As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, the cryptocurrency industry is urging him to swiftly implement his promised overhaul of crypto policies through executive orders. Industry officials are pushing for measures such as creating a bitcoin stockpile, ensuring crypto firms have access to banking services, and establishing a crypto advisory council. They hope these actions will come within the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency, with some anticipating an order on his first day in office, January 20.
During his campaign, Trump positioned himself as a “crypto president” and promised to support the industry’s growth. In contrast to the regulatory crackdowns under President Joe Biden, which focused on concerns about crime and volatility in the sector, Trump’s team is aiming to reverse course, encouraging innovation and positioning the US as a global leader in cryptocurrency. His crypto policy team, including crypto-friendly figures like Securities and Exchange Commission chair Paul Atkins and White House crypto czar David Sacks, is already taking shape.
One of the most discussed proposals is the creation of a strategic Bitcoin reserve, a plan Trump first mentioned in July. Some in the industry, like the Bitcoin Policy Institute, have even drafted potential executive orders for this purpose, suggesting the Treasury Secretary could spend $21 billion over a year to amass the reserve. However, analysts are divided on whether this can be achieved via executive orders or will require congressional action.
Trump is also expected to address the ongoing challenges that crypto firms face in accessing banking services, as many institutions avoid working with them due to regulatory concerns. While an executive order could signal a shift in policy, some executives caution that it may not have the legal force to immediately change regulations, as federal banking authorities are independent.
Google has proposed changes to its agreements with companies like Apple to address a US antitrust ruling against its dominance in online search. The tech giant suggested making its distribution deals non-exclusive and allowing annual reviews for developers who set Google as the default search engine.
The company urged caution against drastic measures such as selling its Chrome browser or unbundling Android features, arguing that such remedies could stifle innovation in a rapidly evolving AI landscape. Judge Amit Mehta previously found Google’s agreements gave it an unfair advantage, particularly through deals requiring Android manufacturers to pre-install Google search to access its Play Store.
Revenue-sharing deals, which are vital to smaller developers like Mozilla, would remain under Google’s plan. Critics, including DuckDuckGo, argue the proposal fails to restore competition and largely maintains the status quo. Apple reportedly earned $20 billion from its agreement with Google in 2022, underlining the financial stakes of these deals.
An April trial will determine if broader remedies are necessary to boost innovation and competition in search and artificial intelligence. The US Department of Justice, along with several states, is seeking measures to curb Google’s dominance, including restrictions on its payments for default search placement and licensing of its search technology to rivals.
Stc Bahrain has partnered with Huawei to launch the fourth edition of its successful Technical Capacity Program, aligning with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 to foster digital innovation and talent development. The program aims to advance Bahrain’s digital economy by providing extensive training in critical ICT sectors, including networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, AI, and emerging technologies.
Participants will gain hands-on experience through technology showcases, engaging with the latest industry advancements and best practices. This year, the program will expand across stc Bahrain’s entire technology divisions, including Digital, Business, Wholesale, Consumer, and Customer Experience, reflecting the company’s commitment to empowering its workforce and driving the country’s digital transformation.
The initiative plays a key role in stc Bahrain’s broader digital transformation strategy by equipping employees with the skills necessary to innovate and lead in the telecommunications sector. The program is vital for nurturing a culture of continuous learning and talent development.
Through this collaboration, stc Bahrain is contributing to developing a highly skilled ICT workforce in Bahrain and supporting the kingdom’s goal of achieving sustainable economic growth and leadership in the digital space.
President-elect Donald Trump has named Stephan Miran, a former Treasury official and economist, as Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA). Known for his pro-crypto stance, Miran has advocated for reforming US crypto regulations to foster innovation. He has also been a vocal critic of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s policies.
Trump’s recent appointments signal a strong commitment to his pledge of making the US the “crypto capital of the planet.” Paul Atkins, a former SEC Commissioner under George W. Bush, will lead the Securities and Exchange Commission, further reinforcing the administration’s pro-crypto agenda.
Additionally, Trump appointed Bo Hines as Executive Director of the Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets. Hines will work closely with David Sacks, the incoming ‘Crypto Czar,’ to implement strategies aimed at advancing the US as a global crypto leader. Despite lacking a history in crypto advocacy, Hines is set to play a key role in shaping the administration’s digital asset policies.
China has enacted new regulations asserting state ownership over rare earth materials, critical for semiconductor production, with a rule effective from October 1. Additionally, on December 3, the Ministry of Commerce announced a ban on the export of dual-use items such as gallium, germanium, and antimony to the US. These moves are expected to impact industries reliant on these materials, especially solar cell production and semiconductor manufacturing.
As the world’s largest supplier of rare earths, China has long dominated the market due to its lax environmental regulations, which allow for large-scale extraction and refining. However, with many countries looking to reduce their dependency on China, the long-term effectiveness of these export restrictions may diminish. Nations like the US and Australia are expanding their rare earth production lines, and efforts to recycle rare earth materials are also gaining traction.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain in replicating China’s refining capabilities, as many countries are limited by technical and environmental obstacles. Notably, the US has partnered with Australia’s Lynas Corporation to build a rare earth extraction facility, aiming to strengthen its supply chain.
The future of the rare earth market may shift toward the development of substitute materials, although creating viable replacements is a time-consuming process. In this ongoing battle, China has already secured patents for some high-performance materials that could serve as alternatives, indicating that the competition could soon turn to technological innovation and patent rights.
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao has stirred a debate about cryptocurrency adoption in the UAE by claiming the nation holds $40 billion in Bitcoin. This figure, shared in a tweet, quickly captured the attention of industry professionals, including crypto lawyer Irina Heaver, who questioned the claim’s validity, suggesting it may be AI-generated content lacking credible evidence. Zhao acknowledged the uncertainty but suggested the number could be plausible, given the region’s wealth and the growing number of high-net-worth individuals.
The conversation also highlighted the UAE’s expanding cryptocurrency ecosystem, especially in Dubai. Zhao reflected on the city’s rapid transformation from hosting only a few crypto firms in 2021 to now becoming a hub for thousands of blockchain-based businesses. Dubai’s favourable regulatory frameworks, such as the Dubai Multi Commodities Center’s Crypto Center, have been key in attracting global crypto companies.
While the exact value of the UAE’s Bitcoin holdings remains unverified, the ongoing debate underscores the country’s increasing prominence in the cryptocurrency space.
Apple is reportedly working on an innovative smart doorbell camera equipped with Face ID technology, enabling users to unlock their doors simply by looking at it. This new device could launch as early as 2025, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The camera will feature Apple’s Secure Enclave chip, ensuring biometric data is processed and stored securely, similar to other Apple products like the iPhone.
The doorbell camera is expected to integrate with existing HomeKit-compatible smart locks and might also come as part of a complete system developed in partnership with a smart lock manufacturer. It will likely incorporate Apple’s ‘Proxima’ Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, which is also rumoured for upcoming HomePod Mini and Apple TV models.
This development is part of Apple’s broader push into the smart home market. Additional rumours point to a new Apple-branded security camera, smart displays with advanced features like robotic arms, and even a potential Apple TV update. These efforts signal Apple’s commitment to creating a seamless and intelligent home ecosystem.
Tether, the company behind the $140 billion cryptocurrency USDT, is making strides in artificial intelligence with plans to launch its own AI platform by the end of March 2025. CEO Paolo Ardoino confirmed the timeline in a recent post, marking a significant step in Tether’s ongoing diversification.
Under Ardoino’s leadership, Tether has broadened its focus, venturing into energy, payments, telecommunications, AI, and commodities trade financing. The company restructured its corporate operations earlier this year to support this shift, further reflecting its ambitions beyond the stablecoin market.
Last year’s acquisition of a stake in AI and cloud computing firm Northern Data hinted at Tether’s expanding interests in the AI sector. While details about the upcoming platform remain scarce, Ardoino emphasised Tether’s commitment to building technology that promotes freedom, independence, and resilience.
Tetsuwan Scientific, a startup founded by Cristian Ponce and Théo Schäfer, is developing robotic AI scientists designed to automate lab experiments. Inspired by the rapid evolution of AI models like GPT-4, these robots aim to address the repetitive and labour-intensive aspects of research. They combine low-cost robotic hardware with advanced software that interprets and executes scientific tasks autonomously.
The breakthrough came when Ponce tested AI’s ability to diagnose scientific data and offer solutions. However, existing lab robots lacked the ability to physically act on these insights. Tetsuwan’s solution integrates AI to give robots the context and flexibility to perform tasks like pipetting and analysing results without constant programming.
Currently working with La Jolla Labs in RNA therapeutic drug development, Tetsuwan has secured $2.7 million in funding to advance its technology. The ultimate goal is to create self-reliant AI scientists capable of automating the entire scientific process, from hypothesis to reproducible results, potentially accelerating innovation at an unprecedented pace.
US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Bo Hines, a former congressional candidate from North Carolina, will serve as executive director of the Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets. The council, a newly formed body under Trump’s administration, will focus on shaping US policy on cryptocurrencies and digital assets. It will be chaired by David Sacks, a prominent venture capitalist and tech entrepreneur who has been dubbed the incoming administration’s ‘crypto czar.’
Hines, a political newcomer who gained attention during his congressional campaign, has been a vocal supporter of blockchain technology and its potential to revolutionise finance. In his new role, Hines will work closely with Sacks to advise the administration on regulatory frameworks, market opportunities, and the integration of digital assets into the broader economy. The appointment signals a potential shift in federal policy toward a more active and structured approach to managing the growing influence of cryptocurrencies.
David Sacks, known for his extensive experience in the tech sector and his advocacy for decentralised finance, is expected to play a leading role in the council’s direction. His appointment reflects the administration’s interest in fostering innovation while addressing concerns about security, fraud, and market stability. Together, Sacks and Hines will oversee a team of experts tasked with navigating the complexities of the digital asset landscape, aiming to position the United States as a global leader in the rapidly evolving sector.
Trump’s creation of the council underscores the importance of cryptocurrencies and blockchain in the modern economy. As the sector continues to expand, the administration’s policies could have far-reaching implications for innovation, financial regulation, and the global competitiveness of the US digital asset industry.
