Britain’s competition regulator has approved Synopsys’ $35 billion acquisition of Ansys after the companies addressed concerns about the potential negative impact on innovation and pricing.
In December, the regulator raised alarms that the deal could reduce competition in the chip design software market, possibly leading to higher prices and less innovation.
However, following negotiations and the companies’ offer of remedies to mitigate these concerns, the regulator decided not to refer the deal for an in-depth phase-2 investigation.
Synopsys, a major player in the chip design software industry, announced the acquisition in January. The deal, which will be a mix of cash and stock, aims to strengthen Synopsys’ portfolio and expand its offerings in the design and development of complex products.
Ansys, a well-established provider of simulation software, is used by a range of industries, from aerospace to sports equipment, to design and optimise products like aeroplanes and tennis rackets.
The acquisition marks a significant move for Synopsys, enhancing its capabilities in the design and development of advanced technology.
The deal is expected to bring together the strengths of both companies, allowing them to offer a broader set of solutions to customers in various sectors, from semiconductor manufacturing to engineering and consumer goods.
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Israel’s central bank has unveiled an early blueprint for a potential digital shekel, setting out its design, functionality, and regulatory considerations. While no final decision has been made on issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC), the Bank of Israel is assessing its potential benefits, including lower transaction costs, improved privacy, and enhanced financial infrastructure.
Under the proposed plan, the central bank would issue the digital shekel, while private firms would manage user onboarding and financial services. The currency is expected to support offline transactions, instant settlements, and interoperability with other payment systems, ensuring it is widely accessible to the public and businesses alike.
To refine the digital shekel’s features, Israel has launched a public consultation, allowing individuals and businesses to submit feedback until April 2025. A final decision on whether to proceed with the CBDC is expected after 2026, based on further research, regulatory considerations, and technological advancements.
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General Motors has appointed Barak Turovsky as its first chief AI officer, signalling a stronger focus on AI integration across its business.
Turovsky, a former AI leader at Cisco and Google, will report to Dave Richardson, GM’s senior vice president of software and services engineering. His team will work on expanding AI capabilities within GM’s vehicle lineup and broader operations.
GM has already implemented AI for tasks such as selecting locations for EV chargers, streamlining vehicle order processes, and optimising manufacturing.
Richardson stated that AI is central to the company’s strategy for electric, internal combustion, and autonomous vehicles, with Turovsky’s expertise expected to accelerate these efforts.
The hiring comes as GM continues to build its software-focused leadership team, having recently promoted former Apple executives to key positions. AI is set to play a crucial role in enhancing customer experience, improving operations, and driving innovation in the automaker’s future technologies.
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Donald Trump has called for the repeal of the CHIPS and Science Act, a key piece of legislation passed in 2022 to support semiconductor manufacturing in the US.
Trump criticised the law during a speech to Congress, describing it as a waste of hundreds of billions of dollars and suggesting the funds should instead be used to reduce national debt. His remarks mark his most forceful criticism of the act to date.
The CHIPS Act, signed by President Joe Biden, allocated $39 billion in subsidies for US semiconductor production and related industries, along with $75 billion in government-backed loans.
The initiative was part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign-made chips and address national security concerns.
Trump argued that rather than offering financial incentives, the government could avoid imposing tariffs to encourage semiconductor companies to build factories in the US.
However, the program has garnered support from officials, including Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who played a key role in securing investments from leading global semiconductor firms like Samsung, Intel, and TSMC.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul defended the CHIPS Act, emphasising its role in bringing significant investment and job creation to the state, including Micron’s $100 billion investment in Central New York.
Trump’s comments have raised concerns about the future of these grants and the potential impact on such developments.
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Canada’s privacy commissioner has launched legal action against Aylo Holdings, the Montreal-based operator of Pornhub and other adult websites, for failing to ensure consent from individuals featured in uploaded content.
Commissioner Philippe Dufresne said Aylo had not adequately addressed concerns raised in an earlier investigation, which found the company allowed intimate images to be shared without the direct permission of those depicted.
A Federal Court order is being sought to enforce compliance with privacy laws in Canada. Aylo Holdings has denied violating privacy laws and expressed disappointment at the legal action.
The company claims it has been in ongoing discussions with regulators and has implemented significant measures to prevent non-consensual content from being shared. These include mandatory uploader verification, proof of consent for all participants, stricter moderation, and banning content downloads.
The case stems from a complaint by a woman whose ex-boyfriend uploaded intimate images of her without her consent.
Although Aylo says the incident occurred in 2015 and policies have since improved, the privacy commissioner insists that stronger enforcement is needed. The legal battle could have significant implications for content moderation policies in the adult entertainment industry.
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China is set to release new guidance aimed at promoting the use of open-source RISC-V chips nationwide, a move that signals the country’s growing efforts to reduce its reliance on Western technology. The policy, which could be unveiled as early as this month, is being developed by several government bodies, including the Cyberspace Administration of China and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The final release date remains uncertain as discussions continue.
RISC-V, an open-source chip design technology, has gained popularity in China, particularly among state entities and research institutes, due to its lower cost and geopolitical neutrality. It is seen as a viable alternative to more established, proprietary chip architectures, such as those from Intel and AMD, and is gaining traction in various industries, including AI and mobile technology. This shift has raised concerns in the United States, where lawmakers are wary that China may be leveraging RISC-V’s open-source nature to boost its semiconductor sector.
The growing adoption of RISC-V has sparked a positive movement in the Chinese stock market, with shares of local chip design firms such as VeriSilicon and ASR Microelectronics experiencing significant gains. Industry leaders point out that RISC-V’s potential to reduce costs for smaller companies looking to implement AI, particularly with the rise of technologies like DeepSeek, could further drive its adoption.
As tensions between the US and China over technology intensify, the development of China’s semiconductor industry using RISC-V may become a critical aspect of its strategy to become less dependent on foreign chipmakers, while also advancing its own technological ambitions.
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Indian fintech startup Mintoak has acquired Digiledge in a deal valued at around $3.5 million, marking the first acquisition in India‘s central bank digital currency (CBDC) sector.
The move comes as the Reserve Bank of India continues expanding its pilot for the e-rupee, which was launched in December 2022 as a digital alternative to physical currency.
Mintoak, backed by PayPal and HDFC Bank, aims to enhance its merchant payment services by integrating Digiledge’s CBDC and bill payment capabilities.
Mintoak’s partner banks, including HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, and SBI, will now be able to offer a broader range of CBDC-related payment solutions.
CEO Raman Khanduja stated that the acquisition would help merchant acquirers support small and medium enterprises with improved digital tools and financial services. The expansion aligns with India’s growing efforts to strengthen digital transactions and financial inclusion.
Several payment firms are actively seeking to participate in the CBDC pilot, with Cred and MobiKwik already enabling customer access earlier this year.
Google Pay, PhonePe, and Amazon Pay have also expressed interest in joining, as India’s digital payments ecosystem continues to evolve rapidly.
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The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has agreed to dismiss its lawsuit against cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, marking a significant shift in regulatory oversight under the new administration.
Kraken, which was accused of operating as an unregistered securities exchange, announced that the case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled. The company maintained that the lawsuit was politically motivated and hindered innovation in the crypto sector.
Kraken stated that the dismissal involved no admission of wrongdoing, no penalties, and no required changes to its business model.
The SEC had sued Kraken in 2023 as part of a broader crackdown on crypto firms under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler. However, the regulator has since scaled back its enforcement efforts, also ending a similar case against Coinbase and considering a resolution in its fraud case against entrepreneur Justin Sun.
The decision follows United States President Donald Trump’s appointment of Paul Atkins, a lawyer with a pro-crypto stance, to lead the SEC. Kraken remains one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, ranking 10th globally in trading volume and liquidity.
The outcome signals a shift in the regulatory landscape, with growing support for digital assets under the current administration.
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Speaking at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Brendan Carr argued that the European Union‘s content moderation law is incompatible with America’s free speech tradition and puts undue pressure on US tech firms operating in Europe.
Carr’s comments reflect growing tensions between the United States and Europe over digital regulation. The FCC chairman accused the DSA of promoting censorship, echoing concerns raised by US Vice President JD Vance at an AI summit in Paris.
The Trump administration has made free speech a key policy focus, with President Trump vowing to combat online censorship and warning of scrutiny over the DSA’s impact on US businesses.
Tech giants such as Apple, Meta, and Alphabet have been asked to explain how they plan to comply with both the DSA and US free speech principles.
Some companies are considering geofencing to create separate platforms for different regions, though Carr questioned whether this would be practical.
The European Commission defended the law, stating it aims to protect fundamental rights and ensure a safer online environment.
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The US-China trade war has reignited, putting pressure on financial markets, including cryptocurrencies. Tensions escalated after China imposed new tariffs of up to 15% on US farm imports, including wheat, corn, and meat. An additional 10% tax was placed on other key exports such as soybeans, pork, seafood, and fruit, set to take effect on 10 March.
This latest move follows President Donald Trump’s decision to double tariffs on Chinese goods to 20%, announced a day earlier. The US government also confirmed that tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada would rise to 25%, causing a widespread downturn in risky assets.
Bitcoin (BTC), often seen as a hedge against economic instability, was not spared from the market sell-off. The leading cryptocurrency dropped by 2% on the day, trading near $84,200 at the time of writing, according to CoinDesk and TradingView data. Investors remain cautious as geopolitical tensions weigh on sentiment.
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