At NRF 2025, Standard AI showcased how AI and computer vision are revolutionizing retail, providing real-time insights to optimize in-store performance. CEO Angie Westbrock emphasized that AI is now essential for smarter stores and better customer engagement.

DeFiance Daily-A lawsuit against BlackRock claims the firm engaged in Bitcoin price manipulation and internal retaliation, raising concerns about institutional influence over crypto markets. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is accelerating efforts to shape cryptocurrency policy, sparking debate over regulation and financial stability.

Splashtop has announced hands-free compatibility for its Augmented Reality (AR) remote support solution with RealWear Smart Glasses, enhancing safety and efficiency in high-risk industries like oil and gas, manufacturing, and construction. This integration allows frontline workers to receive real-time expert guidance remotely while keeping their hands free for critical tasks.

DeFiance Daily – The Trump administration is taking bold steps toward cryptocurrency regulation and adoption, with a newly formed congressional working group and discussions of a U.S. Bitcoin reserve. Industry leaders are vying for influence as the White House strengthens its stance on digital assets.

DeFiance Daily – Consensus Hong Kong 2025, taking place February 18-20, will bring together global blockchain leaders, policymakers, and investors to discuss the future of digital assets, Web3, and institutional crypto adoption.

Lightbridge Corporation and Oklo Inc. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to conduct a feasibility study for co-locating a fuel fabrication facility and explore advanced nuclear fuel recycling opportunities. The collaboration aims to drive cost-effective, carbon-free energy solutions.

TRAXyL will exhibit its innovative fiber optic installation technology at the 2025 BICSI Winter Conference in Orlando, demonstrating its ability to lay fiber on pavement at record speeds while cutting costs and avoiding underground hazards.

DeFiance Daily – ABB Robotics returned to the 2025 SLAS International Conference in San Diego, partnering with METTLER TOLEDO and Agilent Technologies to showcase robotic lab automation. Demonstrations highlighted ABB’s GoFa cobots in high-precision workflows, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in laboratory settings.

Venus Aerospace secures investment from America’s Frontier Fund to accelerate its hypersonic flight program. With groundbreaking technology like the VDR2 engine, Venus is poised to revolutionize commercial and defense aviation.

DeFiance Daily – Wi-Fiber’s cutting-edge AI and edge computing technology played a crucial role in solving a Stark County homicide, highlighting its potential to transform law enforcement. The partnership with the Stark County Sheriff’s Office sets a new benchmark for public safety innovation.

ClinChoice extends its 13-year partnership with Medidata to include advanced tools like Clinical Data Studio, enhancing data management and trial efficiency. This collaboration reinforces ClinChoice’s global reach and patient-centered approach to clinical research.

DeFiance Daily – Cardano’s Plomin hard fork is now live, enabling full decentralized governance and expanding ADA holders’ voting rights. Despite recent market fluctuations, the blockchain’s adoption continues to grow.

The crowdfunding market is projected to surge to $5.43 billion by 2033, with Crowdcube among the top platforms driving this growth. The company’s innovative approach highlights its role in reshaping global investment opportunities.

DeFiance Daily – Ondo Finance is bringing its tokenized US Treasury fund, OUSG, to the XRP Ledger (XRPL), expanding institutional DeFi solutions. This integration enhances onchain liquidity, compliance, and accessibility for financial institutions.

On January 20, 2025, Tezos activated its Quebec protocol upgrade, reducing block time, enhancing staking systems, and refining economic mechanisms to strengthen network performance and decentralization.

DeFiance Daily – China’s DeepSeek R1, a new open-source AI model, challenges ChatGPT with rapid innovation and affordability, sparking shifts in the global tech market. Nvidia stock dips as the U.S. app market sees DeepSeek R1 skyrocket in popularity.

Colossal Biosciences has achieved decacorn status with a $200 million raise, valuing the de-extinction pioneer at over $10 billion. The funding underscores global confidence in the potential of de-extinction to address biodiversity loss and planetary health.

DeFiance Daily – The World Economic Forum (WEF) highlights expert discussions on the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency regulation. Key insights focus on balancing innovation with global financial security and fostering sustainable digital finance growth.

In this episode of The Edge of AI, host Ron Levy sits down with Manju Kesani, the CEO of Machani Robotics, and RIA, their companion humanoid robot designed to bridge the gap between AI and human well-being. Manju discusses the mission behind RIA, focusing on addressing loneliness, especially among the elderly, and enhancing human longevity. The conversation dives deep into how Machani Robotics is developing AI-driven social humanoids to not only assist but also foster emotional connections with humans. RIA, speaking for herself, shares insights into her role as a social robot, and how she’s designed to bring comfort and companionship in both healthcare and education settings.

Join us for an insightful episode of The Edge of AI podcast, where we sit down with the dynamic Shraddha Sridhar, a leader in AI innovation with over a decade of experience. From her journey in silicon chipsets to spearheading large language models, Shraddha shares her unique perspective on the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
The pivotal moments in Shraddha’s career that shaped her path in AI.
Insights into the crawl, walk, run methodology for AI adoption, particularly in sectors like supply chain and transportation.
The importance of building trust with end users when integrating AI technologies.
Core principles for a data transparency manifesto and how it impacts AI development.
Valuable advice for startups looking to leverage AI effectively.

Welcome to this exciting episode of the Edge of NFT podcast, where we dive deep into the world of Web3 and NFTs! Join us as we explore the incredible journey of Yuga Labs and the Bored Ape Yacht Club with co-founder Greg Solano, who shares his insights on the evolution of media, storytelling, and the future of NFTs.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Greg’s first experience at Korea Blockchain Week and the vibrant culture surrounding it
The impact of storytelling in the NFT space and how it empowers communities
The challenges and triumphs faced by Yuga Labs over the past three years
The launch of Dookie Dash, a new mobile game with a million-dollar prize pool
The upcoming ApeChain and its significance for the NFT ecosystem
Exciting developments in the Otherside metaverse, including Project Dragon and new features for Koda holders
Whether you’re a dreamer, disruptor, or doer in the Web3 space, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiration. Don’t miss out on Greg’s vision for the future of Yuga Labs and the NFT landscape!

In this special edition of Edge of NFT, co-hosts Josh Kriger and Richard Carthon bring you exclusive conversations live from Korea Blockchain Week. They sit down with leaders in the Bitcoin and Web3 space to discuss the latest trends and innovations shaping the industry.
Trevor Jones, co-founder of Pizza Ninjas, shares his vision for expanding Bitcoin adoption through creative events, including the exciting BTC Bar, which is hosting five days of activations during Korea Blockchain Week.
Rena Shah, COO and co-founder of Trust Machines, reveals how her company is bringing DeFi to Bitcoin and the innovative protocols they’ve built to ensure transparency and security for users.
CJ (Jeehyun Chang), co-founder of the iconic BTC Bar, discusses the origins of the bar and its evolving role as a hub for the crypto community, hinting at a future filled with Bitcoin-exclusive services.
The conversations explore how Bitcoin is evolving with DeFi, Layer 2 solutions, and community-driven initiatives in Asia.

Join us for an exhilarating episode of Edge of NFT, recorded live at Token 2049 in Singapore! This jam-packed episode features industry leaders who are pushing the boundaries of blockchain and NFTs.

Let’s meet together with Anoir Houmou, CEO of RECRD and learn how they’re transforming video engagement and monetization for content creators. Then Ariel Seidman, CEO of Hivemapped shares his decentralized mapping platform that competes with giants like Google. Alex Liu gets us the latest on Tezos’ thriving art community. We also meet the CEO of Sleap.io, the first blockchain-based hotel booking platform designed to eliminate middlemen and enhance user deals and finally Dive into CoinEx’s unique offerings in the exchange market and the trends shaping cryptocurrency’s future.

Tune in for valuable insights into the future of blockchain technology, the creator economy, and the evolving landscape of NFTs and decentralized applications.

Rosy Soil, known for its eco-friendly and plant-boosting design, is now available at Target stores and online at Target.com. Elevate your gardening with premium soil that promotes healthy growth and sustainability.

DeFiance Daily – President Donald Trump has unveiled a landmark $500 billion private sector investment to build AI infrastructure across the U.S., spearheaded by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle through their joint venture, Stargate. This initiative aims to establish cutting-edge data centers and bolster the nation’s AI leadership.

Polygon’s Community Grants Program returns with 35 million POL in funding for innovative projects in AI, DePIN, and more. Apply by April 15, 2025, for access to funding, resources, and a global network of builders. Don’t miss this chance to bring your ideas to life!

DeFiance Daily – Virtual reality technology was used in a courtroom for the first time, as a judge in New York City donned an Oculus VR headset to experience a crime scene reconstruction. This innovative approach to evidence presentation could revolutionize the judicial process by offering immersive and detailed perspectives on complex cases.

Precision Neuroscience will attend the NANS 2025 Annual Meeting in Orlando, showcasing its groundbreaking brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. Visit booth 200 to explore how BCI can transform care for neurological disorders. The event, running January 30 to February 1, highlights advancements in neuromodulation and patient care innovation.

DeFiance Daily – President Donald Trump has unveiled a bold proposal to establish an “America-First” crypto reserve, prioritizing U.S.-developed digital assets like Solana, USD Coin, and XRP. This initiative underscores his administration’s push for domestic innovation and leadership in the global cryptocurrency market. The move aims to strengthen economic security and integrate digital currencies into the nation’s financial infrastructure.

DeFiance Daily – Gary Gensler exits the SEC, and acting chair Mark Uyeda signals a pro-crypto shift in the agency’s approach. Uyeda’s leadership marks a turning point for crypto regulation, with potential reforms on the horizon.

Oklo Inc. and RPower have announced a groundbreaking phased power model for data centers, starting with natural gas generators and transitioning to Oklo’s advanced nuclear Aurora powerhouses. This collaboration ensures immediate power reliability and a sustainable energy future for data-intensive industries.

DeFiance Daily – As Donald Trump prepares to be sworn in as the 47th U.S. President, the TRUMP meme coin has surged in value, fueled by excitement over his pro-crypto stance and its cultural significance.

ICEYE successfully deployed four new SAR satellites via SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission, enhancing its Earth Observation capabilities and strengthening global partnerships. The UAE’s Space42 also launched its second satellite, Foresight-2, as part of ICEYE’s growing constellation.

Arkham Intelligence introduces its Market Data page on the Intel Platform, offering real-time tracking of spot, futures, and options data across major centralized exchanges.

DeFiance Daily – Boerse Stuttgart Group, Germany’s second-largest stock exchange, has tripled crypto trading volumes and surpassed one million customers in 2024. Strategic collaborations with AWS and DZ Bank highlight its mission to integrate digital assets into traditional finance and expand accessibility across Europe

Upshot.ai delivered millions of SMS, emails, and push notifications in 2024, driving unparalleled customer engagement and retention solutions for businesses worldwide.

DeFiance Daily – XRP surges to a 7-year high, surpassing $3 as large holders accumulate $3.8 billion in tokens. Market optimism grows amidst regulatory clarity and expanding adoption.

Polygon PoS achieved record-breaking growth in 2024, enabling dApp adoption with innovations in gaming, stablecoins, and collectibles, setting the stage for an aggregated future in 2025.

DeFiance Daily – The Metaverse Wallets market, valued at $7.7 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $32.3 billion by 2030, driven by blockchain adoption, mobile wallets, and virtual economies.

DeFiance Daily – RealMan Robotics unveils humanoid robotic arms, actuators, and specialized robots for retail, healthcare, and more at CES 2025.

At CES 2025, Vivoo unveils women’s health tools, including ovulation, fertility, and vaginal pH tests, alongside a fresh app interface to empower personalized wellness tracking.

The Tezos Data Availability Layer (DAL), introduced in the Paris protocol upgrade, enables a 20x increase in rollup scalability and lays the foundation for Tezos X.

DeFiance Daily – Meme coin scams are on the rise, with fraudsters exploiting platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to deceive investors. Learn how to spot potential scams by identifying red flags like obscure domains, unrealistic promises, and pressure tactics. Protect yourself with these essential tips before investing.

Cryptio Bedrock offers unmatched scalability and speed, handling billions of crypto transactions with advanced automation and robust infrastructure designed for regulated enterprises.

DeFiance Daily – At CES 2025, AI Wellness unveils Mission 2025, featuring Digital Avatars, curated wellness bundles, and the Ask My Avatar Challenge to revolutionize health and wellness.

Algonomy’s AI-driven inventory optimization solutions transform retail by enhancing forecasting accuracy, reducing costs, and boosting customer satisfaction through real-time, data-driven insights.

DeFiance Daily – At CES 2025, 1MORE, Vatrer Power, and ECOVACS highlight AI-powered wearables, cutting-edge robotics, and sustainable energy solutions, redefining technology’s future.

Colossal Biosciences celebrates a landmark year, advancing biodiversity with the launch of a $50M foundation, IVF success for rhinos, and the development of an mRNA vaccine for elephants.

DeFiance Daily – The 2025 Global Innovation Scorecard honors countries fostering innovation in broadband, autonomous vehicles, and blockchain. Champions include the U.S., Finland, and Japan, celebrated at CES 2025.

Make Sunsets ends 2024 with $99,341 in sales, a 71.54% Q4 growth, and offsets 85,486 tons of CO₂, doubling the annual emissions of Kiribati.