reported the recovery of approximately USD 97.4 million, allegedly stolen from more than 88,000 victims worldwide.

In Angola, police closed 25 unauthorised cryptocurrency mining sites, reportedly operated by 60 Chinese nationals. In Zambia, authorities dismantled a large-scale fraudulent investment scheme involving cryptocurrency platforms, which is estimated to have defrauded around 65,000 individuals of roughly USD 300 million. Fifteen suspects were detained, and assets, including domains, mobile numbers, and bank accounts, were seized.

In a separate raid in Lusaka, police disrupted a suspected human trafficking network and confiscated hundreds of forged passports from seven different countries.

INTERPOL has previously noted that Africa’s rapid uptake of digital technologies, particularly in finance and e-commerce, has increased the scope for cybercriminal activity. At the same time, comparatively weak cybersecurity frameworks have left financial institutions and government systems exposed to data breaches, economic losses, and disruption to trade.

Separately, in June, a Nigerian court sentenced nine Chinese nationals to prison for running an online fraud syndicate that recruited young Nigerians. Following the verdict, China’s ambassador to Nigeria proposed the creation of a joint working group to investigate cybercrime involving Chinese nationals in the region.

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Meta teams up with Midjourney for AI video and image tools

Meta has confirmed a new partnership with Midjourney to license its AI image and video generation technology. The collaboration, announced by Meta Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang, will see Meta integrate Midjourney’s tools into upcoming models and products.

Midjourney will remain independent following the deal. CEO David Holz said the startup, which has never taken external investment, will continue operating on its own. The company launched its first video model earlier this year and has grown rapidly, reportedly reaching $200 million in revenue by 2023.

Midjourney is currently being sued by Disney and Universal for alleged copyright infringement in AI training data. Meta faces similar challenges, although courts have often sided with tech firms in recent decisions.

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Corporate ETH holdings surpass 10 billion dollars

Entities holding Ethereum treasuries now collectively control over $10 billion worth of ETH. Data from the Strategic ETH Reserve shows 64 organisations hold 2.73 million ETH, accounting for 2.27% of the total supply, highlighting the growing corporate adoption of Ethereum.

Leading the accumulation are Bitmine Immersion Tech, Sharplink Gaming, and The Ether Machine, together holding more than 1.3 million ETH. Most of these acquisitions occurred in under three months, with Bitmine alone now holding over $2 billion worth of ETH.

Public companies continue to plan further purchases, though they are taking a measured approach to limit risks.

Ethereum’s price has steadied around $3,700–$3,800, stalling short of the $4,000 mark investors had hoped to see on the token’s 10th anniversary. Despite this, on-chain activity remains strong, with over 680,000 active wallets and ETH showing significant gains independent of Bitcoin.

DeFi protocols, crypto-native organisations, and even governments also feature among the largest ETH holders. The Ethereum Foundation ranks fourth with 234,600 ETH, while the US government, Michigan State, and Bhutan maintain reserves, demonstrating Ethereum’s broad adoption across sectors.

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Internet platforms in China face new pricing guidelines

China has unveiled draft rules to rein in pricing practices on internet platforms, responding to long-standing complaints from both merchants and consumers about unfair or misleading costs. The proposed measures, announced by the National Development and Reform Commission on 23 August, are designed to make pricing more transparent and equitable across the country’s vast digital marketplace.

The draft regulations would require platforms and merchants to follow standardised pricing guidelines, clearly disclose their rules, and notify users promptly of any fee changes. Authorities in China say prices should be set and adjusted through standardised contracts or formal orders to reduce arbitrary or hidden charges.

The move comes after repeated allegations that major platforms have manipulated prices to their advantage, leaving consumers and smaller sellers at a disadvantage. By tightening oversight, Beijing hopes to rebuild trust in online commerce while ensuring a fairer playing field.

The draft will remain open for public comment for one month, allowing businesses and citizens to weigh in before the measures are finalised.

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