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a16z ‘State Of Markets’ Report: 55% Of AI Growth Concentrated In Private Markets, Limiting Access For Ordinary Investors

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a16z ‘State Of Markets’ Report: 55% Of AI Growth Concentrated In Private Markets, Limiting Access For Ordinary Investors


In Brief

Andreessen Horowitz’s latest report shows that AI-driven growth is concentrated in a handful of private companies and top unicorns, with the majority of value created before IPOs, driven by profitable tech giants and rapidly monetizing SaaS platforms.

a16z ‘State Of Markets’ Report: 55% Of AI Growth Concentrated In Private Markets, Limiting Access For Ordinary Investors

Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has released its latest “State of Markets” report, offering a sweeping analysis of the current AI landscape and its implications for investors, enterprises, and the broader technology ecosystem. 

The report highlights the growing concentration of value within a small group of private companies, pointing out that roughly two-thirds of revenue among the top 50 private AI firms comes from a16z portfolio companies, generating $26.5 billion compared with $14.1 billion from all other players. 

Public markets have similarly reflected this dominance, with AI stocks accounting for approximately 78% of S&P 500 returns since November 2022, while non-AI equities gained only 26%. 

This performance reflects a shift toward profit-driven growth rather than speculative expansion, with valuation multiples remaining steady or slightly contracting, a stark departure from the unprofitable growth trends of 2021–2022.

The report also examines the infrastructure powering AI development and questions of potential market overheating. Contrary to earlier cycles characterized by unprofitable startups burning venture capital, investment today is being driven by historically profitable technology giants allocating substantial portions of revenue—between 30% and 65%—to capital expenditures. In some cases, hyperscalers’ spending could reach 75% of operating cash flow in 2026. 

While a16z acknowledges the risk of high concentration in the market, the firm contends that fundamental conditions differ from previous technology bubbles. Legacy hardware remains fully utilized, and seven- to eight-year-old TPUs operate at full capacity, while demand continues to exceed supply. The so-called Jevons paradox is evident, as cheaper tokens and processing units drive rising consumption, with GPUs frequently running above 80% utilization.

Private Markets Capture Majority Of Growth And Top Unicorns Dominate Value Creation

Monetization strategies are advancing fast, particularly in software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms. Salesforce Agentforce has reached $100 million in annual recurring revenue, and DocuSign’s Intelligent Agreement Management platform has grown more than fivefold in a single year, from $75 million to $400 million ARR. 

Across the board, AI-driven products are generating revenue through subscriptions, consumption-based credits, and agentic capabilities, illustrating the breadth of commercial adoption. The potential scale of the AI market is staggering; Goldman Sachs estimates up to $9 trillion in revenue from AI infrastructure alone. 

With US corporate software spending at $300–350 billion, representing about 1% of GDP, and white-collar wages exceeding $6 trillion, roughly 20% of GDP, AI’s economic impact extends far beyond software, targeting labor productivity and workflow automation.

The private market continues to play a dominant role in value creation. Companies are remaining private for longer periods, often growing from $1 billion to $5–6 billion before going public. 

The majority of growth occurs prior to IPOs, concentrated in the hands of venture capital, private equity, and large institutional investors. This dynamic means that 55% of value is created in private markets, leaving public investors access to only 45% of growth opportunities. 

Power laws are also intensifying, with the top 10 unicorns—including SpaceX, OpenAI, xAI, Anthropic, Databricks, Stripe, Revolut, Scale, Waymo, and Checkout.com—accounting for 38% of the combined valuation of North American and European unicorns, illustrating how market winners are capturing a disproportionately large share of value.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, please note that the information provided on this page is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is important to only invest what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial advice if you have any doubts. For further information, we suggest referring to the terms and conditions as well as the help and support pages provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice.

About The Author

Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.

More articles

Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.

More articles





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January’s Third Week Sees Crypto Go Mainstream With Tether, DXC, Ripple, And Twilio

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January’s Third Week Sees Crypto Go Mainstream With Tether, DXC, Ripple, And Twilio


In Brief

The third week of January highlighted crypto’s growing mainstream integration through partnerships spanning education, regulated banking, live events, payments, motorsport, and fan engagement.

January’s third week opened with partnerships that pushed crypto beyond trading and speculation. From education initiatives in emerging markets to banking infrastructure, live events, motorsport, and fan engagement, these deals show how digital assets are being woven into regulated finance, consumer platforms, and mainstream global brands.
Tether and Bitqik Launch USDT Education Initiative Across Laos
Tether has partnered with Bitqik, one of only two licensed cryptocurrency exchanges in Laos, to launch a nationwide educational push around stablecoins and digital assets aimed at reaching more than 10,000 people through 2026. The initiative is structured to blend online resources with quarterly in-person events across major Laotian cities such as Vientiane, Pakse, Vang Vieng, and Luang Prabang, with the goal of improving financial literacy around blockchain technology, Bitcoin, and stablecoins like USDT.
Under the program, Bitqik Academy will develop educational content tailored for students, entrepreneurs, and broader communities. Activities will focus on practical use cases for stablecoins and blockchain—including payment functions, savings, and transfers—designed to help participants understand how these technologies operate in real-world contexts rather than just speculative trading.
Tether’s leadership underscored that the collaboration reflects a commitment to foundational financial education, asserting that addressing knowledge gaps is a prerequisite for broader economic inclusion and meaningful participation in the digital economy.
Bitqik’s role as a locally regulated exchange, authorized by the Bank of Laos to provide brokerage and trading services, positions it as a key partner in adapting materials and delivering activities relevant to local needs and regulatory norms.
The initiative reflects Tether’s broader push into emerging markets, similar to programs previously launched with partners in Thailand and Africa to foster responsible stablecoin and crypto adoption.
Ethtry Partners With Amina Bank to Support Its Ethereum Treasury Policy 
London-listed Ethtry PLC has forged a strategic partnership with Swiss-regulated crypto bank Amina Bank AG to support its nascent Ethereum treasury management framework, marking a key step in the company’s institutional engagement around digital assets.
Under the agreement, Amina Bank will provide access to regulated banking infrastructure that aligns with Ethtry’sEthereum Treasury Policy, which is designed to underpin the company’s investments in “breakthrough technologies” while incorporating digital asset holdings into its capital management strategy. Ethtry used this infrastructure to execute its first crypto purchase — a £1.2 million acquisition of 500 ETH — as part of the policy’s implementation, illustrating early operational coordination between the partners.
Beyond execution support, the collaboration will see both firms work together on “business development, marketing and knowledge sharing” to bolster Ethtry’s market positioning. Amina’s role as a regulated participant gives Ethtry a foothold in compliant digital asset markets, which is particularly relevant as institutional investors look for frameworks that combine blockchain exposure with traditional oversight.
Ethtry has also refreshed its broader operating strategy to focus on breakthrough sectors — including quantum tech, AI, energy infrastructure and Web3 — while continuing its digital treasury approach.
The partnership highlights a trend among publicly traded firms formalizing digital asset strategies and seeking regulated partners to bridge crypto and traditional financial systems.
Nextech3D.ai and BitPay Expand Crypto Payments Into Live Events 
Nextech3D.ai has formalized a partnership with blockchain payment provider BitPay to integrate crypto and stablecoin settlement into its event technology platforms, strengthening payment flexibility for organizers and attendees. The integration is part of a broader upgrade to Nextech3D.ai’s “Phase 2 Blockchain Suite,” spanning flagship systems like KraftyLab, Map D, and Eventdex. 
As part of this collaboration, Nextech3D.ai completed significant backend improvements, including a migration to AWS container infrastructure for enhanced scalability and reliability, as well as the adoption of uniform smart contract deployment. These upgrades aim to support seamless digital asset transactions while enabling support for multiple token standards—such as ERC721 for unique digital collectibles and ERC1155 for tiered ticket types—within the same contract. 
The BitPay integration allows clients to accept payments in more than 100 different digital assets, providing event organizers with broader settlement options and reducing the operational friction associated with traditional payment rails. Industry data underscores the practical benefits of accepting blockchain-based payments at scale, particularly for global and hybrid events seeking versatility across fiat and crypto economies. 
Looking ahead, Nextech3D.ai plans to advance its Q1 roadmap with features such as configurable royalty splitting, enabling a share of resale proceeds to flow back to creators and organizers, and custodial resale functionality to simplify secondary market ticketing for corporate users. 
The partnership reflects a growing trend of event and experience platforms embedding blockchain payments to offer secure, flexible settlement options that meet both enterprise and consumer demand.
DXC and Ripple Team Up to Bring Digital Asset Custody Into Core Banking 
DXC Technology has announced a strategic partnership with Ripple to help global banks integrate digital asset custody and payment capabilities into enterprise banking environments. The collaboration leverages DXC’s widely used Hogan core banking platform—which supports more than 300 million deposit accounts and around $5 trillion in deposits—by embedding Ripple’s institutional blockchain solutions directly into existing systems. 
Under the arrangement, financial institutions and fintech firms can bridge traditional finance with on-chain services without replacing mission-critical core infrastructure. The integrated solution is focused on programmable payments, tokenization, custody, and the transfer of digital assets, helping banks deploy regulated blockchain use cases at an enterprise scale without disruption. 
DXC’s head of financial services explained that for digital assets to reach the mainstream, banks need both secure custody and seamless payment rails; working with Ripple brings those capabilities together in a way that allows institutions to engage with the digital asset ecosystem while maintaining existing operational frameworks. 
Ripple personnel noted the partnership brings custody, stablecoin settlement (including RLUSD), and payments into trusted banking environments, enabling institutions to scale compliant digital asset offerings. 
By delivering “last-mile connectivity” between conventional banking systems and blockchain platforms, the alliance aims to move financial institutions beyond experimentation into real-world deployment of digital asset services. 
BingX Becomes Scuderia Ferrari HP’s First Crypto Exchange Partner 
BingX has secured a multi-year partnership with Scuderia Ferrari HP, marking the crypto exchange’s first entry into motorsport and the iconic racing team’s first collaboration with a digital asset trading platform. The alliance brings together two globally recognized brands driven by precision, performance, and innovation, and is a landmark moment in BingX’s strategy to expand its global footprint. 
Under the deal, Scuderia Ferrari HP will integrate BingX across a range of fan-facing initiatives, including at live events, digital channels, and exclusive global content, offering users more ways to engage with the team and the exchange as the collaboration develops. 
BingX described the partnership as a step toward elevating its brand and services worldwide by aligning with a team that exemplifies “precision, ambition, and continuous pursuit of excellence.” Scuderia Ferrari HP leadership noted the collaboration reflects the team’s openness to emerging technologies that fit with its forward-looking philosophy, especially as motorsport evolves under new regulations in 2026. 
Over time, fans can expect a blend of motorsport-related experiences, crypto education, and digital engagement opportunities. The partnership also underscores a broader trend of crypto platforms partnering with elite sports organizations to build mainstream visibility and credibility. 
Twilio Expands Fan Engagement Partnership With AEG Across Ticketing and Live Events
Twilio has launched a new multi-year strategic partnership with AEG, the global sports and live entertainment company, to deepen fan engagement across major venues and platforms. This expanded relationship builds on existing integrations and brings Twilio’s customer engagement technology into key parts of AEG’s ecosystem, including ticketing, professional sports franchises, and live event experiences. 
Under the collaboration, AEG will deploy Twilio’s tools—such as its customer data platform and programmable messaging—to create more personalized and real-time communication for audiences before, during, and after events. By using consolidated fan profiles and data, the goal is to tailor communications and offers based on individual preferences and behaviors, producing a more cohesive interaction across live experiences. 
Twilio’s expanded role includes recognition as a Founding Partner of Crypto.com Arena, official away helmet partner of the LA Kings, and media partner across AXS, AEG’s global ticketing platform. These designations unlock extensive branding visibility and fan activation opportunities across venues and surrounding entertainment districts. 
From AEG’s perspective, the partnership with Twilio supports a shift toward data-driven fan engagement, giving teams and venues tools to operate more efficiently while delivering communication at scale. This integration reflects a broader trend of merging digital engagement platforms with live entertainment to meet evolving audience expectations.

January’s third week opened with partnerships that pushed crypto beyond trading and speculation. From education initiatives in emerging markets to banking infrastructure, live events, motorsport, and fan engagement, these deals show how digital assets are being woven into regulated finance, consumer platforms, and mainstream global brands.

Tether and Bitqik Launch USDT Education Initiative Across Laos

Tether has partnered with Bitqik, one of only two licensed cryptocurrency exchanges in Laos, to launch a nationwide educational push around stablecoins and digital assets aimed at reaching more than 10,000 people through 2026. The initiative is structured to blend online resources with quarterly in-person events across major Laotian cities such as Vientiane, Pakse, Vang Vieng, and Luang Prabang, with the goal of improving financial literacy around blockchain technology, Bitcoin, and stablecoins like USDT.

Under the program, Bitqik Academy will develop educational content tailored for students, entrepreneurs, and broader communities. Activities will focus on practical use cases for stablecoins and blockchain—including payment functions, savings, and transfers—designed to help participants understand how these technologies operate in real-world contexts rather than just speculative trading.

Tether’s leadership underscored that the collaboration reflects a commitment to foundational financial education, asserting that addressing knowledge gaps is a prerequisite for broader economic inclusion and meaningful participation in the digital economy.

Bitqik’s role as a locally regulated exchange, authorized by the Bank of Laos to provide brokerage and trading services, positions it as a key partner in adapting materials and delivering activities relevant to local needs and regulatory norms.

The initiative reflects Tether’s broader push into emerging markets, similar to programs previously launched with partners in Thailand and Africa to foster responsible stablecoin and crypto adoption.

Ethtry Partners With Amina Bank to Support Its Ethereum Treasury Policy 

London-listed Ethtry PLC has forged a strategic partnership with Swiss-regulated crypto bank Amina Bank AG to support its nascent Ethereum treasury management framework, marking a key step in the company’s institutional engagement around digital assets.

Under the agreement, Amina Bank will provide access to regulated banking infrastructure that aligns with Ethtry’sEthereum Treasury Policy, which is designed to underpin the company’s investments in “breakthrough technologies” while incorporating digital asset holdings into its capital management strategy. Ethtry used this infrastructure to execute its first crypto purchase — a £1.2 million acquisition of 500 ETH — as part of the policy’s implementation, illustrating early operational coordination between the partners.

Beyond execution support, the collaboration will see both firms work together on “business development, marketing and knowledge sharing” to bolster Ethtry’s market positioning. Amina’s role as a regulated participant gives Ethtry a foothold in compliant digital asset markets, which is particularly relevant as institutional investors look for frameworks that combine blockchain exposure with traditional oversight.

Ethtry has also refreshed its broader operating strategy to focus on breakthrough sectors — including quantum tech, AI, energy infrastructure and Web3 — while continuing its digital treasury approach.

The partnership highlights a trend among publicly traded firms formalizing digital asset strategies and seeking regulated partners to bridge crypto and traditional financial systems.

Nextech3D.ai and BitPay Expand Crypto Payments Into Live Events 

Nextech3D.ai has formalized a partnership with blockchain payment provider BitPay to integrate crypto and stablecoin settlement into its event technology platforms, strengthening payment flexibility for organizers and attendees. The integration is part of a broader upgrade to Nextech3D.ai’s “Phase 2 Blockchain Suite,” spanning flagship systems like KraftyLab, Map D, and Eventdex. 

As part of this collaboration, Nextech3D.ai completed significant backend improvements, including a migration to AWS container infrastructure for enhanced scalability and reliability, as well as the adoption of uniform smart contract deployment. These upgrades aim to support seamless digital asset transactions while enabling support for multiple token standards—such as ERC721 for unique digital collectibles and ERC1155 for tiered ticket types—within the same contract. 

The BitPay integration allows clients to accept payments in more than 100 different digital assets, providing event organizers with broader settlement options and reducing the operational friction associated with traditional payment rails. Industry data underscores the practical benefits of accepting blockchain-based payments at scale, particularly for global and hybrid events seeking versatility across fiat and crypto economies. 

Looking ahead, Nextech3D.ai plans to advance its Q1 roadmap with features such as configurable royalty splitting, enabling a share of resale proceeds to flow back to creators and organizers, and custodial resale functionality to simplify secondary market ticketing for corporate users. 

The partnership reflects a growing trend of event and experience platforms embedding blockchain payments to offer secure, flexible settlement options that meet both enterprise and consumer demand.

DXC and Ripple Team Up to Bring Digital Asset Custody Into Core Banking 

DXC Technology has announced a strategic partnership with Ripple to help global banks integrate digital asset custody and payment capabilities into enterprise banking environments. The collaboration leverages DXC’s widely used Hogan core banking platform—which supports more than 300 million deposit accounts and around $5 trillion in deposits—by embedding Ripple’s institutional blockchain solutions directly into existing systems. 

Under the arrangement, financial institutions and fintech firms can bridge traditional finance with on-chain services without replacing mission-critical core infrastructure. The integrated solution is focused on programmable payments, tokenization, custody, and the transfer of digital assets, helping banks deploy regulated blockchain use cases at an enterprise scale without disruption. 

DXC’s head of financial services explained that for digital assets to reach the mainstream, banks need both secure custody and seamless payment rails; working with Ripple brings those capabilities together in a way that allows institutions to engage with the digital asset ecosystem while maintaining existing operational frameworks. 

Ripple personnel noted the partnership brings custody, stablecoin settlement (including RLUSD), and payments into trusted banking environments, enabling institutions to scale compliant digital asset offerings. 

By delivering “last-mile connectivity” between conventional banking systems and blockchain platforms, the alliance aims to move financial institutions beyond experimentation into real-world deployment of digital asset services. 

BingX Becomes Scuderia Ferrari HP’s First Crypto Exchange Partner 

BingX has secured a multi-year partnership with Scuderia Ferrari HP, marking the crypto exchange’s first entry into motorsport and the iconic racing team’s first collaboration with a digital asset trading platform. The alliance brings together two globally recognized brands driven by precision, performance, and innovation, and is a landmark moment in BingX’s strategy to expand its global footprint. 

Under the deal, Scuderia Ferrari HP will integrate BingX across a range of fan-facing initiatives, including at live events, digital channels, and exclusive global content, offering users more ways to engage with the team and the exchange as the collaboration develops. 

BingX described the partnership as a step toward elevating its brand and services worldwide by aligning with a team that exemplifies “precision, ambition, and continuous pursuit of excellence.” Scuderia Ferrari HP leadership noted the collaboration reflects the team’s openness to emerging technologies that fit with its forward-looking philosophy, especially as motorsport evolves under new regulations in 2026. 

Over time, fans can expect a blend of motorsport-related experiences, crypto education, and digital engagement opportunities. The partnership also underscores a broader trend of crypto platforms partnering with elite sports organizations to build mainstream visibility and credibility. 

Twilio Expands Fan Engagement Partnership With AEG Across Ticketing and Live Events

Twilio has launched a new multi-year strategic partnership with AEG, the global sports and live entertainment company, to deepen fan engagement across major venues and platforms. This expanded relationship builds on existing integrations and brings Twilio’s customer engagement technology into key parts of AEG’s ecosystem, including ticketing, professional sports franchises, and live event experiences. 

Under the collaboration, AEG will deploy Twilio’s tools—such as its customer data platform and programmable messaging—to create more personalized and real-time communication for audiences before, during, and after events. By using consolidated fan profiles and data, the goal is to tailor communications and offers based on individual preferences and behaviors, producing a more cohesive interaction across live experiences. 

Twilio’s expanded role includes recognition as a Founding Partner of Crypto.com Arena, official away helmet partner of the LA Kings, and media partner across AXS, AEG’s global ticketing platform. These designations unlock extensive branding visibility and fan activation opportunities across venues and surrounding entertainment districts. 

From AEG’s perspective, the partnership with Twilio supports a shift toward data-driven fan engagement, giving teams and venues tools to operate more efficiently while delivering communication at scale. This integration reflects a broader trend of merging digital engagement platforms with live entertainment to meet evolving audience expectations. 

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, please note that the information provided on this page is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is important to only invest what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial advice if you have any doubts. For further information, we suggest referring to the terms and conditions as well as the help and support pages provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice.

About The Author

Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.

More articles

Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.

More articles



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Amazon One Medical Launches Health AI To Streamline Personalized Care And Integrate Pharmacy Services

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Amazon One Medical Launches Health AI To Streamline Personalized Care And Integrate Pharmacy Services


In Brief

Amazon One Medical launches a Health AI assistant that offers personalized, 24/7 guidance and helps manage appointments, labs, and medications.

Amazon One Medical Launches Health AI To Streamline Personalized Care And Integrate Pharmacy Services

Amazon One Medical, a hybrid primary care service, has introduced a new Health AI assistant within the One Medical mobile application, marking an expansion of its digital care capabilities. 

The new agentic assistant is positioned as an AI-first feature designed to simplify access to healthcare services while offering more personalized and actionable support. 

Through the assistant, users can ask health-related questions, schedule medical appointments, and manage prescription medications directly from the application.

Developed in collaboration with One Medical’s clinical leadership team, the Health AI assistant delivers round-the-clock, personalized health guidance that is informed by each patient’s individual medical history. 

When a situation requires direct clinical input, the assistant is designed to connect patients seamlessly with their care teams, either through secure messaging or by arranging same-day or next-day appointments.

The assistant is intended to help patients take a more active role in managing their health by generating insights based on comprehensive medical records, laboratory results, and current prescriptions. 

All data handling is carried out in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy and security requirements.

Unlike general-purpose health information tools, the Health AI assistant is built to recognize and interpret a user’s medical context without requiring manual uploads of records from multiple providers or services. 

It draws directly on existing clinical data within the One Medical system to generate guidance that reflects past health concerns, diagnostic test outcomes, vaccination history, and current medication regimens.

Functionally, the assistant is designed to address both general and more complex health questions by interpreting lab results, factoring in personal medical history, and explaining the practical implications of that information. 

It also offers continuous guidance on symptoms, medical conditions, possible treatments, and wellness topics. In addition, it can recommend appropriate care pathways—such as virtual consultations, in-person visits, or urgent care—based on an individual’s specific circumstances. 

The assistant further supports routine care management by facilitating appointment bookings with One Medical providers and enabling prescription renewals, with the option to fulfill medications through Amazon Pharmacy.

Enhancing Patient Care With Clinician-Centered Triage And HIPAA-Compliant Support

Health AI is positioned as a support layer rather than a substitute for clinicians, reflecting a design philosophy that keeps the patient–provider relationship at the center of care. One Medical’s clinical leadership was involved throughout development, with safety guardrails and clinical protocols embedded into the system, including specific handling for emergency and sensitive scenarios. The assistant is built to recognize when symptoms or questions fall beyond the scope of automated guidance and to escalate users to human care through messaging, video consultations, or in-person visits, sometimes arranging same-day or next-day appointments when clinically appropriate.

From a workflow perspective, the system aims to act as an intelligent triage and coordination layer, steering users toward the right level of care while removing friction from routine interactions. Its role is framed as helping patients interpret health information, stay aligned with care plans, and connect more quickly with clinicians when human judgment is required, rather than attempting to automate diagnosis or treatment decisions.

Privacy and data governance are treated as core design constraints rather than secondary features. Health AI operates under the same HIPAA-aligned safeguards used across Amazon Health Services, with conversations kept separate from formal medical records, encrypted data storage, and tightly controlled access permissions. The company maintains that personal health information is not sold, and users retain the option to bypass the assistant entirely and use the standard One Medical application interface.

Health AI is now available to all One Medical members, running on models hosted through Amazon Bedrock. Access to One Medical’s broader services does not strictly require membership, although subscriptions can be added as a Prime benefit or purchased directly, positioning Health AI as part of a wider effort to blend automation with conventional care delivery.

The rollout of Health AI followed a phased approach, with Amazon first introducing the assistant to a limited group of One Medical members last spring before expanding availability more widely. 

The move places Amazon alongside a growing list of technology companies seeking to establish a foothold in digital health, an increasingly competitive and commercially attractive segment. 

Earlier this month, OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Health, allowing users to upload medical documents and receive tailored guidance, while Anthropic soon followed with the launch of its Claude for Healthcare product.

Amazon has positioned Health AI as distinct from these offerings by emphasizing convenience and integration. The company argues that its assistant removes the friction of manual data uploads or third-party application connections because it draws directly on a member’s existing medical records within the One Medical system. 

It has also described the tool as more operational in nature, designed not only to provide information but to support concrete next steps in care delivery.

The launch fits into Amazon’s longer-term expansion into healthcare, which has unfolded over more than a decade. The company’s acquisition of One Medical and its earlier purchase of PillPack in 2018 laid the groundwork for a vertically integrated health services strategy, later reinforced by the debut of Amazon Pharmacy. 

Health AI now sits on top of that stack as a connective layer between primary care, prescription services, and digital engagement.

Amazon has acknowledged that the assistant may route users toward One Medical appointments or Amazon Pharmacy services when appropriate, while maintaining that protected health information is not repurposed for marketing or advertising unrelated consumer goods from its broader e-commerce platform. 

This distinction appears intended to address concerns about data use in a company whose core business remains retail, even as it continues to deepen its role in healthcare delivery.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, please note that the information provided on this page is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is important to only invest what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial advice if you have any doubts. For further information, we suggest referring to the terms and conditions as well as the help and support pages provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice.

About The Author

Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.

More articles

Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.

More articles



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Gate DEX Launches Following Major Rebrand And Upgrade, Expanding Decentralized Trading Ecosystem

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Gate DEX Launches Following Major Rebrand And Upgrade, Expanding Decentralized Trading Ecosystem


In Brief

Gate has rebranded its decentralized trading platform as Gate DEX, combining centralized exchange expertise with a fully integrated on-chain ecosystem to enhance user experience, accessibility, and adoption of Web3 trading.

Gate Web3 Rebrands As Gate DEX, Redefining The Decentralized Trading Experience

Cryptocurrency exchange Gate announced that it has completed a major rebranding and product upgrade of its decentralized trading services. Formerly operating as Gate Web3, the platform is now officially named as Gate DEX, reflecting a broader strategic initiative under Gate’s All in Web3 vision.

The rebrand is accompanied by a comprehensive restructuring of the platform’s entry point, product capabilities, and overall user experience. The new name, Gate DEX, emphasizes the platform’s focus on decentralized trading, unifying communication and clarifying the product’s positioning for users. Alongside the rebranding, Gate DEX has been systematically optimized to form a complete on-chain financial ecosystem. This includes support for on-chain spot trading, derivatives, cross-chain swaps, token launches via Gate Fun, and on-chain analysis and decision-making through Meme Go, creating an integrated suite that spans both mainstream asset trading and emerging on-chain use cases.

User experience and interface design have been central to the upgrade, with a focus on “fast access and smooth trading.” Gate DEX now enables one-click login via Gate accounts, Google accounts, or wallets, allowing seamless access across multiple devices. Users can enter the trading environment quickly without complex authorization or setup, making the platform accessible even to those with limited Web3 experience. The interface guides users through core trading functions, from spot markets to derivatives and swaps, while also supporting advanced tools such as limit orders and sniping. By reducing per-transaction friction, the platform streamlines trading workflows and creates a coherent process from login to execution.

From a custody and trading perspective, Gate DEX operates on a non-custodial model, integrating a wallet system built on a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE). Spot markets are fully on-chain, allowing users to hold real assets directly and supporting a range of major cryptocurrencies as well as selected tokenized stocks. The platform minimizes risk by avoiding leverage, liquidation, and funding mechanisms, making it well-suited for medium- to long-term allocations and conservative trading strategies.

Gate DEX Upgrade Bridges Centralized Expertise and Decentralized Trading

Gate DEX also leverages Gate’s centralized exchange experience in interface design, liquidity management, and product logic, delivering an on-chain experience comparable to traditional exchanges. Users benefit from a clear interface, broad asset coverage, and stable liquidity, combining security, efficiency, and usability. The platform incorporates a built-in invitation system to encourage network participation, promoting collaborative use and expanding decentralized trading from individual activity to broader ecosystem engagement.

The Gate DEX upgrade represents more than a product iteration; it reflects Gate’s ongoing investment across infrastructure, interface, and user experience. By lowering entry barriers, enhancing execution efficiency, and aligning on-chain experiences with centralized exchange standards, Gate is establishing a foundation for scalable adoption of decentralized trading. Supported by underlying infrastructure such as Gate Layer, Gate DEX is positioned to act as a bridge between centralized and decentralized trading, contributing to the maturity and wider adoption of Web3 financial infrastructure.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, please note that the information provided on this page is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is important to only invest what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial advice if you have any doubts. For further information, we suggest referring to the terms and conditions as well as the help and support pages provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice.

About The Author

Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.

More articles

Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.

More articles



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Inside Iran’s Internet Blackouts: How Decentralized Messaging Tools Keep Users Connected

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Inside Iran’s Internet Blackouts: How Decentralized Messaging Tools Keep Users Connected


In Brief

Interview with Alex Linton of Session explores how decentralized messaging can protect user privacy and maintain connectivity amid internet blackouts and government censorship.

Inside Iran’s Internet Blackouts: How Decentralized Messaging Tools Like Session Keep Users Connected

Iran has recently experienced widespread protests driven by public outrage over government repression, human rights abuses, and economic hardship. In response, authorities have imposed extensive internet shutdowns, severing international connectivity and blocking many encrypted messaging services to curtail communication and control the flow of information. These blackouts are intended to disrupt protesters’ ability to organize, limit access to independent news, and hinder documentation and reporting of human rights violations.

The state’s censorship infrastructure is complex and actively enforced. Researchers and monitoring groups have documented the use of techniques such as DNS poisoning and inline traffic manipulation, which redirect or block requests for foreign websites and applications, preventing users from accessing official download sources and pushing them toward state-controlled networks or unreliable workarounds. 

In an exclusive interview with MPost, Alex Linton, President of the Session Technology Foundation, discussed how the decentralized, privacy-focused messaging application Session helps protect user security and metadata and shared how to maintain connectivity during censorship and internet shutdowns. He also outlined the platform’s plans to strengthen privacy, resilience, and cryptographic protections, while addressing safety and mitigating potential abuse.

Governments block tools in order to suppress and control the spread of information. This may prevent or dissuade local people from effectively organizing, or prevent the broader public from learning about human rights abuses which are occurring.

Regimes which are violating human rights will seek to herd people onto platforms which they control, while outright blocking those which they cannot. The goal is for the technology which mediates real-time information (such as social media, messaging apps, or news apps) to be under the control of the regime, so that its opponents can be proactively and oppressed.

What is Session and which features distinguish it from other messaging apps?

Session is an end-to-end encrypted, decentralized messaging application. It is designed to preserve people’s privacy as much as possible. 

Unlike other messaging apps, users do not need a phone number, email, or other identifying information to create an account on Session, instead they generate a safe and secure Account ID. This can be particularly important when SMS 2FA services are shutdown or censored (preventing users from signing up or logging in and accessing the service), or when exposing your phone number could put you at risk.

Additionally, advanced techniques are utilized by Session to protect vulnerable user metadata, such as the use of onion-routing to obfuscate the user’s IP address.

How can decentralization and peer-to-peer architectures reduce single points of failure?

Session’s decentralized network provides strong redundancy against infrastructure failures, remaining connected even when major services go down. Late last year, thousands of sites and services went offline due to issues with AWS (a cloud hyperscaler). Session remained resilient due to its plurality of providers and node operators. As cloud hyperscalers become more centralized, this type of event is likely to become more common – and essential services will inevitably go offline when people need them. 

In the case of complete internet shutdown, such as the current case in Iran, fully peer-to-peer solutions will be required. 

In general, the internet appears to be in a state of decay and splintering, and so those creating apps and services will need to closely consider how they will remain resilient going forward.

What steps can users take to maintain access to Session when facing censorship or network blocks?

If it is blocked in your region, Session can be used in combination with a VPN or similar technologies. Similarly, if it is removed from local app marketplaces, Session always remains available for direct download via the website (https://getsession.org/download) and GitHub.

Users should always consider their local laws and personal risk when using these tools.

How should app stores, infrastructure providers, and international platforms respond when governments employ DNS spoofing?

Due to the restrictions already placed on major app marketplaces in Iran, people often utilize alternative stores which are designed to securely deliver various applications which would ordinarily be unavailable in-country. However, preparedness is an issue — generally users will already need to have these marketplaces set up on their device before a shutdown begins.

In general community response is extremely important, with technical assistance such as the operation of mirror sites or downloads, and ongoing educational efforts to ensure that people have the tools ready before periods of increased restriction.

Amid internet blackouts, what options do users have for maintaining access to communication?

Currently, internet connectivity in Iran is extremely limited. Any service which relies on internet connectivity to function will likely be unable to operate in Iran. 

These types of shutdowns are extremely economically expensive, and this is the longest shutdown duration in Iran so far. It is not clear how long the regime will continue with this strategy, but atrocities are occurring while people remain disconnected. Currently, people in-country will need to rely on services which can operate without the use of the internet. 

There are some applications, such as Briar, which offer this type of functionality, and others like Dash Chat are emerging.

Do messaging apps need to be built to withstand internet shutdowns?

Yes, messaging apps are critical communication infrastructure and an important public good in the digital age. It is essential that we build systems which are robust and able to resist interference or disruptions.

In general, over-centralization makes it much easier for a service to be blocked or censored via technical or legal means. Increased decentralization and utilization of peer-to-peer technologies will be necessary to protect against these shutdowns going forward. Unfortunately, the AI industry is generally making this transition more difficult.

How does Session assess and mitigate risks of platform abuse without undermining its censorship-resistance and privacy guarantees?

Unlike other messaging platforms, Session generally minimizes the velocity of information (virality), as it does not have built-in discoverability or extremely large-size channels. That is, nobody can find you on Session unless you give them the means to do so — you cannot be searched using your name, phone number, or other readily available information. Of course, Session still contains reasonable safety protections, such as restrictions on what type of content unknown contacts can send you, and the ability to block other users.

Session focuses on keeping connections personal and people-forward, rather than algorithmic, and this inherently protects against many of the safety concerns inherent to general social platforms.

Privacy is cited as a core objective for future technology—how will Session evolve over the next 12 months to improve privacy, security, and reliability?

Session contributors are currently working on the development of Session Protocol v2, which will re-implement Perfect Forward Secrecy and introduce quantum-resistant cryptography. These features are designed to protect against future threats, with developments in artificial intelligence and quantum computing presenting an oncoming danger for secure communication. 

In addition to this, contributors are also looking to partner with other technologists to circumvent network-level blocking, such as is the case in Iran.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, please note that the information provided on this page is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is important to only invest what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial advice if you have any doubts. For further information, we suggest referring to the terms and conditions as well as the help and support pages provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice.

About The Author

Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.

More articles

Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.

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The Great Crypto Graveyard: Why Every Second Token Bites the Dust | Metaverse Planet

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The Great Crypto Graveyard: Why Every Second Token Bites the Dust | Metaverse Planet


I opened an old digital wallet of mine the other day. It was like walking into a haunted house.

There, sitting in the dusty corners of the blockchain, were tokens I had completely forgotten about. Projects that promised to “change the world,” “revolutionize finance,” or simply “go to the moon.” Now? They are worth absolutely nothing. Zero.

I’m not alone in this. If you have been in the crypto space for more than a few years, you are probably holding a digital bag of ghosts, too.

Recent data has confirmed what many of us suspected but were too afraid to admit: The crypto graveyard is expanding at a terrifying rate. It turns out that creating a digital currency is easy, but keeping it alive is harder than keeping a houseplant alive in a dark room.

Let’s dive into the anatomy of a dead coin, why 2025 became the year of the “mass extinction,” and what this means for your portfolio.

What Does a “Dead” Coin Look Like?

When we talk about a company going bust, we imagine a “Closed” sign on the door. But in the blockchain world, death is stranger.

A cryptocurrency doesn’t physically disappear. The code still exists. The blockchain might even still be running. You can technically send the token from Wallet A to Wallet B. But it is economically dead.

The Golden Rule of Economics:

If nobody wants it, it doesn’t matter if it exists. It is dead.

The most famous example of this is TerraUSD and its sibling Luna. I remember the chaos when that ecosystem collapsed. It was supposed to be a stable giant, pegged to the dollar. In the span of a week, it became the financial equivalent of a nuclear wasteland.

Even though “Luna Classic” still exists and people still trade it like a lottery ticket, the original vision is gone. It’s a zombie. It walks, but there is no soul inside.

The Shocking Statistics of the 2025 “Purge”

I was reading a report by CoinGecko this morning, and the numbers made my jaw drop.

Since 2021, nearly 20.2 million tokens have launched on various networks. That number alone is insane. But here is the kicker: More than half of them (53.2%) are now dead.

Let that sink in. If you picked a random new crypto project in the last few years and threw money at it, you had a worse-than-a-coin-flip chance of seeing that project survive.

The data suggests that the last year was particularly brutal. It wasn’t just a bear market; it was a cleanup crew sweeping away millions of useless projects.

The Culprit: The “Memecoin” Factory

Why is the death rate so high? Is the technology failing? No. The barrier to entry has just disappeared.

I blame platforms like Pump.fun.

Don’t get me wrong, I love innovation. But these platforms turned token creation into a joke—literally. They made it possible to launch a new cryptocurrency in seconds for the price of a sandwich.

The result? A flood of garbage.

We saw tokens created because a lawyer drank alcohol on a live stream.We saw tokens created for viral TikTok trends that lasted 48 hours.We saw tokens created just because someone was bored.

It turned the market into a casino where the slot machines were rigged to break after one spin. These “memecoins” don’t have roadmaps, developers, or utility. They are born from a joke, and when the laughter stops, the token dies.

The Anatomy of a Silent Death

Unlike the spectacular crash of TerraUSD, most of these coins don’t go out with a bang. They go out with a whimper.

Here is the typical lifecycle I’ve observed:

The Hype: A token launches. Influencers shill it. The price pumps.The Stall: The joke gets old. The “community” moves to the next shiny object.The Freeze: Liquidity dries up. You try to sell, but there are no buyers.The Ghost Town: The Twitter account stops posting. The Telegram group fills with spam bots.

It’s actually quite sad. Every one of those “dead” coins in the graveyard represents real money. Someone, somewhere, bought that token hoping for a miracle. Maybe they were scammed, or maybe they just wanted to be part of the joke. But now, they are left holding a cryptographic string of numbers that validates nothing but their own loss.

My Take: The Market is Healing

This might sound harsh, but I think this “extinction event” is actually good for the industry.

We cannot build a future financial system on jokes and “pump and dump” schemes. The fact that 50% of tokens are dying shows that the market is efficient. It is rejecting the noise.

As we move forward, I believe (and hope) that investors will become pickier. The era of “throwing money at anything with a funny dog logo” needs to end. We need to focus on utility, infrastructure, and real-world value.

The survivors of this purge will be the giants of the next decade.

I want to know your story: Have you ever checked an old wallet and found a “zombie” coin? What was the most ridiculous token you ever bought that is now worth zero?

Tell me your “crypto graveyard” stories in the comments!

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Bitwise Launches BPRO ETF to Protect Investors From Inflation

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Bitwise Launches BPRO ETF to Protect Investors From Inflation


Key Highlights

Bitwise and Proficio launched BPRO, which invests in Bitcoin, gold, precious metals, and mining stocks.

The ETF trades on the NYSE, keeps at least 25% of its holdings in gold, and has an expense ratio of 0.96%.

BPRO differs from spot Bitcoin ETFs by allowing flexible allocation across crypto and commodity-related assets instead of holding only Bitcoin.

Bitwise Asset Management, together with Proficio Capital Partners, has launched the Bitwise Proficio Currency Debasement ETF (BPRO), which is now trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

The exchange-traded fund (ETF) is designed to protect investors from the declining value of money by investing in assets that usually keep their value, like Bitcoin, gold, silver, other precious metals, and mining companies.

According to the official release, BPRO is actively managed, which means the managers can change how much is invested in each asset depending on the market. At least 25% of the fund will always be in gold. The total expense for investors is 0.96% of the fund each year.

Focus on currency debasement risk

The fund is different from other Bitcoin ETFs because it does not only focus on one type of asset. BPRO mixes crypto and commodity-linked assets, which makes it attractive to wealth managers and investors who want Bitcoin exposure without putting all their money in a single crypto product.

“Despite its stellar performance, gold remains a ghost in the modern portfolio. Currency debasement isn’t just a theoretical risk; it is an active tax on every dollar an investor saves,” said Bob Haber, chief investment officer at Proficio Capital Partners.

Why inflation protection matters

The idea behind BPRO is to provide a hedge against currency debasement, which often happens when the value of money goes down over time because of inflation, high government spending, and printing more money. The U.S. dollar lost around 40% of its purchasing power in the last 20 years. At the same time, the national debt grew from $7.5 trillion to nearly $38 trillion. 

Interest payments on this debt alone are over $1 trillion a year, which is more than what the U.S. spends on defense. “By combining the historical scarcity of gold with the modern, digital scarcity of Bitcoin, BPRO offers a powerful new way to hedge against the persistent decline of fiat currency. We believe this ‘hard asset’ approach is the missing piece for the modern portfolio,” said Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise.

BPRO brings together Bitwise’s knowledge of cryptocurrencies and Proficio’s 12 years of experience with precious metals and investments that resist currency problems. Proficio, founded in 2014, manages $5 billion in client assets for high-net-worth families, businesses, and foundations. In short, the company has spent more than a decade building and refining strategies that focus on protecting wealth from inflation and currency decline.

This combined approach allows the fund to shift between Bitcoin, gold, silver, and related assets as market conditions change, using both modern digital tools and traditional hard assets to guide investment decisions. It also shows that crypto is moving into serious, long-term investment plans, not just short-term trading. For wealth managers, it provides crypto exposure with less risk than holding only Bitcoin.

Also Read: iShares Bitcoin ETP Issues 180K New Securities on London Exchange





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Bitget Launches Global Stock Futures Championship Featuring $1.55M Prize Pool

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Bitget Launches Global Stock Futures Championship Featuring .55M Prize Pool


In Brief

Bitget has launched its first Global Stock Futures Championship, offering a $1.55 million prize pool and a gamified, crypto-native platform for team, individual, and creator competitions.

Bitget Launches Global Stock Futures Championship Featuring $1.55M Prize Pool

Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget announced the launch of its inaugural Global Stock Futures Championship, offering a headline prize pool of 1,551,000 USDT. Running from January 23 to February 11, 2026 (UTC+8), the event is designed to bring together professional traders, emerging talents, and global communities in a competitive environment centered on both skill and strategy.

At the heart of the championship is the Team Battle, which distributes 940,000 USDT in rewards. A main prize pool of 700,000 USDT will be shared among the top 30 teams based on profit and loss performance, while an additional 200,000 USDT in Early Bird incentives will reward the first 10,000 participants who join teams and complete qualifying trades between January 26 and 28. Team captains will be recognized through 40,000 USDT in leadership awards, highlighting their role in guiding successful squads.

For individual competitors, the Individual PnL Challenge allocates 300,000 USDT to the top 100 performers worldwide, emphasizing accuracy, timing, and strategic decision-making under market pressure. The Star Trader Challenge adds a social dimension, inviting global crypto creators to compete for 101,000 USDT, including a 100,000 USDT pool for the top three performers and a 1,000 USDT community voting fund that allows users to predict and support champions.

Bitget Enhances Global Stock Futures Championship With Challenge Center Rewards And $110K Welcome Airdrop

The championship ecosystem is further enhanced by the Challenge Center, which distributes 100,000 USDT through daily and full-period tasks. Participants can unlock Mystery Boxes containing tokenized stocks, vouchers, merchandise, and premium rewards, integrating each trade into a broader gamified experience.

New participants are welcomed with an airdrop totaling 110,000 USDT, including a 50,000 USDT registration gift and an additional 60,000 USDT reward for users completing at least 100 USDT in stock futures trading volume, featuring guaranteed tokenized stock assets.

Launching during peak earnings season, the Global Stock Futures Championship positions market volatility as an arena for demonstrating trading skill. The event represents a novel approach to engaging with global equities through a crypto-native platform, emphasizing collaborative competition, individual performance, and real-time, borderless trading. With its debut, Bitget aims to redefine how traders experience stock markets, blending strategy, community, and incentive-driven participation into a unified global challenge.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, please note that the information provided on this page is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is important to only invest what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial advice if you have any doubts. For further information, we suggest referring to the terms and conditions as well as the help and support pages provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice.

About The Author

Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.

More articles

Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.

More articles



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Bitcoin Ordinals 2026 Update: Why Inscriptions Are Growing Despite the Market Pullback | NFT News Today

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Bitcoin Ordinals 2026 Update: Why Inscriptions Are Growing Despite the Market Pullback | NFT News Today


Bitcoin’s price has dropped sharply in the past 48 hours, but Ordinals activity remains strong.

Inscriptions keep increasing, the NFT economy on Bitcoin is still growing, and base layer activity remains steady. In this update, we explain why Ordinals stay strong even as the broader market cools.

Key Takeaways

Bitcoin’s price cooled, but Ordinals activity did not

Total inscriptions crossed 117 million, up sharply since November

Bitcoin NFT sales approach $6B, ranking third among chains

New formats like recursive inscriptions and BTCFi use cases are emerging

Key risks remain around fees, block space, and long-term scalability

Why This Matters Now

Bitcoin fell quickly over the past two days, dropping from nearly $97,000 in mid-January to about $89,000 to $91,000. A stronger U.S. dollar, new tariff worries, and less risk appetite have cooled the market.

Even as price momentum slows, Bitcoin’s base layer stays active and Ordinals continue to thrive.

Bitcoin Ordinals highlight how on-chain activity can diverge from price action. Inscriptions have now surpassed 117 million as of January 15. Builders continue shipping tools, artists keep minting, and collectors remain engaged.

Bitcoin’s NFT economy has grown up. Total NFT sales on Bitcoin are close to $6 billion, according to Cryptoslam, making the network third in lifetime volume. This is no longer just an experiment. It shows that Bitcoin’s on-chain culture is here to stay, even when the market pulls back.

Bitcoin Volatility Meets On-Chain Persistence

January’s rally ended quickly. Optimism faded, money moved out of riskier assets, and short-term sentiment changed.

Ordinals barely reacted.

In the last quarter of 2025, over 7.7 million inscriptions were made—even as Bitcoin’s price dropped about 23%. By mid-January 2026, total inscriptions rose above 117 million, up from about 100 million in November. This difference shows activity that price charts don’t reveal.ock space regardless of market conditions. Fees continue to flow. Cultural artifacts are still being embedded directly into Bitcoin’s ledger. This isn’t speculative churn—it’s intentional, sustained usage.

Source: Ord.io

Why Ordinals Behave Differently Than Typical NFTs

Ordinals don’t follow the smart-contract NFT model.

Each inscription lives directly on Bitcoin and is secured by Taproot, which allows more efficient handling of data inside transactions. There’s no mutable metadata and no reliance on external storage. Once data is inscribed, it becomes a permanent part of Bitcoin’s history.

Technically, each satoshi gets a unique number as it is mined. These numbered satoshis can carry inscriptions like text, images, or code, making each one unique and easy to verify on-chain.

That structure shapes behavior.

Creators pay close attention to size, meaning, and how long their work will last because block space costs real BTC. Collectors care more about rarity and lasting value than quick trades. Many inscriptions look more like digital artifacts than standard profile-picture NFTs.

Over time, Ordinals have become Bitcoin’s cultural and data layer. This fits well with Bitcoin’s long-term values and helps explain why they stay strong during downturns.

Market Milestones That Matter in 2026

Q4 Growth Without Hype

In the last quarter of 2025, the hype faded. Trading slowed, and there were fewer headlines, but inscriptions kept increasing.

Over 7.7 million new inscriptions were made without viral mints or speculation. Builders launched protocol upgrades and tools. Artists released focused collections. Communities worked toward long-term goals.

A recent catalyst is the upcoming RunelingsBTC token airdrop. The airdrop does not require a claim; you just need to hold at the snapshot. This has led to more activity in the secondary market. ”

Bitcoin NFTs Near $6B in Sales

Bitcoin’s NFT market is approaching $6 billion in total sales, surpassing several chains that once dominated NFT conversations.

This change has shifted how people see Bitcoin. It is no longer just an NFT novelty. More people now see it as a serious place for digital collectibles, historical artifacts, and experiments built right on the base layer.

Projects like FinePepes have reinforced this trend, recently seeing price multiples alongside ongoing physical art distributions coordinated through Discord.

Liquidity got better as the infrastructure improved. Wallets started to support inscriptions. Marketplaces made it easier to find and track inscriptions.

Ordinals During the Market Pullback

The Ordinals market cooled alongside broader crypto. Prices softened after early January highs. Trading volume declined. Speculation eased.

Participation did not disappear.

Minting is still steady. Well-known collections kept their value better than many thought. Long-term holders seem willing to wait instead of selling quickly.

The audience has changed. Earlier, fast traders dominated. Now, more collectors are interested in lasting value, Bitcoin culture, and long-term scarcity.

The mood feels quieter, but not weaker.

Community Energy and Builder Activity

Art Leads the Way

Art is still at the heart of the Ordinals ecosystem. The format rewards careful choices because every byte costs something and every mint is important.

Recent releases explored Bitcoin’s history, transaction symbolism, and monetary themes. Some artists transformed real BTC transactions into one-of-one inscriptions. Others experimented with generative art constrained by block size limits.

Collectors responded by favoring quality over quantity.

Infrastructure Keeps Improving

Tooling matured quickly. Marketplaces improved indexing accuracy. Safety tools emerged to help users verify inscriptions before interacting.

Developers tried out more efficient data formats and standards, making things smoother while working within Bitcoin’s limits. Open-source projects focused on reliability instead of hype.

A great example is Ord.io, a popular explorer that lets users browse, sort, and vote on inscriptions by type (images, text, games, audio, etc.). It provides live stats, trending filters, and social discovery features that help make Ordinals more accessible and community-driven.

Collections Holding Conviction

Several popular Ordinals collections still anchor the market. Floor prices did not crash during the pullback. Some holders now talk about long-term goals in BTC instead of dollars.

This way of thinking matches Bitcoin’s values and helps people stay calm during short-term price swings.

Top Ordinals Marketplaces

Magic Eden – The dominant Ordinals marketplace by volume, leading high-value trades and blue-chip collections like NodeMonkes and Ordinal Maxi Biz

UniSat – Strong daily and weekly volume, known for wallet integration and inscription tools

OKX NFT / Ordinals – Exchange-backed liquidity with cross-chain support

Gamma – A trusted, art-focused marketplace emphasizing trustless trading and creator royalties

Beyond Art: Utility and Experimentation

Ordinals began as an artistic medium, but experimentation continues to expand.

Developers are exploring interactive inscriptions, identity markers, archival use cases, and early gaming concepts. Some projects combine inscriptions with off-chain components while anchoring core data on Bitcoin.

A key innovation is recursive inscriptions, which let creators use data that was already inscribed instead of uploading it again. This greatly lowers costs and makes it possible for more complex projects, such as dynamic websites or games, to run efficiently on Bitcoin.

As Bitcoin Layer 2 systems develop, Ordinals are starting to be used in early BTCFi cases. Assets that used to sit idle are now being used for staking, lending, and trading, all while staying secured by Bitcoin’s base layer.

A Note on Risks and Challenges

Ordinals are not without controversy. Critics point to block space congestion, rising fees, and long-term storage concerns. Some developers worry about node strain as inscription data accumulates.

These tensions highlight the need for efficient tooling, clear standards, and ongoing community discussion as the ecosystem evolves.

What 2026 Looks Like for Bitcoin Ordinals

Several trends stand out:

More efficient inscription formats

Expansion of Bitcoin-native token experiments

Layer-two integrations that preserve base-layer security

Early AI agents interacting with inscribed data

Macro conditions matter too. Institutional adoption, treasury strategies, and regulatory clarity continue reinforcing Bitcoin’s base layer. As Bitcoin’s role in global finance grows, permanent on-chain artifacts gain relevance.

Why Ordinals Keep Thriving

Ordinals are not driven by hype. They are built on belief.

Creators trust Bitcoin as a permanent record. Collectors value scarcity secured by the base layer. Builders believe meaningful utility doesn’t require flashy contracts.

This shared belief helps the ecosystem get through ups and downs.

Bitcoin’s price will keep swinging. Macro pressure won’t disappear. Yet inscriptions continue stacking—block by block, sat by sat.

That persistence speaks louder than any chart.



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Adobe Just Killed the Most Boring Part of Video Editing with New AI Tools | Metaverse Planet

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Adobe Just Killed the Most Boring Part of Video Editing with New AI Tools | Metaverse Planet


I have a confession to make. As much as I love creating content, there is one specific task in video editing that makes me want to pull my hair out: Masking.

If you are an editor, you know the pain. Clicking point-by-point with the Pen tool, frame by frame, trying to separate a subject from the background. It is tedious, it is soul-crushing, and it kills the creative flow.

But today, looking at Adobe’s latest update for Premiere Pro and After Effects, I think those dark days might finally be over.

Adobe has just released a suite of new AI-powered tools, and unlike some “flashy” AI features that are just for show, these are designed to solve real, practical problems. The highlight? A new Object Mask tool that changes everything.

Here is my deep dive into what’s new, how it works, and why I think this is a massive win for our workflows.

The End of Manual Rotoscoping?

Let’s talk about the star of the show: the Object Mask in Premiere Pro.

In the past, if I wanted to isolate a person or a coffee cup in a video, I had to manually draw a shape around them. Now, Adobe says, “Just hover and click.”

How it works: You literally hover your mouse over an object in the video. The AI instantly recognizes the boundaries of that object. You click once, and boom—it creates a precise mask.Refining: It’s not a “take it or leave it” deal. You can still use the Lasso or Rectangle tools to add to or subtract from the mask. You can tweak the feathering and expansion just like before.

But here is the best part: This AI runs entirely on-device. I can’t stress enough how important this is. It doesn’t upload your footage to the cloud to process it. This means two things:

Speed: It’s instant. No waiting for server uploads.Privacy: Your footage never leaves your computer. For those of us working under NDAs or just valuing privacy, this is a huge relief. Adobe explicitly stated that user data is not used to train this specific model.

20x Faster Tracking: A Need for Speed

Masking is useless if it doesn’t move with the object. We’ve all been there—you mask a face, the person moves, and the mask stays behind.

Adobe claims to have overhauled the tracking engine under the hood. The new system is reportedly 20 times faster than previous versions.

I haven’t tested this on a 4K RAW file yet, but if it’s even half as fast as they claim, it’s going to save hours of rendering time. The new Shape Mask tools (ellipse, rectangle, pen) have also been moved directly to the toolbar, making them much more accessible. It feels like Adobe is finally listening to UI complaints and streamlining the “boring” stuff so we can focus on storytelling.

After Effects Gets Some Love Too

While Premiere Pro stole the headlines, After Effects got some solid updates that 3D artists will appreciate.

Parametric 3D Meshes: You can now create 3D objects—cubes, spheres, cylinders—directly inside After Effects. This might sound basic to a Blender user, but for motion graphics artists who want to stay inside one app, it’s a great workflow booster.SVG Support: Finally! We can now import SVG files directly. No more converting vector files into weird formats just to get them to play nice with AE.

Smoother Workflow with Firefly and Stock

Adobe is also tightening the integration between its services. The update brings Adobe Stock directly into the app, so you don’t have to switch to a browser to find B-roll. They’ve also improved the Firefly Boards integration for importing media.

It’s all about keeping you in the “flow state.” Every time I have to Alt-Tab out of Premiere to download a stock clip or look for a vector file, I lose a bit of focus. These changes seem small, but they add up to a much smoother day in the edit bay.

My Verdict

I’ve been critical of Adobe in the past for adding “bloat” to their software. But this update feels different.

The Object Mask tool isn’t a gimmick; it’s a time-saver. By using AI to automate the tedious grunt work of masking and tracking, Adobe is giving time back to creators. And doing it locally on the device? That is the cherry on top.

These updates are rolling out now via Creative Cloud. I’m updating my rig as I write this.

What about you? Are you ready to trust AI with your masking, or are you still a “Pen Tool” purist? Let me know in the comments below!

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