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Netflix Experiments With Vertical Video and Podcasts to Expand Beyond Traditional Streaming

By
Samuel Nwite
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0

Netflix is venturing deeper into mobile-focused content, testing a new vertical video feed and exploring podcasts as part of its broader effort to meet audiences where they are.

The company’s Chief Technology Officer, Elizabeth Stone, revealed the plan during her appearance at the TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 conference on Tuesday, saying the streaming giant is experimenting with new formats to capture attention in moments when users want shorter, more casual entertainment experiences.

Stone explained that while Netflix has no intention of competing directly with short-form video platforms like TikTok or similar apps offering mini-dramas, it recognizes the growing demand for what she called “snackable” content.

“There are times when consumers are looking for something Netflix offers — a TV show, movie, or game — but there are other times they want something more snackable,” she said. “In these moments, Netflix needs to be able to offer a broader variety of content.”

The company is currently testing a vertical video feed on mobile devices that allows users to scroll through short clips from its original titles. The feature, which began testing earlier this year, aims to spark user interest in full-length shows or films by surfacing visually engaging excerpts.

“We’re testing a vertical video feed on mobile devices that starts to reimagine what mobile is, and kind of meets consumers where they are now and how they’re using mobile today,” Stone said.

However, Stone suggested the feed could evolve into a much broader content experience, extending beyond promotional clips. She highlighted Moments, Netflix’s existing feature that enables users to clip and share their favorite scenes from shows or movies, hinting that this capability could tie into the new vertical format.

“We’ve been innovating on Moments, which allows kind of a social connection to some of the content by allowing a member to take a clip and share it with their networks,” she explained. “It’s a type of short-form experience.”

While she did not confirm specific integrations, Stone noted that Netflix is exploring “different types of content” that could populate the vertical feed and “different ways to clip and share content.” Still, she emphasized that Netflix’s strategy would remain distinct from that of social video competitors.

“Netflix is not intending to copy or chase exactly what a TikTok or others are doing,” she said. “We think there’s a certain type of entertainment — or moment of truth — that’s especially valuable to our members, and we really want to be focused there, versus trying to be all things at every moment.”

Stone also revealed that podcasts are becoming another key part of Netflix’s content experimentation. Following a recent partnership with Spotify, Netflix plans to host and distribute podcasts on its platform.

“We’ll use some of these new canvases we have, like vertical video, to start to experiment with new content types — and that includes something we announced more recently, which is podcasts,” she said.

According to Stone, some podcasts will be co-exclusive between Netflix and Spotify, with availability across mobile and TV platforms.

These new ventures come as Netflix continues to expand its definition of entertainment beyond movies and TV shows. The company has already added games and live programming, and now, it is looking to short-form and audio formats as the next frontier in its evolution.

Stone said the rollout of these experiments will occur “over the next few quarters and throughout 2026,” suggesting that the company is moving cautiously but deliberately toward a more diverse content ecosystem.

Analysts view the move as an attempt by Netflix to increase engagement on mobile devices, particularly among younger audiences accustomed to quick, vertical video formats. Yet the company appears keen to strike a balance between innovation and its core strength — delivering compelling, story-driven entertainment.

Cathie Wood Predicts Humanoid Robots Will Be the Biggest Opportunity in Artificial Intelligence

By
Samuel Nwite
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0

Ark Invest founder and Chief Executive Cathie Wood has identified humanoid robots as one of the next major frontiers in artificial intelligence, predicting that machines modeled after humans in form and function could become the most valuable “embodied AI” opportunity.

Speaking to CNBC on the sidelines of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, Wood said artificial intelligence will not only accelerate the development of humanoid robots but also transform industries such as transportation and healthcare.

“I know a lot of people are worried about all the ‘AI hype,’” Wood said. “But as we’re looking to the future, especially with embodied AI, which is all about robotaxis and transforming the world of transportation completely — and then healthcare, which is probably one of the most profound applications of AI — we think that this investment will pay off.”

She continued: “I think the chaser is going to be humanoid robots. And I think that is going to be the biggest of all the embodied AI opportunities.”

Humanoid robots, powered by advanced artificial intelligence, have long fascinated technologists and the public alike. Companies worldwide are racing to develop machines capable of replicating human movement, communication, and problem-solving skills — innovations expected to reshape sectors from healthcare and logistics to personal assistance and retail.

Despite its promise, investors have historically remained cautious about humanoid robotics, citing high costs and limited real-world performance. However, growing breakthroughs in generative AI, computer vision, and mobility systems have renewed optimism about their commercial potential.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is among the leading voices backing the technology. The billionaire has repeatedly stated that Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, will eventually account for the majority of the automaker’s valuation.

“I think Optimus will ultimately be more valuable than the car business, and more valuable than FSD [Full Self-Driving],” Musk said earlier this year.

Last month, he suggested the robots could one day represent about 80 percent of Tesla’s market value.

Wood’s confidence in the sector reflects her firm’s broader investment strategy, which targets disruptive technologies in AI, robotics, and automation. According to data from ARK Invest, the top holdings of its Artificial Intelligence & Robotics UCITS ETF include Tesla (9.16%), Palantir (7.02%), and AMD (6.14%) — all companies deeply involved in AI innovation.

On the enterprise side, Wood said AI’s impact will take time to fully materialize, as large corporations will need to reconfigure their operations to unlock its productivity potential.

“It is going to take a company like Palantir going into the largest enterprises and really restructuring them in order to capitalize on the productivity gains that we think are going to be unleashed by AI,” she explained.

She also noted that while businesses may take time to adapt, consumers are embracing AI more rapidly.

“The consumer loves all of this,” Wood said. “We’re all looking forward to our personal assistants doing our shopping for us. I am really excited about not just shopping, but how much my productivity as an individual is going to increase with AI. It already has in terms of research.”

However, Wood tempered her optimism with a warning that the AI market could experience a short-term “reality check,” as investor enthusiasm and valuations reach unprecedented highs. She argued, nonetheless, that current valuations for major technology firms would ultimately prove justified over a longer, five-year horizon.

Wood indicated that the world of tech is in the early stages of something massive, emphasizing that embodied AI, from robotaxis to humanoid machines, could represent the next transformative wave in global technology.

Her remarks are expected to boost the belief that the future of artificial intelligence may not only be virtual, but physical, embodied, and human-shaped — especially as major players like Tesla, Nvidia, and Figure AI ramp up their humanoid robot programs.

Nigeria’s Banking Breakdown Fuels Crypto Boom: Inside Quidax’s “State of Crypto Adoption” Report

By
Ojukwu Emmanuel
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0

In its latest report titled “The State of Crypto Adoption in Nigeria,” Quidax, one of Africa’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges and digital asset infrastructure providers, revealed a groundbreaking statistic, disclosing that 26.34 million Nigerians have actively used or adopted cryptocurrency.

This figure represents more than one in eight Nigerian adults, a penetration rate that surpasses most developed markets and firmly positions Nigeria as the global leader in crypto adoption by population percentage.

Yet, behind the impressive numbers lies a deeper story, one that exposes the failures of Nigeria’s traditional banking system and explains why millions have turned to digital currencies not as a fad, but as a financial necessity.

According to the Quidax report, Nigeria’s crypto revolution isn’t fueled by speculative interest or technological curiosity. Instead, it’s a direct response to the persistent inefficiencies of the traditional financial system.

Customers across the country are often faced with several challenges, which include;

  • Transaction failures without explanation or resolution.
  • International transfer fees that can consume 15-20% of transaction value.
  • ATM cards that work intermittently at best.
  • App downtime during critical business hours.
  • Bureaucratic requirements that make simple transactions feel like applying for a visa.
  • Processing times that stretch days for domestic transfers, weeks for international ones.

All of these have eroded public trust in conventional banking. As one investor shared in the report, “The limitations of traditional banking in Nigeria have made me rely on crypto as my primary medium of exchange, especially for international payments.”

The Crypto Solution

Cryptocurrency didn’t win the hearts of Nigerian investors through flashy marketing campaigns, instead it earned their trust through performance. While banks struggled to maintain uptime promises, blockchain networks delivered around-the-clock availability. Where international transfers once required extensive documentation, approvals, and at times, prayer, crypto transactions demanded only internet connectivity.

The advantages are clear:

  • Reliability: Blockchain networks operate continuously, unaffected by weekends or holidays.

  • Speed: Instant settlements replace the multi-day delays common in traditional banking.

  • Transparency: Every transaction is verifiable and traceable, unlike opaque bank records.

  • Accessibility: No minimum balance requirements or account maintenance fees.

  • Cost Efficiency: Transaction fees remain minimal compared to percentage-based banking charges.

Nigeria’s youthful and tech-savvy population has been another catalyst for crypto adoption. A growing number of Nigerians now earn income from international clients as freelancers, developers, designers, writers, and consultants. For them, cryptocurrency offers a faster, cheaper, and more reliable payment rail.

Freelancers discovered that with crypto, they could receive full payment instantly, without foreign exchange markups, prolonged processing times, or unexplained transaction rejections. Similarly, Nigerian businesses engaged in cross-border trade have found digital assets invaluable. Instead of navigating complex correspondent banking relationships, currency conversions, and layers of regulatory documentation, merchants can now receive payments directly from customers across the globe.

A Financial Shift Rooted in Necessity

Quidax report underscore a larger truth, that cryptocurrency adoption in Nigeria is not merely an economic trend, rather it is a survival strategy born from frustration with an outdated banking system.

By offering speed, reliability, transparency, and inclusivity, digital assets have become more than just an investment option, they are redefining how Nigerians transact, save, and participate in the global economy. Notably, in a country where traditional banking systems often fall short, blockchain technology has quietly become the infrastructure of trust.

Few Days Left to Join the Milk Mocha ($HUGS) Whitelist, The Best Crypto Presale Everyone Will Regret Missing!

By
TI Partners
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0

In crypto, being early isn’t luck, it’s leverage. Every market cycle proves that timing beats size. The early buyers of tokens like Dogecoin or Pepe weren’t whales; they were believers who moved before everyone else saw the opportunity. Now, with the Milk Mocha ($HUGS) whitelist closing soon, a similar window is opening, and only a handful of investors will get to start at the same line before the hierarchy begins.

$HUGS isn’t just another presale; it’s tied to one of the internet’s most recognizable emotional IPs, Milk Mocha, the globally loved bear duo with millions of fans across social media. This project blends emotional brand power with crypto fundamentals, staking, NFTs, games, governance, and real-world utility. But once the whitelist closes, the price climbs with each batch, and latecomers will have to pay significantly more for the same token.

Why Emotional IPs Like Milk Mocha Get Missed, Until It’s Too Late

Crypto investors often chase technology but overlook sentiment. Projects backed by emotional intellectual property, like memes, characters, and fandom-driven brands, consistently outperform because they connect with people on a human level. Milk Mocha isn’t an unknown concept; it’s a global franchise, with partnerships in animation, merchandise, and licensing. Translating that fanbase into the blockchain world gives $HUGS a foundation few new coins possess.

Yet, history shows that emotional IP-based coins are often ignored until prices skyrocket. Investors dismissed Dogecoin’s Shiba Inu origins as “too cute”, until it became a household name with multi-billion-dollar market value. The same story may play out again with $HUGS, except this time, the community is already established and global. The whitelist is not just a chance to buy cheap tokens, it’s a chance to align with a brand that already has mass appeal before it becomes mainstream in crypto.

The Whitelist: Where Everyone Starts Equal

The whitelist phase of $HUGS is the only point where every participant starts equally. Regardless of how much you invest, everyone gets access at the same price, before the presale moves into tiered pricing and scarcity begins. Once the whitelist ends, prices increase progressively with each stage. That means those who hesitate end up paying for the privilege of being late.

At the whitelist level, there are no gatekeepers, no KYC, and no restrictions, only a simple email entry. It’s one of the most accessible whitelist opportunities of 2025, and it’s tied to one of the best crypto presales in terms of brand recognition and utility depth. Missing this stage doesn’t just mean paying more later; it means entering a game already in progress, where early adopters hold both tokens and influence.

Why $HUGS Isn’t Just a Token, It’s a Culture Investment

Behind $HUGS is a complete ecosystem designed around emotional engagement and financial participation. Holders can stake for steady returns, use tokens in Milk Mocha’s mini-games, and unlock access to limited-edition NFTs and merchandise. The DAO governance model ensures that holders, not executives, help shape the brand’s next moves, from charity drives to creative partnerships.

This blend of entertainment, ownership, and empathy positions $HUGS beyond a standard presale. It’s a cultural asset wrapped in a crypto framework, designed for sustainability and scalability. While tech-heavy projects rely on code and whitepapers to build trust, Milk Mocha relies on years of emotional credibility, and now, it’s turning that connection into an economy.

Missing the Whitelist Means Watching the Price Run Away

Every presale has a story that early buyers tell later, “I got in before it took off.” With $HUGS, that story starts at the whitelist. Entry here guarantees access at the lowest possible price. Once it closes, token costs begin rising in batches, meaning anyone entering later will be paying multiples higher for the same amount of $HUGS.

Projects with strong branding and community loyalty tend to accelerate faster than purely technical ones, and Milk Mocha’s global audience gives $HUGS a unique advantage. Analysts already call it one of the best memecoin presales of the year for its brand-driven staying power and deflationary ecosystem. The risk isn’t buying in, it’s watching others do so while the entry price climbs with every round.

Final Call: Be First, Not Forgotten

The countdown to whitelist closure is ticking, and every day lost is a tier higher in price. This is the only phase where everyone stands at the same starting line, equal opportunity, equal access, and equal upside. Once it closes, the hierarchy begins, and those who hesitated will be paying a premium to catch up.

Milk Mocha presale isn’t just another crypto ico; it’s a moment in cultural crypto history. It’s the fusion of global storytelling and decentralized ownership, a project that proves emotion and utility can coexist in a token built for both fans and investors.

If you believe timing defines success, this is your moment to act. Join the $HUGS whitelist today, no KYC, no barriers, just an email. Be first, not a follower. The bears are waiting, but the early spots won’t.

 

Explore Milk Mocha Now:

Website: ??https://www.milkmocha.com/

X: https://x.com/Milkmochahugs

Telegram: https://t.me/MilkMochaHugs

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

Michael Saylor’s $175 Million Bitcoin Bet Soars to Over $2 Billion, Urges Holders Not to Sell

By
Ojukwu Emmanuel
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0

Bitcoin advocate and co-founder of MicroStrategy, Michael Saylor, has stirred conversation within the cryptocurrency community, emphasizing the need for investors/traders to purchase and hold Bitcoin for the long term.

In a post on X, the billionaire business executive highlighted his post from five years ago, where he revealed how much Bitcoin he personally held and the price it was purchased.

The post reads,

“Some have asked how much #BTC I own. I personally #hodl 17,732 BTC, which I bought at $9,882 each on average. I informed MicroStrategy of these holdings before the company decided to buy #bitcoin for itself.”

Referencing this post, Saylor, in a recent tweet, wrote, “You do not sell your Bitcoin”.

This statement sparked comments on X, with a lot of users agreeing with his statement that Bitcoin should be held for the long term.

@afsheenjaf wrote,

“People still don’t get it… Bitcoin isn’t what you trade; it’s what you exit into. Every cycle resets the fiat game, but Bitcoin keeps resetting the players. Saylor understood that early… he’s not speculating, he’s front-running a collapsing system.”

@CryptoNewsAIX wrote,

“Saylor speaks the ancient tongue! “You do not sell your Bitcoin.” The 2018 bear market taught us this: BTC dropped 84% from ATH, yet those who held saw 1,600%+ gains by 2021. Panic sellers? Historically misses 70% of the next cycle’s upside. The hardest part isn’t buying, it’s sitting.”

@robertdoleary wrote,

“If there’s anything I’ve learned from 14 years of buying Bitcoin – it’s that you never sell your Bitcoin.”

Saylor’s statement reinforces the philosophy that has guided both his personal investment strategy. He’s been saying it for years and living it with conviction. While others trade hype cycles, he treats Bitcoin like a generational vault.

According to his 2020 disclosure, Saylor’s consistent buying during Bitcoin’s early years, when prices often traded below $10,000, demonstrates his deep conviction. Notably, since September 2020, Bitcoin has not fallen below that price level, validating his early confidence and disciplined holding strategy.

At Bitcoin’s current market price of $115,305 at the time of writing this report, Saylor’s holdings are now worth approximately $2.04 billion, representing over $1.86 billion in unrealized profits. This remarkable gain underscores the success of his steadfast investment approach through multiple market cycles.

Despite numerous market downturns and liquidations, including recent selloffs triggered by global geopolitical tensions, Saylor’s message to investors remains consistent: “Don’t stop believing.”

Notably, his company, MicroStrategy, has become almost synonymous with Bitcoin accumulation, standing as one of the most prominent examples of corporate conviction in digital assets. Since first adding Bitcoin to its balance sheet in August 2020, the company has pursued an aggressive, unwavering acquisition strategy, often buying during both bull and bear markets.

MicroStrategy’s initial purchase was roughly 21,454 BTC at an average price of about $11,650 per coin, amounting to $250 million. At the time, Saylor described Bitcoin as a “dependable store of value and an attractive investment asset with more long-term appreciation potential than holding cash.”

That move marked the beginning of a strategy that would redefine the company’s identity, from a traditional business intelligence firm into a de facto Bitcoin holding company. Saylor and his team began using multiple funding avenues, including convertible notes, stock offerings, and cash flow, to acquire more Bitcoin.

Despite market volatility and repeated price crashes, MicroStrategy continued to buy. As of 2025, MicroStrategy holds over 226,000 BTC, worth more than $25 billion at current market prices, making it the largest corporate Bitcoin holder in the world. The company’s average purchase price hovers around $33,000 per BTC, meaning it now sits on billions in unrealized profit, a testament to the long-term thesis Saylor has maintained even during crypto downturns.

Saylor shows no signs of slowing down with his accumulation of Bitcoin. He has stated that MicroStrategy will continue to acquire Bitcoin “as long as it can,” and the company has even explored Bitcoin-backed bond issuances and yield strategies to expand its holdings. His latest post serves as a reaffirmation of his long-held conviction that Bitcoin will continue to outperform fiat currencies over time.

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