Dive into today’s top tech news for groundbreaking innovations and the latest developments shaping our digital future.
Fintech
1. US seeks 3 years prison for Binance founder Zhao
U.S. prosecutors want Changpeng Zhao, the founder and former chief executive of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, to serve three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to violating laws against money laundering. (Reuters)
Internet governance
2. The ICANN Grant Program: Now accepting applications
The inaugural cycle of the ICANN Grant Program is now open for applications from eligible organisations from across the globe. (ICANN)
IT infrastructure
3. IBM to buy HashiCorp in $6.4 billion deal to expand in cloud
International Business Machines will buy HashiCorp in a deal valued at $6.4 billion, the company said on Wednesday, expanding its cloud-based software products to tap into an AI-powered boom in demand. (Channel News Asia)
4. TSMC says ‘A16’ chipmaking technology will start production in late 2026
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing said on Wednesday that a new chip manufacturing technology called “A16” will enter production in the second half of 2026, setting up a showdown with longtime rival Intel. (Yahoo)
5. ASML approves Christophe Fouquet as CEO at annual meeting
ASML has approved the appointment of Christophe Fouquet as the company’s new CEO. Fouquet, 50, took up his new role as chief of Europe’s largest technology company at ASML’s annual meeting in Veldhoven, Netherlands, on Wednesday. (SALTWIRE)
Tech trends
6. WhatsApp for iOS is rolling out passwordless logins with passkeys
WhatsApp says it’s now rolling out support for passkeys in the iOS version of the app. With the feature enabled, users of Meta’s encrypted messaging app can use iPhone biometrics for login — that is, Face ID or Touch ID — or their phone’s passcode. (9To5MAC)
7. TikTok CEO expects to defeat US ban: ‘We aren’t going anywhere’
TikTok’s chief executive said on Wednesday the social media company expects to win a legal challenge to block legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden that he said would ban its popular short video app used by 170 million Americans. (MalayMail)
AI
8. Microsoft’s AI lead puts Amazon cloud dominance on watch
Upcoming quarterly reports from U.S. tech giants may show Microsoft is closing the gap on cloud-computing market leader Amazon.com as more businesses switch to its services, attracted by a clutch of generative AI features that are powered by OpenAI’s technology. (USNews)
9. Autonomous fighter jets use AI in real world tests against human pilots
Transitioning from simulations to real-world applications, DARPA installed its AI system in the experimental X-62A aircraft. This momentous step culminated in a successful in-air dogfight test against a human-controlled F-16 at Edwards Air Force Base in California, in September 2023. (AIBusiness)
IoT
10. Quantum technology enables brain signals to direct prostheses, Hannover Messe 2024
Quantum technology company Q.Ant has unveiled a sensor that can pick up the magnetic field of the body’s tiny electrical signals and use it to control prostheses, exoskeletons or avatars. The company debuted its tiny new sensor at Hannover Messe 2024, taking place April 22-26 in Hanover, Germany. (IoT World Today)
