Arch Labs raises $13M Series A to bring native smart contracts to Bitcoin 🪙
- Blockchain startup Arch Labs has raised $13 million in Series A funding led by Pantera Capital, valuing the company at $200 million.
- The fresh funds will accelerate Arch’s work on its “ArchVM” technology, which lets developers run fast, secure smart contracts directly on Bitcoin, without using risky bridges or sidechains.
- If successful, this could make building DeFi apps and other digital tools on Bitcoin much simpler, bringing new features and activity to the world’s largest cryptocurrency.
Meta may lose $7 billion in ad revenue as Trump tariffs hit Temu and Shein 🛒
- Meta could lose up to $7 billion in ad revenue this year as US tariffs on China prompt major Chinese retailers like Temu and Shein to slash their American ad spend.
- The platform made over $18 billion from Chinese advertisers last year—over 11% of its total revenue—even though Meta’s platforms are officially blocked in China.
- This sudden drop in ad spending highlights how global trade policy can quickly destabilise digital advertising and put pressure on US tech earnings.
Nvidia loses over $1 trillion in value in three months as China tensions bite 🇨🇳
- Nvidia has lost $1.15 trillion in market value over three months as ongoing US-China trade tensions send shockwaves through Wall Street.
- Worries over new US restrictions on sales of Nvidia’s advanced chips to China, a critical market, have spooked investors and driven down its share price.
- This massive sell-off raises questions about the future growth of major tech companies and highlights the uncertainty now facing the global semiconductor industry.
Tesla profits plunge 71% as sales slide and Musk backlash grows ⚡
- Tesla’s quarterly profit has dropped a staggering 71% to $409 million, following the company’s worst vehicle delivery numbers in over two years.
- This sharp decline comes amid ongoing trade tensions, unpopular political statements by Elon Musk, and high-profile protests souring public opinion and buyer sentiment.
- Tesla now faces not only shrinking sales and eroding market share, but also uncertainty as investor confidence and consumer interest continue to slide.
OpenAI picks Windsurf over Cursor in push for AI coding dominance 🤖
- A recent report reveals OpenAI considered buying Cursor but instead is acquiring fast-rising coding assistant Windsurf as competition heats up.
- Windsurf, though smaller in revenue than Cursor, has gained traction for its intuitive coding tools and flexible integration, attracting developer attention.
- The move signals OpenAI’s intent to solidify its place in AI-powered software tools and could shift the balance among industry rivals.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT head says company is keen to buy Chrome if Google is forced to sell 🚀
- OpenAI’s ChatGPT chief revealed in court that the company would consider bidding for Chrome if antitrust rules push Google to divest its browser.
- The comment came during a high-profile antitrust case, as the US Justice Department argues Chrome’s dominance has helped cement Google’s hold on web search.
- If OpenAI acquired Chrome, it could reshape the browser with deeper AI integration, aiming to deliver a new “AI-first” web experience for millions of users.
DJI Mini 4 Pro named best overall drone for 2025 🚁
- The 2025 best drone guide picks DJI’s Mini 4 Pro, highlighting its advanced 4K video, 48MP photos, and smart features at a reasonable price.
- The drone boasts a 1/1.3-inch sensor, 24mm f/1.7 lens, high-speed video, and creative tracking modes, appealing to creators and everyday users alike.
- With a strong balance of quality, features, and affordability, the Mini 4 Pro is set to lead both hobbyist and vlogging drone trends this year.
BYD revamps its Europe strategy after hitting speed bumps 🚗
- China’s BYD is rebooting its European operations after slow electric car sales, adding plug-in hybrids and hiring local industry leaders to bounce back from earlier missteps.
- The company struggled to adapt its approach to Europe’s complex market, lagging in dealer networks and missing hybrid demand in countries wary of full electrification.
- BYD’s pivot suggests more competition for Europe’s car market, with local hires and hybrids now key to their push for stronger sales.
Black Mirror returns to top Netflix’s charts with fresh dystopian tales 🤖
- Netflix’s latest Top 10 ranks Black Mirror as the most-watched English TV show, clocking 10.6 million views for the week.
- Long-running favourite Black Mirror leads a list that also features new entries like Western romance Ransom Canyon and the ongoing hit limited series Adolescence.
- The strong showing of returning and new series highlights ongoing audience demand for both familiar franchises and fresh stories on streaming platforms.
Civilization VII adds new resources and major improvements in latest update 🛠️
- Civilization VII’s fourth big update brings new resources, game-balancing tweaks, and quality-of-life features to revitalise the player experience.
- The 1.2.0 patch introduces ten unique resources, rebalanced growth, improved multiplayer, research queuing, “One More Turn” mode, and less frequent natural disasters.
- These changes aim to address community feedback, shake up gameplay strategy, and signal continued developer support for the evolving strategy title.
