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Tesla’s Robotaxi Rollout Ignites Stock Surge and Analyst Praise, as $4.20 Fare Threatens Uber and Lyft

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Tesla’s long-awaited robotaxi debut kicked off Sunday in Austin, Texas — and with it came not just a successful technical demonstration, but a pricing shockwave that could redefine the ride-hailing market.

Offering autonomous rides for just $4.20 flat, Tesla’s entry is now being touted as a potential category killer that could disrupt incumbents like Uber and Lyft, whose fares in the area typically range from $25 to $40 per trip.

Following CEO Elon Musk’s announcement of the launch on X, Tesla shares closed up 8.2% on Monday, as Wall Street digested early footage and firsthand reviews from invited users who tested the new service. Around 10 to 20 modified Tesla Model Y SUVs, each wrapped in “Robotaxi” livery, are operating in a geofenced area of Austin, supervised by in-vehicle safety operators and remote teleoperation teams.

Analysts say the $4.20 price point, while clearly symbolic in its number, could give Tesla a real edge as it pushes into the ride-hailing space. It drastically undercuts the dominant players, and if Tesla can scale the service while maintaining safety and reliability, the model could force an industry-wide price realignment.

“There are countless skeptics of the Tesla robotaxi vision with many bears thinking this day would never come,” said Dan Ives, senior equity analyst at Wedbush Securities and one of Tesla’s most vocal bulls.

Ives took two 15-minute rides in the robotaxi and came away convinced.

“Going into it, we expected to be impressed but walking away from it, all there is to say is that this is the future,” he wrote in a note Sunday night.

He believes Tesla’s early moves in autonomy are more than just hype — they’re groundwork for something enormous.

“We view this autonomous chapter as one of the most important for Musk and Tesla… as we believe the AI future at Tesla is worth $1 trillion to the valuation alone over the next few years.”

Ives predicted that Tesla’s robotaxi service could expand to “25 to 30 cities” by 2026, mirroring Elon Musk’s own prediction that “millions” of robotaxis would be on the road by the second half of that year.

While Tesla has not disclosed expansion timelines or when the broader public can begin using the service, the pilot program in Austin already demonstrates key integration features. Riders can sync their Tesla accounts with the vehicle, automatically loading personalized media apps such as Netflix, Spotify, Hulu, and Disney+, creating a tailored in-cabin experience.

Ives noted that in one scenario, the robotaxi handled a narrow, chaotic street in Austin filled with parked cars, open doors, and opposing traffic — “masterfully maneuvering with patience and safety among this chaos.”

Safety Still a Major Hurdle

However, analysts and regulators are closely watching safety and scalability. Tesla’s system still includes human monitors — a Tesla employee in the front passenger seat and a remote operator system — a sign that full autonomy remains a work in progress.

Earlier on Monday, Reuters reported that Tesla’s responses to safety questions posed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) were classified by the company as confidential business information, prompting concern among transparency advocates.

Tesla’s rollout comes in the shadow of earlier setbacks for competitors. Uber pulled back on autonomous testing after a 2018 pedestrian fatality, and GM’s Cruise suspended operations after a high-profile incident in San Francisco last year.

But the early signs from Austin may put Tesla ahead of the pack, at least in public perception — particularly with bullish investors.

Dan Ives also suggested that the current U.S. administration under President Donald Trump is likely to support autonomous vehicle deployment and may remove regulatory roadblocks that have delayed progress in the past.

“We expect the Trump administration will clear the runway for Tesla, especially as the robotaxi rollout pivots from the recent ‘soap opera’ of legal questions into commercial reality,” Ives said.

Scaling the Vision

To reach Musk’s lofty vision of a million autonomous rides daily, Tesla must prove it can scale production, deploy thousands of cars, and build out infrastructure for cleaning, charging, and maintenance — all without traditional driver income offsetting those costs.

Tesla also must contend with fierce competition from players like Waymo (Alphabet) and Zoox (Amazon), both of which have logged millions of autonomous miles and have been slower — and more cautious — in bringing full autonomy to market.

Dogecoin Price Holds Key Support at $0.156 After Dip – Could This Be the Turning Point for DOGE?

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The original meme coin is once again keeping investors interested. But as people wonder over whether this represents a resurgence or merely a break in the fall. People are asking whether DOGE is still the future of meme?currencies or if it’s ready for growth.

A new type of meme coin is gaining popularity—one that combines fun with usefulness and community with real-world applications. Leading the new generation is the Angry Pepe Fork project, generating significant attention on Twitter and Telegram with its coin $APORK.

Is Dogecoin Still Worth Buying?

DOGE’s volatility has been as unstable as the Tesla share price. The internet culture surrounding Dogecoin was driving the price up instantly with Elon Musk’s viral support. Each of Musk’s tweets in the past has ballooned DOGE, often hand in hand with Tesla’s price movements.

Angry Pepe Fork is different from this narrative. Angry Pepe Fork expands on this idea by not only attaching itself to the meme and viral potential of $PEPE, but it also provides actual utility by way of CommunityFi and GambleFi, or simply put, it pays the user for their support of the project versus just holding on to the tokens.

What Sets the Angry Pepe Fork ($APORK) Apart?

Dogecoin largely depends on celebrity hype as?well; Elon Musk and Donald Trump have both talked about meme coins. Angry Pepe Fork ($APORK) proves it’s popular for its form, not just its?symbol. Here are keypoints that make $APORK, different from DOGE coin:

Play-to-Earn GambleFi Games: The GambleFi platform enables users to play mini-games to win $APORK.

CommunityFi Rewards: Content providers, meme makers, and promoters are rewarded for spreading the word.

Multi-Chain Launch: DOGE is limited to a single blockchain, and unlike DOGE, Angry Pepe Fork will be available on Ethereum, BNB, and Solana, boosting reach while lowering transaction fees.

Beginning of a New Meme Cycle?

As the cryptocurrency market continues to grow, meme coins are shifting towards a new trend. Imagine how Tesla’s stock price shoots up every time Elon Musk tweets or unveils a?new product. Likewise, meme?coins today are responding to broader ecosystem forces, not just viral events.

This move opens the way for smarter, more sophisticated meme tokens—those that generate profits through strategy. Taking cues from tremendous success stories like Bonk, which exploded after community-first activation, Angry Pepe Fork looks to be one of the few surfing the wave with meaning.

The Bottom Line: Hold DOGE or Buy APORK?

Looking at the charts, Dogecoin may hold the $0.156 support level. It may even recover following a news cycle or a Musk tweet. In the meantime, prospective buyers are constantly searching for new presale possibilities with strong tokenomics and fewer barriers to participation.

$APORK pricing at $0.0269 in presale and staking incentives exceeding 10,000% APY can be a great time for investors wishing to invest before a major listing. Dogecoin may have sparked the meme revolution, but projects like Angry Pepe Fork have the potential to revolutionize what meme coins will look like in the future.

Metaplanet’s Acquisition of 1,111 BTC Underscores Its Commitment To Bitcoin Even as BTC Loses Value

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Metaplanet, a Japanese investment firm, acquired an additional 1,111 Bitcoin (BTC) for approximately ¥17.26 billion ($117-118 million), at an average price of ¥15,535,502 (~$106,408) per BTC. This purchase increased their total holdings to 11,111 BTC, valued at over $1.1 billion, making them the eighth-largest corporate Bitcoin holder globally, surpassing Coinbase. Metaplanet’s aggressive Bitcoin accumulation strategy, which began in April 2024, aims to reach 30,000 BTC by the end of 2025, 100,000 BTC by 2026, and 210,000 BTC (1% of Bitcoin’s total supply) by 2027.

The acquisition was funded through capital raises, including zero-coupon bonds and stock warrants. Their quarter-to-date BTC Yield, a metric tracking Bitcoin per share, reached 107.9%, with a year-to-date yield of 306.7%. Despite the purchase, Metaplanet’s stock fell 5-8% that day, possibly due to geopolitical tensions affecting broader markets. Metaplanet’s acquisition of 1,111 BTC, bringing their total to 11,111 BTC, has significant implications for both the company and the broader cryptocurrency market, while also highlighting a growing divide in corporate and investor sentiment toward Bitcoin.

Metaplanet’s aggressive accumulation, positioning it as the eighth-largest corporate Bitcoin holder, signals growing institutional confidence in Bitcoin as a treasury asset. This aligns with the strategy of companies like MicroStrategy, which holds over 279,000 BTC. By treating Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation (especially given Japan’s yen weakening), Metaplanet is setting a precedent for other Asian firms, particularly in Japan, where economic policies have strained fiat stability.

Their ambitious targets—30,000 BTC by 2025, 100,000 by 2026, and 210,000 by 2027 (1% of Bitcoin’s 21 million supply)—suggest a long-term commitment to Bitcoin as a core asset, potentially inspiring other corporations to follow suit. The purchase of 1,111 BTC, valued at ~$117-118 million, represents a significant capital inflow into Bitcoin, contributing to price stability or upward pressure, especially in a market sensitive to large transactions. With Bitcoin’s price around $106,408 per coin at the time of purchase, such moves can reduce available supply, potentially driving prices higher as demand persists.

Metaplanet’s strategy of funding purchases through capital raises (e.g., zero-coupon bonds and stock warrants) demonstrates a creative approach to acquiring Bitcoin without liquidating core assets, which could become a model for other firms. Despite the acquisition, Metaplanet’s stock fell 5-8% on June 23, 2025, possibly due to broader market concerns, such as geopolitical tensions (e.g., U.S.-China trade disputes or regional conflicts). This suggests that while Bitcoin accumulation is central to Metaplanet’s strategy, investors may perceive risks in its heavy exposure to a volatile asset like Bitcoin, especially in turbulent market conditions.

The high BTC Yield (107.9% quarter-to-date, 306.7% year-to-date) reflects strong performance in Bitcoin’s value relative to shares, but stock price declines indicate a disconnect between Bitcoin’s performance and investor confidence in the company’s overall financial health. As a Japanese firm, Metaplanet’s moves could position Japan as a hub for corporate Bitcoin adoption in Asia, contrasting with more cautious approaches in other regions. This is particularly relevant given Japan’s historically progressive stance on crypto regulation, which could encourage further institutional investment.

Companies like Metaplanet and MicroStrategy view Bitcoin as a store of value and a hedge against fiat depreciation. They argue that Bitcoin’s fixed supply and decentralized nature make it a superior long-term asset compared to traditional investments. Metaplanet’s bold targets (e.g., 1% of Bitcoin’s supply) reflect this conviction. Other corporations and investors remain wary of Bitcoin’s volatility, regulatory uncertainties, and environmental concerns (due to mining energy consumption). The 5-8% drop in Metaplanet’s stock suggests that some investors are unconvinced about tying corporate value so closely to Bitcoin, especially in a risk-off market environment.

Retail investors on platforms like X often celebrate corporate Bitcoin purchases as bullish signals, with posts praising Metaplanet’s “stacking sats” strategy and comparing it to MicroStrategy’s success. However, institutional investors may view such heavy exposure as risky, preferring diversified portfolios or traditional safe-haven assets like gold or bonds. This divide is evident in market reactions: while Bitcoin’s price may benefit from corporate buying, Metaplanet’s stock decline indicates institutional caution.

In Japan, where yen devaluation and economic stagnation are concerns, Bitcoin adoption by firms like Metaplanet resonates as a hedge against local currency risks. However, globally, attitudes vary: some markets (e.g., the U.S.) see Bitcoin as a speculative asset, while others (e.g., El Salvador) treat it as legal tender. This creates a divide between regions embracing Bitcoin and those maintaining stricter regulatory or skeptical stances.

Metaplanet’s strategy is inherently long-term, aiming for significant Bitcoin holdings by 2027. However, short-term market volatility and stock price reactions highlight a divide between investors seeking immediate returns and those aligned with a multi-year vision of Bitcoin’s value appreciation. The high BTC Yield (306.7% year-to-date) appeals to long-term holders, but short-term traders may be deterred by Bitcoin’s price swings and external market pressures.

Metaplanet’s acquisition of 1,111 BTC underscores its commitment to Bitcoin as a treasury asset, potentially catalyzing further corporate adoption, particularly in Japan. However, it also highlights a divide between Bitcoin advocates and skeptics, retail and institutional investors, and short-term versus long-term perspectives. While the move strengthens Metaplanet’s position in the crypto space and could drive Bitcoin’s price higher by reducing supply, the stock market’s negative reaction suggests that not all investors are aligned with this high-risk, high-reward strategy.

Bitcoin Dip Below $100K Underscores Its Vulnerability To Geopolitical And Macro Shocks

Bitcoin fell below $100,000, hitting as low as $98,286.21, following Iran’s threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for 20-30% of global oil supply. The move, approved by Iran’s parliament but pending final approval from the Supreme National Security Council, came after U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. This sparked fears of oil price spikes, with JPMorgan estimating Brent could reach $120-$130 per barrel, potentially pushing U.S. inflation to 5%. Rising energy costs and expectations of tighter Federal Reserve policy drove risk-off sentiment, leading to $950 million-$1.79 billion in crypto liquidations.

Bitcoin later recovered slightly to around $101,000, but volatility persists as markets await clarity on the Strait’s status and Fed responses. Other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and XRP also saw sharp declines. Iran’s threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for 20-30% of global oil, has heightened geopolitical tensions, driving oil price fears (Brent potentially hitting $120-$130/barrel). This fuels inflation concerns, with U.S. inflation possibly climbing to 5%, prompting expectations of tighter Federal Reserve monetary policy.

Bitcoin, often viewed as a risk asset despite its “digital gold” narrative, saw a sharp sell-off, dropping to $98,286.21 with $950M-$1.79B in crypto liquidations. The broader crypto market, including Ethereum and XRP, also faced heavy losses. The dip reflects Bitcoin’s sensitivity to macroeconomic shocks, particularly energy-driven inflation and interest rate hikes, undermining its role as an inflation hedge in the short term.

A Strait closure could disrupt global trade, spike energy costs, and strain supply chains, further pressuring equities and crypto markets. Bitcoin’s recovery to ~$101,000 suggests cautious optimism, but volatility remains high until Iran’s actions and U.S./Fed responses clarify. Investors may shift to traditional safe-havens like gold or bonds if tensions escalate, potentially delaying Bitcoin’s rebound.

Liquidations amplified the dip, with leveraged positions wiped out. This could lead to reduced leverage in the near term, stabilizing but slowing market momentum. Sentiment on platforms like X shows panic among retail investors, with some calling it a buying opportunity while others fear further drops if oil prices surge.

Crypto Bulls vs. Bears: Argue Bitcoin’s dip is temporary, driven by macro fears rather than fundamentals. They see it as a buying opportunity, citing long-term scarcity (21M cap) and adoption trends. Some on X claim Bitcoin could hit $150K by 2026 if tensions de-escalate.

Bears: Highlight Bitcoin’s correlation with risk assets, questioning its safe-haven status. They argue rising rates and inflation could suppress crypto for months, with one X analyst predicting a drop to $80K if the Strait closes.

X posts show retail traders split—some panic-sell, others “HODL” or buy the dip, driven by community sentiment and memes. Lack of macro expertise makes retail more reactive. Institutional likely contributed to the sell-off, as funds rebalance portfolios amid oil and rate concerns. Whales (large holders) may accumulate at lower prices, per on-chain data, but institutions remain cautious until Fed signals clarity.

Crypto Advocates see Bitcoin as a hedge against fiat debasement long-term, dismissing short-term dips as noise. They argue centralized policies (e.g., Fed hikes) expose fiat’s flaws. Traditional Finance views Bitcoin as speculative, lacking intrinsic value in crises. Analysts on X and web reports emphasize gold’s outperformance (~$2,600/oz) during geopolitical turmoil.

The Bitcoin dip below $100K underscores its vulnerability to geopolitical and macro shocks, particularly energy-driven inflation fears from Iran’s Strait threat. While short-term volatility is likely, the divide between bulls/bears, retail/institutional, and crypto/traditional finance highlights differing time horizons and risk appetites. Markets await Iran’s next move, Fed policy signals, and oil price developments to determine Bitcoin’s near-term trajectory.

Flutterwave Launches Digital Payments Services in Cameroon, Boosting Financial Inclusion

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Flutterwave, a fintech company that provides a payment infrastructure for global merchants and payment service providers across the continent, has launched its digital payment services in Cameroon.

The fintech’s expansion to the Central African country is coming after it obtained a payment service provider license from the Central Bank of Central African States (BEAC). Partnering with Ecobank, this milestone advances Flutterwave’s goal of unifying Africa’s fragmented payment systems and expanding its presence across the continent.

The launch strengthens Flutterwave’s foothold in Francophone Africa, positioning it as a key driver of Cameroon’s digital transformation. Businesses, from local merchants to global enterprises, can now leverage a compliant digital payment platform supporting mobile money, cards, and bank transfers, tailored to Cameroon’s growing digital economy.

Small businesses can create shareable payment links for platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, while larger firms benefit from advanced fraud detection, localized support, and seamless cross-border transactions.

Speaking on the expansion to Cameroon Flutterwave CEO Olugbenga Agboola said,

“Cameroon holds a central place in the future of Africa’s digital economy, and we’re proud to play a part in unlocking its potential. By offering secure, compliant, and accessible payment solutions, we’re creating opportunities for businesses of all sizes, from local merchants to global brands; to grow and thrive. Our presence here is not just about technology; it’s about long-term partnership, trust, and enabling prosperity across Central Africa.”

Also commenting, Bode Aregbesola, Senior Vice President for Sales, West Africa, added, “We know what it takes to run a business in Africa, and we’ve built our solutions to support that reality. Flutterwave is helping everyone — from local businesses to international brands — accept payments, streamline operations, and expand with confidence. With our digital payments license, we’re able to do all of that securely and at scale in Cameroon.”

In Cameroon, a key driver of financial inclusion is mobile money. Accounts reached 48 million in Central Africa by 2019, with transactions exceeding $30.4 billion. Operators like MTN and Orange dominate, offering services like bill payments, airtime purchases, and transfers via platforms like Monetbil, Zitopay, and Tranzak. Mobile money grew 19% from 2019 to 2020, with 24 trillion XAF ($40 billion) in transactions in 2024.

Platforms like Paytm, Razorpay, and NOWPayments, support online transactions, including credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and mobile money. These cater to e-commerce growth, with integrations for Visa, MasterCard, and local methods.

Cameroon’s payment system is evolving rapidly, driven by mobile money and digital gateways, but it faces hurdles like outdated infrastructure, delays, and limited rural access. Flutterwave’s entry is set to enhance financial inclusion by simplifying transactions for businesses and consumers. Small merchants can adopt digital payments without costly infrastructure, while global companies can process local currency payments, manage settlements, and issue refunds efficiently. Robust reporting and fraud management tools build trust in digital transactions, addressing cybersecurity concerns.

With its launch in Cameroon, Flutterwave is now operational in over 30 African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and more. This wide geographical presence gives the fintech company one of the most extensive networks for digital payments in Africa.

One of Flutterwave’s most significant contributions is its support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Through the Flutterwave Store, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the platform provided a free online marketplace for SMEs to set up digital storefronts and sell their products. Today, the store has empowered over 30,000 merchants, helping them reach wider markets and accept various payment options without the need for complex infrastructure.

Flutterwave’s payment technology supports multiple methods including cards, bank transfers, mobile money, and QR payments, ensuring that even unbanked populations can participate in the digital economy.

By unifying fragmented payment systems, Flutterwave accelerates Africa’s digital economy. Its presence in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and now Cameroon aligns with rising internet penetration and mobile connectivity.

GitHub CEO: Junior Developers Still Valuable in AI Era, But Prompt Engineering Is the New Must-Have Skill

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As artificial intelligence tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT redefine how software is written, many in the tech industry have questioned whether traditional coding skills — especially at the entry-level — are becoming obsolete. GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke says junior developers are still essential, even as AI changes the landscape of software engineering.

In a recent interview with The Pragmatic Engineer, Dohmke offered a nuanced view of how AI is transforming the tech industry—one that acknowledges the disruption but also offers a measure of optimism.

Since taking the helm at GitHub in 2021, Dohmke has been at the center of Microsoft’s push to integrate artificial intelligence into the software development lifecycle, particularly through GitHub Copilot, the AI-powered coding assistant developed in partnership with OpenAI. As Copilot and other generative tools become central to engineering workflows, the pressure has mounted on engineers—especially those just entering the field—to adapt.

“A Nice Balance” of Junior and Senior Talent

Amid fears that AI could render entry-level coding jobs obsolete, Dohmke emphasized the continued value of early-career developers.

“It’s lovely to see those folks that bring fresh ideas, a great amount of energy, the latest learnings from college and university, and often a different, diverse background into the company,” he said. “We are excited about having this kind of both junior and senior population in the company.”

He added that junior engineers often bring new ideas to the table and are more likely to challenge old ways of thinking—something that is essential in an industry undergoing such profound technological shifts.

Prompting: The New Core Skill

Dohmke also made it clear that while the demand for engineering talent remains, the required skill set is changing fast. Chief among those changes is the emergence of prompt engineering—the ability to craft effective instructions for AI tools.

“If you want to get a job in a tech company very soon, you’re going to be asked to show your prompting skills, your Copilot skills,” he said.

GitHub, like many tech companies, is beginning to include these skills in its hiring assessments. This shift reflects the new reality where engineers are not expected to write every line of code themselves but must know how to collaborate with AI systems to achieve outcomes faster and more efficiently.

AI Will Transform, Not Eliminate, Engineering Jobs

As debates around AI’s impact on employment heat up, Dohmke’s comments strike a more hopeful tone than some of his peers in the industry. While others, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, have warned that AI could replace half of all entry-level white-collar jobs within five years, Dohmke sees the changes differently.

Rather than eliminating jobs outright, he believes AI will reshape what engineering work looks like, allowing human developers to shift their focus toward higher-order thinking and system-level design.

“The goal of the future engineer is no longer to run it all from scratch,” Dohmke said. “The goal is to combine their prompting skills and agents, open-source libraries, into getting that problem solved much faster than they could have two or three years ago.”

He stressed that AI will become just another part of the engineering toolkit—an accelerant rather than a replacement. Even in the future when AI agents become more capable and autonomous, engineers will still be needed to provide direction, validate results, and manage complexity.

According to Dohmke, the core of engineering lies not in knowing a specific language or framework, but in the ability to think structurally about problems—skills that will remain relevant no matter how the tools evolve.

“You’ve got to have engineering skills. You’ve got to have developed craft,” he said. “You need senior people that know how to build large-scale systems. You need people that take large complex problems and break them down into smaller problems.”

In this view, coding is just one aspect of a broader engineering mindset. While AI may automate some of the mechanics, the judgment, experience, and creative reasoning that engineers bring to problem-solving will continue to set them apart.

Dohmke also pointed out that younger programmers—those still in high school, college, or early in their careers—are often more adept at integrating AI into their work.

“They get it because they are taking this with an open mind,” he said. “They don’t have the, ‘This is how we’ve always done it.’”

This readiness to adopt and iterate with new technologies may position junior developers to succeed in ways previous generations couldn’t have imagined. The key, according to Dohmke, is not to fear AI but to embrace it as a tool that can extend a developer’s reach and reduce repetitive labor.

While some companies have begun reducing hiring for junior roles in favor of automation, GitHub’s message appears more balanced. The company sees AI as a force for amplifying talent, not replacing it. That means new developers still have a place—if they’re willing to learn how to work with machines, not just code for them.

For Dohmke, it all boils down to outcomes. He believes that what matters is getting the job done, not how it gets done.