Top tech news today: December 26, 2024

Top tech news today: December 26, 2024 is profiled by BTW Media because public-source evidence links it to internet infrastructure, governance, operational dependencies, or market visibility.

<h2>1. Fiserv acquires Payfare in $147M deal</h2>
<p>Fiserv enhances its fintech portfolio by acquiring Canadian earned wage access firm Payfare for $147 million. The move strengthens its position in digital payments. <a href="https://www.fintechfutures.com/2024/12/fiserv-snaps-up-canadian-ewa-fintech-payfare-in-147m-deal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fintech Futures</a></p>

<h2>2. CFPB sues Zelle operator over fraud</h2>
<p>The CFPB has sued Zelle’s operator and major banks, citing rampant fraud on the payment platform. The case highlights regulatory scrutiny in fintech. <a href="https://www.fintechfutures.com/2024/12/cfpb-sues-zelle-operator-and-major-banks-for-widespread-fraud-on-payment-network/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fintech Futures</a></p>

<h2>3. US fintech raises $30M in Series B</h2>
<p>US-based Fintech Bureau secured $30 million in Series B funding led by Sorenson Capital to expand its innovative financial solutions. <a href="https://www.fintechfutures.com/2024/12/us-fintech-bureau-raises-30m-series-b-led-by-sorenson-capital/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fintech Futures</a></p>

<h2>4. Revenue-based financing thrives in MENA</h2>
<p>Startups in the MENA region continue to raise capital through revenue-based financing, demonstrating the model’s strong suitability for emerging markets. <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/24/revenue-based-financing-startups-continue-to-raise-capital-in-mena-where-the-model-just-works/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TechCrunch</a></p>

<h2>5. Singapore, Hong Kong lead blockchain rankings</h2>
<p>Singapore and Hong Kong top global blockchain innovation rankings, bolstering their reputations as hubs for cryptocurrency and decentralized finance advancements. <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/singapore-hong-kong-lead-blockchain-rankings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cointelegraph</a></p>

<h2>6. South Korea hits 15 million crypto holders</h2>
<p>South Korea now boasts over 15 million cryptocurrency holders, highlighting the country’s growing adoption of digital assets amid a favorable regulatory environment. <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/south-korea-crypto-holders-15-million-2024trump-election-boost" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cointelegraph</a></p>

<h2>7. Aave explores MEV fee-sharing with Chainlink</h2>
<p>Aave is considering integrating Chainlink’s solutions to redistribute Maximum Extractable Value (MEV) fees, enhancing transparency and fairness in DeFi transactions. <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/aave-mulls-chainlink-integration-return-mev-fees" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cointelegraph</a></p>

<h2>8. Bitcoin ETFs face $340M outflows</h2>
<p>US spot Bitcoin ETFs experienced $340 million in net outflows, reflecting continued volatility and investor caution in the crypto market. <a href="https://www.theblock.co/post/332325/us-spot-bitcoin-etfs-continue-net-outflows-bleeding-340-million" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Block</a></p>

<h2>9. Rune transactions on Bitcoin hit record lows</h2>
<p>Rune’s transaction volume on the Bitcoin network has dropped to historic lows, raising questions about its sustainability in decentralized finance. <a href="https://www.theblock.co/post/332216/runes-transaction-share-on-the-bitcoin-network-drops-to-new-lows" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Block</a></p>

<h2>10. Crypto OTC desks report trading surge</h2>
<p>Crypto OTC desks are experiencing a boom in trading volumes, indicating strong demand for large-scale transactions amid market volatility. <a href="https://www.theblock.co/post/332086/crypto-otc-desks-say-trading-volumes-are-going-gangbusters-right-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Block</a></p>

<h2>11. Israeli regulator approves Bitcoin mutual funds</h2>
<p>The Israeli Securities Authority greenlights six Bitcoin mutual funds, set to launch by December 31, signaling increased institutional acceptance of cryptocurrencies. <a href="https://www.theblock.co/post/332330/israeli-securities-authority-sets-dec-31-launch-for-six-bitcoin-mutual-funds-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Block</a></p>

<h2>12. Ripple exec criticizes SEC on Christmas</h2>
<p>A Ripple executive takes a jab at the SEC, highlighting regulatory hurdles during the holiday season, amid ongoing legal battles over XRP’s classification. <a href="https://u.today/ripple-exec-takes-dig-at-sec-on-christmas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">U.Today</a></p>

<h2>13. Vitalik Buterin warns of AGI risks</h2>
<p>Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin cautions against the rapid development of Artificial General Intelligence, emphasizing its potential existential threats. <a href="https://u.today/ethereums-buterin-weighs-in-on-agi-threats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">U.Today</a></p>

<h2>14. $698M in Ethereum exits Turkish exchange</h2>
<p>Nearly $698 million in Ethereum was withdrawn from a top Turkish crypto exchange, potentially linked to Turkey’s improving crypto regulatory climate. <a href="https://u.today/698-million-in-ethereum-eth-leave-turkeys-top-exchange-amid-regulatory-boost" target="_blank" rel="noopener">U.Today</a></p>

<h2>15. XRP Ledger hits 93M ledger milestone</h2>
<p>The XRP Ledger surpasses 93 million ledgers, marking a significant achievement for the decentralized network supporting XRP transactions. <a href="https://u.today/xrp-ledger-surpasses-93-million-ledgers-in-major-milestone" target="_blank" rel="noopener">U.Today</a></p>

<h2>16. $20M RLU moved into crypto market</h2>
<p>Approximately $20 million RLU has been swiftly transferred, sparking speculation about its market impact. <a href="https://u.today/20-million-rlusd-rapidly-moved-flowing-into-market" target="_blank" rel="noopener">U.Today</a></p>

<h2>17. Michael Saylor praises Bitcoin’s Xmas rally</h2>
<p>MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor celebrates Bitcoin’s Christmas rally, dubbing it the “best gift,” underscoring his unwavering support for the cryptocurrency. <a href="https://u.today/michael-saylor-reacts-to-bitcoin-xmas-rally-there-is-no-second-best-christmas-gift" target="_blank" rel="noopener">U.Today</a></p>

<h2>18. BonkDAO aims to burn $535M tokens</h2>
<p>BonkDAO announces a “Burnmas” campaign to destroy $535 million worth of BONK tokens, aiming to stabilize the token’s value. <a href="https://decrypt.co/news-explorer?pinned=866052&title=bonkdaos-burnmas-campaign-seeks-to-burn-535-million-worth-of-bonk-tokens" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Decrypt</a></p>

<h2>19. Matador uses Bitcoin as treasury reserve</h2>
<p>Matador Technologies adopts Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset, showcasing growing corporate adoption of cryptocurrency. <a href="https://decrypt.co/news-explorer?pinned=865265&title=matador-technologies-to-utilize-bitcoin-as-treasury-reserve-asset" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Decrypt</a></p>

<h2>20. Telegram surpasses $1 billion in revenue</h2>
<p>Telegram hits a milestone, exceeding $1 billion in revenue in 2024, cementing its position as a leading messaging platform. <a href="https://decrypt.co/news-explorer?pinned=865948&title=telegram-hit-over-1-billion-in-revenue-in-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Decrypt</a></p>

<h2>21. Apple defends Google payments in court</h2>
<p>Apple seeks to defend Google’s billion-dollar payments for search prominence, facing increased scrutiny in antitrust investigations. <a href="https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/apple-seeks-to-defend-googles-billion-dollar-payments-in-search-case/116645907?utm_source=latest_news&utm_medium=homepage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Economic Times</a></p>

<h2>22. MediaTek launches Dimensity 8400 chipset</h2>
<p>MediaTek debuts the Dimensity 8400 5G chipset, offering premium smartphone features, including generative AI capabilities. <a href="https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/devices/mediatek-launches-dimensity-8400-5g-chipset-with-genai-features-for-premium-smartphones/116592732?utm_source=branded_content&utm_medium=homepage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Economic Times</a></p>

<h2>23. Chinese brands struggle in India’s premium market</h2>
<p>Chinese smartphone makers face challenges breaking into India’s premium market, which remains dominated by Apple and Samsung. <a href="https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/devices/chinese-smartphone-brands-struggle-to-break-into-indias-premium-segment-dominated-by-apple-samsung/116645770?utm_source=top_story&utm_medium=homepage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Economic Times</a></p>

<h2>24. Nvidia powers India’s AI mission</h2>
<p>Nvidia dominates GPU offerings in India’s $1.2 billion AI mission, driving advancements in artificial intelligence infrastructure. <a href="https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/nvidia-dominates-gpu-offerings-in-governments-rs-10000-crore-ai-mission/116645705?utm_source=top_story&utm_medium=homepage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Economic Times</a></p>

<h2>25. Vietnam enforces sweeping internet law</h2>
<p>Vietnam’s new internet law comes into effect, imposing stricter controls on online content and raising concerns about digital freedoms. <a href="https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/sweeping-vietnam-internet-law-comes-into-force/116654236?utm_source=latest_news&utm_medium=homepage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Economic Times</a></p>

<h2>26. Netflix sues VMware over patent issues</h2>
<p>Netflix has filed a lawsuit against Broadcom’s VMware, accusing it of infringing on US patents related to virtual machine technology. <a href="https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/enterprise-services/netflix-sues-broadcoms-vmware-over-us-virtual-machine-patents/116646208?utm_source=latest_news&utm_medium=homepage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Economic Times</a></p>

<h2>27. 5G APIs to drive telco monetization</h2>
<p>Capgemini highlights network APIs as a critical enabler for 5G monetization, helping telcos capitalize on the growing demand for advanced connectivity. <a href="https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/enterprise-services/network-apis-to-expedite-5g-monetisation-for-telcos-capgeminis-sandeep-arora/116629649?utm_source=branded_content&utm_medium=homepage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Economic Times</a></p>