Evening Digest | July 16, 2025
Five key updates from the world of AI, technology, and crypto.
🤖 OpenAI turns ChatGPT into a commerce platform
– Integrated payments with a commission on each purchase are being introduced.
– Partnership with Shopify enables transactions without leaving the ChatGPT interface.
– Annual revenue reached $10 billion (up from $5.5 billion in December 2024).
– The goal: monetize over 100 million free users.
Significance: Direct competition with Google; chatbots evolving into e-commerce platforms.
🚀 Microsoft and AI accelerate nuclear energy
– Partnership with Idaho National Laboratory to automate nuclear power plant licensing.
– Project duration will be reduced from several years to just 18 months.
– AI model trained on data from 82 previous reactor upgrades.
Significance: Revolution in nuclear energy; supports the growing demand from AI data centers.
💰 Peter Thiel bets on Ethereum
– Acquired 9.1% of Bitmine Immersion Technologies.
– The company holds 163,142 ETH (approx. $500 million).
– Shares rose 760% over the month and another +12.5% after the news.
Significance: Institutional recognition of Ethereum as “digital silver.”
🏦 Bank of America develops a US dollar stablecoin
– Stablecoin launch expected after the GENIUS Act is passed.
– Major players now include JPMorgan, Citigroup, and Bank of America.
– Total stablecoin market cap: approx. $257 billion.
Significance: Stablecoins becoming the new standard for bank transfers.
🇨🇳 NVIDIA resumes H20 chip sales to China
– Approval granted to resume exports of the “fourth most powerful” AI chip.
– Part of a rare earth metals deal with China.
– Expected revenue: $8 billion per quarter.
Significance: Easing tensions in the “chip war;” a new approach to tech sanctions.
🔍 Summary:
– ChatGPT is transforming into a commercial service, putting pressure on Google.
– AI is changing the timeline and cost of critical infrastructure projects.
– Ethereum is gaining support from major institutional investors.
– Traditional banks are entering the crypto ecosystem.
– The US and China are finding ways to ease technological restrictions.
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