Uber has chosen San Francisco as the launch site for its long-anticipated robotaxi service, developed in partnership with electric vehicle maker Lucid Motors and autonomous driving company Nuro.

The announcement marks the first major milestone in a deal that aims to roll out 20,000 self-driving vehicles across the United States over the next six years — a move seen as one of Uber’s most ambitious steps back into autonomous mobility since winding down its own self-driving division in 2020.

The companies confirmed that on-road testing has already begun following the delivery of the first Lucid Gravity SUV prototypes, each retrofitted with Nuro’s latest self-driving hardware and software stack. These vehicles will form the foundation of Uber’s next-generation robotaxi fleet.

However, before commercial operations begin, the companies will need to secure the necessary driverless operational permits from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and ride-hailing authorization from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) — two key regulatory hurdles that stand between testing and passenger deployment.

In a joint statement, Uber, Lucid, and Nuro said they have been in “regular communication with policymakers and regulators at every level” to ensure compliance and transparency throughout the testing process.

Uber’s Chief Product Officer, Sachin Kansal, described the city’s choice as both symbolic and strategic.

“The Bay Area has long been the birthplace of transformative technology, and it’s only fitting that Uber’s next-generation robotaxi program with Lucid and Nuro will begin here – launching to the public next year,” Kansal said.

Prototype Fleet and Testing Phase

Lucid confirmed that it has delivered several engineering prototypes of its all-electric Gravity SUV to Nuro, which has since equipped them with a complete suite of autonomous technologies — including lidar, radar, cameras, and redundant safety systems designed for driverless operation. The companies plan to expand this phase rapidly, targeting “over 100 robotaxis” in their engineering fleet over the coming months.

According to the companies, Nuro will lead all validation and testing activities, which include advanced simulations, closed-course trials, and controlled on-road testing with human safety drivers still behind the wheel. The goal is to refine the vehicles’ navigation, obstacle detection, and passenger handling systems before removing human oversight.

California remains one of the most competitive markets for autonomous mobility, but it also has the most stringent regulatory framework. Uber and its partners must obtain two separate permits before launching commercially — a driverless testing permit from the DMV and a drivered or driverless deployment permit from the CPUC to carry paying passengers.

The choice of San Francisco brings Uber into direct competition with Waymo, the Alphabet-owned company that has become a dominant force in the local robotaxi market. Waymo removed its waitlist in 2024, opening its service to the general public and quickly capturing a significant share of the city’s autonomous ride-hailing demand.

An analysis of credit card transaction data from December 2024 found that Waymo’s market share in San Francisco had reached parity with Lyft’s, though only within its approved operating zones. That data underscores the rising consumer adoption of driverless services — and the challenge Uber faces in reclaiming a portion of the market it once sought to dominate.

The new collaboration effectively signals Uber’s re-entry into the autonomous vehicle race, years after selling off its self-driving research unit, Advanced Technologies Group (ATG), to Aurora Innovation in 2020. By partnering with Lucid and Nuro — companies with established strengths in electric vehicle manufacturing and robotic delivery — Uber is betting on a hardware-software partnership model rather than in-house development.

The fleet will be owned either by Uber directly or by third-party fleet management partners, with Nuro providing the self-driving systems and Lucid supplying the electric SUVs.

Uber’s decision to return to self-driving is believed to align with its long-term goal of reducing driver-related operating costs while expanding mobility access in dense urban areas. Pending regulatory approval, the San Francisco rollout could serve as a blueprint for deployment in other major U.S. cities, potentially beginning with Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas, which have been under consideration for future expansion.

Cooperation and Competition with Waymo

While Uber prepares to go head-to-head with Waymo in San Francisco, the two companies are simultaneously collaborating in other cities. In Austin, Atlanta, and Phoenix, Waymo’s driverless vehicles are already available through the Uber app, allowing users to hail a Waymo robotaxi just as they would a traditional ride.

But that partnership, born out of a reconciliation between two former rivals, could face new tensions as Uber launches its own autonomous service.

Amid the return of hopes for an “Uptober” rally in the market, retail demand is tailwinding the breakouts in DOGE, SHIB, and PEPE. The sudden recovery on Sunday has boosted interest in top meme coins amid speculation.  PEPE still receives a lot of attention, but most investors now view it as a risky bet that lacks substance and is merely hype. Meanwhile, coins like DOGE, SHIB, and LILPEPE are gaining notice for different reasons.

Little Pepe (LILPEPE): Fresh Coin With Staying Power

If PEPE defined the 2023 meme wave, Little Pepe (LILPEPE) is emerging as its steadier, more competent successor. PEPE doesn’t really do anything besides ride the wave of social chatter. Little Pepe is taking a different approach. It’s not rushing; instead, it’s blending humor with genuine features and fostering trust through its community.  The presale? That’s already pulled in more than $27 million at $0.0022 per token. Little Pepe decided to shake things up with a $777,000 Giveaway, a move meant to keep people around. Most meme coins burn out fast, but Little Pepe is aiming for something more.

What sets Little Pepe apart is tone and intention. It’s still fun, but not reckless. The community focuses on memes and humor, while the developers focus on liquidity, security, and exchange readiness. This makes it a meme coin that actually feels planned. At a listing price of $0.003, even a rise to $0.09–$0.12 would result in a 30× gain, and some bullish forecasts extend even higher if listings proceed smoothly. Compared to PEPE’s hype-only model, Little Pepe’s structured presale, fair tokenomics, and strong verification make it a lower-risk, higher-upside play in today’s meme-coin lineup.

Dogecoin (DOGE): Classic Meme Energy With Real Utility

Dogecoin has once again proven it’s not going anywhere. Trading near $0.25, DOGE has held strong while most meme tokens have struggled to recover from recent corrections. Examining Dogecoin, the 4-hour chart indicates that a descending triangle pattern is forming. FXStreet analysts say if DOGE breaks out, it could run up to $0.60. The MACD continues to trend upward, and with the RSI near 72, buyers are definitely piling in. If DOGE holds above $0.23, it has a shot at $0.33, possibly even $0.60.

However, charts aside, Dogecoin’s real strength lies in the fact that people use it. It started as a joke, and is now facilitating quick and cheap transactions, as Elon Musk continues to tease DOGE payments on X. If he actually rolls that out, you can bet demand for DOGE will shoot up.

Shiba Inu (SHIB): Building Utility to Match Its Brand

Then there’s Shiba Inu (SHIB). It’s holding steady above $0.00001000 and just jumped almost 5% in a day. Both the MACD and RSI indicate renewed buying interest. So, instead of just wild speculation, people seem to believe in SHIB’s longer-term growth. Unlike most other meme coins, including PEPE, SHIB stands out because of its layered ecosystem. Shibarium, the project’s Layer 2 network, has provided SHIB with a practical foundation for lower gas fees, faster transactions, and expanded DeFi activity. This structure has helped SHIB maintain relevance even as newer meme coins flood the market. Analysts expect it to target $0.00002–$0.00003 if retail inflows and Shibarium adoption continue to grow through 2025.

Conclusion

Dogecoin and Shiba Inu have already proven that meme coins don’t have to be just passing trends; they can stick around if they build something real. But honestly, Little Pepe is shaping up to be the next big step. It’s striking the balance between fun, thoughtful design, and a community you can actually trust. If market momentum holds through early 2026, this could be the meme-coin rotation where cautious buyers finally receive their reward.

For more information about Little Pepe (LILPEPE) visit the links below:

Website: https://littlepepe.com

Whitepaper: https://littlepepe.com/whitepaper.pdf

Telegram: https://t.me/littlepepetoken

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

$777k Giveaway: https://littlepepe.com/777k-giveaway/

The market spotlight is once again on major Layer-1 and Oracle networks as traders track Chainlink (LINK) and Aptos (APT) to gauge where the next leg of growth might come from. The Chainlink price rally has shown signs of strength but remains constrained by key resistance levels, while Aptos faces uncertainty due to ongoing coin unlocks. With such mixed conditions surrounding established projects, the market’s attention is turning to new entrants.

BlockDAG (BDAG) isn’t just another presale story; it’s a growing ecosystem built on transparency, innovation, and community engagement. Its nearly $435 million presale and dynamic reward structure have cemented its reputation as one of the top cryptos to buy now, giving it a clear edge over legacy players like Chainlink and Aptos.

BlockDAG’s $0.005 Presale and Rewards System Drive Unprecedented Interest

BlockDAG’s presale has crossed nearly $435 million raised, with over 27.2 billion BDAG coins sold and 312,000+ holders globally. The project’s success isn’t just about numbers; it’s a reflection of strong trust and engagement from investors worldwide. Now entering Batch 32, BlockDAG offers its coins at a final $0.005 price, ahead of its confirmed February 10, 2026 listing, a clear countdown moment for the community.

What sets BlockDAG apart is how it turns participation into performance. Its reward-based community system allows contributors to climb leaderboards, earn bonuses, and gain exclusive launch benefits. This interactive layer transforms the presale from a passive buy-in into a gamified, collaborative experience that drives both excitement and retention.

It’s this model merging technology, incentives, and accessibility that positions BlockDAG as a breakout contender in 2025. Investors aren’t just buying coins; they’re joining a rapidly expanding movement that blends innovation with real rewards.

Chainlink: Building Momentum for a Potential Price Rally

Chainlink is currently trading within a tight range between $17.85 and $18.30, with analysts pointing to strong on-chain signals suggesting that accumulation is underway. Whale traders have reportedly purchased over $116 million in LINK, while the Exchange Supply Ratio continues to decline, hinting at shrinking sell-side pressure.

Adding to the optimism is a major new partnership with S&P Global, which integrates Stablecoin Stability Assessments (SSAs) into Chainlink’s on-chain oracle data. This move strengthens Chainlink’s institutional positioning and reinforces its reputation as the go-to solution for secure, real-time data. If the price can break above $25.00 resistance, analysts forecast a potential rally toward the $46.00 range.

Still, despite these positive signs, LINK remains sensitive to broader market swings, and traders are watching closely to confirm whether the next breakout has real follow-through.

Aptos (APT): Institutional Strength Meets Selling Pressure

Aptos is showing a mix of optimism and caution. While short-term charts point to bearish tendencies, its fundamentals remain robust thanks to significant institutional interest. The biggest development came when BlackRock’s BUIDL fund deployed another $500 million in tokenized assets on the Aptos blockchain, pushing its Real-World Asset (RWA) total beyond $1.2 billion. This milestone cements Aptos as the second-largest chain for tokenized assets, behind only Ethereum.

Yet, the price remains under pressure. Regular token unlocks continue to inject new supply into the market. The most recent release of 11.31 million APT in October 2025 sparked short-term volatility, with the price hovering around $2.73 support. Analysts forecast that while Aptos might see long-term gains due to real-world integration, short-term traders should expect continued selling pressure as the vesting schedule extends into 2028.

Why BlockDAG Could Outperform Established Players

While projects like Chainlink and Aptos demonstrate resilience, they’re also bound by existing limitations, whether it’s resistance zones or supply dilution. In contrast, BlockDAG is emerging as a project built from the ground up for scalability, accessibility, and sustained community engagement. Its presale performance has already proven trader trust, with nearly $435M raised.

The traders can still secure the $0.005 price point, claim leaderboard advantages, and gain early access to rewards during launch. This dual structure of inclusivity and innovation makes BlockDAG a compelling option for anyone eyeing the best-performing crypto coins in the upcoming market cycle.

As legacy projects like Chainlink and Aptos continue to navigate their respective challenges, BlockDAG offers a rare mix of accessibility, innovation, and momentum.

Presale: https://purchase.blockdag.network

Website: https://blockdag.network

Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial

Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu

There are no gas wars here. No bots. No rush. No limits. No penalties. The Milk Mocha ($HUGS) token whitelist is one of the rare moments in crypto where the playing field is level and the pressure is low. It’s not a fight to get in. It’s an invitation to join before the gates close, and before the math turns brutal. Right now, this is the only phase where everyone wins. Once the whitelist ends, that peace disappears. Early entries will begin to carry weight. Prices will rise. And for every investor who hesitates, another will step in ahead of them.

This isn’t just a cute brand dipping its paw into crypto. This is a full-fledged whitelist crypto project built on real fandom, real engagement, and a working token economy. It’s structured, deflationary, and designed around emotional connection, a recipe often ignored by early investors until it’s too late to get in at a fair price.

Emotional IPs Aren’t Weak, They’re Stronger Than You Think

In crypto, emotional brands often get dismissed. But that’s a mistake. From Hello Kitty to Pokémon, the most powerful brands on earth are emotional ones. They build lifelong loyalty, daily engagement, and multigenerational presence. Milk Mocha already have that. With millions of followers and years of storytelling, they don’t have to invent a fanbase. They just need to unlock it. That’s what the $HUGS token is doing, giving collectors, fans, gamers, and crypto investors a single asset that connects all layers of the Milk Mocha universe.

This includes everything from 50% APY staking, where tokens generate daily rewards, to mini-games where tokens are both used and won. There’s a fully mapped metaverse economy, a line of exclusive merchandise powered by $HUGS only, and a rotating system of NFT drops that reward holding, staking, and participation. And at the center of all of it is a structure that burns unsold tokens weekly, drives scarcity, and expands utility with every cycle.

Why This Whitelist Feels Different

In most early-stage token launches, there’s a sense of competition, even in presale phases. People worry about getting in fast enough. They worry about allocation limits. They worry that one wallet will get more than another, or that bots will eat up supply before the average user has a chance. But $HUGS is doing things differently.

The whitelist phase is open to all. No KYC. No minimum buy. No max wallet cap. Just an email to get started. That’s it. There are no penalties for signing up. There’s no race to click the button faster than someone else. This is not a zero-sum game yet. Everyone who joins the whitelist wins. Everyone locks in early access. Everyone gets a clean shot at the best presale crypto to buy right now, before stage-based pricing begins to build the wall that others will have to climb later.

Once the whitelist closes, though, it’s a different story. Stage-based price increases begin immediately. The first stage starts at just $0.0002 per token, and each following week sees the price climb. Unsold tokens are burned permanently. Leaderboards reward top buyers. The quiet moment ends, and the competitive mechanics begin. That’s when crypto FOMO takes over, and by then, the field isn’t fair anymore.

A Token Built to Empower, Not Extract

The design of the $HUGS token goes far beyond cuteness. It’s a full-stack digital utility asset that powers every layer of a working fan economy. Want to stake for daily rewards? Done. Want to unlock rare NFT drops? You need $HUGS. Want to vote on community decisions, charity causes, or product features? Stake your tokens and cast a vote through HugVotes, the DAO system that makes every holder a co-creator.

The merchandise store is token-gated. That means certain plushies, prints, and collectibles will only be available for $HUGS, no fiat accepted. This isn’t a gimmick. It’s a value loop. Because the more holders buy in, the more they use their tokens across the ecosystem. This includes in-game features, event access, and seasonal airdrops tied to NFT performance. The ecosystem is built for activity, not speculation. And that means long-term utility, not short-term flip hype.

Everyone Wins, But Only Right Now

This moment won’t last. The whitelist is still open, but not for long. Once it closes, the structure changes. Scarcity kicks in. Prices climb weekly. And the game becomes what every presale becomes, a series of winners and latecomers. But right now? Everyone still wins. Everyone who signs up gets early access. Everyone walks in at the lowest price the token will ever be. No KYC. No minimums. No gates. Just your email and the decision to act.

That’s what makes this one of the smartest entries for anyone looking at an early stage token with real branding, real mechanics, and a roadmap that isn’t just on paper, it’s already moving. Most people will wait. Most will realize too late that the peaceful round was the only truly fair one. You don’t have to be one of them.

Join the whitelist today. It’s the one round where everyone wins, and it’s closing soon.

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/