Technology
- 
 Polkadot and Kusama Prepare Asset Hub Migration with Binance BackingPolkadot and Kusama are stepping into a new era with Asset Hub, a framework designed to simplify token issuance and boost scalability across parachains. Binance is backing the transition with a staged rollout that keeps trading steady while deposits and withdrawals pause briefly. This upgrade signals a bold move toward a more scalable and secure… 
- 
 State-Sponsored Cyber Threats Target Critical InfrastructureAn escalating wave of sophisticated cyber intrusions against critical infrastructure is testing national defenses and economic stability. As state-backed actors push the limits, governments and the private sector are stepping up joint efforts to harden defenses and stay ahead of the evolving threat. 
- 
 Twitch Rewind: The New Way to Jump Back in Live StreamsTwitch is testing a new Rewind feature that lets you jump back during a live stream. Early access will be gated to Turbo subscribers and select channels, with a desktop-only rollout before broader availability. It hints at a more interactive viewing experience for creators and fans alike. 
- 
 Huawei Teases Open-Source AI Compute Push With Ascend Chips and Atlas SuperPodsHuawei unveils a bold, multi-year push into AI and high-performance computing, introducing new Ascend chip generations, SuperPoDs, and open-source tools that could redefine how computing clusters scale. From the DeepSeek-R1 debut to Atlas SuperClusters and unprecedented NPU power, the roadmap points to a new era of open, scalable computing. 
- 
 Swift Bets on Ethereum Layer-2 Linea for Interbank Messaging PilotSwift is testing a blockchain-based overhaul of interbank messaging, selecting ConsenSys’ Linea for a high-profile pilot. The program will explore multi-bank messaging, tokenized assets, and privacy-preserving transactions on an Ethereum layer-2 network. If successful, it could accelerate faster, more transparent cross-border payments across the global banking network. 
- 
 Google’s 27th Anniversary: Nostalgic 1998 Doodle Revisits Humble BeginningsGoogle is celebrating 27 years with a nostalgic Doodle that nods to its 1998 logo and humble garage beginnings. The tribute sketches a remarkable journey from a campus project to a global tech giant and teases the latest strides in artificial intelligence. A brief glimpse into the company’s evolution that may leave you wondering what… 
- 
 Google Celebrates 27th Birthday with 1998 Logo Return and Nostalgic DoodleGoogle celebrates 27 years with a nostalgic nod to its 1998 logo and a playful Doodle, revisiting the garage-startup roots that launched a tech titan. From humble beginnings to bold AI ambitions, this milestone looks back while hinting at what’s next for the company. 
- 
 AI’s Quiet Shake-Up for Early-Career Tech WorkersAI is reshaping the early-career job landscape, with young software engineers among those most affected. New findings suggest AI is handling more routine tasks, while seasoned professionals remain relatively insulated—at least for now. The study also distinguishes between AI that augments human work and AI that automates, hinting at a future where smart collaboration could… 
- 
 ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X: Windows-Powered Handhelds Hit PreorderMicrosoft and Asus unveil the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X—two handhelds that fuse Windows-based PC gaming with portable play. With US preorders at $599 and $999 and a streamlined, controller-friendly Windows shell, the devices spark a fresh debate about value and performance. Regional rollouts and early impressions are on the horizon. 
- 
 Amex Platinum Hikes Annual Fee to $895 with New Perks and Upgraded App ThemeAmerican Express is raising the Platinum card’s annual fee and rolling out a fresh wave of perks, including an upgraded app and bigger credits. The changes are aimed at boosting value and exclusivity for cardholders. Here’s what it could mean for current users and prospective applicants. 
- 
Microsoft Extends Windows 10 Lifespan with Free Updates in US and Europe Ahead of End-of-Support DeadlineMicrosoft offers fresh paths for Windows 10 users in the US and Europe to extend security updates as the support deadline approaches. Free or paid options have sparked broader debate among consumer groups about the best path forward for millions still on Windows 10. 
- 
 Reid Hoffman’s AI Subscription Playbook: A Multi-Platform Strategy for Deep ResearchReid Hoffman unveils an audacious AI playbook: a coordinated, multi-platform setup fueled by premium subscriptions, spending over $650 a month to run AI agents across leading tools. A peek into how one of tech’s biggest names envisions AI reshaping research, education, and the future of work. 
- 
 TikTok US Deal Nears: Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX in Lead as Trump Signals BackingShifting power and high-stakes diplomacy are reshaping TikTok’s U.S. future. With influential backers poised to take a large stake, a White House-backed plan is steering how the app stays operational in America. The unfolding deal hints at a major turning point for the platform and its users. 
- 
 Avatar: Fire and Ash Teases VR Cinema Revolution on QuestAn exclusive 3D trailer teases cinema-grade VR experiences tied to Avatar: Fire and Ash, with brighter headset visuals and a bold new distribution model. If this approach expands, full-length 3D films and live events could land directly in Quest, delivering immersive storytelling in a whole new way. 
- 
 Cipher Mining, Fluidstack Ink $3B HPC Colocation Deal Backed by GoogleCipher Mining is partnering with Fluidstack on a decade-long, high-performance computing colocation deal that could reshape AI infrastructure. Backed by a strategic investment from Google, the arrangement signals multi‑billion-dollar revenue potential and a bold push into a growing data-center footprint in Texas. A glimpse into a rapidly advancing frontier where big deployments and cutting-edge workloads… 
- 
 Autonomous AI: Turning Advice into Action in HealthcareFrom analysis to action, autonomous AI is redefining how work gets done. These systems follow standard procedures, handle routine tasks, and know when to escalate—learning from human decisions to boost efficiency across industries while keeping the human touch intact. 
- 
 Vitalik Buterin Praises Coinbase’s Base, Sparking Ethereum Layer-2 Security DebateVitalik Buterin praises Coinbase’s Base for blending a seamless user experience with Ethereum’s decentralized security. As Base accumulates billions in assets since its August 2023 launch, the debate over centralized UX versus trustless security sharpens, hinting at how L2s could reshape Ethereum. 
- 
 Stan Lee Hologram Set for Virtual Comeback at LA Comic ConStan Lee returns in holographic form at LA Comic Con, inviting fans to interactive selfies and Q&As. A futuristic tribute powered by decades of footage, it captures his unmistakable energy and offers a fresh glimpse into his legendary imagination. 
- 
 IREN Expands AI Cloud with 23,000 GPUs, Aims for $500M Revenue by 2026IREN is rolling out a sweeping AI cloud expansion, massively boosting its GPU fleet and diversifying its hardware mix across multiple campuses. The move targets a substantial revenue milestone by 2026 and signals a tightly integrated, scalable compute platform to meet rising demand. A strategic funding push underpins the upgrade, setting the stage for accelerated… 
- 
 Groq Raises $750 Million in AI Chip Round, Valuation Soars to $6.9 BillionGroq, a rising player in AI chips, just secured a blockbuster funding round, signaling renewed investor faith in hardware breakthroughs for AI workloads. The fresh capital could accelerate innovation and expansion in a rapidly evolving AI computing landscape. 
- 
 Hidden Ledgers: The Quiet Push Toward Private BlockchainsPrivacy is emerging as the critical hurdle to blockchain’s broad adoption. A new wave of privacy-first networks—COTI, Zama, Midnight—uses advanced cryptography to keep transactions confidential while remaining verifiable. If these breakthroughs scale, private payrolls, protected medical data, and tamper-proof voting could become practical realities in the next era of blockchain.