Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has introduced a groundbreaking proposal to replace the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) with RISC-V, a modern and highly efficient open standard instruction set architecture. This strategic shift aims to significantly enhance the efficiency, scalability, and performance of Ethereum’s execution layer, setting the stage for the next evolution of decentralized…
This AI startup just raised $7.5m to fix commercial insurance for America’s 24m underprotected small businesses
April 18, 2025
1Fort announced today a $7.5 million seed funding round to improve how small businesses obtain commercial insurance through its AI-powered platform. The New York-based startup, which has experienced 200% month-over-month revenue growth in 2024, aims to automate the outdated…
Google’s Gemini 2.5 Flash introduces ‘thinking budgets’ that cut AI costs by 600% when turned down
April 18, 2025
Google has launched Gemini 2.5 Flash, a major upgrade to its AI lineup that gives businesses and developers unprecedented control over how much “thinking” their AI performs. The new model, released today in preview through Google AI Studio and Vertex AI, represents a…
‘Vibe coding’ is a term of the moment, as it refers to a more accepted use of AI and natural language prompts for basic code completion.
OpenAI is reportedly looking to get in on the movement — and own more of the full-stack coding experience — as it eyes a $3 billion acquisition of Windsurf (formerly Codeium). If the deal materializes, it would be OpenAI’s most expensive acquisition to…
According to a credible new report, Elon Musk has reportedly shut down an internal analysis from Tesla executives that showed the company’s Robotaxi plans would lose money and that it should focus on its more affordable ‘Model 2’.
In early 2024, we reported that Musk…
Geely exercises its Put Option on Lotus UK, enabling reintegration of all businesses under the Lotus brand
April 18, 2025
Bear with me, as this one is a bit complicated and jargon-heavy. Lotus Technology Inc. announced that Geely, the majority owner of its vehicle manufacturing business Lotus UK, exercised its put option earlier this week to sell its 51% stake in the latter company back to the…
California’s e-bike incentive program is back, offering CA residents another opportunity to receive up to $2,000 off a new electric bicycle.
The second application window opens on April 29 at 5 PM, with 1,000 vouchers set to become available. In order to become eligible for a chance to receive one of the limited vouchers, applicants must enter the online waiting room between 5 and 6…
Solana ETFs Launch on Toronto Stock Exchange
April 18, 2025
In a Nutshell
Canada introduces spot Solana ETFs by four investment managers on the TSX, following OSC approval. Solana joins Bitcoin and Ether as approved crypto assets for ETFs in Canada. Analyst Eric Balchunas questions potential retail interest based on U.S.
Diosnel Alarcon, head of the cybercrime unit of the National Police of Paraguay, has indicated that over $4 billion was moved by cryptocurrency scams and Ponzi schemes in 2023 and 2024. Alarcon stated that middlemen help these platforms thrive, as people investing don’t…
Grocery Giant SPAR Dips Toe Into Crypto Payments
April 18, 2025
SPAR, one of the world’s largest grocery retailers with over 13,900 stores across 48 countries, is stepping into the future of payments. In an exciting development, SPAR Switzerland is now testing cryptocurrency payments, accepting Bitcoin via the Lightning Network at its Zug location. This trial marks a significant milestone as one of the most extensive experiments with crypto payments by a…
