Microsoft will increase Xbox console prices globally on 1 August 2026, with some models rising by US$100 to US$150 due to higher storage and memory costs. The standard Xbox Series X will cost US$800, up from its original US$500 launch price, while Microsoft will discontinue the 2TB Series X model.
WeatherlySouth Korea has begun including cryptocurrency holdings in asset reviews for its New Start Fund debt relief programme for small business owners and self-employed borrowers. Applicants using major domestic crypto exchanges must now submit proof of their digital asset holdings as part of the assessment process.
AnaisOpenAI is reportedly considering delaying its planned IPO until 2027 after deciding to maintain its US$1 trillion valuation target rather than accept a lower market valuation.
WeatherlyGoogle reportedly limited Meta's access to its Gemini AI models after Meta requested more computing capacity than Google could provide, delaying some of Meta's internal AI projects.
WeatherlyAustria has asked the European Union to explore establishing a stronger presence for Anthropic within Europe following US restrictions on foreign access to some of the company's most advanced AI models.
AnaisFirmus Technologies will build a 360MW AI data centre campus in Indonesia through a partnership with Nvidia and DayOne. The deal gives Firmus access to up to 170,000 Nvidia AI chips and could generate up to US$30 billion in customer agreements.
WeatherlySBI Holdings will acquire Japanese crypto exchange Bitbank for US$289 million, creating Japan's largest regulated crypto platform by assets under custody. The deal strengthens SBI's stablecoin strategy as consolidation accelerates in Japan's crypto market.
AnaisSingapore's MAS has added Hyperliquid to its Investor Alert List, stating that the crypto trading platform is not licensed or authorised to operate in the country.
WeatherlySamsung Electronics and SK Hynix will invest about 881 trillion won (US$576 billion) to build four new chip plants and expand AI infrastructure in South Korea's southwest region. The government hopes the plan will boost semiconductor production and meet rising global demand for AI memory chips.
AnaisAI tools are cutting animation production costs by up to 90%, leading studios to reduce production teams. Los Angeles' film industry lost 6,700 jobs in the year to May 2026 as AI adoption accelerated.
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