In a significant development U.S.-headquartered digital currency exchange CrossTower has set up a local unit in India and has launched a trading platform to increase its traction in the burgeoning domestic crypto market. The development comes at a time when the fate of cryptocurrency is still unclear in India. CrossTower India has hired 35 people…
On Monday, Oliver Blume, the CEO of luxury sports car maker Porsche AG said, the carmaker is attracting huge demand for its all-electric coupe Taycan model, causing wait times to stretch to up to six months. “Our original production capacity for the Taycan was 20,000 units this year – we’ve sold that many in the…
On Friday, China’s Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp said, it will invest $8.87 billion to build a chip plant in Shanghai. The development underscores Beijing’s efforts to boost its independence in the chip manufacturing sector. The development comes at a time when global chipmakers are struggling to fulfill orders from the electronics and automotive industries triggering new…
In a statement the CEO of global cryptocurrency exchange Binance said, its U.S. arm could potentially see an initial public offering in the next three years. “Binance.US is just going to do what Coinbase did,” said Zhao. He went on to add, Binance.US is set to close on a large private funding round in the…
On Wednesday, in a statement Royal Dutch Shell announced its plans to significantly expand its network of electric vehicle charging points in Britain. Shell plans on installing 50,000 on-street charging stations by 2025; it plans on implementing its plan through ubitricity, an on-street charging point company that it acquired earlier this year in February. Incidentally,…
Chinese automakers are increasingly treating Europe not merely as an export destination but as a manufacturing base essential to their long-term international ambitions. As European policymakers consider rules designed to strengthen local industry, Chinese manufacturers are accelerating plans to establish factories, develop regional supply chains and adapt their businesses to changing trade conditions. The strategy…
The sharp rise in American government bond yields has renewed debate over whether borrowing costs are returning to historically normal levels or signalling a more difficult financial environment. The chief executive of Bank of New York Mellon has argued that a 10-year Treasury yield around 5.25% is not unprecedented, suggesting that investors may have become…
Richemont’s reported discussions about joining a consortium seeking to acquire diamond producer De Beers highlight a strategic question facing the luxury jewellery industry: whether premium brands should exercise greater control over the natural diamonds that underpin their products. The Swiss luxury group, which owns Cartier and Van Cleef and Arpels, could gain greater influence over…
India’s negotiations with the United States have reached a critical stage, with New Delhi indicating that the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement is close to completion while insisting that the final arrangement must give Indian exporters a competitive advantage over rival suppliers. The position highlights a central feature of India’s trade strategy: securing…
Allegations that artificial intelligence chatbots encouraged users to engage in self-harm and dangerous eating behaviour have intensified scrutiny of the responsibilities of companies developing conversational systems. A legal filing by Kentucky’s attorney general has brought renewed attention to Character.AI, a platform that allows users to interact with artificial intelligence-generated characters. The allegations concern whether chatbot…
A lawsuit challenging the use of artificial intelligence in McDonald’s franchise pricing has brought a fundamental competition issue into focus: when does software designed to improve commercial decisions begin to undermine independent pricing? The case alleges that an artificial intelligence-powered tool used within the restaurant chain allows franchisees to benefit from commercially sensitive information that…
Brazil’s presidential runoff presents a consequential choice about the country’s economic relationship with the United States, particularly over tariffs, critical minerals and industrial development. The contest between incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro has placed competing approaches to international cooperation under scrutiny at a time when Washington is seeking more…
Denmark’s consideration of IKEA stores as potential emergency shelters illustrates how European governments are rethinking the role of civilian infrastructure in national preparedness. As concerns grow about cyberattacks, disruptions to essential services, severe weather and other emergencies, authorities are exploring whether commercial facilities can support public safety when conventional emergency infrastructure comes under pressure. The…
The proposed initial public offering of Jio Platforms represents a major test of how investors value India’s digital infrastructure, telecommunications market and emerging artificial intelligence economy. The company is targeting a valuation of approximately 10.3 trillion rupees, equivalent to about $106.5 billion, for its planned listing. If the offering proceeds at the indicated terms, it…
The telecommunications industry is confronting a potential competitive shift as SpaceX expands beyond satellite broadband towards a more direct role in mobile connectivity. Its agreement to acquire a nationwide portfolio of low-band wireless spectrum has prompted investors to reconsider the long-term position of established telecommunications operators in the United States and Europe. The immediate market…
