Quick Peek:

1. ECB Says “No” to Bitcoin as Reserve

2. Apple’s Earnings: Hits, Misses, and New Horizons

3. Nvidia Greenlights Samsung’s Advanced AI Chips

4. India’s IT Minister Applauds DeepSeek’s AI Leaps

5. Microsoft + DeepSeek = A New Azure Powerhouse

6. OpenAI vs. DeepSeek: Accusations Fly

ECB Rejects Bitcoin as Reserve Asset

ECB President Christine Lagarde has firmly dismissed Bitcoin as a viable reserve, citing Bitcoin does not fulfill the essential criteria for central bank reserves, which must be liquid, safe, and secure. While some neighboring nations are toying with the idea of adding crypto to their treasuries, Lagarde’s stance underscores how cautious major institutions remain about decentralized assets. Notably, the Czech National Bank is testing a 5% Bitcoin allocation, and Norway’s sovereign fund invests heavily in BTC-linked companies—revealing the deep divide even among European peers.[Read the full article here]

On a related note, financial giants aren’t the only ones grappling with market pressures…

Apple’s Q1 2025 Earnings: Cautious Yet Resilient

Apple reported $124 billion in revenue with a 4% year-over-year increase. iPhone sales led the dip at 1% down, but Services stood out with a 14% increase to $26 billion. Apple has surpassed one billion paid subscriptions across its ecosystem, thanks to hits like Apple Music and Apple TV+.

CEO Tim Cook points to macroeconomic uncertainties and supply chain hiccups for the cautious forecast, yet the company’s massive ecosystem and new partnership with Starlink suggest Apple remains steadfast in its innovation. Long-term, the tech giant’s brand power and continuous R&D investments keep most investors optimistic about its trajectory.[Read the full article here]

And speaking of innovation, AI hardware developments are accelerating at breakneck speed…

Nvidia Approves Samsung’s Advanced AI Memory Chips

Nvidia has officially certified Samsung’s fifth-generation HBM (High-Bandwidth Memory) chips for its AI platforms, a move that potentially challenges SK Hynix and Micron Technology’s stronghold in the market. The agreement also highlights Nvidia’s aim to diversify its supply chain to meet rising AI demands more efficiently. With newer AI models pushing the limits of what current hardware can do, this approval could spark competitive pricing, expanded production capacity, and faster global adoption of advanced AI systems.[Read the full article here]

Meanwhile, in the world of satellite radio and streaming, a legendary investor just made a big statement…

India’s IT Minister Lauds DeepSeek’s AI Momentum

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI model rumored to have been built in just two months on a modest $6 million budget, has caught the attention of India’s IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Praising its cost-efficiency and power, Vaishnaw aims to host DeepSeek on Indian servers a strategic move to safeguard data privacy while accelerating local AI growth. Still, India faces an uphill battle in closing the gap with AI leaders like the U.S. and China, even as it earmarks $1.25 billion for AI initiatives and lines up nearly 19,000 top-tier GPUs to enhance computing capabilities for AI research and development.[Read the full article here]

Big Tech isn’t sitting on the sidelines either; they’re eyeing partnerships that could reshape the global AI market…

Microsoft Integrates DeepSeek’s R1 AI Model into Azure

Microsoft has added DeepSeek R1 AI model into its Azure AI Foundry platform and GitHub. This broadens the Azure AI portfolio while giving businesses an alternative to larger, more expansive models. DeepSeek R1’s streamlined cost structure, built-in content filtering, and local deployment options cater to companies concerned about compliance and data privacy. However, some observers worry about the legal and regulatory questions swirling around DeepSeek’s rapid ascent.[Read the full article here]

And finally, controversy stirs in Silicon Valley as a major AI developer cries foul…

OpenAI Accuses DeepSeek of Copycat Tactics

OpenAI alleges that DeepSeek appropriated proprietary data to enhance its models, a charge that puts a spotlight on IP rights and ethical boundaries in the AI space. DeepSeek’s most recent model is already outpacing ChatGPT in app store downloads, illustrating how attractive cost-effective AI solutions can be especially in emerging markets. The legal clash raises questions about fair competition, privacy, and how best to foster responsible AI innovation in a race where corners can be tempting to cut.[Read the full article here]

Fill the French Press