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Bitcoin Surpasses Amazon in Market Value, to Become World’s Fifth Most Valuable Asset Amid Crypto Surge

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Bitcoin, one of the world’s largest traded crypto assets, has officially overtaken e-commerce giant Amazon to become the fifth most valuable asset globally, reaching an unprecedented $2.36 trillion market cap.

The crypto asset reached a high of $123,000 before pulling back slightly to $122,138 at the time of writing this report.

Meanwhile, the second-largest traded crypto asset, Ethereum (ETH), also broke a key resistance level, rising nearly 7% to cross the $3,000 mark for the first time since February, fueling bullish sentiment across the broader crypto ecosystem. XRP and Solana also gained about 3% each.

According to data from CoinMarketCap, the sector’s total market value has swelled to about $3.81 trillion. Trading volume across the entire crypto market also spiked by nearly 45% to $141.17 billion, reflecting surging investor activity.

Bitcoin’s Rise: From Crypto Asset to Global Digital Reserve

Bitcoin’s meteoric rise, with its recent ascension past Amazon, marks a critical milestone in its evolution from a fringe digital currency to a global store of value. The surge in its market cap was driven by institutional inflows, record ETF investments, and favorable macroeconomic conditions.

According to the report, European ETFs saw a 20.3% growth in the first half (H1) of 2025, with assets under management hitting $2.74 trillion. The figure marked an increase from $2.27 trillion at the end of 2024,  a 20.3% increase over the six months. It also surpassed the previous record of $2.61 trillion set just a month earlier in May.

Speaking on Bitcoin’s recent bullish upward price movement, market analyst for IG Tony Sycamore said,

“It’s riding several tailwinds at the moment,” he said, citing strong institutional demand, expectations of further gains, and support from Trump as reasons for the bullishness.

“It’s been a very, very, strong move over the past six or seven days, and it’s hard to see where it stops now. It looks like it can easily have a look at the $125,000 level,” he added.

Also speaking, Gracie Lin, OKX’s Singapore CEO, said,

“What we find interesting and are watching closely are the signs that bitcoin is now being seen as a long-term reserve asset, not just by retail investors and institutions but even some central banks. We’re also seeing increasing participation from Asia-based investors, including family offices and wealth managers. These are strong signs of bitcoin’s role in the global financial system and the structural shift in how it is perceived, suggesting that this isn’t just another hype-driven rally.”

In recent times, Bitcoin has increasingly been viewed as a long-term reserve asset due to its decentralized nature and growing institutional adoption by Central Banks, corporations, and even some governments.

For example, El Salvador adopted Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021, and companies like MicroStrategy have amassed significant Bitcoin holdings, with over $15 billion worth as of recent data. Its “digital gold” narrative is bolstered by its scarcity and resistance to centralized control, though volatility and regulatory uncertainty remain concerns for widespread adoption.

Also, U.S. President Donald Trump has significantly shifted his stance on Bitcoin, moving from skepticism to strong support. Recall that during his first term, he called Bitcoin a “scam” in 2021, but as of 2025, he has embraced it as a key part of his pro-crypto agenda.

On January 23, 2025, Trump signed an executive order establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, capitalizing it with approximately 200,000 Bitcoin already held by the U.S. government from criminal and civil forfeiture proceedings. This reserve is intended to treat Bitcoin as a long-term store of value, likened to a “digital Fort Knox,” with a policy of not selling these assets.

The surge in bitcoin, which is up 29% for the year so far, has sparked a broader rally across other cryptocurrencies over the past few sessions. Other altcoins, including Solana (SOL), Ripple (XRP), and Litecoin (LTC), also saw gains of up to 10%, pushing the global crypto market cap to $3.47 trillion.

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index currently sits at 67 (Greed), indicating robust bullish momentum among investors. From a technical standpoint, Bitcoin is exhibiting a classic breakout pattern on the 4-hour BTC/USD chart, having entered price discovery mode after smashing its previous highs.

Analysts are eyeing $120,000 as the next significant psychological and technical resistance. Some even predict BTC could reach $1 million within the next decade if it mirrors gold’s market capitalization.

Tesla to Hold Shareholder Vote on Investing in Elon Musk’s AI Startup xAI

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Tesla is preparing to hold a shareholder vote on whether the electric vehicle company should invest in xAI, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, in what would be a major financial tie-in between two of his most prominent ventures.

Musk disclosed the plan in a series of posts on X, responding to concerns raised by Tesla retail investors who felt left out of the growing ecosystem of companies linked to the billionaire entrepreneur.

“It’s not up to me. If it was up to me, Tesla would have invested in xAI long ago,” Musk wrote. “We will have a shareholder vote on the matter.”

The vote, which Musk confirmed will take place without specifying a timeline, comes amid growing interest from Musk-led companies in supporting xAI’s massive infrastructure push. Just hours before his announcement, Musk confirmed that SpaceX, his aerospace company, is preparing to invest $2 billion into xAI. That investment is part of a broader $5 billion strategic equity round backed by global investors, which Morgan Stanley recently confirmed had been completed.

A New Layer in the Muskonomy

This unfolding development is the latest example of Musk’s strategy to cross-pollinate his empire — an informal network often referred to as the “Muskonomy,” which includes Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, The Boring Company, and now xAI. According to an earlier pitch deck reported by Bloomberg, xAI has explicitly marketed its connections to Musk’s other ventures as a selling point to investors. The idea is to leverage the existing ecosystems, from computing capacity to distribution channels, across Musk’s enterprises.

In March, xAI acquired Musk’s social media company X (formerly Twitter) in an all-stock deal that valued xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion, further entrenching the synergies across Musk’s corporate footprint.

Since its founding in July 2023, xAI has moved quickly to secure funding and infrastructure. By the end of 2024, the startup had raised over $12 billion through Series A, B, and C rounds. Its latest round — completed in June — combined $5 billion in equity and $5 billion in debt, according to Morgan Stanley. The funds are earmarked for expanding xAI’s data center infrastructure and scaling up its Grok AI chatbot.

xAI expects to generate $1 billion in gross revenue by the end of this year, and projects $13 billion in annual earnings by 2029, Bloomberg previously reported, citing financial disclosures.

The vote to be held among Tesla shareholders could open a new funding avenue for xAI, especially at a time when the company is said to be in preliminary talks for a fresh funding round that could value it between $170 billion and $200 billion, according to the Financial Times. That round is rumored to involve Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which already has an indirect stake in xAI through Kingdom Holdings Company, reportedly investing $800 million.

However, Musk has publicly contradicted those claims. “xAI is not seeking funding right now. We have plenty of capital,” he wrote on X following the FT report.

Navigating Corporate Boundaries

Musk’s suggestion that Tesla invest in xAI sparked concerns over conflicts of interest. It is believed that cross-investment between Musk-led entities could blur corporate governance lines, particularly with Musk serving as CEO of both Tesla and xAI.

Addressing the concerns, Musk clarified that he does not support a merger between Tesla and xAI.

“It would be great [for Tesla to invest in xAI], but subject to board and shareholder approval,” he wrote.

This distinction may be aimed at assuring investors and regulators that Tesla’s capital deployment decisions will follow standard governance procedures.

Tesla has scheduled its annual shareholder meeting for November 6, and while not yet confirmed, the xAI vote could be introduced at that event, according to AP News.

Musk has previously indicated that his priority is to reward loyal investors across his portfolio. In June 2024, he said he would prioritize shareholders of his “other companies, including Tesla,” in the event that any of his businesses go public. “Loyalty deserves loyalty,” he wrote.

With SpaceX already investing in xAI, and the startup gaining traction in the generative AI race against OpenAI and Google, the outcome of Tesla’s shareholder vote could be a pivotal moment — not only for the future of xAI, but also for Musk’s overarching vision to interlock his companies in a shared technological and financial orbit.

If approved, Tesla’s investment in xAI would mark a historic vote of confidence in the AI firm from within Musk’s own empire. But it also raises fundamental questions about governance, transparency, and the consolidation of power across Musk’s sprawling ventures. For now, the ball is in Tesla’s shareholders’ court, with all eyes looking to see whether they’ll choose to double down on the AI arms race under the umbrella of the Muskonomy.

Amazon’s Jassy Envisions “Agentic Future”, Says AI Agents Will Soon Reduce Company’s Corporate Jobs

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Andy Jassy, boss of AWS

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has issued a clarion call about the company’s future—one where AI-powered agents and robots become the new backbone of corporate operations.

In a memo made public on Tuesday, Jassy revealed Amazon is preparing to significantly reduce its corporate workforce in the coming years as it accelerates its shift to generative artificial intelligence and automation.

“As we roll out more generative AI and agents, it should change the way our work is done,” Jassy wrote. “We will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today, and more people doing other types of jobs.”

Jassy was unequivocal about what lies ahead: a company transformed by what he termed an “agentic future,” where AI agents—software tools capable of performing complex tasks without human initiation—carry out much of the labor traditionally done by people.

Jassy, who has helmed the tech and e-commerce giant since 2021, said the transition would “eventually reduce our total corporate workforce as we get efficiency gains from using AI extensively across the company.” With a global workforce of about 1.5 million, Amazon is the second-largest private employer in the U.S., trailing only Walmart.

The CEO’s comments come amid rising internal and external scrutiny of Amazon’s aggressive push into AI and its implications for the future of work. While Amazon shares dipped slightly by 0.4% on Tuesday following the announcement, the long-term economic impact of the shift toward automation remains uncertain.

A Million Robots—and Counting

The CEO’s remarks follow another major milestone for Amazon. Earlier this month, the company deployed its one millionth robot, capping a decade-long push into automation that now spans more than 300 fulfillment centers worldwide. The landmark robot, introduced in a Japanese facility, symbolizes Amazon’s growing reliance on robotics not only in warehousing and logistics but increasingly in knowledge work as well.

From floor-scrubbing machines and automated sorting arms to generative AI models embedded into customer service, marketing, and coding workflows, Amazon is aggressively weaving automation into the fabric of its operations.

Jassy said Amazon is “investing quite expansively” in generative AI tools and infrastructure, claiming that while “many of these agents have yet to be built… they’re coming, and coming fast.”

The company has already rolled out AI tools across a broad range of products and services. Notably, Amazon introduced Alexa+ earlier this year, a major upgrade to its flagship voice assistant that aims to be “more conversational, smarter, personalized.” In e-commerce, Amazon’s AI shopping assistant is already used by tens of millions of customers through features like “Buy for Me” and “Recommended Size.”

Amazon reportedly has more than 1,000 generative AI services either already deployed or in development—a number Jassy described as a “small fraction” of what the company plans to build.

The endgame, according to Jassy, is what he called an “agentic future,” where AI agents—not humans—initiate, manage, and complete a wide range of workplace tasks. These agents, he said, will allow employees to “start almost everything from a more advanced starting point,” freeing humans to think more creatively and strategically.

Industry-Wide Shift

Amazon’s strategy reflects a wider trend in Silicon Valley, where major tech firms are racing to integrate AI into every layer of their operations. Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Apple are all investing billions into AI talent, chips, and infrastructure, seeking to shape how the next era of computing unfolds.

These moves point to a paradigm shift: companies are no longer just automating repetitive physical tasks but increasingly targeting white-collar work—coding, writing, data analysis, and even design.

But Amazon’s vision—particularly Jassy’s open discussion of headcount reduction—stands out for its candor.

Resistance Inside Amazon

Not everyone at Amazon is welcoming this change. Some corporate software engineers told The New York Times they feel their jobs are becoming more “routine, less thoughtful and, crucially, much faster paced.” They describe a work environment now shaped by heightened output expectations and the pressure to integrate AI into every workflow.

Amazon has already laid off more than 100 workers in its Devices and Services division earlier this year, and more cuts may follow as Jassy’s AI vision takes hold.

Still, the CEO remains confident that AI agents will unlock new opportunities for innovation.

“Agents will allow us to start almost everything from a more advanced starting point,” Jassy said. “We’ll be able to focus less on rote work and more on thinking strategically about how to improve customer experiences and invent new ones.”

A Future in Flux

As Amazon joins the ranks of companies radically reshaping their workforces for an AI-dominant future, the balance between productivity gains and job displacement is drawing sharp attention. For a company that once revolutionized e-commerce with two-day delivery, Amazon may now be on the verge of reshaping the white-collar workplace itself—with software agents and warehouse robots leading the charge.

While Jassy emphasizes the efficiency gains and potential for innovation, critics argue that such massive AI integration risks accelerating job displacement, widening income inequality, and intensifying workplace stress. Already, Amazon has been accused of using algorithmic systems to push warehouse workers to meet near-impossible productivity targets—now similar pressures are creeping into the corporate offices.

AI Browsers Are Here, And They’re Coming For Chrome And Safari

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OpenAI and Perplexity are entering the browser market with AI-native alternatives, and they’re not just offering smarter search but completely rethinking how users interact with the web. By embedding conversational agents at the core of browsing, these new players are setting the stage for a shift that could challenge Chrome’s dominance, reshape online discovery, and alter how content is accessed, summarised, and acted on in real time.

Browsers With AI At Their Core

This is more than a UI refresh. Both OpenAI and Perplexity are turning the browser into an AI assistant-driven command center, promising to automate everyday tasks, summarise vast amounts of content, and serve as intelligent companions while users work, browse, or shop.

Perplexity’s Comet browser is a strong example of this new approach. It features a persistent assistant in a side panel that users can activate on any webpage. The assistant can summarise news articles, organise research tabs into collections, draft replies to emails, and even assist with online bookings.

Tools like the “Ask” button provide on-the-spot clarification, while the “Summarise” feature condenses lengthy content into digestible overviews, ideal for quickly scanning reports, blog posts, or product reviews. For instance, a user searching for the best games in 2025, or best casino apps for Android and iOS, would receive a concise AI-generated summary comparing various game features, as well as licensing, bonuses, and payment options across several platforms, without needing to visit each site individually.

OpenAI’s upcoming browser, expected to launch soon, is poised to push this concept even further. Built on Chromium, it centers around Operator, a conversational AI agent capable of handling multi-step workflows. Users can issue natural language commands like “Compare economy flights to Tokyo next weekend and sort by shortest duration” or “Fill in this registration form using my saved travel info.”

Operator can visually interpret webpages, interact with complex elements, self-correct when it encounters errors, and execute multiple requests at once. The browser will feature a native chat interface, transforming search into an ongoing conversation rather than a series of disconnected queries.

In both cases, the browser is no longer just a tool to access content, it becomes a proactive assistant that helps users filter, process, and act on information in real time.

Why Go After Chrome Now

There’s a strategic rationale behind this timing. Google Chrome still dominates the browser market with over 65 percent global share, but that dominance is increasingly under scrutiny. Antitrust investigations, the rise of privacy-conscious users, and Google’s own pivot to AI via Gemini in Chrome all create opportunities for challengers.

Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas has even described Comet as a new “operating system for the web”,designed to integrate across apps and workflows. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s Operator browser signals the company’s deeper ambition to build an AI-first productivity suite that blends search, automation, and multi-tasking into a single user interface.

A New Model For Data, Privacy, And Discovery

The promise of AI browsers is powerful, but it comes with real implications. One major shift is data control. These browsers aim to keep more user interactions within their own platforms, which could reduce reliance on search result links and limit the flow of data back to traditional publishers.

That could spell trouble for online businesses that rely on referral traffic. A browser that instantly answers a question like “how to apply for a business loan in Australia” without sending users to external sites may offer speed and efficiency, but it also cuts off a key revenue stream for content creators and advertisers. It’s a dynamic that mirrors concerns raised about Google’s new AI Mode, which increasingly provides answers directly in search without generating outbound clicks.

Privacy will also remain a critical issue. While Perplexity has publicly distanced itself from an ad-driven model, both companies are still building tools that rely on rich behavioral data to personalise user experiences. The challenge will be balancing intelligent assistance with clear guardrails on what’s collected, stored, or shared.

Where Does The Open Web Go From Here

AI browsers mark a shift toward instant answers and fewer page visits, potentially sidelining traditional search and link-based exploration. As agents handle more queries directly, the open web’s model of decentralised access and visibility could be disrupted.

Small businesses and publishers may find it harder to compete in ecosystems shaped by AI summaries. Still, this shift brings a chance to redefine how information is found and trusted, with success hinging on transparency, reliability, and user control.

Crypto as an Incentive: Rethinking Loyalty Programs for the Web3 Consumer

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Loyalty programs are getting a digital makeover. As consumer behavior shifts, traditional point systems are beginning to feel outdated—especially to users who are tech-forward and expect seamless, borderless experiences. Web3 audiences are used to speed, transparency, and real-time ownership. And now, crypto is becoming the tool businesses are using to meet them there.

This shift isn’t just about offering a different type of reward. It’s a full rethinking of how engagement works in a digital space. By integrating blockchain-based incentives, companies can speak directly to the expectations of digitally native users—those who value autonomy, privacy, and interoperability.

How Crypto Adds Value Beyond Points

Conventional loyalty systems are limited. Points are locked into a specific ecosystem and can expire. In contrast, blockchain-based rewards give users something they actually own. That simple difference shifts the entire equation. Instead of earning virtual rewards that are difficult to track or use elsewhere, users receive tokens or crypto that can be exchanged, held, or transferred.

This flexibility opens up new opportunities for businesses. Crypto-based rewards aren’t just perks—they become tools for deeper retention. They also appeal to a broader global audience who may prefer crypto due to accessibility, speed, or cross-border compatibility.

That’s why many modern digital platforms now offer crypto-exclusive incentives. The Café Casino crypto bonus is a clear example of how crypto-based systems are being used not only as a hook but as a way to align with user expectations for frictionless, digital-first engagement.

In fact, this kind of incentive structure reflects how crypto can reward loyalty in a way that feels current. It isn’t just about adding crypto to a program. It’s about aligning Café Casino’s entire rewards experience with how modern users already live and play online.

A supporting resource, such as this beginner’s guide to Café Casino slots, demonstrates how onboarding is being reworked for digital ease. These educational assets help new users understand what they’re doing from the start—no fluff, no confusion. That clarity builds trust, and trust is what drives retention in the Web3 age.

Future-Forward Loyalty: The Rise of Interoperable Rewards

One of the most exciting frontiers for blockchain-based loyalty is interoperability. Instead of rewards being tied to a single brand or ecosystem, we’re seeing early moves toward shared token systems across partnered platforms. Imagine earning credits in one digital marketplace and using them seamlessly in a different app, service, or game—all without manual conversions or losing value. This kind of cross-platform utility could redefine how consumers think about brand loyalty, shifting the focus from isolated perks to networked experiences. As the Web3 economy grows, businesses that design for this kind of fluid engagement will likely lead the way.

From Passive Earners to Active Participants

Blockchain-backed incentives encourage more than loyalty—they invite participation. Traditional point systems tend to make users passive. You spend money on the platform and receive some points, nothing more to it. But in crypto-powered ecosystems, users are able to engage in multiple ways: staking tokens, joining limited-time events, referring friends, or even voting on platform updates.

It’s a more dynamic kind of engagement. Users are no longer just customers. They’re part of the system. When they’re rewarded with assets they can use or grow, they become active participants rather than occasional users.

Casinos, digital marketplaces, and app ecosystems are leading the way. Crypto incentives offer a smart way for platforms to reward both time and loyalty. These aren’t just gimmicks. They’re baked into how these ecosystems function.

Why This Works for the Web3 Consumer

Digital-native users aren’t satisfied with static systems. They’re used to fluidity, ownership, and real-time updates. They expect to control their data, their rewards, and their experience. That’s why a blockchain-based approach works—it’s designed to hand back control to the user.

Even within casino platforms, users are seeking more than just gameplay. They want transparent bonuses, faster transactions, and a clean user interface. Offering bonuses that tap into crypto’s strengths—speed, flexibility, and self-custody—meets that need head-on.

Exploring Crypto as An Incentive

What started as a niche trend among early adopters is rapidly becoming a mainstream movement. Businesses that embrace crypto rewards aren’t just staying relevant—they’re building systems that are future-proof. When users feel like they’re genuinely part of a platform, they stick around longer. They spend more time, they refer friends, and they come back not because of a points gimmick—but because the experience respects their time and intelligence.

The takeaway? Loyalty programs don’t have to be rigid or outdated. Crypto incentives offer a smarter, faster, and more flexible way to reward users. And as more people become fluent in digital currencies, this model could become the new standard—not just in gaming or entertainment, but across industries. In the digital age, things are rarely static, and it’s important to update and replace old systems whenever something better comes along.