Good day valued readers,

We hope this week's carefully curated selection of news finds you well. In this edition, we cover the latest developments across investing, finance, crypto, AI, and other topics to help you stay informed.

As always, our goal is to provide you with a professional, unbiased roundup of noteworthy news to augment your understanding of what's happening in the world. We take pride in hand-selecting articles from trustworthy sources across a diverse range of industries.

Please enjoy this week's newsletter. We're grateful for the opportunity to share these insights with you and look forward to continuing to be a valuable resource.

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Investing and Finance

The financial world saw significant developments this week, with NYSE's trading glitch costing Interactive Brokers $48 million, highlighting the vulnerabilities in our digital trading systems. In tech news, discussions about a potential second Trump term are sparking debates on its pros and cons for the industry. Nvidia's stock, once a darling of the market, now faces treacherous waters, prompting investors to reassess their positions.

The health of household finances remains a topic of debate, with different metrics painting varying pictures of consumer well-being. The electric vehicle (EV) sector is buzzing with activity: Rivian and Volkswagen's $5 billion deal has set tongues wagging about the future of US EV makers, while Nio's record deliveries have given a boost to the entire sector. In a significant move for the telecom industry, Nokia has agreed to acquire Infinera for $2.3 billion, sending the latter's stock soaring.

E-commerce giant Amazon might be eyeing new territory, with speculation about its potential entry into the fast-fashion market to compete with Shein and PDD's Temu. The housing market continues to face affordability challenges, raising concerns about accessibility for potential homeowners. On a lighter note, four entrepreneurs have successfully turned their passion into six-figure businesses, offering inspiration for aspiring business owners.

In financial services, BlackRock's $3.2 billion acquisition of Preqin underscores the growing importance of private market data. For individual investors, experts suggest six strategies to increase net worth in these uncertain times. Lastly, in an intriguing development, 'Roaring Kitty', the retail investor who gained fame during the GameStop saga, has emerged with a 6.6% stake in Chewy, demonstrating the continued influence of retail investors in the market.

1. NYSE trading glitch costs Interactive Brokers $48mn - Read more

2. The pros and cons of a second Trump term for tech - Read more

3. Why Nvidia stock is now in treacherous waters: Morning Brief - Read more

4. How Healthy Are Household Finances? Depends On How You Measure - Read more

5. What's Next for US EV Makers After $5B Rivian-Volkswagen Deal? - Read more

6. Infinera Soars After $2.3 Billion Deal to Be Acquired by Nokia - Read more

7. What Will It Look Like if Amazon Tries To Take on Shein and PDD's Temu? - Read more

8. Here’s how bad housing affordability is now - Read more

9. 4 People Who Turned Love Into a Six-Figure Business - Read more

10. BlackRock Buys Preqin for $3.2 Billion in Private Data Push - Read more

11. 6 ways to increase your net worth - Read more

12. EV Makers Get a Boost from Nio's Record Deliveries - Read more

13. Roaring Kitty' Has 6.6% Stake in Chewy - Read more

Crypto News

The cryptocurrency market continues to evolve rapidly, with VanEck filing for a Solana ETF in the US, following their Bitcoin ETF offering. This move is closely followed by 21Shares, indicating growing institutional interest in diverse crypto assets. Coinbase, a major player in the crypto exchange space, is making waves by accusing the U.S. SEC and FDIC of improperly blocking document requests, highlighting the ongoing tension between crypto companies and regulators.

In a positive development for crypto adoption, Coinbase has partnered with Stripe to expand global access to digital assets. However, the industry still faces significant security challenges, with crypto losses due to hacks and scams rising to $573 million in Q2, according to Immunefi. Solana has achieved a notable milestone by surpassing Ethereum in a key metric, potentially signaling a shift in the smart contract platform landscape.

Market sentiment remains largely positive, with three out of four Bitcoin traders expressing bullish views on BTC. The SEC faced a setback in its efforts to classify BNB secondary sales as securities, marking a potential win for the crypto industry. However, the regulatory body continues to exert influence, delaying the launch of spot Ethereum ETFs through additional comments.

The IRS has finalized a controversial tax reporting rule for brokers but has postponed a decision on DeFi, leaving uncertainty in that sector. In another regulatory move, the SEC has sued Consensys over MetaMask staking and broker allegations, further intensifying the scrutiny on crypto projects. On the international front, Sony is set to reenter the crypto exchange market by relaunching Whalefin in Japan, a platform it acquired from Amber Group in 2023, potentially signaling renewed corporate interest in the crypto space.

1. Bitcoin ETF issuer VanEck files for Solana ETF in the US - Read more

2. Coinbase Accuses U.S. SEC, FDIC of Improperly Blocking Document Requests - Read more

3. Coinbase + Stripe team up to expand global adoption of crypto - Read more

4. Crypto losses due to hacks and scams rise to $573 million in Q2: Immunefi - Read more

5. Solana Just Dethroned Ethereum in This Key Metric - Read more

6. Three in every four Bitcoin traders are bullish on BTC - Read more

7. SEC loses bid to classify BNB secondary sales as securities - Read more

8. Spot Ethereum ETF launch delayed by SEC comments - Read more

9. IRS finalizes controversial tax reporting rule for brokers, punts decision on DeFi - Read more

10. SEC Sues Consensys Over MetaMask Staking, Broker Allegations - Read more

11. Another Solana ETF Filing Lands in US as 21Shares Follows VanEck's Lead - Read more

12. Sony to Restart Japanese Crypto Exchange Whalefin Purchased From Amber Group in 2023 - Read more

Artificial Intelligence

The AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with OpenAI forming a strategic content partnership with TIME magazine, potentially reshaping how AI interacts with traditional media. In an exciting development for human-AI interaction, Character Calls have been introduced, allowing users to engage with AI-powered characters in new ways. The robotics field is advancing as well, with specially engineered skin tissue granting robots enhanced properties and abilities, blurring the line between artificial and biological systems.

SoftBank is making moves in the healthcare sector, forming an AI joint venture in Japan with Tempus, while OpenAI's decision to block access in China is reshaping the global AI landscape as major players rush to fill the void. A recent study suggests that AI can now outperform university students in certain tasks, raising questions about the future of education and workforce preparation. Mark Zuckerberg has criticized closed-source AI competitors, accusing them of trying to "create God," highlighting the ongoing debate between open and closed AI development approaches.

Google Translate is set to expand its linguistic capabilities with the addition of 110 new languages, potentially breaking down more communication barriers worldwide. However, concerns about data privacy in AI training persist, with revelations about hidden AI training on user data. Bill Gates has weighed in on the AI debate, stating that while AI could make combating climate change easier, it must be "used by people with good intent," underscoring the importance of ethical AI development.

Despite ongoing investigations, Microsoft and OpenAI remain under scrutiny from EU regulators. In the entertainment industry, AI is being used to de-age actors Tom Hanks and Robin Wright in a new movie, showcasing the technology's potential in film production. The CEO of Anthropic's office decor, featuring a framed picture of a giant robot destroying a city, has sparked discussions about AI safety concerns. Meanwhile, Amazon, traditionally a retail giant, is heavily investing in its AI future, signaling a shift in focus for the company. As AI continues to advance, experts warn of significant upcoming disruptions across various sectors, with many people underestimating the extent of these changes.

1. OpenAI Strategic Content Partnership with TIME - Read more

2. Introducing Character Calls - Read more

3. Robots face the future - Specially engineered skin tissue grants robots special properties and abilities - Read more

4. SoftBank forms AI healthcare JV in Japan with Tempus - Read more

5. OpenAI’s China Block to Reshape AI Scene as Big Players Pounce - Read more

6. AI can beat university students, study suggests - Read more

7. Zuckerberg disses closed-source AI competitors as trying to ‘create God’ - Read more

8. 110 new languages are coming to Google Translate - Read more

9. The Secrets of Hidden AI Training on Your Data - Read more

10. Bill Gates says AI will make it easier to combat climate change but must be 'used by people with good intent' - Read more

11. Microsoft, OpenAI Not Out of EU Regulator's Sights - Read more

12. New Movie Uses AI to De-Age Tom Hanks and Robin Wright to What They Looked Like in the 90s - Read more

13. The CEO of Anthropic Has a Framed Picture of a Giant Robot Destroying a City on His Wall - Read more

14. Amazon, Built by Retail, Invests in Its AI Future - Read more

15. GXO Signs Industry-First Multi-Year Agreement with Agility Robotics - Read more

16. Apple may want to monetize advanced Apple Intelligence features in the future - Read more

17. Few people realize how much disruption is coming from AI - Read more

18. As Artificial Intelligence advances, what can be expected to follow? - opinion - Read more

Top Article Picks this week

This week's digest covers a wide range of topics, from entertainment to health and from history to modern technology. The upcoming film "Inside Out 2" is sparking discussions about anxiety, with psychologists noting that this emotion can be both motivating and keep us alert. In the realm of viral fame, the story of Hawk Tuah woman's response to her sudden internet popularity offers insights into the impact of social media on individuals.

For those feeling behind in life, the concept of being a "late bloomer" provides a refreshing perspective on personal growth and success. History buffs might be intrigued by the revelation of what ancient Romans used instead of toilet paper, offering a glimpse into daily life in antiquity. In education news, New York City's move to ban phones from schools raises questions about the effectiveness of such policies in the digital age.

Health enthusiasts will find interest in the curious ways our skin shapes our overall health, as well as eight tips for effective walking when aiming for weight loss. On the economic front, concerns are being raised about the state of capitalism in Europe, suggesting potential shifts in global economic dynamics. The tech world is buzzing with speculation about the possible decline of mobile phones, hinting at future changes in how we interact with technology. Finally, for those feeling stuck in a rut, science offers insights on how to regain appreciation for life, providing practical advice for mental well-being.

1. How ‘Inside Out 2’ shows us anxiety ‘can be motivating’ and ‘keep us on our toes,’ psychologist says (Reading time: 5 min) - Read here

2. This is how Hawk Tuah woman has responded to her incredibly viral fame (Reading time: 3 min) - Read here

3. You Might Be a Late Bloomer (Reading time: 25 min) - Read here

4. What Ancient Romans Used Instead of Toilet Paper (Reading time: 6 min) - Read here

5. New York City is moving to ban phones from school. Will it work? (Reading time: 6 min) - Read here

6. The Curious Ways Your Skin Shapes Your Health (Reading time: 12 min) - Read here

7. 8 Tips to Follow for When You’re Walking for Weight Loss (Reading time: 6 min) - Read here

8. Capitalism is in worse shape in Europe (Reading time: 5 min) - Read here

9. Is the mobile phone starting to die? (Reading time: 10 min) - Read here

10. Stuck in a rut? How to appreciate your life again, according to science (Reading time: 5 min) - Read here

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Book of the week

"Triggers" offers valuable insights into the environmental and psychological factors that influence our behavior. Goldsmith, a renowned executive coach, explores how external stimuli can derail our intentions and actions. The book's central premise is that while we may not control our environment, we have agency in our responses. Goldsmith introduces a practical approach to personal growth through daily self-monitoring and "active" questions.

These questions focus on measuring effort rather than results, emphasizing the importance of trying over achieving. The author's "engaging questions" framework provides a tool for taking responsibility and recognizing areas for improvement. Goldsmith's writing is accessible and peppered with illuminating anecdotes from his work with high-profile executives. While the concept of triggers isn't entirely novel, the book's strength lies in its actionable strategies for lasting behavior change.

Some readers might find the repetition of key ideas excessive, but others may appreciate the reinforcement. "Triggers" is particularly relevant for those in leadership positions or anyone seeking to align their actions with their desired self-image. Overall, the book presents a straightforward yet potentially transformative approach to personal development.

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