ByteDance Reportedly Advances In-House AI Chip Development, Secures Samsung Talks for Manufacturing

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February 11, 2026

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is actively developing its own artificial intelligence chip and is in advanced discussions with Samsung Electronics to manufacture the processor and secure critical memory supplies, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.

The move is part of ByteDance’s strategic push to reduce reliance on restricted U.S. chips and build self-sufficiency in AI infrastructure as U.S. export controls continue to limit access to Nvidia’s most advanced GPUs. According to the sources, ByteDance aims to receive sample chips by the end of March 2026 and plans to produce at least 100,000 units of the inference-focused AI chip this year, with one source indicating ambitions to scale production to as many as 350,000 units progressively.

Negotiations with Samsung include not only fabrication but also priority access to high-bandwidth memory (HBM) supplies—currently in exceptionally short supply due to the global AI infrastructure buildout—making the deal particularly attractive to ByteDance. The company issued a statement denying the accuracy of the information about its in-house chip project, without providing further details. Samsung declined to comment.

The project, codenamed SeedChip, marks a significant milestone for ByteDance, which has been building chip design capabilities since at least 2022, when it began aggressively hiring semiconductor engineers. Reuters reported in June 2024 that ByteDance was collaborating with U.S. chip designer Broadcom on an advanced AI processor, with manufacturing planned to be outsourced to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC).

The latest efforts with Samsung suggest ByteDance is pursuing multiple parallel paths to secure advanced chip capacity. ByteDance’s broader AI push includes its Seed division, founded in 2023 to develop large language models and promote their applications across the company’s portfolio—from short video (Douyin/TikTok) to e-commerce and enterprise cloud services.

At a January 2026 all-hands meeting, ByteDance executive Zhao Qi, who oversees the Doubao chatbot and its overseas version Dola, acknowledged that the company’s AI models still lag behind global leaders like OpenAI but pledged continued heavy investment in AI development throughout the year.

ByteDance plans to spend over 160 billion yuan ($22 billion) on AI-related procurement in 2026, with more than half allocated to purchasing Nvidia chips—including H200 models cleared for China—and advancing its in-house chip efforts, according to one source. This massive spending reflects the company’s determination to build end-to-end AI capabilities despite U.S. restrictions on advanced semiconductor technology.

ByteDance joins other major Chinese tech firms racing to develop domestic AI chips in response to U.S. export controls:

Alibaba unveiled its Zhenwu chip last month for large-scale AI workloads.

Baidu sells chips to external clients and plans to list its chip unit Kunlunxin soon.

Global tech giants, including Alphabet’s Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, have also developed proprietary AI chips to reduce dependence on Nvidia, the dominant supplier of advanced AI processors. For Chinese companies, U.S. restrictions on Nvidia’s most cutting-edge GPUs have added urgency to these efforts, as domestic alternatives remain several generations behind in performance.

Competition in China’s AI chip market is intensifying. Huawei’s HiSilicon unit holds a leading share with its Ascend series processors, while startups like Biren Technology, Moore Threads, and Iluvatar CoreX are vying for positions in data center and edge AI applications. ByteDance’s SeedChip project would add another major contender, leveraging the company’s vast data resources from TikTok/Douyin and its deep pockets to potentially close the gap with global leaders.

The Samsung talks are particularly significant given the global shortage of high-bandwidth memory (HBM), which is essential for training and inference on large AI models. Samsung and SK Hynix dominate HBM production, with SK Hynix holding a leading share of Nvidia’s HBM supply for its Blackwell and upcoming Rubin architectures. Securing priority HBM access would provide ByteDance with a critical advantage in scaling its AI infrastructure.

ByteDance’s AI ambitions extend beyond chips. Its Doubao chatbot and related models have gained traction in China, though they still trail global leaders in capability. The company is betting heavily that AI will transform its diverse business lines, from content recommendation and advertising to enterprise cloud services. The push for in-house chips and alternative supply chains reflects China’s broader strategy to achieve technological self-reliance amid U.S. export controls and geopolitical tensions.

While ByteDance’s denial of the chip project suggests sensitivity around the topic, the scale of its planned AI spending and ongoing talent acquisition in semiconductors indicates the effort remains active and well-funded.

Onafriq Partners Conduit to Power Cross-Border Payments With Stablecoin Infrastructure

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Ojukwu Emmanuel

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February 11, 2026

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Onafriq, a pan-African payments company which enables interoperable cross-border and domestic digital payments, has partnered with Conduit, a next-generation payment network to provide stablecoin-powered infrastructure for global payments.

Under the agreement, Conduit will integrate its global stablecoin network with Onafriq’s extensive cross-border payment rails. The move aims to cut the time and cost of moving funds across currencies and jurisdictions.

Onafriq handles growing cross-border volumes for banks, mobile money operators, and merchants, though it declined to disclose its annual payment volume.

Speaking on the partnership, Kirill Gertman, Founder and CEO of Conduit, described Onafriq as a global poster child for the impact a fintech can have in a developing market.

He said,

“Onafriq is a global poster child for the impact a fintech can have in a developing market, offering fast, reliable, and accessible money movement in Africa, which has not been served well by traditional banking options”.

The first phase of the partnership will centre on treasury operations. Conduit will support Onafriq in converting USDC into U.S. dollars via off-ramp channels, as both companies explore how stablecoins can enhance global liquidity management and streamline settlement processes.

The partnership adds to a run of African fintechs adopting stablecoins as backend settlement rails. An example is Tanzania-based fintech NALA, which has integrated stablecoin settlement into its RafikiB2B platform. Through partnerships, NALA lets merchants receive stablecoin payments and convert instantly into local currency, addressing slow and costly traditional remittances.

Across Africa, the demand for Stablecoins has grown rapidly in recent years. The digital asset across the region is more than a tech trend it is becoming practical tools for financial inclusion, especially where traditional banking is slow, expensive, or inaccessible. As more fintech companies embed stablecoins into everyday services, and as regulatory frameworks evolve, the ecosystem is expected to grow further.

Conduit, which launched its cross-border stablecoin platform in 2023, reported rising traction in Africa. The company disclosed that the number of African customers transacting on its platform grew by 80% between the third and fourth quarters of 2025, underscoring strong regional demand.

Founded in 2010, Onafriq has been at the forefront of expanding digital financial access across Africa. The company operates with a multicultural team drawn from over 30 nations, united by the goal of building a borderless financial ecosystem for African individuals and businesses.

While mobile money has transformed access to financial services across the continent, Onafriq has focused on advancing the next phase of that revolution—driving interoperability by connecting mobile money users with one another, bank accounts, money transfer operators, enterprises, and global payment networks.

Through a comprehensive suite of payment solutions and an expansive last-mile network, Onafriq enables mobile network operators (MNOs), money transfer operators (MTOs), banks, global and local merchants, African SMEs, and development organizations to collect and disburse payments seamlessly. The company also provides card issuance and processing services and offers access to Nigerian consumers and SMEs via its agent network, Baxi. With multiple FX sourcing partners across the continent, Onafriq supports multi-currency capabilities for its partners.

Notably, Onafriq partnership with Conduit signals a strategic shift toward stablecoins as core settlement infrastructure rather than peripheral crypto tools.

As cross-border trade and digital commerce continue to expand within and beyond Africa, the need for faster, programmable, and cost-efficient liquidity solutions will intensify.

Two xAI Co-Founders Exit as Musk’s AI Ambitions Enter High-Stakes Phase

By

Samuel Nwite

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February 11, 2026

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The departures of Tony Wu and Jimmy Ba reduce xAI’s founding team by half, pointing to mounting internal and competitive pressures as Elon Musk races to close the gap with OpenAI and Anthropic.

Tony Wu and Jimmy Ba, two co-founders of Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence venture xAI, have resigned from the company less than three years after helping to launch it. The announcements, made in separate posts on X, mark the latest leadership changes at the firm and leave it with six of its original 12 co-founders.

Neither Wu nor Ba publicly stated their reasons for stepping down or outlined immediate next steps, though both expressed gratitude to Musk in their messages.

Their exits come at a pivotal moment for xAI, which was founded in 2023 as Musk’s direct challenge to OpenAI, the company he co-founded and later publicly criticized over its direction and governance. Since its launch, xAI has sought to position its Grok model — integrated into Musk’s social media platform X — as a more open and less constrained alternative to competing large language models.

Reported internal tensions

The Financial Times reported that Ba’s resignation followed tensions within xAI’s technical team over pressure to improve model performance as Musk pushes to narrow the gap with industry leaders such as OpenAI and Anthropic.

Performance benchmarks have become central in the generative AI race. Companies compete aggressively on reasoning ability, coding accuracy, multimodal capabilities, and inference speed. Any perception of lagging progress can affect valuation, partnerships, and investor appetite.

If internal friction emerged over engineering timelines or product readiness, it would reflect the broader strain facing AI startups attempting to scale foundational models at breakneck speed while competing against firms with deeper capital reserves and established research ecosystems.

Ba, a well-known academic in machine learning and co-author of the widely cited Adam optimization algorithm, brought significant technical credibility to xAI at its inception. Wu also played a key role in the company’s early engineering development. Their departures remove two influential voices from the core research group at a time when execution speed is critical.

High-capex environment

Days before the resignations became public, SpaceX announced plans to purchase xAI in a transaction that Musk said would create a combined entity valued at $1.25 trillion. The merged structure is reportedly intended to go public later this year, with proceeds aimed at financing large-scale infrastructure projects, including ambitions to deploy data centers in space.

The proposed integration signals how capital-intensive Musk’s AI strategy has become. Training frontier models requires vast computational resources, often involving tens of thousands of high-end GPUs, advanced cooling systems, and long-term energy contracts. Infrastructure spending now defines competitive positioning in AI as much as algorithmic breakthroughs.

By folding xAI into SpaceX’s orbit, Musk appears to be consolidating capital, engineering capacity, and long-term financing mechanisms under a single corporate umbrella. SpaceX’s strong private-market valuation and track record of raising large funding rounds could provide xAI with more stable access to capital than a standalone startup structure.

Yet such consolidation can also intensify internal performance expectations. As investor scrutiny grows — particularly ahead of a potential public listing — pressure to demonstrate technical parity with rivals may increase.

OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind have widened the performance envelope of large language models over the past year, introducing models capable of advanced reasoning, coding, video generation, and real-time multimodal interaction. Each firm has secured major enterprise and government partnerships.

Grok’s integration into X gives it a built-in distribution channel to hundreds of millions of users for xAI. However, distribution alone does not guarantee leadership in benchmark performance or enterprise adoption. Corporate customers typically evaluate AI systems on reliability, safety controls, latency, and integration flexibility — areas where incumbents have invested heavily.

The departure of founding researchers could prompt questions about continuity in xAI’s core research agenda. Founders often anchor technical culture, long-term research direction, and hiring pipelines. Replacing that institutional knowledge requires careful management, particularly in a sector where talent mobility is high, and competition for senior AI researchers is intense.

Strategic inflection point

Musk has repeatedly framed AI as central to his broader industrial ambitions, linking it to autonomous vehicles, robotics, and space infrastructure. The decision to align xAI more closely with SpaceX suggests a strategy built around vertical integration — controlling hardware, compute, data pipelines, and application layers within a unified ecosystem.

That strategy carries significant upside if execution aligns. It also raises governance and operational complexity, especially if the combined entity proceeds toward a public listing at a multitrillion-dollar valuation target.

For now, xAI remains in active development mode, continuing to iterate on Grok and expand its infrastructure footprint. The loss of half its founding team does not necessarily derail that trajectory, but it signals internal recalibration at a time when the global AI race is accelerating.

In frontier AI, leadership stability, technical momentum, and capital scale often determine which firms define the next generation of platforms. In the coming months, xAI will be proving whether it can maintain research velocity and organizational cohesion as it enters a more demanding phase of competition and financial scrutiny.

BC.Game vs. Lucky Block vs. Spartans: Which One is Actually the Best Crypto Casino in 2026?

By

TI Partners

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February 11, 2026

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Crypto gambling sites are no longer just niche experiments riding the blockchain wave. They have transformed into sophisticated digital playgrounds where technical speed, open transparency, and clever game loops determine the winners. Giants like BC.Game and Lucky Block helped pave the way, proving that tokens could power global, real-time gaming with provably fair math. One grew through massive sponsorships; the other won by making lottery-style betting simple for everyone.

However, Spartans is taking a different path. While competitors focus on expanding their reach, Spartans is building deep, focusing on in-house game development and mechanics designed specifically for the crypto community rather than just porting over old casino tech. When people hunt for the best crypto casino, Spartans is frequently cited not as a clone, but as a bold alternative to the status quo.

BC.Game: The Hurdle of Massive Scale in Crypto Betting

BC.Game is a veteran in the space, known for jumping into the world of esports and professional gaming early on. By teaming up with pro squads and international leagues, they chose a path of high visibility. Their strategy is built on being seen everywhere rather than experimenting with the core software behind the games.

Technically, BC.Game offers a massive library of third-party titles, standard tables, and plenty of coin options. Their systems are built to stay upright even when thousands of people log in at once for a major tournament. It is a robust, heavy-duty machine designed for the masses.

But this size comes with a cost. Most of the games are generic, third-party titles with very few unique features owned by the site itself. Innovation usually comes from a new partnership rather than a new invention. While it is a reliable choice for users who want a standard, predictable session, it can feel a bit “cookie-cutter” for players looking for something fresh or evolving.

Lucky Block Prioritizes Easy & Fast Crypto Sessions

Lucky Block views the market through the lens of simplicity. By focusing on easy-to-understand mechanics and quick sessions, they have successfully lowered the barrier for newcomers moving from casual apps or basic lotteries into the world of crypto wagering.

The site is built for speed and minimalism. Deposits and withdrawals move fast, the menus are clean, and you don’t need a manual to start playing. This has earned them a loyal following among players who want to get in and out without dealing with complex layers. Their security protocols are industry-standard, offering safety without the headache of extra steps.

The trade-off for Lucky Block is its limited room for growth. The platform is built for repetition, not progression, which can lead to boredom for seasoned gamblers. As the industry moves toward deeper customization and competitive layers, Lucky Block’s “less is more” philosophy remains effective but fundamentally capped in its potential.

Spartans Proprietary Titles Redefine the Crypto Casino World

Spartans functions on a totally different level. They don’t just host games; they create them. This shift changes the entire experience, from the rhythm of the spins to the way wins are paid out. In any debate over the best crypto casino, Spartans stands out because it treats its library as a specialized product rather than just a digital warehouse.

The foundation of the site is its exclusive lineup. Titles like ‘Spartans Tasty Bonanza’ and ‘Spartans Buffalo Extreme 10,000’ feature high-volatility math tailored for crypto users, while ‘Aviatrix’ brings a skill-based element where timing determines the payout. Even the basics are upgraded: ‘Auto Roulette Luxe’ merges high-def streaming with faster betting rounds, cutting out the fluff between the action and the results.

What really sets Spartans apart is the agency given to the player. You can tweak bet sizes, bonus triggers, and features in ways rarely seen elsewhere. This control is bolstered by exclusive tournaments and cash-rake systems that reward long-term loyalty.

The financial side is just as sharp. Lightning-fast payouts in BTC, ETH, USDT, AVAX, and DOGE ensure your momentum isn’t killed by a “pending” screen. While you can still use fiat, the entire engine is tuned for the frictionless speed of the blockchain.

Because Spartans owns the games, they can bake rewards directly into the code. Players enjoy constant bonuses and leaderboard prizes designed to keep things interesting. Whether you are chasing a high-volatility win or testing your skill, the ecosystem is built to stay interactive and strategically deep.

The Next Era of Digital Gambling & User Agency

The crypto gambling industry is maturing at a breakneck pace. The split between sites that just provide a service and those that innovate is becoming very clear. BC.Game and Lucky Block are successful models that have found their niche through massive scale or basic simplicity, serving their specific audiences well.

Spartans, conversely, represents the future. By focusing on proprietary software, faster feedback, and a crypto-first philosophy, they are pulling players in through quality rather than noise. As the market shifts toward platforms that prioritize player control and originality, Spartans isn’t just joining the race, it is setting a brand-new pace for the best crypto casino experience.

Find Out More About Spartans:

Website: https://spartans.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spartans/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/SpartansBet

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpartansBet

Bitcoin Price Resumes Decline as Sentiment Turns Fearful Again – Is Another Massive Drop Imminent?

By

Ojukwu Emmanuel

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February 11, 2026

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Bitcoin’s recent attempt at recovery appears to be losing momentum as bearish pressure creeps back into the market.

After a brief period of optimism that saw prices stabilize trading above $72,000, the world’s largest cryptocurrency has resumed its downward trajectory, reflecting a sharp shift in investor sentiment.

In the early hours on Wednesday, BTC traded below $67,000, as bearish concern intensifies. At the time of reporting the crypto asset was trading at $66,960. On a technical analysis the crypto asset looks poised to trade below the $60,000 zone.

On the upside, reclaiming $70,000 and holding above $73,000 would signal renewed momentum and squeeze late sellers. Until then, rallies may be treated as selling opportunities.

Several analysts note that Bitcoin’s recent price structure reflects a market still dominated by distribution pressure rather than sustained demand recovery. After failing multiple times to consolidate above the $90K–$100K region, BTC entered a persistent downtrend characterized by lower highs and increasingly aggressive selloffs.

Reports reveal that many whales who entered the market near the $96,000 region are now sitting on significant unrealized losses following the subsequent price decline. After briefly testing those higher levels, Bitcoin reversed sharply, leaving late-cycle entrants exposed to downside pressure.

This dynamic suggests that some large investors may be reassessing risk, either reducing exposure or repositioning portfolios amid uncertain macro and crypto-specific conditions.

Recall that Bitcoin this year, traded as low as $59,878, as investor confidence faltered in the asset once hailed as “digital gold” and a unique store of value. Analysts mainly attributed the selloff to shifting expectations around U.S. macro policy.

Andri Fauzan Adziima, research lead at Bitrue, said the move lower followed a “hawkish shift in Fed expectations” after Kevin Warsh’s nomination as Federal Reserve chair, which signals “tighter liquidity and fewer rate cuts ahead.”

Recent market indicators now suggest that fear is once again dominating trader psychology, raising concerns about whether this pullback is a temporary correction or the start of a deeper slide. The Santiment chart shows that Bitcoin traders are still in strong fear mode, even after the price recovery. Market sentiment has not recovered at the same pace as the price.

Market sentiment indicators reinforce the cautious outlook. Data from Santiment shows that Bitcoin traders remain in a strong fear phase, even after the recent price stabilization. Social media discussions referencing terms such as “selling,” “lower,” and “bearish” continue to outpace optimistic phrases like “buy-the-dip” and “higher price.”

This divergence between price stabilization and lingering negative sentiment suggests that retail traders remain hesitant. Many appear to be waiting on the sidelines rather than aggressively accumulating at current levels.

Recent data shared by on-chain analyst Maartunn highlights a sharp wave of realized losses among large Bitcoin holders, pointing to an evolving market structure rather than a static downturn.

According to the figures, realized losses reached approximately $944 million on Feb. 3, $431 million on Feb. 4, $1.46 billion on Feb. 5, and $915 million on Feb. 6. These numbers reflect significant selling activity from investors who accumulated BTC near higher price levels and are now exiting positions under pressure.

With volatility intensifying and risk appetite thinning across global markets, analysts are closely watching key support levels that could determine Bitcoin’s next move. As sentiment turns cautious and capital rotates out of high-risk assets, the big question remains: is this just another routine dip, or could a more significant drop be on the horizon?

Outlook

Looking ahead, Bitcoin’s near-term trajectory will likely depend on whether the $60,000 support zone can hold. A decisive breakdown below this level could accelerate downside momentum, potentially triggering further liquidations and panic-driven selling.

Conversely, a sustained recovery above $70,000 particularly if accompanied by improving volume and sentiment could signal the beginning of a more stable consolidation phase. A break and hold above $73,000 would strengthen the bullish case and may encourage sidelined capital to re-enter the market.

ByteDance Reportedly Advances In-House AI Chip Development, Secures Samsung Talks for Manufacturing

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