Bitcoin is underperforming, down 25% since October and 6% in the last week, as investors pull over $1.3 billion from Bitcoin-linked funds, opting instead for surging gold (now over $5,000) and booming stocks. This shift reflects a broader retreat from crypto ETFs and a search for more promising investment opportunities.
Multiple news sources report that TikTok's updated U.S. privacy policy, which explicitly mentions the collection of citizenship or immigration status, has triggered user concern and boycott calls, despite experts noting this language existed in previous versions and is likely driven by compliance with state laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act. While the immigration status language isn't new, the updated policy, accepted by users after a U.S. restructuring, has drawn attention to previously unread sections and includes changes allowing TikTok to collect approximate or precise location data with user permission.
Telly, the ad-supported TV startup, faces challenges in fulfilling its initial shipment goals, having only deployed 35,000 of its "free" TVs by Q3 2025, significantly below the projected 500,000 units for summer 2023. Despite plans to ship millions in 2024, the company's slow rollout, coupled with a reported order of 100,000 TVs from Foxconn, signals a potential shift in strategy to increase market penetration. The success of Telly's model, which relies on user data and constant ad exposure, hinges on scaling its user base and realizing the estimated $1,000 value per TV through advertising revenue.
A new video analyzes the lingering unease in Europe following Trump's reversal on Greenland, a situation with potential geopolitical and economic ramifications. The video is part of a series covering business, politics, and global issues, offering insights into the evolving relationship between the US and Europe. It is unclear from the context what the specific financial details or market impact are.
Multiple news sources report that nearly fifty Labour MPs are urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to halt the upcoming increase in business rates for music venues, warning that the revaluation, effective in April, could significantly raise venues' bills and pose an "existential threat." This comes amid pressure from the hospitality industry and concerns that Reeves' planned support package for pubs may exclude other vital sectors like music venues and recording studios, prompting calls for a broader reversal of the rate increases.
Gold prices have significantly increased in the past year, creating challenges for jewelers who rely on it for manufacturing and often borrow gold to mitigate price fluctuations. New crypto companies are offering tokenized gold as a solution to make gold investment more accessible, similar to gold exchange-traded funds, with existing tokens like Tethers XAUT and Paxoss PAXG already having a substantial market presence.
Multiple news sources confirm Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin plans to launch over 5,400 satellites by 2027 for its TeraWave network, aiming to provide high-speed internet to businesses and governments, directly competing with Elon Musk's Starlink. While TeraWave boasts potentially faster speeds, it will have fewer satellites than Starlink, and it will also face competition from Amazon's Project Kuiper, which focuses on providing satellite internet to individual consumers.
Pornhub is blocking new users in the UK starting February 2nd due to the country's Online Safety Act, which requires age verification methods the company deems ineffective, as reported by multiple news sources. Pornhub argues that the law has significantly reduced their UK traffic while failing to prevent access to non-compliant porn sites, leading them to withdraw from the UK market for new users.
Blue Origin, backed by Jeff Bezos, is entering the satellite internet market with TeraWave, a planned constellation of over 5,400 satellites targeting data centers, businesses, and governments. This move challenges Elon Musk's Starlink, which currently dominates the market, and Amazon's own Project Kuiper, though TeraWave aims for significantly faster data transfer speeds of up to 6 terabits per second. While ambitious, Blue Origin faces the challenge of catching up to Starlink's established presence and Amazon's existing 180 satellites in orbit with plans for over 3,000.
Google is expanding its AI offerings with the launch of a more affordable "Google AI Plus" plan, priced at $7.99/month in the US, aiming to capture a broader market segment. This expansion, reaching 35 new countries, provides access to Gemini Pro and Nano, 200GB of storage, and family sharing, potentially impacting the competitive landscape of AI-powered services and driving wider adoption of Google's AI technology.
President Trump's disruptive statements at Davos, addressing topics from Greenland to Gaza, triggered volatility in global markets and strained relationships with key U.S. allies. This diplomatic fallout unfolded against a backdrop of growing uncertainty regarding America's leadership role within Western democracies. The remarks leading up to the World Economic Forum exacerbated concerns about potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy.
Telly, the ad-supported TV startup, faces challenges in fulfilling its initial shipment goals, having only deployed 35,000 of its "free" TVs by Q3 2025, significantly below the projected 500,000 units by summer 2023. Despite claiming a $1,000 value per TV and plans to ship millions in 2024, the company's slow rollout, as revealed in an investor note, may impact its ad revenue model and market position, though a planned order of 100,000 TVs from Foxconn suggests potential delivery increases. The company's business model relies on user data collection and constant ad display, raising questions about consumer acceptance and long-term viability.
Drawing from multiple sources, this week UPS announced plans to cut up to 30,000 jobs through attrition and voluntary separation programs as part of a cost-saving strategy that includes facility closures and automation, while the "Doomsday Clock" was moved to 85 seconds to midnight, reflecting growing global risks from nuclear weapons, climate change, and disruptive technologies.
Blue Origin, backed by Jeff Bezos, is entering the satellite internet market with TeraWave, a planned constellation of over 5,400 satellites aimed at providing high-speed data transfer up to 6 terabits per second for businesses and governments. This move positions Blue Origin as a direct competitor to Elon Musk's Starlink, which currently dominates the market, and Amazon's Project Kuiper, though TeraWave will focus on a different customer base than its rivals. While Blue Origin's ambitions are significant, Starlink already has a substantial lead in the number of satellites in orbit, and Amazon's Project Kuiper plans to launch over 3,000 satellites.
Braskem SA, a major global petrochemical producer, successfully made interest payments on its dollar-denominated hybrid bonds maturing in 2081, averting potential market concerns. This move provides some financial stability for the company amidst ongoing discussions regarding its ownership and future strategic direction.
Multiple news sources report financial difficulties for companies backed by private equity and credit firms: Apollo Global Management took a loss on asset-backed financing for Amazon brand aggregator Perch, while Cubic Corp., owned by Elliott Investment Management and Veritas Capital Fund Management, plans to defer an interest payment despite recent debt reduction and equity infusion. These events highlight potential risks within private credit and equity investments.
Intel's Q4 earnings reveal a mixed performance with a slight YoY revenue decrease to $52.9 billion, while data center and AI revenue grew, the client computing group declined. Upcoming Core Ultra Series 3 processor launches may face supply constraints due to chip shortages, as Intel prioritizes chip allocation to more profitable divisions amid fluctuating market demands.
Adam Presser, a Harvard Business and Law graduate, has been appointed CEO of TikTok's new U.S. joint venture, tasked with navigating regulatory challenges and maintaining user engagement. Presser's prior roles at TikTok, including Chief of Staff and Head of Operations, position him to lead the company's efforts to reassure Washington amidst ongoing scrutiny of the Chinese-owned platform. His deep understanding of Chinese language and culture, cultivated through academic pursuits and personal interest, may prove beneficial in this politically sensitive role.
The UK government has announced an £80 million support package for pubs and music venues in England, offering a 15% discount on business rates bills starting in April and freezing increases for two years. This three-year plan, estimated at £1,650 for the average pub, aims to alleviate concerns raised after November's Budget and address potential risks to the broader hospitality sector, though critics deem it insufficient.
The S&P 500 experienced its first two-week losing streak since June, despite erasing Friday's losses due to positive consumer sentiment and gains in major tech stocks. Nvidia shares rose 1.5% following news of potential chip orders from China, while Intel's stock plummeted 17% due to a weak forecast, and small caps underperformed after a 14-day winning streak against the benchmark. Investors are closely watching the upcoming Federal Reserve decision and the start of big-tech earnings season for further market direction.
