Wall Street’s creaky trading infrastructure is getting a blockchain makeover. From Robinhood to J.P. Morgan, firms are turning stocks into digital assets that settle instantly rather than taking days. But not everyone thinks this revolution is entirely good news.
US tech stocks extended their rebound Monday with the Nasdaq Composite rising 1.8%. The rally comes as traders now see a 65% chance of a Fed rate cut in December, up from 40% before recent comments from New York Fed president John Williams.
A new startup called Maritime Fusion is planning to put fusion reactors on cargo ships. The company just raised $4.5 million and aims to have its first operational reactor by 2032, costing around $1.1 billion.
The AI revolution is fundamentally changing electricity infrastructure needs. Data center power requirements are increasing over 100-fold while electric vehicles add another layer of demand that could require rebuilding our entire electrical grid in just 25 years.
Pope Leo XIV delivered a virtual address to thousands of American teenagers, urging caution with AI tools. He specifically warned against using AI for homework, emphasizing it lacks human judgment and wisdom. The pontiff’s message comes as research shows 84% of high school students use generative AI
Ponda just closed a €2.09 million Seed round to scale production of BioPuff, its innovative plant-based insulation. The material comes from wetland crops grown on rewetted peatlands, creating a carbon-negative alternative to traditional insulation. Major brands including Berghaus and Stella McCartne
Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative has disbanded with eight months left in its mandate. Meanwhile, Meta reportedly halted internal research after finding Facebook deactivation reduced depression and anxiety. Apple is planning a performance-focused iOS update for 2026.
A new basic income-style program in New York City is distributing $12,000 in cryptocurrency to 160 residents. The pilot, funded by Coinbase and run by nonprofit GiveDirectly, combines monthly payments with a large lump sum. Participants receive USDC stablecoin through February 2025.
Tim Cook probably won’t step down as Apple CEO in 2026 despite recent speculation. The company faces major product transitions next year including a foldable iPhone. Apple’s hardware chief John Ternus remains the likely successor whenever Cook does depart.
Bioengineers at UC Riverside have created the first fully synthetic brain tissue model using a novel BIPORES system. The breakthrough eliminates the need for animal-derived materials and supports longer-term studies of neural function and disease.
