Intel has won a significant victory in a legal battle that spanned nearly two decades, as the European Union’s Court of Justice ruled in its favour on Thursday. The court dismissed an appeal by the European Commission, which had accused the US chipmaker of anti-competitive practices aimed at undermining rival Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).
The dispute centred on Intel offering rebates to major computer manufacturers, such as Dell, Hewlett-Packard, NEC, and Lenovo, for primarily using Intel chips. EU regulators had fined Intel €1.06 billion, arguing the rebates were intended to block AMD’s market share. However, Intel consistently challenged the fine, asserting that regulators failed to prove any anti-competitive impact from the rebates.
Earlier this year, Intel’s case gained momentum when a legal adviser indicated that EU regulators had not sufficiently conducted an economic analysis to support their claims. This led to the court’s final decision to overturn the fine, bringing the lengthy legal struggle to a close.
Denmark’s Tax Law Council has proposed a bill that could tax unrealised gains and losses on crypto assets, potentially starting in 2026. The Council’s report outlined three possible taxation models, leaning towards “inventory taxation,” where entire portfolios are taxed annually, regardless of asset sales.
The proposed law aims to address perceived unfairness in the current taxation of crypto under the capital gains system. Danish Tax Minister Rasmus Stoklund is keen on clearer rules for crypto assets, though the bill is not expected to be introduced to Parliament until 2025.
If approved, the law would take effect in 2026, aligning Denmark with a global trend of tightening regulations for both crypto and traditional financial assets.
Arm Holdings is cancelling a key architectural license agreement with Qualcomm, escalating the legal dispute between the two companies. According to a Bloomberg News report, Arm has given Qualcomm a 60-day notice to terminate the agreement, which allows Qualcomm to design chips using Arm’s intellectual property. The two tech giants have been embroiled in a legal battle since 2022 when Arm sued Qualcomm for not renegotiating the license after its acquisition of chip startup Nuvia.
Qualcomm criticised Arm’s decision, calling it a ‘desperate ploy’ to disrupt the upcoming trial, which is set to begin in December. Qualcomm claims its rights under the agreement will be upheld and accuses Arm of anti-competitive behaviour. The dispute could impact shipments of laptops using Qualcomm’s chips, including Microsoft’s Copilot+ devices, and potentially reverse Qualcomm’s acquisition of Nuvia.
Despite the tensions, some analysts expect the companies to reach a settlement before the trial. A legal victory for Arm could have significant consequences for Qualcomm and its partners.
Japan’s financial regulators remain cautious about approving spot crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs), even as other markets like the US and Hong Kong move forward with similar products. Oki Shiozawa, investment director at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management, explained that Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) is conservative and not yet ready to allow such ETFs, despite global advancements.
While Japan aims to position itself as a crypto-friendly hub, strict regulations and high tax rates have limited the growth of digital assets. Crypto gains in Japan are taxed as high as 55%, compared to the 20% tax rate for traditional assets like ETFs. Keisuke Kimura, from the Japan Cryptoasset Business Association, noted that past scandals, like Mt. Gox, have made both regulators and the public wary of crypto investments.
Despite the challenges, companies like Franklin Templeton and SBI Holdings are preparing for potential regulatory shifts, while others, like Nomura, have already launched crypto-related products for institutional investors. As global markets embrace crypto ETFs, Japan faces increasing pressure to adapt.
A Londoner who had his phone stolen while walking near the Science Museum believes Google’s new AI security update would have made a big difference. Tyler, whose phone was snatched by a thief on a bike, struggled to lock it remotely as he couldn’t remember his password. The update, which uses AI and sensors to detect when a phone is stolen, would automatically lock the screen to prevent thieves from accessing data.
Google’s new feature allows users to remotely lock a stolen device using just their phone number, a measure welcomed by Tyler as he believes it would have helped him secure his device in moments of panic. The initiative is part of a broader effort to combat phone theft, with mobile phones now accounting for 69% of all thefts in London. Last year, over 11,800 robberies involved phone thefts.
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, also supports the update, having previously lobbied phone companies to make their devices less attractive to criminals. Tech experts say the update’s AI-driven security, combined with the Offline Device Lock feature, will make it harder for thieves to access stolen phones.
Tyler hopes the new technology will deter criminals from stealing phones altogether, as the devices would become worthless once locked. Without resale value, he believes phone thefts will be a waste of time for criminals.
Portuguese startup Sensei, specialising in contactless store technology, has secured €15 million in a Series A funding round led by BlueCrow Capital. The investment also saw participation from Lince Capital, Explorer Investments, Kamay Ventures, and existing backers like Metro AG and Techstars Ventures. This follows Sensei’s 2021 seed round of €5.4 million.
Sensei aims to establish 1,000 fully autonomous retail points by 2026, with current operations in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Brazil. The company uses AI-powered sensors and computer vision to automate checkout, offering customers a seamless shopping experience and real-time store management for retailers.
As competition heats up in the contactless retail space, Sensei is up against major players like Standard Cognition, Trigo, and AiFi, which have raised substantial funds to develop similar technology.
BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has launched two new exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to provide investors with exposure to the rapidly growing market for AI. AI is predicted to have widespread applications across industries, and BlackRock sees it as a major force driving long-term investment opportunities.
The iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF will focus on global AI and technology stocks, while the iShares Technology Opportunities Active ETF will invest in tech companies across various sectors, including semiconductors, software, and hardware. Both funds are designed to help investors capitalise on the increasing integration of AI into different industries.
Despite mixed demand for thematic ETFs recently, BlackRock‘s move reflects its confidence in AI’s potential. The company continues to believe AI will shape the future of industries from technology to financial services, offering unique investment opportunities.
Earlier this month, BlackRock reported record-high assets under management, boosted by a strong US stock market rally, further highlighting its successful strategy in the investment market.
The competition between Elon Musk and Mukesh Ambani is intensifying as they vie for dominance in India’s emerging satellite broadband market. After India’s government decided to allocate satellite spectrum administratively, rather than through auction, the stage is set for a fierce battle. Musk’s Starlink, which uses low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, is poised to enter the Indian market, while Ambani’s Reliance Jio has already partnered with Luxembourg-based SES, utilising medium-Earth orbit (MEO) satellites.
The stakes are high as satellite broadband promises to bring internet access to remote areas of India, helping to bridge the country’s digital divide. Both billionaires have taken opposing views on how the spectrum should be allocated, with Ambani pushing for an auction, while Musk argues for the administrative model, aligning with international standards. India’s telecom regulator has yet to announce spectrum pricing, but projections indicate that satellite internet could reach two million subscribers by 2025.
This rivalry underscores the vast potential of the Indian market, where nearly 40% of the population still lacks internet access. Both Musk and Ambani are vying to capture this untapped segment, but pricing will be critical, especially in a country where mobile data is among the cheapest globally. Analysts predict a price war, with Musk’s deep pockets potentially giving Starlink a competitive edge, though challenges remain due to Starlink’s higher costs compared to local providers.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has once again prioritised cryptocurrencies in its 2025 examination plans. According to the Division of Examinations, the focus will be on the offer, sale, and trading of digital assets, with particular attention to Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded products. The regulator will also monitor the technological risks posed by blockchain and the security of crypto assets.
Despite potential leadership changes in 2025, with Chair Gary Gensler possibly leaving, the SEC appears committed to maintaining its approach to regulating crypto markets. Gensler has defended the commission’s efforts to protect investors while facilitating market growth. However, the SEC’s enforcement actions, including lawsuits against major players like Coinbase and Ripple, have sparked criticism.
Apple CEO Tim Cook met with China’s Minister for Industry and Information Technology, Jin Zhuanglong, during his recent visit to Beijing. During the meeting, Jin expressed hopes that Apple would continue expanding its presence in China, increasing innovation investments, and collaborating with Chinese companies. Apple has not commented on the meeting.
This visit marks Cook’s second trip to China in 2023. While in Beijing, he visited local sites and engaged with Chinese artists, as seen in his posts on the social media platform Weibo. Cook’s trip comes at a time when Apple faces increased competition in the Chinese smartphone market, particularly from domestic rival Huawei.
Apple launched its latest iPhones in China on September 20, the same day Huawei released its competing model. While early iPhone sales saw a 20% increase compared to the previous year, overall sales declined by 2% due to decreased interest in older models and the growing popularity of Huawei’s Mate and Pura series.
