Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
UK probes IBM’s $6.4B HashiCorp acquisition
What happened: Regulator examines IBM-HashiCorp deal for competition risks The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has initiated an investigation into IBM’s proposed $6.4 billion acquisition of HashiCorp, a provider of cloud infrastructure management tools. The CMA is looking into w…
Binance secures key regulatory approval in Brazil
What happened: Binance gains regulatory approval in Brazil Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has secured regulatory approval in Brazil. The approval marks a significant milestone in Binance’s efforts to establish compliance with local laws in one of Latin Americ…
Tekno train lights up vivid Sydney with immersive experiences
Revolutionising train journeys with Tekno train Tekno Train, an extraordinary feature of Vivid Sydney 2024, offers an unparalleled fusion of sound, lighting, and movement aboard a commuter train. The project, powered by Red Globe Productions, showcases innovative technology and creative engineering.…
AIMS unveils KL2 Data Centre with uptime guarantee and AI-optimised design
AIMS Group has officially introduced Bangunan AIMS (KL2), a 7.5MW IT load data centre located adjacent to Menara AIMS (KL1) in Kuala Lumpur’s central business district. Designed to address the growing need for carrier-neutral ecosystem data centres, KL2 is poised to cater to enterprises seeking high…
Top tech news today: January 3, 2025
Tech News Roundup 1. Wefox closes €170M refinancing deal Wefox, a European insurtech leader, has successfully closed a €170 million refinancing deal to support its growth in the insurance market. Source 2. Regnology secures investment for global expansion Regnology has received a major investment fr…
Public Cloud and Generative AI boost data security needs
What happened: The growing importance of data security in cloud adoption As organisations increasingly migrate to public cloud environments and adopt generative AI technologies, the demand for Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) solutions has surged. A significant challenge arises as many busine…
XRP climbs 11%, while a rival skyrockets past expectations
What happened: XRP leads growth in ledger milestones XRP has experienced a significant surge, rising by over 11% within the past 24 hours, making it one of the best-performing cryptocurrencies at the start of 2025. This surge follows a strong performance in the fourth quarter of 2024, where XRP secu…
Bitcoin retreats from festive highs, risks dropping below $90,000
What happened: Bitcoin pullback amid profit-taking pressure Bitcoin (BTC) has recently pulled back from its festive highs, trading dangerously close to the $90,000 mark. Following a modest rally during the Christmas period, profit-taking has exerted downward pressure on the cryptocurrency’s price. C…
BlackRock’s bitcoin ETF leads with $37 billion in net inflows
What happened: BlackRock’s bitcoin ETF dominates inflows In 2024, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust has garnered over $37 billion in net inflows, making it the leading Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the United States, according to Farside Investors. This surge places it well ahead of competit…
Microsoft Edge claims big stats but lags in market share
What happened: Microsoft Edge struggles despite big claims Microsoft Edge has made headlines by touting impressive statistics, such as over 10 billion AI-powered chats and significant memory savings through its sleeping tabs feature. However, these claims come amid stagnating market share growth. As…
ARIN to retire FTP services by 31 March 2025
What happened: ARIN to retire FTP by March 2025 The American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) has announced its plan to retire the use of File Transfer Protocol (FTP) services by 31 March 2025. This decision is part of ARIN’s ongoing efforts to enhance security and streamline data distribution m…
Crypto gaming’s breakout year: Telegram and ‘Off the Grid’ shine
What happened: Telegram games and ‘Off the Grid’ redefine crypto gaming in 2024 2024 proved to be a game-changing year for crypto gaming, with Telegram-based clicker games and the release of the AAA title Off the Grid leading the charge. Telegram’s simple yet engaging clicker games introduced a new …
Steno research predicts 2025 as the best year for crypto
What happened: Steno Research predicts 2025 will be crypto’s breakout year Steno Research, a leading analytics firm, has predicted that 2025 will be a historic year for the cryptocurrency market. In its latest report, the firm highlights a convergence of factors poised to elevate the industry to new…
Top tech news today: January 2, 2025
Tech News Roundup 1. Bitcoin price predictions for 2025 Experts predict Bitcoin could reach significant milestones in 2025, with potential gains as the market stabilizes post-2024 volatility. Source 2. Parafi aims to be public utility provider Parafi plans to transform into a public utility provider…
Government waives bank guarantees, freeing capital for telcos
What happened: Government waives bank guarantees for telcos The Indian government has announced a significant waiver of bank guarantees, amounting to Rs33,000 crore, for major telecom operators including Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel, and Reliance Jio. This landmark decision aims to alleviate financi…
Cardano (ADA) struggles as price nears key support at $0.859
What happened: Cardano (ADA) struggles near $0.859 Cardano (ADA) faces significant challenges as its price declines by 20% over the past month, highlighting increasing bearish momentum in the market. The Average Directional Index (ADX) has risen from 12.85 to 19.65, indicating a strengthening downwa…
MoonPay secures MiCA approval, sets sights on EU expansion
MoonPay secures MiCA approval, paving the way for seamless EU-wide expansion and strengthened regulatory compliance.
Microstrategy continues Bitcoin buying spree, adds $209M
Microstrategy continues its Bitcoin buying spree with a $209M acquisition, cementing its status as the largest corporate BTC holder.
U.S. files complaint against Fintech App Dave and CEO
What happened: FTC alleges deceptive practices by fintech app Dave and its CEO The U.S. Justice Department, in conjunction with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), filed a civil enforcement action against fintech company Dave Inc. and its CEO, Jason Wilk. The complaint alleges that Dave Inc. engaged…
CFPB sues banks over $870m lost to Zelle fraud
What happened: CFPB sues banks over Zelle fraud The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has launched a lawsuit against Early Warning Services, the operator of Zelle, along with major banks like Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo. This action stems from extensive consumer losses…
OpenAI plans transition to public benefit corporation
What happened: OpenAI outlines transition to public benefit corporation OpenAI is planning to convert its for-profit arm into a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), a move it announced in a blog post on Friday. This transformation aims to balance profitability with societal impact by granting …
Tether bolsters bitcoin reserves with $700 million transfer
What happened: Tether transfers $700 million worth of Bitcoin to reserves Tether, the company behind the USDT stablecoin, added 7,629 BTC worth approximately $700 million to its Bitcoin reserve. This transaction, the largest since March 2024, originated from Bitfinex’s hot wallet on December 30. Wit…
Ex-ARK Invest crypto lead reveals true cause behind Bitcoin (BTC) year-end plunge
Bitcoin faces a dramatic year-end decline, with experts pointing to traditional financial cycles as the root cause.
RIPE NCC publishes minutes of 179th Executive Board Meeting
What happened: RIPE NCC shares key decisions in latest board meeting minutes The RIPE Network Coordination Centre (RIPE NCC) has released the minutes from its 179th Executive Board Meeting, held recently to discuss and decide on matters crucial to the organization’s operations and the broader RIPE c…
XRP’s newfound support could spark a market resurgence
What happened: XRP gains key support for recovery XRP is experiencing a significant shift as it gains crucial support from market dynamics. After a notable rally earlier this year, the asset is currently stabilising around the $2.18 mark. Analysts are closely monitoring the 50 EMA (exponential movin…
Bitcoin whales move $161 million, sparking market interest
What happened: Bitcoin whale moves on Binance spark market speculation. This weekend, an enigmatic wallet withdrew a total of 2,700 Bitcoin (BTC), valued at approximately $256 million, from Binance, the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange. The transactions occurred in two parts: first, 1,000 BTC…
New issue plagues Windows 11 24H2 update
What happened: Another bug in Windows 11 24H2 sparks user frustration Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 24H2 update has encountered fresh criticism after users reported another issue, further complicating its rollout. The update, aimed at improving system performance and introducing new features, has in…
Dormant bitcoin whale moves 1,000 BTC after 11 years
What happened: Dormant wallet from 2012 moves $30M in Bitcoin A Bitcoin wallet, dormant for over a decade, has suddenly become active, moving 1,000 BTC to an unknown wallet. The address, last used in 2012, originally accumulated Bitcoin when the cryptocurrency was valued at just $10. The current mar…
Experts address internet centralisation at decentralisation workshop
Experts gathered at a decentralisation workshop to tackle Internet centralisation, exploring governance, technical innovations.
Chinese hackers target AT&T and Verizon, networks secure
What happened: Chinese hackers target AT&T, Verizon Chinese-linked Salt Typhoon cyberespionage operations have targeted AT&T and Verizon, raising significant security concerns within the telecommunications sector. Both carriers have stated that their networks remain secure, with AT&T’s spokesperson …
ARIN allocates 60 IPv4 blocks, urges IPv6 adoption
What happened: ARIN addresses 76 waiting list requests and urges IPv6 adoption American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) allocated 60 IPv4 address blocks, fulfilling 76 requests from its IPv4 waiting list on December 26, 2024. These address blocks were previously on blocklists due to reputation …
Top tech news today: December 30, 2024
News Summaries 1. Squid Game tokens scam alert issued Scammers are using the popularity of Squid Game to promote fraudulent tokens. Experts warn investors to stay cautious amid rising scam activity. Source 2. Memecoins market cap declines in December The market cap of memecoins has seen a significan…
Bluehost boosts small business success with tailored support
Bluehost drives small business growth Bluehost, a leader in WordPress hosting, showcases Scoops of Favor as a customer success story, highlighting the brand’s support for small businesses. Founded by Jessica Griffin in Jacksonville, Florida, Scoops of Favor caters to lactose-intolerant and vegan cus…
Dark fibre: Choosing the right solution for your business empire
The differences between dark fibre and MPLS In today’s technology-driven landscape, businesses require robust network infrastructure to maintain competitiveness and streamline operations. Two popular solutions, dark fibre and MPLS, offer unique benefits and challenges. Dark fibre refers to unused op…
Power of private 5G: Inside CampusGenius GmbH with Co-Founder and Managing Director Thomas Höschele
Introduction to Thomas Höschele and CampusGenius GmbH Hello, my name is Thomas Höschele. I’m the Co-Founder and Managing Director of CampusGenius GmbH. We are a Germany-based company focusing on industrial communication networks. Whenever a customer needs their own 5G network to improve connectivity…
NCS launches AI and digital resilience solutions for organisations
AI and digital resilience solutions for now NCS has launched a comprehensive suite of AI and digital resilience solutions designed to help organisations securely adopt AI and achieve sustainable innovation. Central to the offering is the AI-Digital Resilience (AI+DR) Matrix, a framework categorising…
Aave eyes $1bn exit from Polygon after clash
What happened: Aave plans $1bn exit from Polygon Aave, a leading decentralised finance (DeFi) protocol, is set to vote on leaving the Polygon blockchain following a contentious proposal to invest $1 billion in idle stablecoins on the Polygon-Ethereum bridge. Major Aave delegates, Marc Zeller and EzR…
XRP network activity surges as price struggles
What happened: XRP network activity surges, price stalls The XRP network has seen a significant uptick in its average number of transactions per ledger, suggesting heightened activity and interest from both institutional and retail investors. This increase is promising for the ecosystem, as more tra…
Max Keiser predicts US struggles under Bitcoin standard adoption
Max Keiser warns that a global Bitcoin standard could weaken the US economy while strengthening resource-rich nations like Russia.
UnionPay expands QR payments to Laos after Vietnam
What happened: China’s UnionPay International has expanded its QR code payment services to Laos through a partnership with the Lao national payment network, LAPNet. This collaboration allows customers using UnionPay-supported wallets to make seamless mobile payments in Laos. Announced in Shanghai, t…
Ethereum may rally in Q1 with historical bullish trend
What happened: Ethereum ETFs and historical trends suggest a potential Q1 rally Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency, has underperformed in 2024, losing over 35% in value relative to Bitcoin. Despite the bearish trend, historical data offers hope for a Q1 rally. In previous post-Bitcoin…
Crypto OTC trading volumes surge amid election impact
What happened: Google Pay supports expanded crypto transactions The over-the-counter (OTC) crypto trading market is experiencing a remarkable surge in activity. According to Kraken’s Tim Ogilvie, OTC trading volumes have skyrocketed by 220% year-over-year, with similar trends observed across other t…
MediaTek launches Dimensity 8400 5G chipset with GenAI features
What happened: MediaTek launches powerful imensity 8400 Chipset MediaTek has officially launched its latest flagship chipset, the Dimensity 8400, designed for premium 5G smartphones. This chipset features an innovative All Big Core design, which is making its debut in the premium smartphone market. …
Netflix sues VMware over virtual machine patent dispute
What happened: Netflix alleges VMware’s vSphere platform infringes five patents related to virtual machine communications. Netflix has filed a lawsuit against VMware, a subsidiary of Broadcom, alleging infringement of five patents related to virtual machine technology. The lawsuit, submitted in a Ca…
LACNIC: The Internet’s core vs what’s built above
What happened: Internet infrastructure faced significant challenges. Recently, the LACNIC Blog published an insightful piece by Hisham Ibrahim, Chief Community Officer at the RIPE NCC, titled “Distinguishing the Internet’s Core From What Is Built on Top.” The article clarifies a crucial distinction …
Apple defends Google’s search payment deals in antitrust case
What happened: Apple supports Google’s search deals in antitrust case Apple has joined Google’s defense in a landmark antitrust case scrutinizing the legality of billion-dollar payments made to secure default search engine status on Apple devices. These agreements, central to Google’s search dominan…
$69.8M in Ethereum withdrawn from Turkey’s leading exchange
What happened: large Ethereum outflow linked to regulatory changes in Turkey A significant $69.8 million in Ethereum (ETH) was withdrawn from Turkey’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, marking one of the biggest outflows in recent months. This movement coincides with Turkey’s recent regulatory advanc…
Vitalik Buterin highlights AGI risks for humanity’s future
What happened: Vitalik Buterin warns of AGI risks Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, raises critical concerns regarding the potential threats posed by artificial general intelligence (AGI). In light of OpenAI’s recent model scoring 87.5% on the ARC-AGI benchmark, Buterin suggests that society …
Israel to launch six Bitcoin mutual funds after approval
Israel to launch six Bitcoin mutual funds on Dec. 31 with competitive fees and diverse investment strategies.
Top tech news today: December 27, 2024
Tech News Summaries 1. Solana’s Jito staking pool hits $100M monthly Solana’s Jito staking pool has achieved impressive growth, generating $100 million per month in tips, according to research from Kairos. CoinTelegraph 2. Tether makes its first crypto VC investment Tether has made its first venture…