Chinese AI company DeepSeek is prioritising research over revenue, resisting the rush to capitalise on recent sales growth.
Unlike its Silicon Valley counterparts, the firm has chosen to refine its technology rather than focus on immediate profits.
According to sources familiar with its operations, DeepSeek achieved financial stability last month for the first time, with revenues covering ongoing costs.
Despite the financial milestone, its billionaire founder remains committed to long-term innovation rather than aggressive commercial expansion.
The decision reflects a broader trend in China‘s AI sector, where some firms are investing heavily in research to compete globally.
As AI adoption accelerates, DeepSeek’s strategy signals confidence in future breakthroughs over short-term financial gains.
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SoftBank plans to transform a former Sharp LCD factory in Osaka into a large-scale data centre for AI.
The Japanese telecom giant intends to purchase the facility and surrounding land for approximately 100 billion yen ($677 million), with operations set to begin in 2026.
Once operational, the centre will be among Japan‘s largest, boasting a power capacity of 150 megawatts.
The project is part of SoftBank’s collaboration with OpenAI to commercialise AI agent technology in Japan. The data centre will support the training of AI models on client companies’ data, offering customised AI solutions tailored to business needs.
The investment in the venture is expected to be significant, potentially reaching 1 trillion yen ($6.77 billion).
SoftBank’s move highlights its commitment to AI infrastructure as demand for advanced computing power grows. The company and OpenAI have not yet commented on the reported plans.
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Oracle is in discussions with the Indonesian government to establish a cloud services centre on Batam Island, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The island’s Nongsa Digital Park is being considered due to its free trade zone status and proximity to Singapore and Malaysia, where Oracle is already expanding its cloud operations.
The move aligns with Oracle’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence in Asia. In October, the company announced plans to invest over $6.5 billion in its first public cloud region in Malaysia.
The firm is also developing more data centres across the region, spanning from Japan to New Zealand and India.
Oracle currently operates two cloud facilities in Singapore and has 50 public cloud regions across 24 countries. Its ongoing expansion reflects the growing demand for cloud services in Southeast Asia, with Indonesia emerging as a key market for future investment.
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The United States Senate Banking Committee has advanced the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act in an 18-6 vote. Despite some opposition from Democrat lawmakers, the bill has garnered bipartisan support. Notably, Senator Elizabeth Warren’s amendments—such as limiting stablecoin issuance to banking institutions—were rejected. Warren raised concerns that the bill, as is, could facilitate illicit financial activities, including terrorism financing and sanctions evasion.
Senator Tim Scott, Chair of the Senate Banking Committee, praised the bill as a victory for innovation, stating that it sets clear rules for stablecoin issuers. These include requiring one-to-one reserves, compliance with anti-money-laundering laws, and stronger safeguards to protect American consumers, all while reinforcing the US dollar’s position in the global economy.
The bill has undergone revisions to include stricter provisions, including enhanced anti-money-laundering measures, provisions to combat terrorist financing, and new safeguards to ensure sanctions compliance. Senator Bill Hagerty, who introduced the bill in February 2025, defended these updates against Warren’s proposals, arguing that the legislation already includes strong consumer protections and crime deterrence provisions. Legal experts suggest that the GENIUS Act is setting the stage for the integration of stablecoins with the traditional financial system.
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China’s hedge fund industry is undergoing a transformative shift, spurred by High-Flyer’s integration of AI in its trading strategies. The multi-billion-dollar fund not only uses AI to enhance its portfolio but also created DeepSeek, a game-changing LLM that has disrupted the dominance of Western AI firms like those in Silicon Valley.
The breakthrough has ignited an AI arms race among Chinese asset managers, including firms like Baiont Quant, Wizard Quant, and Mingshi Investment Management, as they rush to incorporate AI into their investment workflows.
AI-powered trading has gained momentum, with many hedge funds now using AI to process market data and generate trading signals based on investor risk profiles. As competition for “alpha” (outperformance) intensifies, the demand for AI talent is surging.
Companies like Wizard Quant and Mingshi are actively recruiting top AI engineers, and even mutual funds, such as China Merchants Fund, have adopted DeepSeek to boost their efficiency. The open-source model has democratised access to AI, lowering the entry barrier for smaller Chinese funds, which had previously been unable to compete with their Western counterparts due to high costs.
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Turkey has unveiled a new set of cryptocurrency regulations, placing the Capital Markets Board (CMB) in full control of the sector. The new framework outlines strict criteria for Crypto Asset Service Providers (CASPs), including financial integrity and legal compliance, before they are allowed to operate. This move is part of the government’s efforts to enhance investor protection and stability in the crypto market. Additionally, CASPs are now required to insure user crypto assets, further bolstering security.
The new regulations also introduce substantial licensing and capital requirements for crypto businesses. Founders must demonstrate financial stability, and the capital must be paid in cash, with minimum thresholds determined by the CMB. Failure to meet these standards could result in the denial of operating licences. To ensure compliance, the CMB has been granted the power to revoke licences and impose penalties on companies that violate the rules.
These new rules come as part of Turkey’s broader effort to strengthen its financial regulatory framework and secure delisting from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list. By increasing oversight and promoting transparent operations, Turkey aims to make the cryptocurrency sector more secure without stifling innovation, positioning itself as a secure hub for blockchain technology and crypto trading.
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Chinese researchers have developed the Zuchongzhi 3.0, a quantum processor 1 quadrillion times faster than the world’s best supercomputers. The 105-qubit chip, created at the University of Science and Technology of China, achieved impressive results, completing a quantum task in mere seconds—1 million times faster than Google’s Sycamore chip.
A breakthrough like this marks a major step forward in quantum computing, especially with its enhancements in coherence time and quantum error correction. The processor’s transmon qubits, made from materials like tantalum and niobium, also show significant improvements in gate fidelity, leading to more accurate computations.
Despite these advancements, experts note that classical computing methods could still close the gap, as seen in past quantum supremacy claims.
Zuchongzhi 3.0’s exceptional performance paves the way for more practical quantum computing applications, promising a new era of solving complex real-world challenges. The progress made in quantum gate fidelity and reduced noise sensitivity places China’s quantum processing technology at the forefront of global developments.
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The Bank of Russia has proposed allowing select investors to trade cryptocurrencies under a three-year experimental legal regime.
The initiative, aimed at increasing market transparency, would permit only investors with at least $1.1 million in securities and deposits to participate. The Central bank also suggested introducing penalties for violations of the proposed framework.
Despite this move, the Bank of Russia reiterated its strict stance on cryptocurrency payments within the country. Bitcoin and other digital assets for transactions remain banned under Russia’s existing crypto regulations.
However, the government continues exploring the use of crypto for cross-border payments, with ongoing trials in foreign trade.
The central bank’s proposal could also open the door for regulated corporate investments in crypto. If implemented, this could pave the way for Russian firms to follow the strategy of companies like Strategy, which has amassed a significant Bitcoin portfolio.
The plan includes regulatory measures to mitigate the risks associated with crypto investments while expanding financial opportunities for experienced investors.
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Russia’s central bank has proposed a regulatory framework that would permit wealthy individuals to invest in cryptocurrencies, under a new ‘experimental’ regime for ‘specially qualified’ investors.
This initiative marks a significant shift in Russia’s approach to crypto assets, as the country has slowly relaxed its strong opposition to cryptocurrencies.
The central bank’s proposal would allow individuals whose investments exceed 100 million roubles or whose annual income surpasses 50 million roubles to participate in crypto trading.
While the proposal seeks to increase transparency within the cryptocurrency market, it also highlights the risks involved, reminding investors of the potential for financial losses.
The new regime would last for three years, providing a controlled environment for crypto investments. However, cryptocurrencies will still be banned as a form of payment in Russia, maintaining a cautious approach to their full integration into the economy.
This proposal follows a broader trend of easing cryptocurrency restrictions, particularly after a law was passed last year allowing businesses to use crypto in international trade.
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Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded that the mobile browser market, led by Apple and Google, is not functioning effectively for consumers and businesses. The findings support the regulator’s decision to launch an investigation into the sector earlier this year.
Concerns are largely focused on Apple’s policies regarding internet access through its Safari browser, which dominates its devices with an 88% market share. Google’s Chrome browser holds a 77% share on Android devices.
The UK CMA’s independent inquiry group suggested that if Apple and Google are found to have ‘strategic market status’ (SMS), regulatory interventions may be necessary to encourage competition. These could include measures allowing rival browsers to introduce new features.
Apple has defended its approach, arguing that proposed remedies could undermine security and user experience, while Google highlighted Android’s openness in fostering competition and innovation.
The investigation forms part of a broader effort to assess competition in mobile ecosystems, with final decisions expected later this year.
The inquiry group’s chair, Margot Daly, stated that limited competition between mobile browsers is stifling innovation, reinforcing the need for regulatory action.
The CMA’s ongoing probe into the dominance of Apple and Google aims to ensure a fairer and more competitive digital marketplace.
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