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Musk Criticizes Sánchez Over Social Media Regulations; Rutte Visits Kyiv; Tech Community Reacts to Immigration Crackdown; and More
Tech billionaire Elon Musk criticized Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez over proposed social media regulations aimed at protecting minors, while Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte made a surprise visit to Kyiv amidst intensified Russian attacks, and the Minneapolis tech community grappled with the fallout from escalated immigration enforcement. Separately, Y Combinator (YC) announced it would offer startups the option to receive seed funding in stablecoin.
Musk, owner of X, called Sánchez a "tyrant and traitor to the people of Spain" on February 4, 2026, in response to Sánchez's announcement of new laws intended to hold social media executives accountable for content harmful to minors, according to Euronews. The proposed legislative package aims to regulate digital platforms and protect young users.
On February 3, 2026, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made an unannounced visit to Kyiv, as reported by Euronews. Rutte toured a damaged energy site that provides heat to thousands of residents, following Russian missile and drone attacks. The visit underscored the urgent need for air defense support for Ukraine, with Prime Minister Shmyhal emphasizing the importance of protecting power and heating networks and accelerating air defense deliveries. The city was experiencing temperatures of minus 25C.
Meanwhile, the Minneapolis tech community is facing challenges related to increased U.S. immigration enforcement. According to TechCrunch, the crackdown has led to fatalities, including at least two U.S. citizens. Eight Minneapolis-based founders and investors told TechCrunch that they have largely paused their work to focus on community support, volunteering at churches, and providing food assistance. Scott Burns, an investor in the area, noted the widespread fatigue and increased community engagement, stating, "There's a lot of commonality between how a teacher is reacting right now and how a tech professional is reacting."
In other news, Y Combinator will now allow startups accepted into its program to receive their $500,000 seed investment in stablecoins in exchange for 7% of their company, according to TechCrunch. YC partner Nemil Dalal told The Block that the option will be available starting with the upcoming spring batch and will apply to the Base, Solana, and Ethereum blockchains. Dalal cited the efficiency of stablecoin transfers, particularly for founders in emerging markets, as a key benefit. This move follows YC's partnership with Base and Coinbase Ventures last fall to encourage the development of more blockchain-related companies, signaling a renewed interest in blockchain technology within Silicon Valley.
Finally, Peter Attia, a longevity expert, has stepped down from his role as Chief Science Officer at David Protein, a maker of high-protein nutrition bars, TechCrunch reported. The announcement followed the release of documents, including email correspondence, linking Attia to Jeffrey Epstein. Attia's name appeared in over 1,700 documents released as part of a massive file dump related to the convicted sex offender, according to The New York Times. Attia, known for his book "Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity" and his podcast, was an early investor in the food startup. TechCrunch noted that Attia's own startup declined to comment on the matter.
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