Articles by Khal
Latest from Khal
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South Korea targets $380B AI infrastructure push led by Samsung, SK Group
South Korea's government expects roughly 550 trillion won ($380 billion) in private investment across AI data centers, chips, and batteries, with Samsung and SK Group driving a massive buildout. Power constraints and cyclical risk pose challenges.
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OpenAI restricts new model access after Trump administration security review request
The Trump administration asked OpenAI and Anthropic to limit rollouts of advanced AI models pending security reviews. OpenAI announced three new models—GPT-5.6 Sol, Terra, and Luna—but restricted early access to government-approved partners, signaling a shift toward federal oversight of AI releases.
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Momenta launches Hong Kong IPO targeting $751M for autonomous driving
Chinese autonomous driving firm Momenta raised HK$5.89 billion ($751M) via IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with 60% allocated to R&D and 20% to Robotaxi services. Cornerstone backers include Mercedes-Benz, BlackRock, and GIC.
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BIS warns AI spending surge poses systemic financial risk
The Bank for International Settlements flagged artificial intelligence investment exuberance as a potential financial stability threat, citing heavy debt reliance and elevated valuations that could trigger disruptive market corrections if central banks tighten policy to combat inflation.
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SharpLink Buys $62M Ethereum After Eight-Month Pause
SharpLink purchased approximately $62.4 million in Ethereum, breaking an eight-month silence and reinforcing its position as the second-largest public corporate ETH holder with a total treasury valued near $1.3 billion.
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TSMC and Winbond build localized 3D DRAM stacking to cut supply-chain risk
TSMC and Winbond are building a localized DRAM supply chain in Taiwan using 3D wafer-on-wafer stacking technology, reducing reliance on foreign memory suppliers and strengthening the island's semiconductor autonomy.
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Oil prices fall to pre-Iran war levels as Strait of Hormuz reopens
Brent crude dropped below $72.48 per barrel in late June, erasing a 20% spike driven by the Iran conflict. US-brokered deals reopened the Strait of Hormuz, removing supply-shock fears and allowing prices to stabilize as analysts project a $60–$80 range ahead.
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Spot Bitcoin ETFs Post Record $4 Billion Outflow in June
U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs recorded $4.06 billion in net outflows during June 2026, marking the largest monthly redemption on record and signaling weak institutional demand amid bitcoin's 30% price decline.
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China expands export controls against 40 Japanese entities
China's Ministry of Commerce announced export restrictions on 40 Japanese entities on February 24, placing 20 on a formal ban list and 20 on a watch list, escalating tensions over Taiwan and semiconductor controls.
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Copper slumps as Federal Reserve signals 2026 rate hikes
Copper fell over 1% on June 19 as the Federal Reserve's hawkish pivot and a strengthening dollar pressured industrial metals. The shift from zero expected rate hikes to at least one in 2026 represents rapid repricing that threatens portfolios.
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Sharplink resumes $62.4M Ether purchases after eight-month pause
Sharplink resumed Ether purchases last week after eight months of inactivity, acquiring nearly 40,000 ETH across three days starting Thursday. The move came as Ethereum faces market headwinds and institutional adoption pressures.
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Japan's prediction markets use loyalty points to sidestep gambling laws
Japanese startups are building prediction markets using redeemable points instead of cryptocurrency to comply with local gambling laws, positioning themselves as alternatives to Polymarket while Polymarket itself targets government authorization by 2030.
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American Express hires VP for stablecoin and blockchain partnerships
American Express posted a job listing for a Vice President of Stablecoin and Blockchain Partnerships within its Digital Labs division, signaling the credit card giant's formal push into blockchain payments and stablecoin infrastructure alongside Visa and Mastercard.
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Tech stocks hit 39.4% of S&P 500, surpassing dot-com bubble peak
The Information Technology sector has reached 39.4% of the S&P 500's total market capitalization as of June 2026, surpassing the previous record of 35% set during the dot-com bubble in March 2000. The Magnificent Seven companies now account for roughly a third of the index, creating concentration risk.
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US and Iran sign Strait of Hormuz ceasefire deal amid continued military strikes
The United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to halt hostilities around the Strait of Hormuz, brokered by Pakistan and Qatar with a 60-day negotiation window. Yet military strikes continued after the agreement, raising doubts about implementation and its impact on oil markets and crypto assets.
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HIP-4 hits $24.77M open interest record on World Cup prediction surge
HIP-4, Hyperliquid's binary prediction market, reached an all-time high of $24.77M in open interest as World Cup wagering dominated trading activity. Sports markets now account for 99% of all live open interest on the platform, with the World Cup champion market alone driving $9.63M in weekly volume.
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BIS warns stablecoin growth risks fragmenting global monetary system
The Bank for International Settlements issued a sharp assessment of the $316 billion stablecoin market, warning that rapid expansion risks fragmenting the global monetary system and weakening sovereign control. Meanwhile, Binance recorded $400 million in net outflows and withdrew its Greece license application ahead of the EU's MiCA transition deadline.
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Iran, US escalate military strikes, suspending Strait of Hormuz ceasefire
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched drone and missile strikes on US installations in Kuwait and Bahrain on June 27-28, prompting US airstrikes in response. The escalation has suspended an interim ceasefire meant to stabilize global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, threatening market stability and crypto volatility.
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Micron Q3 2026: $28.24B profit, 84.9% margin on AI chip boom
Micron Technology reported $41.46 billion in fiscal Q3 2026 revenue with net income of $28.24 billion, achieving an 84.9% gross margin as AI-driven demand for high-bandwidth memory reshapes semiconductor economics and elevates the company into the top 10 most valuable US public companies.
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Bitcoin ETF Outflows Hit $1.79B as BlackRock's IBIT Leads Sell-Off
BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust shed $1.3 billion in a single week as US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded their largest outflow since launch, signaling that the product meant to deepen institutional demand can now work in reverse when price-sensitive holders exit.
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CZ Plans U.S. Crypto Expansion, Eyes Binance.US Liquidity Boost
Changpeng Zhao told CoinDesk in June interviews that he wants to strengthen the U.S. crypto market by tapping Binance Global's liquidity for Binance.US, while maintaining his role as an informal adviser rather than an active exchange operator.
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OpenAI Develops ChatGPT for Science Plan for Universities and Research Labs
OpenAI is building a dedicated ChatGPT subscription plan for scientific institutions, with code references discovered in June pointing to a product designed for researchers across biology, chemistry, physics, and materials science. No official pricing or launch date has been announced.
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Scotland extends Steve Clarke contract through 2030, scouts future managers
Scotland's football federation extended Steve Clarke's contract through 2030 while actively scouting future managers, signaling a proactive approach to long-term coaching stability and strategic continuity.
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EWC26 VALORANT relocates to Paris with 16 teams and $2M prize pool
Esports World Cup 2026's VALORANT competition moves to Paris from Saudi Arabia, featuring 16 teams, a $2 million prize pool, and regulated crypto sponsor participation amid geopolitical shifts.