Emerging technology
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UK Treasury to bring cryptocurrencies within mainstream financial regime by 2027
The UK Treasury plans to extend financial regulation to cryptocurrency markets, requiring exchanges and wallet providers to register with the FCA and meet anti-money-laundering standards. The new rules, set to take effect by 2027, aim to boost investor confidence and ensure global competitiveness.
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Rough road ahead as Tesla stalls in US amid EV demand shift
Tesla’s November sales slump marks more than a U.S. policy hiccup. Across Europe, its once-dominant market share is eroding fast. The company’s 2025 trajectory suggests a deeper challenge — competition, sentiment, and an ageing product lineup. EV fatigue may be setting in.
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PraeSeed invests £1.6m in eight Northern startups
Eight North of England startups have secured investment through PraeSeed. The six-week accelerator, backed by the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II and PXN Ventures, has invested £200,000 in each company, taking total funding to £3 million and expanding its support for Northern innovation.
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How crypto is quietly rewiring business payments
Boardrooms used to treat crypto as something radioactive and remote. Today, the conversation is shifting to settlement speed, cost, and compliance. As cross-border payment volumes soar and regulation matures, stablecoins and tokenised cash are quietly being tested as the new pipes of global trade, not the latest speculative bet anymore.
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OpenAI forecasts 220 million paid users by 2030
OpenAI could reach 220 million paying ChatGPT users by 2030. The projection, reported by The Information, signals the company’s shift from early adoption to mass-scale monetisation, positioning its generative AI tools among the world’s largest paid digital services.
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Trump rails against AI “over-regulation”
President insisted the US requires a single federal AI standard. He warned that competing state rules could stifle innovation and allow China to overtake the US in the global AI race.
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Tesla recalls 6,197 Cybertrucks in US over light-bar fault
Tesla is recalling 6,197 Cybertrucks in the US. The safety regulator says an off-road light bar could detach and pose a hazard to other vehicles. The company will install additional fittings or replace the light bar assembly free of charge for affected owners.
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Waymo plans London ride-hailing launch in 2026
Waymo plans to launch self-driving service in London by 2026. The company will introduce its autonomous ride-hailing service using Jaguar Land Rover’s electric I-Pace vehicles, while collaborating with UK regulators to secure necessary approvals.
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Dorsey launches bitcoin wallet to rival cards
Jack Dorsey unveils bitcoin wallet for US retailers. The co-founder of Twitter and CEO of Block introduces a new product allowing small businesses to accept and hold bitcoin, offering an alternative to traditional card payments with no fees until 2027.
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Unmasking the political threat of deepfakes
Deepfakes are eroding trust in politics and society. Elections can be swayed by lies candidates never told. From Slovakia’s 2023 ballot to paid fake ads on social platforms, synthetic media is undermining democratic processes and public confidence — a growing threat with few safeguards in place.