OKX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has expanded into Belgium by launching its trading platform and self-custodial wallet. The new services offer Belgian customers access to over 200 cryptocurrencies, with euro deposits and withdrawals facilitated through Bancontact, a widely used payment system in the country.
Operating through its Malta-based entity, OKX provides services to Belgium under EU regulations without direct approval from Belgian authorities. Customers can trade after completing verification via the Itsme identification app, ensuring secure and compliant access.
With 25% of Belgians already engaged with cryptocurrency, OKX’s launch comes amid growing interest in digital assets. By 2028, crypto penetration in Belgium is projected to reach 28%. OKX’s entry aligns with its broader European expansion strategy, which includes prior launches in the Netherlands and plans for an EU regulatory hub in Malta.
Orange has entered a groundbreaking multi-year partnership with OpenAI, becoming the first European telecom company with direct access to pre-release versions of the company’s AI models. This collaboration will allow Orange to influence OpenAI’s development roadmap while ensuring secure hosting of AI infrastructure in Europe, according to the group’s AI chief, Steve Jarrett.
The partnership highlights the strategic importance of OpenAI’s widely used models, with over 50,000 Orange employees already integrating them into their work. Jarrett emphasised the financial and technological advantages of a direct relationship with OpenAI, boosting Orange’s position in the AI race.
In addition to the partnership, Orange is working with Meta and OpenAI to translate African languages like Wolof and Pular for customer support and broader non-commercial uses. The initiative aims to support governments, universities, and startups, expanding accessibility to underserved linguistic communities.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has strengthened its rules to better protect consumers from tech support scams. With new amendments to the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), the agency can now act against fraudsters even when victims initiate the call, closing a loophole that left many unable to seek justice.
Tech support scams commonly trick victims through fake pop-ups, emails, and warnings that urge them to contact bogus help desks. These scams have disproportionately affected older adults, who are five times more likely to be targeted, leading to over $175M in reported losses.
Previously, the US FTC could only pursue scammers if they made the initial call. The rule change now removes exemptions for technical support services, allowing the agency to crack down on deceptive practices regardless of how contact is made. Authorities are also targeting fraudulent pop-ups as part of a broader effort to combat these schemes.
With cases like the fake ‘Geek Squad’ scams resulting in millions in losses, the FTC’s expanded powers mark a significant step in holding scammers accountable and protecting vulnerable populations from financial harm.
Network International and Gate To Pay have partnered to accelerate digital payments in Jordan, enhance the country’s financial infrastructure, and foster a digitally enabled, inclusive economy. The collaboration, announced during the MENA ICT event, aims to provide secure and accessible digital payment solutions to businesses and consumers.
By improving customer experience, streamlining compliance, and facilitating platform integration, the partnership seeks to address gaps in Jordan’s financial sector, support economic growth, and empower individuals. The shared vision between the two companies is to create a financially inclusive Jordan where innovative digital solutions drive economic progress and make digital payments central to the country’s future.
The collaboration marks a significant step in transforming the payment landscape in Jordan, aligning with the nation’s broader goals for digital transformation. Leaders from both companies have emphasised their commitment to building a secure, digitally connected financial ecosystem that meets the needs of a modern economy.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched a wide-reaching antitrust investigation into Microsoft’s business practices, focusing on cloud computing, software licensing, and artificial intelligence. Allegations suggest the company has imposed restrictive licensing terms that make it difficult for customers to switch from its Azure cloud services to rival platforms. FTC Chair Lina Khan approved the probe ahead of her expected departure in January, raising questions about its future under a potentially business-friendlier administration.
Critics, including competitors and industry groups like NetChoice, claim Microsoft’s licensing policies unfairly lock customers into its ecosystem. Google has raised similar concerns with European regulators, citing significant mark-ups for using Windows Server on competing cloud services and delays in providing security updates. The FTC’s investigation also touches on broader competition concerns in AI and cybersecurity, including Microsoft’s acquisition of AI startup Inflection AI.
Microsoft has not commented on the probe, but complaints have mounted over its practices in cloud computing and the integration of AI tools into productivity products like Office and Outlook. Some industry observers note that Microsoft has been relatively spared in recent US antitrust actions targeting Big Tech firms, including Apple, Google, Meta, and Amazon. However, the FTC’s focus on Microsoft could signal a shift in regulatory priorities.
The outcome of the investigation remains uncertain, particularly with a potential change in the political landscape. While the Trump administration previously pursued aggressive antitrust enforcement, including actions against Google and Meta, Microsoft has benefited from its policies in the past, such as winning a contentious $10 billion Pentagon cloud contract over Amazon. Experts believe a new administration may alter enforcement priorities but not necessarily halt ongoing probes.
Vancouver’s mayor, Ken Sim, is pushing for the city to embrace Bitcoin, positioning it as a leader in cryptocurrency adoption. During a city council meeting on 26 November, Sim proposed integrating Bitcoin into Vancouver’s investment portfolio as part of a broader effort to diversify financial assets.
The initiative aligns with a growing global trend of Bitcoin adoption by institutional investors. Major entities such as Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) and the State of Wisconsin Investment Board have already included Bitcoin ETFs in their holdings. Similarly, asset management giants like Goldman Sachs are increasing their exposure to Bitcoin, showcasing its growing role in mainstream finance.
Sim’s vision highlights Bitcoin’s potential to preserve purchasing power while modernising the city’s financial strategies. If implemented, this move could place Vancouver among the world’s pioneering Bitcoin-friendly cities.
Amazon has reportedly developed a new generative AI model, code-named Olympus, capable of processing images and videos alongside text. This innovation is expected to reduce Amazon’s reliance on Anthropic’s Claude chatbot, currently a prominent feature of Amazon Web Services (AWS), according to sources cited by The Information.
The Olympus model promises enhanced functionality, such as recognising scenes in visual content. For example, users could search for specific moments, like a game-winning basketball shot, using simple text prompts. This advancement aligns with Amazon’s strategy to solidify its position in the competitive generative AI landscape, currently dominated by Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI.
Amazon’s efforts come after its recent $4 billion investment in Anthropic, echoing a similar amount injected last year. These investments bolster Amazon’s generative AI capabilities, signalling its commitment to catching up with its tech rivals. An official announcement for Olympus may be made at the upcoming AWS re:Invent conference next week, according to insiders.
Amazon declined to comment on the matter when approached by Reuters. The e-commerce giant’s push for cutting-edge AI underscores its ambition to rival industry leaders and redefine user experiences through advanced AI tools.
Tether, the issuer of USDt, has announced the discontinuation of its euro-pegged stablecoin, EURt. Users are advised to redeem their holdings within the next year, with a final deadline set for November 2025. The decision comes as Tether adjusts its strategy to align with Europe’s evolving regulatory landscape for stablecoins.
The move coincides with the implementation of the European Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation, which will come into effect by late 2024. Tether previously criticised MiCA’s approach to stablecoins, citing concerns over systemic risks. As part of its shift, the company will now focus on MiCA-compliant initiatives, such as EURq and USDq stablecoins, developed with Dutch fintech firm Quantoz Payments.
Tether’s Hadron tool will play a central role in these projects, offering simplified stablecoin management and enhanced compliance mechanisms. By investing in MiCA-friendly solutions, Tether aims to foster a stable and inclusive financial ecosystem while redefining innovation in the stablecoin space.
Google is appealing a court order mandating significant changes to its Play app store, arguing to the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that legal errors during the trial unfairly favoured Epic Games. The tech giant contends that the San Francisco jury should not have been allowed to rule on Epic’s claims and that the trial judge overstepped by issuing a nationwide injunction.
Epic, known for creating “Fortnite,” accused Google of monopolising app distribution and payment systems on Android devices. A jury sided with Epic last year, leading US District Judge James Donato to require Google to permit rival app stores on Android and allow competitors access to Play’s app catalogue. This injunction, set to last three years, is on hold pending the appeal.
Google warns the mandated changes would disrupt app developers and users, framing the judge’s order as excessive intervention. Epic, meanwhile, dismissed Google’s appeal as baseless and a refusal to honour the jury’s unanimous decision. The appeals court is set to hear arguments in February, with a decision expected later in 2025.
Constellation Energy has filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), urging PJM Interconnection, the country’s largest grid operator, to establish rules for electricity suppliers connecting to data centres near power plants. Constellation alleges that some utilities exploit the absence of guidelines to block competition from power generators.
The dispute follows FERC’s recent rejection of a capacity increase for a data centre linked to a Pennsylvania nuclear plant, citing potential grid reliability issues and higher consumer costs. Constellation, a key nuclear plant operator, supported Talen Energy in that case.
Connecting data centres directly to power plants is a growing priority for Big Tech companies, seeking rapid access to power for AI expansion. Constellation claims Exelon’s refusal to complete interconnection work at the LaSalle nuclear plant could escalate costs significantly. Analysts warn that lengthy disputes could negatively impact the power sector.
