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Urban Clouds
Dec 20, 2024

👉Issue #97 of QX Snapshots is out!




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] Deutsche Bank’s ZKsync Layer-2; HashKey Group Launches Ethereum L2 Mainnet; Ripple Debuts USD Stablecoin RLUSD; Tokenized US Treasury Market Hits $3B Milestone Deutsche Bank is developing a Layer-2 blockchain solution using ZKsync technology on Ethereum as part of Project Dama 2, which falls under Singapore's Project Guardian for blockchain asset tokenization. The initiative aims to balance blockchain efficiency with regulatory compliance by implementing a curated validator network and regulatory oversight capabilities. The bank plans to launch a minimum viable product in 2025, subject to regulatory approval. This project could pave the way for other financial institutions to adopt similar blockchain strategies. Meanwhile, HashKey Group, a Hong Kong-based regulated digital asset firm, has launched HashKey Chain mainnet, its Ethereum Layer 2 network built using OP Stack. During its testnet phase, the chain processed nearly 25 million transactions and registered over 860,000 wallet addresses. The network joins other major platforms like Coinbase's Base and Kraken's Ink on the Superchain ecosystem. HashKey Chain features its native HSK token and offers a $50 million grant program for developers. The company also manages successful Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in Hong Kong. Also, Ripple has launched its USD-denominated stablecoin RLUSD, backed by US dollar deposits, government bonds, and cash equivalents. The stablecoin debuted on December 17, 2024, on multiple crypto exchanges including Uphold, Archax, MoonPay, with more listings planned. Available on XRP Ledger and Ethereum blockchains, RLUSD will support global enterprise payments and maintain transparency through monthly third-party attestations of its reserves. And, the market for tokenized US Treasury securities has experienced rapid growth, reaching $3 billion in total value this week. This milestone comes less than three months after hitting $2 billion, with Hashnote's USYC product being a key driver of growth. The market has shown remarkable expansion since the beginning of 2024, when it was valued at under $750 million, representing a 300% year-over-year increase.


[AI] NVIDIA Unveils $249 Jetson Orin Nano AI Supercomputer; Google Expands Gemini Code Assist with Third-Party Tool Integration; OpenAI Launches o3 Models.  NVIDIA has introduced the Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit, a compact generative AI supercomputer priced at $249 (down from $499). This palm-sized device offers up to 1.7x improvement in generative AI performance, 70% increase in INT8 TOPS performance, and 50% higher memory bandwidth compared to its predecessor. The kit includes support for popular AI models, multiple cameras, and runs on NVIDIA's comprehensive AI software ecosystem. The performance-boosting software updates will also benefit existing Jetson Orin Nano, NX, and Orin Nano users. Meanwhile, Google has expanded its Gemini Code Assist service with third-party tool support, launching in private preview. The enterprise-focused AI coding assistant, rebranded from Duet AI in April, now integrates with external applications through tools from partners like GitLab, GitHub, Sentry.io, and others. This feature aims to reduce context switching for developers by bringing various technologies directly into the coding environment. Currently limited to Google Cloud partners, the service competes with GitHub's Copilot Enterprise and has seen significant updates, including customized code suggestions based on private repositories.  And, OpenAI has announced o3, a new family of "reasoning" AI models including o3 and o3-mini, succeeding their earlier o1 model. The models feature self-fact-checking capabilities and adjustable "thinking time," leading to improved reliability in physics, science, and mathematics. On the ARC-AGI benchmark, o3 achieved 87.5%, suggesting progress toward AGI (artificial general intelligence). While only available to safety researchers currently, these models have shown remarkable performance across various benchmarks. However, concerns exist about potential deceptive behaviors, similar to those observed in o1.


[Quantum Technology] Nokia and Turkcell Pioneer Quantum-Safe Encryption for Mobile Networks; China Unveils Zuchongzhi 3.0 Quantum Processor; Israel Launches First 20-Qubit Quantum Computer. Nokia and Turkcell have successfully demonstrated the first deployment of quantum-safe IPsec cryptography for mobile networks. This implementation uses Nokia's IPsec Security Gateway to encrypt data packets, protecting against future quantum computing threats that could break traditional cryptographic methods. The integration into Turkcell's transport network sets a new benchmark in telecom security. This proactive approach aims to ensure long-term protection for mobile communications, with both companies emphasizing the importance of preparing networks for the quantum era's security challenges. Meawhile, Chinese researchers have unveiled Zuchongzhi 3.0 quantum processor, featuring 105 superconducting qubits, demonstrates significant advancement in quantum computing. Using 83 qubits, it achieved computational tasks six orders of magnitude harder than Google's earlier experiments. The processor shows high operational fidelities (99%+) and uses innovative "flip-chip" technology. While this development competes with Google's Willow processor, they pursue different priorities - Zuchongzhi focuses on computational power, while Willow emphasizes error correction. Both systems' tasks would take classical supercomputers billions of years to simulate. And, Israel has unveiled its first domestically built 20-qubit quantum computer using superconducting technology. The project, developed through collaboration between the Israel Innovation Authority, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Hebrew University, and Yissum, establishes quantum infrastructure for both defense and civilian applications. The Quantum QHIPU lab at IAI focuses on practical quantum computing applications and global collaborations. 


[General technology] Genesis Enables Robots to be Trained in Hours; Laser-based Artificial Neurons Shatter Speed Limits; Lazarus Group Escalates Cyber Attacks on Nuclear Engineers. Researchers launched Genesis, a new open-source simulation system that allows robots to train 430,000 times faster than in real-world conditions, compressing decades of learning into hours. Developed by researchers from universities and private industry, it can run up to 100,000 simultaneous simulations using regular graphics cards. The system also features the ability to generate "4D dynamic worlds" from text prompts, creating complete virtual environments with realistic physics. Built with Python, Genesis makes high-speed robot training accessible to researchers without requiring specialized hardware, democratizing robotics research. Meanwhile, a laser-based artificial neuron, developed by researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, operates a billion times faster than biological neurons. The chip-based quantum-dot laser neuron can process 34.7 million images or 100 million heartbeats per second, with 98.4% accuracy in identifying irregular heart rhythms. Led by Chaoran Huang, this technology promises to edge computing while consuming minimal energy. The team plans to develop networks of multiple laser neurons to further enhance processing capabilities. In other news, the  Lazarus Group has been targeting nuclear engineers with a new malware campaign. Using sophisticated infection chains, they deployed CookiePlus, a new modular backdoor, against employees of a nuclear organization. The attacks, part of Operation Dream Job, involve trojanized VNC applications disguised as job assessment tools. The group has also significantly increased their digital assets and crypto currencies hacking activities, stealing $1.34 billion in 2024, up from $660.50 million in 2023. Their attacks are becoming more frequent and sophisticated, particularly in high-value exploits.







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