Blockonomi

Key Highlights
PBOC authorizes eight additional commercial banks for digital yuan operations.
Total number of e-CNY operating institutions reaches 30 nationwide.
Expansion targets improved regional coverage and business payment services.
New operators include joint-stock and city commercial banks serving key markets.
Latest approval follows April’s addition of 12 banks to e-CNY infrastructure.
The People’s Bank of China has authorized eight additional commercial banks to operate its central bank digital currency, significantly expanding the digital yuan’s institutional footprint. This strategic expansion brings the total count of approved e-CNY operators to 30, marking another milestone in the nation’s effort to enhance payment system modernization and financial inclusion.
PBOC Authorizes Eight Commercial Banks for e-CNY Operations
Eight commercial lenders have received official authorization from the People’s Bank of China to serve as digital yuan operators. The newly approved institutions comprise Ping An Bank, Hengfeng Bank, China Bohai Bank, and Bank of Shanghai. Additionally, Bank of Hangzhou, Huishang Bank, Bank of Changsha, and Guangxi Beibu Gulf Bank have joined the network.
These financial institutions will establish direct integration with the central bank’s e-CNY infrastructure once they fulfill necessary technical requirements. Upon completion, they’ll deliver digital currency services through their established branch networks and customer-facing platforms. China anticipates this expansion will enhance availability of reliable, user-friendly digital payment options across the economy.
The newly authorized group represents a strategic mix of joint-stock commercial banks alongside city commercial banks positioned in economically significant regional hubs. This composition is designed to strengthen e-CNY service delivery for small and medium enterprises, particularly those situated beyond primary financial districts. Broader institutional involvement should facilitate digital payment adoption for regional commerce and international transaction processing.
Central Bank Accelerates Digital Currency Distribution Network
This recent authorization builds upon a substantial network expansion implemented earlier in 2026. During April, the central bank granted operating privileges to 12 additional banks, marking the first inclusion of city commercial institutions in the e-CNY framework. That milestone substantially extended the digital yuan’s distribution reach beyond the nation’s largest banking organizations.
Prior to 2026’s expansions, merely ten banking institutions held authorization to provide digital yuan services. Industrial Bank secured the tenth approval slot in 2022, followed by a multi-year pause in new authorizations. The approval process resumed following the central bank’s October 2025 announcement regarding plans to welcome additional commercial banking participants.
According to official statements, increased institutional participation promotes competitive dynamics while enhancing service accessibility throughout the e-CNY ecosystem. A larger operator base enables service provision in territories where current banking infrastructure offers limited digital currency options. China seeks diverse institutional representation to cultivate a more accessible and comprehensive digital currency framework.
Digital Yuan Evolution Continues After Decade of Development
The PBOC initiated central bank digital currency research efforts in 2014, subsequently launching pilot programs in 2019. Throughout the intervening years, authorities have systematically expanded e-CNY trials across multiple payment categories in various metropolitan areas and provinces. The digital currency currently facilitates transactions spanning retail commerce, restaurant payments, educational services, medical facilities, travel accommodations, and government services.
Officials have additionally piloted cross-border settlement applications and payment solutions tailored for international visitors. These initiatives have extended e-CNY functionality beyond domestic consumer transactions and governmental payment channels. The enlarged banking network positions the infrastructure to better accommodate enterprises managing international payments and regional commercial relationships.
The People’s Bank of China intends to maintain its expansion strategy as the digital yuan matures across additional financial and commercial applications. Increased institutional participation should minimize service disparities between regions while providing consumers with diversified access points to e-CNY products. This ongoing infrastructure development supports the broader integration of central bank digital currency throughout the national economy.

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Key Takeaways
Vineland’s Planning Board greenlit Phase 2 expansion of Nebius’ data center in New Jersey, incorporating an additional 600,000 square feet.
This regulatory clearance removes a critical obstacle to Nebius’ five-year, $17.4 billion Microsoft cloud agreement.
NBIS shares fell 2% during premarket hours on Tuesday, trading at approximately $277.58.
Second-quarter revenue reached $582.3 million, representing a 454% year-over-year surge and significantly exceeding analyst projections.
Bank of America maintains a Buy recommendation on NBIS with a $310 price objective.
Shares of Nebius Group (NBIS) declined 2% in Tuesday’s premarket session, trading around $277.58, despite the company clearing a significant regulatory milestone essential to its largest cloud infrastructure agreement.
On Monday evening, Vineland, New Jersey’s Planning Board granted approval for Phase 2 of the artificial intelligence data center currently being built in the southern New Jersey municipality. This expansion adds 600,000 square feet to the facility, which initially received approval as approximately a 300-megawatt operation. Construction on Phase 1 is already in progress.
DataOne is developing the site as a significant AI infrastructure hub. The initiative faced delays after DataOne suggested a more extensive development that could extend to 350 MW. Community concerns regarding noise pollution, water consumption, emissions output, and liquefied natural gas storage postponed the board’s decision.
This regulatory approval carries substantial weight because the Vineland location is anticipated to supply the infrastructure supporting Nebius’ $17.4 billion agreement with Microsoft. The two corporations finalized a five-year arrangement last year, positioning the New Jersey facility as a cornerstone of Nebius‘ United States growth strategy.
Absent this approval, Nebius faced potential setbacks in deploying capacity for Microsoft according to agreed timelines. This uncertainty has now been eliminated.
The premarket decline occurred amid wider market volatility connected to escalating attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, unrelated to any Nebius-specific developments. Nevertheless, NBIS ranked among the most actively discussed stocks on Stocktwits during Tuesday morning hours.
Impressive Financial Performance
The Vineland development follows Nebius’ exceptional Q2 financial report released days earlier. The company recorded revenue of $582.3 million, marking a 454% year-over-year increase, while posting an EPS loss of just -$0.12 compared to the consensus estimate of -$0.67. The AI Cloud division alone expanded by 514%.
The annualized revenue run rate is nearing $3 billion. Adjusted EBITDA totaled $236 million during the quarter. Four AI infrastructure agreements now reportedly surpass $1 billion in aggregate value, with the overall backlog exceeding $40 billion.
These figures propelled NBIS shares up 34% on the earnings release date.
After the quarterly results, Citigroup elevated its price target to $324, Robert W. Baird increased theirs to $340 with an outperform designation, and Bank of America boosted its target to $310 while reaffirming a Buy rating.
Wall Street and Institutional Perspectives
Bank of America analysts observed that both Nebius and CoreWeave (CRWV) are capitalizing on “progressively advantageous pricing conditions,” as hyperscaler and AI laboratory demand continues outstripping GPU availability.
BofA indicated that pricing for next-generation GPU units is climbing higher, while previous-generation GPU pricing remains stable. The firm’s analysts believe these market dynamics could elevate operating margins by 500 to 1,000 basis points.
Nebius intends to roll out over 1 gigawatt of capacity annually beginning in 2027 and maintains a contracted power objective of 5 gigawatts.
Alberta Investment Management Corp. revealed a newly acquired position of 55,800 NBIS stock units, worth approximately $15.4 million, accumulated during the second quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively hold 21.9% of outstanding shares.
Not all analysts share the optimistic outlook. Morgan Stanley assigns an equal-weight rating with a $144 price target. DA Davidson rates the stock neutral with a $175 objective. Michael Burry has reportedly established a short position.
Piper Sandler launched coverage on August 3 with a neutral rating and a $224 price target.
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À retenir
Nvidia s’est engagé à fournir jusqu’à 105 Md$ de soutien sous forme de crédit pour le prochain centre de données d’OpenAI dans le comté de Pike, en Ohio
Le fabricant de puces investit 1,5 Md$ directement dans SB Energy, la filiale de SoftBank chargée du développement du projet
Grâce à un accord d’approvisionnement exclusif, Nvidia pourrait générer entre 150 Md$ et 200 Md$ de ventes de matériel rien qu’à partir de cette installation
Le campus du comté de Pike disposera d’une capacité totale de 8 gigawatts une fois achevé, avec une première phase de 800 mégawatts lancée en 2028

Key Highlights
Austin, Texas could see Tesla’s Cybercab robotaxi debut on public streets by August 2026
The fully autonomous vehicle features zero manual controls—no steering wheel and no brake pedals
Initial testing involved employee-only rides on restricted roadways and emergency services briefings
Mass production remains on hold pending collection of Cybercab-specific autonomous driving data
Shares of Uber and Lyft experienced minor declines Monday amid Cybercab deployment news
Tesla (TSLA) appears ready to deploy its futuristic Cybercab robotaxi on Austin’s public streets, possibly within weeks, based on recent reporting from The Information.
Ride in Robotaxi through 8/23 for a shot to attend our Cybercab launch event
More rides = better odds pic.twitter.com/NxA4H9sWF2
— Tesla Robotaxi (@robotaxi) August 18, 2026
Internal communications reveal the electric vehicle manufacturer intends to begin with employee-only trips on public roadways before expanding access through its broader autonomous ride-hailing platform in Austin just days afterward.
Road testing of the production-ready Cybercab commenced in June. Following that milestone, Tesla initiated a multi-stage validation program incorporating employee test rides on controlled private routes and coordination briefings with Austin’s emergency response teams.
Designed exclusively for self-driving operations, the Cybercab eliminates conventional driver controls entirely. This compact two-passenger electric vehicle incorporates a single 219-horsepower electric motor, utilizes a 48-kWh battery pack, and weighs approximately 3,113 pounds.
TSLA shares changed hands near $339.84 during Monday trading, reflecting a 0.16% uptick.
During Tesla’s second-quarter earnings discussion, CFO Vaibhav Taneja disclosed that Cybercab test rides were already underway within the company’s Austin manufacturing facility. This marked the first official acknowledgment that production units were rolling off assembly lines.
Elon Musk has emphasized the necessity of gathering operational data unique to the Cybercab platform before deploying significant numbers. This data collection requirement explains why high-volume manufacturing won’t materialize until 2027 at the soonest.
Austin Deployment Strategy Revealed
The initial Austin introduction will unfold through carefully staged phases. Tesla employees will conduct the first public road journeys. Shortly thereafter, general public access will become available via Tesla’s autonomous ride-hailing network.
No official launch date has been announced by Tesla. The automaker declined to provide comment when contacted regarding deployment schedules.
Tesla Board Chair Robyn Denholm indicated in previous statements that the company hasn’t ruled out incorporating conventional driving controls into the Cybercab if regulatory requirements demand it, though current production models exclude such features.
Ride-Hailing Market Implications
Uber (UBER) and Lyft (LYFT) stocks both registered slight downward movement Monday afternoon as the Cybercab deployment timeline circulated among investors. While the declines remained minimal, they demonstrated heightened market sensitivity to autonomous vehicle developments.
Should Tesla’s robotaxi network achieve meaningful scale, it would establish direct competition with established ride-hailing services across operational markets.
Musk has consistently characterized autonomous ride-hailing as a transformational growth avenue for Tesla’s future. A successful Austin deployment would provide the first meaningful validation of this strategy in unrestricted public environments.
While Tesla has accumulated years of Full Self-Driving testing data across its consumer vehicle fleet, the Cybercab constitutes an independent initiative—engineered specifically for unmanned operation without any fallback manual control mechanisms in its standard configuration.
Tesla’s latest quarterly earnings presentation confirmed Cybercab manufacturing had commenced, with internal test rides already occurring within the Austin production facility as of the earnings call date.
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Key Highlights
Second-quarter revenue for Infleqtion surges 157% year-over-year to $13.5 million.
Full-year 2026 revenue forecast elevated to $45.1 million following accounting revisions.
Revenue recognition adjustments for government contracts alter timing but leave cash unchanged.
Operating losses expand significantly as the quantum firm accelerates investment in technology development.
INFQ shares decline in pre-market activity despite elevated revenue performance and improved outlook.
Infleqtion (INFQ) delivered second-quarter financial results showing substantially higher revenue after making adjustments to revenue recognition practices for two government-related contracts. The quantum technology developer posted $13.5 million in quarterly revenue, representing a 157% increase compared to the prior-year period. Despite the impressive top-line performance, INFQ stock declined 5.43% to $12.67 during pre-market hours following a 4.28% advance on Monday.
Infleqtion Inc, INFQ
Quantum Technology Sales Drive Second-Quarter Performance
Infleqtion revised its previously announced second-quarter revenue upward from $12.6 million to $13.5 million. The entire revenue base originated from the company’s quantum technology segment and reflected completely organic expansion. Consequently, the adjusted figure represents substantial year-over-year improvement from the corresponding 2025 quarter.
The company posted a GAAP operating loss totaling $29.9 million for the three-month period. This represented a considerable expansion from the $10.4 million operating loss recorded in the second quarter of 2025. Elevated operational expenditures coupled with increased equity-based compensation drove the expanded quarterly deficit.
On a non-GAAP basis, Infleqtion’s operating loss grew to $16.2 million compared with $7.6 million in the year-earlier quarter. Company leadership continues deploying capital toward operational infrastructure as it advances neutral-atom quantum computing platforms and precision sensing capabilities. The increased spending levels align with Infleqtion’s strategic expansion within emerging commercial quantum markets.
Annual Revenue Outlook Lifted Following Contract Accounting Revisions
Infleqtion simultaneously elevated its complete-year 2026 revenue projection to approximately $45.1 million. The company had previously forecasted annual revenue near $43 million. The upward revision stems from accounting methodology changes rather than improved fundamental business conditions or new contract wins.
The accounting modification involved adjusting the timing of revenue recognition for two separate government contracts spanning multiple reporting periods. Infleqtion additionally restated relevant financial data within previously published statements covering fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2025. Critically, these accounting revisions produced no impact on operational cash generation or the company’s cash position.
The quantum technology firm submitted its second-quarter Form 10-Q following the identification of the revenue recognition timing issue. It simultaneously filed Form 12b-25 with the Securities and Exchange Commission addressing the updated reporting requirements. These regulatory filings ensure that quarterly performance metrics align with the revised accounting methodology applied to the government contracts in question.
Technology Development Roadmap Remains Unchanged
Infleqtion maintains its focus on advancing neutral-atom architectures designed for quantum computing applications and high-precision sensing solutions. The organization has dedicated over ten years to developing these technologies for both commercial enterprises and government agencies. The company continues pursuing its technical milestone of achieving 30 logical qubits during calendar year 2026 as outlined in its development roadmap.
The restated financial results produced no modifications to operational cash flow generation or balance sheet liquidity. Company management also preserved its existing operational assumptions for the balance of fiscal 2026. The adjusted revenue guidance reflects exclusively the timing shifts in revenue recognition rather than any fundamental change in business momentum or market conditions.
Quantum computing enterprises across the industry continue working to transition experimental laboratory systems into commercially viable platforms capable of solving real-world problems. Infleqtion’s substantial revenue expansion demonstrates growing market activity as government procurement contracts provide a foundation for current operations. However, the widening operating deficits underscore the significant capital requirements associated with developing and bringing advanced quantum technologies to commercial scale.

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TLDR
Matthew Murphy, Marvell’s CEO, offloaded 7,500 shares valued at $1.77 million on August 17 through a pre-established 10b5-1 trading arrangement.
MRVL shares have surged over 160% since the start of the year, currently trading near $234.33.
The company’s Q2 FY27 financial results are scheduled for August 27, with analysts forecasting $0.93 EPS and $2.71 billion in revenue.
UBS boosted its price objective to $340; Goldman Sachs increased its target to $195 while maintaining a Neutral stance.
Consensus analyst price target of $272.73 suggests approximately 16% potential upside from present trading levels.
On August 17, 2026, Matthew Murphy, the Chief Executive Officer of Marvell Technology, divested 7,500 shares of MRVL stock, generating roughly $1.77 million in proceeds. The transaction occurred at a weighted average sale price of $236.08, with execution prices spanning from $230.44 to $239.66.
This transaction was executed through a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan that Murphy established in December 2025. Such plans allow corporate executives to schedule stock sales in advance, meaning this divestiture doesn’t inherently signal a shift in Murphy’s confidence regarding the company’s prospects.
Following this sale, Murphy maintains direct ownership of 783,186 Marvell shares, demonstrating continued substantial equity stake in the semiconductor company.
MRVL shares are currently hovering around $234.33, representing a remarkable gain of more than 160% year-to-date. Looking at a twelve-month timeframe, the stock has appreciated approximately 206%.
While Murphy’s transaction was planned, overall insider trading activity has trended heavily toward selling. Throughout the previous three months, company insiders collectively disposed of $632.3 million in MRVL shares, according to data from TipRanks, which assigns the stock a Negative Insider Confidence Signal based on this pattern.
Analyst Expectations for Upcoming Q2 Report
Marvell is scheduled to announce its Q2 FY27 financial performance on August 27. The Street consensus calls for adjusted earnings per share of $0.93, marking an increase from $0.67 reported in the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Revenue projections stand at $2.71 billion, which would translate to year-over-year expansion of 35%.
Management’s own guidance pointed to approximately $2.7 billion in Q2 revenue. In recent commentary, Murphy highlighted that the company is experiencing “exceptional AI-related bookings” and anticipates continued growth acceleration throughout fiscal year 2027.
The anticipated gross margin range for the quarter falls between 52.1% and 53.1%.
Wall Street Price Targets Reflect Divergent Views
James Schneider of Goldman Sachs maintained his Neutral rating while elevating the price target to $195 from a previous $180. Schneider believes Marvell is “well positioned” to capitalize on expanding optical demand and custom silicon deployments, with increased cloud infrastructure spending expected to bolster the data-center segment.
UBS analyst Timothy Arcuri expressed greater optimism, reaffirming his Buy rating and raising the price objective to $340 from $230. Arcuri pointed to expanding opportunities in CXL (Compute Express Link) technology as a primary catalyst for upside.
Conversely, Erste Group moved Marvell from Buy to Hold, expressing concerns about current valuation levels.
The semiconductor sector received tailwinds following Amazon‘s recent disclosure of $25 billion in annual revenue from its AI and custom chip operations, which provided momentum for multiple chip manufacturers including Marvell.
According to TipRanks, the consensus analyst price target stands at $272.73, implying roughly 16% upside potential from current trading levels. The stock maintains a Strong Buy consensus rating, supported by 23 Buy recommendations and five Hold ratings.
InvestingPro’s analysis indicates the stock trades above its Fair Value calculation, suggesting potential overvaluation. However, the platform also highlights an attractive PEG ratio of merely 0.13 and awards Marvell a “GREAT” financial health score.
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Key Highlights
The company delivered adjusted earnings per share of $4.92, surpassing Wall Street’s $4.73 projection by $0.19
Total revenue reached $47.86 billion, exceeding analyst expectations of $47.23 billion
Year-over-year sales increased 5.6%, fueled by consumer appetite for minor remodeling activities
Management maintained its fiscal 2026 outlook, projecting sales expansion of 2.5% to 4.5% with adjusted EPS of $14.69
Shares advanced 1.5% to $340.80 in premarket activity on Tuesday
Shares of Home Depot (HD) advanced approximately 1.5% to $340.80 in early Tuesday trading following the retailer’s announcement of second-quarter fiscal results that exceeded Wall Street projections.
The company’s adjusted earnings per share registered at $4.92, outperforming the analyst consensus of $4.73. Total revenue climbed to $47.86 billion, surpassing the anticipated $47.23 billion, while comparable sales expanded 5.6% from the prior-year period.
Chief Financial Officer Richard McPhail highlighted the widespread customer engagement throughout the quarter. “We saw broad based demand across the business as customers continued to engage in smaller projects,” he said.
Market sentiment entering the earnings announcement was notably subdued. The ongoing housing affordability challenges have dampened residential mobility rates, which traditionally serve as a primary catalyst for substantial home renovation expenditures.
HOME DEPOT $HD Q2’26 EARNINGS HIGHLIGHTS
Sales: $47.9B (Est. $47.27B) ; +5.7% YoY
Adj. EPS: $4.92 (Est. $4.73) ; +5.1% YoY
Comparable Sales: +1.7% (Est. +0.7%)
Net Income: $4.8B (Est. $4.72B) ; +4% YoY
Affirms FY26 Guide:
Total Sales: +2.5% to +4.5%… pic.twitter.com/iEdJqneTxi
— Wall St Engine (@wallstengine) August 18, 2026
According to Placer.ai analytics, both store traffic per location and total customer visits declined during the three-month period. These metrics had positioned investors to anticipate underwhelming performance.
As of Monday’s market close, the equity remained in negative territory for the calendar year, down 1.8%, and has retreated approximately 17% over the trailing twelve months. Consequently, expectations were considerably muted.
Additional uncertainty stemmed from recent corporate developments. The previous week’s announcement regarding CEO Ted Decker’s medical leave had introduced another layer of investor apprehension surrounding the quarterly release.
Strong Results Spark Investor Confidence
The quarterly performance exceeded projections across revenue and profitability metrics. During the preceding 90-day window, twelve Wall Street analysts increased their earnings estimates while sixteen reduced their forecasts, indicating a prevailing cautious stance prior to the announcement.
Home Depot’s overall financial condition receives a “fair performance” assessment from InvestingPro, acknowledging the headwinds confronting the business amid a challenging residential real estate landscape.
Despite these obstacles, slightly more than half of FactSet-tracked analysts maintain constructive views on the shares. The consensus price objective stands at $378, implying approximately 13% upside potential from pre-earnings trading levels.
The retailer’s valuation multiple had compressed following an extended period of relative weakness, a development that several analysts interpreted as a recalibration that enhanced the investment opportunity.
Full-Year Outlook Unchanged
Management elected to maintain its previously announced fiscal 2026 projections. The company continues to forecast revenue growth in the 2.5% to 4.5% range alongside adjusted earnings per share of $14.69, implying flat to approximately 4% growth.
This forward guidance was originally communicated following the first-quarter earnings release, which similarly delivered results ahead of market expectations.
Throughout the three months preceding this quarterly report, the company received twelve upward and sixteen downward analyst estimate revisions, underscoring the divergent perspectives regarding the home improvement sector’s trajectory.
The stock finished Monday’s regular session at $337.88 before gaining ground in Tuesday’s premarket hours.
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Points clés
L’indice PHLX Semiconductor est officiellement revenu au statut de marché haussier avec une hausse de 21 % par rapport aux plus bas de la fin juillet, achevant la transition en seulement 21 jours
Credo Technology est apparue comme le meilleur titre du secteur, avec une progression remarquable de 59 % depuis le 29 juillet, légèrement devant la hausse de 58 % de Coherent
Les échanges du mardi ont vu les valeurs des semi-conducteurs reculer, sous l’effet de la hausse des prix du pétrole brut et de la progression des rendements des bons du Trésor, ce qui a pesé sur les actions technologiques
Apple continue d’évaluer des puces mémoire auprès de fournisseurs chinois malgré la réticence de Washington, en raison de pénuries d’approvisionnement et de la hausse des coûts

Key Highlights
PONY shares climb 3.26% driven by 691% year-over-year Robotaxi revenue expansion.
Strategic Uber partnership targeting deployment of over 2,000 autonomous vehicles in Europe.
Company aims to expand Robotaxi fleet beyond 3,500 units by the conclusion of 2026.
Quarterly revenue reaches $36.2 million while gross profit surges 83.4%.
Company reduces net losses despite aggressive expansion of autonomous vehicle operations.
Shares of Pony AI (PONY) experienced upward momentum during pre-market hours following the autonomous driving company’s announcement of substantial Robotaxi growth metrics and broadening global partnerships. The stock advanced 3.26% to reach $8.24, reversing the prior session’s 1.97% decline. The positive movement was primarily attributed to impressive Robotaxi revenue performance and a significant vehicle deployment partnership with Uber.
Pony AI Inc. American Depositary Shares, PONY
Robotaxi Operations Drive Stock Performance
Pony AI disclosed second-quarter financials showing total revenue of $36.2 million, up 68.8% compared to the same period last year. The Robotaxi segment delivered $12.1 million in revenue, reflecting an extraordinary 691.2% annual growth rate. Commercial fare-charging operations posted an even more impressive increase exceeding 800% as the company scaled its autonomous taxi services.
The autonomous vehicle fleet reached 1,975 Robotaxis as of June 30. Company leadership has set ambitious targets to deploy over 3,500 Robotaxis before 2026 concludes. The latest seventh-generation autonomous vehicles manufactured by BAIC, GAC, and Toyota have all transitioned into full commercial operation.
User registrations for the PonyPilot service surpassed 1.5 million by mid-August. Geographic coverage expanded significantly throughout Guangzhou, encompassing multiple key districts and adding over 300 square kilometers to the service area. In Shenzhen, operations now include strategic locations such as Bao’an International Airport, Shenzhen Bay Port, and Shekou Cruise Port.
Major Uber Partnership Accelerates International Growth
The company has made significant progress on its international expansion roadmap through multiple strategic collaborations. A landmark agreement with Uber will see deployment of more than 2,000 Pony AI Robotaxis throughout various European markets. Additional international agreements currently under discussion encompass over 4,000 autonomous vehicles.
Collaboration with Bolt and Stellantis continues to advance Robotaxi service introduction in Luxembourg. Singapore operations gained public accessibility when Pony AI integrated its services with ComfortDelGro’s Zig mobile application. Revenue streams from collaborative deployments across both domestic Chinese markets and international territories showed quarter-over-quarter improvement.
The company leverages its extensive Chinese operational experience as the blueprint for global market entry. Its collaborative deployment framework enables partners to contribute vehicles while distributing deployment responsibilities. Additionally, the PonyWorld 2.0 platform facilitates city expansion without proportional increases in engineering personnel.
Financial Performance Shows Operational Improvement
The Robotruck division contributed $13.3 million in second-quarter revenue, representing a 40% increase from the prior year period. Intelligent solutions services generated $10.8 million, maintaining relative stability year-over-year. Combined, these revenue streams propelled total quarterly revenue significantly higher from $21.5 million twelve months earlier.
Gross profit jumped 83.4% to $6.4 million, pushing gross margin to 17.5%. Operating expenditures increased a modest 11.4% to $72.1 million, growing substantially slower than revenue. As a result, the operating loss margin compressed to 181.5% from 285.6% in the comparable period.
Pony AI posted a net loss of $45.4 million, representing a 14.9% improvement from the previous year’s quarterly loss. Despite ongoing losses, the company maintained a robust financial position with approximately $1.39 billion in cash and equivalent investments as of June 30. The combination of accelerating Robotaxi business momentum and the strategic Uber partnership now serve as primary catalysts supporting the recovery in PONY stock.

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Key Highlights
The aerospace company finalized its $60 billion Cursor acquisition earlier than anticipated, wrapping up the deal on August 14
Shares of SPCX declined 2% to $143.26 during premarket hours following the transaction’s completion
Analyst Edison Yu from Deutsche Bank increased SpaceX’s projected 2027 revenue from $97 billion to $115 billion
The acquisition creates a complete AI infrastructure: computing facilities, proprietary Grok technology, and Cursor’s application suite
Analysts maintain a Moderate Buy stance on SPCX, with a collective price target averaging $232.35
Shares of SpaceX experienced a roughly 2% decline in early Tuesday trading, settling at $143.26, following the company’s announcement that it had finalized its $60 billion Cursor transaction earlier than projected.
The aerospace firm’s shares had climbed 4.5% during Monday’s session, buoyed in part by confirmation that the transaction concluded on August 14, beating most Wall Street expectations.
Cursor represents an artificial intelligence-driven software creation platform. The technology allows users to articulate requirements using everyday language, with Cursor generating the corresponding code through conversational instructions.
The solution also features autonomous AI agents capable of independently writing and debugging code. It faces competition from Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot, Anthropic’s Claude platform, and OpenAI’s Codex technology.
In a research note released Monday, Deutsche Bank’s Edison Yu, recognized as a four-star analyst, identified three primary advantages stemming from this acquisition.
First, the Cursor platform provides SpaceX with an instant revenue stream from its artificial intelligence operations. Cursor’s client roster already includes numerous enterprise-level organizations with active subscriptions.
Second, the transaction brings expert AI development personnel directly into SpaceX’s organizational structure.
Third, it establishes a complete, end-to-end AI infrastructure. The company now manages every component: computational infrastructure through data centers, the advanced Grok AI system, and Cursor serving as the user-facing application tier.
Wall Street Increases Revenue Projections
In response to the deal’s finalization, Yu elevated his 2027 revenue projection for SpaceX from $97 billion to $115 billion. His Buy recommendation and $235 target price remain unchanged.
Among Wall Street analysts, the consensus 2027 revenue forecast compiled by FactSet hovers around $99 billion. This contrasts with approximately $44 billion anticipated for 2026.
SpaceX currently leases its AI computational infrastructure to companies including Anthropic and Google. The Cursor transaction enables SpaceX to market proprietary AI solutions directly, moving beyond merely providing infrastructure for competitors.
Share Lockup Expiration Creates Headwinds
The premarket decline coincided with investor attention on an approaching supply catalyst. Approximately 319 million shares held by early investors and company insiders will become eligible for trading on August 20 as lockup restrictions expire.
In total, roughly 4.9 billion shares are slated to exit lockup periods before year-end, a schedule that market participants are monitoring with keen interest.
Heading into Tuesday’s session, SPCX traded 8% above its $135 initial public offering price, though remaining 35% below its all-time peak of $225.64.
The company reported 1.4 gigawatts of operational AI computing capacity at the conclusion of the second quarter. Chief Executive Elon Musk has established a goal of reaching 10 gigawatts by the close of 2027.
Additionally, the organization intends to deploy space-based AI computing infrastructure using its Starship launch vehicle by 2028.
The Wall Street consensus rating for SPCX currently stands at Moderate Buy, derived from 24 Buy recommendations, five Hold ratings, and two Sell opinions issued since the company’s public debut. The mean analyst price target reaches $232.35, suggesting potential upside of approximately 59% from present trading levels.
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Key Highlights
BIDU shares decline 5.78% in pre-market trading following Q2 revenue contraction of 4% YoY.
GPU Cloud division posts explosive 283% revenue growth as AI infrastructure demand accelerates.
AI Cloud Infrastructure segment delivers RMB7.3 billion, up 50% compared to prior year.
Apollo Go autonomous driving service expands internationally with operations in Dubai and testing in London.
Company advances toward dual-primary Hong Kong listing scheduled for 2026.
Shares of Baidu experienced significant pre-market weakness Tuesday following the release of second-quarter financial results that showed declining total revenue despite impressive gains in artificial intelligence segments. The stock retreated 5.78% to $98.10 before the opening bell after closing Monday’s session up 0.43% at $104.12. Despite the headline revenue challenges, remarkable expansion in GPU Cloud services underscored the Chinese tech giant’s strategic pivot toward AI-driven growth.
Baidu, Inc., BIDU
Second Quarter Results Reflect Advertising Headwinds
Baidu delivered second-quarter revenue totaling RMB31.3 billion ($4.62 billion), reflecting a 4% contraction compared to the year-ago period. Sequentially, revenue slipped 2% from Q1 as legacy business divisions faced ongoing headwinds. The company’s General Business segment contributed RMB25.2 billion, down 4% year-over-year.
The online marketing division generated RMB13.1 billion, declining 19% annually as advertising pressures persisted. Nevertheless, this segment showed sequential improvement with 4% growth versus Q1, indicating potential stabilization in Baidu’s advertising business. Online marketing accounted for 52% of General Business revenue throughout the quarter.
Operating income for the quarter reached RMB3.0 billion, translating to a 10% operating margin. Net income attributable to shareholders totaled RMB2.3 billion, with diluted earnings per ADS of RMB5.74. The company maintained positive operating cash flow for the fourth consecutive quarter, recording RMB3.4 billion in cash generation.
AI Infrastructure Drives Exceptional Cloud Computing Expansion
Baidu Core’s AI-powered Business division posted RMB12.5 billion in Q2 revenue, climbing 25% year-over-year. The segment experienced an 8% sequential decline from Q1’s RMB13.6 billion, though it represented half of all General Business revenue during the period.
AI Cloud Infrastructure emerged as a standout performer, delivering RMB7.3 billion in quarterly revenue—a robust 50% increase compared to the prior year. The GPU Cloud component achieved extraordinary growth of 283% year-over-year, accelerating from the previous quarter’s already impressive 184% expansion. This acceleration demonstrates intensifying demand for computational resources across Baidu’s cloud ecosystem.
AI Applications contributed RMB2.5 billion, registering 3% growth both annually and sequentially. AI-native marketing services generated RMB2.6 billion, remaining relatively flat compared to Q2 2025. Baidu’s flagship application maintained 644 million monthly active users as of June, showcasing sustained user engagement.
Robotaxi Operations Scale Globally as Hong Kong Listing Progresses
Throughout Q2 and subsequent months, Baidu aggressively expanded Apollo Go’s footprint across international markets. The autonomous vehicle platform initiated testing programs in London and Switzerland while launching fully autonomous commercial operations in Dubai. Apollo Go also secured regulatory approval for driverless testing in Hong Kong, marking another milestone in global expansion.
The autonomous driving service now operates across 28 cities worldwide and has logged over 350 million autonomous kilometers. Fully driverless operations comprise more than 240 million kilometers of this total, demonstrating the maturity of Baidu’s self-driving technology. The company also established a partnership with Turlov Private Holding to explore autonomous ride-hailing opportunities in Kazakhstan.
Baidu advanced plans to transition its Hong Kong presence into a dual-primary listing arrangement targeted for 2026. An extraordinary shareholder meeting has been scheduled for August 26 to vote on the proposed conversion. Additionally, the company has allocated $259 million toward share buybacks since the start of 2026, demonstrating commitment to shareholder value.
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TLDR
Jane Street reported more than $1 billion in spot Bitcoin ETF shares as of June 30, 2026.
BlackRock’s IBIT made up about $828 million of that total, the firm’s largest crypto ETF position.
The filing is a snapshot from a single date and does not show current holdings.
Jane Street owns ETF shares, not Bitcoin held directly in wallets.
The next filing, due Nov. 16, 2026, will reveal September 30 holdings.
Jane Street has reported holding more than $1 billion worth of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF shares. The disclosure came through a quarterly regulatory filing released in August 2026.
The filing covers the trading firm’s positions as of June 30, 2026. It is a required report, not a real time update on current holdings.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust made up the largest share of the total. Jane Street reported close to $828 million in IBIT shares for the quarter.
The rest of the firm’s exposure was spread across other listed products. These included Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund and Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust.
A Rebound From Earlier in the Year
Jane Street’s IBIT position grew sharply compared to the prior quarter. At the end of March, the firm held about 5.9 million IBIT shares worth near $225 million.
Jane Street Discloses Over $1 Billion in Bitcoin ETF Holdings, Led by BlackRock’s IBIT
Quant trading giant Jane Street disclosed more than $1 billion in U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF holdings as of June 30, with roughly $828 million invested in BlackRock’s IBIT and the remainder spread… pic.twitter.com/Kisz27i9XL
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) August 18, 2026
That earlier drop stood out because Jane Street had held more than 20 million IBIT shares at the close of 2025. During the first quarter, the firm had trimmed several fund positions while increasing its Ether exposure.
By June 30, the firm had rebuilt its reported IBIT position. The filing does not say when shares were bought or at what price.
It also does not explain why Jane Street holds the position. The firm is a large market maker and liquidity provider, so the shares could support trading, hedging or arbitrage rather than a long term bet.
What the Filing Does Not Show
The report covers ownership of ETF shares, not direct control of Bitcoin. Spot Bitcoin ETFs hold the coins through fund custody, while investors trade shares on stock exchanges.
This means the filing cannot be turned into an exact Bitcoin amount owned by Jane Street. Each fund has its own share count and net asset value.
The filing format, known as Form 13F, only shows long positions in eligible securities. It leaves out short sales and most derivatives.
Because of this gap, the report cannot confirm Jane Street’s full exposure to Bitcoin. It only shows that reported long ETF shares topped $1 billion on June 30.
Jane Street is not the only large firm disclosing Bitcoin ETF holdings. Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala reported a position near $566 million earlier in 2026.
Barclays has also disclosed exposure through the same process, reporting about $131 million in an earlier filing. Each firm may hold shares for different reasons, and the filings do not require an explanation.
No specific market move has been tied to Jane Street’s filing. Bitcoin and ETF prices react to many factors, including fund flows and broader economic news.
Jane Street’s next Form 13F will cover positions held on Sept. 30, 2026. The deadline for that filing is Nov. 16, 2026.
That report will show whether the firm added to, cut, or held steady its Bitcoin ETF shares. Until then, the June 30 numbers remain the most recent confirmed figures on record.
The post Jane Street Reports Over $1 Billion in Bitcoin ETF Shares appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR
Edward Zimbardi, accused of running a $165 million crypto Ponzi scheme, was deported from Fiji to the United States on Aug. 14.
He faces 12 counts of wire fraud, 12 counts of money laundering, and one count of money laundering conspiracy.
Prosecutors say investors were promised guaranteed monthly returns of 25% through a program called The Crypto Program.
More than $34 million allegedly went into risky foreign currency trades, and $10 million allegedly covered personal expenses.
The FBI has opened a portal for victims to submit information about their losses.
Edward Zimbardi is back on U.S. soil after more than a year on the run. The 59 year old from Flowery Branch, Georgia, was deported from Fiji on Aug. 14 following a federal indictment tied to an alleged crypto Ponzi scheme.
Federal prosecutors say Zimbardi created and promoted an investment operation called The Crypto Program. It ran between June 2022 and August 2023.
Promotional videos and websites reportedly told investors they could buy digital advertising packages. These packages allegedly came with a guaranteed monthly return of 25%.
How the Scheme Allegedly Worked
Investors were told to send cryptocurrency to wallets that prosecutors say Zimbardi secretly controlled. More than $165 million allegedly flowed into those wallets from thousands of participants.
Prosecutors say the advertising packages were never purchased. Instead, they allege Zimbardi used money from new investors to pay earlier ones, a common structure in Ponzi schemes.
More than $34 million of investor funds allegedly went into risky foreign currency trades. Those trades reportedly lost a large amount of money, though no exact figure was given.
The indictment also claims Zimbardi spent at least $10 million on personal items. This allegedly included a house for his son, luxury vehicles, and alimony payments to his ex-wife.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said Zimbardi tricked thousands of people with false promises of large returns. He said Zimbardi then tried to evade prosecution by fleeing overseas.
The Flight to Fiji and Deportation
The Crypto Program allegedly collapsed in August 2023, and investors were unable to get their money back. Zimbardi then traveled to Hawaii, Fiji, and other locations.
In July 2025, after learning about the FBI investigation, Zimbardi allegedly fled to Fiji. He stayed there for more than a year.
In May 2026, he reportedly canceled plans to attend his son’s wedding in Virginia. He suspected FBI agents would try to arrest him there, and prosecutors say that suspicion was correct.
Fijian authorities deported Zimbardi on Aug. 14 after learning about the federal charges. The FBI and the U.S. Department of State coordinated the return with Fiji’s immigration ministry and police.
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Marlo Graham said Zimbardi fled more than 7,300 miles to the South Pacific. Graham said the FBI will work to stop scammers no matter where they hide.
CASE UPATE from @FBIAtlanta: Alleged Mastermind of $165 Million Cryptocurrency Ponzi Scheme Facing Federal Charges after Deportation from Fiji#FBI Atlanta special agents just returned from FIJI where they arrested a man allegedly behind a multi-million-dollar Crypto Ponzi… pic.twitter.com/WLazevqLz6
— FBI (@FBI) August 17, 2026
Zimbardi was expected to appear before a federal magistrate judge in Los Angeles on Aug. 17. Prosecutors planned to argue he should remain in custody pending trial in Georgia.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, with help from several agencies. These include the SEC, the CFTC, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, and the Georgia Secretary of State.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bethany L. Rupert is prosecuting the case. No trial date has been set yet.
The indictment contains only allegations. Zimbardi is presumed innocent unless prosecutors can prove his guilt at trial.
The FBI has opened a portal for people who invested in The Crypto Program. Victims can submit their contact details and transaction information there.
The FBI said it may later request documents to support restitution efforts. Submitting information does not guarantee repayment, and any restitution depends on the case outcome and recoverable assets.
The post Crypto Ponzi Suspect Deported From Fiji to Face US Charges appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR
XRP se négocie près de 0,99 $ après une forte baisse par rapport à son sommet du cycle 2025.
L'analyste Crypto Patel signale la fourchette de 0,85 $ à 0,65 $ comme une zone possible d'accumulation.
Les objectifs à long terme se situent à 3 $, 5 $, 7 $ et 10 $ si un retournement est confirmé.
Strive Financial Group a divulgué des avoirs en FNB (ETF) sur XRP dans un nouveau dépôt 13F.
La tendance plus large de XRP reste neutre, avec un besoin de confirmation d'une cassure.
XRP s'échange à 0,99 $ au moment de la rédaction. Le jeton affiche un volume de transactions sur 24 heures de 855 millions de dollars et une capitalisation boursière de 62,68 milliards de dollars.

TLDR
Galaxy Research investigated a Bitcoin theft tied to a 2021 Coldcard firmware flaw
192 victims have confirmed losses of about 714.8 Bitcoin in the public dataset
Total losses across all linked addresses have climbed past $115 million
Attackers left different transaction habits, grouped into waves and footprints
Most of the stolen coins were generated between 2021 and 2022
It has been 18 days since the Coldcard exploit first came to light on July 30. The impact is still being felt by Bitcoin holders.
Galaxy Research spoke with more than 200 victims on August 16 to learn more about the theft. Their goal was to understand how the attackers worked.
The stolen coins were traced back to a single date. That date is March 17, 2021, when the flawed Coldcard firmware was first released.
At that time, Bitcoin had reached a block height of 674,951. This detail matters because it links the exploit directly to a flaw in how wallet seeds were created.
How the Theft Happened
The flaw allowed bad actors to predict or recreate the entropy used to generate a wallet seed. In simple terms, this let them guess or rebuild the private keys tied to affected wallets.
Galaxy’s research shows that most of the theft activity took place between 2021 and 2022. This was the period when the largest number of stolen addresses first appeared.
Galaxy published a public dataset listing 8,680 addresses connected to the theft. These addresses hold roughly 1,778.6 Bitcoin combined.
Only a small share of those addresses have been directly linked to victims who came forward. Even so, the numbers are large.
Out of the public dataset, 192 people have confirmed losses. Their cases involve about 1,790 addresses and 714.8 Bitcoin.
Earlier reporting had placed total losses at more than 1,596 Bitcoin across roughly 7,300 addresses. At the time, that was valued at over $100 million.
Using Bitcoin’s price on August 16, the total value of losses has now passed $115 million.
Tracking the Attackers
Researchers identified several patterns, or fingerprints, in how the stolen funds moved. These patterns include block timing, transaction fees, lock times, and destination addresses.
One group, labeled Wave 1, stole about 1,082.65 Bitcoin from blocks 960,183 through 960,191. This group typically moved one victim’s coins per transaction into four collection addresses.
Other groups worked differently. Wave 3 handled 63 victims, while Wave 2 handled only 19.
A separate pattern called Footprint E grouped as many as 795 victims into a single transaction. The median number of victims per transaction for this group was 118.
The way stolen funds were spread out also varied. Some groups scattered the coins across hundreds of addresses, while others kept the funds concentrated in just a few wallets.
As of August 16, the confirmed losses stand at more than $115 million. Galaxy Research says the investigation into the full scope of the theft is ongoing.
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TLDR
Treasury issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on August 17, 2026, to enforce Section 3 of the GENIUS Act.
The proposal opens a 60-day public comment period for banks, exchanges, and stablecoin issuers.
Stablecoin issuers must hold one dollar in reserves for every dollar in tokens issued, under the 2025 law.
U.S. stablecoin licensing becomes mandatory starting January 18, 2027.
U.S. platforms can only offer stablecoins from licensed issuers starting July 18, 2028.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on August 17, 2026. The rule lays out how the agency plans to enforce Section 3 of the GENIUS Act.
That federal law governs who can legally issue a payment stablecoin in the United States. The new filing adds detail on top of a law that already passed.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent framed the move as part of a broader effort to give issuers clear rules. He said the goal is to position the U.S. dollar as the anchor for global stablecoin activity.
The proposal opens a formal 60-day comment window. Exchanges, banks, and stablecoin issuers now have a direct chance to weigh in before the rules become mandatory.
What the Proposed Rule Covers
Congress passed the GENIUS Act in July 2025. The law already requires stablecoin issuers to hold one dollar of reserves for every dollar in tokens outstanding.
Treasury’s new filing builds on that framework with enforcement detail. It defines when a company crosses the line into needing a GENIUS license in the first place.
It also defines what counts as offering or selling a stablecoin to someone in the U.S. That distinction matters most for tokens issued outside the country.
Beginning January 18, 2027, anyone issuing a payment stablecoin domestically will need a federal or state license. Bessent said Treasury is moving quickly through the rulemaking process to meet that timeline.
By July 18, 2028, U.S. platforms will only be allowed to offer stablecoins from licensed issuers. That gives the industry roughly two years to prepare.
What This Means for Stablecoin Holders
If you hold or use dollar-pegged stablecoins today, this proposal does not change anything right now. Nothing about your current holdings is affected by this filing.
This process will decide which issuers can keep operating in the U.S. once the 2027 and 2028 deadlines hit. The coins your exchange or wallet supports could look different depending on whether their issuers qualify.
Builders, smaller issuers, and anyone else with a stake in the outcome can submit formal comments before the window closes. Treasury has not set an exact closing date beyond the standard 60 days from Federal Register publication.
That means the final rule could still shift based on industry feedback. This proposal builds on an advance notice Treasury issued last September, so the agency already gathered one round of input before drafting this version.
The next concrete marker is January 18, 2027, when the licensing requirement takes effect. Every stablecoin issuer serving U.S. customers now has to plan around that date.
The stablecoins in your wallet today are not at risk from this filing. What changes over the next several months is which issuers stay licensed to keep operating in the United States.
The post GENIUS Act Stablecoin Licensing Rules Explained by Treasury appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR
The CFTC is preparing to seek public input on futures tied to AI computing capacity, according to an Aug. 17 Bloomberg report.
CME Group is targeting Oct. 5 for two compute futures contracts based on Silicon Data’s GPU rental benchmarks.
Intercontinental Exchange is developing separate compute contracts using Ornn’s Compute Price Index and NativX’s COIL Index.
No formal CFTC request had appeared publicly as of Aug. 18, so the exact comment period and questions remain unconfirmed.
Crypto mining firms like TeraWulf and Galaxy Digital are already shifting infrastructure toward AI hosting demand.
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission is getting ready to ask the public for input on a new kind of futures contract. These contracts would be tied to the cost of artificial intelligence computing power, according to a Bloomberg report published Aug. 17.
The agency reportedly sent a draft request to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review. Once that review wraps up, the CFTC could open a public comment period lasting 30 or 60 days.
As of Aug. 18, no request had shown up on the CFTC’s public comment pages or in the Federal Register. That means the specific questions, deadlines, and impact on pending contracts are still unknown.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission wants to take public comment on one of the hottest new areas of derivatives trading: computing capacity, a critical input for the burgeoning AI industry https://t.co/PdhKLrELTx
— Bloomberg (@business) August 17, 2026
How The CFTC Review Works
A request for public comment is not the same as a proposed rule. It also would not automatically stop CME from launching its contracts unless the CFTC raises objections or asks for more review.
The CFTC’s questions are expected to go beyond approving a single contract. Regulators may want to know how reliable the pricing benchmarks are and whether the market can resist manipulation.
Other likely topics include settlement methods, trading liquidity, and how to define a standard unit of computing power. Bloomberg reported that the review could complicate launch timing for both CME and ICE, though the CFTC has not confirmed any delay.
CME And ICE Are Building Competing Contracts
CME and Silicon Data announced their partnership back on May 12. The planned contracts would track daily benchmarks measuring on demand GPU rental rates.
Silicon Data collects pricing data across GPU markets, where costs shift based on hardware type, provider, region, and contract length. CME says a standardized benchmark could make those scattered prices easier to compare.
CME Chairman and Chief Executive Terry Duffy called compute “the new oil of the 21st century” when the plan was announced. That is CME’s own description of the market rather than a formal regulatory label.
The Oct. 5 date being reported now did not appear in CME’s original May announcement. The exchange has said any launch stays subject to regulatory review.
ICE announced its own plans in May for cash settled contracts using Ornn’s Compute Price Index. That index tracks prices across GPU models including Nvidia’s H100, H200, B200, and RTX 5090 chips.
ICE also plans a separate product using NativX’s COIL Index, which tracks compute and connectivity costs adjusted for energy use. Those contracts would trade alongside ICE’s existing electricity and natural gas products.
Neither ICE project has a confirmed launch date yet. Having multiple competing benchmarks could give traders more choice, but it might also spread trading activity thin across different contracts.
This new derivatives market comes as AI infrastructure spending keeps climbing across the U.S. Some crypto mining companies have already converted power and cooling infrastructure toward AI hosting work.
TeraWulf reportedly earned more revenue from AI hosting than Bitcoin mining during the first quarter of 2026. Galaxy Digital also delivered 133 megawatts of computing capacity to CoreWeave under a 15 year deal at a former mining site in Texas.
The next concrete step is for the OMB to finish its review and for the CFTC to publish its formal request. CME will also need to complete the standard contract filing process with the CFTC before any product can trade, keeping Oct. 5 a target date rather than a locked in launch.
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Résumé en bref
BitMine a ajouté 9 926 ETH la semaine dernière, portant ses avoirs totaux à 5 815 164 tokens.
L’action BMNR a progressé de 3,68 % pour clôturer à 18,73 $ lundi, puis a encore grimpé lors des échanges de fin de séance.
L’entreprise a engagé 5 067 309 ETH, soit environ 87 % de l’ensemble de ses avoirs, générant un rendement de 2,61 %.
BitMine a racheté 1,7 million d’actions la semaine dernière, portant le total des rachats depuis juillet à plus de 20,8 millions d’actions.
Le portefeuille Ethereum de l’entreprise représente désormais 4,8 % de l’offre totale d’ETH, se rapprochant de son objectif de 5 %.
BitMine Immersion Technologies a ajouté 9 926 jetons Ethereum au cours de la semaine se terminant le 16 août, selon une communication de l’entreprise. Cet achat a porté son total d’avoir à 5 815 164 ETH, évalués à environ 11 milliards de dollars.

TLDR
EURC has surpassed €400 million in circulation after its supply more than doubled over the past year.
Circle said EURC is now supported across major blockchains, exchanges, payment networks and institutional platforms.
Euro stablecoin supply reached about €650 million by June 2026, with EURC holding a large share of the market.
Circle operates EURC as a MiCA compliant e-money token through its licensed entity in France.
Circle has asked EU policymakers to ease rules it says could limit settlement using smaller euro stablecoins.
Circle’s euro backed stablecoin EURC has crossed €400 million in circulation. The company said supply has more than doubled over the past year.
Circle shared the update on August 17. It said the token is now used for trading, payments, foreign exchange, treasury work and institutional settlement.
Circle’s own EURC page showed €402.4 million in circulation as of August 13, 2026. The company pointed to wider distribution across blockchains and financial platforms as a main driver.
Euro stablecoins had long operated with less liquidity than dollar tokens. Circle said users often relied on dollar stablecoins as a middle step when moving between euros and digital assets.
EURC launched on Ethereum in June 2022. Circle later added native issuance on Avalanche, Stellar, Solana and Base starting in 2023.
By the end of 2024, EURC was live on five blockchains with around €80 million in circulation. Supply then more than doubled in the first half of 2025 and kept climbing.
Exchanges and institutions add support
Several exchanges have listed EURC over time. Circle named Bitpanda, Bitstamp, Bybit, Coinbase and Kraken among platforms offering EURC trading pairs.
Institutional custody and settlement firms also joined in. Cobo, Copper and Fireblocks now support EURC for institutional users.
Onramp and offramp providers Mercuryo, MoonPay, Ramp and Transak added EURC too. This lets users move between euros and digital assets more directly.
Payment networks have expanded their use of the token as well. Mastercard and Circle widened stablecoin settlement in August 2025 to cover USDC and EURC across Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Regulation under MiCA
Circle issues EURC as an electronic money token under the EU’s Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation. Its licensed entity, Circle Mint France, handles issuance.
France granted Circle an Electronic Money Institution licence in July 2024. That let Circle Mint France issue EURC and USDC for European customers.
Circle said EURC reserves are kept separate from company funds. Monthly third party attestations check on those reserves.
Deutsche Börse agreed in September 2025 to add Circle stablecoins to parts of its market infrastructure. That deal covers EURC and USDC trading through 3DX and custody through Clearstream.
Total euro stablecoin supply rose from about €400 million in June 2025 to roughly €650 million by June 2026, Circle said. EURC makes up a large piece of that figure.
A European bank group called Qivalis is building a competing euro stablecoin. The consortium grew to 37 institutions in May and is seeking its own EU licence.
Circle has asked EU regulators to change parts of a proposed settlement rulebook. It argues that market size thresholds could make it harder for smaller euro tokens to qualify for institutional settlement use.
The company said its addressable market is still far larger than current circulation. Euro area M2 money supply topped €16 trillion in late 2025, compared with about €650 million held in euro stablecoins.
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Key Takeaways
Shares of Klarna tumbled 6.1% to $19.53 during Monday’s trading session, accompanied by volume that was 84% lighter than typical.
The company reports second-quarter financial results Tuesday morning; consensus calls for a $0.05 per share loss and $992.8 million in revenue.
Wall Street maintains a “Moderate Buy” rating with an average price target of $24.55, suggesting approximately 18% potential upside.
The Swedish fintech submitted applications for a U.S. banking charter in early July, though some analysts question the earnings impact given its existing European license.
During Q1, Klarna surprised positively with a $0.01 loss compared to the anticipated $0.20 loss, while generating $1 billion in revenue.
Shares of Klarna (KLAR) experienced a sharp 6.1% decline to $19.53 during Monday’s session, just one day before the company unveils its second-quarter financial performance. The stock had finished Friday’s trading at $20.79. Volume registered approximately 887,765 shares, representing an 84% decrease from the company’s 5.3 million share daily average.
The decline occurred as market participants positioned themselves ahead of Tuesday’s before-the-bell earnings announcement, with considerable attention focused on whether the buy-now-pay-later provider can continue reducing its quarterly losses.
Analyst consensus points toward an adjusted loss of $0.05 per share alongside revenue of $992.8 million for the quarter ending in June. These figures would represent a 61.5% year-over-year improvement in the company’s loss metrics and 20.6% revenue expansion. However, they would also signify a sequential decline from the first quarter, when Klarna delivered $1 billion in revenue while posting just a $0.01 per share loss.
Per-share earnings estimates have climbed 11.29% during the past two months, suggesting analysts are becoming increasingly optimistic about Klarna’s journey toward sustained profitability.
U.S. Banking Charter Application Under Scrutiny
Among the most significant developments surrounding the earnings report is Klarna’s pursuit of a United States banking charter. The company submitted formal applications with both the Utah Department of Financial Institutions and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation during early July to create Klarna Bank USA.
This initiative aligns with a broader industry trend of BNPL and digital lending companies pursuing banking licenses throughout 2026. However, some market observers remain skeptical about the transformative impact for Klarna specifically.
Kyle Peterson, an analyst at Needham who maintains a neutral stance on the shares, highlighted that Klarna has operated with a European banking license since 2017. This existing authorization diminishes the potential funding cost benefits the company might otherwise capture. Peterson indicated that Klarna should “ultimately receive less EPS accretion relative to peers that do not currently have access to deposit funding for loans.”
Wall Street Sentiment and Target Prices
The analyst community maintains a generally favorable outlook on the shares. Overall consensus stands at “Moderate Buy” with a mean price objective of $24.55, pointing to roughly 18% upside potential from Monday’s closing price. An alternative dataset places the average target at $32.28.
Recent analyst movements include JPMorgan boosting its price target from $20 to $22 while maintaining an overweight stance, whereas TD Cowen elevated its target from $17 to $19 with a hold recommendation. Barclays launched coverage with an equal weight rating and $20 price objective. Zacks revised the stock from strong buy to hold on August 5.
The breakdown shows one analyst with a strong buy rating, eleven with buy recommendations, ten holding neutral positions, and one advocating a sell.
Institutional activity has remained robust. Commonwealth Bank of Australia established a fresh position valued at approximately $503 million. Wellington Management initiated a stake worth roughly $349 million. BlackRock expanded its holdings by 89.6% throughout the second quarter.
Klarna’s shares have fluctuated between $12.06 and $57.20 during the trailing twelve months. The stock currently trades closer to the bottom of this range, carrying a market capitalization near $7.29 billion and a price-to-earnings multiple of -37.26.
The stock’s 50-day moving average stands at $18.90, while the 200-day moving average registers at $16.85.
The post Klarna (KLAR) Stock Plunges 6% as Q2 Earnings Loom – What Investors Need to Know appeared first on Blockonomi.