Welcome to QX Snapshots - a weekly recap of the key news on emerging technologies. In this newsletter, you will get a "digest" of the latest info on Enterprise Blockchain, AI, Quantum Technology. Hope it brings you value :)
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Every Friday we share key snapshot news on AI, Quantum Technologies, Metaverse, and Enterprise Blockchain/DLT.
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[Blockchain] Coinbase Integrates Chainlink for Project Diamond, ADGM and Polygon Labs Set Blockchain Disclosure Standards, Circle Partners with LuLuFin for USDC Payments, and Tether’s USD₮ Gains ADGM Approval. Coinbase has announced that its Project Diamond, a regulated digital asset platform for global institutions, will integrate Chainlink's technology. This integration enables secure cross-chain connectivity and data access for tokenized assets, with features including market prices, AML/KYC data, and proof of reserves. Peregrine, PSG Digital's ADGM-regulated business, will be the first major user. The partnership aims to enhance institutional adoption of digital assets by providing compliant, interoperable solutions across public and private blockchains, powered by Coinbase's tech stack on Base. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and Polygon Labs have partnered to develop international disclosure standards for the blockchain industry. This collaboration builds on ADGM's DLT Foundations Regulations and aims to enhance transparency and trust in the Web3 ecosystem. The partnership supports Abu Dhabi's vision to become a global blockchain hub, combining ADGM's regulatory expertise with Polygon's blockchain technology capabilities. Both organizations emphasize their commitment to fostering innovation while ensuring regulatory clarity and industry-wide transparency. Also, Circle has announced its incorporation in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and a strategic partnership with LuLu Financial Holdings to facilitate USDC-based remittances and cross-border payments in the Middle East and Africa. LuLuFin, which manages over $10 billion in annual transactions across the GCC, Indian sub-continent, and APAC regions, will use USDC to optimize payment flows between the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. This expansion aims to enhance financial inclusion and accessibility while reducing transaction costs in key remittance corridors. And, Tether’s USD₮ has been recognized as accepted virtual asset in ADGM.
[AI] Microsoft Launches Phi-4, Devin now in GA, Google Unveils Gemini 2.0s, and OpenAI Expands ChatGPT Canvas Access. Microsoft has introduced Phi-4, a 14-billion-parameter AI model that outperforms larger competitors like Google's Gemini Pro 1.5, particularly in mathematical reasoning. Despite being much smaller than models like GPT-4 and Gemini Ultra, Phi-4 excels at solving complex math problems, including AMC competition questions. Available through Azure AI Foundry under a research license, the model represents a shift from the "bigger is better" approach in AI development. Its efficiency could make sophisticated AI more accessible to organizations by reducing computational resources and costs while maintaining high performance. Meanwhile, Cognition Labs has announced general availability of Devin, an AI coding assistant, starting at $500/month for engineering teams with unlimited seats. Devin integrates with Slack, IDEs, and offers an API. It excels at handling frontend bugs, creating draft PRs, and making code refactors. The announcement showcases Devin's capabilities through several successful contributions to open-source projects including Anthropic MCP, Zod, Google's Go-Github client, Llama Index, and Karpathy's nanoGPT. The tool works best with clear requirements, manageable task sizes, and when users provide feedback and testing guidelines. Also, Google has launched Gemini 2.0, introducing advanced AI capabilities with enhanced multimodal features, including native image and audio output. The new model, starting with Gemini 2.0 Flash, outperforms its predecessor while operating at twice the speed. Google is also showcasing several experimental projects: Project Astra for real-world assistance, Project Mariner for browser-based tasks, and Jules for coding support. Available now to developers and trusted testers, Gemini 2.0 will be integrated into Google products, beginning with Search and the Gemini app. The release emphasizes responsible AI development with built-in safety features. And, OpenAI expands ChatGPT Canvas to all users.
Quantum Technology] Google's Willow Quantum Chip Achieves Breakthrough in Error Correction and Computational Power, Nokia Secures Korea's Energy Network Against Quantum Threats, and Quantum Mobility Quest Sparks Innovation in Transportation. Google has announced Willow, a breakthrough quantum chip with two major achievements. First, it demonstrates exponential error reduction as it scales up using more qubits, solving a 30-year challenge in quantum error correction. Second, it completed a benchmark computation in under five minutes that would take today's fastest supercomputer 10 septillion years. Fabricated in Google's Santa Barbara facility, Willow features 105 qubits and represents significant progress toward building useful, large-scale quantum computers. The chip demonstrates best-in-class performance in both error correction and random circuit sampling benchmarks. Meanwhile, Nokia and SK Broadband have deployed a quantum-secure network for Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) to protect against current and future cyber threats, including quantum computing-based attacks. Completed in August 2024, the implementation uses Nokia's Quantum-Safe Network solution with advanced cryptography, including transmission equipment, interconnect routers, and service access systems. The partnership aims to enhance security for South Korea's critical energy infrastructure while maintaining network performance, with SK Broadband planning to expand the technology's use throughout Korea. Also, Airbus and BMW Group have announced the winners of "The Quantum Mobility Quest," a global competition that attracted over 100 submissions to integrate quantum computing into transportation solutions. Five teams won across different categories: the University of Southern California for quantum simulation, University of Hamburg for quantum solvers, 4colors Research for logistics optimization, Quandela for machine learning, and TU Delft for carbon fiber optimization. Winners received access to AWS quantum computing resources and expert mentorship. The challenge demonstrates quantum computing's potential to transform aviation and automotive industries through improved efficiency, sustainability, and safety.
[General technology] Google's $20B Clean Energy Partnership; China Unveils Revolutionary Flash Iron-Making Method; Aqua Security Flags Prometheus Server Risks; Europol Takes Down DDoS Booters Before Holidays. Google has announced a $20 billion partnership with TPG Rise Climate and Intersect Power to build data centers alongside solar, wind, and battery farms by 2030. This "colocation" strategy aims to reduce grid pressure while meeting growing power demands for AI operations. The first project will begin operating in 2026. The initiative addresses challenges in securing clean energy for data centers, which are driving massive increases in electricity demand. While the concept faces regulatory and technical hurdles, particularly with utility monopolies, it represents a potential solution for tech companies to achieve their carbon-free energy goals. Meanwhile, Chinese researchers have developed an iron-making method that completes the process in 3-6 seconds, compared to traditional blast furnaces' 5-6 hours - a 3,600-fold increase in productivity. The "flash iron making" technique injects powdered iron ore into a hot furnace, creating an explosive reaction that produces high-purity liquid iron. Led by Professor Zhang Wenhai, this technology can use low-yield ores, reduce energy consumption by one-third, and eliminate coal usage, supporting China's carbon reduction goals. The system, which can produce 7.11 million tonnes annually, has entered commercial production. In other news, researchers at Aqua Security have discovered over 336,000 exposed Prometheus monitoring servers and exporters online, putting organizations at risk. The vulnerabilities allow attackers to access sensitive data like credentials and API keys, and potentially launch denial-of-service and remote code execution attacks. The exposure includes critical endpoints that could reveal internal system information and be exploited for server crashes. Additionally, eight exporters were found vulnerable to repojacking attacks. Organizations are advised to implement proper authentication, limit public exposure, and monitor for suspicious activity. And, Europol shuts down 27 DDoS booters across 15 countries ahead of annual Christmas attacks.
Emirates NBD powers digital asset custody in the UAE through investment in Zodia Custody - Emirates NBD
Assetera Enables Non-U.S. Investors to Trade Tokenized Nvidia, Coinbase, and S&P 500 - CoinDesk
DLT Bonds Reference Guide - ICMA
HQLAᵡ and market participants collaborate on collateral mobility initiative - HQLAᵡ
tokenize/acc - Austin Adams
Future proofing today’s financial services infrastructure for an interconnected and digital economy - DTCC
Migrating to BuilderNet - Flashbots
Sora is here - OpenAI
SPC's Request for Curiosity - South Park Commons
