Tech Meme

Joel Khalili / Wired: In his new book, a16z investor Chris Dixon argues that blockchain is morally neutral tech that regulators must detach from the crypto industry’s casino culture  —  In his new book Read Write Own, investor Chris Dixon mounts a defense of blockchain, arguing it can save society from the monopoly power of tech giants. Lees verder op Tech Meme

Jonathan Randles / Bloomberg: FTX unloads cryptoassets as bankruptcy advisers look to repay customers; filings: its affiliates’ cash pile grew from ~$2.3B in October to $4.4B at 2023’s end  —  – Cash of key affiliates rose to about $4.4 billion at end-2023  — Increased cash coincided with rising value of customer claims Lees verder op Tech Meme

Yuka Hayashi / Wall Street Journal: Sources: the US plans to award billions in subsidies to Intel, TSMC, and other chipmakers in the coming weeks, amid concerns of a slow CHIPS Act implementation  —  Industry, lawmakers worry semiconductor production could take years because of negotiations, permitting and worker shortages Lees verder op Tech Meme

Bloomberg: Sources: Reddit is targeting a valuation in the mid-single-digit billions for its planned IPO in March; Reddit raised funds at a $10B valuation in 2021  —  – Firm, advisers considering figure after early investor talks  — Private trades value social media company below $5 billion Lees verder op Tech Meme

Salvador Rodriguez / Wall Street Journal: Sources: Meta believes Apple’s Vision Pro can reinvigorate its $50B metaverse effort, with the Quest ecosystem filling the role played by Android in smartphones  —  Company executives are optimistic about competition as billions spent have yet to translate into wide consumer adoption Lees verder op Tech Meme

Michael Msika / Bloomberg: Europe’s blue-chip stocks index Euro Stoxx 50 hits its highest level since 2001, with ASML and SAP, the region’s two biggest tech stocks, powering the surge  —  – Rally in megacaps SAP, ASML and LVMH boosts Euro Stoxx 50  — Diversification by sector and geography seen as tailwinds Lees verder op Tech Meme

Steven Sinofsky / Hardcore Software: Apple has handled its response, including its proposed App Store changes, to the EU’s DMA with aplomb, despite the law being an assault on Apple’s brand promise  —  An essay on the EU Digital Markets Act and Apple’s “Update on apps distributed in the European Union” (and some personal history) Lees verder op Tech Meme

Lora Kolodny / NBC News: Researchers: financial sextortion of young users on TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube is rising, driven by Yahoo Boys, a West African cybercriminal gang  —  “Yahoo Boys” is an informal network of cybercriminals who have gained cultural clout over the last several years in West Africa. Lees verder op Tech Meme

Kurt Wagner / Bloomberg: X plans to build a new “Trust and Safety center of excellence” in Austin, Texas, and hire 100 full-time moderators to fight child sexual exploitation material  —  – Employees will be full-time, primarily focused on CSE content  — X CEO Yaccarino to testify before Senate committee next week Lees verder op Tech Meme

Salvador Rodriguez / Wall Street Journal: Sources: Meta believes Apple’s Vision Pro can reinvigorate its metaverse effort, with the Quest ecosystem filling the role Android played in smartphones  —  Company executives are optimistic about competition as billions spent have yet to translate into wide consumer adoption Lees verder op Tech Meme