Industry News

Tracks company news, strategic changes, funding activities, and personnel adjustments across the blockchain and crypto industries, delivering a full-spectrum industry overview for our users.

No More Selling Shoes, Now Selling Computing Power: Will AI Computing Power Follow the Same Path as DAT?

Former footwear brand Allbirds announced a pivot to AI computing infrastructure under the name NewBird AI, raising $50 million and causing its stock to surge 582% in a single day. This shift echoes last year’s trend of companies rebranding as Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs), though the AI compute model differs significantly. The move highlights a structural shortage in AI computing power. Gartner projects global AI spending to reach $2.52 trillion by 2026, with over half dedicated to infrastructure. Major tech firms like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are ramping up capital expenditures, yet supply remains constrained due to long GPU lead times and soaring demand from both training and inference workloads. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang predicts a $1 trillion AI chip and infrastructure market by 2027. Unlike DAT companies—which held volatile crypto assets—AI compute firms rely on physical infrastructure, operational expertise, and long-term contracts that generate recurring revenue. However, analysts caution that Allbirds’ modest funding and lack of experience may signal “AI-washing,” akin to earlier blockchain hype. While the strategy offers a potential lifeline for struggling public companies, sustainable success requires genuine operational capability and significant investment.

Odaily星球日报04/16 10:21

No More Selling Shoes, Now Selling Computing Power: Will AI Computing Power Follow the Same Path as DAT?

Odaily星球日报04/16 10:21

After the Collapse of the Believe Flywheel Myth, the 26-Year-Old Prodigy Founder Stands as Defendant in Federal Court

In March 2026, 26-year-old Australian entrepreneur Ben Pasternak and his entities B24, Inc. and Believe Foundation were sued in a New York federal court. Investors accused Pasternak of deceptive practices and false advertising through three consecutive token offerings and a forced token migration, causing hundreds of millions in losses. The case centers on Believe (formerly Clout.me), a Solana-based social token launch platform Pasternak founded. Users could create tokens via tweets, with the platform token LAUNCHCOIN reaching a peak market cap of $370 million in May 2025. Pasternak initially claimed he had "zero ownership" of his self-named token, PASTERNAK, which crashed over 95% within a week. In October 2025, Believe forced a migration from LAUNCHCOIN to a new token, BELIEVE, increasing total supply by 33.3%. New tokens were allocated to team members, investors, and the foundation, diluting existing holders. Pasternak falsely claimed no tokens were allocated to insiders for a year, while the foundation received 40 million tokens with no lock-up. The platform generated an estimated $54 million in fees from $6 billion in trading volume. Pasternak earned creator fees throughout. After the migration, significant selling occurred from top wallets. BELIEVE’s value plummeted from its peak to around $1.2 million. Pasternak, a former teen prodigy who dropped out of school at 15, had previously founded apps like Monkey and the food-tech startup NUGGS. His personal life also drew attention, including a public breakup in early 2026. Once hailed as "the next Zuckerberg," he now faces legal and reputational collapse.

marsbit04/16 09:44

After the Collapse of the Believe Flywheel Myth, the 26-Year-Old Prodigy Founder Stands as Defendant in Federal Court

marsbit04/16 09:44

Ethereum’s Staking Ecosystem Evolves As Market Cap Expands Rapidly

With the cryptocurrency market turning bullish, Ethereum's staking ecosystem is experiencing explosive growth, reaching a record $85.2 billion in market capitalization. This surge reflects increased participation from both retail and institutional investors seeking yields while enhancing network security. Ethereum now commands more staked value than all other major blockchains combined, solidifying its position as the leading decentralized security budget and a trusted settlement layer for the global on-chain economy. Meanwhile, Ethereum's price has rebounded, reclaiming the $2,300 level—a key resistance point. However, analysts caution that the current uptrend resembles a bear market relief rally rather than a structural reversal. At the time of writing, ETH was trading around $2,319, with a slight decline in price and a 13% drop in trading volume. Despite short-term volatility, the foundation of Ethereum's staking economy remains stronger than ever.

bitcoinist04/16 09:07

Ethereum’s Staking Ecosystem Evolves As Market Cap Expands Rapidly

bitcoinist04/16 09:07

Morgan Stanley's First Bitcoin ETF One-Week Review: Defying the Trend to Attract Capital, a Signal of Institutional Accumulation

Morgan Stanley launched its first spot Bitcoin ETF, the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust (MSBT), on April 8, becoming the first major U.S. bank to issue such a product. With a competitive 0.14% annual fee—the lowest among U.S. Bitcoin ETFs—and backing from Coinbase and BNY Mellon, MSBT attracted $30.6 million in net inflows on its first day, defying a broader market outflow of $93.9 million. It continued to see positive inflows in subsequent days, even as other major funds experienced significant withdrawals. Amid a 44% Bitcoin price correction from its 2025 peak and four consecutive months of net outflows across Bitcoin ETFs, MSBT’s steady inflows suggest institutional accumulation at lower price levels. The fund, which now holds around 960 BTC, is positioned to capture long-term institutional interest, supported by Morgan Stanley’s wealth advisors who recommend up to 4% Bitcoin allocation for high-net-worth clients. Shortly after MSBT’s debut, Goldman Sachs filed for its own Bitcoin ETF—a covered call strategy product aimed at generating steady income while maintaining Bitcoin exposure. This move, along with MSBT’s successful launch, signals growing institutional engagement despite bearish market sentiment. Analysts project MSBT could reach $5 billion in AUM within a year, highlighting its role as a key indicator of Wall Street’s evolving stance on Bitcoin.

marsbit04/16 09:01

Morgan Stanley's First Bitcoin ETF One-Week Review: Defying the Trend to Attract Capital, a Signal of Institutional Accumulation

marsbit04/16 09:01

Morgan Stanley's First Bitcoin ETF One-Week Review: Defying the Trend to Attract Capital, a Signal of Institutional Accumulation

Morgan Stanley launched its first spot Bitcoin ETF, the Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust (MSBT), on April 8, becoming the first major U.S. bank to issue such a product. With the lowest annual fee among U.S. Bitcoin ETFs at 0.14%, it is custodied by Coinbase and administered by BNY Mellon. In its first week, MSBT saw consistent inflows despite overall market outflows. On its debut, it attracted $30.6 million while the broader Bitcoin ETF market bled $93.9 million. It continued to see inflows in subsequent days, even as major ETFs like Fidelity’s FBTC experienced significant outflows. By the end of the week, MSBT had accumulated $37.5 million in net inflows, with assets under management (AUM) around $64–70 million, holding roughly 960 BTC. The launch timing—amid a 44% Bitcoin price correction from its 2025 high—suggests institutional accumulation at lower levels. Morgan Stanley’s wealth advisors are reportedly recommending up to a 4% Bitcoin allocation to high-net-worth clients, signaling potential sustained inflows from its $7 trillion client assets. Shortly after, Goldman Sachs filed for its own Bitcoin ETF—a covered call strategy product aimed at generating income from option premiums, catering to yield-seeking institutional investors. Analysts see MSBT’s steady inflows as a sign of institutional confidence despite bearish sentiment, making it a key indicator of Wall Street’s growing engagement with Bitcoin.

Odaily星球日报04/16 08:56

Morgan Stanley's First Bitcoin ETF One-Week Review: Defying the Trend to Attract Capital, a Signal of Institutional Accumulation

Odaily星球日报04/16 08:56

Dialogue with a16z Co-founder: The Physical Laws of the Old World Are Dead, Crypto Becomes Key Infrastructure for AI

At a16z Fintech Connect, Ben Horowitz discusses how AI revolution is fundamentally rewriting the rules of software competition. He argues that traditional moats like data lock-in and UI familiarity are vanishing, as AI can easily replicate code, transfer data, and interact flexibly with software. CEOs of legacy companies must recognize these shifts and pivot towards delivering unique value beyond outdated advantages. Horowitz highlights that while some businesses face obsolescence, others with complex, entrenched operational networks (like travel platforms) may retain relevance. The conversation also covers critical infrastructure bottlenecks in the AI boom—from GPU shortages and power constraints to supply chain issues—emphasizing the need for massive investment in physical and digital infrastructure. Horowitz strongly links AI and blockchain, arguing that crypto is essential for solving AI-generated problems: identity verification, content authenticity, fraud prevention, universal basic income distribution, and enabling AI economic agency. Looking ahead, he speculates on VC’s evolving role—whether it scales up alongside mega-companies or adapts to a decentralized compute landscape—and strikes an optimistic note on AI’s long-term impact, foreseeing unprecedented improvements in global living standards despite transitional disruption.

marsbit04/16 08:13

Dialogue with a16z Co-founder: The Physical Laws of the Old World Are Dead, Crypto Becomes Key Infrastructure for AI

marsbit04/16 08:13

Dragonfly Survey on Current State of Crypto Recruitment: Compliance Roles +340%, Data Science +74%, Crypto Enters the Era of On-Demand Hiring

Dragonfly's 2026 crypto talent report reveals a fundamental shift in hiring: companies now recruit based on actual need rather than market hype. In 2025, the industry saw a net reduction of 472 roles, but compliance positions surged by 340% and data science roles grew by 74%. The second half of 2025 brought discipline and recovery, with hiring stabilizing. Candidates are now more cautious, prioritizing company durability, clear role definition, and tangible impact over broad narratives. Engineering, AI/ML, and security roles remain highly competitive. Founders are advised to hire based on milestones—not cycles—and provide clear value propositions to attract talent. Remote work remains common, but key hubs like New York and the Bay Area dominate. AI's influence is significant, but its unclear impact in crypto may slow hiring. The outlook for 2026 is flat to moderate growth, driven by execution-focused teams with credible stories.

marsbit04/16 06:59

Dragonfly Survey on Current State of Crypto Recruitment: Compliance Roles +340%, Data Science +74%, Crypto Enters the Era of On-Demand Hiring

marsbit04/16 06:59

Ripple Lands Major Korea Deal With Top Insurance Giant Kyobo

Ripple has partnered with Kyobo Life Insurance, one of Korea's largest insurers, to develop the country's first tokenized government bond settlement workflow on blockchain. The collaboration will utilize Ripple Custody to hold, transfer, and settle transactions within a regulated framework, aiming to replace manual process with on-chain execution that could compress the standard two-day settlement cycle to near real-time. This initiative is positioned as infrastructure for a broader institutional stack. Both companies aim to assess the technical and regulatory feasibility, reduce counterparty risk, and explore stablecoin-based payment rails for 24/7 transactions. Ripple described this as a strategic entry into Korea's institutional financial market and a signal that proven digital asset infrastructure is ready for deployment.

bitcoinist04/16 06:29

Ripple Lands Major Korea Deal With Top Insurance Giant Kyobo

bitcoinist04/16 06:29

Bloomberg Terminal Earns Billions Annually from Data Intermediation, Now 6 Institutions Are Putting Data Directly On-Chain

Six major financial institutions — Fidelity, Euronext, Tradeweb, OTC Markets Group, Singapore Exchange (Forex), and Exchange Data International — have begun publishing proprietary market data directly on-chain via Pyth Network. This move bypasses traditional data intermediaries like Bloomberg, which has long dominated the financial data market with annual revenues of approximately $10 billion from its terminal business alone. The shift enables developers on over 100 blockchains to access high-quality, real-time financial data — including ETF valuations, fixed income data, FX rates, and OTC securities — without long-term contracts, steep fees, or proprietary hardware. This development is critical for the scalability of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization in DeFi, as reliable, institutional-grade data must be available on-chain before assets can be traded or used as collateral in decentralized protocols. Pyth’s model differs from earlier oracle solutions like Chainlink by sourcing data directly from institutional traders and exchanges rather than aggregating from third-party sources. While this approach offers higher speed and accuracy, it also involves a more centralized network of known publishers. The move challenges the decades-old monopoly of data middlemen and could significantly reduce barriers to entry for developers building DeFi products tied to traditional financial markets.

marsbit04/16 05:49

Bloomberg Terminal Earns Billions Annually from Data Intermediation, Now 6 Institutions Are Putting Data Directly On-Chain

marsbit04/16 05:49

From "Silicon Valley's Sacred Shoes" to "GPU Computing Power": The Absurdity and Logic Behind Allbirds Renaming to NewBird AI

From "Silicon Valley's Favorite Shoe" to "GPU Computing Power": The Absurdity and Logic Behind Allbirds' Rebranding to NewBird AI On April 15, Allbirds, the maker of merino wool running shoes, announced a radical pivot from footwear to AI compute, rebranding as "NewBird AI." The move triggered a 582% surge in its stock price the same day. This followed the sale of its shoe business for $39 million—a fraction of its $4 billion IPO valuation in 2021. Allbirds rose to fame in 2016 with its comfortable, eco-friendly minimalist shoes, becoming a status symbol in tech circles. But after rapid expansion and failed attempts to attract Gen Z, revenue declined, losses mounted, and its value plummeted. By early 2026, all its U.S. stores had closed. Now, under CEO Joe Vernachio, the company is attempting a reboot. It secured $50 million in convertible notes from an undisclosed investor to purchase high-performance GPUs and offer "GPU-as-a-service" to AI developers. The company cites real market shortages in compute capacity, but questions remain about how a $50 million entry can compete in a capital-intensive industry dominated by giants like NVIDIA and CoreWeave. The move echoes past market frenzies, such as Long Island Iced Tea’s pivot to blockchain in 2017—a hype-driven strategy that ended in delisting and SEC action. While AI compute demand is real, NewBird AI’s operational capacity and execution plan remain unproven. The timing is suggestive: the stock soared based on a narrative, before any shareholder vote or operational results. The company plans a special dividend in Q3, raising questions about who benefits from the short-term market enthusiasm. NewBird AI exemplifies a broader trend: companies with broken business models turning to AI for revival. Whether this is a legitimate transformation or a market play remains to be seen.

marsbit04/16 04:52

From "Silicon Valley's Sacred Shoes" to "GPU Computing Power": The Absurdity and Logic Behind Allbirds Renaming to NewBird AI

marsbit04/16 04:52

活动图片

Популярные категорииright-arrow

Популярные тегиright-arrow

Industry News

Market Analysis