Meta has bought Singapore-based AI startup Manus for around $2 billion to integrate its technology into Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Meta AI. The deal ends Chinese ownership and operations in China, while giving Meta a revenue-generating AI product with millions of users.
WeatherlyFormer Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao said Pakistan could become a leading global crypto hub by 2030 if it continues its fast pace of regulation and adoption. The country has set up a crypto authority, allowed major exchanges to operate, built a Bitcoin reserve, and is exploring tokenisation to attract foreign investment.
AnaisSouth Korea plans to limit ownership stakes in its biggest cryptocurrency exchanges, forcing major shareholders to sell portions of their holdings. The rules affect platforms like Upbit, Bithumb, and Coinone, aiming to reduce concentrated control and protect market fairness.
WeatherlyFrom 1 January, UK crypto investors must share their account and transaction details with HMRC, or face penalties. Exchanges will report users’ data under the new CARF rules, allowing HMRC to track gains and enforce taxes more effectively.
WeatherlyA federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks over their promotion of crypto firm Voyager Digital, ruling that the court in Florida had no jurisdiction. The case was linked to investor losses after Voyager went bankrupt in 2022, but the court did not rule on whether Cuban or the Mavericks were liable.
AnaisTurkmenistan has made cryptocurrency mining and trading legal under a new law, with strict licensing and central bank oversight. Digital currencies still cannot be used as payment, and operations will face tight controls on internet access and financial activity.
WeatherlyThe meme token BROCCOLI (714) suddenly spiked from $0.018 to $0.16 on Binance before crashing, likely due to unusual trading activity in its low-liquidity market. A trader named Vida spotted the anomaly, timed his trades around the sudden price moves, and made around $1 million in profit.
AnaisOpenAI is combining teams to focus on audio AI and plans to launch a screenless device in about a year. The new model will sound more natural, handle conversations like a human, and reflects a wider industry shift toward voice-first technology.
AnaisA small group of newly created Polymarket wallets made over $630,000 by betting on the removal of Venezuela’s president shortly before a surprise US military operation confirmed the outcome. The timing raised insider trading concerns and prompted US lawmakers to move towards banning government officials from trading on prediction markets.
WeatherlyOpenAI is reportedly looking to buy Pinterest, giving it access to billions of images, a shopping platform, and advertising tools. The deal could let OpenAI integrate its AI into visual discovery and shopping, putting it in closer competition with Google, Meta, and Amazon.
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