South Korea’s SK Hynix is deepening its commitment to artificial intelligence with a major strategic pivot toward the United States, announcing plans to establish a new U.S.-based company dedicated to AI solutions and to commit at least $10 billion to the effort.

The move underscores how central AI has become to the chipmaker’s growth strategy, while also reflecting the shifting geopolitical and trade pressures reshaping the global semiconductor industry.

The new entity, tentatively named “AI Company” or “AI Co.,” is designed to function as the nerve center for SK Group’s AI ambitions. According to the company, it will coordinate strategy across affiliates and accelerate the deployment of AI technologies in global markets, positioning SK Hynix not just as a component supplier, but as a broader solutions provider in the AI ecosystem.

SK Hynix’s growing influence in artificial intelligence is rooted in its dominance in high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, a specialized form of memory that has become essential for training and running large-scale AI models. HBM chips are tightly integrated with advanced processors, including Nvidia’s AI accelerators, and persistent shortages have turned them into one of the most strategically important bottlenecks in the AI supply chain.

That supply constraint has been financially transformative for SK Hynix. On the same day it announced the U.S. AI push, the company reported fourth-quarter results that exceeded market expectations, with profits lifted by tight memory supply and elevated prices. The imbalance between demand and production capacity has given leading memory suppliers unusual pricing power, reinforcing incentives to expand aggressively.

As part of the restructuring, SK Hynix said it will reorganize its California-based subsidiary Solidigm, an enterprise solid-state drive maker formed in 2021. Solidigm’s existing operations will be transferred into a newly established entity, Solidigm Inc., clearing the way for the creation of AI Co. as a distinct platform focused on higher-level AI solutions and strategic investments.

The planned $10 billion investment will not be deployed all at once. Instead, SK Hynix said funding will be provided on a capital-call basis, allowing flexibility as projects mature and opportunities emerge. Beyond internal development, AI Co. is expected to pursue strategic stakes in U.S. artificial intelligence companies, a move aimed at creating synergies across SK Group’s sprawling portfolio, which spans semiconductors, energy, telecommunications, and advanced materials.

The U.S. focus is not incidental, as Washington has made domestic semiconductor investment a central economic and national security priority, and President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that foreign chipmakers could face tariffs if they fail to expand manufacturing and advanced packaging operations on U.S. soil. SK Hynix’s latest announcement fits squarely within that policy environment.

The company is already building a $3.87 billion advanced chip packaging and research facility in Indiana, a project unveiled in 2024. That site is expected to produce high-bandwidth memory for AI applications, with operations scheduled to begin in 2028. In parallel, SK Hynix has committed nearly $13 billion to an advanced packaging plant in South Korea, highlighting how the company is pursuing a dual-track strategy that strengthens capacity at home while embedding itself more deeply in the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem.

The timing also intersects with broader trade discussions between Washington and Seoul. President Trump has been engaged in tariff negotiations with South Korea in recent months, part of a wider effort to rebalance trade relationships. On Tuesday, he said the United States would “work something out” with South Korea after issuing fresh tariff threats, language that markets interpreted as a possible signal of de-escalation.

The convergence of AI-driven demand, memory shortages, and trade politics creates both opportunity and risk for SK Hynix. By anchoring a significant portion of its AI strategy in the United States, the company positions itself closer to its largest customers, including U.S. cloud and AI infrastructure giants, while also aligning with the industrial priorities of the Trump administration.

At the same time, the scale of the commitment reflects how fiercely contested the AI hardware race has become. With rivals such as Samsung Electronics and Micron Technology racing to expand HBM output and advanced packaging capacity, SK Hynix’s decision to establish a dedicated AI-focused U.S. company signals an ambition to move further up the value chain, from indispensable supplier to strategic partner in the AI era.

Autonomous vehicle startup Waabi has secured $1 billion in fresh capital and struck a landmark partnership with Uber, marking its first major push beyond self-driving trucks and into passenger robotaxis.

The move is expected to place the company at the center of the next phase of the global autonomy race.

The funding comprises an oversubscribed $750 million Series C round co-led by Khosla Ventures and G2 Venture Partners, alongside roughly $250 million in milestone-based capital from Uber. The Uber-backed tranche is tied directly to deployment and will support the rollout of at least 25,000 robotaxis powered by the Waabi Driver, which will operate exclusively on Uber’s ride-hailing platform.

The companies did not disclose a timeline, but the scale of the commitment signals a long-term strategic bet rather than a limited pilot.

The agreement reinforces Uber’s post-2020 strategy of positioning itself as a global marketplace for autonomous vehicles rather than developing the technology in-house. For Waabi, it represents a decisive expansion from freight into consumer mobility, testing its claim that a single AI system can scale across multiple autonomous driving verticals.

Founded in 2021 by Raquel Urtasun, Waabi has built its reputation in autonomous trucking, presenting itself as a capital-efficient counterpoint to earlier AV efforts that consumed billions of dollars without achieving widespread commercialization. Urtasun, who previously served as chief scientist at Uber’s autonomous driving division before it was sold to Aurora Innovation, has consistently argued that the industry’s first generation was constrained by data-hungry models, massive fleets, and sprawling engineering teams.

According to TechCrunch, at the core of Waabi’s approach is the Waabi Driver, trained and validated primarily in a closed-loop simulation environment known as Waabi World. Instead of relying on enormous volumes of real-world driving data, Waabi World creates detailed digital twins from limited sensor input, simulates complex driving conditions in real time, and automatically generates edge-case scenarios. The system then learns from its own errors without human intervention, a process Urtasun says enables human-like reasoning while dramatically reducing data and compute requirements.

That architecture underpins Waabi’s claim that it can move from trucks to robotaxis without rebuilding its technology stack from scratch, a challenge that has tripped up others. Waymo, widely regarded as the industry leader, previously attempted to pursue both autonomous trucking and robotaxis before shutting down its freight programme to focus solely on passenger vehicles. Waabi is betting that its generalizable AI can succeed where those efforts fell short.

“Our core technology enables, for the first time, a single solution that can handle multiple verticals at scale,” Urtasun said, rejecting the idea that robotaxis and trucks require separate programmes or teams.

The Uber partnership brings Waabi into an increasingly crowded ecosystem. Uber currently works with several autonomous vehicle companies, including Waymo, Nuro, Avride, Wayve, WeRide, and Momenta, deploying self-driving vehicles across different regions and use cases. The company has also launched a new unit, Uber AV Labs, designed to help partners collect and refine driving data using Uber’s global fleet.

While Uber’s platform offers distribution and scale, Waabi insists it is not dependent on Uber’s data advantage. Urtasun maintains that Waabi’s simulation-first approach allows the company to train and validate its system with fewer real-world miles, reducing costs and speeding development.

Waabi’s expansion into robotaxis comes as it continues to advance its trucking ambitions. Over the past four and a half years, the company has launched several commercial pilots in Texas with safety drivers. A fully driverless truck deployment, initially targeted for late 2025, has been delayed into the coming quarters as vehicle validation continues.

The company is working closely with Volvo to develop purpose-built autonomous trucks, unveiled last October, and has adopted a direct-to-consumer model that allows shippers to purchase autonomous-ready vehicles outright. Urtasun says demand remains strong, describing the trucking business as a stable foundation that supports Waabi’s broader ambitions.

The new funding round brings Waabi’s total capital raised to roughly $1.28 billion, following a $200 million Series B in June 2024. While that trails Aurora Innovation’s roughly $3.46 billion war chest, it places Waabi well ahead of several other competitors in terms of private funding momentum. Investors in the Series C include Uber, Nvidia’s venture arm NVentures, Volvo Group Venture Capital, Porsche Automobil Holding SE, BlackRock, and BDC Capital’s Thrive Venture Fund.

Looking ahead, Waabi is already signaling that autonomy may not be its final frontier. Urtasun has hinted that the same AI foundation could eventually extend into robotics, reinforcing her view that Waabi is building a general intelligence system for machines operating in the physical world, not just vehicles.

“We’re still in the early stages of robotaxi deployment,” she said. “There is much more scale ahead.”

If Waabi can translate its simulation-driven promises into safe, large-scale deployments on Uber’s platform, the partnership could reshape not only the company’s trajectory but also the broader narrative around how autonomous driving technology is built, financed, and brought to market.

Crypto markets entered late January with total capitalization near $3 trillion, while daily volumes topped $100 billion amid uneven sentiment. XRP news shows tight consolidation at support, and Pudgy Penguins price action stays volatile, but can either deliver outsized profit now?

That uncertainty fuels attention toward ZKP, which researchers describe as a privacy-first AI network and data marketplace built on advanced cryptography. Analysts highlight its energy efficiency, hybrid consensus, and proof-based monetization as a structural upgrade overall.

Technical analysts call Stage 2 the pivot point, where 190 million coins maintain balance. When Stage 3 reduces supply to 180 million, experts anticipate market psychology to drive increased demand, boosting valuations and positioning ZKP as the best crypto to buy.

ZKP Crypto: The Supply Pressure Thesis

ZKP crypto is designed as a private AI network and decentralized data marketplace that rewards users for computation, storage, and verified data. Built on Substrate, it blends zero-knowledge cryptography with real utility, aiming to solve privacy abuse, data leaks, and unfair value extraction across global users and institutions seeking long-term upside worldwide.

Analysts focus on its technical depth: hybrid Proof-of -Intelligence and Proof-of-Space, zk-SNARK verification at 128-bit security, AES-256 encryption, and energy use near 10 watts per terabyte. These mechanics support scalable AI computation while keeping sensitive information mathematically sealed.

Market researchers describe the current presale auction phase as a pressure-building zone, with 190 million tokens released daily to keep liquidity steady. This balance is why some experts already label Zero Knowledge Proof the best crypto to buy, citing disciplined distribution and controlled inflation.

According to technical analysts, the next supply adjustment reduces daily issuance to 180 million tokens. Behavioral models suggest shrinking availability shifts sentiment fast, as participants rush ahead of scarcity, compressing timeframes and amplifying valuation expectations tied to presale milestones.

With a fixed 257 billion supply, 99% lower energy use than Bitcoin mining, and earning paths from Proof Pods, staking, and data markets, analysts see compounding upside. That setup is why experts again frame ZKP as the best crypto to buy before momentum accelerates.

XRP News: Price Holds Key Support as Traders Watch Next Move

Recent XRP news shows the token trading near $1.88–$1.90 after a 4% pullback, with buyers defending the $1.80 zone. Analysts flag $1.77 as a critical level, noting that a break below it could deepen losses. Despite this pressure, exchange balances are at multi-year lows, suggesting holders are moving coins off platforms and reducing near-term sell supply.

On the development side, Ripple’s Middle East expansion and Saudi sandbox testing support the long-term payments story. Chart watchers see XRP moving in a tight range unless the $2.30 resistance breaks. The latest XRP news reflects a market waiting for direction, where strong fundamentals contrast with cautious sentiment and broader risk-off conditions across crypto.

Source- CoinGecko

Daily volume remains steady, while analysts note that sustained holding above support could set the stage for a momentum shift once overall market confidence improves later this quarter if liquidity and macro pressure ease globally now.

Pudgy Penguins Price: Volatility Around Key NFT Events

Recent Pudgy Penguins price action shows the token trading near $0.0095 – $0.0099, after a sharp 17% pullback ahead of the January 29 NFT snapshot. Circulating supply sits near 62.8 billion tokens, placing market capitalization around $620 – $630 million.

Volume remained active as traders repositioned, while short-term volatility reflected event-driven selling rather than a broad loss of interest across the ecosystem. Community discussions and exchange data suggested holders continued watching roadmap updates closely.

In the days following the snapshot, Pudgy Penguins’ price stabilized within a narrow range, signaling a cautious balance between buyers and sellers. Analysts noted that brand partnerships, including recent sports licensing news, support visibility, but price growth depends on sustained demand.

With meme-driven cycles often short, traders are weighing whether utility expansion can offset speculative fatigue during the coming months. Market participants continue tracking social engagement metrics and on-chain activity for early trend signals this quarter ahead.

The Final Take: Does ZKP Have the Edge as the Best Crypto to Buy?

Recent XRP news points to consolidation near key support, with holders reducing exchange supply while price waits for a clear trigger. Pudgy Penguins’ price action tells a different story, driven by NFT events and short bursts of volatility, followed by stabilization as traders reassess demand.

Analysts reviewing ZKP crypto note a presale auction structure designed to control distribution and behavior. Daily issuance remains steady, which researchers say keeps liquidity balanced and sentiment calm before the next structural shift arrives.

As issuance tightens, experts expect psychology to change quickly, pushing attention toward ZKP crypto. That setup is why analysts increasingly describe it as the best crypto to buy, comparing its timing and structure against slower-moving alternatives across current market conditions globally.

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Markets are entering a slower, more selective phase as recent volatility exposes weak conviction. Hedera (HBAR) is slipping toward critical support, while the XRP price continues to defend a level that has defined its structure for years. These contrasting signals are forcing traders to pause, reassess risk, and question whether recent moves reflect opportunity or exhaustion across major assets and speculative sectors alike right now.

At the same time, attention is drifting away from short-lived breakouts toward how participation is structured. In that shift, Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) is being discussed alongside majors as traders debate the top crypto to buy in an environment where transparency and contribution matter more than momentum. This change is reshaping expectations across the market after months of volatility and failed rallies seen recently everywhere.

HBAR Structure Weakens Near Key Support

Recent weakness in Hedera (HBAR) reflects mounting structural stress rather than routine consolidation. Price is down more than 10% on the week, and the chart is pressing into a developing head-and-shoulders formation.

Support between $0.100 and $0.102 now carries outsized importance, as a daily close below this zone would confirm a breakdown and project roughly 20% downside if selling pressure accelerates quickly under broader market weakness conditions seen recently across altcoin markets overall.

Capital flow metrics reinforce the risk. Chaikin Money Flow has slipped decisively below zero, signaling real outflows rather than low-volume drift. Sentiment has also fallen to multi-month lows, historically a warning sign for Hedera (HBAR).

While early dip buying is visible, the structure remains fragile, keeping downside scenarios active for traders assessing the top crypto to buy during periods of elevated uncertainty and volatility that challenge conviction across markets at this stage, now broadly speaking.

XRP Mirrors 2017 Cycle With Extended Consolidation

Unlike weaker setups, the XRP price continues to respect a major long-term trendline. After breaking above the resistance that capped price action for nearly seven years in December 2024, XRP has spent the past year consolidating above that former ceiling, which has now flipped into support.

Multiple pullbacks toward this level have held firmly, signaling acceptance rather than distribution so far despite broader market volatility and sentiment shifts seen across crypto assets recently this cycle clearly.

This behavior mirrors XRP’s 2017 cycle, when a long-term breakout was followed by extended consolidation before continuation. As long as the XRP price remains above this trendline, the structure favors reaccumulation rather than failure.

A decisive breakdown would be needed to invalidate the setup, keeping XRP relevant in the top crypto to buy discussion during periods of uncertainty and rotation, where patience often defines eventual trend resolution for longer-term participants watching closely right now.

Zero Knowledge Proof Brings Participation Back Into Focus

As price-driven narratives lose traction, Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) is being evaluated through structure rather than momentum. Its on-chain, presale auction that replaces fixed pricing and private allocations, releases $190M tokens every 24 hours. This model removes timing advantages entirely and emphasizes consistency over speculation during volatile market conditions seen recently across crypto markets.

Beyond distribution, ZKP is built around verifiable contributions. The network uses zero-knowledge proofs to validate off-chain computation, enabling privacy-preserving AI workloads without exposing underlying data. This technological focus positions ZKP as infrastructure, designed to operate independently of market cycles and short-term sentiment shifts.

Proof Pods anchor this design. These plug-and-play units perform validated compute tasks and generate zero-knowledge proofs, tying rewards directly to measurable work. As more Proof Pods come online, network capacity expands alongside participation, creating alignment between contributors and the protocol rather than passive holders alone. This mechanism supports long-term scalability without relying on hype cycles or constant speculative inflows from traders globally.

In parallel, ZKP has introduced a $5 million giveaway, awarding $500,000 worth of tokens to each of ten winners. Participation requires holding ZKP tokens and completing defined steps, reinforcing commitment over casual interest.

For traders comparing other assets, this model reframes how the top crypto to buy is evaluated during periods of heightened uncertainty and market rotation.

Closing Note!

The divergence across assets is becoming clearer. Hedera (HBAR) highlights how quickly downside risk can build when structure weakens, while the XRP price demonstrates what trend acceptance looks like through repeated support tests.

These differences are reshaping how traders frame risk and opportunity in a market defined by uncertainty rather than straightforward momentum trades that dominated earlier cycles during expansive market phases now fading away.

Against this backdrop, ZKP offers an alternative lens. By combining transparent distribution, working technology, and contribution-based rewards, it shifts attention toward sustainability. As traders reassess the top crypto to buy, systems built to function through volatility may matter more than short-term price moves in an increasingly selective market environment where patience and structure are rewarded over speed and speculation during uncertain cycles ahead.

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